Zuo Qing tilted her head, a flicker of something unreadable in her gaze as she stared into Chen Qiang's eyes. "A'jie Drum?"

"Yes." Chen Qiang's attention remained fixed on the painting, seemingly unconcerned by Zuo Qing's scrutiny. "Legend has it that in Tibet, there is a cruel custom. To play the purest melody in tribute to Changsheng Tian (Eternal Heaven), they sacrifice the most innocent maiden. They flay her skin and stretch it to make a drum, which is called the A'jie Drum."

"It is said that drums made in this way have a very ethereal sound, with the miraculous effect of communicating with the yin and yang realms. Whenever a major event occurs, the A'jie Drum is brought out to be played, so that Changsheng Tian can hear their appeals."

"Moreover, it is said that those chosen are all willing. This is a great honor for themselves and their people. In Tibet, only the skin of the most sacred woman is worthy of making a drum. In the eyes of those people, death is not terrible; it is like the birth of a new life, a return to nature."

"As part of the cycle of reincarnation, life and death are equal. Only happiness and auspiciousness are most important." Chen Qiang said, "Perhaps in their eyes, this is not cruel."

After saying this, Chen Qiang hesitated and added, "Of course, before seeing this drum, I also thought these were just legends."

As soon as he finished speaking, a very discordant voice rang out. "Bullshit about only the skin of the most sacred woman being worthy of making a drum! That's just a guise used by the powerful chieftains to deceive ordinary people, just like the banner of 'Acting on behalf of Heaven' erected by ancient bandits."

"When have I ever heard of a chieftain handing over his daughter to be flayed and made into a drum?" Jiang Cheng sneered. "Aren't their daughters pure?"

Chen Qiang was stunned. That wasn't his intention; he was just stating what he had seen in some records. He didn't know what had touched a nerve with the other man.

But Chen Qiang didn't choose to argue with Jiang Cheng. Instead, he nodded slightly to the latter and said very gently, "I stand corrected."

"Hmph." Jiang Cheng snorted unceremoniously.

Xia Meng was so annoyed with him that she wished the mission would end soon so she could go out and hang him upside down in the yard as a mascot—no, to be used as an animal.

"These bastards actually flayed her skin..." The fatty looked at the painting, feeling incredulous just thinking about it. Along with the icy chill down his spine came a deep-seated anger in his chest.

"It's not just flaying the skin." Chen Qiang spoke again, his gaze towards the woman in the painting now mixed with some strange emotions. "According to the records, it's flaying alive. This can maximize the spirituality of the drum."

Chen Qiang seemed to want to say something more, but after glancing at the others, he didn't continue.

After discussing the issue of the painting, everyone's next topic mainly focused on the A'jie Drum and Master Huang.

Yes, Master Huang.

An Xuan, through some means, had already guessed that Young Master Huang was actually Master Huang in disguise. According to him, he had found clues on the boat last night.

But as for what exactly they were, he didn't say.

You Qi looked very curious, but no one supported him, so it didn't stir up much of a storm.

Chen Qiang had been silent since he spoke earlier, and it was unclear if he was thinking about something.

Because the mission had progressed to this point, everyone had their own plans, so it was no longer realistic to coordinate everyone.

In the end, no matter what An Xuan said, everyone just didn't refute him on the surface.

After all, the people who survived weren't stupid. Everyone could clearly see what had happened to Tang Shirou.

An Xuan rubbed his temples and said helplessly, "Since that's the case, then everyone act freely. But I suggest you try to avoid areas where the Huang family frequently operates."

After a pause, he continued, "If you are interested in the drum, don't act alone. The bronze mirror on the second floor of the attic can reveal ghosts. Be careful, and don't touch the drum, or the ghost will appear."

These were all lessons learned in blood.

In fact, thinking about it carefully, Shi Liaozhi didn't die unjustly. After all, he accidentally touched the drum.

He brought the trouble upon himself. Jiang Cheng and An Xuan could at most be considered as having failed to offer help, but this was in a nightmare. Let alone failing to offer help, how many people wouldn't kick someone when they were down?

In any case, neither of them seemed to feel indebted to Shi Liaozhi.

"Doctor." Walking on a small path paved with gravel, the fatty couldn't help but feel a little uncomfortable underfoot. He frowned and said, "Why are we here?"

The place was very desolate, and most of the surrounding houses were very dilapidated, as if they had been abandoned for a long time.

It didn't seem like a place where clues would be hidden.

It was certainly sparsely populated.

"Waiting for someone."

Jiang Cheng seemed to think it was about time, so he found a conspicuous place to sit down, leaning against a strangely shaped tree. The shade under the tree was very cool.

The fatty came to his side, but before he could open his mouth, he heard movement near a wall. Then a small head poked out from behind the wall and swayed when it saw the fatty.

"It's you!" The fatty showed a happy expression and quickly beckoned. "Come over here!" He took out a few steamed buns that he always carried with him and waved them at the little beggar.

This was the fatty's breakfast, but he didn't eat it, thinking of saving it for the little beggar. After all, the other party was willing to save his life. He could only blame himself for not seeing the trick.

The little beggar climbed onto the wall, but didn't jump down. His eyes were fixed on Jiang Cheng to the side, his eyes filled with vigilance.

"Little brother, he's a good person too." The fatty explained, "A very good person. You can still see me now, thanks to him."

Perhaps the fatty's explanation worked. The little beggar jumped down from the wall, but he still went around Jiang Cheng and came to the fatty's side. He wasn't polite at all, taking the steamed bun and stuffing it into his mouth.

"Slow down." The fatty said with a smile, "Don't choke. If there's meat and vegetables for lunch, I'll save some for you too. Remember to come and get it later." He paused, seemingly thinking of something, and reminded, "Be careful when you come."

Seeming to think it was too tiring to eat standing up, the little beggar simply sat down opposite the fatty. The fatty just squatted on the ground, looking at him with a smile.

After a while, Jiang Cheng seemed to realize something and suddenly "hmm?"

Almost reflexively, Jiang Cheng immediately came to the little beggar's side. "Doctor," the fatty quickly said, protecting the little beggar behind him, "you promised me you wouldn't catch him."

Jiang Cheng ignored him, pointing to the little beggar's waist and saying, "Where's the brocade pouch you had?"

The fatty was stunned for a moment, then turned to look at the little beggar behind him. Before he could speak, the little beggar showed a disgruntled expression, then snapped off a branch and started drawing on the ground.

Slowly, the outline of a person emerged. The more the fatty looked at it, the more familiar it seemed, until finally, his pupils dilated and he exclaimed, "It's him?"