Chapter 130: Are You Afraid?

Xia Yurou followed Jiangnan's finger and looked out; outside the window was a pitch-black expanse, countless black shadows swaying.

"What... what are these things?"

Xia Yurou was terrified out of her wits.

"They're all corpses, corpses being controlled by someone."

Jiangnan's voice was calm, but a hint of solemnity flashed in his eyes.

"What... what should we do?"

Xia Yurou was at a loss, only able to cling tightly to Jiangnan's hand, as if he were her sole lifeline.

"Don't be afraid, I will protect you."

Jiangnan gripped Xia Yurou's hand tightly, giving her strength.

"Mm."

Xia Yurou nodded, her eyes full of trust.

Thump thump thump!

The knocking sounded again, more urgent and violent than before.

"They're here."

Jiangnan's eyes turned icy.

"I... I'm so scared."

Xia Yurou's body trembled even more violently.

"Don't be afraid, I've got everything."

Jiangnan shielded Xia Yurou behind him and stepped toward the door.

But just then, Zhou Hexuan suddenly knocked on the door, speaking urgently:

"Mr. Jiang, save me, Mr. Jiang!"

Jiangnan immediately opened the door, letting Zhou Hexuan and the driver in.

Zhou Hexuan's face was ashen, beads of sweat the size of beans appeared on his forehead, his legs felt as heavy as if filled with lead, and he could barely move.

The driver followed closely behind, his body trembling uncontrollably, his teeth chattering like dry leaves in a cold wind.

"Out... outside..."

Zhou Hexuan's voice was hoarse, as if his throat had been rubbed with sandpaper, each word squeezed out with difficulty.

"Outside there... there..."

"There are zombies!"

The driver chimed in, his voice choked with tears, yet he could never fully describe that horrifying sight.

Jiangnan silently observed the two, his deep eyes showing no emotional fluctuation.

"They're not zombies."

He spoke, his voice low and calm, like a massive stone dropped into a lake, instantly breaking the suffocating atmosphere.

"They're just some puppets."

Jiangnan added, his tone indifferent, as if discussing a trivial matter.

Xia Yurou clung tightly to his side, her delicate face etched with fear, yet hearing his words, an inexplicable sense of safety welled up in her heart.

"We can't stay in this town; we have to leave."

Jiangnan scanned the surroundings, his gaze sweeping over the dim shadows outside the window, his eyes sharp as a hawk's.

He took two talismans from his pocket and handed them to Zhou Hexuan and the driver.

"Keep them."

Jiangnan's voice was concise, leaving no room for doubt.

Zhou Hexuan trembled as he took the talisman, as if grasping a lifeline, clutching it tightly in his palm.

The driver followed suit, hiding the talisman close to his body, a glimmer of hope flashing in his eyes.

Jiangnan turned, walked to the window, gave it a light push, and the window opened with a sound.

He leapt out, disappearing into the vast night.

Xia Yurou hesitated not, following closely behind.

Zhou Hexuan and the driver exchanged a glance, gritted their teeth, and also jumped out.

The night was as dark as ink, the cold wind howled, tree shadows swayed, like ghosts brandishing claws.

The air reeked of rot, making one nauseous.

Jiangnan moved like lightning through the forest, the dagger in his hand flashing cold light; each swing was accompanied by a shrill scream.

The surrounding black shadows kept surging forward like a tide, trying to engulf them.

These puppets had grotesque faces, stiff movements, and emitted a suffocating stench.

But before Jiangnan, they were as fragile as clay chickens and pottery dogs, unable to withstand a single blow.

Xia Yurou followed closely behind Jiangnan, gripping a *** gun tightly in her hand, which she kept on her person for self-defense.

Although she was afraid, her gaze was firm, with no hint of retreat.

Zhou Hexuan and the driver looked disheveled, stumbling behind them, occasionally letting out frightened cries.

Jiangnan, like a god of slaughter, carved a bloody path through the puppet horde.

He was agile and fierce, each strike precise and merciless, showing no mercy.

The puppets fell one by one, emitting hair-raising howls.

Blood spattered, dyeing the night red.

Xia Yurou gritted her teeth, suppressing her fear, and kept pulling the trigger.

The gunfire echoed through the silent night sky, intimidating the restless puppets.

Finally, they arrived at the parking lot.

A Land Rover sat quietly there, standing out starkly in the moonlight.

Zhou Hexuan and the driver let out a long sigh, as if a weight had been lifted.

"We… we're safe…"

Zhou Hexuan's voice trembled, almost crying with joy.

"Yeah, finally… finally we can leave this damned place…"

The driver echoed, his face showing the relief of having survived a disaster.

Jiangnan frowned, feeling a dangerous aura drawing near.

Xia Yurou also sensed something amiss, gripping her pistol tightly, watching the surroundings warily.

Suddenly, a figure appeared beside the Land Rover.

It was Laoban Niang.

She stood there, motionless, like a statue.

Moonlight fell on her, making her face as pallid as paper.

Her eyes were hollow, a strange smile curled at the corners of her mouth, sending a chill down one's spine.

"Is that it?"

Laoban Niang spoke, her voice eerie, as if coming from hell, accompanied by gusts of cold wind.

Zhou Hexuan and the driver were terrified, their souls scattering, their legs went weak and they nearly collapsed to the ground.

"You… are you human or ghost?"

Zhou Hexuan's voice trembled, with a sobbing tone.

"Heh heh heh…"

Laoban Niang let out a bone‑chilling laugh.

"What do you say?"

She slowly lifted her head, revealing a pair of blood‑red eyes.

"Ah!"

The driver screamed in terror and ran away.

Zhou Hexuan also tried to run, but his legs felt as if filled with lead, and he couldn't take a step.

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

Jiangnan shielded Xia Yurou behind him, his voice calm, his gaze steady.

"You… what exactly are you?"

Xia Yurou's voice trembled, but there was no hint of retreat in her eyes.

"What I am isn't important."

Laoban Niang slowly advanced,

"What's important is that you all must stay here today."

Her voice was icy, like ice from the Nine Netherworld, sending a shiver down one's spine.

"Don't even think about it!"

Jiangnan's eyes hardened, his figure flashed, and he blocked in front of Laoban Niang.

"Heh heh heh…"

Laoban Niang emitted a strange laugh,

"Just you?"

She lunged at Jiangnan, her speed astonishing.

The Dagger in his hand flashed out like lightning.

"Pfft!"

The Dagger pierced Laoban Niang's body, yet it felt as if piercing a lump of cotton, offering no resistance.

"Useless."

Laoban Niang's voice was hoarse,

"You can't kill me."

She suddenly waved her hand, a surge of black qi erupted, enveloping Jiangnan.

Jiangnan felt a dizzy spell, his body seemed hollowed out, leaving him unable to exert any strength.

"Jiangnan!"

Xia Yurou cried out, raising her gun to fire.

The bullet passed through Laoban Niang's body, yet it seemed to cut through air, causing no harm.

"Useless, you all must die!"

Laoban Niang sneered, stepping forward inch by inch.

Zhou Hexuan and the driver were terrified, collapsing on the ground, shivering.

The moonlight was bleak, like a thin veil, shrouding this dead‑silent land.