The courtyard was windy at night, dead leaves on the ground rustling loudly in the gale.
Lu Sheng looked around but found no sign of anyone. He gradually quickened his pace, went around the bedrooms, and reached the rear courtyard. The latrines stood separately in the back, two independent thatched huts.
As Lu Sheng walked over, he unexpectedly saw a figure standing outside the latrines. The person seemed to have noticed him approaching as well, and their body visibly tensed.
"Who's there?!"
Lu Sheng paused. Only when he drew closer did he see clearly that it was the handsome young master who had displayed inner martial arts earlier.
The man held a short sword, his eyes gleaming sharply. He was clearly on guard.
"Brother, did you also come out to look for the missing people?" Li Shunxi asked in a low voice. He had recognized Lu Sheng as well.
"Missing people?" Lu Sheng narrowed his eyes, a trace of unease rising within him.
"What? You didn't know?" Li Shunxi was taken aback.
"My two brothers came out to use the latrine. They still hadn't returned after a while, so I was worried and came out to look." Lu Sheng gave a brief explanation.
Li Shunxi's expression shifted slightly. "Then that makes two more missing people."
"What do you mean, Brother?" Lu Sheng took several steps forward and looked into the latrine. The wooden door hung open. The stench inside was unbearable, yet there was not a soul in the cramped space. It was completely empty.
Lu Sheng's expression changed at once.
"You mean all those people from before—the women and guards who moved in together—"
"Not one remains. They've all disappeared," Li Shunxi said quietly. "With so many people, perhaps they've been trapped somewhere."
"Let's look around. This village is