CIATB Chapter 206 – A Family Situation
Chapter 206 – A Family Situation
Chapter 206 - A Family Situation
I kept my Qi pulsing steadily into her body, feeling its flow like a warm current merging with her uncontrollable waves. With my eyes closed, I focused entirely on the diagnosis, pushing my awareness deeper,
There was no hesitation, no complaint, but her movements screamed panic. Her posture, usually fluid and strange, now seemed stiff, driven by anxious energy.
She was usually calm for her age, with excellent control over her body language.
I canceled the invisibility array, realizing the man wasn't coming upstairs. Spreading out my Qi senses, I felt every living being around, but it seemed the man who called out had already gone.
Walking out of the mill, I scanned the area but saw no sign of the old man. The footprints in the mud were more pronounced at the front of the foot, suggesting he leaned forward as he walked. Likely due to poor posture or an injury to his tibia. He probably wasn't a runner.
I moved quickly, using the invisibility array whenever it seemed like someone might glance in my direction. Just to be cautious, I kept my distance from the farmers walking about and others who had come to use the nearby inns.
After scouting the area and sneaking around the mill's shadow, I approached the house nearby. My footsteps were quiet on the damp earth. The ground-floor windows were tightly shut, but the one on the side, just above eye level, had a slight crack. Perfect. I glanced around to ensure no one was watching, then crouched low and jumped, grabbing the ledge with both hands. The window creaked as I pushed it open just enough to slip through.
With a swift pull, I hoisted myself up, tucking my legs close as I squeezed through the narrow opening, careful not to make too much noise. My feet landed silently on the wooden floor inside, and I covered them with Qi to avoid leaving muddy prints.
The house was larger than it appeared from the outside. The first floor opened into a wide room dominated by a long, sturdy table worn from years of use. It looked large enough to seat at least twelve people. Scattered around the room were signs of life; coats hung by the door, boots lined up against the wall, and a basket of fresh bread on a nearby shelf. The faint scent of wood smoke lingered in the air, mixing with the musty smell of old, damp wood from the chairs surrounding the table. The place felt like a house still occupied but was eerily quiet.
After carefully inspecting the house, it became clear that this wasn't just a home, it felt more like an inn. The long table, rows of mismatched chairs, and abundant provisions all pointed to that conclusion. Almost every room on the second floor seemed prepared for visitors, with neatly made beds, faded but clean linens, and lanterns set on tables waiting to be lit.
Even the outhouse, tucked behind the building, was far larger than what a typical family would need. Its tall ceilings and wide doors were designed to accommodate travelers of all shapes and sizes. The reinforced flooring and heavy beams suggested it had seen many prosperous, and possibly overweight, merchants over the years. This place wasn't just for anyone; it catered to travelers from all walks of life.
At least, it was built with that in mind. As I extended my senses, it became clear that only two people lived here now. Even with the threat of rain, no merchants had come to stay despite the other inns being fully booked. It seemed the rumors of a faceless child had kept them away. I couldn't blame them. People knew how fragile life was and weren't eager to test their luck with something so unsettling.
As I sensed the subtle vibrations of footsteps stirring within the house, I knew it was time to leave. The quiet murmur of voices and floorboards creaking signaled that the occupants were waking. I moved swiftly back to the window I had entered through.
With one last glance behind me, I eased the window open and gracefully slipped out as silently as I had come. My feet landed softly on the ground outside, the cool morning air brushing against my skin.
Rubbing my chin thoughtfully, I watched as more people emerged from their homes, heading to tend the fields or walk the dirt paths between houses. The village was waking up, and with each passing minute, the chances of going unnoticed were shrinking. Sneaking around like a shadow wasn't exactly my specialty. I could manage it for a while, but eventually, someone would spot me.
The invisibility array was an option, but it had its limits. Maintaining it would be risky unless I planned to stand perfectly still.
There were other ways to approach the house where the faceless girl's parents lived. By now, they were awake, and I could hear the father demanding breakfast.
"Another day without any customers. It's all the fault of that wretched thing. We should've left it in the forest when I told you to," a woman's voice screeched, harsh as a banshee's wail.
"It's not that simple, you damn woman! That thing is my child," a man responded, his voice heavy with frustration. "If I'd known this would happen, I would've left her for the wild animals or whatever prowls these woods. But now it's too late! If we leave her, she might come back for revenge. How many times do I have to tell you this? You complain about it every damn day!"
It was the same man who had called the faceless girl when she was in the mill.
With a polite smile, I approached the door and gave it a firm, steady knock. The sound echoed briefly in the quiet morning, a knock that wasn't too forceful but enough to announce my presence. I stepped back, adjusting my posture to seem relaxed and non-threatening, though my mind raced.
Footsteps shuffled inside, followed by the creak of the door opening slowly.