Chapter 47: The Sudden Attack in the Dark Night (3)

  As soon as the words left his mouth, even Chen Long's calm face changed color. "How can we explain this? We can't tell the truth, can we? Ghosts and monsters killing people? Thieves' spies killing people? Who would believe us? We'd be lucky if they didn't send us to a mental hospital."

  Li Yun listened and also became worried. "What about saying we encountered thieves, and after a fierce battle, they all died, and since the road was blocked, we had no choice but to cremate them and bring their ashes out? They wouldn't be able to investigate anything without the bodies, right?"

  "That's right," Chen Long said. "We just need to get our stories straight, collect some evidence from the thieves, and it doesn't matter if they believe us or not. We didn't do anything wrong."

  As he spoke, Chen Long thought of the middle-aged man they had killed. Wasn't that self-defense? He couldn't help but feel a little uneasy.

  Li Yun continued, "In any case, we need to be careful. If they find out what really happened, we'll be in big trouble."

  Chen Long nodded in agreement. "You're right. We need to stick together and make sure our stories match up."

  Just then, the four of them heard a strange noise coming from outside the cave. It sounded like footsteps, but they were light and cautious, as if someone was trying not to be seen.

  The four of them exchanged nervous glances. Who could it be? And what did they want?

  Suddenly, a figure emerged from the darkness. It was an old man with a long white beard and piercing eyes. He was dressed in a long black robe, and he carried a staff in one hand.

  "Who are you?" Chen Long asked gruffly, trying to hide his fear.

  The old man smiled, showing crooked teeth. "I am someone who has been watching you from the shadows," he said in a low, raspy voice. "And I have come to offer you a deal."

  "What kind of deal?" Li Yun asked warily.

  The old man chuckled. "A deal that will benefit both of us. You see, I have something that you want very badly. And in return, I want something from you."

  Chen Long narrowed his eyes. "What do you have that we want?"

  The old man smiled again. "I have the location of the treasure you've been searching for. And all I want in return is...one of your lives."