Yan Shouyi was getting anxious about Sanyuan's disappearance.
He had always believed in Sanyuan's abilities. If it wasn't for a dire danger, Sanyuan's intelligence and resourcefulness would surely have allowed him to escape.
However, Sanyuan's sudden and unannounced disappearance was enough to indicate that A Gong was a seasoned veteran.
The Liu family's ancestral mansion had now become a Hongmen Banquet. Yan Shouyi knew there was danger, but he had to go!
As the sun set, Guling was plunged into darkness. The sky was overcast, so not even moonlight graced the night.
Fortunately, ever since his body transformed into a Sky Fiend Corpse Puppet, Yan Shouyi's vision seemed to have improved considerably. Even in the darkness, he could discern fine details.
After entering the deep mountains, Yan Shouyi's phone lost signal. He had intended to send Lin Zhitong a text message to inform her he was in Guling, but by the time he realized it, the phone had no signal at all.
With no way to retreat, he could only press forward.
Man and pig, they galloped along the mountain path, finally reaching the Liu family's ancestral mansion!
From afar, Yan Shouyi saw the red lanterns hanging on either side of the mansion's main entrance.
In this remote mountain forest, two red lanterns lit at the entrance in the dead of night. The light they emitted didn't bring comfort but rather a chilling sensation.
Zhu Shanzao promptly stopped, saying guiltily, "How about I don't go in? I'm no match for A Gong anyway. You gods are fighting; don't drag me, a little demon, into it."
Yan Shouyi pondered for a few seconds.
He had initially planned to keep Zhu Shanzao with him, using the pig as a shield if any danger arose.
But Zhu Shanzao wasn't foolish. When it came to matters of life and death, it wouldn't budge, even if beaten.
Moreover, they hadn't established any trust yet. If he brought Zhu Shanzao along and Yan Shouyi started fighting A Gong, who knew who Zhu Shanzao might side with.
So, Yan Shouyi said,
"You stay outside and keep watch."
Zhu Shanzao nodded repeatedly, "No problem, I promise not to leave your side!"
However, Zhu Shanzao had already made up its mind. The moment Yan Shouyi stepped into the Liu family mansion, it would bolt and run.
Then, it would hide in the deep mountains, cultivate for a few more decades, and once Yan Shouyi was old and gray, it would emerge for revenge.
Let's not forget, one of Zhu Shanzao's eyes was blinded by Yan Shouyi. Although Zhu Shanzao had ways to recover from injuries, the pain was real. It naturally hated Yan Shouyi, but it simply didn't dare to challenge him at the moment.
Yan Shouyi could naturally guess what Zhu Shanzao was thinking.
So, Yan Shouyi added, "You've cultivated for many years but haven't achieved enlightenment, mainly because no one has built temples for you or offered incense. But now you have an opportunity. If you save the Liu family, they will build temples for you and burn incense. Do you want to remain an obscure little demon, or do you want to achieve enlightenment? Think about it carefully. I'm going in."
Upon hearing Yan Shouyi's words, Zhu Shanzao's small eyes, which had been searching for an escape route, suddenly revealed a hint of longing.
When it snapped back to reality, Yan Shouyi had already entered the Liu family mansion.
"Damn it... what's so great about achieving enlightenment? It's just adding a thousand years to your lifespan. I'm happy being a carefree little demon hiding in the mountains..."
Zhu Shanzao turned its head and muttered to itself as it walked away.
But after only a few steps, it couldn't help but turn back and stare at the Liu family mansion.
"But if I really achieved enlightenment, I could openly go down the mountain and into the city without worrying about being caught by those Daoists and monks..."
...
Creak!
Returning to the Liu family mansion, Yan Shouyi felt a sense of déjà vu.
Even though it had only been half a month.
To Yan Shouyi's surprise—
The Liu family mansion was filled with people.
The Liu family mansion, which should have been deserted, was now bustling with activity. In the front courtyard alone, many servants were busy coming and going, and children kicked a ball past Yan Shouyi.
What surprised Yan Shouyi even more was that Liu Yong, the Liu family servant who had bullied him before, was standing right in front of him, talking to other servants.
These "people" acted as if they couldn't see Yan Shouyi, living their ordinary lives.
Yan Shouyi stood at the entrance, observing the scene within. He knew he hadn't entered the Yin Yang realm yet, so the Liu family ancestors he saw were not real.
Otherwise, Liu Yong would have been terrified and rushed to greet him upon seeing him.
Everything before him was either A Gong's trickery or an illusion he had created.
Since these people couldn't see him, there was no need for him to disturb them.
Yan Shouyi ignored them and walked straight in, wanting to see if A Gong had brought out Liu Jingkang and Liu Jiaren.
However, as Yan Shouyi passed through the front courtyard, the familiar little ball suddenly rolled towards him.
Yan Shouyi wasn't paying attention and stepped on it. The ball couldn't withstand the pressure and was flattened by Yan Shouyi's foot.
The children, who had been happily playing, stopped about three meters in front of Yan Shouyi. They looked down at the flattened ball, their faces looking quite unpleasant.
Feeling a bit guilty about breaking the children's ball, Yan Shouyi looked down closer. He discovered that the ball was made of paper.
At that moment, Yan Shouyi understood. The paper-making A Gong had already made his move!
"Waa!!!"
As expected, the few little ghosts in front of him suddenly let out ear-piercing cries!
The sound was so sharp that it made Yan Shouyi feel dizzy.
And the others, who had previously been unable to see Yan Shouyi, seemed to have been alerted by the little ghosts. They all quieted down and looked at Yan Shouyi in unison!
Yan Shouyi looked up, took a deep breath, and said calmly,
"If you wanted to make a move, you could have done so the moment I stepped in here. Why bother with these charades!"
Liu Yong, standing behind Yan Shouyi, suddenly wore a ferocious expression. He casually picked up a hoe nearby and swung it towards Yan Shouyi's head!
The tip of the hoe was very sharp. If it struck an ordinary person's head, it would likely split it open on the spot!
As if he had eyes in the back of his head, Yan Shouyi dodged Liu Yong's attack with a flash and then punched Liu Yong in the chest!
To his surprise, Liu Yong offered no resistance. Yan Shouyi's fist went straight through his body!
"As expected, another paper figure!" Yan Shouyi said.
With his chest pierced, Liu Yong's body was revealed to be supported by bamboo strips and covered with paper.
Yet, such simple craftsmanship could make the paper figure move.
One had to admit, paper effigies indeed possessed a magical quality.
Just as Yan Shouyi was about to pull his hand out, Liu Yong unexpectedly grabbed Yan Shouyi's arm tightly. The bamboo strips in his pierced chest also tightened rapidly, as if trying to ensnare Yan Shouyi and restrict his movement.
Simultaneously, the other Liu family members also rushed towards Yan Shouyi, restraining his limbs and gnawing at his body with their teeth.
But they never imagined that Yan Shouyi's body was incredibly tough. Their teeth couldn't even pierce his skin!
Yan Shouyi also felt fortunate. If he had arrived at the Liu family mansion any earlier, he might indeed have suffered at the hands of these paper figures.
Now that he was no longer afraid of these ordinary attacks, he acted without hesitation!
"Had your fill of biting? Is it my turn now?!"