Chapter 287: Chapter 287
"I heard there might be a Half-step Epic Level Shadow Object roaming around here. Is that true?"
As soon as Su Yan uttered these words, both the owner of the ancient house and Sister Zhou, who was beside him, couldn’t help but be taken aback. The topic of conversation had jumped too quickly, leaping from casual chatter about group photos to the subject of Half-step Epic Level Shadow Objects. It was hard for anyone to react immediately.
After a moment to collect themselves, Sister Zhou merely sipped her tea silently, saying nothing more. On the surface, she appeared calm, but inside, her thoughts churned like turbulent waves.
What’s the deal with Su Yan? she wondered. Why is he so blunt? The seat hasn’t even warmed up yet, and he’s jumped straight to the point? Didn’t he see that the owner of the ancient house is grieving his three deceased children? Indeed! Academic prodigies like him might be incredible at studying, but they tend to be lacking in other areas.
At that moment, Sister Zhou mentally labeled Su Yan ’high IQ, low EQ.’
Meanwhile, the owner of the ancient house also slowly regained his composure. He picked up the teacup before him, took a sip, his expression showing little change. It seemed as if he had long been prepared for Su Yan’s somewhat abrupt question.
Soon, he set down his teacup and said in an unhurried voice, "Yes, it’s true.
"Over the past month, many Hunters who came here to rest have indeed reported feeling the presence of a Half-step Epic Level Shadow Object in the house.
"However, not a single one of them has actually seen it; they’ve only said they sensed it."
The owner of the ancient house didn’t dodge Su Yan’s question or give an evasive answer. Instead, he told Su Yan everything, matching the rumors Sister Zhou had heard without any discrepancy. It was as if, to him, this was merely an insignificant matter with no need for concealment.
Su Yan, on the other hand, clearly hadn’t expected such a forthright answer from the owner of the ancient house. A fleeting look of surprise flashed in his eyes.
Then he asked, "Then, Old Hao, while living in this house, have you, like those Hunters, also sensed the presence of a Half-step Epic Level Shadow Object?"
Old Hao didn’t rush to answer Su Yan’s question, taking another sip of tea instead.
Then he said slowly, "Yes, I’ve sensed it. I sense it every day.
"I can clearly feel that it lives in this house.
"It lives with me every day."
As he spoke, the expression on Old Hao’s face was almost unnervingly calm. It was as if having a Half-step Epic Level Shadow Object in the house was a perfectly normal affair—no big deal, nothing to panic about.
Upon hearing his response, both Su Yan and Sister Zhou couldn’t help but feel astonished and somewhat puzzled.
How can Old Hao speak about this so calmly? they wondered. Living every day with a Half-step Epic Level Shadow Object—isn’t he afraid?
With this thought, a trace of unease appeared on Sister Zhou’s face, and she couldn’t help asking, "Old Hao, you must be joking about what you just said, right?"
"No, I’m serious," Old Hao replied, his expression thoroughly unperturbed.
For a moment, Sister Zhou was at a loss for words, feeling her mind spin. A chill ran down her spine.
A Half-step Epic Level Shadow Object is present in this house right now, lurking in some corner, surreptitiously watching.
Sister Zhou glanced around uneasily, then asked with some confusion, "Old Hao, if there really is a Half-step Epic Level Shadow Object in this house, why do you still choose to live here alone? Aren’t you afraid?"
"Afraid or not, what difference does it make?" Old Hao replied. "I figure I’m already an old man with one foot in the Ghost Gate; I’ve lived long enough.
"Even if I were to be killed by a Half-step Epic Level Shadow Object right now, I wouldn’t feel there’s anything to regret, so of course, I’m not afraid.
"Besides, dying sooner might even let me reunite with my three children earlier. That would be nice."
Old Hao said this last part with a smile, but it conveyed an immense sadness. An elder burying his children, and he, all alone, had mourned three. From now on, even a selfie would be a complete family portrait. To be honest, it was a sorrow hard for anyone to bear.
Thinking about this, Sister Zhou empathized and said comfortingly, "Old Hao, please accept my condolences."
Old Hao simply nodded. He picked up his teacup, took another sip, and gazed at the group photo on the wall, an air of desolation settling over him as he sank back into sorrow.
"Old Hao, have you ever suspected that your three children might have died at the hands of that supposed Half-step Epic Level Shadow Object?" Su Yan suddenly asked.
Hearing this, Sister Zhou’s expression changed slightly. She quickly nudged Su Yan, signaling that his question was out of line—it was tantamount to ripping open old wounds.
However, Old Hao’s reply was beyond her expectations. Follow current ɴᴏᴠᴇʟs on novel·fıre·net
He took a habitual sip of tea and said in an indifferent voice, "There’s no need for suspicion.
"Because the deaths of my three children were indeed caused by that Half-step Epic Level Shadow Object."