Chapter Twenty-Two: We Must Hurry

Guo Zhengxiang arrived at the balcony of the room on the second floor and climbed down along the tree. As expected, standing on the tree, he could see a window ahead that was half open, and it was easy enough to reach it.

“Strange, why did Tao Tao come here?” Guo Zhengxiang looked around; darkness still shrouded everything.

Inside, there was candlelight.

Guo Zhengxiang crept closer, pulled open the window, placed one foot on the sill, and crouched there, peering inside.

No one stood by the window; Guo Zhengxiang carefully stepped down and quietly walked forward.

…

Dong… dong… dong…

“The bell is ringing…” Xiu Ming raised his head and looked at Fei Xin.

“Who has something happened to?” Fei Xin asked in confusion.

At that moment, Xiu Ming vaguely guessed it was Guo Zhengxiang, since the most aggressive person was Gao Yi, and Guo Zhengxiang and Gao Yi were at odds.

If someone had indeed died, then the bell would prove to be connected to the deaths.

It rang nine times. Each time, it was three more than before; in other words, just one more round would make twelve. What would happen then? Xiu Ming had a question in his heart.

“We shouldn’t make a sound; let others come knock on the door,” Xiu Ming said.

If they waited at the door and opened it as soon as they heard something, it might provoke the person.

Hours later, Cui Kaixuan knocked on the door.

“Guo Zhengxiang is missing.”

Xiu Ming nodded, just as he had expected.

“Have you searched everywhere? Could he be on the second floor?” Fei Xin asked.

Cui Kaixuan closed the door and looked at the two.

“Who called you out?” Xiu Ming asked.

Cui Kaixuan replied, “Tao Tao.”

“Tao Tao?”

“Tao Tao is in the room. Guo Zhengxiang and Tao Tao shared a room. Tao Tao said Guo Zhengxiang went out to look for something and never returned, and now she can't get out herself.”

A strange look crossed Xiu Ming's face. “What about Gao Yi?”

…

"Gao Yi… is gone, too!"

"What?" Xiu Ming was stunned. He had initially thought Gao Yi would stop after causing Guo Zhengxiang’s death, but now it seemed things were not so simple.

“Wasn’t Gao Yi most afraid of ghosts? What happened?” Fei Xin asked.

Yes, what had happened? Gao Yi shouldn't be apart from the group; even if he’d read about the crest's power to ward off evil in the book, in such an environment, sticking together was the only way to quell inner fear.

“What now?” Cui Kaixuan looked at Xiu Ming.

“The situation is unclear, but it’s likely Gao Yi discovered something and is doing something alone. Only Gao Yi would dare. Let’s go to Tao Tao’s place first,” Xiu Ming said.

The three stepped out, only to find Tao Tao standing at Wang Qian’s door.

“Wang Qian is missing…” Tao Tao looked at the three.

“Truly working alone…” Cui Kaixuan began to say, but Fei Xin glared at him and he fell silent.

Everyone felt a chill run through them, goosebumps rising.

“We must hurry. Cui Kaixuan, head straight to the leader’s room, things are getting more complicated,” Xiu Ming said, looking at Cui Kaixuan.

Cui Kaixuan nodded. “Let’s go.”

…

“The book says that eating human flesh makes one’s body stronger. No wonder those outsiders during the chaos of the Five Barbarians were so fierce in battle—it was because they ate people. The book mentions that consuming the flesh of those filled with resentment and tragic despair maximizes the effect, extending life. If one takes another bite, immortality is possible.”

“Hehehe… Wang Qian was full of resentment after what I did to her… yes, Guo Zhengxiang was, too. N