The whistling wind couldn't drown out Hu Yuan's repulsive laughter. I retorted with a roar, "Hu Yuan, I'll curse your ancestors for eighteen generations!" I didn't know if he heard me, but I poured all my energy into running.
I used to think my master was a pervert for making me run, jump, and occasionally chase me with a bamboo stick while riding a small bicycle. I thought he was bored if he didn't torment me for a day.
Now, I had completely lost that thought. I even felt a pang of resentment, wishing my parents had given me two extra legs so I could run faster and outrun this big black dog behind me.
Running downhill naturally increased my speed, but no matter how fast I ran, the big black dog behind me kept pace, staying within five or six meters. I dodged trees and rocks, but it was no obstacle to its progress. It crashed through trees and smashed through rocks, like a bulldozer on four legs.
I ran all the way down the mountain, and the big black dog still maintained its distance of less than five or six meters. Its scarlet eyes were filled with excitement, and its long, dripping saliva suggested it was delighted, as if it were about to savor my grand feast.
"Damn dog, all you do is chase me. When I recover my strength, I'll skin you and eat your flesh." My threat was completely ineffective against the big black dog. In response, I heard an angry bark.
Seeing the steep cliffs on both sides, I regretted not paying attention to the path. I had been so focused on running forward. Now, even if I didn't want to enter Beishan Mining Town, I had no choice.
The paths on both sides led uphill. I could barely outrun the four-legged black dog going downhill; going uphill would surely mean being eaten by it.
"Damn it, I'll risk it. Even if I freeze to death from the Yin energy of Beishan Mining Town, I won't be dog food."
With a surge of resolve, I quickened my pace towards Beishan Mining Town. I remembered the place where the old monk was trapped, and I wondered if it could trap this big black dog too. If not, I would have to meet my end in its jaws.
My lungs felt like they would explode. Several times, I almost got caught by the big black dog. Its claws had raked my arms and back, causing a burning pain that soon turned numb. This was the effect of the Yin energy, which could alleviate pain but also accelerate its intrusion into the body.
I couldn't worry about that now. Running for my life was the priority. I didn't know what this big black dog ate to grow so strong, and it even had a bit of intelligence. When I was fast, it was fast; when I slowed down, it also reduced its speed, maintaining that five or six-meter gap.
"Damn it, it's playing cat and mouse with me? How detestable."
Seeing a spot ahead that was brighter than the surrounding area, my eyes suddenly lit up. Damn it, after running for so long, I finally saw the place where the old monk was trapped. Glancing back at the big black dog, less than two meters behind me, I cheered myself on. As long as I entered the old monk's sealing ground, this big black dog was as good as dead.
Mustering my last ounce of strength, I sprinted towards the spot that seemed brighter even in the darkness. Then, I collapsed onto the ground, and as I sat down, all my strength seemed to drain away.
The big black dog, which had been relentlessly chasing me, stopped outside the bright area when it saw me half-lying on the ground. It didn't charge immediately but scanned its surroundings with its scarlet eyes, as if searching for something.
I gasped for air, my eyes fixed on it. Despite being an animal, this big black dog was definitely intelligent. Otherwise, it wouldn't have stopped to look around instead of immediately lunging at me.
No, I couldn't let it sense anything unusual. Otherwise, it could linger here for a long time, and I would freeze to death from the Yin energy. The burning pain in my chest had already become numb while sitting on the ground, a sign that my body was about to succumb to the Yin energy.
"You black dog beast, what are you looking at? Didn't that bastard Hu Yuan send you to bite me? Come on, I'm sitting here waiting for you to bite me. If you don't chase me, I'm leaving." Forcing myself to stand despite my exhaustion, I gritted my teeth and made an obscene gesture at it with my finger. I didn't know if it understood.
Woof woof—
A series of harsh barks came from the big black dog, but it didn't charge. Instead, it lay down on the spot, crossed its front paws, and rested its head on them, its scarlet eyes staring directly at me.
Damn it! It didn't work? This thing is truly intelligent?
After a few more curses, the big black dog stopped barking altogether. It even yawned widely, letting out a big breath.
This was truly infuriating. Was this thing treating me like a monkey? I couldn't stay here. I had to leave quickly and run back, or the Yin energy would paralyze my entire body, and even a god couldn't save me then.
I glanced at the big black dog still lying on the ground and chose to walk in the opposite direction, planning to circle around and then head back to the village. But before I could take a few steps, I noticed the big black dog had stood up. I didn't know how it judged, but it began to run parallel to me.
After a quick assessment, I realized this beast was running in circles around the bright area. Its timing was precise; it only ran out of the bright circle when I did.
"Damn it, you are truly a living beast!"
My curses were met with a few more barks, and it even bared its teeth as if mocking my overestimation of myself.
At this point, I was completely out of options. I could only keep walking back and forth within the bright area. This would keep my body warm and delay the Yin energy's entry. I racked my brain for a solution, but nothing came to mind.
No matter what, I couldn't outrun the big black dog in front of me unless someone helped me subdue it. But who could I rely on now? I didn't know where Bai Ling'er had gone. Zhang Dabiao was still at home, and he was too far away to help. Besides, judging by the big black dog's size, its strength was likely at the Ghost General level, so he would be sending himself to his doom.
Was I really going to die here?
I quickly shook the word 'death' from my mind. I would negotiate with the big black dog, see if I could find a breakthrough. If not, I would just have to wait for death.
"Big black dog, can we make a deal? Stop chasing me and spare my life. I promise to burn lots of chicken, duck, beef, and lamb for you to eat well and drink well. What do you think?"
The big black dog: "..."
Seeing that its eyelids hadn't even twitched, I lightly slapped myself and quickly said I had misspoke, that I shouldn't call it a black dog but a black brother. Could it spare my life?
The big black dog: "..."
But the result was that no matter what I said, the big black dog remained indifferent. It even yawned a few times. In the end, it even closed its eyes, covering its ears with its front paws as if it was tired of my nagging.
Seeing its actions, I was completely despairing. This thing was more of a beast than Hu Yuan. It was completely impervious to reason. It could say whatever it wanted, treating me as if I were just a spectator.
It's over. I'm really going to die here.
I slumped to the ground, completely devoid of strength. I had run for half an hour and walked for nearly forty minutes. Coupled with the sealing of my Xuan Yang True Qi and the invasion of Yin energy, even if I were made of iron, my legs felt weak and my head heavy.
I wanted to stand up and keep walking, to stall for time, hoping for a miracle. But it seemed miracles wouldn't happen now. Since I couldn't change the inevitable fact of my death, what was the point of struggling?
As long as I didn't end up in its jaws, even freezing to death from the Yin energy was acceptable...
My mind wandered through chaotic thoughts, and my consciousness gradually blurred. Just as I felt I was about to fall asleep, I suddenly heard someone call my name. The voice wasn't loud but was exceptionally clear.
"Song Qingyun, don't sleep, whatever you do, don't sleep..."