"I furrowed my brow, feeling a little uneasy about Xu Jin's appearance. He was rather tall and broad, with a country bumpkin-like appearance on the surface. However, beneath that exterior, he was probably the same. These words made me feel a bit creepy."
It indeed took some time to clear up those matters with Hama Ying, but it wasn't a big deal.
"I'll go back to report. There's nothing much happening here," I said.
"The master said, if you regret it, he will let me accompany you on your way."
"..." My eyelids twitched slightly, and Hama Ying made a surprised sound, covering his mouth and chuckling.
"No need, please convey my thanks to Master Fei," I said with a slightly lowered tone.
Xu Jin said no more and slowly descended the stairs.
I pulled out several sheets of Yin Mountain bamboo paper and quickly folded them.
Soon, two paper-wrapped figures appeared in front of me. I touched my index fingers and gave the paper figures eyes.
The wind suddenly became ominously cold.
I used my index finger to write two messages on the back of each paper figure, in the form of a ghost's letter. I requested that the upper body of the paper ghost carry my coffin, and in return, I would offer incense, candles, and offerings.
After a few minutes, the two paper figures trembled successively, and their stiff cheeks turned lively.
"Gee, these bodies are too small." Suddenly, a crack appeared on the face of one of the paper figures, making it look like a mouth moving up and down.
The other paper figure remained silent, with its blood-red eyes glancing at us before retreating to the back of the coffin to prepare to lift it.
The paper figure that opened its mouth moved to the front of the coffin. The two paper figures sandwiched the coffin, lifting it up.
On the day of Old Qin's funeral, the coffin was carried by the Eight Immortals, which was the highest standard for a funeral. The coffin in front of us was only equivalent to an item, and two ghosts were sufficient.
In reality, the paper figures seemed to be floating and moving rather than walking.
"You drive, take Xiu Xiu, and wait for me at home?"
Hama Ying's car was nearby.
"Let's not bother. I'll go with you. Everything is ready, just a little more, and as long as nothing goes wrong." Hama Ying shook his head, speaking seriously.
I didn't have any other opinions. I took out my phone and searched for the road from here to Anping Li Da Jie.
The ghost niche was quieter than expected, with problems in the regulatory realm, and Han Xiazi was preoccupied.
The guardian deity is on our side, and even if there's a Mr. Qu from the Xu family, they wouldn't come looking for trouble now. Even if I'm walking at night, it should be safe.
After a while, we walked out of the commercial street. During this time, Hama Ying used the willow technique, resulting in over a dozen black willow spirits surrounding us and roaming around us. This shows that Hama Ying is very alert.
After walking for a while, Hama Ying spoke in a low voice, "There are a few people who have followed us since they came out of the underworld.”
Just as my heart sank, Hama Ying told me that they only followed for a short distance and then stopped, possibly realizing that we weren't easy to deal with.
Relieved slightly, I said, "The most difficult to deal with is Xiu Xiu. And also, they should have some respect for Youyangju."
"Fan's approach is too conspicuous, making you the center of attention. Perhaps, he let that big fool follow you to earn more favors, but you didn't appreciate it." Hama Ying smiled lightly.
I felt a warm wave in my heart.
After walking for a while and getting farther from the underworld commercial street, we were about ten kilometers away from Anping Li Da Jie. At our fast walking pace, we should be able to reach there before dawn.
The surroundings were somewhat quiet. This was a highway by the riverbank, with the boisterous Jiang River on one side and a soil slope mountain on the other.
During our walk, I and Hama Ying were chatting all the while. She asked about Lv Kan.
I told her my plans as honestly as possible.
Hama Ying mentioned again that we should ask Master Mao Yousan about the Daoist techniques.
For a moment, I hesitated, still unable to decide on an answer.
Hama Ying suddenly tightened her delicate face, and she abruptly choked out a formula, warning everyone around!
Zoo zhoos sounds of the black shadow returned from all directions to Hama Ying's side. Then they merged into a piece and dashed forward.
Hama Ying stopped and did not continue forward.
I instantly understood; there was someone ahead!
"It's the leader..." Hama Ying's face slightly changed.
I was surprised. The leader? How is he at the front of the road?
The leather pouch was given to him, and he fulfilled his wish.
Youyangju also said some unkind words.
If the leader is not a problem, then he should be avoiding scandal now.
Even if we consider the worst-case scenario, doesn't he fear Youyangju?
The bright headlights were blinding. A Jinbei van slowly approached from a distance and was precisely parked in the middle of the road.
The car lights went off, and someone jumped out of the driver's seat. He was very fat, and his body shook uncontrollably. It was indeed the leader!
The near-beams illuminated him, stretching his shadow long.
"Show your divine power!" the leader's voice was not low: "Well, after all this thinking, I still need to come back. You can't just leave. Coincidentally, you haven't gone far."
He naturally approached me, his lips trembling as he spoke in a casual manner: "Youyangju gave me the thing, but for some reason, they don't want me to see you again. What kind of logic is that? I don't know what they've told you, but I feel that if it's because you helped me get this thing and they think about how I am as a person because of it, then I shouldn't accept this thing."
"Show your divine power! There have been many times in the past when I and the Luo family have worked together, but it was all surface-level cooperation. If Youyangju uses this to cause trouble, it might disrupt our relationship."
"Let's get back to the topic at hand. You and Youyangju want to work together to uncover the truth about your parents, but in reality, the previous Youyangju scholar was the culprit. I'm afraid that Youyangju is scheming against you and will manipulate you!"
"Therefore, I must return the item."
The leader took something out of his chest.
The thing looked like a bag, with a dark brown exterior. The center of the bag was sewn up and sealed, and looking at it closely again, it looked like a cushion.
His words were heartfelt, and his fat face became tense.
"Wait!" Hama Ying suddenly shouted, raising her hand to make a blocking gesture!
The leader did not stop. He continued to move forward.
The rustling sounds we heard in front of us were the dozen or so willow mice that suddenly swarmed towards the leader!
Hama Ying formed hand seals and suddenly shouted out the word "Sui"!
I contracted my pupils.
However, I didn't speak up to stop her.
Hama Ying is not the type to immediately resort to violence for every disagreement!
At this moment, the leader seemed to be in a hurry, and his words were even more heartfelt.
But in fact, it was not the case at all!
Going to the Huang Si, isn't this the right way!
He should have been waiting for me here deliberately, not a mere return trip.
More importantly, when Hama Ying shouted for the leader to stop, he not only didn't stop but sped up even more.
It was as if he couldn't wait to get close to me.
There was a puffing sound as the leader spat out ten or so silver needles, all of which landed in the willow mice without exception!
The willow mice, which were lively just a moment ago, became motionless bamboo figures in this instant...
Hama Ying looked both surprised and suspicious.
My face also changed.
"Show your divine power! Hama Ying is still a family from the left and right wings of Daoism. How can you strike me when we don't see eye to eye? I am your close friend!" The leader's fat face had an additional expression of anger, directed at Hama Ying!
My heart sank to the bottom in an instant.
But I still felt something was off, something too abnormal...
Yes, everyone is saying that the leader has something wrong with him...
I told myself to reduce the number of dealings with the leader.
But those people's words were stacked layer upon layer on me.
For the leader, it was only Xu Jin, the messenger, who said a few words of threat from Youyangju.
The leader's intelligence is such that he wouldn't act so impulsively.
Exposing his flaws directly in front of me?
Why?!
There must be a reason!
If there is no reason, I feel that it's particularly suspicious, as if the leader himself has lost his mind or has been controlled.
His questioning of Hama Ying now seemed very fake and fake to me!
Yes, it seemed forced and pulled!
Suddenly, a chill ran over me, and I got goosebumps.
That's right, it's just like pulling forcefully!
It was as if the leader's image in my mind, which I had gradually understood and appreciated over time, was gradually becoming fuller. That fullness was established by each event that happened over time.
In this moment, it felt like he was forcibly pushing his perception into my head!
I am certain that what others have said is true.
But what prompted the leader to do this now?
What is it that made the leader reveal himself to me at this moment?
Even if we take it one step further, he should still have the opportunity to gradually infiltrate me and plot against me. What could make him expose himself to me like this?
"Show your divine power! Do you not believe in me?!" The leader suddenly roared in a low voice, exploding right next to my ear!
My breathing became rapid, and I stared at the leader intensely.
Even though I couldn't figure out why, it didn't stop me from feeling hurt.
The discomfort I felt in front of Hama Ying, she comforted me and then retracted her words, leaving some room for the leader.
Now, the leader's flaws are all exposed in front of me...
I rarely trust others, and this feels like sticking a knife into my heart!
"I don't want to mention what Youyangju has said. Wu Leader, please leave. Today's incident, I will just consider it hasn't happened." I opened my mouth weakly.
"Exactly! I knew Youyangju would interfere! They are scheming against you! By kicking me away from your side, they can do many things! And divine power, you often fall into traps without anyone reminding you!"
"Give this thing back to Youyangju!"
"I weigh over two hundred pounds, and Huang Si has hundreds of people. We don't have to fear them!"
In his words, the leader suddenly flung his hand, and the leather pouch, seemed to fly straight towards me!
The leader doesn't even want the leather pouch?
Could it be that he's genuinely expressing his feelings?
It's just that I have overly stereotypical perceptions of him, so I think he has a problem now?
It's also because of his inherent distrust of people that he just now mentioned Hama Ying?
Hama Ying beside me also furrowed her brows, as if her thoughts were confused.
No... it doesn't seem right...
The leather pouch seemed to become a shadow, falling towards me!
Closely examining it, it was just a small cloth pouch and cushion...
My scalp went numb instantly!
"Xiu Xiu!" I shouted loudly!
Yu Xiu, behind me, suddenly rushed forward. Her delicate body, suddenly leaped up!
Her hands suddenly pushed out, just hitting the leather pouch!
A crisp crack! The leather pouch flew out heavily!
When Yu Xiu landed on the ground, there wasn't much noise. She landed lightly and looked at the leader stunned, with her hands hanging low by her side...
There was a muffled thud again, the thin coffin landed with a sound.
The two paper figures became unusually silent, motionless...
I had summoned only lonely ghosts, but the scene in front of me clearly scared them away, leaving their posts and running off.
Hama Ying seemed to understand something and looked at the leader with a mix of shock and uncertainty.
At this moment, the leader's hands hung by his sides. He suddenly sighed heavily and a hint of helpless smile appeared on his face.
"Divine power, you are sometimes foolish. Whatever I say, you believe."
"But sometimes, your mind lights up, and that alertness is not something that someone of your age should have."
"I, really can't bear it."
"I really want to be friends with you."
"You're too eager! Do you know that?!"
The leader's tone suddenly grew heavy, and his face changed from a smile to a particularly fierce expression! That look was both cruel and as if he were disappointed in his own helplessness.
