Chapter 228: Unclean Things

After getting off the vehicle, the view became much more open.

Cheng Shuili's boots stepped on the gravel road, making a fine sound.

She looked up at the mottled ancient castle, sunlight pouring through the broken stained glass cast eerie spots, adding a touch of mystery; just as she hesitated whether to go inside and have a look, Su Rui suddenly grabbed her arm.

"Wait." Su Rui's voice trembled, and she gripped hard, saying: "That person I just saw... is gone."

To be honest, Su Rui suddenly grabbing her arm like that was even scarier than the news she delivered.

Cheng Shuili frowned, pried open her hand, gave her a glare, then narrowed her eyes and looked up at the window.

Indeed.

The blurry figure that had been standing at the third-floor window just now had completely vanished.

She stood in place, silent for a moment, then opened the territory's description and took a look; only after confirming this place was absolutely safe did she relax.

"Maybe it's a trick of light and shadow."

Cheng Shuili offered a reasonable guess, but her hand honestly gripped the long blade.

"We're going to have to go in and take a look," Cheng Shuili deliberately turned her head to glance at Su Rui, raised an eyebrow, and asked: "Are you scared?"

Su Rui: "......"

What is she afraid of?

She's the head of the martial hall! She's been full of righteousness since childhood!

Even if there really is something unclean, it should be the unclean thing that fears her.

She said nothing, clenched her mouth, and took the lead pushing open the rust-stained carved iron door; a mixture of mold and dust instantly rushed over her.

Cheng Shuili raised a hand to fan in front of her nose, but her gaze was on Su Rui.

This kid is really brave, she has a dagger at her waist but hasn't drawn it.

Even if the servant isn't a normal person, you can't just do this, right? What if there really is danger—what then?

Cheng Shuili sighed silently, if she weren't the boss, she'd really have one or two things to worry about.

She stepped forward, moving past Su Rui while lightly saying: "Take up the dagger."

"Oh."

Su Rui was a bit dazed, her eyes scanning the main hall; although she didn't spot any danger, she obediently gripped the dagger.

Cheng Shuili was very satisfied; she walked two steps forward, and as her boots just entered the hall, fine dust began to dance in the sunlight.

She didn't move forward any further, just stood in place, surveying this long‑dust‑covered space.

The hall was even more spacious than she had imagined.

In the center, an arc‑shaped marble staircase wound upward; the exquisite carvings on the handrail were mostly broken, yet one could still see its former luxury.

Below the staircase lay a dried‑up fountain pool, its bottom covered with withered leaves; in the center stood a broken angel statue, only half of its wings remaining on its back.

Strangely, a beam of sunlight happened to fall on the statue.

Cheng Shuili originally thought the roof of this floor had a skylight, but looking up she discovered it was a few well‑designed mirrors reflecting the sunlight.

This decorative style Cheng Shuili had only seen in games, the kind found in ancient tombs—it could be said to be very eerie.

Su Rui stood behind Cheng Shuili, not moving a step for a while.

And she said she wasn't afraid.

Isn't that just being cowardly?

Cheng Shuili didn't turn her head, her gaze sweeping to the left.

Here stood a row of rotting red‑wood display cabinets against the wall, most of the glass cases shattered, where the artifacts once displayed...

... moldy books, broken ceramics, and so on.

... were scattered all over the floor.

... as if they had been looted.

Cheng Shuili's gaze was drawn to the portraits on the wall.

In several worm‑eaten paintings, the figures' faces had been slashed by a sharp weapon beyond recognition, leaving only a series of ferocious scars.

"It really looks like a haunted place..."

Su Rui added softly from behind Cheng Shuili.

Cheng Shuili: "......"

If Su Rui wasn't doing it on purpose, she really is rather frightening.

"This side is even stranger."

Su Rui didn't know what Cheng Shuili was thinking; she had already walked to the right‑hand area and raised her hand to point at Cheng Shuili.

Cheng Shuili followed over and saw an old, broken piano, plus a dining table smashed beyond recognition.

"This is it."

Su Rui crouched down, her fingers lightly brushing the black‑and‑white marble tiles.

Cheng Shuili followed the gaze; on the ground, besides their fresh footprints, there were several strings of blurry old footprints leading in different directions.

Cheng Shuili's gaze followed one of those strings of footprints, eventually landing behind the marble staircase.

There was a half‑open oak door there, with a bronze plaque reading "wine cellar."

What made both of their hearts tighten was that on the rust‑streaked door handle were several fresh scratch marks, standing out starkly against the dust.

"Shall we... go over and take a look?"

Su Rui's voice obviously lacked confidence.

"Of course."

Cheng Shuili replied, her voice steadier than she had imagined: "After all, we've come this far."

The latter half of that sentence carried a hint of helplessness, the tone so natural that Su Rui wasn't too nervous anymore.

I'll open the door!

Su Rui volunteered, stepped slowly toward the door, and reached out her hand...

Cheng Shuili focused intently, gripping her long blade tightly.

Just as Su Rui's hand was about to touch the doorknob, a sudden, abrupt footsteps came from upstairs.

Both instantly stopped their actions and turned their heads toward the source of the sound.

Tap, tap, tap——

The sound was unhurried, like someone walking back and forth in the empty hallway in high heels.

Each step echoed clearly in the silent hall, as if treading on their nerves.

Su Rui's hand froze midair, her face turning pale in an instant.

Cheng Shuili, however, furrowed her brows—making such a commotion at this time?

You've studied the Art of War well... this move is called 'make a feint east, strike west,' right?

Cheng Shuili suddenly sheathed her long blade, placed her hand on Su Rui's shoulder, and with her other hand gripped the old doorknob.

The footsteps sounded again.

Cheng Shuili, however, felt more confident.

She exerted a little pressure, pushed down the doorknob, then suddenly stepped back and kicked the door open!

A sharp cry suddenly rang out: "Ah! My door!"

Su Rui jumped in fright and immediately stepped back.

Cheng Shuili, however, simply looked away, still thinking about the door?

First, think about your own life.

Cheng Shuili looked up toward the upstairs; the sound was coming from there.

She didn't rush to catch the mastermind behind this, but first took a look at what was in the wine cellar.

Inside and outside were completely different.

The hall was old and covered in dust, while inside was spotless, with a bed placed against the wall and a neatly arranged small wooden table by the window.

On the table lay a burned-out candle.

If the candle were lit, the room would be quite cozy.

Cheng Shuili once again looked up to the second floor; that unknown thing was definitely up there!

She patted Su Rui's shoulder, signaling her to follow.

Cheng Shuili could now be certain that whatever was upstairs was definitely not something unclean.

How could something unclean tidy up a room and live in it?

There's just one thing... Cheng Shuili couldn't quite figure it out.

There's so much dust on the floor... why aren't there any fresh footprints?