After hearing Wei Shengnan's voice, the two of us from the Wei family moved together toward the direction from which the voice came.
"Song Laosan!"
"Song Laosan!"
"...!"
As we got closer to the other side, Wei Shengnan's shouts became clearer and clearer.
However, she kept repeating the three words "Song Laosan" in her shouts. If it weren't for the change in her tone, it would have sounded like a tape recorder playing on repeat.
The Wei family members shared the same doubts as me: "Mr. Duan, what do you think happened to our young lady? Why has she been calling out Third Master's name the whole time?"
"I don't know. Maybe they came ashore together, but got separated for some reason."
I knew nothing about Wei Shengnan's situation, but I reminded the Wei family members, "We don't know what's in the woods here. Don't shout or respond yet. Firstly, to avoid Wei Shengnan coming to us and encountering danger, and secondly, to avoid alerting any unknown dangers."
The Wei family members pleaded with me, "Mr. Duan, the young lady is the only heir of the Wei family line. Please, no matter what, ensure her safety today! I'm willing to do anything for her, even if it costs me my life!"
"Don't worry, we are all from the Fourth Gate. As long as there is a glimmer of hope, I will not give up on her."
I agreed to the Wei family member's request, but couldn't help asking him, "We live in a modern society now, and there's no longer the old concept of servants and lackeys. Why are you still willing to risk your lives for the Wei family?"
"Because the Wei family has given us enough."
The Wei family member responded frankly: "The Wei family has very strict rules for selecting disciples. First of all, the family must have at least two children. The family members of the children who join the Wei family for cultivation will receive a large sum of money every year. And when they turn eighteen, it will be decided whether they will formally join the family. Those who join will receive a large sum of money as a settlement allowance. If they can live peacefully to the age of thirty, they can live a life like immortals!"
I was speechless when I heard this bland response: "Just because of that?"
"Money is the biggest problem in life. The Wei family has given us peace of mind. Isn't that enough?"
The Wei family member smiled and said, "You're right. As times change, the Wei family's system is also being reformed. The middle and senior management of Changwei Group are selected from among our members. Moreover, Changwei Group has a succession system. If I have children, they can inherit my position in Changwei Group if I die! If I don't have children, my brothers and sisters can take over my position and work in Changwei Group."
I curled my lip: "Living only for others, yet disregarding your own life and death?"
"If I can survive, isn't that fighting for myself?"
The Wei family members took the matter indifferently: "As far as I know, many tomb raiding families use this method to raise their disciples. Compared to them, the Wei family's conditions are already very good. Even the Black Robe Organization can only allow its members to indulge in a life of debauchery. The Wei family has already prepared all the escape routes for us. What more could we ask for?"
After listening to what the Wei family members said, I nodded in agreement.
I've also experienced poverty, so of course I know what it feels like.
When I first took over the pawnshop, due to poor management, the pawnshop had no business for a month. In order to keep the shop running, I sold everything I could in my house. At the worst time, I drank tap water for three days in a row.
Looking back now, if someone had approached me in that situation and offered me the same terms, I probably would have joined without hesitation.
As I chatted with the Wei family members, Wei Shengnan's shouts from afar became increasingly clear.
But as we walked, she kept calling out "Song Laosan's" name.
Following the sound, we soon arrived near a patch of fluorescent grass.
There are no trees here, but in front of us is a large patch of fluorescent grass that looks like reeds, about two meters tall.
Wei Shengnan's voice came from the bushes, and it sounded like it was only about ten meters away from us, and it was very clear.
I heard Wei Shengnan's voice coming from the bushes, so I raised my voice and called out, "Wei Shengnan, it's me, Duan Shenxing. Can you hear me?"
Wei Shengnan's voice came from within the bushes again: "Song Laosan..."
I heard a sound coming from the bushes and immediately became alert: "Something's wrong! We can hear Wei Shengnan's voice at this distance, so she must be able to hear us too. But the voice inside has been repeating Song Laosan's name for so long, it doesn't seem like it has any consciousness at all. It's probably encountered some kind of seductive ghost or ghoul!"
The "ghostly demon" I'm referring to is actually a mandrill. Back when we were searching for the tomb of the evil monk in India, I once carried something that had bewitched my mind.
As for another type of ghost, some say it is a fox spirit, while others say it is an ancient woman who was drowned in a pig cage for being immoral, and whose resentment could not be dispelled, turning into a vengeful ghost.
The commonality between the alluring ghost and the seductive ghost lies in the fact that both of these evil spirits can transform into beautiful women to lure men and devour their vital essence.
Ancient books contain numerous records of demons and monsters, but the "Wei Shengnan" in the bushes only ever repeats three words, and there is no sound of anyone moving in the bushes.
Something just doesn't seem right about this.
The Wei family member, upon hearing my words, showed no fear. Instead, he drew his knife: "Mr. Duan, I need to go into the bushes and take a look! I've known Miss since I was very young. I'm absolutely certain I recognized her voice; it was her who shouted!"
"You just said that you've followed the Wei family into many tombs, and you must have encountered many bizarre things. I don't believe you can't see that there's something wrong with these bushes!"
I turned my gaze to the Wei family members: "I know you want to save people, and so do I, but we can't blindly throw our lives away!"
"I've also read about the two evil spirits you mentioned. They're said to be able to transform into beautiful women and lure people to the woods or riverbanks to kill them. But if their methods are so crude, only repeating three words, do you think they can fool people?"
The Wei family member shook his head: "What if my young lady is affected and loses her senses? If we leave her inside, we'll kill her! Mr. Duan, I know the situation here is dangerous. You don't need to go in, but I have to go in and find out what happened!"
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