Chapter 45

Chapter 45

“Pant… pant…”

Lin Xingshu leaned weakly against the tree trunk, his chest heaving. His fair face was flushed red as he wiped sweat from his brow. Clenching his jaw, he pushed himself upright and continued stumbling toward the foot of the mountain.

From the mountaintop, he could easily spot the village entrance. Four or five young men, flashlights in hand, patrolled the area, blocking it completely. His only option was to take a longer route, choosing a mountain path that bypassed the village and led directly to the highway.

Going uphill was easy, but descending was treacherous. The rugged path was overgrown with weeds and littered with sharp, broken stones. Not daring to turn on his flashlight, he felt his way cautiously through the pitch-black night. Despite his caution, branches still tore at his skin.

“Everyone, stop wandering around the village entrance! Come here—!”

Liu Rong arrived with a noisy crowd of villagers, her face alight with excitement. All traces of her earlier fatigue and impatience were gone; she now radiated energy.

The young men were bewildered but compliant, gathering around her. Liu Rong huddled with them, whispering something inaudible. Spotting his chance, Lin Xingshu picked up speed immediately without hesitation.

Liu Rong glanced at the nearby hill and lowered her voice. “You heard what I just said, right? He’s on this mountain right now, but he won’t be stupid enough to leave through the village entrance. Divide into three teams and surround the base of the mountain. Make sure no matter which side he comes down, we’ll catch him.”

The crowd silently agreed. Liu Rong gestured, and they immediately divided into three groups, heading toward the foot of the mountain. Watching their retreating figures, her eyes flashed with determination.

If they could successfully complete the deity’s task this time, the development and demolition of Xiushan Village would be a done deal. This windfall would be hers.

She tilted her head up slightly, her smile growing more excited, her eyes gleaming with greed. Striding confidently up the mountain, she called out loudly, “Lin Xingshu! Stop hiding! I know you’re on this mountain! Come out, let’s talk properly! We mean you no harm!”

Her voice, loud and excited, cut through the quiet night. Lin Xingshu, still on the mountain, heard her clearly. Remembering the gentle, caring facade Liu Rong had once worn, his anger flared, and he gave a bitter laugh.

He’d placed such trust in her before, never imagining she would conspire with that spirit to take his life. He didn’t believe she actually knew he was on this mountain—dozens of hills surrounded Xiushan Village. She was likely just trying to trick him again.

With a cold glance at Liu Rong, who was searching for him with a flashlight below, he quickened his descent. Rough branches lashed at him, jagged rocks threatened to cut through his shoes, but he couldn’t worry about that now.

As he neared the foot of the mountain, the highway came into view. Late-night vehicles occasionally passed by, their horns honking—nothing like what Liu Rong had claimed. The sound eased his tension, and the joy of escaping Xiushan Village overwhelmed him. He practically tumbled down the slope in his haste, staggering as he finally hit the ground.

A taxi happened to pass by. Lin Xingshu scrambled up, grimacing in pain as he prepared to wave it down. But before he could raise his hand, someone suddenly pressed a cold, chemical-soaked cloth over his nose from behind.

His eyes widened in shock. He struggled violently, choked sounds escaping his throat. Blackness swallowed him as something was thrown over his head, covering his upper body. The eager murmurs of the crowd surrounded him.

“So this is the bride the Lord chose? Never got a good look before, but he really is quite handsome.”

“Shh! Watch your mouth! If the Lord hears that, you’re dead!”

“Right, right. Come on, let’s hurry and bring him before the Lord…”

Bride? What were they talking about?

Lin Xingshu’s thoughts scattered. He tried to kick the traffickers in front of him, but his body felt unnaturally heavy, his limbs weak. He felt himself slipping away.

Damn it… whatever was on that cloth…

His eyelids grew heavier, his mind grew foggy. Before slipping into unconsciousness, he heard Liu Rong’s voice: “Don’t rush to deliver him yet. If the Lord sees his bride in such a state, he’ll be furious. Today is His Lordship’s joyous occasion—the bride must be properly prepared…”

***

“His skin is so pale, like a girl’s!”

“Shut up! Hurry up, don’t keep the Lord waiting!”

Two young boys, no older than seven or eight, carefully cleaned Lin Xingshu’s body with gentle care. Struggling to open his eyes, he could only make out vague shapes. He wanted to curse, but his lips merely twitched, only managing weak moans.

“Oh no, he’s waking up! Quick, quick!”

The boys struggled as they completed their task. Then, he felt something binding his body. Their voices returned, this time complaining:

“Why don’t the adults do this themselves? I don’t know how, and isn’t this weird?”

“Yeah! If he’s the bride, why isn’t he wearing a wedding dress? Why tie him up? They say the Lord will like it, but I think he might get mad…”

“Ugh, I really don’t get adults. Whatever, just tie him like they said, or we’ll get beaten…”

Though half-conscious, Lin Xingshu understood—he was still being offered as a sacrifice.

Hopelessness threatened to consume him. Tears leaked from his eyes as overwhelming drowsiness pulled him back into darkness.

***

Several women draped thin red gauze over his body, carefully applying makeup. His already fine features became even more striking. His brows furrowed, tears clinging to his lashes—he looked like a delicate china doll on the verge of shattering.

“The appointed time has come—!”

A call came from outside. The women silently placed a bridal veil over his head before lifting him into a small, enclosed sedan chair. Red gauze covered its windows, fluttering in the evening breeze, only hinting at the veiled occupant inside.

Amid cheers, the sedan was carried out. The crowd burst into cheers at the sight, bowing their heads reverently as it passed, not daring to look directly at it.

Inside the ancestral hall, atop the altar, stood a tall, imposing, eerily realistic scarecrow. Dressed in wedding attire, its face was hidden beneath a black hat.

The worshippers’ cheers grew louder. The sedan was placed before the altar, where an elderly woman bowed deeply to the scarecrow.

“My Lord, this is the bride your faithful followers have painstakingly retrieved for you. May he please you.”

The scarecrow remained silent.

Perhaps stirred by the wind, it leaned slightly toward the sedan. Another gust lifted the red gauze, revealing the figure inside.

A black-haired young man, bound in red ropes, blindfolded, his pale body nearly bare beneath the sheer red fabric. His shoulders and cheeks were flushed, his slender frame trembling. With each rapid breath, his chest rose and fell visibly.

The scarecrow’s hat blew away, revealing an eerily beautiful male face. His black eyes locked onto the young man’s chest as a disturbing smile twisted his rigid mouth. A deep voice echoed in the crowd’s ears:

“My bride… is truly adorable.”

The worshippers laughed joyfully at their deity’s words. Liu Rong stepped forward, head bowed, standing respectfully beside the sedan, her face full of sycophantic glee.

“My Lord, are you pleased?”

Xie Guan straightened. The sedan’s curtain fell, concealing the young man once more. His cold gaze turned to Liu Rong, making her shiver involuntarily. After just one glance, she quickly lowered her head, not daring to meet his eyes again.

“I am very satisfied.”

Xie Guan’s voice was calm. Liu Rong’s eyes lit up. She rubbed her hands nervously, venturing, “Then… our wish…”

“Within three days, you shall receive what you desire.”

Liu Rong’s eyes widened. The crowd knelt and kowtowed fervently before silently withdrawing under her excited lead.

In an instant, the hall was empty save for Xie Guan and Lin Xingshu.

Xie Guan carefully lifted Lin Xingshu from the sedan, cradling him gently before laying him on the altar. His gaze swept over the young man’s body, lingering on the small wounds. A shadow crossed his eyes as he bowed his head, pressing reverent kisses to each injury.

From ankles to thighs, then across his entire body, Xie Guan kissed every mark with tender care. Astonishingly, the injuries visibly mended beneath his lips, vanishing without a trace.

Cupping Lin Xingshu’s face, he stared obsessively at his long-awaited bride, kissing him tenderly.

“Forgive me. This is all my fault. Don’t hate me, alright?”

He straightened, flicking a finger. A cut appeared on his pale palm, black blood oozing out. Closing his eyes, the blood gradually turned crimson. He reopened them, pouring the liquid into Lin Xingshu’s mouth. As the young man swallowed, Xie Guan’s eyes shone with triumph.

When those tormentors carved away his flesh and blood, he was in excruciating pain. He begged, he cried, hoping they would grant him a quick death, yet not a single one was willing to kill him outright. He watched helplessly as his flesh was carved away, suffering unbearable torment until those people finally deigned to end his life. The hatred seethed inside him—there wasn’t a day he didn’t loathe them. Back then, he swore an oath to exact brutal vengeance on those who had stripped him of his flesh and blood.

But he never imagined that one day, he would willingly offer his own flesh and blood, desperate for her to accept it.

He, too, had once been human and knew how fragile humans were. Because of his plans, his wife had suffered such grievous wounds...

Guilt spread through his heart, and a flicker of self-reproach passed through the straw man’s pitch-black eyes. The only solace now was that his wife had successfully consumed his flesh and blood.

Once tonight passed, after they formally consummated their union within this altar, his wife would gain a lifespan as long as his own.

She would never be hurt again, never have to fear sickness, aging, or death. They would be together, always and forever.

The straw man giggled madly, bending down to embrace his wife blissfully, nuzzling against her cheek lovingly before pressing a sweet kiss to her face. His dark eyes gleamed with exhilaration.

“Darling, I can finally truly have you. I promise, this time will bring you even greater joy than before…”