Chapter 8: No Return

I ran in the mountains like a startled bird for about an hour, and I was so exhausted that I could hardly lift my feet

I quickly searched around and saw a water tank in the middle of the courtyard, which had accumulated quite a bit of rainwater. I then tore down the two old curtains from the window, soaked them, and covered my body with them to cover my mouth and nose

However, it did not show any intention to attack me apart from staring at me, as if it had some reservations.

Liu Xiaoyi patted his chest and said with righteousness: "Don't worry, I will take care of it. You go out and avoid the storm for now; I am here."

The scorching flames licked at my hands and feet, and despite enduring the excruciating pain, I rushed out of the ancestral hall, only to lose my footing and tumble directly into the rice paddy outside

A villager said: "Brother Long, what should we do? That little rascal has run into Pizi Mountain, and no one dares to chase after him."

You cannot return to the village for the time being, come with me. I know there is a small path here that leads to the town, I will take you out first

The mountain path is rugged and difficult to traverse, my clothes and shoes are completely soaked, clinging to my body uncomfortably, and as the night wind blows, I shiver uncontrollably

The fire, fueled by the night wind, blazed more fiercely, with the beams of the house swaying precariously, posing an imminent risk of collapse

A familiar voice lowered its tone and gently called my name

At this rate of burning, I fear that I will be engulfed in flames in less than ten minutes

Come quickly! The ancestral hall is on fire! Hurry and put out the fire!

It turns out that Liu Xiaoyi came specifically to help me escape

Is anyone there? Help! Is there anyone outside with a picture book?

"Xiangxiang, where are you? I am here to help you, please come out." He whispered while searching for my figure.

When I saw him fleeing in a panic, his legs seemed somewhat unsteady, as if he had been injured. However, most people in the village are engaged in farming, and there are many with leg injuries, so I cannot be certain of the person's identity

I had a sudden inspiration and deliberately said: "Let me out quickly! I see you!"

He hurriedly struck a match and threw it on the ground, then turned and ran away

Finally, I was not burned to death by anyone

How are you? You weren't hurt, were you?

I cannot help but feel a bit puzzled, so I stopped and said: "Xiao Yi, are you sure we are heading this way? Why do I feel like this is not the direction towards the town?"

I found a secluded spot to sit down, intending to rest for a while

Xiangxiang, Xiangxiang...

With vigilant eyes wide open, I indeed saw a large red-furred fox crouching on the rock under the moonlight

But I ran in a panic, neglecting the muddy footprints left on the ground

So many people in the village want to put me to death, I cannot let anyone see that I am still alive

However, that sinister gaze makes me feel uneasy and uncomfortable

This method is good! Brother Long is indeed thoughtful! Then we will keep watch here

You should go back; I cannot be a burden to you

I almost stepped on his foot, feeling somewhat puzzled, I gasped and asked: "Xiao Yi Ge, why have you stopped and not moved on?"

Liu Xiao did not respond, slowly turning around, revealing a strange and cold expression on her face: "I'm sorry, Xiangxiang, I don't want it to be this way either, but only you can save Kuhe Village"

Little Yi, you ... ... ah

This time I really am going to die here

Finished, finished

In this world, apart from me, no one cares about her life or death

My heart hung in suspense, holding my breath and daring not to make a sound

Standing up from the paddy field, I was covered in mud and water, as disheveled as one could be

I shouted at the top of my lungs while searching for areas around the ancestral hall where the fire was weak, hoping for a chance to escape

After a strenuous walk of approximately half an hour, the path became narrower, and towering mountains loomed ahead, suggesting that there seemed to be no other way out.

I want to live

Hurry! Chase after her! We must not let Bai Xiang escape!

No! I cannot die!

Regardless, being targeted by it is certainly not a good thing

From what Chen Dalong means, there must be some danger waiting for me in Pizishan. With so many of them blocking my retreat, it is evident that they want to drive me towards Pizishan

Just when I was feeling troubled, I heard some rustling sounds coming from the bushes

After walking for a few more minutes, Liu Xiaoyi in front suddenly stopped without any warning

I hurriedly pushed the door, but it was locked from the outside, and the window could not be opened

When Zhang Youde's family hanged themselves, there were fox footprints on the floor and windowsill of their home. It is highly likely that this fox was responsible for their demise and the books.

Several people are standing in place talking, seemingly discussing something

Yet even if I know this is their conspiracy, I have no way to counter it

I am filled with doubt, as the cat quietly eavesdrops with its ear pressed against the bushes

I am fine. I shook my head and did not tell him the truth about the ancestral hall. I said with concern, "Everyone in the village is looking for me to settle accounts, what are you here for?"

Who? Who is outside? I am anxious and restless, peering through the crack of the door, trying to see clearly who it is that wants to harm me

It is Liu Xiaoyi

As long as she enters Pizi Mountain, there is certainly no return.

Then a familiar forehead emerged from the bushes

Alright! I nodded and did not bother to be polite with him any longer, following him deeper into the forest.

This statement is somewhat far-fetched, and I find it hard to believe

My parents passed away here many years ago

Liu Xiaoyi said, "We are good friends, what does it matter about being a burden or not?"

I want to survive

The light is dim, and the gap of the door is narrow, allowing only the certainty that it is a man, while his face remains unseen.

Did you perhaps remember it incorrectly

What will my grandmother do if I die here

"Little Yi, I am here." I looked at Liu Xiaoyi's sneaky expression and could roughly guess that he must have sneaked in to find me

So this is Pizi Mountain

Is it really because Zhang Youde is close to my family that we have suffered the tragedy of extermination?

But I have shouted until my voice is hoarse, yet there is still no response from outside

The book and its pair of cold, fox-like eyes were fixed on me, and I am certain that this is the same one that appeared in my yard last time

The match fell onto the ground soaked with kerosene and immediately ignited with a sweeping force.

Persevere a little longer, and you will soon see the main road

It seems that I can only find a way to save myself

I am deeply moved: "Then my grandmother ... ... "

The first group of villagers who arrived immediately called for others to follow the footprints and pursue.

"Arrived." Liu Xiaoyi did not turn back and spoke

If the fox spirit holds us accountable, our entire village will suffer as a consequence

Liu Xiaoyi pulled me forward and said confidently, "You can rest assured, I won't remember it wrong. Don't forget, my dad used to be a hunter, and he is familiar with these mountains."

I hope this will intimidate the other party

I thought about it and realized it was right, so I dispelled my concerns, gritted my teeth, and continued walking

After surviving the disaster, I had intended to catch my breath, but not far away came the villagers' exclamations: "Not good! The ancestral hall is on fire!"

"Xiangxiang, are you alright?" Liu Xiaoyi, seeing me appear, was both surprised and delighted, and asked with concern, "Everyone in the village says you set fire to Uncle Zhang's family's remains, and they want to take you back. I was so worried about you."

What? Have we arrived? I looked around; on one side was a forest, and on the other was a ravine. Where is the main road he mentioned?

Further in is Pizi Gully

I stood up, gritting my teeth and continuing to flee for my life, but strangely, the villagers who had been relentlessly pursuing me suddenly stopped less than three hundred meters away from me and did not move any further

Closing my eyes and taking a moment to breathe, I suddenly felt as if a gaze from deep within the forest was fixed upon me

But I dare not stop for a moment, as dozens of villagers are searching for me throughout the mountains, brandishing torches.

Before I could comprehend the meaning of his words, I was forcefully pushed down into the ravine.

I draped myself in the heavy, damp curtains, smashed the door open with a stool, then took a deep breath and charged outside without hesitation

I held the wooden hairpin in the palm of my hand, watching it warily

"Running into Pizi Mountain, isn't that just perfect? It saves us a lot of effort!" The speaker was Chen Dalong, and I immediately recognized his voice.

This ancestral hall has a history of over one hundred years, originally constructed of wood. Additionally, there were many dry logs piled up by villagers for winter use in the vicinity, which caused the fire to spread rapidly

That person clearly showed some panic upon hearing my voice, and they must be someone I know

I am not familiar with the path in the back mountain, as my grandmother has never brought me here. To avoid being discovered by the villagers, I can only run towards the densely wooded areas.

Fortunately, the villagers are thorough in their search and have not yet found me here

The problem lies in the fact that the villagers all say that only our Bai family offended the fox spirit eighteen years ago. Every grievance has its source and every debt has its owner. Why would it seek out Zhang Youde?

I cannot return to the village for the time being; I can only run towards the back mountain.

However, looking at the ancestral hall engulfed in flames, I let out a long sigh of relief

He sneered and said, "Let everyone take turns guarding here, just make sure she doesn't escape!"