Chapter 29

Chapter 29: Inquiries

People of the time often believed in gods and buddhas. Even if they weren’t the devout types who burned incense every day, the reverence they held in their hearts was still not to be underestimated.

What about demons and ghosts, who are the counterparts to gods and buddhas? — Who hasn’t been frightened as a child by their parents saying, “If you don’t sleep, the weasel will come to catch you”? Or, after a stroll by the water, remembering the legends of water ghosts seeking a substitute?

The Jun family brothers were also seasoned travelers of the martial world, not easily frightened by such trivial things. But what was before them made it clear that what Bai and Mei were showing them was something far beyond their comprehension.

Their throats felt a bit dry, as though something like straw was blocking it. The two young men took a long while to regain their senses, struggling to speak: "Bai Ge, Mei Ge, could it be that you have learned some kind of immortal art?"

Not only did they learn it themselves, but they were also willing to share it, allowing the entire martial world to benefit?

The brothers' gaze toward Bai and Mei changed. Hearing their words, Bai and Mei's expressions also shifted.

From the initial seriousness, to astonishment, to a helpless smile. Finally, it turned into a wry smile.

"How is this 'immortal art'?" Bai Zhengliu sighed, "You two disciples probably find it hard to believe. But we, we encountered a ghost."

Jun family brothers: "...gulp." They swallowed their saliva.

Seeing this, Bai Zhengliu’s impulse to sigh grew stronger. By his side, Mei Yinghan shook his head and began to explain from the beginning.

From when they went to Guang'an Prefecture with Fu Ming and Gu Miao, to when they realized they were no longer in the Prefectural Governor’s residence, but in "Chang's House"... As he spoke, Mei Yinghan didn’t particularly emphasize the fact that Fu Ming and Gu Miao ended up together, but as soon as those two names were mentioned, the Jun family brothers immediately recalled: "Right, not to mention the Ninth Prince, but what about that young lord Gu who was with Mei Ge?"

They knew Fu Ming's identity and weren't too surprised that Fu Ming had left the martial world. But Mei Yinghan and Gu Miao’s story had been a well-known tale among martial artists!

They were originally senior brothers, and later, during the battle against the blood demon, they became a couple, took vows before their elders, and held a grand banquet inviting martial artists who had gathered because of the blood demon incident.

Although the two men wouldn’t truly marry, and the government wouldn’t recognize such a relationship, in the eyes of martial artists, what they had witnessed was a "perfect ending" of two lovers finally being together.

However, now, hearing Mei Ge's tone, was it true that Young Lord Gu had gone astray?

The Jun family brothers tried not to let their sympathetic gazes become too obvious.

After all, seeing Mei Ge’s expression, it seemed that if they sympathized with him, it would feel rather embarrassing.

But their restraint and patience, mixed with curiosity, was clearly visible to Mei Yinghan.

Mei Yinghan: "..." He tried to keep his voice steady and continued speaking calmly.Bai Zhengliu silently sucked in a breath, inwardly thinking: "It’s a good thing that my past with Fu Ming hasn’t spread widely. Otherwise, I’d be the one embarrassed right now."

With that thought, he truly felt both relief and sympathy for Mei Yinghan.

However, this sympathy didn’t last long. When Mei Yinghan finally got to the main issue, talking about the Liu family, Lord Chang, and An Bo... the many ghosts and spirits in "Chang's House," the Jun family brothers' expressions turned serious. When Mei Yinghan mentioned, "According to Liu's wife, Lord Chang has been practicing dark arts for at least twenty years. Over these two decades, he must have harmed countless people," both brothers' eyes showed deep hatred.

"Still, Bai Xiong is sharp," Mei Yinghan continued, "He noticed something was wrong with Lord Chang and, at the last moment, tore off the sealing talisman from Liu's wife, allowing her to escape the suppression. By eliminating Lord Chang and An Bo, we were also given the opportunity to escape. However, the dark arts that Lord Chang practices must have a source, and Bai Xiong discovered even more strange things about him..."

As the Jun family brothers' gazes turned back to him, Bai Zhengliu briefly explained what had felt wrong about Lord Chang. Hearing this, the Jun brothers grew even more cautious, murmuring, "So many things are connected."

"Truly dangerous, very dangerous!" they both exclaimed.

Mei Yinghan watched their reaction, unable to suppress a sigh. "Do you believe this? Don’t you think Bai Xiong and I are just speaking nonsense?"

The two young men immediately replied, "Of course not!"

"If it were anyone else, we might not believe it. But since it’s Bai Ge and Mei Ge, and there’s the matter of the coin turning back to find us as proof, how could we not believe?" Jun Tao spoke up, and then Jun Yang quickly added, "Now I understand why you two said this matter is urgent and must be reported to the Tianshan elders soon. It’s indeed a big deal, and it can’t be delayed! Tomorrow, when we reach Tan's Village, you two mustn’t hesitate. As for finding Senior Sister Nie, that’s still up to me and my junior brother—"

Mei Yinghan raised his hand to stop him. "Bai Xiong and I already promised to help you investigate. How could we go back on our word?"

Jun Yang insisted, "What you two are carrying is truly important." He then turned to his younger brother, "Tao? Why are you dazed? Come, help me persuade them."

Jun Tao seemed to snap out of his stupor, his voice faltering as he asked, "Brother, do you think... do you think Senior Sister might..."

Jun Yang's expression changed slightly. "What?"

Jun Tao said, "What reason could there be for Senior Sister to not send us any word for so long? You and I have also considered whether Senior Sister and Brother Lu might have encountered danger. But no matter what, neither Senior Sister Nie nor Brother Lu have weak martial arts. The two of them together, even if they can’t win in a fight, at least they should be able to escape. But..."

Jun Yang's expression darkened.

It wasn’t directed at his younger brother. It was just that his brother's words had struck at the possibility Jun Yang least wanted to consider.

If Senior Sister and Brother Lu had truly encountered something like "Chang's House," it would explain why they haven’t been able to send any word. And with how long they’ve been missing...Mei Yinghan: "I just need to ask you one more question—when did they come to this place?"

Bai Zhengliu: "..." Mei brother has already asked the key point, so I will just focus on conveying my curiosity through my gaze.

Under such a piercing gaze, it’s no wonder that the middle-aged woman, who had previously seen Nie Qing'e and Lu Qing, took some time to recall and then said, "There was a market that day, I even bought a handful of chestnut cakes... when was it? It must have been last month, right?"

Last month?

The joy in the Jun family brothers' hearts slowly faded, but the middle-aged woman was still reminiscing, "No, it wasn’t last month."

The Jun family brothers’ spirits lifted again.

The middle-aged woman laughed, "I always forget, today is already the second day of the month! It must have been the month before last! It was around the middle of the month, I’m sure of it! We always have big markets around the middle and end of each month!"

Unlike the smile on her face, with that one sentence, all four of the Jianghu guests searching for them fell silent.

Author's Note:

Big Jun, Little Jun: Ah, poor Bai ge. Ah, poor Mei ge.