Li Zi Ang's eyes were quick, and he grabbed Bai Xue, then imitated Bai Yang's action and shoved her out fiercely.
The vengeful spirits knew nothing of these three people's machinations; as long as there was food, they would pounce.
Thus, Bai Yang was forced to use her own body to block two powerful spirits, buying Bai Xue and Li Zi Ang a chance to live.
More and more vengeful spirits pressed down on Bai Yang, and she was gnawed to death alive.
This time, no matter how Bai Yang called out to Bai Xue, she never looked back.
The thought alone made Bai Yang's entire body tremble uncontrollably. Her hatred turned into black smoke, spreading from her feet.
Ning Wei frowned and took two steps back. Then, with a flick of Wu Qing's finger, Bai Yang vanished.
"She's completely gone?" Ning Wei asked Wu Qing with concern.
Wu Qing nodded. "An uncontrollable puppet has no value to me."
"Since Bai Yang is dead, how did she get on the bus?" Ning Wei couldn't quite understand this point.
Wu Qing was happy to clarify. "Who said she got on the bus? We just need to alter everyone's memories. You should be very familiar with this method."
Ning Wei immediately thought of Li Ye, who had sneaked onto the bus and made everyone believe he had been there all along.
"Alright, the maids are about to start their work. You should leave quickly," Wu Qing urged Ning Wei to depart.
All of Ning Wei's doubts were resolved. After bidding farewell to Wu Qing, she quickly left the castle.
In the daytime, the dense forest was littered with human bones and rotting, foul-smelling corpses.
Ning Wei did not linger. Under the impatient gaze of the conductor, she smoothly paid her fare and boarded the bus.
The bus started again, and the conductor continued to mutter curses to herself.
She didn't dare to point fingers at Ning Wei, so she resorted to indirect insults.
Ning Wei was not to be outdone and stated directly, "Say one more word, and I'll test the power of this ring."
She raised her hand, revealing a lustrous ring. The ring, as if understanding her intent, flashed a red light.
Upon seeing the ring, the conductor immediately recalled the existence of "that person" and fell silent.
Finally, peace descended upon everyone's ears, and they closed their eyes to sleep.
During their days in the castle, they had developed a habit of sleeping during the day. Their biological clocks were now set, and they felt drowsy at the appointed time.
After being threatened by Ning Wei, the conductor was now exceedingly well-behaved.
The bus traveled along the road, sometimes bumpy, sometimes smooth.
Everyone fell into a deep sleep, lulled by the driver's miraculous driving skills.
They slept soundly, and the bus showed no signs of stopping even after everyone had woken up.
They were somewhat surprised. They had never encountered a station so far apart. Thus, they all felt a sense of unease, fearing the terror and danger of the next stop.
"When will we get there? My butt is sore from all the bumping," Ning Wei asked with some displeasure.
"Soon, soon," the conductor replied immediately, her tone carrying a hint of perfunctory dismissal.
Ning Wei occupied the last row all by herself. She simply lay down on the seat, one leg propped on the backrest of the seat in front. She wasn't worried about falling out due to any sudden maneuvers by the driver.
They had left the castle during the day, so the bus had traveled from day into night. After sleeping for a long time and waiting for another long period, the bus finally stopped as a streak of light broke through the sky.
Everyone breathed a sigh of relief. While the unknown station was frightening, the bus that kept going for so long was even more terrifying.
Before the conductor could tell them to disembark, they peered out through the misty windows.
It was a mountain village road. The road was wide but uneven. On one side was a cliff, and on the other, overgrown wasteland.
Withered reeds swayed in the wind, lending a bleak atmosphere.
The conductor and the driver likely hadn't expected this stop to be such a place. They thought their hushed conversation was inaudible, but the car was so quiet that a falling needle would have been heard. Their not-so-quiet conversation was definitely audible.
"Are you sure it's here?" the conductor asked, questioning.
"The rules state that the next stop after the castle is here. Look for yourself if you don't believe me." The driver produced a worn-out, old paper strip stained with ancient blood and handed it to the conductor to examine.
The conductor read it over several times, then her gaze shifted strangely between the passengers.
"I didn't expect it to come so soon," the conductor exclaimed after a long pause.
"Indeed, it's been a long time since we've brought passengers here," the driver echoed her sentiment.
"So, should we let them off?" the conductor asked the driver, this being the first time she had ever seriously consulted his opinion.
The driver nodded, sighed deeply, and then, taking over the conductor's role, addressed the bewildered passengers in the back: "We have arrived. Everyone, please disembark."
"What kind of station is this? I can't even see a sign," Mei Nan asked, confused.
The conductor reverted to her impatient demeanor. "It's a rural area. Where would there be a station? You just flag the bus down."
Mei Nan had always lived in a big city, and the school where he worked was a private high school, so the students came from well-off families. This was his first time seeing a place like this, let alone hearing about the way to board a bus.
"Hurry up and get off, you're so slow and annoying!" The passengers' hesitation angered the conductor.
As soon as she got angry, everyone started to move.
Starting with Mei Nan, they disembarked one after another.
It didn't feel so bad inside the bus, but outside, the cold wind bit at them, and a group of people couldn't help but shiver.
After everyone had disembarked, the driver had not yet left. They watched curiously at the driver and conductor who were still sitting in the bus, lost in thought.
"Why aren't you leaving yet?" Ning Wei asked the conductor, tilting her head.
The conductor glanced at her, her eyes like a bottomless abyss, containing a multitude of emotions. However, Ning Wei, at this moment, could not understand her gaze.
"Let's go," the conductor said softly to the driver.
The driver surveyed their surroundings, then started the bus and disappeared in a flash before their eyes.
Ning Wei clasped her arms around herself and paced back and forth by the roadside.
There was nothing unusual here, just as the conductor had said; it was merely a country road.
"I hope the guide comes soon. It's so cold," Song Zhi grumbled, stomping his feet.
Ning Wei glanced at the withered grass beside her and suggested, "Why don't we start a fire to warm ourselves?"
"Do you have a fire?" Song Zhi asked her listlessly.
Ning Wei fumbled in her pocket and pulled out an old lighter. She even managed to ignite it.
Song Zhi's eyes lit up. "Then what are we waiting for? Let's gather firewood!"
He took the lead, reaching out and grabbing the dry grass by the roadside, rolling it into a bundle.