Zhang Shi nodded, equally wary. The three of them were currently enveloped in thick fog, their vision obstructed, making it impossible to assess their surroundings. Moreover, the corpse poison had nearly depleted their strength, and they couldn't distinguish friend from foe among the shadowy figures. They needed to find a safe place to rest as soon as possible.
"We need to find a place to hide first, and then think of a solution once we've recovered a bit."
Zhang Shi forced himself to take a breath and, supporting Zhao Feng, began searching aimlessly in one direction.
Ge Dalong was also quite fragile, and he was even walking unsteadily. Zhang Shi had to slow down and focus some of his attention on him. If they got separated in this thick fog, they would only face certain death in their current state.
The three cautiously made their way through the thick fog, searching for a place to hide. Whether it was good luck or some other factor, it wasn't long before they actually found an abandoned hut in the middle of nowhere. Although it was dilapidated, it looked like it could at least provide some shelter from the wind and rain.
Zhang Shi glanced at Zhao Feng and Ge Dalong, no longer caring about the danger. If this dragged on any longer, all three of them would die. Even if this house was a den of tigers and dragons, Zhang Shi had to find a way to take it down and rest here for a while.
After entering the hut, Zhang Shi cautiously took out Old Duan and checked the inside. Confirming there was no danger, he closed the door, lit the oil lamp, and then sat down with a sigh of relief. He glanced around and noticed that the hut was surprisingly similar to a survivor's shelter—both had similar wooden structures and similar spatial layouts and furnishings. This led him to speculate that the hut might be a survivor's shelter that had been abandoned for various reasons.
Zhao Feng was the first to be poisoned, but the dose was very large. He was already ashen-faced and had fainted. Ge Dalong pulled out a bunch of food and medicine with antidotes and, as a last resort, frantically stuffed them into Zhao Feng's mouth.
Zhang Shi went over to check on Zhao Feng's condition. There was a rather obvious black aura between his eyebrows, which was obviously not a good omen. They had lost their channels of communication and trade with the outside world and were isolated in this small house in the mist. Zhang Shi couldn't help but feel worried.
The good news is that some of the medicines Ge Dalong had seemed to be working, temporarily suppressing the corpse poison. At least Ge Dalong himself was in much better condition, had regained some strength, and was able to walk normally. However, Zhao Feng was still unconscious, and the black aura was still visible between his eyebrows, never fading away.
Suddenly, a clear sound of footsteps came from outside, approaching and stopping near the wooden house. Zhang Shi and Ge Dalong exchanged a glance, quickly drew their weapons, and hid behind the door. They had been somewhat careless, lighting a lamp in this world of darkness, which was undoubtedly telling those unknown beings that they were here and inviting them to come and play.
Zhang Shi held his breath and stared intently at the door. As soon as the other party pushed the door open and barged in, he would be met with Lao Duan's blade.
Ge Dalong pulled out a fine steel dagger and frantically gestured to Zhang Shi, outlining their tactics. The two of them stood nervously by the door, and after an unknown amount of time, the wooden door was suddenly pushed open. Zhang Shi and Ge Dalong attacked simultaneously, each wielding a dagger, but their attacks missed.
The two looked towards the door and, by the light, saw a woman in a black robe with a rosy complexion and a beautiful face standing outside. Zhang Shi and Ge Dalong were stunned when they saw her face clearly; it was Huo Xiuxiu, who had disappeared from Huo Family Village.
In comparison, Ge Dalong's face was ashen, Zhang Shi was filthy, while Huo Xiuxiu looked more like a human being.
Huo Xiuxiu was also surprised to see the two of them. Her gaze went past them and landed on Zhao Feng lying inside. She then asked in surprise.
"What's going on here? How did you end up here?"
Huo Xiuxiu spoke gently and softly, showing none of the hostility she had shown when they first met. Zhang Shi observed her for a moment and noticed a shadow behind her in the lamplight. He couldn't help but sigh inwardly.
"This is unbelievable! Has this vengeful ghost attained immortality? It has even acquired a physical body."
Huo Xiuxiu chuckled as she saw the two looking at her warily.
"Don't be afraid, I mean no harm."
Then, with a wave of her slender hand, an invisible, gentle force pushed the two of them into the house. Huo Xiuxiu followed slowly, then closed the door and extinguished the oil lamp. A moment later, she took out a luminous pearl that emitted a faint light from her bosom, and the soft light instantly filled the entire wooden house.
"This is safer."
Before Zhang Shi and the other could speak, Huo Xiuxiu instantly flashed to Zhao Feng's side and covered his face with her hand. Seeing the sudden attack, Zhang Shi hastily used Shadow Step and Triple Strike, bringing his sword down towards Huo Xiuxiu's face.
Huo Xiuxiu didn't even glance at Zhang Shi. She reached out with her other hand and firmly grasped Zhang Shi's wrist, effortlessly deflecting his attack.
"Don't be impulsive. If you want to live, stay put."
Zhang Shi noticed that Zhao Feng's body was trembling slightly, and wisps of black energy were being absorbed by Huo Xiuxiu's hand covering his face. Zhang Shi realized he had misunderstood Zhao Feng; Huo Xiuxiu was actually helping him. He put away Lao Duan and thanked her softly.
Thank you.
Huo Xiuxiu ignored it and focused on treating the corpse poison on Zhao Feng's body.
Zhang Shi clenched his wrist, savoring the feeling of his contact with Huo Xiuxiu. Her hand was soft yet strong, and its temperature was no different from that of an ordinary person. It seemed that the woman in front of him was indeed a "person".
In a moment, all the black energy on Zhao Feng's body was absorbed. Huo Xiuxiu took out a small porcelain bottle and put the black energy gathered in her palm into it.
"It's your turn, who wants to go first?"
...
In just ten minutes, Zhang Shi and Ge Dalong were also healed by Huo Xiuxiu. She absorbed the corpse poison and put it into the small porcelain bottle as usual. Then she wiped the sweat from her forehead and asked in a deep voice.
"Now you can answer me, what's going on with you, how did you get back here so quickly?"
Zhang Shi was somewhat puzzled by Huo Xiuxiu's question, but he still gave a brief account of his group's experiences, though he kept some details to himself.
After listening, Huo Xiuxiu sighed and asked again.
Have you guys met Brother Jian?
Zhang Shi and Ge Dalong exchanged a glance, and then Zhang Shi answered.
“I saw him when I came back last time. He was imprisoned in a porcelain pot. We rescued him, but he died not long afterward.”
Huo Xiuxiu clenched her fists, her expression turning icy.
“I’ve already left the village, why are you still unwilling to spare Brother Jian’s life?”
Zhang Shi had many questions, but he had no affection for Huo Xiuxiu, and he couldn't tell whether she was friend or foe, so he could only remain silent.
Soon, Huo Xiuxiu composed herself and spoke calmly.
"You look so different from when we last met, I can hardly see you anymore."
Zhang Shi didn't understand what she meant, so he could only ask her the question that concerned him most right now.
"We have a friend who has gone missing. Do you know how to find her? Also, do you know a way to get out of here?"
Huo Xiuxiu turned to look at Zhang Shi, and shook her head with a helpless smile.
"I'm not a god. If I could leave, why would I be trapped here?"
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