Fan Debiao mustered his courage, rushed forward to help Young Master Liu up, and the two hurried back. The ancient corpse and the centipede were locked in fierce combat, completely ignoring them. Young Master Liu was helped to sit by the door. Huang Shitou repeatedly asked, "Master Liu, are you alright!"

Young Master Liu took several deep breaths before turning around, immediately cursing, "Damn bastards! Why did you turn off the light... Ouch, you all want me dead, don't you!"

It turned out Young Master Liu had devised a plan: he intended to lead the centipede toward the ancient corpse, letting them tangle up so he could escape more easily. That was why he ran toward the corpse. As he got close, he vaulted over it. Who knew that at the crucial moment, the light went out. Blinded, Young Master Liu relied on his memory of the layout and leaped over the ancient corpse. The moment his feet touched the ground, his legs went weak, and he soiled his pants. He could only hear the sounds of the two entities colliding behind him, unsure of the situation. It wasn't until Fan Debiao and the others lit the lamps and shone the light that he dared to look, letting out a secret sigh of relief! The two things had finally been brought together.

When Hu Beikang understood what had happened, anger surged in his chest, and he immediately slapped Huang Shitou: "Son of a bitch, who couldn't even keep an eye on a simple light! Do you know you almost killed Master Liu?"

Huang Shitou said aggrievedly, "It wasn't me, Brother Biao. It felt like someone hooked behind my ankle, and I lost my balance and put out the lamp..."

Fan Debiao roared, "You're still lying with your eyes open!"

Ge Shuanwa stepped forward and said, "It's true, someone really pushed me from behind!"

At these words, everyone fell silent. Ge Shuanwa's testimony was generally considered credible. Fan Debiao's earlier thought resurfaced: "Damn it all, is there really a ghost causing trouble here?"

Young Master Liu waved his hand: "Something isn't right. When I was inside just now, I heard something tearing the talisman off the box..."

Hu Beikang asked in alarm, "What talisman?"

"Waa..." "Waa..." Suddenly, the sound of an infant crying erupted, sending chills through everyone's bones. Hu Beikang's eyes went wide: "The talisman for this baby?"

Young Master Liu nodded with a bitter smile.

Young Master Liu said solemnly, "I don't know what's causing trouble yet, but everyone needs to be more careful from now on, watch your backs!"

Fan Debiao panicked. Using the light, he saw one infant corpse after another crawling out of the box, waving their tiny hands and wriggling across the floor in circles.

"Oh, Master Liu, what do we do now?"

Young Master Liu ordered, "Retreat into that outer cave!"

The group hastily backed out of the secret chamber, and Young Master Liu slammed the door shut. Su Yougui slapped his forehead: "Aiya... Wouldn't it have been better if we had come here sooner? Once the door is shut, nothing can touch us!" Fan Debiao looked at the door, which was so rotten it was almost just a layer of wood skin, and said, "I don't know what's wrong with this door; it's not as hard as the wooden stakes here, nor as strong as the plank outside. If this door fails to hold, and one of them gets through, we’ll have nowhere to run and will have to fight to the death!"

Su Yougui said with a distressed face, "We should never have entered this cave in the first place. Fighting the centipede outside would have been better than being trapped here with no way out and no place to hide!" Everyone's expression darkened; when people panic, their judgment often clouds.

Just as everyone was lost in their own thoughts, Huang Shitou suddenly gritted his teeth and charged back inside the door. The others cried out in alarm, wondering what he was doing, only to see him dragging the corpse of Huang Peng, which was already bound like a zongzi, and running out. This boy was usually thin and weak, lacking strength, but now he moved as if divinely assisted. Fan Debiao cursed under his breath, "This little ancestor really knows how to stir up trouble!" He passed the lamp to Young Master Liu and rushed in to help Huang Shitou drag the body.

Young Master Liu illuminated the scene with the lamp and saw an infant corpse crawling close to Huang Shitou's feet. His hair stood straight up in fright, and he shouted, "Watch your feet!"

Huang Shitou, still holding onto his brother, lashed out with a fast kick. There was a sound like kicking a pile of loose skin, and the infant corpse flew high into the air, landing amidst the centipede and the ancient corpse that were still entangled. This kick was truly a blend of extreme danger and sharp precision. Su Yougui shouted, "Aiya, Shitou, that kick was masterful skill!"

Huang Shitou and Fan Debiao dragged Huang Peng's body to the entrance. As soon as Huang Shitou got out, his face was ashen white, gasping for breath, his eyes fixed on the ground. Young Master Liu was both angry and amused, saying, "Even for your brother... don't take such a reckless risk! What was that kick all about?"

Huang Shitou rubbed his chest and said, "I always heard Master Liu say that when one invites a spirit, one invites a spirit's essence. I just invited a spirit!"

Young Master Liu wondered aloud, "Which deity did you invite?"

Huang Shitou smiled faintly, "The immortal martial artist from Guangdong!" The others laughed, but Young Master Liu remained puzzled.

Su Yougui shone the light inside again and cried out in delight, "Aiyo, these three armies of bandits are fighting each other!" Looking over, everyone finally relaxed slightly. It seemed the infant corpses, sensing the commotion, had all surrounded the hopelessly entangled centipede and ancient corpse, their strange worms standing erect and wrapping around them. Once entwined, they couldn't separate. In appearance, it looked like the ancient corpse was riding the centipede, surrounded by a circle of small minions.

Fan Debiao ripped off the urine-soaked clothes covering his face and said happily, "Master Liu, should we just watch the overturning boats at the Yellow Crane Tower until dawn, what do you say?"

Young Master Liu thought that the centipede preferred darkness, and once the sun rose, the centipede outside would likely hide. If these three fighting ghosts inside left them alone, it might be safe here! Just as he was about to speak, Ge Shuanwa suddenly spoke up.

"Do you know why this door is so broken? This was good wood too!" Hearing Ge Shuanwa say this, everyone was confused. After a night of fear and tension, their minds were sluggish.

Ge Shuanwa glanced at everyone, shone the light on the door, and said, "Look closely at the holes in this door; aren't those claw marks on the edges?" Upon closer inspection, everyone broke out in a cold sweat. Along the ragged edges of the holes in the door were two deep claw marks, clearly made by something grabbing them. Su Yougui held his hand up to compare and exclaimed, "Aiyo, Mother of mine, these are much bigger than my hands!"

In this one night, the group had witnessed more strange things than in the previous decades combined. Seeing that there might be yet another creature about to reveal itself made their hearts tremble. Young Master Liu, hearing the clamor of the three fighting parties inside, suddenly made up his mind and said, "If there really is such a large monster in here, whether ghost or demon, waiting here for it to return is not a good idea!"

Fan Debiao immediately stood up: "Exactly, exactly, Mr. Liu, please advise us!" Seeing everyone looking at him, Young Master Liu coughed and stood up, saying, "Outside, there is an ancestor we cannot afford to provoke waiting for us. Inside, there is an ancestor whose ferocity we don't yet know. The situation inside is currently a brawl; if they reconcile later, we will be in trouble!" His few sentences clearly analyzed the current situation. Hearing this, everyone felt a little disheartened; with these five forces involved, none offered an easy retreat!

Young Master Liu continued, "I think it's relatively safer for us to run outside. These things inside, although their origins are unknown, are clearly posing a threat to us common folk. I suggest that before we run, we toss three sticks of dynamite in, and while they are fighting fiercely, send them skyward!" Seeing everyone's solemn faces, he forced a relaxed smile: "This will also strengthen our resolve to run—it’s called breaking the cauldron and sinking the boats, right? Why are you laughing, Huang Shitou? Don't think I haven't read books; I know about Overlord Xiang Yu breaking his cauldron and sinking his boats!"

Su Yougui interjected abruptly, "What about that giant centipede outside?" After all, the old centipede's majestic display of spitting venom at the giant snake the previous night had put immense pressure on him. Young Master Liu's expression also became solemn. He thought for a moment and said, "Everyone, wrap those urine-soaked clothes around your faces. We'll run out and scatter toward that wood, as fast as possible. Everyone... fight for your own lives!" This plan, even when spoken, offered no perfect solution. Fan Debiao slapped his thigh and declared, "Damn it all, life and death are determined by heaven. I'll say this ugly truth beforehand: whoever gets pounced on by the centipede, you are on your own! Don't delay the others!"

Huang Shitou whispered, "My brother..." But he understood that when the living could barely be saved, who could worry about the dead? He turned his brother's body, hoping for one last look, and froze. In just a short time, Huang Peng’s body had shrunk significantly, and there were more than ten egg-sized bumps on his stomach.

Huang Shitou could not hold back any longer: "That son of a bitch centipede is trying to lay eggs on my brother! I'm going to chop it to death!" Saying this, he snatched the cleaver from Hu Beikang's hand and started to charge inside. Fan Debiao grabbed him, shouting loudly, "There are plenty of ways to get revenge; don't get yourself killed!"

Su Yougui silently took three sticks of dynamite with fuses from the bag and placed them on the ground. Young Master Liu clapped Huang Shitou on the shoulder and said, "You light these!"

Huang Shitou, tears streaming down his face, took the lighter. While this happened, Fan Debiao said, "If we escape this time, that's that. If we don't..." He picked up another stick of dynamite and said, "Each person takes one. If anyone gets pounced on by the centipede, we light one to send you and the centipede on your way, saving you suffering. I'll say this ugly truth first: if someone gets pounced on, the others must toss it [the dynamite], damn it, to send that old monster on its way!"

The men silently shook hands, tasting only bitterness in their mouths. Huang Shitou lit all three sticks of dynamite in succession. Seeing the fuses start smoking white, he threw them inside. Fan Debiao announced, "We have five minutes. Run!"

At this command, Fan Debiao led the way with a mining lamp, while Ge Shuanwa and Young Master Liu each carried a kerosene lamp. They ran outward with all their might. The thought that stepping outside might mean a final parting made everyone feel heavy-hearted. These ten-plus meters of distance felt like an eternity to run.

Reaching the wooden plank at the cave entrance, those not carrying lamps rushed forward to move the stones, while those holding lamps lit the way for them. Fearing the centipede outside might have reacted, everyone moved slowly despite their urgency, careful not to make loud noises.

Just as the stones blocking the door were almost cleared, Young Master Liu, holding the lamp, suddenly heard several kaka sounds from the wooden plank, like someone knocking from the outside. His heart leaped into his throat. Could that centipede have heard the noise and be blocking the doorway? He instantly regretted their decision.

The others hadn't noticed, and Young Master Liu dared not speak. He raised his kerosene lamp to look, and at that moment, he shook uncontrollably, causing the lamp in his hand to sway wildly.

Fan Debiao and Ge Shuanwa both noticed Young Master Liu and asked in unison, "Master Liu, what is it?"

Young Master Liu pointed to the gap by the edge of the wooden plank, his face deathly pale, and he stammered, "That... that... the main guy... he might be back!"

The five men looked where Young Master Liu pointed. They heard more kaka-chacha sounds, and a dark, inky claw reached through. Its two sharp toes were nearly half a foot long, covered in black hair. Though they didn't know what it was, it was definitely not a human hand.

The five looked at each other, their hearts turning icy cold...

Young Master Liu only paused for a moment before roaring, "Quickly retreat! Fast!" In fact, the sight of just those two sharp toes poking through had already terrified the already exhausted group. Not one dared to step closer to see what the creature was. Hearing Young Master Liu's roar, they scrambled backward, their legs buckling.

Once the group rushed back into the secret chamber, Fan Debiao swept the light around and saw that the centipede was carrying the ancient corpse and the infant corpses on its back, whirling around in a tangle, completely preoccupied with fighting and paying no attention to them. Only then did he breathe a small sigh of relief.

Fan Debiao looked around frantically and urged, "Quickly find a place to crouch down! That thing will probably be in here any second; we need a place to be prepared!" Ge Shuanwa seemed to have anticipated this and shouted, "Everyone hide under the altar table! It's an iron table! Very sturdy!"

Young Master Liu saw that there was a surprisingly large space under the table; five people could probably fit. With a small burst of joy, he led the group underneath. The six squeezed in, jostling for space. Just as they hid themselves, Hu Beikang suddenly sniffed and asked, "Why is there a smell of gunpowder?"

Young Master Liu heard a sizzling sound and saw three small sparks flashing nearby, emitting white smoke. He jumped up with a fright, his head slamming into the altar table, nearly knocking him unconscious. Fan Debiao quickly asked, "Master Liu, what's wrong?" Young Master Liu sucked in air, veins popping on his forehead, and roared, "The... the... three sticks of dynamite! The dynamite!"

Fan Debiao’s head exploded in realization. Hu Beikang understood immediately, his face turning as white as jade paper. The two of them rushed out, snatched up the dynamite, and frantically pinched off the fuses. When they brought them back under the table, under the lamplight, they saw the fuses were only about four inches long.

Huang Shitou muttered, "Can't panic, can't panic... If we panic, we're finished..."

Su Yougui broke out in a cold sweat and suddenly felt his whole body turn cold, beginning to shiver uncontrollably. Ge Shuanwa touched his back and said, "Bad news, his poison is still taking effect..."

Young Master Liu felt a splitting headache; he truly didn't know what to do in this situation. Just then, a loud pa sounded from outside—the wooden plank had finally been pulled open. The men looked at each other, momentarily at a loss.

Fan Debiao whispered, "Should we turn off the lights?"

Young Master Liu said, "Hurry and turn them off! If it comes over, if you turn it on again, even if I die, I want to know what killed me!"

Hearing Master Liu even mention death, Fan Debiao inwardly lamented that their chances of survival were slim. As the sound grew nearer, Fan Debiao quickly tried to shut off his mining lamp, fumbling for a few moments before letting out a mournful cry, "Aiyo, my dear mother, how are people supposed to live this damn life?!"

Young Master Liu, anxious, sweated from his brow and kept asking, "What the hell happened now?"

Fan Debiao cursed softly, "Damn lamp! It won't turn on when I want it to, and the switch won't work when I try to turn it off!" This news nearly made everyone else want to cry—what kind of luck was this!

They heard a flapping sound. The thing walked as if dragging its feet, each step a deliberate, dragging motion, bringing tension and weight to their hearts with every movement. Finally, the creature stopped at the entrance of the dark chamber, and with a kacha, the tattered door was pushed open. Fan Debiao, trembling, shone the mining lamp onto the floor. But the seal wasn't tight enough, and a faint sliver of light escaped. In that sliver of light, the men nearly screamed aloud: It was a giant bat!

There stood a black bat nearly as tall as a person, its wings dragging on the ground, its sharp toes propped up, walking with short, human-like steps into the room. Fan Debiao thought to himself: Good thing I didn't have to turn the light off. I heard bats are blind! Young Master Liu turned his face, and in the scattered light, his expression seemed to change to one of relief. He mouthed the word: "Blind!"

Fan Debiao was overjoyed and carefully directed the lamp toward the creature. He saw the bat gripping a half-grown wildcat between its toes. After entering, it tossed the cat aside and slowly walked toward the light. When the great bat approached the lamp, everyone seemed to hear their own heartbeats. The bat had a pig-like snout, pointed ears, and a face full of wrinkles. Its two round eyes were the size of eggs. Most horrifyingly, the bat had no mouth; beneath its nose was a single, slender tube, nearly a foot long, which seemed to flash with an unearthly gleam in the lamplight.

Fan Debiao felt a profound unease; if this bat wasn't blind, they were truly finished!

The great bat took a step forward, sniffed a few times with its nose, and chirped. Young Master Liu's heart brightened—this was the same creature they had seen when they first left the forest! At that chirp, the centipede immediately quieted down. The ancient corpse and the infant corpses plopped off the centipede's back. All the strange worms on its body craned their heads toward the bat. The bat moved toward the centipede. The centipede seemed terrified and hastily turned around, crawling away through a crack in the stone.

The bat did not pursue; instead, it approached and gathered the infant corpses, placing them one by one back into the box. Strangely, the infant corpses were completely docile now, like small children being tucked into a cradle by their mother. The bat then turned and looked at the ancient corpse, chirping once, the sound seemingly laced with mockery. It stepped forward, grabbed the ancient corpse with its sharp toes, and dragged it to the side of the stone wall.