My Promotion Story Through Time Travel

Chapter 113 Rain of Pear Blossom Needles

"Take Ziping dried meat with you. These are pills from the pharmacy to prevent and treat epidemics. I'll pack them in your bag too..." Zhu Zi babbled as he stuffed the things into Lin Ziping's backpack.

Back in Qingyang, Lin Ziping drew the design based on previous bags, and then asked Granny Liao to sew it. She didn't know where she found the fabric—it was waterproof and durable, but the quantity was limited, only enough to make one backpack and one shoulder bag.

These two bags are also considered handmade limited editions, which Lin Ziping cherishes very much. He didn't even bring them with him when he went to Xinping Village last time.

But who knows what will happen this time? Besides, things are meant to be used once they're made. Lin Ziping has figured it out now; the sooner you use them, the sooner you can enjoy them.

"These steamed buns were made by the old lady next door. You can also soak them in hot water before eating. They're very filling and keep for a long time. Ziping, take some with you." Zhuzi grabbed a bag and stuffed it into Lin Ziping's hand.

"That's enough, that's enough, the pillar can't hold any more." Lin Ziping took out two steamed buns and returned them to the pillar.

"Just put it on the Wuling Hongguang. Oh, wait a minute, install this one too."

Before Lin Ziping could reply, Zhu Zi dashed back to his room and returned shortly with a cylindrical object.

Lin Ziping took the object from Zhu Zi's hand and examined it. It was about 5 centimeters in diameter and 15 centimeters long, and it was pitch black, so he couldn't tell what it was. He asked in confusion, "What is this?"

Zhu Zi took the cylindrical object and twisted it from side to side, making a "crackling" sound, and the object grew a bit longer.

Wow, there's a hidden mechanism in here?!

“Young master, twist here and a fine needle will shoot out from the front. I bought it a few years ago when I was out with Steward Tao. You can carry it for self-defense,” Zhu Zi said as he demonstrated.

Lin Ziping stared intently at the object in Zhu Zi's hand. Could this be the legendary "Rain of Pear Blossom Needles"?

"Can only one needle be shot out this time? How many times can it be shot? How are the needles replenished after they are used up?" Lin Ziping asked curiously.

“I put fifty needles inside. If the needles are thin, two can be shot out at a time,” Zhu Zi explained.

Based on the pillar's description, Lin Ziping estimated that the working principle of this thing was similar to that of lipstick, which could be dispensed with a twist. However, the hole for ejection did not seem very large, so he wondered how it was positioned inside and how it ensured the ejection speed.

Knowing that the trip to Cat Mountain would be extremely dangerous, Lin Ziping figured that having an extra weapon would provide extra protection. Without being polite to Zhu Zi, he accepted the item and said, "Thank you. I'll return it to you when I get back."

Zhu Zi nodded, looking as if he wanted to say something but hesitated.

Lin Ziping looked at him and said, "Zhuzi, is there anything you want to tell me?"

"No...no..." Zhu Zi's eyes darted around.

Seeing that Zhu Zi didn't want to talk, Lin Ziping didn't press further. Everyone has their own assessment, and they'll naturally speak when they want to.

"Zhu Zi, I'm going to cook. Could you bring the 'Wuling Hongguan' back for me?" Lin Ziping said. It was almost noon, and it was time to leave.

Not long after, when Zhu Zi returned, Lin Ziping had just finished cooking the noodles and put them on the table. The two of them finished eating in a few bites without saying much.

Zhu Zi hung a cloth bag on the back of the Wuling Hongguang, and Lin Ziping didn't stop him, thinking it was Zhu Zi's thoughtful gesture.

Without saying much, he slung his backpack over his shoulder, put on a mask, covered his face with a scarf, draped a raincoat over his shoulders, and led his Wuling Hongguang out the door.

There was another round of checks at the city gate; the procedures were complicated and I won't go into details.

As I stepped out of the city gate, there were more soldiers outside than in the previous two days, carrying swords and looking serious.

Not far away, a group of ragged people stared intently at the city gate. When they saw Lin Ziping come out, they looked at each other and whispered among themselves, but no one went up to ask him anything.

Lin Ziping didn't care. He flipped himself up and rode the Wuling Hongguang towards Maomao Mountain.

Everyone he encountered along the way was heading towards the county town. Lin Ziping, riding his donkey against the flow of traffic, stood out and attracted the attention of many people. Some even kind-hearted individuals advised him to turn back.

Lin Ziping smiled and thanked them for their kindness. He even inquired about the situation at Maomao Mountain, but they were mostly evasive and gave vague answers.

We rode on horseback for about two hours and arrived near Maomao Village.

At this moment, Mao Mao Village was completely silent, with a foul stench wafting over from time to time. Lin Ziping couldn't help but frown. When he came a few months ago, it was a peaceful scene, but in just a few months, it had become lifeless.

Lin Ziping took out the pills that Zhu Zi had prepared from his backpack, swallowed them, covered his mouth and nose, and slowly approached.

The closer they got to the village, the stronger the stench became. Rotting chicken and duck carcasses were everywhere, and there were even dead rats mixed in. Lin Ziping gagged and thought of the descriptions in movies and TV shows. He wondered if this was the plague.

As you enter the village, white papers are scattered everywhere on the road, and every house door is tightly closed.

"Who are you?" a weak voice came.

Lin Ziping looked in the direction of the sound and saw a dilapidated thatched hut.

"who are you?"

No one answered for a long time, and the same voice rang out again.

This time, Lin Ziping heard clearly that the voice was coming from behind the door of the dilapidated thatched hut. It was a girl's voice, and she seemed to be quite young, as it sounded somewhat childish.

"Where are the people in this village?" Lin Ziping asked, puzzled, not wearing the county government uniform but in ordinary clothes.

The person behind the door didn't answer, but instead quickly said, "Get out of here!"

Lin Ziping came all this way, how could he possibly leave?

Having been in the village for some time now, and with no one else around, he continued, "Are you the only one in this village?"

After saying that, he took a steamed bun from the cloth bag hanging on the pillar, wrapped it in a handkerchief, and threw it toward the dilapidated thatched hut.

"Boom~"

Whether it was the hardness of the steamed bun or Lin Ziping's strength, it slammed against the door, making a sound.

"Ah—" The person inside the room was startled and let out a soft cry.

"Don't panic, that's food," Lin Ziping explained. "You can come out and take a look."

After a while, the door creaked open, and a voice rushed out from inside. Seeing that Lin Ziping was far away, the voice picked up the steamed bun on the ground and went back inside, slamming the door shut behind it.

Although she moved quickly, Lin Ziping still managed to see clearly that the person who came out was very thin, disheveled, and wearing clothes whose original color was no longer recognizable.

"You—you'd better leave now." The voice inside the room was somewhat muffled, probably because someone had a steamed bun in their mouth. "In a little while—you won't be able to leave."

"Can't leave?" Lin Ziping didn't quite understand what she meant.

Suddenly, a commotion arose outside the village.

"Oh dear, I told you to leave but you wouldn't. Now they're here, and you can't leave!" The voice inside the room was tinged with anger. "Don't tell anyone there are people here!"

they?

Before Lin Ziping could react, the sound of horses' hooves approached; someone was coming!

Remembering what the people inside the house had said, Lin Ziping quickly took the cloth bag hanging around the neck of his Wuling Hongguang van, threw it towards the dilapidated thatched hut, and rode his donkey into the depths of the village.