Chapter 2: The Mysterious Village (5)

  Old Jin's description was extremely detailed, making me feel as if I were there in person. My entire back was drenched with cold sweat.

  "This time was different from the last, that voice never disappeared. I hurriedly went forward and patted Tang Jun's shoulder, only to see him standing in place as if his soul had been scared away, no matter how hard I shook him. So I quickly helped him into the house, making sure he was okay before taking the knife and chasing after the sound. That night was especially dark, I tightly gripped the machete in my hand, quickening my pace, the farther I went, the louder the voice became, I suddenly froze, that voice was so similar to Hongying's.

  Old Jin's words reminded me of something, he continued, 'Without thinking much, I quickly rushed forward again, at the village entrance, in front of that stone, I saw a figure wearing a red long gown from who-knows-where, with a phoenix crown on his head, constantly making 'yiya' sounds. But I was certain this person wasn't someone I knew, where did he come from?"

  I took a step forward, ready to pin this person to the ground. But when I pounced on him, I found that this black shadow, who was not even as tall as me, had incredible strength. I couldn't hold him down, let alone see his true face. Just then, my eyes caught sight of another flying black shadow. My mind was a mess, and I released the person in my grasp, preparing to swing my machete at the strange shadow. Since it was just a shadow, I thought I could subdue it with one slash. But to my surprise, my blade cut through empty air, and before I could react, both shadows vanished into thin air. Suddenly, an idea flashed through my mind: the person I had pinned down must have been human, while the flying shadow that evaded capture was some kind of supernatural being. But what kind of supernatural being could take on a human form yet possess inhuman speed and agility? As I pondered this, another chilling thought occurred to me: as someone who has spent their life hunting, I had never met anyone whose strength rivaled mine. Yet the person who seemed like a shadow, with a height and build inferior to mine, was somehow able to evade my capture. This realization sent shivers down my spine. Just then, I remembered that Hongying and Tang Jun were still waiting for me at home. So I rushed back in their direction, but as soon as I entered the house, I sensed that something was off. Old Jin looked at me expectantly, seemingly waiting for me to ask him something.

  "What's wrong?" I replied.

  Old Jin Tou waved his hand at me and made a gesture of silence, then stretched his head out the door. I also held my breath and listened curiously. The house was as quiet as death, but suddenly a rustling sound came to my ear.

  The sound grew louder and louder, like a tidal wave. Old Jin immediately stood up and quickly walked to the window, pulled open the curtains, and the curtains opened. To my surprise, the room was already brightly lit, and the originally empty house was now shining with lights everywhere. I was shocked in my heart, could it be that I had encountered a ghost?

  To be honest, at that time I only had one feeling, whether I was in reality or a dream. Before this, I also felt fear because of the appearance of the earthworms, but the earthworms were visible after all, and now I truly experienced what it means to be thrilling, those things are hidden around you, but you don't know what they are.

  Old Jin Tou looked for a while, then put down the curtains, jumped off the kang with one arrow step, hastily put on his shoes and walked towards Jin Dou Zi's room across the way. I lifted the curtains again to look outside, just as Old Jin Tou entered Jin Dou Zi's room, the lights suddenly went out completely, and in an instant, everything in front of me turned into a pitch blackness. Then I heard the sound of Old Jin Tou walking.

  I turned my head and found myself face to face with Old Jin, his face was solemn, his eyebrows furrowed, he didn't say a word as he leaned against the wall deep in thought for half a day, before suddenly saying: "You weren't scared just now, were you?"

  I shook my head.

  "Where did I stop talking to you last time?" Old Jin Tou seemed like he hadn't spoken in a long time, so many things had been pent up in his chest. Today, when he met me, he poured out everything at once, feeling relieved after finally speaking out.