Shen Changqing was no stranger to the encroaching cold presence. In the past, within the Demon-Subduing Prison, such a chill had appeared. However, the cold presence before him was still far inferior to that of the Demon-Subduing Prison. Yet even so, this inferiority was only relative to Pulse Condensation Warriors; for those below that level, it would have a significant impact.
Glancing at Zhang Long, whose face was slightly pale, Shen Changqing slowed his pace a little. "Constable Zhang, perhaps you should retreat and wait outside the village. I alone will deal with the Demon Evil here," Shen Changqing suggested.
"Lord Shen, you're being too serious. The matter of Demon Evil is everyone's responsibility; how could I shrink back? Moreover, although Guyue Village isn't large, it's not small either. Finding the exact location of the Demon Evil still requires someone to guide the way," Zhang Long refused, shaking his head, his pale face betraying no intention of retreat.
Seeing this, Shen Changqing did not insist further.
The two of them walked quietly through the village. At some point, the blazing sun overhead had dimmed considerably, as if the entire village was enshrouded in a layer of mist, completely isolated from the world.
No insects chirped, no birds sang. Only the light, meticulous sound of their footsteps reached their ears.
Gradually, an invisible oppression emanated from all directions, as if capable of stirring endless fear in people's hearts.
But that pressure had little effect on Shen Changqing. As someone who regularly patrolled the Demon-Subduing Prison, he had encountered many Demon Evils and Strange Monsters and had a significant understanding of these malevolent entities.
According to the information, the Strange Monster of Guyue Village was only of the lowest Ghostly Level. It didn't even qualify for imprisonment in the Demon-Subduing Prison and couldn't compare with the more powerful Demon Evils and Strange Monsters.
While Shen Changqing patrolled the Demon-Subduing Prison, although restrictive forces were present in the cells, it was impossible to completely block every influence. Therefore, he had largely become immune to the effects of Demon Evils. Even if a slight effect remained, it was not substantial.
Zhang Long's face was somewhat pale, but he remained calm.
"Lord Shen, the house ahead is where the Demon Evil made its disturbance," Zhang Long said, pointing toward a house in the middle of the village.
The house was built of bluestone, contrasting greatly with the surrounding mud-brick houses and looking quite conspicuous.
"This family must be quite wealthy," Shen Changqing noted.
"They were well-known landowners in Guyue Village. It's a pity that due to the Demon Evil's affliction, no amount of wealth was of any use. They still died in their own home, and by the time they were discovered, they had become desiccated corpses," Zhang Long sighed, feeling quite helpless against the Demon Evil.
"Where are those desiccated corpses now?" Shen Changqing asked.
"Because the Demon Evil was the cause of death, we were worried the bodies might undergo some change. Hence, after the mortuary assistant conducted the examinations, we immediately cremated the corpses to prevent the Demon Evil from using them to harm others," Zhang Long explained.
"Mm." Shen Changqing nodded. Lin'an City's Yamen had indeed acted appropriately.
Some powerful Demon Evils can revive the dead and use them to massacre living beings. Cremating bodies was an essential measure.
As they conversed, they arrived at the bluestone house.
Only when he got closer did Shen Changqing realize that what was referred to as a house was actually a courtyard of considerable size. The courtyard gate was locked tight, and an ominous aura seeped from within.
With a palm strike, Shen Changqing shattered the lock on the courtyard gate, then pushed the door open and walked in.
"Lord Shen possesses impressive Inner Strength!" Seeing Shen Changqing shatter the door lock with a single palm strike, Zhang Long's expression changed slightly. The door's lock was made of pure iron, and breaking it with True Qi was no easy task. That Shen Changqing could accomplish this testified to his formidable strength.
While Zhang Long was speaking, Shen Changqing had already stepped into the courtyard.
The already dim environment grew even darker. Although it wasn't pitch black, it was difficult to imagine that the scene outside was one of a blazing midday sun.
An unidentifiable tree grew in the courtyard, its branches and leaves once lush but now mostly yellowed and withered. As the courtyard gate opened, a slight breeze stirred, causing some of the yellowed leaves to drift softly to the ground.
"Lord Shen, the family was found dead in the master bedroom. Please follow me!" Zhang Long's voice rang out from behind.
Immediately afterward, he took the lead, walking towards a specific direction in the courtyard.
Seeing this, Shen Changqing followed Zhang Long.
Zhang Long was clearly familiar with the courtyard. Without wasting much time, he led them to a tightly closed door.
"Lord Shen, the Demon Evil first appeared right here." Zhang Long pointed to the door, his expression growing solemn.
Hearing this, Shen Changqing kicked the door open. The loud noise echoed endlessly in the silent courtyard.
He stepped into the room and immediately saw a bronze mirror placed there.
In that instant, the scenery around him suddenly changed.
The room was still the same room, but compared to just a moment ago, it had become much more dilapidated, as if it had been uninhabited for many years.
Shen Changqing turned to look, but Zhang Long had vanished without a trace.
WHIMPERING...
A soft sobbing sound reached his ears, as if someone was hiding in a corner, weeping quietly.
But soon, the sobbing ended, replaced by cheerful laughter that arose in the silent space.
Shen Changqing's gaze fell on the courtyard, where he saw several indistinct shadowy figures running back and forth, apparently small children by their shape.
Their toy was a round object, being kicked around.
Suddenly, one of the children seemed to kick too hard, sending the round object flying towards Shen Changqing.
Instantly, the long knife was swiftly unsheathed.
The chilling light of the blade flashed, and in an instant, the round object was split in two.
Blood sprayed as the round object fell to the ground in two halves—it was a severed head.
The split head, its eyes still wide open, stared intently at him.
Shen Changqing advanced slowly, crushing one half of the head beneath his foot. As dark blood splattered, a slightly ferocious look appeared on his face as he regarded the shadowy figures in the courtyard.
"Speaking of which, I have never fought a real Strange Monster!"
"Let me see what kind of abilities you Strange Monsters really have. If it's just a simple Illusory Realm, that would be quite disappointing to me—"
As he slowly approached, a sharp, cold gleam suddenly erupted from the dim surroundings, tearing everything apart.