The weasel with the white tail glared viciously at Grandpa, its eyes bloodshot and wild as it snarled fiercely in his direction.
Unfortunately, the ceiling beam was too high for Grandpa to reach.
Liu Baba said only by killing this white-tailed weasel could Zhang second brother return to normal. Otherwise, Zhang second brother would be tormented to death—and even Liu Baba herself would be in danger.
Grandpa wasn't afraid of the spirit; after all, he had encountered these creatures almost daily in recent years, as they often brought gifts to our family.
He understood the deep connection between these Yellow Skins, fox spirits, and our family. As long as they didn't cause harm, Grandpa could turn a blind eye. But now, one had already killed someone and was tormenting others. That was unacceptable.
After a moment, Grandpa dragged over a chair and climbed up, raising his big machete high to strike at the weasel.
The weasel was incredibly agile, leaping along the beam, dodging every swipe. Grandpa only managed to carve a few notches into the wood.
While Grandpa struggled with the spirit, Liu Baba's voice suddenly rang out from outside, shouting, "Brother Wu, come out! I need to talk to you!"
Glancing at the weasel, Grandpa jumped down and rushed into the yard, seeing Liu Baba still grappling with Zhang second brother, who remained under the spirit's control.
"I saw the Yellow Skin—it's crouching on the beam. It keeps moving around, but I can't catch it," Grandpa said helplessly.
"Stop trying to deal with that Yellow Skin. Go home and bring your grandson. Maybe Xiao Jie can make the spirit leave," Liu Baba called out loudly.
Grandpa thought it made sense.
The reason these Yellow Skins targeted Zhang's brothers was because they had once come to our house and slapped me—and even hit my father.
Harming me was like showing great disrespect to the celestial spirit inside me.
For all these years, the Yellow Skins and fox spirits had been bringing food, not for me, but for that spirit.
Perhaps if I went, I could persuade the Yellow Skin to leave.
As Grandpa hesitated, Liu Baba urged again, "Brother Wu, don't stand there wasting time. Hurry back and bring your grandson. I'm almost exhausted. With Zhang second brother controlled by the spirit, I dare not harm him."
Hearing this, Grandpa replied, "Little sister, hang on a bit longer. I'll be back soon."
He grabbed his machete and dashed home, pulling me out from under the covers and rushing toward Zhang second brother's house.
Still groggy, I had no idea what was happening but found myself taken to Zhang's chaotic yard.
I was shocked by the scene: blood everywhere, dozens of dead chickens strewn about, and the corpse of a Yellow Skin spirit with a crushed head lying on the ground.
Zhang second brother growled like a wild beast and lunged repeatedly at Liu Baba.
"Xiao Jie, make your uncle stop!" Grandpa shouted.
The scene from earlier that day—when those brothers beat my father until he bled all over his head—was still vivid in my mind.
Despite my fear, I felt a strange satisfaction seeing Zhang second brother in this state.
"Grandpa, second uncle and the others beat my dad until his head was split open," I said.
"Stop your nonsense! Just get him to calm down first. We'll talk later," Grandpa urged, giving me a gentle smack on the backside.
Reluctantly, I approached the crazed Zhang second brother and whispered, "Second uncle, please stop."
Hearing me, Zhang second brother's movements slowed noticeably, and he turned his head toward me.
Liu Baba took a few steps back, breathing heavily.
At her age, struggling so long with the possessed Zhang second brother had clearly worn her out.
Meanwhile, Zhang second brother felt no fatigue; the spirit was pushing his body to its absolute limit, possibly to the point of death without him even realizing.
Seeing Zhang second brother's pale, bloodshot eyes, I felt a chill run down my spine.
"They disrespected our ancestor. I must kill them," Zhang second brother hissed in a sharp, unnatural voice.
I glanced at Grandpa, unsure what to say next.
Grandpa looked momentarily stunned. Even my words seemed to have little effect.
Suddenly, the white-tailed Yellow Skin that had been hiding on the beam emerged from the house, its fiery red eyes locking onto me.
As it appeared, Zhang second brother let out a terrifying roar and bolted toward the yard gate.
"Stop him! Don't let him escape!" Liu Baba hurried after him on tiptoes.
Grandpa and I stood blocking the doorway.
Grandpa charged at Zhang second brother without hesitation.
Before Grandpa could raise his machete, Zhang second brother crashed into him, sending Grandpa flying.
Surprisingly, I found an unexpected surge of courage and grabbed hold of Zhang second brother's pants.
As he ran, Zhang second brother pulled me down to the ground, causing me to cry out in pain.
Hearing my cries, Zhang second brother suddenly stopped, turned around, and scooped me into his arms, brushing the dust off my clothes.
Then, he tried to leave again.
At that moment, a buzzing sensation hit my forehead; the world spun, darkness filled my vision, and I lost consciousness.
Nearby, Grandpa and Liu Baba were shocked to see a giant shadow appear behind me.
The shadow resembled a fox with eight tails, its tails swaying continuously.
Just as Zhang second brother turned, sensing something, he looked back toward me.
Then, he suddenly knelt, trembling uncontrollably.
"Let it go. Don't continue this," I said, my voice surprisingly that of a young, beautiful woman.
"Ancestor, this family disrespected you greatly. How can you let them off so easily?" Zhang second brother bowed his head, speaking with utmost reverence.
"Are you no longer going to listen to me?" I asked again.
"As you command," Zhang second brother responded, knocking his head to the ground three times, each sound sharp and resolute.
The white-tailed Yellow Skin nearby did the same, bowing deeply toward me.
Moments later, Zhang second brother's body swayed and collapsed onto the ground.