Soon, Zhang Fan realized the sorceress's intentions.

Her voice was hoarse, and she pretended to be a mountain god: "I have heard your apology, but it is not sincere. Let me see your sincerity by this time tomorrow."

Li the fortune teller convulsed again, and her confused eyes cleared.

As if all his strength had been drained, he gasped for breath, his body swaying precariously.

Zhang Youde quickly asked, "Mother Li, what does the Mountain God mean?"

All eyes were on the sorceress, awaiting her answer.

The sorceress frowned and slowly said, "Bring all your money, gold, and other valuables here tomorrow. I need to perform a ritual for you."

She's trying to scam everyone out of their money.

They looked at each other, their eyes flashing with hesitation and doubt.

What if the fortune teller is a fraud and runs off with the money? Wouldn't I lose all my savings?

The sorceress, Li, seemed to sense everyone's doubts: "I won't touch this money. After the ritual is finished, each family will give me a bowl of rice as payment. The rice is essential; performing rituals consumes your lifespan, remember that!"

He doesn't ask for money, only accepting a bowl of rice as payment, appearing every bit the part of a hermit sage.

"I believe you. It's okay to be deceived in order to avert disaster."

"That's right, money is nothing compared to life!"

The doubts in everyone's hearts gradually dissipated. Money can be earned back, but if you lose your life, you have nothing left.

The person shouting stood on the periphery of the crowd, while the torches were concentrated on the inner edge, making it difficult to see what the speaker looked like.

However, Zhang Fan could see clearly that this person was not a villager from Zhangjiapo, but Zhang Shenglian. He shouted once and then quickly moved to another place to shout again.

He's clearly in cahoots with Li the fortune teller.

Judging from the villagers' current state of mind, even if Zhang Fan exposes the sorceress, they won't believe him.

Zhang Fan also wanted to know how the fortune teller had taken the money in full view of everyone.

Anyway, with him watching over her, the sorceress won't succeed.

Li Chunyan pulled Zhang Fan back home. She closed the courtyard gate and walked straight to where she had kept the money.