Chapter 29: The Root of the Matter (2/2)

My heart jolted—Old Wang's words echoed Grandpa's warning: "The world is 险恶;sometimes others harm you even if you mean no ill."

"I haven't offended anyone," I said after a pause. "Let's wait for Zhou Jianguo."

"Agreed. You have no 退路 (way back) now."

Old Wang's rare loyalty touched me. Half an hour later, Zhou Jianguo arrived, wearing a baseball cap, face gaunt.

In the car, he wept as he explained: after we left, the sores healed, but then villagers died bizarrely—drowning in wells, choking on mantou, falling, even drowning in latrines. Reporters covering the earlier plague downplayed recent deaths as part of the epidemic to avoid panic. Now bird flu added to the chaos.

These 邪病 (demonic illnesses) mirrored my own condition—healthy bodies but shortened lives. One wrong move could kill me.

As Zhoujiazhuang's houses came into view, night had fallen. He parked the Xiali. "Village is sealed—we walk from here."

We followed his flashlight down a narrow, potholed path. "Used to be a mine; 塌方 (cave - in) wrecked the road," he said.

After half an hour over hills, we entered the village. Old Wang sniffed the air, eyes closed. "煞气 (Malevolent qi) is stronger than before."

Activating my 慧眼 (Divine Eye), I saw dark qi coiling above the village—an omen of great disaster.

"See anything?" Zhou Jianguo pressed.

"Tell me—was the temple built? Has the incense ever stopped?"

"Followed your orders exactly—see for yourself."

Old Wang slipped me a talisman. Though he lacked the Divine Eye, his other senses detected spirits. As Zhou led us, I noticed dim streetlights and stone paths.

Reaching the temple, I stopped short. The plaque read "Jade Void Temple," walls newly painted, red doors intact, incense wafting—no different from when I left.

"Something's off," Old Wang said.

"Who manages this temple?" I asked, turning—Zhou Jianguo had vanished.

Old Wang and I exchanged glances—Zhou must be involved. But with my lifespan fading, I had no choice.

"Let's enter." I drew a kylin windchime and Five Emperors Coins from my satchel; Old Wang held his Seven - Star Sword and talisman.

Kicking open the door, we froze. The main hall held rows of spirit tablets where the Jade Void statue should be. A sign read "Ancestral Shrine," lit by kerosene lamps. Two white - robed men knelt below—paper effigies.

Furious, I kicked one—it passed through the figure. "We have no quarrel! Why harm me?"