Reborn in the 1980s: Nine Stunning Beauties Get Pregnant Before Marriage

He Jun, who had been searching around, stood in front of a tree that was about 20 or 30 centimeters thick. He looked up at the straight trunk and said, "Everyone, come and take a look. We'll cut this one down. Does anyone have any objections?"

Hearing the sound, Chen Yongqiang walked towards it. He had only taken two steps when a vast and boundless thought resounded in his mind:

Protect our mountains and forests, safeguard our land's veins. This red pine has been nourished by the mountain's energy for over sixty years, its spiritual essence beginning to emerge. Wherever its roots reach, it stabilizes the local soil and water. To sever its life force would not only damage the land's spiritual beauty and violate taboos, but might also bring misfortune.

It's a notification from the Mountain God Protection System!

Chen Yongqiang quickened his pace. When he got closer and could see the tree clearly, it was indeed a tall and straight red pine.

The bark is reddish-brown with a texture like dragon scales, giving it a unique air that sets it apart from the surrounding trees.

Standing under the tree, even the air seemed a bit fresher.

"Wait!" Chen Yongqiang called out to stop him.

He Jun, sleeves rolled up and ready to act, turned around impatiently upon hearing this: "Chen Yongqiang, what are you saying now? This tree isn't yours again, is it?"

Several villagers also gathered around, some with expressions of anticipation for a good show.

Chen Yongqiang walked to the tree and said calmly, "This tree must not be cut down."

"Why can't we cut it? Give me a straight answer!" He Jun snapped.

Chen Yongqiang pointed to the bark of the red pine tree: "I've heard the older generation say that trees in the mountains that live for more than 60 years have a spirit, and are one of the guardians of this mountain."

"We live off the mountains, so we must respect their rules. Cutting down old trees like these is taboo."

He Jun, however, wasn't buying it: "Stop trying to scare me with these old almanacs! What era are we in? Still talking about mountain gods and earth spirits? Cutting down a tree can disturb the mountain god? That mountain god must be too idle! I think you're just deliberately picking a fight!"

Chen Yongqiang snorted coldly: "You said cutting down that other tree would ruin your family's feng shui. If you cut down this one, you'll disturb the mountain gods and the earth spirits, ruining the feng shui of the whole village. Can you bear the responsibility?"

Yang Dahai walked over. He was more knowledgeable than He Jun and looked at the red pine tree.

I was a little apprehensive, as the older generation had indeed passed down many rules and customs from the mountains.

"He Jun, what Yongqiang said isn't entirely unreasonable. Old trees have a spirit; it's an old saying."

"We're cutting down trees to facilitate electricity supply, which is a good thing. But if we break any taboos, then it's not worth it. The forest is so big, why bother moving this old tree?"

"Village chief, this tree is the straightest and most suitable! If we don't cut it down, we'll have to go through the trouble of finding another one!" He Jun pointed at Chen Yongqiang.

"He's such a troublemaker! He delayed the power supply, and everyone's working in the dark at night. Who's responsible then?"

Chen Yongqiang used a feigned retreat to advance, throwing the axe onto the snow: "Fine, He Jun, if you want to chop, then go ahead and chop. I'm not chopping."

Upon hearing this, even some of the young people who had initially thought it was insignificant became serious. Mountain people aren't afraid of physical labor; they're just afraid of incurring bad luck.

He Jun was also a little guilty. He picked up his axe and grumbled as he walked deeper into the woods: "Fine, you guys have too many rules! Let's see what kind of thing we can find!"

Yang Dahai stepped forward again to take charge: "Everyone, spread out and search again. Avoid those trees that look old for now."

The villagers dispersed as instructed, and this time they were indeed careful during the search, avoiding trees that were obviously very old.

The system notification sounded in Chen Yongqiang's mind again:

[Successfully prevented villagers from cutting down the rare red pine, gaining 10 points of Blessing]

A little while later, a shout came from the other end of the woods: "Over here! There's a larch tree!"

The crowd gathered around, and the tree, being of just the right thickness, was perfect material for making utility poles.

This time there were no objections. Yang Dahai gave the order, and the sound of sawing trees echoed through the forest.

When it came time to actually cut down the trees, He Jun did nothing but stand by with his arms crossed, watching coldly with a twig dangling from his mouth.

Chen Yongqiang ignored him and worked with another villager named Laoshi to push and pull, sawing the selected pine tree.

Yang Dahai directed those around him: "Everyone else, stand back a bit. Be alert when the tree falls, and don't get hit by any branches!"

Upon hearing this, several villagers stepped back and found a relatively safe place to stand. He Jun snorted and then slowly and reluctantly moved a few steps to the side.

A dozen minutes later, the tree trunk was cut off, and the saw in Chen Yongqiang's hand was no longer under pressure.

But the larch tree still stood straight in the same spot, only slightly tilted, as if it were being supported by some invisible force, and it just wouldn't fall.

Yang Dahai came over to check, walking halfway around the tree: "What's going on? Hasn't it been cut down yet?"

The villagers who had been sawing the tree together caught their breath: "It's already been cut down, but this tree... it just won't fall. It's really strange."

Chen Yongqiang put down the saw: "Every tree and blade of grass on Qinglong Mountain has a spirit. When we cut down trees for timber, we are borrowing them from the mountain god. We must ask the mountain god for permission before the tree can fall smoothly."

"Playing tricks! The saw has already cut through, why are you still doing this nonsense!" He Jun spat out disdainfully from the side.

Chen Yongqiang ignored him and turned to Yang Dahai: "Village chief, you all step back behind me and keep your distance."

Yang Dahai led the puzzled villagers back a short distance.

Although He Jun looked unconvinced, seeing that everyone had retreated, he also hummed and took two steps back.

Chen Yongqiang walked up to the larch tree and first brushed the wood chips off his clothes.

Then, he bent both knees and knelt down properly towards the tree, then closed his eyes:

"By the Mountain God of Qinglong Mountain, Chen Yongqiang, a young man, needs to borrow a good tree to continue the public use of a broken utility pole in the village, so as to benefit the villagers."

"If the Mountain God grants your permission, please allow this tree to fall smoothly. I thank the Mountain God here, and I will surely guard the forest diligently in the future and live up to your trust."

After saying this, Chen Yongqiang bowed down and respectfully kowtowed.

Just as his forehead touched the snow and lifted it back, a light breeze swept through the forest, causing the larch tree that had been standing upright to sway.

Immediately afterward, before anyone could react, the larch tree began to slowly tilt and fall directly in front of Chen Yongqiang.

"The tree has fallen..."

Everyone looked at Chen Yongqiang, who was slowly turning around, and for a moment no one spoke.

Chen Yongqiang said to the still-dazed men, "The mountain god has granted permission. Everyone, hurry up and gather the branches, get ready to carry them down the mountain."