C44 Fight Against the Evil Path(2)

Startled by Sunn Youde's loud shout, the others snapped to attention as if struck by a sudden realization. Scrambling to their feet, they grabbed the hunting rifles from the ground and took aim at Deaf Zhang and me.

But as the gunfire erupted, Deaf Zhang's two vengeful spirits charged into the fray. Swirling in a cloud of black mist, they swiftly took down three or four men.

However, swift as they were, the spirits couldn't outpace bullets. Outnumbered, they were inevitably a step behind. A steel pellet struck Deaf Zhang's shoulder, eliciting a cry of pain from him.

Seizing the moment, the Evil Taoist lunged forward, his bronze sword glinting with a chilling light as it thrust towards Deaf Zhang's throat.

The strike was lightning-fast, catching both Deaf Zhang and me off guard. Thankfully, the two spirits returned just in time to engage the Evil Taoist in combat.

The spirits' black mist briefly held the Evil Taoist at bay, but they were clearly outmatched. Despite his reliance on dark arts, the Evil Taoist had learned a great deal of the Taoist techniques from Mao Mountain, which were particularly potent against malevolent entities.

With a sneer, the Evil Taoist unleashed a golden Talisman that obliterated one spirit instantly, while Deaf Zhang managed to recall the other into his wine jar just in time.

In a mere ten minutes, two of Deaf Zhang's three spirits had been vanquished. Suddenly, the tables had turned, and our initial advantage had all but evaporated.

Gritting his teeth, Deaf Zhang brandished his ancestral whip handed down from the Pond Collecting Man and charged once more. Seizing the moment, I picked up a hunting rifle and aimed at the three men still standing: Sunn Youde, Ms. Xiaofeng's father, and Sunn Youde's nephew—the same one I had previously struck with a club and blinded with lime powder.

In the torrential rain, the large drops pelted our cheeks as both he and I simultaneously aimed at each other's heads and squeezed the triggers.

Unexpectedly, both our rifles misfired. I surmised that the heavy downpour had seeped into the barrels of our inferior hunting rifles, rendering them useless.

He flung the hunting rifle to the ground in a fit of rage. However, I seized it and, using it as a club, ran over and struck him hard on the head, knocking him unconscious.

Only two despicable men remained. Ms. Xiaofeng's father, who had spent his days indulging in food, drink, and gambling, was frail in health. Seeing me fight for my life, he fled to save his own.

Now it was just Sunn Youde and me, him unarmed. I wiped the cold rain from my face and smirked, "Sunn Youde, where's your Treasure Chest?"

"What... What Treasure Chest?" Sunn Youde stammered, stepping back in fear.

"Doesn't your Treasure Chest contain a scalpel, silver needles, steel rods, and mercury? Haven't you tried to turn me into a ghost several times?" I asked icily.

"You little punk, don't think I'm scared just because you're armed. I... I..." Sunn Youde frantically searched for a weapon as he backed away.

"Sunn Youde, turn around. Big Brother Dazhuang is right behind you, along with Little Fatty and all those people you've killed. They're all watching you," I said, advancing step by step.

"Don't try to frighten me. This old house is protected by a Magic Array set by a master. No ghost or evil spirit can get in," Sunn Youde declared loudly.

"Are you blind? The very ghosts you're talking about are the ones who've been laying your men low. But then again, without the ability to see spirits, you wouldn't notice them," I said with a scoff.

"What... What... They're here to claim my life..." Sunn Youde's voice quivered as he glanced fearfully over his shoulder, clearly unnerved by my words, though there was nothing there.

I wasn't in any rush to make my move, realizing that the chains behind him were still quite long, indicating that even if I struck, I might not succeed in taking his life. It was better to wait for the right moment.

"Sunn Youde, I'd stop backing up if I were you. You're nearly in their embrace," I said with a grin.

As my words hung in the air, a brilliant flash of lightning streaked across the night sky, followed by a thunderclap that reverberated with earth-shattering intensity.

Sunn Youde, wracked with guilt, flinched at the thunder's roar. In that moment, I noticed the shackles behind him had somehow become shorter.

The moment had come!

Clenching my teeth, I snatched up my shotgun, took aim at his head, and swung it with all my might!