Chapter 496: The Strange Inn

"Sister," Mu Xi said angrily, "You promised you would listen to me."

"Alright, this place is a rare paradise. In Shengjing, I've grown tired of the days spent guarding against fire, theft, and family. Let's just relax here," He Lingyun said with a faint smile.

"I feel like there's something wrong with this place; the landlady is too bewitching," Mu Xi said indignantly.

"Enough, let's go take a look and taste the flavors of this Mountain," He Lingyun said with a smile.

"Fine, let's go." Mu Xi stood up, and the two walked toward the dining room together.

By the time they reached the dining room, it was already dark, and the style of the dining room was also quite unique.

It was just that when the two checked in, there was hardly anyone here, but now the dining room was packed full.

Yet these guests were all sitting upright at their tables, not moving their chopsticks, nor speaking, their eyes staring straight ahead.

Their bodies were held straight as they sat at the tables, as if they were puppets.

"The two of you, please, this way." Liu Suiyue giggled and led them to a table.

The table was filled with dishes; although one couldn't tell what the dishes were, they were perfect in color, aroma, and taste, making one's appetite stir at the sight, unable to resist reaching for the chopsticks.

"These are all specialties from our Mountain, rarely tasted in ordinary times." Liu Suiyue still wore a smiling expression; she set out the chopsticks and invited the two to sit.

"Mu Xi, these dishes are quite good. We've been traveling for days, it's rare to have a good meal, sit down and eat," He Lingyun said with a smile.

"I'm not eating." Mu Xi stared at the table of food; although the color, aroma, and taste were very tempting, she still held back because her intuition told her there was something wrong here.

"If you won't eat, I will." He Lingyun glared at her crossly, then began to use her chopsticks.

"Wait." Suddenly, a deep shout came, and immediately after, Chen Yu pushed the door open and entered. He said in a deep voice, "Auntie, you cannot eat these things."

"Xiaoyu, why are you here?" He Lingyun was both surprised and delighted to see Chen Yu. She put down her chopsticks, grabbed Chen Yu's hand, and said, "How did you come here too?"

"Just like you, traveling to clear my mind." Chen Yu smiled. He stood in front of He Lingyun and Mu Xi and said coldly to Liu Suiyue, "The flavors here are too strong; it's not suitable for my two aunts to eat."

"The dishes are perfect in color, aroma, and taste, how are they too strong?" Liu Suiyue giggled. "Little handsome, our dishes focus on health preservation. Don't worry, they won't make you sick."

"Aunt Yun, you've been too exhausted from traveling these past few days, and the mountain dampness is too heavy, which has caused your five Qi to be obstructed. Xiang Region cuisine favors spice; if you eat it, your body will have problems. Go back to the room and I will perform acupuncture for you to drive out the dampness," Chen Yu said.

"Alright, I'll listen to you," He Lingyun said with a smile. "Let's go to my room. I've been thinking of you these past few days; let's have a good chat."

"Alright." Chen Yu nodded and turned to leave with He Lingyun and Mu Xi.

"Little handsome." Liu Suiyue suddenly spoke up, the smile on her face growing thicker. "My grandmother lived to be ninety-eight and passed away without illness."

"Because she ate the food you cooked?" Chen Yu said coldly.

"No, because she never meddled in other people's business." Liu Suiyue's eyes emitted a sharp chill. "The night air is cold; cover yourself with more blankets."

"Thank you, I will," Chen Yu replied coldly, then took He Lingyun and Mu Xi away.

Watching the three leave, the smile on Liu Suiyue's face vanished. Her eyes revealed a gaze like a venomous snake. She took out a satellite phone and said sharply, "Why did someone come?"

"There was an accident. Solve that kid along with them. Once the deed is done and the He Family changes hands, there will be no shortage of benefits for you," a voice came from the phone.

"Solve them together? What a pity, this little handsome is quite handsome." Liu Suiyue giggled, took small, mincing steps, and slowly left the dining room.

As she left, the dining room, which had been decorated passably, suddenly changed color like rotting wood.

The dilapidated room, the damp environment—the clothing on the "guests" who had been sitting at the tables suddenly turned into burial shrouds. Their eyes turned white, devoid of pupils, and they suddenly stood up straight.

Then, with their arms stretched stiffly forward, some stumbling and some leaping, they gathered behind Liu Suiyue and followed her as she walked forward.

And the dishes on the table where He Lingyun had just been sitting all turned into plates of wriggling insects.

"Child, you still haven't said why you came here?" Back in the room, He Lingyun asked.

"I'll explain later. This place is dangerous," Chen Yu said. "You must leave immediately."

"Dangerous? What kind of danger?" He Lingyun was somewhat puzzled.

"That landlady is no ordinary person," Chen Yu said. "There's no time to explain now. They will be here soon; you must leave quickly."

"I felt something was wrong here." Mu Xi pulled out a gun from behind her. "Chen Yu, let's charge out."

"Guns won't solve this." Chen Yu shook his head. He took out a package and handed it to Mu Xi, saying, "You drive away first. If there is danger on the road, just take out the things inside and throw them."

"What is this?" He Lingyun opened the package and looked, instantly stunned; the package was filled with a whole bundle of Talisman Paper.

"This place is called Cangtou Ridge. This inn is not a guesthouse, but a station," Chen Yu said. "Do you know what kind of station?"

"What kind of station?" Mu Xi asked.

"A place where Corpse Drivers rested in ancient times." Chen Yu's words made Mu Xi's face turn pale.

"How do you use these Talismans?" Mu Xi immediately realized the severity of the situation. It was already dark, and they were surrounded by mountains; she feared the pitch-black night would be full of hidden dangers.

"If you encounter a Walking Corpse, just scatter them directly. You and Aunt Yun both have Amulets on you, so ordinary Walking Corpses cannot get close. The most important thing is that landlady; I must go meet her," Chen Yu said.

"Xiaoyu, can't we go together?" He Lingyun asked.

"I have to cover the rear," Chen Yu said with a smile. "Don't worry, these small problems can't stump me. Before that landlady reacts, I'll hold her off first. You just drive east."

"But will you be in danger alone?" He Lingyun's heart tightened. The Chen Yu before her seemed to have a thousand threads of connection to her, making her very reluctant to part with him, and she did not want Chen Yu to take risks for her.

"I won't be. Go quickly," Chen Yu smiled slightly and said seriously, "If you don't leave now, it will really be too late."

"Sister, let's go. These small matters can't stump Chen Yu." Mu Xi pulled He Lingyun.

"Child, take this." He Lingyun suddenly took something off her neck and handed it to Chen Yu.

"This is?" Chen Yu looked at the object in his hand, somewhat surprised; it was a Longevity Lock.

The front of the lock was engraved with "Longevity," and the back was engraved with "Hundred Years."