Reappearance

"Zhang Mu?"

Ling Yun's eyebrows twitched. He then remembered that was indeed the name he had given the person.

However, Ling Yun had no intention of explaining. He simply smiled and reached out to pat the man's shoulder.

"Old Ma, right? The upcoming investigation mission will depend on you."

Although this guy's strength was a bit weak, at least one thing was for sure: his ability was quite practical.

Ma Xiu didn't know he had been equated with a weakling. He simply cupped his hands in a somewhat flattered gesture, indicating he would do his best to assist.

As for the other two, they were a man and a woman.

The man was named Xu Huang. He looked arrogant, comparable to Jiang Wu whom Ling Yun had met before.

After sizing up Ling Yun from head to toe, Xu Huang let out a cold snort and turned his head away disdainfully.

It was clear he was very displeased that Qin Wei had ordered him to obey a martial artist.

Ling Yun couldn't be bothered to pay him any mind, especially after learning from the other two that Xu Huang's ability was merely some form of attack. He had even less interest in paying attention to him.

As for the woman, her name was Wen Qin, and she was only twenty years old.

While her face couldn't be called stunningly beautiful, her large eyes were filled with spirit, clearly indicating a mischievous and quirky personality.

Her spiritual ability was a very rare healing type.

However, for Ling Yun, it was merely a case of "better than nothing."

After all, with his current physique, as long as he didn't suffer a fatal injury, it wouldn't have any significant impact.

Like Ma Xiu, these two were also Eight-Star Demon Subduers.

And among the people Qin Wei had brought out this time, besides himself, there were three Seven-Star Demon Suppression Envoys and twelve Eight-Star Demon Subduers. The lineup could be considered quite luxurious.

At this moment, with Qin Wei's command, the four teams split into four directions and quickly disappeared into the night.

Watching the directions in which everyone left, Qin Wei's eyes flickered. Then, his figure moved, and he directly swept towards the direction where Monk Zhikong had been earlier.

As everyone left, the place once again fell into an eerie silence.

Just then, a strange, cold wind blew past.

In the side room, which should have been empty, a faint whispering sound suddenly emerged.

The next moment, the tightly shut door was violently pushed open from the inside.

The wooden door slammed heavily against the walls on either side, immediately emitting a creaking sound as if unable to bear the weight.

However, strangely, as the door opened, no one emerged from it.

But if one observed closely, they could see faint, fresh scratch marks on the dusty ground.

It was as if something was rolling out of the room.

Northwest of the monastery.

Viewed from above, this area was a dense residential district, with more than a dozen corridors connecting the area like blood vessels.

However, the strange thing was that despite being a residential area, it was deathly silent inside, not even the sound of insects could be heard.

At this moment, in one of the dim and quiet corridors, the sound of footsteps suddenly echoed.

As the footsteps gradually became clearer, the figures of a group of four slowly appeared in this area.

Ling Yun, with a cold expression, strode at the very front of the team.

His gaze occasionally swept over the closed doors of the surrounding rooms. As if sensing something, a hint of imperceptible solemnity was always present between his brows.

The next moment, several dark figures darted in and out of gaps in doors and windows, seemingly searching for something.

"How is it? Did you find anything?" Ling Yun turned his head to look at Ma Xiu beside him.

Ma Xiu sensed carefully after hearing Ling Yun's words, then helplessly shook his head.

"Brother Zhang, this place is too strange. Forget about evil spirits, even those monks seem to have vanished all of a sudden."

Ling Yun's expression remained unchanged, as if he already knew this. He then paused and pushed open a room beside him.

Without hesitation, he stepped inside.

The three behind him exchanged glances. Although somewhat helpless, they could only follow and enter the room one after another.

The room was pitch black, and a foul smell of mildew permeated the air.

Ling Yun stood quietly in the center of the room. Although he hadn't lit a torch, with his eyesight, this level of darkness wouldn't affect him much.

The furnishings in the room were also simple: a set of tables and chairs, an altar with a Buddha statue, a prayer cushion, and a simple bed.

Judging from the dust on the tabletop, no one had lived here for a long time.

"Brother Zhang, is there really a need to search these places so meticulously?"

Wen Qin behind him pinched her nose, watching Ling Yun meticulously search the room, and couldn't help but say.

After all, in the past half hour, they had already looked through at least ten similar houses!

"Hmph, what a waste of time. He's just a crude martial artist, yet he's acting like he knows everything!" Xu Huang said with a hint of disdain, stepping away from the dust-covered furniture, his face clearly displeased.

At this moment, Ling Yun casually picked up a Buddhist scripture from the table and flipped through it, not even looking back at the complaints behind him.

"If you have any complaints, take them up with Qin Wei."

"Or, you can leave right now. I won't stop you."

"You...!" A flash of anger crossed Xu Huang's eyes. Just as he was about to say something, Ma Xiu quickly stopped him.

As the only one among the three who knew Ling Yun's strength, he didn't want to provoke this guy.

Xu Huang was pulled aside, still looking rather indignant. Only after Ma Xiu whispered a couple of words in his ear did a hint of surprise appear on his face.

However, even so, his expression remained unconvinced.

Seeing him like this, Ma Xiu helplessly pursed his lips and decisively turned to walk away.

If it weren't for the fact that this guy's father had some acquaintance with him, he wouldn't bother with this troublesome affair.

Wen Qin, on the other hand, didn't seem to mind Ling Yun's unpleasant attitude. Watching his busy back, her big eyes darted around, and she felt even more curious.

Ling Yun paid no mind to their thoughts. After an unsuccessful inspection, he finally cast a deep glance at the Buddha statue on the altar, then turned and walked out without hesitation.

Seeing him leave so abruptly, Ma Xiu and Wen Qin, though puzzled, wisely refrained from asking any questions. They simply followed him out of the room in a hurry.

Xu Huang, however, let out another cold snort, his face wearing an expression of "just as I expected."

But seeing that none of them paid him any attention, he could only follow along with a displeased look.

As the footsteps of the three gradually faded, the place fell back into silence.

Just then, the side room that Ling Yun and the others had opened suddenly slammed shut with a "bang."

In the previously dark and empty room, points of light began to flicker on.

Through the gauze window, a figure could be vaguely seen sitting cross-legged inside.

A moment later, a faint chanting sound also began to emanate from the room.