7. Exploration
As night fell, with the last rays of the setting sun, Chu Qing and Yin Li changed their clothes and followed the servant sent by Zhang Liangcai into the mansion.
Upon entering, it was clear that the area had been prepared; the cobblestone path underfoot appeared to have just been swept, with traces of water still remaining.
The garden is dappled with the shadows of flowers, and beneath its seemingly vibrant exterior lies a sense of desolation.
"Elder Qingge, please don't be offended. The current situation in Crescent Moon Town is truly worrying, and the patriarch's intention is to keep things as simple as possible."
"I understand. We are here to better address the threat of monsters and stand together with the people."
The three of them quickly arrived at the front hall, exchanged a few polite words with Zhang Liangcai, and then took their seats.
At the banquet, amidst the clinking of glasses, Chu Qing noticed something quite interesting. The town mayor, sitting in his seat, was thin and seemed to have a worried look in his eyes, but what he couldn't hide was his oily face, and the fact that he only thanked her for "Qingshan Peak's assistance" when toasting her.
"Yin Li".
As he raised his glass, a delicate fragrance wafted from beside him. His master suddenly moved closer, his curled eyelashes clearly visible from top to bottom.
Unconsciously, the alcohol took effect, causing my cheeks to flush slightly.
"In a little while, excuse yourself from your seat and investigate the study and the backyard. If you find anything, report it immediately."
As she spoke, she took out a photographic stone from her sleeve and, taking advantage of the moment when no one was paying attention, put it into the pocket on the boy's waist.
An unintentional touch caused my body to heat up due to the alcohol, especially the skin where the photo stone was close to.
"Yes...yes, Master, you can leave it to me."
While he's still obedient, we can make good use of him.
Chu Qing nodded in satisfaction, but she also kept a backup plan. She had already placed a telepathic talisman on that stone, in case the boy discovered something he shouldn't have and didn't tell her.
After several rounds of drinks, Yin Li noticed that Zhang Liangcai seemed to be drunk, so she pretended to be unwell and left first.
After observing him, Chu Qing, who was standing next to him, silently shielded him from the gazes of everyone at the table.
Yin Li had an excellent memory. After leaving the banquet hall, she quietly turned into a small corner based on the terrain she had explored with her spiritual power when she first entered.
"Where did he/she go?"
Upon reaching this point, the servant from the mansion suddenly appeared in front of the artificial hill.
He was clearly following that disciple just now, could he have gone somewhere else?
Seeing that no one was around, a wisp of demonic energy suddenly seeped out from his fingertips, and then the demonic energy flew out from his side, quickly passing through every corner of the mansion.
Demonic energy?
Should not
How could the servants in the mayor's mansion use demonic energy?
Hiding behind the artificial hill, Yin Li had no time to think. She had to first mobilize the demonic energy within her body to prevent being exposed. Only after the other party had completely left did she find the location of the study.
Through the gaps in the leaves, two people were still guarding his door.
Now it seems that since this servant has a problem, it's likely that none of the servants in the entire mansion are innocent either.
Tap, tap, light footsteps echoed. Hidden among the babbling brook, Yin Li quietly approached the two people in front of the study door, using the fourth level of the Demon Clan's cultivation technique—the Enchanted Array—which she knew by heart.
Soon, the two men fell to the ground. He pushed open the door, and an instant sense of familiarity washed over him. Impossible, why was this room filled with the aura of demons?
Looking around, Yin Li suddenly noticed a very inconspicuous gap in a corner of the bookshelf. He quickly stepped forward, felt around for the protrusion on the other side, and pressed it. The hidden compartment under his feet immediately popped out.
This is?
He frowned and looked in the direction of the sound, where a tattered scroll lay quietly.
In order not to waste any time, Yin Li quickly picked up the recording stone and took a picture of it. However, before he could see the content clearly, a sharp sword flew past his ear!
"Clang, clang!"
He instinctively drew his Qingfeng Sword and cut the two arrows in half. He kicked the ejected grenade into the hole, glanced around, and then climbed out of the window at the back of the house.
What are you doing here?
As Yin Li stood still, the tips of numerous swords gleamed coldly, pointing directly at him.
He looked up and stared intently, showing no sign of tension at being caught. He looked at the person in front of him and couldn't help but sneer.
Oh, it's that servant from earlier.
The familiar person, who had been searching for him just fifteen minutes ago, now showed not only surprise at recognizing the newcomer but also an even stronger murderous intent in his eyes.
Where is Chu Qingge?
Yin Li completely ignored the murderous intent in front of her and calmly accepted being bound hand and foot without struggling.
Could it be that she was led away somewhere else?
"Your master is still in the front hall. If you don't want her to be in danger, you'd better cooperate with the mayor."
The servant held a dagger and gently pressed it against the other man's chin. With a slight slash, blood gushed out.
Is Chu Qingge in danger?
Yin Li narrowed her eyes and smiled disdainfully. Did he really think he could control her?
The demonic energy in his hand quietly gathered, and he silently chanted a spell, outwardly obediently following along.
When they arrived at a quiet stone forest, Yin Li seized the opportunity and, in the instant he turned around, loosened the rope on his arm and drew the Qingfeng Sword swiftly!
"Swoosh! Clang!"
Several guards behind him fell to the ground without warning, falling silently without any warning.
"Threatening me? Then you'll pay the price."
Yin Li raised an eyebrow slightly, the curve of her lips revealing a sinister killing intent. Thinking this, she did just that.
Before the servant could even turn his head, a sleek green sword pierced through his chest.
It wasn't until he had dealt with all these people that he discovered their suspicious points.
How could this be...?
Looking at the black smoke rising from the corpse, it was a unique sign of the demons' death and disappearance.
So, they are all demons?
There are few people here to begin with, and the commotion I made just now will probably reach Zhang Liangcai soon. I need to hurry back.
He leaned against the wall to reach the entrance of the front hall, pretending that he was still not fully sober, and swayed back to his seat.
Chu Qing noticed him the moment he came in. Huh? What's wrong with his neck?
"Master, let's go."
It seems Chu Qingge is alright. Well, at least I won't have to worry about her safety in the end.
[Current favorability rating: 34. Keep it up, host!]
Hearing the system notification, Chu Qing was slightly surprised, but she didn't show it on her face. She turned her head to look at him and said calmly, "Maybe we can't leave."
Just now, during the banquet, while Yin Li was out, someone went to Zhang Liangcai to report something.
His face instantly turned extremely gloomy, yet he acted as if nothing had happened, while those around him stared at her even more intently.
"Elder Qingge."
Just as Yin Li was somewhat confused, the person sitting on the seat suddenly spoke, but what he said made him frown deeply.
"Elder Qingge, a messenger just reported that the barrier is likely very unstable. If it isn't repaired quickly, the people may face another disaster tonight—"
"Alas, I am truly sorry, Elder, but I am powerless to help. May I request that you accompany me now?"
Instantly, the room fell so quiet you could hear a pin drop, and everyone's eyes turned to her.
Chu Qing slowly stood up, shielding Yin Li behind her, and said with a deep look in her eyes, "I, Chu Qingge, have an obligation to exorcise demons for the people of Crescent Moon Town. However, let my disciple go back and deliver the message first."
[Warning! Warning! The host is showing excessive concern for the male lead, resulting in serious OOC (out-of-character) behavior. Please change your speaking style immediately!]
If the male protagonist were to accompany them at this time, or if he were to bring his disciples along, there's no guarantee that Zhang Liangcai wouldn't have some ulterior motive!
Although she was a transmigrator, those vibrant lives were right before her eyes. As an elder of Green Mountain Peak, she had the responsibility and obligation to protect the safety of her disciples!
"Yin Li, don't come back after you go back."
Chu Qing secretly spoke to Yin Li through a mind spell. Because of the telepathic talisman, she had already seen everything that had just happened and knew that there were demons in this mansion.
"master!"
Is Chu Qingge an idiot? Why is she so eager to die?!
Yin Li stared intently at the person in front of her, but she seemed to know that her behavior was inappropriate, and just kept looking straight ahead.
Zhang Liangcai stared at them for a long time, his gaze shifting between the two men. Finally, he bowed and said, "I am truly grateful to Elder Qingge for her willingness to help the people of Crescent Moon Town. So, as you said, let your disciple go back and report the news, while we will take our leave first."
"no problem."
[Warning! Warning! The host is being overly considerate of the male lead, resulting in extremely egregious out-of-character behavior. An electric motor punishment is imminent!]
[Countdown: 1 minute, 60, 59...]
"Hurry up."
Before the punishment was over, Chu Qing turned around and fiercely shooed the other person away, hoping he would know when to leave.
Yin Li moved her lips, unable to decipher the complex emotions in the other person's eyes.
Chu Qingge, what are you really thinking?
His heart tightened suddenly for a moment, and a very faint pain pierced his heart. He felt it was a minor injury he had suffered during the fight. Seeing that he couldn't dissuade her, he quickly followed her instructions and headed towards the inn.
Only when Chu Qing could no longer sense Yin Li's presence did she realize that he had left safely.
[5, 4, 3, 2, 1, the punishment begins!]
In an instant, Chu Qing's face turned deathly pale, her whole body trembled uncontrollably, and cold sweat poured down her forehead, but she had to remain calm!
"Elder Qingge, let's go."
She couldn't faint. It was just pain for a while; she'd been through it before, it was nothing.
Trying hard to suppress her weakness, Chu Qing slowly took a few steps, pretending to be normal, and followed on her sword.
Bloodshed, hold on.
She set a spell for herself, but the pain that pierced her soul was tormenting her, making each day feel like an eternity.
She'll pull this system out and smash it one day!
After an unknown amount of time, when the golden barrier appeared before my eyes, I felt the pain gradually disappear.
As soon as they came down, just as Chu Qing had expected, the barrier was not easily unstable. A huge group of magical beasts had gathered on the other side, and cracks had already appeared on the barrier.
Could these have been Zhang Liangcai's doing?
"Oh no! Oh no! The monsters are coming in!"
With a loud shout, the barrier shattered, and blood-red light spread across the entire sky, as if it were the end of the world. The beasts trapped in hell couldn't wait to break free of their cages and rush forward.
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