I open a restaurant in Mysterious Recovery

Chapter 711 Old Gods and New Gods

"Old Zhang, what you're saying is ridiculous. What do you mean I drugged your son? If I really drugged him, would he be acting like this now?"

Lin Yuan was unhappy.

He's an honest man. The so-called New Peach Blossom Spring Project was something Zhang Xianguang approached him on his own initiative; it had nothing to do with him.

Just look at the number of franchise stores now.

He really wasn't planning to give Zhang Xianguang too much authority; it was as if he had drugged Zhang Xianguang.
Zhang Xianguang was also worried that Zhang Dong's words would cause Lin Yuan to cut off his franchise rights, so he quickly said, "Don't misunderstand, I really wasn't affected. In fact, I was able to come here thanks to Boss Lin, otherwise I wouldn't have been able to get out of the post office."

These words were sincere and came from the bottom of my heart.

He had previously thought that if he couldn't come himself, he would have to send the supernatural light that he had resurrected in the painting at the Ghost Post Office. Now that he could come in person, it was naturally the best thing.

Zhang Dong sighed, waved his hand, and said he didn't want to talk about the topic anymore. "You've done well these past years. If you really succeed in the future, remember to burn some paper money for me."

"it is good."

Zhang Xianguang felt a lump in his throat, and all the words he had prepared remained unspoken.

"My coffin is still behind; go and help take care of it."

Zhangdong began to drive people away.

Zhang Xianguang exchanged a glance with Lin Yuan, knowing that he had something to say to Lin Yuan. He didn't feel any resistance, but after seeing Zhang Youhong, he felt a little unbalanced. "What about her?"

"She'll be here soon."

Zhang Dong clearly had something else to say to Zhang Youhong.

Although Zhang Xianguang was somewhat resentful, under Zhang Dong's calm gaze, he still turned and left without leaving anything behind.

“If you do this, he will probably continue to complain that you are biased. After all, it is a bloodline inheritance.” Zhang Youhong walked to Lin Yuan’s side, adopting a posture that put Lin Yuan first.

Zhang Dong didn't mind and said calmly, "I always thought it was unlikely that you could accomplish this, but it turns out I was wrong. It's not easy for you to get this far, but a completely new path has indeed emerged. As long as you keep going, you will definitely go even further."

Zhang Youhong knew what path he was referring to, and her eyes immediately reddened. "You can do it too."

Zhang Dong shook his head, not responding to the topic, "Go help him."

“Okay, at least I won’t let him hate you easily.” Zhang Youhong blinked, glanced at Lin Yuan, and after confirming that Lin Yuan didn’t intend to keep her, she also went into the back room.

At this moment, Lin Yuan smiled and said, "Actually, Xiao Zhang is right, you can do it too."

"There's no need to put on airs in front of me; it would only make you a laughingstock," Zhang Dong said calmly.

Lin Yuan didn't mind. After all, the other person was about to die, so it wasn't a problem to let him vent his anger. Anyway, it wasn't anything like cursing, and it wouldn't cost him anything.

"I will not go back on our previous agreement, but how far we can go next depends on you."

Hearing Zhang Dong say this, Lin Yuan was immediately displeased. "I did my best to help you take that final step in style, and this is how you try to fool me?"

"A ghost feast with at least a hundred ghosts. What, do you expect me to bow to you to express my gratitude? As for Zhang Xianguang's matter, if you don't want to, just refuse him directly. If you want to get any promises from me, you've miscalculated."

Zhang Dong snorted coldly.

He had no intention of being mysterious in front of Lin Yuan.

Or rather, he is very honest with everyone, but if the level of understanding is not high enough, no matter how straightforward his words are, it is difficult for these people to understand the true meaning behind them.

Only Lin Yuan, who was already on the same level as him and still had a path to continue to advance, could communicate with him like an old friend.

"Since you've said that, I'll give you face since you're about to die. Anyway, I've already gained my biggest reward this time. I've remembered what happened today, and I'll settle this score with you properly when I return to the Gengshen year." Lin Yuan's smile vanished, replaced by a completely calm demeanor.

Just as Zhang Dong was honest with him, he no longer needed to talk about his status as a "store manager".

It was indeed necessary for him to speak frankly about this god who was about to pass away, since with the passing of the old god, a new god would inevitably rise to the top.

Lin Yuan only wanted to live a peaceful life, but he couldn't give up this identity and allow himself to be threatened by outsiders.

However, there are certain rules to follow regarding how and when to sit on this so-called divine position. At least before he successfully completed the "path to godhood," he was still very cautious.

Moreover, just as Zhang Dong implied, he did indeed need to cultivate a sufficient number of "subordinate gods" for himself while walking this "path to godhood".

His supreme strength is the source of his confidence in not being threatened by any external forces.

Having a sufficient number of "gods" is the foundation for him to delegate authority, let others manage the world, and himself to leisurely enjoy his retirement life.

Both are indispensable.

Zhang Xianguang and Zhang Youhong are both good choices.

Zhang Youhong, in particular, was different from the other seven elders of the Republic of China. Although she was also one of the seven elders and their teammate, she did not experience as much time with them.

Decades after her death and resurrection allowed Zhang Youhong to maintain a youthful spirit.

This is very important, at least for Lin Yuan. He doesn't want the world he will live in to be stagnant and lifeless, so he naturally prefers to work with young people, especially capable young people.

As for Zhang Xianguang, he was somewhat extreme, but still within an acceptable range.

The two chatted casually, but it was all about everyday things and nothing of substance. Even Lin Yuan himself couldn't remember what they talked about.

It's not that he forgot, but that he was too lazy to remember.

But Zhang Dong seemed to be having a very pleasant conversation. Towards the end, he just sat there rambling on and on, like an ordinary old man pouring out his heart before he passed away.

After an unknown amount of time, he suddenly stopped talking and looked intently at Lin Yuan, "If we really reach the future that everyone wants to see, remember to burn paper money for me."

This was the second time he had said this to Lin Yuan.

Lin Yuan understood Zhang Dong's meaning perfectly well and calmly said, "No need to burn paper money. When the time really comes, I will let you see it with my own eyes. Or rather, you have already seen it, haven't you? Otherwise, you wouldn't have prepared a big red coffin for yourself. This is... a wedding coffin."

In this world, a red coffin represents a joyous funeral.

The fact that Zhang Dong prepared a red coffin for himself proves that he was not so concerned about his death, but rather felt that it was a happy occasion.

What reasons might lead someone to feel that their death is a joyous occasion?
Lin Yuan didn't need to think too much to guess what was going on. Faced with Lin Yuan's explanation, Zhang Dong smiled, a rare occurrence, a hint of melancholy in his eyes, but he didn't answer the question. Some things can be seen and done, but not spoken.

"My time is almost up, you should go now." Zhang Dong said, his aura growing increasingly weak, as if he were about to breathe his last.

Lin Yuan didn't leave immediately, but instead asked, "Are you really not going to reconsider?"

"You've always said that I'm some kind of god among mortals. I feel unworthy of such a title, but if that's truly what you think, then how can new gods ascend to the throne if the old gods don't die? The biggest obstacle on your path to godhood has always been me, hasn't it?"

Zhang Dong spoke casually, revealing Lin Yuan's biggest obstacle.

indeed.

Leaving aside other eras, just looking at the Gengshen year, Zhang Dong of that era was Lin Yuan's biggest obstacle. If he had the means to confront Zhang Dong...

No, it should be said that he needs the strength to suppress Zhang Dong in order to fully embark on the path to godhood and have a real start.

Lin Yuan understood this, and so did Zhang Dong.

"Alright, since you've put it that way, I won't stop you. Anyway, we'll have plenty of time to meet in the future, and I hope we can have a good chat then."

Lin Yuan left, departing in His own body.

Zhang Xianguang and Zhang Youhong also returned from the backyard at just the right moment, but when they saw Zhang Dong on the armchair, they both froze.

Because Zhang Dong had already fallen silent.

A strange emotion rose between the two, but no one cried or wailed; there was only an almost deathly silence that was frightening and even chilling.

After an unknown amount of time, Zhang Xianguang slowly spoke, "He's gone. We... should go out and announce his death."

“No, you’ve got the process wrong. It’s not really the first day yet, and he hasn’t really died. Let’s wait, there’s still plenty of time. We should wait until at least midnight.” Zhang Youhong refuted Zhang Xianguang’s words.

Zhang Xianguang frowned, but when he looked at Zhang Dong's corpse, he subconsciously accepted Zhang Youhong's statement and did not refute it further.

Time passed by, and the two remained in the lobby.

As for the red coffin, it had already been moved over and placed behind the chair where Zhang Dong's body was sitting, and they began to transform the hall into a mourning hall.

Outside, everything was the same.

The card game that had stopped because of Luo Wensong's departure started again with Lin Yuan's arrival. However, Lin Yuan did not get the substitute doll, so his bet was money to buy his life.

The Peace Hotel commemorative coin was originally intended as a voucher for internal consumption at the Peace Hotel.

But now, it has long since become the most valuable and widely used currency in the paranormal community, even more effective than gold.

Because gold can only ward off the supernatural, while money to buy one's life can actually buy one's own dog's life.

Meng Xiaodong, Zhang Bohua, and Li Qingzhi naturally recognized the value of the life-saving money, and the four of them started fighting. Fortunately, Lin Yuan knew the fighting style here.

As long as no one cheats, he can play very easily.

Despite being four of the most terrifying demon tamers, they were playing cards here like ordinary people, which was quite amusing.

Liu Qingqing, He Yuelian, He Yin'er, Xiao Ru and others, who were almost ready, had nothing to do, so they all gathered around to watch the group play cards.

Of course, they just watched; no one dared to say anything to warn them.

Fang Shiming, growing impatient, suggested, "How about we set up a table and have some fun?"

The group exchanged glances and agreed in unison. However, what made Fang Shiming's face turn green was that, despite it being his suggestion, in the end, it was He Yin'er, He Yuelian, Tong Qian, and Liu Qingqing, the four original cooks, who ended up sitting together and playing.

The rest, besides Fang Shiming himself, were the King Twins, Xianglan, Xiaoru, and... Ye Zhen.

Fang Shiming's face turned ugly, so he stopped pretending and pointed at Ye Zhen, saying, "Ye Zhen, do you dare to have a showdown with me at the card table?"

Ye Zhen blinked and chuckled, "Xiao Fang, it seems you're still not awake. How about we go to the woods over there and talk privately? I'll definitely wake you up."

"Ye Zhen, you're just a reckless brute!"

Fang Shiming was furious, but he dared not continue to make a move here, nor did he dare to go to the grove with Ye Zhen.

With the "shop manager" around, there's absolutely no way he would fight with a customer like Ye Zhen. But if they really went to the grove, it wouldn't just be a card game; it would be a fight, and he'd be the one getting beaten up.

He's not that stupid.

He had originally thought that he was able to beat Ye Zhen at the card table, so his card skills must be quite good. He just couldn't believe that Ye Zhen, a student who only knew how to watch anime, could have such good card skills.

But Ye Zhen was even smarter; he simply flipped the table and refused to play anymore, leaving Fang Shiming helpless and only able to sulk on the sidelines.

This made Guo Fan, who had just come in, very happy. "Xiao Fang, what happened to you? Do you feel like you've been beaten up? Why don't you tell me? We're colleagues after all, I can help you get revenge."

"You? Useless trash!" Fang Shiming sneered twice. "You dare call me Little Fang?"

Guo Fan's face flushed red, but in the end he just snorted coldly and didn't dare to get entangled with Fang Shiming any further.

It wasn't that he was afraid Fang Shiming would attack him.

The most important rule at the Peace Hotel is that you must not resort to violence.

Not only can't you lay a hand on a customer, but employees can't lay a hand on each other either; they have to maintain unity and friendship. So, there's no way Fang Shiming could lay a hand on him.

Especially now, "store manager" Lin Yuan is playing cards with Meng Xiaodong and a few others right next to him.

However, Guo Fan is not without weaknesses; his family is still a reality.

After the supernatural influence was suppressed and his normal human emotions returned, his family became important to him again. He dared not gamble on whether Fang Shiming would become enraged and eventually harm his family.

Even if he wins a complaint against the "store manager" when things get to that point, it won't help.

Time passed slowly, and soon it was midnight. Suddenly, a cold wind began to blow.

(End of this chapter)