Corpse Retriever.

Chapter 433

A green-covered truck carrying wooden crates drove past Li Zhuiyuan, kicking up dust.

Li Zhuiyuan watched the car disappear into the distance, gradually becoming blurry.

The boy gently stroked the object with his fingertips, sensing what was being transported inside.

There were no seals, only stamps; no escorts, only drivers; no clearing of obstacles, only provincial roads; no concealment, just a grand display.

Things that are too precious, and too dangerous, don't necessarily need to be worried about their safety during transportation.

This peach-picking skill is simply unparalleled.

Even the final act of sending off the ship exudes a sense of ease and leisure.

Li Zhuiyuan felt no resentment whatsoever. He believed that creating conditions for multilateral cooperation and win-win development while he was still young and weak was in line with his current interests.

Only when you truly grow strong and powerful will you have the qualifications and confidence to redefine these distribution rules.

The pick-up vehicle arrived, and Li Zhuiyuan got into the jeep.

After going through security checks, we arrived at the camp.

The boy first went to Elder Zhai's place to deliver the documents. When he entered the tent, he found that Elder Zhai was not there, but Master Sun was sitting inside.

Master Sun was picking his toes.

Seeing the boy come in, he put his feet back into his cloth shoes and habitually put his fingertips under his nose to sniff.

"Hello, Grandpa Sun."

"Hehe, hello, hello, grandson-in-law."

Master Sun smelled strongly of medicine. That night, when he was presiding over the grand formation to stop the tomb owner, he damaged his vital energy.

Li Zhuiyuan placed the document bag on Zhai Lao's desk and prepared to leave.

The boy could sense the scrutiny hidden beneath the old man's kind gaze.

That day, Master Sun fell asleep here after mistakenly taking sleeping pills, and his mother compass was stolen.

There were only a few people present at the time. Even if Master Sun didn't realize it then, he would definitely have thought about it afterward. Moreover, Runsheng and the others are currently receiving treatment for "work-related accidents" at the special medical station in the camp.

Anyone who has visited the medical station will easily connect it to themselves.

Just as Li Zhuiyuan reached the door, Master Sun's voice came from behind him again:
“I said, child.”

"Grandpa Sun, what can I do for you?"

“I’ve visited your classmates. They were seriously injured, but they’re recovering very well. Don’t worry, although the conditions here are a bit basic, we’ll do our best to treat any work-related injuries.”

"Thank you for your concern, Grandpa Sun. I'm just about to go visit them."

"Hehe, well, go ahead, go ahead, child."

Master Sun waved his hand.

With a wave of his hand, the two ropes binding the tent flaps at the entrance drooped down, forming a barrier.

Then, Master Sun stroked his goatee and continued to smile warmly.

Li Zhuiyuan stepped out without pausing.

The moment they crossed it, the formation shattered!
"hiss……"

Master Sun pulled out a tuft of his beard.

The art of formations excels at discerning the big picture from small details and understanding the profound from the subtle.

With a casual gesture and a quick break, the two sides had already clashed in their mastery of formations.

Since he could no longer hide it, Li Zhuiyuan decided not to hide it anymore, and his somewhat impolite response was also a way of showing his confidence.

On the surface, you address me as your grandson and I respectfully address you as my grandfather; there's no problem with that.

Do not conduct any further investigations or in-depth probes in private; do not break the rules.

Master Sun opened his palm, blew a breath, watched his beard flutter, and suddenly laughed:
"Hey, good grandson-in-law."

……

Inside the medical station, Runsheng and the others are recovering very well.

Based on past experience, I could be discharged now, but since it's public medical care anyway, I thought I could stay a few more days to recuperate.

It's not that I want to take advantage of this; being able to lie down here after being injured is itself a form of recognized emotional value.

It must have been Han Shuting who made special arrangements, because the medical staff inside had very low sensitivity to Runsheng and the others. For example, the fact that new skin had already grown on Lin Shuyou's body, a recovery speed that is extremely rare even among martial arts practitioners, did not surprise them here, or perhaps they were deliberately pretending not to be surprised.

Li Zhuiyuan went outside and saw Zhao Yi sitting at the entrance of the medical station, eating a dry apple.

"Hey, timing is everything. I just got my good stuff and then I ran into you."

Zhao Yi took out another wrinkled, dehydrated apple from his work uniform pocket, carefully wiped it on his cuffs, then broke it in half with both hands and handed one half to Li Zhuiyuan:
"Eat up, this is called an apple, it's very sweet."

Li Zhuiyuan shook his head and didn't reach out to take it: "This is such a precious thing, you should eat it yourself."

"Hey, wait here, I'll find you a knife and peel it for you. You eat the apple, and I'll just taste the peel."

Li Zhuiyuan sat down on the steps next to Zhao Yi.

Zhao Yi didn't actually peel the apple; instead, he took big bites of it himself.

He didn't look as old as he did in the ancient burial; his skin wrinkles had mostly disappeared, and his hair hadn't turned completely black yet, but he must have dyed it black at the town's barbershop.

He looked like a seasoned veteran, weathered by his work.

This apple is no ordinary apple. It was a small earth god temple that Zhao Yi unearthed while driving a tractor at a construction site by the roadside. It had been buried for who knows how many years.

The earth god temple was only half a person's height and half a person's width. The image of the earth god was blurred, but the incense burner and the apples in the fruit plate in front of it could still be made out.

The living conditions at this construction site are very good, and there is no shortage of non-staple foods; even if there were shortages, no one would dare to be greedy and eat them, because it would be a real shame to cause any health problems.

Zhao Yi took the apple, took a bite in front of everyone, and said, "It's so sweet."

This fruit is called the Incense Fruit, and it is extremely rare and can be considered a treasure in the martial arts world. Zhao Yi relies on eating this to replenish the lifespan he has lost.

For those who walk along the river, this is not unusual. After one wave, the merits begin to manifest, truly a case of being given a pillow when one is sleepy.

After eating several apples, peel and core included, Zhao Yi let out a long sigh of relief.

Li Zhuiyuan: "In a few days, around the time Runsheng and the others are discharged from the hospital, we will also be leaving. How long do you plan to stay here?"

Construction at the site has gotten on track, and the most difficult problems have been solved. The next step is the construction of the mining area, and then Engineer Luo and Xue Liangliang will lead their team to leave this place.

Zhao Yi rubbed his stomach, looked at Li Zhuiyuan, and let out a burp:

"Hey Li, I've eaten several of these, I'm stuffed. You'd better let me catch my breath."

Li Zhuiyuan nodded.

Zhao Yi took out his pipe, put it in his mouth, lit it, took a deep drag, and slowly exhaled the smoke.

“I want to stay a little longer. Anyway, there are gaps between the waves. I plan to use half of those gaps to complete the first phase of the project here.”

On my way back to Jiujiang, I'll detour through Nantong to visit my godmother and, while I'm at it, also drop by to see you, my little brother.

"You can choose a set of books from the basement."

"I'd be so embarrassed, brother. You've already given me a knife, how could I possibly ask for two more sets of your collection?"

Li Zhuiyuan remained silent.

Zhao Yi continued, "Sigh, but what can I do? I'm the junior. I can only accept the love and care of my elders. I can't spoil their fun, can I? So I'll just close my eyes and randomly draw three sets. What do you think, Grandpa?"

"Row."

"How about I kowtow to you now, my ancestors?"

Li Zhuiyuan stood up, preparing to leave.

Zhao Yi: "Hey, you surnamed Li, when are you going to Hainan?"

Li Zhuiyuan: "I don't know."

Zhao Yi: "You're not the kind of person who doesn't keep track of things. Miss Chen is Miss Chen, and the Chen family is the Chen family. You know that perfectly well."

Li Zhuiyuan: "We'll see."

Zhao Yi: "Okay, call me before you go. I'm also planning to take my team to Sanya for a team building trip to enjoy the sunshine, beaches and sea. It's just that it's getting cold and food and lodging are expensive in Sanya. I can join your trip."

Li Zhuiyuan: "Let's wait until you've taken all the books."

Zhao Yi: "Master Yuan is particular."

It wasn't that Li Zhuiyuan was particular; he meant for Zhao Yi to choose one set, and Zhao Yi, taking advantage of the situation, ended up drawing three sets blindly.

The books in my great-grandfather's basement were all extremely valuable, but the value orientation of those books was somewhat problematic.

There's a high probability that Zhao Yi will randomly draw three sets of secret manuals such as health preservation techniques, dual cultivation methods, and pure yang boy kung fu.

After leaving the medical station, Li Zhuiyuan planned to go back.

On the way to the reception station, I saw Han Shuting passing by with two boxed meals.

Han Shuting: "Have you eaten?"

Li Zhuiyuan: Not yet, Uncle Han.

Han Shuting: "What a coincidence, I got an extra one. Don't waste it, you can have it."

Li Zhuiyuan: "Okay."

The higher a martial artist's skill level, the greater their appetite—a coincidence that everyone tacitly acknowledges.

They found a tent outside, found two stools, and the two people, one big and one small, sat down.

Li Zhuiyuan took the now-cold boxed lunch from Han Shuting.

It was his fault; he chatted with Zhao Yi for a while longer and the food happened to get cold.

They took out disposable chopsticks and began to eat.

Han Shuting: "Is your surname Qin or Liu?"

Li Zhuiyuan: "Uncle Han, my ID card says my surname is Li."

Han Shuting put a piece of roasted gluten in his mouth, chewed it for a long time, and then asked again:

"Is the old lady well?"

"Grandma is doing well."

"And what about him?" "Uncle Qin is doing well too."

Has he come out yet?

"I've come out of it."

"That's good, that's good."

Next, it's time to focus on eating.

Han Shuting didn't ask about how his uncle evaluated him at home. He was indeed very happy and excited that night, but he couldn't take it too seriously.

Knowing his own worth, he might mention himself, but probably only when instructing or training a junior:
"Your fist is just like that of a guy surnamed Han I met before—too much scheming, not pure enough."

After finishing their meal, Li Zhuiyuan said goodbye to Han Shuting.

Han Shuting remained seated on the bench, gazing up at the clear sky.

The sky was so clear that day, just like how I felt when I was young.

Then, an old face suddenly appeared, obscuring his youth.

Master Sun: "Hey, what are you thinking about?"

Han Shuting: "What happened to your beard?"

Master Sun: "I was so focused on figuring out a new formation that I didn't even notice my beard being pulled off. By the way, I just saw you eating with that kid, haha."

Han Shuting: "What, are you interested in that child?"

Master Sun: "Of course, I have three granddaughters at home, how could I not care about them?"

Han Shuting's lips curled into a slight smile: "You want to find a son-in-law for your troops?"

Master Sun sat down on the bench that Li Zhuiyuan had previously used: "We need to find out what's going on first."

Han Shuting: "You yourself have been recuperating at the medical station recently. I don't believe you didn't see his true colors. There are rules in the underworld."

Master Sun: "I'm not doing this to test your background; I'm genuinely here to marry off my granddaughter!"

Han Shuting: "Some people don't care what your reasons are."

Master Sun said, "The one who stole my mother's compass that night and fought with me was this kid, wasn't he?"

Han Shuting: "You know perfectly well why you're asking this?"

Master Sun: "Whose descendant is he?"

Han Shuting: "Which one?"

Master Sun: "You know perfectly well why you're asking?"

Han Shuting: "Ask more clearly."

Master Sun: "Is his surname Liu?"

Han Shuting shook his head.

Master Sun said, “We’ve come this far, why keep it a secret? During the magical duel that day, he deliberately concealed his methods, but he quickly deciphered my compass, and I found a wisp of Liu’s feng shui energy on it.”

Han Shuting: "His surname is not Liu."

Master Sun: "A servant born into the family?"

Han Shuting frowned; he didn't know.

The surname is not Qin or Liu, but Li. Normally, the fact that the surname was not changed indicates that the child's birth order in the family was not high enough, and therefore the child could not take the surname of the head of the household.

But judging from the boy's status in the team, even the Qin family members who use the Qin Clan's Observing Dragon Technique obey his orders, it doesn't seem quite right.

Master Sun said, "The Liu family is declining in numbers. This child must be a servant born into the Liu family."

Han Shuting: "Don't you think you're courting death? You know it involves the Dragon King's family, yet you still keep asking?"

Master Sun said, “You don’t understand. I really like this child. Seeing him is like seeing myself when I was young.”

Han Shuting: "If you can't even win a compass competition with your younger self, then you've really wasted a lot of your time."

Master Sun said, "I'm just wondering, shouldn't a martial artist like you follow a bold and unrestrained style? Why do you speak with such a sarcastic and convoluted tone?"

Han Shuting: "Stop beating around the bush, just tell me what you want to do."

Master Sun said, "My ancestors responded to the orders of the Dragon King of the Liu family several times to subdue demons and monsters. I wouldn't dare say we have any special relationship with them, but at least we left a slight impression on that old lady of the Liu family."

This time, my injury was quite serious. I'm quite old, and it will take me a long time to recover. I don't even know if I can really recover.

My replacement should be on their way. I plan to take a break. It seems unlikely I'll be able to return to work and deal with this situation anytime soon.

"Since I'm idle anyway, I might as well take my visiting card and try my luck in meeting that old lady."

"You're going to the Liu family's ancestral home?"

“I looked at the address on the child’s ID information, which was Siyuan Village, Shinan Town, Nantong. I thought I’d try my luck there.”

"The old lady of the Liu family, would she live in the village?"

“I also think it’s unlikely, but the child’s household registration is indeed there. Let’s go and take a look first. If we can’t get in touch, it’s just that I’m not destined to meet him. If we can get in touch, then we’ll have to swallow our pride and ask the old lady for this marriage.”

Han Shuting reached out and pinched the space between his eyebrows.

Master Sun said, “It’s not that I’m being delusional. After all, he’s a son born into the family and doesn’t even have the family name. Besides, I’m marrying my granddaughter into the family, not kidnapping someone.”

Han Shuting: "Do you think that old lady is senile? Even if she doesn't have the surname Liu, how could she not have a status in the Liu family? That's a talent that could make you live to a ripe old age."

Master Sun scratched his face somewhat embarrassedly: "Where there's a will, there's a way. What if it works? How will we know if we don't try?"

Don't let my unkempt appearance fool you; my three precious granddaughters are all beauties, and they've been raised exceptionally well by their mother, excelling in various arts such as music, chess, calligraphy, and painting.

I'll take their portraits and birth dates to that old lady for a reading; who knows, maybe one of them is a match made in heaven!

Besides, I came to ask for my granddaughter's hand in marriage. Even if the old lady was unwilling, she could simply send me away without a second thought.

"Hehe, you wouldn't hold a grudge against me over such a small matter, would you?"

……

At the pick-up station, while waiting for the jeep to arrive, I happened to see Mr. Zhai returning in the jeep.

"Xiao Yuan".

"Teacher, I'm here to deliver some documents to you."

"Hehe, then come in and have a seat. I also have something to show you."

Li Zhuiyuan followed Elder Zhai back to his office tent, where Elder Zhai handed him a thick envelope.

Li Zhuiyuan opened it; inside were photos of the inscription on the stele.

Mr. Zhai: "The scenic area over there in Changbai Mountain is being expanded. This was just unearthed. Look at the inscription. The person who carved this stone tablet is the first builder of this Goguryeo tomb, the Goguryeo Celestial Master."

The inscription tells the story of an experience where the Celestial Master witnessed the true manifestation of the Heavenly Way on Changbai Mountain, receiving enlightenment and baptism. From then on, the Celestial Master believed himself to be the embodiment of the Heavenly Way's will on earth, and to convey the Heavenly Will to humanity.

Mr. Zhai: "How are you feeling?"

Li Zhuiyuan: "The vast majority of religious founders have had similar experiences."

Mr. Zhai: "Hmm."

Li Zhuiyuan felt that it was normal for his teacher to show him these photos.

But if it's your own "teacher" showing you this photo on purpose, that would be very strange.

While Mr. Zhai is willing to share such detailed background information, the Emperor would never speak without reason.

Old Zhai: "Xiao Yuan, do you think this story is fake?"

Li Zhuiyuan: "I don't think it's very real."

Mr. Zhai: "How did you determine that?"

Li Zhuiyuan: "I believe in science."

Professor Zhai: "Science requires more argumentation, and one has no right to speak without investigation."

Li Zhuiyuan nodded. He had gone in to verify it at great risk, and it was fake.

Mr. Zhai: "But investigation and verification both require costs. Often, it takes a lot of one's life, or even one's own life, to conduct them."

Li Zhuiyuan knew that he had been introduced as a "teacher".

The boy glanced at the figure behind Elder Zhai out of the corner of his eye. Without any change in the light and shadow, the shadow slowly shifted away, making it look as if another person had appeared on the ground.

The emperor has eaten a whole jar of candied fruit; he should reward himself with a sweet date.

Li Zhuiyuan: "Teacher, you are right."

Mr. Zhai: "So, if a person can start over many times, or if a person can split into many selves and do the verification and testing one by one, it doesn't matter if they die, because there's always another one, wouldn't that greatly improve efficiency?"

Li Zhuiyuan understood what "teacher" meant.

Although Wei Zhengdao died here, bursting on the investiture platform, Li Zhuiyuan still believed that Wei Zhengdao did not die here.

At this moment, the shadow that had separated from Elder Zhai slowly returned to its original position and returned to normal.

Mr. Zhai: "Take this project for example. There are many dangerous construction and exploration tasks. If robots could replace them, how much risk could be saved? I really hope that day will come soon."

Li Zhuiyuan: "Me too."

Old Zhai reached into his shirt pocket and took out two more photos, placing them on his desk.

"There's something interesting here: we often vehemently condemn those who vandalize public scenic spots or historical buildings by carving or graffiti, and some even have to pay a legal price for it."

However, the same thing would be different if it happened to people in ancient times. It would add value to the story and make archaeology more interesting.

For example, the inscription on the Celestial Master's Stele on Changbai Mountain has been vandalized, but the vandal is also an "ancient person." This interaction between the "new ancient person" and the "old ancient person" is truly amusing to us modern people.

Li Zhuiyuan picked up the two photos and looked at the first one.

This is the top of the inscription. Originally, it should have been a large blank area, but someone left annotations there. Li Zhuiyuan was quite familiar with this handwriting.

This person is skilled at conveying emotion through their handwriting; here, you can clearly feel that they were excited and looking forward to writing this line.

Is the following statement true?

Li Zhuiyuan picked up the second photo, which showed the bottom of the inscription. An annotation had also been left on the base below the text, echoing the previous one. However, it was clear that he was very angry when he wrote this annotation, with a hint of exasperation at being deceived.
The above is utter nonsense.

---

There will be another chapter tomorrow morning, so get up and read it.

(End of this chapter)