The Spreading Rumor and Bo Aibiyi’s Return

Bo Aibiyi’s sudden appearance caused a ripple of unease among the villagers of Balyaas Village. They whispered amongst themselves, pointing at him as he stood on the podium.

“Who is this person dressed as a mage? Do any of you know him?” an auntie asked, nudging the person beside her.

“I’ve seen him, I’ve seen him! He’s the well-mannered young man Jing rescued a while ago! I heard his injuries were quite severe back then, one of his legs was torn to a bloody mess,” a middle-aged woman with a mysterious expression said, her eyes wide as she spoke to the crowd in a conspiratorial tone.

“What? A bloody mess? That serious?” another auntie exclaimed, her face lighting up with understanding as she heard the gossip. “Oh, you know who he is, right? The one Jing saved recently! It was truly awful, I heard a monster gnawed off his entire leg! He’s wearing a prosthetic now!” She then nudged a bewildered uncle beside her, speaking with the same mysterious air as the previous woman.

“What?! Both his legs were broken? My heavens!” The uncle’s face was a mask of shock. “Hey, did you hear? That poor lad next to the village chief, when Jing rescued him, both his legs were nothing but bone! Meat? Don’t be silly, the monsters ate it all! They licked his legs so clean, not a shred of flesh remained!” He turned and poked the auntie next to him, speaking with profound mystery.

“Ugh… really? That’s too exaggerated!” The auntie gasped, her face etched with disbelief. “Hey, don’t leave, let me tell you, that young man up there, he’s truly tragic. When Jing saved him, his entire lower body was gone! I heard… I even heard ‘that thing’… was eaten by those cruel monsters! Tell me, how can a fine young man live without ‘that thing’ later on? And what’s wrong with those damned monsters? Why do they only like to eat that part of a man?” She instantly grabbed the arm of someone trying to squeeze past her, recounting the tale vividly, her expression a mix of gossip, mystery, sorrow, and regret.

“…………” Mr. Hake stared at the auntie clutching his arm, his expression as constipated as if he were in pain. Listening to the increasingly outlandish rumors, he found himself utterly speechless.

Yet, this was not the matter to dwell on. Instead, it was this sudden appearance of that brat. Although Mr. Hake couldn’t fathom Bo Aibiyi’s intentions as he stood on the podium, his years of experience told him one thing. This young man, whose life he had once saved, had certainly not returned to repay his kindness. Watching Bo Aibiyi’s strangely contorted face, a strong sense of unease welled up in Mr. Hake’s heart.

****

At this very moment, Bo Aibiyi stood on the podium, his face a mask of bewilderment as he surveyed the scene before him. Why was this not unfolding as he had imagined? After he had delivered his speech, shouldn’t these foolish villagers have remained quietly in place, patiently awaiting the esteemed Lord Bo Aibiyi’s pronouncements? But someone, anyone, tell him: what in the blazes was this rumor that had already reached his ears? “I heard that young man next to the village chief was originally supposed to be a girl, but accidentally manifested as a boy. Dissatisfied with their physical appearance, they deliberately used magic to sever ‘that thing,’ but it failed. So, they tried to commit suicide in Velsen Forest, but luckily, Jing from our village saved her; otherwise, this poor girl would have perished like a fading flower. Everyone, please don’t discriminate against her; just treat her like a girl.”

Bo Aibiyi suppressed the fury raging within him. Just as he was about to raise his hand to cast a Thunderclap spell, intending to silence these damnable villagers, a pair of large hands seized his arm.

“Bo Aibiyi, what do you intend to do? This is the most important day for our village. Are you, you brat, planning to ruin it?” Mr. Hake’s hand gripped Bo Aibiyi’s arm tightly, his expression grim.

“Why, if it isn’t my savior, Mr. Hake,” Bo Aibiyi replied, not struggling. He reverted to his polite demeanor, bowing deeply to Mr. Hake. “I have no intention of spoiling this celebratory day. However, I must say, I share a profound connection with this village. Precisely because I was saved by you, how could I bear to see a demon, one that preys on the lives of others, appear in the village of my benefactors?”

“A… a demon? What are you talking about? Mr. Hake, do you know this… this Mr. Bo Aibiyi?” Rica asked, frowning in surprise as he looked between Mr. Hake and Bo Aibiyi.

“Rica, this is a mage Jing rescued from the forest’s edge a few days ago,” Mr. Hake explained, releasing Bo Aibiyi’s hand. “He claims to be a subordinate of General Baro, the lord of Morgan City. However… I’m not sure what he means by ‘demon’.” Although Bo Aibiyi’s response felt strange to Mr. Hake, he couldn’t pinpoint why.

“My apologies for interrupting your annual commemoration,” Bo Aibiyi said to Rica, his expression grave. “However… esteemed Village Chief, while I was recovering from my injuries within the village, I discovered a demon lurking here. A true demon. As my wounds had not yet healed, I dared not expose it, fearing that an enraged demon might harm the village of my saviors. That is why, the moment I fully recovered, I rushed back here. And now, I intend to expose this hidden demon before everyone, to reveal this false fiend who toys with everyone’s emotions! However, I will require the Village Chief’s assistance to gather the villagers’ attention.” As he spoke of the demon, he even displayed a look of profound sorrow.

Standing behind Bo Aibiyi, Mr. Hake found that strange feeling growing more pronounced as he listened to the man. A demon? Could Balyaas Village truly harbor a demon? It seemed impossible. Mr. Hake was well aware of the horrors of demons. Although he had never seen one firsthand, countless elders had spoken of them during his youth as a mercenary. Demons were terrifying creatures: cruel, bloodthirsty, powerful, possessing seemingly endless life, and capable of corrupting hearts. Yet, demons had vanished centuries ago, and Balyaas Village had experienced no strange occurrences or sudden deaths recently.

Mr. Hake couldn’t make sense of it, but perhaps it wouldn’t hurt to hear what the mage had to say. Despite the odd feeling, Bo Aibiyi’s overall impression on Mr. Hake wasn’t bad, and Jing seemed quite fond of him. Perhaps he truly had discovered something. If a demon were indeed lurking in the village, it would be catastrophic. Mr. Hake couldn’t allow anything that might threaten Jing to occur. Though he had never spoken of it to anyone, Mr. Hake truly regarded Jing as his own daughter, even fantasizing about the day Jing would reign supreme.

Rica listened to Bo Aibiyi’s words, then turned to glance at Mr. Hake. Seeing Mr. Hake nod with a serious expression, Rica remained silent and stepped forward to the podium.

“Everyone, please quiet down,” Rica announced, clearing his throat before clapping his hands loudly. Once all eyes were on him, he continued, “Mr. Bo Aibiyi has something to tell you all. It’s about… the safety of our Balyaas Village.”

After speaking, Rica turned, yielding his position to Bo Aibiyi, and then retreated to stand beside Mr. Hake.

****

Five minutes earlier.

****

Feeling a little shy under everyone’s gaze, Jing had lowered her eyes to the ground. Just as she was counting her wiggling, fair, and tender toes, she suddenly seemed to hear Mr. Bo Aibiyi’s voice. Startled, she quickly looked up, only to see a familiar figure now standing where Village Chief Rica had been.

“Umi~ Look, it’s Mr. Bo Aibiyi!” Jing exclaimed, her soft voice brimming with excitement. She hadn’t caught Bo Aibiyi’s words, but was simply happy to see him, two deep dimples appearing on her cheeks with her smile.

“Jing, don’t get too excited,” Umi said, pouring a bucket of cold water on Jing’s enthusiasm this time. “Even though Mr. Congenial is here again, he might not necessarily be looking for you. Perhaps… it’s about something else?”

“Ugh… Umi…” Jing whined, her voice laced with pitiful grievance.

“Alright, alright, Mr. Bo Aibiyi must be here for you, Jing. Didn’t he say something about… ‘treasure’ when you parted last time?” Umi conceded, coaxing Jing as if in surrender, unable to bear her aggrieved tone.

“Hehe, I knew it! Umi is the best to me~” Jing giggled. “Oh, Umi, look! Mr. Hake went up there too. I wonder what he’s discussing with Mr. Bo Aibiyi…” Jing’s gaze remained fixed on Mr. Bo Aibiyi at the podium. Her only slight disappointment was that Mr. Bo Aibiyi hadn’t looked her way, instead conversing with Mr. Hake and Village Chief Rica.

As Village Chief Rica’s claps gathered everyone’s attention, Jing, too, blinked her beautiful, expectant eyes. She watched Mr. Bo Aibiyi approach the podium, happily waving her fair arm, hoping he would notice her.

Indeed, Mr. Bo Aibiyi seemed to notice her. As their gazes met, Jing felt a blush creep up, and she gently bit her lip. Then, gathering her courage, she flashed a wide smile, waving her arm to greet Mr. Bo Aibiyi.

However, Mr. Bo Aibiyi did not offer the gentle smile Jing had anticipated. Instead, he merely cast a glance at her, his expression slightly contorted as if he were trying to suppress something, a profoundly unnatural curve twisting his lips.

A flash of light, unnoticed by anyone, erupted from Bo Aibiyi’s hand, striking Jing as she waved her arm in the crowd. Jing felt as though time itself had frozen for her; she couldn’t hear any sounds around her, nor could she utter a single noise. All she could sense was Mr. Bo Aibiyi speaking loudly and passionately on the podium, and then, the villagers’ gazes all converged upon her once more. Meanwhile, Mr. Hake… was rushing towards Mr. Bo Aibiyi, his face contorted in fury.

Why? What had happened to her? What had just transpired?