After determining the time, I began preparing the things needed for the trip: talismans, a compass, divination items... and a larger backpack. Who knew what would happen after entering the mountains?
Were those long-faced mountain sprites still lurking in the valley? The cave had been burned by fire, and I didn't know if it had collapsed. Moreover, the safety of my home had to be ensured.
Zhang Fan, the disciple of the Ghost King Controller, had died in Beishan Mining Town. Although his death was an accident, given the Ghost King Controller's personality, he would definitely blame me for it.
The Ghost King Controller, having been bitten by Da Hei, was probably hiding somewhere licking his wounds. Finding him would be like searching for a needle in a haystack. Otherwise, I would have asked Wang Defa for help to finish him off.
I was going to Molu Village with Wang Defa and his group. Even if the Ghost King Controller harbored ill intentions towards me, he wouldn't have the ability to act on them. After all, he wasn't foolish enough to confront Wang Defa without considering his own strength and the consequences. However, Zhang Sao and Chen Yun, who were left at home, were another matter.
They had no protection at home, and I really wanted Zhang Dabiao to stay. But as soon as I mentioned it, Zhang Dabiao turned hostile towards me and sternly warned me that if I went to Molu Village without him, he would disown me as a brother.
I knew he was worried about my safety, but wasn't I also worried about his?
The night before we departed, Bai Ling'er rushed back from outside. Upon seeing me, she pounced into my arms like a bird returning to its nest.
"Foolish... Master... I'm so glad you're not dead. I thought you..."
Listening to Bai Ling'er's familiar address, I gently stroked her hair. Despite her formidable strength, she had too little experience in the human world. Although she was my spirit pet, I had always treated her like a sister.
"How could I die so easily? I just encountered a minor unexpected situation, which is why we lost contact. See, I'm perfectly fine?"
Bai Ling'er pushed me away, her eyes filled with a hint of resentment. "You're so annoying! I painstakingly built up my emotions, and you just didn't know how to cherish me, making me shed so many tears for nothing."
Zhang Sao was almost stunned by her rapid change in demeanor, and even Chen Yun showed a look of surprise. How could someone who was just moments ago tearfully concerned about you, turn their face around so quickly, almost like a traditional Sichuan opera face-changing performance?
"Ahem... Alright, I'm relieved you're back. I'm going on a long trip tomorrow. You stay at home and keep Zhang Sao company..."
Upon hearing that I was leaving, Bai Ling'er's eyes lit up, and she quickly said, "I want to go too! Otherwise, I'm afraid you'll be eaten by monsters."
I shook my head and said, "No, you have to stay at home. Besides, Fifth Gege doesn't allow you to follow me anymore. If she finds out you ran off with me, she'll skin me alive!"
"Fifth Gege? Where is she? I didn't look for her when I came back this time?" Bai Ling'er's eyes brightened. She had grown up with Fifth Gege since childhood, and they had spent thousands of years together, their bond deeper than what ordinary people could comprehend.
"Beishan Mining Town."
"Beishan Mining Town? Why did she come all the way here? She didn't even tell me when she moved. It's really too much, making me fly for so long. I'm going to find her." As she spoke, she was about to leave, but I quickly called her back.
"Ling'er, you'd better not go."
"Why?" Bai Ling'er stopped and tilted her head, asking me with confusion.
"Well, she's encountered some trouble, and you can't see her right now?" I didn't mention it was because of Senior Black Robe. He had warned Fifth Gege not to let too many people know about his existence, so I had to keep it from Bai Ling'er as well.
Seeing my slightly strange expression, Bai Ling'er retracted her foot and started circling me, occasionally staring at me intently, as if I had flowers growing on my face.
Her peculiar gaze made me feel a bit uneasy. I took two steps back and asked her what she was looking at.
"Did you... do something to Fifth Gege?" Bai Ling'er clasped her hands into fists with her fair jade-like fingers, thumbs pointing inwards, making a gesturing motion of prayer.
I almost spat out a mouthful of blood and quickly said, "Where did you get that idea? Don't talk nonsense, or Fifth Gege will deal with you later."
"Hehe... It seems I guessed correctly, otherwise why would you be so nervous? Don't worry, I won't say anything... I'm going to find Zhang Sao. I haven't eaten her cooking for days, and I really miss it."
Watching Bai Ling'er skip off to find Zhang Sao, Zhang Dabiao and I both breathed a sigh of relief. The main reason was that this little girl was too much of a handful. However, with her at home, even if the Ghost King Controller came back in full strength, he would be unable to return. As for the Hu family, they probably wouldn't come looking for trouble.
The Hu family, being a prominent figure in the north, also had their reputation to uphold and wouldn't harm women and children.
We were leaving tomorrow, so before going to sleep, I decided to visit Fifth Gege to inform her about my plans and ask her to help look after the house.
However, I was stopped by Da Hei, who told me that Fifth Gege did not wish to see me.
With Fifth Gege's divine abilities, she would certainly know that I was going to Molu Village to lead a group of people to dig up her father's grave. Anyone in her position would find it unacceptable. The fact that she didn't come out to slap me twice already showed her magnanimity.
After exchanging a few words with Da Hei, I asked it to check on the house more often, to which it readily agreed. I then asked it to relay a message to Fifth Gege that I would not forget my original intentions.
The next day, as dawn broke, Zhang Sao began preparing breakfast. During the meal, she said nothing, only quietly packing Zhang Dabiao's travel bag. This made me feel both envious and sad. Several times, I wanted to ask Zhang Dabiao not to go.
But thinking of his stubborn nature, I closed my mouth, only managing to assure Zhang Sao that I would bring Zhang Dabiao back safely.
Before eight o'clock, the sound of a car horn echoed from outside the courtyard.
Zhang Dabiao and I, with our respective luggage, got into the car. The driver was one of the two women accompanying Wang Defa. She wore a large pair of sunglasses, looking as arrogant as a king. I asked her how we were going to Molu Village.
She retorted, "You'll know when we get there. Why so many questions?" Zhang Dabiao was so angered that he almost lost his temper on the spot, but I stopped him.
Offending a female driver was a minor issue, but offending Wang Defa could lead to much greater trouble, as he had that influential figure from the capital behind him. Offending him would bring no benefit.
Moreover, I planned to use him to deal with the Hu family. I hadn't forgotten how Hu Yuan almost killed me, and I suspected that my master's departure might be related to the Hu family. Su Dan Novel Network.
The female driver's speed was fast and her driving was smooth. In less than an hour, she brought us to our departure point – the airport.
When we arrived, Hu Sixi also alighted from the car with several unfamiliar faces from the Hu family, including Hu Yuan, whom I hated to the bone.
"Well, well, who is this? Such great importance that Group Leader Wang has to arrange someone to pick them up?"
Facing Hu Yuan's provocation, I completely ignored him and said to Wang Defa, "Group Leader Wang, we are not going into the mountains for a tour. Bringing dogs along might be inappropriate, don't you think?"
Before Wang Defa could speak, Hu Yuan interjected again, "Is there something wrong with your brain, kid? Have you ever seen a dog that can fly on a plane... Oh, Third Grandfather, why are you hitting me?" Hu Yuan looked at Hu Sixi with a hint of grievance.
"You idiot, you didn't even understand when he insulted you. You're a disgrace to the Hu family." He then turned his gaze to me and said, "Young Master Song, we are on the same boat now. Let's put aside past grievances for now. After this matter is over, we can talk properly."
His intention was clear: we were both at Wang Defa's mercy now, and we would settle things after this was over.
I snorted coldly and ignored him, secretly calculating how I would deal with him once we reached Molu Village.