Yuan Ming retracted his soul crow and, without stopping, quickly arrived outside the village.
After dismounting his horse, he walked into the village, leading it by the reins. Near the entrance, he encountered several children playing in the open space in front of an old poplar tree.
The children, only seven or eight years old with their hair tied in small braids, scattered in panic, running toward their homes instead of reacting with curiosity upon seeing a stranger enter the village.
The few villagers outside disappeared in the blink of an eye as every household hurriedly shut and bolted their doors, leaving nothing but the sound of dogs barking.
Yuan Ming paused, taken aback by this scene, and led his horse through the village.
In the village center, he saw an elderly woman with graying hair sitting by a well, apparently having fallen in her haste and unable to stand up.
As Yuan Ming approached, the old woman retreated in fear, her face ashen.
