"We've arrived."
Chi Hao stopped, looking at the small, dilapidated earth god shrine before them. It was a stark contrast to the Dragon King Temple to the west, worlds apart.
Jing Minghe nudged Chi Hao and asked, "Arrived where?"
"The earth god shrine."
"Heh," Jing Minghe chuckled, "An earth god shrine to the east, a Dragon King Temple to the west. This small village has a rather unique temple arrangement."
Chi Hao pulled Jing Minghe forward. "That foolish wolf went inside. Let's go."
"Brother Hao, why do you always call our wolf 'foolish wolf'?" Jing Minghe's steps were light, showing no sign of blindness. It was a testament to his absolute trust in the one guiding him. "With our wolf's size and physique, it's so majestic and imposing. How is it foolish?"
Chi Hao suddenly stopped. Jing Minghe sensed it and halted immediately. "What? Is something wrong?"
"You like Ke Wuwen's lively and adorable personality."
"?"
"And you like this wolf's majestic presence."
"!?"
"Jing Minghe," Chi Hao lowered his head, leaning close to Jing Minghe's face, and said in a low voice, "Your preferences are indeed quite diverse."
Jing Minghe couldn't see Chi Hao's expression, but he could detect a hint of displeasure beneath the sarcastic tone. He felt inexplicably confused.
Why was this guy getting angry again for no reason? And why was he suddenly talking about my preferences?
No, what does this have to do with my preferences?
Just as Jing Minghe was about to defend himself, intending to explain that he was just speaking casually and it had nothing to do with his preferences, Chi Hao pulled him forward before he could utter a word.
"There's someone inside."
Entering through the main gate, they could see the only main hall of the earth god shrine. Both of them stopped simultaneously and looked at the person emerging from the hall.
Indeed, Jing Minghe could see. But what he saw was not a person, but a character, a word glowing red and floating in the air. Judging by its position, the word appeared near the person's forehead.
"Who is it?" Jing Minghe whispered to Chi Hao.
"Guan Wei."
A flicker of shock crossed Jing Minghe's mind. He hadn't expected the person he thought least likely to be in trouble to be the one in trouble.
The last piece of parchment was still on Guan Wei, yet Jing Minghe couldn't determine at this moment whether this Guan Wei was still truly Guan Wei.
"Jing Minghe, Mr. Chi," Guan Wei walked towards them. "You've come here too. When did you arrive? Yesterday? Or today?"
Jing Minghe stepped forward and replied, "We arrived yesterday afternoon. Guan Wei, have you found anything?"
"Found anything? Of course," Guan Wei stopped about a meter away from Jing Minghe and Chi Hao. "However, I need an exchange. You tell me what you saw in that notebook, and I'll tell you my findings."
"Agreed," Jing Minghe pulled Chi Hao closer to Guan Wei. "I will tell you everything I know without any concealment. Is there a place to sit? I'm a bit tired, let's sit down and talk."
As Jing Minghe and Chi Hao approached Guan Wei step by step, Guan Wei began to retreat.
"This place is so run-down, where would there be a place to sit?" Guan Wei's gaze shifted back and forth between Jing Minghe and Chi Hao. "Let's talk outside."
"Oh, really?" Jing Minghe feigned disappointment, but his steps didn't falter. "In that case, why don't we..."
Before Jing Minghe could finish his sentence, Chi Hao acted first, swiftly moving forward to restrain Guan Wei and demanding sternly, "Who are you?"
"Hey, what are you doing!" Guan Wei struggled and yelled, "Chi Hao! Jing Minghe! Are you crazy!"
Jing Minghe couldn't see Guan Wei's face, so he stared at the red glowing word and said, "Are you sure it's us who are crazy? If you can prove you're Guan Wei, Mr. Chi won't make things difficult for you."
"Why do you say I'm not Guan Wei!" Guan Wei stopped struggling. "I heard that killing players in a dungeon incurs a death penalty. You won't survive either!"
Jing Minghe raised an eyebrow and retorted, "Strange, did we say we were going to kill you? We just suspect you're not Guan Wei and are asking you to prove your identity. Why are you so agitated?"
"You..."
"Tsk, tsk, tsk," Jing Minghe shook his head. "Revealing yourself so easily. You're such an unprofessional NPC."
With that, he leaned forward, getting closer to Guan Wei. "Speak! What exactly are you?"
Jing Minghe had his suspicions and deductions, but he couldn't be certain.
While questioning, Jing Minghe reached out and touched Guan Wei. However, after searching Guan Wei thoroughly, he found nothing.
Chi Hao's face turned icy as Jing Minghe searched Guan Wei's body for so long.
Jing Minghe's face clouded over with gloom as he found nothing.
Seeing Jing Minghe frown, Chi Hao held down Guan Wei with one hand and reached into his coat pocket with the other, taking out a rope and directly wrapping it around Guan Wei.
"What are you doing! Let me go! Or you'll die!"
The fake Guan Wei was still struggling violently, shouting threats at Chi Hao that were utterly meaningless.
Jing Minghe heard the commotion and asked Chi Hao, "What are you doing?"
"Tying him up first," Chi Hao said, pulling the rope with force as if venting.
"Ah!" Guan Wei couldn't help but yelp. Chi Hao had nearly broken his arm. Was this tying someone up? This was clearly an attempt to kill him!
No, this Chi Hao didn't treat him like a human at all!
After tying him up, Chi Hao casually threw the fake Guan Wei to the ground and said to Jing Minghe, "Stay put. I'll go inside and look around."
"Ah? Oh, okay."
By the time Jing Minghe reacted, Chi Hao had already entered the hall.
If Guan Wei had an incident in this earth god shrine, there was still a chance the items could be found.
Jing Minghe stood quietly in place. Although he knew Chi Hao was powerful, he couldn't help but worry. Even though they were not far apart, if he could see, he would notice that Chi Hao had never left his sight.
"Awooo~"
A wolf's howl reached his ears, reminding Jing Minghe that there was still a wolf by his side.
"Big wolf, come here."
He called the wolf to his side and then turned to "look" at Guan Wei, who was thrown on the ground by Chi Hao. The gloom on his face lessened slightly. He sat down and said to the fake Guan Wei, "Are you really not going to confess honestly?"
Jing Minghe's lips curved into a sinister smile. "I can't kill you, but I can have my wolf tear you to shreds. This wolf is something from the dungeon. If it kills you, it certainly won't be counted against me."
"I don't believe you!" Guan Wei glared at Jing Minghe hatefully. "I don't believe you would really dare to kill a comrade. Aren't you afraid that he's still alive, and I'm just temporarily occupying his body?"
"Oh?" Jing Minghe mused, "Is he still alive?"
If Guan Wei were truly still alive, it would be difficult for him to harm Guan Wei arbitrarily.
The big wolf beside him whined again, as if trying to tell Jing Minghe something. Unfortunately, Jing Minghe couldn't understand wolf language.