Each ride on the Carousel lasted only five minutes, and it soon came to an end.
Holding Tang Xiaoling reluctantly in her arms, Old Lady Zhao stepped off.
Her shriveled hand gently stroked Tang Xiaoling's hair as she said with deep affection:
"Lingling, Grandma has to go. Have fun here."
Old Lady Zhao gazed at the adorable Tang Xiaoling, her cloudy eyes filled with doting affection.
"Okay, Grandma. Come back soon."
"When you come back, Lingling wants to ride the little horses with you again."
The considerate Tang Xiaoling didn't cry or fuss. She even waved her little hand goodbye to Old Lady Zhao.
But Old Lady Zhao could hear how reluctant Tang Xiaoling was to let her leave.
Yet the Netherworld had summoned her, and she dared not disobey.
She could only heave a heavy sigh and carry Tang Xiaoling toward the exit.
All the while, she kept reminding her about little things.
"Remember, there's a fast-food restaurant on the south side of the Amusement Park. Go there if you're hungry."
"But no fried food, and no cola or hamburgers either. They're bad for you."
"If you're thirsty, buy some water at the little kiosk. If you need the toilet, go east..."
As she finished giving her instructions one by one, they passed through the Carousel's fence and stepped outside.
Seeing Tang Xiaoling covered in blood yet completely unharmed,
both the evil spirit Zhou and Wu Fan wore looks of disbelief.
What kind of spell had Tang Xiaoling put on Old Lady Zhao?
She'd played for so long, and she was still alive?!
Had Old Lady Zhao really changed her ways?
Instead of eating children, she was coaxing her granddaughter now?!
Wu Fan, in particular, was utterly dumbfounded.
He simply couldn't understand why Old Lady Zhao hadn't eaten the little bastard.
To evil spirits, children whose minds had only just begun to develop were the most delicious feast.
How had she managed to resist?
And wasn't this Carousel supposed to grind people to pieces?
Tang Xiaoling had ridden it several times, so why the hell was she fine?
Wu Fan sank into profound self-doubt. Had his eyes deceived him when he saw that horrifying scene earlier?
Maybe this Carousel didn't actually hurt anyone.
Maybe those terrifying sights were just for show?
At that thought, an urge rose inside him to go back in and take another look.
But with both evil spirits present, he didn't have the nerve. He could only suppress the urge for now.
By then, Old Lady Zhao had reached the two men.
Her gaze swept over them before settling on the evil spirit Zhou, and she said sternly:
"Boy, if you ever let anyone else trouble my granddaughter again, I won't let you off!"
The Amusement Park's rules forbade her from killing her own kind.
So even though she knew what the evil spirit Zhou was thinking, she couldn't act against him.
Otherwise, even with a treasure protecting Tang Xiaoling and Sky Dog keeping her company,
she would have slaughtered the evil spirit Zhou before leaving!
"O-Old Lady Zhao... rest assured. I'll take good care of your granddaughter."
The evil spirit Zhou trembled all over, terror filling his heart.
Although he didn't know exactly what had happened between Old Lady Zhao and Tang Xiaoling,
he understood that this little girl... had found herself a powerful protector!
If he dared lay a hand on Tang Xiaoling again, he might not even be allowed to keep guarding the gate.
"Good. Remember what you said!"
After delivering those words coldly, Old Lady Zhao turned to Tang Xiaoling, her expression instantly becoming kindly.
"Grandma is leaving. Keep playing on your own."
As she spoke, she set Tang Xiaoling down.
Then she headed out of the Amusement Park, looking back repeatedly with every step.
The evil spirit Zhou was surprised, not knowing where Old Lady Zhao was going.
But eager to please her, he hurried after her and escorted her all the way out.
Once Wu Fan saw the two evil spirits leave, he let out a long breath of relief.
Only then did he realize that his back had long since become soaked in cold sweat.
"Holy shit, that was terrifying!"
Wu Fan patted his chest, trying to calm his fear.
Then, as though remembering something, he lowered his gaze.
He found Tang Xiaoling still looking in the direction the evil spirits had left.
Her big, bright eyes were filled with reluctance to part!
Recalling Old Lady Zhao's behavior made him feel bitterly resentful.
Fuck!
We were all players.
Why did a little bastard like you get to take it so easy?
While I had to stand here scared out of my mind!
Just because you were a little kid, you got that old evil spirit's affection?
Worst of all, out of everything you could play on, you had to pick the Carousel!
What, was your real dad in there or something?
The more Wu Fan thought about it, the angrier he became.
Especially when he remembered how the evil spirit had scared him so badly that his legs gave out-and Tang Xiaoling had seen it!
He was a grown man in his thirties, yet he couldn't even measure up to a clueless little kid?!
"You little brat! You seem pretty close to that old evil spirit, huh?"
"You watched me get yelled at just now and didn't even help!"
Wu Fan glared fiercely, his face twisted with anger as he berated her.
Still grieving their parting, Tang Xiaoling froze in fright and timidly backed away.
But seeing her so frightened gave Wu Fan's wounded pride an indescribable sense of satisfaction.
His face immediately grew even fiercer, his expression turning downright hideous as he said:
"Fuck, answer me! Were you trying to get me killed?"
"You unwanted little bastard!"
"You actually brought that old hag over to scare me!"
"No wonder your dad didn't want you. You're nothing but a jinx!"
Wu Fan grew more worked up with every word, advancing toward Tang Xiaoling step by step.
Poor Tang Xiaoling clutched Tiantian tightly, her tiny body trembling uncontrollably in fear, until she finally burst into tears.
"Grandma! I want Grandma!"
At that moment!
Old Lady Zhao, who had already reached the main gate, suddenly shuddered.
Her melancholy expression abruptly became utterly savage!
Her already shriveled skin began to cave inward!
The few teeth remaining in her mouth rapidly grew, finally becoming a mouthful of fangs!
Most terrifying of all, thick black fumes surged out of her body!
In mere moments, they had blotted out the sky overhead!
The evil spirit Zhou, who had come to see her off, stood rooted to the spot in a daze.
He didn't understand why Old Lady Zhao had suddenly reverted to her true form and unleashed her vengeful ghost-level power!
"Lingling... who dares bully my Lingling!"
Old Lady Zhao suddenly let out an earth-shaking roar. Her body instantly became a black shadow that hurtled toward the Carousel.
Meanwhile, at the Carousel's entrance, Wu Fan was already standing in front of Tang Xiaoling, roaring:
"Shut your mouth! What are you crying for!"
"If you keep crying, I swear..."
Before he could finish, a black shadow flashed past.
It swept him along and plunged straight into the Carousel.
Faced with that terrifying scene once again, Wu Fan's mind went completely blank!
Old Lady Zhao tossed out a Spirit Coin note and said, her voice seething with murderous intent:
"Scum! You really like bullying people, don't you?"
"Fine! Then come keep this old lady company... on the Carousel!"
Before you continue