Chapter 129: The Small Town's Surprise

Suddenly, a patch of lights appeared ahead.

It was a small town, situated beside the Highway, brightly lit, forming a stark contrast with the surrounding darkness.

"Let's go take a look there."

Jiangnan.

Zhou Hexuan and Xia Yurou had no objection; they now only wanted to find a safe place to rest.

The car drove into the town; the streets were empty, with only a few shops still lit.

"Strange, why is there not a single person?"

Zhou Hexuan was puzzled.

"It's night now; everyone must be sleeping,"

Xia Yurou guessed.

"Perhaps."

Jiangnan nodded, said nothing more; he always felt something was off about the town, yet couldn't pinpoint what.

They found an inn and prepared to stay.

The inn's owner was a middle‑aged woman, plump, with a face full of smiles.

"How many guests, checking in?"

Laoban Niang greeted them warmly.

"Yes, book three rooms for us."

Zhou Hexuan.

"Got it!"

Laoban Niang replied cheerfully,

"However, we only have two rooms left; perhaps you can squeeze in?"

"Two rooms?"

Zhou Hexuan frowned,

"How could there be only two rooms left?"

"Ah, business has been good lately; all rooms are occupied."

Laoban Niang explained.

"Alright, then two rooms."

Zhou Hexuan was helpless.

"I'll share a room with Yurou."

Jiangnan suddenly spoke.

"Huh?"

Xia Yurou was startled, then a flush spread across her face.

She hadn't expected Jiangnan to voluntarily suggest sharing a room, which gave her a secret delight.

"This... this isn't really appropriate, is it?"

Zhou Hexuan felt a bit awkward.

"What's wrong with that?"

Jiangnan retorted,

"We are husband and wife; sharing a room is perfectly normal."

"Husband and wife?"

Zhou Hexuan and Laoban Niang were both stunned.

"Yes, we are husband and wife."

Xia Yurou recovered, quickly agreeing,

"We are already married."

She tightly clasped Jiangnan's arm, her face beaming with a happy smile.

"Oh, so you're husband and wife, then it's fine."

Laoban Niang suddenly understood,

"A married couple sharing a room is only natural; I'll book the rooms right away."

Laoban Niang quickly completed the check‑in paperwork and handed the keys to Jiangnan and Xia Yurou.

"Wishing you a smooth journey!"

"Thank you."

Xia Yurou gave a sweet smile.

Jiangnan merely gave a slight nod.

The three of them went upstairs to the rooms.

Jiangnan and Xia Yurou's room was at the end of the corridor, while Zhou Hexuan's room was next to theirs.

"Good night."

Zhou Hexuan said good night to Jiangnan and Xia Yurou, then entered his own room.

Jiangnan and Xia Yurou also entered their room and closed the door.

The room was small, but fairly clean and tidy.

A double bed, a wardrobe, a desk, two chairs—that was all the furniture in the room.

"You go take a shower first."

Jiangnan faced Xia Yurou.

"Mm."

Xia Yurou nodded and walked into the bathroom.

Jiangnan sat on the bed, closed his eyes to rest.

He did not relax his vigilance, but kept constantly aware of the surrounding sounds.

This small town gave him a very strange feeling; he must be careful.

After a while, Xia Yurou finished her shower and came out.

She wore a silk nightgown that outlined her graceful figure, her damp hair draped over her shoulders, emitting a faint fragrance.

"You wash."

Xia Yurou whispered.

"Mm."

Jiangnan walked into the bathroom.

Xia Yurou sat on the bed, uneasy in her heart.

She knew that sharing a room with Jiangnan tonight meant something.

She was both hopeful and nervous, her heart "thumping" rapidly.

Jiangnan quickly finished his shower and emerged, wrapped only in a bath towel, revealing his sturdy muscles.

"It's getting late; let's sleep."

"Mm."

Xia Yurou nodded and lay on the bed.

Jiangnan turned off the lights, but walked toward the sofa.

Xia Yurou was slightly startled, but immediately thought of Murong Wan she had met before.

Jiangnan, for her, had bought a Crystal Heart!

"Seems I was overthinking this time…"

Xia Yurou bit her red lips, a hint of defiance flashing in her eyes.

She felt she was no worse than Murong Wan, only that she met Jiangnan later.

"I won't concede defeat; Mr. Jiang isn't married, I still have a chance!"

Xia Yurou whispered to herself, her gaze unintentionally drifting toward the sofa.

At that moment,

In the empty hallway outside the door, a steady footstep suddenly sounded.

"Dong, dong, dong…"

The night was deep, and the footsteps echoed in the inn hallway.

"Dong, dong, dong…"

The sound, neither fast nor slow, stood out especially clear in the silent night.

Jiangnan suddenly opened his eyes, a flash of brilliance flashing in his pupils.

He rolled over, sat up, and took a talisman paper from his chest, handing it to Xia Yurou.

"What is this…"

Xia Yurou took the talisman paper with puzzlement; on it were strange symbols that emitted a faint glow.

"Protective talisman."

Jiangnan's voice was low.

"Protective talisman?"

Xia Yurou was even more confused.

"It can protect you from evil spirits invading."

Jiangnan explained.

"Evil spirits?"

Xia Yurou's complexion turned pale instantly.

She clutched the protective talisman tightly, her body trembling slightly.

"Don't be afraid; I'm here."

Jiangnan comforted her, his voice gentle.

Xia Yurou lifted her gaze toward Jiangnan, her eyes full of reliance.

The footsteps grew nearer, as if right outside the door.

Xia Yurou clung tightly to Jiangnan, her heart rose to her throat.

Jiangnan shielded Xia Yurou behind him, his gaze like a torch, staring intently at the door.

"Dong, dong, dong…"

The footsteps suddenly stopped.

The whole world seemed to fall silent.

Xia Yurou held her breath, daring not to exhale.

Jiangnan's expression was solemn, his muscles taut, ready to strike.

Suddenly, a "creak" came from outside the door, as if someone were pushing it.

Xia Yurou stared in terror, clutching Jiangnan's hem tightly.

Jiangnan turned his hand to grasp Xia Yurou's, giving her a reassuring look.

Creak… Creak…

The sound of the door being pushed grew louder and more urgent.

Through the doorway crack, a vague Black Shadow flickered.

Xia Yurou was so scared that they closed their eyes, their body shaking violently.

Jiangnan held Xia Yurou tighter, and his other hand silently grasped a Dagger.

Bang!

With a deafening crash, the room door was slammed open.

A Black Shadow lunged in.

Jiangnan's gaze hardened, he brandished the Dagger and thrust at the Black Shadow.

Ah!

A wail rang out as the Black Shadow fell to the ground.

Xia Yurou opened their eyes and saw a Black-robed Man lying on the floor, a Dagger lodged in his chest.

"You... you killed someone?"

Xia Yurou asked in terror.

"He is not human."

Jiangnan's voice was cold.

He stepped forward, tore open the Black-robed Man's clothing, and revealed the true face underneath.

The Black-robed Man's complexion was ghastly pale, his eyes tightly shut, black blood oozing from the corner of his mouth, and a foul rot smell emanated from his body.

"Is this... a corpse?"

Xia Yurou covered their mouth, terrified.

"Hmm, a corpse being controlled by someone."

Jiangnan nodded.

"Who... who controlled it?"

Xia Yurou asked in a trembling voice.

"I don't know, but it's definitely not something good."

Jiangnan looked around, his gaze sharp.

"We... we must leave quickly."

Xia Yurou grabbed Jiangnan's hand, trying to escape the room.

"Can't go."

Jiangnan shook his head.

"Why?"

Xia Yurou was puzzled.

"Outside is already surrounded."

Jiangnan pointed outside the window.