At this time, according to the ancient system of twelve double-hours, it should belong to the Hai hour.

"It's about the Hai hour," Henry Sutton replied.

"He's coming soon. Go hide under the statue and make some preparations," Ethan Woods's expression grew slightly tense, his withered, bark-like face showing a hint of gravity.

"Alright." Henry Sutton also showed a heavy expression and headed inside.

Bang!

However, Henry Sutton had only taken two steps when he heard a heavy, muffled sound.

He's here!

This thought flashed through Henry Sutton's mind.

Chapter Five: Confrontation!

The night was deep.

Moonlight, like water, poured down.

At some unknown time, a figure was already standing atop the wall.

This person was dressed in a black robe, of medium build, but his face was obscured. He stood in the darkness of night, hidden in the shadows, and only a faint outline could be seen by the moonlight.

"Old man, are you trying to ruin my plans?"

The black-robed man suddenly spoke, his voice low, hoarse, and bitter, as if he rarely spoke, making his words sound extremely stiff.

Ethan Woods put down what he was holding, picked up the broom beside him, and said slowly, "You arrived faster than I expected."

As he spoke, he tilted his head slightly and glanced at Henry Sutton.

Henry Sutton understood, came to his senses, and went inside, arriving beneath the statue. He picked up the incense burner, drew out the incense stick, and stood ready.

Ethan Woods lowered the broom, gently sweeping the dust as he walked outside.

Seeing this, Henry Sutton couldn't help but twitch the corner of his mouth. At a time like this, you still have the mood to sweep the floor?

…

"Within a radius of thirty li, this temple offers its protection."

Ethan Woods swept as he walked, gradually reaching the courtyard gate, and said slowly, "As an outsider cultivating here, you should have first come to pay your respects and announce yourself. Not only did you not visit, but you hurt people first. Now you dare to trespass in the temple—aren't you taking the Thunder God too lightly?"

The black-robed man let out a laugh, his tone tinged with disdain. "You, just a mere temple caretaker, stealing a bit of incense to aid your cultivation—do you really think your shallow skills are worthy of my respect? Today, I've come to your temple for someone. If you don't hand them over, I'll flatten this temple—what will you do about it?"

"A practitioner of crooked ways, a fiendish being—how dare you act so arrogant in the Central Plains?" Ethan Woods's broom paused, and he raised his head. In his cloudy eyes, a sharp glint flashed.

"So what if I am?"

The black-robed man leapt down from the wall into the courtyard, his gaze falling into the temple as he asked, "Where is the person?"

Ethan Woods did not reply, simply watching him quietly.

Henry Sutton stood beneath the statue, staring at the intruder several yards away, his eyes blazing with anger and murderous intent.

Was it this bastard who harmed my cousin?

This guy still won't give up—coming here tonight, wanting to use my cousin to plant a Gu worm?

Henry Sutton took a deep breath and closed his eyes slightly, hating that he had no cultivation, no skills, unable to use the inheritance of Daoist Lu Ya to tear this man to pieces.

For now, he could only rely on Ethan Woods's abilities.

As long as this guy was killed, maybe he could get the antidote and save his cousin.

"He must die."

Henry Sutton gritted his teeth, clutching the incense stick tightly in his hand.

…

Under the night.

In the dark corner of the wall.

Suddenly, a OO@@ sound was heard.

The black-robed man waved both hands, and under the moonlight, countless poisonous snakes and insects appeared, surging out from the corner of the wall, a terrifying sight.

Ethan Woods's expression did not change as he said, "You think these lowly, sinister things can defile the sanctity of my temple?"

With a sweep of his broom, clouds of dust scattered outward.

The hundreds, even thousands, of poisonous snakes and insects retreated in fear.

Henry Sutton could see clearly that this dust was the ash from the courtyard's brazier.

It wasn't incense ash, but the ashes of silver ingots burned by worshippers.

Silver ingots and such are offerings to the gods; their ashes restrain evil spirits.

Moreover, earlier that evening, Henry Sutton had sprinkled a layer of realgar powder into the ashes, which is said to ward off poisonous snakes, centipedes, and other venomous creatures.

Clearly, Ethan Woods had anticipated this scene.

"You came prepared," the black-robed man's gaze sharpened.

"Naturally," Ethan Woods replied calmly. "Practitioners of Gu are best at controlling these lowly creatures. If we were outside, I would not be your match. But since you have come to my temple, things are different."

The black-robed man sneered. "What's different? At worst, I just won't use these poisonous creatures…"

With that, he waved his hand, and suddenly a black snake as thick as a chopstick shot through the air.

The black snake swelled in the wind, instantly becoming as thick as a wrist.

"A Gu snake?"

Ethan Woods's expression changed slightly.

Henry Sutton's gaze grew grave.

Earlier today, he had heard Ethan Woods say that the Gu master's greatest reliance was that very snake which had poisoned his cousin.

Most likely, the Gu master's snake had been hunting outside, accidentally discovered his cousin's unique constitution, poisoned her, and left a mark, leading to tonight's events.

This Gu snake was the root of all evil.

Murderous intent filled Henry Sutton's eyes.