Eight powerful general phantoms, guarding the eight directions of the small hut, prevented the paper figures from entering.
Yan Shouyi and the others finally got a chance to breathe.
"Who is that paper-folding figure?" Ling Xiaoxiao asked with a hint of fear in her voice. "His aura is comparable to some elders in our sect!"
Strong individuals always exude an aura, just as we often find it difficult to meet our elders' gazes directly.
Their experience and strength gave them such an aura. This aura, without a word, could be clearly felt.
"They are here to capture Wang Zhilai."
Yan Shouyi looked at the mute boy, Wang Zhilai, and saw that Wang Zhilai seemed unfazed by the paper figures outside. He was only concerned about Wang Jizhuang inside the hut.
With her small body, she stood on tiptoe, peering curiously through the window.
"Old Jin, how is Uncle Zou now?" Yan Shouyi asked Old Jin.
Old Jin sighed. "With my skills, he could have held on for a few more days. But for some reason, his condition suddenly worsened, as if an irresistible force was pulling at his soul... In short, I am powerless."
When even Old Jin spoke of powerlessness, Yan Shouyi's heart sank.
Old Blind Zou had no hope of recovery.
Fortunately, he could see Wang Jizhuang one last time before his death, which could be considered fulfilling a wish.
Although Yan Shouyi also wished to go in and see Old Blind Zou, he restrained himself, believing that this precious time should be reserved for father and son.
Lin Zitong stepped forward and gently hugged Yan Shouyi, offering comfort.
"I don't understand..."
Yan Shouyi whispered into Lin Zitong's ear, "What exactly is my dad so busy with? Ever since he got out of prison, he's been disappearing suddenly, elusive. This time he said he was taking Grandma to Mount Emei, but Junior Sister Ling is still chasing us, Uncle Zou is critically ill, and when I called Dad, he didn't answer. When I texted him, he didn't reply... He's going to miss his best brother, and Uncle Zou still told me not to disturb him... What on earth is he doing!"
Lin Zitong sadly pressed her cheek against Yan Shouyi's, sharing their body heat.
"When Dad replies, we'll ask him thoroughly."
As they spoke, Yan Nanfei's expression suddenly changed, and he exclaimed, "He's here!"
Everyone snapped back to attention and saw in the distance the strange sedan chair reappearing, still carried by paper figures.
The paper figures that had been besieging the formation also seemed to be summoned, returning to the sedan chair and their positions.
Behind the sedan chair followed a group of men in black, the same ones who had rammed Yan Shouyi and the others with a van.
"They are all working together, and now they've gathered to find us," Ling Xiaoxiao said in a deep voice.
Everyone tensed up, not daring to be careless even within the formation.
Yan Nanfei gritted his teeth. "My formation might not be able to withstand the paper-folding master's skills. Everyone, be prepared for a direct confrontation and give it your all."
Everyone stood up, picked up their weapons, and prepared with all their might.
The sedan chair slowly approached the small hut.
The men in black did not attack immediately. Instead, they all stood behind the sedan chair, orderly and showing proper respect.
The sedan curtain was lifted, and the effeminate middle-aged man seen earlier peeked his head out, appraising Yan Shouyi and the others.
"The赊刀人 (She Dao Ren)."
The man said indifferently, "Hand over the 赊刀人 Wang Zhilai, and I will spare you."
Long Feicheng and Old Jin quickly shielded Wang Zhilai behind them.
Yan Shouyi snorted. "You are a paper-folding figure, and we are of the same lineage. Can't we discuss things properly? Must we resort to weapons?"
The man smiled, a sickly smile. "Heh heh... Am I not discussing with you now? I'll spare you out of respect for you being a descendant of Lu Ban. If it were anyone else, I would show no mercy!"
"Who exactly are you people?!"
"You don't need to know that." The man asked, "Do you accept my terms?"
Given the other party's unyielding attitude, Yan Shouyi had no other recourse.
"I am the Tai Yi Jun in the cave, wearing seven stars and treading four spirits. I wield the Dragon Saber and stand firm, traversing Xun and Li, all the way to Kun.
I roam through Dui and You to Qian and Hai, gazing at the Heavenly Gate to pay respects to the Emperor. I cross Hengshan peak in Kanzi, and directly descend to Gen Palace to seal the Ghost Gate.
Anyone who disobeys my path, I will drive to dust beneath my sword. Swiftly as ordered!!!"
Yan Shouyi took out a talisman and drew it across his Zanpakuto, which immediately erupted in flames.
The last time he used the Li Huo Chi Ren Charm was when he killed Jiang Wusheng. Now, he was likely facing an even more formidable opponent.
Seeing this, the man sneered contemptuously. "Li Huo Chi Ren Charm? Is that your choice, your answer? Very well... This is your choice, do not blame me!"
The man threw out a cut-out paper figure, resembling a string of small people holding hands, with densely packed runes written on their bodies.
The string of small figures flew onto the barrier and then suddenly exploded in a series of blasts!
Boom, boom, boom, boom, boom!
The explosions at such close range left everyone with ringing ears.
The eight general phantoms instantly turned to ashes!
Yan Nanfei, with his formation broken, coughed up blood and collapsed, unconscious!
"Senior Brother Yan!"
Ling Xiaoxiao rushed forward. After calling out several times, Yan Nanfei did not respond.
Affected by the explosion, Yan Shouyi also felt dizzy. He did his best to protect Lin Zitong by his side, only to see Chang Shan proactively charge towards the paper-folding figure!
"Om Vajrasattva Hum!"
Chang Shan recited the mantra, his body radiating golden light, appearing as if a sacred Buddha had descended!
This was the Heart Mantra of Vajrasattva!
However, the paper-folding figure disdainfully extended its right hand, fingers together, and the eight paper figures in front of it merged, transforming into two three-meter-tall giants!
They stood on the left and right, easily blocking Chang Shan, and attacked him from both sides, forcing Chang Shan to retreat steadily!
"Be careful, Senior Brother Chang Shan!"
Before Ling Xiaoxiao could finish speaking, Chang Shan's golden body was shattered by the paper figures, and he was then knocked unconscious with a single punch.
With Yan Nanfei and Chang Shan falling one after another, Yan Shouyi's side was at an increasing disadvantage, forcing Yan Shouyi to become anxious.
He gritted his teeth and said to Lin Zitong, "You brat, take Ling Xiaoxiao and Wang Zhilai and go first! I'll stay behind to cover your retreat!"
"You alone?!" Lin Zitong was unwilling to leave.
"Someone has to stay behind to buy time. We absolutely cannot let them have Wang Zhilai!"
Lin Zitong gave Yan Shouyi a deep look, then turned and ran towards Wang Zhilai, picking up the mute boy.
However, she didn't leave. Instead, she handed Wang Zhilai to Ling Xiaoxiao, while reminding Old Jin and Long Feicheng, "You two protect Junior Sister Ling and Wang Zhilai as they leave. I'll stay with Shouyi to cover the retreat!!"
Old Jin had no combat power and would only be a burden if he stayed, so he didn't hesitate and pulled everyone away in their escape.
Seeing Lin Zitong return, Yan Shouyi couldn't help but get angry. "When have you ever listened to me?"
Lin Zitong glared at him. "I don't want to be a widow. If we live, we live together. If we die, we die together!"