The Stone Carver.

Summary

In a labyrinth, Widow Liu and Zhao Kang accompany the narrator, who feels time is running out to escape. They encounter Zhong Kui, a fierce god, who questions their presence. Despite the narrator's plea to save innocent souls, Zhong Kui remains hostile. As the situation escalates, the narrator uses a ghost-sealing talisman, surprising Zhong Kui. Recognizing the narrator's connection to Yao Guang Xiao, Zhong Kui proposes a deal: if the narrator helps him find ninety-nine living souls, he will spare Nankang Village from punishment. The narrator agrees, realizing the gravity of their task and the potential to restore Zhong Kui's power.

Full content