Wolves, to those who possess extraordinary abilities, are akin to chicks and ducklings.
However!
These wolves were all stout as oxen, with ferocious fangs and claws, and exuded a peculiar, sinister aura unique to the uncanny. Their combat prowess was exceptional.
Yan Shao decisively declared, "We haven't grasped the situation yet. I propose we retreat to Qingshen Village and pretend to be refugees."
The Republic of China era was ravaged by war; many were forced to flee their homes.
Furthermore, the fact that the few of them had returned to the vicinity of Qingshen Village after passing the Mother-Child God indicated that entering Qingshen Village was the key.
No one objected. They immediately turned and fled down the mountain towards Qingshen Village.
Along the way, Lu Zhi noticed that the pack of wolves behind them, while pursuing, seemed to be herding them towards Qingshen Village.
Lu Zhi hadn't yet figured out the matter of the Mother-Child God or the death of the real estate boss. He had doubts and wanted to ask Shen Qi, but in their current situation, they could only take things one step at a time.
Yan Shao led the way, while Jiang Yue, being the strongest in output ability among them, ran behind Li Le and Shi Yu. She held her head high and declared, "Run without fear, I'll protect you two."
Li Le and Shi Yu wore expressions of amused helplessness.
Their abilities were indeed somewhat niche, but it didn't mean they were so weak as to truly need protection. After all, they had undergone special training; otherwise, how would they dare to rashly enter high-level caskets?
As for Lu Zhi's safety, it was certainly not up to anyone else present to protect him. With Shen Qi there, even a Boss of a casket would find it difficult to harm him, wouldn't they?
Not long after the group ran down the mountain, the pursuing wolf pack that had been behind them stealthily retreated, confirming Lu Zhi's guess. The wolves were there to drive them towards Qingshen Village. As soon as they reached the village entrance, they saw Wang Jiu, who had been waiting for a long time.
"You're too slow," Wang Jiu said, his face grim. He turned and continued, "Follow me."
Lu Zhi surmised that Wang Jiu was likely an important NPC in this casket, responsible for receiving those who entered it.
The group silently speculated, deciding to act according to the circumstances.
The last time they entered Qingshen Village, there were men, women, and elders, but no children.
This time, as Lu Zhi and the others followed Wang Jiu into Qingshen Village, a little boy who ran out bumped into Lu Zhi's leg, causing him to fall to the ground. "Ouch—"
"Are you alright?" Lu Zhi bent down, intending to help the little boy up.
"Don't touch him!" A sharp voice called out from beside a haystack. A woman hurried over, her expression wary, and pulled the little boy up before turning to leave.
The little boy looked at Lu Zhi and the others with a bewildered yet curious gaze, turning back repeatedly. After being scolded by the woman, he was pulled away.
Lu Zhi fell into thought, his gaze sweeping over the villagers who were busily engaged in their farm work. He noticed that they all regarded their arrival with cautious and unfriendly eyes.
"Don't make any unnecessary moves," Wang Jiu's sinister voice came from ahead, his dark pupils exuding an unpleasant glint. "It will be dark soon, and Qingshen Village does not keep outsiders overnight."
With that, he turned and continued walking into the village.
Lu Zhi tilted his head and whispered into Shen Qi's ear, "Do all NPCs with problems like to act gloomy and scary?"
Shen Qi's silver-gray eyes flashed with amusement. "Perhaps."
Lu Zhi shrugged.
The group soon arrived outside Wang Jiu's house and were forbidden from entering, left to wait outside. After a short while, Wang Jiu emerged, holding a clay statue wrapped in red cloth.
Wang Jiu said, "This is the mountain god you ordered."