Chapter Thirty-One: The Ancestral Hall

Although Cui Xiu and his companion harbored some concerns, they understood the truth of the adage, “nothing ventured, nothing gained,” and nodded slightly in agreement.

Wu Yu steadied himself and stepped into the ancestral hall.

The hall appeared aged, its furnishings somewhat worn, yet it was clear that someone cared for it regularly; it was tidy enough. At the center stood an incense table, not adorned with ancestral tablets, but instead with a clay idol.

The idol had a human form, yet its features were strange—sharp mouth, monkey-like cheeks, a tail wrapped around its waist. It resembled a monkey, but was shorter and bulkier.

Other than this, Cui Xiu noticed nothing particularly unusual. Perhaps the only difference was that it felt colder and more oppressive inside than outside.

“I’ve been here before,” Wu Yu said as he surveyed the surroundings. “This was where I was bound, and that idol—”

“Please, follow me,” the village chief interrupted before he could say more.

The three exchanged glances and refrained from further conversation. Having come this far, they followed the village chief into the inner room.

In the blink of an eye, all three frowned.

They had expected perhaps an antechamber or some hidden passage, but what greeted them was far more unexpected—a cave connected to the heart of the hall.

The cave was neither large nor small, about seven feet high, wide enough for two people to walk side by side.

By the time they reached the mouth of the cave, the village chief had already stepped inside.

The three hesitated.

“I’ll go first,” spoke the taciturn Zhao brother.

Of the group, he was the most experienced and arguably the strongest. Cui Xiu and Wu Yu had no objections.

Thus, Zhao brother led the way, Wu Yu in the middle, Cui Xiu bringing up the rear. They followed the passage, delving deeper within.

The cave’s corridor was long. Twisting and turning, they walked for some time, accompanied by strange noises and the occasional drip of water echoing through the passage, adding an eerie touch to the atmosphere.

Suddenly, the space opened up.

A stone chamber, large enough to accommodate dozens, appeared before them.

The stone chamber seemed to connect to the outside, as faint light filtered in. Though dim, it was just enough to make out the surroundings.

At the chamber’s center yawned a wide pit, several yards across, shrouded in darkness so deep the bottom was invisible.

Flanking the pit stood rows of figures.

Yet, upon entering, the three’s attention was drawn not to these figures, but to the dozens of ghostly yellow eyes.

As they stepped inside, all those dimly glowing eyes turned toward them in unison—a chilling sight.

Zhao brother was unfazed, being a veteran of the Underworld Bureau and accustomed to the strange and supernatural; unsettling as it was, it did not inspire fear.

Wu Yu and Cui Xiu were less composed. Despite their mental preparation, the unnatural eyes sent shivers down their spines.

Especially since their owners seemed to be human.

“They’re villagers from Liu Family Village,” Wu Yu whispered.

Cui Xiu nodded, growing more wary.

These villagers were clearly not normal.

Silent, they stood on either side, staring at the trio without uttering a word or making a move. The atmosphere in the chamber grew heavy.

Just then, the village chief turned, flashing a twisted smile—his eyes identical to those of the villagers.

The three felt a jolt of unease.

“Master Wu, you truly are trustworthy. You’ve brought me what I wanted so quickly,”

At that moment, a harsh, shrill voice echoed through the chamber, reverberating off the walls and causing the listeners to frown.

They looked around, but aside from the bizarre villagers, saw no one speaking.

Instinctively, their gazes fell upon the central pit.

“If you are indeed the revered deity, please show yourself!” Wu Yu called out, slightly nervous. He had never encountered such a scene; years of study had taught him to avoid speaking of spirits and monsters, and he could hardly have anticipated such an ordeal. The shock weighed heavily on him.

“There’s no need for a meeting. Just throw the item you carry into the pit before you, and you may leave.”

The deity’s words stunned Wu Yu. This was not the outcome they’d hoped for—the entity seemed unwilling to reveal itself.

Wu Yu hesitated, unsure what to do. He did not know whether to comply with the demand. He had little faith in this so-called deity, especially after meeting Guan Yuan.

He wished to avoid any unexpected mishaps.

As Wu Yu hesitated, the surroundings shifted.

“Hmph!” A cold snort rang out; the central pit trembled, and a slick, yellowish tentacle—raw, dripping with viscous fluid—suddenly shot out toward the trio.

“Formless form, shapeless thing, leaf unseen—begone!”

In that moment, Zhao brother beside Cui Xiu produced a vibrant green leaf, veins clear and shimmering with an emerald glow.

He uttered a spell, and Cui Xiu felt his body sway. When he looked again, he found himself in a different spot.

Both he and Wu Yu were bewildered. Zhao brother had somehow shifted them two yards away, dodging the tentacle’s attack.

The tentacle, having not anticipated this, slapped against the stone wall with a sickening thud; fragments of rock fell, mingled with the tentacle’s fluids—an unpleasant sight.

“So you brought help. That’s rather untrustworthy of you, master. Hehehe…”

A strange laugh sounded; the deity seemed unfazed by its failure.

“Go!” Zhao brother, seasoned and quick-thinking, knew exactly what to do. He ignored the taunt, understanding that ensuring Wu Yu and Cui Xiu’s safety before Guan Yuan’s arrival was paramount.

He immediately ushered them out of the cave.

Cui Xiu and Wu Yu regained their senses; Cui Xiu reacted swiftly, knowing Wu Yu’s frailty. He grabbed Wu Yu and dashed toward the corridor.

The rest would have to be left to Zhao brother.

Unfortunately, though he responded quickly, it was still a moment too late.

As Zhao brother engaged the tentacle and Cui Xiu supported Wu Yu toward the corridor, a shadow darted ahead, blocking their path.

Cui Xiu’s eyelid twitched at the sight—those dim yellow eyes, pale whiskers, and that twisted, sinister smile.

It was the village chief, who had remained motionless since entering the chamber.

Without giving Cui Xiu a chance to react, a crackling sound erupted from the village chief’s body, like beans roasting; his form swelled grotesquely.

With a surge of foul stench, a monstrous figure emerged: seven feet tall, hands like chicken claws, legs bent backward like cattle or sheep, face warped with tufts of white hair, skinless all over—a terrifying creature—appeared before Cui Xiu.

The transformation was swift; in the blink of an eye, it was complete. With a shrill cry, the monster lunged at Cui Xiu.