Chapter 45: Right Under the Nose
" A sudden onset drought was the chie's explanation, the military looked in to it and it checked out. As for anything else the people weren't happy about village herbalist being unable to figure anything out about the poisoning incident either.
What is it tell me, you have that look on your face." Fei Jiao put his pen down and observed Cao Guang.
"What look"
"The same look you had when you brought me news about the Incendiary Fire, now come on spill it".
"It's curious as to why the chief would want us to keep that almost dried up well as is, the Ash Wood fence I get it but not the well. It doesn't fit. Maybe they want to be able to return this place at some point."
"Well, when you have jaundice everything looks yellow. Are you sure you aren't reading too much into it. What kind of a secret could a we'll be hiding.
Don't tell me you think it's the origin of these Undead" Fei Jiao chuckled.
Close, I know it's of the same origin as the Undead.
"I just want to check it out."
" Go on, if it gives you peace. But no magic inside the well alright".
Cao Guang brought Song Xia and some equipment and descended into the well.
It was filled with liquid up to a metre height from the bottom. It smelled nor tasted no different than ordinary water. Moss covered the walls of the well.
The moss pattern looked bright from three metres to upwards.
"The water level fell rapidly here, obviously it remained at three metres for a long time before suddenly falling to one metre" said Song Xia looking at a makeshift depth indicator probably made when the well was made as well.
"Yep, the water level fell suddenly" Cao Guang nodded.
"No it didn't just fall, it was probably drained, this well is four metres in radius, we are talking about 100 cubic metres of water. It didn't evaporate, it's November and it's been quite chilly for a week."
As I thought, the village lost a large amount of Water of Kun, chief suspected someone did steal it but didn't want to risk and wait till he could prove it. There wasn't enough water left and soon they would be in trouble.
Which brings me to my logical fallacy, I assumed Salan didn't get the Water of Kun until much later that's why I kept such a loose eye on it. Assuming that it was Salan, she probably had the idea for her Frenzy Spring and is looking for suitable resources and people.
She might be looking for more than just Water of Kun,.if she did she would have emptied the water of other villages as well, but that also means she doesn't have her herbalist yet her head priest must be ready though.
It is unlikely that Yan Qiu is the chief Extraditor already, this is the most important step. Without this Salan won't ever start her apotheosis.
To think she started right under my nose. How do I proceed, don't want to spook the deer, I can only keep an eye on the water levels of other villages. Since I am here I should check out the formations if I can find it.
"There seems to be a door here"
Cao Guang nonchalantly pushed the lid back and opened the refugee shelter designed for the villages. He had already brought some equipment to check this place.
Light shone on the empty dark room about 25metres in length, it seemed to be connected to another source of water, as a trickle of water traversed the room horizontally.
The only formation on the surface is this one for light and heat. I suppose whatever left by the Ancient King would be deep underground and well camouflaged. I can only try later.
"It's a shelter room for the villagers nothing here" Cao Guang sighed "let's go back up".
"Why do you sound disappointed" asked Song Xia.
"Just curious".
Cao Guang and Song Xia climbed back up and went back to their resting quarters.
I suppose there isn't any proof to report Salan's presence here, then I can only maintain the status quo.
Onwards to the mission then.
---
Cao Guang and his squad attended the mission briefing for the squads under Captain Huo in the evening and prepared for moving out in the morning.
" There will be no fighting in the night and all soldiers must return to the village. Even if Undead won't invade the village we cannot be too careful.
Now you guys will engage herds of Blood Tabi Beasts in small squads. Inorder to avoid attracting the Undead or these beasts turning into Undead a Light Mage needs to be present in every squad.
Also process the body of the Blood Beasts well and bring everything back.