"Is this... very taxing on divine power?"
A: The local record is a divine artifact, a thing that connects the three realms. To raise ghosts, it only requires the divine power of the local deity and commands, without needing to expend much supernatural power.
"That's good." Xu Zhengyang breathed a sigh of relief, waved his hand and said, "Then put the two ghosts away for now, I have something to tell them later."
The county register flickered with light, and though there was nothing unusual outside, the two ghosts were terrified, loudly begging the magistrate for their lives. The two ghosts rapidly shrank, instantly transforming into tiny green specks of light the size of mosquitoes, and were absorbed into the county register.
"Don't be afraid, this is how your lives were saved! Sigh." Xu Zhengyang looked very seriously at the two faint ghost spots in the county record and said softly. Then he explained that they were ghosts whose lifespan had not yet ended and could not enter the underworld. If they were not collected into the divine artifact and protected, they would soon be scattered.
Then, from the county records came the cries of two ghosts, weeping and wailing in gratitude.
Xu Zhengyang blushed and, feeling somewhat guilty, took the county record into his body.
Originally... I was actually thinking of using them.
Sigh, I'm so conflicted. I hope that the so-called judge and other gods won't be able to contact me for a while, so that I can temporarily keep these two ghosts whose lifespans haven't ended. On the other hand, I hope that after a while, I can contact my superiors as soon as possible. After all, these two ghosts whose lifespans haven't ended are unlucky enough to be alive. They died before their time to die, and after they died, they couldn't go to the underworld to be reincarnated. Instead, they faced the prospect of their souls being scattered. This is just the worst kind of bad luck.
Unfortunately, Xu Zhengyang sighed, guessing that there was no hope of contacting his superiors.
well!
Xu Zhengyang... is still kind at heart.
Suddenly, a question flashed through my mind: If there are no gods in this world, wouldn't all the ghosts whose lifespans haven't ended be scattered to the winds? Then why... is there such a population explosion? Where did all these ghosts come from? So, there must still be gods, otherwise it just doesn't make sense!
Shaking his head, Xu Zhengyang thought, "Why think about these things?" He lit a cigarette and quickened his pace towards the village...
Volume 2, Gong Cao, Chapter 52: A Carriage Arrives to Pick Us Up
The sky was just beginning to lighten, and the crisp air still carried a hint of dampness. Sometime last night, a light rain had fallen again.
In the farmhouse courtyard, the soil was blackened, the red bricks were dull, and water dripped from the eaves.
Beneath the grape trellis, the stems and leaves are lush and green, and bunches of purplish-brown grapes gleam with a bright, glistening sheen, making one's mouth water. Every now and then, water droplets fall from the stems and leaves and from the grape bunches to the ground, whether it is rainwater or juice dripping from the ripe grapes, it is hard to tell.
"Take this with you too, eat it if you get hungry on the way. And what about the grapes? Where are the grapes? Dad, did you wash the grapes you just picked? Put them in a plastic bag..." Yuan Suqin's nagging voice came from inside the house. "You brat, you just have to take them with you. Take off the necklace, you can wear it at school. In this world, if those pickpockets see it, they'll steal it even if they can't steal it..."
Xu Zhengyang walked out of the house with a large backpack slung over his shoulder, a look of bewilderment on his face.
Xu Rouyue's eyes were red, and she reluctantly dragged her suitcase as she followed her brother out.
"Oh dear, it just rained, and it's all muddy and wet..." Yuan Suqin said anxiously, frowning as she followed along, carrying a paper bag from when she bought clothes. She muttered, "If I had known it would rain today, I should have bought a car yesterday. We're not short of money!"
It's kind of funny, even though the family is well-off now, Yuan Suqin still got up very early today. She made some thin egg pancakes, boiled more than twenty tea eggs, washed five or six melons, eight or nine bunches of grapes, a pot of mung bean soup, and a pot of tea... In her words, "Buying food and drinks on the way is so expensive!"
It wasn't that she was truly afraid of being poor and couldn't bear to spend money; rather, as a parent, she felt uneasy and worried if she didn't take care of her child when they went on a long trip and prepare some things for them.
"Oh dear, umbrella, Dad, get the umbrella out!" Yuan Suqin suddenly remembered something and quickly shouted into the house, "Hurry up, you're always dawdling. Go to Old Cao's house to borrow a tricycle, the roads outside are all flooded... Never mind, I'll go find Han Dashan, they have a car!"
"Mom, no need to trouble yourself. I called Yao Chushun, and he arranged for someone to come pick me up." Xu Zhengyang said with a smile, "He said he would be here soon when I called."
Yuan Suqin glared at her son: "You should have said so earlier! You brat!"
"Mother...you, please take good care of yourself." Xu Rouyue stood on the steps, holding her mother's arm and speaking softly, her red eyes brimming with tears.
"My daughter is so thoughtful!" Yuan Suqin's eyes also welled up with tears as she stroked her daughter's hair and said, "Rouyue, don't skimp on your food and drinks at school. Your brother is earning money now, and our family is well-off. We won't miss out on the money you spend at school. Buy yourself some nice clothes and eat well..."
Xu Neng came out of the house with an umbrella, his face still bearing the typical broad smile of a rural man. When he reached his wife and daughter, he opened his mouth but didn't say anything. He then went into the yard and handed the umbrella to Xu Zhengyang, saying, "Take care on the way. When you get to the school, treat the teachers to a meal and ask them to look after your sister..."
"Okay, I understand." Xu Zhengyang nodded in agreement, both amused and exasperated. He thought to himself, "When will I be able to take my parents to the capital to see for themselves? Otherwise, they still don't know what the outside world is like."
As he was speaking, his phone rang. Xu Zhengyang took out his phone and answered, "Hey, you've entered the village? Okay!"
After hanging up the phone, Xu Zhengyang walked towards the gate of the courtyard, saying, "The car is here! It's pretty fast!"
Xu Zhengyang was stunned when he opened the courtyard gate and saw the people standing outside. He then remembered that Li Bingjie had said before she left the day before yesterday that she was also going to the capital today, and he had politely said that they would go together... They actually were going to go together?
But there stood the burly driver, smiling, at the door.
"Hey, come in and sit down. How long have you been waiting outside?" Xu Zhengyang quickly said politely.
"Just arrived," the driver replied with a smile, then said, "Is everything ready? Let's go now, the young lady is waiting in the car."
"Oh, okay, all set, let's go." Xu Zhengyang replied, turning his head to say, "Dad, Mom, my classmate is also going to Beijing today, and their car is here to pick up Rouyue and me."
The family had already reached the door, all looking somewhat surprised. Yuan Suqin reacted quickly, saying, "Haven't eaten yet? Come in and have a bite. I made some pancakes and cooked some porridge, it's ready..."
"I've already eaten, shall we go now?" the driver politely declined with a smile.
"It would be too much trouble for you to come pick me up. You could have just called and met me at the train station. My friend is also driving over to pick me up." Xu Zhengyang said politely. "Okay, let's go then."
The driver had already taken the suitcase from Xu Rouyue's hand. The heavy, large suitcase looked like a toy in his hands as he casually carried it out of the alley.
“Brother…” Xu Rouyue hesitated, feeling a little embarrassed.
"Hehe, let's go." Xu Zhengyang took his sister's hand and walked outside.
Xu Neng and Yuan Suqin hurriedly followed and escorted them out.
On the street, some early-rising villagers stood in groups of three or five, eating their meals and chatting.
A black Audi A8 was parked on one side of the alley entrance. Villagers would occasionally glance at the car with puzzled looks. Hadn't this car come three times already? It seemed to belong to a wealthy young woman looking for Xu Neng's son…
The driver walked to the front of the car, opened the trunk, put the suitcase in, and waited for Xu Zhengyang to come over and put his backpack and other belongings in as well before closing the trunk and gesturing for Xu Zhengyang to get in the car.
"Fuck your father!" Yao Chushun's signature catchphrase rang out. "There was a car to pick you up, but you made me take a taxi so early in the morning..."
"Hey, Mr. Gu!" Xu Zhengyang opened the car door and let his sister get in first, then turned and walked towards Yao Chushun.
Yao Chushun stood next to a taxi, looking disgruntled: "Doesn't someone have to watch the shop? Damn it! You're really taking it easy as a hands-off boss!"
"I'm so sorry, I didn't expect her to come." Xu Zhengyang said politely, taking out a cigarette from his pocket and offering one to Yao Chushun. He said, "Is everything alright at the shop? I was thinking of going to the shop yesterday, but my sister is leaving today, so I took her to buy some clothes."
"What the hell is this!" Yao Chushun muttered in dissatisfaction, turned around, opened the car door, and got in. "I'm leaving now. Damn it, I have to open the door to welcome guests in a bit. I haven't eaten yet."
The taxi drove over the damp, black slag road and headed out of the village.
Xu Zhengyang turned back and walked over, only to find his parents already chatting with the neighbors. The conversation revolved around things like their daughter going to Beijing that day, the start of school, and so on. Ever since rumors started circulating in the village that Xu Zhengyang had some kind of connection with the local earth god, the neighbors had become increasingly polite to the family. And lately, it was obvious that their living conditions were improving. Yuan Suqin was adorned with gold and silver, and her son was even more impressive, driving a huge motorcycle that was rumored to be worth tens of thousands! And what kind of people did they associate with now? Hmm, everyone coming and going was driving a car!
Xu Rouyue had no choice but to politely get out of the car, walk over and stand with her parents to greet the neighbors, uncles, aunts, and grandmas.
"Rouyue, let's go, don't keep people waiting." Xu Zhengyang greeted her with a smile as he walked over, exchanging a few polite nods with the neighbors while showing a simple and honest smile.
Amidst the envious glances of the neighbors, Xu Zhengyang and Xu Rouyue got into the Audi A8.
Li Bingjie, who hadn't gotten out of the car, sat in the back seat. She was wearing a white dress today, her eyes were vacant, and she was holding the book "Classic of Mountains and Seas" with a cool and indifferent expression.
Xu Rouyue naturally sat in the back seat, while Xu Zhengyang sat in the passenger seat. After closing the car door, Xu Zhengyang turned to Li Bingjie and said, "Thank you for your trouble, you even drove all the way here to pick me up."
Li Bingjie slightly raised her head to glance at Xu Zhengyang, then lowered her head again to continue reading.
"Sigh, this girl..." Xu Zhengyang sighed inwardly. Why is she acting so strangely?
The Audi A8 slowly drove out of the village, splashing water as it passed over small puddles on the slag-covered road. In the eastern sky, a red sun was already rising.
"Sister Bingjie, thank you." From the back seat, Xu Rouyue greeted her politely, her face flushed.
Li Bingjie naturally didn't say anything, nor did she raise her head.
Xu Zhengyang turned his head and said, "Rouyue, she doesn't like to talk, don't mind her too much."
"Oh." Xu Rouyue nodded with some doubt, thinking to herself that Li Bingjie was really strange. How could she be like this? Even if you don't like to talk, you can't be this cold. You should at least have some manners.
As the car drove out of the village and onto the national highway, Li Bingjie suddenly looked up at Xu Rouyue and said, "You're welcome."
"Huh?" Xu Rouyue was startled and quickly nodded, "Oh."
Sitting in the passenger seat, Xu Zhengyang couldn't help but turn his head and look at Li Bingjie, who had already lowered her head to continue reading. He looked puzzled and helpless. This Li Bingjie... your reply is too slow, isn't it?
A hint of surprise flashed across the driver's eyes. He reached for his sunglasses, put them on, and a slight smile appeared on his lips.
After the car reached the national highway, it did not turn right to head north towards Fuhe City, but instead turned left towards Futou Town.
Xu Zhengyang asked in surprise, "Brother, you're wrong, where are we going?"
"The capital city," the driver replied casually, as if he thought Xu Zhengyang's question was a bit idiotic.
"Shouldn't we go to the train station?"
"Oh, we'll take the highway!" The driver grinned.
Xu Zhengyang was taken aback, then smiled wryly and said, "I bought the train tickets yesterday."
"Do you want to get a refund first?" the driver asked. Because he was wearing sunglasses, his expression was not visible, and there was no contempt in his tone. It was as if what Xu Zhengyang said was perfectly normal.
"No need," Xu Zhengyang shook his head.
The Audi turned left at the Chengfeng Road intersection and headed towards the Jingming Expressway.
"May I ask your surname, elder brother?"
"Li, Li Chengzhong!" the driver replied indifferently.
"Oh." Xu Zhengyang nodded, unsure what to say next. He thought to himself: Well, this journey has been rather dull, I guess I'll just have to keep quiet!
Although he had some questions, such as where Li Bingjie was from, what she was doing in Beijing, and how she could be such a good friend, Xu Zhengyang didn't want to ask them. First, it was inappropriate to ask Li Chengzong these questions in front of Li Bingjie, and second, he knew he wouldn't get any answers from Li Bingjie.
In short, it's a very frustrating thing.
...
Volume Two, Gong Cao, Chapter 53: Bingjie's Mother Wants to See You
It was not even 11 a.m. when the car had already driven onto the West Fourth Ring Road in Beijing.
Looking out the car window at the endless stream of vehicles and the towering buildings on both sides, even though this was Xu Zhengyang's second time visiting Beijing, he still felt a mix of emotions. What a modern metropolis! He definitely needed to find time to bring his parents to Beijing. He imagined that after a few days of sightseeing in Beijing, his parents would be incredibly proud when they returned to their village.
While Li Chengzong was thinking about these things, he slowed down the car and took out his phone to answer the call.
After giving a few intermittent replies, Li Chengzong put away his phone and asked with a smile, "Zhengyang, which university does your sister attend?"
"Oh, Tsinghua University." Xu Zhengyang snapped out of his reverie and hurriedly answered, then turned to ask, "Is it the south gate of Tsinghua University?"
"Ah? Right, Huaqing Garden." Xu Rouyue seemed to have fallen asleep, rubbing her sleepy eyes as she quickly said, "No, no, let's go to Zhengqiying Community on Chengfu West Road first, that's where I live. Ah... never mind, just go to Huaqing University. Um, Uncle, do you know how to get to Huaqing University?"
Li Chengzong smiled at the rearview mirror and said, "I know."
The Audi A8 continued driving forward for a while until it reached the North Fourth Ring Road, then exited the Fourth Ring Road and drove outwards along Zhongguancun East Road.
To Xu Zhengyang and his sister's surprise, Li Chengzong drove directly to the entrance of Zhengqiying Residential Area. He stopped the car in an open area at the entrance of the residential area and asked with a smile, "Is this the place?"
“Ah, yes, we can just stop here…” Xu Rouyue nodded repeatedly.
"Let's go in." Li Chengzong smiled and drove into the residential area.
The community has wide roads, lush low trees on both sides, and green lawns, creating a comfortable and elegant environment.
According to Xu Rouyue, the Audi A8 soon stopped in front of an 18-story building in the residential area.