I gathered my qi into my dantian, my voice booming like thunder, and with all my might, I roared, "Demoness, behold the flying nail!" I raised the bone-piercing nail high in my hand, ready to throw it at Fifth Gege.
At my shout, Fifth Gege fell for the bait. Her long hair, entwined like black snakes, instantly formed a wall before her.
Seizing this opportunity, I bolted towards the bamboo building. I was less than five meters away; once inside, I should be safe for a while.
Just as I reached the door, before I could enter the bamboo building, I heard a piercing scream from behind me.
The sound was like the cry of an old crow, sharp and ear-piercing, mixed with gusts of wind.
Without a second thought, I turned and hurled the bone-piercing nail.
"Demoness, behold the nail."
Hundred-year-old lightning-struck wood was a treasure, but compared to my own life, treasures were secondary. Even Zhang Dabiao wouldn't blame me.
"Ah! You tricked me again."
Amidst Fifth Gege's screams, I ran into the bamboo building, then slammed the door shut, bolted it, and leaned against it.
Listening to Fifth Gege's mournful wails outside, I sank to the ground.
Though it sounds slow, all this happened incredibly fast, like lightning and thunder.
From the moment I decided to seek refuge inside to devising the trick of throwing the bone-piercing nail, the plan was formed in an instant. This was the result of my perverted master forcing me to develop the ability to react on the spot.
Outside, Fifth Gege alternated between threatening me to open the door and pleading with me, saying she was "sister" and it was cold outside, and if she didn't come in, she'd freeze to death. I ignored it all.
If I believed her now, I'd be more foolish than a pig.
After an unknown period of shouting, there was no more movement outside.
However, I had no intention of opening the door. Who knew if she was lurking right outside, waiting for me to open the door? I didn't want to be treated like Little Red Riding Hood.
When I arrived, Old Ghost had told me to throw all my electronic devices to Zhang Dabiao, lest outsiders discover I was a living person who had entered from outside. This left me unsure of the current time.
I could only estimate based on when I entered. I left the village at eight, sat with Old Ghost at the restaurant for about two hours, plus the marriage proposal at the prince's mansion, and then my fainting and two more incidents after entering. It was now around four or five in the morning.
The weather in Molu Village was abnormal. Even at nine or ten in the morning, the sun was not visible. Only at noon did the sky brighten considerably. I estimated I had at least another five or six hours to stay here.
The thought of how much longer I had to wait made my stomach rumble.
I patted my stomach and said, "What are you grumbling about? You won't die from being hungry for a while."
I moved the heavy dressing table to block the door, then sank onto the bed and lay down.
My stomach was already hungry, and this ordeal made it even worse.
"No, if I keep weakening like this, let alone running, I'll be too weak to even move from hunger. I remember I had some food in my bag, right?"
I casually emptied the contents of my bag.
Besides three bags of specially treated rooster blood, there was the seal of the Fifth Prince and a few sheets of yellow paper. Nothing else.
"Damn it, how could I be so stupid? I didn't bring any food when I came out?"
Looking at the items before me, I felt a bit dejected.
Just then, I suddenly smelled a fragrance. I took a deep sniff and felt it was the smell of stewed meat.
"Strange, where is this stewed meat smell coming from?"
Like a hunting dog searching for something, my nose meandered around the room, following the scent.
The bamboo building wasn't large, just one room separated by a screen. After a circuit, I located the source of the scent. Following the smell, I arrived at the door; the stewed meat aroma was seeping through the crack.
I licked my lips and smacked them.
"It smells so good!"
As soon as I spoke, Fifth Gege's voice came from outside, "Young master, my younger sister was being mischievous earlier and was teasing you. I have now regained control of my body, and I presume you must be hungry after running all night. I've specially made a pot of fragrant meat for you. Please open the door and taste my sister's cooking."
Listening to Fifth Gege's soft and gentle voice, coupled with the aroma in my nose, made my stomach roar even louder.
Cursing her internally as despicable, I said coldly, "Enough, stop pretending with me. You just want me to open the door, don't you? I'm telling you, no way."
"What are you talking about, young master? I don't understand. Open the door, I..."
To prevent myself from succumbing to the urge to open the door, I turned away from Fifth Gege's indifference and got onto the bed, pulling the quilt over my head to block out the smell.
Fifth Gege called out for a while longer before falling silent.
"Trying to outsmart me? You're still too naive."
I mentally calculated and thought about what I should eat after leaving this place. Lost in thought, I fell asleep.
In my dream, I found myself once again in front of the bamboo forest pavilion.
Seeing the familiar scene before me sent a chill down my spine. Without a second thought, I ran towards the covered bridge. Su Dan Novel Network
However, when I reached the covered bridge, there was no bridge, only a void of misty smoke.
"Damn it, I'm dead for sure this time."
I cursed and, like a mad dog, searched everywhere for a way to leave, but after looking around, there was no path.
"Are you tired of running? If you are, sit down, and let's have a good talk."
At some point, a figure had appeared in the pavilion. Judging by her attire, it was Fifth Gege, but I didn't know if it was the one I first met in Huazhong or the one who tried to kill me outside.
Perhaps seeing me standing still, she continued, "I am me, and she is her. Don't confuse us."
Hearing her say that, I immediately felt more confident. It should be the Fifth Gege I met for the first time in my dream.
At the same time, I realized that since this was a dream, I should be in charge. What was there to fear?
I walked into the pavilion and sat facing her. This time, I saw the tea and some unknown pastries before me. Without her saying a word, I began to devour them. After satisfying my hunger, I drank a cup of tea and let out a comfortable burp.
"Why are you daring to eat now? Aren't you afraid it's poisoned?" she asked after I finished.
"If you wanted to kill me, you would have done it already. Why resort to such despicable means?"
She nodded approvingly, "Not bad, much better than the first time."
I didn't respond to her praise, but I was constantly pondering her intentions and the relationship between her and the Fifth Gege outside who wanted to kill me.
Judging by their attire, they were identical, even down to the slightest subtle movements.
Could she be that gentle personality?
Seeing me staring at her without speaking, she probably guessed my thoughts and said, "I think you're wondering who I am. You've guessed correctly, I am Fifth Gege."