Serial Player
Chapter 553 - 229: The Village

Chapter 553: Chapter 229: The Village

After boarding the public bus, passengers, each armed with a black umbrella, scattered and took their seats. Li Changhe sat in the second-to-last row.

In the last row sat the black-garbed priest who had been the first to board the bus.

When Li Changhe looked his way, the black-garbed priest smiled, all his previous harsh energy from facing the old man gone.

He looked at the marks on Li Changhe’s neck, a pitying expression on his face, "May the Lord forgive you."

"Father, are there difficulties you struggle to escape from as well?" Li Changhe asked quietly, fishing for information.

Regrettably, the priest shook his head and averted his gaze to the old man. One hand was clutching a silver cross at his chest, though his intentions were unclear.

From Lǐ Changhe’s vantage point, he observed the bulging veins of the old man’s arm as he clung to his walking stick.

"Box, this priest may be related to the group of foreigners mentioned by the Moon God." Li Changhe continued to portray a frightened young man who had encountered the supernatural.

Meanwhile, in [Friends], he was discussing things with He Feng.

"His intentions are unclear, but judging by the aggressive demeanor he displayed from the start, he’s definitely up to no good." He Feng replied, "Let’s hope he’s not in conflict with our goals."

"We have to pay attention to that old man as well. I noticed him signalling the driver." Li Changhe analyzed, "He’s either someone of significance to the bus’s destination or a regular passenger."

"The latter seems more likely. However, we have the Insect God Vest disguise. Even if they suspect us, unless we act first, we won’t attract any attention. Let’s wait and watch."

A few seconds later, the vehicle set off.

Outside, the rain was pouring heavily, but inside the bus, it was tranquil.

After driving along the highway for several minutes, the bus turned into a poorly maintained trail, jostling everyone as it went over the bumpy terrain.

Li Changhe looked out the window, though he and He Feng had researched the local terrain, there was no memory of this route.

Moreover, passers-by and vehicles on the highway didn’t spare a glance for the bus that had abruptly turned into the side road.

"Only those with black umbrellas can board this bus. Without such an umbrella, the bus can’t be observed.... They’re cautious." Li Changhe calculated internally.

Under normal circumstances, one would need an endorsement to acquire a black umbrella.

This endorsement system greatly enhanced their stealth.

If it weren’t for the abilities of the Magic Mirror, it would be hard to find this place.

The bus continued along the small road. On the highway, there were occasional other vehicles and lampposts, but here the bus’s headlights were the only source of illumination.

The passengers could only see the bus going uphill, presumably mountaineering. They didn’t seem to fear the risk of a landslide in the heavy rain.

After some time, passengers noticed something up ahead.

They saw a village... a small village perched on a hillside.

The buildings in the village were rather old, all styled from decades past. But the rooms in them were brightly lit, which helped to alleviate the unease in everyone’s minds.

After all, at this time, seeing a village with residents was much better than encountering a graveyard.

"Click"

The rear door swung open. The driver didn’t turn around, but he waved his hand, signaling to the passengers to exit the bus quickly.

"We’re here, get off. Remember, don’t stay on the bus."

The old man was the first to rise, picking up his black umbrella. He spoke to the still dazed passengers, "Your reception is already on the way."

He then turned his gaze to the priest sitting in the back, "As for you, come with me."

The black-garbed priest glanced out the window, a subtle change in his expression. Li Changhe noticed him becoming instantly alert, his pupils dilating and his grip on his cross tightening.

"You... have actually progressed to this extent."

The black-garbed priest uttered an ambiguous phrase, then picked up his black umbrella and followed the old man off the bus.

The remaining passengers exchanged glances and disembarked one by one.

As a result of sitting at the back, Li Changhe was the last to leave.

No sooner had he stepped off the bus than the rear door closed swiftly, and a strange sound could be faintly heard.

It was a repulsive swallowing sound, like a beast eyeing its prey, painfully restraining its own desire.

The sound was so faint that it was hardly detectable against the noise of the rain and the closing door.

But with Li Changhe’s thirteen-point physique attribute, his senses were sharp, and he picked up on this fleeting noise.

Li Changhe had a moment of realization but didn’t turn his head, continuing to act like a normal young man.

It appeared that the old man’s warning about not staying on the bus was well advised.

At the entrance of the village, there were already people waiting to greet the passengers.

They were several young people, both men and women, ranging in age from their twenties to thirties.

They weren’t carrying black umbrellas, instead, they were wearing black raincoats. Under their raincoats, they wore standard winter clothes.

However, their complexions were fairly pale, somewhat similar to the disguise Li Changhe was currently employing.

At the same time, after disembarking, Li Changhe and the others felt an eerie chill.

Unlike the cold brought on by the winter rain, this chill seemed to penetrate the soul, making people instinctively wrap their clothes tighter.

"This feeling, it’s similar to the first time I encountered Brother Ting." Li Changhe was no stranger to this sensation.

This wasn’t a physical change in temperature, but a sense of unease for certain beings.

As players, Li Changhe and He Feng were no strangers to this feeling.

Each time Brother Ting made an appearance, a similar effect was felt.

However, over time, everyone had become accustomed to it.

Those young people, on seeing the old man, greeted him with laughter and jokes, clearly familiar with each other.

But upon seeing the priest behind the old man, their faces shifted.

Some diverted their gaze, but some looked excited.

"The Lord will not forgive you!" The priest sneered, pulling a black key out from his cassock.

"Are you courting death?" The old man rebuked sternly, "I’ll take him to see the master, you guys take care of the newcomers. Where is the master?"

"Still in the Buddha hall." The youths looked at each other and made way.

The old man nodded and took the priest into the village, soon disappearing from everyone’s view.

Subsequently, a young man around twenty-seven or twenty-eight approached the group, speaking in a friendly manner, "Folks, once you meet the master tomorrow, your wishes will be fulfilled. For now, let’s rest in the village. We’ve prepared rooms for you."

"Excuse me... Can the master really cure cancer?" The husband in one of the couples asked, full of hope, as this was his most urgent concern.

"Cancer?" The youth paused, and then laughed, "The master is omnipotent. You will get a satisfactory answer. But it’s late now, rest first."

The youths led the group into the village with cheerful banter, introducing the village in friendly tones.

However, their positioning subtly encircled the newcomers.

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