Chapter 182 Everything is like a dream, a bubble.

When Shen Yuepo returned to her home in the capital, a faint chill from the underworld seemed to linger in the air.

She composed herself, took out her phone, and dialed Zhao Yan's number.

"Team Leader Zhao, I'm done here. We can head to Luoshui Village now." Her voice was clear and concise.

Zhao Yan on the other end of the phone visibly breathed a sigh of relief:

"That's great! Do you need us to send someone with you? Or provide any logistical support?"

"No need," Shen Yuepo refused decisively. "I can go by myself."

"Okay, I'll do as you say." Zhao Yan readily agreed. "Take care of everything. Call me anytime if anything happens."

He paused, as if remembering something, a hint of amusement in his voice:

"Oh, by the way, Master Shen, I should tell you that the reward this time is a bit special; it's not money anymore."

"Hmm?" Shen Yuepo raised an eyebrow slightly, signaling him to continue.

"It is the golden light of merit."

Zhao Yan lowered his voice and explained, "The higher-ups in the bureau applied for and received approval from above through some special channels."

"This can be considered an official recognition and reward for your repeated assistance."

Upon hearing this, Shen Yuepo's eyes lit up instantly, revealing genuine joy.

"Okay." She suppressed the turmoil in her heart, her tone remaining calm. "If there are any similar matters that need to be handled in the future, please be sure to contact me as soon as possible."

The word "must" reveals her true desire for the golden light of merit.

Zhao Yan on the other end of the phone was taken aback at first, then couldn't help but burst out laughing, clearly amused by Shen Yuepo's seemingly calm yet affectionate reaction.

In my memory, Master Shen has always been aloof and cold, so it's rare to see her so openly and earnestly care about anything.

"Haha, good, good! Definitely!"

Zhao Yan smiled and assured him, then added, "Luoshui Village is in Huanjing City on the northwestern border, quite far from the capital."

"I'll book you a flight to Mirage City for 3 PM today. I'll send you the flight information via WeChat later. Do you think that's enough time?"

"There's enough time. Thank you," Shen Yuepo replied readily.

The plane took off on time at 3 p.m.

When Shen Yuepo stepped out of the Illusion Mirror City Airport, night had already fallen.

"Illusion City..."

Standing at the airport exit, Shen Yuepo glanced up at the city with its exotic charm. A hint of interest flashed in her eyes, and she said softly:

"interesting."

"Everything is like a dream, a bubble, a shadow...?"

She unconsciously rubbed the black jade ring on her ring finger.

On his first night in Illusion City, Shen Yuepo did not rush to Luoshui Village.

Nighttime is when evil forces are most active, and it is not a wise move to rush in when the situation is unclear.

She found a quiet hotel in the city and stayed there.

The next morning.

Shen Yuepo first arranged a ride to the town, then took a long-distance bus and detoured to Luoshui Village.

About two hours later, a village nestled in a mountain valley came into view.

The car stopped at the entrance of the village.

As Shen Yuepo stepped out of the carriage, his gaze swept over the scene before him, and he couldn't help but pause slightly in surprise.

It was nothing like the dilapidated, gloomy, and haunted village she had imagined.

The village of Luoshui before me is eerily clean.

The village road is a smooth cement road, and there is not a single piece of garbage on either side.

The houses are mostly brick and stone structures with white walls and gray tiles, arranged in a neat and orderly manner.

At the village entrance stands a waist-high blue stone tablet with three large characters engraved on it in vigorous script.

——Luoshui Village.

The entire village appeared peaceful and serene in the morning sunlight, even somewhat overly orderly.

Shen Yuepo's eyes narrowed slightly as he stepped into the village.

She had only taken a few steps when an elderly man sweeping the roadside stopped and looked at her kindly:

"Little girl, are you looking for someone?"

He had a ruddy complexion and clear eyes; he looked like an ordinary old man from the countryside.

Shen Yuepo stopped and shook her head: "No, I heard the scenery here is nice and the air is fresh, so I came to visit."

"play?"

The old man paused for a moment, then seemed to remember something.

His amiable smile faded slightly, and he quickly looked around, lowering his voice:

"Little girl, you can look, but remember this: you absolutely must leave before dark."

He leaned closer, lowering his voice even further, tinged with fear: "This place... you can't go out at night, and there are unclean things here!"

Shen Yuepo feigned surprise and confusion, frowning slightly:

"Can't get out? Something unclean? Sir, what... do you mean?"

The old man was clearly a kind-hearted person who couldn't control his tongue. Seeing that Shen Yuepo was unaware of the situation, he immediately started talking:

"Ugh, it's haunted! It's been like this for over half a month!"

"At night, the village is filled with the cries of women and children. They cry so pitifully, it's terrifying! Every household can hear it, and it keeps people awake!"

As he spoke, he unconsciously swished a broom across the ground, as if to dispel his fear:

"Isn't it strange? You searched house to house during the day, but you couldn't find anything! Not even a trace. It's really weird!"

"The police have come twice already. They tried to enter the village to investigate at night, but they were turned back at the village entrance! It was like hitting a wall; they couldn't get in!"

"Another time, the police stayed overnight here, and what was even stranger was that the village, which was clean during the day, became completely dilapidated! In the end, the police also left in a sorry state."

He sighed, "That's why we don't dare go out at night, because once night falls, we see a different world."

"Little girl, listen to me, after you've seen the scenery, leave before it's light! Don't delay!"

After hearing this, Shen Yuepo's face showed a timely expression of lingering fear and gratitude:

"I see... Thank you for reminding me, sir. I understand now. I will definitely leave before dark."

After saying goodbye to the kind and talkative old man, Shen Yuepo slowed down and began to wander around the village seemingly casually.

She walked slowly, her gaze seemingly casually sweeping over the houses, roads, and even some inconspicuous corners of the village.

Her senses quietly unfolded, capturing any unusual movement in the air.

However, the result puzzled her.

Luoshui Village, bathed in sunshine, was excessively clean.

There was no yin energy, no malevolent aura, no trace of resentment...

Like a flawless sheet of paper, so clean it's unsettling.

Shen Yuepo walked around the perimeter of the village and finally stopped in front of an old locust tree with lush branches and leaves near the edge of the village.

She looked up at the treetop, then around to make sure no one was watching, before silently leaping onto the thick trunk.

She found a branch that offered a good view yet was also well-hidden, and leaned against it.

Sunlight filters through the gaps in the leaves, casting dappled patterns of light.

She closed her eyes, like a spirit perched on a tree, concealing all her presence and minimizing her own intimidation.

She is waiting.

Waiting for the sun to set, waiting for night to fall.