Faced with the golden token from Granny Guan that Tian Guoqiang brandished, Young Master Liu immediately objected, shaking his head like a rattle drum. "No way, absolutely not going to that old hag!" His tone was utterly firm.

"Why? Granny Guan is very effective." Tian Guoqiang couldn't fathom why the mere mention of Granny Guan elicited such a strong reaction from Young Master Liu.

"Just no!" Young Master Liu pouted. "If we beg her, we'll walk out the door and she’ll immediately run off to tattle to our dads and moms. Then, hmph, at best we’ll be kneeling on a washboard, and at worst, our butts will suffer terribly! Besides, even if she doesn't squeal, she definitely won't give me a pleasant look. She’ll probably just sneer and mock us, intentionally needle us!"

"What's the matter? Do you two have a grudge?" A few dark lines immediately stretched across the back of Tian Guoqiang's head.

"Don't you remember? Last year, Little Mazi and I couldn't stand her arrogant swagger. Taking advantage of the autumn harvest, we snuck into her vegetable patch under the cover of darkness and used dynamite to turn that whole mu of pumpkins into mush!" Young Master Liu confessed.

"Right, right, there was that," Little Mazi chimed in, clearly enjoying the chaos, "I was too slow to escape, and that old woman kicked me right in the behind. That old immortal, she must be seventy or eighty, but she’s still got plenty of spring in her legs!"

"You two! You just love stirring up trouble for me!" Tian Guoqiang was left speechless. With this revelation, the path of approaching Granny Guan was completely blocked. With no other options, he once again rested his chin on his hands and sank into thought, mulling over countermeasures.

Unfortunately, he wasn't Zhuge Liang, nor was he Sima Yi. So, after thinking and thinking, all he gained was a throbbing headache and absolutely nothing else.

"Brother Tian, why don't we just forget about it for now? Let's wait a couple of days and see. If everyone is safe and sound, then this will blow over, and we’ll just be more careful not to enter that demon temple again." By now, the sun had shyly hidden half its face behind the clouds, and the temperature on the ground had noticeably dropped several degrees. The once comfortable atmosphere instantly turned a bit chilly. Unable to bear the cold, Little Mazi started to complain.

"Easier said than done, 'wait a couple of days'! What if something happens during those very days? We offended those Bodhisattva Lords; we might very well kick the bucket tonight!" Gou Dan tucked his hands into his sleeves, speaking irritably.

"Go back where you came from! Such a jinx!" Tian Guoqiang glared at him. Seeing Gou Dan's dough-ball face, the anger that had just subsided reignited: "Even if someone is going to be harmed, it’ll be you, you fat slob, first!"

"Tsk." Gou Dan wasn't as timid or terrified as he was in the temple, where he’d nearly wet himself. Instead, he acted quite boldly, as if he had some hidden support. "Anyway, our family worships the Buddha Tathagata. I light three sticks of incense every morning and evening. Staying home tonight, protected by the Buddha, I'm not afraid at all!" Having said that, Gou Dan stood up, brushed the scattered grain fragments off his trouser legs, and without bidding the other three farewell, headed toward his home.

"Gou Dan's grandma seems to be a Buddhist," Little Mazi mumbled, watching Gou Dan's retreating figure.

"Damn it, so what if she’s a Buddhist? Superstitious nonsense! When Wenqing comes down to investigate the local situation, the first thing I'll do is tell my village chief father to smash every single one of your family's Buddha statues to smithereens, and let you two old and young cry over the wreckage!" Tian Guoqiang spat a thick stream of saliva onto the ground and cursed.

"Wait a minute..." Young Master Liu's eyes lit up, as if he’d grabbed a life raft. "Brother Tian, what if we also invite a deity to come and stay with us? Then those demons and ghosts will definitely not dare to cause trouble."

"Don't say that, that actually sounds quite feasible!" Tian Guoqiang smacked his head. "How could I not think of such a great idea at first!"

"But, inviting a deity, where do we get one? And more importantly, which one would be most effective?" Tian Guoqiang frowned in difficulty.

"That's easy!" Young Master Liu now had a plan, and his mood instantly lifted considerably. The gloomy expression that had been shadowing his face due to the two strange incidents brightened up: "I often hear storytellers talk about Lord Guan Yunchang, Lord Guan, he’s the most formidable, peerless in loyalty and righteousness. With Red Hare and the Green Dragon Crescent Blade, if some disrespectful little ghost tries to cause trouble at home, kacha, kacha, kacha, their heads will be chopped off by Lord Guan’s divine spirit—it never fails!"

"Makes sense!" Tian Guoqiang nodded repeatedly. "We've also seen Romance of the Three Kingdoms. Guan Yu was a real man, top-notch."

"As for where to invite him from..." Young Master Liu knitted his brows. "If we have to, we can make the trip and buy one in town!"

"Town? That’s too far!" Tian Guoqiang offered a bitter smile. Indeed, setting out from Xiushui Village, they would have to cross two mountain hollows and walk for several hours on the main road to reach the town.

"What, you expect to buy a statue at Chen Big Head’s rundown little shop where even rats cry when they see it?"

"It's still early now, a round trip should be fine. As for the money, the three of us can split it! A small statue should be enough." Young Master Liu rummaged through the private funds he kept hidden all over his person, counted it up, and said.

"What about you, Little Mazi?" Tian Guoqiang was clearly swayed. After all, at this critical juncture, having psychological reassurance was better than anything.

"I’ll follow your lead," Little Mazi said with a smile.

"Then it’s settled!" The three clapped their hands, immediately left the village, and took the shortcut into the mountains.

The journey was uneventful, save for the occasional 'caw-caw-caw' of a few crows in the woods, which made the youngsters feel jumpy. Fortunately, on the main road, they ran into Old Man Hu, who was preparing to transport corn to the city to sell.

Old Man Hu drove a tractor. Even though its noise was deafening, like a thunder god’s roar, shaking people's eardrums painfully, back then, it was a real treasure. So, Young Master Liu proposed hitching a ride. However, Old Man Hu was reluctant, saying too many people would use up his fuel. Finally, after much pleading and persuasion, and after Tian Guoqiang brought his village chief father into the negotiation, Old Man Hu grudgingly agreed.

Black industrial smoke rose sparsely, carrying the group toward the town.

To call it a town was actually a disservice; it was far inferior to the well-off countryside they lived in now. As far as the eye could see, there were only a few three- or four-story small buildings standing there. The roads were relatively well-connected, paved with asphalt, and the walls and utility poles were plastered with all sorts of red banners. Various trinkets were sold in the small alleys; the place was bustling.

Since time was of the essence, the three of them only bade a hurried farewell to Old Man Hu, agreeing on a meeting spot for the return journey. Without another word, they headed straight to the second floor of the department store, selected a relatively inexpensive yet imposing statue of Lord Guan, intending to place it at home for warding off evil.

The statue looked heavy, but it was actually hollow—otherwise, how could it be cheap? Right? The three packed it in a plastic bag, then entrusted it to Tian Guoqiang, who was the most level-headed among them, for safekeeping, while Little Mazi and Young Master Liu walked in front and behind, guarding it through the crowd. Although the stairwell was still dim, the light at this hour was sufficient to see everything clearly.

The strange event occurred right in the brightly lit lobby!

Young Master Liu stepped aside at a turn in the staircase, letting Tian Guoqiang, who was carrying Lord Guan, walk down first so he could catch his breath. Just as he was about to follow, he suddenly felt a hard shove on his back, causing his body to involuntarily lurch forward.

Luckily, his reflexes kicked in, and he threw out his hands, grabbing Tian Guoqiang's arm, thus avoiding a tumble onto the ground. Tian Guoqiang, however, was jolted by the force, his hands slipped, and the statue of Guan Gong fell to the floor, shattering into pieces.

Tian Guoqiang looked at Young Master Liu in astonishment and was about to ask if he had missed a step, when Young Master Liu exclaimed, his face full of panic, "Someone... someone pushed me!"

And Little Mazi, who was standing aside in a state of panic, immediately waved his hands repeatedly, distancing himself: "Not me, not me."

As soon as he said that, without any more explanation, the three of them understood: something had latched onto them!

Young Master Liu immediately rushed up the stairs. Sure enough, within a ten-meter line of sight, there was no trace of anyone. Even the few people present were staring longingly at the items in the glass counters, with no apparent motive or means to commit such an act. This proved it wasn't human mischief.

It was only the afternoon, and they were already so impatient? They only stayed in their temple for a while, played a game of cards, and ate an offering fruit. What deep-seated hatred demanded they be killed?

Young Master Liu’s face was ashen, his mind a chaotic mess.

It seemed that predicting life or death tonight was impossible! At the very least, it would not be a peaceful night!

For more novels, visit storyread.net.