Chapter 1626: Heaven's Mandate Seven: Monster Hunting Chronicles 17

Hey! Thank you, auntie! Jin Chen raised the two invitations in his hand, dispelling some of the gloomy qi, laughing energetically: "We'll definitely come to share the joy."

The aunties laughed and linked arms as they walked away.

Bai Shiyun didn't notice anything, gazing at the invitation in his hand, he took the opportunity to ask Chang Wuming softly, "Brother Wuming, what do you think of a marriage based on mutual affection?"

Jin Chen, walking ahead, heard this and sharply looked back, thinking, "It's only been a few days, and you're already discussing marriage?!"

He needed to quickly think of a useful way to separate the two.

Jin Chen withdrew his gaze, frowning with worry.

Unbeknownst to him, from Bai Shiyun's question onward, all of Jin Chen's reactions fell into Rong Zixu's sight.

Rong Zixu turned his head and glanced at the happily chatting Chang Wuming and Bai Shiyun, then slightly narrowed his eyes and looked toward Jin Chen, who was clearly no longer as happy as before.

That suspicion in his heart grew clearer.

Rong Zixu suddenly gripped Jin Chen's hand, instinctively not wanting to see him upset over this, and asked gently, "Are you hungry?"

A little." Jin Chen nodded, not really noticing that Rong Zixu had deliberately changed the subject, after all they'd been traveling too long and the dry rations weren't tasty.

Let's hurry into the inn over there.

Rong Zixu took his hand and stepped inside first; the aroma of food, wine, and meat in the hall instantly filled the senses, and Jin Chen really didn't have the leisure to think about much else.

If you immortals have any business, come find me at the Solitary Clan Punishment Hall; I'll take my leave now.

A Da and several others watched them enter the inn, then stood outside, bowed, and departed.

The inn was no different from any other place; the only thing that felt off was……

They looked at the proprietor behind the counter, whose lifeless demeanor was not human, yet not a ghost either.

"This place is really strange," Jing Xingcan muttered.

Clearly the proprietor looks to be over forty, but his aura is decayed like that of an elderly person on the verge of entering a coffin.

The proprietor, fourth generation, didn't notice their gazes, slowly rose to his feet, and when he spoke only his mouth moved while the rest of his muscles seemed unconnected.

Are you looking to stay at the inn?

Exactly," said Rong Zixu. "We, fellow disciples, are passing through and have heard there are some anomalies here.

Rong Zixu emphasized the two characters 'anomaly,' but the proprietor showed no reaction, remaining expressionless.

It's a pity only four rooms remain; how should you all allocate them?

Funny enough, there are exactly eight of us.

【It's time for the room‑allocation crematorium again!】 Ling Gun Gun let out a wail, "【Host, please don't let the two protagonists share a room!】"

Jin Chen quickly glanced at the other senior brothers and sisters; he definitely couldn't be separated from his wife, so Third Month Sister and Fifth Senior Sister would share a room.

Then Sixth Senior Brother would be with Bai……

"Brother Wuming, would you be willing to share a room with me?"

Bai Shiyun's eyelid twitched, and he beat Jin Chen to the punch by asking Chang Wuming.

Jin Chen:!

Damn, the protagonist's lover is quite sharp‑tongued.

Just beat him up.

Jin Chen blinked to signal Chang Wuming not to agree, but Chang Wuming didn't care where he stayed, so he missed the junior brother's hint.

Fine." Chang Wuming nodded.

Bai Shiyun timely showed a somewhat pleased smile.

Jin Chen: ……

【Oh heavens, this damned fate.】 Ling Gun Gun patted his ears, "【Host, hang in there!】"

Probably because the unspeakable and hesitation in Jin Chen's expression were too obvious, Rong Zixu felt uneasy inside, slowly clenching the fist hidden in his sleeve, rarely unable to stay calm.

Does Xiao Chen care that much about Old Four?

Does he really not want to share a room with him that much?

Isn't it said that being number one under heaven is good?

【Villain Blackening Value detected +5, total now 32!】

【???】 Ling Gun Gun garbled for a moment.

Jin Chen turned his head in surprise toward the expressionless Rong Zixu, "Senior Brother?"

When it rains, it pours—this leak is worse than ever!

Rong Zixu slowly curved a smile at him, took Jin Chen's hand, and said, "Let's go upstairs to rest; I'll keep you company for a meal later."

... Oh.

Actually, I'd rather ask why the Blackening Value suddenly rose.

Jin Chen obediently followed him up the stairs, the key hooked on his fingers swaying, and still asked, "Senior Brother, weren't you just unhappy?"

Rong Zixu's smiling expression stalled for an instant, his tone unchanged, "Why do you ask that?"

I… we have a tacit understanding." Jin Chen asserted, raising his hand to lightly touch Rong Zixu's brow, "So I sensed it."

The warmth faded instantly; Rong Zixu lowered his eyes and continued upward, asking, "Does Xiao Chen want to room with Old Four?"

Jin Chen was bewildered, "When did I say that?"

Of course I want to room with my senior brother.

Jin Chen wrapped his arms around Rong Zixu's waist, pulling him close as they walked upstairs, very affectionate.

The youth's somewhat low voice carried a smile, "Senior Brother, don't overthink things, or you'll make me bear the blame for nothing."

Really?" Rong Zixu looked at his brows and eyes, asked again in a low voice, though he himself couldn't say why, perhaps just wanting to confirm once more."

Absolutely certain.

Jin Chen rubbed his forehead against his face, laughing wantonly yet showing the obedient charm he only displays before Rong Zixu.

Rong Zixu breathed a sigh of relief from the bottom of his heart, didn't push away, just rubbed Jin Chen's forehead, "Alright, go in."

【Detected Villain Heartthrob Value +5, total 35!】

The two stopped at the room's doorway, opened the door and entered.

As Jin Chen entered the house and closed the door, he glanced again at the hollowed-out pavilion below; the shopkeeper was still writing the ledger, his movements extremely efficient, yet oddly proper.

He closed the door, entered the house, and saw Rong Zixu pushing open the eastern window; outside the window faced the back street of the Ke Zhan inn.

Many townspeople came and went on the street, unlike the obvious fear in Xiling Town; here the townspeople seemed completely indifferent to ghostly apparitions, going about their days as usual.

But upon closer look, one could notice some people hurrying anxiously; others hid their fear tightly, jumping at every shadow.

"Speaking of which, the anomaly in Min Dong City is a man-eating ghost that participates in weddings; they not only don't stop, but are even planning to hold two ceremonies in succession."

Jin Chen walked behind Rong Zixu, loosely encircling his firm waist, leaned in, yawned slightly tired, rested his chin on his shoulder and muttered, "Where do all these people get so many weddings to hold?"

I don't know how many ceremonies they've held before discovering this rule.

Rong Zixu, however, felt a bit dazed, partly diverting his attention to think about what Jin Chen had just said, while also sensing the steady breathing beside him, thereby noticing Jin Chen's heartbeat as well as his own.

Rong Zixu felt for the first time that having overly sharp senses was not a good thing, and he didn't know whether Jin Chen had noticed a disturbance in the Dao's heartbeat.

"Senior Brother?" Jin Chen tilted his head to look, somewhat worried, "Why are you acting so foolish today?"

"... Nothing, I'm just thinking about what you just said," Rong Zixu coughed lightly, forcing himself to focus on the street, "Perhaps holding weddings hides Min Dong City's ghostly intent."

"Then we really have no choice but to go." Jin Chen sighed, completely flopping onto Rong Zixu's back.

"I'm tired."

Thinking that he couldn't sleep at night and still had to attend someone else's wedding, Jin Chen felt even more tired.

He could have been lying in bed sleeping with his wife!

Rong Zixu tightened his grip on the windowsill, placed his hand on the back of Jin Chen's hand that was wrapped around his waist, gently patted reassuringly, "You can sleep a while; I'll bring up dinner for you to eat first, and call you when the festivities begin."

Jin Chen thought for a moment, "Never mind, come back to sleep."

He rubbed against Rong Zixu's neck like a cat, inhaling a deep breath; noticing Rong Zixu's uncontrollable shudder, he gave an innocent smile and said, "Wake up, wake up."

Rong Zixu: "……"

His waist felt a bit weak; only after barely managing to stand steady could he keep his tone unchanged.

"Nonsense."