Chapter 20: Shadows Over Black Pine Village
Night falls like a heavy curtain.
Liu Guan Yi walks alone through the mountain path, his black robes fluttering slightly in the cold wind. The sword at his waist hums softly—as if sensing danger ahead.
Black Pine Village lies nestled at the edge of a vast forest, isolated and dim. No laughter, no smoke, no warmth. Only silence.
As he approaches, villagers peek from behind closed shutters. Their eyes are hollow, filled with fear. An old man dares to approach him.
> "Sir cultivator... you must be the one sent by the sect... please... save our daughters..."
Liu Guan Yi nods once.
> "Tell me everything."
---
That Night – Village Chief's House
Candlelight flickers.
The village chief explains: "Seven girls have gone missing over the past month. Always at night. No blood. No trace. Only a strange flute sound before each disappearance…"
"Flute?" Liu Guan Yi narrows his eyes.
> "Yes," the chief shudders. "It comes from the forest. We believe something... something inhuman is calling them."
---
Later – Liu Guan Yi Walks Alone
He steps into the forest.
Each tree seems to lean forward. The air is colder. The moon, veiled by clouds.
Suddenly…
A soft flute melody floats through the trees.
Hypnotic. Faint. Beautiful… and deadly.
He stops walking.
> "It's starting."
From the trees ahead—a girl in white walks out. Pale skin. Empty eyes. Her feet hover above the ground.
She opens her mouth—but speaks no words. Only the flute melody flows from her throat.
> "A puppet?" Liu Guan Yi mutters.
His sword flashes.
The girl's body freezes in place, then cracks like glass—shattering into black mist.
From the darkness, multiple shadows stir.
Strange creatures—half-human, half-wraith—begin crawling from the earth.
> "Good," Liu Guan Yi smiles faintly. "Come out."
> "Let me see what you are."