The Captain Tricked into Becoming a Rookie

There wasn't much food at home.

Chu Tianshu practiced for several hours and felt that he had practiced enough for the day, so he picked up his phone, intending to go out to buy some food and eat there.

The town's kindergarten and primary school are less than two kilometers apart, separated only by a single intersection.

It's evening now, the time when children get out of school.

Several carts selling fried skewers were placed in front of the kindergarten and primary school, filling the entire street with their delicious aroma.

Chu Tianshu was past the age of being particularly interested in fried skewers, but when he passed by, he discovered that there were even squid in the car.

"I don't think I've ever really tried squid?"

He ordered a whole string of them.

Inside this food cart, there's also a metal plate, originally used for making pancakes.

The car owner was a woman in her forties. She picked up the squid, placed it on the hot plate, adjusted the heat, and it grilled very quickly.

"Hot sauce, sweet sauce?"

"Please have some of everything."

The auntie used a spatula to cut the squid on both sides, brushed on sauce, and sprinkled cumin; her movements were incredibly swift.

Chu Tianshu picked it up and tasted it. After the aroma of the seasoning, he experienced the tender and bouncy texture of the squid meat, which was full of salty and savory flavor.

Although it can't compare to the dishes those reclusive old monsters made with all sorts of tricks a while ago.

But this crisp, fast-food vibe doesn't really need to be compared to anything else.

The squid meat looks big when unfolded, but it's actually gone in just two bites.

Chu Tianshu's hunger showed almost no signs of abating, so he simply asked his aunt to grill all the squid.

The aunt was both surprised and delighted. "You really want them all?"

Chu Tianshu took out his phone and scanned the QR code.

I wasn't interested in the fried skewers earlier, but now I've ordered a few more: starch sausage, chicken cartilage, tender meat skewers, large chicken wings, and chicken cartilage skewers.

While they were grilling, he walked over to another car to order food, not just meat skewers, but also pancakes.

He first made five meat skewers with egg and lettuce in a pancake. He had just taken a big bite when he heard a child over there asking for squid. The auntie was apologizing, saying that they were out of it today. Then he asked for chicken cartilage, but they were out of that too.

Actually, Chu Tianshu had already paid for all of them.

Chu Tianshu turned his head and saw the little boy. The boy who had been running away excitedly just moments before had become dejected, clutching his schoolbag strap and preparing to go home.

"Auntie, please give him a skewer of squid."

The little boy looked over quickly and said happily, "Thank you, brother!"

"Elder brother..."

Chu Tianshu smiled and looked up. He noticed that many children would glance at the fried food cart when they came out.

A thought struck him, and he pulled out a starch sausage, casually handing it to a stranger beside him. "This is for you."

The child hesitated for a moment, then another child raised his hand and said, "I want it, thank you, brother."

Chu Tianshu then handed it over.

The child who had been looking down was offered another skewer of meat, and Chu Tianshu looked at him with a smile.

This time he didn't hesitate, quickly took it, and thanked him with a beaming smile.

Chu Tianshu simply bought everything in the two little carts, took things out at random, and distributed them to the children around him.

Although he used to earn a lot, he was burdened by a strange illness and didn't actually have much spare money, so he couldn't do things as he pleased.

Now, I can do these little things as I please, whenever I feel like it.

It was just some fried skewers, but right outside the school gate, it sparked a huge event for the children.

The sounds of gratitude were endless.

The school teachers stood at the door, smiling as they looked this way.

The female teacher said, "They're never this enthusiastic during class."

Another elderly teacher, clutching a thermos, just kept smiling and didn't say a word.

Neither of them interfered with the children, only occasionally calling out, "Be careful, don't get pricked by the bamboo skewers."

After both food carts were empty, Chu Tianshu slowly walked away amidst the children's thanks.

He was in a good mood, but...

I'm not full at all.

Chu Tianshu remembered that there was a steamed bun shop by the river that made very good pork buns, and what was even more special was that it also sold them in the evening.

He bought sixteen at the riverbank and ate them as he walked.

The buns are small in size, with thin skin and plenty of filling.

The texture of the meat filling is completely different from that of steamed buns from regular breakfast shops; you can taste the distinct chunks of meat.

The meat flavor is very strong, like meatballs made by yourself with fresh meat, just a little scallion and ginger water.

By the time we reached the entrance of the pharmacy, the sun had completely set.

But the pharmacy was brightly lit, like daytime, and many electric scooters were parked outside, with people coming and going, making it quite lively.

Calming Spirit Pharmacy has always been thriving, with an increasing number of repeat customers.

The pharmacy has surprisingly many repeat customers.

That sounds like a hellish joke.

However, Calming Spirit Pharmacy sells more than just medicine to treat illnesses.

Since the concept of Aperture Opening and spiritual practice was popularized among the public, there has been a period of adjustment.

The concept of spiritual practice has gone from being met with skepticism to being wildly popular, and now it has settled down.

It has largely been seen by the public as something akin to going into business at the end of the last century.

Yes, it's true. I heard that someone in a family has produced such a person, and I feel a little envious, but I also feel that the other person may not necessarily have a great future.

When they truly achieve success, praise them a few times, setting an example for the villagers.

If you waste your time and don't achieve much, then offer some words of comfort and suggest you return to a normal life.

Just as few people would risk their entire fortune to start a big business, there is always an endless stream of people learning to run a small business.

It is rare for an entire family to make the decision, take out their savings, and dedicate themselves to the path of spiritual practice.

But as long as there's a little spare money and some free time at home...

Even when time is tight, it's still quite common for people to put in hard work and cultivate themselves alongside their regular jobs.

Calming Spirit Pharmacy sells blood-activating medicated oil, calming sachets, and cinnabar for Evil-Warding spirits, all of which are high-quality and inexpensive.

This naturally opened up the market, and the business became more and more stable.

Chu Tianshu observed that most of the people who had just bought medicine were office workers between the ages of twenty and fifty.

Although everyone was exhausted after a long day of work.

However, regardless of gender, when they came out after buying what they wanted, their shoulders and backs were noticeably more upright, and their steps were both steady and quick.

The energy and spirit of everyone was quite different from how they looked when they left work a few years ago.

They were quite similar to the people Chu Tianshu remembered from his childhood.

His voice was loud and clear, he spoke with ease and confidence, and even when greeting strangers, he was poised and graceful.

The distribution of External Elixir is gradually no longer limited to students.

At post offices in various locations, a limited quantity is sold each month at a low price, so it is always snapped up.

However, the quantity of new goods arriving each month is also increasing.

Chu Tianshu smiled as he looked at the people coming and going. He ate some steamed buns outside the pharmacy for a while before being spotted by the people inside.

Second Grandfather's old friend, Yao Qianshu, the unlucky fellow who almost had his soul dragged to the Spirit Realm by the People of Deer Wilderness, immediately pushed open the door and went out.

"Tianshu, it's been so long since I've seen you!"

Yao Qianshu said happily, "Come in and have a seat. The boss needs to check on his shop too."

"Haha, your second grandfather spends all his time on the other side of the river and hardly cares about anything here. He's really having a second spring in his life..."

Chu Tianshu was startled upon hearing this. "A second spring?!"

Yao Qianshu was stunned for a moment before he realized what was happening.

"Oh, I don't mean that kind of spring. I mean his career has experienced a second spring."

Yao Qianshu lowered his voice and said, "The projects in the Spirit Realm are one after another."

"Many feng shui layouts that are hard to find in real life are everywhere there, and more and more feng shui masters are getting involved in creating them."

"Your second grandfather spends all his time among them, that's why he can't extricate himself."

Yao Qianshu said with a touch of emotion, "I think his skills are getting deeper and deeper."

Chu Tianshu was finally relieved.

If Second Master Chu really does find love again, he wouldn't be too opposed.

But, it's still a bit strange that Second Master Chu has a second spring in his life.

A second spring in one's career is already great, very great!

"I've been observing for a while now, and the atmosphere in the pharmacy is excellent. Everyone Refining Spirit into Qi and doing quite well; we have an increasingly sufficient workforce."

Chu Tianshu chuckled and said, "I won't go in. I'll cross the river to see my second grandfather."

Yao Qianshu nodded. "Alright, take care."

A long bridge spans the river, brightly lit.

The streetlights on the bridge shone brightly, like dragon balls.

After Chu Tianshu leisurely crossed the river, as soon as he stepped into the area surrounding the Spirit Realm Passage, he noticed that many people in the nearby houses were looking in his direction.

He looked up and smiled and nodded to the few most perceptive eyes he was looking at.

Many eyes turned away when they saw it was him.

A tall, upright young man strode out of a roadside shop.

"Mr. Chu! My Chen Taozhi, and I've come to keep you company!"

Chu Tianshu was surprised to find that this person possessed the essence of the "Toad Art Palm Thunder" and that the internal energy he cultivated should be fundamentally of the thunder attribute.

Chen Taozhi, quick-witted, seemed to notice his confusion and excitedly said, "I'm a member of the Thunder Hub Assault Team. Our team was selected and organized because we have a deep connection with Mr. Chu."

Chu Tianshu chuckled. It was nothing more than the Toad Art Palm Thunder Technique. In terms of skill alone, its grade might not even be comparable to the internal energy cultivation method the other party practiced.

This guy has thick eyebrows and big eyes, but who knew he was so good at flattering people?

"Mr. Chu, are you here to see Minister He?"

Chen Taozhi and said, "Then please come this way with me."

He led the way, and Chu Tianshu followed him into a standard-looking old-style residential building.

The building has three floors, and each floor has been home to more than one family.

The structure is made of reinforced concrete, with the old cement exposed directly, and there is no superfluous decoration.

But once inside the building, just as they reached the corner, Chen Taozhi took out an ID and slapped it against the wall next to her.

The entire wall flashed with a grid-like blue light, and parts of the wall receded and moved to the side, revealing a corridor.

Chu Tianshu stepped into the brand-new, pure white corridor and couldn't help but exclaim in admiration.

"I thought you were going to tear it down and rebuild it, but this is what you're doing?"

Chen Taozhi laughed and said, "Mr. Chu, you are so calm. It's our first time here, and we're like Grandma Liu entering the Grand View Garden, we can't stop smiling."

"That makes sense, after all, he's Mr. Chu."

Chu Tianshu realized this time that he wasn't just flattering him, and couldn't help but feel a little doubtful.

I feel like the people here might have some misunderstanding about me.

Whether he's a witch doctor or a martial artist, he doesn't seem like a high-tech scholar at all.

"Tianshu?"

In the latter half of the corridor, there were many office doors on both sides. One of them suddenly opened, Helai's voice came from it.

"You're back, come in quickly."

When Chu Tianshu came in, he saw a black and white portrait on the desk.

He was a handsome and elegant young man, whose gender was difficult to discern at first glance. Despite his short hair and shirt attire, he was still stunning.

In front of the portrait, there is an incense burner and a laptop lying flat.

Three incense sticks were burning in the burner, and wisps of smoke rose slowly.

Chu Tianshu was taken aback. "He... Senior?"

It's me.

The avatar's mouth moved, its brows furrowed slightly, and it sighed, "Sigh, I've been too busy lately; even my real body is out and about."

"Fortunately, after breaking through the Taboo, my inheritance unlocked another layer, allowing me to cultivate Second Split Soul."

"This old photograph holds special significance for me; it's the best vessel for my Second Split Soul, so I'll leave it like this."

As he spoke, the smoke from the three incense sticks in front of him continued to bounce forward, constantly touching the screen of the tablet computer.

Chu Tianshu could see clearly that the three wisps of smoke, under Helai's control, were like three fingers, handling many matters.

Even the Second Split Soul has to work, no wonder nobody talks to me in the group chat on my phone.

"Well."

Chu Tianshu looked at the black and white portrait, took out his phone, and placed it on the table.

"I found a lot of information this time, and I silently reviewed the most useful parts on my phone."

"You should redirect it quickly."

Upon hearing this, the black-and-white portrait perked up, a hint of joy appearing Zhongdu its eyes.

"Is there another one of those good things like last time?"

One of the three wisps of smoke split off, opened a drawer, quickly pulled over a wire, and started operating Chu Tianshu's phone, getting busy again.

Chu Tianshu up a chair, sat down, and waited.

The black and white portrait of his face exudes a sense of ease.

"It's great that you're back. I was worried about who could find the time to go and check on things at the Grotto-Heaven."

"If there's no one to lead the team, relying solely on Xiao Chen and his group doesn't always feel reassuring."

Chu Tianshu's eyebrows twitched. "Grotto-Heaven?"

By the way, Chen Ying said it might take four months for the Grotto-Heaven Ruins to return to China.

It's only been a little over three months, Grotto-Heaven hasn't even been entered yet.

"In order to protect General Yungu, we ultimately prevented Daoist Priest Chen from immediately reaching his most acute level of control over the Grotto-Heaven."

The black-and-white portrait said, "Therefore, Daoist Priest Chen is like a captain, capable of navigating the entire ship alone."

"But when it comes to controlling the ship's course, she's only so-so..."

In short, the newly appointed Captain Chen unknowingly deviated from the original course.

Originally, the Grotto-Heaven Ruins were located in Busan. From Busan, one could sail across the coast of Borneo, turn back to Hanoi Henei Annam, and return home.

However, the Grotto-Heaven ruins have now drifted to Laos, Annam's neighbor.

"... More precisely, I went to the border region of Siam, Laos, and Pagan."

The person with the black and white profile picture said, "That place is also called the Golden Triangle."

Chu Tianshu looked on with suspicion.

Chen Ying chose to have the Grotto-Heaven Ruins return to China along the original route because this route inherently provides stability for the Grotto-Heaven Ruins.

Even if there is some deviation, it couldn't possibly be this far off.

"Looks like you guessed there was a problem too."

The black-and-white portrait shows a person raising a hand and pinching their brow.

"The Golden Triangle has always been a notoriously difficult region. Domestically, we have tried to negotiate with high-level officials from these three countries to promote a four-nation joint law enforcement mechanism, but it has not yet been implemented."

"A few months ago, when you first went to Busan, they were still making a fuss about wanting to become their own country, and it hasn't stopped since."

"But the ruins of the Grotto-Heaven, after drifting to that place, seemed to get stuck and couldn't move."

"No matter how you look at it, there seems to be a big problem here."

Chu Tianshu also frowned.

It can subtly influence the operation of the Grotto-Heaven Ruins.

It's highly unlikely that a human was behind this.

His brow relaxed again, and he smiled, "Then I'll go take a look."

"No!"

Helai, "The trouble with this incident might be that we need to find the root of the problem first, and it's too inconvenient for you to go alone."

"We've formed an observation team, consisting of some civilian staff, to conduct on-site investigations and reporting. You'll be going with us."

Chu Tianshu understood. "Are all these clerical staff like Chen Taozhi?"

The Helai and smiled.

"Xiao Chen is their leader. Now that you're back, let them help you out. These kids are very curious about you."

(End of this chapter)