Chapter 26: Fierce Flames

  Three days.

  Yinniang didn't come back for three whole days, and Chen Jingchen couldn't help but feel suspicious: Could it be that the little white fox had lost its footing and been killed and swallowed by the wolf demon? This wasn't entirely impossible, after all, when things reached a critical point, there were just too many variables at play, full of unpredictability; sometimes, a tiny detail could decide the outcome of events.

  Thinking so, Chen Jianchen became somewhat anxious.

  He spent some time with Yīn Níng and had a good impression of her. In Chen Jiǎng Chén's eyes, Yīn Níng was a sensible and polite little girl who was diligent in her studies, knowledgeable about books and etiquette, and knew how to repay kindness.

  Many people in the secular world may not necessarily possess these qualities.

  Chen Jianchen had agreed with Yin Ning that he would return from the mountain a day later, but now three days have passed and something must have gone wrong.

  What kind of change is it?

  Chen Jian felt uneasy, he had promised to help the little white fox, and if anything unexpected happened to it, he would certainly feel regretful and remorseful.

  This feeling is similar to being betrayed by someone.

  ……

  Dusk.

  On the third dusk after Yin Ning left, the sky was overcast again, with layer upon layer of leaden clouds pressing down low, as if to transform into a gigantic and unmatched heavy quilt, slowly descending to press the earth down.

  People in it, for no reason at all, have a sense of oppression.

  Chen Jianchen stood in the courtyard, raised his head and gazed up at the sky, observing the weather.

  "Luxian Ge, come inside the house, it's cold outside."

  Ah Bao walked out and shouted loudly.

  Chen Jianchen shook his head: "Nothing, I'll just take a look."

  Abao didn't make a sound anymore, she knew that bookworms have the habit of appreciating scenery, things like wind, flowers, snow and moon, flowing water and flying birds, they all like to look at them, and after looking for a while, they can recite poetry and write articles.

  A Bao likes to listen to Chen Jianchen recite poetry - although she doesn't understand it at all, but as long as she hears the ups and downs of Chen Jianchen's voice, she feels a great happiness.

  It was time for dinner, and many chimneys in the village were emitting wisps of blue smoke, creating a peaceful atmosphere.

  A sudden burst of fierce barking from a dog at the village entrance broke the tranquility.

  That burst of barking was extremely abrupt and fierce, as if all the dogs in the village were simultaneously opening their throats to howl. As soon as you heard it, you knew something unexpected had happened, something out of the ordinary.

  Chen Jianchen rushed out of the door, and without saying anything, many people in the village ran out to see what had happened - recently, a ferocious wolf had been wreaking havoc, causing widespread panic, making it difficult for many to rest easy.

  "Ah!"

  In the incessant barking of dogs, a man's mournful cry suddenly burst forth.

  "Wolf is coming into the village!"

  Then there was a loud shout of desperation.

  Clang! Clang! Clang!

  Someone struck up the urgent sound of bronze drums - these bronze drums, originally prepared for troubled times, would only be struck when mountain bandits or invaders invaded, had not been seen in many years. But now, they rang out urgently like rain hitting banana leaves.

  A wolf has entered the village, could it be that black wolf demon?

  Chen Jianchen's heart tightened - he knew that the hunters in the village had all gone to Fengshan for the past two days. Although there were still many strong men left in the village, they were basically just rough and unrefined, not a match for anyone. Apart from them, only the old, weak, women and children remained.

  "Wolf has entered the village?"

  In the west of the village, Zheng Datou's home. Zheng Datou had just heard the dog barking anxiously and hastily took out a large handful of pig-killing knives to see what was going on. Now that he heard it was a wolf entering the village, he was suddenly frightened and turned around to rush back into the house, quickly closing the door.

  That's no ordinary wolf, it's a wolf that has become a demon...

  Zheng Datou was extremely confident in his judgment.

  There were many people like Zheng Da who were frightened and closed their doors, but there were also some brave men who wanted to get the generous reward. They immediately took out their tools from home, including hoes, iron forks, hammers... even kitchen knives. They gathered together and rushed out in big strides.

  Chen Jianchen also wanted to rush out, but was held back by Abao from behind - this young Abao, who looked slender and delicate, suddenly burst out with great strength, holding Chen Jianchen tightly and not letting him leave. Soon, Mo Sanniang also rushed out in a flurry, shouting: "Liu Xian, hurry back, Abao is closing the door."

  "Mother, Abao, what are you doing? As a scholar, I should have integrity and moral principles. How can I just stand by and watch a beast harm our neighbors while I tuck my head in like a turtle?"

  Mo San Niang said with a sob: "I don't care, no matter what I won't let you out."

  At this time, the outside had already become a mess, with chickens flying and dogs jumping around. Seven or eight men were holding tools in their hands, shouting to boost their courage while surrounding a giant wolf.

  That giant wolf, its entire body was as black as ink, with a massive build, like a calf. A pair of copper bell-like eyes gleamed fiercely, facing the crowd that surrounded it, not showing any fear, but instead revealing rows of sharp teeth.

  "Go for it, bite him!"

  One of the men shouted, ordering his watchdog to bite the black wolf. But as soon as the dog took a few steps forward, it was stared at by the black wolf and let out a mournful howl, turned around and ran away, running far, far away.

  The man cursed and shouted: "Let's go up together."

  He raised the thick wooden stick in his hand and rushed forward; others also launched an attack without weakness.

  Roar!

  The black wolf in the middle suddenly let out a loud howl towards the sky, its voice extremely loud, causing people's eardrums to buzz.

  Wow!

  As if he had let out a loud sneeze, two clear air streams suddenly shot out of the black wolf's two large nostrils.

  Clear air encounters wind and changes, instantly turning into a strong gust of wind, whistling and swirling, flying sand and walking stones, extremely chaotic.

  Swept by this strong wind, not to mention using one's hands, even the eyes couldn't be opened; those that were barely opened were basically blinded by the mud and sand blown up by the fierce wind, which was both itchy and painful, with tears streaming down.

  Go!

  At this moment, everyone panicked and instantly lost their courage to fight back, fleeing in all directions.

  Roar!

  The black wolf ran amok, feeling delighted, and let out another howl. However, it did not chase after the crowd, but instead walked leisurely with its four legs, strolling through the village, sniffing around with its nose as if searching for some trail.

  Now it's as if Jingyang Village has become the back mountain of Fengshan, where people can roam freely. The villagers all hide in their homes, not daring to make a sound. It's not just humans, even the pigs, dogs, cows, and sheep seem to have sensed something extremely terrifying, they all cower on the ground, making no noise. At this moment, even if a black wolf were to come over and devour them with one bite, they would still appear resigned to their fate.

  The wolf demon's fierce flames have arrived!

  Roar!

  The black wolf suddenly let out a third howl, shocking the entire wilderness.

  Chen Jianchen's face changed color - he clearly heard this shout, which was shouted out right outside his own door. The wolf demon had arrived at his doorstep and stopped in its tracks.

  It's just outside the door!