Chapter 2309 - 101: Crow's Prophecy IV_3

"I'm not too sure... what does this mean?"

"If it's the former, it only means their targets are selective. But I'm worried about another possibility..." Fang Hong shook his head, even he felt that concern seemed rather far-fetched. But if it were possible, he couldn't help but feel a chill.

He temporarily suppressed this idea, not intending to alarm others here. If he were proven wrong, it might make him a laughingstock, and also cause unnecessary worry among others. That possibility was utterly absurd no matter what.

Fang Hong changed the topic: "Miss Shaye, do you know who might understand these things?" This experience made him sufficiently cautious of these monsters, and if they were to face such enemies later, it'd be best to understand them in advance.

"In terms of understanding these things," Shaye thought carefully before answering, "I fear in the entire Northern Territory, no one understands them better than the people of the Crow's Claw Sanctuary. They haven't completely lied, although they use it for misconduct, the knights of the Crow's Claw Sanctuary indeed can distinguish the Shadow People from ordinary people—"

Fang Hong was slightly startled.

But he quickly calmed down and continued: "By the way, I wanted to ask, Miss Shaye, where did the bow I sent to Little Kong end up, was it lost at the hands of those Shadow People?"

"It's not that, Mr. Ade," Shaye shook her head, "Actually, he has always kept that bow safe, but when he was captured, the people of the Crow's Claw Sanctuary took the bow."

"The Crow's Claw Sanctuary again..."

Fang Hong murmured to himself.

...

"It looks like we're going to be here for a while."

Fang Hong looked at the dark forest ahead and sighed softly.

They did not intend to spend the night at the camp, Shaye specially sent people to escort them back, traveling through the forest by night, returning to Grey Owl Town via another secret passage.

A few Rangers came over from the direction of the camp, the same ones who returned to camp with them earlier, those people had only rested briefly at the camp, and now came again to escort them on the road.

"Xiesta," Fang Hong turned back to ask the Miss Maid, "Do you think Hilveld will agree with my decision?"

The sky lightly scattered with snowflakes, the Miss Maid silently looked at him, not answering this almost redundant question. She only brushed the snow off her Arm Armor, standing silently to the side.

Fang Hong found himself in a quandary and turned around, but when he did, he was startled. It turned out beside him, at some unknown time, stood an old lady wrapped entirely in a black robe, hunched over with wrinkles and age spots covering her face.

The opposite stood there, staring fixedly at him, suddenly speaking: "The crows are coming, young man—"

"Have you heard of the Crow's Prophecy? That black vessel, anchored at both ends of the storm..."

Her voice was somber and raspy, like a ghost wandering in the forest, chilling to the bone.

Fang Hong shivered, preparing to reach for the Information Crystal, but then a reprimand came from behind him, "Hey, what are you doing—!"

The Rangers from earlier stepped out from behind him, without hesitation blocking the old lady's path, saying: "Madam Janice, this gentleman is our guest, don't bother him with your mysterious tales."

One of the Rangers turned to him to explain: "This is Madam Janice, sir, don't take her seriously. She arrived at the camp half a month ago, her husband died at the hands of those bastards, she lost her senses afterwards, turning into this."

Fang Hong looked at the old lady with some surprise.

The opposite did not argue with them, only gave Fang Hong a chilling glance, then turned and went back to the camp.

The Rangers had heard he healed Little Kong, and had no complaints about escorting them through the forest late at night; instead, they seemed a little enthusiastic. "Mr. Ade, Miss Shaye asked us to give you a message." One of the Rangers said.

"What is it?"

"If you want to investigate the Shadow People," the Ranger said, "Besides Miss Shaye and the others at the camp, there are actually other people who have seen those monsters. Miss Shaye said she forgot this matter earlier, just remembered now — there's a guy named Bann at the camp, almost half a month ago arrived here with Madam Janice, this guy is also a bit eccentric, his two teammates recently went missing, seemingly related to the Shadow People."

"Missing teammates?" Fang Hong remembered the multiple disappearance incidents in the Northern Territory not long ago, not knowing if it was related to this man's teammates, he asked: "Where is he, can I meet him now?"

The Ranger shook his head: "He's not here, he's out with another group of people. Those people were the first to establish this camp, they... how should I put it, are actually a bit uneasy seeing Miss Shaye so respected here..."

Fang Hong was slightly stunned, looked back at the camp's direction. It seemed he just remembered, when entering the camp earlier, there were indeed some people intentionally keeping distance from those brought back by Shaye.

He silently looked in that direction, thinking this place wasn't as harmonious as he imagined, where there are people, there will be disputes, which is quite normal.

At this moment, he happened to see Xiangzi walking out of the camp alone as if no one else existed.

Fang Hong hurriedly waved his hand in that direction: "Xiangzi, over here."

The young man raised his head to look over, then walked in this direction.

Fang Hong waited for the other to approach before speaking: "You came at the right time, we have to leave."

But contrary to his usual self, Xiangzi didn't immediately nod, instead reached into his pockets and turned them inside out, pulling out a few clinking silver coins, holding them in his hand.

Then he extended his hand, silently placing the money in Fang Hong's hand.

Fang Hong was slightly stunned, only after a moment did he understand his intention: "Is this your money, Xiangzi?"

The young man looked at him, seriously nodding.

Fang Hong laughed silently, helping the people here, this little money is nothing, ultimately it must come from the vault of the Seven Seas Travel Group. However, holding these warm silver coins, his heart felt a bit heavy; this was the first time he saw such emotion in Xiangzi.

The young man only pursed his lips, regretting for the first time always lending money to the Parer People, and they never showed any intention of repaying.

...