For thirty years, he has roamed the Northeast, his divine might overwhelming all immortals under hea

"Bullshit, you old geezer, trying to act young? You've lived this long, and you're still the same size!"

"Tsk tsk, old dog, it seems your arguing skills have improved quite a bit. You've made this old man afraid to speak."

"If you're afraid to speak, then shut your mouth."

Old Dog and Huang Dalang have been bickering in my head more than once or twice.

I ignored the two of them and instead helped my mother and Xiulian back into the house.

"Thirteen, is everything done?"

My mother asked cautiously.

"Hey, don't even mention it, Mom, that old bachelor Li Baocai ruined everything."

"Thank goodness Xiulian came back with you, otherwise that old bachelor Li Baocai would have bullied us!"

When my mother heard this, she also got angry.

"This Li Baocai, he actually has these thoughts. How come I never noticed before?"

"Alright, Mother, you and Xiulian should rest now, it's getting late."

"Yes, Xiulian, don't be too sad. Life goes on. Take care of yourself and get some rest."

My mother took Xiulian's hand and patted it gently.

I looked at Xiulian, who was sobbing with her head down.

I didn't say anything. I really didn't know how to comfort her at this moment.

The pain of losing a loved one is so profound that I think no language can truly express it.

I turned around and went back to the main room, my mind filled with the scene in the cave in the western mountains.

I'm a true local, and I didn't even know about that cave in Xishan.

Moreover, judging from the old man's appearance inside, he's probably been there for more than just a day or two.

And why was Brother Sanlu's body found in the water tank?

Who exactly is that old man, and what is he going to refine from Brother Sanlu's corpse?

My head was throbbing, and then it suddenly occurred to me that my father might know about the cave in the Western Hills.

When Dad comes back, we can ask him and maybe we'll get some answers.

But they waited until dawn.

My father still hasn't come back.

I had a bad feeling, and I ran into my mother when I went out.

"Thirteen, what are you doing, all flustered?"

"Mother, has Father not returned?"

"Ah, yes, this old man, he's been helping out all night, and he's finished harvesting all the corn."

"Mom, I'll go take a look, don't worry."

I rushed to Teacher Wang's house.

But when we arrived at Teacher Wang's house, it was still not ready.

"Oh, Thirteen, so early, what's up?"

Teacher Wang was still groggy, not yet free from the fatigue of last night.

"Has my father arrived?"

"Uncle Li? No, he didn't come!"

When I heard what Teacher Wang said, my head went blank, as if a bell had hit me hard inside, and my ears were ringing.

"Teacher Wang, could you... could you say that again? My mother said your family was harvesting corn last night. Did you ask my father to come and help harvest the corn?"

My throat was dry, and my voice sounded unfamiliar even to myself.

Teacher Wang pushed up his glasses, which had slipped down his nose, his face showing genuine confusion and a hint of displeasure at being questioned.

"Thirteen, do you think I would lie to you? I did harvest corn last night, but I didn't go to see your father. There wasn't much corn to begin with, so we didn't need that many people. A few neighbors would have been enough. Besides, I haven't seen your father for a while."

I felt a chill run through my body, and a cold shiver ran up my spine.

The "Teacher Wang" who called me "Dad" last night was a fake!

My dad was called away from home by some unknown entity using an excuse that couldn't be verified, and he didn't return all night!

"Thirteen, why do you look so pale? What happened?"

Teacher Wang noticed something was wrong and asked with concern.

"No...it's nothing, Teacher Wang. I must have misheard you. Thank you for your help."

I managed to squeeze out a sentence, turned around and left, my steps quick and hurried, as if I wanted to fly.

My mind was a jumbled mess, like a heavy, thorny ball of rope soaked in ice water.

Teacher Wang was still saying something behind me, but I couldn't hear a word she said, so I turned around and ran back.

The cold wind choked my throat, carrying a rusty, metallic smell. My feet crunched on the frozen, hard ground, like stepping on my own heart.

It's fake! That "Teacher Wang" is a fake!

My dad was tricked out by some unknown thing using this easily puncturable disguise! He's been gone all night!

"Brother Dalang! Sister Ruoyun!"

I screamed in my heart.

"I heard you, Thirteen."

Huang Dalang's voice also tightened, losing its usual slickness.

"This is bizarre! A diversionary tactic? We'll get rid of you, the pillar of our family, first, then deal with the rest."

Liu Ruoyun's usually cool tone also took on a serious tone.

"The gloomy thing in the courtyard last night, and the fact that your father was tricked away, are probably not coincidental. Their auras may be connected. The most urgent task is to find him."

Looking for someone...where to even begin?

I suddenly stopped and stood on the icy dirt road in the middle of the village, looking around.

As dawn broke, the village was still fast asleep, shrouded in a gray haze, with only a few wisps of smoke drifting weakly from the chimneys.

Where could my dad have gone? Where did that thing lead him last night?

West Mountain! That cave!

The thought flashed through my mind, and the hairs on my body stood on end.

That old man in gray, that eerie cave, Brother Sanlu's corpse... If my father gets taken there...

I shuddered and dared not think any further.

"Don't panic, Thirteen."

Huang Dalang steadied my mind.

"Your father is strong and robust, with a tough constitution; it's not easy for ordinary people to mess with him. We need to sort this out. Was there anything unusual about that fake 'Teacher Wang' when he came last night? What did your mother say?"

I forced myself to calm down, turned around and ran home again, I had to ask my mother carefully.

As soon as I ran to the front door, I saw my mother leaning against the gate frame, looking out expectantly. As soon as she saw me running back, the composure she was trying to maintain shattered instantly.

"Thirteen! Where's your dad? What did Teacher Wang say?"

I was panting heavily when I grabbed my mother and helped her up.

"Mom, Teacher Wang said he didn't come to call Dad at all last night! They are indeed harvesting corn, but they're not short-handed!"

My mother's legs went weak, and she almost sat down on the ground. Her face turned pale instantly, and her lips trembled.

"No...no way...the person who came last night was clearly Teacher Wang...wearing his faded blue jacket, wearing glasses, and speaking in a very formal, scholarly manner...I even poured him a bowl of water..."

"Mother, don't rush, think about it slowly."

I gripped my mother's cold hand tightly.

"Is Teacher Wang any different from usual? Even the slightest bit!"

My mother stared blankly, trying hard to recall, when suddenly she shuddered.

"Now that you mention it... it seems... it seems like he had a certain smell... unlike Teacher Wang's usual chalk dust smell... it was a bit earthy, and a bit... like the smell of dried mushrooms that have been sitting out for a long time? I was thinking at the time that maybe Teacher Wang's house was damp and his clothes were stuffy... so I didn't think much of it..."

It smells earthy! Like dried mushrooms!

"What else? What did he say? Did he just tell Dad to go and help?"

I asked urgently.

"I told you... I told you we were short-handed to thresh corn, and asked your dad to go help out. Your dad even said, 'Teacher Wang asked, so I have to go,' and he put down his bowl and went... When he left... when he left..."

My mother's eyes showed fear.

"That person seemed... seemed to turn around and smile at me... that smile... I can't describe it, but it gave me the creeps, a chill down my spine..."

My mother became more and more frightened as she spoke, and her body trembled.

Xiulian also came out at some point, holding onto my mother's other arm, her face pale, biting her lower lip tightly.

"It's that old man in gray!"

Huang Dalang roared in my heart.

"Damn it, they've got their eyes on your family! First, they send some traitorous thing to impersonate Teacher Wang and get your dad transferred, then they'll either come themselves or send someone else to spy on your place! That thing in the corner of the yard last night, it might just be him!"

"But what's in it for him?"

My mind raced.

"What is it about my family that he's so concerned about? Or is it something else?"

My gaze involuntarily drifted towards Xiulian.

Because of the death of her father, Uncle Wang?

Because Xiulian is living in my house now?

No, they must be targeting Xiulian.

Xiulian has a Yin destiny according to the Eight Characters.

It perfectly meets the requirements for refining corpses and evil spirits.

I felt a surge of anger rushing to my head.

"Mom, lock the door tightly at home and don't open it no matter who calls! My father might have been tricked into going to the Western Hills; I'll go look for him!"

"Thirteen! You're going to that place alone? No way! That Western Hills is an old forest..."

My mother was so anxious she was about to cry.

"Auntie, let... let Thirteenth Brother go. I'll stay home with you."

Xiulian spoke softly but firmly, then helped my mother to her feet and looked at me.

"Thirteenth Brother, you...you be careful."

Huang Dalang's voice rang out again.

"Thirteen, are we really going like this? That cave is eerie, and we don't know how deep that old man's influence is. If your father is really inside, it's like a dragon's den or a tiger's lair!"

"I know."

"Brother Dalang, Sister Ruoyun, we're counting on you two this time."

"Hey, we've already registered our relationship with you, are you going to just watch you go to your death?"

Huang Dalang let out a strange laugh.

"But you also need to be smart. In our current state, we can only lend you so much help. We'll have to rely on you when it matters."

"I see."

"Thirteen."

"I give you a wisp of my innate cold energy, which will attach to your senses and eyes, and may help you discern some unusual and elusive traces. Do not resist."

As she finished speaking, I felt a chill on my brow, as if a drop of ice dew had seeped in. The world before me seemed to become a little clearer, or perhaps shrouded in a very faint, flowing cold light. The usual subtle noises in my ears also became distinct and clear.

"Old dog, what are you pretending for? Aren't you coming along?"

"Bullshit! When did I say I wasn't going?"

"You weasel spirit, why do you keep talking so much?"

"Hey, you haven't said a word, how are we supposed to know if you're going or not?"

"Thirteen! Come back soon! Even if you can't find me, hurry back!"

My mother chased after me, her voice trembling with tears.

Without looking back, I waved my hand and plunged headlong into the gradually brightening dawn, running wildly towards the western mountains.

Behind me, the old dog followed closely, even though last time he looked like a little puppy.

It emphasizes being harmless.

Just as I reached the edge of that old forest, a figure suddenly came running from the side in a panic, almost bumping into me.

When I looked, it was Li Baocai again!

The old man's face looked even worse than last night, ashen and dull, his eyes cloudy and lifeless, as if he had been up for days and nights, or as if he had been scared out of his wits by something.

When he saw me, he looked like he'd seen a ghost, let out a howl, and turned to run away.

I was already bursting with anger and anxiety, how could I let him get away?

He lunged forward, grabbed him by the back of the neck, and slammed him against an old poplar tree.

"Li Baocai! Where the hell are you going to hide?!"

Li Baocai was so frightened that his legs cramped and he could barely speak.

"Ten...thirteen...have mercy...I really didn't do anything...I...I...I'll get out of here right now..."

"Shut the fuck up!"

I picked him up, and although I didn't physically harm him, my eyes were enough to kill.

"I'm asking you, where did this 'unknown' on you come from, and what are you doing here?"

Li Baocai froze, his eyes darting away.

"No...no...I just smell bad..."

"Bullshit!"

I lowered my voice, but it carried a fierce edge.

"I smelled it last night at Uncle Wang's house! Tell me! Did you go somewhere you shouldn't have been? What did you see?"

Upon hearing the words "places one shouldn't go," Li Baochai's eyes bulged out as if he had heard something extremely terrifying, and the muscles on his face twitched.

"How...how did you know...that...that awful place...we can't go there...if we go, we won't come back..."

"You went?"

My heart skipped a beat, and I tightened my grip even more.

"What did you see? Tell me! If you don't, I'll chop you up and feed you to the dogs!"

"I'll talk! I'll talk!"

Li Baocai completely broke down, tears and snot streaming down his face.

"I...I went there...the day before yesterday, didn't I steal two chickens from Old Sun's house? I was afraid of getting caught, so I thought I'd hide in the old forest of West Mountain and stew the chickens...but...but I got lost and stumbled upon a cave...I've never heard of a cave in West Mountain before, I was curious, so...so I went inside..."

His breathing quickened, filled with fear.

"Inside...inside there was an old man wearing a gray jacket, his face like old tree bark...sitting there...in front of him...on the ground in front of him, there were many circles and lines drawn with some kind of white lime...in the middle...in the middle there seemed to be someone lying down...I couldn't see his face...it scared the crap out of me, I ran away as fast as I could..."

Is someone lying down?

My heart was pounding.

"What did that person look like?"

"I...I didn't see clearly...I just glanced at him, and the old man seemed to notice me. He looked up...and his eyes...his eyes were like black holes...so I ran away..."

Li Baocai collapsed.

"I've been having nightmares ever since I got back, and I feel unwell. Last night, I even had a sudden urge to steal some offerings to calm my nerves... Thirteenth Master, that's all I know... That place is haunted, please don't go there..."

I let go of his hand, and Li Baocai slid to the ground like a limp rag.

"So what brings you here today?"

I glared at him, wishing I could devour him.

"I...I don't know either. I was sleeping at home last night, and when I opened my eyes I was in this old forest. I was terrified. This...this is why I'm running towards the village..."

I pulled Li Baocai close to me with all my might.

"You old bastard, you're not allowed to talk nonsense when you get back. If you do, I'll skin you alive, you hear me?"

"I...I understand..."