The matters in Jinxia were concluded. Finally, he could take Meng Wanxiang to Dingshui City.
Fuyun Temple—night had just fallen, and all around were many unknown cries and calls. Meng Rui rushed headlong into the side hall, shouting loudly: “Niu Sao, pack your things, we’re leaving…”
Before his words finished, the scene before his eyes made Meng Rui’s heart plummet to the valley floor. The furniture was in disarray, covered with traces of fighting. On the ground were two pools of blood. Meng Rui stood in shock for a moment, then called out loudly: “Niu Sao, Niu Sao!”
There was no one in the side hall, and the red coffin was gone. Meng Rui rushed out recklessly. At the doorway, he encountered Kong Yuzi supporting someone who was slowly approaching—it was Niu Sao.
“Niu Sao—” Meng Rui took Niu Sao from him. Blood droplets hung at the corners of Niu Sao’s mouth, her complexion pale and ashen. She grabbed Meng Rui’s arm and wailed loudly: “They, they took the red coffin!”
“Who are they?”
Niu Sao shook her head: “All three of them had their faces covered, so I couldn’t see what they looked like, but I saw their eyes—they were green!”
“Green?” Meng Rui’s entire body trembled. Could there be green-eyed people in this world exactly like Mao Tou?
“When they took the red coffin, they left this.” Niu Sao handed Meng Rui a yellowed piece of paper. On it were many strange symbols drawn in squares and circles—Meng Rui didn’t recognize a single one. Kong Yuzi glanced at it and said in surprise: “These characters are Japanese script.”
“Japanese?” Meng Rui looked astonished. “Could they be Japanese people?”
“Alas, I can only recognize that it’s Japanese script, but I can’t understand the specific content.” Kong Yuzi’s gaze shifted, then suddenly he said: “Wait a moment—these two Japanese characters are the same as Chinese characters.”
Meng Rui examined the two characters. They read: Dingshui.
Dingshui City?
Night was nearly over when Niu Sao finally fell into a deep sleep. She had been worried about Meng Wanxiang all along. But she was severely injured, so Meng Rui could only temporarily entrust Niu Sao to Kong Yuzi’s care and leave word for her that if she recovered, they would reunite in Dingshui City.
At dawn, Meng Rui alone set foot on the eastward road. Dingshui City lay not far ahead. What kind of unpredictable, ghostly dangerous schemes and plots would be waiting for him there? Meng Rui’s heart suddenly trembled—as if the green stone hidden in his bosom had inexplicably moved.