Chapter 292 Choosing to Stay

After Old Huangpizi finished speaking, Uncle Er and the others turned ashen. They repeatedly knelt and begged for mercy, "Spare us, old immortal! Spare us!" "Old immortal, our hearts are not black, not black..." "Old immortal, have mercy, have mercy!" As they spoke, Uncle Er, Aunt Four, and Uncle Five all burst into tears. The surrounding villagers, seeing this, were too frightened to speak up, fearing that misfortune would spill over and engulf them. After all, the three siblings, Uncle Er, Aunt Four, and Uncle Five, had a poor reputation in the village; they were merely opportunistic and unrighteous individuals. Only Village Chief Grandpa San was still pleading, "Oh, Huang Lao Xian'er! Please show your great mercy and let them go! If you want to eat hearts, I will bring you more pig hearts and ox hearts tomorrow. Don't eat them..." After speaking, he clasped his hands and kept bowing. Uncle Er, Aunt Four, and Uncle Five further prostrated themselves on the ground, kowtowing repeatedly and begging for their lives. However, the Old Huangpizi standing before the mountain cave let out a cackling laugh. He continued to speak in a hoarse voice, "Ox hearts, pig hearts, how can they be as delicious as these people's black hearts? No need to say more. You can all leave now. If you don't want to leave, stay and drink the wine of my new son-in-law..." After Old Huangpizi finished speaking, he stood with his hands behind his back, just like a human. The pack of huangpizi surrounding everyone suddenly parted, clearing a path. The villagers did not wish to stay a moment longer. Seeing that the huangpizi had made way, they scrambled away, turning and fleeing. "Go, hurry up and go..." Uncle Er and the others also wanted to leave, but how could they escape now? As soon as they stood up, they were blocked by several huangpizi. With a glare at the three of them, they were so frightened that their legs trembled. Village Chief Grandpa San, pushed by two villagers, was also being urged to leave. After all, who would dare to drink the wine of Huang Lao Xian? They feared they would never be able to return. At the same time, I was speaking to Foolish Uncle Liu, "Uncle Liu, the game is finished. Hurry back with everyone! You'll get candied hawthorns when you get home." I said with a smile. Uncle Liu, being mentally impaired, applauded and cheered. At the same time, Village Chief Grandpa San came before me. Seeing that I was still calm, he wore a serious expression and said to me earnestly, "Zewa, you, you can rest assured. The village will help look after your grandmother from now on. You, just go with peace of mind!" I smiled and said, "Grandpa San, don't worry. Take Uncle Liu and go back first! I'll be back by tomorrow morning at the latest." Village Chief Grandpa San thought I was comforting him. He paused, then let out a long sigh, "Alas!" Then, holding Uncle Liu's hand, he quickly left the area. Only Uncle Er and the other three behind them were constantly calling out and pleading, "Uncle San, Uncle San, don't go!" "Uncle San, save us, save us!" "Uncle San, we don't want to die, don't want to die." "..." Amidst the wails of Uncle Er and the others, Village Chief Grandpa San and the villagers quickly left the area, disappearing into the forest. At this moment, only I, Uncle Er and the other three, and that group of huangpizi remained in front of the mountain cave. I turned to look at the Old Huangpizi at the cave entrance. I smiled faintly, "Now, may I go in?" Seeing my composure, the Old Huangpizi narrowed its eyes. But then, it grinned and said, "Of course, my daughter is still waiting!" After speaking, it cheerfully addressed the surrounding huangpizi, "Everyone, get things ready." The Old Huangpizi's voice stretched out long. Following this command, the demonic aura instantly became even more potent. The surroundings were immediately enveloped by this demonic energy. Simultaneously, the huangpizi around began to emit human voices of "hee hee ha ha." For a moment, I felt a wave of dizziness wash over me. I shook my head, trying to resist. But when I steadied myself and looked around again, I found that this old mountain forest had transformed. Where were the weeds, shrubs, and rocks? Instead, there were mansions and courtyards. The dark mountain cave had now become a grand mansion with lanterns hanging high and imposing gates. Beside it stood two stone lions. Inside the courtyard, the sound of "ding ding dong dong" echoed, the sounds of opera being performed... It looked just like a wealthy household from ancient times. However, everything around exuded a strong demonic aura. Not only that, but every huangpizi present at this moment, from head to toe, erupted with waves of green mist. As these mists rose, these huangpizi were transforming into human figures, each wearing ordinary clothes or yellow and white attire. The leading Old Huangpizi even transformed into a hunched old woman, holding a black cane and wearing an old Taikun cap on her head. Seeing this, my heart trembled, and my face showed a look of horror. I had heard elders tell stories before about seeing pavilions, grand houses, and hearing opera in the mountains. If one approached, the homeowner would invite them in to listen to the opera. But if they went in, they would never be able to come out again. Places like these were generally illusions conjured by monsters. I used to take them as mere stories, for amusement during leisure time. But now, I was experiencing it. And the protagonist of tonight's opera was me.