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The village population must number around a thousand people, all clumped together, a sea of heads bustling and surrounding Song Yin and his group in a circle, yet not daring to come close, creating a circular clearing around Song Yin.
Song Yin cupped his hands and said, "Fellow villagers, why do I see no elders here?"
Where there were elders, one might expect more knowledge, as age often brings a wealth of experience and wisdom.
Clearly the leader, the stout man's expression darkened as he responded, "Honored Great Immortal, all the elders are gone. There used to be some, but this place is filled with miasma and it's very stifling heat. The old could not withstand it and perished..."
At this point, Sun Jiubei asked, "If that's the case, why not leave the marsh? The land outside looks very fertile to me."
His question certainly called for an answer.
The stout man revealed a bitter smile, "It's not that we don't want to go, it's that we can't leave..."
