Inside the operating room.
At this moment.
It had been some time since Zhang Wei led the Old Master Qiu and the others through the portal.
Looking at the portal radiating a sacred light.
Qiu Xiaolin, Lu Lianxue, Zhang Chao, and the rest were all a bit anxious.
"It's been so long, why hasn't Zhang Wei come out yet?" Lu Lianxue frowned.
"Zhang Wei will be fine," Qiu Xiaolin said nervously.
Unable to help themselves.
Lu Lianxue and the others turned to Wu Nian beside them. If anyone understood transcending and reincarnation, it would be the Buddhists.
However, Wu Nian smiled wryly and shook his head:
"Since the Yin and Yang realms were separated, the Nine Netherworld is where the deceased go. Generally, the living are not allowed to go there. This humble monk has never been."
"Generally? Does that mean Wu Nian knows that living people have entered the Nine Netherworld?"
Zhang Chao caught the key point in Wu Nian's words.
Wu Nian did not hide anything:
"This humble monk has indeed read about it in ancient texts. Not long ago, I discussed it with my junior uncle. The Nine Netherworld is a place for the deceased, but it's not that the living absolutely cannot enter. Among ghost exorcists, there is a profession that specializes in entering this place."
"They are called Yin Walkers, specializing in communicating between life and death in the underworld. Mao Shan techniques and the practices of asking spirits with rice in the folk traditions are somewhat similar to Yin Walking."
"Besides that, there are also some powerful ghost exorcists who have been to the Nine Netherworld. For example, the current head of the True Dragon Guard, Wei Sheng, who is known as the strongest and weakest, according to my junior uncle, he has been there once..."
Hmm?
As he was speaking, Wu Nian's gaze flickered, and a rare look of surprise appeared on his usually calm face:
"Amitabha, Buddha bless us, Zhang Wei is back."
The others, who had been constantly monitoring the situation within the portal, also noticed the portal's status.
They saw that within the portal.
On the desolate Yellow Springs Road, a figure was walking.
He was smiling and waving at them:
"Wuhu, brothers and sisters, your Emperor is back. Surprised? Unexpected? Come and pay your respects."
As he spoke.
Zhang Wei stepped out of the portal, and the portal behind him closed with a rumble, disappearing from sight as if it had never existed.
"What were you guys talking about..."
Zhang Wei asked playfully. As he returned from the Nine Netherworld, he saw everyone talking and noticed the worry on their faces. He couldn't help but change the subject.
However, before he could finish his question.
A slender figure lunged into Zhang Wei's arms.
It was Qiu Xiaolin.
Seeing Zhang Wei, all of Qiu Xiaolin's previous worry, nervousness, and gratitude poured out. Crying, she gently hit Zhang Wei's chest.
Zhang Wei's gaze softened, and he reached out to pat Qiu Xiaolin:
"Little bun, I'm fine. By the way, your dramatic, Mary Sue-like move just now startled me. We're in public right now."
As he spoke, Zhang Wei nudged his chin, indicating for Qiu Xiaolin to look at Wu Nian and the others.
It could be seen.
Zhang Chao was grinning at Zhang Wei and Qiu Xiaolin, looking like a gossipy old man. Wu Nian, with his palms pressed together, was silently chanting Amitabha, looking like a monk who avoids impropriety.
As for Lu Lianxue...
She was also smiling at Zhang Wei and Qiu Xiaolin.
However, the observant Qiu Xiaolin noticed that Lu Lianxue had moved a few steps closer from her previous position. Clearly, Lu Lianxue had also wanted to rush over when Zhang Wei came out, but seeing that she had rushed first, she had stopped.
Qiu Xiaolin's beautiful eyes flickered, and no one knew what she was thinking.
Blushing, she patted Zhang Wei:
"I was just worried about you, little Wei. Cough, cough, by the way, how is Grandpa Qiu?"
Qiu Xiaolin changed the subject.
Upon her words.
Everyone couldn't help but look over, as this was what they were most concerned about.
Zhang Wei grinned: "He's already crossed the Naihe Bridge. Grandpa Qiu's life has been retrieved. As for anything else you might ask, it's not convenient for me to say, because that is the Nine Netherworld, a place where the living should not enter. If I say too much, it's taboo and might cause trouble."
"Haha, it's okay, we understand,"
Zhang Chao nodded, naturally understanding the matter of taboo.
Wu Nian pressed his palms together and, for the first time, a smile appeared:
"Amitabha, it is a joyous occasion that Old Benefactor Qiu could have his life returned. Knowing this is enough."
Lu Lianxue also smiled sweetly:
"This is the outcome that a heroic figure like Old Master Qiu deserves. It's great, it's finally successful."
Qiu Xiaolin and her family bowed gratefully to everyone, thanking Zhang Wei and the others for their help. Without their assistance, Grandpa Qiu would not have fulfilled his wish, nor would he have achieved this outcome.
In response.
Zhang Wei smiled and waved his hand, replying:
"No need to thank us. This is the effort of the entire Great Xia Gang, and it is also the 'Great Xia respect' that Old Master Qiu deserves. We dare not forget the kindness of martyrs. The nine years of compulsory education made that very clear, haha."
Zhang Chao and the others also echoed with laughter:
"Yes, haha. If we didn't do this, my elementary, middle, and high school politics and moral education, and Chinese teachers would beat me to death."
"Amitabha, this humble monk agrees."
"You guys are so funny, but I agree too, hehe."
Afterward.
Since they were still in the hospital operating room, they didn't want to cause trouble for the medical staff.
Zhang Wei and the others did not linger.
In addition, they needed to report Old Master Qiu's matter to the Ministry of Defense. Lu Lianxue and the others left to report back.
"Wait, Xiaoxue, do you have time later?"
Qiu Xiaolin called out to Lu Lianxue.
"Ah?"
Lu Lianxue was stunned, not expecting Qiu Xiaolin to call her. Shouldn't she have called out to Zhang Wei? But before she could ask further, Qiu Xiaolin leaned in and whispered something in her ear.
Instantly.
Under Zhang Chao and the others' confused gazes, Lu Lianxue's face turned red, and then she hesitated.
At this moment.
Lin Tong spoke: "Lianxue, I can go report it by myself. You can accompany Miss Qiu."
In his opinion, Old Master Qiu had just passed away, and Qiu Xiaolin should be grieving and need comfort. Lu Lianxue was her friend and could help comfort her.
Even.
Lin Tong kindly added:
"Zhang Wei, do you have anything to do later? Why don't you accompany Miss Qiu too."
Unlike Lin Tong, Zhang Wei wasn't solely focused on muscles. He wasn't foolish. He had noticed Lu Lianxue's intention to rush forward when he exited the portal, and he had also noticed Qiu Xiaolin whispering in her ear, and Lu Lianxue's fleeting blush.
He vaguely guessed the reason, knowing that it was a time for girls to share their thoughts, and even as the instigator, he couldn't interfere.
Then, he wisely said:
"I'm busy, very busy. I'm not just here for Old Master Qiu today; I have an appointment with Jun Fei, and I need to be his wingman."
Qiu Xiaolin chuckled, clearly understanding Zhang Wei's intention. She gave him a look and whispered:
"Consider yourself sensible, hehe."
Zhang Wei grinned.
After a little more conversation, everyone left the hospital.
On the way out of the hospital.
Mentioning being a wingman, Zhang Chao immediately became interested and leaned in curiously, asking:
"Zhang Wei, are you trying to pick up girls? That's great. You introduce girls to your roommates, but not to me? Is it because I haven't sworn brotherhood with you, so I'm not worthy of being your brother? How about we swear brotherhood now."
As he spoke, Zhang Chao made a gesture as if to bite his finger.
Zhang Wei laughed and playfully slapped Zhang Chao on the back:
"What are you talking about? Do you have the employer's daughter yet?"
"Sigh, don't mention it, it fell through. The employer's daughter doesn't fancy me. If this continues, I feel like I'll be alone for the rest of my life. I can't find anyone, so I'll have to fall in love with a female ghost."
Zhang Chao continued:
"So Zhang Wei, if you find any girls, introduce them to us quickly. I need women, women!!"
As he spoke, Zhang Chao made a repetitive forward and backward motion with his waist.
Zhang Wei laughed heartily and frankly said:
"I think you're horny. But seriously, I'm not going to pick up girls. I'm genuinely being Jun Fei's wingman. That guy has been chasing a girl recently, and it's very difficult. He needs my help."
"Difficult? How so?"
"He's pursuing a married woman."
Upon hearing this.
Zhang Chao was stunned for a moment, then exclaimed:
"Holy crap?! Zhang Wei, your roommate is that... intense?!"