Corpse Retriever.

Chapter 477

Yayoi looked at her uncle lying all over the ground.

The monk remained completely unmoved.

He didn't feel like he was making a choice. When Lin Shuyou and Runsheng stood on the rooftops, and the boy appeared so close to him, the monk knew that he had no other choice.

In the previous encounter, both sides had gained some understanding of each other. The monk knew that the boy would never put himself in danger. If he found out that the boy had done so, it would mean that he had become harmless to the boy.

Yayoi turned around and looked at the river behind her.

Without further hesitation, he stepped onto the dock.

Although they did not come by boat, they landed on this shore.

Li Zhuiyuan: "I didn't know you would be here."

Yayoi: "Senior, this humble monk has nothing to do with this matter."

Li Zhuiyuan: "I believe it."

Yayoi: "Thank you for your trust, senior."

Li Zhuiyuan: "It's a pity you're not Ling Wuxing or Tao Zhuming."

Yayoi smiled.

Ling Wuxing and Tao Zhuming could persuade the family to stop this treacherous action, but Yayoi could not.

Li Zhuiyuan: "Is gaining the temple's recognition really that important to you?"

Yayoi: "Isn't this how all people are? Even your words and actions on the river, senior, weren't they also hoping to gain the approval of the ancestors of the two Dragon Kings?"

This time, it was Li Zhuiyuan's turn to smile.

“Gulp…Gulp…Gulp…”

Bubbles appeared on the river behind them, and Yin Meng's figure emerged.

Yayoi: "Your predecessor has accumulated profound merits."

While the merits of walking the river are abundant, they are also limited. Those who walk the river alone face great risks, while those who can enjoy all the merits alone will reap the greatest benefits.

While forming a team to worship the Dragon King and travel the river is a more reliable approach, it often results in more mediocre performance, as there is a shortage of qualified candidates.

Therefore, the Jiang team either takes a relatively streamlined approach or consists of a single person who provides guidance and a few accessories.

On Li Zhuiyuan's side, not only were there many people who worshipped him, but each and every one of them had improved their strength significantly.

Yayoi could only conclude that Li Zhuiyuan's high completion rate in each wave resulted in a large amount of merit, enough to afford such luxury.

Li Zhuiyuan: "Want to eat hot pot?"

Yayoi: "A hot pot with two broths is fine."

Li Zhuiyuan: "You also ate venison in Lujiazhuang."

Yayoi: "Extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures."

Li Zhuiyuan: "Here, unless you are friends with a very close relationship, no one is willing to compromise and eat hot pot with you."

Yayoi clasped her hands together and said, "Thank you for your kindness, senior."

The fog dissipated.

Master Yang led his apprentice over, pushing a cart loaded with a pot base, a charcoal stove, and a variety of ingredients.

These were all bought in advance at the hot pot restaurant during the day, and each basket of ingredients was kept fresh with ice underneath.

After being trapped in the coffin shop in the thick fog for so many days, my memories were all blurry after I was freed, as if I had been through a long nightmare.

However, the apprentice had genuinely forgotten, while Master Yang forced himself not to try to recall.

If he had truly forgotten everything, Master Yang wouldn't have been so eager to take on the job of delivering hot pots.

Runsheng tapped the wall with a Yellow River shovel and found that it was clearly hollowed out by worms. Rather than waiting for it to suddenly collapse and create a hole in a few days, he decided to deal with it in advance.

Yin Meng squatted down beside him, helping to pass bricks and accompanying Runsheng as he built the wall.

Yin Meng: "When did your skills become so good?"

Runsheng: "I also built the house in my family."

Both of them remained silent for a moment.

Then, they said in unison:

"sorry."

Both sides understood what the other meant.

Yin Meng apologized for taking things from Run Sheng and giving them to him to eat, while Run Sheng apologized for becoming dead.

Both sides had been looking forward to the meeting, but they did not expect such a thing to happen so soon after the meeting, and both felt that they had caused each other regret.

Yin Meng curled her lips and said, "Actually, there's not much difference between when you became dead and now; you're still working very diligently."

Upon hearing this, Runsheng scratched his head.

This sounds like your partner telling you: "There's no difference between you being alive and dead."

Yin Meng placed the last stack of bricks in front of Runsheng, stood up, and walked towards the coffins.

This coffin is really beautifully made.

The materials are ordinary, yet the texture is exceptionally exquisite and substantial.

After all, it was done by Da Si Dao himself, which is equivalent to turning off the lights.

People buried in this kind of coffin don't need to worry about their corpses turning into zombies, because the difference in their levels is so great that it actually creates a situation where poison suppresses poison.

Yin Meng patted them and said with a smile, "I bet this will sell very well. It will definitely be the dream coffin for old men and women."

Runsheng: "Sold out. I'll make more next time you come."

Yin Meng nodded.

The hot pot was placed next to the well in the backyard of the coffin shop. Yang Banxian added a partition to the pot, poured in water, and added some scallions, ginger, and mushrooms.

After putting down the bronze mirror, Li Zhuiyuan picked up the golden statue of the Bodhisattva and continued to play with it.

It's all good stuff.

The boy was already anticipating the effects of placing them in his dojo.

Li Zhuiyuan: "Eat your food, don't be shy."

Yayoi: "Okay."

The monk started rinsing the vegetables.

He was somewhat puzzled. He had originally thought that the boy's actions were to seek revenge against the Qinglong Temple.

Judging from his demeanor, the boy clearly adores these two treasures.

You must know that in terms of background and resources, there are very few people in the entire martial arts world who can compare to the man in front of you. He owns two Dragon King sects.

This strong sense of incongruity is like seeing a millionaire today keen on highway robbery.

The monk Yayoi did not know why the boy was deliberately putting on such a show in front of him, nor did he dare to ask.

Li Zhuiyuan put down the golden statue, picked up the soy milk next to him, took a sip, and asked:

Have you thought it through?

"Senior, this humble monk has already reached the shore."

"What I want is not something I'm forced to do by circumstances."

"Although I had no choice tonight, I was not forced to do so. I have realized that some things cannot be changed and some forces cannot be stopped."

"I want to see the results."

"This humble monk will let you see it, senior."

"Have a meal."

Yayoi lowered her head and continued cooking the vegetables.

Master Yang's apprentice brought over a bowl of rice.

Yayoi looked up at him.

Li Zhuiyuan: "You've got your eye on him?"

Yayoi: "Great dullness, great affinity with Buddha, there must be Dharma protectors by his side."

As he said this, Master Yang came in to add charcoal.

Li Zhuiyuan: "It's readily available, we can pick it up."

Yayoi: "The temple is not clean. We'll pick it up after it's cleaned up."

Li Zhuiyuan: "Aren't you afraid of losing it? You can register it under your name first."

Yayoi: "Please, senior, act as a go-between."

Li Zhuiyuan said to Yang Banxian, "If this master wants to take your apprentice away in the future, are you willing?"

Yang Banxian looked the monk Miyo up and down. The monk was wearing a white robe. Although he was not the kind of monk who was adorned with jewels, he had a natural, refined appearance. He had the face of a high-ranking monk. Goodness, he was even more handsome than the Tang Monk on TV.

His apprentices, following him, will never lack food or drink in the future.

Master Yang knew he was getting old. With his limited skills, he could live a carefree life without much trouble, but once he was gone, his clumsy apprentice would starve to death.

In his line of work, it is taboo to amass wealth excessively, so he cannot provide much for his apprentices.

"Sure, I'd love to, of course I'd love to, haha."

The apprentice panicked: "Master, don't you want me anymore?"

The monk Yayoi looked at his young disciple and said, "From today onwards, your Dharma name is Mikwang."

Disciple: "Master, you really don't treat me like an outsider. I will never leave my master. Besides, I'm not a monk. I'm a fake monk."

Yayoi: "You should call me senior brother."

Apprentice: "Hey, are you even listening to me?"

While apologizing, Master Yang pulled his apprentice away.

Li Zhuiyuan: "Who is your master?"

Yayoi just now was clearly accepting disciples on behalf of her master.

After some thought, the monk answered frankly:
"My master—the Demon-Suppressing Tower."

The charcoal fire is warm, and the aroma of the cooking pot rises.

The monk finished eating.

Li Zhuiyuan didn't touch his chopsticks at all.

He tactfully put down his chopsticks: "Senior, I've finished eating. It's still dark, and I'd like to go to a higher place to pay homage to the Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva Temple."

"Please."

The monk Yayoi bowed, rose from his seat, and walked out of the coffin shop.

Li Zhuiyuan ladled out the clear broth, removed the partition, and added some chili oil, chili peppers, and Sichuan peppercorns. He then called to the others:

"Come on, let's eat hot pot."

At dawn, Ghost Street was still asleep, but in the temple at the top, the statues of gods and ghosts, with their drooping eyes, seemed to be just waking up.

The monk Yayoi walked uphill and arrived at the temple of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva. He stepped over the threshold, went inside, and knelt on the prayer mat.

There are tables selling souvenirs and fortune-telling by throwing lots on both sides of the temple entrance, but the staff have not yet started work.

In Yayoi's mind, the boy's words on the dock came to mind: Why are you so obsessed with being recognized by the temple?

This temple is not even recognized by the Bodhisattva.

And whom does this Bodhisattva approve of?
The monk didn't kneel there for long. He quickly stood up and turned to walk to the entrance of the hall. A faint ray of Buddhist light shone from the eyes of the Bodhisattva statue inside the hall.

The Bodhisattva manifested.

This is absolutely a great joy and fortune for Buddhists.

Yayoi stopped and turned back to show half of her face.

His face was covered with dark lines, and his eyes were deep and mysterious.

The halo around the Bodhisattva statue faded.

Yayoi smiled.

He hated that the young man who, in front of the Lu Family Manor, destroyed his Buddhist heart and planted the seeds of evil.

Yet he was also grateful to the young man for helping him break free of his old shackles, allowing him to finally know who he truly was.

Praying to Buddha is not as good as becoming a Buddha yourself.

This should have been a dead end, because he alone could not shake the Qinglong Temple.

But because of that boy's existence, the Azure Dragon Calamity was bound to happen, and he was able to take advantage of this opportunity to rise up. He was being used, but he was also being made successful.

The path beneath the feet of the monk Yayoi became firm.

When I left the scenic area, the early-rising stalls were already bustling with activity.

After settling his apprentice's stall, Master Yang went to the other end of Ghost Street to set up his own fortune-telling stall.

The young apprentice sat there, his eyes constantly darting around as if he had fleas on him, looking very uncomfortable.

Upon seeing the monk Yayoi, the young disciple glared at him irritably.

Yayoi walked to the stall, sat down, closed her eyes, and began chanting sutras.

As the sun rose higher and the streets became more lively, the young apprentice's eyes widened. He saw that tourists, without needing to shout, would walk up to the stall, bow to Yayoi, and then put money into his alms bowl.

Yayoi sat there from dawn till dusk.

During this time, he neither got up nor opened his eyes.

The young apprentice was extremely surprised. This monk not only made a lot of money, but he also didn't eat, drink, or relieve himself.

After closing his stall, Master Yang carried his divination banner to his apprentice's stall.

"Is it... full?"

The apprentice shook his head and pulled out a bulging black plastic bag: "It's been filled three times, Master, here you go."

Instead of immediately taking the money, Yang Bansian whispered to Yayoi:
"Young master, how shall we split the profits?"

Yayoi opened her eyes: "Take care of him for a while longer. It won't be long. Once the temple is empty, I'll take him to live there."

Yang Bansian: "Is the temple spacious? Uh, I mean, can I get a ride?"

Yayoi: "Yes."

Yang Banxian: "Is the area around that temple lively? Is it close to the town? I like lively places and I also like cleanliness. My hair gets oily easily, so I like to wash it."

Yayoi: "Yes."

Yang Banxian: "Ha, that's simply a paradise."

Yayoi stood up, picked up her staff, and walked out of the stall.

Master Yang said, "Little master, you'd better keep your word. We'll be waiting for you right here."

Yayoi nodded as she walked away.

Walking down Ghost Street, we passed that coffin shop again.

He saw workers installing telephones at the entrance of the coffin shop.

Inside the shop, Runsheng was making coffins. Yinmeng stood next to Runsheng, holding snacks in her hand. She ate some herself and fed Runsheng, and every now and then she would secretly offer Runsheng a "cigar" to smoke.

Today marks the official opening of the shop, and all the finished coffins have been sold out.

Good things that are clearly visible to the naked eye are indeed easy to sell. Some tourists from other places even pay high shipping fees to have the coffin transported to their hometowns after paying the money.

There are still several orders placed, and Runsheng has to work day and night to finish them before returning to Nantong.

Yin Meng: "As long as you make a batch of coffins every time you come, the cost of round-trip airfare will be a small part of the income."

Runsheng: "Hmm."

Yin Meng turned around and saw the monk Yayoi standing at the door. She said, "Brother Xiao Yuan said that if you've thought it through, you can leave on your own."

The Yayoi monk returned the gift.

After leaving the ghost town, Yayoi stayed overnight in a dilapidated temple in the mountains.

He sat in front of the collapsed Buddha statue, eating dry food in small bites.

On both sides sat a group of monks, all with their heads drooping.

If you were to remove their robes, you could see the dents in their chests caused by the blows from their monks' staffs.

The people who came to welcome the Bodhisattva went missing. The temple realized something was wrong and sent another team to investigate. However, this time the temple was much smarter and the people they sent were all of average skill.

Yayoi killed them all, taking concrete action to help the temple become wiser.

"Boom!"

Outside, it's thundering and raining.

In the flashes of lightning, inside the dilapidated temple, Yayoi sometimes ate her dry rations with quiet gentleness, and other times, her face covered in blood, gnawed on her heart and liver. ...

Ghost town dock.

The group stood there, waiting to board the ship.

Runsheng was asked to go and say goodbye to Yinmeng.

Then, Runsheng and Yinmeng stood at the corner of the dock. Runsheng didn't know what to say, so he just stood there without saying a word. Yinmeng didn't know how to behave, so she kept kicking pebbles into the river with her head down.

The two of them seemed to be performing a farewell for everyone.

However, although the two are not good at expressing themselves or with rituals, the sense of certainty about their relationship is still very obvious.

This feeling is not unusual at all; in fact, it is quite common.

After all, in this world, very few people can appear optimistic and cheerful in front of others; most people remain reserved and shy, even at their own weddings.

Lin Shuyou: "Hehe, they look so shy."

Tan Wenbin: "No, how could you laugh at someone like that?"

Lin Shuyou: "What's wrong with me...?"

Tan Wenbin: "How many people in this world can save someone, and then save Brother Ren, and still go on blind dates?"

If outsiders find out, they'll probably think Chen Lin is ungrateful.

Lin Shuyou: "Brother Bin, weren't we talking about Runsheng and Mengmeng? How did it get back to me?"

Tan Wenbin: "They are quite good, at least much better than Uncle Qin and Aunt Liu."

Lin Shuyou: "Huh? Aren't Uncle Qin and Aunt Liu a married couple?"

Tan Wenbin sighed and reached out to pat Ayou's head.

The ship has arrived.

Yin Meng remained on the dock, waving to everyone.

After the boat disappeared on the river, Yin Meng turned around and walked back to the coffin shop.

Many neighbors whispered among themselves after witnessing this scene, lamenting that they didn't know how to cherish what they had before, and now they can't even keep honest people.

"Hey, Mengmeng."

The owner of the pottery figurine shop across from her own shop called out to Yin Meng, and Yin Meng went over.

“This was ordered by your friend. He paid for it, but he didn’t come to pick it up when he left.”

"Please leave it at my shop for now."

"Yes, that's what I mean."

Yin Meng took a clay Bodhisattva figurine, carried it back to the coffin shop, and placed it next to the clay figurine of the armored man. The two figurines faced the shop door, one slowly turning its head and the other slowly waving its hand.

A new mailbox has been nailed to the door of the coffin shop; anyone who wants a coffin can order one from here.

That night, after closing the shop door, Yin Meng stood inside and took out the Ghost Gate Token.

Having returned to the underworld, she sat in the highest hall and opened a book.

She thought that after the meeting, she could settle down and focus on her studies.

She realized she was overthinking things; she was already looking forward to meeting him after the next wave.

Yin Meng tossed the book aside, spread out the paper, picked up a brush, and began to draw.

Here, she developed many pastimes besides reading, but they were limited to pastimes, because even when she was using a brush, she still habitually drew circles and lines when drawing people.

She not only drew her own family, but also everyone else. She drew at an astonishing speed, and even included everyone's future children.

The entire painting depicts a pair of adults and children holding hands.

Looking at her work, Yin Meng put down her brush and vigorously rubbed her hair:

"What should we do? I don't like reading, and neither does Runsheng. What will happen to our future children's grades...?"

I looked up and glanced at the statue of the Fengdu Emperor in front of me.

She suddenly understood how the emperor felt about his worthless descendants.

"Do do do. Do do do!"

The two lazy dogs started colliding violently in circles again.

It's as if an invisible giant hand is playing with them like walnuts.

Yin Meng also told Xiao Yuan about this. Xiao Yuan said that every time there was such a commotion, it meant that Zhao Yi was starting to mess with the Emperor.

Yin Meng was somewhat worried for Zhao Yi. The Emperor was currently unable to take action against outsiders, but that did not mean that the Emperor would never be able to take action against outsiders.

Looking at the two lazy dogs that were colliding and sparks flying, Yin Meng couldn't imagine how the Emperor would treat Zhao Yi of Jiujiang after he recovered.

She decided to go outside for some fresh air, so she got up and left the main hall.

The painting on the table was blown away by the wind and landed below the statue of the god. After a while, it was blown back to its original position by the wind.

Yin Meng followed the steps that extended downwards from the highest level of the Underworld. After walking for a while, she could look down at the entire Shaojun Mansion from above.

The mansion is undergoing major construction, with a group of Zhao clan ghost officials personally building a new tower.

However, in one of the corners, a small, inconspicuous building is being constructed.

The aura of the array emanated from that small building. Even if Yin Meng had never eaten pork, she had seen pigs run before, and she could recognize that the building was equipped with a communication array.

In Fengdu, for those who have not yet reached a certain official rank, to secretly collude with outsiders is a grave crime that will result in their soul being scattered.

These ghost officials of the Zhao clan knew this strict law, but they still did it anyway. In any case, no ghost in the entire underworld dared to investigate Shaojun's residence, and even the Yama Kings had to turn a blind eye to the situation here.

This communication array is definitely not for contacting Brother Xiaoyuan. Firstly, Brother Xiaoyuan doesn't need to have direct contact with them; it's more convenient for him to inform me and have me relay the message. Secondly, Brother Xiaoyuan is deliberately avoiding getting too close to these Zhao clan ghost officials.

……

Zhao Yi sat in the formation, eyes closed, holding a brush and ink, writing on the paper.

The life-or-death gate on his chest rotated at high speed during this period.

After he finished writing, the formation stopped, and Zhao Yi opened his eyes and let out a long sigh of relief.

I'm so tired.

"A-Jing, give me the pills."

Chen Jing quickly handed over the pills and gave them to Yi Ge.

"Brother Yi, is it that difficult? Why did it seem so easy for Brother Runsheng when he burned paper money?"

"What channels did he use, and what channels did I use? How can we compare them?"

"Oh, I see."

Zhao Yi took down the paper he had just finished writing on, blew on it, checked it, and then handed it to Chen Jing:
"Later, give this paper to the monk from Qinglong Temple outside and tell him that this is the current layout of the underworld, and let them see it carefully."

Although there is currently a three-way balance of power in the underworld, the relationship is very fragile. The Bodhisattva is genuinely willing to dismantle part of his Dharma body and give it to Qinglong Temple, but once the Bodhisattva's Dharma body is handed over from the underworld, it will inevitably cause a chain reaction. The Great Emperor and the other one will certainly not want to see such a scene and will definitely take action to stop and suppress it.

Sending only a small group of people to secretly pick them up won't succeed; send as many as you can.

At the very least, we need to deploy some real resources to have a chance of withstanding the pressure from both sides and successfully bringing the Bodhisattva's Dharma body back.

"Okay, Brother Yi. But... Brother Yi, didn't you say you didn't want your ancestors to live a good life in the afterlife? Why are you contacting them?"

"I need to prove that I, Zhao Yi, have connections down there."

"But if that's the case..."

Zhao Yi picked up his pipe, took a puff, exhaled a smoke ring, and laughed:
"Alas, my ancestors were truly remarkable. If only they had used their skills in managing and striving for success in their lifetimes instead of pursuing immortality by insulting their ancestors, how wonderful that would have been."
I can't even imagine how far my Jiujiang Zhao family will develop.

But if they continue to be so well-behaved and sensible, it will make things very difficult for the person surnamed Li to deal with them in the future.

So, I have to help my ancestors prepare irrefutable evidence of their treachery in advance!

Chen Jing: "I really don't understand. It was clearly you, Brother Yi, who sent them to hell, but now they are actually willing to secretly help you behind Brother Yuan's back."

Zhao Yi: "Because they thought that I would also go to hell after I died, and they believed that we had a common interest because of this, Ah Jing..."

Chen Jing: "Hey, Yi-ge."

Zhao Yi: "You're young, you'll definitely die after me. Remember, when your brother Yi dies, you absolutely must attend my funeral."

Chen Jing: "That's for sure."

Zhao Yi: "Once the funeral is over, you should chew me up, body and soul, and swallow me whole, to make sure I die cleanly."

Chen Jing: "Brother Yi, I..."

Zhao Yi: "Promise me."

Chen Jing: "No need, Brother Yi."

Zhao Yi: "You brat, what's there to be embarrassed about or taboo between us? Besides, I'm the one who asked you to do this, so what's your qualms about it?"

Chen Jing: "Brother Yi, Brother Yuan isn't much older than me, so you'll definitely die before Brother Yuan."

"Brother Yuan will definitely come to your funeral. With Brother Yuan here, Brother Yi, you'll be able to die a truly glorious death."

Zhao Yi: "Hehe."

……

Nantong.

Xingdong Airport.

A tractor was parked in the parking lot in front of the terminal building.

It's obviously newly erected; the banners and ribbons are still up.

Uncle Qin and Aunt Liu sat in the car. Uncle Qin was looking down, cleaning the calluses on his hands, while Aunt Liu leaned against the other side, cracking sunflower seeds.

Although the two were traveling together, there was enough space between them for a small black car to sit.

The tractor was bought by Li Sanjiang. He didn't have enough money, so he mortgaged his house and borrowed some from the bank.

Li Sanjiang disliked borrowing money to buy things and was even more averse to the feeling of being in debt, but he had no choice because the brick kilns in the town were doing too well and lacked transportation capacity.

Once you buy a tractor, your mule can relax by carrying bricks at the brick kiln in addition to farming.

Uncle Qin: "They're out."

Aunt Liu put away the melon seeds, got out of the car with Uncle Qin, and stood side by side.

Li Zhuiyuan led A Li out, followed by Tan Wenbin, Runsheng, and Lin Shuyou.

Qin Li opened the air valve, and the surrounding sand and dust blew up, forming an area that blocked the view.

The next moment, Qin Li and Liu Ting knelt down on one knee.

Li Zhuiyuan walked up to the two of them, neither trying to stop them nor helping them up, but instead said:
"It's just this once, it won't happen again."

"Yes, master."

"Yes, master."

Uncle Qin and Aunt Liu stood up, their faces beaming with smiles.

Li Zhuiyuan: "Did Grandpa just buy this?"

Aunt Liu: "Yes, Uncle Sanjiang told us to lie to you and say that we bought it with cash."

I got on the tractor and headed home.

As you enter the village entrance of Siyuan Village, there is a figure bowing in worship under the pavilion; it is the ghost messenger Zhang Li.

Because of the existence of Peach Forest, it was not easy for him to enter Nantong. After all, he only had Li Zhuiyuan's oral order and no other proof. He didn't even know who to contact if he possessed a living person.

Finally, they encountered a large white rat catching fish on the banks of the Yangtze River. With the rat's guidance, they were able to enter and arrive at this place.

Tan Wenbin took out a contact book and laughed, "That's great! From now on, we won't have to go out and wait for guests. There are ghosts to guide them."

"Little Yuan, which one should we contact first?"

"Feng Xionglin, Luo Xiaoyu, Mu Qiuying."

The talisman armor was damaged after its last use, and it is urgently needed that Feng Xionglin's ancestors make a new carrier.

Luo Xiaoyu has a lot of work to do, so come early and get to work sooner.

As for Mu Qiuying, since he had met her on the river, it wouldn't be appropriate to prevent her from coming to the house to pay her respects to the old lady sooner.

Tan Wenbin: "Okay, Brother Xiaoyuan, I'll go and inform them."

As the tractor drove along the village road, Li Zhuiyuan looked up and saw Pan Zi taking a walk alone on the ridge of a distant field.

Aunt Liu: "Panzi's wedding is the day after tomorrow."

Getting married and starting a family is a major life event, and it's inevitable that the people involved will feel uneasy. But walking along the ridges of the fields in their hometown and thinking about how they used to run around here when they were young can bring them inner peace.

The tractor didn't drive directly onto the dam; instead, it stopped beforehand.

Li Zhuiyuan and A Li got off the car first, while Liu Yumei stood on the dam.

Seeing the two children return, Liu Yumei hesitated, then finally glared at Uncle Qin who was following behind:
"It's all this blockhead's fault. He's ruined the family traditions. I've almost forgotten how we used to welcome our sons and daughters back home."

Uncle Qin smiled and nodded; he was used to it.

Moreover, the fact that the old lady could bring up that incident from back then shows that she has let it go in her heart. Because she has succeeded now, she can calmly face the failures of the past.

Li Sanjiang was at Li Weihan's house helping with the wedding preparations and was not home.

Li Zhuiyuan led everyone to the east room, where, under the guidance of the young man, they offered incense to the ancestral tablets of the Dragon Kings.

After offering incense, Ah Li selected a few memorial tablets, took them down, and went to the second-floor room to carve wood into flower-shaped rolls to replenish everyone's supplies.

Li Zhuiyuan and Liu Yumei sat down at the tea table on the dam and started talking.

Liu Yumei: "Everything has been kept simple."

Li Zhuiyuan: "It's fine. Too many formalities between family members would make them seem distant."

Liu Yumei began to tell Li Zhuiyuan about Wangjiang Tower.

Li Zhuiyuan listened with a smile on his face, occasionally interrupting to ask about specific people and details.

The old lady knew the child was deliberately trying to make her happier, but she still couldn't resist becoming even happier.

When the old lady was so hoarse from talking that she started drinking tea, Li Zhuiyuan told her about his plans for revenge.

As Liu Yumei listened to the boy repeatedly saying "take it slow" and "consider it carefully," she couldn't help but wonder if she was hallucinating.

Does the current pace and intensity match those few words?

However, the old lady also chimed in, "For such important matters, we should naturally listen to the head of the family."

Li Zhuiyuan informed Liu Yumei about the three people who would be visiting next. According to etiquette, they would all have to come and pay their respects to the old lady upon their arrival.

Liu Yumei: "I remember that Mu Qiuying's grandmother was my bodyguard when I was young. Later, when she saw that I was determined not to cross the river with a lamp, she left the Liu family and returned to Mu Family Village."

Ultimately, it was I who held her back.

After a pause, Liu Yumei continued, "The Mu family members have all lit lamps without permission, which means they should be considered to have separated and lived separately. However, this is not her fault. I isolated them from the outside world, so even if she wanted to come and ask me according to the old custom, she wouldn't be able to find me."

"If you want to rebuild your family's power, you should bring back these loyal retainers from Qin Liu's past. Use familiar faces, not unfamiliar ones. As long as our family can stand up again and not fall, we don't need to worry about their loyalty."

Li Zhuiyuan: "That's what I think too, Grandma."

Liu Yumei: "There's something I need to tell you. When Chen's daughter sees you later, she'll tell you right away. Chen Pingdao asked her to invite you to Qiongya as a guest."

Li Zhuiyuan picked up his teacup and took a sip of water.

Liu Yumei: "A wise man does not stand under a dangerous wall. I suggest that you do not go before you are fully prepared."

Li Zhuiyuan: "Grandma, what do you think was Chen Pingdao's purpose in inviting me?"

Liu Yumei: "He wanted to die in his hometown."

Li Zhuiyuan: "Yes, I trust the Chen family's family traditions."

Besides, if I go to Qiongya, Chen Xiyuan will definitely come back with me. Even if the Chen family is crazy, they wouldn't bury Chen Xiyuan and me together.

Liu Yumei: "Let Ali and Ating go with you."

Li Zhuiyuan: "Aunt Liu and Uncle Qin are not home, who will take care of you?"

Liu Yumei: "That is indeed a problem. How about I go with you, Grandma?"

Li Zhuiyuan: "It seems we have to listen to the head of the family in matters like this."

Liu Yumei sighed, "Alright, alright, you make the decision, Patriarch."

Li Zhuiyuan: "Aunt Liu, Uncle Qin, and Grandma, you should stay at home; I'll take Runsheng and the others to Qiongya."

Liu Yumei wanted to say something more, but she held back in the end. As an elder, she could only offer advice and could not forcibly interfere with the head of the family's decisions.

At this moment, Li Zhuiyuan took two antique-style keys out of his bag and placed them on the coffee table.

These are the keys to the ancestral homes of the Qin and Liu families. Each key contains a wealth of information, and the number of doors it can open depends on the holder's mastery of the special techniques.

Li Zhuiyuan smiled at Liu Yumei and said:

"After all, we are family friends. If we visit empty-handed, people will say we don't know manners. Even Grandma might be misunderstood as having failed to properly educate her juniors."

Okay then.
I brought evil spirits from my ancestral home to my door.

(End of this chapter)