No matter what, they had to go down to meet their guests, or they’d be trapped inside the lighthouse, which would not be good for them. If the enemy controlled the staircase, they would be entrapped. Chen Ran studied them openly with a barely discernible smile on his lips.
“We’ll stay,” Su Xiaoxiao announced. She was naturally referring to herself and her brother. She knew that her brother couldn’t go through any more torment. Plus, no one knew what would happen next. After Su Xiaoxiao said that, Liang Long’s eyes brightened slightly.
Based on what the people from Black Stone Town said, the place became due to a curse, and the way to undo the curse was to ensure that the flame in the lighthouse kept burning. For now, they had no reason to believe the people from Black Stone Town were lying to them. Therefore, it was crucial for some of them to stay behind. This was very important.
After helping Su Xiaoxiao move Su An to a corner, Chen Ran walked out of the room. He was followed by Jiang Cheng and Fatty. Lastly, Liang Long climbed up from the ground. She glanced at the aged woman inside the basket and moved away quickly. When they were alone, even though the aged woman didn’t do anything to her, she was… scared. It was fear that had no reason.
If she had to explain it, she would call it instinct. As she thought about it, she hurried down the stairs. When they came to the first floor, the group with the torches arrived. The two groups looked at each other through the window. The leader of the other party was still the golden-haired man. However, there were more people who came this time. Reflected by the torches, the tritons and spears on their shoulders shone.
Liang Long had a bad feeling. The golden-haired man’s eyes wandered among them. Then, he sighed, “It looks like you’ve encountered certain things as well and lost some people.”
“Yes.” Chen Ran nodded.
Fatty didn’t dare to stay too close to the window. He glanced out at the sea through the window. The lights of the city glowed. However, it was hidden by the layer of mist. He opened his mouth and asked timidly, “What is going on with the black mist? Why is the night here…”
The golden-haired man interrupted him, “This is not the place to speak. Please to Black Iron City to take a look. We haven’t interacted with outsiders for a long time already.” The man chuckled sadly, “The townspeople will be so happy to see you.”
Fatty was startled. Why would he agree to that? Wasn’t he afraid that this was a trap?
Liang Long shared Fatty’s thoughts. After what happened earlier, she was more anxious than Fatty. Perhaps in her mind, she was still an experiment for Chen Ran. The two placed their hope on Jiang Cheng, but…
“Then, please lead the way,” Jiang Cheng nodded at the golden-haired man.
As they moved towards Black Stone Town, Fatty’s head buzzed. He had no idea why the Doctor also agreed to this. Did he discover something?
Liang Long didn’t follow them. She rejected them firmly with the excuse that she’d stay to find more clues. Fatty actually wanted to do the same but he was worried about the Doctor so he forced himself to follow them.
On the way to Black Stone Town, Fatty had a greater understanding of this world. Waves lapped at their feet. A pure black road led the way for them. The road was around four metres wide and winded its way to the city on the sea.
So, the citizens of Black Stone Town didn’t walk on water but on this strange path. When he walked on it, Fatty felt like he’d sink at any moment. Fatty lowered his head to observe everything. This black path appeared to be connected to the ubiquitous black mist.
“Doctor,” Fatty sidled up to the Doctor and grumbled in a low voice, “What were you thinking? Why did you agree to come with them?” He looked around and said, “This place feels wrong. I suspect Chen Ran has colluded with the people from Black Stone Town to harm us.”
Jiang Cheng narrowed his eyes. He seemed to be watching his surroundings. His voice travelled to Fatty, “Don’t you find it strange that we can’t find a bit of water and food on such a bit island?”
Fatty had pondered that but he reached no conclusion. Theoretically speaking, since they were close to the sea and the forest, they should not face any hunger or thirst issues. However, that happened in this world.
At this point, Fatty’s eyes narrowed, “Doctor, do you think this is part of the mission’s settings?” He added, “The mission limits our food and water source to force us to come to Black Stone Town… Some important clues can be found there!”
Jiang Cheng nodded. “We’ve survived without water and food for a day already. I don’t know how much longer I can survive that. Instead of dying from dehydration, why not use our stamina when we still have it and check this place out? Plus…” Jiang Cheng suddenly lowered his voice, “Do you think those people will let us go if we don’t come with them?”
“Look at their number and the weapons on their backs.” Jiang Cheng pointed out, “Do they look like they were going to ask us politely if we refused them?”
The people who came to the lighthouse were young men. Most of them wore leather clothes that were made from unknown creatures. Their exposed body showed rock-solid muscles. Most of them were more than two metres tall…
Fatty shivered nervously.
Such a group was not normally sent out to invite guests. They were to force people into submission.
“We’re here.” The golden-haired man suddenly halted. The city before them was submerged in a sea of light.