"": 200,
"": "",
"": """Along the river, not through the village. Auntie, don't be afraid. It's all right. I didn't let anyone see me come here. There's no one at You Jiang's House, either," Zhang Li explained gravely.
"You can't go along the river! Absolutely not! The riverbank is dangerous!"
"We have to go through the village. We're not thieves. We don't have to be afraid of being seen! Through the village! Go where there are the most people! We have to find the Village Chief! Yes, the Village Chief!" Gu Ya's voice trembled. She had already been far too thin and pale; now her face had turned a sickly yellow from sheer terror.
Zhang Li's heart lurched.
What was by the river that frightened Gu Ya so badly?
"Come on, hurry and find the Village Chief. You Jiang is terrifying. He eats people. He really eats people! He even tried to force me to eat people. I'd rather starve to death..."
"She's such a liar. An outright fraud! She's made our whole family suffer. She's terrifying!"
Gu Ya trembled as she tried to make her way out, but she was too weak.
Zhang Li could only support her as they slowly walked together.
He desperately wanted to ask what exactly was by the river.
It wasn't just curiosity. A vague, lingering dread hung over him like a dark cloud.
Going to the Village Chief was the right choice, too.
He had already rescued her, and Gu Ya had said there was another person involved. She was a witness, and this Underground Room was physical evidence. Why fear being seen now?
Going where the most people were and letting as many of them see as possible would actually be safer.
Soon, they had passed through the passage and were