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

Wild grasses grow lush and green, the sun sets in the west.

About an hour later, the group stopped at the foot of the mountain beside the trade route, their feet crunching on the withered yellow leaves.

"Sir, we've arrived. The main road leading to Shiming Village is just ahead," Tian Dafu said, pointing ahead.

Qin Huaiyu stepped forward and looked in the direction indicated.

Since we had not yet entered the mountains, although there was a haze, it was thin and the visibility was very high.

But the mountain road was far beyond what was expected.

All that could be seen were rocks, mud, and broken trees; the roads were completely buried and unrecognizable.

However, this was not the most difficult part. Climbing a mountain requires a slope, but there was no slope to speak of in front of us; it was almost a cliff that could collapse at any moment.

Before we even left, a small amount of soil had already slipped down.

Of course, for a cultivator, this difficulty is nothing. He can rely on his speed to climb the mountain, and even if he is buried, he can still break through the soil.

However, most of the team members were ordinary people, and climbing the mountain would be tantamount to suicide.

"My lord, as you have seen with your own eyes, this road is simply impassable. I am not exaggerating. If we force our way up the mountain, we will be buried before we even reach our destination," Pu Liugang said righteously, appearing to be concerned for everyone's well-being.

Upon hearing this, the guards behind him all echoed the call.

"Yes, sir, the case is serious, but we can't risk our lives!"

"That's right, I can go back to my hometown now, I'll quit my job as a guard."

.........

Upon seeing this, Pu Liu couldn't help but smile. These guys really work together perfectly; it's no wonder I treated them so well in the past.

Qin Huaiyu listened to the discussion without changing his expression, and waved his hand to signal for quiet.

Did I say we should go back the way we came?

Pu Liu's smile froze. "...My lord, what do you mean?"

Qin Huaiyu looked to the side of the rocks and said:

"If the main road is blocked, just take a detour, as long as the direction is right."

Um, wasn't the purpose of checking for traces? Could it be...?

Pu Liugang felt like he had been tricked, but he couldn't quite put his finger on it.

Tian Dafu, who was at the front, was also a bit confused and decided not to go the same way again...

What about what they said when they invited me?

The guards were caught off guard and stood there stunned.

It felt like putting all your strength into something, only to hit a cotton ball in the end.

Ha, how could you possibly listen to me without an excuse?

Qin Huaiyu looked to the left, where the edge was slightly flat.

"Let's go, let's go up the mountain from there!"

He pointed out the direction.

"This..." Pu Liu wanted to say something but couldn't, and could only utter a single word in resentment.

Seeing this, Cha Wei was quite helpless and could only continue on his way.

For the sake of life, one might choose not to work, but if there's no threat to one's life, even a fool would know which choice to make if it meant enduring some hardship.

Pu Liugang's face fell again, and he lowered his head and followed.

Tian Dafu seemed not to have reacted yet. He stood there, staring intently in the direction the group had gone.

Something's not right with this old guy!

Qin Huaiyu frowned slightly and said:

"Village Chief, what's wrong? Is there a problem?"

Tian Dafu was startled, and his body trembled violently.

"No, no, I'm leaving now!"

After saying that, he ran away as if fleeing.

"This village chief doesn't seem right!" Yun Suyan whispered a reminder.

"A little, just keep an eye on it, but..." Qin Huaiyu looked around.

"What's wrong?" Chu Yanxi asked.

Qin Huaiyu shook his head. "It's nothing, it's just that I feel like something's missing."

Forehead?

Chu Yanxi frowned, looked around, and said:

Now that you mention it, it seems like something is missing, but I can't quite put my finger on it.

It seems I'm right. One person's feeling might be wrong, but two people's definitely indicates a problem.

Qin Huaiyu became wary. "Never mind, let's go first. Be careful, everyone."

The two women nodded in agreement, and the three of them followed.

"Huff, huff"

A gust of wind swept by, scattering the withered leaves that had been lying on the ground.

A crisp "snap"

Something seemed to fall and break a dry branch.

Then, the wind gradually subsided and blew forward again.

"Splash!"

The trees swayed, but the sound was drowned out by the sound of hurried footsteps.

Qin Huaiyu glanced at the guards advancing ahead, then looked at the path trodden beneath his feet.

How could it be prosperous? The weeds beside it have old creases.

"Someone has walked this way!" Chu Yanxi frowned.

"And it wasn't just once; there are many traces," Yun Suyan said in a deep voice.

Could it be him?

Qin Huaiyu gestured for silence.

The two women realized what was happening and quickly fell silent.

As Pu Liu walked along, his frustration was gradually replaced by doubt.

He looked at the path ahead; it was too clear, indicating that someone had already climbed the mountain this way.

Who is it?

Did the adults discover something that led them to choose this place?

But no one gave him an answer.

The mountain breeze was hidden, and the atmosphere was very heavy, as if everyone was preoccupied with their own thoughts and did not utter a word.

The silence was so deafening, as if it foreshadowed an inexplicable beginning.

It's fear...

With a "screech," a startled cry arose.

It's unease...

"call"

His breathing was heavy, and the sound of his heart beating could be faintly heard.

"Click"

The footsteps echoed, jarringly loud.

The group seemed like an inconspicuous little boat adrift in the forest of Mangdang.

I don't know how long it has been, or how far or how high.

As they continued forward, the fog in the mountains grew thicker and thicker, until visibility was reduced to almost zero.

Just then, the light turned to darkness, the sun set in the west, and visibility became extremely poor.

"It's out of sight, light it!" someone shouted.

Upon hearing this, the constables at the front lit the torches they had prepared beforehand.

The halo of light pierced through the smoke, and the group regained some of their vision.

Qin Huaiyu looked up at the smoke, his expression extremely solemn.