All that would come later. For now, driving off the crows took priority.
Cui Jiuyang gathered everyone before him and said, "I once learned a formation called Five Directions Soul-Calming, which can deliver lingering souls. But I'm not entirely certain this formation can deliver a divine bird.
"But we have to try whatever we can now, or we'll be trapped in this village until we die."
"This formation requires everyone's full cooperation. When I assign your tasks in a moment, I hope you'll follow my instructions to the letter. Not one step out of place, not the slightest carelessness."
As he said that last part, his eyes remained fixed on Old Hu's family.
Old Hu was a sensible man, and naturally realized that Cui Jiuyang did not entirely trust the three of them.
But if they refused to trust Cui Jiuyang now, they might truly have no way out of this village.
So Old Hu turned to his son and daughter-in-law and said, "Listen carefully, you two. Whatever Mr. Cui tells us to do to help him, you must carry out his instructions exactly."
Although Old Hu often lectured Hu Hongzhu and his wife, it was rare for him to look so solemn and serious.
Hu Hongzhu understood what was at stake and quickly nodded his agreement.
His wife might have been somewhat headstrong, but she knew what mattered in a situation like this and nodded along with her husband.
Seeing their response, Cui Jiuyang felt a little more reassured.
He told everyone what materials were needed for the formation to deliver the Five-Colored Sparrow, then sent them off separately to find those materials in the village.
An hour later, everyone gathered in the square.
Old Hu had found a peach branch, Hu Fanshi two red candles, and Master Tiger