Chapter 87: Into a Martial Arts Novel, Day 9

Chapter 87: Day 9 in a Wuxia Novel

Upon hearing this, Yan Yu frowned even more tightly and couldn't help but say in a deep voice, "You two, the matter at the Li residence is unsettling, not a joke. If you lack real skills, don't bite off more than you can chew, lest you invite trouble or even get hurt."

An Yi glanced at him and smiled, "Thank you for the reminder."

Ling Fengyao, however, laughed heartily and casually patted the gourd at his waist. "Whether it's a joke or not, we'll find out by trying, won't we? This... Young Hero Yan Yu, right? Don't worry. If we really run into something we can't handle, we guarantee we'll outrun anyone!"

His words were cheeky and earned a few low snickers from the people around.

Yan Yu's face darkened slightly, clearly finding this man slick and frivolous, beyond reasoning. So he said no more and simply turned his gaze to the steward.

The steward, being a sharp old fox, saw Ling Fengyao's demeanor and also noted An Yi's extraordinary bearing. Although he found the two strange, since they were in need of help now and more hands make lighter work, he nodded and said:

"In that case, please come in together. But let me be clear: the estate has strict rules, and you'll have to follow the rules here. If there really is... that thing, you must act within your means."

"No problem, no problem!" Ling Fengyao agreed readily, grabbed An Yi's arm, and followed the steward into the Li residence along with Yan Yu and the other selected jianghu warriors.

The courtyard was deep and sprawling, the layout exquisite, but as they walked through, there was a faint, lingering chill. The servants rushed by with worried looks.

An Yi walked quietly beside Ling Fengyao, his gaze casually sweeping over pillars, rockeries, and plants. His expression remained gentle, as if he were just a sightseer touring a rich man's estate.

Only he himself knew that his psychic energy was quietly spreading like a fine net, sensing every unusual energy flow in the mansion.

Everything seemed normal, except for a slightly unusual fluctuation in the direction the steward was leading them.

He carefully sensed it; it resembled the bloodline energy fluctuation of a martial arts expert, but it was unusually chaotic.

As for Yan Yu of the Skyward Sect, he looked straight ahead with steady steps, one hand always resting lightly on his sword hilt, showing his meticulous nature, in stark contrast to the casual and carefree Ling Fengyao beside him.

Ling Fengyao, however, seemed oblivious and even leaned closer to An Yi, whispering with a chuckle only the two could hear: "Ayi, look at that young hero from the famous orthodox sect. Isn't he interesting? So rigid and proper."

An Yi glanced sideways at him, the corners of his mouth curving slightly, and said softly, "There are benefits to being disciplined."

Ling Fengyao raised an eyebrow and was about to say more when the steward in front stopped, pointed solemnly at a somewhat remote courtyard ahead that had clearly been well-maintained, and said in a low voice:

"Everyone, this is the place. Lately, most of the strange occurrences have happened near this courtyard..."

He didn't finish his words, but the implication and the sudden drop in temperature around them were enough to explain everything.

Everyone, including Yan Yu, looked serious.

An Yi's gaze fell on the courtyard gate, and a hint of understanding flashed quickly through his gentle eyes.

He listened to the comments in the comment section beside him, and the corners of his mouth lifted slightly:

"It can't actually be haunted, right?"

"??? Ghosts? This is a martial arts novel!"

"This isn't xianxia or xuanhuan, where would ghosts come from!"

"What if the author's just lost his mind?"

"Then we can only pray!"

"Pray, nia~"

"It's obviously a conspiracy, okay!"

"..."

That remote courtyard stood deep in the Li residence, appearing somewhat plain compared to the bustling and exquisite areas elsewhere.

The plants were orderly, not messy.

However, a thin layer of dust was visible upon them now. It seemed that after the incidents, no one had taken care of this courtyard anymore.

The steward stopped in his tracks, his face growing more fearful. He only pointed at the courtyard from afar, his voice strained: "Th-that's it... Everyone, be careful!"

"The servants who used to take care of this courtyard always saw extra women's jewelry, clothes, and shoes appearing here, sometimes even bloodstained!"

"At first, the master thought someone was playing tricks. He spent a lot of money to hire many experts to guard the courtyard layer upon layer like an iron fortress! But the creepy thing is... no matter how tightly the outside was guarded, the things inside still appeared just as before! It was as if... as if they appeared out of thin air!"

"We also reported to the authorities. Several groups of government officials came, investigated again and again, but they were at a loss and couldn't make heads or tails of it!"

The steward swallowed. "Even more terrifying is that people in the mansion began falling sick one after another. Doctors were called, and they all said it was caused by cold qi invading the body! But it's clearly the middle of summer! Where could such heavy yin cold come from?!"

"Sigh... Go ahead, everyone."

With that, as if he couldn't wait to leave, he hurriedly retreated to wait at a distance.

The selected jianghu warriors exchanged glances with varied expressions—some grave, some curious, some with a glint of eager excitement.

One of them couldn't hold back and was the first to push open the squeaky courtyard gate and stride inside. The others followed one after another.

Yan Yu frowned deeply, carefully examining the courtyard gate and the surrounding walls, as if checking for hidden traps.

He acted very cautiously and did not immediately enter.

Ling Fengyao, on the other hand, crossed his arms, tilted his head to survey the desolate courtyard, that cheeky grin still on his face. He gently nudged An Yi with his shoulder. "Ayi, what do you think? Doesn't it look like something out of a ghost story?"

An Yi's eyes swept lightly over the courtyard. His psychic energy had already quietly permeated every corner like invisible water, and the anomaly he had sensed earlier was now even stronger.

The air was filled with a faint but unusually yin-cold energy. It wasn't a ghostly evil aura, but rather more like... a peculiar cold-type internal energy or medicinal residue, mixed with the smell of dust and decaying plants.

"It looks scary, but it might be nothing."

An Yi's voice was calm, betraying no tension at all. "We'll know by going in and seeing."

"That's right!" Ling Fengyao smiled and naturally reached out to place a protective hand near An Yi's back. "I'll go first. Watch your step."

An Yi turned sideways, gently dodging his hand, and said softly, "No need. I can manage on my own."

With that, he stepped over the threshold first, his steps calm and unhurried.

Ling Fengyao's hand froze in midair for a moment, then he pulled it back like it was nothing, touched his nose, and quickly followed.

Seeing this, Yan Yu also composed himself and followed closely into the courtyard.

The inside of the courtyard was even messier than it appeared from outside. Many places were covered with dust.

The first few warriors who had entered were searching around roughly, kicking up clouds of dust.

"Fake ghost! Someone's messing with us!" A big guy with a thick curly beard kicked a stool in the corner, cursed, and spat.

Another person was examining the doors and windows. "I don't see any traps..."