NOVEL NEXT Chapter 122: Hide and Seek
Chapter 122: Hide and Seek
“Let’s move out!”
After the caravan had eaten, drunk water, and rested, Jiang Xianyu gave the order.
She carried her large sword on her back and led the way on her horse, followed by the vast and mighty caravan.
Everyone moved forward in silence, the atmosphere somewhat oppressive.
Ghost Child Ridge, as a dangerous area, could be the easiest or the most difficult, depending on the games the ghost children chose to play.
Xu Lian and Xiao Xixi were still following at the back of the caravan.
“Hehe, haha, someone is here.”
“Wow, so many brothers, sisters, uncles, and aunts. Let’s ask them to play games with us”…
A series of silver bell-like children’s voices rang out.
Everyone tensed up and immediately stopped, turning to look in the direction of the voices.
On the mountainside, a group of children had appeared out of nowhere.
Some were holding hands, others were jumping around, looking quite adorable.
However, no one found them cute. Instead, their hair stood on end because these children all had pale faces, wore brightly colored clothes, and were surrounded by a dark aura.
In fact, they weren’t normal… How could ghost children be normal?
These ghost children seemed to walk slowly, but they would disappear and reappear in the blink of an eye. In a few moments, they were right in front of the group.
“Brothers, sisters, uncles, and aunts, can you play with us?”
The little things were quite polite.
Jiang Xianyu said, “Of course.”
Zhou Xin quickly added, “Yes.”
Old Yun also said, “Yes.”
The caravan’s guards, coachmen, and followers all said, “Yes.”
Of course, Xu Lian and Xiao Xixi also had to say “Yes.”
On the surface it was a request, but in reality it was an order. If they didn’t play, they would die. Who would dare to refuse?
“So happy, so many people to play with.”
“Brothers, sisters, uncles and aunts, you’re so nice…”
The ghost children laughed happily and clapped their hands.
Everyone remained silent, praying in their hearts that the games wouldn’t be too difficult.
The ghost children gathered together, chattering as they discussed what games to play.
Finally, they decided on three: hide and seek, hitting peach pits, and playing house.
When everyone heard this, their expressions changed.
Xu Lian noticed the reactions and quietly asked Xiao Xixi, “Are these three games difficult?”
Xiao Xixi’s expression turned serious as she whispered, “Hide and seek and hitting peach pits are both games that can result in death, especially hide and seek, which has a high mortality rate. In the game of house, a man and a woman are assigned to marry, and even after they leave here, the marriage must be consummated within a hundred days. Otherwise, no matter how far they run, the ghost children will find them”.
Xu Lian frowned when he heard this. What if Xiao Xixi was assigned to another man?
As if sensing his worry, Xiao Xixi said, “Xu Lian, don’t worry. We’ve already been together, so we’re considered a de facto couple. According to the rules, we won’t be assigned to others.
Besides, the ghost children don’t assign at random. They’re very perceptive, and the couples they assign are actually very well matched.
Some men and women who are looking for a mate even come here specifically to find the best match.”
Xu Lian breathed a sigh of relief, “That reassures me.”
Xiao Xixi pointed at Zhou Xin who was standing next to Jiang Xianyu, “That young master Zhou, it’s obvious to anyone that he has feelings for Jiang Xianyu. He probably came here to have the ghost children assign him and Jiang Xianyu together. That way, Jiang Xianyu wouldn’t be able to refuse him.”
Xu Lian glanced at Zhou Xin and saw that he was indeed excited, his eyes filled with anticipation.
Xu Lian asked curiously, “The Zhou family is a prominent clan in Pingyang County, that’s what I’ve heard. But what about Jiang Xianyu? There doesn’t seem to be a powerful Jiang family in Pingyang County. If she’s from a smaller family, it’s unlikely that they could cultivate a genius like her”.
Xiao Xixi explained, “This Jiang Xianyu is no ordinary person. I’ve heard that she’s not from Pingyang County, but from a prominent family in Taizhou Prefecture.
The Jiang family has arranged several matchmaking meetings for her, but she hasn’t been satisfied with any of them. That’s why she decided to lead this caravan, specifically traveling the route between Pingyang County and Yanfu County.
Her goal is to have the ghost children find a destined partner for her.”
“But she’s been traveling this route for over three years now. She’s made the trip to and from Ghost Child Ridge dozens, if not hundreds, of times.
She’s encountered the playing house game multiple times, but the ghost children still haven’t assigned her a destined partner.”
Xu Lian suddenly understood. No wonder such a talented woman was willing to lead this caravan. It was all for this purpose.
Xiao Xixi continued, “Besides Young Master Zhou, these elite guards are also fiercely loyal to Jiang Xianyu. Besides the high pay, they probably have their own little hopes.
They’re all thinking, what if the ghost children assign them as Jiang Xianyu’s destined partners?
Not only would they win the heart of the beauty, but they’d also gain the support of the Jiang family in Taizhou Prefecture, and their status would skyrocket.”
Xu Lian nodded, “I guess the male followers have similar thoughts, right?”
“I don’t know why these people are going to Yanfu County, but it’s certain that they have similar ideas. What man wouldn’t want to become the son-in-law of a prominent family in the prefecture city?”
Xiao Xixi looked at Xu Lian and chuckled softly, “It’s a pity that you’re already with me, Xu Lian. You don’t meet the criteria for assignment. Otherwise, you’d have a chance.”
“Besides, you’re young, strong, and a genius of the younger generation, just like Jiang Xianyu. In this caravan, you’d have the highest chance of being assigned. But since it’s impossible for you now, Zhou Xin probably has the best chance.”
“I’ll pass.”
Xu Lian shook his head.
He only cared about favorability. He had no interest in climbing the social ladder by attaching himself to a prominent family in Taizhou Prefecture.
“Brothers, sisters, uncles and aunts, are you ready?”
“The first game we’re going to play is hide and seek. The hiding place is this mountain. You have to hide well, okay?”
“We’re going to start counting now. When we reach one hundred, we’ll start looking for you.”
The ghost children formed a circle, each of them covering their eyes with their hands, and began to count with cheerful laughter.
“One.”
“Two.”
“Three.”
Everyone felt their scalps tingle and scattered as if their trousers were on fire, looking for hiding places.
Xu Lian grabbed Xiao Xixi’s hand and ran.
As he ran, he thought, Where’s the best place to hide?
In a tree?
That didn’t seem like a good idea.
In a cave?
That didn’t feel safe either.
“With the terrifying strength of the ghost children, it’s probably easy for them to find us no matter where we hide.”
Xu Lian frowned and asked Xiao Xixi, “Have you thought of a good place to hide?”
Xiao Xixi replied, “In hiding, the most important thing isn’t where you hide, but your luck.”
“Luck?” Xu Lian was surprised.
Xiao Xixi explained, “The ghost children catch people based on their luck. Those with deep luck can hide anywhere and won’t be caught. Those with shallow luck, no matter how well they hide, will be caught.”
“Of course, if you don’t hide at all and just stand in front of the ghost children, you’ll anger them. Even someone with the deepest fortune will be caught.”
Xu Lian understood. He found a hollow tree and hid inside with Xiao Xixi.
At this moment, the number of ghost children had already counted to over sixty. They were about to start searching.