When Zhao Youliang got up to open for business the next day, he heard both good news and bad news.
The bad news is that someone really did die last night;
The good news is that the dead were not innocent residents, but members of one of the five major families.
Moreover, it is said that his death was extremely gruesome: when he was found by his neighbors in the morning, he was just a pile of rotten flesh.
Good heavens, at this rate, it won't be long before all five major surnames are wiped out.
After they all die, will the other residents be in danger?
No, I need to think of a solution quickly...
Because everyone else treated Zhao Youliang and Yingchun's sister-in-law very well, Zhao Youliang didn't want them to suffer a terrible misfortune.
This is what they mean by good deeds being rewarded.
Just as Zhao Youliang was anxiously pondering, police officer Xiao Zhao walked up to him with a long face.
Zhao Youliang quickly asked, "Brother Zhao, what's wrong? Don't tell me that dirty thing dragging the sack is bothering you again."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Zhao slowly shook his head: "No, not at all."
"But I went to the City God Temple yesterday as you suggested, but the City Goddess completely ignored me!"
"Hey, Quantum, take a good look at me again, do I really not have many days left to live?!"
After listening to what the police officer Xiao Zhao said, Zhao Youliang remembered that the City Goddess had said that she would never interfere in the affairs of the small town.
While expressing his feelings, Zhao Youliang carefully examined the police officer, Xiao Zhao.
This sight was even more astonishing: Good heavens, yesterday he only had black mist covering his brow, but now this black mist has covered his entire forehead.
That's a classic "dark cloud looming over him" face—he's doomed!
"Brother Zhao, are you asking me to tell the truth?"
Seeing Zhao Youliang's expression, Officer Zhao had already guessed what was going on.
I almost cried.
Even though he's a policeman, who would want to die at such a young age!
Besides, even if we die, we should die with honor, shouldn't we?
How can I be "bewitched" to death by something filthy? It's so frustrating!
"Quantum, is there any other way you can help me?"
"To be honest, I'm not ready to die yet!"
"Alas, if Master Mao Keng and Master Maotai were still alive, perhaps they could have a solution."
Upon hearing Officer Zhao mention Mao Keng, Zhao Youliang realized he had Mao Keng's phone number.
"Brother Zhao, how about I call and ask for you?"
"Hmm, hurry up and ask! Why didn't you say you had a phone call sooner!" Xiao Zhao nodded repeatedly upon hearing this.
They acted as if they were afraid they wouldn't be able to wait even a little longer.
The call was quickly connected, and the calm voice of the old Taoist priest Mao Keng came from the other end.
"May the Heavenly Venerable grant boundless blessings."
"Young friend, do you have something to discuss with me?"
Upon hearing this, Zhao Youliang quickly handed the phone to Xiao Zhao: "Master Dao, please wait a moment. I'll have Brother Zhao talk to you himself."
"Since you know each other, I won't act as a go-between."
After handing his phone to police officer Xiao Zhao, the stingy Zhao Youliang didn't pay attention to what they were saying; he was just silently calculating the call time.
There's nothing to it; Mr. Zhao, who's been poor for so long, is just worried about the phone bill.
It's not that Zhao Youliang is stingy; without experiencing his hardships, who can understand the difficulties he faced?
Imagine this: a child who has just turned eighteen takes on all the burdens of the family.
Not only do they have to earn money to treat their adoptive father's illness, but they also have to support their younger sister's university education!
And this persistence has lasted for four years... Zhao Youliang is only twenty-two years old now!
More than twenty minutes passed before police officer Xiao Zhao finally hung up the phone.
Zhao Youliang didn't have time to worry about his phone bill and quickly asked.
"Brother Zhao, what did Daoist say? Is there any hope for you?"
Police officer Xiao Zhao nodded excitedly, "There's hope! The Taoist priest said there's hope!"
"Tell me to hold on as long as I can and not die yet. In a few days, they'll send someone skilled to deal with that backwards zombie."
"A master who can handle even backwards zombies, dealing with the sack ghosts that are bothering me must be a piece of cake!"
Hearing what Xiao Zhao said, Zhao Youliang was happy for him, so he didn't complain about what he meant by "try your best to hold on and don't die yet".
"That's wonderful, Brother Zhao!"
"Be careful these next few days. Remember: don't take your police uniform off, and try not to leave your police station."
"Also, if you can carry a gun, try to carry it with you at all times. Guns can also ward off evil spirits!"
"Yes, yes, yes!" Officer Zhao nodded repeatedly upon hearing this.
"I'll go back to the bureau right away and apply to work shifts at the prison for the next few days."
"There are armed police inside; I should be safer next to them!"
After seeing off Xiao Zhao, whose hope had been rekindled, Zhao Youliang went straight to the coffin shop.
Zhao Youliang certainly understood the importance of "never letting go of one's fists or one's music," so he had to seize every opportunity to practice.
When he arrived at the coffin shop, Old Liu was indeed already sitting in his usual spot, waiting for him.
First, he instructed Zhao Youliang that the Hundred Ghosts Night Parade had come out and that he must be careful recently. Only then did he begin to guide him on the essentials of paper-making.
Strangely enough, although Zhao Youliang's aptitude was average, his progress in cultivation was extremely rapid.
In just over half a month, he had already learned almost half of Old Liu's skills.
The only difference between him and Old Liu is the depth of their skills and their proficiency.
That's why Old Liu was increasingly satisfied with his successor.
"Quantum, as long as you don't die halfway through, you will definitely be able to carry forward our craft!"
......
By the time Zhao Youliang finished his cultivation and left the coffin shop, it was already noon.
As he walked along, pondering what to eat for lunch, he suddenly heard Li Mao shouting from behind.
"Quantum, Quantum, slow down, wait for me!"
"Oh my, isn't this Li Mao?" Zhao Youliang said with a smile.
"Why did you call me? Are you inviting me to lunch?!"
Li Mao laughed upon hearing this, "No need for me to invite you, we can go to the dead man's house for a feast together."
"That family's second uncle is handling the funeral arrangements today."
Here's a special explanation of the story: In rural northern China, villagers don't necessarily have to give money to attend a funeral in order to eat there.
You can eat as long as you help out.
Even if you don't offer help, you can still go around lunchtime.
The more people who go, the better the host family is perceived to be.
Conversely, it would be awkward if no one went.
There's a rural insult that goes: "Look at this family, they're so unpopular! Even when they're dead, nobody will carry their coffin!"
Zhao Youliang originally didn't want to go, after all, he had completely broken ties with the five major surnames led by Guo Zhengde.
But then I thought: it would be foolish not to take advantage of a good deal.
Even if I go out to eat, do you think they'll kick me out?!
Every meal you eat saves you money; every saved meal counts...
Zhao Youliang, who came with the intention of taking advantage of others, regretted it when he died.
To be precise, he was scared!
Behind everyone in the courtyard, there was a demon.
The evil spirit bent over, head bowed, hands wrapped around the waist of the living person in front of it, following closely behind.
He muttered venomously, "You all deserve to die, you all must die..."
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