In our long-standing and historically rich land of China, many professions have their own rules and taboos. This is especially true for ancient and mysterious crafts.
For instance, when engag...
After half a day of "friendly" conversation, Zhao Youliang realized that the other party didn't seem very bright.
Because no matter what he asked, the man remained silent.
They might be frowning in thought, or gazing into the distance.
If it were someone else, they would either call the police or drive the other party out.
However, Zhao Youliang had been a homeless person since childhood and had suffered all kinds of hardships until he met his adoptive father.
Therefore, after a little thought, I decided to temporarily adopt this handsome guy.
Until someone comes looking for you, or you find out where the other person's family is.
"Hey, I'm so impressed! You're not dressed like that, you'll have to wear mine for now."
"When we have money, I'll take you to buy a few more sets."
Wang Youcai was the name Zhao Youliang gave to this handsome stranger: Youliang and Youcai, aren't they just brothers?
As for why the surname is Wang, firstly, it matches the cold temperament of this handsome man, and secondly, after searching his entire body, no ID card or similar item was found, only a "gold-plated" tag was found at his waist.
The back is engraved with a vast starry sky, with the brightest stars forming a dazzling "王" (king) character.
The front view is blurry, but one can vaguely make out a magnificent, golden palace.
Zhao Youliang was kind-hearted, and seeing Wang Youcai reminded him of his childhood, so he bathed and scrubbed Wang Youcai's back like an older brother taking care of his younger brother.
But to their surprise, they discovered a strange dragon with wings growing from its ribs tattooed on the other person's back.
Its entire body was jet black, gleaming with a metallic sheen, and it roared towards the sky.
"Haha, I have to say you're talented. Your family isn't involved in the triads, are they?"
While teasing him, Zhao Youliang vigorously rubbed the other person's skin, only to find that it was as smooth as jade, without a trace of dirt!
"Oh dear, what a waste of effort!"
Even though the other party remained silent, Zhao Youliang continued to mutter to himself.
While chattering away, she took out a clean set of clothes for Wang Youcai to change into.
As they switched, Zhao Youliang suddenly realized another important problem:
Aren't living people not allowed in paper-making shops? How did Wang Youcai get in?!
Could it be... could it be that all these so-called rules are just things that stinky Taoist priests are deliberately trying to scare people?!
But I clearly can't leave the town by fifty miles, so what's going on?!
These questions were too complicated, and Zhao Youliang couldn't figure them out even after thinking about them for a long time, so he simply gave up.
"Where there's a will, there's a way; when the boat reaches the bridge, it will straighten itself. Let's take it one step at a time!"
After making a simple breakfast, Zhao Youliang noticed that his new younger brother, "Youcai," didn't seem to like eating much.
Not only does it refuse to eat, but it also constantly frowns and stares at me, as if studying my every move.
Since the kid's arrival was mysterious, Zhao Youliang simply let him be.
I poured the remaining food into the dog bowl and gave it to the big yellow dog in the yard.
"Brother Dog, Brother Dog, while you're eating, I have something to tell you."
"See that? That's my cousin Wang Youcai. He's been staying with us lately."
"Now that you're acquainted, you can't bite him!"
Zhao Youliang didn't say anything, and even the big yellow dog didn't notice that there was a "living person" in the house.
Hearing the sound, the dog raised its head and looked over, first startled, then its face filled with terror.
That was just like when he first met the mysterious old man, Hui Wuming!
Without saying a word, he grabbed Zhao Youliang's trouser leg and dragged him desperately toward the door.
The force was so great that it almost pulled Zhao Youliang down.
"Holy crap, Dog Bro, what are you doing?! Let go of me right now, I'm going to fall!!"
Just as the man and the dog were arguing, Wang Youcai slowly walked out of the house.
Upon seeing this, the big yellow dog immediately became obedient, lying on the ground and whimpering softly.
Wang Youcai ignored the dog and simply stared quietly in the direction of the shop's entrance.
Zhao Youliang took the opportunity to explain the rules.
“You’d better remember this: we can’t go through the main entrance, especially not through the middle of the place covered with yellow paper.”
"And besides the two of us, no outsiders are allowed in our house!"
It's unclear whether Wang Youcai understood or not, but he nodded for the first time.
He then turned around and went back inside, sitting down in the middle of the "grand master's chair" with an air of authority.
Just as Wang Youcai sat down, he saw Granny Wenmi arrive at the shop entrance, leaning on her cane.
He still didn't step into the shop, but only spoke from afar.
"Is quantum mechanic at home?"
“Yesterday you said you wanted to offer incense and perform divination, and this morning your Uncle Liu went to invite people.”
"Tidi up the back room and prepare some cigarettes, alcohol, tea, and candy. Don't neglect the 'spirit spirits' who are coming!"
Upon hearing this, Zhao Youliang was overjoyed and readily agreed.
After all, this is a matter of life and death!
While telling Granny Wenmi that she hadn't been hospitable enough and asking her to go through the back door and rest in the side room in the backyard, she told Wang Youcai to hide in her bedroom.
After all, no living people are allowed in the shop, and if someone suddenly appears, it will be a waste of breath to explain.
I'll explain it in detail later when I have time.
After Zhao Youliang had prepared the cigarettes, alcohol, tea, and candy, and even "spent a fortune" to buy three catties of pork to cook for the immortals at noon, he indeed saw the coffin shop owner, Manager Sun, leading a middle-aged woman in through the back door.
Zhao Youliang felt very uncomfortable the moment he saw the woman.
The other person's bones protrude and the skin and flesh are concave; it's completely bone covering flesh.
It's like... like a grasshopper has come to life!
The woman was naturally the "Zhang the Half-Immortal" who came from the evil shaman.
The other party was taken aback when they saw Zhao Youliang, or rather, Zhao Youliang's shop, and then glared at Manager Sun with a reproachful look.
"Brother Sun, that's not very polite of you!"
"If you had told us earlier that this was a cursed place, we wouldn't have come even if you had invited us with eight sedan chairs!"
Knowing he was in the wrong, Manager Sun quickly put on a smiling face upon hearing this.
"Sister, no, you're calling me brother! This is urgent, I need to save someone!"
"Quantum is a really good kid, kind-hearted and grateful."
"If you can help him establish his shrine this time, he will never forget your kindness for the rest of his life!"
Upon hearing this, Zhao Youliang quickly followed suit with a forced smile, trying his best to appear very honest and kind.
Even so, Zhang Banxian still refused to agree and even seemed poised to walk away in a huff.
But at that moment, she suddenly pretended to listen attentively.
A moment later, it started chattering into the air, saying a bunch of things that Zhao Youliang couldn't understand at all.
After talking to himself for a while, Zhang Banxian looked at the front of the shop with a complicated expression, which was the place where the paper figures were displayed.
There was fear, there was greed...
As if he had finally made up his mind, Zhang Banxian spoke through gritted teeth.
"Alright, for the sake of Brother Sun and Sister Liu, I'll help this child establish his own shrine!"
"But let me make this clear from the start: if we offend any 'things' or create any grudges because of this, the three of us will have to share the consequences!"
Granny Liu and Shopkeeper Sun seemed to have anticipated this situation, so they nodded in agreement without hesitation.
"For quantum mechanics, we two old bones are going all out!"
"Sister Zhang, you should start preparing!"