For several tense seconds, the Corpse Demon charged towards Lu Li. Despite the flurry of emotions within him, Lu Li remained composed, not allowing his panic to disrupt his actions. He swiftly maneuvered to a strategic position where he could outsmart the Corpse Demon. Lu Li leaned backward, pushing open the front door of the ruined temple with a peculiar motion. He supported himself with his right hand against the ground, releasing the full potential of his muscles. His right hand swelled, the muscles bulging and the blood vessels becoming prominently visible. With a forceful push, Lu Li rolled backward.
The Corpse Demon's speed was formidable, but due to its excessive velocity, it failed to react promptly. It crashed directly into the ruined temple, emitting two agonizing squeals—one from the old man and the other from the Corpse Demon.
Lu Li stood up, observing the Corpse Demon under the flickering light of the flames. Its body seemed to melt like a candle, revealing a clear understanding in Lu Li's heart. While he had been escaping, Lu Li had contemplated the situation. Judging by the sounds behind him, Lu Li realized that even if he exerted his muscles to the limit, he could only sustain the strain for about ten seconds. With this realization, Lu Li decided that as long as he entered the ruined temple and stood within the blaze of the high-piled firewood, he would be safe. Considering the prompt from the game, it was evident that the Corpse Demon's weakness was fire. Without exploiting this weakness, Lu Li estimated that three Corpse Demons could overpower him, leading to the death of the old man. Such a result would render the game meaningless.
With this in mind, Lu Li decided to test the Corpse Demon's resistance to flames. He forced the Corpse Demon to face the fire directly, aiming to assess its tolerance to extreme heat. The Corpse Demon emitted continuous pained howls, its body bearing the marks of sharp claws. Although it continued to suffer, it lacked the strength to escape. Eventually, the Corpse Demon transformed into a greasy liquid, leaving behind tattered garments that exuded a repugnant odor.
Taking a deep breath, Lu Li walked over to collect the firewood, closing the front door of the ruined temple. The old man collapsed to the ground, his face expressing shock as he clutched the puppet tightly to his chest, as if afraid of causing harm.
"Are you alright, old sir? The monster is dead. There's no need to be afraid!" Lu Li comforted the old man while shaking off the snow from the firewood. Placing the firewood near the high-piled flames, Lu Li felt relieved as he noticed the moisture evaporating from it. As long as this batch of firewood dried, the fire could burn until early morning.
"Truly... you frightened me!" The old man suppressed his emotions for a while before finally sighing. He touched his chest, a lingering fear in his eyes as he glanced at the liquid remnants of the Corpse Demon. With a sense of relief, he slowly returned to his spot, the weariness evident on his face. He spoke with a forced smile to Lu Li, "Young master, you truly possess great courage. Encountering such a malevolent ghost without being startled or fearful. As for me, an old man like myself, I almost had a heart attack."
"You give me too much credit, old sir. I simply possess a little courage," Lu Li replied with a smile. As he placed the firewood, darkness had already enveloped the surroundings. The flames on the ground illuminated everything, causing one's heart to skip a beat.
Lu Li's gaze shifted towards the worn-out garments
left behind by the Corpse Demon. He noticed something resembling a transparent crystal. Lu Li picked up the strip of cloth that was once part of a short-sleeved school uniform and, at a short distance, picked up the crystallized object from the hemp cotton garment.
The old man looked puzzled. "Young master, those clothes are contaminated by foul substances. Although it's cold, it's better not to wear that hemp cotton garment near the high-piled firewood."
"It's alright, I'll dry them," Lu Li replied as he placed the hemp cotton garment on the firewood, intending to cleanse the filthy remnants. Simultaneously, he discreetly pocketed the crystallized object. As he touched the crystal, a prompt appeared in the corner of his eye:
[Obtains Special Item: Rule Module: Fixed]
[Rule Module: Rules are the fundamental truths of the world. Rule Modules are crystallizations that manifest those rules...]
[Nature of this module: Fixed]
"A special item?" Lu Li pondered upon obtaining the Rule Module named "Fixed." He recollected the Corpse Demon's unique ability, Rigor Mortis. Upon careful examination, he realized the abnormality of this ability—a self-induced suspension of its body, allowing it to revert back to its original state after sustaining damage.
If it weren't for the numerous weaknesses of the Corpse Demon, it would undoubtedly be classified as a lifeform of bug-like proportions. "Ah, the foolishness of old age! It pales in comparison to you young people!" the old man exclaimed. He unconsciously touched the arm of the puppet in his bosom and continued reminiscing, "In my youth, I had no fear. My parents once sent me to run an errand, but along the way, I heard the sound of a puppet show and couldn't resist watching it. I completely forgot about my responsibilities and even acknowledged the puppeteer as my teacher. I was harshly scolded by my parents but couldn't resist the allure of the puppet show."
"So, you were always fond of entertainment!" Lu Li said with a smile, looking at the old man's face filled with nostalgic emotions.
"Entertainment? I indulged in it all the time! Seeing those puppets perform on the vibrant stage, it felt as if their souls were imbued in them. No matter how my parents reprimanded me, I worshipped those puppeteers who brought the performances to life!" The old man's mouth overflowed with memories. "I joined the profession and dedicated my life to puppetry! For so many years, I've drifted without a permanent home, accumulating countless savings. But she was my everything!"
Lu Li glanced at the puppet in the old man's arms and sighed in agreement. "To have a skill that sustains you throughout your life is remarkable. Your puppet is truly exquisite and enviable."
"Yes! You understand, young master. You understand the hardships of an old man like me," the old man said with a bitter smile. He shook his head without saying another word and pulled out a package of oiled papers from a small wooden crate. Unfolding it, he revealed two oil cakes. The old man tore open the oiled paper and handed one oil cake to Lu Li. "Young master, after toiling with the firewood for so long, you must be hungry. Don't hesitate, have a bite!"
Lu Li glanced at the small wooden crate and accepted the oil cake handed to him by the old man. He smiled and said, "No need to worry. As long as you don't mind me sharing, I'll gladly accept!"
"Worry? Of course not! I won't mind!" The old man smiled wryly,
shaking his head. He fell silent, lowered his head, and began to eat the oil cake. Lu Li, without any reservations, discovered the delicious taste of the oil cake. He finished two or three in quick succession and engaged in conversation with the old man. After a while, both fell into a comfortable silence. The flames illuminated their surroundings, casting shadows. The old man, visibly fatigued, ignored the dirt on the ground and rested his head on the small wooden crate, quickly falling asleep. In that moment when the old man closed his eyes, an alarm bell rang in Lu Li's heart. His sixth sense warned him of an imminent danger.
The flames flickered, casting moving shadows on the ground, and the haunting cries from outside the ruined temple echoed. Lu Li's head grew heavy, his vision blurred, and just as his eyelids were about to close, he caught a glimpse of the Puppet Girl seemingly enveloped in flames...