The owner of the steamed bun shop was rambling on and on.

"Look, those thieves struck again yesterday. I heard they robbed Master Huai's daughter on Qing Shi Street. Master Huai and Madam Huai are going crazy looking for her!"

Upon hearing this, Zhong Yan's lips twitched.

Could they be the ones who snatched the child? This is truly a case of the thief crying "stop thief!" If it weren't for Master Huai's malicious intent, how could Xiao Tao have risked her life to bring the child out?

If the people who snatched the child were really those murderers, they would have killed everyone in the Huai family long ago. How could they have left the Huai family members alive?

She shook her head and turned to leave.

The snow fell heavily, but Zhong Yan's mind was very clear. She felt that this was not like a revenge killing, but rather like the destruction of evidence.

If it was a revenge killing, how could the families of the murdered be either rich or destitute?

With such an incident in Qingcheng, even the government dared not take action. Either the murderer was a high-ranking official from the capital, or it was related to evil spirits...

Zhong Yan guessed it was the latter, because even officials would be subject to restrictions and would not be able to kill people at will here.

It seems that a powerful demon is indeed entrenched in Qingcheng. Zhong Yan thought of her second brother's proud appearance when he introduced the Mountain Goddess a few days ago, and she fell into deep thought again.

If that evil spirit were to attack, could a mere wooden carving truly defeat such a being?

Zhong Yan frowned, her mind once again recalling her second brother's words of advice.

This winter is exceptionally cold.

On my way here, I saw more and more refugees; I guess there's been another war somewhere.

Her heart skipped a beat.

It seems this snow won't stop so easily, and Qingcheng's winter won't be so peaceful.

With such heavy snow, they certainly couldn't go to the barren mountains at this time and would have to wait here until the end of winter.

So how can they protect themselves during this time?

She rushed back and found that the gate to the courtyard had already been opened, which startled her.

"Yanyan, you're back? I just brought back some of the grain I hid." Zhongheng clapped his hands.

As a grain merchant, he naturally reserved some grain for himself, and he also prepared a considerable amount for his other family members.

Now that his family doesn't want him to go back, there's no need for the Zhong family to benefit from this grain, so he moved it all over.

Zhong Yan breathed a sigh of relief. She put the breakfast she bought on the table and went over to help.

"Second brother, so we'll be staying here from now on?"

"Yes, the most dangerous place is the safest place. Let's spend the winter here and go to the barren mountains next spring."

Zhongheng really wanted to get there quickly, but he didn't know when the snow would stop, and it was freezing cold outside, making it unsuitable for traveling. He could only stay here for a while.

Zhong Yan thought for a moment and then told him all the news she had heard from outside, as well as her own guesses.

"We're doomed! This must be related to demons and evil spirits. What if they come after us?" Zhong Heng paced anxiously.

Although he trusted the Mountain Goddess very much, he had never seen her deal with other demons.

Moreover, the Mountain Goddess resides in a desolate mountain, so far away from here. Can she really help them?

Just as the two were pondering, the wooden door of the main room was opened, and Huaichan quietly peeked out.

"Brother, sister."