Persisting through the bitter winds and snowfall, the four marched along the boundless path. They sohow didnt encounter any unfortunate or strange incidents on the road, and they finally returned to their residence safely.
However, when they returned ho, they noticed that the atmosphere of the room didnt seem quite right. Several people were sitting in the living room; their faces were pale and drawn, and they were completely motionless. Deathly stillness hung in the air, and the atmosphere seed even graver than when everyone had first arrived here.
Lin Qiushi swept his eyes across the others within this room and quickly counted the number of people. It was only after making sure the number of people hadnt decreased that he let out a sigh of relief.
What happened? Xiong Qi demanded.
Trembling violently, a man sitting down shakily responded, Upstairs, the corpses upstairs disappeared.
So corpses disappeared? Thats it? Xiong Qi growled, Are you all novices? Why are you so scared of dead bodies vanishing?
Eaten. A girl blubbered at the side, tears stread endlessly down her cheeks. Theres blood everywhere
Xiong Qi and Xiao Ke glanced at each other, they knew they wouldnt be able to get any useful information from these peoples mouths. Thereafter, the four decided to go to the third floor to observe the situation for themselves.
They started climbing the stairs. Upon reaching the second floor, Lin Qiushi imdiately detected sothing was amissthe walls of the second floor were also painted with blood.
Because the house was built of wood, the colors of the walls were mahogany. Lin Qiushi spotted so black smudges on these walls, as if sothing had been splattered there.
Be careful, it may be sothing dangerous, warned Xiong Qi who was walking up front.
They eventually reached the third floor, and Lin Qiushi finally realized what the others ant by eaten.
The area was completely bereft of the corpses that were previously laying there. But that wasnt all; the dead bodies had vanished, but there was sothing else in place of them. The entire ground was covered in residues of flesh and bones, as if sothing had ferociously torn them apart and gnawed on them to smithereens, leaving nothing but unrecognizable scraps behind.
Lin Qiushis face automatically turned white from seeing such a sight, and his stomach began to churn.
It devoured everything down to the very bones. Xiao Ke was accustod to this. I have no idea what this is.
Hah. Xiong Qi heaved a sigh. Co on. Lock the third floor. Well start living on the second floor from today.
Okay. Xiao Ke humd. Ill asked the others about the details.
They went back down to the first floor and questioned everyone on the particulars of what went down while they were gone.
The people downstairs explained to them what happened at the house.
After Xiong Qi and them had left, the group began searching the entire building. In the midst of searching through the second floor, they heard an unusually strange noise coming from the third floor; it sounded as if soone was chewing sothing, devouring it ravenously, gulping it down.
Imdiately after counting the number of people and ascertaining that none of them were on the third floor, they broke out into cold sweat.
No one dared to go upstairs and take a look; they all stood stiff and watched the situation from the second floor. Only when the chewing sounds disappeared did they have the courage to go to the third floor and check it outbut all they saw were remains of ground at and powdered bones.
This is awful. An older lady on the team was already looking rather lifeless. She whimpered, This is my third ti entering these doors. How could I encounter such a world? Can we even get out alive? Just what the hell was that thing
Not a single person could answer her questions; the room was silent.
Xiong Qi sighed faintly and announced that he was hungry. He wanted to find sothing to eat, and he asked if anyone else would go to the kitchen with him.
Lin Qiushi offered, Ill go with you.
Ruan Baijie, who was sitting beside Lin Qiushi, softly murmured, Qiushi, Im hungry, too. I want to eat noodles.
Lin Qiushi: Ill see if there are any. If there are, Ill fix you a bowl.
Good. Ruan Baijies eyes curved, and she tenderly gazed at Lin Qiushi. Pay attention to your safety, okay.
Lin Qiushi nodded.
The kitchen was to the left of the living room. There was no natural gas here, only the most natural firewood.
Both Xiong Qi and Lin Qiushi didnt say a word along the way. When they finally arrived at the kitchen, Xiong Qi lowered his head to start the fire and revealed, I dont plan to inform them of everything.
What do you an? Lin Qiushi blinked in surprise.
Xiong Qi silently peeked at the doorway and determined that no one was outside, then he whispered, I dont think everyone on our team is human.
Lin Qiushis back broke out into goosebumps at this sentence.
Sothing like this happened before. Xiong Qi stated. The mbers we thought were part of the team actually werent teammates; rather, they were those things.
Lin Qiushi wondered, Why do you believe in ? What if Im also one of those things?
Xiong Qi glanced at him. You dont seem like it.
Lin Qiushi:
Xiong Qi continued, Moreover, those guys certainly dont act like people whove experienced these kinds of stuff several tis. They panic too easily and theyre too scared, way more than you.
Lin Qiushi felt a bit embarrassed at his acknowledgnt. To be honest, Im also quite afraid.
Xiong Qi let out a self-deprecating smile at these words, What are you afraid of? The very first ti I entered these doors, I peed my pants three tis in one night.
Lin Qiushi thought of that horrifying woman last night, and he wordlessly glanced at his own crotch and thought to himself that he was lucky enough to be able to hold it in
Xiong Qi: I suggest that you also keep so clues to yourself and not blab everything.
Lin Qiushi nodded. I got it. Thank you for your reminder. Can I ask how many tis you ca here?
Xiong Qi: Six tis.
Oh Lin Qiushi tried to digest all the information about the doors, the team, and the other hidden clues that Xiong Qi gave him.
Its useless thinking so much. Just try your best at getting out alive. Xiong Qi mockingly chuckled to himself. Although, I personally believe this worlds dood.
The fire on the stove was ignited, and the water in the iron pot ca to a boil.
Lin Qiushi found a basket of food and ingredients next to him; there were noodles, eggs, and so green vegetables inside. He boiled the noodles and fried an egg; the aroma of the food drifted throughout the kitchen, dispelling the fear and negativity in the air. Upon seeing this, Xiong Qi praised, You cook well.
Fortunately. Lin Qiushi grinned.
He cooked four bowls of noodles, one for Xiong Qi, one for Xiao Ke, one for Ruan Baijie, and one for himself. As for the others, Lin Qiushi simply couldnt manage that much.
Ruan Baijie was starving. She cupped the bowl in her hands and began inhaling the noodles at once. Most people often made slight noises as they ate; however, Ruan Baijie quietly ate the entire bowl of noodles clean, not even a drop of soup was left behind. She didnt utter a sound after she finished eating, she just whirled her head around and stared expectantly at Lin Qiushi.
Haunted by her fervent gaze, Lin Qiushi felt quite helpless and reluctant. You havent eaten enough?
Ive eaten. Just when these words fell, her stomach growled loudly.
Lin Qiushi: Eat. Ill go get sothing else.
Ruan Baijie: Its fine, its fine.
Lin Qiushi: Is it really? He decided to continue eating, but then, he noticed Ruan Baijies large doe eyes grow wider. Her appearance was honestly too cute that Lin Qiushi couldnt help but laugh. Well, you eat this. Im good.
Fine. This ti, Ruan Baijie wasnt so polite.
After downing two bowls of warm noodles, the chilliness from walking outside finally disappeared. As he ate, Xiong Qi briefed everyone on the information theyd obtained from the elderly carpenter. Of course, he didnt let them know of everything and kept the final hint about filling the well to himself.
Is the key inside the coffin? There were still a few relatively calm people on the team, and amongst them was a man nad Zhang Zishuang. Since the most crucial hint lies with the coffin, I feel as though theres a huge possibility that thisll be the case
Hah, I hope so. Xiong Qi exhaled. I plan to go to the mountains tomorrow morning to chop down so trees. All of the n will co with , and the won can also follow along if theyd like. If you cant stand the cold, then you can stay hidden in the house, but if sothing happens in the house, we wont be able to help you.
After the discussion was over, everyone agreed to Xiong Qis proposal. Although there were so who thought it was dangerous to climb the mountain in this stormy weather, the most dangerous thing in this world wasnt actually the weather, but rather, those filthy things that appeared at the most unpredictable tis. Building the coffin as early as possible in order to leave this place was, obviously, the best course of action.
Ti passed, and the skies grew dark once again.
Once night fell, everyone brushed and washed straight-away; they also had absolutely no thoughts of doing anything else, so they simply retired to their own rooms early. Lin Qiushi asked why everyone couldnt just gather together, and Xiong Qi answered, Because if we all just hang out together, well all end up falling asleep at a certain ti.
What do you an? Lin Qiushi was a bit perplexed. Are you saying that everyone will fall asleep?
Yeah. Xiong Qi explained. It might just be one of the chanisms of this world, but as long as the number of people in one room exceeds a certain value, everyone will fall asleep at a set ti. And when that ti cos, regardless what happens, theres nothing that can be done about it.
Then wouldnt that leave us with no choice but to die without putting up a fight1? Lin Qiushi frowned.
As a matter of fact, those things also cant kill as they please. Xiong Qi said. They need specific requirents in order to kill people. The more problematic the world beyond the door is, the broader the conditions get, and so conditions are quitedifficult to understand.
Lin Qiushi: For instance?
Xiong Qi: For instance, theyre only allowed to slaughter people wearing shoes on their feet.
Lin Qiushi: He silently glanced down at his shoes.
Xiong Qi saw his action and guffawed. Im only giving you an example. If one of the requirents of this world was to kill people who arent wearing shoes, then youd die if you take off your shoes. Besides, there isnt only one requirent; nurous requirents may be superimposed, endlessly stacked together. So, in summation, its actually safer to just sleep from night til dawn. At this statent, he paused. Of course, the precondition is that you must be able to fall asleep.
Because of Xiong Qis words, Lin Qiushi recalled the events that occurred the previous night. He shot a glance towards his side at the unconcerned Ruan Baijie who was clutching a fistful of lon seeds in her hand, casually cracking them. Hed always suspected that he and Death had a brief encounter with each other last night.
It seed that if he wasnt careful enough, he would soon beco one of the two ice-cold corpses on the third floor.
Go to bed, uttered Xiong Qi. Good night.
Lin Qiushi nodded. Good night. He called out to Ruan Baijie and told her they should both go to sleep.
Ruan Baijie yawned and nonchalantly placed the remaining lon seeds on the table. She rubbed her eyes and mumbled, Im so tired. Lets go to bed early today.
Lin Qiushi: Good. Well sleep early.
The third floor was entirely useless because of yesterdays events, so everyone who had stayed there relocated to the second floor.
As before, Lin Qiushi and Ruan Baijie slept on the sa bed. This ti, he was prepared, and he decided to lock the windows first. He intended to tug on the window curtains, but these curtains seed as though they hadnt been used in quite so ti; no matter how forcefully he pulled, they just wouldnt budge.
Ruan Baijie, who was dressed in her pajamas and was sprawled on top of the beddings, wriggled and whined, Qiushi, its so cold, ah.
Lin Qiushi was still in the process of scrutinizing the curtains. He didnt turn his head around after hearing her complaint. Wear more clothes if youre cold.
Ruan Baijie: You dont have a girlfriend, do you?
Lin Qiushi was utterly baffled. Girlfriend? Why do I need a girlfriend?
Ruan Baijie fell silent. By the ti Lin Qiushi drew the curtains and turned around to go back, she was lying stiffly on the bed like a dead fish.
Lin Qiushi simply couldnt understand her. What is wrong with you?
Ruan Baijies voice was ever so soft as she crooned, Youyou dont have anything you want to say to ?
Lin Qiushi sank into contemplation. He gazed at Ruan Baijies beautiful face, and he finally had an epiphany. He declared, I actually do.
Delighted, Ruan Baijie exposed a pleased smile. What do you want to say?
Lin Qiushi: That, there is one thing If we encounter another ghost today, can you run slower?
Ruan Baijies face grew indifferent. Hell no.
Lin Qiushi was furious. Then why the fuck would you ask what I want to say?! Go to sleep!
Thus, each person returned to their own side. They found their own blankets, and with their backs turned to each other, they started getting ready to sleep.
According to Xiong Qi, the best way to get through the night was to sleep quietly and peacefully. However, Lin Qiushis mind was filled with countless thoughts, and he wasnt at all able to fall asleep at the ti. Behind him, Ruan Baijie was snoring like a pig; the very mont she closed her eyes, she fell asleep. Lin Qiushi was so infuriated that his teeth hurt from grinding them too hard.
As the night grew deeper, the temperature dropped even more. Fortunately, the blanket was thick, and a warm, living person was slumbering at his back, so it wasnt exceedingly intolerable.
Lin Qiushi closed his eyes and sorted through the clues he got during the day. His consciousness gradually began to blur, and he wasnt far from dozing off. But just when he was about to drift off into deep sleep, he perceived a strange, vague noise. Contrarily to yesterdays knocks, this noise ca from the ceiling above them. It sounded as if sothing viscid and heavy was sluggishly dragging itself across the roof of the third floor. Lin Qiushis sense of hearing was exceptionally acute, and his drowsiness instantly vanished. His breath hitched, and he cautiously opened his eyes, slowly peeking up at the ceiling.
There was nothing, only aged wood.
Nonetheless, a penetrating chill soon assailed Lin Qiushis body, for Lin Qiushi clearly heard the movents stop directly above his head.
Thump, thump. The vibrations from the slimy tapping sounds stimulated his eardrums, and the sounds of knocking steadily increased, becoming louder and louder, causing all the hairs on Lin Qiushis body to stand up. He clenched his teeth and was about to sit up, but just then, a hand reached out from beside him and grabbed his waist.
What are you doing? It was Ruan Baijies lethargic voice.
Did you hear that weird noise? Lin Qiushi lowered his voice. From the roof?
Noise? What noise. Ruan Baijie mumbled, I didnt hear anything. Stop moving, Im freezing. She gently puffed air into his ear, her wispy breath carried the scent of ice and snow.
You Lin Qiushi still wanted to say sothing, but he then felt Ruan Baijie draw him towards herself and cling onto him tightly.
Sleep. Ruan Baijie ordered.
Lin Qiushi had no choice but to close his eyes.
Ruan Baijie softly hooked her fingers around Lin Qiushis waist and soothingly caressed it. Her actions were probably ambiguous and questionable, but at this mont, her actions were only relaxing, comforting.
The drumming sounds above continued, but Lin Qiushi wasnt as frightened as before. Once again, sleepiness descended on him, and he succumbed to it at last.
The following morning.
Lin Qiushi woke up in Ruan Baijies embrace.
Ruan Baijie stretched out her arms and gathered his entire body even closer into her embrace; her chin rested on the top of his head. She was faintly tempered after being awakened, and she lazily grumbled, Stop causing trouble. Sleep a while longer.
Lin Qiushi: What the fuck.
He lay down on the bed for a mont. Seeing that Ruan Baijie had zero intentions of getting up, he had to remind her, I want to get up.
Ruan Baijie: Mhm
Lin Qiushi: Ruan Baijie?
Ruan Baijie: Last night you called this one2 darling sweetheart, but today you call this one Ruan Baijie.
Lin Qiushi:
But, in spite of saying all this, Ruan Baijie nevertheless loosened her grip, then leaned against the headboard to ogle Lin Qiushi as he wore his clothes. As he was putting on his clothes, Lin Qiushi kept getting this feeling that the atmosphere was a bit odd. After dwelling on it for a while, he finally swiveled around and looked at Ruan Baijie. Would you stop staring at with those eyes?
Ruan Baijie: What eyes? The moneys on the table. Take it with you and hand the cigarettes, I want one.
Lin Qiushi: Did she smoke sothing strange or what?
Ruan Baijie: What? Still refusing to leave, ah? We agreed on exactly five hundred yesterday. Dont even think about wanting more.
Lin Qiushi was at a loss for words. After getting dressed, he clomped down the stairs.
The others were already sitting in the living room, eating the breakfast the villagers delivered. As usual, Lin Qiushi counted the number of people. He discovered that, excluding Ruan Baijie, there were three additional people missing from the room.
Xiong Qi caught sight of him and motioned for him to take seat.
Nothing happened yesterday? Lin Qiushi asked.
Nothing. Xiong Qi responded. No one died.
Well, its a good thing nobody died. Lin Qiushi relaxed, sighing in relief.
As a matter of fact, last night was so calm that even the others didnt hear any extra noises. Lin Qiushi tentatively questioned whether they heard any signs of activity from upstairs, but the others answers were consistentthe night was extrely quiet; there were no other sounds except for the wind outside.
After we finish eating, well head out to cut so trees down and send the wood to the carpenter. We have to speed up. Xiong Qi stressed. Look at the weather, itll only get colder by the minute; if not all, there werent any incidents last night His words seed to contain suspicions and doubts.
Well, yeah. Lin Qiushi blurted out.
One after another, the remaining three people descended the stairs; Ruan Baijie was the last to co downstairs. She was still wearing that lovely dress of hers, but she added two relatively thick coats on top and wore large, thick winter trousers underneath. Because her skirt was quite long, she walked extrely slowly, but her posture was, nonetheless, peerlessly elegant.
When Lin Qiushi noticed her coming, he awkwardly averted his gaze.
Qiushi. Ruan Baijie called out his na.
Lin Qiushi helplessly humd back.
Why do you ignore this one. Ruan Baijie clamored. This one wishes to eat your boiled noodles.
Lin Qiushi: Ill give it to you at noon. Its too late right now.
Ruan Baijie: Thats not what you said in bed last night.
Upon hearing this, Xiao Ke, who was slurping her congee, spluttered, nearly choking to death. Xiong Qis expression was also complex and indescribable. Whether it was consciously or not, his eyes rapidly shifted between Lin Qiushi and Ruan Baijie.
Lin Qiushi didnt know whether to cry or laugh. Okay, stop that right now. I truly thank you for last night. Ill cook you so noodles at noon, and Ill even fry two more eggs for you.
Fine. Ruan Baijie compromised. Oh, and itd be even nicer if there were so chopped green onions.
Its already a blessing to have green vegetables to eat on such a cold day. As for those chopped onions or whatnot, forget about them.
After finishing their breakfast and putting on warm clothes, the group picked up their axes and were ready to depart.
They planned to cut down trees in the mountain forest located on the outskirts of the village. There was only a single trail leading to that area. Due to the snow, the path beca narrower, allowing only one person to walk at a ti.
It was fairly easy going uphill, but he reckoned that it would be increasingly challenging going down the mountains while lugging so cumberso wood behind. Lin Qiushi mulled over this as he strolled along the narrow path.
Amongst the eleven of them, there was one person who had done so woodworking. It was a middle-aged man around his thirties. He claid to be carpenter and said that he was able to chop trees to create simple furniture. However, building a coffin wasnt sothing he was knowledgeable about. He walked ahead, selected a few trees, and began teaching everyone how to cut a tree down.
Most of the people here have never done this sort of thing before. Although they were guided by soone, they were still quite unfamiliar with this and werent able to master it the first ti.
Lin Qiushi took up his axe and struck the tree twice. His first attempt at chopping down a tree only left a faint mark on the tree trunk.
Your technique is still wrong, ah. Ruan Baijie stood leisurely at his side. Her hands were stuffed in her pockets, and her breaths turned white in the cold air. You have to use your strength to bring it down; otherwise, how are you supposed to lift an axe that heavy?
Lin Qiushi: Have you ever cut a tree?
Ruan Baijie: Ive seen people chop trees down.
Lin Qiushi uttered, Oh.
Ruan Baijie added, Be careful, okay. Dont hurt yourself.
Lin Qiushi nodded his head and continued hacking at the tree with his axe. This was even more troubleso than theyd originally presud. This entire morning, several large n kept switching turns to cut down the trees; while so would take a break, the others would give it their best to chop the tree down.
What should we do, Brother Xiong. Soone asked. Just what should we do?
Xiong Qi looked at the weather and gnashed his teeth. Lets go. Well carry this tree back and continue with this tomorrow.
Although it was only three oclock in the afternoon, darkness had already painted the skies black; moreover, large swaths of snow began to fall. It looked as if the evening would be plagued by heavy snowfall.
Lin Qiushi: How many logs in total do we need for a coffin?
The village chief said about three. Xiong Qi answered. Two days of hard work should suffice. Now co, soone lend a hand.
Lin Qiushi had just stepped forward to carry the tree, when he heard Ruan Baijie exclaim, Aiya, I seem to have twisted my foot. Carry down the mountain, Qiushi.
Lin Qiushi: Hah?
Ruan Baijie: What do you an Hah? Well, hurry up, there arent many people here. What are you causing a ruckus for?
Lin Qiushi wanted to retort, but Xiong Qi patted him on the shoulder and encouraged, Go on.
Lin Qiushi: He glanced at Ruan Baijies expression, but he couldnt make out anything else from her delicate and pitiful appearance. However, his sensitive nose sniffed a hint; his keen intuition told him that Ruan Baijies sudden, inexplicable request wasnt as simple as hed imagined.
Authors Comnt:
Ruan Baijie launched her skill: The Wailing Eagle Strikes!
Lin Qiushi suffered damage from her cries. He collapsed to the ground and was dragged ho by Ruan Baijie to eat.
1Idiom: Hands tied and waiting to be captured/allow oneself to be seized without putting up a fight/submit without resistance/etc.
2A cute/immature/flirty way of addressing that is strictly used by girls to refer to themselves. It just ans I or ; could also be written as people or this one.
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