The cave contained countless skeletal remains, some ancient enough that only broken limbs and fragments remained, while others were surprisingly fresh, still bearing flesh not fully decayed.
These bones were piled together in one spot, making it difficult to count precisely, but all shared a distinct characteristic— none were very tall, most belonging to teenagers or children.
The Armed Police Captain in charge of the search wore a dark expression.
He had originally thought deploying armed police into the mountains for the Zhang Family’s sake was a waste of manpower, but he never imagined such a remote, forested village would be hiding so many children’s remains.
Zhang Ren came along with them, and seeing the bones, he roughly guessed the outcome.
It was difficult to explain the supernatural aspects to the police, so he simply omitted some details and focused on the villagers’ worship of a cult.
This simplified the matter considerably.
The backward and ignorant village had been worshipping a cult since a century ago, using children as sacrifices to the Evil God.
That was why the mountain behind the village was littered with so many children’s remains.
After reporting the situation to higher authorities, the captain began questioning and detaining the villagers one by one.
If what Zhang Ren said was true, these villagers who harmed innocent children would inevitably face the full force of the law.
The remaining cleanup was handed over to the police. Zhang Ren left the small building, while Qu Yanning and Chu Zhou were upstairs playing cards with several Little Carrot Heads.
Zhuang Meng sat by the window, knitting a sweater with a bamboo stick, watching them play with a gentle smile.
“I’m Niu Niu!” Chu Zhou called out happily, spreading the cards on the table and grabbing a signature pen to draw a mark on each of the others’ faces.
Qu Yanning had lost the most; his round, chubby face was already covered in patterns, looking no less adorned than the Little Carrot Heads.
“No more, no more,” Qu Yanning complained, covering his face and retreating to one side, “You all play yourselves. There’s no more space left on my face.”
Chu Zhou made a silly face at him, and the Little Carrot Heads mimicked, baring their sharp teeth as they made faces at Qu Yanning.
Qu Yanning: “…”
He cowardly hid behind Xie Qi, whining, “You all gang up on me. I’m not playing with you anymore.”
Xie Qi smirked lightly, his gaze drifting toward the snarling Little Carrot Heads.
Their expressions immediately softened, and they swarmed around Chu Zhou again, begging to keep playing cards.
Zhang Ren looked at Chu Zhou surrounded by the children with a complicated expression.
Chu Zhou was a boy with delicate features. Perhaps because of experiences in his early childhood, he was used to dressing in girls’ clothing.
He never tried to hide his gender, but his good looks and slightly androgynous hoarse voice often made people assume otherwise. Unless he explained, most just thought he was a bit carefree.
Chu Zhou noticed Zhang Ren’s gaze and looked up, catching his complicated eyes. He paused, then smiled and continued playing cards with the Little Carrot Heads.
Zhang Ren sighed and turned to look out the window.
“Has the police situation been settled?” Xie Qi asked.
“Yeah,” Zhang Ren replied. “They found a lot of children’s remains in the cave behind the temple. Those villagers won’t escape responsibility.”
Xie Qi nodded, unconcerned whether the villagers would receive appropriate punishment. Even if the law couldn’t touch them, their accumulated evil karma would bring retribution.
Those festering Poison Sores were only the beginning. What he was more eager for was to return home.
“Once the police finish here, we’ll go down the mountain and prepare to return to Shen City,” Xie Qi said.
Qu Yanning nodded, wanting to go home soon. They had been out for a while, and he wondered if Guaibao missed him.
By evening, reinforcements arrived at the village. Many villagers were infected with Poison Sores. It took great effort to take them down the mountain for investigation.
The captain and Zhang Ren discussed and decided to stay overnight in the village, then lead the people down early the next day.
……
The bright moon hung high in the sky on this rare clear night. Moonlight spilled over the rooftops, and Zhuang Meng stood on the balcony, her face looking even paler in the moonlight.
“Your food is gone.”
Zhuang Meng lowered her head, meeting a pair of golden eyes. “It’s Mr. Xie. He will find a way.”
Xie Qi fixed his gaze on her, then took the notebook from behind his back and handed it to her. “You still have those children. You can’t always survive by relying on corpses. This records the Yin Cultivation Method. This village has become a Gathering of Yin Energy pool— perfect for your cultivation.”
Zhuang Meng hesitated but accepted it. “Thank you. I just don’t know how to properly thank you.”
Xie Qi turned away, the notebook in hand. “No need. Little Ning’s friends… are also my friends.”
……
Early the next morning, the police began escorting the villagers down the mountain. Zhang Ren and the others stayed behind.
The once lively village was now empty. Zhuang Meng led the five Little Carrot Heads to the village entrance.
Chu Zhou’s eyes were red with reluctance. Zhuang Meng wiped his tears and smiled, gently pushing him outside. “Mom’s here. You have plenty of time to come back and visit. It’s not a farewell.”
Chu Zhou sniffled, wanting her to come along but recalled Xie Qi’s words. He could only pull Zhuang Meng along.
Qu Yanning patted his shoulder and pulled him out. “Aunt Zhuang, take care. We’ll come visit soon.”
Zhuang Meng smiled and agreed. The Little Carrot Heads lined up, waving their small hands at them, faces full of sadness.
In the valley, Zhuang Meng led the children back into the village.
Meanwhile, deep in the cave behind the temple, a White-Clothed Person took out a black jade pendant. The pendant was pure black and icy cold to the touch.
Carefully securing it, the figure gazed toward the village entrance and sighed softly, “Looks like it’s time to find the next Yin Ground.”
Descending was much easier than climbing. By evening, the four had returned to the Zhang Family Mansion.
Zhang Father arranged a feast. After eating and drinking their fill, the group rested, preparing to fly to Shen City on the Zhang Family’s private jet the next day.
This time, Zhang Ren didn’t go, citing family matters needing attention. Xie Qi seemed to understand well— Zhang Ren had cared for him all these years, their bond long since settled.
Now that they were at the Zhang Family Mansion, it was only natural.
Qu Yanning instinctively looked at Chu Zhou’s reaction. Chu Zhou smiled and told Zhang Ren to take care.
Zhang Ren nodded silently, wishing them a safe journey.
The plane slowly took off, leaving a bright trail across the sky. Four had arrived; only three left.
After more than four hours on the plane, arriving in Shen City, Qu Yanning felt his bones soften.
He bounced lightly in place, dragging his suitcase as he said goodbye to Xie Qi and awkwardly asked when Guaibao would come.
Xie Qi smiled faintly. “Guaibao has already been sent over. I have to go home once more, so if it’s convenient, please take care of him.”
Qu Yanning eagerly nodded, eyes shining. “Of course. Guaibao can come anytime.”
Satisfied, Xie Qi parted ways with them.
After more than a week away, dust had settled lightly over the house. Qu Yanning set down his luggage, ready to clean. Chu Zhou, who had come along quietly, seemed downcast.
Qu Yanning wasn’t sure if it was because of Zhuang Meng’s misfortune, Zhang Ren’s, or both, so he nervously asked what he wanted for dinner.
Chu Zhou forced a smile. “Flying is tiring. I want to sleep first, no dinner.”
Qu Yanning sighed as he watched Chu Zhou’s retreating figure.
At dinner, a knock came at the door. Qu Yanning opened it to find the Master Cat standing there, looking displeased about not receiving hugs.
“Guaibao!” Qu Yanning happily scooped up the cat, kissing his fluffy head before looking at the person at the door.
A stern-looking middle-aged man stood there. Bowing politely to Qu Yanning, he said, “Second Master told me to deliver the Young Master to you.”
Qu Yanning thanked him and asked if he wanted to come in for tea. The man politely declined and left quickly.
Qu Yanning closed the door, holding the cat eagerly.
“Guaibao, I missed you so much.” He placed the cat on his lap and buried his face in the soft white belly, lost in the long-missed fur.