Chapter 8: Deceiving the Heavens to Cross the Sea
The gong rings, disaster strikes!
In Chenjia Village, from the elderly with white hair to toddlers just learning to walk, everyone knows that when the village gong sounds, it means someone has died an unnatural death.
Hearing rumors of a "ghost encounter," many people ran out of their homes in fear.
Mainly the strong men and elderly of the village; women and children mostly hid indoors, too afraid to come out.
"Uncle Qi, what happened?"
Someone nervously stopped the elderly farmer who had been beating the gong to ask.
The old farmer anxiously said, "Everyone, hurry to the mountain path entrance. Two people encountered a ghost—don't know who!"
Two people?
Everyone's expression changed, and they quickly ran toward the mountain path.
"Mother, I'm going to check it out,"
Zhang Yuan said to his mother after hearing the commotion outside. "I'll be back soon."
His mother worriedly replied, "Be careful."
"Mm."
Zhang Yuan nodded and followed the crowd heading to the scene.
The villagers jogged to the mountain path entrance and immediately saw two dried corpses on the ground.
It was already getting dark. The corpses looked terrifying in the twilight, and a chilling aura silently spread around.
Sure enough, something supernatural happened!
Everyone was horrified, glancing around and seeing fear and panic in each other's eyes.
"Make way, make way!"
More people arrived, bringing torches for lighting.
Servants from the Chen family came, along with the weasel-faced advisor and even the village chief of Chenjia Village!
The advisor's face was grim. He glanced at the corpses and said coldly, "Examine them."
The servants looked at each other, none daring to step forward.
No ordinary person is unafraid of supernatural matters!
Seeing that no one obeyed his order, the advisor angrily pointed at one servant and barked, "You go!"
The man had no choice but to bravely step forward.
As soon as he touched one of the dried corpses, its brittle body immediately crumbled into several pieces.
The servant was nearly scared to death.
However, some items fell out from the corpse's arms.
A servant exclaimed, "Bodyguard Sun?"
He recognized a copper token among the items—Bodyguard Sun's token!
There were only two bodyguards in the Chen household, both martial artists with internal strength. The other was currently at the ancestral home.
So this corpse had to be Bodyguard Sun!
"That's Chen San?"
Another sharp-eyed villager recognized the other corpse: "Three fingers on his left hand—it's him for sure!"
Chen San was one of the few village ruffians everyone knew. Years ago, he was caught cheating at gambling and got two fingers chopped off—on his left hand.
Now, the two dried corpses had been identified.
But the real question was, how did a Chen family bodyguard and a village thug both end up dead from a ghost encounter at the same place?
No one knew the answer!
A night wind blew from the distant mountains, causing the torch flames to flicker and cast twisted shadows.
Many shivered in unison.
The old village chief said in a deep voice, "It's dark now, not safe here. Let's bring them back to the village."
The chief held great authority in Chenjia Village, and the advisor agreed, so a few brave villagers forced themselves to carry the remains back.
Once everyone gathered in front of the ancestral hall, they finally felt some relief.
Deep in the mountains dwell supernatural forces. For centuries, villagers in remote places like Chenjia relied on ancestral protection to survive.
Ordinary spirits wouldn't dare approach a village blessed by its ancestral hall.
But once someone leaves the village limits, that protection disappears—hence ghost encounters.
Usually, areas around the village were relatively safe.
But this time, the deaths occurred not far from the village, causing great fear.
Could there be something evil near Chenjia Village?
"Ancestors, please protect us!"
Everyone offered incense to the ancestral tablets in the hall, sincerely praying for the forebears' blessings.
Meanwhile, the advisor and his men examined Bodyguard Sun's remains again but found nothing new.
So, on the village chief's suggestion, they burned his body, clothes, and belongings in a fire pit.
Just in case anything sinister lingered—it would all be reduced to ash!
Chen San was also burned clean.
Zhang Yuan watched the whole process among the crowd.
It proved his decision to fake a ghost encounter through sacrifice was absolutely right.
First, no one would ever suspect him of killing Bodyguard Sun and Chen San.
Second, this incident would greatly trouble the newly arrived Chen patriarch, making him uneasy and paranoid.
That would reduce the pressure on Zhang Yuan, an outsider in the village, at least for now.
A masterful deception—gaining many benefits at once!
As for frightening innocent villagers, Zhang Yuan could only silently apologize.
He'd overheard some villagers saying Chen San was recently added to the corvée labor list.
That thug had clearly taken a desperate gamble to avoid conscription—only to be killed by Zhang Yuan instead!
Why Bodyguard Sun was at the mountain path too—maybe he was following Chen San, or maybe even tailing Zhang Yuan. That would remain a mystery.
Night deepened. Villagers gradually dispersed to their homes.
It was destined to be a sleepless night.
Zhang Yuan also returned home and gave his mother a simple explanation.
She immediately lit three incense sticks at her late husband's memorial tablet.
Praying for his spirit to protect Zhang Yuan and keep him safe!
Zhang Yuan stood nearby, moved in silence.
After his mother went to bed, he opened his Divine Nest panel in his room.
Host: Zhang Yuan
Divine Nest: Level 1 (15%)
Parasite: Level 1 Black Giant Ant (12%) / Double Strength
Vitality: 23/75
Source Essence: 3.7
The first parasite—Black Giant Ant—had evolved from 1% to 12%, which was decent progress.
But Zhang Yuan wasn't satisfied. He poured all the remaining source essence into the nest.
The more essence invested, the faster the parasite grew.
There was no waste in the process—any leftover progress carried into future upgrades.
Zhang Yuan urgently needed strength—the stronger, the better!
Today's battle was won by luck,
but he couldn't count on being lucky every time.
Personal strength was what truly mattered!
He closed the panel, then pulled a hide-wrapped pouch from under his bed.
Inside was a booklet.
"Rock Pillar Stance T
echnique!"
Next to the bed, a dim oil lamp cast yellow light, reflecting in Zhang Yuan's eyes—now glowing with hunger.
Like a starving beast eyeing its prey.
(End of Chapter)
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