"Speaking of which, the attire of this vengeful spirit is quite strange."

Shenzhu Shihui glanced at the priestly vengeful spirit holding a hatchet and a torch, unable to resist making a comment.

Holding a torch makes sense, after all, a village hidden in such deep mountains and forests occasionally needs torches for illumination.

She often saw priests holding torches during her lifetime in Shenzhu Village.

But the hatchet—

"Chopping wood isn't something priests should be doing, right?"

Standing beside her, Shenzhu Shihui couldn't help but make a sarcastic remark.

The hatchet is actually commonly referred to as a woodcutting ax.

A sacrificial priest should have a high status within the family, surely tasks like chopping wood wouldn't fall to them.

That's why Shenzhu Shihui asked that question.

"Analyzing in conjunction with the data just found by Mr. Temple... the hatchet of the Mouchi Mansion should mainly be used for chopping down trees showing unusual movements in the courtyard... right? But I still don't quite understand."

Magong Yongshi looked at Beichuan Si, seeking his advice: "A family with such powerful bloodline... the 'Scarlet Seal,' shouldn't they have simpler ways to dispel vengeful spirits? Like using good thoughts."

Yes, for a family like the Mouchi family with such a long history, shouldn't there be more reliable methods to drive away vengeful spirits?

With a powerful bloodline like the 'Scarlet Seal,' they should be able to handle the whispers of such vengeful spirits.

"Things are not that simple."

Beichuan Si shook his head and continued:

"The vengeful spirit you mentioned is merely a common vengeful spirit that can be dealt with using good thoughts... but what if the vengeful spirit entangled with the Mouchi Mansion isn't a common vengeful spirit?"

The records left at Mouchi Mansion indicate there is a forbidden ritual whose mere mention brings misfortune.

Since Mouchi Mansion clearly understands this, it implies he was involved in that so-called forbidden ritual, thus inviting some sort of calamity.

"Furthermore, if it's related to the ritual of the forbidden forest, perhaps the entity can transfer and spread through the medium of trees?"

Even making a bolder conjecture.

If the trees chopped down by Mouchi Mansion with the hatchet are cherry trees... does this imply the 'Forbidden Forest' is actually the 'Forest of a Thousand Cherry Trees' mentioned in outside nursery rhymes?

Because of the forbidden ritual, did the Forest of a Thousand Cherry Trees spawn flesh-eating little ghosts?

"Mr. Temple makes a lot of sense, I didn't consider it thoroughly. So, what should we do now? Shall we first check the situation in the courtyard?"

Magong Yongshi showed a look of sudden realization.

"Though I wish to continue exploring, we no longer have time."

Beichuan Si displayed the time on his watch to Magong Yongshi and the three good spirits.

There are only half an hour left until six-thirty.

During the summer, dawn breaks early, so Beichuan Si must reserve half an hour to leave.

"Hmm?"

Busy packing up, Beichuan Si inexplicably turned to look behind him.

Behind him was an empty corridor.

The dark corridor was like a monster opening its large mouth.

"What's wrong, Mr. Temple?"

Magong Yongshi, perceptive of Beichuan Si's unease, asked.

"Since entering the mansion, there has been a constant feeling of something watching in secret. Just mentioning leaving here intensified that feeling."

Beichuan Si replied frankly, also remembering to add: "You all should be careful too."

Yes... those few whispers so close to the ear...

Regardless of whether there's malice or not, one must maintain a sense of alertness.

After advising Magong Yongshi and others, Beichuan Si hesitated no longer; he confirmed all his belongings, then swiftly descended the stairs and returned along the corridor from which he came.

The corridor wasn't long, the reason Beichuan Si took so long before was to prevent missing anything, so he investigated thoroughly.

Returning this way didn't take much time.

About a minute later, Beichuan Si arrived at the entrance.

Just at the moment he was about to leave directly—

Beichuan Si saw glowing green luminescence hovering around.

Occasionally gathering... occasionally scattering in glowing green luminescence.

"Fireflies... in this place binding souls?"

Magong Yongshi's expression changed, about to warn Beichuan Si...

Ugh.

No need for her to remind.

The instant he sensed something amiss, Beichuan Si increased his speed to the maximum and dashed toward the corridor outside the Mouchi Main Family.

"Will you... just leave like this? The secrets of the... Mouchi family..."

A vague, broken voice once again echoed near Beichuan Si's ear.

This time the voice was much clearer than before.

If it were someone else, they might subconsciously pause due to the sudden voice.

But Beichuan Si didn't hesitate in the slightest; the more the voice said, the faster he ran.

Truth be told, Beichuan Si did want to learn about the Mouchi family's secrets, but definitely not through the voice suddenly appearing by his ear.

Firstly, Beichuan Si wasn't sure of the entity's good or evil. He couldn't blindly trust something he couldn't discern, which is undoubtedly the act of fools.

Secondly, Beichuan Si wasn't clear on the entity's strength. If it's merely a weak spiritual body or wandering spirit, stopping to listen to what it wants to express wouldn't be a problem.

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