Chapter 26

Translator: Atlas Studios

Editor: Atlas Studios

One of those two girls was actually Auntie Zhang!

Ning Huanxin never expected it. However, very quickly, Ning Huanxin’s gaze fell onto the other girl’s face.

If that girl was really Auntie Zhang, then this person next to Auntie Zhang, could it be… the girl in the grave?

At that moment, Ning Huanxin once again stepped forward, wanting to see that girl’s face more clearly.

Suddenly, Jiang Lixing pulled her back forcefully. “Ning Huanxin, what are you doing? There’s something wrong with this river, let’s go! Quick!”

It was obvious that Jiang Lixing couldn’t see what Ning Huanxin saw.

If this wasn’t a dream…

Was she seeing the past? Or the spirits of the dead?

Until now, this was the very first time Ning Huanxin had seen ghosts outside of her dream while being wide awake and conscious.

She turned to Jiang Lixing and made a hush gesture.

Stop talking, look, the ceremony is about to begin!

At that moment, countless villages wearing black robes started chanting around the two girls. The sky was turning darker as the time passed, and when the sky turned black. Those villages lit up countless candles around them, leaving behind only those two young girls.

Under the night sky, a cold light lingered on top of the river waters. The two girls still gripped each other’s hands.

“Older cousin, I’m a little scared.”

Finally, the girl who looked very similar to Auntie Zhang slowly spoke. Her voice sounded pleasant, but it was slightly trembling with nervousness.

“Little Shu’er, don’t be afraid.”

The other young girl looked calm and composed. “Those tales about a River God are all lies. Why don’t we just endure through this a little and soak here for a night? Everything will end tomorrow morning.”

“Cousin?”

After hearing the other girl’s words, the young Zhang Yunshu couldn’t help but widen her eyes anxiously. “Cousin, keep your voice down. If the River God hears you, he’ll be angry! And when that time comes… what if, what if he eats us?”

“Little Shu, you’re really naive.”

When the other girl saw that Zhang Yunshu was like a frightened little bunny, she couldn’t help but chuckle softly and gently hug Zhang Yunshu’s head, letting her lean into her arms.

When the moon hung right in the middle of the sky, just like Ning Huanxin had previously seen in the river’s reflection that day, the two girls took off their robes and soaked in the river naked.

This was like an ancient praying ritual. They didn’t really have to drown those girls in the river. They just had to use their pure bodies to pray sincerely in the water and pass on the faith and respect the villagers had entrusted to them to the spirits they had been praying too.

As compared to those traditions that required you to kill someone as an offering, this method seemed to be more acceptable.

However…

Ning Huanxin watched as those two delicate bodies soaked in the river while the darkness of the night slowly faded, giving way to slight brightness. Quickly, the sky turned bright again, but one of the young girls in the river suddenly fainted…

“Cousin! Cousin! What happened to you?”

Zhang Yunshu cried anxiously. Her cries quickly attracted the night guards not far away. During those times, the village was very conservative, and even the night guard had to be the strongest females in the village. They quickly carried the unconscious young woman to the shores and put on some clothes for her. Then, the strongest guard carried her to the village on her back.

Village?

Ning Huanxin subconsciously turned to look towards the northwest area. That place was foggy and hazy, but there was indeed a peaceful village there.

“Little Shu, head back to the Zhang Clan Village first. We’ll look after your cousin!”

At that moment, Zhang Yunshu, who was already dressed, wanted to follow those people back, when someone suddenly stopped her.