At lunchtime, the boss finally called the eight contestants downstairs.
The restaurant was also dark; although the lighting was bright, it still felt inexplicably oppressive.
It was like a black-and-white silent film, with only the sounds of kitchen utensils clattering together.
Jiang Nuo took off her trench coat and changed into a neater white shirt. Su Yi, who had also changed into dark casual clothes, looked at Si Yan's black shirt and laughed, "Even clothes have to be matching!"
Si Yan was very pleased with the girl's eyes. "Isn't it pretty? And it's a couple's endorsement."
Qi Lin sat beside them, propping his chin on his hand and smiling gently, "That's nice."
Upon hearing the sigh, Si Yan glanced at Qi Lin and stopped the conversation. Then, she heard a commotion outside the restaurant; four Wa Country athletes had come downstairs.
A long table stretched across the center of the restaurant, arranged according to seating arrangements. Jiang Nuo and her group sat on the left, while Mikazuki Shunsuke came over and sat down directly opposite Jiang Nuo.
Once all eight people had arrived, the boss who had called them downstairs arrived late, dressed in an even darker suit, looking quite formal.
"Please be patient, the chef will be serving the dishes shortly."
The boss's tone remained polite, and he was dressed impeccably, with a brooch hanging from his chest.
"Are you going out later?" Su Yi asked.
I'm going to see an old friend.
The owner didn't hide anything, taking his seat in the main seat and signaling to the chefs outside that they could start serving the dishes.
Before the meal began, the owner took a slip of paper from his suit's inner pocket. "Let me first explain the town's rules for today."
He emphasized the word "today" and then began to read it aloud from the note.
"Today is an ordinary day. You are free to explore and enjoy the town, but you cannot enter the church or light white candles."
After reading it aloud, the boss raised his glass with great pleasure, "Cheers to today's happiness!"
Although she didn't know what was so fun about it, Jiang Nuo cooperated perfectly, raising her wine glass to clink with his.
"Oh right, I forgot to tell you about the town's permanent rules."
The shopkeeper took a sip of his drink before remembering something. He wiped his mouth with a handkerchief and said seriously, "The town and the vengeful spirits coexist. The vengeful spirits can see very bright colors, and those with rich colors are often targeted."
No wonder this town looks like a black and white movie.
[How come this vengeful ghost is colorblind?]
[Speaking of which, there must be more than one vengeful ghost, otherwise the term "symbiosis" wouldn't be used.]
Oh my god, a whole family with color blindness!
The group chatted and ate, and everyone listened attentively.
Jiang Nuo asked, "What's happened in the town recently? Why do you need to ask for help from the outside world?"
When the topic came up, the boss glanced at the door, got up, closed the door tightly, and then spoke.
"Here's what happened."
He sat down again, his brows furrowed tightly. "Our town has coexisted with vengeful spirits for many years, living under their watchful eyes every day, and these spirits need to eat people regularly."
"We've come to accept that every year one resident will be eaten, and a memorial service will be held on the anniversary of their death the following month."
"But recently, the frequency has been increasing, and the townspeople are living in fear. No one knows if they will be next, and the people being eaten by the vengeful ghost are suffering more and more horribly. Before, they were just drained of their blood and life force, but now they are left with only severed limbs and remains, and they can't even be buried."
Mikazuki Shunsuke, listening intently, suddenly interrupted his boss, scrutinizing his expression, and slowly said, "Compared to those people outside, boss... you seem less bound by rules."
"When did you start wanting to... fight against vengeful ghosts?"
Listening to his broken Hua Country, the shopkeeper shook his head, "I'm not a native of this town. I moved here with my wife, and it's only been about ten years."
After ten years of living in constant fear of being eaten, one should have been thoroughly tamed by the rules long ago.
Mikazuki Shunsuke did not continue.
Mikazuki Hexi: "Is the little girl in the inn your daughter?"
"Yes, yes."
The boss chewed his food and mumbled a response.
Yue Qian had been silent since arriving at the inn, finally spoke, "Since you're asking for help from the outside world, why don't you let us find the Ghost Killing?"
"Can't."
The shopkeeper refused very quickly, saying, "Since you're in town, you have to follow the rules. Even if you're going to exorcise a ghost in the end, you still have to follow the rules."
He lowered his eyes, his tone suddenly slowing, "Breaking the rules will result in punishments far more severe than being devoured by a vengeful ghost."
Punishment? Jiang Nuo caught the word, her chewing slowed, and she glanced at the boss who was wiping his sweat with a handkerchief.
"Whose punishment is it, and who carries it out?"
The boss refused to answer.
"Please continue your meal, everyone. I need to go see an old friend."
He forced another smile, folded his handkerchief politely, and left the restaurant.
The boss talked for ages, but didn't provide much useful information.
[Same as above, they're probably hiding a lot more!]
Si Yan muttered, "This person is quite contradictory; he wants to follow the rules, but he also wants to exorcise the evil spirit."
"Mr. Jiang Nuo."
Mikazuki Shunsuke suddenly called out to the person opposite him, smiling politely, "Want to look for clues together this afternoon?"
"Our warriors are more capable than you think."
Jiang Nuo: "No, do as you please."
Mikazuki Shunsuke's expression darkened slightly. "So, what are you planning to do this afternoon?"
"Sleep."
Jiang Nuo grinned at him.
Mikazuki Shunsuke: "..."
Who would believe that!
"Baka!" Sano Kurotsuki slammed his fist on the table, angrily rebuking Jiang Nuo, "You're toying with us! Disrespect for the competition is unacceptable!"
"Who sleeps during a competition?!"
When Sano Kurotsuki spoke, his Wa Country accent was very heavy, and his originally aggressive words sounded somewhat comical.
Jiang Nuo: "Me."
He pointed to his own nose, "No manners, no morals, just bear with it."
Si Yan raised her phoenix eyes slightly and glared at Sano Kurotsuki with annoyance, "You talk too much nonsense. If you're not going to eat, get out."
Qi Lin: "Mr. Mikazuki Shunsuke, your subordinates seem to be emotionally unstable."
Mikazuki Shunsuke put down his knife and fork and stood up. " Sano, calm down."
"Let's go. Since the enemy is unwilling to investigate, we'll go ourselves."
Mikazuki Hexi quickly followed, then turned back and made a face at them.
"Cowards who dare not act!"
[ Hua Country players, cowards!]
[Our great Mikazuki Family is still the best! Hexi is really brave!]
[A sincere question: Does Sano Kurotsuki from Wa Country really not have bipolar disorder?]
If all else fails, get your head checked.
After the Wa Country people left the restaurant, Su Yi asked Jiang Nuo, "Are we really going to take a nap this afternoon?"
Jiang Nuo handed the last piece of cake to Si Yan, wiping her hands as she said, "You're free to do as you please. You can investigate clues or just sleep."
Qi Lin: "And you?"
Jiang Nuo slightly raised her chin towards the window, "Let's go see the fountain."
Su Yi and Qi Lin discussed it and decided to split up their investigations, as they would be able to gather more clues that way.