Before Yao Shunyu and Li Bai could react, a series of urgent knocks sounded at the door. The noise made Yao Shunyu break out in a cold sweat. He hadn't heard anyone approach; it was as if whoever was knocking had been standing outside the door the whole time.
After steadying himself, Yao Shunyu gave Li Bai a look, then opened the door with forced calm.
Even though they had prepared themselves for what might be outside, the sight still sent a shiver through Yao Shunyu and Li Bai.
Three women stood in a neat row outside. They were the villagers they had met earlier, but they were standing far too close, their faces almost pressed against the door. More unnerving still were the strange expressions on their faces and the gloomy, sinister look in their eyes, as if they might pounce at any moment and devour the two of them alive.
Yao Shunyu had clearly seen his share of things. After only two breaths, he had regained his composure, and a hint of reasonable indignation appeared on his face. "What's the meaning of this? Are you keeping watch on us?"
Li Bai stepped up beside him. In this strange village of Heishui, only women had any say. If Yao Shunyu, a man, dared to speak to them like that, there would likely be trouble.
Sure enough, when one of the villagers sensed the displeasure in Yao Shunyu's tone, her expression turned ugly. Pinching her hoarse voice, she snapped, "How dare you talk to us like that! Have you been sneaking a taste of a man's heart and liver?" She raised her hand, looking ready to slap Yao Shunyu as a warning.
But the next moment, someone grabbed her wrist. Li Bai held it firmly and said coldly, "He's my