Chapter 483: Descending into the Well with a Staff

"I am Xu Qiuyue, a younger generation member of the Xu family. Though I share the same ancestry as the main branch, our ties have grown distant over time."

Standing in the hall, the Xu family scholar first glanced at Song You and Lady Calico, then at the others before quickly lowering his head. With utmost respect, he bowed to everyone and introduced himself, "I pay my respects to the head of the family and all esteemed elders present."

"You are also of the Xu family?" the elder asked.

"I wouldn't dare falsely claim close kinship with the main branch, but our lineage is recorded in the ancestral genealogy," Xu Qiuyue hurriedly explained. "The elders may no longer remember me, but at last year’s ancestral gathering, I had the honor of seeing a few of you from afar. However, being of humble status, I was too ashamed to step forward and speak with you."

"If we are of the same clan, then we are family. What need is there for talk of status or shame?" The elder leaned on his staff as he spoke. "If anything, the shame should be ours for failing to offer support to our own kin."

"It is only thanks to the generosity of the main family that I was able to study at all."

"Oh? You have received an education?"

"The main family established charitable farmland and an academy to aid those of us in need, allowing us to study. I was fortunate enough to attend for a short time."

"And how well have you studied?"

"I dare not flaunt my knowledge. I merely borrow books to read in my spare time and find contentment in learning from the wisdom of the ancients," Xu Qiuyue answered humbly.

"Mm..." The elder nodded from his seat, clearly pleased.

Though they shared the same surname, they were not closely acquainted. Their conversation remained formal and cautious. Yet, Xu Qiuyue’s composed demeanor and respectful speech left a favorable impression on the elder.

For families of their stature, relationships were intricate and deeply rooted, bound by countless ties. This sense of kinship was not only recognized among themselves but also upheld by society.

Young members of the same clan, especially those who had received financial support from the main family, would find it nearly impossible to sever ties with them in the future, regardless of their achievements in commerce, politics, literature, or martial pursuits.

In turn, if such individuals showed promise, the main family would often extend aid. In the beginning, such support was typically one-sided.

However, the Xu family had been in Fuyao for a long time, and its branches had spread far and wide. No matter how influential they were, it was impossible to take care of every single relative.

If this young man was indeed virtuous and ambitious, and given that he was of the Xu family, then their previous unfamiliarity did not matter. Now that they had met and established a deeper connection, the elder saw no harm in investing in his future.

"I ask you—are you truly willing to descend into the well tonight and retrieve those useless cousins of yours from that demon’s lair?"

"I cannot guarantee success, but I am certainly willing to go down and try. I pledge to give it my all."

"Do you understand that there are demons below?"

"Who in Fuyao City doesn’t know?"

"Good! Such courage!"

"This is not about bravery," Xu Qiuyue replied solemnly. "The main family has shown me great kindness. When I heard that the Xu household had been tormented by demons for an entire year, I felt both angered and heartbroken. It is unjust that a benevolent family should be bullied by wicked creatures. I wished to help but lacked the ability.

"Today, while returning books to the city, I saw my uncle posting a reward in the marketplace, yet no one dared accept it. He was growing increasingly anxious. Then, I heard that those who descend will be aided by a master’s artifact, rendering them impervious to ghosts and demons. At that moment, I thought—what is there to fear? And so, here I am!"

"Good lad!" The elder praised him once more, his appreciation growing. Then, he asked, "Tell me, in the marketplace, there were many bold warriors from the jianghu, men known for their courage. Why, then, did none of them dare take this task?"

"They fear three things: first, the demons; second, the abyss of the well; and third... the people who send them down."

"Good! Good, good, good!" The elder nodded repeatedly, waving a hand for the servants to prepare the evening banquet.

Then, he continued, "Those three brats in the cave have willingly fallen into depravity. No matter how many times they were taught, they refused to change. They can't control their lower halves, nor can they control their legs. Even without the demons in the well, I doubt they would have achieved much in life.

“Tonight, I leave this matter to you. If you can bring them out, then do so. If you cannot—well, at least the Xu family will have gained a fine young man!"

The Xu family scholar merely bowed in acknowledgment, not daring to speak.

𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

The others all cast glances at him.

Only the Daoist priest smiled at the scholar. Once the room had fallen silent, he greeted him with a slight bow and said, "I never expected we would meet again, much less so soon. Greetings."

"Thank you, sir..."

"It is we who should be thanking you."

Everyone was taken aback by this remark, their expressions filled with curiosity.

"You all may not be aware," Song You said with a slight smile. "Yesterday at noon, as we passed through Fuyao, we ran out of rations and could not find a shop. Parched and without a stream in sight, we asked this young man for some water.

“Seeing that we were Daoists, he grew concerned about the demons troubling your household and remembered the kindness your family had shown him. Because of this, he invited us to Fuyao City to see if we could be of any help."

At this, the crowd was utterly astonished.

When they looked at the Xu family scholar again, their gazes had subtly changed.

"You must be careful," Song You warned him again. "This bamboo staff will protect you from harm by demons, ghosts, and dark magic. However, you must hold onto it firmly. If you lose your resolve, become bewitched by external forces, or allow yourself to be deceived into letting go of the staff, you may not be able to make it back up."

"I am willing to try," Xu Qiuyue replied solemnly.

"There is one more thing I would like to ask of you after you descend."

"What is it?"

"If those creatures can speak, I would like you to ask them when and why they came here."

"Would they answer me?"

"You will know how to make them answer once you are down there."

"How so?"

"If I told you now, you likely wouldn’t believe me." Song You glanced at the bamboo staff in his hand. "Once you reach the bottom while holding it, you will understand."

"I will remember this." Xu Qiuyue nodded gravely.

Then, the elder summoned a servant to bring a chair for Xu Qiuyue, instructing him to sit and wait for the evening banquet.

As they waited, the group engaged in casual conversation. They spoke about the little people who had tormented them at night and the day spent digging up the rockery in the courtyard. The sheer number of lizards unearthed was staggering. Even the eldest son, who had been out all day, was shocked to hear it.

Xu Qiuyue frequently glanced at Song You, observing how his expression remained calm and unchanged. Seeing his composure, Xu Qiuyue felt his own confidence in the night’s task strengthen.

***

That night, after the evening banquet—

The sky had long since darkened.

Just as the Xu family had described, as soon as night fell, faint sounds of singing, dancing, and musical instruments echoed from the courtyard’s dry well. The melodies were elusive, drifting between clarity and obscurity. Occasionally, the soft laughter of women could be heard, carrying an irresistible allure.

Everyone in the Xu household gathered in front of the courtyard.

At the forefront stood none other than Song You, Lady Calico, the Xu family scholar, and the elder.

Xu Qiuyue lifted a lantern and brought it close to the well’s opening.

During the day, the bottom of the well had been visible. But now, the only thing he could see was the flickering glow of his lantern, its reflection swallowed by an abyss of uncertain depth. The inner walls of the well had once featured footholds leading straight down, but now, there was no end in sight.

Xu Qiuyue couldn't help but feel fear creeping in.

Just as his heart wavered, the young girl who always followed Song You—the one who rarely spoke to strangers—tilted her head and asked, "Did you eat the rat that I gave you yesterday?"

"Uh..."

Why would anyone ask such a question at a time like this?

Yet, he couldn’t ignore her, so he had no choice but to stiffly reply, "N-not yet..."

"Why didn’t you eat it?" The young girl kept her head tilted, pressing the question further.

"I... I haven’t had the chance." Xu Qiuyue felt awkward. "Besides, my family is poor, and we rarely have meat. Your gift is precious, so I planned to save it for later."

"It’s fine. When you come back up, I will give you another one to eat."

"Then... I’ll gratefully accept your kind words, little immortal."

"Who’s the ‘little immortal’?"

"You are...?"

"What kind words?"

"That I can make it back up..."

"Oh..." The little girl dragged out her response as if finally understanding. "Don’t be afraid. My Daoist priest is very powerful. Just hold onto this bamboo staff and don’t let go—no matter how strong the demons are, they won’t be able to touch you. If they try to stop you from returning, just hit them with the staff."

"Understood!"

There was something reassuring about a child’s words.

Besides, Lady Calico was so breathtakingly beautiful—her entire being pure and untouched by dust, as flawless as an immortal maiden. Hearing her speak of the Daoist’s strength made it all the more convincing.

The Xu family scholar thought long and hard but couldn’t figure out any reason why they would deceive him. With that realization, he gathered his courage, pushing aside his apprehension. Gritting his teeth, he turned around and said, "Waiting any longer is pointless. I might as well go down now and bring my cousins back up, so the patriarch can rid the family of these demons as soon as possible."

He paused briefly, then turned back again and added, "If... if something happens to me, my parents have already passed, and I have no lingering attachments. There is only the daughter of Mr. Liu, the butcher, from my village. We have been engaged for some time, waiting only to come of age before marriage.

“If I don’t return, I must trouble the patriarch to send word and dissolve the engagement, so she won’t be delayed in finding another husband. If the family could even help her find a good match, that would be even better."

"Qiuyue..."

"Qiuyue, don’t say such things! Once you're down there, please put your life first! If you make it back up, we will treat you as one of our own!"

"Be extremely careful!"

The entire Xu family was deeply moved.

Even Song You let a faint smile appear on his face.

Without further hesitation, the Xu family scholar gripped the bamboo staff, clenched the lantern handle between his teeth, and climbed onto the well’s edge. One foot went in first, then the other. He carefully stepped onto the well’s inner wall, using the indentations for support, pressing his hands against the rough surface as he slowly descended.

Midway down, he found the lantern too cumbersome. With a decisive flick, he tossed it back up and continued down in total darkness.

The onlookers were all astounded by his courage.

The Xu family patriarch, meanwhile, turned his head left and right, surveying his younger descendants. His gaze lingered particularly on the young men. Many of them lowered their heads under his scrutiny, while others, though stubborn and defiant, dared not make a sound.

Lady Calico, however, couldn’t help but lean over the edge of the well, her wide eyes filled with curiosity as she peered downward.

The dry well truly seemed bottomless now.

It was deep, dark, and eerie. Occasionally, faint glimmers of light flickered below, accompanied by the distant sounds of music, dancing, and the playful laughter of women. The effect was chilling, sending shivers down the spine.

The Xu family scholar continued his descent, his figure growing smaller and smaller.

From time to time, the sound of his foot slipping echoed upward, followed by his muffled exclamations. Then, finally, there was a misstep he couldn’t recover from—his foot slid uncontrollably, and he plummeted.

The crowd clearly heard his startled cry, though it seemed to come from impossibly far away.

His silhouette was swallowed by the darkness in an instant.

"I can't see him anymore..." The little girl turned back to her Daoist.

"Mm..."Song You remained calm, his expression unchanged.