Chapter 290: Chapter 290

"Could it be... you’re from the Yin Yang Union, here to save me?"

At this, the voice from within the ancient coffin grew somewhat excited.

Hearing this, Su Yan couldn’t help but raise his eyebrows in surprise.

Someone from the Yin Yang Union? So, the master of this ancient house was involved with the Yin Yang Union too? Things seem to be getting complicated...

「In the living room.」

Sister Zhou was recounting her past hunting experiences to the master of the ancient house, using them as payment for resting there. This was a rule set by the master of the house himself; he wanted to reminisce about his youth by listening to others’ hunting tales.

"I remember one year, I faced a Rare Level Yin Creature all by myself..."

Sister Zhou chattered on about her dangerous past hunts, occasionally becoming so animated in her storytelling that she resembled a professional narrator.

The master of the house, sitting across from her, however, seemed uninterested. He just gazed silently at the door, as if waiting for someone. Nᴇw novel chapters are publɪshed on 𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹·𝖿𝗂𝗋𝖾·𝗇𝖾𝗍

"Old Hao, what did you think of my story this time? Did it remind you of your own hunting days when you were young?" Having finished another tale, Sister Zhou looked expectantly at the master across from her, eager for his thoughts.

"Hmm, not bad," the master replied noncommittally.

Then he said something strange: "Speaking of which, it’s been quite a while. Why hasn’t your companion returned from the washroom yet?"

"Maybe he has an upset stomach; his digestive system has always been weak," Sister Zhou improvised.

What on earth is Su Yan doing? she wondered. Why hasn’t he come out after so long? Did he fall into a pit? Or maybe... did that guy sneak off on his own to find that Half-Step Epic Level Shadow Object? Given his personality, that was very likely.

Thinking this, Sister Zhou decided to buy Su Yan more time and continued to make small talk with the master of the house.

"Speaking of which, Old Hao, what’s the name of your oldest child? You were about to tell me earlier, but you coughed, and I’ve been quite curious about it, haha," Sister Zhou said with an awkward smile.

She had shared quite a few of her hunting experiences with Old Hao, but noticing his lack of interest, she decided to change the subject.

The master of the house glanced at Sister Zhou but didn’t rush to answer. Instead, he picked up the teacup before him, took a small sip to moisten his throat, then stared straight at Sister Zhou and said, "My oldest child’s name? It’s Hao Xiao. He’s a good child."

After hearing this, Sister Zhou nodded and politely complimented, "Hao Xiao, that’s a lovely name. He must be a filial child."

"Yes, a filial child," the master said with a smile.

Then he rose from his chair and started walking towards Sister Zhou. The faint smile on his aged face was unsettling, as if his skin was smiling but his flesh was not, making it deeply unnerving.

"Old Hao, what are you doing?" Seeing the master suddenly approach her, Sister Zhou felt a surge of unease.

The master of the house continued with that strained smile, "My craving for a smoke is acting up. I’m going to the cabinet behind you to get my pipe and relax a bit."

"Old Hao, shall I get it for you?"

"No need. I can just walk over there myself; I won’t trouble you," he said, his expression growing increasingly rigid, as if he were struggling to control his facial muscles.

Facing such an abnormal master of the house, Sister Zhou was terrified. She immediately retrieved a Strange Doll from behind her, preparing for the worst.

Just as the master was about to pass her, the window next to the dining table suddenly moved.

CREAK! The next moment, the tightly shut glass of the window suddenly swung open.

Immediately after, a miniature puppet, no larger than a palm, appeared outside the window. It climbed in stiffly under their gaze.

Sister Zhou watched the puppet warily, the Strange Doll in her hand ready for action.

Thankfully, the puppet, its surface covered in fresh red liquid, ignored her. Instead, it perched on the windowsill. CLICK! CLICK! CLICK! Its disproportionately large head swiveled towards Old Hao.

Then, HISSS! It split open a gaping maw disproportionate to its miniature body.

Its voice was piercing as it shrieked, "Old Hao, we have arrived. We are sitting in the pavilion by the Lotus Pond."

After speaking, the eerie miniature puppet suddenly toppled flat off the windowsill.

With a THUD! the puppet fell heavily to the ground. Its limbs twisted grotesquely as it vanished into the night, moving like some aberrant creature.

CREAK! While Sister Zhou was still watching the window alertly, the long, drawn-out sound of a door opening echoed from behind her.

Thinking something had entered, she immediately whirled around.

She saw only an empty space behind her and a half-open door.

The master of the house was gone.

The creak just now had been the sound of him leaving the ancient house.

After a moment’s hesitation, Sister Zhou rose from her seat and quietly followed him out the door.