Hearing Chen Hao suddenly mention Lin Huashan, the big-bearded bald man turned into a picture of horror.

"You know Huashan too?" the big-bearded bald man asked Chen Hao in response.

Chen Hao nodded, his face full of confusion, "I know her, what's wrong? You look like you've seen a ghost, did something happen to her?"

The big-bearded bald man's eyes suddenly doubled in size, and after observing the other cooks who were busy nearby, he put down his spoon and took Chen Hao out of the kitchen.

"Chen Hao, I'm not going to lie to you, something strange did happen."

"What exactly happened?" Chen Hao asked urgently, his heart starting to worry for Lin Huashan.

"Although Miss Huashan has not been at the estate for very long, she had a particularly good relationship with the master, even better than a cook like me who has been here for over twenty thousand years," said the big-bearded bald man. "Before leaving Netherworld City this time, the master dismissed all the other servants, bringing only me and Huashan. The day before your decisive battle with King Wanfa, I had a brief chat with Miss Huashan. But since that day, I have never seen her again."

Upon hearing this, Chen Hao's heart skipped a beat. He remembered clearly that when he asked Zhao Chong about Lin Huashan, Zhao Chong had said that he had sent her to a safe place seven days ago.

Clearly, there was no possibility that the bald chef was lying to him, which meant Zhao Chong was the one who lied.

Realizing this sent a chill down Chen Hao's back, his body and heart both starting to tremble.

"Zhao Chong must be up to something!" Chen Hao firmly held this thought in his heart. "It's very likely that Huashan discovered some earth-shattering secret of his, so he's kept me from seeing her. Not good!"

A violent shudder went through Chen Hao's heart again.

If everything was as he suspected, then Lin Huashan might have already been silenced by Zhao Chong; furthermore, at this moment, both he and Ye Yuqiao were in danger, being used by Zhao Chong.

"Chen Hao, Chen Hao." Seeing Chen Hao lost in thought for a long time, the big-bearded bald man had to interrupt him.

Chen Hao came back to his senses and asked the big-bearded bald man, "You haven't told anyone else about this, have you?"

The big-bearded bald man shook his head repeatedly, his face still wary.

"Never told anyone, not even our master!" said the big-bearded bald man. "The reason I'm telling you is first because your name is Chen Hao, and second because you know Huashan. Though I haven't known Miss Huashan for very long, she is quite endearing."

Chen Hao nodded, then patted the big-bearded bald man on the shoulder and warned, "Remember, never speak of this to anyone in the future, or it could lead to fatal consequences!"

Hearing this, the big-bearded bald man's face turned pale.

"I knew I shouldn't have followed them here!" lamented the big-bearded bald man. "Chen Hao, you won't tell anyone that I told you this, will you?"

"I promise you!" Chen Hao said with utmost certainty.

Afterwards, he who had originally come in search of fine food, now put all thoughts of culinary delights out of his mind as he hurried back to the main peak of the Huiyin Mountains on the flying horse.

All he wanted was to find Ye Yuqiao immediately and inform her of the matter in person.

Before long, he rode back to the stables, and at that time, Ye Yuqiao was still discussing matters with Zhao Chong.

After standing still not far outside the tent for a while, and in order not to raise Zhao Chong's suspicions, he finally decided not to rashly barge into the tent to find Ye Yuqiao.

"Calm down, stay calm, I must stay calm!" Chen Hao muttered to himself, his eyes filled with a horrified glow, "The situation in the Netherworld is very unclear right now, Ye Yu and I are still useful to Zhao Chong, so he won't do anything to us for the time being."

With this thought, Chen Hao's uneasy heart began to settle somewhat.

"I need to come up with a foolproof strategy before Zhao Chong makes a move, one that will allow Ye Yu and me to escape danger. Ideally, I can even use Zhao Chong's strength against the Ghost King and Qian Feng," Chen Hao's thoughts became clearer and his emotions more composed. "If Zhao Chong can use us, why can't we use him in return?"

"That's right, I can also look for Niu Tou and Ma Mian," a glint appeared in Chen Hao's eyes. "They are very loyal to Yuqiao and can be trusted."

So, not long after, Chen Hao arrived at the tent of Niu Tou and Ma Mian.

Seeing Chen Hao's sudden visit, Niu Tou and Ma Mian, who were warming wine at the table, were both very surprised.

Observing the somewhat panicked expressions of Niu Tou and Ma Mian, Chen Hao felt it strange and became cautious, thus he asked, "Why do you become so nervous upon seeing me?"

Niu Tou and Ma Mian looked at each other, stunned for a moment before Niu Tou replied, "Probably had a bit of wine."

"Really?" Chen Hao grew more guarded, "What wine did you drink?"

"Blood Plum Wine!" Ma Mian answered, "Wine brewed from the tree people's embryos, harvested from within their bodies. Would you like some?"

Chen Hao glanced inside the wine cup, only to see a deep crimson color. He shook his head and said, "I don't drink."

After he spoke, he looked towards Ma Mian and noticed that Ma Mian's facial expression was becoming more and more unnatural.

Next, the three of them just looked at each other, silent for a long time.

"Did you come to us for a reason?" Niu Tou finally broke the awkwardness that filled the room by asking what would normally be an obvious question.

However, the fact that it only just occurred to ask was an indication that the situation was indeed not so normal.

Chen Hao surveyed Niu Tou and Ma Mian with a scrutinizing eye, his brows furrowed as he said, "I have come to express my gratitude for saving my life."

"You already thanked us yesterday." Niu Tou, sensing the unnaturalness on Chen Hao's face, said, "Is there something else?"

Chen Hao nodded, thought for a long time, then finally said, "How is my grandfather doing after his reincarnation?"

Niu Tou hummed in response, "Reincarnated into a wealthy family, he will have a life without want for food or clothing, free from serious illnesses, a virtuous wife, and filial children and grandchildren in the future."

"That's good! That's great!" Chen Hao forced a smile, by now entirely abandoning the idea of telling Niu Tou and Ma Mian his suspicions about Zhao Chong, "Then I'm leaving, you two enjoy your drink."

As his words fell, Chen Hao walked towards the tent's exit. Just as he reached the doorway, Niu Tou suddenly called out to him.

"Wait!"

Chen Hao turned around.

"You probably didn't want to ask us those things, did you?"

"Then what do you think I should ask?"

Niu Tou and Ma Mian had nothing to say, inadvertently glancing at each other to exchange a look.

"I have a few words I want to say to you," Niu Tou said, his tone very somber.

"What is it?"

"Every person has many facets. It's not certain that the side you see is the one you're familiar with, nor is the side you're familiar with necessarily their true side."

"Are you trying to hint at something with those words?" Chen Hao asked, "But I really can't understand!"

Niu Tou let out a sigh of lament, but said nothing more.

"Then can you tell me if what you just said is related to Zhao Chong?"

Niu Tou firmly shook his head.

"Then who is it?"

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