Chosen One, how did I end up as the villain?

This cemetery doesn't look small, so how can it disappear and reappear in the same location?

Is it an illusion?

But there was no reaction from the eyes at all.

Earth dragon? That ability is just too outrageous!

Qin Huaiyu thought of alternate dimensions and some spatial magical artifacts, but the more he thought about it, the more something seemed off.

After hearing this, Yun Suyan frowned slightly and said:

"What a coincidence! Why did you appear just when we arrived?"

Chu Yanxi nodded and replied:

"That's right, it looks like it was done intentionally, but why?"

"Are you guiding us?"

Qin Huaiyu pressed his throbbing forehead, also somewhat puzzled.

Is guiding someone possible? And what's the point?

There are plenty of ways to amuse yourself when you're bored; there's no need to go to such great lengths.

If it was unintentional, this coincidence is too difficult to explain.

A criminal investigation teacher once said that the logic behind a crime is that everything is concealed as the ultimate goal.

Isn't actively exposing ourselves putting the cart before the horse?

Is it...

The will-o'-the-wisp from before

His face darkened, and he hurriedly walked toward the burning phosphorescent flames.

There were some charred ash on the ground.

Qin Huaiyu squatted down, picked up a pinch of the mixture, and brought it to the tip of his nose.

"It really is phosphorus powder."

"Phosphorus powder?"

Chu Yanxi stepped forward, looking at the remnants on the ground with great confusion.

Qin Huaiyu explained:

"Phosphorus powder is similar to phosphine, both of which are highly flammable, but the former is a powder while the latter is a gas. This substance should not be present in a naturally decaying corpse."

Upon hearing this, Chu Yanxi quickly realized what was happening and said:

"You mean, this phosphorus powder was added intentionally."

Qin Huaiyu nodded. "This is most likely deliberate, and its purpose should be to lure us here."

Yun Suyan frowned and said:

"So, someone wants us to discover the cemetery? Could it be they're helping us?"

"Help, forget it. Don't you feel the situation is getting more and more chaotic?"

Qin Huaiyu didn't think anyone would be so kind.

Furthermore, the fact that the other party used ghost fire and skulls as a trigger, in an era without even chemical elements, makes their intentions all too obvious.

It's nothing more than scaring people away.

…After this remark, Yun Suyan suddenly woke up.

Yes, first everything disappeared, and now the cemetery has suddenly reappeared, along with will-o'-the-wisps. It's man-made, so the case is getting more and more complicated.

Just trying to figure out the current situation is a headache.

Seeing that Sister Yun remained silent, Qin Huaiyu continued:

"This graveyard is probably bait to lure us in. That person must be connected to the disappearance of Shiming Village."

"If we've taken the bait, what are we being baited for?"

Chu Yanxi couldn't understand why her side hadn't discovered almost anything.

Qin Huaiyu shook his head; he was also thinking about this question.

Sigh, it seems we can only start with the few clues we have so far.

Pu Liugang, who was not far away, was stunned by what he heard, and even his beard twitched restlessly.

"Sir, what are the officials talking about? It's all so confusing. What bait? What hook? This isn't fishing." A constable asked, bewildered.

"You're asking me? Who should I ask!" Pu Liugang rolled his eyes at him, annoyed.

A slightly older-looking guard glanced at the sky.

"Master, it's getting dark, and with this thick smoke, if we stay here any longer, we might not be able to get down the mountain."

Pu Liu had just estimated the time, and it was indeed so.

If we delay any longer, we might have to spend the night here, and there's no guarantee that nothing unexpected might happen then.

Left with no other choice, he could only bite the bullet and step forward, saying:

"Sir, it's getting late, don't you think?"

This guy is really carefree!

Qin Huaiyu glanced around the cemetery again to make sure nothing was missed, then nodded and said:

"Then let's go down the mountain."

Pu Liugang was overjoyed and quickly called for people; he didn't want to stay a second longer.

The constables acted swiftly, leaving without hesitation.

Qin Huaiyu couldn't help but think of the cattle and horses in his original world, who would slack off at work if they could, and leave work a second early if they could.

When it comes to action, the most impressive thing is getting off work.

Ambitious? Bullshit!

This is quite fitting for the current situation.

Throughout history, the best thing about humanity is to benefit others while suffering hardship for oneself—that's just wishful thinking.

Okay, I'm the one who got the short end of the stick!

If it weren't for the fear of losing their lives, and that damned sense of justice and curiosity, why would they do this?

How wonderful it is to be a cow or a horse, to empty your mind and travel whenever you want.

"I'm leaving too!"

"Where to?"

"Go down the mountain."

"..."

Chu Yanxi was taken aback. "Aren't we going down the mountain?"

Qin Huaiyu was speechless.

...

As the saying goes, going up the mountain is easy, but coming down is hard.

The thick smoke and steep cliff path made it even more difficult.

Despite having made several trips, Pu Liugang and the constables still walked with extreme caution.

Even so, the sound of rocks falling beneath their feet still made them tremble.

Perhaps because it was getting dark, the visibility was even lower all around.

Qin Huaiyu and the other two were fine, after all, they had cultivation to rely on.

but…

He looked around and couldn't help but feel suspicious.

I didn't notice it when I came, but now I wonder how the villagers of Shiming Village traveled along this rugged and steep mountain road.

People can walk, but what about the goods?

Thinking of this, he stepped forward and asked:

"Master, is this the only road in and out of Shiming Village?"

Pu Liu suddenly stopped in his tracks, seemingly stunned for a moment, before turning his head and saying:

"Otherwise, although Shiming Village is located in a remote area, it has a market and is not isolated."