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墨書 Inktalez
As Ouyang Zixin arrived at Luoping Village, the first rays of dawn barely illuminated the land. Traveling a hundred miles at night was no longer a challenge for her.
Looking around, Luoping Village could be described as desolate, with half-collapsed houses and no signs of life. If it weren't for a few pigsties and sheep pens, one might think this place was an ancient ruin.
The stench of excrement had not completely dissipated, mingled with a hint of blood, but it was already faint.
After inspecting several houses nearby, Ouyang Zixin furrowed her brow in confusion. So many people had been attacked by the Mystical Beasts, yet there were no bodies left behind?
Moreover, from the surrounding conditions, it seemed there were not many bloodstains. Had people died, or were they...?
The ground outside the houses still bore many footprints, mostly human, while traces left by the Mystical Beasts were nearly nonexistent.
Were the people sent by the Exiled Nation's Sovereign as dull as pigs? Clearly not. This meant that the Mystical Beasts had left no traces at all; instead, those who came to investigate later had left even more marks.
"How strange." Rubbing her chin, Ouyang Zixin couldn't fathom what exactly had happened with this so-called Mystical Beast attack on the village. If it was indeed the work of Mystical Beasts, how did the news reach the imperial capital?
She didn't believe in the notion that wandering merchants happened to pass by.
Lost in thought as she walked, she found herself in the very center of Luoping Village. There were no houses here, only a deep well. Even though summer had arrived, the coolness of the water in the well penetrated the heat, making Ouyang Zixin feel much more comfortable.
This well water was certainly undrinkable; she wondered if anyone had died in it. However, that did not prevent Ouyang Zixin from resting by its side.
"Ah."
Originally scattered with dry branches and leaves, Ouyang Zixin swept them aside for convenience. It was this unintentional action that led her to notice something unusual.
Forgetting to take a break, Ouyang Zixin squatted down again by the well, her fingertip tracing a rather inconspicuous scratch on the edge of the well.
This scratch was clearly not made by a hard object. It seemed to be a mark left by the claws of some Mystical Beast. The marks were not very deep, but each one was clear, as if they had just been made.
What was going on? Hadn't the attack incident happened several days ago? Moreover, there were quite a few dead branches and leaves fallen on top of this scratch; how could it look so fresh?
Ouyang Zixin had a suspicion forming in her mind. However, she wasn't entirely sure, so she cleared away all the other dead branches and leaves around the well and piled them up in one place. Then she bent down, inch by inch, feeling with her hands, her gaze intensely focused.
Although the well was not very large, Ouyang Zixin still spent a long time examining it.
"Ha ha, just as I thought." Ouyang Zixin firmly believed that heaven rewards those who are diligent; indeed, she found a clue.
It now appeared that Luoping Village had indeed been attacked by Mystical Beasts, but these Mystical Beasts were all artificially raised. They had been driven here by someone. The scratches at the edge of the well were likely made when the Mystical Beasts became thirsty after traveling and wanted to drink water.
Those people naturally wouldn't think that the Mystical Beasts drinking water was something worth noting, which is why they left the marks behind.
As for the dead branches and leaves covering them, they were probably the main reason those people overlooked the traces; otherwise, how could they have cleaned up all the footprints but left behind these claw marks from the Mystical Beasts?
"It seems there must be something nearby that they wanted, which is why they lingered here afterward." After discovering this, Ouyang Zixin remained vigilant in case someone suddenly appeared.
These marks couldn't be more than a day old. It seemed she had come at just the right time.
After making these discoveries, Ouyang Zixin no longer felt tired; instead, she found a large tree and climbed up. Lying on a branch, she contemplated various possibilities while waiting for nightfall.
To actually raise Mystical Beasts to attack villages; it seemed those people's intentions were not simple.
Originally thinking she had come out for hunting, she unexpectedly found herself solving a case. Her anticipation grew stronger; as long as she remained cautious, she believed there would be no danger. If she could uncover the mastermind behind this, it would surely be a great sense of accomplishment.
——————————————————
“Master.”
The Shadow Guard did not dare to look up and could only remind in a low voice that Yun Tianmo had maintained a single posture for over an incense stick's worth of time. What kind of command could make him hesitate for so long?
Ignoring the Shadow Guard's voice, Yun Tianmo remained unmoving.
It was unexpected that those people left traces behind, and when did Ouyang Zixin, that Girl, turn her bad luck into good? She actually discovered it.
Even the people sent by Nan Gong Yao did not notice; why was it her?
Sigh.
Forget it, since she has found out, let her be.
He waved his hand towards the Shadow Guards behind him, signaling them to proceed with the plan.
As for Yun Tianmo, he disappeared from the study and reappeared in Luoping Village.
His plans could not be halted, but that did not mean he would not intervene personally, especially since this matter involved Ouyang Zixin.
In his plans, there could be Ouyang Hao, but there could not be Ouyang Zixin.
Based on previous experiences, as long as she was involved, the plan would inevitably deviate from its original course and enter an inexplicable trend of development.
“What are you doing here?”
When Yun Tianmo, clad in purple, appeared before Ouyang Zixin, she nearly dropped her jaw in shock.
She had sneaked out of her home for an adventure and some hunting, but how did he end up here? Was he also interested in the attacks by the Mystical Beasts on the village?
Thinking this way, she felt a bit relieved. Plus, having already discovered some clues, she quickly concealed her surprise and put on a proud expression, saying, "I have important findings; do you want to know?"
Seeing her smug little face, Yun Tianmo could hardly contain his laughter. Those so-called clues were merely left behind by him intentionally. How could it not be amusing that she thought she could take credit in front of him?
Clearing his throat, Yun Tianmo suppressed his smile and gave her a faint glance, saying, "You have quite the nerve."
Knowing very well why Ouyang Zixin had sneaked out from the capital, he couldn't help but tease her a bit before surprisingly waving her over to follow him.
"When have I ever been timid?" she muttered but decided to follow him anyway. After all, even though she had made some discoveries, she still didn't know how many people were involved or their strength; it was safer to stick together.
"By the way, how did you get here?"
Was this considered a failed escape from home?
Ouyang Zixin suddenly felt disheartened and looked at Yun Tianmo with a hint of grievance, waiting for his response. (To be continued.)
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