The Old Road (10)

"Start with the places we haven't checked."

Lei seemed surprised by how readily Fu Qian agreed. After a brief hesitation, he gritted his teeth and said,

It seemed they'd already searched all the places people had been.

Fu Qian glanced at the camping lantern in Lei's hand and thought that wasn't surprising.

"Then let's get started."

After calling out to Fran, whose expression had gone stiff, Fu Qian motioned for the two of them to lead the way.

Fran was clearly reluctant. She still leaned toward heading straight down the mountain to find Jones and the others.

But considering she couldn't even drive, she hesitated for two seconds before following.

The buildings on this mountainside consisted of three main sections, connected by covered walkways. The total area was enormous, so searching it would take a considerable amount of effort.

The five of them had only been in the section closest to the entrance.

The places Lei had mentioned that they hadn't checked, without a doubt, lay beyond the covered walkway.

The problem was that the other sections were noticeably less well-maintained than this one, and looked much more dilapidated.

Combined with everything that had happened, the place felt especially sinister as they walked.

As the four of them crossed the creaking covered walkway, Fran's expression visibly grew more tense.

She wasn't the only one. Lei, who'd suggested this, and Cartman both had tense faces now, their steps growing more hesitant with every stride. It was hard to tell if they regretted the idea.

Against this atmosphere, Fu Qian's behavior stood out all the more.

Though he wasn't striding out in front, his manner was unmistakably relaxed and unhurried.

He walked along, carefully observing his surroundings, as if he were strolling through a park.

After the initial shock wore off,