The yard suddenly was engulfed by gusts of eerie winds.
The wind carried a putrid, foul odor.
The group found themselves in darkness as the moon, just emerged, was obscured by black clouds.
Various strange sounds echoed from all directions:
There were cries, eerie laughter, angry shouts, and wails.
Wang San felt somewhat frightened:
"Mom, I feel like someone's calling my name."
"No, wait, it's many people calling my name!"
Gravely alarmed, Granny Li said:
"Lost spirits!"
"Sanwa, starting now, besides when I call you, don't respond to anyone else!"
"Old lady and you beasts, bring it on!"
Stamping her foot thrice, Granny Li bellowed, "I call upon Lord Chang!"
Instantly, Granny Li's appearance changed drastically:
Her formerly aged and stiff body became extraordinarily agile.
Her eyes turned green, with a vertical pupil in the middle.
Two voices emerged from Granny Li's mouth successively:
"Troubling Lord Chang."
Lord Chang chuckled softly, "You know my abilities are limited; if ferocious spirits come, I might take my leave!"
"Don't blame this old lady."
As their conversation ended, within the quiet night, came the rustling sound of footsteps from all directions.
Li, somewhat worried, questioned, "Deaf old woman, why are so many people coming toward us?"
The deaf old woman grimly said, "Old Li, brace yourself; what's coming isn't 'people'!"
Who was Uncle Li?
He was an old soldier who crawled in and out of piles of dead bodies!
Upon hearing the deaf old woman's words, instead of fear, he unsheathed his large knife and blocked the door.
In the darkness, the knife emitted a blood-red glint.
"Hahaha, reminds me of when I fought the Japs with bayonets back then."
"Just wonder if these dirty things have heads hard enough!"
As a dutiful son, Wang San wouldn't let the two elders face danger alone.
He turned, placed the newborn inside and instructed his wife to take good care of the child.
Then, armed with a kitchen knife, he dashed out.
"Anyone who dares harm my mom, I'll fight them to the death!"
The deaf old woman watched, both relieved and amused:
If a kitchen knife could fend off ghosts, why worship the immortal gods?
"Sanwa, don't make trouble."
"Go get the incense burner, it's useful."
The deaf old woman grabbed incense ash, evenly scattering it around the courtyard.
The black ash on the white snow was particularly conspicuous.
"Sanwa, take the old seal and sit on the rooftop."
"Remember, no matter what happens, don't speak or move!"
"If... if mom and your Uncle Li can't handle these dirty things, take your wife and run."
"Run to the old pine tree at the top of Dongshan, remember?"
Wang San nodded vigorously:
"Mom, I remember!"
"After I send my wife away, I'll come back immediately to help you!"
The deaf old woman reached out and patted her son.
"Ah, you silly boy!"
Uncle Li stared ahead intently:
"Deaf old woman, if there's danger, you and Sanwa go together."
"I'll hold off these dirty things for you!"
Without waiting for the deaf old woman to respond, a cry suddenly came from inside the house:
"Mom, this child, he, he..."
The deaf old woman, anxious, couldn't leave.
"San's wife, what's wrong with the child, speak up!"
"Mom, this child, he's eating raw meat from the house!"
If this had happened to an ordinary baby, it would be strange.
But happening to an "Extreme Yin Child," it was normal.
The deaf old woman cautioned loudly:
"Daughter-in-law, as long as he doesn't bite you, ignore him!"
"If he dares harm you, use the wooden knife from my room to smack his bottom!"
As she spoke, the gloom in the courtyard intensified.
Even easy-going Wang San felt a chill down his spine.
By the faint light, he vaguely discerned a row of footprints advancing toward the courtyard door.
Only footprints, with no sight of a walking person.