The cellar, with a very cautious tone, carried a hint of pain in the wind that just blew by.
If I’m not mistaken, the Ning Family’s cellar is a private dungeon.
Wealthy families often have such places to discipline disobedient servants, occasionally using private punishment, so it’s not surprising if there are casualties.
Xi Fuhong, hearing Xiao Qiyu not pulling her along, panicked and shouted, “Don’t, don’t leave me.
It’s so eerie down there, I don’t dare to go alone…” Tears welled up in her eyes.
She was already cornered, and now that Xiao Qiyu, who could protect her, was ignoring her, the pitch-black cellar was terrifying.
If they got separated…
Not expecting Xi Fuhong’s reaction to be so intense, Xiao Qiyu was momentarily stunned.
She turned back to look at the pale face, feeling a warmth in her chest, and the smile on her lips became more pronounced.
Xi Fuhong needed her; at this moment, Xi Fuhong couldn’t do without her.
All her reliance and trust were on her, and this feeling of being needed made Xiao Qiyu reach out and gently caress her cold cheek.
“I said I would protect Miss Xi’s safety,” Xiao Qiyu said softly.
“Does Miss Xi trust me?”
Who else could Xi Fuhong trust besides Xiao Qiyu? She nodded vigorously, “Of course, I trust you, but… can we hold hands?”
“I’m afraid I can’t comply,” she refused, as expected, seeing Xi Fuhong’s shocked tremble.
Xiao Qiyu’s hand, which was caressing, changed to a gentle squeeze, the soft touch making her heart feel unusually sweet.
“I said, the cellar is dangerous and unknown.
If we hold hands, it might be difficult to react and defend against attacks.”
“…Okay.” Xi Fuhong nodded helplessly.
She didn’t throw a tantrum like a child because Xiao Qiyu was right.
“Then let’s go.” Xiao Qiyu stood up, casually waving her hand.
The shadow at her feet darted towards the cellar first, and only then did she start walking down.
Seeing this, Xi Fuhong bit her lip to encourage herself and quickly followed.
The stone steps were old and covered with moss due to the dampness.
Besides being tense, Xi Fuhong had to focus on keeping her balance.
Although she could see Xiao Qiyu, she struggled to keep up.
“…Miss Xiao, wait… ah!!” Her heel slipped, and her body suddenly lunged forward.
Before she could turn around, Xi Fuhong had already crashed into her back.
They stumbled a few steps on the stairs, and finally, Xiao Qiyu raised her hand to grab the crevice in the stone wall, lowering her body to prevent them from rolling down the stairs.
Xi Fuhong lay awkwardly on her back, her chest heaving with rapid breaths.
She almost thought she was going to die.
Who knew how long the stone steps were? A few more bumps to the head, and she might have been bleeding.
“Miss Xi, are you okay?” Xiao Qiyu slightly turned her head, unable to see Xi Fuhong’s expression.
“…Yes, sorry.” Realizing she was still leaning on Xiao Qiyu, she felt relieved yet embarrassed.
“It’s fine.” Xiao Qiyu continued downward only after she was stable, but the situation was a bit different because Xi Fuhong was clutching her clothes tightly.
Although they couldn’t hold hands, she was afraid of getting separated, so she stubbornly held onto Xiao Qiyu’s clothes.
Seeing this, Xiao Qiyu didn’t object.
Xi Fuhong’s amusing action made her smile deepen unconsciously.
Xi Fuhong followed closely behind Xiao Qiyu, naturally unable to notice her relaxed demeanor.
The soft fabric in her hand was already crumpled from her grip, her mood anxious.
The howling wind in her ears grew louder, and even Xi Fuhong could hear the mournful cries mixed in the wind.
“Is there someone down there? Why… are there cries?” Xi Fuhong knew it wasn’t human, but she still asked.
“It’s the vengeful spirits’ cries for revenge,” Xiao Qiyu replied.
Hearing this, Xi Fuhong tightened her grip on the clothes.
Xiao Qiyu smiled helplessly.
Her top was almost twisted off by her.
Just as she was about to turn back to comfort Xi Fuhong, a piercing roar came from the depths of the cellar, different from the vengeful spirits’ cries carried by the wind.
Xiao Qiyu’s eyes sharpened.
She knew Baili had discovered them.
“It’s not far. Let’s pick up the pace.”
The Ning Family cellar, filled with a chilling aura, was Xi Fuhong’s only impression.
She and Xiao Qiyu descended to the bottom, discovering that it wasn’t a cellar at all but more like a maze.
Xi Fuhong initially suggested using a fire stick for light, but Xiao Qiyu said the cellar was enclosed, and the smoke might obscure their vision, so she used a talisman to summon ghostly fire.
Though not as bright as a flame, it was enough to explore the path.
The cellar was damp with stagnant water, the cold air filled with a strange smell.
Xi Fuhong clung tightly to Xiao Qiyu.
They walked for several moments in the maze-like underground without any progress.
The numerous compartments were terrifying, making it impossible to guess what the Ning Family intended when they built it this way.
“It seems Baili chose the right place,” Xiao Qiyu chuckled softly.
“Truly winding and intricate.”
Xi Fuhong didn’t understand the meaning behind Xiao Qiyu’s chuckle.
Was it a compliment to Baili? Or disgust? Either way, the more she walked, the more anxious she became.
The cries in her ears had turned into roars at some point, each piercing scream making Xi Fuhong tremble.
But she had no retreat, so she had to grit her teeth and continue with Xiao Qiyu.
“Miss Xi, please step back a bit.”
Xi Fuhong was puzzled when suddenly there was a loud crash.
Nearby stones shook, and the wailing of vengeful spirits grew more sorrowful.
The stone path they had just passed was blocked by a massive door, completely sealing the way.
The incident happened so suddenly that Xi Fuhong had just turned around when Xiao Qiyu swiftly drew two talismans.
“Do not advance further, or I won’t hold back,” Xiao Qiyu said to the air.
In front of her, Xi Fuhong saw nothing, but in the flickering ghostly fire, she was shocked to see dozens of shadows, perhaps even more.
“Even if you capture a living person, you cannot regain your souls.” With that, the talismans shot out.
A blue light burst forth, and the talismans seemed to touch something, hovering steadily.
Xi Fuhong was dumbfounded.
Almost simultaneously, the screams in her ears intensified.
Previously, she couldn’t make out the words in the screams, but now she could vaguely hear pleas and curses.
The resentment seemed to penetrate her heart.
Xi Fuhong bit her lip, feeling as if something was about to burst from her chest.
Just as she was about to collapse from the pain, Xiao Qiyu suddenly reached out and held her hand, saying, “Don’t be distracted.”
The gentle words cut through the screams, and Xi Fuhong’s mind cleared, the heaviness in her chest dissipating completely.
She was surprised by her condition, knowing it was the influence of the vengeful spirits that had clouded her mind.
She nervously bit her lip and nodded gratefully at Xiao Qiyu.
“What’s going on?” she asked, returning to Xiao Qiyu’s side, puzzled.
“A ghostly blockade,” she replied with a smile, as if discussing the weather.
Hearing this, she only frowned, somewhat accustomed to talk of ghosts.
She suppressed her panic.
The talismans spun in the air.
Whatever method Xiao Qiyu used, the talismans gradually retreated, and the shadows on the walls disappeared.
After a while, Xiao Qiyu finally took a step forward.
“Perhaps influenced by the Black Dragon Tail Ring, those spirits sensed strong spiritual energy and were drawn to it.” This delay wasn’t a solution.
Xiao Qiyu glanced at the massive door that had fallen.
They must have ventured deep into the Ning Family cellar, and going further might trigger traps.
It seemed this place wasn’t just a simple cellar or maze.
She thought it must be the Ning Family tomb.
“What should we do?” Xi Fuhong stepped forward, grabbing her sleeve, her face worried.
“Use their plan against them,” Xiao Qiyu replied.
She led Xi Fuhong into a room-like area, but this room had four doorways, with no actual doors, serving as a junction of passages.
Xiao Qiyu had Xi Fuhong stand in the center and asked her to take out the Black Dragon Tail Ring.
She traced symbols on the ring with her fingers, chanting incantations.
This time, even Xi Fuhong could clearly see the Black Dragon Tail Ring emitting a faint glow.
“Wait a moment…”
