The loafer muttered a few times, as if trying to convince himself.

However, just then, there was another commotion outside.

This time, it was a voice speaking:

"Is there another one who isn't afraid to die?"

The voice was shrill—not only was it impossible to tell if it was male or female, it didn't even sound like it came from a human throat.

"!"

Idle Man was instantly startled.

"What is that?"

He repeated the question, but his voice was now trembling uncontrollably, as if he had completely forgotten the analysis he had made earlier.

Henry Walton was also a student of Old Master Shu from the village, and had been influenced by the master's belief that "there are arts in the world, but no ghosts or gods." He couldn't be sure whether there really were monsters or ghosts in the Wang family ancestral hall, or if it was just people causing trouble. But upon hearing this strange voice, he too began to lean toward one side.

For no other reason than—it was just too strange.

As he hesitated, there was suddenly a tremor above his head.

"Crash..."

"Clang, clang..."

It was the sound of roof tiles shaking.

Then, tiles began to fall.

"Crack..."

A tile hit the ground and immediately shattered to pieces.

Then, with a whoosh, a gust of wind blew in, and the only oil lamp in the sleeping hall was snuffed out by the wind.

The sleeping hall was instantly plunged into darkness. Overhead, the tiles continued to rattle and tremble, as if swept by a wild wind. Occasionally, tiles fell and hit the ground with sharp cracks. Sometimes, fragments of tile even landed on Henry Walton, bringing a faint sensation, even a sting.

Henry Walton couldn't help but open his eyes wide.

What was going on now?

Could there really be monsters and ghosts in this world?

Were all those strange tales told by the village elders true?

No wonder so many self-proclaimed brave drunkards and desperate Idle Man had come here for money, yet none had lasted a single night.

If there really were monsters and ghosts, who wouldn't be afraid?

At that moment, another voice came from outside the sleeping hall:

"If you don't want to die, leave quickly!"

Still shrill and inhuman, accompanied by the clatter and crash of falling tiles.

"Ah..."

Survival came first. The Idle Man beside him didn't hesitate—he scrambled up, and before he could even stand straight, he was already crawling and stumbling out.

Henry Walton didn't try to stop him, nor did he move.

First, the Wang family ancestral hall had been restless for some time. There had been quite a few people who spent the night here, and the Wang family had even organized some of their young men to stay. But aside from those who went home so frightened they fell ill, Henry Walton hadn't heard of anyone actually being harmed.

Second, with this Idle Man running out now, by the light of the moon in the courtyard, he might just be able to see whether it was a person or a ghost outside.

Maybe it was a gang of people working together?

He listened as Idle Man's panicked footsteps grew more distant. After leaving the sleeping hall, it sounded like he tripped on the threshold or a step. Once outside, there was an even more terrified scream:

"Ah!!"

That sound quickly faded into the distance.

The village was peaceful at this moment.

No doubt many villagers had been awakened, or had already heard that someone was in the ancestral hall again tonight and simply hadn't slept. But now, not a single sound could be heard.

Only Henry Walton remained in the sleeping hall.

Chapter 3: Man Can Also Repel Ghosts and Gods

"Huh?"

There was a surprised exclamation from outside:

"There's still someone?"

Immediately, the voice turned fierce:

"Still not leaving?"

With the voice came another rush of wind.

"Smash!!"

A green roof tile flew in, striking the wall three feet from Henry Walton with great force, shattering to pieces.

Fragments of tile even struck Henry Walton's face.

"......"

Henry Walton couldn't help but turn his head to look at the spot on the wall where the tile had hit, noting its distance from himself. He touched his stinging face, his eyes flickering, but still did not move.

In the village elders' stories, the fox spirits and ghosts that occupied human homes often did this—throwing tiles and bricks to scare people away, sometimes even injuring them or getting into shouting matches.

This one, it seemed, for various reasons or concerns, did not dare to take a life lightly.

Based on what he knew, although the Wang family's ancestral hall had been occupied, they had never reported it to the county, nor had he heard of anyone losing their life here. This made him even more certain—

This one just wanted to scare him off.

But that didn't matter much now.

"Still not leaving?"

The voice came again from outside.

"Smash!"

Another green tile flew in, shattering on impact.

The same spot as before.

"I see that you are young and upright, and have not offended me, so I kindly advise you to leave. If you don't, you'll lose your life here!"

The voice outside continued to threaten.

Henry Walton's eyes flickered. At last, he slowly stood up, still staring outside, and said, "I don't know if you are a monster or a ghost, but if you want me to leave, throwing just one roof tile won't do."

"Oh, really?"

Immediately, there was a series of crashes as several more green tiles flew in, striking the wall even closer to Henry Walton, with greater force. Even the white plaster on the wall was knocked loose, scattering dust and debris everywhere.

Henry Walton instinctively closed his eyes for a moment. When he opened them again, he took a deep breath, but didn't even glance at the wall beside him. He continued:

"Why don't you show yourself?"

"I'm afraid I'll scare you to death!"

"Why not give it a try?"