A priest in North America, what the hell is the Demon Gate system?

It was noon.

With a loud explosion, Li Ang stood at a safe distance, watching a cloud of yellow smoke rise from the distant hillside.

After about half a minute, the smoke and dust gradually dissipated, revealing the huge gash in the mountainside.

"Great!" Wang Changming wiped the sweat from his forehead and grinned.

Simple cheers erupted at the construction site, but quickly subsided, as there was still much work to be done.

Li Ang squinted at the cave entrance; it was dark and quite deep from the blast.

"Did anyone get hurt?" Li Ang asked.

"No, the explosives were just the right amount, and the brothers all retreated quite far as you said," Wang Changming said with an embarrassed smile.

Li Ang nodded and smiled, "It's just God's blessing."

Nia stood beside Li Ang, her skirt fluttering gently in the wind.

She has returned to her usual appearance, her right eye is now covered by her bangs again, so there is nothing special about her.

Only occasionally, when she glanced at Li Ang, her eyes would dart away slightly.

Wang Bingbing, on the other hand, was very calm. Her short hair was neatly combed, and she looked radiant.

But Li Ang could feel that her gaze would fall on him from time to time.

Li Ang turned to Wang Changming and said, "Let's go into the tunnel and take a look, then we'll have to hit the road."

Wang Changming was taken aback: "So soon? Aren't you all staying a few more days?"

"There are still things to do at the church, and besides, the trouble with the railway should have been resolved by now," Li Ang said with a smile.

In fact, Li Ang could sense it, but after Lin disappeared, the entire space fragment was slowly disintegrating.

This construction site and these workers will soon be reintegrated into the tide of history.

Pete had already been led over by several workers.

"Afu, take the priest and the others into the tunnel for a look." Wang Changming patted him on the shoulder.

Pitt nodded without saying a word.

Just as everyone was about to enter the tunnel, Wang Changming suddenly pulled something out of his pocket.

"Father Li".

Li Ang turned to look at him.

Wang Changming held a jade pendant in his hand, about half the size of his palm, with a warm and lustrous color and a light blue hue. The pendant had two characters engraved on its surface: "Qingfeng" (清风, meaning "gentle breeze").

"This was given to me by a Taoist priest who passed by a few years ago. He said it would bring peace and safety." Wang Changming seemed a little embarrassed.

"I'm just a rough guy, it wouldn't be appropriate for me to wear this. You've helped the brothers so much, so I'm giving you this jade pendant in the hope that you... will be safe and sound."

Li Ang accepted the jade pendant.

It feels slightly cool to the touch and has a delicate texture.

He looked down and examined the two characters "清风" (Qingfeng, meaning "gentle breeze") closely. They were carved in a simple and elegant style, with an indescribable charm in the strokes.

[Ding! Protective magic item detected]

[Effect: Slightly increases the wearer's mental energy recovery speed, and can resist basic mental spell attacks]

[Note: This item was left behind by a rogue cultivator. Although its grade is not high, the crafting technique was highly skilled.]

"Wow, this is great stuff! By the way, why are there Taoist priests in North America?"

Li Ang gripped the jade pendant tightly and nodded to Wang Changming: "Thank you."

"Of course, of course," Wang Changming said with a simple smile.

Li Ang thought for a moment, then asked, "Foreman Wang, what are your plans for the future?"

"What other plans could I have?" Wang Changming scratched his head.

"I'll keep working. My wife just gave birth to a big, healthy baby boy, and she's waiting for me to send money home. I need to earn more so that my child can't suffer."

As he said this, a simple, fatherly smile appeared on his face.

Li Ang nodded.

Nia suddenly spoke, her voice soft: "Mr. Wang, what's the child's name?"

"Call him Youcai!" Wang Changming laughed heartily.

"Wang Youcai, I'll never get rich in this life. I'm just hoping my son can earn more money in the future and not be as useless as his father."

The moment the words left her lips, Wang Bingbing abruptly raised her head.

Wang Bingbing opened her mouth, as if she wanted to say something.

But just then, the fog in the tunnel rose up without warning.

Thick fog surged out from the depths of the tunnel like a tide, engulfing the entrance in the blink of an eye.

Li Ang sensed something was wrong and immediately shouted:

"Get into the tunnel! Quickly!"

He had no time to explain. He grabbed Nia with one hand and pulled the still-dazed Wang Bingbing with the other, rushing into the thick fog in two strides.

Pete wasn't stupid; seeing this, he followed closely behind.

Before rushing into the thick fog, Wang Bingbing looked back once.

Wang Changming was still standing at the edge of the fog, his figure already beginning to blur.

He raised his hand, as if to say something, but his voice was swallowed by the mist.

Then, everything disappeared.

Li Ang felt his feet slip and his body sway before he regained his balance.

A flashlight lay on the ground, illuminating the surrounding environment.

The dilapidated brick walls and damp moss belong to that abandoned tunnel.

They are back.

"Hmm..."

A groan came from the side.

Li Ang turned his head and saw Peter Griffin getting up from a pile of rubble.

Pete rubbed his head, his eyes scanning his surroundings blankly.

"I..." Pete began, his voice hoarse.

"I think I had a very long dream..."

Li Ang didn't speak, he just looked at him quietly.

Pete's gaze fell on Li Ang, and he suddenly lowered his head sincerely.

"I said a lot of stupid things before, I'm sorry."

Li Ang waved his hand: "The Lord always welcomes lost sheep."

Nia stood to the side, holding a crucifix in her hand, her lips moving slightly as if she were praying silently.

Wang Bingbing leaned against the tunnel wall, muttering to herself:

"Wang Youcai... is my great-grandfather's name."

Li Ang couldn't help but lean closer: "What a coincidence?"

Wang Bingbing raised her head, her eyes filled with complex emotions. "My great-grandfather came from the railway industry. Later, he saved up some money and opened a small workshop, which led to the establishment of the Wang family."

It was already past midnight when we got back to the camp.

"Father Li," she said calmly, standing at the doorway.

"Come in, let's talk about the commission fee."

Li Ang glanced at her and nodded.

The room was very simple, with a folding table, two chairs, and some blueprints and documents piled up in the corner.

Wang Bingbing took a thick envelope from her handbag and placed it on the table.

"Five thousand US dollars, this is the extra money that was promised to be donated to the parish."

Li Ang took the envelope, casually stuffed it into his suit pocket, and flashed his signature smile.

"Thank you, Ms. Wang, for your support of our cause."

Wang Bingbing didn't reply, and walked step by step toward Li Ang.

The room wasn't very big. Wang Bingbing stopped, looked up, and stared into Li Ang's eyes.

"About last night," she began, her voice gentle.

"I don't know why that happened, but..."

I have no regrets.

She took a step forward, and the two were almost touching.

Li Ang could smell a faint perfume scent on her, mixed with a hint of sweat.

"And..." Wang Bingbing's lips curled into a smile.

"It doesn't feel bad."

She suddenly tiptoed and moved closer.

The moment their lips touched, Li Ang was stunned for a moment.

But Wang Bingbing didn't go deeper; she just gave a light kiss and then withdrew.

"I still prefer to take the initiative," she said with a smile, her eyes sparkling.

Li Ang touched his lips, smiled, and said nothing.

Wang Bingbing took two steps back, regaining her capable demeanor. She picked up a card and handed it to Li Ang.

"This is the group's VIP card."

"If you ever come to Pittsburgh, you must visit the Tiangong Group."

"I will," Li Ang said with a smile.

"Oh, by the way, those socks belong to Wolford. Remember to bring me the money for the damage next time you come to Pittsburgh."

「!?」

The atmosphere was somewhat silent on the way back.

The RAV4 was driving on a country road, with some unknown country music playing on the radio.

Nia sat in the passenger seat, looking out at the cornfield.

The moonlight shone on her face, outlining her soft features.

Li Ang held the steering wheel with one hand and rested the other hand on the edge of the car window, his fingers tapping lightly to the rhythm of the music.

After about ten minutes, Nia suddenly spoke.

"Father."

"Um?"

"Thank you."

Li Ang turned to look at her: "What are you thanking me for?"

"Thank you... for not mentioning my eyes."

Upon hearing this, Li Ang couldn't help but burst out laughing: "Didn't you bring this up yourself? And may I ask? That angel seems difficult to get along with, haha."

Nia blushed upon hearing this and stammered:

"Um... I'm sorry, Father, the monastery doesn't allow me to talk about it, but she's actually quite friendly..."

Li Ang suddenly interrupted Nia: "It's alright, I should be thanking you."

"Huh?"

"If it weren't for you last night, we probably wouldn't have made it out."

Nia's face flushed slightly: "It's...it's her power, not mine..."

"But because of you, I wasn't treated as a heretic, was I?"

Li Ang laughed.

Nia pursed her lips, then suddenly her expression hardened, and she said solemnly:

"Father, I will not let anyone hurt you."

Li Ang smiled upon hearing this: "Then I'll rely on you for protection, Sister Nia."

"I feel very happy to be able to help the priest."

The two exchanged a glance and simultaneously let out a soft chuckle.

Night fell over the land, but a cheerful engine was whirring through Uldum.

Later, I heard that the railway was never haunted again.

The project is progressing smoothly, and the originally delayed schedule has actually been made up.

What's even more surprising is that the Irish foreman named Pete Griffin on the construction site seems to have become a completely different person.

He worked hard and was very polite to workers of all ethnicities, insisting on improving their meals.

He always said, "History is created by the people."

Gradually, Pete gained prestige among the workers.

As railway sections were laid, the planning for steam locomotives was put on the agenda.

The tourism transformation plan for Odum seems to have finally come to fruition.

Of course, these are all for later.