"Isn't the sunset just beginning?" Ning Wei didn't understand what Li Ye was thinking when she had only looked at it for a few glances.
"Some things don't need to be seen through to the end. Having a moment is already enough."
Seeing Li Ye's rare eloquence, Ning Wei chose not to argue with him.
After all, night would fall after sunset, and they had no tools for illumination. Descending the mountain might be dangerous.
Ning Wei was not afraid of small animals or wandering ghosts; she was only worried about that powerful entity suddenly making a move against them.
If both of them were to perish here, Tang Tang and the others would likely have to search the mountain extensively just to find their bodies.
They might even be eaten entirely, leaving no trace.
It wasn't strange for Ning Wei to be so dispirited; the opponent was simply too formidable.
After sunset, the mountain grew even darker.
Li Ye held Ning Wei's hand as they slowly descended.
Despite the significant time spent climbing up, they descended with surprising speed.
Upon returning to the Meng family's residence, they were unexpectedly met with everyone gathered in the courtyard, and also the presence of Ci Yun.
"You're back." Ci Yun seemed to know where they had been.
"You're finally back, Master Ci Yun has been waiting for you for a long time," Aunt Meng said quickly.
Master Ci Yun was a figure of great respect in town. People always waited for him, never the other way around.
Uncle Meng pulled Aunt Meng up, saying, "We're old, we'll go back to our room to rest. You all chat."
At this moment, Uncle Meng was exceptionally tactful.
Ci Yun's unannounced visit indicated that a major issue needed addressing.
Whatever it was, it was not something they, an elderly couple, should pry into.
Aunt Meng also snapped back to reality, quickly followed Uncle Meng back to their room. The slight heaviness of their closing door was meant to signal to others that they would not eavesdrop.
"Let's go," Ci Yun said.
Everyone was bewildered.
"Go where?" Mei Nan asked.
Ci Yun looked at Ning Wei, "Are you ready? We can't wait any longer."
Before Ning Wei could reply, the others erupted.
"We did not agree to sacrifice Ning Wei!" Tang Tang was the first to speak.
The others chimed in their agreement.
Ci Yun ignored their words, his gaze fixed on Ning Wei. "Tonight is the last chance. As far as I know, the Mountain God has made trades with many people. As it grows stronger, sacrificing just you will be of no use."
This news struck them like a thunderbolt. While they were still contemplating other solutions or had prepared for a prolonged struggle against the Mountain God, Ci Yun's words pushed them into a corner.
According to Ci Yun, if Ning Wei didn't go tonight, and the Mountain God grew more powerful, there would be no further opportunity.
Ning Wei's eyes were serene. "Since we've come this far, let's go."
"No!" Tang Tang and the others immediately grabbed Ning Wei, not giving her a chance to move.
Ci Yun stood by the doorway, watching them silently.
At this moment, Li Ye spoke, "Don't worry, I will protect Ning Wei and ensure she doesn't disappear."
Hearing Li Ye's words, Ning Wei frowned and looked at him, "Did you have an opportunity earlier?"
Li Ye did not deny it. "If you trust me, go with Ci Yun tonight. I will guarantee your safety!"
Li Ye's abilities were evident to all, and Ning Wei had always placed great trust in him.
"Of course, I trust you. Let's go." Ning Wei placed her hand in Li Ye's, signifying that she was entrusting herself to him.
With Li Ye's guarantee, everyone became less resistant.
Tang Tang's eyes reddened. For the first time, she looked at Li Ye with such seriousness. "Can you guarantee Ning Wei's safety?"
For the first time, Li Ye responded to someone other than Ning Wei. He looked at everyone, seeing their genuine concern for Ning Wei.
This was good, truly good.
"Please rest assured, I have already discussed this with Ci Yun. Everything is under control, and everyone will leave safely."
"Yes, we have made all the arrangements, no lives will be lost," Ci Yun added.
They didn't place much faith in his words, but they trusted Ning Wei and Li Ye.
"Time is pressing, have you all decided?" Ci Yun urged.
"Let's go." Ning Wei smiled at Li Ye, and they walked out of the Meng residence together.
With the two main characters gone, the supporting characters naturally followed.
Ci Yun, who had been at the back, now moved to the front. Under the moonlight, his shadow twisted unnervingly on the ground.
They walked all the way to the Mountain God Temple. Ci Yun had lit candles beforehand. Although there was no wind, the candlelight flickered.
The large rooster and the big black dog were tied with ropes, guarding the entrance of the temple on either side, as if trapping something inside.
This was everyone's first time visiting the Mountain God Temple at night. Thinking about what was about to happen, apart from worry and contemplation, they surprisingly felt no fear.
If they could face it alongside Ning Wei, they would never hesitate to step back!
Ci Yun began his preparations. To their astonishment, he quickly twisted the neck of the large rooster and then dripped its blood in a circle around the temple.
Next was the big black dog. Dogs, being animals with human-like sentience, seemed to know what was about to happen. There was no fear in its eyes.
Its bright eyes looked at Ci Yun, as if saying, "Go ahead, I'm ready."
Ci Yun did not act as decisively as he did with the chicken. He squatted in front of the big black dog, reached out to stroke it, a rare hint of reluctance in his eyes.
The big black dog nudged Ci Yun's chest with its head, as if seeking affection.
No one spoke, knowing what was about to happen, they were unwilling to disturb the moment.
"Old friend, we've been together for nearly ten years. The fated person has finally arrived, are you ready?" Ci Yun said to the big black dog.
The big black dog nodded, a tear falling from its eye, and then barked twice at Ci Yun.
Ci Yun covered the dog's eyes with his hand, then took out a small knife and plunged it directly into the dog's neck.
Even though it was prepared, the intense pain caused it to convulse uncontrollably.
Ci Yun, unable to bear watching it suffer while alive, tightened his grip on the knife.
The trembling beneath his hands ceased. The big black dog still held its bright eyes open. It had accepted death, and it knew this was its mission!
Blood continued to flow, soaking Ci Yun's clothes.
Ci Yun held the big black dog and sprinkled all its blood onto the snake-shaped statue, until the last drop had drained.
Without Li Ye's guarantee, Ning Wei's fate would have been no different from that of the big black dog.