To the Jiang family’s surprise, the one pretending to be a ghost to scare them was actually a small child.
Not long after the boy was exposed, an elderly man in his seventies, claiming to be the village chief, appeared together with several other children.
“My apologies, heroes. We truly had no other choice but to resort to this trick. Please forgive any offense.”
Under Jiang Kun’s questioning, the old village chief finally explained the reason behind their ghostly act.
The village was called Stone Village. It once had over thirty households and nearly two hundred residents, but now only a few dozen elderly people, women, and children remained.
It all began years ago, when the men were conscripted into war and never returned. Life in the village became increasingly difficult, and then the drought struck. Those who had the means or somewhere else to go all moved away.
The people left behind lived poor and difficult lives, but they could still survive.
The real trouble started last year, when a band of mountain bandits suddenly settled in the mountains across from the village.
Time and time again, the bandits came into the village to commit atrocities. The villagers suffered endlessly, yet had no power to resist.
Tomorrow was the day the bandits planned to come again. To protect themselves, the villagers decided to pretend the village was haunted in hopes of scaring them away.
But unexpectedly, the Jiang family happened to pass through and were mistaken for the bandits, causing the misunderstanding.
After hearing the explanation, the Jiang family had to admit—the villagers’ idea of using ghosts to frighten bandits was… incredibly naive.
If those people were already bandits, would they really fear ghosts?
“Honored heroes, since you’ve traveled so far, please come rest inside the village,” the chief sincerely invited, leaning on his cane.
“There’s no need to trouble yourself, Chief. Allow us to stay here for just one night,” Jiang Kun politely refused.
Seeing their insistence, the village chief could only give up and leave with the others.
After watching them depart, Jiang Kun returned to the ruined house.
“Was the chief telling the truth?”
In Jiang Fengyu’s view, what could possibly exist in such a barren village of old people and children that would attract bandits?
“Perhaps this village is hiding some secret unknown to outsiders,” Jiang Kun said gravely.
“If the bandits are real, should we intervene?” Jiang Yifeng asked.
Jiang Kun’s expression darkened.
“With our current status, meddling in this matter would only drag us into further trouble and increase the risk of exposing ourselves.”
Sun Yuluo glanced at Jiang Kun, mockery flashing across her lips.
“You’re acting so timid and cautious now. Where’s the proud heroic spirit you once had?”
“The situation today is entirely different from the past!” Jiang Kun replied firmly.
“If we keep living like frightened cowards, even if the children grow up safely, what kind of people will they become?” Sun Yuluo had been holding in her frustration for a long time and finally let it out.
“This matter is decided. We leave for Jingyang tomorrow morning,” Jiang Kun said in a tone that allowed no argument.
After a long silence, the family gradually fell asleep…
At dawn the next morning, Sun Yuluo woke still fuming, only to discover Jiang Kun was nowhere to be found.
“Where did that old fool run off to?”
“When I got up to prepare breakfast, Father had already gone out,” Qin Sining answered.
“Hmph, that ol—”
Before she could finish, Jiang Kun returned looking unusually energetic.
“Everyone awake? Then get ready.”
“You want to avoid trouble? At least wait until we finish eating before leaving,” Sun Yuluo coldly said.
Hearing this, Jiang Kun strode over to her.
“Leave? After thinking it over all night, I’ve realized my wife was absolutely right! Since we’ve encountered such injustice, we should draw our blades and help. We must set an example for the younger generation!”
“What?”
Sun Yuluo stared at his righteous expression, but somehow his sudden change of heart felt suspicious.
Jiang Qingshu also found it strange, so she used taking Linbao outside to relieve himself as an excuse to question Jiang Yifeng, who had stood guard the previous night.
With a helpless look, Jiang Yifeng pointed toward the village.
Turning around, Jiang Qingshu saw three young village women carrying buckets of water down the slope.
They looked around seventeen or eighteen years old—some graceful and delicate, others soft and voluptuous. Though not breathtaking beauties, they possessed a charming rustic allure.
Jiang Qingshu instantly realized something.
“Don’t tell me…”
Jiang Yifeng sighed and nodded helplessly.
“That’s right. Father went out this morning to use the toilet and happened to meet those beauties. After chatting with them, he suddenly rediscovered his sense of responsibility.”
For a moment, Jiang Qingshu was speechless.
So this was the so-called fatal weakness of men…
After thinking for a long while, she finally whispered to Jiang Yifeng,
“Second Brother, for the sake of peace on our journey, Mother absolutely cannot find out that Father suddenly wants to play hero because of pretty women.”
“Obviously.”
Just as the siblings silently reached an agreement, they suddenly felt a chilling coldness behind them.
The two slowly turned around—
Only to meet Sun Yuluo’s furious face.
“I—ALREADY—KNOW.”
“Mother…”
Jiang Qingshu wanted to defend her father, but before she could speak, Sun Yuluo stormed into the ruined house in a rage.
“You shameless old pervert! I’m not done with you!”
As she rushed inside, everyone outside soon heard Jiang Kun’s cries for mercy, followed by the sound of part of the roof collapsing.
During breakfast, the atmosphere was awkwardly tense.
Jiang Kun sat alone in a corner with a shoeprint on his face, occasionally sniffing back a nosebleed that threatened to drip out.
“That vicious woman… I was holding back, and she still tried to kill me…”
Sun Yuluo shot him a vicious glare before turning toward the younger generation, who were desperately holding back laughter.
“Listen carefully. When those bandits arrive later, I don’t care how many of them there are—you are not allowed to interfere. Let your father handle them alone!”
“What? That’s too cruel!”
Sun Yuluo lifted her chin proudly, determination blazing in her eyes.
“At worst, today he dies defending the village, I become a widow, and the children wear mourning clothes! Didn’t he want women? Whatever type he likes, I’ll burn paper offerings of them for him in the afterlife!”
“You…”
Jiang Kun was left speechless.
Helplessly, he looked toward his children for support—only to find every single one of them deliberately avoiding his gaze.
“Fine then! Today I’ll show all of you what I’m capable of!”
“The bandits are here—!”
Just as Jiang Kun finished speaking, frightened screams from women suddenly sounded outside.
The family immediately rushed out and saw a group of fierce-looking bandits armed with weapons approaching from the village entrance.
A rough count showed around thirty men.
Jiang Kun had seen countless battlefields in his life. How could a mere thirty bandits frighten him?
Without hesitation, he drew his saber and strode forward, confronting the bandits beneath the dead tree in the center of the village.
The atmosphere instantly became tense.
The bandit leader held a chain-blade saber and radiated arrogance.
“What gang are you from, old man? How dare you meddle in my business?”
“A bunch of petty thieves aren’t worthy of knowing my name.”
As expected of a seasoned battlefield veteran, Jiang Kun’s imposing aura alone was enough to make others tremble.
“Everyone attack together! Chop this old bastard down!”
“Hmph. Big words. Let me see if you actually have the skill to back them up.”
As Jiang Kun spoke, he swung his massive saber in a wide arc, unleashing a terrifying pressure that instantly overwhelmed the entire group of bandits.
“Boss, this guy not only looks fierce, he actually seems really strong. What do we do?” two younger bandits whispered nervously.
“What? Already scared?” Jiang Kun sneered.
The bandit leader instantly exploded in anger.
“As if I’d fear you!”
The verbal sparring ended, and both sides immediately clashed weapons.
Several bandits attacked together while the others waited for an opening.
Jiang Kun’s massive saber radiated overwhelming dominance. In both strength and technique, the bandits were nowhere near his level.
After several exchanges, not only had the bandits failed to gain any advantage, but many had nearly lost their hands to his blade.
Watching from the side, Sun Yuluo finally lost patience.
She stormed forward and kicked one of the hesitant bandits directly into the fight.
“You useless trash! If you can’t even beat this old fool, I’ll skin you alive myself!”
Hearing this, Jiang Kun’s expression froze in shock.
You damned woman—which side are you even on?!