After Marrying the Lord of the Underworld

40 hours ago.

 

Ye Feng sat in a chair. His body was wrapped in talisman paper from head to toe, looking like a newly unearthed mummy.

 

Ye Shou stood in front of him, with a few people still leisurely pasting talisman papers on him.

 

Ye Feng swallowed his saliva. “How many more rounds of this do we have to go through?”

 

From the moment he confessed, Ye Shou dragged him away, stuffed him into this basement like kidnapping a person, and summoned a van full of people who started pasting talisman papers on him.

 

The purpose was to see whether he was human or ghost, and if there were any other conditions in his body.

 

In fact, he and Lu Yingjiu had done the same thing before. Lu Yingjiu tossed around for a while but didn’t find any problems with him.

 

But Ye Shou was obviously more cautious.

 

From yesterday to now, it’s been almost seven or eight hours, and after trying round after round of talisman papers, Ye Shou still didn’t want to give up.

 

In the meantime, Lu Yingjiu sent Ye Feng a text message.

 

Ye Feng really didn’t have the energy to explain the situation, so he simply asked for a leave.

 

“For safety’s sake, we need to do this a few more times,” Ye Shou answered, and slapped a talisman paper on his forehead with a “pop”.

 

Ye Feng’s vision was blocked, and his hands were full of talisman papers. He didn’t dare to move, so he could only keep blowing to lift the paper and briefly see Ye Shou’s busy figure.

 

While Ye Shou was busy, he suddenly said, “He didn’t mention a word to you?”

 

This “he” refers to Ye Deyong.

 

While blowing the talisman paper, Ye Feng said, “Really not, I only found out about this when I went to clean up his relics later.”

 

Ye Shou nodded and said, “That guy is really old and foolish, he can do such a thing.”

 

Ye Feng’s face darkened, he fell silent, and then he cried out again – Ye Shou slapped two talisman papers on his back without any hesitation.

 

After tossing and turning like this for another night, Ye Feng was finally allowed to take off all the talisman paper.

 

No abnormalities were found in him.

 

But how to deal with it afterwards was another matter. The rules of the Ye family have always been strict, and they might just kick him out directly.

 

The others were also busy until they collapsed on the ground. After bidding farewell to Ye Shou, they all left.

 

So only the father and son were left in the basement.

 

Ye Shou’s back was soaked through, and he sat shoulder to shoulder with Ye Feng on the sofa, pouring two cups of water, one of which he pushed to Ye Feng.

 

Ye Feng picked up the cup of water.

 

He was also tormented enough. While drinking water, he secretly observed Ye Shou’s expression.

 

Ye Shou still had no expression on his face, and it was impossible to tell what he was thinking.

 

After a while, he said, “Ye Feng…”

 

Ye Feng instinctively sat up straight. “Hmm.”

 

He still gets nervous when he heard Ye Shou speak.

 

Ye Shou: “The nursing home was almost half a year ago. What prompted you to tell the truth again?”

 

Ye Feng hesitated.

 

He really wanted to say that it was the story Lu Yingjiu told him that inspired him, but he didn’t dare to speak out, fearing that it would bring disaster to Lu Yingjiu.

 

He vaguely said, “I can’t tell you… at least not yet.”

 

Ye Shou looked up and said indifferently, “Does it have anything to do with what you want to ask me?”

 

“Yes.” Ye Feng sat up even straighter.

 

Ye Shou seemed thoughtful, “Tell me again what you want me to do.”

 

Ye Feng spoke quickly, “That is, I hope you can bring three or four more people from the Ye family with me to the Mt. Gassan Nursing Home. When the Hundred Ghosts Night Parade begins, summon the Li Snake. This is very dangerous and may… result in death.”

 

Ye Shou immediately reacted, “Is this a formation?”

 

“Yes.” Ye Feng nodded.

 

Ye Shou: “Such a large formation, which specifically needs to summon the Li Snake, should be related to the aristocratic families, and has taken many years to arrange. I’ve never heard of it, either it’s too confidential, or all the people in charge of the formation are dead. Who told you about this?”

 

Without waiting for Ye Feng to answer, he squinted his eyes again. “It can’t be some big organization. If it’s the Green Lantern Association, they would have contacted me directly. It’s your friend, isn’t it? The only one who is so close to you is that Lu Yingjiu.”

 

“Thinking about it carefully. When the Mt. Gassan Nursing Home was burned down, Ye Deyong’s secret was not immediately exposed. It must have been Lu Yingjiu who helped you cover it up… That’s right, how could you hide it by yourself.”

 

Ye Feng’s scalp went numb, Ye Shou had basically guessed everything correctly.

 

He said, “Yes, it’s related to Lu Yingjiu.”

 

“Oh.” Ye Shou’s expression was a bit strange, and he glanced at him, “The last time I saw him was a few years ago, when he was still the chief.”

 

Ye Feng thought to himself, I remember it all too well.

 

Every time Ye Shou saw Lu Yingjiu, he would inevitably criticize Ye Feng a few times. The central idea was “Look at other people’s children, younger than you, spending time with you every day, why don’t I see you being one ten-thousandth as excellent as him?”

 

“So it’s him…” Ye Shou stroked his chin, “I’ll go see him.”

 

Ye Feng was startled and quickly said, “He’s busy recently, let’s not disturb him. This matter is about his life. If you have any questions, just ask me.”

 

Ye Shou: “…”

 

He squinted slightly and looked at Ye Feng.

 

Ye Feng stiffened all over, sitting stiffly on the sofa, not even daring to breathe.

 

After a long time, Ye Shou said, “You tell the truth, it’s also related to Lu Yingjiu, isn’t it?”

 

“Yes.” Ye Feng swallowed, “If I have concealed anything, I am not qualified to ask for your help.”

 

Ye Shou nodded, and slowly drank a few sips of water, not knowing what he was thinking.

 

Ye Feng lowered his head.

 

Ye Shou spoke, “Then why do you want to help him?”

 

“Huh?” Ye Feng didn’t react.

 

“Why do you want to help him?”

 

Ye Feng had never thought about this question, and hesitated to answer, “Because… he’s my friend.”

 

“Friend?” Ye Shou put down the cup, frowned, and seemed a little angry, “If it’s really as dangerous as you say, what would you do if I don’t agree?”

 

“I will go to other people in the family.” Ye Feng answered with a stiff scalp, “If I can’t find them, I will keep looking. Even if there is no one, I will go by myself.”

 

“Why?” Ye Shou asked again, “Just for a friend? Do you think it’s worth your life, worth the lives of other people in the Ye family?”

 

Ye Feng: “…”

 

Ye Shou continued, “What if he’s deceiving you, what if his method is not correct at all? Have you considered this possibility? We are already prepared to resist the Hundred Ghosts Night Parade , there is no need to take more risks.”

 

Ye Feng clenched his fingers.

 

He looked up, for the first time in his life, he looked at Ye Shou with anger, “Isn’t it worth it? Lu Yingjiu would never lie to me.”

 

“Wasn’t it you who taught me to be brave since I was a child? Wasn’t it you who taught me what the duty of an exorcist is? So I know that I should protect everyone around me, and I know what it means to sacrifice oneself for others. Moreover, he is my best friend, no one can replace him.”

 

“You can refuse my request, you can drive me out of the house, but I can’t accept being asked such questions and being said such things. Even if he is not my friend, even if I don’t know him, I will save him.”

 

He was trembling all over, “I have always regarded you as a role model, thinking that I can’t catch up with you in my life, you… you really disappoint me.”

 

He hastily put the cup of water on the table, stood up and walked towards the door.

 

“Ye Feng.” Ye Shou called him from behind, “Ye Feng!”

 

Ye Feng stopped, but did not turn around.

 

Ye Shou said, “I will still go see Lu Yingjiu.”

 

Ye Feng clenched his fist.

 

Ye Shou took a deep breath, “…I also want to hear the story he told.”

 

Ye Feng was stunned and turned around abruptly.

 

The man stood up and walked to his side, “Without understanding the ins and outs, how can I help you? And I’m also curious about that formation.”

 

Ye Feng: “…Didn’t you say it’s not worth taking the risk?”

 

“That’s because if I didn’t provoke you, you would be like a dumb gourd, and you wouldn’t be able to say a word.” Ye Shou said, “I just didn’t expect that you would dare to get angry with me. Children grow up and they are not easy to manage.”

 

Ye Feng was taken aback and muttered, “I’m almost twenty-eight.”

 

Ye Shou clicked his tongue, “Still a child.”

 

“What about the formation…” Ye Feng asked.

 

“I will help,” Ye Shou said, “You’ve come this far, how can I, as a father, lose face?”

 

Ye Feng’s eyes lit up, almost unbelievably joyful.

 

Ye Shou said, “Go upstairs and rest, your room has just been cleaned.”

 

He suddenly smiled– Ye Feng hadn’t seen him smile like this in a long time, smiling so much that the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes came out. “Good job, this is like my son, you’ve learned well.”

 

He patted Ye Feng’s shoulder, “You are already a very excellent exorcist. I’m proud of you for being able to say what you just said.”

 

After Ye Feng went upstairs, Ye Shou also returned to his room.

 

He sat at his desk, reminiscing about just now, still with that imperceptible smile.

 

He was drinking tea and opened the drawer in the corner.

 

In the drawer were one copy after another, it was the commission information from the Green Lantern Association to the aristocratic families.

 

He pulled out a folder.

 

Inside were all of Ye Feng’s commission reports.

 

There was his first commission, his every investigation report, his large-scale exorcism commission in cooperation with others… spanning more than a decade, the earliest few records were yellowed, obviously having been flipped through many times.

 

Ye Feng never knew that Ye Shou was not as indifferent as he appeared on the surface.

 

His father had always been silently paying attention to him, caring about his every commission.

 

Ye Shou looked and shook his head with a smile. “This kid really is…”

 

When he put away the folder, his face was back to its usual expressionless and serious look.

 

Early the next morning, he went to Lu Ying Bar with Ye Feng.

 

****

 

Lu Ying looked at Ye Shou in front of him, hesitated and asked, “Is Ye Feng with you?”

 

Ye Feng poked his head out from behind Ye Shou. “I’m here.”

 

He was exhausted from all the talisman papers and still had dark circles under his eyes.

 

Lu Ying opened the door to let the two in.

 

Ye Shou’s sharp eyes immediately fell on Jing Xian in the room.

 

Jing Xian showed a hypocritical friendly smile – under Lu Ying’s training, his expression was very confusing, it can be described as harmless to humans and animals.

 

He came to the human world with his physical body, and Ye Shou found nothing wrong, just thinking he was a friend of Lu Yingjiu.

 

They sat on the sofa.

 

Ye Feng coughed, “My dad came here to understand the whole process of the matter.”

 

Lu Ying was a little surprised.

 

Ye Feng told him about his experiences over the past two days in full.

 

Ye Shou also said, “This matter is not only related to you, but also to the Hundred Ghosts Night Parade. Of course, our Ye family has to take care of it.”

 

So Lu Yingjiu expressed his thanks and told Ye Shou the whole thing.

 

After Ye Shou listened, he went to the balcony and lit a cigarette.

 

After smoking, he said, “I see, I will start arranging people right away. Confirm again, when will we scout the places?”

 

“If nothing goes wrong, it will be the afternoon of the day after tomorrow.” Lu Ying replied, “First go to Shangyang University City, then to Kangli Bridge, Yunshan Port and Mt. Gassan Nursing Home.”

 

Ye Shou nodded. “Okay. In addition, I can think of a few people from the Chen family, who happen to be near the scouting area. When we get there, we will contact them.”

 

Lu Ying hesitated for a moment and asked. “Then Ye Feng he…”

 

He was worried that after Ye Feng confessed, he would really be driven out.

 

Ye Feng was also listening quietly on the side.

 

Ye Shou was noncommittal. “Let’s talk about it after the matter is over.”

 

The father and son of the Ye family left.

 

Lu Ying took a long breath and sat on the sofa.

 

The sun outside was brilliant, gently passing through the curtains, then he laughed.

 

Jing Xian sat next to him and kissed him. “Now there is really only the Chen family left.”

 

“Yes.” Lu Ying nodded and murmured, “Finally…”

 

In the next two days, they prepared the items needed for scouting the area, and Lu Yingjiu stuffed several large bags of talisman paper.

 

Finally, on the afternoon of the third day, a group of people appeared in Lu Ying Bar in a noisy manner.

 

In order to welcome them, the bar hung a “temporarily closed” sign, and Yao Gou and Ah Mei happily took a paid leave.

 

Ye Shou and Ye Feng took two people from the Ye family and came first.

 

Ye Shou was drinking the wine made by Ye Feng, while coldly criticizing his craftsmanship, and the other two were silent – Ye Shou’s style was wild, and the followers he brought were of the same style, with bulging muscles, fierce faces, gold chains, and large tattooed arms.

 

They didn’t look like righteous helpers, but rather like…debt collectors at a bar.

 

After a while, there was another sound of cars outside.

 

Lu Yingjiu looked out and saw a whole line of luxury cars, grandly coming to the parking lot.

 

Lu Yingjiu: “…”

 

Anyone could guess who it was with their feet.

 

The door of the leading Rolls-Royce opened, and the well-dressed Young Master Chu got out, wearing sunglasses, touched his watch, and immediately was followed by several people, also dressed in designer clothes, flamboyantly. They went upstairs with him in the middle.

 

In fact, there were only three or four people following Chu Banyang, any more would affect the stability of the formation.

 

As for why there was a motorcade…

 

It was purely a habit of Young Master Chu.

 

As soon as they went upstairs, they saw the Ye family members who looked like gangsters sitting at the bar drinking.

 

Ye Shou moved his muscles and bones, making a “crack” sound, went over and extended his hand. “Chief Chu, I’ve heard a lot about you.”

 

“Nice to meet you, I’ve heard a lot about you as well.” Chu Banyang politely replied, waved his hand, and the Chu family also found a place to sit down.

 

Now it’s good, the tattooed arm brothers were drinking silently, and the brand-name elites were sitting dignifiedly. The bar looked like it had been occupied by a high-interest loan gang and a gigolo group, but they were polite and harmonious.

 

Lu Yingjiu: “…”

 

Even though he had seen a lot, he was still shocked by this scene.

 

When he opened his mouth, it was his usual calm tone. “We should leave in an hour,” he looked around, “Let me briefly tell you what the enemy is like and what we need to pay attention to.”

 

Some of the people present didn’t know the truth, they just unconditionally trusted Chu Banyang and Ye Shou.

 

So, Lu Ying tried to explain the weaknesses of the servants, the pattern of their appearance, and the basic operation principle of the formation without revealing more information.

 

After a simple round of explanation, it was almost time.

 

Ye Shou drank the last bit of wine cleanly and stood up and said. “Let’s go.”

 

“…Wait a little longer.” Chu Banyang said, looking at his watch, “Wait another ten minutes.”

 

Ye Shou raised an eyebrow: “Chief Chu, are you waiting for someone?”

 

“Sort of.” Chu Banyang was noncommittal, “I don’t know if he will come, but let’s wait another ten minutes.”

 

Ten minutes was still enough.

 

Everyone was not in a hurry and started discussing what Lu Ying had said. If there was anything uncertain, they would ask him again.

 

After ten minutes passed, the guest Chu Banyang mentioned had not still arrived.

 

Chu Banyang looked at his watch again. “Let’s go, he might not be coming.”

 

“Who is it?” Lu Ying asked.

 

Chu Banyang just shook his head.

 

The loan shark gang and the gigolo group left the bar and went to the parking lot downstairs.

 

In the distance, there was a wave of honking.

 

Ye Feng muttered. “Why is it so congested today, are we going to be stuck all the way to the airport?”

 

Lu Yingjiu looked at the navigation and said, “The direction to the airport is not too congested, and we definitely have enough time.”

 

Everyone got in the car.

 

Four or five cars set off grandly.

 

The direction to the airport was not deadlocked, but it was moving slowly. They had only driven four or five hundred meters, stopping and going, when suddenly Chu Banyang’s phone rang.

 

He answered the phone, raised his eyebrows in surprise, “Hmm? You’re almost here? We’re not at the bar anymore.”

 

“Not far away, just a few hundred meters out.”

 

“There are still seats in the car…I’ll tell the others. Didn’t you drive here?”

 

“Oh, you’re stuck. So how are you coming?”

 

“Huh?”

 

Chu Banyang was stunned, and subconsciously looked back.

 

Not only him, Lu Yingjiu in another car also noticed that something seemed to appear in the rearview mirror.

 

He squinted to look.

 

That looked like a…person riding a bicycle??

 

The rider was holding a big belly, pressing on a small community bicycle, pedaling so hard that he was sweating profusely and trying his best. He looked quite familiar, waving his hand while riding.

 

As they got closer, Lu Yingjiu could see clearly.

 

This…this is actually Chen Zheng?!

 

Why would he appear here, and on a bicycle?!

 

Chen Zheng was panting heavily, trying hard to pedal to keep up with them. Behind him, several other members of the Chen family appeared, riding community bicycles, carrying large and small bags, and riding in a grand procession. The scene was very spectacular.

 

Lu Yingjiu rolled down the car window.

 

Chen Zheng saw him, his eyes lit up, and he gasped, “Wait for me!”

 

His bike swerved, almost falling over, but he managed to twist it back on track, finally stopping awkwardly next to the car window.

 

Lu Yingjiu: “…You good?”

 

“I came,” Chen Zheng was too out of breath to speak, “I rushed over.”

 

Lu Yingjiu said, “I thought you had already rejected me.”

 

“I changed my mind.” Chen Zheng took a few more breaths, then signaled to the people behind him.

 

The people on the bicycles immediately rummaged through their travel bags, found a huge thermos, and two brand new bell cups.

 

The thermos was filled with fragrant hot tea, which was poured into the cups. Chen Zheng took it, handed a cup to Lu Yingjiu.

 

Lu Yingjiu: “…”

 

Bringing such things on the road, it’s just like Chen Zheng.

 

The cup was filled with flower tea.

 

His favorite kind.

 

“I know what you’re wondering.” Chen Zheng pulled out a smile full of wrinkles, “Yes, I’m very cowardly, so cowardly that I dare not doubt Chen Qi, so cowardly that the old lady dare not tell me the truth, and thought that I was smart enough, using past evidence to accuse you, and drive you out of the association. You probably look down on me for the rest of your life.”

 

But he remembered Chen Minlan saying she hoped he would become a brave person.

 

He also remembered his and Chen Minlan’s investigation of the human skin mask over the years, from beginning to end, the goal was only one: to fulfill their duties and create a better world.

 

He shouldn’t have forgotten these things.

 

When Chu Banyang took leave from the association at this juncture, Chen Zheng knew that he must have been contacted by Lu Yingjiu.

 

Both Lu Yingjiu and Chu Banyang were promoted by him.

 

Now, aren’t both of them more like exorcists than him?

 

He tossed and turned for two or three days, struggling internally.

 

In the end, he chose to stand up.

 

He thought to himself, he absolutely cannot become a person like Chen Qi.

 

So, he asked Chu Banyang for the location of the gathering, and hurriedly rushed over at the last minute.

 

Chen Zheng took a sip of tea, let out a satisfied sigh, and continued, “I’ve been thinking over and over about what you said, and finally decided to come. A person can’t be a coward all their life, I want to be a passionate youth again.” He laughed awkwardly, “After all, I want to have tea with you in the future.”

 

Lu Yingjiu raised an eyebrow, “You’re a bit far from the word ‘youth’.”

 

“I’m always eighteen at heart.” Chen Zheng raised his cup, “Youths can’t drink alcohol, so let’s substitute alcohol with tea, cheers!”

 

“…” Lu Yingjiu laughed, raised his cup, “Cheers.”