Strange Occurrences in the Mountains

Chapter 39: Strange Occurrences in the Mountains

The matter of Hundred Beasts Worshiping the Moon was simply unheard of. Setting aside how the beasts managed to perform actions like humans, just suppressing their natural instincts to coexist so harmoniously was an impossibility. If rabbits saw foxes or weasels, it was one thing if they didn't run, but to stand there dumbfounded was out of the question. However, such an unbelievable scene was unfolding before their eyes.

Wang Dazhu and Zhou Niu, due to the distance and the obstruction of too many animals in front of them, didn't see that in the distance facing these animals, on the mountaintop, there was actually a snake. The animals appeared to be worshiping the moon, but in reality, they were worshiping Ye Qin. It was just that the mountain was too high and Ye Qin was too small, so they couldn't see clearly from such a distance. If they had known, they would have been even more astonished.

Wang Dazhu couldn't help but rub his eyes, feeling that the scene tonight had completely overturned his worldview. "Brother Zhou, are we hallucinating?" Zhou Niu's expression was grim. "How could we both be hallucinating at the same time?" If it were a hallucination, it was far too real.

The two didn't notice that on the trees above their heads, figures seemed to be flashing. Zhou Niu sensed something and subconsciously looked up. Countless pairs of eerie green eyes suddenly lit up on the treetops. This scene was something he would never forget. An uncountable number of owls were perched on the treetops, staring at the two with wide eyes.

The color drained from their faces at that moment. They finally understood why they hadn't seen a single owl earlier; they had all gathered here. Even the bravest person would likely be chilled to the bone by the sight before them. The owls, which usually appeared docile, looked exceptionally terrifying, with countless eyes fixed on them. Wang Dazhu's legs went weak with fear. Zhou Niu stammered, desperately pulling his hand. "Run, run!"

The two scrambled and fled into the distance, running for their lives. Fortunately, their panicked, directionless flight actually led them to a path. Seeing the familiar village in the distance in the darkness, they felt a sense of having survived a disaster. They were so overcome with emotion that they almost wept with joy.

As soon as they reached the foot of the mountain, they encountered the village chief and over a dozen familiar villagers coming towards them, holding flashlights. The villagers who had gone for drinks with them had all returned. Only these two hadn't. It was late, and they were worried something had happened to them, so they had come out to search. They happened to run into them. The village chief looked at their disheveled state. "What's wrong with you two? You look like you're being chased by ghosts." Seeing the village chief and the others, the two felt as if they had seen family. "Village Chief, you don't know, we encountered something more terrifying than ghosts!" The flashlight beams dispelled their unease and fear. Zhou Niu and Wang Dazhu, speaking over each other, recounted everything that had happened. The village chief and some of the villagers exchanged glances. As they approached, they smelled the strong scent of alcohol on the two and saw their flushed faces, looking skeptical. "Hundred Beasts Worshiping the Moon? I think you two are just drunk. If you had eaten more peanuts, you wouldn't be this drunk." To their surprise, the village chief and the others didn't believe them. Wang Dazhu immediately became agitated. "Village Chief, we're telling the truth! All those rabbits, foxes, and other animals were standing together. You don't know how creepy it looked, and there were countless owls staring at us from above..." The village chief looked at them as if to say, "I'm just going to watch you make this up." "Very good, very well said. Don't say it again next time. Dazhu, I never realized you had such a rich imagination before." Zhou Niu and Wang Dazhu spoke very earnestly. Although they were a bit incoherent, their expressions didn't suggest they were joking. The village chief and the others were half-believing, half-doubting. They had lived in this mountain for most of their lives and had entered the mountains many times, but they had never seen or heard of such a thing. There were plenty of folk tales, but honestly, they were all fake, mostly used to scare children or for idle chat at the village head's place. They had never encountered anything like it since they were young. "Since you say it's so strange, take us to see if there really is a Hundred Beasts Worshiping the Moon." Wang Dazhu was a little scared. "Let's forget it. I'm a bit scared. Those animals looked really strange." The village chief couldn't help but roll his eyes. "Look at you, you coward. They're just small animals, what are you afraid of? Besides, we're all here. Those weasels and foxes won't eat you, will they?" Moreover, this part of the mountain was close to the village, and there weren't any particularly large wild animals around. They were mostly hidden deep in the mountains. With so many of them together, any animals they saw would likely avoid them. Other villagers chuckled and teased, "Where's anything as mystical as they say? Dazhu, you guys are just bragging because you're drunk. Those animals can't possibly be spirits, worshiping the moon and all." Wang Dazhu and Zhou Niu became a little angry when the villagers doubted them. "Fine, we'll go. Who's afraid of who?" With so many of them, they figured nothing unexpected would happen. The group walked towards the mountain again. The two, relying on their memory, managed to find the place. Seeing the familiar scenery and path, Zhou Niu and Wang Dazhu exchanged glances and unconsciously lowered their voices. "A few more steps, there's a patch of bushes ahead. Push them aside, and you'll be able to see."

The journey was eerily silent, devoid of any insect chirps or bird songs. Just as Zhou Niu and Wang Dazhu had initially described, not a single owl was spotted.

Although the villagers found the silence unsettling, they didn't dwell on it, still harboring some skepticism about the two men's earlier claims.

However, influenced by the surroundings, they too quieted their footsteps, slowly pushing aside the bushes before them.

Everyone was stunned, staring at the scene before them with wide, disbelieving eyes, their expressions identical.

Numerous small animals had gathered here, looking up at the sky. Animals like weasels, which can stand upright, now held their front paws slightly bent.

Those that couldn't stand upright were seated on the ground, also looking up at the sky.

Everything was exactly as Zhou Niu and the others had said, not exaggerated in the slightest.

"I didn't expect it to really look like they were worshiping the moon!"

"My goodness, this is too magical. Why are so many animals gathered here?"

Even for Zhou Niu and Wang Dazhu, seeing it for the second time, an inexpressible sense of shock filled them.

"See, I told you I wasn't lying."

Finally, the village chief and the others believed them.

Perhaps it was because their group was too large and had made too much noise.

The small animals seemed to sense their presence.

"Swish—"

In an instant, all the animals turned their heads in unison, their eyes reflecting a faint, eerie glow.

While the animals themselves were normal, the sheer number of them staring at you all at once was unsettling.

Witnessing this scene, everyone felt their scalps tingle.

Even though they were all small animals and couldn't cause significant harm, Zhou Niu and the others couldn't control the surge of fear within them.

Even a multitude of ants could kill an elephant, and the unknown was the most terrifying.

The group instinctively took a few steps back. The bushes in front of them returned to their original state, obscuring the animals' eerie gazes.

However, the intense feeling of being watched only intensified.

Looking up again, everyone saw countless owls on the trees, staring at them intently.

The group left in a hurry. Only after they had run far away did they dare to look back. The scenery had vanished, but it was deeply etched into their minds.

Recalling the bizarre scene, the villagers dared not linger and quickly descended the mountain.

My apologies, I mistakenly wrote "torch" instead of "flashlight." I've been writing too much fantasy, so I've corrected it.