As Li Zhi made his grand entrance, radiant and awe-inspiring, it was as though the protagonist of a great novel had just unleashed his imperial aura, instantly making all present bow before him in reverence.
Chen Mo, however, was still contemplating how best to present himself. The problem was, with his limbs broken, even if he wanted to shout "three cheers," it was an impossible feat.
Ye Rong, usually a believer in gods and spirits, was too preoccupied to grasp onto celestial powers for support. In fact, she was entirely focused on the rolls of bandages in her hands, concentrating on the careful wrapping of Chen Mo's legs...
"I say, are you bandaging me, or wrapping zongzi?" Watching Ye Rong go through the process of mummifying him, Chen Mo felt as though he were enduring both physical and emotional torment.
After a few minutes of reflection, he suddenly seemed to recall something and asked thoughtfully, "Sister Rong, you mentioned earlier that you wanted to tell me something. What was it again?"
"Did I? I don't recall saying anything," Ye Rong said, her fragrant shoulder trembling slightly as she applied pressure to the joint, causing Chen Mo to grimace in pain.
Noticing her suspicious glance, her cheeks suddenly flushed red. But then, with a casual motion, she clapped her hands, as though brushing away the moment's awkwardness, "Oh, that. Actually, I wanted to ask, if you're going to die, could you change the beneficiary on your insurance policy to my name... Hmm, why have you been wrapped like a mummy?"
"Uh, only just noticed?" Chen Mo blinked, utterly speechless, and simply lay back, prepared to watch the show.
Not far away, Li Zhi continued to strike poses with ostentation, accepting the prostration of Lei Zhen with great flair.
It wasn't until he felt the vicious glare from Chen Mo that he suddenly seemed to come to his senses, clearing his throat before addressing the matter seriously: "Lei Zhen, your daughter was once a favored handmaiden of the celestial realm, but due to a secret romance with the Curtain-Lifting Boy, she violated the heavenly laws..."
When it came to storytelling, Li Zhi had quite the talent, managing to weave an exceedingly melodramatic tale of past-life romance that almost brought tears to one's eyes.
By the time Ye Rong was struggling to hold back her tears, this self-proclaimed great diviner sighed deeply and concluded, "That pig demon had received great favor from the Curtain-Lifting Boy, and thus came to trouble your daughter, seeking to arrange a marriage for his benefactor. In retrospect, there is some pity to be found in this."
"Ah, so that's what happened!" Lei Zhen's eyes widened in astonishment, his fingers nervously nibbling at them to make sure he wasn't dreaming. He immediately dropped to the ground, begging for a solution.
Li Zhi maintained a calm demeanor and replied indifferently, "Very well, considering your long years of sincere devotion... it's not too difficult to resolve. All you need to do is have your daughter remain in seclusion for the time being, awaiting the reincarnation of the Curtain-Lifting Boy, and everything will be well!"
"Remain in seclusion? But my daughter has already…" Lei Zhen hesitated for a moment, his voice faltering.
However, when he caught sight of Li Zhi's serious expression, he immediately bowed low, saying with respect, "Yes! Since the immortal master has said so, I shall comply!"
"Good. Do as you see fit," Li Zhi said, making a show of calculating the situation with his fingers before nodding and saying, "Daoist Chen, please attend to the matters here. I must take my leave!"
The final words were addressed to the reclining Chen Mo, and as for the "attend to," it could be understood as "don't try to wriggle out of this."
Chen Mo understood immediately, offering a mysterious smile, which to Lei Zhen and the others, seemed like a symbol of celestial wisdom.
In fact, Lin De was so stunned that his eyes nearly popped out—what kind of joke was this? This person actually summoned his master and referred to him as a peer?
"Hmm, are you also a disciple of my Xuan Dao Sect?" As Lin De stood there, confused, Li Zhi, who was about to depart, turned his head slightly to gaze at him.
Lin De froze for a moment, and then, with tears welling up in his eyes, he collapsed to the ground. His excited expression seemed as though he might suffer a heart attack: "Master, the thirty-sixth generation disciple of the Xuan Dao Sect, Lin De…"
The words came out trembling, and it seemed that even he didn't quite know what he was trying to convey.
Unfortunately, it was all for naught, as Li Zhi simply nodded indifferently before vanishing in a burst of light.
Lin De sighed deeply, feeling a sense of loss—his master rarely manifested his power, yet there was no reward, no magical elixir or flying sword?
Nonetheless, as frustrated as he was, his eyes shifted to Chen Mo, still lying on the ground.
With a sudden flash of inspiration, Lin De forced a smile and hurried over to offer support.
Though his skills were modest, he had a few spiritual herbs at hand, which he presented with utmost politeness, offering to help with the bandaging.
A while later, Chen Mo found himself seated in a wheelchair—he didn't know where it had come from—but as he looked down at his immobile limbs, a very practical question occurred to him: What if he needed to go to the bathroom?
"Don't worry, Master," Lin De said cheerfully. "A ten-day rest, and you'll be able to move freely again!"
Chen Mo sighed helplessly but then suddenly paused, his expression turning curious. "Wait, what did you just call me?"
"Master, of course!" Lin De replied with a grin. "You and my sect's master are of the same generation, so I naturally address you this way!"
Even Ye Rong, who was used to seeing all sorts of antics, shuddered slightly at the overly sweet tone. Chen Mo blinked in disbelief, responding, "Uh, could you please use a different title? It's a bit... odd to hear."
"Yes! Yes! Of course!" Lin De eagerly nodded, promptly changing his address.
Then, noticing Ye Rong's exasperated expression, he suddenly grinned broadly, adding, "Big Sister-in-law, don't worry! I gave the boss only the finest medicinal herbs, and I promise he'll be up and about within ten days!"
"Pfft!" Chen Mo, who had been drinking water, nearly choked on it.
Ye Rong paused, her face turning a shade of red, and after a brief moment of shock, she suddenly beamed with joy. "Little Lin, I do like people like you—honest and loyal. How about working at my restaurant tomorrow?"
Had he not been immobile, Chen Mo would have gladly dashed to the ground in despair. Who said Rong Jie was sharper than a fox?
Lin De, however, smiled even more ingratiatingly and swore on his chest that he would happily help at the restaurant, even without pay.
Before he could swear any further, a cold voice drifted over from the distance: "Well, if you're calling her Big Sister-in-law, then what are you going to call me?"
Under the dim moonlight, Jia Di floated toward them with a blank expression, her voice laced with anger.
Ye Rong sneered, meeting her gaze without flinching. They locked eyes for a moment, and then both turned their heads toward Lin De.
Caught between the two, Lin De's forehead broke out in cold sweat as he stammered, "Um... how about Big Sister-in-law A, Big Sister-in-law B... Ah!"
And so, the battle raged once again, with poor Lin De perhaps soon to be ordering his own wheelchair.
Chen Mo shook his head in exasperation, but his attention was caught by the approaching Lei Zhen and his daughter. He couldn't help but smile slightly.
Lei Ying, holding the pig's head, followed behind her father. Although she appeared confused and anxious, her eyes were filled with gratitude as she looked at Chen Mo.
Meanwhile, the wounded individuals and security personnel hobbled over to join them.
Li San, still holding his large cleaver, puffed his chest and said, "Lei Zhen, just now I fought that pig demon for three hundred rounds, and I even called on the spirit of Guan Yu..."
"Exactly! Exactly!" With Li San leading the charge, the others eagerly joined in, gesticulating wildly, as if they had summoned Ultraman to the scene.
Lei Zhen rolled his eyes, but could only muster a few perfunctory words. Yet, behind his seemingly pleased expression, there was an undercurrent of hesitation.
Chen Mo, sensing this, cleared his throat gently and asked, "Lei Zhen, do you have any further questions?"
"No... No, of course not!" Lei Zhen instinctively replied, but as the words left his mouth, he hesitated.
Seeing Chen Mo's thoughtful smile, he sighed in resignation and whispered, "Mr. Chen, do you really think I should call off the engagement?"
"I understand," Chen Mo replied with a knowing smile. "You're doubting the words of Immortal Master Li Zhi, aren't you?"
His smile widened, but then his expression shifted slightly, his brows knitting. "Are you saying you think Immortal Master Li Zhi is deceiving you? Or perhaps you believe even he is a fraud?"
"No