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What was meant to come would come eventually.

There was no use in being afraid.

From the very first day they entered the Ghost Mountain, they knew that the flames of war outside would inevitably spread here one day.

They did not fear battle.

They would rather die on their feet than become mere fodder for the State of Jin!

Shangguan Qing and Tang Yueshan returned to the village first.

Gu Jiao, on the other hand, remained at the entrance of the cave, continuing to keep watch over Xuanyuan Qi.

He had spent the better part of his life protecting others.

Perhaps this was the very first time someone silently and steadfastly stood guard over him.

Gu Jiao sat cross-legged by his side, gazing deeply at him before softly murmuring, “You must remember everything soon, Xuanyuan Qi.”

……

After returning, Tang Yueshan didn’t go back to sleep.

He stood at the village entrance with his large bow slung across his back, unmoving, his eyes fixed in the direction of the forest.

As the sky began to lighten, a ghost soldier rushed through the forest, quickly approaching and reporting to Shangguan Qing, “The troops of the State of Jin have been deployed! They’re heading this way toward Ghost Mountain!”

Shangguan Qing asked calmly, “How many soldiers are they sending?”

The ghost soldier opened his mouth, hesitated for a moment, then braced himself and replied, “Twenty thousand.”

Shangguan Qing clasped his hands behind his back, his brows knitting into a frown.

It was clear this number had far exceeded his expectations.

That Gongsun Yu had actually mobilized twenty thousand regular troops just to deal with a mere three hundred bandits in Ghost Mountain.

He was certainly giving them more credit than expected.

“Pass the word, no fires are to be lit in the morning. Proceed according to the plan.” Shangguan Qing ordered decisively.

“Yes, sir!” The ghost soldier accepted the command and swiftly disappeared back into the forest.

Tang Yueshan entered his room and asked, “Is it true? The Jin army is coming to slaughter us?”

Shangguan Qing gave a low grunt in confirmation, his expression no longer as calm and casual as it had been the night before.

“Twenty thousand troops.” he said.

Tang Yueshan’s eyes widened with a tremor, “What? T-Twenty thousand? Has Gongsun Yu lost his mind? He’s sending twenty thousand troops just for this Ghost Mountain?”

Shangguan Qing replied, “Gongsun Yu’s grandfather was once buried here in Ghost Mountain. Perhaps he has always harbored a particular grudge against this place… But you’re right. He really is a madman.”

Tang Yueshan asked, “Is there a retreat route? What lies beyond the back of the mountain?”

Shangguan Qing responded with a serious tone, “A lake, an endless, vast lake as far as the eye can see.”

That meant retreat in that direction was impossible.

Tang Yueshan asked again, “What about the east and west sides?”

Shangguan Qing answered, “Crossing over the mountain on either side also leads to the lake. The village doesn’t have enough boats.”

Tang Yueshan’s heart sank. The situation was becoming more and more dire. “Then…”

But just then, Shangguan Qing’s expression suddenly relaxed. “Don’t worry too much. Ghost Mountain isn’t as fragile as you think. Twenty thousand troops from Jin may be a major threat, but if we can’t beat them, can’t we at least hide from them? Once the imperial forces arrive to retake Pucheng, we’ll be safe.”

Tang Yueshan shot him a strange look.

A moment later, he realized that Shangguan Qing was being completely serious about hiding.

He struck the stone bell at the village entrance, letting it ring out three deep tones.

In just a short time, the villagers emerged from their homes one after another, all fully armed and ready to move.

Tang Yueshan stared in disbelief, dumbfounded, “Are you kidding me? That fast?”

Shangguan Qing thoroughly enjoyed the look of shock on Tang Yueshan’s face. He raised an eyebrow and said, “Everything was packed and ready last night.”

Otherwise, why would all the villagers be staying up so late?

Certainly not for late-night farm work.

The moment he confirmed the Jin troops entering the mountain, he immediately activated the emergency plan.

Although it happened a few days earlier than expected, it wasn’t a serious problem.

Tang Yueshan said, “I’ll go to the front.”

Shangguan Qing responded, “No need. You’re in charge of protecting the villagers. The ghost soldiers at the front will withdraw soon as well.”

Daytime was not Ghost Mountain’s advantage, and Shangguan Qing had no intention of making a meaningless sacrifice in a fight they couldn’t win.

Tang Yueshan looked at Shangguan Qing with a trace of surprise.

This young man had a natural commanding presence that inspired confidence. Though he was still so young, he handled matters with calm composure, courage, and wisdom, never reckless.

Was it just his imagination?

Why did he suddenly think of Old Xiao?

There was a hidden mechanism in the village's ancient well. Once triggered, a small opening would appear along the stone wall inside the well.

Shangguan Qing arranged for two ghost soldiers who were familiar with the hidden passage to lead the way, then began methodically guiding the villagers into the tunnel one by one.

What left Tang Yueshan utterly astonished was that from the frail elders in their eighties to the toddling children barely three years old, not a single person screamed in fear or cried, and there was no sign of panic or chaos as they entered.

Every individual followed Shangguan Qing's instructions without hesitation or question.

This was a kind of absolute, unwavering trust.

And suddenly, he thought of Marquis Xuanping again.

That man might have seemed frivolous on the surface, but wherever he went, the people rallied to him with heartfelt loyalty, and their spirits were always lifted.

In the past, Tang Yueshan had attributed that effect to Marquis Xuanping’s striking face, but this kid hadn’t even shown his face——

Shangguan Qing looked back at him, interrupting his train of thought. “Your turn, Supreme Commander Tang.”

Tang Yueshan’s body jolted like a struck tiger.

Wait a minute! I never said I was the Supreme Commander! All I told him was that my surname was Tang!

…Could it be that girl who let it slip?

Yes, that must be it.

No way this kid actually knows who I am!

Tang Yueshan and Shangguan Qing also entered the tunnel hidden inside the ancient well.

Though the entrance seemed narrow, the interior was not cramped at all. Even with Tang Yueshan’s middle-aged bulk and rounded figure, crawling inside didn’t feel restrictive.

And after crawling forward about ten feet, the passage gradually grew taller and wider, allowing them to walk with a stoop rather than crawl.

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Description:

In the suspenseful supernatural novel “Records of Mortals,” Jiang Baiyan, once a solitary and impoverished youth, finds refuge in the Shi family of Chang’an due to his extraordinary bloodline. With his clear and captivating peach blossom eyes, this seemingly innocent young man conceals a fanatical and malevolent lunatic within. Destined to succumb to darkness amidst hardship and degradation, he becomes a harbinger of chaos.

When Shi Dai suddenly transmigrates, she takes on the role of the Shi family’s young lady, the one who subjects him to countless trials, eventually leading to her demise.

The twist? She never got to finish reading the novel.

From what she knew of the plot, Jiang Baiyan was just a silent, timid, and often bullied pitiable character.

***

Jiang Baiyan had never encountered someone like Shi Dai.

After he had slaughtered all the evil creatures in the garden, the blood-stained young man, exuding a murderous aura, approached her step by step, his lips curling into a malicious smile, "Scared?"

Shi Dai responded, “You’re really amazing! I applaud you until I spin like a spiral and fly around the moon three hundred times! And also——you have dimples when you smile!"

Jiang Baiyan: ...?

—

After seeing her at a lantern festival with another man, Jiang Baiyan lowered his eyes, his fingers twirling her hair. He said in a mocking and sinister tone, "The mansion in the western suburbs...if I hide you there, no one will find you, right?"

Shi Dai replied, "Does it come with meals and lodging? Can I sleep in everyday? Oh, and your cooking is the best!"

Jiang Baiyan: ...?

—

Jiang Baiyan was supposed to dislike her, even hate her, but as their separation drew near, his eyes turned red and he grabbed her sleeve, pleading, "Don't abandon me, alri—”

Shi Dai responded, "Alright, alright, I’ll only have you. Mwah."

Jiang Baiyan: ...?

He hasn't finished his lines yet though…

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