Tomb raiding: A mere 20 is nothing!

For the Zhang family, an excessively long lifespan can dull their emotional sensitivity. This is a protective mechanism of the brain; with more people in contact, it's inevitable to develop feelings, which then makes facing separation and death unavoidable.

Life and death are an inescapable fate for humankind. What makes the Zhang family special is that they experience such moments far more often than the average person.

Not only physical injuries can be fatal, but emotions are also an invisible knife. When such heart-wrenching emotions accumulate to the extreme, they become deadly shackles.

Therefore, in order to alleviate this burden, the longer the Zhang family members live, the less emotional investment they make in others, thus gradually turning into a stagnant pool.

From the Republic of China era to the modern era, Zhang Rishan has drifted through the world for a century. The last trace of his emotions vanished with the departure of the Buddha. Now, he is more like an empty shell, helping the Buddha to maintain order in the Nine Gates.

At this moment, the shell of "restraint" that enveloped him shattered silently.

For the first time ever, he experienced a loss of emotional control.

When he finally came to his senses and looked at the illusion in the image, he only saw the other person's back as they turned and left without any hesitation.

Why?

Why are you ignoring him like this?

Is he really so unattractive to her?

An inexplicable resentment even overwhelmed his reason. Zhang Rishan didn't bother to investigate this absurd situation; he only wanted to find an answer. He couldn't accept this differential treatment.

Just as he was about to give chase, a chill swept across the back of his neck, and a hand silently landed on his shoulder, carrying an inescapable sense of pressure.

"Chairman Zhang, we should have a talk."

Zhang Rishan frowned and turned around, only to be met with a pair of cold eyes. It was Zhang Haike, the current head of the Zhang family overseas.

Separated by mountains and seas for a thousand years, our sorrow remains unseen.

Having been separated from the Zhang family for so many years, apart from the time decades ago when Zhang Haiqi led a group to seek help from the Buddha, he has basically had no concrete contact with the Zhang family since.

That's why he was so surprised when the Zhang family visited the Crescent Hotel and lit sky lanterns.

"What do you want to talk about?"

Facing Zhang Haike, the inexplicable restlessness in his chest subsided considerably. Zhang Rishan suppressed the turmoil in his heart, and his expression slowly returned to its usual composure.

"If you're here on behalf of the clan leader to demand an explanation for my inaction years ago, then the clan leader must come in person. I, Zhang Rishan, am willing to accept punishment. But you alone are not qualified."

Zhang Haike knew immediately that the guy had misunderstood, and he let out a cold laugh, a hint of mockery flashing in his eyes.

"Don't think too highly of yourself. We're not here because of you."

"So, what brings you here?"

Zhang Rishan was already wondering if there was some kind of large tomb hidden beneath the Crescent Hotel, but the other person's face was gloomy, and he hesitated several times before speaking, looking very annoyed.

Seeing Zhang Haike's troubled expression, Zhang Rishan became serious: "What exactly are you trying to say?"

Zhang Haike sighed. He was late; otherwise, he wouldn't have had to watch helplessly as he gained another rival in love.

Zhang Haike had lived for a hundred years; what bizarre things hadn't he seen? But when he encountered Shen Mingchao, he was utterly bewildered and really wanted to shout to the heavens: What the hell is going on?! When will this ever end?!

Just as Zhang Haike was explaining Shen Mingchao's abilities to the newcomers with great displeasure, Shen Mingchao himself was chatting happily with another newcomer.

The reason was that Luo Que couldn't stand Kan Jian's machine-gun-like nagging in his ear anymore.

They also said some incredibly infuriating things.

Similar to—

"Sigh, if I had known that Sparrow would also be affected, I should have booked a plane ticket earlier and sent him on a long voyage."

"If the employer finds out there's another one here, and I was the one who brought him, he'll probably throw me in the river."

"Ahhh, White Snake King Alliance, I'm so sorry! I was just joking when I said we were missing one player for mahjong at the guesthouse, but now that we're actually not missing any, I'm kicking myself."

"Hey, Sparrow, if I told you this is all an illusion, that you're dreaming, would you believe me?"

Luo Que gave Kan Jian a look that was full of profanities.

"Neuropathy."

"You talk too much, I think you should be called a sparrow."

"It's too late for you to say anything now, so just be quiet for a while and don't bother me."

No one knows how intense the sense of horror he felt when Kan Jian added him to a WeChat group and he looked at the list of wolves and tigers.

Now everything makes sense.

Why did the White Snake and Wang Meng suddenly become at odds earlier? Why did Kan Jian suddenly act strangely after going to Yu Village? And why did these three guys who didn't get along suddenly hit it off and go to Yu Village to open a guesthouse?

Even now, why are these influential figures in the underworld vying to light that deadly lamp?

Everything suddenly became clear at this moment.

Luo Que still couldn't understand it. Was this reasonable? Was he really not dreaming?

To further verify his inner thoughts, Luo Que went all out, deliberately shirking his duties and skipping the banquet, hiding in a corner to secretly observe, which eventually led him to find an opportunity for Shen Mingchao to be alone.

"I haven't formally introduced myself yet. My name is Luo Que. I'm an orphan. I grew up at the New Moon Hotel and later followed Chairman Zhang. Now I'm also affiliated with Wushanju."

Shen Mingchao blinked, not understanding why this person suddenly started reporting household registration information, which surprised her somewhat.

She then introduced herself as well, they added each other on WeChat, changed their way of addressing each other, and their relationship was considered to have broken the ice.

Luo Que lowered his eyes slightly, looking at his hand, which had just been briefly shaken with the other person and was now completely numb, and thought to himself, so all of this really wasn't an illusion.

"Hey, where's Vest Bro? Didn't you guys go out to handle some business? Didn't he come back with you?"

Shen Mingchao originally wanted to catch up with Kan Jian and thank him for his help.

Lost in his reverie, Luo Que reflexively replied, "He just bought a plane ticket and went on a long voyage."

"......"

Shen Mingchao's lips twitched, and he asked, "Is this a new kind of dry humor?"

"Uh... he had to leave at the last minute. By the way, you knew he's really good with a slingshot, right?"

Certain memories flooded his mind, and Shen Mingchao nodded: "I know, he used a slingshot to shoot chestnuts, and he hit them every time."

Even if you made her follow behind you picking them up, she still wouldn't be able to finish, haha.

After setting the stage, Luo Que subtly shifted the focus to himself: "I play with fishing rods, not because I'm good at fishing, but because my hand skills are no worse than his."

Shen Mingchao didn't understand: "So?"

"So if you need subordinates, thugs, or bodyguards, you can consider me."

That was a completely unexpected answer.

Shen Mingchao thought to himself, this person is like a brick, ready to be moved wherever needed, and he actually came to her and volunteered himself.

Since the other party was so enthusiastic, Shen Mingchao couldn't refuse directly, so he gave a reply that left room for maneuver.

"Okay, I understand. I'll contact you if I really need anything, Brother Luo Que."

I don't know if the bricks are any good, but I'll keep them for now, just in case they come in handy later.