Over the next two days (in Shadow Village's time concept), Xiao Yu and I moved like two cautious shadows through Shadow Village's labyrinthine streets. We hid in abandoned mansions during the day to rest and plan, only venturing out during dusk or dawn when the light was dimmest and the guardians changed shifts, familiarizing ourselves with the environment and searching for safe routes to the lantern alley.
Xiao Yu's knowledge of Shadow Village exceeded my imagination. She knew which alleys were dead ends, where guardians patrolled, and even certain residents' habits and schedules. Under her guidance, we passed by patrolling guardians several times without incident.
During this process, I gained a deeper understanding of Shadow Village. It was like a corner forgotten by time, repeating fragments of old Hongcun. I saw accountants in long robes manipulating phantom calculations on abacuses, women with braided hair beating non-existent clothes by dried waterways, and elderly men in melon-skin caps playing chess with invisible opponents... They were all immersed in their obsessions, indifferent to external changes.
"They're about to merge with Shadow Village," Xiao Yu explained quietly. "Soon, they'll forget who they are and become a breeze, a stone here."
This sight filled me with bone-deep sorrow and fear. To be forever trapped in repetitive obsessions until completely losing oneself—was this the destination after death?
On the second evening, we ventured into an area near the village edge. According to Xiao Yu's observations, the guard presence here was relatively weak, and there might be a shortcut to the lantern alley.
"Be careful. Around that corner ahead supposedly lives an eccentric old painter with deep obsessions who's particularly sensitive to strangers' auras," Xiao Yu warned, pulling me back and lowering her voice.
We held our breath and tiptoed around the corner. Just then, hurried footsteps and whispers came from ahead.
"Quick, hide!" Xiao Yu reacted swiftly, pulling me behind a pile of abandoned firewood by the roadside.
Almost simultaneously, several guardians in black robes carrying blue lanterns hurried past, their faces unusually grave.
"The teacher has ordered increased patrols around the lantern alley! That living person's yang energy is growing stronger—we absolutely cannot let him approach the passage!" the lead guardian said grimly.
"Strange, how can a living person's yang energy grow stronger? Has he gained something here?" another guardian asked puzzledly.
"Unclear. The teacher only said this matter concerns the balance between worlds and cannot go wrong. He seems worried about more serious consequences..."
"I heard Moon Pond has been restless lately too, with abnormal water ripples..."
Their voices gradually faded. I emerged from behind the firewood, cold sweat soaking my back. "Yang energy growing stronger? What's happening?"
Xiao Yu's face was also pale. She shook her head: "I don't know. Logically, a living person's yang energy should gradually weaken after staying in Shadow Village. Unless..."
"Unless what?"
"Unless some force is protecting you, or... using you." Xiao Yu's expression grew worried. "We must leave here quickly. The situation may be more complex than we imagined."
She looked up at the sky: "The teacher they mentioned is Shadow Village's true administrator, supposedly possessing great power to perceive hearts and maintain the laws between worlds. If he targets us, we'll truly have no chance."
"What do we do now? Continue exploring?"
"No, let's go back. With increased patrols, it's too dangerous to go out now." Xiao Yu decided firmly. "Tomorrow is the last day. We must act before midnight. When we return, I'll tell you a method that might increase our success rate."
We silently returned along our original route to the abandoned mansion. Xiao Yu's expression remained grave, as if pondering something important.
Back in the relatively safe house, Xiao Yu again retrieved that small wooden box containing the jade pendant from the hidden corner under the floorboards.
"What is this? You said it was a protective charm last time," I asked, looking at the jade pendant carved with fish patterns and emanating warm luster.
"It's more than just a protective charm." Xiao Yu carefully picked up the jade pendant. "This is one of the mediums connecting Shadow Village with the living world. It contains special energy that can briefly confuse guardians' perception and even interfere with the lantern alley's energy field, creating a relatively safe passage."
"So powerful?" I was surprised. "Why not use it earlier?"
"Because using it requires a price." Xiao Yu's eyes dimmed. "The energy in this jade pendant is one-time use, and it's closely connected to my existence. Once I use it, I... I might become very weak, or even..."
She didn't finish, but I understood the risk. "No! This is too dangerous! I can't let you take such a risk for me!"
"This is currently our only chance." Xiao Yu was unusually determined. "You must return. For yourself, and for... that person waiting for you in the living world."
She pressed the jade pendant into my hand. It felt ice-cold yet seemed to carry a trace of life's warmth. "When we act tomorrow, you must wear it. Remember, its effect only lasts for the time of one incense stick. We must pass through the lantern alley during that time."
I gripped the jade pendant tightly, my heart filled with mixed emotions. This mysterious girl, this soul so similar to my daughter—why was she so desperately helping me? The "person waiting for me in the living world" she mentioned—could she really mean my daughter?
Late at night, I pretended to sleep while secretly observing Xiao Yu. Sure enough, she took out that photograph again, silently looking at it by the faint moonlight filtering through the window. This time, I clearly saw that the back of the photograph seemed to have writing, but the distance was too far to make it out. Her shoulders trembled slightly in the darkness, and suppressed sobs pierced my heart like fine needles.