53: Die

The two rats were chatting animatedly when they suddenly heard a rustling sound from the bushes.

Rat Li instantly became alert, his ears perked up with a “whoosh,” and his black-bean-like eyes scanned his surroundings vigilantly.

“Who?!”

Rat Li barked sharply.

Before long, a small grey-furred rat poked its head out from the bushes: “Mom and Dad, it’s me! I’ve already prepared all the props; they’re over there.”

Saying this, he pointed with his paw to a pile of clothes not far away.

“Little Grey, so it was you. Among all the cubs on Black Rat Mountain, you’re still the most reliable.”

Rat Li praised him, then narrowed his eyes, asking suspiciously, “But where did you get these clothes?”

Little Grey Rat blinked.

“I found them. I found many clothes like this in the mountains, and they’re all hidden in my secret little warehouse.”

“Little Grey, you’re the most resourceful one in our Family. If this works out, you’ll get the credit!”

“Squeak, squeak!”

Little Grey was so excited that his ears turned red and his whiskers trembled wildly.

He had no other hobbies in his daily life; he just loved scavenging corpses. Humans often disappeared in the mountains, and Little Grey’s treasure trove grew richer and richer.

Broken silver, tattered rags, vegetable baskets, hair ties, shoes—these were all treasures Little Grey had painstakingly collected.

This time, Little Grey specially brought a complete set of clothes from his treasure trove, which even included used undergarments. He wondered what the person had gone through.

“Hush—” Rat Li suddenly held up a paw, “I think I smell that Little Green Snake…”

The three rats instantly froze in place, perking their ears to listen carefully.

After a long while, Rat Ling whispered, “It seems… it’s a delusion?”

“Whether it is or not, we have to hurry.”

“We are in competition now; we can’t let that Little Green Snake get ahead.”

Rat Li twitched his whiskers, “Ling’er, tomorrow we’ll first make a dummy with blood-stained clothes and place it on Barren Stone Slope. Then the whole Family will go out to lure this Skeleton Monster. I don’t believe this thing won’t fall for it.”

“I’ll lead the team to lure it from the front, and you’ll be on standby near Barren Stone Slope. Remember, you have to act like you’re fleeing in panic!”

“Understood!”

Rat Ling puffed out her chest, “I guarantee I’ll make it look real!”

“Oh, right,” Rat Li suddenly remembered something, “Remember to have the young ones lead the Skeleton Monster to higher ground. Lord Chuping said it needs to be on Barren Stone Slope…”

“I know, I know!”

Rat Ling winked, “The lightning strikes more accurately at higher elevations!”

“Action!”

At Rat Li’s command, the three rats vanished in an instant.

Little Green Snake, who had just passed by, completely unaware and about to greet his new colleagues… was just like a helpless ox being subjected to workplace internal competition by his colleagues.

***

Now, regarding the Rat Demon Family, this was their first battle after joining Lord Chuping’s faction, a major event concerning the Family’s honor, and all the rats were on high alert.

A plan to capture the Skeleton Monster was being meticulously prepared.

The next day at noon, the scorching sun shone down on the earth. The villagers, who were building a temple, stopped their work and prepared to queue for food in twos and threes.

This was the happiest time of the day.

Who would have dared to imagine such a life before!

Suddenly, a noisy commotion came from the direction of Barren Stone Slope outside the village, drawing everyone’s attention.

Many robust figures poured out, a dense mass, raising dust. The scene was grand.

Rat Li led his children and grandchildren, carrying blood-stained, tattered clothes in their mouths, running and squeaking loudly.

Rat Ling, who was waiting to rendezvous ahead, heard Rat Li’s voice and praised him from the bottom of her heart.

He acted too well; he was indeed their king of Black Rat Mountain.

This pure, unadulterated acting would definitely subdue the Skeleton Monster and was worth learning from.

According to the script, Rat Ling stepped forward and asked anxiously.

“Brother Li, what happened to you all?”

Rat Li’s heart was almost collapsing at this moment. This wasn’t acting; it was a genuine escape for his life!

That Skeleton Monster was terrifying. Their Rat Demons had always been known for their speed, yet just now, he had almost been caught by that monster several times.

“Run! This is real; it’s too fast.”

Rat Li shrieked, his eyes showing genuine fear, and the fur on his tail stood on end.

Rat Ling was stunned when she heard this; this wasn’t according to the plan.

But seeing Rat Li’s terrified appearance, she couldn’t ask more questions and ran along with him.

“Quickly run up Barren Stone Slope!”

Rat Ling shouted a reminder.

The rats scrambled in a panic towards Barren Stone Slope.

***

At the highest point of Barren Stone Slope, a simple dummy stood silently.

That was Little Grey’s masterpiece. The clothes on the dummy fluttered in the wind, and under the sunlight, the bloodstains appeared even more glaring.

Little Grey was currently hiding behind a large rock nearby, peeking out his small head, nervously watching the development of the situation.

When the villagers saw this grand scene, they forgot about eating.

“What’s going on?”

“Oh dear, why is there such a big commotion?”

Since witnessing small animals offering incense to Lord Chuping a few times, the villagers had gradually formed a consensus.

Any demon who had offered incense to Lord Chuping and received his protection was a good demon.

Of course, they couldn’t remember all these Rat Demons, but they recognized the two leading ones!

These plump figures were the two who often came to offer incense behind Little Green Snake; there was absolutely no mistaking them.

Although the commotion was a bit loud now, the villagers didn’t move an inch.

“Never mind; let’s just watch. With Lord Chuping’s protection, nothing will go wrong.”

“Look quickly! Is something following them?”

Just as everyone was discussing, a chilling wind howled past, carrying a putrid smell.

Immediately after, a massive Skeleton Monster, shrouded in black Qi, appeared in everyone’s sight.

Its eye sockets burned with eerie green ghost fire, its entire skeleton glowed with a faint blue light, and its bones made a grating “creak” sound as it moved.

Although it was a skeleton, this thing not only didn’t fall apart but was also surprisingly fast.

The Skeleton Monster followed closely behind the Rat Demons, rapidly approaching Barren Stone Slope.

Seeing this, the Rat Demons fled even more frantically, yet cleverly maintaining their distance from the Skeleton Monster, always leading it towards the high ground of Barren Stone Slope.

As the distance between them grew shorter, the villagers gasped, their hearts in their throats. Some nervously gripped their farm tools, while others unconsciously took a few steps back.

“Children, keep going, victory is ahead!”

Rat Ling shouted excitedly.

He could already feel the heavenly might brewing. It was stable, stable.

As the Skeleton Monster gradually approached the top of Barren Stone Slope, the sky suddenly became overcast with dark clouds, accompanied by lightning and thunder.

Lin Chuping’s ethereal figure appeared in the clouds. With just a slight raise of his hand, a purple lightning bolt struck down with a roar, directly hitting the Skeleton Monster.

The Skeleton Monster let out a piercing shriek and struggled fiercely, while the Rat Demons took the opportunity to dive underground, disappearing completely in the blink of an eye.

“Oh?”

“This thing has some strength!”

After one strike, the Skeleton Monster still had the strength to struggle.

“Die for me!”