Chapter 46 Part 1

The young man who ran toward him had light and brisk steps. A pair of bright eyes sparkled like they were adorned with starlight, and the strands of hair that lifted with the wind reminded one of springtime willow catkins—light and soft.

Even the heavens seemed to favor him, casting down the best sunlight to kiss the tips of his hair, giving his skin a translucent whiteness that was so beautiful it felt unreal.

Anyone who saw him would have been unable to resist reaching out to welcome him.

The Masked Man’s gaze shifted slightly, and his feet seemed glued in place. He simply watched quietly as the young man reached his side.

“What a coincidence. Shall we head back together?” Zhong Nian flashed him a smile.

The Masked Man glanced at Jie Jialiang, who was looking back from ahead, then nodded.

“I just went to the Church and met the Priest inside. He told me that for the Devil to enter a room, besides hiding on a person, it needs the owner’s permission or invitation.” Zhong Nian shared the clue he had obtained without reservation, lowering his voice. “It must have been one of the Devil’s kind in the house that did it, right?”

The Masked Man said, “That place isn’t safe. Try not to go there.”

Zhong Nian blinked. “Is that so? The Priest isn’t a bad person. He gave me the Little Sheep to hold and saved me… Plus, the Church blocks out the fog.”

The Masked Man only replied, “Listen to me.”

His words and tone were very stiff, like a command. For most people, it might have sparked dissatisfaction, but Zhong Nian could see that the man’s deep, quiet eyes held no sense of superiority—only a sincere warning.

Zhong Nian slowly curved his eyebrows into a smile. “Mm, I’ll listen to you.”

The Masked Man gazed at him for a moment, then pulled his hood down a bit further, completely concealing the emotions in his eyes.

–

After lunch, Zhong Nian did not choose to nap.

He slipped out quietly. Before he even entered the Small Town, he encountered those Children from the beginning on the way.

They seemed to have been waiting for him. Each one carried small gifts—candies, chocolate, nuts, or little flowers carefully picked from the roadside. They jostled forward eagerly to hand them to Zhong Nian.

Zhong Nian’s pockets were stuffed full, and his hands could not hold any more. “Alright, alright, thank you everyone.”

For the ones that truly could not fit, the Children helped him put them in his hat.

“Big brother, did the Priest bully you?”

“Do you want to come to my house as a guest? My mom said you’re welcome to come.”

“Big brother’s place has so many annoying people. Come live at my house!”

“Live at my house! I can give you my bed. I’ll sleep on the floor!”

“Don’t fight me for him! I said it first!”

Seeing that the Children were about to quarrel, Zhong Nian reached out to pat their heads and soothe their emotions.

This group of kids seemed especially fond of head pats; they quieted down the moment he touched them.

“Can you tell big brother why you all avoid the people living with me?” he asked.

“Because outsiders are the easiest for the Devil to target…”

“Yeah! Every time new people move into big brother’s Small Wooden House, there’s definitely a Devil hiding inside.”

“We hate the Devil.”

Hearing this, Zhong Nian felt it made sense, but he was still a bit puzzled. “Then why don’t you avoid me?”

The Children’s faces flushed red again, and they fidgeted shyly.

“Because big brother is good-looking, so big brother must be a good person.”

“The others might be, but big brother definitely isn’t.”

“I asked, and my mom and dad think so too.”

Zhong Nian laughed helplessly. “Just because I’m good-looking?”

This question stumped the Children again; they could not explain.

“I don’t know… But big brother, you have to be super careful. You smell so nice; the Devil will definitely like you too. Protect yourself well when you sleep at night, and don’t let the Devil eat you.”

“So that’s why you should come live at my house. It’ll be safe.”

Though the invitation to stay with Small Town residents was tempting, it might violate some taboo, so Zhong Nian ultimately refused.

He hugged his received gifts and returned to the Cabin. As he walked, the sunlight overhead dimmed.

He looked up and found that dark clouds had gathered at some point, hiding the sun.

Zhong Nian suddenly had a bad premonition and quickened his pace.

By the time he stepped into the Cabin, the thick fog had already crept up to his heels. He gazed through the window at the gray scene outside, breathing slightly heavily, feeling a wave of lingering fear.

Good thing he had run fast…

At that moment, on the first floor, aside from the Masked Man sharpening knives with a whetstone in the Kitchen, no one else was around—they were probably still resting upstairs.

Zhong Nian walked over and saw a row of knives laid out on the counter, about six or seven of them, like a set.

They were all small knives, some not even as long as a palm, each in different shapes, but every one gleamed coldly with razor-sharp edges that were not to be underestimated.

These should count as hidden weapons—easy to conceal and quick to draw.