The temple was plunged into gloom as a chill wind blew through it. Headman Cao stood up without a word and grabbed the long staff beside him. Someone spoke with a trembling voice, clearly scared: “It feels like something came inside.” Hearing this, everyone looked nervous. Headman Cao frowned, scolding harshly: “There are no ghosts! You’re scaring yourselves!” Headman Cao called: “Light the fire!” But no matter how hard he tried, the fire wouldn’t catch. Anxious, Er Niu muttered under his breath: “Catch! Light up!” Suddenly, Headman Cao sensed something was wrong. He stopped Er Niu, saying: “Don’t bother.” He frowned deeply: “Everyone gather behind me. No one wanders off.” Chen Changsheng watched the caravan leader fearlessly shield everyone and couldn’t help but give him another glance. ‘Quite brave…’ Chen Changsheng thought to himself, deciding not to act immediately. His gaze shifted to a dark corner of the temple. That thing was currently hiding behind a pillar. The situation looked terrifying, but it wasn’t caused by any ghost or demon. Headman Cao reached out, grabbing an extinguished firebrand. In the darkness, his eyes scanned every corner of the temple, alert to everything around them. Er Niu said timidly: “Headman, i-is it… is it a ghost?” “Quiet,” Headman Cao answered, now feeling uncertain himself. That cold wind, the fire abruptly dying and refusing to light again – it was all far too strange. Based on folk tales, such events meant they’d met a ghost! 😆😆😆Golden Novel translates the best Chinese web novels for you!😆😆😆 Not a single person dared breathe loudly. Though they were seasoned travelers, they’d never encountered anything this bizarre. When Headman Cao’s gaze landed on the pillar in the corner, his body froze solid. In his sight, what seemed like a head peeked out from behind the pillar, a pair of eyes glinting with an eerie light becoming visible. Headman Cao’s eyes widened, “Run!” he bellowed! Although it was just a pair of eyes, he sensed the thing meant them serious harm! Just as everyone scrambled to flee, a sudden change occurred. A blast of cold wind slammed shut the temple doors. The crashing door echoed deafeningly, shaking the whole temple. Sweat beaded on Headman Cao’s forehead, “Break the window!” he shouted. This update ıs available on 𝘯𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭•𝔣𝔦𝔯𝔢•𝓷𝓮𝓽 Suddenly, frantic movement erupted within the temple. A large man from among their number rushed forward, fists clenched as he charged towards the window. An immense force struck out of nowhere. A cry of pain rang out. The man trying to shatter the window was flung backward, flying directly towards the still-smoldering embers of the fire. Chen Changsheng reached out, catching the big man just in time. Turning his head to see the glowing coals behind him, a cold sweat instantly broke out on the big man’s forehead. Er Niu suddenly felt his legs go weak. He’d barely caught sight of a black shadow flashing past the window just before the man was thrown back. Seeing this, no one else dared approach. Despite his own fear, Headman Cao stepped forward. Headman Cao charged towards the window, his staff raised. Just before his staff could strike, an invisible force blocked it. Startled, Headman Cao stared hard. The pair of glinting, eerie eyes appeared directly in front of him. Fear gripped him. He dropped his staff and stumbled back several paces. “Fall back!” he yelled, herding the group backwards. Sweat poured down. They retreated to a corner of the temple. That’s when those gleaming green eyes became fully visible to the whole group. “Ghost!” Er Niu screamed in terror! As his cry echoed, panic erupted. People scattered wildly. “Run! Run for your lives!” “I don’t want to die!” Seeing the chaos, Headman Cao knew this was bad. “Calm down! Calm down! Stop scattering!” he roared desperately. But at this moment, his shouts were useless. A sudden tearing sound echoed. A sharp shriek cut through the air. A gash had suddenly opened on one man’s shoulder, blood pouring from it. “Help me! Please, help!” Now, everyone was focused purely on saving their own lives. No one went near him. “Hurry! Over here! Hurry!” Headman Cao yelled. But the other five men were frantically hammering on the great doors, screaming for help. The temple was in complete chaos. Seeing he could no longer maintain control, Headman Cao grew increasingly anxious. “Caravan Leader, don’t panic.” A voice suddenly spoke beside his ear. Headman Cao turned to Mr. Chen and said, “Stay behind me, sir. Don’t run around.” Several more screams tore through the temple. Chen Changsheng froze for a moment as the Headman shielded him. After a brief pause, Chen Changsheng piped up, “Seems he isn’t done playing yet.” Headman Cao blinked, turning his gaze toward Chen Changsheng. Chen Changsheng continued, “Each strike avoids killing blows. He only torments them.” Headman Cao swallowed hard. “Mr. Chen… do you have a plan?” “I do not,” Chen Changsheng answered. Yet his tone shifted. “However, I once read an ancient text describing a method. Its effectiveness is uncertain.” Headman Cao urged, “Tell me quickly, sir!” Chen Changsheng explained, “The text states most Evil Spirits emerge at night. If one encounters such a spirit in the mountains, one might seek shelter in the nearest Mountain God Temple. Offer three sticks of incense. Call forth the Mountain God Lord. Should the incense glow descend as golden light, the evil shall be vanquished.” Headman Cao hesitated, skepticism warring with desperation. “But… what if we have no Incense and Candles?” “Why not still attempt it?” Chen Changsheng suggested. Headman Cao thought this over. “Could it really work?” “Perhaps,” Chen Changsheng replied calmly. Headman Cao’s eyes fixed on the Divine Statue, his expression hardening with sudden resolve. He knelt before the Divine Statue! Headman Cao prayed sincerely and shouted clearly, “Mountain God Lord! Manifest your power! Save our lives!” As these words echoed, something hiding in the darkness shifted toward the sound. Headman Cao glanced back. A pair of glowing green eyes glided closer. He decided there was no turning back. Kneeling again, he slammed his head onto the temple floor. “MOUNTAIN GOD LORD! MANIFEST YOUR POWER!!” His voice was nearly a roar. Chen Changsheng’s gaze lingered on the Divine Statue, a slight frown touching his face. A beam of Golden Light burst from the statue’s eyes! The radiance filled the entire Mountain God Temple. The hidden Evil Spirit could not conceal itself, revealed to all standing there. A hair-raising scream ripped through the temple. Chen Changsheng looked toward the source. It was a monstrous giant rat, unnaturally large with filthy yellow fur and sharp fangs. The creature writhed, utterly powerless under the Golden Light’s searing glow. It scrambled, seeking escape. Chen Changsheng called out firmly, “Do not let it flee!” Headman Cao snapped to full alertness. He snatched a wooden club from the floor and lunged at the rat spirit. The club struck true. The rat spirit collapsed, movements fading. Burned by the temple’s Golden Light, its fur charred completely black. In mere seconds, the creature was utterly destroyed, turned entirely to ash! The eerie wind abated. The temple doors creaked open. Headman Cao stood clutching the club, staring blankly, lost for a long time in silent shock…