Chapter 212

After leaving the tomb chamber, everyone circled around to the other side of the canyon and ascended the slope.

After walking for a considerable time, as they neared the mountaintop, they saw a scorched, blackened area that had been burned by lightning.

The fissure opening was right in the center of this scorched area.

Tan Wenbin: "Did it get struck by lightning the moment it emerged?"

Lin Shuyou: "Then wouldn't it have been completely obliterated?"

Tan Wenbin: "You sound like a villain in a wuxia movie, cackling after assuming the protagonist is surely dead."

Li Zhuiyuan squatted down and began examining the scorched marks on the ground.

This place had indeed been struck by lightning, just like the old pagoda tree at the tomb entrance, but the strike here was much more severe.

The young man took out his small geomantic compass; its needle was normal. He frowned slightly, realizing that while his compass was of very high quality, its ability to be affected was also part of its utility.

"Take out your compasses and let me see them."

Everyone pulled out their compasses from their backpacks.

Tan Wenbin looked at his own, then at the others', and said, "Our compass needles are all shaking as if they have Parkinson's."

"This area likely contains some kind of mineral deposit, which naturally attracts lightning. Add to that deliberate guidance..." Li Zhuiyuan put some ash from his fingertip to his nose and sniffed. The young man was an expert in array formations and could detect the scent of formation materials that had been overwhelmed and turned to ash. "This lightning strike was intentionally caused."

Yin Meng: "It intentionally drew lightning to strike itself?"

Li Zhuiyuan clapped his hands and said, "It was likely trying to temporarily sever its own karma and conceal itself from the gaze of the Heavenly Dao through this method."

From the planning to the execution and the final whitewashing, everything was flawlessly done. This was true professionalism.

Run Sheng, unusually, spoke up and asked, "Xiao Yuan, does that message he left mean he'll come looking for you later?"

A creature that could emerge from a massive mountain and survive a lightning strike with such a physique made Run Sheng feel immense pressure. He knew that against such an opponent, even if he activated all his qi gates, he wouldn't be able to stop it.

Li Zhuiyuan: "I wore his skin and used his identity, so karma has long entwined us. He probably also knows that even if I don't seek him out, the River will push me towards him. He'll likely make the same choice as me: since it cannot be avoided, then attack proactively."

With Wei Zhengdao's precedent and Zhao Yi's 'normal difficulty' River Traversing as a reference, the young man had also figured out the River's attitude towards him:

If you don't die, it will work you to death.

"However, even though he has succeeded, his condition is definitely not good. Furthermore, the secret realm deep within Jade Dragon Snow Mountain is now ruined. If he wants to establish a true earthly divine kingdom, he'll need to find a new suitable sanctuary.

We are traversing the River, and those who traverse the River are akin to the eyes of the Heavenly Dao. Until he is fully prepared and confident, his coming to us would be exposing himself to the Heavenly Dao."

Li Zhuiyuan stood up and cast a glance at the pleasant scenery at the bottom of the valley below:

"In short, before he finds us, we'll have enough time to grow. There's no need to be afraid."

"Mm." Run Sheng responded. He believed in Xiao Yuan; if Xiao Yuan said he could do it, he definitely could.

Lin Shuyou also unconditionally trusted Big Brother Xiao Yuan, but he still glanced at the fissure again, thinking to himself:

Wow, if I ever gain the strength to fight someone like that, when I return home, it won't just be a new page in the family genealogy; I could get a whole new genealogy book for myself.

What Lin Shuyou didn't know was that the dream scenario he yearned for had already been achieved by the White Crane Child in his hometown.

Li Zhuiyuan waved his hand:

"Let's go home."

Having been out on this 'wave' for so long, Li Zhuiyuan was also feeling homesick.

However, there were some unforeseen events during their journey home.

Firstly, Lin Shuyou received a pager message from his hometown temple. He used a public phone outside the airport to call back, and his master, Chen Shoumen, inquired about his recent health.

Li Zhuiyuan had just called Aunt Zhang's convenience store in the village, asking her to inform his great-grandfather about his arrival time. The young man had good hearing, and even unintentionally, he still overheard what Lin Shuyou was saying into the phone.

Lin Shuyou thought his master was simply concerned about him. Deeply moved, he patted his chest and assured his master that he was in excellent health and had a hearty appetite.

After hanging up, Lin Shuyou awkwardly scratched his head and said to Li Zhuiyuan, "My master still treats me like a child."

Li Zhuiyuan: "Call back again and ask what happened at the temple."

Hearing this, Lin Shuyou immediately realized, called back right away, and once the other side picked up, he directly asked:

"Master, has something happened at the temple?"

In fact, the people holding the receivers on both ends were also conduits themselves.

Chen Shoumen, holding the receiver, looked at his master, Lin Fu'an, who was standing beside him. Lin Fu'an nodded at him, signaling him to speak plainly.

So, Chen Shoumen told Lin Shuyou about the recent anomalies regarding the White Crane Child at the temple.

They had initially thought that after the Child manifested and took its place alone that night, everything would return to normal. But in reality, some things, once changed, could never go back.

For instance, although experienced spirit mediums like Chen Shoumen could now invoke the Child, the younger and less skilled mediums still could not.

The White Crane Child had completely shed its former image as a benevolent, ever-present deity who would descend for every trivial errand. It simply stopped bothering with minor matters.

Let whoever wanted to go, go. The Child certainly wasn't interested in such paltry matters.

This undoubtedly had a huge impact on the work of the Guan Jiang Shou, as truly powerful evil spirits and demons were uncommon. Most of the time, invoking deities was to resolve trivial issues ordinary people encountered, and it was precisely these trivial matters that formed the fundamental base of their followers.

Li Zhuiyuan: "You should go back for a trip."

Lin Shuyou said to the other end of the phone, "Master, I'm going home to check on things."

The person on the other end of the phone must have heard Li Zhuiyuan's words, so they didn't decline, merely repeating, "Alright, alright, alright, thank you for your trouble, thank you for your trouble."

After hanging up, Lin Shuyou hesitated, saying, "Big Brother Xiao Yuan, the Child truly had a hard time before."

Lin Shuyou's idealized perception of the Yin God had long been shattered by Li Zhuiyuan, which was why he now interacted with the Child almost as an equal.

From a buddy's perspective, A You also felt it was somewhat unfair to the Child. The fact that the Guan Jiang Shou's grassroots work couldn't proceed without him was the best proof.

Li Zhuiyuan: "I'm not sending you back to persuade the Child to resume work."

"Ah, then what is it..."

"You go back, set up an altar, and perform a ritual. First, separate yourself from the temple into a small branch, then transfer the Child into your branch."

Upon hearing this, Lin Shuyou's eyes immediately widened.

Separating himself into a small branch meant that he would nominally still be under the temple's leadership, but in reality, he would be functionally independent.

Generally, this was a necessary step before establishing a separate temple.

From then on, although he would still address his master as 'master,' when all the temples held meetings in the future, he would be able to sit in his own chair, just like the other temple masters.

"Big Brother Xiao Yuan, I want to continue traversing the River with you; I don't want to go back and open a temple."

"A branch isn't a separate temple; it's just a formality. After you establish your own small branch, transfer the Child into it. Then, when we return to Nantong, place the Child in my Nantong Daoist temple. This is something I promised it."

Lin Shuyou breathed a sigh of relief. He had genuinely thought Big Brother Xiao Yuan was going to abandon him.

Now, he finally understood. This move was effectively turning the Child's original side job into its main job, and its main job into a side job.

Although the overall framework remained unchanged—Guan Jiang Shou would still be Guan Jiang Shou—the underlying operational logic had shifted. The Child would now have a legitimate reason to no longer bother with trivial matters. The other Yin Gods, out of necessity, would either collectively become more diligent, or they would have to introduce a new scapegoat to replace the Child's former diligent role.

This would resolve the current predicament of the Guan Jiang Shou. As long as there was no excuse for them to shirk work, someone would naturally have to step up and get things done.

"Big Brother Xiao Yuan, this method is truly brilliant!"

"Then change your flight ticket and go straight back to your hometown. Deal with it quickly and return soon."

"Understood!"

Lin Shuyou happily ran to the counter.

As for which unfortunate Yin God would replace the Child's previous ecological niche, Lin Shuyou didn't care.

This highlighted the advantage of the Child's earlier arrangements. Previously, Lin Shuyou could only invoke the Child. Later, the Child intentionally used methods to ensure that Lin Shuyou could only invoke him.

This directly resulted in Lin Shuyou having no familiarity with the other Yin Gods.

Beside them, Tan Wenbin put out his cigarette and asked, "Big Brother Xiao Yuan, should I go back with A You?"

Li Zhuiyuan: "Mm."

"Alright then, I'll go change..." Just as he was speaking, Tan Wenbin's pager also rang. His expression changed, and he immediately picked up the public phone to dial.

Zheng Fang answered the phone on the other end and told him that Tan Yunlong had run into trouble.

After Tan Yunlong solved the serial theft case, because the thief had stolen from the district chief's home, Tan Yunlong received a 'greeting'. Tan Yunlong completely ignored this, detailing all the stolen money from each household in his investigation report.

This consequently attracted retaliation. After work, a group of specially arranged hooligans attacked Tan Yunlong. Tan Yunlong was stabbed twice and seriously wounded, but he not only fought off the hooligans but also captured their leader alive, stopping his own bleeding while waiting for police colleagues to arrive before finally passing out.

Tan Wenbin said, utterly speechless, "I really wonder if he has a brain."

Tan Wenbin wasn't cursing his own father; he had long known his father's character, otherwise, his father wouldn't have been demoted to a town police station despite a promising career.

He was cursing the district chief's brother, who, as the owner of several nightclubs, actually directed hooligans to attack the investigating police officer when his brother was about to face trouble. Was his brain filled with shit?

Li Zhuiyuan, who had overheard Zheng Fang's account on the phone, said, "If he had a brain, he wouldn't have hidden large amounts of gold and foreign currency under his floorboards."

The thief, blinded by greed at the time, stole everything. Afterward, when he read in the newspaper whose house he had robbed, he was terrified, realizing he had gotten into serious trouble.

Otherwise, a thief with two previous "stints in jail" wouldn't have panicked so much when Tan Yunlong, in his police uniform, made a phone call from the convenience store.

Tan Wenbin: "My dad's fine; neither stab hit a vital organ. He just lost a lot of blood."

Li Zhuiyuan: "You should go back to Jinling and check on him."

Tan Wenbin: "Mm, I'll hurry back."

Li Zhuiyuan: "No rush. Spend more time with your mother. Anyway, this 'wave' just passed, so we have plenty of free time."

Tan Wenbin: "I'm worried about 'what if'..."

Li Zhuiyuan: "Perhaps 'what if' used to be a possibility, but not anymore. The River certainly wouldn't let us die from a 'what if' now."

Tan Wenbin changed his flight ticket.

And so, only Li Zhuiyuan, Run Sheng, and Yin Meng returned to Nantong.

Seeing the other two go back to their families, Yin Meng's emotions were inevitably affected.

Run Sheng comforted her, "Don't worry, your ancestor misses you very much too."

These words were truly heartwarming.

They instantly shattered Yin Meng's slight homesickness.

Nantong Airport had just been completed and opened for flights, but there were few flights, and none were direct; all required layovers.

However, compared to the past — landing in Shanghai first and then transferring back — it was much more convenient.

After landing, they were supposed to take a taxi back to Shinan, but at the exit, they saw Li Sanjiang waving his hand.

Li Zhuiyuan hadn't expected his great-grandfather to come pick them up.

The airport was in Xingdong Town, which was on the same straight line north as Shinan Town, and much closer than going to the city center. So, his great-grandfather came directly on a tricycle.

Fearing the children might be hungry, cooked dishes and steamed buns were prepared on the tricycle. Although two people were unexpectedly absent, with Run Sheng there, nothing would go to waste.

Airplane food portions were only enough to feed sparrows, and one couldn't light incense on a plane. Run Sheng was indeed hungry.

Great-grandfather smoked beside them, smiling as he watched the children eat. He said that Old Man Shan had originally intended to come pick them up on his tricycle too, but he had bad luck playing cards last night and lost the tricycle.

Hearing this, Yin Meng frowned.

That tricycle was one she had helped buy last time, making it easier for Old Man Shan to travel for retrieving bodies.

Run Sheng initially paid no mind. His grandfather had even sold the rice from their rice jar before, let alone a tricycle; he was long used to it.

However, seeing Yin Meng get angry, Run Sheng also got a little angry.

Li Zhuiyuan looked up and softly said to Yin Meng, "It's gone too far."

Li Sanjiang then added that he had specifically left the tricycle at Big Beard's house in advance so that when he rode out, he wouldn't be seen by that girl, A Li.

The girl probably wanted to come along to pick them up, but Li Sanjiang didn't want her to endure the dust and wind with him.

Finally, Li Sanjiang told Li Zhuiyuan, "Xiao Yuanhou, your grandfather is sick. A hospital check-up said he has a tumor."

Li Zhuiyuan put down his chopsticks.

Li Sanjiang continued, "Initially, he went to the town's health clinic. They thought it was something serious. Your grandfather, being stubborn, directly said he wouldn't treat it, that it was a waste of money.

Later, I thrashed him with a tree branch, and only then did he go to the city hospital for another look. The town clinic had misdiagnosed; there was a tumor, but the doctor said it was benign and would be fine after removal. It wasn't a big problem.

He's already had the surgery and is back home. I just visited him yesterday, and he can already get out of bed."

Li Zhuiyuan picked up his chopsticks and continued eating.

Li Sanjiang: "This time, your four uncles were still the same, putting on an act of filial piety, but not mentioning how to pay for their father's medical treatment. Instead, Pan Zi, Lei Zi, and Hu Zi started making a fuss, and eventually managed to get the four families to agree to pool money for the medical expenses.

Their children were all raised by their grandparents; when they were young, they were still kind-hearted. What they'll be like when they grow up, who knows.

Your mother, when the misdiagnosis first happened, someone called her, but someone else answered and said they would inform her.

As a result, several days passed, and no one called the convenience store back. Instead, a sum of money was remitted.

Who knows if it was for medical expenses or just funeral costs, heh heh."

At this point, Li Sanjiang took a final drag from his cigarette, smoking it down to the butt, then exhaled forcefully through his nostrils:

"I don't even know if your mother is filial or unfilial anymore."

In rural areas, being willing to spend money to treat a serious illness for an elder was already considered very filial. Often, when elders fell seriously ill, they would simply endure it, and if they couldn't, preparations for their funeral would begin early.

Li Lan, who was never stingy with money, was indeed beyond reproach in terms of "filial piety."

After eating, Li Sanjiang sat in the back of the tricycle, naturally letting Run Sheng ride it.

A full Run Sheng pedaled the tricycle rapidly, returning to Siyuan Village in no time.

Under Li Sanjiang's instructions, they didn't take the usual path into the village. Instead, they turned off early from the southern village road, which was closer to Li Weihan's house.

Upon reaching the open space, Li Sanjiang shouted, "Han Hou, Xiao Yuanhou has come to see you."

Li Zhuiyuan entered the house and saw Li Weihan sitting in the kitchen picking vegetables, with a water pipe tucked under his armpit.

Seeing this, Li Sanjiang went up, pulled out the water pipe, and gave Li Weihan a rap on the head.

With his high seniority and age, Li Sanjiang could beat anyone named Li in Siyuan Village into submission and utter speechlessness.

"Smoking, smoking, smoking! Can't you resist right after surgery? Did you forget what the doctor said? I'm still waiting for you to live long enough for me to take care of you in your old age and see you off. And here you are, determined to die before me so I can't even get that benefit?"

Li Weihan, being lectured in front of his grandson, lowered his head helplessly and said, "Uncle Sanjiang, there's no tobacco in this pipe. I'm just taking a couple of dry puffs to satisfy the craving."

Li Sanjiang checked and confirmed there was no tobacco. "Heh, look at you, so pathetic."

Li Zhuiyuan walked up to Li Weihan, who reached out and hugged Li Zhuiyuan. "My boy changes every time I see him. You're getting taller and more handsome."

His daughter, Li Lan, had been much prettier than her four elder brothers since childhood. If it weren't for her good studies and their support for her to pursue education, matchmakers would have worn out their doorstep long ago, according to rural customs.

Although he had only met his son-in-law once, he looked like Tang Guoqiang from the movies, fair and handsome like cream on a cake.

This grandson, indeed, inherited his parents' virtues. Not only was he smart, but his appearance and temperament were truly delightful to behold.

Li Zhuiyuan checked Li Weihan's current physical condition. He was indeed recovering very well, and his qi and blood were beginning to surge back.

There was no need for extra medicinal soups for conditioning; he just needed to do less work and eat more meat.

Li Zhuiyuan planned to instruct Xiong Shan to send meat to them periodically after he returned. It couldn't be raw; it had to be cooked. And not too much at once, otherwise it wouldn't end up in his grandfather's stomach; he would give it to his grandchildren or his uncles.

Li Zhuiyuan realized he had encountered the "Old Man Shan problem."

In fact, his own grandfather was even worse than Old Man Shan. Old Man Shan only lived frugally when he had no money; when he had money, he was willing to indulge in large meals of meat and fish.

Li Sanjiang spoke up and asked, "I met Jie Hou on the way here. He said you asked him if his brickyard was hiring. What's up? You just got better and you're already thinking of going to the brickyard to haul bricks?"

Li Weihan rubbed his fingers and said, "This surgery in the city cost quite a bit. I owe my four sons money, and I have to pay them back."

Li Sanjiang took a deep breath, then burst out laughing. He was genuinely amused by the absurdity.

He knew that Li Weihan had money. They had saved all the living expenses Li Lan had sent previously, including the tuition and living expenses for Xiao Yuanhou that Li Sanjiang himself had refused; all of it was saved by them.

But this couple was convinced that the money their daughter gave them had to be saved, either to be returned to her or given to this "grandson." They wouldn't even use their daughter's money when they were sick.

Those four ungrateful sons and their wives also knew that the old couple had money given by their sister, which made them even more unwilling to pay for their father's medical treatment.

Li Sanjiang extended a finger and forcefully poked Li Weihan's forehead, making Li Weihan nearly fall off the stool.

"Han Hou, you are just a stubborn fool. You're a fool yourself, and your children have all been raised to be fools by you."

Li Weihan just smiled awkwardly, not daring to retort.

Li Sanjiang pulled Li Zhuiyuan and started walking out.

Li Weihan stood up and said, "His grandma will be back soon. Boy, stay for dinner tonight."

Li Sanjiang cursed again without looking back, "Eat what? The boy and I are full from being angry with you!"

On the way back in the tricycle, Li Sanjiang was still fuming, often coughing while smoking, and said to Li Zhuiyuan:

"Xiao Yuanhou, tell me, isn't your grandfather a fool?"

Li Zhuiyuan: "That's why, Great-grandfather, you were willing to let my grandfather take care of you in your old age."

Li Sanjiang: "..."

After a long silence, Li Sanjiang grumbled:

"Sigh, what's the benefit of having so many children? It just makes it easier to pass the buck when it comes to caring for elders.

It serves them right; they didn't raise them well. They spend all day talking about how great and willing they are to sacrifice, moving themselves to tears, but children raised like that are the least grateful."

"Mm."

Li Zhuiyuan agreed with this. His grandparents were good people, but they truly didn't know how to raise children; otherwise, Li Lan wouldn't have ended up being the "most filial" among the five.

In terms of raising children, Li Zhuiyuan felt his great-grandfather was more adept, because his great-grandfather could even raise him well.

Li Sanjiang: "I plan to have your grandpa and grandma help Shan Hou plant peach trees and harvest fruit, managing the money and meals."

Li Zhuiyuan: "Thank you, Great-grandfather."

Previously, Li Weihan and Cui Guiying used to help out at Li Sanjiang's home. Later, when Xiong Shan and his wife arrived, and Uncle Qin and others also returned, there were enough hands but not enough work to go around, so they didn't want to take advantage and stopped coming.

Li Sanjiang put out his cigarette butt. Seeing that they were almost home, he took the last opportunity to curse:

"These kinds of people are the most hateful. They're so stubborn that they only make those who genuinely care about them uncomfortable."

Li Zhuiyuan looked up and saw A Li standing on the second-floor balcony at home.

A Li was wearing a goose-yellow ruqun dress today, with a wooden hairpin in her hair. Paired with the afternoon sun, she looked both elegant and innocent.

Liu Yumei was sitting in the courtyard, drinking tea. Seeing Li Zhuiyuan return, she smiled and said, "Oh, you've been out for quite a while this time."

Then, Liu Yumei looked around again. Not seeing her "story phonograph," she asked:

"Where's Zhuang Zhuang?"

"Something came up with Zhuang Zhuang's family, so he went back to Jinling first."

"Oh, and the other one?"

"Something came up with his family too."

"Heh," Liu Yumei chuckled. "Those must be good things, then."

Li Zhuiyuan didn't retort.

Because now that it was confirmed Tan Yunlong was not in mortal danger, what followed would be a great thing.

"Grandma, I'm going upstairs."

Liu Yumei feigned a hurt tone, "In the end, you can't even spare enough time for Grandma to brew a pot of tea."

Yin Meng: "I will."

Liu Yumei immediately covered her teacup with her hand. "No need to be polite."

Li Zhuiyuan went upstairs. The sun was pleasant, the wind was pleasant, and the people were even more pleasant.

After a brief chat, Li Zhuiyuan went to shower. When he came out, he sat side by side with A Li on a wicker chair and recounted the events of his latest 'wave.'

Each time he recounted, it was also Li Zhuiyuan's way of re-summarizing for himself, making it easier to record later in his "Zhuiyuan Secret Scrolls."

After he finished speaking, A Li got up and went back into the room. She picked up a brush and stood before her drawing table, first sketching a draft. With a few strokes, she drew auspicious clouds in the sky, white magma below, and further down, a tall tower. At the bottom edge of the paper, she outlined several human figures.

The concept for this 'wave's' painting was very clear: to recreate the scene of apotheosis and world destruction from the perspective of Li Zhuiyuan and his companions at that time.

A Li turned her head and looked at the young man.

The young man nodded; this composition was indeed good.

Aunt Liu: "Dinner's ready!"

After dinner, Run Sheng and Yin Meng returned to Xiting. Since Old Man Shan had even sold his tricycle, he was probably close to starving.

When they arrived at Old Man Shan's house, they saw him sitting in the courtyard, drinking sweet potato porridge — lots of sweet potato, little rice.

Seeing Run Sheng arrive, Old Man Shan's face immediately broke into a smile. Then, seeing Yin Meng following Run Sheng, Old Man Shan recoiled slightly.

He knew Run Sheng's temperament, but that girl surnamed Yin had a bad temper. On the previous few occasions she brought him rice, noodles, and cooking oil, she hadn't held back on her sarcasm.

At his age, he still cared about his dignity.

But tonight, Yin Meng had no intention of letting him save face.

In Big Brother Xiao Yuan's group, she had to be cautious and didn't dare to throw tantrums, but essentially, she was a fiery Sichuan girl who had run her own shop.

This time, Old Man Shan selling the tricycle truly infuriated her. In the courtyard, facing the old cypress tree, she started cursing directly.

Although she didn't curse him directly, Old Man Shan's face burned with shame.

His face flushed with shame from the scolding, he could only lower his head.

During this, Old Man Shan occasionally cast pleading glances at Run Sheng, who simply sat there smoking his "cigar" and grinning foolishly.

Finally, Old Man Shan couldn't take it anymore and, in a fit of pique, extended both fists and said:

"Then just chop off both my hands! That way I can't gamble, are you satisfied?!"

Yin Meng pointed at the old cypress tree and retorted, "Just chopping off your hands won't do! You'd still play cards with your feet! We'd have to chop off your feet too, and then put you in a jar. Only then will you be peaceful!"

Old Man Shan: "..."

After she had vented sufficiently, Yin Meng went to the town to buy things.

Old Man Shan grabbed Run Sheng's hand and asked, "Run Sheng Hou, tell me, that girl must have crawled out of the underworld, right? How can she be so terrifying?"

Run Sheng grinned, "That's right, Grandpa."

After saying that, Run Sheng went to scrub the rice jar.

Yin Meng returned, and Old Man Shan noticed that the rice, noodles, and cooking oil she bought this time were much less than usual.

He was too embarrassed to ask.

But when he saw Yin Meng take out a wad of money, a smile reappeared on Old Man Shan's face.

Yin Meng: "From now on, every month, besides your food money, we'll also be responsible for the money you lose."

Upon hearing this, Old Man Shan's eyes lit up. There was a limit to how much he could lose; it was like living a life of an immortal.

Yin Meng had heard from Big Brother Xiao Yuan that Old Man Shan losing money was a form of "stress relief" and also a way of balancing his fate.

If an ordinary dead spirit stuck to a family, that family would become chaotic and soon be ruined. Old Man Shan, however, had always kept Run Sheng by his side.

Therefore, he had to constantly lose money.

But,

Losing money moderately was good for health; addiction to gambling ruined families.

Anything in excess was bad. No matter how much Old Man Shan lost in the past, he never borrowed money or sold his means of living. Now, as Big Brother Xiao Yuan had evaluated, it had "gone too far."

Since it had gone too far, new rules had to be established.

Yin Meng: "Every amount of money will be calculated for you and then kept with Old Man Li. If you have no money to gamble, go ask Old Man Li. If you have no money for food, also go ask Old Man Li. I'll tell Old Man Li to give it to you in small amounts, frequently."

Old Man Shan exploded upon hearing this: "What?! I have to beg Li Sanjiang for food? I'd rather just starve to death!"

Yin Meng: "Then starve to death."

Old Man Shan pursed his lips and looked at Run Sheng again.

Run Sheng said nothing, simply continuing to clean.

Old Man Shan sat down on the ground and swung his hands forcefully, "I don't want to live anymore, I don't want to live! Just let me run into a big 'dead spirit' to take me away!"

Run Sheng put the rag into the bucket to wash it and said:

"Grandpa, finding a big 'dead spirit' in Nantong now is harder than winning money at the card table."

Night fell.

Li Zhuiyuan sat at his desk, organizing the items Zhen Shao'an had left in the coffin.

A Li walked in carrying a wooden box. She opened it, revealing various talisman papers that had been drawn in advance.

Talisman papers were crucial consumables; they had to be replenished immediately after each 'wave.'

Li Zhuiyuan got up and walked over, drawing two talismans from the box and placing them in his palm. Immediately, a blood mist appeared in his palm, and his fingertips moved across the talismans, dotting and drawing:

"Whoosh! Whoosh!"

The two talismans immediately flew out, one to the left and one to the right, sticking onto the respective doorframes.

Li Zhuiyuan: "How is it?"

A Li nodded.

Only in front of the girl would Li Zhuiyuan involuntarily reveal a childlike side of himself.

Next, Li Zhuiyuan continued organizing Zhen Shao'an's remaining scrolls. A Li went out briefly, then quickly returned and stood before the drawing table to start painting.

The two of them were in the same room, each quietly engrossed in their own work, yet keenly aware of the other's presence.

After Zhen Shao'an's items were organized and copied, Li Zhuiyuan didn't rush to study them. Instead, he took out his "Zhuiyuan Secret Scrolls" and began to record.

After writing down the events of this 'wave,' Li Zhuiyuan rubbed his slightly sore wrist and continued writing the "River Traversing Code of Conduct."

In the early stages, the River's attitude was one of testing and trying to kill if possible. Now, after he had traversed 'wave after wave,' the River began to acknowledge his value.

This was also why Li Zhuiyuan told Tan Wenbin that "there would be no 'what ifs' for now." The River wanted him, as he gradually grew stronger, to implement the "fight poison with poison" strategy, making "sudden attacks" unlikely because they wouldn't be cost-effective.

Therefore, since River Traversing had now entered a new historical phase, it was necessary to adjust their strategy in advance to prepare for the new challenges ahead.

After writing all this, Li Zhuiyuan put down his pen and looked up at the time on the wall clock. Usually by this time, A Li would have returned to her room to rest.

He actually still had deductions to make regarding the team's array formation, the "red thread," but it was too late tonight, and he didn't dare to try it lightly.

A Li put down her paintbrush and left the room.

Li Zhuiyuan stretched, took the nameless book from his hiking pack, then went under the bed and retrieved the "Evil Book" that was wrapped into a ball with sealing talismans.

Both were books: one pure white and flawless, the other emanating malevolent energy throughout. They should have a common language.

However, just as Li Zhuiyuan was about to casually set up an isolation array, A Li returned.

The girl was carrying a large bowl.

Li Zhuiyuan looked into the bowl and froze.

Because inside the bowl were brown sugar poached eggs.

So much sugar, so many eggs.

Only then did Li Zhuiyuan realize that when he had previously shown A Li his flying talismans, what the girl truly noticed was the blood mist emanating from his right palm.

But how did