"Alright, I understand. Rosie and I will head back now."
Song Zijian said dejectedly, then hung up the phone.
"What's wrong, team leader? Why is the captain so angry?"
As soon as Song Zijian hung up, Rosie came over and asked.
Song Zijian spread his hands. "How should I know what's gotten into him? Fine, if he wants us back, we'll go back. Brother Chen, where do you live? We'll take you home first."
"Okay, I'll trouble you then."
Chen Xiao nodded.
The three of them drove towards Jiangcheng under the cover of night.
At the same time, in a distant land.
An old man with white hair and a youthful face sat upright on a meditation cushion. Suddenly, the old man opened his eyes, a look of anger appearing on his face.
"Who dares to kill my Fire Spirit Rat?"
As he spoke, the old man picked up the sound transmission jade talisman beside him and said, "Miaoqing, your master has something for you to do. Come here."
A moment later, the door opened, and a young man with a handsome face and a long beard walked in. He cupped his hands in a salute to the old man and said, "Master, you were looking for me!"
The old man nodded slightly and said in a deep voice, "Miaoqing, the Fire Spirit Rat I sent to Bajie Pass Village to cultivate medicinal fields has been killed. You need to go to the mortal world as soon as possible to handle this matter, lest the medicinal fields be destroyed!"
"Yes, Master. Miaoqing will depart immediately!"
The man called Miaoqing cupped his hands in a salute again, then retreated.
...
Chen Xiao, after returning to the city and bidding farewell to Song Zijian and Rosie, returned to Bajie Pass Village.
That sea of Manjusaka flowers was an invaluable treasure. Although Chen Xiao had no immediate use for it, it might come in handy later.
Most importantly, his Yin-Yang Jade had such a large space within it. If he didn't put more things in, wouldn't that be a waste!
There was a small trick to harvesting Manjusaka: it had to be pulled up by the roots, not just the flowers. If only the flowers were picked, they would turn into ashes, just like before.
Chen Xiao worked for quite a while before he finished harvesting the entire sea of flowers.
He clapped his hands and showed a satisfied smile. "Finally done, time to pack up!"
The reason Chen Xiao went back was that he didn't want Song Zijian and Rosie to know.
Although he didn't know much about the Exorcism Division, since it was a public organization, Song Zijian and Rosie would definitely not stand by and watch him keep these things for himself.
That's why Chen Xiao went through the trouble.
Less than half an hour after Chen Xiao rushed back to Jiangcheng, Song Zijian and Rosie, along with a large number of staff members, arrived underground at Bajie Pass Village.
When they saw that the area had been completely cleared out, with not even a branch or leaf left, they looked at each other in confusion.
When Chen Xiao returned home, Liu Zhen had already woken up and was in much better spirits.
Everyone was eating dinner. The villa was now crowded and very lively.
Seeing so many people in the house, Liu Zhen also felt happy.
A few more people just meant a few more pairs of chopsticks, but this kind of liveliness couldn't be bought with just a few pairs of chopsticks.
After dinner, Liu Zhen beckoned to Chen Xiao. "Son, come with Mom. Mom has something to tell you."
Liu Zhen took Chen Xiao to her bedroom, held his hand, and looked at him with a kind smile.
"Mom, what's wrong..."
Chen Xiao asked. He felt a little strange about this rare moment of warmth.
"Son, Mom has seen many things these past few days..."
Liu Zhen's opening words left Chen Xiao somewhat bewildered.
Chen Xiao asked, "Mom, what did you see?"
Liu Zhen shook her head and murmured, "I didn't see clearly, and even if I did, I don't remember it now. I only know one thing: they are terrifying, fearsome, and very dangerous."
Chen Xiao understood. After all, what Liu Zhen saw was only what some souls had seen, like being in a dream. Even if it was very clear at the time, she wouldn't remember it afterward.
Chen Xiao squeezed his mother's hand and promised, "Mom, don't worry, I promise I'll never let you encounter any danger again. I implicated you in what happened before."
As he spoke, Chen Xiao's face was filled with guilt.
Liu Zhen shook her head and affectionately stroked Chen Xiao's hair, just like when Chen Xiao was little.
"Silly child, what are you talking about? Mom is already an old bone. Even if I die, it's not a pity. I'm worried about you. Mom might not understand what you're doing now, but you must promise me to pay attention to your own safety!"
Chen Xiao nodded firmly. "Don't worry, Mom, I promise you!"
"Well, there's one more thing..."
Liu Zhen said, "Why hasn't that child Ziqing returned for so long? Did you two have a falling out?"
Chen Xiao quickly shook his head. "No, she's just been too busy. She's been on business trips recently and won't be back for a while."
Although they hadn't seen each other for a long time, Chen Xiao and Li Ziqing talked every day, no different from any ordinary couple in love.
Chen Xiao almost regretted handing over those industries to Li Ziqing, because she was a workaholic to begin with, and now with more resources at her disposal, she was even busier.
However, fortunately, Li Ziqing liked it, even enjoyed this kind of life, so Chen Xiao could only let it be.
Hearing this, Liu Zhen was relieved, but she still reminded him, "When she comes back next time, you two should discuss marriage. And meet each other's parents when you have time."
Upon hearing this, Chen Xiao's face immediately turned awkward. "Mom, there's no rush for this, is there..."
"You're not in a hurry, but I am!"
Liu Zhen rolled her eyes in dissatisfaction. "Also, you're always bringing young girls and married women home. Ziqing will be anxious when she finds out."
"Mom, what are you talking about? They are all my friends."
Chen Xiao was very speechless.
"Oh... so you mean there are some you haven't brought back?"
Liu Zhen became vigilant immediately.
"No, no, Mom, don't overthink it. You've just recovered, you should rest more!"
Chen Xiao quickly found an excuse to leave. If his mother kept asking like this, she would eventually slip up.
However, his mother's words did remind Chen Xiao of Wu Feier. Wu Feier's mother's illness had not yet been cured, and he needed to find time to treat her these days.
After all, their relationship was not ordinary anymore.
Besides this, Chen Xiao also needed to set up a formation at home. He had already conceived the general structure of the formation, and now he only needed the spiritual energy and spirit stones to set it up.
Spirit stones were easy; he could just go to the jade market a few times.
But spirit artifacts were something that could only be encountered by chance.
However, he was now the head of Jiangbei, so he didn't need to do everything himself. Thinking of this, he called Qi Tianhu.