What if you were targeted by a cool and aloof beauty?

The old lady tapped the little dog on the head a few times, saying, "Don't talk nonsense, that's rude."

"I'm telling the truth!" Little Dog Egg said pitifully as he went to the corner and started drawing circles.

“It’s okay, it’s normal for kids to be immature…” An Chen moved the small, broken stool next to Jiu Ge.

He put his arm around Jiuge's shoulder and spoke gently, with an air of refinement, "My wife and I have caused you trouble."

"It's alright, it's alright." The two elderly people looked at the ill-fated couple in front of them, their hearts filled with heartache.

Unfortunately, they couldn't help much.

Little Twisted Doughnut didn't care, but Little Dog Egg was very excited.

If there are guests, they might bring out dishes that they usually wouldn't eat.

That way he'll have something good to eat.

For so long, the little dog's family has basically been eating cornbread and grass every day, and they haven't even been able to get rice.

Jiuge's brain was still short-circuiting.

An Chen could tell that Jiu Ge was so nervous that she was out of sorts, but he didn't let go of her.

"Thank you so much! My husband and I would like to ask for your names. We will repay your kindness tenfold in the future."

Chapter 80 Jiuge Wants to Run Away

"Hahahaha, no need for a tenfold repayment! In times of war, your survival is the best reward." The old man laughed heartily.

In times of war, when people are hungry, cold, and constantly in danger of being killed by the enemy, survival is the most important thing.

His laughter was even more Zhang Zhidong-like than Zhang Zhidong's.

In that instant, An Chen seemed to see Zhang Zhidong, who lived a peaceful old age without any glory.

If Zhang Zhidong had lived to that age, he would probably still look pretty much the same.

However, there will be opportunities to see this in the future, as long as Zhang Zhidong's twin son, Zhang Zhidao, lives to that age safely and peacefully.

Looking at the somewhat familiar mold in front of her, Jiuge also came back to her senses.

Although her face was still burning, she had already accepted the fact in her mind.

This was a necessary sacrifice for the mission; there was no other way.

She clenched her fists and took a deep breath.

They come, the security!

"My surname is Zhang, and my wife's surname is Li," the old man introduced with a smile.

......

"Wait a moment, let us prepare a bit more and bring the food over. It might be a little simple, please don't mind." Grandma Li stood up first.

Then the old man followed him out.

Before closing the door, he gestured to the two children with his eyes.

Little Twist and Little Dog Egg obediently went to the side and poured hot water from the kettle that hadn't cooled down yet for the two of them.

While pouring water, Jiuge noticed that black mist was rising from Xiaomahua's braids, and even horns similar to those of the Silver Horn King appeared on her head.

Just as she was about to raise her hand, An Chen pressed Jiu Ge's hand down.

"?"

Jiuge was somewhat puzzled.

The puppy egg clearly saw the horn.

He continued pouring water as if he hadn't seen it.

An Chen's hand remained firmly on Jiu Ge's hand.

The next second, the black mist on Xiao Mahua's braid disappeared.

The two handed the poured water to An Chen and Jiu Ge, seemingly unaware of what had happened.

Including Little Twist and Little Dog Egg, the Zhang family all went outside into the yard.

An Chen only put his hand down when he received the water cup.

Jiuge looked at An Chen with a questioning expression.

An Chen shrugged: "Let me explain."

"Explain what?" Jiuge frowned, her expression growing increasingly strange.

She reasonably suspected that An Chen was trying to find an excuse to cover up the fact that he was taking advantage of her.

After so long, Jiuge has gained a general understanding of An Chen.

Although many speculations cannot be confirmed for the time being, an invisible trust has already taken root in her heart.

Even if An Chen's actions were incomprehensible and unacceptable to her, Jiu Ge was willing to believe in An Chen's decision.

If An Chen did this, there must be a reason.

"Based on my observation, their demonization is only temporary. Even if left unattended, they can quickly return to normal and then continue the cycle."

An Chen didn't explain why he took the opportunity to touch Jiu's back for a long time; he simply stated his guess in a serious manner.

"You mean I don't need to worry about these things?" Jiuge asked, looking surprised.

“Yes, what we need to do is observe what happened and what caused the illusion to exist so that we can properly send these spirits away. Otherwise, if we continue with the current approach, purifying them hundreds or thousands of times will be a waste of time.” An Chen said, secretly pouring the water from the broken cup along the leaky crack next to it.

From the moment he met the old lady, he was fascinated by the stone she carried with her.

For some unknown reason, just looking at the outline of that stone caused An Chen's waist to radiate an astonishing amount of heat.

It seemed to be reminding him of something.

An Chen knew that this stone had a significant origin, but for a crystal to resonate like this, the entire illusion was probably inextricably linked to it.

The association's decision to prohibit members other than designated individuals from participating in the War Remnants mission indicates that the matter is not easy to handle.

Thinking this, he suddenly wanted to ask Jiuge if she felt anything strange.

But Jiuge was deep in thought and didn't say anything more; she was just staring blankly.

She understood the current situation, but she didn't quite understand why An Chen wanted to pour the water out.

Looking at the still steaming water in her hand, Jiuge prepared to drink it.

The good intentions of Zhang Zhidong's ancestors must not be let down.

"Stop." An Chen called out just before Jiu Ge was about to drink the hot water in one gulp.

Then, under Jiuge's strange gaze, he poured the water from Jiuge's cup into the leaky crack next to him.

"I'm really thirsty." Jiuge looked aggrieved.

"This is very likely water from a stinky ditch, some strange liquid, urine, or industrial wastewater. Are you sure you want to drink it?" An Chen smiled.

He stood up and walked to the kettle.

"If you really want some, I can pour you more?"

"..."

Jiuge's face instantly turned ashen.

She suddenly understood what An Chen meant.

Unless it's an exceptionally powerful illusion, the food made by spirits is basically made from strange and unusual materials found along the way.

You can't grow real land if you're not a living person.

If you're not a living person, you can't buy real vegetables.

Since they are not living people, they cannot eat real food.

Everything follows the original trajectory, but the essence has become completely different.

After all, the people involved have been gone for so many years, not to mention the houses and belongings that were bombed to ashes along with them.

"So... what will the food be for later? Will it be edible?"

Jiuge swallowed hard and glanced at the doorway.

The sound of the spatula frying food hasn't stopped yet, which means the food isn't cooked.

She began to consider whether she should just run away.

Although it would be unfair to the kind spirit, she simply couldn't stomach the things Jiuge imagined.

"Probably trash, cigarette butts, insects, small animal carcasses, cockroaches, maggots, and the like." An Chen put down the teapot, looking nonchalant, as if he had already accepted the reality.

"Shall we go now?" Jiuge stood up and patted her skirt.

She began to wonder if the place she was sitting in was also something strange.

It's a metaphor for something like a pile of skulls.

“You have to keep your promises to others.” An Chen grabbed Jiu Ge’s arm.

"Huh? But..." Jiuge panicked a little.

That makes some sense.

She no longer cared about An Chen taking advantage of her; now, just thinking about what that rice was made of made her feel nauseous.

“It could also be tribute,” An Chen comforted her.

"But it could also be tiny... maggots, right? And are all offerings always clean?" Jiuge was dumbfounded.

I never expected An Chen to have such a strong ability to learn.

"Actually, don't imagine it, you can still eat it," An Chen whispered.

"..."

Seeing that An Chen had no intention of leaving, Jiu Ge's eyes filled with tears.

"So let's use illusion magic to pretend we eat it."