Zane Zhuang and Ghost Painting Book Immortal looked at Isabelle Frost with puzzled expressions, letting out faint whimpers and continually gesturing with their hands.
"Miss, what are you talking about?"
Zane Zhuang was clearly confused. At that moment, Ghost Painting Book Immortal considered using the Ghost Network to peer into Isabelle Frost's mind, but quickly abandoned the thought; doing so would only harm the child.
"Why bury it?"
John Chou suddenly spoke, catching everyone’s attention. Isabelle Frost, though afraid, still looked at John Chou cautiously.
"Hurry up, silly sister. It’s time to go. That guy is already dead, someone will come to deal with it in a few days."
Isabelle Frost whimpered, shaking her head repeatedly. She pointed to the ground with both hands, then mimed digging a hole, continuing her earnest gestures.
"When someone dies, they should be buried. Who taught you that?"
"Young Master, how do you know what Miss is saying?"
John Chou turned around, smiled, and replied.
"Mr. Brown, have you forgotten? My mother couldn't speak either. I've always communicated with her like this since I was little."
As John Chou spoke, he reached out to grab Isabelle Frost. Isabelle shrank back in fear, trembling and not daring to move.
Yet the moment John Chou's hand touched Isabelle Frost, he stopped, looking into her eyes. Though she was afraid of him, she struggled to keep herself composed.
"Mr. Brown, dig a hole and bury that guy!"
A hint of joy flashed in Isabelle Frost's eyes, but she quickly lowered her head. John Chou pressed her forehead, rubbed it for a while, then pulled her away.
"From now on, you have to listen to me, understand? Silly sister."
Isabelle Frost nodded in agreement, and John Chou dragged her back inside.
After a while, Zane Zhuang finished digging a hole, then carried Zhou Kan's rotting, foul-smelling corpse out, placed it in the pit, and buried it. Only then did the siblings emerge from the house.
Mr. Brown burned his clothes, washed himself, and changed into a fresh set before preparing to leave.
Isabelle Frost stared motionlessly at the freshly filled grave, while John Chou waited quietly beside her, smiling and resting a hand on her head.
"Remember this, silly sister: the most terrifying thing in this world comes from within yourself."
By afternoon, the three had left Liao City. Zane Zhuang and Isabelle Frost shared a horse, and Isabelle's expression had improved slightly, though she was still somewhat afraid of John Chou.
"Do you really not need my help?"
Ghost Painting Book Immortal followed along the way, while John Chou smiled and shook his head.
"No need, Elder. I don't want to owe you a favor. Besides, though your methods aren't wrong, if I were you, I wouldn't have let all this happen."
Ghost Painting Book Immortal's old face reddened, but he quickly regained his composure and spoke seriously.
"Kid, maybe one day when you touch the Heavenly Dao, you'll understand. The saying that evil is punished by Heaven is no mere rumor. No matter how strong you are, if you cross the Heavenly Dao, you'll be powerless to resist."
John Chou smiled silently and spurred the horse forward, while Zane Zhuang glanced at Ghost Painting Book Immortal.
"You can come visit Miss if you have time. Thank you for saving her life."
Ghost Painting Book Immortal shook his head.