Chapter Twenty-Nine: The Monster Arrives

Cui Kaixuan glanced over as well, then seemed to recall something and said, “Let’s leave this aside for now. What should we do next?”

“Search—search for any clues here!” Xiu Ming gestured to the emblems around them, symbols used for exorcism, reassuring Cui Kaixuan.

Since there were such emblems here, these mummified corpses posed little threat.

But as he drew closer, Xiu Ming realized these bodies were truly terrifying. Some had their mouths agape, as if caught in a silent scream; others were torn and broken, bearing the marks of unspeakable torment before death. Hundreds of corpses in various contorted poses filled the chamber, as if it were a scene from hell. One could only imagine how merciless the cult must have been.

He also noticed scattered severed limbs.

“What’s this?”

Fragments lay ahead; after a moment’s reflection, Xiu Ming deduced they were shards of bone, shattered like broken glass. Not only here, but across a wide area, fragments were strewn upon the floor and atop corpses.

He suddenly understood.

So that was how it happened.

Amidst the many corpses, Xiu Ming spotted one that was different.

This particular corpse was not grotesque.

It looked almost peaceful, as if merely asleep. He could tell it was the body of a woman, lying atop the heap.

Xiu Ming noticed that the intact prisoner uniforms all bore numbers, which likely matched those found in the documents.

This woman’s number was 379.

Curiously, in the past, entering a room piled with corpses would have terrified him, but now his mind was only on finding a way out.

“Xiu Ming, why not burn the place down and let these people return to dust?” Cui Kaixuan mused, his tone more sentimental than serious, so Xiu Ming ignored him.

“Cui Kaixuan, did you find anything?”

“No. Just corpses everywhere, their expressions and poses too tragic.”

“I feel like we’re missing something. Something’s off…” Xiu Ming looked toward Cui Kaixuan. “Do you have any thoughts? We’re running out of time. Have you noticed the air feels thick, almost viscous? I don’t know what that means, but it can’t be good.”

“So you noticed it too,” came Cui Kaixuan’s reply. “You know, people always care about how others see them.”

“???” Xiu Ming was puzzled.

“Heh. Whether in success or failure, it takes courage to let go, but in the end, we’re only human. Even a trace of hypocrisy is proof of our mortality.”

Proof of mortality? Is that something that needs to be proven?

Though Cui Kaixuan’s words sounded candid, Xiu Ming sensed an underlying caution, as if Cui Kaixuan were a leopard stalking prey a hundred meters from a gazelle.

Steady, confident, wary.

And he himself was like the wild grass around the leopard, providing cover. Wild grass was essential to the hunt, but once the leopard finished, the grass’s role ended.

Was that why Cui Kaixuan said those words—to reassure him?

Heh. Whether reassured or not, without a solution, they would die here. He didn’t know what Cui Kaixuan was planning, but he’d play his part as the grass.

“There doesn’t seem to be anything here.” Xiu Ming shook his head, dismissing his suspicions.

“I agree. This place is likely just a warehouse, meant to hide bodies from the authorities.” Cui Kaixuan walked over, his expression calm.

“Let’s go,” Xiu Ming said, and together they climbed the stone stairs back to the kitchen.

What now? Go to Gao Yi’s room? Probably pointless—he must have the ‘Black Moon’ book with him. The only way forward was to find Gao Yi; everything else hinged on that.

“Cui Kaixuan, are the doors to L201 and R201 locked?”

“Impossible to open. They’re cleverly designed.”

“Then I don’t know what else to do,” Xiu Ming said helplessly, pulling the door open. “Let’s check Gao Yi’s room anyway.”

As the door swung wide, a figure stood directly in the doorway, startling Xiu Ming.

“Fei Xin?” Xiu Ming asked in confusion. “You’re awake? How did you know we were here?”

Fei Xin grinned, her face pale as death. “Find Gao Yi. Kill him. Then we can leave.”

Did Fei Xin just say to kill someone? Did I hear that right?

Behind him, Cui Kaixuan looked equally perplexed, but then his expression darkened as if realization dawned.

“Fei Xin, why say that? Gao Yi wasn’t killed by the monster?” Xiu Ming tried to find answers in her words; what was the connection between Gao Yi and their escape?

This felt wrong. Fei Xin seemed to know something, as did Cui Kaixuan, and Gao Yi had critical information, yet Xiu Ming himself was in the dark.

Xiu Ming turned to Cui Kaixuan, whose face looked as if he’d swallowed something foul.

Why did Cui Kaixuan look like that?

“Will either of you explain?” Xiu Ming finally demanded coldly.

Cui Kaixuan remained silent.

Fei Xin turned her head aside. “He’s coming.” Then she looked at Cui Kaixuan and Xiu Ming. “Treat him as an appetizer. He’s the key. Hehehehe…”

Xiu Ming didn’t understand and was about to ask more, but Cui Kaixuan said, “Trust her.” He raised the steel pipe in his hand, his gaze sharp. “We’ll talk later.”

“Not bad, I’m starting to like you,” Fei Xin said with a chilly smile, glancing at Xiu Ming. “I wonder if you’re jealous of my words?”

Xiu Ming said nothing, and Fei Xin’s icy eyes flickered with a hint of change. “You’re just like him.”

A low, guttural growl sounded from the staircase on the second floor.

“Let’s go, Xiu Ming. We’ll deal with that monster, then find Gao Yi and get some answers.”

Xiu Ming nodded, and the two walked out.

Ahead, Xiu Ming’s breathing quickened. What was the monster? The approaching footsteps hinted it could appear around the next corner at any moment.

He looked back at Fei Xin. “Find a room to hide in.”

Fei Xin stared straight ahead, unmoving.

“Now’s not the time for distractions. Stay focused,” Cui Kaixuan warned.

Xiu Ming grunted. “You be careful.” He turned to face forward.

Fei Xin moved slightly.

“No matter what happens next, I want to apologize,” Cui Kaixuan glanced at Xiu Ming, who replied, “It’s fine. Everyone has their secrets. We’re classmates, friends.”

“Classmates, friends… heh.” Cui Kaixuan forced a bitter smile.

Before the laughter faded, a shadowy figure appeared at the corner ahead.

“It’s here!” Cui Kaixuan gripped the steel pipe, ready for battle.