Chapter 18: The Eerie Silence of the Night

  Just as the Second Young Master Tang finished speaking, both Sanbao and Young Master Wang felt it—something was *too* quiet about the Rest Inn that night.

  As Tang Mingli stepped closer to Sanbao, her calico cat, Sanhuabao, suddenly bristled. It leapt in front of her, tail puffed up like a broom, hissing and cwing the air in defense.

  “Meow—!” Sanhuabao was tense all over, its throat rumbling with a low growl. Its eyes were wide, fixed on Tang Mingli, full of hostility—or perhaps warning.

  Sanbao frowned, puzzled by her cat’s reaction. Sanhuabao was usually gentle, even with strangers. It had even saved her earlier that night from falling into the hands of the bck-robed attackers. Now it acted like... it was afraid?

  Just as the thought crossed her mind, Tang Mingli chuckled softly, arms crossed, voice tinged with sarcasm. "Your cat is smarter than the rest of you."

  Sanbao blinked. “What do you mean?”

  “You made such a commotion here—blew a hole in the roof—and yet no one’s come to check. Doesn’t that strike you as odd?” Tang Mingli leaned zily against the doorframe, casting a gnce out the window. “Not a single staff member, no curious guests. It’s like this entire inn is deserted.”

  Wang Suifeng smirked. “Why don’t you speak pinly? Since when did the illustrious Second Young Master of the Tang family start talking in riddles?”

  Tang Mingli's tone turned sly. “You’ll ugh now, but not for long. Everyone in this inn—has vanished.”

  Sanbao thought to herself: *So the other’s name is Wang Suifeng... and Tang Mingli...* She almost chuckled—these two bickering like this was oddly entertaining.

  The air in the room suddenly grew heavy.

  Sanbao’s heart tensed. She rushed to the door and yanked it open—

  Silence.

  The long hallway outside was pitch dark and empty. Only flickering candlelight cast dancing shadows on the tightly shut doors.

  Though it was te at night, this was a bustling city, and this inn was renowned. It should never have been this quiet. No murmuring from other guests, no footsteps of servants, not even the wind. It was as if someone had pressed “mute” on the entire world.

  This silence... was unnatural.

  Sanbao exchanged a gnce with Wang Suifeng. Both grew alert.

  “Something’s wrong,” Wang said, rising to his feet. The usual flippancy in his expression was gone, repced by grim focus.

  “Oh? Does Young Master Wang of the Sea City Wang Cn and the Medicine King Valley have advice for us?” Tang Mingli smiled faintly.

  “I say we split up and search the inn,” Wang replied. “Find *someone*—staff, guest, anyone. Figure out what’s going on.”

  “Then let’s go.” Tang Mingli stepped into the corridor, tossing them a gnce over his shoulder. “I’ll check the Tian and Di Rooms with Sanbao. You take the Xuan and Huang Rooms. Let’s meet in the lobby once done.”

  Wang frowned. “And who made you the boss?”

  “Oh?” Tang arched a brow, amused. “You object?”

  “Heh.” Wang let out a low ugh. “Who do you think you are, giving *me* orders?”

  Sanbao sighed and rubbed her temples. She knew these two would never behave.

  Tang crossed his arms, eyeing Wang mockingly. “Really? The grand Young Master of the Sea City Wang Cn—so petty over a task split?”

  “You know nothing.” Wang sneered. “Assigning tasks in situations like this takes strategy, coordination, and—” He paused, staring challengingly. “—intelligence.”

  “Oh? Confident, are you?” Tang narrowed his eyes. “Too bad. Against absolute power, intelligence is a joke.”

  “Is that so?” Wang’s smile sharpened. “Then tell me, what exactly makes you superior?”

  “Martial arts, cultivation, and supernatural power,” Tang said, ticking them off on his fingers. “Pick any—I'm better.”

  Wang’s eyes gleamed. “Care to test that?”

  “Gdly.” Tang smirked.

  “Enough!” Sanbao barked, spping the doorframe. “Is this really the time for chest-thumping? Fight ter—after we figure out what the hell is going on.”

  Silenced by her anger, the two men reluctantly backed down.

  “I’ll assign the search,” Sanbao said briskly. “Wang Suifeng, you check the Tian Rooms. Tang Mingli, the Di Rooms. I’ll handle the Xuan Rooms. After that, we regroup in the lobby and inspect the Huang Rooms together.”

  They exchanged gnces but didn’t object.

  “Why leave the Huang Rooms for st?” Wang asked zily, eyeing her with a smile.

  “Because they're at the back of the inn. We’d have to pass the other wings and the lobby anyway.” Sanbao shot back without hesitation.

  Wang looked at her thoughtfully. “First time I’ve seen you this assertive.”

  Tang smirked. “What’s wrong, Young Master Wang? Not used to following orders?”

  Wang’s eyes fshed cold, but he smiled. “You’re right. I don’t like being ordered around. But Sanbao’s an exception.”

  Sanbao rolled her eyes. “Enough. Let’s move.”

  —

  Half an hour ter, all three regrouped in the lobby.

  “Well?” Sanbao asked first.

  “No one,” Wang said, shaking his head.

  “Empty,” Tang echoed grimly.

  “That means the entire inn—guests, staff, even the noble guests from earlier—are all gone,” Sanbao said slowly.

  They looked at each other, falling into uneasy silence.

  “All that’s left is the Huang Room wing,” Wang muttered, eyes drifting toward the dark hallway.

  “Let’s go together,” Sanbao suggested.

  They passed through the inn to inspect the Huang Rooms. Not a soul.

  Still unconvinced, they left the inn and stepped onto the street.

  It was the same.

  Silent. Dead.

  The whole town seemed swallowed by something monstrous, the silence unbearable.

  Returning to the inn, all three wore dark expressions.

  “So what now?” Sanbao asked, gncing between them.

  “We wait,” Wang said calmly. “No leads. But as long as we stay together, we can handle whatever comes.”

  Tang snorted. “Aren’t you supposed to be brilliant? Can’t even solve this?”

  Wang looked at him and replied smoothly, “And you? The so-called genius? You look just as clueless.”

  “You—” Tang’s temper fred.

  “Enough!” Sanbao interrupted, rubbing her temple. “Arguing is useless. Since we’re bored anyway... how about I sing a song?”

  She began softly humming *“I’ll Wait for Your Return.”*

  > “The swallows on the beam have flown back, > Spring blossoms await your steps, > Why haven’t you returned? > Why haven’t you returned? > I will wait for your return, > I will wait for your return…”

  Her gentle voice echoed through the empty inn. Wang and Tang were momentarily stunned.

  Suddenly, Wang reached out and grabbed Sanbao’s hand.

  She instinctively pulled away. “What are you doing?”

  Wang didn’t answer. He merely raised a finger to his lips.

  But the singing continued…

  > “Why haven’t you returned? > Why haven’t you returned? > I will wait for your return, > I will wait for your return…”