Ming Ke: When the villain accidentally mixes into the protagonist group

“Divine messenger, why don’t we split up and search? Maybe they’ve hidden a chair on this floor.” A black-robed cultist looked worried, glancing around as if searching for something.

“Yes, Enoki, you can’t become just another passerby.” Another black-robed cultist crossed his fingers over his chest and looked at the orange-pig woman with concern.

Three or four black-robed cultists, filled with fear and unease, paced back and forth, whispering prayers, "Supreme God, please hear my prayers. As your devout followers, please bless us..."

The melodious piano music was mixed with low prayers, and a dull and eerie atmosphere spread silently in the not-so-spacious stairwell.

"Dig three feet into the ground..." The lyrics sung by the woman on the black horse echoed repeatedly in the orange pig woman's mind. Her bloodshot eyes were fixed on the damp black cloth in her hand. The fishy smell of the sea pierced her nostrils like a needle, and her heart was pounding wildly in her chest.

The orange-pig woman leaned over the railing and looked down, but all she could see were rows of stairs.

The older black-robed cultist walked to the orange-pig woman's side, supported her swaying body, and gently advised, "Envoy Enoki, you should rest for a while."

“No…” The orange-pig woman pushed away the older black-robed cultist’s hand, staggered towards the stairs below, and said with an unquestionable authority, “You split up and search, I’ll go to the first floor.”

"Yes!" the black-robed cultists around him bowed and responded, then dispersed.

“Oh who— killed Cock Robin? Where you should be right sad.” As this clear child’s voice fell, the rousing drumbeats began, and the piano music also became more intense.

As the nursery rhyme reached its climax, the children's voices were exceptionally melodious and resonant. Yet, despite the sorrowful lyrics, not a trace of sadness could be heard in the singing: "The sighs must be mournful enough, the tears must be glistening enough, so that in their shimmering light one can glimpse a truly lifelike face..."

The drumbeats overlapped with the footsteps, and the stairs wound downwards, seemingly without end.

The air was damp and salty from the ocean, with a faint hint of rust.

Is it blood?

The orange-pig woman wrinkled her nose uneasily, thinking of the bloodstained iron cage and the body torn apart by the brown bear.

A wave of nausea washed over her, and her stomach acid churned. The orange-pig woman pressed her lips tightly together, forcibly suppressing the discomfort.

"Ugh~"

The young woman in black robes couldn't help but gag. She glanced furtively at the orange-pig woman with a tense face, covered her mouth, and ran away, leaning against the wall as she continued to gag.

The older man in black robes glanced at the younger man in black robes who was retching, then turned to the orange-pig woman and respectfully lowered his voice to ask, "Envoy Enoki, the smell of blood ahead is very strong. Shall we go and check it out first, and then proceed after we've confirmed it's safe?"

No sooner had he finished speaking than a follower chimed in, "Yes, Your Excellency, there may be danger ahead. You cannot..."

"The supreme god will protect us, death is but an embrace of Him, for we have nothing to fear..." the orange pig woman murmured, her tone devout and solemn.

Upon hearing this, the black-robed cultists around them began to chant softly, they...

(To be continued...)