Chapter 9 has ghosts

Having listened to my words, Shen Liancheng finally felt a sense of confidence in his heart. At that moment, with my support, he took one step at a time towards the position of the toad's mouth at the mountain top

At the moment the gong sounded, these figures turned in unison and walked towards the cave. Upon seeing this, I began to tremble inside... In fact, I am not very familiar with Old Daoist Lü and Old Zhao, so there is no need for me to put myself at risk

After returning to the Taoist temple, I hurried to find my biological father... I borrowed a few coins from him to repay Old Daoist Lü, and only then did that old fellow temporarily spare me

Regardless of the circumstances, the sudden appearance of Old Zhao has certainly helped me out of a predicament. With him by my side, Old Lu felt embarrassed to take any further action against me. After watching the thick fog along with the figures disappear, the old man let out a gentle sigh and led me and Old Zhao down the Mouth Mountain

After the shadow and the thick fog disappeared, Zhao Laonian also saw me and Old Dao Lv. Without a second thought, he rushed over. It was only after entering the cave that I realized he was drenched in cold sweat from head to toe. Watching him sit beside Old Dao Lv, gasping for breath, I felt a bit puzzled. Everyone in Shenjiabao knows that the Frog Mouth is haunted, and since my incident happened only a few days ago, where did he find the courage to venture into Frog Mouth alone?

Just as I was contemplating whether I should escape from Erlang Temple, Widow Li from Tianjin appeared... A few days later, Lu Wannian left Shenjia Fortress with a banknote of 10,000 silver dollars...

Perhaps my earlier story had an effect, as it wasn't long before the team was ordered by Captain Lang at the back. He instructed the soldiers behind to slow their pace, creating a distance between them and us. As a result, not to mention the blind man and the bandits, even if we encountered any wild beasts, they would charge at us first

Old Dao Lv also inquired a few questions about what Old Zhao was doing at Frog's Mouth, but this old fellow was still unable to produce a coherent answer despite being prodded. After hesitating for quite a while, he finally said that he had been chasing prey and had not noticed that he had arrived at Frog's Mouth. While he spoke, his gaze was clearly evasive, and even as a nine-year-old child at the time, I could tell that Old Zhao was hiding something.

There will be a next time ... Just as I was about to cry, everything before my eyes underwent a new change. A strong wind blew from the direction of the toad's mouth, and with the sound of the wind, the thick fog that had enveloped the mountains was quickly dispersed. As the fog lifted, those hazy figures also vanished without a trace.

What set me apart was that these soldiers actually carried the heavy Maxim machine gun, which weighs dozens of kilograms, along with them... Even more unexpectedly, it was this big fellow that ultimately saved our lives

With Master Lü by my side to bolster my courage, what is there to fear? However, after the experience from last time, I have already made up my mind. As soon as the blind man appears, I will immediately kneel before the old man... There is no need to scare me like this over a few coins...

Just as this person approached the vicinity of the toad's mouth, countless identical figures suddenly appeared in front of and behind him. The sudden turn of events startled the individual, prompting him to involuntarily shout: "Damn it! You are messing with me, I will fight you all!"

"Uncle, rest assured, my master once calculated for you and said that you would live to ninety-six. In their Beiping dialect, it means you will live on. " As I spoke, I glanced back at the dozens of soldiers behind me, then continued, "My master also mentioned that as long as there is no heavy fog, those ghosts won't come out. If heavy fog descends, we can take advantage of the chaos and run away. Nephew, I know a way down the mountain; at that time, who will care about those soldier rascals..." I continued, "My master also mentioned that as long as there is no heavy fog, those ghosts won't come out. If heavy fog descends, we can take advantage of the chaos and run away. Nephew, I know a way down the mountain; at that time, who will care about those soldier rascals..."

Unexpectedly, the blind man did not see, yet he made Zhao Lao Nianba wait. After staying in the cave for about half an hour, a thick fog suddenly descended outside. In the mist, a shadowy figure could be vaguely seen, groping and feeling its way towards the direction of the toad's mouth.

At the same time I heard the sound, I had already recognized that it was Zhao Laonian from Shenjiabao. Hearing the gunshot further confirmed that I had not mistaken him. I then said to Master Lv: "It is Laonian, Master. We all belong to the same fortress, and we see each other often. If you save his life, he will repay you in his next life by working as a cow or a horse."

Not long after continuing forward, the road ahead disappeared. Relying on the memories of myself and Zhao Laonian, I led the large group behind me through the overgrown mountains and forests. After walking for more than an hour, just as I was about to discuss with the rear leader, Commander Lang, whether we should take a break and catch our breath, I suddenly heard Zhao Laonian shout loudly beside me: "Ghost... there is a ghost!"

Seeing this startled several of us, Captain Lang snorted and shouted to his troops: "Attention all! Class Six stay behind to guard the vehicles, the rest of you gather the supplies and head towards Frog's Mouth. I will say this upfront, if this operation is executed well, as previously mentioned, everyone will enjoy the benefits with me. If anyone messes this up, let me tell you, I, Old Lang, will show no mercy—I'll skin them alive..." If anyone messes this up, let me tell you, I, Old Lang, will show no mercy—I'll skin them alive..."

At this point, Captain Lang waved his hand, and his adjutant stepped forward, shouting loudly: "Brothers, thanks to Captain Lang's good fortune, from today onwards, we will all be wealthy. We have already paid our respects ninety-nine times, and we just need to get through this last hurdle. If everyone puts in a little more effort, after today, we will have everything we desire"

After walking up the mountain path for a while, Shen Liancheng glanced at me with a hint of unease and said in a low voice: "Nephew, this toad's mouth is where you and your master have stayed. You wouldn't say there are any monsters or ghosts during the day, would you? If there is anything, you should tell me early so that your uncle can be prepared—if we must die, we should at least die with clarity..."

While speaking, this person took the old tube from behind him in his hand... and fired a shot at the figure closest to him

After listening to my account, Captain Lang seemed to have some hesitation. However, the lines from the toad's mouth were even more enticing to him: "Those blind men and shadows are all tricks played by your master! Specifically to scare little brats like you who have never seen the world... I think your so-called master is just a spy for the bandits on the toad's lips."

Although I was extremely reluctant in my heart, I had already arrived at the foot of the Mouth Mountain, and there was no escaping from those soldiers. At that moment, I could only brace myself and walk towards the direction of the Toad's Mouth with Shen Liancheng and Zhao Laonian. ... Looking at the blazing sun above, that blind man in broad daylight should not appear, right ...

By the time I finished speaking about the origins of the Toad's Mouth, those soldiers had already assembled. It was just that Commander Lang was so captivated by my "mythical tale" that dozens of men were waiting for him to give the order to head towards the Toad's Mouth.

"This is the first time I have heard of someone swearing on behalf of another..." After giving me a glance, Master Lü walked to the entrance of the cave and then took out a small bronze gong from his pocket. After observing the increasing number of shadows gathering around Old Zhao, he began to rhythmically strike the gong with his fingers

A few days after this incident, Old Dao Lv took me back to the toad's mouth. However, I did not see the man whose eyelids were bound with iron wire again. The old man still repeated the same words, insisting that I repay the incense money. Otherwise, it would be as if I were to be concocted like the blind man.

Although I did not see the blind man, there was still another matter that astonished me. After throwing me into the cave again, Old Daoist Lu did not leave; he stayed with me in the cave. From the old fellow's demeanor, it seemed that he was waiting for someone.

Upon hearing Captain Lang's words, Sun Liancheng hurriedly signaled me to keep my mouth shut. At that time, banditry in Northeast China was rampant. A few years prior, General Zhang had issued an order to suppress the bandits. Aside from legitimate bandit groups, anyone with connections to the bandits would be treated as an accomplice. Those caught would face immediate execution, and being labeled as an accomplice to banditry was no trivial matter

Old Master Lü rhythmically struck the gong while staring intently at the figures below. After a moment, he finally spoke: "My good disciple, next time you come to the Frog's Mouth, you will not have such good fortune."

At this point, the adjutant glanced at Colonel Lang and, seeing that his superior had nothing to say, continued, "All personnel! The troops will set out... Old Shen, you three lead the way in front. Once we reach the Toad's Mouth, it will no longer be your concern."

However, the matter is not yet settled. A month later, Master Lü began to mention something about interest in his words. Having stolen a few of his coins, I should at least pay him a bit of interest. From the tone of his words, it seems that if I do not offer some interest, this old man will drag me to the toad's mouth for a third time.