The third day—the final deadline—arrived with an invisible oppressive atmosphere. When Xiao Yu woke that morning, her eyes were clearly red and swollen, obviously having slept poorly. Yet her expression was unusually calm, even carrying a near-resolute composure.
"Are you alright?" I looked at her haggard appearance, my heart full of worry and guilt.
"Mm, I'm fine." She forced a smile, though it hid deep fatigue. "It's just... some things must eventually be faced. Today is our last chance—we must succeed without any mistakes."
During the day, we didn't venture out to scout routes but stayed in the old mansion, carefully rehearsing the night's action plan. Using her knowledge of Shadow Village, Xiao Yu sketched several routes to the lantern alley on the ground with stones and twigs, analyzing each route's advantages, disadvantages, and potential risks.
"This route is shortest but has the most guards," she pointed to one line. "This route is most hidden but passes through a supposedly haunted abandoned cemetery." Finally, she indicated a winding, circuitous route: "This route is a compromise—it requires passing through several residential areas, but if we move fast enough and catch the guard shift change, it has the highest success rate."
We ultimately chose the third route. Xiao Yu told me that Shadow Village guards changed shifts roughly half an hour after sunset, with about a quarter-hour defensive gap—our optimal action window.
"Remember, the jade pendant's energy is limited and must be activated before entering the lantern alley," Xiao Yu reminded me again. "Once in the lantern alley, no matter what happens, no matter what you hear or see, absolutely do not look back or stop—charge straight through! That place is where two worlds converge, with chaotic energy that easily creates illusions and inner demons. Once deceived, you might be forever lost in the temporal turbulence."
"What about you?" I looked at her serious profile, unable to help asking again. "Won't you come with me? Return to the living world?"
Xiao Yu slowly shook her head, her eyes revealing a sadness and determination I couldn't understand: "I cannot leave Shadow Village. My mission isn't complete."
"What mission?"
"You'll know when the time comes." She avoided my gaze and began packing our meager "luggage"—the cloth bundle with food and water bottle, clearly unwilling to continue this topic.
Time passed minute by minute until evening finally arrived. Shadow Village's sun (if it could be called that) sank behind distant mountains, and the sky quickly darkened. Xiao Yu signaled me to wear the jade pendant and hide it close to my body.
"Let's go!" she whispered, first pushing open the side door and slipping into the deepening twilight alley.
We advanced quickly yet cautiously along our predetermined route. Xiao Yu's figure flickered ahead like an experienced guide. Shadow Village's night was quieter than day but also more eerie. Occasionally, residents carrying lanterns passed by, heads down, ignoring us completely.
"Almost there." Xiao Yu stopped at a corner, pointing ahead in a low voice. "Cross that open space ahead, and we'll reach the lantern alley's perimeter. The guards should have just changed shifts—let's move fast!"
We held our breath, about to rush across the open space, when suddenly a cold, authoritative voice rang out from behind us without warning: "Stop!"
Xiao Yu and I froze simultaneously, slowly turning around. Three guardians in black robes carrying blue glowing lanterns had somehow appeared not far behind us, staring coldly.
"We've been discovered! Run!" Xiao Yu reacted quickly, grabbing my hand and rushing in the opposite direction from the lantern alley.
We fled desperately through the maze of alleys, the guardians behind us like persistent shadows. They were extremely fast and seemed completely unaffected by terrain. Blue lights swayed constantly behind us like death's flames.
"This way!" Xiao Yu's familiarity with the terrain proved crucial as she led me left and right, trying to shake off our pursuers.
"Turn right ahead—that alley is very narrow, they can't get in!" Xiao Yu shouted breathlessly, pulling me sharply into a crevice barely wide enough for one person.
This alley was dark and damp, with towering walls on both sides nearly blocking out the sky completely. We struggled through it while the guardians' footsteps and shouts were blocked outside. Finally, a patch of faint red light appeared ahead—we saw the alley's exit, and beyond it was that mysterious courtyard filled with large fish lanterns!
"Excellent! It's the lantern alley!" My heart leaped with joy, nearly crying out in celebration.
However, just as we were about to burst from the narrow alley, a tall black shadow appeared ghostlike at the alley mouth, completely blocking our path. It was a middle-aged man in a blue robe with a gaunt face and eagle-sharp eyes, radiating suffocating pressure.
"The teacher!" Xiao Yu cried out in shock, her steps halting abruptly.