Mountains and giant beasts, cabins in the woods

Liu Huimin didn't take Liu Xingmo's words seriously, but Liu Zhili and Xu Wenting were shocked.

Although they found it hard to accept, they knew that their company president was not someone who spoke recklessly.

Liu Zhili recalled the past, saying, "I've known those two since I was a child. They were wild and fierce kids. After they learned kendo, they fought their way through the streets and alleys, and were invincible."

Xu Wenting looked Liu Xingmo up and down: "President, I really didn't know you were a martial arts expert!"

Liu Xingmo said casually, "I'm just a scholar who casually learned some health-preserving techniques. Besides, those two are really not good enough; they're just weak-willed pharmacists, nothing special. The geniuses in our village are all out hunting rare beasts in the mountain patrol teams. As for those two, it's just a case of 'when the tiger is away, the monkey... cough! the leopard reigns supreme.'"

"President! I knew you were amazing! So talented, both academically and athletically, and so humble and composed!" Liu Huimin's eyes sparkled. "By the way, let's write about this in the newspaper: 'A student from Yin Country suffered a terrible fate…'"

"Alright, alright! Stop bothering me, everyone get busy. More people are staying home in winter, and even more people have some spare cash. Let's earn more and have a peaceful New Year."

……

Half a day later.

Jiang Youcai and Jiang Yourong dawdled as they entered the office.

Liu Zhili and Xu Wenting at least acted very enthusiastically, and the two quickly integrated into the environment.

Simple tasks can be easily handled by them, especially typesetting, printing, and newspaper delivery.

The two siblings had put a lot of effort into their newspaper, and although they didn't achieve much in the end, they at least gained experience.

When the work ended, they earned more money than before. Although after deducting the salaries of two people, the rest of the staff received less, as long as tasks are distributed reasonably in the future, everyone can earn more money.

Liu Xingmo put the two men in charge of printing the bound volume of the novel. Although they were reluctant to do manual labor, they promised to complete the task on time.

With things now settled, the matter of the Daoist lineage and the assignment of positions can be considered resolved.

After assigning tasks to the rest of the people, Liu Xingmo took his leave. As was customary, he made a trip to the pharmacy before heading home.

We traversed the swirling snow and returned to the dark but warm mine.

The place remains the same, with layers of stone houses built on the mountainside, creating a steep slope.

A network of interconnected corridors and passageways is built atop irregularly shaped houses. Busy people move about in their familiar neighborhoods.

Everything here is hidden in the darkness, and everything here is exposed to the light.

Liu Xingmo greeted the new acquaintances from time to time. The burly miners pulled him along, wanting to go for drinks.

Liu Xingmo couldn't refuse any longer and followed them to a restaurant. It was said that the place had just opened a few days ago, and that the wine there was incredibly fragrant.

Liu Xingmo sat down at the dining table and saw a familiar figure.

Liu San Niang swayed her hips and walked over with graceful poise: "Oh, look who's here today?" She smiled enigmatically, "We've been neighbors for so long, and this is the first time you've graced my little shop with your presence?"

"If I had known you owned this place, I wouldn't have come." Liu Xingmo placed his hand on the table and tapped his finger on the surface. "Bring out whatever good food and drinks you have, so we don't become a laughing stock."

"Yes, Lord Liu Xingmo." Liu Sanniang left.

When the other miners saw this, they realized something was wrong.

"What's wrong with you, kid? You know the shopkeeper?"

"Are your two families neighbors? Separated only by a wall?"

"Did you see the clothes the shopkeeper was hanging out to dry? What size are they?"

Liu Xingmo said with a wry smile, "Go away! If you want to act like a hooligan, do it in front of the boss's wife! What's the use of asking me?"

"I wouldn't dare, they have third-tier strength."

"Speaking of which, the shopkeeper could be a mid-level instructor anywhere, so why did he end up selling wine in our mine?"

"I heard she got into trouble and no one else wants her."

Liu Xingmo chuckled slyly, "I know that, let me explain it to you properly."

……

Liu Xingmo was forced to drink a lot, to the point that he became quite drunk.

The restaurant is closing up shop.

The miners went home, and Liu Xingmo also slowly climbed up. His house was on the top floor of all the buildings.

It was already late, and most of the rooms were dark. The mine was pitch black, and it was almost impossible to find your way.

Liu Xingmo reached out to steady himself against the wall, thankfully not getting the direction wrong.

Halfway up, Liu San Niang caught up.

She saw her neighbor on the street and said irritably, "Hmph! You can't hold your liquor but you still force yourself to drink. You're just a sweet-drinking person, how dare you play drinking games with a laborer!"

Liu Xingmo turned around: "Hehe, Third Sister. I'm not like you. I know I'm destined to be a waiter for life, so I'll just honestly earn a few bucks."

"Hmph! I'll make you pay sooner or later." Liu San Niang walked up quickly and soon passed Liu Xing Mo.

The woman's eyes darted around, she gave a wicked smile, and ran back to help Liu Xingmo up: "We're neighbors after all, let me take you home."

"No need!" Liu Xingmo pushed hard, but couldn't move it. Instead, he staggered.

Liu San Niang grabbed his arm and put it on her shoulder, pressing her whole body against him: "Oh my, you're so drunk! I have to keep an eye on you, lest you fall into the river and drown in the dead of winter."

Liu San Niang helped Liu Xing Mo walk quickly uphill to the top of the street. She knocked on her neighbor's door.

Soon, Sumali appeared in the doorway. She frowned and asked, "What exactly happened?"

Liu San Niang placed the man on her shoulder into the arms of the woman in front of her: "Your lover is drunk, I brought him to you."

"What exactly do you want to do?" Sumali asked coldly.

"Oh dear, you really don't appreciate my kindness! Fine, I won't bother you two anymore." Liu San Niang turned to leave, but suddenly turned back and laughed, "Speaking of which, you two young people are really something, you don't know how to control yourselves. You're making so much noise that I can't sleep or eat properly..."

A flush rose on Su Mali's pale face. "I understand." She reached out and patted her husband's face. "Xingmo, are you still conscious?"

"I'm fully awake, perfectly awake!" Liu Xingmo shook his head, trying to make out the overlapping figures in front of him. He reached out to grab something, but grasped nothing.

"I told you, he was really drunk. It's a good thing I brought him here," Liu San Niang said coldly.

"Thank you," Sumali said softly.

Just then, Liu Xingmo suddenly opened his eyes wide and stared intently at Liu San Niang.

He muttered urgently, "You woman are in for a bloody disaster! A great calamity is about to befall you; you probably won't live much longer!"

"What! I was trying to help you, and you dare to curse me?" Liu San Niang grabbed the young man's collar, wanting to get to the bottom of things.

Liu Xingmo's head went limp, and he fell asleep.

"Hmph! You can deal with it yourselves." Liu San Niang stormed off.

Su Mali watched her retreating figure, then looked at her husband beside her: "Xingmo, what exactly do you mean?"