Chapter 110

Chapter 110

In the dead silence of the lawn, the three people left behind by Dan Yun exchanged glances.

After escaping danger, Xi Yu couldn't help but let out a sigh of relief and gently said, "I was wondering if you were hiding in the shadows, stalking us. I was right."

Li Mo, feeling regretful, asked, "Luo Xi! Why didn't you kill her? She had money on her."

"Didn't you feel disappointed when you didn't see my thrilling hand-to-hand fight with a knife?" Luo Xi countered, then raised an eyebrow and added, "I had no reason to kill her. Why take the risk?"

Li Mo immediately responded, "She wanted to kill Xi Yu. Isn't that enough?"

"In a competition, killing intent is the cheapest," Luo Xi said. "If you were able, you'd probably have planned to kill Xi Yu for the money as well. After all, 220 taels would make anyone tempted, right?"

There was no rebuttal to that, and Li Mo finally kept quiet.

Xi Yu, smelling the increasingly strong blood in the air, uneasily said, "No need to argue here. Let's head back first."

Luo Xi then helped him carry the medicine basket and started walking back.

Li Mo, struggling to keep up, asked, "How did you and Dan Yun end up here? We were just out gathering herbs. Is that enough reason to stalk us?"

Luo Xi answered frankly, "I originally thought you two were still in Doctor Yan's courtyard. But after seeing Dan Yun going out again to cause trouble, I couldn't help but follow her. She must have coincidentally spotted you two and couldn't resist her urge to kill."

Li Mo was indeed smart: "What kind of trouble? Luring the corpse demons to Taoyuan Village?"

"Exactly. Her water bag is filled with tainted blood, and she's been spilling it along the way. It's like she's leaving a trail for the corpse demons. I specially brought two patrol officers with me, and they've already gone back to report to Chief Situ. I'm sure Dan Yun will be captured once she returns to the city," Luo Xi said generously, admitting his trail. He then asked, "How did you know about all this?"

Li Mo smiled faintly. "The past few days, whenever I finished my tasks, I’d chat with Doctor Yan and ask about the other NCs. I heard that this Chi Miao, after seeing his wife and child turned into corpse demons, tied them up and went to Doctor Yan for treatment. Doctor Yan was shocked... Chi Miao then complained that the villagers didn't help protect his family. Later, he somehow turned into a righteous hero, guarding the land. It's really strange."

"Sounds about right," Xi Yu sighed. "Looks like tonight will be another sleepless night."

Li Mo frowned deeply, anxious, and didn’t continue the conversation.

Doctor Yan, who had successfully obtained the Zhaoyun grass, was very pleased. He immediately rewarded the two apprentices with half a steamed bun each and urged them to leave.

However, Luo Xi was reluctant to leave. He crossed his arms, observing Doctor Yan, and said, "To get you to make the antidote, the village has really gone out of its way. I wonder how the antidote is progressing. After all, Taoyuan Village can’t hold on much longer."

Doctor Yan frowned slightly and answered, "It will be ready soon."

"The poison of the corpse demons is so terrifying that no one has ever heard of it. How can Doctor Yan possibly know how to cure it?" Luo Xi smiled coldly. "Could it be a case of 'the person who ties the bell must untie it'?"

These words made Doctor Yan’s expression immediately change. "What nonsense are you talking? Don't think just because you're from Chief Situ’s side, I’ll be polite to you. Guards!"

"No need to trouble yourself. I’ll leave on my own," Luo Xi grabbed Xi Yu’s wrist and, looking indifferent, left the courtyard in large strides.

Li Mo, completely flustered and irritated, just wanted to retreat to the shelter to think about tomorrow. She awkwardly lowered her head and said, "Doctor Yan, I’ll be leaving now."

Doctor Yan calmed his emotions and continued to lower his head, researching the pharmacy, nodding slightly in acknowledgment.

Li Mo stepped over the threshold, sighed deeply as she looked at the blood-red mist in the sunset, uncertain about the complicated stances of these NCs, and worried about her own fate.

In fact, the truth of what Luo Xi suspected was being held by Su Ziyan.

It was a miscellaneous record from the old scholar raised by the Lin family, which included a large portion about Lin Lao Ye's illness and the corpse demon disaster.

The key to the study was found by Lu Yan, but since she was blind, she had to rely on Su Ziyan, who could follow instructions. Together, they secretly stole the books with the obvious clues and shared them in the garden.Lu Yan held Su Ziyan's hand, helping him to keep watch. Su Ziyan, while observing, looked anxious, trying to control his voice: "This Lin Lao Ye suffers from severe rheumatism and has been bedridden for years. It’s been Doctor Yan who has been prescribing him medicine to relieve the pain. Up until recently, everything was fine... But not long ago, he arranged a marriage for Lin Lan’er. She didn’t want to marry the man, leading to a severe argument between father and daughter. Lin Lan’er even ran away from home, but was forcibly brought back... After that, Lin Lao Ye’s condition worsened, and he screamed in the room all day, not even allowing the servants to get close. Slowly, the Lin family was taken over by Lin Lan’er, and her brother, Lin Feng’er, ended up as just a backdrop..."

The anchor, having gone through many tragic stories, was quick to imagine all sorts of possibilities based on the information provided.

Lu Yan furrowed her brows, writing eight characters in Su Ziyan’s palm: "Yan Jian making poison, a botched plan?"

Su Ziyan nodded. "It’s possible he was following Lin Lan’er’s orders, trying to make Lin Lao Ye die from a strange illness. But he didn’t expect this illness to be contagious..."

Lu Yan lowered her eyes in deep thought.

At that moment, she sharply heard footsteps and tapped Su Ziyan’s hand.

Su Ziyan immediately hid the journal in his chest.

The one approaching was none other than the arrogant Lin Lan’er, followed by four maids. She cast a cold glance at them, "You should leave now. You’re just temporary help. My Lin family can’t afford to support so many people."

Lu Yan respectfully bent her knees. "Yes."

She then tugged Su Ziyan, trying to leave.

However, Lin Lan’er gave them a suspicious look. "Wait."

Su Ziyan, not hearing anything, was only pulled by Lu Yan and anxiously swallowed, fearing they might be caught.

Fortunately, Lin Lan’er only asked, "When you were doing your business earlier, the patrol didn’t notice you, right? Today, Chief Situ sent someone to ask questions."

Lu Yan replied calmly, "We were very careful. Please don’t worry, Miss."

"Mm, go ahead," Lin Lan’er said with lingering concern, still worried. She didn’t bother them further and walked off in another direction.

As the evening wore on, the area outside Lin’s mansion remained quiet.

Su Ziyan looked around, speaking loudly, "Dan Yun didn’t come, so let’s leave."

Lu Yan was determined. "No, I want to wait for her."

Su Ziyan sighed helplessly. "Well, I’m leaving then. I’m too tired."

Lu Yan hesitated and nodded. Listening to Su Ziyan’s footsteps fade, only the lonely sound of the wind filled the air. Her heart began to race.

That day, because Luo Xi had killed Su Zhen and lost ten taels in compensation, he and Xi Yu decided to save money and only bought a bag of water to keep their bodies balanced.

Just as they were about to leave, the clinking sound of the blacksmith’s forge reached them.

Xi Yu stopped and murmured, "Dan Yun bought a knife, I should buy one for you too."

"What’s the point of comparing? Our family’s financial condition doesn’t allow it," Luo Xi stopped him. "You don’t need it for dealing with her."

"What if it’s not just about dealing with her?" Xi Yu said seriously, analyzing, "Dan Yun and Lu Yan are very close. If there’s no reason, she wouldn’t waste money like that. After all, the money is meant for staying in the shelter. The reason she’s so extravagant must be because she knows the shelter is about to run out of funds."

Actually, Luo Xi also had a faint worry, looking conflicted as he gazed at the blacksmith.

Xi Yu continued, "Chi Miao doesn’t have good intentions for Taoyuan Village. What Dan Yun is doing has already shown everything. If the number of corpse demons keeps increasing, and the Taoyuan Village defense team keeps depleting, the so-called safe house might cease to exist. To deal with countless corpse demons, we need weapons."Luo Xi remained silent for a moment before nodding. "You're right."

Xi Yu immediately walked over to the blacksmith. "Please pick out a suitable knife for him."

"You can choose whatever you like," the blacksmith said, holding out his hand for the payment. "Fifty taels."

Without hesitation, Xi Yu handed over the precious silver.

Luo Xi didn't waste any time either. He made a quick circle around, selecting a long knife with the right size and shape. He blew on the blade before saying, "Let’s go."

Xi Yu had a very sharp sixth sense. His heart was racing faster, trying to suppress the unease. He grabbed Luo Xi's arm and said, "Make sure to rest quickly. Tonight won’t be a peaceful night, or I’ll have been tricked too many times for nothing."

There were only seven people left in the shelter, but two extra weapons had appeared, making the others feel uneasy.

Perhaps the prolonged sense of peace had made everyone a bit restless. In the evening, aside from Hong Feng buying water, everyone else tried to save the little silver they had to face the uncertain future.

Lu Yan had not waited for Dan Yun nor heard of her death. She had no choice but to return alone, curling up in a corner with a low atmosphere of tension.

Since no one was speaking, sleep came earlier than usual.

The quiet lasted until midnight.

Although the clock didn’t strike twelve, the sudden swarm of corpse demons outside the window was more effective than any wake-up service.

Hong Feng was the first to stand up, first trying to hold up the window that was almost shattered, then hearing the screams and chaotic footsteps from the corridor. His face turned pale. "This is bad. Is the shelter about to fall? There are more corpse demons tonight than the sum of the past two days!"

Luo Xi cautiously held onto Xi Yu, his dark and deep eyes already scanning the surroundings, planning their escape route.

At this time, after most of the game time had passed, the system broadcast announcing the rules finally arrived.

【No matter how loyal the guardian, it can’t withstand the scheming of the wicked. Unfortunately, Taoyuan Village has fallen, and there is no safe place from now on.】

【Dead broadcasters become corpse demons. Broadcasters killed by corpse demons immediately exit the game, and the broadcaster corpse demons win.】

【Broadcasters with helper identities, those who complete their employer’s ultimate mission, win.】

【Once the number of winners reaches six, this round of the qualifiers ends.】

In just four simple sentences, the information was overwhelming.

Luo Xi didn’t have time to digest it. Taking advantage of the confusion on everyone’s faces, he immediately wrapped his arm around Xi Yu’s slender waist and forcefully kicked the wooden door open, rushing into the chaos that had completely erupted.