Starting with the flesh-based stimulant

Zhou He's question was essentially a psychological game.

This is a question that fits both Young Master Zhou's identity and that of a new meat customer.

More importantly, Zhou He deliberately created a situation where the peddler was in the dark, to prevent him from thinking in that direction.

After all, the fact that he had woken up and even ate the old hunchback was full of loopholes.

The peddler didn't seem to think much of it, he just smiled and said:

"Eye-opening meat? Nobody outside of your meat trade believes in that... Of course, people in the village often use it to scare children."

"Mr. Chen, you're so knowledgeable, yet you've never heard of 'eye-opening meat'?"

Zhou He didn't stop the conversation; he wasn't going to let the issue slide so easily.

The peddler frowned slightly, looking somewhat conflicted, then stuck out his tongue and licked his gum where he was missing a tooth, saying:

"When Young Master Zhou returned from Jincheng, did he hear anything?"

Zhou He neither shook his head nor nodded, but instead opened the round box and examined the incense ash inside.

Chen Erlv probably really knew something; after hesitating for a few seconds, he spoke:

"If Young Master Zhou really wants to know about this, that's fine. I'll tell you when the meat comes back."

Zhou He nodded, then asked:

"How do I use this incense ash?"

"Mix water, knead it into a dough, hold it in your mouth, and it will keep you on time."

One time zone? That's 12 hours.

The box isn't big; if I use it sparingly and only during the day, I estimate it will last for a month or two.

Zhou He didn't ask the peddler why he gave him the box of incense ash. He had some vague guesses in his mind, but it wasn't appropriate to say them at this time.

When will you need the meat from Old Master Li's house?

Zhou He was prepared to take on the business deal with the peddler.

Whether it's the reward offered or an opportunity to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the world, Zhou He doesn't want to miss it.

The peddler touched the clothes hanging on the low branches of the tree, and seeing that they were almost dry, he ripped them down.

He shoved his hairy legs into his pants and said without turning his head:

"Three days later, Boss Li hired a motorcycle driver to take us to the Jincheng Mine."

Zhou He pondered for a moment, then said ambiguously:

"The Li family has really prospered."

The peddler had his back turned, so his expression was obscured.

His subordinates continued working, putting on their undergarments and light blue short jackets.

It seemed that in his view, it was only natural for Young Master Zhou to say that, and he didn't explain what the whip tip was, saying:

"It's almost dawn. Old Han will be picking you up soon, right?"

Zhou He nodded:

"It's always been him."

The peddler looked up and saw that the rain outside the dilapidated temple was gradually stopping, and seemed a little flustered.

He picked up the brazier, puffed out his cheeks, blew it out in one breath, and put it back on the cart.

He forcefully pressed the tree down from the flowerpot and stuffed it into the cart, saying:

"I have to go now. See you at the temple in three days."

Having said that, without waiting for Zhou He's reply, he hurriedly pushed the cart and ran out in the drizzle, making a clanging sound.

Zhou He watched the other person's departing figure, and with the help of the faint light coming from outside the temple, he returned to the offering table and sat down.

It seems the peddler wasn't very keen on meeting Old Han.

But according to him, the travel permit he originally intended to obtain was actually sold to the Zhou family, so there's probably more to the story.

But at this moment, Zhou He did not intend to delve into the matter further.

So much happened that day, the information was fragmented and too complicated, he needed to take this opportunity to sort it out properly.

Zhou He had already abandoned his initial plan to escape under the cover of night.

Whether it's the peddler's few words and actions, or the old hunchback's memories.

They're all telling Zhou one thing—

This world is full of unknowns and the bizarre.

What will happen after we escape this village is completely unpredictable.

Staying means having at least one identity, allowing you to gradually become familiar with and understand the world before resolving those unresolved issues.

"Ooh ooh ooh—"

When the rooster crows, the world turns white, and the dilapidated state of the temple seems to lessen.

Zhou He got up, shook his head, and swayed his body to relieve some of the soreness. He then looked up at the statue again.

The statue is grayish-white, as if all the colors have been washed away by the passage of time.

The face remained hidden in the dust, impossible to see no matter what.

Zhou He picked up the oil lamp from the ground and hid it under the offering table in the hole that the rats had gnawed open.

He then gathered up the iron box left by the old hunchback, along with other items, and placed the knife at the bottom of the box, tucking it into the lining of his tattered clothes.

After thinking for a moment, he took out the box the peddler had given him, scooped out some incense ash, frowned, wet it with rainwater, put it in his mouth, and pressed it under the back of his tongue.

I walked to the entrance of the dilapidated temple and gazed into the distance.

The dilapidated temple sits in a mountain gully, with towering loess cliffs on both sides, crisscrossed by gullies carved out by rainwater.

On the edge of the distant cliff, a few old, crooked elm trees stand motionless.

Looking further into the distance, one sees rows of barren loess hills, with only some weeds clinging to the turf, their green hues faintly visible.

Standing here, Zhou He felt that the world seemed exceptionally large, like a giant, yellowish-brown net, and he was a tiny fish struggling through the mesh.

In the distance, along the winding path, a small dark figure was driving an oxcart.

......

"Old Han, do you think there's any real flesh with open eyes in this world?"

A young man with pockmarked face sat beside an oxcart, cracking his whip idly, showing signs of early morning drowsiness.

On the other side of the oxcart, Old Han, wearing stone glasses, remained silent, his eyes deep and unfocused, lost in thought.

"Hey, young master, why are you still standing at the temple gate?"

The young man seemed a bit strange:

"What clothes is he wearing? Doesn't he usually sit naked in the temple waiting for us to pick him up?"

"Don't ask or inquire too much about the master's affairs."

Old Han spoke with a heavy accent, his hands tucked into his sleeves, as if he were subconsciously calculating something.

The road wasn't long; in just a few words, the car stopped in front of Zhou He.

"Young Master, let's go home first."

Zhou He didn't speak, but just nodded, walked to the back of the cart, sat on a cushion covered with dry grass and a burlap sack, and closed his eyes.

Old Han frowned after confirming that Zhou He was seated properly.

He tucked the bundle slung over his back; it contained clothes prepared for the young master.

But he didn't say much, he just waved his hand, signaling the young man to get on the carriage.

With morning dew clinging to its nose, the ox puffed out a puff of white steam, turned around, and began to pull the cart with a series of grunts.

"Young master, the master sent a letter yesterday saying he'll be returning to the village next month."

Old Han lowered his voice and turned around respectfully.

Zhou He nodded noncommittally; he was unaware of Young Master Zhou's personality and speaking habits.

Old Han in front of him was different from the peddler; he should be more familiar with Young Master Zhou.

It's too risky to speak carelessly; it's better to pretend to be sleepy.

Old Han didn't seem to care, but he lowered his voice and said:

"In his letter, the master also asked whether the young master's 'Qiu Shen' business had gone out."

"Would you like to send a reply after you get back?"