Outside Lao Jin’s herb garden, A Gong sat under the shade of a tree, diligently crafting paper figures.
Beside him, a paper figure that bore a striking resemblance to Liu Jiaren leaned against the tree, as if accompanying its lover.
“A Gong!”
Just then, Lao Jin arrived outside the garden on his battered motorcycle, carrying Yan Shouyi and Long Feicheng. The engine sputtered and coughed as they approached.
Upon seeing Yan Shouyi, A Gong immediately stood up to greet him.
Yan Shouyi quickly urged A Gong to sit back down.
Seeing this, a subtle smile flickered in Lao Jin’s eyes.
He could tell that everyone present today had gathered solely because of Yan Shouyi.
Yan Shouyi possessed an inexplicable charisma that commanded respect.
After all, throughout history, who else could bring together a descendant of Lu Ban, a master of paper crafting, a master of ancient medicine, a pig demon, and the heir to a ghost king’s lineage…
With everyone so proud and unwilling to yield to each other, how could they possibly have come together?
Yan Shouyi had earned their respect, and they were willing to stand with him.
If only everyone had been so united in the past, the current world might not be in such a state.
Tradition and folk customs should have had more room to flourish.
Noticing that A Gong was still crafting, Yan Shouyi asked, “Are you not finished yet?”
“This is the last one,” A Gong replied.
Long Feicheng crouched down to examine A Gong’s work and couldn’t help but ask, “A Gong, didn’t you always use bamboo strips to build the skeletons for your paper crafts before? Your craftsmanship seems different this time.”
Hearing this, A Gong picked up the paper figure he had been working on and said, “When we go to Ping’an Building this time, we can’t just walk in openly. So, I’ve developed a folding method that allows all my paper crafts to be carried more conveniently.”
As he spoke, A Gong tossed the paper figure he held onto the ground.
The thin paper sheet, upon hitting the ground, sprang open as if it had a hidden spring.
In an instant, it transformed into a lifelike, three-dimensional gray wolf!
“Holy cow!”
Long Feicheng exclaimed in shock, “I may lack eloquence, but a simple 'holy cow' says it all! A Gong, your skill is incredible!”
Yan Shouyi chuckled, “Why don’t you stop learning from me and become A Gong’s apprentice instead?”
A Gong shook his head, “We all have our drawbacks and misfortune. It’s probably best for Little Long not to learn.”
“You’re right. With you all being so capable, what else do I need to learn?” Long Feicheng said cheerfully. “Once we deal with those scoundrels from the Bai family, I’ll be your agent. We’ll form a team, take money for our services, and help people solve their problems. We’ll get rich!”
No one present was driven by greed, so Long Feicheng’s grand vision didn’t stir much excitement among them.
Ignoring Long Feicheng’s words, Lao Jin said to Yan Shouyi, “All the souls of the Liu family have been restored. Given their age and cultivation, those vine armor Yin soldiers you mentioned last time would be no match for them!”
A Gong added, “Soon, they will all inhabit the paper figures. We’ll send them into Ping’an Building all at once. When they’re not in battle, they can use the paper figures for movement. If combat breaks out, the paper figures will also serve as armor for them, ensuring their safety.”
Lao Jin and A Gong were true strategists, and this time, they had provided Yan Shouyi with invaluable assistance.
Just then, the herbs in the garden rustled, and a little piglet rushed out.
Approaching Yan Shouyi, it proudly declared, “Big Brother, thanks to Lao Jin, not only have my eyes recovered, but my cultivation has also reached a new level!”
This little piglet was Zhu Shanzao.
The mention of this incident angered Lao Jin. He grabbed Zhu Shanzao by the tail and lifted it up.
“Damn it, Little Yan, this pet pig of yours has been stealing my spirit herbs and elixirs all these days. Look how much fatter it’s gotten! You have to compensate me for the losses!”
Yan Shouyi, caught between amusement and exasperation, quickly told Lao Jin to release Zhu Shanzao and promised to compensate Lao Jin for his losses.
Looking around, now that the army was assembled, it was time to head to Ping’an Building.
Lao Jin asked, “Didn’t you say the Lu Shan Sect would also send people to help? Where are they?”
“I arranged to meet them at Ping’an Building.”
“Then what are we waiting for? Let’s go as soon as possible. We need to set up an ambush early, before the Bai family starts tightening their defenses. Otherwise, we’ll miss our chance.”
“Alright, let’s depart then!”
…
For this major operation, Yan Shouyi had contacted Liu Mingzhi in advance to send some vehicles.
Riding in the Liu family’s cars, carrying all the paper figures and equipment, they arrived outside Ping’an Building around noon.
It was the middle of the day, so even if the Bai family were planning a celebration, it wouldn’t be at this time.
Therefore, the area outside Ping’an Building remained as silent as usual.
Even the pedestrians passing by walked by quietly with hurried steps.
Yan Shouyi instructed everyone to wait in the cars and then got out himself, heading directly into the underground parking lot of Ping’an Building.
Above was a famously haunted area, and this underground parking lot was clearly not peaceful either.
Yan Shouyi affixed an invisibility talisman to himself and then, holding his breath, walked towards the depths of the parking lot.
There, he found a small warehouse with its door tightly shut.
Upon reaching the warehouse door, Yan Shouyi knocked a few times. A response soon came from the other side.
The rolling shutter door was opened, and a few young Taoist priests sized up Yan Shouyi. “Are you Yan Shouyi?”
“I am.”
“Please come in quickly.”
Entering the warehouse, Yan Shouyi noticed these Lu Shan Taoist priests, all clad in their Taoist robes.
The one leading them was Lu Jing.
Lu Jing, wearing his Taoist robe and a red hat, held a treasure sword in his hand.
Just sitting there, he exuded an aura of authority that commanded respect, making ghosts and spirits alike give way to him.
Besides Lu Jing, Yan Shouyi was surprised to see two familiar faces.
Huang Hai and Zhou Yuquan!
“Why are you two here?” Yan Shouyi asked.
Huang Hai replied, “The Grand Elder sent us here for training…”
Training at Ping’an Building?
Yan Shouyi blinked in surprise, then understood. Lu Jing couldn’t openly announce his intention to attack Ping’an Building.
Thus, he could only use ‘training’ as an excuse to lure disciples to help.
Yan Shouyi couldn't help but break out in a cold sweat. Lu Jing was truly daring. What if the disciples didn't take it seriously and lost their lives here?
“Elder Lu, what’s the situation?” Yan Shouyi asked quietly, walking over to Lu Jing.
Lu Jing looked up and said faintly, “We’ve captured quite a few minor ghosts in the parking lot. This is our temporary base. You can bring your people in too. When the Bai family arrives, we’ll take advantage of their relaxed vigilance and storm the top floor, striking at the heart of their operation!”
“That plan is good, but isn’t it a bit too direct?”
“What’s your strategy?”
Yan Shouyi coughed twice and said, “It’s not exactly a grand strategy, just a little bit of cleverness. Since the Bai family intends to target the Li family tonight, after their birthday celebration, they will inevitably make a move. At that time, with a little trickery, we can trap their elite forces inside the building. Then, while the old ghost Bai Shixi at the top floor is unattended, we can launch a surprise attack. Once Bai Shixi is dealt with, we can then turn our attention to those Bai family elites…”
“This plan is excellent! We’ll do as you say!” Lu Jing stated frankly.
Lu Jing’s straightforward nature was precisely why Yan Shouyi trusted him more.
However, at a time like this, being too blunt could lead to serious trouble, which was why Yan Shouyi offered his suggestion.
Lu Jing then asked, “So, young man, what should we do now?”
“We don’t need to do anything else. I’ll have everyone come in to rest and conserve their energy. As for the formation to trap the Bai family’s elite, I’ll handle that myself.”
“It might be a bit dangerous for you to enter the building alone. Shall I personally protect you?” Lu Jing inquired.
Yan Shouyi shook his head, “No need. I have my own companions. You, Elder, are a trump card, and you must maintain your best condition.”
“Alright, I’ll follow your lead,” Lu Jing agreed without objection.
The disciples of the Lu Shan Sect, seeing their usually hot-tempered Grand Elder so amenable to this young lad Yan Shouyi, couldn’t help but feel curious about Yan Shouyi’s identity.
They surrounded Huang Hai and Zhou Yuquan, quietly asking about Yan Shouyi.
In response to his juniors’ questions, Huang Hai simply smiled faintly and said,
“Do you know about the West Lake water diversion incident last time? He was the one who caused it!”