Chapter 159

Chapter 159

The reason was simple but true.

Perhaps Chen Ji's expression was too amusing, as Blue-robed couldn't help but laugh. "I'm really not lying to you. So, are you taking it or not? If you do, I'll owe you one."

With someone as formidable as her, there was truly no need for her to deceive him.

"Of course!" Chen Ji agreed without a second thought. Blue-robed crossed her legs and began explaining in detail: "Although that family has some connection to me, no need to be too polite, okay? Working for free isn't good."

"For example, when it comes to money, charge a hefty sum. Look, you're building this road here, which benefits you too. Why not just ask for a marketing channel? Get them to fund and promote it for you later. Isn't that better than just asking for a bit of money?"

Chen Ji listened in astonishment, then said, "Is that right... I have another question."

"What is it? Go ahead," Blue-robed said casually.

Chen Ji asked, "Sis, why did you think of me for this?"

Blue-robed shook her head with a smile. "I thought it was something big. First, people have heard about you. Second, I was just passing by."

As she spoke, she seemed to remember something. "Got any mushrooms at home? It rained just yesterday, so there should be lots of good ones popping up..."

Chen Ji paused, feeling embarrassed. "I went traveling and only got home at noon today... Want me to buy some from the market for you?"

Chen Ji smiled and nodded, then went to the kitchen to grab a bunch of snacks and milk tea for Blue-robed. He then walked to the corridor. "Second Grandfather!"

Second Master Huang poked his head out from the roof beam, his slender tail dangling leisurely in the air, swaying gently. "What is it?"

Chen Ji clasped his hands together. "Second Grandfather, could you give me a ride to the market?"

Hearing this, Second Master Huang stood up, shook off his fur lazily, and then leaped down. By the time he landed, he had transformed into a 2.8-meter-tall giant weasel supercar. He scooped Chen Ji up deftly and placed him on his back. The entrance to the ghost path silently opened ahead, and Second Master Huang stepped into it.

Second Master Huang asked teasingly, "Why not get Red Fur to go with you?"

Chen Ji: "Second Grandfather, do you want to hear the truth or a fib?"

Second Master Huang: "What's the fib?"

Chen Ji: "Little Red's probably tired after that trip."

"And the truth?"

"You run faster, know the way better, and are much steadier."

Chen Ji wasn't kidding. Little Red was fast, but there was always a feeling of takeoffs and landings. Second Grandfather's running was truly as smooth as gliding on flat ground. Even when jumping around in Little Green Mountain, sitting on his back was rock-steady. You could put a cup of tea on his back without it spilling.

He was willing to bestow upon Second Grandfather the honorary title 'Little Green Mountain Drift King'. If he ever really couldn't make ends meet, he'd open a tofu shop. Riding Second Grandfather over mountains and valleys to deliver tofu every day, the tofu would arrive without a crack.

Second Master Huang snorted, as if to say 'you'd better believe it'. Chen Ji laughed as he lay on its back. Just as they ran out of the Little Green Mountain area, Second Grandfather suddenly said, "Chen Ji, which side are you helping?"

Chen Ji paused. "What's wrong? Why are you asking this, Second Grandfather?"

"Just a reminder," Second Master Huang's voice carried a hint of meaning. "What if I just take you away? Let them fight it out... Be my disciple, and I can guarantee you a life of wealth and ease. I have the ability for that."

Chen Ji rubbed Second Grandfather's back fur. "You're that powerful, Second Grandfather?"

"Of course!" Second Grandfather snorted twice. "Think it over quickly. Otherwise, once you've revived the Mountain Lord's temple, you won't be able to escape even if you wanted to."

Second Grandfather's meaning was clear: between Xiangxiang and Yellow Fur, he should stay out of it and let them fight. The main reason he returned to Little Green Mountain was the recurring nightmares; he had no choice. The system cat's task was secondary. Now, with Second Grandfather here, those nightmares naturally couldn't bother him anymore. Whether he becomes a feng shui master for others or goes back to being a programmer, Second Grandfather could always ensure his wealth and prosperity.

Chen Ji narrowed his eyes, smiling brightly. "It's still early for the Mountain Lord's temple to be revived. With just these scattered bits of incense, at most it's just a bit more breath."

—He would participate, and he was helping Xiangxiang.

Second Master Huang understood—he knew it all along.

Someone like Chen Ji, despite smiling every day, was actually ruthless and cunning. Previously, when he chased Chen Ji, Chen Ji hit him on the head with a stun baton and forced him to sign a contract. Wasn't he fooled by Chen Ji's earlier cowardly act? Crying and kneeling at the drop of a hat, pretending to be weak and easy to bully—who would have thought Chen Ji was plotting something vicious behind the scenes?

Now he had the Mountain Lord fooled like a dumb little kitten. But judging from the previous two times the Mountain Lord almost killed him, it wasn't that easy to get past. If he knew about before...

Well, take it one step at a time.

Chen Ji stroked Second Master Huang's soft, fine fur, pressing his face against it. Probably because everyone knew Chen Ji liked cleanliness, they all carried the fresh scent of shower gel, which was very pleasant.

Yes, let life go on like this.

Take it one step at a time.

After a pleasant meal where both guest and host were satisfied, Blue-robed sent Chen Ji the basic information about the employer and then took her leave. She always seemed busy, yet also always seemed leisurely. Chen Ji curiously asked, and she said she was taking advantage of the good season to travel around Y Province eating wild delicacies.

***

Chen Ji felt a bit envious.

Chen Ji packed his luggage and went to ask the Mountain Lord for leave. He took incense, respectfully bowed three times, and began stating the reason, justification, and duration: "...The blue-robed ghost fairy came to ask in person, so I couldn't refuse. This time, I'll be going to S City again. The total trip will probably be seven to fifteen days."

"The other party is well-off. Right now, the mountain road is under construction, and it's the peak season for wild animal activity, so no tourists will come up the mountain. It's a good time to leave—if I can handle this matter for them, it should help us with promotion in the future." Chen Ji blinked and looked up at the statue. "Mountain Lord, you'll agree, right?"

Chen Ji picked up the divination blocks. They fell to the ground—two yang sides.

Neither agreement nor denial.

"Don't worry, if I encounter anything I can't handle while away, I'll definitely ask for your help." Chen Ji added, "This time, I'll also take Second Master Huang with me. At worst, Second Master Huang can carry me away."

The divination blocks fell—a sheng bei (one yin, one yang).

Agreed.

Chen Ji was somewhat surprised. He had been prepared to persuade Yellow Fur further, but he didn't expect it to agree so easily?—Was the previous refusal because it was worried about his safety?

Chen Ji couldn't help but smile. "Don't worry, I'll definitely return safe and sound."

After saying this, Chen Ji paused—had he just jinxed himself?

Never mind.

Chen Ji replaced the offerings on the table with ones that could be stored for a long time. He could just have Little Red and the others help change them twice in the middle. Given the circumstances, Yellow Fur wouldn't mind.

He looked up at the statue. The mottled statue, though bathed in light, still seemed submerged in darkness. For some reason, Chen Ji suddenly climbed onto the altar using the steps beside it. He stroked the statue's brow, took a cloth from the side, and carefully wiped the dust from the statue's face.

A god, yet dust settles on its statue.

Chen Ji thought slowly.

If he hadn't seen it with his own eyes, he wouldn't have believed so many mysterious things truly existed in the world.

Suddenly, his wrist felt cool. He looked down to see a black vine lightly coiling around his wrist. Then, more vines wrapped around his waist, pulling him toward the statue.

He was forced against the statue, his warm cheek pressed against the cold stone, as if leaning against an ice sculpture. Chen Ji looked up and saw the statue seem to blink its eyes in that instant.

The deity was looking down at him.

Chen Ji nuzzled his face against the statue without changing his expression, as if with lingering affection.

The black vines released him after a brief embrace. Chen Ji used a handkerchief to wipe away the mark left by his face—wait, that’s not right. Professor Zhuo had mentioned it’s best not to wipe statues with a damp towel...

Ah well, too late now. I'll worry about it later.

Chen Ji stepped down from the altar, casually wiping away his footprints as well. He exited the main hall, and the fully charged robot vacuum let out a beep before starting its daily cleaning routine. Listening to the sound inside, Chen Ji closed the main hall door.

As he stepped out of the temple gate, Second Master Huang and System Cat leaped into his arms and onto his shoulder respectively. Chen Ji sighed—such sweet torment.

He had booked a flight this time. Although ghost paths were handy, it was better to avoid crossing provinces, as it would be tough to explain if anyone looked into it. If the destination weren't so far, Chen Ji would have even preferred to drive himself.

Fortunately, what he brought weren't real cats or dogs, or else the hassle of checking them in would have been too much.

Second Master Huang yawned on Chen Ji’s shoulder: “Shall I take you down the mountain?”

Chen Ji walked slowly: “No rush. I’ll walk for a bit first, and when I get tired, I’ll let Second Grandpa give me a ride.”

Second Master Huang fell silent. As Chen Ji walked, he spotted a large, bright yellow mushroom ahead and joyfully stepped forward, hand already reaching out. But then he remembered he was heading down the mountain today and had nowhere to cook it, so he reluctantly gave up.

System Cat drooled: [Can’t we just fry it on the spot?]

Chen Ji: [This thing is poisonous. Cooking it over an open flame would definitely cause poisoning.]

System Cat rolled over, exposing its belly to express its despair.

Halfway down, Chen Ji finally hopped onto the Second Master Huang express. He originally intended to take him straight to the airport but was stopped by Chen Ji, who said he needed to go to Shangyang Village first. So, he had no choice but to head toward the village.

Just as they neared Shangyang Village, about a kilometer away, Chen Ji patted Second Master Huang: “Second Grandpa, you’ve worked hard. Let me down here.”

He was about to say there was still some distance left and that Chen Ji could trust him—no one would ever discover Chen Ji had ridden a weasel—when he spotted a white tabby kitten politely sitting by the roadside ahead.

A faint smile appeared in Chen Ji’s eyes, and the kitten stood up and ran toward him.

Second Grandpa and System Cat exchanged glances: “...”

Damn, so that’s why Chen Ji suddenly wanted to get off!

The side piece is here! Who’d still care about us!