CHAPTER 98: CHAPTER 98: HEMU VILLAGE (PART 1)

After getting off the bus, Lin Xiaoyan thought for a moment, then walked to Xuan Shiyi’s side to ask about Jiang Rong.

"Jiang Rong? What’s wrong? Didn’t she manage your milk tea shop well?"

Xuan Shiyi asked.

Lin Xiaoyan shook her head, "No, it’s just that she just sent me a message about something regarding one of our store employees..."

After hearing this, Xuan Shiyi smiled, "Oh, I asked her to investigate."

"Hmm? Why?" Lin Xiaoyan became even more puzzled.

Xuan Shiyi: "The first time I saw Li Wen, I found his appearance very strange, so I had Jiang Rong investigate him secretly."

"Strange? How strange?"

Lin Xiaoyan’s heart tightened.

"Don’t worry, once Jiang Rong finds out, I’ll explain it to you."

Upon hearing this, Lin Xiaoyan could only wait, "Alright."

Gongben saw Lin Xiaoyan talking with Xuan Shiyi and frowned.

"Who is that girl? Is she also part of the Xuan Generation?"

The person next to Gongben looked over, "It seems... uh, probably a newcomer to the Xuan Generation?"

"Oh? To be able to squeeze into the top fifteen of the Xuan Generation in thirty years, her strength can’t be underestimated. Let’s tell our people to keep an eye on her..."

Gongben carefully instructed.

At this time, Lin Xiaoyan was still unaware that she was being specifically watched by people from the Gouzi Country.

If she knew, she would undoubtedly be speechless inside; she’s just an outsider!!!

After boarding the plane, when Xuan Wu walked to Lin Xiaoyan’s side, he placed a bag in her arms.

"Keep these talisman papers well."

Lin Xiaoyan held the bag in her arms, felt that there seemed to be a lot of talisman papers inside, and quickly turned to Xuan Wu with gratitude, saying thank you.

Xuan Wu nodded expressionlessly and returned to his seat.

Across an aisle from Lin Xiaoyan, Xuan Shisan saw this and snorted coldly, "Hmph, remember to hold them! Don’t disgrace the people of Hua Country!"

Lin Xiaoyan: ...

"You sit inside." Xuan Shiwu whispered.

Lin Xiaoyan swapped seats with Xuan Shiwu and sat by the window.

"Whew..."

Sitting back on the plane again, this time before boarding, Lin Xiaoyan had specifically gone to the bathroom to prevent a repeat of last time’s incident.

"Don’t be angry, Shi San always talks unpleasantly, whether it’s you or us, we’ve all experienced her sharp tongue."

Xuan Shiwu comforted Lin Xiaoyan from the side.

Lin Xiaoyan glanced at the sulking Xuan Shisan, then withdrew her gaze, "It’s okay, I don’t mind."

She might have once internalized and doubted herself for a long time over someone else’s words.

But now, she’s experienced much scarier things, so these truly don’t matter in the face of life and death.

Some words from others won’t kill her.

In fact, now everything seems cuter than the female ghost from last night!

Really!

The plane took off, and Lin Xiaoyan looked at the scenery outside the window, her heart rising and falling with it.

The coming month is full of uncertainty—two months ago, she was still working odd jobs for money.

Back then, she had to pinch pennies to get by.

Now, with money, her life has undergone tremendous change, and her worldview has been reshaped.

The future is unknown; perhaps she can try to face it with curiosity, making herself a bit more relaxed and brave...

When they reached Gan Province, Lin Xiaoyan and her group headed straight for Min Mountain in Gan Province.

The whole group reached a lodge at the foot of Min Mountain.

Xuan Er looked at Gongben and the others, "We’ll stay here tonight and head to Hemu Village early tomorrow."

Gongben and the others nodded, "Alright!"

Everyone entered the inn to check-in.

Xuan Er looked up at the mountain, his gaze unreadable.

This time, Lin Xiaoyan had drawn Min Mountain in Gan Province and Hemu Village.

The villagers of Hemu Village reported to the police five times this year.

All reports were identical: their wives got pregnant, but on the day of delivery, nothing came out.

Their bellies were indeed empty, with symptoms exactly like labor, yet nothing was born!

Since February this year, this type of case has occurred five times.

This time, being dispatched to this place is part of the competition.

Whoever cracks the mystery of Hemu Village first wins!

At some point, Gongben was standing beside Xuan Er, also looking in the direction of Min Mountain.

"What are you thinking about?"

Xuan Er faintly withdrew his gaze, looked at Gongben, and chuckled softly, "What you’re thinking about is exactly what’s on my mind."

Gongben’s eyes darkened, "I hope we’re thinking the same thing."

Xuan Er chuckled lightly and turned to enter the inn.

Gongben watched Xuan Er leave with a dark expression and turned to look once more at Min Mountain.

"Mr. Gongben." The team leader from the Ugly Country approached.

"Tonight, should we..."

Gongben withdrew his gaze and looked at the team leader of Ugly Country, "We’ve already lost one opportunity, and my team members are injured.

The official competition begins tomorrow; I think we need to save our energy.

There will be plenty of chances in the future."

The team leader from Ugly Country thought for a moment and nodded, "Alright."

With limited rooms, they squeezed three people into each room, filling the inn completely.

Luckily, it’s not the tourist season, so no one else is staying here.

The innkeeper laughed heartily, seeing so many guests filling up the inn.

"Wow, you guys are really lucky; tomorrow, a wedding party was supposed to come. Good thing you arrived a day early, or you wouldn’t have had a place to stay."

The boss joked with them, "Though my place isn’t the best, it’s the only inn at the foot of the mountain!"

Saying this, the owner looked at them with a mysterious air, "Why are there so many of you here? And foreigners too? Is there some ancient tomb up there?"

Xuan Shiyi laughed heartily at the innkeeper’s words, "You’re kidding, right? We’re just here for a hiking trip. An ancient tomb? Do you know of one?"

With that, Xuan Shiyi glanced around cautiously and leaned closer to the innkeeper, "Care to share any strange happenings around here?"

The innkeeper, seeing Xuan Shiyi’s genuine expression, considered that they might indeed just be tourists.

Occasionally, people do avoid peak tourist seasons to visit.

The innkeeper cleared his throat, thought for a while, and suddenly his eyes lit up.

"Actually, there is something strange!"

"What? Tell us more!" Xuan Shiyi immediately grew interested.

Seeing that they weren’t leaving, Lin Xiaoyan, too frightened to go back alone, sat down on a nearby chair.

At that moment, Gongben walked in and saw the people from Hua Country gathered around the innkeeper. His expression was subtle, but he also stood still.

Even with Gongben present, the Xuan Generation didn’t mind.

The team leader from Ugly Country also stood by Gongben’s side.

"This year, something bizarre happened in a village in Min Mountain!

My uncle’s second cousin’s mother-in-law’s sister is from Hemu Village!"

The innkeeper spoke of Hemu Village, his face turning mysterious, and his voice lowered.

On hearing about Hemu Village, Gongben’s gaze shifted, and he continued to listen to their conversation.

Xuan Shiyi and the rest still wore curious expressions, "What happened then?"