Ning Wei's eyes flickered slightly, but her emotions remained largely unfazed.
Even though she was heartbroken, she refused to shed tears in front of them.
Recalling Ci Yun's answer, she had a premonition that Li Ye would not completely disappear and that they would have a chance to meet again.
Ning Wei took out money from her pocket and handed it to Fang Fang. "Could you please deliver this money to the Meng family? We've troubled the couple these past few days. This is for our accommodation and meals."
Although it was specifically for the Meng family, Fang Fang instinctively wanted to refuse.
At this moment, Tang Tang and the others also took out their remaining money from their pockets and handed it all to Fang Fang.
Since nothing could be brought onto the bus, this money was as good as useless to them.
Even though the first owner of this money was Yu Baohua, after following Ning Wei for so long, their skins had become as thick as copper mountains.
Since it was in their pockets, it was theirs.
Using their own money to pay for accommodation and meals was perfectly fine.
Fang Fang was unaware of the money's original owner and couldn't refuse Tang Tang and the group, so she accepted it on behalf of the Meng family.
"The mountain god has completely vanished. Your path forward is your own choice. I wish you a smooth and happy life." Since Fang Fang had specifically mentioned the matter of the ring, Ning Wei was willing to offer her well wishes.
The bus was just ahead. Perhaps due to the long wait, the horn had honked several times.
"Then please be careful," Fang Fang said, deeply moved. With a thousand words unsaid, this was all she could muster.
Ning Wei and her companions were too enigmatic. If they could resolve the mountain god's issue, they must be extraordinary individuals.
They had their own mission, so Fang Fang could only wish them a smoother journey ahead. The word "safe" was the most fitting for them at this moment.
After bidding farewell to Fang Fang, Ning Wei, unusually, was the first to board the bus.
She handed her ticket to the attendant and, expressionless, walked to the very back row.
This time, she chose the window seat that Li Ye had once occupied.
Perhaps she could see a different view from here.
The attendant, not seeing Li Ye, secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
She had intended to mock Ning Wei a little, but upon meeting Ning Wei's cold gaze, she actually felt like retreating.
Even without Li Ye present, Ning Wei was still powerful enough to make her feel a sense of dread.
Especially after passing through this station, the attendant felt that Ning Wei had changed again.
Due to Li Ye's departure, everyone was extremely silent.
Once everyone was seated, the driver started the bus and set off with them.
Throughout the journey, everyone endured torment in their hearts, remarkably refraining from sleeping.
They didn't know what kind of scene awaited them at the next station. Everyone's thoughts flowed like water, converging into a waterfall at the edge of a cliff, and then cascading down.
The driver drove for a very long time. Just as everyone was dozing off, a sudden brake jolted them awake.
"Dear passengers, we have arrived at the ancient castle. Please enjoy your week of exotic foreign charm."
"All passengers, please disembark according to your seat numbers. If you are fortunate enough to survive, our bus will await you here as promised."
After the attendant's announcement, everyone looked out the window.
Deep within the dense forest stood a sprawling castle.
A full moon hung at the highest point of the ancient castle, its cold moonlight casting a mysterious veil over every corner.
"Everyone, everyone, please hurry and disembark. There will be plenty of time to look around once we're down," the attendant urged again.
Having no mood to bicker with the attendant, everyone disembarked in an orderly fashion.
As the last person, Ning Wei, stepped off, the driver quickly closed the doors and sped away with the attendant.
Watching the receding taillights, Yuan Yuan couldn't help but mutter, "The attendant and driver are becoming more and more in sync."
Everyone unanimously agreed that the driver had sped off so quickly to prevent the foul-mouthed attendant and the passengers from arguing.
Suddenly, a rustling sound came from behind them. Everyone turned their heads in unison and saw a bus stopped not far away, its engine off and headlights dimmed.
A group of people disembarked. They stood together, a dark mass in the dim light, their numbers unclear.
After these people got off, the bus quickly drove away in the opposite direction of the 444 bus.
The two groups stared at each other, neither speaking first.
In fact, the passengers from both buses clearing the level together was something they had experience with.
After all, they had once teamed up with passengers from another bus to kill a mermaid and a man-eating walrus.
As the two sides remained in a silent standoff, a voice suddenly came from the other group, and someone struggled to push their way forward from the back.
"Ning Wei, Tang Tang, do you remember me?"
Hearing their names called, everyone looked over.
Standing before them was an old acquaintance.
"Bai Yang, is that you?" Yuan Yuan exclaimed.
"Where is your sister?" Zhu Yilian quickly asked.
Everyone had a deep impression of the Bai Xue and Bai Yang sisters – one a good sister who was forced to protect her sibling with her life, and the other a brainless sister who was constantly causing trouble.
Before Bai Yang could answer, everyone craned their necks to look behind her, but Bai Xue was nowhere to be seen.
"No need to look, my sister has already..." Her words didn't need to be finished; everyone understood her meaning instantly.
Learning of Bai Xue's death, everyone fell into a somber silence, tinged with disappointment.
Even if someone had to die, it shouldn't have been Bai Xue, who always put her sister first.
Bai Yang feigned ignorance of the regret in everyone's eyes and stepped forward. "You were friends with my sister. Her greatest wish before she died was for me to survive safely."
"So, you will protect me, right?" Bai Yang looked at them expectantly.
Everyone was speechless but found it difficult to refute Bai Yang on the spot.
After all, it was a friend's dying wish. Even if they couldn't fulfill it, they wouldn't be so direct in showing it.
Seeing their silence, Bai Yang took another step forward. "Can I act with you? I don't know those people well, and I'm afraid they'll harm me behind my back."
Tang Tang secretly pouted, thinking it would be a blessing if *she* didn't cause harm. What was she worried about, a troublemaker?
Mei Nan remembered the sensible Bai Xue. For her sake, it was inappropriate to refuse Bai Yang in front of the other group.
Ning Wei remained silent, offering no opinion. Thus, Mei Nan stepped forward to act as their spokesperson. "Then you can join us. However, I need to state this upfront: no matter what you do, you must discuss it with everyone. Absolutely do not cause us any trouble, or no one will protect you!"
It was uncertain how much of Mei Nan's serious and earnest words Bai Yang absorbed.