[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-book-of-strange-tales":3,"chapter-the-book-of-strange-tales-the-book-of-strange-tales-chapter-3":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","The Book of Strange Tales",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2317283,4532,"Chapter 3: Humans Can Also Drive Away Demons and Gods","the-book-of-strange-tales-chapter-3",3,"\u003Cp>“Huh?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A surprised whisper came from outside:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“There’s another person?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Immediately, the voice turned fierce:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Leave at once!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With the voice came another rush of wind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Crack!!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A piece of blue tile flew in and slammed into the wall three feet from Lin Jue, striking with enough force to shatter into fragments.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shards of tile even struck Lin Jue’s face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Jue turned his head, staring at the spot on the wall where the tile had hit, measuring its distance from himself, then touched his stinging cheek—his eyes flickered, yet he still did not move.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In village elders’ tales, fox spirits and ghosts that took over human homes often did this—throwing tiles and bricks to scare people away, sometimes even beating them bloody or shouting back at them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This one, it seemed, for various reasons or reservations, dared not take a human life lightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Combining this with the information he’d gathered, the Wang family’s ancestral hall had been occupied, yet they had never reported it to the county, nor had anyone heard of a major death occurring here—he became even more certain of this:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This one wanted to scare him off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But that didn’t matter either.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Still not leaving?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The voice came again from outside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Crack!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another blue tile flew in, shattering just as before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Same spot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m sparing you because you’re young, brimming with righteous energy, and haven’t offended me—I’m kindly telling you to leave. If you don’t go now, you’ll lose your life here!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The voice outside continued to threaten.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Jue’s eyes flickered, then he slowly stood up, still staring outside, and said: “I don’t know whether you’re a demon or a ghost, but if you want me to leave, throwing one tile won’t be enough.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is that so?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instantly, several more tiles flew in with a flurry of cracks, smashing against the wall closer to Lin Jue, with greater force—white plaster peeled off the wall, spraying dust and fragments everywhere.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Jue instinctively closed his eyes, then opened them, took a deep breath, and ignored the wall beside him entirely, continuing:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why don’t you show yourself?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m afraid I’ll scare you to death!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why not try?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Do you want to die?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then do you have any other abilities?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hm? I’m getting angry!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Boom!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A heavy thud.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This time, a blue brick flew in, slamming into the wall just one foot from Lin Jue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Jue even felt the rush of wind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If that brick had hit his head, it would have left him severely injured.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet Lin Jue still didn’t turn to look—he feared looking might make him timid, so he kept his gaze fixed outside, guarding his inner resolve, and added weight to his tone: “Surely you’re capable of more than this?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You brat! Annoying!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was a brief pause, then a sound like gritted teeth straining.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huuuh...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A tremendous gust of wind roared, and the ceiling above suddenly darkened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then came a muffled crash!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Somehow, it had dragged in a massive blue stone slab—like those used in village paths or steps—and, as if to display its strength, hurled it over the eaves, dropping it from the courtyard above.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After striking the ground, the slab rolled once, slid a short distance, then stopped right beside Lin Jue’s feet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He couldn’t ignore it anymore.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Right beside his foot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even under dim moonlight, it was unmistakable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Jue lowered his head slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The slab was nearly a man’s length, a foot wide, nearly a foot thick—black and heavy on the ground, surely heavier than a person.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If it had struck him, he’d be pulp.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Jue breathed deeply, but said nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Still not leaving?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The voice outside pressed on.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was both threat and urging.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Jue fell silent for a moment, then slowly shook his head:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m not leaving...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hm?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m not leaving.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This time, his voice was clearer, firmer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hm?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The voice outside grew astonished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the same time, mist seemed to rise outside—distinct in shape beneath the bright moon, carried by the wind into the ancestral hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Jue felt an odd sensation immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before he could ponder it, his head spun—the scene before him rippled, the ground heaved, as if he stood on the open sea. His thoughts grew foggy, confused, wavering, losing their resolve and certainty, replaced by fear and the urge to flee.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Jue braced himself against the wall, forcing himself upright.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This ancestral hall truly was haunted by a demon or ghost!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This one seemed powerful—tonight, he couldn’t defeat it. Perhaps he should retreat now, return home, and think of another plan?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How could a human fight a demon or ghost?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His uncle had been kind to him—first saved his life, then raised him like a father...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Saved his life... raised him...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No! He couldn’t leave!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Jue struggled fiercely, battling within himself against his fear and desire to flee.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wrong!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was the demon’s magic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly he realized—understanding this, his inner battle shifted from fighting his own cowardice to fighting the demon and its spell. Lin Jue gritted his teeth, drove out the chaotic thoughts, and reclaimed his reason and original purpose.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m not leaving!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Jue spoke again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As his words landed, the spell seemed to lift—or perhaps the demon’s magic had failed. He felt his inner calm gradually return, though the first magical assault had shaken body and soul, leaving his heart still pounding.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why? Aren’t you afraid?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Not afraid!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Not even afraid of death?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You already have the power to take my life easily—but know this: such power isn’t unique to demons or ghosts. Many strong men in this world—even that one just now—could punch me to death. Must I fear them all?” Lin Jue’s voice was young and raw, yet firm. He looked down at the stone slab at his feet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hah! Interesting! How much did the Wang family pay you to make you so stubborn?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Not much. Just enough to save my life.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A plain, unadorned sentence—yet heavy as a thousand catties. Even the demon who had hurled the stone slab over the wall fell silent for a moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“To save your life?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Jue breathed heavily, his hand trembling slightly, as he fumbled to light the oil lamp beside him, saying:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My uncle saved my life first. Last year, by the river, I fell in—thanks to him braving the current to pull me out, I gained my second chance at life. Then he took up my father’s duty, providing me food, clothing, and education.” Lin Jue spoke as if explaining to the demon outside, yet also to himself—to give himself reason and courage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thinking of his uncle, bedridden, suffering, nearly dead, his heart gradually steadied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Now he’s stricken with a grave illness, his life hanging by a thread, waiting for this medicine money to save him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Master Wang is a well-known benefactor and virtuous elder. I believe he won’t steal this small sum. If I die here, perhaps there’ll be compensation. So today, even if I die, I’ll die in this ancestral hall—exchange my life for my uncle’s.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With each sentence, Lin Jue’s voice grew calmer, more assured—until, at last, he was utterly fearless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not speaking of kinship, but of gratitude—this was as it should be.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As it should be.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His hand no longer trembled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He gripped the firewood axe tightly, eyes fixed outside, watching for any tile, brick, or stone slab that might fly in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If you truly wish me to leave, why not come in and fight me face to face?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Outside, there was only silence and stillness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No one knew what it was doing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a long while, a sound finally came.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Puh...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, outside, all movement ceased.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hours passed, no one knew how long.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Jue still leaned against the wall, silently observing and waiting, replaying in his mind the strange events and spells he had just experienced; no matter how drowsy he became, he dared not fall asleep, would not dare to fall asleep.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet tonight, he was unusually sleepy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In this world, most people slept soon after dark and woke before dawn; by now, it was roughly the time when people should be waking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Add to that the fact he had stayed awake all night, and his spirit had been drained by the magical combat; gradually, his eyelids began to droop, and he could no longer control them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Falling asleep happened without notice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After falling asleep, dreams came.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the dream, there seemed to be nothing at all, only a vast, blinding whiteness. Amidst the whiteness stood an abstract figure—visible yet invisible; he knew only that he was there, and that he was speaking to him, his voice indescribable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dreams often seemed like this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That Wang family does have some tricks. I disturbed them, drove them out, and now they’ve brought others to disturb me in return, trying to drive me away.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The figure spoke as soon as it opened its mouth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Who are you?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Jue asked aloud.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Didn’t you just spend the whole night dealing with me?\" the figure said, as if smiling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It’s you...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The dream was strange indeed: Lin Jue felt neither that this was a dream nor that it was real; he did not question who the figure was, nor wonder why he was here—he spoke to it calmly and naturally:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Why are you here?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It’s a long story...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Long ago, I lived here, before this village even existed. Later, I left for a time, and these Wangs built their houses here. But heaven and earth, all things, do not belong to any one person. I never marked the place, so at first I had no thought of reclaiming it or displacing them. But as I grew older, I wished to return.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The figure paused.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Moreover, their ancestors were virtuous; living in this ancestral hall felt comfortable to me, so I tried to reclaim it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To reclaim and return—it was contradictory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Now the Wangs have brought many people. Though most are cowards, they’ve made it unbearable for me. Add to that you three—I’ve met three of you now—who stayed all night. It’s truly annoying. I fear I can no longer retire here.\" The figure paused again. \"Your five energies, though not as pure as a sage’s, are not chaotic. You’re young, bold, possess a calm heart, and even a filial one—rare indeed. So I’ve come to you in a dream to say: I shall depart tomorrow. Tell the Wang family—you may yet receive a reward, enough to buy medicine and save your uncle’s life.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then I thank you deeply!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Jue spoke with sincere gratitude in the dream.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It is your merit, not my labor.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Still, I thank you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You actually understand propriety!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’ve read books.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Reading is good.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You said earlier, counting me, there are three. Who are the other two? I only know of one.\" Lin Jue asked naturally, driven by curiosity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You are one. The other two: a butcher, and an old teacher from Shu Village.\" The figure answered him. \"The butcher has strong blood qi—my breath has no effect on him. He drank liquor, came here, and collapsed into a dead sleep. I didn’t want to injure or kill him, nor could I wake him, so I let him be.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The old teacher from Shu Village?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Jue became interested—wasn’t that his former teacher?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes. That old teacher has little learning, but his nature is upright—he never did a single evil deed in his life. That is rare indeed! Alas, even many spirits would avoid such a person. How much more so a minor spirit like me, with only a little cultivation and meager tricks?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Jue was stunned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This answer took him completely by surprise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only now did he realize: this was no ghost, but a demon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But that old Master Wang—he’s a renowned virtuous man of the region, who’s done many good deeds!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He has done some good deeds, but true virtue lies in his ancestors. He merely inherited wealth and continued their tradition of charity—to build his own reputation and gain benefit. That’s not wrong, not evil, even somewhat good. So I never thought of harming him. But to respect him deeply, or to avoid him out of reverence? That’s impossible.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So it’s like this...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before he could ponder the deeper meaning of this conversation, the dream vanished like mountain mist dissolving under the sun and wind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only one faint phrase remained:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Since you understand propriety and treat me with respect, I’ll give you one more warning: I see your soul is strong but unstable. You must nurture your life carefully—seek a method to calm your soul, to steady your spirit.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He woke, dazed and half-asleep.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was nearly dawn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was still inside the ancestral hall, leaning against the wall. Bricks and tiles lay nearby; white powder had scattered on the ground. His foot pressed against the green stone before him; faint traces left by the stone’s rolling motion on the floor tiles were barely visible in the dim light—but he was unharmed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a moment of stunned silence, Lin Jue suddenly rose and walked out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Indeed, dawn was near.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Roosters were crowing outside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There, at the base of the wall, stood a shadow roughly knee-high. In the dim light, its color—yellow or mottled—was indistinguishable; it stood and walked like a human, carrying a pack, then vanished in a flash.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Jue froze again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he came to his senses, bowed deeply, and offered a respectful salute toward that direction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet his brow was furrowed, his heart filled with doubt—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What kind of world is this?\u003C\u002Fp>",2267,"2026-06-20T14:45:35.226Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","5641a78a57114101ff4a83bc6c49275bd6e81bfadae0ad3d80a00fdb1df8e31b","the-book-of-strange-tales-chapter-4","the-book-of-strange-tales-chapter-2",608,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-book-of-strange-tales-cover.jpg"]