Chapter 131: The Appearance of Laoban Niang

The surroundings were terrifyingly quiet; only the wind passing the treetops made a rustling sound, like a phantom's whisper.

The air was filled with a rotting stench that made one feel nauseous.

Laoban Niang stood rigidly before the vehicle, her figure like a phantom, blocking the path.

The strange smile at the corner of her mouth looked even more sinister under the pallid moonlight.

Zhou Hexuan and the driver had long collapsed on the ground, their bodies trembling like sifted chaff, faces ashen.

Xia Yurou gripped her pistol tightly, her fingertips turning white from the strain, and fine beads of sweat beading on her forehead.

Although she was terrified, her gaze remained firm, staring intently at Laoban Niang.

Jiangnan shielded Xia Yurou behind him, his eyes blazing.

"Such a half‑dead wretch dares to speak rashly."

Jiangnan snorted coldly, his voice low and tinged with contempt.

His aura surged around him, an invisible pressure spreading outward.

The surrounding air seemed to solidify, oppressive enough to choke anyone.

Laoban Niang's blood‑red eyes narrowed slightly, flashing a hint of surprise.

"Interesting."

Her voice was hoarse, like the grinding of rusted gears—grating and unpleasant.

Jiangnan fell silent, his hands swiftly forming seals.

The movement was as fast as lightning, leaving trails of after‑images.

A burst of golden light erupted from his fingertips, instantly enveloping Laoban Niang.

The golden light turned into chains, tightly imprisoning Laoban Niang.

"What is this…"

Laoban Niang's complexion changed dramatically, a flash of panic in her eyes.

She struggled desperately, black energy swirling around her, trying to break through the golden restraints.

However, the Golden Light Chains were incredibly sturdy; no matter how she struggled, they would not budge a fraction.

"Who on earth are you?"

Laoban Niang's voice was sharp, tinged with fear.

"You don't need to explain."

Jiangnan's voice was indifferent, his gaze like ice.

"Tell me what exactly happened in this town!"

He stared intently at Laoban Niang, his voice low, bearing unquestionable authority.

Laoban Niang was bound by the Golden Light Chains, unable to move.

Her face turned ghastly pale, her blood‑red eyes fixed on Jiangnan, filled with venomous resentment.

"Heh heh heh…"

A chilling laugh rose from deep within her throat, sending shivers down the spine.

"Want to know?"

The corner of her mouth curled into a strange arc.

"I'll definitely not tell you!"

The voice was shrill, like a night owl's screech, echoing through the silent night sky, chilling to the bone.

Jiangnan's gaze hardened, his hand seals shifting again.

The Golden Light Chains suddenly tightened, creaking loudly.

A look of agony spread across Laoban Niang's face, her body contorting as if the Golden Light Chains would snap her.

"Ah…"

She let out a mournful, harrowing scream, her voice hoarse like a vengeful spirit's wail.

"Will you speak or not?"

Jiangnan's voice was icy, devoid of any feeling.

"Don't even think about it!"

Laoban Niang gritted her teeth, her gaze venomous.

"Even if I die, I won't tell you!"

Her voice was hoarse, carrying a hint of resolve.

A cold glint flashed in Jiangnan's eyes.

He shifted his thoughts, and golden flames ignited on the Golden Light Chains.

The flames blazed fiercely, radiating scorching heat.

The surrounding air warped from the scorching, crackling with pop‑and‑snap sounds.

"Ah…"

She let out an even more mournful scream, her body trembling violently within the golden flames.

The black aura around her was seared by the golden fire, hissing as plumes of black smoke rose.

In the black smoke, distorted faces could be vaguely seen, wailing in pain.

"I'll tell… I'll tell…"

Finally, Laoban Niang could no longer endure the golden blaze, her voice trembling with a hint of fear.

"Speak quickly!"

Jiangnan's voice was low, edged with urgency.

"This... this place... is cursed..."

Laoban Niang's voice was halting, as if she might gasp away at any moment.

"Everyone... all... turned into... puppets..."

Her voice grew ever weaker, her gaze gradually faded.

"Curse?"

Jiangnan furrowed his brows and asked further.

"Who placed the curse?"

"It... it..."

Laoban Niang opened her mouth as if to speak, but no sound came out.

The light in her eyes vanished completely, turning to dead ash.

Her body went limp, collapsed into a pool of black water that seeped into the ground and vanished.

The Golden Light Chains lost their target and slowly dissipated into the air.

The surroundings calmed again, only the wind rustling through the treetops, producing a soft rustle.

Xia Yurou's complexion turned pale, her eyes filled with terror.

She clutched Jiangnan's arm tightly, her body trembling slightly.

"She... she died?"

Her voice quivered, carrying a hint of uncertainty.

Jiangnan gave no answer, his gaze heavy as he looked toward the depths of the town.

There, darkness shrouded the area like a massive black hole, devouring all light.

"Curse... puppets..."

He muttered to himself, his mind full of doubt.

What secret does this town truly hide?

Who created this disaster?

Zhou Hexuan and the driver were already terrified to the point of collapse, slumped on the ground, their eyes vacant like two fools.

"What... what should we do now?"

Xia Yurou's voice trembled, tinged with helplessness.

Jiangnan inhaled deeply, his gaze resolute.

"Enter the town!"

His voice was low, bearing undeniable determination.

"What?"

Xia Yurou gasped, her eyes full of shock.

"Are you mad?"

Zhou Hexuan couldn't help but let out a startled shout,

"We barely escaped, and you still want to go back to die?"

"We must uncover the truth."

Jiangnan's voice was calm, his gaze steadfast.

"Otherwise, more people will suffer."

"But..."

Xia Yurou began to say something, but Jiangnan cut her off.

"No 'but'!"

His voice was firm, his eyes blazing.

"This is our only choice!"

He turned, striding toward the town.

Xia Yurou watched Jiangnan's back, a flash of complex emotion crossing her eyes.

She clenched her teeth and ultimately followed.

Zhou Hexuan and the driver helped each other to stand, fear evident in their eyes.

They watched Jiangnan and Xia Yurou's silhouettes, hesitated briefly, then chose to follow.

The four figures vanished into the darkness.

The town fell into dead silence again.

Only the wind whined, like the wailing of a phantom.

Night grew denser, like a massive black curtain covering this cursed land.

In the darkness, something seemed to stir restlessly.

A greater crisis was quietly brewing.

The four silhouettes merged into the darkness, as if swallowed by endless night.

The town's streets were empty and dead silent, the houses' doors and windows tightly shut, an eerie gloom seeping through the darkness.

The wind swept through the vacant streets, emitting a low howl, like a ghost's wail.

The air was thick with rot and the scent of blood, making one nauseous.

Xia Yurou followed Jiangnan closely, her pistol gripped tightly, her palms sweaty.

She looked around, eyes alert, her heart pounding as if it would leap out of her chest.

Zhou Hexuan and the driver followed nervously, afraid of being left behind.

Their faces were ashen, their legs weak, each step felt as if they were walking on cotton, and they could fall at any moment.

"This... this place is really too terrifying..."

The driver's voice trembled, tinged with sobbing.

"We... we should just go back..."

Zhou Hexuan's voice also quivered, and his eyes were filled with fear.

"Shut up!"

Jiangnan's voice was low and carried a hint of impatience.

His gaze burned like a torch as he scanned the surroundings, trying to catch even a hint of clue in the darkness.