The Kitchen God left behind a warning and vanished.
Tu Sanyi's face turned deathly pale.
In this world, if the gods deemed one irreverent, it was practically a death sentence. One would find it nearly impossible to take a single step anywhere.
But the white rice at home could at most last until the lean season.
If he continued making offerings as they had when his parents were alive, the household would be completely depleted within two months. There would not even be enough left for his own sweet-potato meals.
Tu Sanyi was only an ordinary mortal youth. At the thought of this, he could not help but tremble.
Outside, daylight rose in the east, and the sun had already revealed its outline.
"Not good!"
Tu Sanyi jolted.
No matter how terrified or afraid he was, as the sun was about to rise, he instinctively began doing certain things. So many things his parents had taught him by word and example since childhood came back to him at once, as natural as breathing.
Tu Sanyi returned to his parents' room and took out incense, candles, spirit money, and white rice.
Here, he hesitated for a moment. Then, gritting his teeth, he took out the same amount of white rice as he had offered the Kitchen God of Backed-by-the-Mountain Village. He went to the front gate, lit the candles, and repeatedly kowtowed toward the two imposing portraits on the gate doors.
"I bow to Lord Guangcheng Xuange and Lord Evil-Quelling Iron Mace."
"...Solemn divine radiance abides in the courtyard; peaceful auspicious vapors linger at the doors and windows... Iron armor drives demons away and secures the household; golden whips usher fortune into splendid halls... Day and night they patrol, scattering evil spirits; morning and dusk they protect, keeping descendants well."
Tu