Chapter 582
Chapter 582
Chapter 582
In terms of scenery, Zhao Yi's place is much more comfortable.
Li Zhuiyuan had been to many enchanted secret places and witnessed many wondrous things comparable to those in myths, but those were all fenced off and could not compare to Zhao Yi's place where one could enter simply by buying a ticket. Perhaps this was what truly deserved to be called a paradise on earth.
Liang Yan brewed tea, and Liang Li set out the snacks.
Even though this is Jiujiang Lushan, their territory, when the boy appeared here, a natural sense of him taking over the host's role occurred.
Ironically, even they themselves didn't feel that anything was wrong, let alone feel any resentment.
Chen Jing ran all over the mountains and fields, picking the freshest and sweetest fruits for his brother Yuan.
Xu Ming inserted his hands into the cracks in the rocks, creating a canopy above the seats where the two leaders were sitting, shielding them from the spray from the waterfall.
Zhao Yi: "How's the tea?"
Li Zhuiyuan: "So-so."
Zhao Yi: "Of course, it can't compare to the old lady's food rations."
The fact that the man surnamed Li willingly walked into the lion's den did not cause Zhao Yi much of a stir.
To say nothing of the distant past, the fact that the man surnamed Li entered Wangjiang Tower alone in the last wave already demonstrated his recognition and trust in him.
What you didn't do back then, you naturally won't do now. Sometimes, what stops you isn't weighing the pros and cons, but rather your past self.
In contrast, the cautious Mr. Li was more worried about accidents on the road, which is why he had "loyal A-Jing" escort him closely.
Once inside his own home, the man surnamed Li felt completely safe.
Zhao Yi: "Hehe, in your eyes, is there really nothing interesting about the river now?"
Li Zhuiyuan: "Not now."
Zhao Yi: "You should at least be a little more humble."
Li Zhuiyuan: "Is there something important?"
Zhao Yi: Yes.
The boy didn't come here to help Zhao Yi cross the river.
Partners need time to get along, but Li Zhuiyuan doesn't.
Even if he sits on his balcony at home in a daze every day, his true self deep within his consciousness is constantly conducting various analyses and studies.
If Zhao Yi's next move isn't interesting, Li Zhuiyuan won't participate; he'll just treat it as a trip.
Even if Zhao Yi goes out to travel along the river, he can still stay here, change the formation of Zhao Yi's house, and live here safely. He can even leave Xu Ming behind to chop wood and cook for himself.
However, it wasn't entirely a matter of luck.
Zhao Yi had read "The Code of Conduct for Traveling Along the River," and his reading experience was completely different from Chen Xiyuan's.
In short, Zhao Yi is capable of digging irrigation ditches with a purpose, guiding the river water, and taking the initiative, just like he once did.
Zhao Yi: "You know what, when I saw you come, I felt a little flustered."
With someone surnamed Li around, even the calmest waters can turn into raging storms.
Zhao Yi, who was frequently used as a tool, has a lot to say about the differences between the two types of waves.
Li Zhuiyuan put down his teacup and said, "Let's skip the preamble."
Zhao Yi took out the treasure map of the ruins and handed it over.
The boy unfolded it and examined it carefully.
Judging from the picture alone, it does look like a rather mysterious place.
However, the greatest attraction of treasure maps is not the valuable treasures hidden inside, but the background story.
Zhao Yi: "I have some connections in the martial arts world, like Su Qin who wore the seals of six states. Of course, this is all thanks to you."
The location of this treasure map was originally intended to be the last location at Wangjiang Tower, the very place they planned to use to kill you.
He paused for a moment.
Zhao Yi smiled and said:
"Provided by the Ming family."
……
Liang Yan washes vegetables, and Liang Li kills a chicken.
Xu Ming neatly stacked the firewood next to the double-pot earthen stove in the yard.
Chen Jing sat on a bench, playing with the wooden carving in his hand.
Ever since he left Nantong—no, ever since he sat on the dam floor at Grandpa Li's house waiting for breakfast, when Brother Yuan gave him this wood carving—the smile on his face has never faded.
Along the way, when he carried Yuan Ge and ran quickly, he was more careful than when he carried Yi Ge in the past, trying to make each step he took smoother and reduce the vibration.
A-Jing didn't think this was her treating Yuan-Ge and Yi-Ge differently. After all, Yi-Ge was tough, while Yuan-Ge hadn't practiced martial arts.
Liang Yan shook her hand, and Liang Li also marinated the prepared chicken.
The two sisters' gazes fell on their boss's study.
Although the bamboo garden is small, it has all the necessary facilities. Moreover, every time the boss returns from construction in Nantong, he makes some modifications to the garden according to the blueprints.
At this moment, although the study was blocked by an array, wisps of energy still emanated from it.
Under the flickering candlelight, a fierce clash of thought processes unfolded.
"Squeak..."
Zhao Yi pushed open the door and stretched.
With someone surnamed Li around, problems that used to require a lot of effort to plan and design are now so simple that all you need to do is have him help out.
The main issue is that the person surnamed Li is unclear about his current complex network of interpersonal relationships and needs him to provide a causal extension.
He excelled in this regard, able to speak up for anyone and make connections anywhere. Whenever trouble arose, he was never short of opportunities to stir up trouble.
Even the man surnamed Li exclaimed, "You have so many 'friends'!"
Zhao Yi replied, "If you don't insist on closing your account, you can still have 'friends' all over the world."
"Hey Li, I'll leave the rest of the tidying up to you. I'll cook dinner!"
Zhao Yi rolled up his sleeves and personally cooked.
The Liang sisters exchanged a glance. This was truly the first time they had ever met their boss. Before this, they had no idea that their boss could cook.
First, let's cook a pot of firewood-cooked chicken.
These chickens are genuine free-range chickens. When A-Jing is bored, she chases after them for fun.
When Li Zhuiyuan came out of the study, the chicken stew was ready, along with a pot of chicken oil and vegetable rice.
"Hey Li, do you want some crispy rice crust?"
"Don't eat."
"The crispy rice crust is the best; you just don't know how to eat it."
Li Zhuiyuan sat down at the table. Zhao Yi first brought the rice and chicken to the table and said, "You eat first, I'll cook two more dishes."
The boy nodded.
Zhao Yi: "Shouldn't you have said that the food was plentiful and told me to stop busying myself and sit down to eat with you?"
Li Zhuiyuan pointed to the table in front of him: "There's only one dish."
Two seasonal vegetables were stir-fried and served. There weren't many dishes, but the portions were large, and they were all delicious and visually appealing.
Li Zhuiyuan ate normally, after all, he was used to Aunt Liu's cooking at home.
Zhao Yi's four men picked up their chopsticks, tasted the food, and were all shocked.
Liang Li: "Sister, the boss has been hiding this all along."
Liang Yan: "Yes, sister, in the end we weren't worth it."
Zhao Yi picked up the wine jar, broke the clay seal, and the aroma of wine filled the air. He poured a full bowl for himself and Xu Ming, and a shallow layer for Chen Jing, asking Chen Jing to dip his chopsticks in it and drink.
Then, he pulled a can of Jianlibao from under the table and asked, "Want me to pour it into the bowl?"
Li Zhuiyuan: "No need."
Zhao Yi: "A-Jing, where's the straw?"
Chen Jing: "Ah, a straw..."
The drinks were bought by Zhao Yi at a small shop at the foot of the mountain, which Chen Jing had specially ordered. Chen Jing was so busy carrying the case that he completely forgot about the straw.
Zhao Yi raised his hand, grabbed a bamboo stalk next to the dining table, plucked a few bamboo leaves, rolled them up, inserted a straw into the drink, and presented it to Li Zhuiyuan.
"Come on, let's have a toast."
Li Zhuiyuan, holding his drink, clinked glasses with Zhao Yi.
After downing a sip of wine, Zhao Yi wiped his mouth, leaned closer, and laughed, "Haha, you surnamed Li, you never thought you'd end up like this, did you?"
The others at the table exchanged bewildered glances. Their boss's words sounded as if he had poisoned the Jianlibao drink beforehand.
Li Zhuiyuan shook his head: "Yeah, I wanted to get rid of you as soon as possible."
With that, Zhao Yi took another sip of wine.
The dinner was peaceful and cozy.
After dinner, Li Zhuiyuan walked to the edge of the cliff. It was already dark, and he could not see the waterfall, but he could hear the sound, as if the water was rushing straight into his mind.
Several lights were on in the woods diagonally below.
Zhao Yi walked over and called out, "A-Jing, another group of people have gotten lost while sneaking up the mountain. Go and lead them out."
"Ok!"
Chen Jing ran out of the bamboo garden.
A moment later, the howling of wolves came from the forest, and the flashlight immediately panicked, thus being led out of the mountains in this way.
Zhao Yi lit his pipe and exhaled a smoke ring:
"They need to be taught a lesson. They don't follow the established tourist routes and insist on venturing into uncharted territory. Can't they just live a normal life?"
"That's the kind of thrill they want."
"What they want is the thrill of feigning love for something they don't truly understand. I often encounter this while living here. When they are lost and desperate, they cry like owls in heat."
Li Zhuiyuan did not respond.
Zhao Yi: "We are different. We actively guide the waves, change the course, and increase the difficulty, which is indeed for excitement and fun. But we are clear about the cost of going too far. We can afford to play the game and we can afford to lose."
Furthermore, it's also a form of revenge for you.
Speaking of which, I'm quite puzzled. I originally thought that after the last wave ended, you would immediately begin to settle scores and seek revenge against your enemies in the real world. I was thinking of adding fuel to the fire for you, but after several days, I've realized that it's more like the eunuch is more anxious than the emperor himself.
"Isn't having you enough?"
"Hey Li, is there something seriously wrong with you in the next wave, making you afraid to start a causal chain?"
"Some preparations are being made."
"Hmm, I can see that. You've been training the troops all along. Who knows, you might even be making arrangements for their future."
Li Zhuiyuan raised his hand and dispersed the smoke blowing from Zhao Yi's direction.
Zhao Yi stubbed out his pipe with his fingertips and said, "Like I said before, if you need anything, just let me know in advance."
"and then?"
"So that I can be away from home in advance."
In fact, Li Zhuiyuan did begin his revenge; when he helped Yayoi build the Azure Dragon Temple on Wolf Mountain, he was digging up the roots of the Azure Dragon Temple.
The spirits of the holy monks of Qinglong Temple throughout the ages reside in Yayoi, which means that the orthodox lineage is located in Langshan.
As fortunes rise and fall, the old Qinglong Temple is sliding into an irreversible decline in a way that is even more tragic than that of the Ming family.
As for those superficial things like assassinations and pruning outside connections, which only address the symptoms and not the root cause, Li Zhuiyuan was too lazy to do them. He preferred to cancel the account once and for all.
Just like that afternoon when he joined forces with Zhao Yi, they finally managed to design all the water channels to be directed towards Dragon King Ming.
At this moment, Chen Jing ran out with a rag and broom in his hand, shouting, "Brother Yuan, I've cleaned the guest room!"
Li Zhuiyuan went back to his room to take a bath.
Zhao Yi's guest rooms are exquisitely designed, featuring a suite layout with an antique charm. Hot water is supplied through layers of bamboo tubes, creating a pleasant sound as the water flows and wisps of steam rise. The temperature is just right when it touches the body.
Compared to being at home, where you have to hold a thermos and pour the hot water into a tin bucket, it's nowhere near as elegant.
However, it was clear that the room had been unoccupied for a long time, and Zhao Yi did not have the habit of inviting guests.
There were two bamboo baskets next to the bathtub, one containing dry clothes and the other containing dirty clothes.
Li Zhuiyuan didn't touch the new clothes that fit him well. Instead, he took out his own clothes from his backpack and changed into them. He then washed and hung up the clothes he had just taken off.
As I lay down on the bed, the action triggered a series of subtle sounds, like a multitude of flowers gradually blooming.
Starlight shines overhead, gently caressing every detail. Close your eyes and fall asleep to the fragrance of flowers.
It has to be admitted that the former eldest son of the Zhao family still knows how to enjoy life.
But Li Zhuiyuan had no intention of going back to his newly built courtyard house; all the furnishings in his house had become weathered and worn from the passage of time.
Even if I no longer live there, I hope that when I go back and walk in, it will still look the same as it did before.
While the teenagers were asleep early, the atmosphere at the meeting of Zhao Yi's team in the courtyard was much more oppressive and tense.
There's no other reason than that Zhao Yi immediately put pressure on his subordinates, saying:
"You don't want our little brother Yuan to feel uncomfortable when he's giving you orders, do you?"
The Liang sisters looked serious. Their husbands were their bosses, and their families were their team; they shared both honor and disgrace.
Chen Jing bit his lip, nervously clenching his fingers repeatedly, not wanting to disappoint Brother Yuan.
Xu Ming put on a very serious expression.
He had benefited greatly from the boy, and in his mind, today was like the big boss coming to inspect the work of the second boss.
Zhao Yi: "I'm not trying to boost their morale and diminish our own. The facts are clear: we definitely can't beat his men."
Everyone nodded in agreement.
They knew that if the two teams were split up, only their own leader would be qualified to join the other team and get a position.
With their own boss gone, they can get the number two position, second only to one person.
As for them... even Chen Jing, who is currently the strongest in terms of individual strength, cannot mess with Runsheng and Lin Shuyou.
Zhao Yi: "First, recognize the gap, then focus on reality. What I want to say is that this is a rare opportunity. It is not easy to invite a master down to provide technical guidance, and this master is also known for his generosity."
From now on, whenever he is present, including me, everyone will treat him as their leader, and I will just be his subordinate Runsheng Ayou.
Try your best to cooperate. Even if you can't be as precise as your own arm, aim for the smoothest possible result. Do you understand?
"understand!"
"Understood!" Zhao Yi took out a stack of papers and began distributing them one by one. The papers had pictures and words on them.
This is what Zhao Yi asked the young man to do. Runsheng and the others are used to working with you, but this time you absolutely must not omit anything. Be as detailed as possible, and it would be best if you treated my men like idiots.
The Liang sisters each received a portion, as did Chen Jing. Xu Ming, who had been thinking about what breakfast to make for that person the next morning, also received a portion.
Zhao Yi: "Why do you look a little surprised?"
Xu Ming: "No, I'm very excited to have the opportunity to contribute to the team."
Zhao Yi: "I'm entrusting you with repairing this most difficult irrigation canal. You must guide the cause and effect to my destination."
Xu Ming: "I..."
Zhao Yi patted Xu Ming on the shoulder: "Old Xu, there's nothing I can do. Old Tian has already retired. Here, you have the most seniority, and I've always trusted you the most."
Xu Ming: "Don't worry, boss, I guarantee I'll complete the mission!"
Zhao Yi rubbed his fingertips together, relighting the pipe he had previously extinguished. After taking a puff, he reached out and patted a medal he had specially chosen to wear on his chest.
"Do you remember when we were in Ji'an? It was someone surnamed Li who did the design, and we were in charge of the construction."
The blueprints are now complete and ready for us. Gentlemen, don't let our title of model worker go to waste!
The next morning, Li Zhuiyuan pushed open the door and walked into the courtyard.
He was the only one left in the bamboo garden at the moment, as Zhao Yi led his men out overnight to rush the construction schedule.
Even if everything goes smoothly, it will take at least two or three days to get back, and normally it might take a week.
Once the layout is complete and the river water is successfully injected, I will be able to reach the core of this wave with them.
However, these days, I can only live and wait here alone. I can't leave, lest the waves splash on me and keep me dry.
Fortunately, the guesthouse was in excellent condition.
Before leaving, Zhao Yi prepared all his personal belongings.
Li Zhuiyuan cooked himself some porridge, added some pickled vegetables, a few slices of sausage, and a salted duck egg. He then sat down on the platform with his bowl and chopsticks.
I looked up halfway through my breakfast.
As the sun rises, its golden rays shine upon the waterfall, refracting a dazzling array of colors. Amidst the rising steam, the waterfall, which should be cascading down, appears to be steaming, like incense smoke rising from a censer.
……
Chen Xiyuan sat on the steps, eating the snacks that Aunt Liu had given her when she left home.
Between her legs was just one of the bags; many more were in the truck.
After finishing his conversation with Xiaoqing's family, Tan Wenbin walked back with the brush washer in his hand.
Chen Xiyuan, carrying a bag of snacks, got into the car.
The car stopped by the antique street. Tan Wenbin got out to talk to Chen Xiyuan, who sat in the passenger seat and continued eating her snacks. Occasionally, she would choke and get some water.
And so, the scenes kept changing, with Chen Xiyuan mainly providing silent companionship.
Each time they changed locations, Tan Wenbin, who was driving, would share the latest clues with her.
Chen Xiyuan then increased the amplitude of her swallowing movements and added a nod at the point where Tan Daban paused.
As the subjects of the investigation and communication gradually moved away from the human realm, Chen Xiyuan thought she finally had a chance to shine. However, she never expected that Tan Daban could seamlessly switch between speaking human language and speaking ghost language, maintaining the steady progress of the river without any conflict or force.
"call……"
After another round of conversation and obtaining crucial clues, Tan Wenbin got into his car, but instead of starting the engine, he lit a cigarette.
Chen Xiyuan: "Zhuangzhuang, you've worked hard."
Tan Wenbin stretched out his hand, flicked off the ash from his cigarette, and his face showed not fatigue, but the exhilaration of having his abilities fully utilized:
"The martial world is indeed more than just fighting and killing. I've finally seen the ways of the world and the ways of human relationships. This is what it means to travel the world!"
……
"Hey hey hey."
Sister Hua took out a handkerchief and wiped the drool from the corner of Xiaoyu's mouth.
Since receiving Runsheng's doll, Xiaoyu has been laughing to herself from time to time.
On their way to Sister Hua's hometown, when the road was impassable by car, they bought a handcart from a local villager.
Luo Xiaoyu stood in front, grabbed the handrail, and wanted Sister Hua and Runsheng to sit on it while he would pull the cart.
As a result, Runsheng grabbed his arm, lifted him up, put him on the cart, and said:
"I'm used to standing at the very front."
Sitting in the car, looking at Runsheng's muscular back, Luo Xiaoyu almost couldn't resist reaching out to touch it many times.
In fact, it is standard practice for a formation master to light a lamp and walk across the river, and to find a martial artist to lead the way. Strictly speaking, Sister Hua is an assassin.
But Luo Xiaoyu is a bit special. His talent is too good and his starting point is too high. Ordinary martial artists cannot compare to his timely array effects.
The kind of martial artist who can compare to you is rare and hard to find. Moreover, such a person can travel the river by himself with a lamp, without needing to worship you and gain merit. He also doesn't have the ability to cultivate a martial artist from scratch.
Runsheng was different. When Runsheng stood in front of him, Luo Xiaoyu felt a sense of laziness, as if he didn't even need to set up an array.
If we're going to set up the formation, we need to be even faster and quicker than before, otherwise the enemy will be killed by Runsheng with a single shovel before we've even finished setting up our own formation.
Most importantly, Runsheng will also help set up the formation. All you need to do is translate the complex formation into a multiplication table according to that person's habits, and Runsheng will not only help you set it up quickly, but also know how to move around in the formation.
"Xiaoyu, why is it leaking again?"
Hua Jie had no choice but to reach out and wipe it again. In the past, when facing her senior and junior sisters, Xiao Yu had never shown such fascination and longing.
"Sister Hua, wouldn't it be wonderful if Runsheng could accompany me on my journeys along the river forever?"
"Sigh, it's my fault for dragging you down. I can't protect you from the wind and rain properly. If only I could be traded to that person for Runsheng."
Hua lowered her head, hoping to distract Xiaoyu and gain some comfort for herself.
After waiting for a long time, seeing that Xiaoyu didn't make a sound, Sister Hua looked up at him.
Luo Xiaoyu couldn't help but chuckle and said:
"Sis, you really dream bigger than me."
……
Bin drove away the family's everyday yellow pickup truck, but the family does have other cars. You know, Liangliang bought them many cars of various models, but they weren't displayed because there was no place to put them in the village, and they were also afraid of scaring the great-grandfather.
Lin Shuyou suggested that he go to the riverbank first and drive out a car.
The garage is still located by the river. Even though Baijia Town is now empty, several of Baijia's wives around Bai Zhilan will regularly go to the river to maintain the cars, since they are all registered under Xue Liangliang's name.
Yayoi rejected Lin Shuyou's suggestion and took Ayou on the rural bus at the village entrance. Every time they got on the bus, they would ask the ticket seller for a receipt and carefully put it away.
Ayou suspects that it might be because he and Yayoi are sitting next to each other that they always encounter overcrowded buses when changing trains, with many elderly people and children on board. They not only have to give up their seats, but also help look after the children and carry their luggage.
Even though Ah-you likes doing good deeds, he couldn't stand the frequency of it, as if he was deliberately following a high monk to cultivate himself.
Even when they arrived in Yancheng, the host family sent a car to pick them up. There, they encountered a child who had gotten separated from her parents. Ayou carried her around for a long time before finally helping her find her parents.
We finally arrived at the host's house. Following the clues that Brother Yuan and Brother Bin had given us beforehand, the process could be completed quickly. After obtaining the necessary clues and guidance from the host, we immediately set off for the forest farm.
But Yayoi said that they should finish the vegetarian feast properly, otherwise they would ruin Old Master Li's reputation.
Since they've brought up Grandpa Li, Ayou has nothing to say.
The main point is that, after careful consideration, he realized that there was no need to rush things forward with Yayoi.
Yayoi is already a supermodel, and then there's herself. Moreover, her normal, casual style is different from the casual style of her own Xiao Yuan.
Yayoi changed into the theatrical robes in the basement. Her face was as smooth as jade, and her appearance was even more solemn, like a Buddhist disciple in person.
Lin Shuyou slung his shoulder vest over his shoulder, brandished his twin wrist guards, and began to practice his spirit writing. White crane patterns appeared, exuding both the mystery of an official general and the majesty of a true lord.
After completing the various procedures, Yayoi and Ayu even added a fight scene.
Lin Shuyou slightly activated his Ghost General mode, creating a sinister atmosphere as he battled the enlightened monk. Even the most professional local opera troupe could not replicate even a fraction of their aura.
The host and guests were truly amazed today, with many elderly people excitedly exclaiming that they had never seen such a high-quality vegetarian feast before!
Ah-you then calmed down and gradually became immersed in the cheers and applause of the crowd.
After the performance, the host not only settled the bill readily, but also gave Yayoi and Ayu an extra thick red envelope.
In addition, many elderly people came forward to ask for contact information, hoping that they could also enjoy such a dignified funeral when they pass away, giving future guests a unique funeral experience.
Yayoi hand-wrote Li Sanjiang's business cards and distributed them.
After declining the host's offer to stay overnight, the two traveled to the forest farm in a car arranged by the host.
The first thing they did upon arriving at the forest farm was not to explore it further, but to find a spot and start counting their money.
"Master, why didn't you count them first when you were in the car?"
"Driver, please watch out. This humble monk is not suited to display such a mercenary demeanor. I will inform my master when I return."
"Yes, you're very thoughtful."
“This is Master’s work, it’s the work Master took on; the rest, this humble monk and Benefactor Lin will split equally.”
"Take it all, I don't need the money."
Who in this world can be without karmic connections to the Dharma?
“Then I will lend you my Dharma connection. I know you want to contract the temple on the mountain. Consider this as my donation to the new Qinglong Temple.”
“In that case, this humble monk thanks Benefactor Lin. May I inscribe Benefactor Lin’s name on the temple’s historical record to commemorate his merit in founding the temple?”
"Go ahead and carve it if you want."
"Thank you, Benefactor Lin."
Yayoi carefully put the money away, a smile on his face. When he discovered that Xiao Yuan didn't mind him having his master's name engraved on the temple stele, and after witnessing the arrangement of the Nantong corpse-retrieval practitioners in the temple, a thought arose in Yayoi's mind:
He enshrined all the original crew members of the Nantong Corpse Retrieval Li in his new Qinglong Temple.
Ok?
At this thought, Yayoi pondered again. Logically speaking, since Grandpa Li was her master, could her name tablet be moved to Nantong Li's Corpse-Retrieving Temple first?
……
"Mengmeng, is everything packed?"
"Everything is packed up, Auntie."
"Check it again, and make sure it's tied very securely."
"Yes, I know!"
"Keep a close eye on it, lest it be stolen by a thief."
If it were stolen by a thief and opened in a residential area, causing a major impact, that would be a terrible mistake.
"No way, even if it's stolen, they won't be able to open it, hehe."
The new jar was designed by Li Zhuiyuan, sculpted by A Li, and finally pressed by Luo Xiaoyu in a furnace to ensure absolute safety.
Upon returning, Yin Meng first found her rhythm and cooked a pot of corpse-dissolving broth.
It was already a standard item in everyone's hiking backpack when we went out last time.
This time, even the teams from other regions were given gifts.
Besides the corpse-dissolving liquid, Yin Meng also brewed many pots of mysterious poisons, so mysterious that even she herself didn't know what effects they would have when combined.
She felt that her current role was very simple and clear: carrying a backpack full of jars, and she herself was the biggest ghost energy jar.
On the dam, Liu Yumei and Granny Hua sat drinking tea.
Liu Jinxia and Li Sanjiang went to a vegetarian retreat today. The three of them are good at fighting, but since they didn't get a turn, the fight wasn't very enjoyable.
Wang Lian couldn't sit still, so she downed the tea in her cup in one gulp, then grabbed a rag and went into the east room to help wipe and clean.
Liu Yumei didn't stop her. If she didn't let her do some work, she would feel embarrassed to continue winning money from her.
Granny Hua: "Is Ah Li going out?"
Liu Yumei: "Yes, my distant grandniece will come to pick her up in a little while, and the girls will go out and have some fun together."
Granny Hua: "Including Mengmeng, are there just the three of them?"
Liu Yumei: "Mm."
Granny Hua: "If it's a long trip, I'm still a little worried."
Liu Yumei: "It's alright. When I was young, I also liked to travel around and have fun."
Granny Hua: "Oh dear, back when we were young, the world was not so peaceful. Sister Liu, you really dared to do that."
Liu Yumei: "Yes, back then, I wasn't afraid at all."
Granny Hua: "Young Marquis Yuan has gone out too?"
Liu Yumei: "Yes, he's always busy."
Granny Hua: "I'm not afraid you'll laugh at me, sister, but every time I play cards here and see Xiao Yuanhou, I feel a little scared. This child is good in every way, but he's just too good, so good that it frightens me."
When Xiao Yuanhou first returned to Nantong, Granny Hua and Liu Jinxia gossiped about him in private. Liu Jinxia said that Xiao Yuanhou was just like his mother. Don't be fooled by his polite and obedient manner. People who are too clever from a young age can't keep human feelings in their hearts.
At first, Granny Hua thought Liu Jinxia was just talking nonsense, but after they started playing cards here regularly and often saw Xiao Yuanhou, she didn't know why, but the smiles and enthusiasm on the child's face gradually diminished. Occasionally, when she was off the card game and went out to get the porcelain jar, she would look up and see the child sitting alone on the terrace with a blank expression, which would frighten her so much that she would feel the urge to urinate.
Liu Yumei: "Don't even mention you, I'm afraid of him too, but then again, in this world, a person who isn't feared can't support a family well."
Granny Hua: "That makes sense. Um, I'll go get a porcelain jar."
In the living room, Ah Li put the evil book into her backpack.
Li Zhuiyuan deliberately left the evil book for A Li to use. Not everyone can be like him, completely understanding a girl's feelings. Mu Qiuying dared not speculate on her master's thoughts, and even if Mengmeng tried her best to guess, it would be the same.
The evil book was left behind so that Ah Li could communicate with the two of them.
In Ah Li's hands, the evil book changed its usual charming cover, and the cover became yellow like a Buddhist scripture, with an elderly nun solemnly chanting scriptures inside.
Mu Qiuying, carrying a guqin on her back, appeared on the path; she had come to pick someone up.
With no outsiders present on the dam, Mu Qiuying knelt down and bowed to Liu Yumei.
When she got up and Ah Li and Yin Meng came out, she prepared to bow again.
Liu Yumei said, "You and A-Li are of the same generation. Even your grandmother and I didn't have the custom of kowtowing."
Mu Qiuying obediently steadied herself. She wanted to reach out to help A Li with her backpack, but A Li shook her head and refused.
The girl practiced martial arts, so this weight was nothing to her. Only Li Zhuiyuan would carry it for her when he wanted to; no one else would.
Liu Yumei stood up and watched the three people gradually walk away.
The afternoon sun cast long shadows of the three people until they became blurred and looked completely different.
Liu Yumei seemed to see the girl walking at the front, with a sword at her waist, and a girl behind her carrying a guqin on her back.
The lantern-lighting journey across the river, which was thwarted by my own decision years ago, seems to have found a new continuation now, after weathering the storms of time.
Aunt Liu appeared beside Liu Yumei at some point, picked up a clean silk handkerchief, and gently and considerately wiped the tears from the old lady's eyes.
No one would naively believe that this is just a coincidence; often, behind every coincidence lies a carefully crafted and deliberate arrangement.
Liu Yumei:
“Our Xiao Yuan is the most humane.”
(End of this chapter)