Although the statue was covered in a layer of clay that made it look like an ordinary sculpture, Li Bai was already convinced that the real Zhusheng Niangniang was hidden inside. She was facing the same predicament Yao Shunyu had been in before!
"Go! Hurry!"
Li Bai grabbed Zhang Yuanchao, who was still examining the statue, and led him toward the tunnel entrance. She didn't tell him what she'd discovered. It wasn't for any particular reason; she was just worried it would scare him.
Li Bai had seen people driven insane by the horrors of their missions. The vast majority of them never made it out alive.
They entered the tunnel again. This time, both of them were clearly more cautious, and they slowed their steps.
Worried they might fall into another trap, Li Bai took the lead this time, while Zhang Yuanchao followed behind with the lantern.
"Daughter, I—"
"Don't talk!"
Li Bai was fully focused and had no time to listen to Zhang Yuanchao ramble.
But a few seconds later—
"Daughter!"
The sudden cry made Li Bai turn around at once. The voice had changed; it had become a little shrill.
But when Li Bai saw Zhang Yuanchao's face, she realized something was wrong. His face was ashen, and his expression was one of sheer terror. "N-no, that wasn't me just now! I didn't call out!"
"The first time was me calling you. The second time... that second call wasn't me." Zhang Yuanchao was so panicked that he could barely get the words out.
At that, Li Bai pulled Zhang Yuanchao behind her and raised the lantern, scanning the clay figures around them. "Which direction did the voice come from?"
Trembling, Zhang Yuanchao raised his hand and pointed to the right side of the passage. "I think... I