Chapter 288: Chapter 288

Sister Zhou’s eyes widened, at first thinking she had misheard. Su Yan, beside her, appeared much more composed.

He asked in an unhurried tone, "But didn’t you just say that those three children died of heart conditions?"

The ancient mansion’s owner replied, his expression unchanging, "That’s just the official account."

Upon hearing this, Su Yan raised an eyebrow, then continued, "But according to what you said earlier, the children’s deaths occurred over a long period. If a Half-step Epic Level Shadow Object truly caused this, wouldn’t that mean this Shadow Object has been in this ancient mansion for over a dozen years?"

The owner of the ancient mansion said with a sigh of lament, "Yes, it’s been over a dozen years.

"At first, this Half-step Epic Level Shadow Object would often bring us food, letting us feel its goodwill.

"Because of that, I always believed this Half-step Epic Level Shadow Object wouldn’t harm us; I even thought it intended to raise us.

"In the end, I discovered I was terribly mistaken.

"By the time I realized it was the murderer of two of the children, the third child had also fallen victim. It was all too late."

As he spoke, the ancient mansion owner’s face was filled with nothing but regret.

After listening, Su Yan took a moment to digest the information.

The situation seemed exceedingly bizarre. The owner of the ancient mansion was a retired Monster Hunter. How could he naively believe that a Half-step Epic Level Shadow Object would nurture humans? Even more so, he only realized the entity was the culprit after all three children had been successively struck down. Honestly, such an account would be hard for anyone of normal intelligence to believe.

With that in mind, Su Yan asked again, "Old Hao, do you know exactly where this Half-step Epic Level Shadow Object is hiding?"

"It..." The ancient mansion’s owner pondered for a moment, then answered, "It’s hidden somewhere in this house, coming without a shadow, leaving without a trace. The thing is, even after more than ten years, I have never seen its true form; I’ve only sensed its presence through the barest of clues."

Upon hearing this, Su Yan raised an eyebrow and then said, somewhat incredulously, "Coming without a shadow, leaving without a trace? Old Hao, don’t you think that’s a bit far-fetched?"

Seeing Su Yan’s skeptical expression, the ancient mansion’s owner shook his head, somewhat helplessly. Then, he picked up the teacup in front of him, took a slight sip, and said, "Young ones, I presume you were sent by the authorities, correct?

"To be frank, I advise you to abandon this investigation and stop searching for that Half-step Epic Level Shadow Object.

"In the past month, people from your side—the authorities—have come at least five or six times, but always left empty-handed.

"Once, an investigator even suffered a sudden cardiac arrest, just like my three deceased children, and nearly died. Thɪs chapter is updated by 𝓷𝓸𝓿𝓮𝓵✶𝕗𝕚𝕣𝕖✶𝓷𝓮𝓽

"You two are still young; there’s no need to provoke this uncatchable Half-step Epic Level Shadow Object.

"As long as that Shadow Object hasn’t targeted you with ill intent, you should finish your tea and leave. After all, this mansion isn’t a safe place."

After saying that, the elderly owner of the ancient mansion began to clear the pastry plates from the table, also setting aside the teapot, clearly ushering them out.

Seeing this, Su Yan smiled and said, "Old Hao, you’re mistaken. We’re not from the authorities you mentioned."

Upon hearing this, the owner of the ancient mansion stopped what he was doing and looked at Su Yan with a slight frown. He then asked, "Then who exactly are you?"

As he said this, he looked into Su Yan’s eyes, trying to spot anything unusual.

Meeting the ancient mansion owner’s gaze, Su Yan smiled and replied, "Just like you in your younger days, Old Hao, we are Monster Hunters, specializing in hunting Yin entities. And we’ve come here this time precisely to hunt that suspected Half-step Epic Level Shadow Object."

Su Yan spoke confidently, as if a terrifying Half-step Epic Level Shadow Object was no more threatening to him than an ant, easily crushed by hand.

Seeing Su Yan’s inexplicably confident manner, the owner of the ancient mansion couldn’t help but furrow his brows. "That’s a terrifying Half-step Epic Level Shadow Object. Among the Human race, it would be equivalent to a figure of very high standing. Are you sure that you, looking to be only seventeen or eighteen, can hunt this Shadow Object? Take my advice, young man. Leave before that Shadow Object notices you."

The ancient mansion’s owner didn’t trust Su Yan’s confidence at all, considering him a naive youth, too full of youthful bravado. Out of concern for their safety, he kindly urged them to leave.

After hearing the ancient mansion owner’s well-intentioned advice, Su Yan grew even more suspicious.

The ancient mansion owner’s behavior was full of contradictions. If he knew the ancient mansion housed such a dangerous Half-step Epic Level Shadow Object, he shouldn’t have allowed them inside in the first place. Yet, not only did he invite them in, but he also served pastries with an unconcerned expression. His behavior was contradictory from start to finish and made absolutely no sense.

Thinking this, Su Yan shifted the topic. "Old Hao, may I use the restroom? I suddenly feel the urge."

The ancient mansion’s owner replied, "Go into the corridor and turn left; you’ll find it there." Then he added, "Use the restroom and then leave quickly."

"Yes, we’ll leave after using the restroom. Sorry for disturbing you for so long."

After speaking, Su Yan got up from his chair and headed to the restroom in the corridor.

"Poor children..." After Su Yan left, the ancient mansion’s owner once again gazed at the photo on the wall, muttering with a sorrowful expression.

Su Yan walked very slowly. Simultaneously, he fully activated his Five Senses Perception, searching for any trace of the Half-step Epic Level Shadow Object.

While walking slowly, Su Yan surveyed his surroundings. The corridor was very wide and seemed empty at first glance. Apart from four oil paintings on the walls, there was nothing else, giving it a very minimalist feel.

Curious, Su Yan stopped in front of the four oil paintings and examined them closely. They were four portraits. They depicted the ancient mansion’s owner and the three adopted orphans. Everyone in the oil paintings wore a radiant smile, creating a very warm scene.

"Hm? What’s this?" Su Yan noticed several scratches on the portrait of the ancient mansion’s owner. Upon closer inspection, they seemed to be fingernail marks. There were five, almost parallel lines scratched across the neck of the ancient mansion’s owner in the portrait, as if someone wanted to kill him. Each scratch was distinctly visible. It looked as if someone, in a rage, had pressed their hand onto the painting and forcefully dragged their fingers downwards.

Who made these scratches? The three children in the mansion? But judging by how much the ancient mansion’s owner missed the children, it was clear their family bond had been strong. So, it was unlikely one of the children had done it. After all, they had been orphans, and the ancient mansion’s owner had given them a home. Then... was it done by a Monster Hunter who had rested here? But on second thought, that also seemed unlikely. The ancient mansion’s owner kindly allows people to rest in his house, even offering pastries. Why would someone then deface his portrait? What could be the motive? No sane person would do that, right? Could it be... the doing of that Half-step Epic Level Shadow Object?

Just as these thoughts crossed Su Yan’s mind, suddenly, the sound of rushing water came from the restroom ahead. SPLASH, SPLASH...

Hearing this, Su Yan immediately rushed into the restroom.

This sound was all too familiar. He had heard it in the restroom at home and also in the restroom at the provincial sports stadium. It was the distinct sound often heard when a mirror connected two worlds.

In less than two seconds, Su Yan burst into the restroom and quickly flicked on the light.

What met his eyes was a faucet gushing water and a mirror with a line of text on it.

[There is something unexpected in the storeroom on the second floor by the window. Go take a look.]