"Hm? Looks like we're missing a kid," Han YunXi murmured as she finished counting heads, only to realize one child was absent.
She clearly remembered seeing him yesterday, sitting alone and staring off into space.
That kid rarely spoke, never mingled with classmates, always drifting on the outskirts like a shadow no one noticed.
Han YunXi had tried speaking with him before, but he reacted as if he’d seen a ghost—bolting the moment she approached.
That had left her puzzled. She’d been planning to have a proper talk with him soon… but now he had vanished.
"YunXi? What's wrong?" HuMing walked up to her, his voice tinged with concern at the sight of her furrowed brow.
"One of the kids didn't come to school today. I asked around, but none of the others seem to know anything. I’m really worried." Her voice was quiet but tense.
"I’ll head down the mountain and ask around."
"Should I come with you?"
"No need. The signal down there’s terrible. I’d rather you stay here—puts my mind at ease." He reached out and gently ruffled her hair.
A faint blush rose on Han YunXi's cheeks, but she didn’t insist.
After packing up a few things, HuMing started down the mountain. On the way, he thought he heard the sound of a motorcycle roaring through the village.
By the time he reached the village, the reaction was immediate—people were visibly startled by his appearance.
Their expressions were nervous, a stark contrast to the casual friendliness from before.
Some turned away quickly and retreated into their homes. Others forced a veneer of calm, pretending to busy themselves in front of their houses.
Sweeping his gaze across the area, HuMing walked up to a woman sweeping her doorstep.
She froze at his approach, movements suddenly rigid.
Something felt deeply off. She was clearly afraid—of something, or someone.
"Excuse me, have you seen this child?" HuMing showed her his phone, displaying a group photo he’d taken on the first day.
He hadn’t expected it to come in handy .
"Ah? I—I haven’t seen him," the woman stammered, eyes darting nervously.
"You really haven’t? That kid’s from your village, right? You should at least know where he lives." HuMing’s gaze sharpened, his tone turning firm.
If he had doubts about the man who’d guided them into this village before, now he was suspicious of the entire place.
Finding that child might require digging into secrets buried deep beneath the surface.
"He... he’s an orphan. His parents died years ago. He’s always lived alone..."
"But even so, he must have a place to stay, right?"
Pressed by HuMing, the woman faltered. Her eyes flicked briefly in a certain direction before she quickly looked down.
"He lived over there. You can go see for yourself."
Without waiting for a response, she tossed down her broom and fled back into her house, locking the door behind her.
HuMing stood still for a moment, sensing dozens of eyes watching him from nearby homes.
Everyone was observing him—like surveillance cameras silently tracking his every move.
Taking a breath, he turned and followed the direction she had indicated.
Meanwhile, Han YunXi was handing out snacks to the children, but her thoughts kept drifting to the missing boy.
"Big sister Han, are you thinking about something?" a girl tugged at her sleeve.
Snapping out of it, Han YunXi quickly smiled. "Nope, just spacing out a little. What’s up?"
The girl slipped the snack into her pocket, then glanced around cautiously. Once she was sure no one was watching, she leaned in close and whispered.
"Big sister Han, I want another bag of little buns. In exchange... I’ll tell you a secret!"
Han YunXi blinked in surprise. A kid that young, saying something like that? Who taught her to talk ?
Still shocked, she pulled out another bag of snacks and handed it to the girl. "Alright, what's the secret?"
"That boy... none of us know him. He’s not from around here."
The girl slipped the buns into her pocket again, then glanced around before whispering on.
"I heard Mom say... some people are coming today to make a trade. They said it has to be a fair exchange."
"Who are these people?"
Han YunXi tried to press for more, but the little girl seemed to notice someone watching and darted off in a flash.
Han YunXi slowly stood up, her heart pounding. The girl’s words had struck her like a thunderclap.
The missing boy wasn’t from this village.
No wonder the other children kept their distance. They really didn’t know him.
Taking a deep breath, she knew she had to tell HuMing everything—right away.
"YunXi! Come help us!" a classmate called out from not far away. Han YunXi glanced over to see them moving supplies.
HuMing stepped into a rundown shack. The room inside was a mess, clearly unfit for living.
A single empty bowl sat on a dusty table. On the floor, a large half-eaten steamed bun lay covered in grime.
Squatting down, HuMing picked up the bun and studied the faint bite marks. Judging by the size and depth, it had to be a child.
He stood again, scanning the surroundings. Everything was coated in thick dust—unbearable to breathe in.
"Something’s off about this place..." he muttered.
Then he noticed it: a faint footprint near the stove—nearly hidden, but just visible.
He stepped closer, eyes narrowing as he examined the area.
At last, he spotted it. A narrow gap next to the stove.
With a grunt, HuMing pushed the stove aside—and a hidden passage opened before him, releasing a foul stench that made him reel.
Instinctively pinching his nose, HuMing instantly identified the stench in his mind.
"This place... is it a dungeon? That heavy scent of blood... it’s like a slaughterhouse."
He cautiously stepped down the dark passage.
Soon, a horrifying underground prison unfolded before him.
Several skeletal remains were trapped inside the cells—tiny bones, unmistakably belonging to children.
HuMing’s heart froze. The entire village—everyone—was involved.
Behind him, he heard the unmistakable sound of a door being pushed closed.
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