Chapter 52 The Sudden Death of Ma Lao

Old Ma's expression sharpened; he swiftly searched Huang Wenyang and, in a moment, drew out a small object the size of a lychee. It was a forbidden pouch! Huang Wenyang had been sealed right in front of us!

A rustling noise came from the side. Old Ma reacted instantly, shining his flashlight toward the sound. A figure darted through the thicket.

“Watch him, we’ll give chase!” Old Ma shouted at Su Feiyong.

Without another word, he sped after the shadow. I followed close behind, reasoning it was better to run after Old Ma than to stay alone.

The figure seemed intimately familiar with the surroundings, vanishing swiftly into the wilderness. Despite his age, Old Ma was remarkably agile, chasing the shadow at a pace that left me far behind. Our movement startled a flock of birds, bursting from the trees in a cacophony of chirps. There were an astonishing number of birds here.

Physical prowess was never my strength; I pushed myself to keep up, feeling the distance widen. I nearly called out for Old Ma to wait.

Before I could speak, Old Ma stopped ahead. I thought perhaps he’d finally tired—he seemed almost supernatural for his age!

I slowed as I approached. Old Ma stood motionless, not panting as one would after exertion.

Alarm gripped me, slowing my steps further. He stared forward, still as stone, his behavior disturbingly abnormal.

Could it be… he’d fallen victim too?

“Old Ma? Sir?” I called, stopping half a meter behind him and cautiously reaching out.

The flashlight illuminated his back. Not only was he not breathing heavily, he showed no signs of breathing at all. He was eerily still, like a corpse standing upright…

“What are you doing!” he suddenly barked, turning around.

Startled, I withdrew my hand. It was just my nerves, but how had Old Ma run so long without a hint of fatigue?

“Why did you suddenly stop?” I asked.

Old Ma turned, displeased. “He’s vanished; chasing further is useless, like searching for a needle in the sea!”

Despite his words, I noticed his face, pale and bloodless—normally his wrinkled visage showed little color, but now the lifelessness was pronounced, as if vitality was draining away.

I asked cautiously, “Sir, are you alright?”

He avoided my gaze, replying instead, “Tonight’s not the right time. We must leave immediately!”

I hesitated. “We’re not searching for Master Wei anymore? He could still be here. What if something happens?”

“That kid ran off on his own. If something happens, it’s his own doing. There’s a sinister energy here, something’s very wrong. If we don’t leave, we’ll be the ones in trouble!” With that, Old Ma turned and hurried away.

What had come over him so suddenly?

I didn’t want to linger here either, but having come this far, could we just leave like that?

Following him, I watched his back, feeling increasingly uneasy. He’d been nimble as a monkey earlier, jumping and running. Now he walked step by step—not slowly, but his movements lacked their former agility. This sluggishness seemed to grow incrementally.

Had I not kept him in sight, I’d have doubted he was the same Old Ma.

What was happening? Had he strained himself running? Or was some old ailment acting up? It was possible.

Old Ma’s stiffness became more obvious; his limbs moved as if controlled by strings, wooden and numb.

I couldn’t help but ask again, “Sir, are you really alright?”

His pace slowed further, his body heavier and weaker.

“Sir?” I called.

Suddenly, Old Ma collapsed, hitting the ground with a heavy thud.

Alarmed, I rushed forward. Old Ma lay face down, motionless, like Huang Wenyang earlier—collapsed in sudden unconsciousness. Yet this seemed different; Old Ma’s body was unnaturally still, with not the slightest movement.

“Sir! Old Ma!” I cried, turning him over. His eyes were tightly shut, lips pressed together, his face blank and dead. My heart lurched; I slowly reached toward his nose, dread swelling as I approached.

My finger hovered beneath his nostrils—no sign of breath! Shocked, I jerked my hand back, heart pounding. Old Ma had no breath!

Eyes wide, I stared in disbelief. How could this be? Moments ago he was fine, how could he die so suddenly? Had he fallen victim too? Old Ma was no ordinary man—the most capable among us. How could he succumb so easily?

I pressed a hand to his left chest; silent, lifeless, declaring death. Was he truly dead? Impossible! Old Ma was so skilled; whether it was the ghost spider or those living dead cats, he handled them with ease. How could he die so simply? No, it couldn’t be!

My mind was in turmoil. I’d sought him to save my life! If Old Ma was dead, what would I do? My month was nearly up; time was running out! He couldn’t die!

No matter my disbelief, the silent chest and vanished breath spelled death.

Refusing to accept it, I grabbed the flashlight to check his pupils. The beam fell on Old Ma’s face, and I froze. Earlier I’d thought him lifeless; now, upon closer inspection, he looked utterly devoid of vitality, disturbingly so—like someone long dead.

A sudden rustle came from the bushes nearby. Startled, I aimed the flashlight.

A gaunt face appeared among the leaves, bulging eyes staring fixedly at me.

Zeyu! So it was this little demon!

“Old Ma! Old Ma! Old Ma!” I shook him desperately, but he showed no reaction, not a hint of life—truly dead!

Rustling… Zeyu stepped out from the thicket, his somber expression at odds with his age, those bulging eyes locked onto me.

A wave of terror surged through me. Old Ma was dead; I was no match for this little demon!