The Righteous Path to Subdue Demons

Li Zhuiyuan slept very soundly. He didn't dream, didn't get up in the night, and didn't even change his sleeping position. He simply closed his eyes and then opened them again, and the long night was over.

Habitually, he turned his head. As expected, the girl was sitting in the chair by the door.

But Li Zhuiyuan quickly noticed something was wrong. The girl hadn't changed her clothes.

She was still wearing the black training uniform from yesterday, and the stains from when she was rushing to finish were still clearly visible.

This meant the girl hadn't slept in the East Room last night. She had been here, sitting up all night.

Li Zhuiyuan guessed why she had done this. It was because he had been too exhausted yesterday, and she was worried he might die in his sleep.

This reason, which would be hard for outsiders to understand, was the girl's purest and simplest thought.

Even though she hadn't spoken a word to him since they first met, Li Zhuiyuan found himself understanding her more and more.

He got out of bed and walked over to the girl.

The girl's face was still exquisite, showing no signs of fatigue.

Perhaps she often stayed up late like this. In her world, the concept of day and night had long since blurred.

Otherwise, Liu Yumei wouldn't have constantly reminded him to coax A Li back to the East Room to sleep every night.

The girl looked up and met the boy's gaze.

In her eyes, Li Zhuiyuan saw a nearly complete reflection of himself.

He had analyzed why the girl treated him so differently.

It all stemmed from the night the Cat-faced Old Woman came. The girl had stood on the threshing floor, looking up at him on the second-floor balcony.

He must have been the first person to enter her dreams.

This was by no means a pleasant dream, because her eyes could see the terrifying underside of this world.

At the age of ten... no, it must have been even younger, she had already been like this.

It was hard to imagine how a toddler, just learning to speak, could face such an environment, surrounded by endless ugliness and evil.

She must have cried, been afraid, and screamed, but the world hadn't changed because of her emotions. In the end, she chose to change herself, to completely shut herself off.

Autism, obsessive-compulsive disorder, aphasia, and other symptoms were merely outward manifestations. The true root cause was her rejection of all contact with the outside world.

Though his face felt a little flushed, it was the truth. His appearance that night was like a beam of light suddenly appearing in her long-standing darkness.

He was like a balcony enclosed by a glass window. She stood on the balcony, cautiously reaching out to touch and perceive the outside world through him.

Perhaps, he had just happened to be the temporary vessel for all her passion and expectations for this world at that moment.

But at the same time, wasn't she the same for him?

His mother already hated him, his father could no longer bear their family. Whether it was Grandpa Nan or Grandpa Bei, he wasn't their only grandson.

But at least in the eyes of the girl before him, they were filled entirely with him.

Li Zhuiyuan reached out, intending to tidy the slightly messy hair by A Li's ear, but the girl reached out her hands first, wrapped them around his neck, and then pressed her face against his chest.

Ever since she saw him make this gesture to Li Sanjiang that day, she had remembered it and liked it.

She had been secretly imitating it, clumsily but endearingly.

Li Zhuiyuan had no choice but to pat her head and continue reciting the line:

"A Li, I'll buy you anything you want. I have money, plenty of money."

Although the line was a bit out of place, the girl was very satisfied.

She moved away from his chest, her eyes shining as she looked at him.

Li Zhuiyuan knew she was expressing joy, celebrating his "recovery from a serious illness."

Yes, in her eyes, he, who had been exhausted from staying up all night yesterday, was sick.

Li Zhuiyuan smiled at A Li and thought to himself:

"Actually, we're the same. We're both quite ill."

He had woken up a little later than usual today. Everyone else had already finished breakfast.

When Li Zhuiyuan went downstairs, holding A Li's hand, Liu Yumei was on the threshing floor, lowering her head and drinking tea.

Li Zhuiyuan didn't dare to look too closely at Grandma Liu's expression. In any case, it wouldn't be pleasant.

Aunt Liu brought the breakfast over and walked towards them, her gaze suggestive.

Li Zhuiyuan understood and said to A Li, "Go wash up and bathe with Aunt Liu. If you're sleepy, you can go to sleep."

A Li obediently turned and walked towards the East Room. Aunt Liu followed her and closed the door.

Li Zhuiyuan sat down and began to eat breakfast.

As he was eating, Li Sanjiang walked back from the toilet behind the house. He came over, bent down, and looked closely. "Little Yuanhou, your complexion is much better today than yesterday."

"Great Grandfather, please sit. I have something I want to tell you. I was too tired yesterday and didn't get a chance to say it."

"Need more pocket money?" Li Sanjiang reached into his pocket and took out a denomination that a village child would rarely see. He placed it next to Li Zhuiyuan's porridge bowl. "If you need money, just tell your Great Grandfather. Great Grandfather has plenty of money."

Li Zhuiyuan didn't rush to take the money. Instead, he said, "Great Grandfather, the night before last at Old Zhao's banquet, you weren't drinking alone. You were with two people. One was Brother Leopard, the owner of the video arcade the police raided the day before yesterday; he's dead now. The other was Zhao Xing, Old Zhao's son, whom you didn't notice under the dim light. The funeral the day before yesterday was for him. Neither of them were living people. They wanted you to help them..."

"Wait, wait!"

Li Sanjiang interrupted Li Zhuiyuan, reaching out to feel his forehead. Then he placed his own palm on his forehead to compare temperatures, asking in confusion, "Ouch, you seem to have a bit of a fever. You're talking nonsense."

"Great Grandfather, I'm telling the truth. Those two wanted you to help them deal with a Tai Sui that was kept in a water tank in a pond at Old Jiang's house in Shigang Town. If you don't agree, they'll come back to trouble you. You should be careful lately."

"Little Yuanhou, are you saying that Great Grandfather and I were drinking...?" Li Sanjiang suddenly lowered his voice, "Drinking with two dead people, and we drank until midnight?"

"Yes."

"Sigh, it's Great Grandfather's fault. I shouldn't have told you about that dream yesterday. It gave you nightmares. As the saying goes, you dream of what's on your mind during the day."

"I didn't, Great Grandfather. I'm telling the truth. I've already prepared some things that might be useful. I can help you solve it then..."

"Alright, alright, Great Grandfather believes what you're saying. Come, after breakfast, Great Grandfather will take you to Zheng Datong's to get your temperature taken and get a shot."

Li Zhuiyuan smiled faintly, "Great Grandfather, you weren't scared by my story? You're amazing."

"Heh, you little sparrow, you think you can scare Great Grandfather? If I were drinking with someone until midnight, wouldn't I know? And Runsheng Hou didn't see anything, only you did? Your story has too many holes, it's not well thought out."

"Yes, I'll make it better next time."

"Spend more time on your studies and less time on these superstitious things. By the way, starting tonight, Great Grandfather will continue to transfer luck to you."

Li Sanjiang patted the boy's shoulder, no longer mentioning going to the clinic for a shot. He turned and walked into the house, heading upstairs. He wanted to catch up on sleep during the day and conserve his energy.

What if he had to lead those zombies in the Forbidden City again tonight in a dream?

Li Zhuiyuan lowered his head, picked up the half-eaten salted duck egg, and turned it around as he looked at it, muttering to himself:

"It shouldn't be like this. Why can't he understand?"

"It's right that he doesn't understand."

It was Liu Yumei's voice.

Li Zhuiyuan stood up and walked over. "Grandma Liu, what did you just say?"

"The tea has gone cold. Brew another pot. Use less tea leaves. My mouth is a bit bland today."

Li Zhuiyuan nodded and began to brew the tea. He understood what Liu Yumei meant. When discussing certain sensitive matters in this house, one had to hint at them without revealing everything.

It was like exchanging knowing glances, where everyone understood without explicitly stating anything.

Liu Yumei leaned back slightly in her chair and looked at the boy, saying, "Do you feel that your Great Grandfather is sometimes a bit foolish? That he can't see through certain things, and he won't listen to certain words?"

Li Zhuiyuan nodded.

"Child, that's very normal. When people get old, they're all like that.

At your age, you're full of vigor and have an instinctive curiosity for new things. But normal people, by middle age, start to resist accepting new things and naturally become more conservative.

When they get old, most of them will only believe in one thing: continuing to roll along according to their old habits, like rolling iron hoops, all the way into the coffin.

They often become very obstinate and stubborn. If you tell them they're wrong, they'll think you're young. If you tell them they shouldn't do something, they'll insist on doing it their way because that's how they've lived all these years.

Right or wrong isn't important to them. Being able to live to old age is proof enough, and it's a skill in itself. Do you understand?"

"I understand a little, but I'd like to hear more."

"Heh." Liu Yumei picked up her teacup and took a sip. She asked, "Tang Yin wrote a poem called 'Song of Peach Blossom Hermitage.' Have you read it?"

"Yes, I have."

"The last two lines."

"The world laughs at my madness, I laugh at the world's inability to see through. Remember the tombs of the Wuling heroes, without wine or flowers, I'll till the fields."

"Exactly. You laugh at him for not understanding, and he laughs at you for not understanding how to live."

"Grandma Liu, are you implying that my Great Grandfather is deliberately pretending to be hard of hearing, refusing to listen?"

"No, your Great Grandfather isn't as good an actor as you are, little one."

"You jest, Grandma."

"What do you think of your Great Grandfather?"

"Great Grandfather has many stories. Sometimes I feel like I understand him, and other times I find myself lost."

"You're overcomplicating things. Think of it more simply, don't get caught up in all the twists and turns."

"Grandma Liu, you've gotten me confused again."

"Your Great Grandfather is just your Great Grandfather. There's nothing particularly special about him. The only difference between him and others is probably that he's quite wealthy, no, extremely wealthy."

"Extremely wealthy?" Li Zhuiyuan began to ponder what "wealth" represented here.

"When people have too much money, they tend to get carried away, become self-important, and stop listening to others.

But what can you do? Who told him he's rich?"

Sometimes, having money means you can do whatever you want. A lot of problems can be solved with money.

But using money to grease the wheels is a shady business. Sometimes, you don't even know where the money ends up. Regardless, when things reach a certain point or a specific stage, the problem mysteriously gets resolved, and the person involved feels like they stumbled through a difficult situation without understanding how.

The people around him, time and again, realized this and were so angry they wanted to grind his teeth.

It wasn't true hatred, just an inability to stand it while being powerless. In the end, they just became numb and accepted it.

Li Zhuiyuan asked, "Grandma Liu, if you live with rich people, can you also pick up money and get rich?"

Liu Yumei looked at the boy in front of her with a knowing gaze. She knew the boy understood.

"Sigh, how could there be money lying around for you to pick up? It's just about occasionally digging out a few cents from the corners of the threshing ground. Who knows how long you'd have to save to buy A Li a piece of candy."

Li Zhuiyuan took out the banknote his Great Grandfather had just given him and asked, "Then Great Grandfather, does he know he has so much money?"

"He probably just thought he had a little bit of money, but he never expected to be so incredibly wealthy, rolling in it."

"Then Great Grandfather, can he spend this money himself?"

"Hehehehe..." Liu Yumei covered her mouth and laughed. "That's a rather silly question. If he doesn't even know he has so much money, how can he actively spend it?"

"But this money was still spent?"

"That's right, it was spent."

Li Zhuiyuan drank the tea in his cup in one gulp. The doubts he had about his Great Grandfather were finally resolved.

The money mentioned in the conversation just now referred to luck and fortune.

People with strong fortune often turn danger into safety and find blessings in misfortune.

According to Grandma Liu, if you look at it simply, Great Grandfather is just Great Grandfather, a very ordinary corpse retriever from Siyuan Village.

In a way, Grandpa Shan is even more professional than Great Grandfather in terms of his skills.

Therefore, when fortune acted upon Great Grandfather, it appeared very bizarre.

Because Great Grandfather didn't actually know much, and his tools were just useless decorations. Without sufficient vessels, the so-called good luck would be difficult to rationalize when it manifested, becoming increasingly excessive and absurd.

For example, at the Niu Family's posthumous birthday ceremony last time, both Blind Liu and Grandpa Shan had their minds bewitched and ended up in a sorry state, but Great Grandfather just slept there without any trouble.

Another example is the drinking session the night before yesterday. Great Grandfather conveniently vomited and then fell asleep, thinking the next day that he had just had a dream.

Most recently, just now, when he and Great Grandfather were face to face, and he formally recounted the events of the drinking session the night before last, Great Grandfather didn't listen at all, thinking he was being mischievous and making things up.

This was already unreasonable. If it happened once, it could be understood, but happening every time was no longer just a coincidence.

So, was he avoiding it?

No, it was something else influencing Great Grandfather to avoid it, to seek the safest transition.

Great Grandfather wasn't stupid, nor was he pretending to be. It was as if an invisible hand was manipulating him at specific times, making his actions seem foolish.

With this logic, it seemed that all the previous events could be explained.

Why did he sometimes feel Great Grandfather was unfathomable, and other times feel he was unreliable? Why did Blind Liu and Grandpa Shan always look at Great Grandfather with that mix of teeth-grinding hatred and helplessness? They had known Great Grandfather for decades, and it was likely, as Liu Yumei said, they had become numb and accepted it.

Li Zhuiyuan couldn't imagine that a person's fortune could be so good.

He suddenly remembered the fate he had calculated for Great Grandfather. It was his first attempt, using physiognomy and divination. The result was a completely reversed reading.

That experience had been a great blow to him, the first time he felt the frustration of learning. But what if he hadn't miscalculated?

After all, he had quickly confirmed his readings for Xue Liangliang and Zhao Hequan afterward.

But if he hadn't miscalculated for Great Grandfather, how profound must Great Grandfather's fortune be to completely cover—even reverse—this fate?

Li Zhuiyuan asked, "Then didn't Great Grandfather ever suspect anything?"

Liu Yumei picked up a pastry and took a gentle bite. She replied:

"Who would suspect something was wrong with them just because they've lived a lifetime without illness or disaster, had a comfortable life, and always walked by the river without ever getting their shoes wet? Who would actively investigate and reflect on why their life has been so smooth? And if they found out the secret, what then? Change it back? Is he crazy?"

Li Zhuiyuan realized he had indeed asked a very foolish question. Who would consider good luck to be an illness?

However, he quickly thought of something else: "Then will this money be used on other people?"

"What do you mean, you want to pick up money too?"

"No, I'm just using it as an analogy. For example, will the effect of this money influence me?"

Liu Yumei pursed her lips, her eyes flickering. She seemed to want to avoid the question.

Li Zhuiyuan continued, "Several times, when I found 'dirty money,' my first instinct was to hide it from Great Grandfather, not tell him the truth. It was only after a while that I realized I shouldn't hide it from him. But when I did tell him about the 'dirty money,' he never believed me.

I understand now why Great Grandfather didn't believe me. But what about my earlier change in reaction? Was that influenced here?"

"Do you want me to tell you?"

"Yes, Grandma Liu."

"But I'm afraid you'll regret knowing."

"How could I?"

Liu Yumei's fingertips gently traced the rim of the teacup, her gaze falling on the banknote the boy had just taken out.

"Some things have long since had their prices marked in secret and their transactions completed."

Li Zhuiyuan's heart immediately jolted, and he looked at Liu Yumei in disbelief.

Liu Yumei continued, "You tell me, ever since your Great Grandfather brought you home to live, what's the difference between you and Run Sheng's grandfather?"

Li Zhuiyuan stared blankly at the ground, his mind rapidly replaying and connecting various past events.

His Great Grandfather, despite his injured body, had gone to the Niu family to earn money. In the end, it was Li Zhuiyuan himself who communicated with the Cat-faced Old Woman, helped her design a revenge plan, and then let her "die" by his Great Grandfather's Peachwood Sword.

His Great Grandfather was invited to Jiuxu Port to exorcise spirits for Yingzi's maternal grandparents, while Li Zhuiyuan went to the river works. Afterward, he and Xue Liangliang contracted the rash, and upon arriving at the People's Hospital, he met his Great Grandfather again.

Next, the two key figures who truly dealt with the Bai Family Town incident, Xue Liangliang and Uncle Qin, were both found by Li Zhuiyuan himself. Meanwhile, his Great Grandfather simply went home and slept.

The night before last, his Great Grandfather drank with those two inhuman figures until late into the night. In the end, his Great Grandfather thought it was just a dream. Run Sheng didn't see it, and the only one who witnessed the entire event was Li Zhuiyuan himself. Afterward, he worked through the night without rest to craft tools, preparing to counterattack.

These three incidents were all directly related to his Great Grandfather, but the one who handled the final resolution seemed to be Li Zhuiyuan himself?

If that was the case, then he and Grandpa Shan were indeed no different.

"I know, kid, you seem to be able to see dirty money. Tell Grandma, when did it start?"

Li Zhuiyuan recalled that it started after he met the Little Yellow Oriole... No, to be precise, it became more obvious and intense after his Great Grandfather led him to guide the Little Yellow Oriole on the yin path.

In "The Righteous Path to Subdue Demons," the characteristic displayed by Li Zhuiyuan was very similar to "walking the yin path."

When a living person is exposed to too much Yin energy, the path of the living and the path of the dead can easily become confused or mistaken, leading them to see things they shouldn't. The book specifically noted: this is especially pronounced in those with deep thoughts.

Li Zhuiyuan looked up at Liu Yumei, not answering her previous question, but instead asking, "So, is this why Uncle Qin had to return to his hometown and leave here?"

"Dirty money always needs a place to be spent. Either you bury your head and pretend to be an ordinary person, or you wait to be inexplicably pushed out to bear the calamity.

I know you've been reading some books lately, kid. You're quite obsessed with this 'dirty money' business."

"Grandma Liu, why are you telling me this specifically today?"

"Because you're a smart kid. Even without a master teaching you, you learn astonishingly fast just by reading books yourself. I'm afraid if I don't remind you soon, you might find a way to break through your Great Grandfather's situation."

"But why would I do that?"

"That's not something I need to worry about. I just know that you might soon have the ability to accomplish this. I still need to live here with A Li, and I don't want you to ruin the scenery and atmosphere here."

"Can it be broken?"

"Yes," Liu Yumei said affirmatively. "No matter how much money someone has, when they encounter a real tough nut to crack, money becomes useless. Li Sanjiang's money is only enough to put on airs in a small town like this. That's the first reason."

She paused, then continued, "When old people get older, they live according to their habits and rhythm. If someone disrupts this rhythm, the old person themselves will become unsettled. They might have lived a long life otherwise, but end up with not much time left. That's the second reason."

"Then what I just..."

"Your Great Grandfather is genuinely muddled, and among the muddled, he's rare. You, kid, are trying to wake him up and forcibly straighten him out, which is a disruption to his way of life. It's just that you haven't succeeded yet.

If you learn more knowledge, master more abilities, and demonstrate a higher level, and are no longer just talking about it, then you can truly straighten him out.

So, you know what you need to do, right?

Old children, old children. When people get old, they become like children. You should just coax him more. Isn't that what you, little one, are best at?"

Li Zhuiyuan covered his face with both hands, rubbing it slowly.

Liu Yumei sipped her tea while observing the boy's reaction. When he removed his hands from his face, she saw a clean, cute face with a childlike smile before her.

It made her want to reach out and pinch his cheeks, but her emotions and reason conflicted sharply at that moment.

"Grandma Liu, where is Brother Run Sheng?"

"He went to the fields to tidy up peanuts early this morning. He should be back soon. What do you need to do?"

"I've ordered some things. I need Brother Run Sheng to accompany me to pick them up."

"And then?"

"Then, of course, I'll do what I need to do."

Liu Yumei sat up and leaned closer to the boy, staring intently into his eyes. "You're going to continue doing this?"

"Otherwise?"

"Don't you feel uncomfortable, wronged, or scared?"

"No, I just know that Great Grandfather truly cares about me."

Even though it seemed like he was the one taking the blows for his Great Grandfather.

But, firstly, this path was his own choice; secondly, he always took the initiative to show concern for his Great Grandfather, making voluntary decisions without anyone coercing him.

Most importantly, his Great Grandfather himself didn't understand these things. He genuinely cherished his great-grandson immensely.

So what if everything had its price marked and its transaction completed?

He, Li Zhuiyuan, was willing.

Li Sanjiang was still Li Sanjiang. Even knowing these things, Li Zhuiyuan's attitude and perception of his Great Grandfather remained unchanged. No, there was a slight change: he could now coax him with a clear conscience, a child coaxing an old child.

Liu Yumei observed intently, wanting to see even a sliver of extra emotion on the boy's face, but she failed.

But how... how was this possible?

Even between biological parents and children, when dealing with such matters, even if they didn't fall out immediately, there would inevitably be some awkwardness.

The boy before him, however, instantly reduced everything to a few simple logical steps, ruthlessly eradicating all unnecessary emotions.

This was terrifying. Did this child have no feelings at all, deep down?

"Grandma has something she wants to ask you," Grandma Liu said. "Remember that time the paper offerings at home got ruined by the rain? Your Great Grandfather was badly injured. What did he do before that?"

Li Zhuiyuan blinked his clear, big eyes and shook the teapot.

"Grandma, the tea is all gone."

"Then make another pot."

"I can't drink any more. I'm stuffed."

Li Zhuiyuan lightly patted his stomach, stood up, and began to clear away the tea set.

Just then, Run Sheng returned, carrying his hoe.

"Brother Run Sheng, can you come with me to the old carpenter's house to pick something up?"

"Sure thing."

Run Sheng walked to the well, drew a bucket of water to wash his feet, and then pushed the flatbed cart behind Li Zhuiyuan to the old carpenter's house.

The old carpenter was already waiting, and the items were finished.

"Sir, my Great Grandfather said he would pay you for the work in a while."

"Pay for the work? What nonsense. Consider this an advance payment from me to Uncle Sanjiang for his vegetarian offerings."

"Then you'd better write it down in a notebook. I'm afraid you'll forget after a while. May you live a long and healthy life."

With that, Li Zhuiyuan bowed seriously to the old carpenter.

"Heh heh, you little rascal, where did you learn all this? You've got a sweet tongue."

The old carpenter took a prepared red envelope from his pocket and handed it to Li Zhuiyuan. "Here, go buy some candy."

"I haven't paid you yet, how can I accept your money?"

"One thing is one thing. You came so suddenly last time, and I didn't have time to prepare anything. It's customary to give a gift when a junior visits for the first time. This is the rule."

"Thank you, Grandpa."

Li Zhuiyuan accepted the red envelope. Meanwhile, Run Sheng had already loaded the items onto the cart.

After returning home, Li Zhuiyuan and Run Sheng carried the items to the second floor together.

To Li Zhuiyuan's surprise, A Li, who had showered and changed her clothes, was waiting in his room.

Once the finished items were brought in, she naturally began to assemble them.

"Little Yuan, what are these? They look familiar, like things from our trade."

Run Sheng squatted by the door after moving the items. He couldn't get too close to A Li.

"Mm, they are indeed things from our trade," Li Zhuiyuan replied. "Brother Run Sheng, you can go downstairs and watch TV for a while and rest. I'll need your help again later to go out."

"Alright, just call me when you need me."

After Run Sheng left, Li Zhuiyuan and A Li began assembling. This was the easiest part, and the most rewarding.

Soon, all the items were assembled.

A Li clasped her hands together gently, looking at the items she and the boy had made together. Then she looked up at the desk, where many blank blueprints lay.

"I'll keep drawing them. When the time comes, I'll need your help to make them, A Li. My hands are clumsy. Without your help, I really couldn't do it."

The girl's eyes sparkled like they held stars.

Li Zhuiyuan gave the girl two bottles of Jianlibao and told her to sit and rest. He then began to pack up his set of tools.

There were a total of six main artifacts and four smaller items.

The Luosheng Umbrella was entirely black. The book said it could isolate miasma when opened.

The Yellow River Shovel had multiple switchable functions. When Li Zhuiyuan first saw the design, it reminded him of the Luoyang shovel, but their primary uses differed. The Yellow River Shovel was mainly for underwater and damp muddy areas by the water's edge.

The Seven Star Hook could extend seven sections and was used by corpse retrievers to hook floating corpses. However, each section had a special design, symbolizing the Big Dipper, allowing it to counteract different states of floating corpses.

Next were the Soul Returning Basket and the Homesick Net. These, along with the Seven Star Hook above, were similar to the items his Great Grandfather possessed. However, their internal mechanisms were completely different from his Great Grandfather's set.

His Great Grandfather's items could only retrieve inanimate floating objects. They couldn't restrain truly mobile floating corpses.

The last item was the Sanqing Fan. It had a grand name. Following the book's instructions, Li Zhuiyuan carved runes on each leaf and then added various prepared materials to the bottom of the embedded grooves.

The primary use of this item was for self-infliction.

When encountering a floating corpse skilled at manipulating the mind, like the Cat-faced Old Woman, one would use the fan to hit their own face or head. Then, if necessary, they would open a hidden clasp to release a special mist, quickly bringing themselves back from delusion.

The four smaller items were a specially made Black Dog Blood Ink Pad, Black Canvas, a Bagua Disk, and a stack of Talisman Papers that Li Zhuiyuan had drawn himself.

The Black Canvas had a hidden compartment filled with Wood Flower Rolls. Each Wood Flower Roll had a special texture, which A Li had meticulously carved with a small carving knife. When dealing with floating corpses, it could be wrapped around oneself or used to try and cover the floating corpse. The former provided an amuletic protective effect, while the latter could inflict damage on the floating corpse. At least, that's what the book said.

The Bagua Disk was rather crude, made of wood with no decorative patterns, not fancy at all. The needle was ground by Li Zhuiyuan himself. He tested it, and it was inaccurate.

However, its inaccuracy was standard. Li Zhuiyuan only needed to mentally correct it.

As for the stack of Talisman Papers, Li Zhuiyuan had the least confidence in them. It was his first time trying to draw them, and they were most likely useless.

Even if it were useful, would I have to run up to a dead float, stand on tiptoe, and jump to stick it on the other person's forehead?

Li Zhuiyuan pressed his fingertips on the talisman paper and dragged it outwards. A talisman paper floated about a meter away, then fluttered back and landed on the ground behind Li Zhuiyuan.

This effect was worse than playing cards.

Let's test if the talisman paper I drew has any effect. If it has even a little bit of effect, then next time I'll find something similar to playing cards and draw on it.

But no matter what, this set of tools and small items is complete.

Next, it's time to test their effects.

Li Zhuiyuan went out to call Runsheng to come up again. He wanted to hand some things over to Runsheng to use, such as the Seven Star Hook and the Yellow River Shovel. Only strong people could truly utilize them. Even if they had no special additional effects, Runsheng could use them to smash dead floats.

A Li, who remained in the room, bent down and picked up the talisman paper from the ground.

She placed the talisman paper in her right palm, pressed her left index finger on it, and drew a line.

"Swish!"

The talisman paper flew out and stuck perfectly in the center of the door frame.

At this moment, Li Zhuiyuan entered with Runsheng. To keep her distance from Runsheng, A Li took off her shoes and got onto the bed.

The girl hugged her knees, sat in the corner of the bed, and watched the boy explain the functions and uses of the tools to Runsheng.

After listening to the explanation and trying them out himself, Runsheng was very shocked and said, "Xiao Yuan, I have many of these things at my grandpa's place too, but they only look similar to yours. The difference is huge."

"Mine are probably the most professional."

"I can feel it. They're good stuff, really good stuff."

Runsheng had experience salvaging bodies and had actually dealt with dead floats before. He felt that if something felt comfortable in his hands, it was definitely trustworthy.

"Let's go, Brother Runsheng, we'll find a place to test them out."

"Okay!"

Putting other things aside, Brother Leopard and Zhao Xing, those two guys, became chasers and dared to come to his door to threaten him. He would go find them and settle this score first.

Runsheng went down with the items first. Before they were assembled, they were all parts, and it was difficult to carry them all at once. Now he could carry all the tools by himself.

Li Zhuiyuan walked to the bedside and said to A Li, "I'm going out for a bit. A Li, be good and go back to your room to sleep well, okay?"

After instructing her, Li Zhuiyuan walked out of the bedroom.

After the boy left, A Li lay down on the bed and obediently started to sleep well.

As Li Zhuiyuan passed by Li Sanjiang's bedroom, the door happened to open. Great Grandfather rubbed his eyes, having just finished a nap, and was about to relieve himself before going back to sleep.

"Little Yuanhou, are you going out?"

"Yes, Great Grandfather. Runsheng Ge and I are going out to play."

"Oh, going out to play." Li Sanjiang habitually reached for his pocket. Although he always prioritized the children's studies, he could never bear to refuse a child's request to play.

"Great Grandfather, you already gave me pocket money this morning."

"Then take some more." Li Sanjiang took out the change from his pocket. Villagers rarely carried large bills in their pockets, as it was inconvenient to break them.

"Great Grandfather, thank you."

"Hey, why are you being so polite?"

Before Li Sanjiang could finish speaking, he felt his waist being hugged. The boy's face was pressed against his stomach, his eyes closed.

Li Sanjiang reached out and stroked the boy's head, asking in confusion, "What's wrong?"

"Great Grandfather, you're so kind."

"Heh, alright, alright. Great Grandfather will go get you some larger bills from the room."

"No need, Great Grandfather, this is enough. I'm going out to play."

"Remember not to come back too late. We still have to transfer luck tonight."

"Got it, Great Grandfather."

Waving goodbye to Li Sanjiang, Li Zhuiyuan's expression returned to calm as he descended the stairs.

He hadn't lied to Liu Yumei that morning, because he only needed to know that Great Grandfather genuinely cared for him. The rest didn't matter.

To put it bluntly, if he really cared about that, what would be the essential difference between him and the three siblings from the Niu family?

Moreover, there was something Li Zhuiyuan deliberately kept from Liu Yumei.

Grandma Liu lived here. If she described herself as picking up coins in a corner, then Great Grandfather transferring luck for him would be equivalent to a large remittance, wouldn't it?

If this old woman found out, she would probably be so angry she'd die.

People tend to cherish their lives more as they get older, and they also fear death more as they get older.

Great Grandfather, at his age, was willing to risk his lifespan to transfer luck for him. Just this fact alone was enough for Li Zhuiyuan to be willing to do anything for him as a junior.

He was never forced into these situations; he always took the initiative, so there was no room for resentment.

As he reached the bottom of the stairs, Li Zhuiyuan suddenly stopped. He suddenly thought of the "Golden Sand Luo Text Scripture" he had seen in Great Grandfather's bedroom.

At that time, he noticed that the formation diagrams Great Grandfather drew each time had some discrepancies with those in the book.

So, if Great Grandfather's skills were top-notch and he drew the formation precisely, maximizing its effect, and he directly transferred that luck to himself, with Great Grandfather's fortune so potent it could even alter his own destiny… wouldn't he just explode?

Cold sweat instantly broke out on his forehead.

Was this the backlash of fortune that even the Qin family avoided and feared provoking?

"Phew… that was close."

But then again, hadn't he also benefited from Great Grandfather's good luck? If he hadn't been staying with Great Grandfather, how would he have discovered so many good books in the basement? How would he have met A Li?

Ever since he got closer to A Li, that feeling of cold detachment in his heart had been occurring less and less frequently.

"Misfortune is what fortune leans on; fortune is what misfortune hides within."

Li Zhuiyuan shook his head. He decided not to dwell on these thoughts anymore; he'd just be happy being himself.

When they reached the threshing ground, Runsheng had already loaded the three-wheeled cart with all the equipment, covering it with a plastic sheet.

"Ting-ting-ting!"

Runsheng rang the bell. He never thought there was anything wrong with the tools he carried before, but now that he'd seen better things, he felt an urge like a wild boar desperately wanting to taste fine bran.

Li Zhuiyuan got onto the three-wheeled cart.

Liu Yumei and Aunt Liu stood at the entrance to the threshing ground.

"Little Yuan, don't blame Grandma for being meddlesome, but Grandma just wants to remind you one last time: have you thought this through? Once you go, there's no turning back."

Li Zhuiyuan patted Runsheng's back:

"Brother Runsheng, let's go. Don't look back, just ride forward!"

"Alright, hold on tight!"

"Little Yuan, didn't you say we were going to Shigang? Why are you having me ride here first?"

"Brother Runsheng, wait for me at the entrance for a moment. I need to go in and find someone."

Li Zhuiyuan got off the three-wheeled cart and walked into the police station. After asking around, he found Tan Yunlong's office.

At that moment, Tan Yunlong was dozing with his eyes closed, leaning back in his office chair. His face was shiny with oil, suggesting he had also pulled an all-nighter.

However, as Li Zhuiyuan walked in, he immediately opened his eyes, and that familiar, hawk-like gaze swept over him once more.

"It's you, kid?"

"Mm."

"How did you find my office?"

"I asked people."

"Do you know my name?"

"I asked the police uncle with the long, thick, slightly slanted eyebrows who looks scary when he glares. They all understood."

"Hahahaha..." Tan Yunlong laughed. "Alright, kid, what can I do for you?"

"I have something to report. I'm here to file a report."

As soon as he walked out of the police station's main gate, Li Zhuiyuan turned back and faced the signboard.

Then, he spread his arms and walked forward, hugging the signboard tightly.

The window of the guardhouse opened, and an elderly auxiliary police officer poked his head out, asking, "Kid, what are you doing?"

"I want to be a police officer when I grow up."

"Good, good! Being a police officer is great. Heh heh, good boy."

The old auxiliary officer didn't say anything else. He lit a cigarette and quietly watched the boy continue to hug the signboard.

After a long time, Li Zhuiyuan finally let go.

Should be enough, right?

He lowered his head. His clothes and pants were now covered in a thick layer of signboard dust.

After a moment's hesitation, Li Zhuiyuan decided not to brush it off. He'd keep it.

Afterward, he got onto Runsheng's three-wheeled cart.

Old Jiang's house was easy to find. It was a self-built villa on the edge of town, five stories high, with a large walled courtyard outside containing a pond and rock garden.

In this era, it could be considered quite luxurious.

Runsheng picked up the Yellow River Shovel and said, "Little Yuan, come on, let's storm the place!"

Li Zhuiyuan looked at Runsheng with some confusion. Seeing that he wasn't joking, he quickly reached out and grabbed Runsheng's wrist:

"No, Brother Runsheng, it's like attending a banquet. We don't go for the first seating; we wait for the second, because what we're dealing with isn't human."

"Then who will take the first seating? Who will deal with those people?"

As soon as he finished speaking, in the distance, the sound of police sirens could be heard.