"Sir, why do these little figurines look so much like us?!"
Cui Cheng spoke in a trembling voice.
However brave he was, he could not help feeling a chill down his spine at that moment.
If just one resembled someone, that would have been one thing, but there were seven of them.
"A coincidence?" Li Ping'an asked.
Cui Cheng shook his head. "All seven match up with us. Only... yours is missing, sir."
Including Jing Yu, there were eight in their party.
But there were only seven figurines here, and Li Ping'an's alone was missing.
Li Ping'an told Cui Cheng to put the things back where they belonged, and the two withdrew.
"There really is something strange about this village." Those figurines had truly given Cui Cheng quite a fright.
Li Ping'an said, "Let's get through tonight first."
"All right."
The night passed without incident.
The next day, Jing Yu was still unconscious.
Cui Cheng had no choice but to carry him on his back. With no time to say goodbye to the little old man, the party prepared to leave.
The villagers were up early. Today seemed to be some sort of festival.
Firecrackers crackled first thing in the morning, instantly bringing the entire little mountain village to life.
There were more people in the village than Li Ping'an and the others had imagined. Judging by their clothes, many were not locals.
They were probably traveling merchants or people who had come from elsewhere.
The party declined the villagers' invitations and had just stepped out of the village entrance.
"Oh, my soles are so sore."
"Yes, finally, a village where we can rest."
Talking as they walked, they soon entered the little mountain village again.
Leading Old Ox, Li Ping'an stood where he was, looking somewhat stunned.
Cui Cheng,