Blocked on the Road, I'm New Here

The other party suddenly questioned us, their voice faint and somewhat muffled.

As though they were speaking through a mask...

A frigid aura enveloped the four of us at that moment.

There was still no trace of baleful yin energy, only that bone-piercing cold.

For a moment, everyone grew tense.

None of us knew whether we should answer or simply strike and take down these three paper effigies.

Seeing that we did not answer, the speaking white paper effigy showed a hint of anger on its expressionless, rouge-painted face, and its tone grew harsher:

"Can't you even talk?"

Hearing that, I knew that if I did not answer, they would surely grow suspicious.

I could only lower my head slightly, tighten my throat, and answer through my nose:

"New here."

I barely opened my mouth when I replied, much less exhaled.

I was afraid that if I spoke and breathed out human breath, they would smell it.

After hearing my muffled nasal reply,

the icy chill noticeably lessened.

At the same time, the speaking white paper effigy mechanically gave an "Oh."

"New here? No wonder I haven't seen you before!"

After saying that, the trace of anger on its face instantly vanished.

The cold, sinister aura it gave off gradually dissipated as well...

It turned its head away, stopped looking at us, and continued forward.

The white paper effigy that had stretched out its arm to block our path also withdrew its arm.

It turned around and followed the paper effigy that had spoken earlier, heading onward together.

Pan Ling did not hesitate.

Walking on tiptoe, she hurried after them.

We did not dare breathe either and continued holding our breath.

We quickly followed, soon putting some distance between ourselves and the three white paper effigies.

The three paper effigies