A young girl's invitation to "Big Brother, do you want to come to my house as a guest?" caused Bai Ye, Wang Zihao, and Duan Chen to all wear displeased expressions.
This displeasure wasn't because they were unwilling to visit Shazi's home, but rather because they couldn't discern whether the invitation was benevolent or malicious.
"Instructor, what do you think?" Wang Zihao instinctively threw the question to Duan Chen.
Or rather, he felt he had no right to make such a decision.
Bai Ye also looked at Duan Chen with a puzzled gaze, hoping to get an answer from him.
Duan Chen couldn't help but be slightly stunned.
His stunned demeanor wasn't due to unwillingness or fear.
It was because the sudden invitation seemed rather abrupt.
Moreover, this Shazi was clearly not an ordinary human, nor should she be a sea monster.
He couldn't distinguish.
What exactly was Shazi?
His heart couldn't help but sink.
Finally, a question arose.
Was Shazi a person, a ghoul, or an apostle?
Or perhaps an envoy of an evil god, or some other chaotic entity?
Duan Chen's expression softened into one of kindness.
It had to be said that when he deliberately put on such an expression, it was quite charming to little girls.
Especially since Duan Chen was already handsome; anyone with a penchant for good looks would exclaim how handsome he was.
Shazi looked at Duan Chen's face, and a flicker of satisfaction appeared in the little girl's eyes.
It was clear that Shazi was also swayed by appearances.
Bai Ye and Wang Zihao on the side subconsciously touched their faces, feeling as if they had somehow lost in certain aspects.
"Are you sure you want to invite us to your house as guests?"
"Little one, wouldn't your grown-ups be unhappy? After all, we are three adult men. Do you have any other elders at home?"
Shazi smiled slightly, seemingly not hearing the underlying malevolence in the question.
"No, at Shazi's home, only Shazi herself holds the highest status. Big Brother, do you want to come? If you want to come, you don't have to worry about anyone disagreeing."
"No one can defy Shazi, not even Shazi's family. Family members should cherish and protect each other, and unite. If there are quarrels, can they truly be called family?"
Indeed.
Duan Chen's inner thoughts were confirmed. This little girl named Shazi was undoubtedly a ghoul.
The ethereal tone in her words, and the disdain for human morality, were not typical of a person.
Apostles were once human and lost their emotions after becoming apostles, but they wouldn't be as strange as ghouls.
However, the situation was indeed dire. Duan Chen wasn't lacking in confidence; he was confident he could handle the current problem, but he wasn't sure if he could resolve it while keeping the two people beside him completely unharmed.
He made up his mind.
"You're right. Alright, Big Brother would also love to visit your home."
A smile spread across Duan Chen's face. He even took the initiative to take the little girl's icy hand.
"Let's not delay. Shall we set off now? What do you think?"
A joyful expression appeared on Shazi's face.
Seeing Duan Chen's expression, she became happy.
A pleased smile also graced her lips.
"Big Brother, Shazi is truly happy that you think this way."
Like a real little girl, Shazi held Duan Chen's hand and skipped towards one side of the village.
The closer they got, the more Duan Chen felt an oppressive sensation, as if he were shrouded in a dark shadow.
Shazi, beside him, seemed to become more at ease.
His gaze fell upon the small hand he was holding.
This hand was still so cold, so lacking in menace, as if he could easily break free.
But Duan Chen's sixth sense told him not to attempt to break free.
Otherwise, it might lead to unfavorable consequences.
He had always been someone who trusted his intuition. Submissively, he held Shazi's hand without resistance and followed her to a villa in the center of the village.
The style of this villa was exceptionally different from the rest of the village.
The village was ordinary and normal, but the villa's style was particularly luxurious, exuding a Gothic flair.
Shazi actively pushed open the door and invited Duan Chen and the others inside.
Her face wore a beaming smile.
"Big Brother, let's go in together. We're home now."
Duan Chen's expression was also very pleasant.
It had to be said that Duan Chen was very adept at feigning emotions.
He nodded. "Okay."
The group walked inside.
The door closed behind them.
Duan Chen became vigilant. He had expected Shazi to reveal her true form upon reaching this place.
But to Duan Chen's surprise, Shazi didn't reveal any terrifying countenance. Instead, she invited the three of them to the tea room.
And she served them fine tea.
Duan Chen activated his True Sight and took a glance. He found that the tea was indeed drinkable, just ordinary tea leaves, not some transformed broken stones or leaves.
Strange.
This was truly too strange.
How could this be?
"Big Brother, are you feeling very puzzled?"
At this moment, Shazi suddenly let out a laugh.
On her adorable little face, she displayed a mature smile that was incongruous with her apparent age.
Duan Chen's heart leaped. He felt that the lion was finally about to bare its fangs.
He picked up his teacup but didn't drink. Instead, he held it in front of his face, pretending to take a sip, then lowered his head and said softly,
"I don't understand what you're saying."
Shazi smiled faintly.
"Big Brother, you're here to investigate what happened in this village, aren't you? You don't need to cautiously conceal your true intentions anymore."
"I know everything."
"If Big Brother wants to know anything, you can ask me directly. There's no need to go through so much trouble investigating."
Shazi placed her hands on the European-style table, propping up her face. She smiled at Duan Chen, completely unaware of the terrifying words she had just spoken.
Bai Ye and Wang Zihao beside them stiffened, their eyes pleading with Duan Chen.
What should we do?
What kind of development is this?
Why is this happening?