Chapter 8: A Nefarious Deity

Chapter 8: A Nefarious Deity

It seemed like such a long time since Lin Qiushi had opened his eyes to a beautiful morning filled with pleasant sunshine and clear skies. The fierce winds had stopped, the heavy snowfall had stopped, and the radiant sun hung high in the sky, casting its warm rays upon the earth. It was as if the horrific experiences they went through last night were but mere nightmares not worth mentioning.

Lin Qiushi, who seldom lazed around, actually stayed behind and relaxed in bed with Ruan Baijie. They chatted, sang songs, recited verses, and even explored the philosophies of life.

At last, Ruan Baijie clamored that she was hungry, and she pressed Lin Qiushi to get her something to eat.

Lin Qiushi stood up and went to the kitchen, only to find that everyone had woken up early. They were currently eating their breakfast and discussing their plans to visit the carpenter later.

Xiong Qi caught sight of Lin Qiushi and greeted him, before asking where Ruan Baijie was.

Shes still in bed. Lin Qiushi replied. She said that it was too cold and that she didnt want to get out of bed, so I came to bring some food back to her.

Xiong Qi hummed. He then told him they intended to go out later, indicating that itd be best for Lin Qiushi to join them. If this were an ordinary day, everyone wouldve suspected that both Lin Qiushi and Ruan Baijie did something in the bedroom. But who would do such things after the events that broke out last night? If she and Lin Qiushi still had the energy and proclivity for such activities at such a time, then they truly were gifted and blessed in their own way.

They set off to the carpenters house today. Xiong Qi mainly wanted to inquire about the well. They didnt know how they should fill it, when they should fill it, and most importantly, what they should fill the well with.

A while had passed since theyd arrived here, and Lin Qiushi just now confirmed that there was one well in nearly every household. Most of the wells were positioned directly in the center of the courtyards, evidently obstructing the paths of the people entering and exiting the building. In terms of structure and composition, this was indisputably unscientific. It seemed as though this village harbored some strange, mysterious customs.

The carpenters false information led to the deaths of their two comrades yesterday, so when everyone met the carpenter again today, their moods were sour and their attitudes, hostile. Even the polite and good-natured Xiong Qi had a rather cold expression on his face. But the old man could hardly care. As before, he grasped that tobacco smoking pipe in his hand and narrowed his eyes as he inhaled deeply then blew out a hazy cloud of smoke.

Elder, weve finished paying our respects, what do we need to do next? Xiong Qi asked.

Naturally, you must fill the well. The carpenter unconcernedly responded. Pick a night, dump something lifeless into the well, and then youre done.

Something lifeless? What do you mean by something lifeless? A feeling of dread washed over Xiao Ke, and her tone suddenly became hoarser, graver. What do you mean?

Shrugging, the carpenter stated, The literal meaning.

So, any dead creature can be used? Xiong Qi quickly verified.

Yes. Any dead creature will do, replied the carpenter. Chickens, ducks, dogs, geese. If you can find them, toss them into the well within three days and cover it with soil, then the coffin can be built.

Upon hearing that any dead object would suffice, Xiong Qi sagged his shoulders and heaved a sigh of relief, but he hadnt even finished exhaling, when Ruan Baijie suddenly pointed out, Weve been staying in this village for so many days, yet we havent seen a single living animal in this village. Just where in the world are we supposed to find chickens, ducks, dogs, or geese.

But didnt we eat some eggs? Lin Qiushi thought of the basket filled with food that was just sitting in the house. Since there are eggs, there should obviously be chickens.

You didnt examine that basket carefully. Ruan Baijie continued, There were absolutely no outsiders that came into our house, and none of the villagers also came in. The basket automatically filled itself with more ingredients and food.

Lin Qiushi: Then where exactly did those eggs come from.

Ruan Baijie: Whats the point in concerning yourself with where those eggs came from. In any case, they tasted pretty good.

Lin Qiushi: His stomach began to churn.

Under Ruan Baijies reminder, everyone seemed to have realized there were no living creatures in this village. The season was winter right now, and these barren mountains contained no life. The clever Xiong Qi instantly caught on to the key issue. Blood drained from his face, his complexion soon turned ashen. Elder, what exactly do you mean?New novel chapters are published on

Just when everyone thought Ruan Baijie would say something, she sighed and stated, Lets go.

You want to return? Xiong Qi asked.

What else is there left to do? Ruan Baijie appeared rather vexed. He knows so many things, yet he wont answer our questions no matter how many times we ask. She turned on her heels and pushed the door open. Her attitude as she exited the place was overbearing and utterly resolute.

Upon seeing her stomp out of the house, everyone followed in succession. Lin Qiushi felt that Ruan Baijies mood was particularly dark. He chased her out the door and asked her what was wrong.

Ruan Baijie warned, Be careful tonight.

What do you mean? Are you saying that thing might come to find us? Lin Qiushi could only think of this reason for her solemn words of caution.

Hah. Ruan Baijie grinned slightly. She suddenly twisted around, approached Lin Qiushi and leaned forward. A breath away from his ear, she softly puffed, Sometimes, humans are even more fearsome and terrible than ghosts.

Lin Qiushi froze.

Lets go back. Ruan Baijie swiveled back around and faced the front. Lin Qiushi stared at her retreating figure, and he suddenly felt as though he honestly couldnt see through this girl.

Before they went over to the carpenters place and spoke to him, everyone occasionally said a sentence or two. But after returning home from the carpenters place, everyones mood collapsed, becoming a pool of stagnant water, one that was particularly filthy and motionless.

Lin Qiushi simply couldnt understand why this was the case. Munching on a roasted sweet potato, Ruan Baijie slowly explained, Youre quite dim-witted, ah. Earlier, everyone only thought of working together to complete the task, but now

Now? Lin Qiushi tilted his head in bafflement.

Now, everyone is looking forward to the others deaths. Ruan Baijie leaned her back against the chair. As long as someone dies, there will be a dead body to fill the well. And when the wells filled, the coffin can also be built. In short, everyone can leave this place with their lives intact

Lin Qiushi: Such a thought never even crossed his mind. He was a bit absent-minded after hearing this. Are all worlds that exist behind these doors like this?

Ruan Baijie continued, This actually isnt that bad though. If anything, you just shouldnt go outside tonight, or else

Lin Qiushi: Or else well run into that female ghost?

Ruan Baijie merely shook her head. Oh, we may run into something even viler than that female ghost.

Deep inside his heart, Lin Qiushi had already guessed what she was suggesting, but he simply didnt want to admit it. After all, he was born in society governed by laws and social standards; his way of thinking wasnt able to break away from the ideals hed always conformed to, his mind just couldnt accept anything other than the ethics that had been instilled within him since birth. Ruan Baijie hinted that some people would kill their own comrades in order to obtain a carcass to fill the well, but Lin Qiushi was unwilling to believe that someone would truly commit such heinous deeds.

That night, Lin Qiushi, who was suffering from insomnia, tossed and turned in his bed. As always, Ruan Baijie was sprawled out next to him, sleeping like a carefree pig.

Lin Qiushi gazed at the ceiling and sorted through all of the events that happened during the day. The windows and door were secured shut; he had originally wanted to barricade the door with a chair but, at that moment, Ruan Baijie strolled over to his side and uttered one sentence: Are you not afraid that something might suddenly appear inside our room?

Lin Qiushi: !!! That makes sense!

And so, he obediently moved the chair over.

Of course, things that were bound to happen would, obviously, happen sooner or later. At two oclock in the morning, the restless Lin Qiushi had, once again, heard the miserable shrieks of a human being.