Xu Zhengyang smiled but didn't expose Diao Yishi's thoughts.
Diao Yishi seemed to understand that Xu Zhengyang knew his thoughts, and became even more embarrassed. He said with an awkward smile, "Brother Yang, to be honest, is Brother Chaojiang practicing martial arts? He doesn't have any martial arts routines at all."
"Oh, he knows martial arts routines too, but this is how he is now," Xu Zhengyang said calmly, genuinely puzzled. Was Chen Chaojiang's daily run followed by this crazy, chaotic, and unstructured punching and kicking a good thing or a bad thing? Logically, this shouldn't be good. But Chen Chaojiang's explanation to Xu Zhengyang was: "When you're fast, you can't tell; I'm actually following a routine."
Xu Zhengyang scoffed at this explanation. As the saying goes, the bystander sees most of the game. Even if I'm not as fast as you, how could I not see it?
Chen Chaojiang ignored his questions and continued to do as he pleased.
"Brother Yang, when will Brother Chaojiang finish fighting? Let's go back, it's too, too cold." Diao Yishi, wearing a down jacket, breathed warm air on his hands and stamped his feet as he spoke.
"Okay, let's go back first, he still has a while to go." Xu Zhengyang smiled, took out a cigarette and tossed one to Diao Yishi, lit one for himself, and turned to walk back into the village.
Diao Yishi hesitated for a moment, then hurriedly jogged to catch up.
"Brother Yang, how about I learn special abilities from you?"
"You can't learn it."
"I can try!"
"Try your ass! Try to grow a rose on your head. If you do, I'll teach you."
"Oh." Diao Yishi realized that this was probably something only a gifted individual could do. Most likely, most likely, Chen Chaojiang's freakish martial arts training was also a matter of innate talent. Sigh, why didn't my mother give me some kind of talent? Diao Yishi sighed with great frustration.
Volume 3, Judge 123: Driving school instructor Mr. Dong has an urgent matter.
The biting wind of deep winter was piercing and chilling. The sky was overcast and gray, as if frozen in time, devoid of any sign of life.
On the east side of National Highway 107 outside the South Ring Road of Fuhe City, in the driving range of Shuntong Driving School, two Volkswagen Santanas, one black and one red, are slowly circling around the poles.
"Master Dong, this thing isn't actually that hard to learn," Xu Zhengyang said with a smile as he drove.
"Well, learning to drive isn't difficult; the challenge lies in reacting to emergencies on the road..." said Mr. Dong, the driving instructor with a kind face, nodding beside him.
Xu Zhengyang drove around a row of poles, stopped at the edge of the driving range, took out a Yuxi cigarette and tossed one to Master Dong, saying, "Thank you for your help these past few days."
"It's my job." Master Dong took the cigarette, lit it, and laughed. "Anyway, there aren't many people learning to drive in the middle of winter, so we're just sitting around doing nothing."
The two chatted and laughed as they looked out the car window. They saw that Xu Zhengyang's red Santana was gone, and Chen Chaojiang's black Santana had accelerated, weaving back and forth between the poles before driving onto the training track. It accelerated rapidly, leaving a trail of thin smoke behind it.
“Your friend is much better than you. This kid used to drive, right?” Master Dong asked.
"Well, I'm not too sure about that either, haha," Xu Zhengyang said with a smile. He couldn't be jealous of that. Chen Chaojiang was indeed much faster at learning to drive than him. He had a great feel for driving. After the instructor explained the basic driving operations and precautions, Chen Chaojiang could drive as soon as he got in the car. Before long, he dared to shift gears and accelerate. Although Chen Chaojiang didn't talk much about traffic regulations, recognizing traffic signs, and other theoretical knowledge, the instructor could tell that this kid seemed to be learning faster than Xu Zhengyang.
Or to put it simply, Xu Zhengyang wasn't as attentive as Chen Chaojiang when he was learning.
"Come on, let's drive over to the lounge and have some hot water," said Master Dong.
"Okay." Xu Zhengyang smiled, started the car, and slowly drove towards the lounge.
The reason Xu Zhengyang came to learn to drive with Chen Chaojiang was because of a comment Ouyang Ying made when her sister and her friends returned to Beijing last time: "Brother Zhengyang, why don't you buy a car yet? You just ride your motorcycle around all day? Aren't you cold? It's not like we don't have the money..." After hearing this, Xu Zhengyang suddenly felt that he should buy a car. He really didn't lack the money, and having a car would be much more convenient than riding a motorcycle. Chen Chaojiang wouldn't have to ride his motorcycle with him in the cold every day.
After his sister and the others left, Xu Zhengyang and Chen Chaojiang rode their motorcycles to Shuntong Driving School, each paying 3,500 yuan in tuition, and then began their driving lessons.
There was basically no difference between having them at Gu Xiangxuan and not having them, so they simply spent all their time learning to drive at the driving school. This puzzled the instructor, who figured these two young men were probably from some nouveau riche family in the countryside. Now that their family had money, they wanted to show off. However, they seemed like pretty decent people, not flaunting their wealth or anything, except that the fair-skinned boy gave off a cold feeling.
Chen Chaojiang told Xu Zhengyang after only five days of learning that there was nothing to learn about this thing, and that he was already driving around on the road.
Xu Zhengyang firmly stopped Chen Chaojiang from having this idea, telling him to concentrate. Knowing how to drive doesn't mean you can drive on the road. Besides, there's a lot of theoretical knowledge to learn. Are you sure you've learned it all? When you drive on the road in the future, who knows what special situations might happen? There's no harm in learning more. Anyway, we lack many things now, but we don't lack time and money.
So Chen Chaojiang really took it very seriously and started studying diligently.
This made Xu Zhengyang feel particularly ashamed, because he himself was unable to fully devote himself to learning driving and traffic rules theory.
Recently, Xu Zhengyang has been pondering whether to send Zhan Xiaohui and Deng Wenjing back to their rural hometown to build a few temples. He's genuinely anxious because they haven't been officially appointed Chief Judge yet, and the "acting" title has been removed. He remembers the martial arts novels he used to read, where the higher the level of the martial arts masters, the more difficult it was to advance further, requiring an extremely long time. They would often go into seclusion for ten or eight years, and by the time they became masters, they were already in their seventies or eighties.
Xu Zhengyang didn't want to waste his time like this. If he were to die before he could become an emperor and his body was crippled, it would be the greatest tragedy in the human world and even the divine realm.
It seems my faith isn't strong enough!
Or perhaps it's because I've been neglecting my duties as a priest lately and haven't been serving the people, which has slowed down my progress in divine power and prevented me from getting promoted?
Anything is possible.
So recently, Xu Zhengyang has been trying to find time every day to check if any extremely despicable individuals in the city's counties and districts have done anything that would incur public wrath. Unfortunately, with nearly ten million people in the city, unless someone unintentionally prays for divine protection out of resentment and anger, it would be as difficult as finding a needle in a haystack for Xu Zhengyang to find out.
As for those who prayed to the gods and petitioned to worship them, Xu Zhengyang was really annoyed and frustrated.
Xu Zhengyang, who currently appears to be the only deity, clearly understands people's selfish nature. What's going on here? Did the gods create this just for your family? Do you think you can do whatever you want? Everyone wants to get rich and have everything go smoothly. As the only deity, does Xu Zhengyang need to dig for treasure every day and then learn from Santa Claus, climbing over walls and jumping through windows to throw gold nuggets into your homes?
Not to mention, even Zhong Shan, now the head of the Criminal Investigation Division of Cixian County Public Security Bureau, hasn't called Xu Zhengyang or the local earth god for help again. Xu Zhengyang even used his supernatural powers to check Zhong Shan's mindset, and, according to Zhong Shan, he said, "If everything can be solved by the gods, then what's the point of having police?"
Xu Zhengyang couldn't very well offer help voluntarily, could he? Firstly, he didn't have the time to deal with such trivial matters, and secondly... were you kidding me? Would a deity voluntarily report to the local police station which thief was stealing something at which place, and then rush to catch him?
Are you still able to manage all that work every day?
"Here, Zhengyang, have some hot water," Master Dong said with a smile, placing a cup of hot water on the table.
Master Dong had a very good impression of Xu Zhengyang. This young man, who was of average appearance and not particularly flashy in his clothes, always smiled at everyone he met and offered Yuxi cigarettes to others every day. Master Dong was quite pleased; where else had he met such a humble, unassuming, and unpretentious rich young master?
Reminded by Master Dong, Xu Zhengyang came to his senses and smiled, "Thank you."
"Don't mention it, haha." Master Dong smiled sincerely. "I can tell that even though you spend all your time at school learning to drive, you have a lot on your mind. You should take time to rest and relax when necessary."
"Master Dong, you're such a kind person," Xu Zhengyang said with a simple and honest smile, expressing his gratitude.
Master Dong waved his hand and said, "What's so good about it? It can't compare to you. I've been taking advantage of you these days, smoking your good cigarettes every day. I feel so bad about it."
"Why are you saying all this? You're being too polite," Xu Zhengyang said with a smile.
Most relationships between people are reciprocal; after all, truly heartless and cruel people are a minority. Therefore, in Xu Zhengyang's impression, Master Dong was quite good—a kind and honest man. So kind that he felt bad about smoking Xu Zhengyang's Yuxi cigarettes every day, and would always politely ask how he was being treated. He even treated Xu Zhengyang and Chen Chaojiang to hot pot twice at a restaurant outside the driving school.
From casual conversations, Xu Zhengyang learned that Mr. Dong's family consisted of four people: his eldest daughter had just graduated from university and hadn't found a job yet, his son was a senior in high school, Mr. Dong earned 2,300 yuan a month, and his wife worked as a saleswoman in a shopping mall, earning 1,500 yuan a month. Although the family lived in the city, they were managing to get by.
After chatting for a few more minutes, his phone rang. Master Dong gave Xu Zhengyang an apologetic look, then took out his phone and answered it:
"Hello, it's me, uh, ah, ah?"
Master Dong's face instantly changed, turning pale, and beads of sweat appeared on his forehead. He said anxiously, "Where is it? Okay, okay, I understand, I'll be right there."
After getting up, Mr. Dong remembered that the driving school's vehicles did not allow him to go out on personal business, so he hurriedly turned to Xu Zhengyang and said, "Zhengyang, can I borrow your motorcycle? I have something urgent to do. Never mind, I'm not good at driving that thing..." As he spoke, Mr. Dong hurriedly walked out without even saying goodbye to his boss.
Xu Zhengyang paused for a moment, then went to the locker to get his helmet and gloves. He quickly walked to the motorcycle outside, got on, and took out his phone to send a text message to Chen Chaojiang saying that he was taking Master Dong out for some business and would be back in a bit. After sending the message, he put on his gloves and helmet, drove the motorcycle to catch up with Master Dong, who had just arrived at the driving school entrance, and called out, "Get on."
Mr. Dong was stunned for a moment, then quickly got on his motorcycle and said anxiously, "Municipal People's Hospital."
Xu Zhengyang nodded, and the Yamaha 250 sped out through the small door next to the driving school gate.
Inside the driving school's practice area, a black Volkswagen Santana suddenly accelerated, roaring and kicking up a cloud of gravel. In an instant, it reached the school gate, only to find it tightly shut. Chen Chaojiang coldly stepped out of the car, a flicker of doubt in his long, icy eyes. Ignoring the old man shouting as he came out of the guardhouse, he strode quickly out through a side door.
Standing by the roadside, Chen Chaojiang watched the motorcycle and the two figures disappear from his sight, feeling quite helpless. After all, he didn't know where Xu Zhengyang had gone, and even if he took a taxi, he couldn't catch up now. Frowning, Chen Chaojiang took out his phone and sent Xu Zhengyang a text message: "Call me and tell me the address when you arrive."
Chen Chaojiang knew that Master Dong must have something urgent to attend to, otherwise Xu Zhengyang would not have left in such a hurry.
As for what it was, Chen Chaojiang didn't care.
His only concern was Xu Zhengyang, their friendship, and his professional duties.
Volume 3, Judge, Chapter 124, The Same Ward
Outside the outpatient building of the Municipal People's Hospital.
As Xu Zhengyang finished setting up his motorcycle, his instructor, Dong Yuebu, rushed into the hospital building in a panic. Xu Zhengyang took off his gloves, put them in his pocket, and walked in carrying his helmet in one hand.
Hospitals are never quiet during the day; the entrance is always full of cars, and the building is filled with patients, family members, doctors, and nurses rushing around. When Xu Zhengyang entered the lobby on the first floor, he was surprised to find his father and mother sitting on several rows of waiting chairs, talking about something with some concern on their faces.
"Father, Mother, what are you doing at the hospital?" Xu Zhengyang hurriedly went over and asked, having long since put Dong Yuebu's matter aside.
When Yuan Suqin saw her son, a look of surprise appeared on her face. She then asked, "Zhengyang, what are you doing at the hospital?"
"Oh, it's nothing. A friend's daughter is sick, so I came to check on her," Xu Zhengyang replied, then asked with concern, "Mom, what brings you to the hospital?"
"What's wrong? You're suspicious. You have to say you're sick and get checked out," Xu Neng muttered.
Yuan Suqin glared at him: "What's wrong? People who aren't sick come for regular checkups, so why can't I? It's not your money. It's my son's money that's being spent!"
"Alright, alright, stop making a fuss." Xu Zhengyang quickly stopped him. "What's wrong?"
“Yesterday I went to visit relatives at your uncle’s house, and your aunt said that the right side of my neck looked like it was swollen, so I came to get it checked out…” Yuan Suqin rubbed the right side of her neck, gesturing to Xu Zhengyang, and asked, “Zhengyang, take a look, isn’t it a bit big? I also feel like there’s something there.”
Xu Zhengyang frowned and looked at his mother's neck, his gaze seemingly penetrating the skin to see inside. Sure enough, there was a lump about the size of an egg beneath the skin, but it wasn't very noticeable on the surface due to the pressure pressing inward. People who live together for a long time would never notice its presence from the outside. Xu Zhengyang didn't know what it was, but anything abnormal was considered sick, so he said softly, "It's a bit swollen. What did the doctor say?"
"I haven't seen it yet," Yuan Suqin said with some dissatisfaction. "I just arrived, so I'll rest for a while. Look how crowded it is here; we even have to queue to register."
"Oh." Xu Zhengyang nodded, then sat down next to his mother, reached out and stroked the swollen area on her neck. He narrowed his eyes, and in his mind, a soft, smooth warm current emanated from his fingertips, gently sliding under the skin of his mother's neck and touching the swollen area.
Xu Zhengyang thought that since the divine power had been able to repair and heal the pre-existing ailments in Cheng Jinchang and Cui Yao's bodies when they were reborn, treating the swelling in his mother's body now should be no problem. As for how to heal it… Xu Zhengyang was now quite adept at using divine power. The reason it was called divine power was because it was a supernatural power of will; it didn't require knowledge of medical techniques or an understanding of human anatomy. All it took was the willpower to heal a part of the body, and it would naturally heal under the guidance of the divine power. When Cheng Jinchang and Cui Yao entered Zhan Xiaohui and Deng Wenjing's bodies, it was the divine power bestowed by Xu Zhengyang that allowed them to gradually repair their damaged organs and thus come back to life.
However, just as his mental power probed under the skin of his mother's neck and touched the swelling, his mother suddenly shuddered as if pricked by a needle, then cried out in pain and dodged Xu Zhengyang's touch, asking in surprise, "Zhengyang, what are you doing?"
"Hmm? What's wrong?" Xu Zhengyang withdrew his mental power and asked in confusion.
"When you touched my neck just now, it felt like being pricked with needles. No, it felt like being scalded by boiling water, it hurt so much, ouch..." Yuan Suqin seemed to still be in pain, gently rubbing her neck, frowning and shaking her head slightly.
Xu Zhengyang was taken aback. It seemed that even when divine power healed human ailments, it could still cause pain. He realized that the reason Cheng Jinchang and Cui Yao were able to repair their internal organs without feeling pain was because their bodies were already dead and incapable of feeling pain. By the time their souls fully merged into their bodies, the damaged organs had already been repaired, so they felt no pain.
Xu Zhengyang was slightly disappointed and genuinely worried. He quickly ran to the registration window, queued up, and registered before taking his mother to see a doctor.
After running around, getting CT scans, blood tests, and stool samples, the results came back: a thyroid tumor. Whether it was benign or malignant was still uncertain; he needed to be hospitalized for surgery. Xu Zhengyang's head buzzed. Even though he wasn't very educated or worldly-wise, he knew the difference between benign and malignant. Malignant—wasn't that cancer?
Fortunately, the doctor reassured him, "The chance of this type of thyroid tumor turning malignant is very small, less than one in ten. So there's no need to worry too much."
Hearing the doctor's words, Xu Zhengyang breathed a sigh of relief, patted his chest, and walked out of the room, saying to his parents, "It's nothing, it's just a small fleshy lump. I'll have surgery to remove it. Dad, Mom, I'm going to take care of the admission procedures..." After saying that, Xu Zhengyang hurriedly walked towards the inpatient department.
When Xu Neng and Yuan Suqin heard that they needed to be hospitalized for surgery, their faces turned pale with fright. They looked at each other, their hearts pounding with worry, wondering if it was some kind of serious illness. Why else would they need to be hospitalized and have surgery? They had only been living a good life for a few days!
Xu Neng helped his wife sit down first, and after saying a few words of comfort, he got up anxiously and caught up with his son.
There was still a queue at the inpatient department. Xu Zhengyang stood calmly in the crowd, his mind racing. If it were a malignant tumor, he would use any means necessary, even anesthesia, to cure his mother. Just then, his father, Xu Neng, approached and whispered, "Zhengyang, tell me the truth, what exactly is wrong with your mother?"
"The doctor said it's a thyroid tumor. I don't really understand it, but it's just a fleshy lump on my neck. I can just have it surgically removed," Xu Zhengyang explained with a smile, knowing his father was uneasy.
"Really...really alright?"
"Dad, don't worry, everything will be fine. The doctor said that I'll have the surgery after three days in the hospital, and then stay for another week after the surgery to have the stitches removed before I can go home," Xu Zhengyang comforted him with a smile.
"Oh, that's good, that's good." Xu Neng nodded.
Xu Zhengyang kept a smile on his face, afraid that his nervousness would arouse his father's suspicion.
Unexpectedly, his father suddenly said, "Zhengyang, you're not getting any younger. Our family's conditions aren't bad now. It's time for you to get married and start a family."
"Huh? Why are you bringing this up again? Didn't I tell you there's no rush?"
“We have to be in a hurry…” Xu Neng sighed and said, “You’re all growing up so fast, and your mother and I are almost fifty… When people get old, who knows when they might get sick or have an accident and not make it through…”
"Dad, what are you saying?" Xu Zhengyang quickly interrupted his father, feeling a pang of sadness in his heart.