The rain had been relentless, a ceaseless downpour that seemed to have no end. It drummed on the roof of the mountain temple, creating a melancholic rhythm that filled the air. Inside the temple, a beggar, frail and shivering from the cold, huddled in a corner, seeking shelter from the relentless storm.
''Xiao Chen put the firewood here near the mountain god statue'' said Zhang Kong to the young man that check on Kai earlier. ''Alright Brother Kong'' said Xiao Chen while arranging the firewood near the temple god statue while other people in the group search for extra wood to make the fire burn longer.
Afterward some of the people in the group take out iron pot so that they can cook something to have their fill. After completing the task they all sat in the hall in front of the statue god and start relaxing themselves while finding comfortable position to sit on. The rain outside show no sign of abating, the relentless assault on the world beyond the temple persisting without mercy. It was as though the heavens themselves had opened up, pouring forth their tears upon the earth in an unending deluge.
''I hope the rain could end sooner so that I can return home earlier this month'' said Zhang Kong.
'' Ah ,Brother Kong, it seems like only yesterday you were a free spirit, traveling from place to place with no cares in the world. And now, you're a married man, yearning for the comforts of home. How the tables have turned!'' said someone from the group.
''(Grinning) Yes, indeed! Marriage has its way of changing a man. I've got a beautiful and lovely wife waiting for me unlike you Old Gou that can seem to have anyone at home, and I can't wait to see my wives again again'' said Zhang Kong.
''Bah you are lucky that Zhilan actually like you and got married a little earlier than me just you wait after we finish this trip I will go to capital and marry a beautiful maiden'' said Old Gou.
''If that actually happen the heaven must be falling after all who would marry you not even a 'Yueji' cause of how ugly you are'' someone in the group chimed in.
"The soup is done!" Xiao Chen said with a smile, and then took out a wooden scoop from the basket, while the others took out their wooden bowls or bamboo tubes.
This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.
Xiao Chen then help all of group people by filling theirs wooden or bamboo tube himself. A young man then give Xiao Chen a dried meat to which Xiao Chen nodded and take it to eat as he out the meat inside the soup to increase the taste. When this is happening Kai is seeing it happening it in front of his eye feel a little irritated as he feel that this people seem to not care about at all like at least give me a taste of the soup think Kai. Kai then locked eye with one of the people in the group that actually started eating slowly while looking at him, they really didn't care about his fate!
'Fuuuuuuck' as a tear rolled down Kai eye which didn't come at all as his body is dehydrated. Outside, the night was shrouded in darkness, and the mountain loomed like a silent sentinel.
One of them, a seasoned traveler named Song Er , cleared his throat and leaned in closer to the small circle of companions. His voice carried a note of seriousness as he spoke, "You know, it's strange how rarely people stay the night in these mountains nowadays. There have been rumors... troubling ones." The others, their faces illuminated by the wavering candlelight, leaned in, their expressions a mix of curiosity and unease. It was clear they wanted to hear more. Song Er continued, his voice dropping to a hushed tone, "People have gone missing in these parts, especially those who've dared to stay overnight. Locals say it's the work of spirits, restless ghosts that roam the mountains after dark."
A shiver ran through the group as they exchanged uneasy glances. The temple, once a place of refuge, now felt like an island of vulnerability in the eerie landscape. Xiao Chen suddenly spoke up, his voice tinged with skepticism. "Ghosts? Come on, Song , you can't seriously believe that. There must be some rational explanation."
Song Er nodded slowly, acknowledging his doubts. "I understand your skepticism ,Chen, but there have been too many stories, too many eerie occurrences. Strange sounds in the night, flickering lights on the mountain peaks, and those who've ventured too far never return."
A heavy silence settled over the group as they contemplated the unsettling stories. The temple seemed to creak and groan around them, adding to the eerie atmosphere. Suddenly, a gust of wind rattled the temple's windows, and the candles flickered ominously. The group exchanged nervous glances, their imaginations running wild in the dark.
It was Zhang Kong, the group leader , who finally broke the silence. "Whether it's ghosts or something else, I say we stick together tonight. We'll keep a watchful eye, and if anything strange happens, we'll be prepared." The group agreed, their unease tempered by a newfound sense of solidarity.
They gathered their belongings closer, determined to weather the night in the temple, haunted by the stories of the mountain and the mysterious disappearances that had cast a shadow over the once-tranquil landscape. As the night wore on, the temple became their sanctuary against the unknown, as something seemingly moved step by step toward the temple...