No night-watch calls could be heard in the bamboo grove.
Tang Yu and Lin Chen carried lanterns as they hurried along, one in front of the other.
In the shifting light and shadows, white pebbles could vaguely be seen. The farther they went, the denser the pebbles became, sketching out a path that flickered between reality and illusion.
After walking for a while, Tang Yu stopped and looked back at Lin Chen. "That's far enough. You've followed me all this way."
He feigned anger. "Just because I'm not cursing doesn't mean I'm not mad, you know? Right now, I don't want to see anyone at all."
Lin Chen opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but not a single word came out.
He had never been particularly good with words, nor was he quick-witted. He was usually quiet and reserved, and at a time like this, he truly had no idea what to say.
Or rather, any words would have been inappropriate for someone who had been plotted against and forced into a corner by the group, someone about to face death.
Tang Yu looked at Lin Chen, who couldn't squeeze out a word if beaten with three sticks, and sighed. "Fine, follow me if you want. If I still can't beat that tiger later, I'll use you as a shield."
Lin Chen nodded frantically. "Mm-hmm!"
Tang Yu: "..."
The two continued onward in silence. In the stillness, only the soft rustle of footsteps crushing bamboo leaves could be heard.
The lanterns barely illuminated a small patch of ground before their toes. Beyond that lay a vast expanse of thick, almost tangible darkness.
The mist in the forest refracted specks of orange light, while drifting dust formed a fine gauze-like net. Rather than keeping the darkness at bay, it seemed