When Zhang Chu said "There might be strange things on the road," his tone was very flat, flat enough as if he were saying "There might be a river ahead."
Yet Song Li had accompanied him for so long, and she had already learned one thing: when Zhang Chu used this tone, matters were usually far more troublesome than she had anticipated.
She did not pursue the question, simply nodding, tightening the pack on her back, and silently pressing her right hand against the hilt of her sword.
The two of them walked along that old road, buried by wild grass, toward the depths of the valley.
The path grew narrower and narrower.
At first, the outline of the road could still be discerned; the surface paved with broken rocks loomed faintly beneath the weeds, and occasionally one or two slabs of stone worn smooth by time could be seen.
However, after walking for roughly half an hour, the road vanished completely.
The ground beneath their feet turned into soft humus soil, and stepping on it brought a sense of give that sank half an inch deep, while the fragrance of incense in the air grew even heavier than before.
"Dao Master, this smell is wrong!"
Song Li lowered her voice, her nostrils twitching slightly. "The scent of incense is mixed with something else, like... the smell of ashes after a fire being soaked through with water."
Zhang Chu smelled it as well.
That scent was very faint, blending into the damp flora's breath, present yet elusive, yet it made him think of a certain place.
In that alchemy room beneath White Bone Villa, there had been a similar aura, decayed yet carrying a trace of cloying sweetness!
"Interesting!..."
He did not answer Song Li, merely continuing forward.
After walking