Shin Lu halted as well, raising an eyebrow and turning to look at him with a questioning gaze. "What is it?"
Fen Lei's brows were intensely furrowed as he spoke to himself. "No, it cannot be a name of a person."
"What cannot be a name of a person?" Shin Lu asked, his gaze hardened as he watched the other closely.
"Does Elder Shin know of any place whose name sounds similar to 'ee' and 'oo'?" Fen Lei shifted his gaze to him.
Shin Lu repeated the sound quietly, contemplating the sound of the syllables. His eyes narrowed in thought while his mind swiftly scanned through the geographical knowledge he possessed. After a long moment of contemplation, he responded, "There is a location that fits that sound. It is the Lihu Town."
"Is there anything about Lihu Town that distinguishes it from other locations in the region? How far is it?"
"Lihu Town is relatively small and isolated," Shin Lu responded. "It is situated on the outskirts of the region, and not many people pay much attention to it." He paused and estimated the distance before replying, "It is approximately a two-day journey from here."
Fen Lei was taken aback not by the information, but by Shin Lu's talking. He clapped his hands, his eyes blinking in amazement. That was, so far, the first and longest talk Shin Lu had done since their first meeting. "Wow! So Elder Shin can actually talk?"
Shin Lu shot Fen Lei a cold and unimpressed glare.
"Hehe, calm down, calm down. Elder Shin should calm down." He smiled and motioned his hand to calm the snow white down. "Going back to the subject. Lihu Town makes a lot of sense. It is possible that the perpetrator is now aware that the Hashiya is looking into this matter. Thus, the least-known area would be the best pick to avoid detection."
Being the largest organization in the country, everyone was aware of the Hashiya Commission's capabilities. Anyone could go around committing crimes or mayhem inside the borders, so long as they did not let the Hashiya Commission find out about it; otherwise, the Hashiya Commission would be their most troublesome hindrance and greatest opponent.
"You have a point," Shin Lu acknowledged. "Lihu Town's obscurity does make it an ideal hiding spot. That spirit seems intelligent and wary, so it will naturally choose to lay low in a less-known area. However, this entire situation is still based on speculation and intuition at this point."
"This is when we should gamble. We do not have any clue as of now. It is best to confirm it ourselves rather than wait," Fen Lei suggested.
Shin Lu's gaze darkened, his eyes narrowing. "How foolish. This is not some game. People's lives are at stake. We need to be cautious and rational in our approach."
"Then what is Elder Shin trying to suggest? That we should wait?" There was a hint of annoyance and impatience in Fen Lei's voice.
"Making a hasty decision based solely on assumptions is far from wise. What we need now is more concrete information and a sounder plan," Shin Lu replied brusquely. "And as I said, traveling to Lihu takes approximately two days. We do not even know for sure if the spirit is there. We could be wasting our time."
"Where do we get that concrete information, then?" Fen Lei asked, mentally resisting the urge to sound sarcastic.
"We need to investigate further. I have already collected all the information from this village. If we can find clues from this information, we may be able to establish a pattern. We cannot miss a single detail."
"And how long will it take?" Fen Lei raised a brow.
Shin Lu's lips pursed into a thin line. He was aware that time was of the essence, but he also knew the importance of careful planning and rationalizing. "It will depend on how much we find and how quickly we find it."
Fen Lei could no longer hide his irritation. This time, he did not restrain his speech and addressed the other without title. "Yet you were quick to imply that my method could be a waste of time when your suggested method could also be a waste of time. Tell me, how is examining the obvious information different from going to Lihu to confirm our speculation? Is not the method you are suggesting basically the same as mine-gathering clues from uncertainties?"
Shin Lu's jaw clenched at the other's reasoning. He let out a frustrated exhale. "The difference," he began, his tone stern, "is that going to Lihu is a blind gamble. We do not know what awaits us there and how strong this spirit is or what other tricks it may have up its sleeve. We could be walking into a trap without even realizing it."
Not wanting to argue further, Fen Lei turned around and walked away. "Then you go do your preferred method while I walk into that so-called trap."
Frustration boiled within Shin Lu at the sight of Fen Lei turning and walking away. He could never truly understand how this idiot could be so careless and impulsive. He was torn between the desire to grab Fen Lei, or Li Yuan rather, by the collar and the urge to smack himself for being so worked up.
"Stupid moron," Shin Lu muttered under his breath. "Reckless stubborn idiot. Irational crazy stupid fool."
He exhaled deeply, mentally convincing himself to calm down, yet he still could not help grunting in annoyance as he watched Fen Lei march away, his figure swiftly disappearing into the darkness.
Fen Lei had no plans to head to Lihu Town at this hour, of course. He knew he had to rest and be prepared. After borrowing a map from the innkeeper, he went to his designated room and took notes on the directions to Lihu. And when the dawn light crept across the horizon, casting a soft glow upon the world of Plaillon, he bid farewell to Kelna to set off on his lone journey towards Lihu Town.
Map in hand, he followed the directions he had jotted down. The path to Lihu was less traveled, and as he advanced his way on his two-day journey, he had only his thoughts, the map, and his courage to keep him company.
The journey was silent, his solitude broken only by the calls of birds. Suddenly, a familiar voice echoed in his head, causing him to come to an abrupt halt.
"Where are you heading?" It was He Jin telepathizing in the communication spell.
"How did you know?" Fen Lei asked back, resuming his interrupted walk.
"I cast a tracking spell on Master's body a few days ago. Naturally, I would know."
As Fen Lei walked along the path between the fields of swaying grasses, he recounted the current matter to He Jin. He did not have anyone to chat with on his journey anyway.
He Jin listened intently, occasionally asking questions for clarification. He was astonished by Fen Lei's logic and observation; these were something he surely had not expected of him. When Fen Lei mentioned Lihu Town, there was a moment of silence before He Jin spoke up. "So you are heading to Lihu Town alone?"
"Yep." Fen Lei kept walking while answering, his gaze occasionally darting around the surroundings to memorize the landmarks.
As the conversation went on, however, He Jin's voice took on a more serious tone. "Shin Lu is right. That is a dangerous thing to do."
Fen Lei snorted in annoyance, clearly not appreciating He Jin siding with Shin Lu. "Who cares about that menstruating man's opinion?"
He Jin was still amused by Fen Lei and Shin Lu's unanticipated encounter. Normal people would wonder how Fen Lei had been able to put up with Shin Lu's indifference. But He Jin had the opposite thought: how had Shin Lu been able to put up with Fen Lei's stupidity and aggravating antics?
He Jin could not help but chuckle in amusement, imagining Fen Lei and Shin Lu locked in an endless cycle of bickering and annoyance. Their relationship was certainly not one of harmony and understanding. "The way you two bicker amuses me, if I am being honest," he commented. "How you both managed to not strangle each other is beyond my understanding."
Fen Lei could not hear it, but he could tell He Jin was hiding a chuckle behind the communication spell. He rolled his eyes and let out another snort of annoyance.
He Jin spoke again, "Stop right there."
"Huh?" Fen Lei stopped in his tracks. Suddenly, a portal opened in front of him, and He Jin emerged from it. "So you have been here before?"
"Naturally. Why would I be able to open a portal here if I have not? Idiot." He Jin shot a look of displeasure at him.
Fen Lei rolled his eyes. "So, why are you here?"
He Jin rolled his eyes as well. "Because you are a stupid idiot. Cannot even utilize a portal properly."
"What the hell do you expect from an outsider? I am from Earth!" Fen Lei asserted.
He Jin opened another portal, ignoring the other's protest. "Come with me."
Fen Lei was roughly pulled by He Jin into the portal. Within seconds, they both found themselves in an unfamiliar place upon exiting the portal.
"Where are we?" Fen Lei could not help but feel a mixture of confusion and annoyance as he looked around, trying to identify their surroundings.
"I hate stupid people like you, but I am not completely heartless. This is so far the nearest place to Lihu Town that I have been before. I have made your two-day journey into one day. You will either reach Lihu in the evening if you travel nonstop or tomorrow early or at noon, depending on your pace," He Jin explained.
Fen Lei's annoyance gave way to bewilderment. He stared at He Jin, surprise etched across his face. "You... you teleported me closer to Lihu Town..." he trailed off, his mind struggling to process the fact. "...so that I can reach it sooner?"
He Jin rolled his eyes again, his patience visibly thinning. "You insufferable idiot, is it that hard to comprehend the fact that I shortened your travelling time?"
"Did you hit your head somewhere? Are you possessed? Stop being kind! You are creepy!" Fen Lei exclaimed, hugging himself, a look of disgust evident on his face. "Still, do not expect me to thank you. Over my shattered soul."
He Jin scoffed. "Who the hell wants your stupid thanks?" He then tossed a pouch of talismans at Fen Lei. "I am giving some to you because you are stupid. Cannot even properly draw a talisman."
Fen Lei caught the pouch, feeling offended. He had a sudden urge to choke him, but he stopped himself. "Fine, fine! I appreciate your concern about your Master's body," he responded, emphasizing the last two words sarcastically.
"Of course. I could not care less about an idiot outsider like you!" He Jin conceded.
Their bicker had now begun. Fortunately, there was no one around them.
"Oh, how moving!" Fen Lei countered dramatically. "Such a sweet disciple the owner of this body has! The smell is very gay. You are gay!"
"Shut your trap!" He Jin rebutted. "My respect and loyalty are reserved for Master! And I merely want to protect his body, you insufferable moron! It has sentimental value to me!"
"And you are gay," Fen Lei added flatly, arms crossed across his chest.
"You!" He Jin pointed at him, fuming in anger. "Hah! What does a stupid moron like you know? Your acts only show that no one valued you when you were still alive!" He then opened another portal.
"Oh, please!" Fen Lei retorted, waving his hand dismissively. "Do not be so defensive, you little–"
Fen Lei's annoyed shouting was abruptly cut off when He Jin disappeared into the portal, standing alone in the silent surroundings. He stood there for a moment and huffed angrily, pocketing the pouch of talismans that He Jin had thrown at him. Though he was annoyed, deep down, he could not completely deny the fact that He Jin had made his journey much easier.
"Damned brat! Infuriating piece of–" A thought crossed his mind, cutting off his mid-sentence and softening his expression. "Sentimental value, huh..."
He let out a sigh, rubbing his temples with a thumb and forefinger. The bicker with He Jin made his head ache a little. He then resumed his journey, looking at the pouch with talismans in his hand. He then opened it, examining the talismans inside with a critical eye as he walked.
The pouch held a set of various talismans for multiple uses. Some were for defense, some for healing, and some served for attacking purposes. Fen Lei's smirk widened at the array of talismans in his hand. At least if anything happened, he would have some measures of defense.
"Not bad."