My heart was pounding in my throat, and my forehead was covered in cold sweat.

At the three-way intersection ahead, there were at least dozens of filthy creatures standing there, all facing me without exception.

Although they didn't show any malice, the oppressive feeling emanating from those filthy things was still very real, and it would be a lie to say I wasn't worried.

I gritted my teeth and took a few more steps forward, praying that these filthy things were just there for the fun of it and would move aside as I got closer.

But when I got closer, the filth in front of me just stared at me intently, without making any move aside.

I stared at the dense filth in front of me, unsure of what to do. I couldn't move forward or backward, so I just stood there, frozen in place.

I reached up and wiped the sweat from my eyelids, carefully searching for a passable space.

Suddenly, I noticed an empty seat. There stood a little baby, completely naked, with long hair that obscured his face. His skin was bluish-purple. The tiny baby had taken up the empty seat, and behind him was the route I would take home.

I steeled myself and walked straight toward the baby. With my physique, I could walk around it without touching it.

But when I walked up to the baby, a withered woman suddenly emerged from behind the baby. She had long, messy hair, and her face looked like a human bone covered with old tree bark. Her eyes were gone, empty and terrifying.

She crouched down and picked up the baby in one swift motion, naturally blocking my way.

Most importantly, she was no more than a meter away from me, and I could even see the insects in her eye sockets, which was quite creepy.

My heart sank to the bottom. The only way out was blocked by this withered female ghost, and now my idea of ​​going around it was shattered.

I reached into my bag and grabbed a handful of talismans. I really wanted to throw them directly at the faces of these filthy things, but then I remembered what Grandpa had said in his letter, and I hesitated.

I took a few breaths, slowly released the talismans, and pulled my hand out.

Now that things have come to this, I can only do as my grandfather said. As for whether it will work, we'll have to wait and see.

I glanced at the filth in front of me, swallowed hard, and said in a low voice, "I am a member of the Zuo clan. Please make way."

As soon as I finished speaking, those filthy things swayed, but they didn't move aside.

Was my voice not loud enough?

That must be it. It seems like only I could hear what I was saying.

Thinking of this, I decided to go all out and shouted, "I am a member of the Zuo clan, please make way!"

After I yelled, the filth in front of me seemed to understand. After hesitating for a moment, it all made way for me.

I originally just tried it out, but it actually worked!

Why do these filthy things give way as soon as they hear about the Zuo clan? Is it because of my grandfather?

But I didn't think too much about it at the time. Holding the hoe in one hand and the two packages in the other, I walked forward with my head held high and my eyes straight ahead.

When I finally walked out of Foziling, I let out a long breath. I was soaked to the bone. I shakily took out a cigarette, lit it, took a few deep drags, and then staggered home.