"This year?" At Gouwa's words, Li Huowang's heart gave a sudden thump, and an uneasy thought surged up within him.
"What do you mean by that?" Li Huowang used Ground Shrinking to Inches and appeared before Gouwa, grabbing him by the collar and lifting him up. "Has a long time passed?"
"S-Senior Brother Li, don't have an episode... N-not much time has passed. Qingming hasn't even come yet."
Hearing that, Li Huowang finally let out a long breath and put down the grimacing Gouwa.
"Speak more clearly next time," Li Huowang instructed, somewhat displeased.
"Yes, yes, yes." How could Gouwa dare argue with Senior Brother Li when he was having an episode?
"Oh, right, Senior Brother Li, you didn't come back for anything important today, did you? If you've got time, could you manage the village a little?"
"There are more and more people in the village. With you and Bai Shimei both gone, Zhao Wu and I can barely keep up."
"If you can't keep up, hire people. Do I need to tell you that?" As Li Huowang spoke, a thought suddenly struck him. He looked at the bustling Oxheart Village before him.
"Gouwa, does Oxheart Village have food now?"
"Yes, of course! Senior Brother Li, don't tell me you forgot? Didn't the Heavenly Dog swallow the sun last time? Afterward, you told us to stockpile a whole heap of food."
"Since you gave the word, we definitely had to stockpile it. We stored plenty—enough to feed everyone in Oxheart Village for years."
At that, Li Huowang's heart leapt with joy. "Take me to the granary!"
Under Gouwa's lead, Li Huowang quickly arrived at the Bai Family Ancestral Hall.
After twisting the three bronze monkeys, Li Huowang and Gouwa entered.
When they reached the White Lotus Sect's Secret Chamber