Chapter 274

On the second-floor balcony, A'Li paused her reading and looked at the boy lying beside her. Coincidentally, the boy opened his eyes at that very moment.

Li Zhuiyuan sat up straight, his gaze drifting towards the distant fields, which spread out like an ink wash painting under the darkening sky.

During their previous conversation, he could sense the "perfunctory" nature of his true self. It was merely acting out its past, ingrained persona.

Its acting was flawless. The only difference was that it hadn't made any progress during this period, and that was the main issue.

Accompanied by A'Li, Li Zhuiyuan went downstairs to the basement door.

A large black mass lay in the cool, shadowy corner by the door.

Hearing footsteps, Little Black lifted its head but didn't stand. It merely wiggled on its belly, using its claws to push itself, clearing the iron door.

The weather was getting warmer, and this spot was cool, so Little Black often chose to nap here.

Li Zhuiyuan looked down at it.

Little Black became a bit uneasy under his gaze and silently prepared to stand up and leave. But just as it rose, the boy shifted his gaze, opened the iron door, and went inside.

Looking left and right, Little Black lay back down and licked the back of its paw.

The basement had been renovated but retained its original layout. One-third of the space housed Grandfather's various "attire" and "ritualistic tools" used by different funeral performance troupes.

The remaining area was filled with large chests, all containing ancient texts.

There was a reason why his true self chose to conceal its secret here: for Li Zhuiyuan, this basement was essentially his formal initiation ground, where he entered the mysterious arts and began a new chapter in his life.

Did his true self also want to start a new path from here?

A'Li squeezed the boy's hand slightly. She not only knew there was another "person" inside Li Zhuiyuan but had also personally witnessed "it" emerge.

Li Zhuiyuan smiled and said, "Don't worry, it won't get a chance."

The boy didn't feel the need to instruct A'Li that if "it" were to emerge and take control of "him" in the future, she should show no mercy and make a swift decision.

Li Zhuiyuan believed that rather than entrusting A'Li with such a burden, it was better to proactively carry it himself, and, at the crucial moment, simply sever it.

Essentially, the true self chose a different path likely because it, too, recognized that on the traditional path of "inner demon versus true self," it could never truly overcome itself.

After leaving the basement and closing the door, Little Black, who had been curled up in the corner, stretched out again comfortably and dozed off once the boy and girl were gone.

"Boom! Splash..."

The long-anticipated thunderstorm finally broke. First, a strong scent of damp earth and water vapor rose from the ground, quickly followed by a refreshing coolness that enveloped everything.

Li Sanjiang and Old Man Tian sat at the living room entrance. The heavy rain seemed to splash out their memories; they each lit a cigarette and began recounting the past.

Liu Jinxia, Granny Hua, and Wang Lian—the three old sisters—jogged over under the thick curtain of rain. They had met at Wang Lian's house first and were on their way when the rain started.

Wang Lian held her hands above her head, Liu Jinxia carefully watched her steps, and Granny Hua seemed even more boisterous, laughing and gently bumping into the other two.

Liu Jinxia scolded Granny Hua, while Wang Lian continuously begged for mercy. But Granny Hua bumped them even harder, her laughter like a duck's quack, with a distinct, bumpy rhythm.

Under the misty filter of the rain, they shed their usual agedness and composure, as this rain had also poured down on them in their youth.

Liu Yumei walked out of the east room, and the rain in front of her immediately seemed to part around her.

But as she watched the three old sisters running through the rain on the path, Liu Yumei first sighed, then gave a wry smile, saying:

"What a bunch of crazy old women."

The next moment, rain fell on Liu Yumei.

They hadn't planned a card game for today; it was mainly because Wang Lian's paralyzed son had been very troublesome lately, constantly talking about suicide to avoid burdening his family.

Liu Jinxia had separately discussed this with Liu Yumei while eating melon seeds. Liu Yumei commented that it was strange he chose to talk about suicide precisely now, not earlier or later, but only after his two children had grown up and his parents had somewhat adjusted to their family's circumstances.

While it sounded like he didn't want to burden his family, in reality, his will to live and hope had been completely eroded during this period. He was so selfish that he even tried to justify his suicide under the moral guise of caring for his family.

Liu Jinxia was used to Sister Liu's direct and blunt way of speaking, which, despite being merciless, was always very logical.

The three old sisters arrived through the rain. Aunt Liu brought them towels to dry off and served ginger soup to ward off the cold, while Uncle Qin set up the card table inside the living room.

The card game began. The others played and chatted, while Liu Yumei chatted and lost money, purposefully losing a bit more to Wang Lian.

That troublesome son's repeated suicide attempts and hospitalizations for emergency treatment were truly costly.

Wang Lian never brought her troubles here. On the way, Granny Hua was the wildest and had the most fun in the rain, but once they reached the courtyard, Wang Lian had the biggest smile.

As they played, Granny Hua suggested that in a couple of days, after the weather cleared, the four of them should go to Lang Mountain to burn incense.

Liu Yumei shook her head, indicating she wouldn't go.

If it were simply to offer respects to Heaven and Earth, it would be no problem; Heaven and Earth could bear it. However, with the significant responsibilities she now carried, going to a regular temple for a solemn offering might cause the entire Lang Mountain to burst into flames.

In the end, Liu Jinxia made the decision: in a few days, she would take Granny Hua and Wang Lian to Lang Mountain. Liu Jinxia also thoughtfully offered to burn an extra stick of incense on behalf of Sister Liu.

"No, please don't. I'm not being polite; I don't believe in these things. There's no need to burn incense or kowtow on my behalf."

The rain continued until dinner time, showing no signs of stopping.

Aunt Liu called everyone for dinner. Given the rainy weather, no one stood on ceremony; they all stayed to eat.

The rain stopped only after dinner, and everyone went home.

Old Man Tian pushed his wheelchair towards Big Beard's house. After pushing it for a while and reaching the village road, he stood up, hoisted the wheelchair onto his shoulder, and walked.

Humming a tune, he had just reached Big Beard's courtyard when he saw wind swirling in the peach grove, sending blossoms fluttering and branches rustling. Yet, outside, the wind and rain had clearly stopped long ago.

Not daring to look or think too much, Old Man Tian began tidying the herb garden, which had been battered by the rain and wind.

What made him blush was that the area he had planted needed some adjustments and care, while what the boy had planted that day was completely unaffected.

He had once experienced what true intelligence looked like through his young master. However, the young master's strengths were not in areas Old Man Tian understood. Only when his own areas of expertise were surpassed did he feel a genuine sense of defeat.

While working, Old Man Tian didn't dare to look around, only hearing the wind intermittently swirling in the adjacent peach grove.

Late at night, guzheng music drifted from deep within the peach grove, melodic yet tinged with a chilling solemnity.

Before going to bed, Li Sanjiang habitually went to check the alcove on the first floor used for offerings.

Inside, a perpetual lamp burned, inscribed with "Corpse Retriever Li" at the top, and below it, the names of himself, Little Yuanhou, and others. His great-grandson had said it was for blessings, and Li Sanjiang believed whatever his great-grandson told him.

So, morning and evening, he would come to wipe and arrange things, and while he was at it, he would also bow to the "Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism" scrolls he had previously hung on the wall, since it cost nothing.

But today, as soon as he pushed the door open, he heard a series of "cracks," and all the images of gods and Buddhas on the wall fell off.

This scared Li Sanjiang, making him think an earthquake had occurred.

When he finally finished tidying everything up, he heard the sound of a car outside.

Li Sanjiang walked out, a smile appearing on his face. The "mules" were back.

"Zhuangzhuang, have you eaten?"

"Yes, Grandfather Li. You should rest. We're going to wash up and go to bed."

"Alright, then."

Li Sanjiang went upstairs to rest.

Shortly after, Zhao Yi crept up to the second floor, stooping.

Li Zhuiyuan's room was lit. Zhao Yi slowed his pace, and just as he approached, the boy came out.

Seeing him, half of Zhao Yi's anxious heart settled.

Li Zhuiyuan glanced at him.

Zhao Yi said, "I can't help but be nervous. My entire family is currently under scrutiny, so to speak."

Li Zhuiyuan: "I didn't say anything."

Zhao Yi: "I wanted to comfort myself."

Li Zhuiyuan nodded and walked downstairs.

"Brother Xiaoyuan."

"Brother Xiaoyuan."

Among the chorus of greetings were also the Liang sisters.

Under pressure, all beings are equal.

Yin Meng sat on a stool against the wall, her back pressed against it, her expression somewhat numb.

She was like a child who had happily played outside, now having to go home with a stack of failing test papers for her parents to sign.

After Li Zhuiyuan and Zhao Yi walked down from the courtyard, Yin Meng asked blankly, "Run Sheng, what do we do?"

Run Sheng: "It's just going home. What's the big deal?"

Yin Meng: "Our ancestors will be angry."

Run Sheng: "No matter how angry they get, they're still your ancestors. At worst, they'll just kill you directly."

Liang Yan: "Is that how you comfort someone?"

Liang Li: "Exactly."

Tan Wenbin: "Once your heart dies, you'll feel at peace."

Yin Meng sighed, and her complexion indeed improved significantly.

As night deepened, Li Zhuiyuan and Zhao Yi walked along the country path.

Zhao Yi: "Are there any other options?"

Li Zhuiyuan: "Yes, but they're not suitable."

Zhao Yi: "So?"

Li Zhuiyuan: "We've decided to go to Fengdu."

Zhao Yi: "Okay."

Li Zhuiyuan: "Was the journey smooth?"

Zhao Yi: "The Lu family isn't qualified to make things difficult for us yet."

Li Zhuiyuan: "I meant on the way back."

Zhao Yi: "Very smooth. Why do you ask?"

Li Zhuiyuan fell silent.

Zhao Yi then asked, "Give me the lowdown, how's that person?"

Li Zhuiyuan: "It's very happy that you didn't open that book."

Zhao Yi: "So, should I keep up the act a bit longer? Continue to appear detached and open-minded?"

Li Zhuiyuan: "You can."

Zhao Yi: "It should be able to tell."

Li Zhuiyuan: "It doesn't matter."

Zhao Yi: "Indeed, a clear compliment is more comfortable to receive."

The two arrived at Big Beard's house. Old Man Tian had spread a straw mat and was sleeping in the herb garden.

Hearing the movement, the old man lifted his head. Upon seeing the familiar figure, he immediately got up happily and bounced over.

Old Man Tian wanted to show his young master how much he had recovered, but in Li Zhuiyuan's and Zhao Yi's eyes, the old man was walking with the kind of bouncy steps popular among young girls nowadays.

"Young Master!"

Zhao Yi smiled, stepped forward, bent down, and picked Old Man Tian up in a hug.

"No, no, Young Master, I should be carrying you, or giving you a piggyback ride."

"Old Tian, I've grown up, and my body is well now. I don't need you to carry me anymore."

More than the action, these words were even more heartless.

Old Man Tian's spirits immediately dropped.

Zhao Yi continued to twist the knife: "You're old now; you can't handle any more trouble."

Old Man Tian said aggrievedly, "Young Master..."

Most people can accept growing old, but it's hard to accept becoming useless.

Zhao Yi: "This herb garden is well-maintained. The Li family has certainly benefited."

Old Man Tian: "Young Master Yuan's expertise in this area is no worse than mine."

Zhao Yi: "You're getting along very well with Grandfather Li?"

Old Man Tian: "Old Brother Li is a good person, very interesting."

Zhao Yi: "It's rare to find an old friend, so why don't you stay here with him for a while longer?"

Old Man Tian: "I still want to go 'walking the rivers' with you, Young Master. I may be old, but I can still handle some things for you. They are younger and stronger than me, but at critical moments, they aren't as daring as I am."

"But I promised the Li family I'd rent you to them for a while."

"This..."

"For the completion and improvement of the Zhao family's techniques, and also to pave the way for me to take charge of the Zhao family after 'walking the rivers,' Old Tian, please bear a bit more hardship."

"Young Master, I'm willing. Besides, staying here isn't tiring at all; I'm happy every day. It's just that our family's herb garden and the herbs you need, Young Master..."

"The herbs here will do. Let our family's herb garden grow a bit more." Zhao Yi looked down at the large patch of young sprouts emerging from the ground. "This truly is a geomantic treasure land; even the herbs grow exceptionally fast."

"That's fine, Young Master, but I'm worried I won't have enough time to supply herbs for two teams by myself."

"You only need to take care of our side. For the other side... just give that young lady some pointers."

"Miss Qin?"

"Mhm."

"I understand, Young Master. I'll learn more from her."

"Old Tian, why are you so lacking in confidence?"

"You don't know, Young Master, I've suffered quite a big blow recently."

"I know, because I, your young master, was already utterly defeated long ago."

Zhao Yi turned his head to look at Li Zhuiyuan, who was standing in the courtyard and hadn't come down. He wanted to ask about Li's attitude, wondering if he should go into the peach grove to say hello or apologize.

To his surprise, Li wasn't even looking at him.

Noticing his gaze, Li Zhuiyuan raised his hand and pointed towards the peach grove ahead.

Zhao Yi turned his head and saw that wind had begun to stir in the previously calm peach grove.

Old Man Tian lowered his voice and said, "Young Master, this wind has been intermittently blowing since after dinner."

Zhao Yi's eyes gradually widened. He darted forward, vaulted over the fence into the courtyard, and approached Li Zhuiyuan.

Li Zhuiyuan: "The wind is getting strong. Notify your subordinates who stayed behind to be careful."

Zhao Yi took out his mobile phone and started dialing.

Chen Jing answered the phone, his voice heavy with fatigue. Lately, he had been soaking in medicinal baths daily, which was akin to undergoing marrow cleansing and meridian purging every single day.

"Chen Jing."

"Brother Yi, I'm here."

"Are Sun Yan and Xu Ming with you?"

"They're in their own rooms."

"Go inform them, tell them I said: effective immediately, activate the herb garden formation. Until I return, they are not allowed to leave the herb garden area!"

"Understood!"

After hanging up, Zhao Yi's expression turned grim, as things were unfolding much faster and more seriously than he had imagined.

Li Zhuiyuan: "You've given the instructions."

Zhao Yi: "Yes, everything's been ordered."

Li Zhuiyuan: "You should have reminded them a few more times."

Zhao Yi: "I know my subordinates aren't as capable as yours, but they're not foolish."

Li Zhuiyuan: "It's not about being foolish or not; it's that they're not in Nantong, so they have no concealment."

Zhao Yi picked up his mobile phone again and dialed, but couldn't connect.

"The formation must have already been activated. It's fine now."

Li Zhuiyuan: "I've fulfilled my duty to warn them."

Zhao Yi: "Me too."

The wind in the peach grove died down again at that moment.

Zhao Yi: "Indeed, once an existence of that level gets involved in the current, everything changes."

Li Zhuiyuan: "Mhm."

Zhao Yi: "If I hadn't forcibly sacrificed those two items, would things not be so outrageous?"

Li Zhuiyuan shook his head and said, "Your choice was correct given the situation at the time, and I never blamed you for that decision. Besides, Yin Meng was the one who set up the ritual, and Tan Wenbin was the one who encouraged you to forcibly activate the sacrifice."

Zhao Yi pointed to the altar table in the corner of the courtyard and suggested, "How about we call Yin Meng over to perform another ritual, and you repeat what you just told me to that person?"

Li Zhuiyuan: "Making those explanations now is meaningless. Are you still fantasizing about asking the Great Emperor to retract his decree? A ruler's word is law."

Zhao Yi: "Then I'm truly wronged."

Li Zhuiyuan: "But I also didn't tell you to say 'don't be ungrateful for kindness' to the Great Emperor. So, try to see the bright side; at least you got to say your piece."

Zhao Yi: "Can we really not avoid it?"

Li Zhuiyuan: "I've deduced it; avoiding it isn't worth it. Better to face it directly."

Zhao Yi: "A gamble of life and death."

Li Zhuiyuan: "It's not just life and death we're gambling with. We're not traveling thousands of miles to Fengdu just to stand before the Great Emperor and ask him to open the cup."

Zhao Yi: "First, we need to see if we can even reach Fengdu, and then, if we can reach the Great Emperor's presence once there. To have a chance at a life-or-death gamble, the prerequisite is to be qualified to sit at that gambling table."

Li Zhuiyuan: "Are you sleeping here or at home?"

Zhao Yi: "I'll go back with you and sleep in a coffin."

"There are no empty coffins left."

"No problem, I've arranged with A'You. He's swapping with me tonight. You know, A'You is a very nice guy."

The two started walking back.

Zhao Yi asked, "Do you regret provoking him?"

Li Zhuiyuan: "Time cannot be reversed; I had no choice."

The boy couldn't go back in time to not meet Yin Meng, not agree to her grandfather's request, and not research the restoration of the Yin family's twelve techniques.

As for the 'Dream Ghost wave,' he had even fewer options. Others had set up a scheme to kill him prematurely, and he had used Yin Meng's bloodline connection to draw the Great Emperor in, all to break this deadly trap.

Zhao Yi: "I mean, do you regret not showing the Great Emperor more respect?"

Li Zhuiyuan: "Just as the Great Emperor doesn't care that his own bloodline lives worse than a dog, do you think he would truly care whether I respect him?"

Zhao Yi: "That's true."

Li Zhuiyuan: "Of course, 'lazy dogs' are an exception; that was indeed excessive."

Zhao Yi: "..."

Li Zhuiyuan: "There's a fundamental conflict between the Great Emperor and me. Even if I were to always serve him respectfully, it wouldn't change this situation.

As I grow stronger, the karmic ties I carry will only increase.

Yin Meng, following me, has also seen her fortunes rise. Mengmeng's talent isn't particularly good, but she has certainly been elevated."

Zhao Yi: "Indeed."

Lost secret techniques were restored and mastered, constantly put into use; abandoned bloodlines were reactivated, and even those with mediocre aptitudes were continuously infused with merit.

If the Great Emperor were dead, none of this would be an issue. But the problem is, the Great Emperor is still alive.

As long as he lives, he must bear the ever-increasing karma brought to him by his bloodline and inheritors, and this karma shows a clear tendency to snowball.

Therefore, this meeting was inevitable.

There needs to be a resolution, a final outcome. Any number of "lazy dogs" are just extra.

When they returned to the doorstep, Zhao Yi asked, "When do we leave?"

Li Zhuiyuan: "The almanac says the day after tomorrow is suitable for long journeys."

Zhao Yi snapped, "Can you stop being so superstitious?"

The fact that Li was consulting the almanac indicated that he wasn't very confident about this 'wave' either, which made Zhao Yi's already uneasy heart even more turbulent.

Li Zhuiyuan: "Then you can take the Liang sisters and leave tomorrow."

Zhao Yi: "I choose to respect traditional folk culture."

Li Zhuiyuan: "Get some rest."

Zhao Yi: "You too."

The boy stopped, turned around, and looked at Zhao Yi: "It's been a long time since I've felt such intense unease. It's actually quite nostalgic."

Zhao Yi: "I thought someone like you would really dislike this feeling of losing control."

"I used to think so too, but then I realized that if that were truly the case, I wouldn't have gone to my great-grandfather's basement to look through books in the first place."

Li Zhuiyuan went upstairs to rest.

Lin Shuyou was squeezed out of the coffin and slept on the round table instead.

Zhao Yi lay in the coffin, closing his eyes comfortably.

Not long after, he regretted it. Snoring sounds rose and fell, like a symphony.

These brutes were like they were in a competition, as if whoever fell asleep later or snored less would suffer a great loss!

He couldn't sleep. In his mind, he recalled the last thing Li had said to him before going upstairs.

Grandfather Li's basement.

Zhao Yi took a deep breath, his hands continuously crossed. Whisps of clear wind blew from the first-floor living room, forming a barrier to obscure perceptions.

Then, he lightly curled his pinky finger, and a paper figure in the corner stepped forward, silently moving towards the basement, arriving before the iron door.

The iron door had a lock, but it was open, serving merely to hold it in place.

The paper figure raised its arm, about to remove the lock, but then stopped.

Lying in the coffin, Zhao Yi frowned slightly.

He thought of Old Tian.

Old Tian's leg had been healed thanks to Grandfather Li. For the foreseeable future, he dared not take Old Tian away, fearing a backlash from good fortune.

And he also knew... that Li was not actually a direct blood relative of Grandfather Li, yet Li had now become Grandfather Li's great-grandson.

Zhao Yi was scared. He was afraid that if he opened this lock, entered the basement, and read those things, he would also become a "grandson" in the future.

The paper figure immediately returned to its original spot and reverted to normal.

Inside the coffin, Zhao Yi, realizing belatedly, clenched his fists and cursed inwardly:

"Li, you motherf**ker, you're still trying to trick me at a time like this!"

"What, going out again? And tomorrow!"

At breakfast, Li Sanjiang was shocked to hear this news from Zhuangzhuang.

Tan Wenbin smiled and said, "Grandfather Li, this is how our line of work is. We're considered lucky, being able to come back occasionally. For others, not being able to go home for a year or even half a year is the norm."

Li Sanjiang said with a worried expression, "You're already like this while still in training. Won't you become even busier in the future?"

Tan Wenbin: "Mhm."

Li Sanjiang looked at A'Li, then at the old woman, and said, "It's like Da Yu taming the floods. What will happen if they get married later?"

Liu Yumei: "It's good for young people to be busy; they need more training."

Li Sanjiang took a mouthful of porridge with his pickled vegetables and thought to himself: 'Alright, as long as you don't object.'

The weather was beautiful today. After breakfast, everyone went about their own business.

The portraits in the alcove had all fallen off yesterday, making Li Sanjiang uneasy. He hadn't slept well last night, and then this morning, he learned the children were going on another long journey, so he quietly packed some incense and candles and left the house.

At the corner of the village road was a small Earth God shrine. No one specifically came to burn incense there, but during festivals or when passing by for funeral rites, people would offer respects. This kind of small public shrine subsisted on contributions from everyone.

In the past, whenever Li Zhuiyuan and his group went on long journeys, Li Sanjiang would offer incense at this shrine. An Earth God shrine, he reasoned, surely oversaw roads. Even if one Earth God managed one area, they were all in the same line of work and could exchange greetings.

Li Sanjiang bent down, lit incense for the shrine, which wasn't even as tall as a child, bowed, and said:

"The children are going on a long journey again. Please let each other know and keep them safe."

After bowing, he had just straightened up.

He heard a "crash," and the Earth God shrine collapsed.

Li Sanjiang had no choice but to bend down and rebuild it. It wasn't a big problem; like building a chicken coop, it was quickly reassembled. However, the clay statue of the Earth God that had stood inside had its body smashed by the falling bricks.

"Broken but safe, broken but safe. You're too kind."

After murmuring, Li Sanjiang walked towards the Li family ancestral graves in Siyuan Village.

At critical moments, he instinctively felt his own family was more reliable.

The grave Li Sanjiang had chosen for himself was not far from the ancestral graves, right by the path. That spot was now occupied by two people, benefactors Zhuangzhuang had brought back.

In reality, they were Tan Wenbin's godfather and sworn brother.

Since he encountered them along the way, Li Sanjiang simply set up incense for them too. Zhuangzhuang had said these two had helped him before, so why not help them again?

After inserting the incense, Li Sanjiang began to murmur:

"The children are going on a long journey again. Please protect them..."

"Crack!"

Before he could finish speaking, the two exquisitely repaired graves each cracked open with a large fissure.

"Bie Sanhou's craftsmanship is truly awful!"

Bie Sanhou was the village mason. His craftsmanship was neither good nor bad, but mainly cheap. These graves had been repaired by people found by Bie Sanhou before, and they had cracked more than once.

Although he was cursing Bie Sanhou, Li Sanjiang's body was honest enough not to run towards the ancestral graves again. He certainly didn't want all his ancestors to be collectively "smiling broadly."

On the second-floor balcony, Li Zhuiyuan and A'Li were sitting in wicker chairs, playing chess.

Zhao Yi sat in Li Sanjiang's distant recliner, holding a notebook and continuously writing and drawing.

Aunt Liu, as usual, leaned against the kitchen door, snacking on melon seeds and observing the two young people above.

Today, there was a new person, so Aunt Liu also took a moment to glance at him.

The young lady and the farm boy sat together, while nearby was the young master from a prominent family who had almost been engaged to the young lady.

When Aunt Liu had nothing to do, she would watch TV at home, and wasn't it always showing such things?

Tan Wenbin was having tea with the old woman, talking about eliminating the Lu family. Since it didn't involve "walking the rivers" and was merely a personal vendetta, there was no need for veiled remarks. Tan Wenbin spoke casually, and the old woman listened comfortably.

After he finished speaking, the old woman said, "The Chen family, after all, is not quite presentable. They can't even compare to your prospective in-laws in terms of being a good match."

Tan Wenbin: "This is also a good match?"

The old woman: "'A good match' doesn't refer to wealth; it refers to family reputation and dignity."

In the living room, Yin Meng leaned against a coffin, holding the Yin family genealogy book, and reciting from it.

Run Sheng sat opposite her, making paper crafts.

"'Yin Anmin gave birth to three sons: Yin Ruhai, Yin Ruwang...'"

Run Sheng asked, puzzled, "Why are you memorizing all that?"

Yin Meng: "I'm going to meet the ancestors, so I should at least remember who's who."

Before the Yin family's complete decline, deceased Yin family members were pushed into the Yin family mausoleum by imps. Yin Meng was now relying on last-minute ancestral help.

"Oh dear!"

Yin Meng got angry and slapped the genealogy book forcefully against her head.

"Why did they have so many children, so fertile! Why wasn't there family planning back then?!"

Run Sheng: "Don't bother memorizing. When you meet them, just call them 'ancestors' collectively."

Yin Meng: "What about when I meet 'that one'?"

Run Sheng: "Call him 'Old Ancestor'."

Yin Meng: "But I just realized, why was our family so large historically, but then later it became single-line inheritance?

Wait, according to old customs, I'm a girl, so I can't be on the family genealogy. So my Yin family line should end with me."

Run Sheng: "You can find a live-in son-in-law."

Yin Meng: "I don't think that's necessary. Before meeting Brother Xiaoyuan, my grandfather and I didn't really benefit from this family name either."

Run Sheng: "You can't say that to the ancestors."

Yin Meng: "Oh, right."

After Tan Wenbin and the old woman finished their tea, they went upstairs. Tan Wenbin first approached Zhao Yi and saw a dense array of names in his notebook, some circled, some crossed out.

"What's this?"

Zhao Yi: "A contemporary family tree."

"What are you drawing then?"

"I was thinking, if the Great Emperor feels there's