Mountains and giant beasts, cabins in the woods

It was probably evening by then.

Most of the children were tired from playing, so they went home with the adults for dinner.

The streets were less crowded, and the mythical beasts of the year symbolically roamed the streets and alleys, dozing off. Some even dropped their disguises and ate and drank without restraint.

The activity of driving away the Nian beast will last for many days. The first few days will be held on one's own street, and later it will be held in other people's territories to fight other Nian beasts, or to join forces to conquer cities and territories.

This is a rare large-scale entertainment event in Heilongzhai, and many people look forward to these few days all year round to have a blast.

Liu Xingmo's backpack was full of spoils. He walked home with a satisfied air.

As you ascend the stairs, the crowd gradually thins out. Finally, only one person remains on the main road.

Liu Xingmo laughed: "Third Sister Liu, what a bumper harvest!"

"Absolutely. With my skills, I can easily skin those guys alive." Liu San Niang proudly showed off her basket, which was filled with red paper packets.

"You're a third-tier expert, so naturally you should be..." Liu Xingmo paused, then suddenly realized, "Shouldn't you be playing the Nian beast? Coming here to steal this little bit of soup and broth, how can you be so shameless?"

"What?" Liu Sanniang said angrily, her mouth twisted in a grimace. "None of you have addressed me as 'instructor'! Why should I go and deliver gifts to people during the New Year?!"

Liu Xingmo remained noncommittal, then changed the subject: "By the way! Didn't you used to have half your body that could transform into a snake? How come you've turned back into a human?"

"How much food does a snake need to eat in a day? And it can't hibernate like a contracted beast. I'm so poor I have to crawl on the ground to pick up money, what's the point of raising a snake?"

"Ha! Look at you, you have all that strength, but all you can do is flaunt your pretty face every day, you can't even be serious."

"Oh, what's wrong? You're actually interested in my looks?"

Liu San Niang moved closer without caring at all, and even tried to reach out and take Liu Xingmo's arm.

Liu Xingmo quickly shrank back: "Men and women shouldn't touch each other!"

"Hey! Pretending to be a coward now." Liu San Niang snorted and strode ahead.

She took out her key, opened the door, and walked into the empty, dark room.

Liu Xingmo also arrived at the door. With the help of Bao Hei's perception, he sensed that Liu San Niang's fortune was as strong as ever, yet there was a hint of decline in it.

What secret does this guy have?

Liu Xingmo returned home.

Sumali was planning to make dumplings.

There are two kinds of dumplings: one is filled with chives, eggs and shrimp, and the other is filled with cabbage and pork.

Knead the dough, cut it into balls, roll them out into wrappers, stuff a spoonful of filling inside, and pinch the edge of the wrapper with your fingers to form a pretty petal shape. A dumpling is now complete.

As the saying goes: nothing tastes better than dumplings, and nothing is more fun than your sister-in-law.

Liu Xingmo was an only child, so he didn't know how fun his sister-in-law was. But he knew how delicious her dumplings were.

Especially in the dead of winter, when it's freezing cold, a bowl of steaming dumplings, along with the noodle soup, warms you from body to soul.

After a satisfying meal, reading your favorite novel by lamplight—this is the most comfortable way to live in the world.

If you get tired of watching, soak your feet in hot water, wash your body, and snuggle into a light and smooth silk down comforter, with a warm body beside you... The feeling is indescribable.

the next day.

Liu Xingmo got out of bed.

The streets and alleys are filled with the joy of the Chinese New Year.

Today we were going out to pay New Year's visits. Su Mali has never been interested in such things, but she still mustered up her spirits and accompanied her husband, riding their old turtle, to visit all the elders' homes.

When Fourth Uncle learned about Guo Qikai's situation, he simply shook his head and sighed, then drank a few more cups of wine at the banquet.

The relationships with the other elders were less close, but toasts and polite conversation were still common.

Cousins ​​of the same generation inquire about each other's recent situation, and if there is anything they can help with, they bring it up in the lively atmosphere.

That's just how human relationships are.

As night fell, Liu Xingmo, his head still throbbing with drunkenness, was carried home by Bao Hei.

I slept straight through until noon the next day.

Liu Xingmo rubbed his hangover-induced headache with his fingers, carried a bucket of water and went out, where he bumped into Liu San Niang.

The woman was still carrying a bamboo basket, and she collected a large number of red envelopes by using firecrackers and matches as bait.

Liu Xingmo grinned and said, "Third Sister, it's the New Year, why are you acting like a child? Aren't you going to pay your respects?"

"What's with the New Year's greetings? I'm the elder, those little brats should be bowing to me! Humph! Now that I'm down on my luck, they all think I'm dead. I'll remember those bastards, they won't be asking me for favors again."

Liu Xingmo nodded knowingly.

For ordinary people to get promoted, it's incredibly difficult; the most important factors are luck and patience.

Ordinary people who don't cultivate have a lifespan of only sixty or seventy years. Once they embark on the path of cultivation, even at the first level, their bodies will become stronger under the nourishment of their blood and qi, and their lifespan will reach a hundred years. With each further advancement, their lifespan increases by a hundred years.

Liu San Niang now possesses third-tier strength; given her talent, she's likely outlived her peers. Now, she's a truly lonely old woman…

Liu Xingmo peeked into the bamboo basket: "What good stuff did you get? Where did you get it? I'll try it out myself later."

"I encountered a giant Nian beast, probably the local overseer, that old pangolin. The item is a piece of jade, which looks quite valuable. You should wait until this afternoon to check again; maybe the pangolin will come out."

"Manager Ishikawa? He's quite good at getting along with the people."

Knowing this information, Liu Xingmo immediately sat down on the road and began to lie in wait.

The once dark mine pit has become much brighter these days.

Large, red lanterns, carried on straw stalks and strung together with thin thread, hung all over the rope paths between the stone houses.

The stone houses, arranged at varying heights, instantly became festive with the addition of bright red lanterns.

A band playing drums and gongs walked from one end of the street to the other, playing an unknown tune. Suddenly, the pitch rose an octave.

With a roar, a massive black shadow suddenly sprang out, its overwhelming aura surging towards the people immersed in joy.

Liu Xingmo's heart stirred.

As expected, Manager Ishikawa has arrived!

He quickly flipped and jumped off the road, went directly to the roof of the next floor, took a few steps across the eaves, and with a leap, landed on the next floor.

The "Xuanwu Hard-Soft Transformation" contains related body-protection techniques that allow the body to withstand more intense impacts. Combined with the "Snake Bone Skill's" techniques for softening joints and bones, physical abilities are dramatically enhanced.

Liu Xingmo quickly arrived near the enormous Nian beast, swiftly ignited and launched a small rocket, which exploded into a burst of fireworks.

The Nian beast howled and hid in the darkness. A red envelope was tossed precisely and landed in the arms of the young man who had thrown it.

Liu Xingmo weighed the item in his hand; it was quite heavy. A smile involuntarily crept onto his lips.

Just then, a girl next to him laughed and said, "Young man, you're so eager to get your bonus, you must be very confident about your performance!"

Liu Xingmo was shocked: "A performance? What performance?"

"You don't know? Having taken bribes from our manager, naturally you have to go on that stage and show off in front of everyone. Oh, you're an outsider? Well, this year's going to be quite a show!"

Liu Xingmo's forehead was covered in cold sweat.

Oh no, we've encountered a monster.