Seeing the old woman’s appearance, I shivered all over.
Instinctively, I took two steps back.
Even if I were an idiot, seeing the old woman’s current state, especially her pitch-black eyes without pupils.
I knew immediately that this old woman was not alive at all.
She was squatting here, a malevolent spirit wanting to cross the bridge.
Brother Chen had told me.
On this journey, never look back, and never speak to anyone.
Hearing the old woman ask me for a light, how could I dare agree?
I could barely save myself, so how could I dare lend a light to a malevolent spirit?
Feeling extremely nervous, I quickly sidestepped, intending to go around the old woman and pass by.
Seeing my attempt to go around, the old woman’s smile turned stiff:
“Young man, you don’t want to lend this old woman a light?”
Her tone clearly carried a hint of anger.
She even took two steps towards me, blocking me again, preventing me from getting on the bridge.
I felt waves of coldness.
Looking at the old woman blocking my path, my heart leaped into my throat.
Goosebumps erupted all over my body, layer after layer.
Lend her the lighter?
As soon as the thought appeared, I quickly dismissed it.
Because I had heard others say that when ghosts borrow from humans, humans never get anything back from ghosts.
Who knew if she wanted a light or my life.
Besides, I only had one lighter on me. If I gave it to her.
I shouldn't expect to get it back.
I couldn’t help her, and I couldn’t engage in conversation.
I continued to retreat, sidestepping a few steps.
But the old woman stubbornly blocked my path again.
It seemed as if she wouldn't let me pass the bridge unless I gave her the lighter.
What to do, what to do…
As I was thinking, locked in a stalemate with the old woman dripping with water,
The old woman’s expression grew even more somber. She took another step forward.
She even extended her pale, swollen hand, as if it had been soaked in water:
“Young man, quickly give the light to your auntie. Only then can you cross the bridge…”
Her tone now carried a threat, even a malevolence.
A cold, fierce glint curved her lips.
Seeing the old woman like this, I was completely stunned.
Terrified, I tightly hugged the yellow chicken and retreated several steps.
But I couldn't scream, nor could I turn and run.
Moving forward was also blocked.
For a moment, I was stuck, with no way out.
What to do? Should I brace myself and rush through?
I thought to myself.
As the old woman pressed closer, leaving me helpless,
A gust of cold wind suddenly swept from behind me.
This wind was even colder, making me shiver.
And the old woman’s expression changed drastically. She, who had been ferocious moments ago,
Now looked at my back with extreme panic, her eyes nearly bulging out.
Her body trembled, and she retreated repeatedly, looking terrified.
Finally, somehow,
She suddenly spoke to me in a panicked voice:
“Y-young man, I’m sorry, I’m sorry, auntie disturbed you…”
After saying that, the old woman turned and ran madly towards the bushes by the bridge entrance.
But her posture was strange, she was tiptoeing…
Soon, she rushed into the bushes and disappeared.
Then, a “plop” sound was heard.
Water splashed under the stone bridge, as if something had fallen into the water.
Seeing the old woman flee, I became even more frightened, my entire body tensing up.
Because I felt as if someone was standing behind me, very, very close.
Almost pressed against my back, I felt like I was leaning against an ice wall.
The old woman wasn't afraid of me, but of the person or malevolent spirit behind me.
Nervously, I swallowed.
My first thought was of that female ghost who wanted me to take her place.
I didn't dare to look back. Seeing that the yellow chicken in my arms hadn’t moved, I continued to hug the big yellow chicken and walk forward.
My footsteps were hurried.
The sound of my steps echoed on the bridge.
In no time, I had crossed the stone bridge.
But the feeling of someone standing behind me was still very strong and hadn't disappeared.
Shortly after crossing the bridge, I saw a person lying in the middle of the road.
He was holding a broken bowl in his hand.
In this desolate area, after a old woman asking for a light, another figure appeared…
I frowned, feeling a bit timid.
But I didn't stop, continuing to walk forward.
When I got closer, I realized it was a beggar.
Ragged clothes, messy hair, head bowed, he was lying askew on the ground.
Seeing me approach now.
Without lifting his head, he simply raised the broken bowl in his hand.
He dragged his voice long, with a slight hoarseness, saying:
“Good Samaritan, please be charitable! Spare some coins!”
After speaking, he let out a grating cackle.
In the dark wilderness, it sounded extremely chilling.
My face changed, and holding the yellow chicken, I began to sidestep…
The beggar before me, still laughing, slowly raised his head.
A hoarse, deep voice followed:
“Without money, can you get past?”
His face was sallow, skin and bones.
Because his hair was long and messy, I couldn't see his eyes clearly.
However, his lips were pale and blue, the same color as a corpse’s lips.
Moreover, he had no shadow!
My heart trembled, a bad omen, this was another malevolent spirit.
What was happening to me? Why was I encountering these things so often lately?
But after the old beggar raised his head, his laughter abruptly stopped.
He somewhat flusteredly brushed aside his messy hair, revealing a pair of pitch-black eyes.
Then, his body trembled violently, his face showing pure terror…
He then scrambled up from the ground in fear, bowing and apologizing to me repeatedly:
“N-no, no, no, I don’t want it, I don’t want it. S-sorry, sorry…”
After speaking, the beggar, holding his broken bowl and leaning on his crutch.
He scrambled and ran hastily towards the small grove of trees beside the road.
As if afraid of being eaten by something if he didn’t run fast enough…