It had to be said that people of the generation of Yan Shouyi's grandfather and Zhang Shantong possessed an inherent resilience.
They could bend their backs to farm the land, facing the earth and turning their backs to the sky, not caring if they had to chew on tree roots or drink water from ditches.
But if anyone dared to bully them, they would immediately turn hostile, even if it meant cursing the heavens themselves until they were thoroughly chastised!
Zhang Shantong patted Yan Shouyi on the shoulder and said loudly,
“Your sworn grandfather has no other family in this world, only you, the last sapling. If I don’t protect you, who else will?”
Yan Shouyi’s mouth twitched.
Sometimes, when listening to Zhang Shantong speak, he felt as if his grandfather had been cuckolded by Zhang Shantong.
However, Yan Shouyi was certain he shared a blood relationship with his grandfather. Zhang Shantong spoke this way because he had a good relationship with his grandfather, treating Yan Shouyi as his own grandson.
With Zhang Shantong's assistance, Yan Shouyi had a greater chance of success in the matter of snatching the bride tomorrow.
However, how to break the restriction that confined Zhang Shantong became a problem.
The restriction that could trap Zhang Shantong was not something ordinary people could break. Even Yan Shouyi lacked much confidence.
He asked,
“Sworn grandfather, do you have any ideas about the restriction童惊承 (Tong Jingcheng) used to seal you?”
Zhang Shantong pouted and said indignantly, “童惊承 (Tong Jingcheng) used those vengeful spirits as the eyes of the formation. As long as they are still here, I cannot leave. The only way to break the formation is to make them disappear.”
Make the vengeful spirits disappear?
Yan Shouyi couldn't help but glance at the open space beside them. Although those little brats looked terrifying, their actions were innocent, no different from living children.
If the vengeful spirit from earlier had intended to strike Yan Shouyi’s crotch, Yan Shouyi might have momentarily considered destroying them.
But now, seeing their innocent and lively demeanor, Yan Shouyi found it difficult to take action.
Zhang Shantong sighed and said,
“Originally, I didn’t want to bother with those unruly children. The reason I didn’t deal with them back then was mainly because I had no intention of leaving this old house. I had roamed for most of my life, dying lonely and without kin. After death, I only wished to stay in this small old house. Later, as these unruly children accompanied me, I gradually developed some feelings for them, making me even less inclined to act.”
Ultimately, Zhang Shantong was a kind-hearted person.
If it were Xue Kai, the formation might not have held him for even a day.
Yan Shouyi completely understood Zhang Shantong's thoughts and would certainly not lay a hand on these vengeful spirits.
But they still needed to find a way to take Zhang Shantong out, didn't they?
He lowered his head and pondered for a while, then suddenly said,
“Sworn grandfather, as long as these vengeful spirits disappear, it will be fine, right?”
“Exactly. Do you have a way?”
“You said, if I let them all reincarnate, will the restriction become invalid?” Yan Shouyi asked.
Zhang Shantong was stunned for a moment, then said, “Your reasoning is correct. This way, I can regain my freedom, and their lives won’t be harmed. However…”
However, vengeful spirits harbored heavy resentment. If they could easily reincarnate, they wouldn't have become vengeful spirits in the first place.
Having failed to be born, they held deep resentment towards women, almost wishing to escape the confines of the womb.
Convincing them would not be that simple.
“Let me try,” Yan Shouyi said.
There was no other way now; they could only try their best. Although Zhang Shantong held little hope, he still said,
“If you’re willing, go and communicate with them. But be very careful, they have rather bad tempers.”
After that, Zhang Shantong began pouring himself some fine wine, intending to indulge in a good drink.
Yan Shouyi was already aware of the vengeful spirits’ bad tempers.
He stood up and walked towards the little brats. Seeing them playing happily, he casually intercepted their ball, attracting their attention.
“Hey, give us back the ball!” the most mischievous vengeful spirit shouted at Yan Shouyi. “Otherwise, we’ll beat you until your head is covered in lumps!”
The other vengeful spirits chimed in, some baring their little fangs to threaten Yan Shouyi.
Yan Shouyi, who had even slain Ghost Kings, would he be afraid of these mere little specters?
Their attempts to scare him were, in Yan Shouyi’s eyes, no different from playing house.
It was like a tiny puppy barking at the King of Beasts.
Yan Shouyi, holding the ball, bounced it twice casually and asked, “How long have you been playing here? Do you only play with the ball?”
“What business is it of yours?”
“I’m just asking.”
“We’ve been here for over ten years, and we only have the ball to play with; we don’t have any other toys,” the other vengeful spirits replied.
“Tsk, tsk, tsk, how pitiful!”
Yan Shouyi shook his head with regret. “I see children in other families playing with toy guns, keeping small pets, and even having their own phones to play games. Why are you so miserable? Is it because you’re too naughty, and your parents don’t want you?”
The vengeful spirits were instantly stunned. They lowered their heads pitifully, tears beginning to well up in their eyes, accompanied by a hint of anger.
Seeing their reaction, Yan Shouyi felt a pang of guilt. His words were indeed a bit harsh, but to make these little specters reincarnate, he had no other choice.
The most mischievous little specter suddenly burst into tears, shouting, “Waaah!”
With this little specter taking the lead, the other little specters seemed to have their hidden switches flipped, and they began to cry incessantly, one after another.
Yan Shouyi, who had never interacted with children, suddenly panicked.
Why were they crying just like that?
Were these modern unruly children so fragile?
Or were his words too hurtful?
Yan Shouyi flusteredly tried to comfort them:
“It’s not your fault, it’s not your fault. It’s your parents’ fault for abandoning you. Oh… why are you still crying? It’s my fault, okay? This ball is too old; I’ll buy you new ones, and I’ll buy you candy, buy you clothes…”
Seeing Yan Shouyi’s state, Zhang Shantong, who was drinking nearby, couldn’t help but chuckle.
He understood the temper of these unruly children best. If they could be persuaded so easily, would it have fallen to Yan Shouyi?
The most mischievous little specter cried, “Big brother is bullying us!”
“Cough, cough, cough, it’s my fault. What do you want me to do to stop you from crying?” Yan Shouyi was exasperated.
“Pretend to be a horse, and we’ll ride you!”
“Hm?”
Yan Shouyi suddenly found it strange. Weren’t these brats too goal-oriented?
Upon closer inspection, he noticed that while they appeared to be crying, they were actually hiding a hint of a smile at the corners of their mouths.
Damn it!
They were sly little devils!
Crying so sadly, but it was all an act!
Yan Shouyi felt a surge of anger: “Stop pretending to cry. Family affection is not to be trifled with!”
Seeing that their act had been exposed by Yan Shouyi, the little brats did not feel ashamed. Instead, they mocked Yan Shouyi:
“You don’t understand anything, yet you’re lecturing us! We were abandoned by our parents; we’ve never experienced family affection. Why can’t we joke about it? Fool! Idiot! We’re not playing with you anymore!”
Seeing Yan Shouyi receive such a cold shoulder, Zhang Shantong was not surprised at all.
He knew the temper of these vengeful spirits well; they distrusted affection and were unwilling to reincarnate.
Even if they lived a miserable existence as unwanted vengeful spirits, they were unwilling to face the prospect.
Zhang Shantong felt helpless about this. They were all unfortunate souls; who could help whom?
He didn't expect Yan Shouyi to be able to persuade these vengeful spirits.
But what harm was there in trying?