The candlestick in the Candle Bearer's hand looked ordinary, but it gave off a ghastly, gloomy light. Even stranger, under its glow, a whole new road appeared before them.
The road beneath their feet had been a dirt path, but now it had become a flagstone path. The stones were quite old, covered in moss and steeped in the weight of time.
Mad Sword Immortal and the others followed behind the Candle Bearer, not daring to make a sound. The sight before them alone filled them with a deep sense of danger.
Fortunately, the eerie road wasn't very long. It led straight to the lakeside, where a three-story building now stood before them. It seemed to have been abandoned long ago. Cracks covered its concrete walls, and its front door hung ajar, with light spilling from within.
Seeing that relatively normal light, Mad Sword Immortal and the others almost simultaneously breathed a sigh of relief, as if they had reclaimed the lives that were slipping away from them.
"Senior Candle Bearer, this place..."
Evil Scholar was no longer acting like the arrogant man he had been. He carefully weighed every word, afraid of angering the Candle Bearer—or whatever was inside the building.
"Heh, please come in, everyone." The Candle Bearer turned around with a smile.
Looking at the Candle Bearer's sinister face, lit by the candlelight, Mad Sword Immortal and the others felt a chill creep through them. Perhaps noticing their misgivings, the Candle Bearer continued, "Don't overthink it. The president is waiting for you inside. And the payment I promised you will be given to you shortly as well."
Mad Sword Immortal immediately cupped his hands. "The payment was just a joke. Please rest assured, Senior Candle Bearer. We'll carry out the president's arrangements with care. After all... after