I’m Really Scared
Chapter 160: Baihe Village

Lin Shuman's eyes were filled with horror as she looked at the Shadow Clone in front of her.

Anyone would be scared if a shadowy figure resembling a ghost appeared beside them...

If Lin Shuman didn’t have decent psychological resilience, she might have fallen off the car in fright!

Lin Shuman cautiously moved back and opened the earpiece channel, hesitantly asking, "Is this... something? Did you get another Panspirit Object?"

Lin Shuman earnestly reminded, "In the future, if you get a Panspirit Object and can't fully determine its function, it's best to have it identified first. Otherwise, it might cause problems."

Panspirit Objects, though varied in functionality and helpful, often had adverse effects and were highly dangerous. Especially those that looked eerie...

"It's not a Panspirit Object."

Guan Shan shook his head and earnestly explained, "This is the Shadow Clone technique, which I can fully control. No need to be afraid."

Lin Shuman was taken aback, then thoughtfully said, "You also learned Yingzhou's ninjutsu?"

Guan Shan modestly replied, "Just a bit."

Lin Shuman understood, considering the record of Guan Shan seemingly using European witchcraft; learning an Izu ninjutsu didn’t seem impossible.

While Lin Shuman found Guan Shan "multitalented," Guan Shan thought Lin Shuman seemed a bit naive.

She actually believed that...

Guan Shan laughed inwardly. Sometimes, he found this personal customer service quite cute and gullible.

But remembering how, in the restaurant, Lin Shuman, a D-level Esper, was easily disarmed by him when he just got the simulator... it wasn't surprising.

This child isn't very bright.

At this moment, Guan Shan was also getting accustomed to the existence of this Shadow Clone.

Fortunately, as with previously acquired skills, any skill within the simulator system could be learned quickly without a teacher.

Guan Shan was now multitasking: driving, chatting, and controlling his Shadow Clone.

If Guan Shan were to describe this feeling, it was like controlling a game character. The Shadow Clone's intelligence was almost zero, and its view had some delay, requiring a strong mental effort to move it.

This thing might be like a toad, hopping when poked.

"I hope it runs more smoothly at higher levels; otherwise, it might only serve as a meat shield in combat..."

Guan Shan didn't have high expectations for this level 1 Shadow Clone.

Future potential was there.

Thus, the off-road vehicle sped along, with two people (one invisible and one looking like a ghost) squatting on the roof.

If seen by a passerby, it would surely become an urban legend...

The vehicle headed towards the remote mountainous area.

Guan Shan asked Bian Jie to check information about the destination—after all, he was a free laborer, no need to waste.

Though Lin Shuman could also check, Bian Jie, as a Wuhao Team member, was like a local expert. He could find more information.

In the passenger seat, Bian Jie explained, "Qiuning Mountain's Baihe Village is a key poverty-stricken area. Editor Li came here for teaching support seven years ago. It's surprising she's still helping with promotion now. Charity work doesn't get as much attention as explosive social news."

Guan Shan nodded. Previously, his understanding of his editor, Li Zhiying, was just as a very capable woman with a strong background. Even Liu Rui couldn't gossip about Li Zhiying's specifics, but she was at least on par with Xiao Shen, if not better.

Usually, she wasn't seen at the newspaper office, always out networking and planning, only occasionally inspecting work, either stern or highly efficient.

In Guan Shan's view, Li Zhiying was a work-first person, not expecting her to be so nostalgic.

From the base to Qiuning Mountain took about two days, thanks to the already remote location of Wuhao Base.

"We're here. Going up from here is Baihe Village."

Guan Shan pointed to a mountain road ahead.

The road was paved with gravel, underneath it was mud, but it was wide enough for vehicles, showing considerable effort had been made in recent years to connect the village to the outside world.

Guan Shan first called Li Zhiying, "Hello, Editor, I'm at the foot of the mountain."

"Shh—"

The phone first emitted a burst of static, like a poorly tuned TV signal.

But the sound lasted only a second or two, and as Guan Shan frowned, Li Zhiying's voice came through.

"Hello? Guan Shan? The signal here is bad. I'll come to pick you up. Send me your location."

"Alright, thank you. I brought an extra temporary photographer to help with filming."

Guan Shan took a camera from his bag and handed it to Bian Jie, making up a story.

Li Zhiying was a bit surprised, "You thought this through."

"Not at all, it's what I should do."

Guan Shan politely responded, then sent the location to Li Zhiying and got out of the car to look around.

He gazed at the surrounding mountains and forests. It was already dusk, with the setting sun casting everything in an orange glow, gradually darkening.

"Huh, what's this?"

Guan Shan squatted and touched a small stone statue in front of him.

The statue looked like an oval stone, covered in moss, unrecognizable from a distance.

But upon closer inspection, it had faint carvings, difficult to describe but seemingly with large eyes and wings.

Guan Shan felt a bad premonition and searched around, finding similar stone pillars along the way.

Some places even showed signs of having bowls, indicating past worship.

It's widely known...

In horror genres, combinations like "mountain village" and "strange statues" usually spell trouble for the protagonist.

Guan Shan frowned, "I hope I'm not that unlucky."

He reassured himself, "Editor Li taught here seven years ago and knows this place well. There shouldn't be any problem; it's just local customs."

Still uneasy, he asked Bian Jie.

Bian Jie hadn't heard of any Esper activity here, suggesting the stone pillars were part of Baihe Village's spontaneous belief system, with no further details.

"No Esper activity, that's good..."

Guan Shan breathed a sigh of relief but still felt uneasy.

Li Zhiying arrived soon, but she walked.

Dressed simply, Editor Li looked capable and beautiful without makeup. She addressed Guan Shan, "I've almost negotiated everything but need help organizing drafts. After working here for days, I haven't taken any promotional photos. You came just in time."

Li Zhiying curiously asked, "By the way, why are you in Liaoshen? You took leave for an injury..."

"Uh..."

Guan Shan quickly changed the subject, "Do we have to walk up?"

Li Zhiying shook her head, "No need, drive up. I'll lead the way. It's not far. My car is up there, but it's troublesome to drive down, so I walked."

Guan Shan nodded in understanding, then returned to the car and started it.

He looked at Li Zhiying ahead, about to remind her of the slippery path, but noticed her shoes had no mud.

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