Chapter 1620: Heaven's Mandate Child's Monster-Hunting Log 11

Suddenly, a booming huge sound came from behind the trees.

The three turned warily and saw muddy water bursting forth, snapping trees at the waist and sweeping downhill.

But they never caught up to them; Jin Chen lowered his head and glanced, saying, "We're fine."

"This is a reenactment of the landslide that day." Rong Zixu said with a somewhat heavy tone; they could not change anything.

"Not good!!"

The middle-aged man reacted faster than they did, grabbing his father's hand and running forward, shouting, "Dad! Run! Something big has happened!"

Their expressions turned urgent and panicked; the father kept saying, "Hurry! Hurry up! I don't even know if anyone else made it down the mountain!"

"Da Hua Zi! Go east! There's a road east!"

Someone shouted from the unseen shadows; the voice sounded somewhat familiar. Jin Chen thought for a moment and was certain: "It's that white-haired old man!"

The old man they had visited during the day, whose three family members had been taken away.

"Xu Bo! Take care of yourself!"

Da Hua Zi responded, supporting his father as they headed east; in an instant the muddy water surged, swallowing them first, leaving only terrified screams.

In the shadows, the white-haired old man's voice faintly sounded again, as he spoke to someone: "Quick, quick, I heard they're gone!"

"Serves them right! They picked that precious medicine and didn't even say they'd share it—such a waste of those fine herbs!"

"This way, this way down the mountain is safe—let's hurry."

After the commotion gradually faded, the mudflow revealed bloodstains; two bodies torn apart floated up, one severed arm still clutching the herbs tightly.

In the silent gaze of Jin Chen and his two companions, Da Hua and his father reappeared on the slope, looking toward Xiling Town.

"We have to go back…"

"Damn." Jin Chen cursed from the heart.

"No wonder that white-haired old man's household is missing three people."

If the Ghost Domain of Xiling Town is formed from a mute girl's resentment, it must be for revenge.

"But… Xiao Hua, how would she know the truth of her grandparents' deaths?" Rong Zixu murmured thoughtfully, feeling that something had been overlooked.

"Those ghosts are back again." Xu Qie warned.

It was less than the time to finish a cup of tea before dawn.

The hemp-clothed ghosts again lifted a coffin and stood far off in the mountains, their dead eyes staring straight ahead; the white paper lantern on the coffin swayed.

Xu Qie: "What is Xiao Hua's obsession? Does she want her grandparents to find the way down the mountain?"

Jin Chen made a sound of agreement, thinking it somewhat reasonable.

"She clearly isn't familiar with this mountain; at dawn, tell her the exact path down and try it."

"Look." Jin Chen pointed upward, saying, "This is where the forest made of charcoal is beginning to disappear."

Like a fading ink-wash painting.

Jin Chen firmly grasped Rong Zixu, pulling him and Xu Qie ahead until the forest emerged unharmed, and they reappeared on the street.

"Senior Brother!"

Gong Shiyue and Jing Xingcan shouted in unison, quickly walking from the bun shop's entrance, asking, "Are you all right?"

"No problem… ow." Jin Chen touched his face again; after the black grime faded, the red blood vessels became more prominent.

He looked at the small bronze mirror Xu Qie gave him, solemnly nodded, and said, "There is something wrong."

How could a big shot get injured in a place like this!

Jing Xingcan widened his eyes, leaned in to look, couldn't help but burst out laughing: "Hahaha, Xiao Chen, how did you get disfigured! You're all slashed up messily!"

Jin Chen: "……"

Jin Chen's peach-blossom eyes, red from being blown by the wind all night, still showed a hint of red as he hid behind Rong Zixu, pressing close: "Senior Brother… I've become ugly."

So close, he was practically pressed against Rong Zixu from behind, his chin even rubbing the nape of his neck: "Heartbroken."

Jin Chen was already a bit taller than Rong Zixu; this posture was just comfortable, and Rong Zixu unconsciously tilted his head, his neck feeling slightly warm.

"All right, you haven't become ugly." Rong Zixu said helplessly, almost coaxing.

Let's go find Xiao Hua, and have Lao Er treat your injury.

"Really not ugly? Senior Brother, take another look."

Jin Chen turned to face him again, leaning in for eye contact.

The atmosphere suddenly became a bit strange.

Rong Zixu's breathing fell out of rhythm; he actually sensed a vague sense of oppression on him, a strange aura that posed no danger.

"Really not ugly—stand properly."

He said softly.

"Oh."

Jin Chen saw his ears growing redder, laughed, and said obediently, "All right, let's go."

【Detected Villain Heartthrob Value +5, total now 15!】

The three behind them: ……

Jing Xingcan silently said, "Were we just ignored just now?"

Gong Shiyue hissed, apparently not noticing much amiss, just feeling odd.

"How come Xiao Chen is getting clingier with Senior Brother?"

Having glimpsed a few threads of truth and being steady, Xu Qie patted off the dirt on her clothes and said, "I think it'll only get stickier from now on."

Adolescent love is just beginning; who knows if Senior Brother can accept it.

On the way back to the noodle shop, Jin Chen and his two companions explained what had happened in the forest; Jing Xingcan was so angry his teeth itched, exclaiming, "How can people be so vicious!"

Inside the noodle shop.

Yang Yu gently lifted the sleeping mute girl from under the table, she still gripping an unfinished piece of charcoal, her whole body grimy.

The mute girl twitched as if sensing something, but her eyelids were too heavy to wake; she gave a small struggle and then fell back asleep.

"Strange." Chang Wuming moved the table aside, crouched to look at her drawing, and said softly.

For a few moments, he actually saw the likeness of his fellow disciples in this chaotic mess of floor drawings, even though the feeling was fleeting.

Having spent a night in anxiety, at last the dawn-brought imperial envoy and constables arrived, worn out to exhaustion; they no longer thought of solving the case, merely staying alive mattered most.

"Sir, sir!"

A constable rushed in from outside, glanced at Chang Wuming and his companion, then whispered to Lord Song, "Sir, the Heir Apparent of Prince Yong'an has arrived."

Lord Song started, adjusted his black gauze hat, and stepped out on his weak legs to greet him.

Before he even reached the doorway, he saw a youth in a smoke-cloud-colored blue robe walking toward him with a smile, two personal guards following behind.

"Si—" Lord Song hadn't even finished his salute when Bai Shiyun stopped him with a glance, then smiled and walked toward the somewhat surprised Chang Wuming.

"Brother Wuming! After parting months ago, we finally meet again!"

Bai Shiyun smiled at him pleasantly and said familiarly, "I happen to be passing through this town, heard rumors of demon slayers, and thought you might be here, so I came to try my luck."

Chang Wuming also twitched his lips into a smile, though it was so slight it could be ignored, "Quite a coincidence."

Yang Yu set the sleeping mute girl to lean against the table edge, glanced quizzically at Bai Shiyun, and asked his junior martial brother, "Who is this?"

"Two months ago I followed our master down the mountain and rescued him on the road." Chang Wuming explained concisely.

But Yang Yu could tell that this usually unflappable fourth junior brother, who remained calm even when the heavens fell, was normally cold and detached toward everyone except their sect, yet he showed a slight difference toward this person.

Chang Wuming wiped his hands clean of the black grime, looked at Bai Shiyun, and said, "This place is dangerous; we shouldn't linger."

Bai Shiyun glanced around, observed the surroundings, then smiled at him and said, "With Brother Wuming here, what do I have to fear? After all, I am alone and friendless, so I might as well accompany you."

Lord Song felt somewhat puzzled; he hadn't said anything, yet he also sensed that the Heir Apparent wished to conceal his identity.