Chapter 137: Going All Out

After speaking a few words, she waved her hand to signal Chen Dalu to leave, but noticed him grinning awkwardly. He opened his mouth as if to speak, yet seemed to hold back.

"Something the matter?"

Chen Dalu nodded, then shook his head.

"If you have something to say, say it quickly. If not, get lost!"

Seeing Bai Xi’s impatience, Chen Dalu took a deep breath and mustered his courage.

"Great-Aunt, you haven't been eating or sleeping well lately, and everyone is very worried."

"Mm, I know," Bai Xi replied. "It’s nothing serious; I’ll be better soon."

"Of course, Great-Aunt will recover quickly." Chen Dalu secretly touched the object hidden inside his jacket, his expression solemn and grave.

As drowsiness washed over her, Bai Xi didn't pay much attention to his demeanor. Once Chen Dalu left, she drifted off to sleep. Little Black, listening to the commotion in the village, lifted its tiger head to look toward the noise, glanced at Bai Xi’s bedroom, and then rested its head back down.

At that moment, beneath the large tree in the center of the village, nearly everyone in Niuluo Village had gathered. Those who couldn't bring their whole families had sent the heads of their households. Tied to a stump under the tree was a cow; had Bai Xi seen it, she would have recognized it as the one that pulled the cart when she went into town last time.

"Alright, settle down, settle down." Chen Dalu had picked up Bai Xi’s habit of starting every speech with "Alright."

Recalling how listless Bai Xi had looked earlier, Chen Dalu’s eyes reddened. The man felt a surge of indignation; he didn't know which deity was so blind as to afflict their Great-Aunt, such a wonderful person.

"That’s enough, stop talking, or else come stand in the middle and say it yourself!"

The surrounding chatter died down instantly. Everyone knew that something major was afoot.

"Village Chief, have you come up with a solution for Great-Aunt?"

Chen Dalu had left with some men before dawn, but when the three of them returned on the ox cart, many in the village had seen them.

"What's the rush? I was just about to tell you."

How could they not be in a rush? Their Great-Aunt’s round, rosy face had thinned significantly. She was lethargic, eating little and sleeping much, with no spirit for anything. Even the doctors couldn't find the cause. If something were to happen to her, how could they face the ancestors of Niuluo Village?

Chen Damu wanted to chime in, but Chen Dalu swept his gaze over the villagers and cleared his throat. "You all know that Great-Aunt is unwell. I know you are all anxious and have been trying to think of ways to help..."

Indeed, many had been unable to sleep, distracted at work, and would gaze toward the treehouse every day. Whenever they passed by, they would have gone up to pay their respects if they hadn't been afraid of disturbing her rest.

"Nearby..." Chen Dalu started, but decided it wasn't necessary to be too specific. He changed course: "I went to seek a solution today. The person said that Great-Aunt’s fortune has been depleted and she has been struck by bad spirits. To help her recover, we must pay a heavy price."

Upon hearing this, some villagers instinctively looked toward Xiao Tao, who was standing in the corner holding her child. Everyone knew that when Xiao Tao had a difficult labor, Great-Aunt had disregarded the taboo against children entering the delivery room to save both mother and child. It was likely that she had been tainted then.

Even Old Lady Chen cast a subconscious glance at Xiao Tao, feeling a growing sense of guilt. Both the Great Ancestor and Great-Aunt were their family’s greatest benefactors. Xiao Tao caught the drift, clutching her son tightly. Struck by fear and helplessness, she looked at her mother-in-law, then her son, and finally the villagers, feeling utterly terrified.

However, the villagers only glanced at the Chen family briefly. Everyone understood that Great-Aunt was kind-hearted and cared for them all. She certainly would have known the risks of losing fortune, yet she chose to save them anyway. Since she had saved them, they couldn't force them out in a way that would offend her wishes. Besides, since Chen Tianming had already been driven out of the village, they didn't hold any animosity toward the rest of the family.

Hearing there was a way, someone eagerly asked, "What is the solution? Tell us! Whatever it is, we won't even blink."

"That’s right, tell us! What heavy price? Do you need a bowl of blood from us? If so, I’ll be the first."

"Me too."

"Me, me, I’ll do it..." It was just a bowl of blood; if it meant Great-Aunt would recover, they’d give two.

Chen Dalu twitched his mouth in silence. *Great Ancestor was right,* he thought, *the education level in the village is still too low.* Once Great-Aunt recovered, he would have to organize literacy classes next year; otherwise, they would lose face for her whenever they went out.

"Don't be impatient, listen to me."

"Then hurry up! You’re dragging your feet, no wonder Great-Aunt calls you long-winded," an old man leaning on a cane grumbled.

Chen Dalu was stifled, but since the man was an elder, he had to swallow the criticism. *Those officials in the city talk like this all the time,* he thought, *I’m just used to it.* Knowing he couldn't delay, he jumped straight to the point: "Do you see this cow?"

"We see it."

"We aren't blind."

"Hurry up..."

Not waiting for more complaints, Chen Dalu continued, "The heavy price is this cow."

Someone exclaimed, "You want Great-Aunt to drink cow blood?"

If Bai Xi had heard this, she would have been furious enough to kick someone; she wasn't a vampire, nor did she have any such interests. Little Black lifted its head again at this. Should it tell its master? But she was sleeping so soundly... forget it, leave it be.

Chen Dalu nodded, then shook his head. "Yes and no."

"The method requires cow blood to wash away the filth that struck Great-Aunt. We must cook the cow’s heart for her to eat, and let her drink water infused with the cow's heart blood—to nourish the heart and spirit. During her recovery, she must not be tainted by anything impure again. If we do this, Great-Aunt will surely get better soon."

Although Chen Dalu didn't say where he had sought the advice, the villagers quickly figured it out. It must have been from a Taoist temple. But even if they knew, they wouldn't speak of it. Where the method came from didn't matter; as long as it worked, that was all that counted.