The quality of breakfast in the border town was average; culinary skills, after all, were best showcased in major cities.
After eating, we packed up and prepared to depart for Shengjing.
To be on the safe side, we didn't use Shabiya's car. Instead, we rented a standard Audi A6L from a nationwide car rental platform. We could return it directly to their branch in Shengjing. The rental fee was only 2000 yuan, which I considered quite reasonable.
The eagle demon did not travel by car. After setting the navigation route, she acted as a scout, flying ahead. Her observation range from the sky was considerably farther than my Xiangqi technique, and I couldn't maintain the Xiangqi technique constantly while driving; it would be distracting and increase the risk of accidents.
We took the highway, and the journey took about four to five hours. It was smooth all the way, and I didn't rush. Lin Xi and Chen Ke taught Diana Chinese, modern Chinese, in the car.
At noon, at 12 o'clock, I turned onto the Taoxian Airport Expressway from an exit ramp. After driving for about ten kilometers, I exited near Heishanbaozi and drove back. After walking for a while, I arrived at the desolate Heishanbaozi. The numerous villagers and ghosts, led by the village chief, were still here. I remembered I had instructed Cui Panguan or someone else to escort the villagers into the City God Temple. It seemed the villagers only trusted me and not other yin officials.
I first apologized to everyone, saying I had been busy with other matters in the past few days and hadn't been able to return sooner.
The village chief said it was alright; they had been here for over a hundred years, so a couple more days wouldn't matter.
Moreover, after the past two days of reflection, they seemed to have come to terms with some things. Although I had promised to help them get revenge after they reached the underworld, it would require considerable preparation, as their enemies held significant positions there, being powerful regional officials who could command influence. The village chief said there was no rush; Lord Chengfeng was a busy man, and as long as he remembered to help them, that was enough.
"However..." the village chief hesitated, "there is one matter, I don't know if I should speak of it."
"Please do," I replied.
"Little Miao, do you remember her?"
"I do," I said.
Zhang Xiaomiao, that ghost who was as fast as a phantom... I looked towards the back of the crowd. Zhang Xiaomiao was on the periphery, squatting on a grave, quietly watching me.
"What's wrong with her?" I asked.
"She wants to stay in the mortal world. To be precise, she wants to stay by Lord Chengfeng's side. Please don't misunderstand, it's not that we don't trust Lord Chengfeng and want to plant an informant by your side. It's just so we can constantly remind you not to forget to help us with our business!" the village chief said with a chuckle.
Emphasizing it wasn't that, meant it was true. I understood that. After all, we weren't very familiar with each other. Even if someone planted a needle by my side, I could accept it. What's more, Zhang Xiaomiao was fast, had good complexion, could materialize, and had a good foundation. If trained well, she might become a capable assistant.
Besides, I thought, I should have the authority for this, shouldn't I?
"I have no problem, but I need to ask my superior." To be safe, I decided to contact them via walkie-talkie.
"Lord Wu, long time no see. Hello, who are you looking for?" It was the familiar voice of the dispatch operator.
"I am Ling Dao, Seventh Master."
"Alright, please wait a moment."
In no time, the walkie-talkie connected, and a somewhat weak voice came through.
"Why, haven't you recovered yet?" I walked to the side and asked with concern.
"I'm alright. The injury wasn't serious. How are you?" Xie Bi'an asked.
"I'm fine. Then take care of your injuries. Oh right, there's something I need to ask your advice on. If I encounter a ghost, can I keep her by my side to serve, instead of sending her to the underworld? Is this against regulations? Or rather, do I have this authority?" I didn't directly mention being in Heishanbaozi, because past experience had taught me that this yin official communication system had loopholes and security risks, even less secure than our regular mobile phones.
"You are a Xiaoqi, you don't have this authority, but I do. I can grant you authorization," Xie Bi'an said.
"Then... can I?" I asked.
"Who is it?"
"Then please don't ask. Walls have ears," I said with a smile.
"Alright, I trust your judgment. But you need to take that ghost to a nearby City God Temple, register with the judge, and have the judge contact me. By the way, are you in Linji now? If so, go find Judge Song Qian in Anxi City. I know her well."
Xie Bi'an said this intentionally. She probably guessed where I was, as my only task as a yin official was to receive the ghosts from Heishanbaozi. Other than that, I wouldn't be so idle as to proactively exercise yin official functions. Therefore, Xie Bi'an helped me find a false location in response to my "walls have ears."