Translator: CinderTL
Back in the room, Lin Wan'er and Huai Yi were awake. The former was leisurely eating breakfast while Fatty skillfully peeled eggs nearby.
"Boss Lin," Fatty said, handing her a peeled egg with gloved hands. "The doctor said to eat slowly and not choke."
Seeing Jiang Cheng return, Huai Yi was about to greet him when he noticed the young man following behind.
The young man had clear features and looked like a college student.
"Chen Qiang," Jiang Cheng introduced.
Fatty Chen Qiang already knew him, so no introduction was needed. Chen Qiang's gaze lingered on Huai Yi for only two seconds before shifting to Lin Wan'er.
"Brother Jiang," Huai Yi hurried over, carrying his laptop. "There's news from the other side. They do have a lead, but they're not willing to sell."
"Not selling? What do they plan to do then?" Fatty asked, puzzled.
"They want to collaborate with us to resolve this supernatural event," Huai Yi said, frowning as if he couldn't quite understand it either. "They said that if we agree, we should set off for Grey Stone Town immediately. They'll be waiting for us there."
"Mr. Jiang," Chen Qiang quickly said, "You know how complex supernatural events can be. A large portion of casualties come from internal conflicts. I don't recommend bringing someone with an unknown background into this."
"Agree to their request for now," Lin Wan'er said, dabbing her mouth with a napkin and looking up. "Have Pi Ruan arrange a car. We'll go there immediately to see what clues they have. As for whether we'll cooperate, there's no need to make a decision yet."
An hour later, they were seated in a black SUV. Pi Ruan insisted on driving them himself.
Huai Yi pulled Chen Qiang into the back row and briefed him on the May Station incident in Grey Stone Town. They spoke in hushed tones, clearly not wanting Pi Ruan to overhear.
It wasn't until two in the afternoon that they left the highway and turned onto a dirt road, which was riddled with potholes, perhaps due to the recent rain.
Just as Fatty was about to vomit from the bumpy ride, the car finally stopped. Stepping out, Chen Qiang couldn't help but frown at the scene before him.
The town was far more dilapidated than he'd imagined, as if time had stood still twenty years ago, or even longer. It was isolated, surrounded by mountains and poorly connected by roads.
More importantly, the locals seemed unwelcoming to outsiders. Upon seeing the car arrive, small groups of people gathered at a distance, their gazes fixed on them with a strange curiosity.
"It's perfectly normal," Pi Ruan said, sounding quite familiar with the situation. "I've been to several villages like this while discussing projects. The leaders were enthusiastic, but the villagers' attitudes weren't so warm." He looked around, then asked, "Dr. Jiang, where should we go?"
"We have something else to do. You should head back first," Jiang Cheng replied.
This was their business, and they didn't want to drag Pi Ruan into it. Only when trapped in dire straits did one truly appreciate the preciousness of an ordinary life.
"Go back?" Pi Ruan forced a sheepish smile. "Dr. Jiang, it's already this late. It'll be dark in two hours."
"Hurry. You'll be on the highway before nightfall," Jiang Cheng said firmly.
With the matter settled, Pi Ruan began feigning farewells. He grabbed Fatty's hand and refused to let go, saying emotionally, "Brother Fatty, the road back might be dangerous. This could be the last time we meet. But don't worry about me, and don't beg Dr. Jiang to let me stay."
Fatty gripped Pi Ruan's hand tightly, his voice earnest. "Brother Pi Ruan, rest assured, I won't."
Only after Pi Ruan's car disappeared at the end of the dirt road did Jiang Cheng turn to Huai Yi. Huai Yi had arranged their visit.
Noticing Jiang Cheng staring at him, Huai Yi belatedly realized, "The Fuchang Inn. We agreed to meet at the Fuchang Inn."
Fuchang.
A name steeped in history, perfectly suited to the town's atmosphere.
As they walked deeper into the town along its narrow streets, they were met with curious gazes at every turn. The town was almost entirely devoid of young and middle-aged adults, populated instead by elderly residents and children.
The closer they got to the town center, the stronger the sense of antiquity became, with weathered, gray-tinged buildings gradually appearing.
Some were single-story enclosed courtyards, arranged in units of rooms, with several rooms connected to form a single house.
Several houses were arranged around the perimeter of a foundation, collectively enclosing a courtyard.
Occasionally, they encountered three- or four-story structures with a grand and imposing layout. The walls were thick, the windows relatively narrow, and the surfaces were mottled with traces of past damage.
Chen Qiang, walking beside Jiang Cheng, surveyed the surrounding buildings. "These structures are at least a century old. It seems Grey Stone Town's history is even longer than we thought."
Among the group, only Lin Wan'er's demeanor seemed perfectly suited to the environment. Her cold, elegant face held a subtle allure, yet she appeared to be only around twenty-five years old.
Huai Yi watched Lin Wan'er's retreating figure, remembering his mother's warning:
The more beautiful a woman, the more dangerous she is.
Jiang Cheng stopped and looked up at the building before him. Its European-style architecture featured an open gate flanked by stone pillars.
The words "Fuchang Inn" were inscribed on a plaque hanging above the gate.
A girl in a baseball cap squatted beneath one of the pillars, sucking on a lollipop and carrying a black backpack. The backpack's material was unfamiliar, with a unique texture.
As Jiang Cheng and his companions turned to look at the girl, she tilted her head and sized them up. Their eyes met, and both groups understood immediately.
Following the girl, Jiang Cheng and his companions entered a spacious room where four men sat around a table.
"Alright, now that everyone's here, you can tell us what you know," the Black-Faced Strongman said, glaring at the man across from him. His tone was hostile.
He had learned about this information from an information broker. The broker had instructed him to come to Grey Stone Town to obtain it. The information's owner wasn't asking for money, only cooperation.
Jiang Cheng walked to the table, pulled out a chair, and sat down, facing the man who was clearly the source of the information.
A book with a black cover lay open on the table. The man had been reading, but when he looked up, Jiang Cheng was surprised to see a pair of sapphire-blue eyes that resembled gemstones.
"Let's talk about the information," Jiang Cheng said, pouring himself a cup of tea.
"No need to rush," the man replied. "First, let me state my terms. I need you to take me into the Tunnel. If we make it out alive, I want half the rewards."
"Half is too much," the Black-Faced Strongman interjected, tapping the table. "There are three parties here, and you have the fewest people. I say we split it evenly—one-third for each. That's fair for everyone."
At this, the man suddenly smiled. "It seems you still don't understand the value of the clue I hold." He closed the book, his gaze sweeping over the group before settling on Jiang Cheng. "I know how to contact the people who went missing before."
(End of the Chapter)
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