Chapter Thirty: The Tang Family

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That figure seemed to have no fear, yet it was not charging recklessly toward us. Instead, it advanced while constantly glancing in every direction. Wielding the spike in its hand, it repeatedly stabbed at the dark corners around it, as though unwilling to overlook any possibility and determined to search everything at once.

Of course, although the shadow’s actions were terrifying to watch, they bought me some time. Seeing how it moved at first, I could not help thinking that if it had rushed straight at us, we might not have had even the slightest chance to react.

In particular, when I saw Qu Xiang supporting Huang Jianfen as they slipped safely into the water, I felt my nerves tighten despite Huang Jianfen making no sound. I had no idea what she had been through, nor where the others who had been with her had gone.

Then, unexpectedly, I noticed Lan Fang. She, too, remained silent, which startled me somewhat. But the thought passed in an instant. I crouched lower, using the surrounding plants and stalks as cover, and quickly followed Qu Xiang.

At that moment, whether or not the people behind us discovered the path we had chosen, I knew I needed to buy us some time. I had no time to worry about anything else—not even Lan Fang. I simply bent down and whispered, “Sister Fang, we need to hide for a while. Just bear with it for now, all right?”

Under ordinary circumstances, being this close to Lan Fang and speaking softly into her ear would have thrilled me. She was indeed beautiful, but at that moment, in my eyes, she was nothing more than a burden.

All I felt was tension, heightened vigilance, and an unrelenting sense of unease. I even found myself struggling inwardly with the question of what I would do if I took her with me and we reached a point of absolute desperation—if I were forced to choose.

Holding Lan Fang’s trembling body, I could not tell whether she was nervous or frightened. But after we slowly entered the water, I discovered that it was not very deep. Perhaps this pool was where the stream began again. From there, the water wound its way downward, and we were not far from the waterfall.

Once I stepped into the water, I clearly felt that it reached only to my thighs. I secretly rejoiced and hoped that fortune would remain on my side. Then I saw Qu Xiang not far away and slowly moved toward her. I scarcely dared touch the tall reeds, afraid that disturbing them would reveal our presence and alert the pursuing shadow. My vigilance had reached its sharpest point ever.

After entering the water, I also discovered that behind this clump of reeds, close to the bank, stood a huge stone shaped like a screen, almost resembling a written character. With the reeds and the stone together, I thought they would be enough to conceal the sight of us hastily entering the water.

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We had not run very far, but because I had been carrying Lan Fang, I now realized that my whole body was aching. As I calmed down in the cold water, I felt profoundly grateful merely to be able to hold my breath and remain still.

I could no longer hear the shadow’s movements, but the faint, indistinct noises seemed not to have gone far. Holding Lan Fang against the stone, I did not even care whether she was partly submerged. I first took a deep breath, feeling as though I had finally regained complete clarity.

“A-Jing, what happened? Is someone trying to kill us? What are we going to do?” Perhaps she understood how hard I was struggling. Lan Fang slipped an arm around my neck, which clearly made things easier for me.

Maybe my reaction had not offended her. She had also sensed the danger, and for the first time, she showed some goodwill. I did not know whether she could see Qu Xiang and the others clearly, but her cooperation still allowed me to relax a little. At least she was not completely foolish—she knew that I was truly exhausted.

No wonder Peng Qian had not wanted to get involved with Lan Fang. Taking along someone with limited mobility really was inviting trouble.

“I don’t know either. A-Fen suddenly came running out and said someone was trying to kill her.” I steadied myself and could only answer in a low voice.

“But what’s strange now is that only she is being pursued. The others who were with A-Fen seem to have vanished. I have no idea where they went...” Feeling Lan Fang’s soft, smooth body against me, I became increasingly aware of the scent of sweat on her skin. Yet the tense atmosphere made me even more flustered.

When Lan Fang fell silent, I forced myself to calm down and whispered, “Don’t worry. I won’t abandon any of you. And don’t make a sound for now. That person should still be nearby.”

Then, hearing the clear sound of running water, I spoke not only to Lan Fang but also quietly turned toward Qu Xiang and the others. Whether or not Huang Jianfen could hear me, I had to warn Qu Xiang.

I reached out and touched the reeds beside us. Their narrow leaves, growing toward the water, were still fairly soft, and in the daytime there did not seem to be many withered yellow leaves. Carefully, I carried Lan Fang to the bank and set her down on the grass. Then I gestured for Qu Xiang to support Huang Jianfen and let her lean against the reeds by the water. After that, I could only wait for the danger to pass, hoping it would not descend upon us at that very moment.

But I regretted it almost immediately. Although the moonlight was weak, once my eyes had adjusted to the darkness, the flowing water’s surface still appeared remarkably clear. I knew that if anyone came near and looked carefully into the stream, they would certainly see us huddled along the bank.

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But things had already come to this, and regret was useless. All I could do was pray for divine protection while cautiously surveying our surroundings. I patted Lan Fang, signaling her to relax.

Then I took the spike she had been clutching. It gleamed faintly in the darkness, and seeing it gave me a little comfort. I gripped my hiking staff as well, then cautiously poked my head out.

Perhaps relying on the cover of this clump of reeds, I imagined that if he approached or suddenly appeared, I might be able to kill the man, provided I struck without hesitation.

From where I was, I had the advantage of hiding in the water. With the reeds concealing me, I only needed to wait quietly for an opportunity. If he appeared carelessly, I could drive the spike deep into his body. I did not know whether I would truly be able to do it, and even in the water, my palms were sweating, but I had no other choice.

Yet just as I had prepared myself, the surroundings suddenly fell silent.

Aside from the sound of the flowing water, the person who had been relentlessly pursuing us seemed not only to have failed to discover us but had vanished without a trace. Now there was nothing but the sound of breathing. Each of our breaths seemed unnaturally loud in that place. I even found myself abruptly holding my breath, then slowly calming it again.

It was truly quiet—so quiet that it felt eerie.

At that moment, every second seemed like an endless wait, or perhaps a form of torture.

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