The townspeople in ancient garb bustled through the streets and alleys, buying and selling, asking prices, chatting away. Most wore cheerful, harmonious expressions.
"This place is truly wonderful. We never have to worry about food or clothing. Even the Peach Blossom Spring couldn't compare."
"We have Master Meng to thank for bringing us here to settle down. We'll never have to fear war again."
The two townspeople chatted back and forth as they smiled and walked past the Players.
Their feet stood firmly on the ground, and shadows of varying darkness trailed behind them. Their movements were smooth and natural; no matter how one looked at them, they were living people.
By comparison, the Players—travel-worn, carrying lanterns, with bamboo leaves and bloodstains still clinging to them—looked far more like evil ghosts who had stumbled into the Peach Blossom Spring.
"This doesn't look like a place plagued by tigers. They all seem to be living pretty comfortably," Tang Yu said with an unconcerned shrug.
"Not necessarily."
Qi Si's gaze fell on a notice pasted to a stone wall nearby. Though the paper was tattered, the outline of a tiger could still be made out in the faded ink.
The other Players naturally noticed the notice as well and gradually approached it.
It read:
[There is a tiger in the forest beyond town that has injured numerous passing travelers. Unless there is an urgent matter, people, carts, and horses must not leave town without authorization.] [There are over a thousand chang ghosts within town. They hide by day and emerge by night, seizing people to feed the tiger. At dusk, seek shelter indoors and do not open your doors.] [There are many newly dead ghosts outside town. They often hide among passing caravans and slip into town. Should outsiders arrive, do not