Chapter 242 Hidden Traces in the Mountain Valley

Just then, Wang Laogen's wife walked out of the courtyard carrying a winnowing basket filled with freshly picked beans. Hearing the discussion outside, she set the basket down by the threshold and stepped forward.

"Husband!"

She tugged on Wang Laogen's sleeve, speaking directly and openly in front of the villagers.

"I've been pondering this matter these past few days. Look, that thing specifically targets unmarried girls, and our Jinniang... isn't she exactly that?"

Wang Laogen's expression darkened further.

Wang's wife continued.

"If you ask me, living in such constant fear is no way to go on. Besides, our Huzi hasn't taken a wife yet, has he?"

As she spoke, she gestured toward the courtyard, where a sturdy, honest-looking young man in his early twenties was squatting by the well drawing water. Hearing his name mentioned, he looked up and gave a bashful smile.

"Huzi and Jinniang are of a similar age, and I've noticed the two of them getting along quite well these past few days."

She lowered her voice, but deliberately made sure everyone around could still hear her.

"Why don't we... hurry up and hold the wedding! Once Jinniang crosses the threshold and becomes a daughter-in-law of the Wang family, perhaps... perhaps that thing won't set its sights on her anymore!"

Once these words were spoken, the surrounding villagers were stunned for a moment, then began to nod in agreement one after another.

"Auntie Wang makes sense! Once married, she'll be a woman, no longer a maiden!"

"Yes, yes, yes, do it quickly! The sooner, the better! Before that thing sets its eyes on Jinniang..."

People chimed in, talking over one another. Wang Laogen just puffed on his pipe in silence for a long time, only tapping it against the steps after a while.

"This matter... I need to think it over some more. I have to ask for Jinniang's own opinion, and Huzi's too..."

"What is there to think about? Husband, what time do you think it is? Do you care more about Face or Jinniang's safety?"

Wang's wife grew anxious, and the surrounding villagers echoed her sentiments. Wang Laogen was choked up by her words, opening his mouth but unable to speak. After a long while, he finally let out a heavy sigh.

"Fine. Since this must be done, it must be done quickly. But the proper rituals cannot be skipped. I won't say anything else, but we must find someone to check their horoscopes. You all, please keep an eye out and see who is good at matching horoscopes."

As he spoke, he stood up, glancing at his own courtyard and then toward the direction of the families in the village who had lost their daughters.

"The Demon Suppression Division won't deal with this, but we cannot ignore it. I'm going to go check on those families who lost their daughters first; we can't just sit and wait."

With that, he picked up his pipe and walked toward those households. The surrounding villagers watched his retreating figure, looked at each other, shook their heads with sighs, and dispersed.

...

Once they entered the mountain hollow, the sound of hoofbeats gradually ceased.

Chen Mu pulled on the reins, and the chestnut horse let out a long neigh, rearing up on its hind legs, spinning in place before coming to a steady halt.

Shen Suning sat on the horse with her right arm slightly drooping. Her injury had not fully healed, and controlling the reins for a long time was somewhat strenuous. She was currently looking toward the village, her brows furrowed tightly.

"Chen Mu, leaving Xiao Ning alone in the village, disguised as a girl... I feel uneasy. He is still young and lacks experience. If that demon has strange methods, or if there are other spies in the village..."

She paused, not continuing, but the worry in her eyes already said everything.

Chen Mu did not answer immediately, instead scanning the mountains on both sides before slowly speaking after a moment.

"Although he is young, his disposition is lively and his mind is meticulous. In the battle at Youxu Valley, he was able to endure fear in a desperate situation and follow orders, which already showed his courage. For this mission, although he agreed reluctantly, he did not back down."

Having said this, he turned to look at Shen Suning.

"As for danger, where is there not danger? Staying in the village chief's home, with people coming and going during the day, and the village chief and his wife protecting him sincerely, it is actually safer than searching aimlessly outside."

Upon hearing this, Shen Suning knew Chen Mu's words were reasonable, but the inexplicable worry in her heart was hard to fully dispel—perhaps because of Ling Xiaoning's childlike Heart-Nature, or perhaps because...

"I am just worried... if that demon notices something during the day, or uses some method we do not know—"

Before she could finish, she was interrupted by Chen Mu, whose tone was resolute.

"That is why we must leave. Not only must we leave, but we must do so in a reasonable and logical manner, in a way that makes everyone believe the Demon Suppression Division has lost patience with this ordinary missing person case in Kaoshan Village and is ending it hastily."

He looked toward the village with deep eyes.

"That demon can precisely select targets, and its actions are so secretive; it is definitely not a reckless creature. If we remain in the village with great fanfare, it will surely be alerted, either lying low or fleeing to another place. Only by letting the illusion that the Demon Suppression Division has left spread will it lower its guard and strike again."

Upon hearing this, Feng Qing said coldly.

"Pass off the fake as genuine to lure it into acting."

Shen Suning sighed softly and took a drink from her water skin. The cold water entering her throat helped suppress the agitation in her heart. Shen Suning took a deep breath, forcing herself to calm down.

"The horoscope I fabricated for Xiao Ning not only carries Yin Sha but is also a pure Yin horoscope."

Chen Mu paused and looked up at her.

"A pure Yin woman has extremely heavy Yin Qi. For normal people, she might be weak and sickly, easily attracting evil spirits, but for certain demons that Cultivate evil Cultivation Techniques or require pure Yin Qi as a catalyst, she is a rare and highly sought-after treasure."

"If that demon is truly coming for this, it will definitely not let this opportunity pass once it sees this horoscope."

Chen Mu nodded slowly. Shen Suning was meticulous; this move was undoubtedly coating the bait with another layer of deadly honey. While the risk certainly increased, the certainty of luring out the demon also greatly increased.

About a quarter of an hour later, the sound of hoofbeats came from behind, approaching from afar, rapid and concealed. Wan Chongshan rode out from another more hidden path and stopped in front of them.

"How is it?" Shen Suning went up to meet him.

"Brother Chen, there is nothing going on in the village for now. I followed the plan and acted dispirited and helpless. Most of the villagers believed it, and Uncle Wang has already started acting according to the plan."

Wan Chongshan said in a low voice, dismounting from his horse.

Chen Mu asked, "Did anyone get suspicious?"

Wan Chongshan shook his head.

"At least not on the surface. The villagers... are mostly disappointed and complaining about the Demon Suppression Division, but that is fine; it suits our intentions perfectly."

Chen Mu nodded.

"Take us to the hideout. Although this place is hidden, we should not stay long, for fear that villagers might come up the mountain to cut firewood and run into us."

"Follow me."

Wan Chongshan said no more, leading his horse as he walked toward the depths of the mountain hollow. He was extremely familiar with this mountain forest and led the three of them through the trees. About a quarter of an hour later, they arrived at a sheltered rocky depression.

This place was extremely hidden, with dense bushes blocking the front and a steep cliff at the back. The overhanging rock above formed a natural shelter. If one were not specifically looking for it, it would be impossible to find.

Furthermore, from here, through the gaps in the bushes, one could faintly see the houses at the east end of Kaoshan Village, especially the relatively spacious courtyard of the village chief's home.