"Holy shit, we are so screwed!" Liu cursed. "This old hag, couldn't she have come back any other time? She just had to show up when we were about to leave!"

　　Ning didn't respond, his mind instantly recalling the layout of the Shaman's house.

　　He had memorized the main passages during their previous search.

　　The walls were too high to climb, topped with sharp shards of glass, and a direct confrontation with the Shaman was out of the question.

　　Their only option was to find a way around.

　　Fortunately, the Shaman was alone.

　　The villagers never came here, leaving her completely isolated.

　　"Holy crap, bro, look!" Liu glanced back, his entire body trembling.

　　The Shaman, who usually walked with a shaky gait, was now chasing them with astonishing speed!

　　She had discarded her dragon-headed cane, her face contorted in a terrifying grimace.

　　Her eyes reflected an indescribable hunger, and her running grew increasingly twisted and eerie.

　　"You... you dare trespass in my house!" she shrieked. "I will skin you alive, peel your bones, pry open your skulls, and pour hot oil into your brains!!"

　　As the Shaman roared madly behind them, Liu felt a pressure building in his bladder.

　　Cold sweat beaded on his forehead.

　　He knew the Shaman wasn't joking!

　　From the grotesque sights they had witnessed in the Fangcun Pond and the Inexhaustible Well, he knew she was fully capable of carrying out her threats.

　　"Holy shit, holy shit, why is she getting faster?!"

　　They finally circled back to the main gate, only to find it bolted shut from the inside!

　　Clearly, the ever-suspicious Shaman had anticipated potential intruders and taken precautions.

　　The gate was secured with an old-fashioned lock and heavy chains, effectively sealing their escape route.

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　　"Quick, Big Beard, open it!"

　　Ning's heart pounded like a temple gong as he saw the Shaman appear at the end of the hallway, each thud echoing in his ears.

　　Liu didn't hesitate.

　　Pulling out his trusty wire, he began working on the lock.

　　The Shaman's terrifying figure drew closer with every passing second.

　　They could practically smell her foul stench filling the air.

　　"... I treated you with kindness, but you ungrateful wretches not only showed no gratitude, but you dared to sneak into my house and steal from me!"

　　Her voice dripped with venom. "Since you like my home so much, why don't you stay... forever..."

　　Obscured by Ning, the Shaman couldn't see Liu frantically working on the lock.

　　She assumed they had given up and were simply waiting for their demise.

　　In her hand, a sinister object materialized – a bone-white blade!

　　The blade was stained with a black, viscous substance that sent chills down Ning's spine.

　　He instantly recognized it from Bai's severed neck.

　　This was the weapon that had taken her head!

　　As the Shaman closed in, the lock finally yielded with a satisfying click!

　　With a roar, Liu kicked the gate open.

　　Bang!

　　Ning was the first one out.

　　This was no time for courtesy!

　　Survival was their only priority.

　　They fled with all their might, the Shaman's enraged roars echoing behind them.

　　It seemed even she hadn't expected one of them to be skilled at lock picking!

　　However, the importance of the book in Ning's possession fueled her determination, and she continued her relentless pursuit.

　　"Damn it, how can this old bat run so fast? With legs like that, why bother pretending to need a cane?!" Liu gasped, his face pale with exhaustion.

　　Years of intense training had given Ning incredible stamina.

　　This level of exertion was nothing to him.

　　Unfortunately, the same could not be said for his companion.

　　"She's not actually in good shape... Don't let her current state fool you. This chase is taking a toll on her body. She'll pay the price for it!"

　　A glimmer of hope flickered in Liu's eyes.

　　"So, we can just run her into the ground?"

　　Ning shook his head, slowing his pace slightly.

　　Liu gratefully followed suit, catching his breath.

　　"I could, but you probably couldn't... But it doesn't matter. I have the book. Her reaction tells me it holds a very important secret, one she won't give up easily."

　　"She's slowing down now. Let's slow down too, pretend we're exhausted. Give her hope, make her think she can catch us..."

　　Liu glanced back at the pursuing Shaman.

　　The old woman was terrifyingly persistent.

　　He was about to pass out, yet she still seemed relatively unaffected.

　　If her pace hadn't slowed, he'd be consumed by despair.

　　"Hey, bro, doesn't this path look familiar?" Liu asked, his eyes widening as recognition dawned.

　　Ning, adjusting his breathing, replied, "Of course it does."

　　"This path... leads to the Fangcun Pond!"

　　The familiar name sparked a light in Liu's eyes.

　　"Damn... you're brilliant, bro!"

　　"Leading her straight into that deathtrap?"

　　Ning hefted the book.

　　"These things are too important to her. She won't give up."

　　They continued their calculated retreat, drawing closer and closer to the Fangcun Pond with every step.

　　The high platform, their destination, emerged through the trees, a beacon of hope.

　　Just then, feeling a surge of relief, Liu risked another glance back at the Shaman.

　　And that's when his smile froze.