A master of metaphysics is farming.

Chapter 173 Underworld Messengers, Ghost Messengers

Xiang He put the last of the family's grains on the cart, leaving only enough for two people at home. After loading everything up, they pushed it to the county government office together.

The afternoon sun was very bright, and Xiang He even felt a little hot, but Zhu Nan was worried about her health.

"Young lady, would you like to rest for a while?"

After all, they had been traveling day and night, and hadn't rested even after arriving in Shuiyun City. Their bodies probably couldn't keep up.

Xiang He waved his hand casually, "Don't worry, we can still hold on."

She also wanted to rest, but the current matter was more important, and she couldn't ignore it just because she was tired.

"The crows have disappeared again..."

She looked up at the bright sun, felt a little dizzy, and immediately looked down again.

The passing cart startled one or two soldiers, who, upon seeing the meat and vegetables in the bamboo baskets on it, immediately came to help.

"Young lady, you are so kind. This place is very unsafe. You should leave as soon as possible."

Xiang He simply smiled and said, "I have decided to stay in the city. If there is anything I can do to help, I will definitely do it without hesitation."

"Girl, you're so kind. If they really call... please make sure you protect yourself..."

Both soldiers had some injuries on their faces, and one of them had a limp in his right leg; they were soldiers who had been through the previous battle.

She lowered her eyes slightly, then smiled and said, "With the general and the soldiers around, what is there to worry about?"

These words stunned the lame soldier, a look of panic flashing in his eyes. "The enemy is too powerful... we only escaped by sheer luck..."

"No matter how powerful the enemy is, they are still human. When we fight, it's just a test of resilience. I believe in you."

Zhu Nan walked beside Xiang He, listening to her subtle probing. Zhou Jiasheng probably didn't know much, so he could only try to get information from the wounded soldiers.

The soldier with the facial wound looked distressed. "It's easy to say, but you don't know them... they can actually survive swords and spears..."

"Qiang, stop talking!"

Suddenly reprimanded, the soldier named A-Qiang immediately realized he had let something slip and waved his hands repeatedly, "I...I was confused, I was just talking nonsense, don't believe me, young lady..."

“Of course,” Xiang He said softly, tapping the cloth bag lightly with his hand at his side. “We are all human, how can we not die or get hurt?”

These words seemed to touch a nerve with the wounded soldier; the two exchanged a glance and fell silent.

In silence, they walked towards the county government office. Soldiers outside the gate inspected the rice and flour, and only took them inside after confirming that there were no problems.

"Let's go back and rest first. We've been busy since we got back. Brother Zhou, you should also get some rest."

Only the three of them were in the open space of the yamen. Zhou Jiasheng frowned and looked at He, "What exactly are you trying to do? Delivering grain and gathering information..."

"I just wanted to find out what happened ahead, and then pass the information I gathered to the general who was providing support. It was that simple."

As Xiang He walked home, Zhou Jiasheng followed silently the whole way. When they entered the house, Xiang He was already asleep in her room, while Zhou Jiasheng sat outside leaning against the wall, dozing off.

He was sleeping restlessly, though; his limbs would occasionally twitch.

Xiang He slept comfortably; she needed to catch up on her sleep as she had many things to do that night.

-

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When Xiang He woke up, she found that Zhou Jiasheng was no longer at home. Instead, Black Crow flew back and nuzzled against her hair.

"Where did you go? Did you notice anything unusual?"

Black Crow nuzzled against him again. "During the day, I only see those soldiers sleeping, and they sleep in the ravines. They don't dare to bask in the sun at all."

Xiang He stepped towards the kitchen, where Zhu Nan was already preparing food. Xiang He went forward to lend a hand.

"Well, after all, that yin energy came with the enemy, so it's possible... the enemy has already been corrupted by that yin energy and only dares to appear at night."

"It will be night soon, young lady..." Zhu Nan looked towards the door, someone was walking towards them, "Young lady, do you want to take him with you?"

"I want to see the mountain god tonight. If he insists on coming along, there's nothing I can do about it."

She really wanted to know what this yin energy was all about.

The two of them casually made some noodles and prepared a bowl for Zhou Jiasheng. The three of them sat in the courtyard and ate quietly.

Zhou Jiasheng looked up repeatedly, but still didn't say anything.

Xiang He didn't say anything, but silently finished her meal, walked out of the back gate, took out incense from her cloth bag, lit it, and stuck it under the big tree.

Is Fifth Uncle still there?

She called softly, and Zhou Jiasheng looked around, "Who...who are you calling..."

"Let's see if my fifth uncle, who has been dead for over ten years, has followed me in death."

This terrified Zhou Jiasheng. He hunched his shoulders and rolled his eyes. Suddenly, a gust of wind blew by, making him scream softly.

There was nothing in front of him. Xiang He casually flicked his cigarette, "Looks like they went to the capital with Third Grandmother."

She then took out three more sticks of incense and said, "Xiang He from Shanqing Temple requests an audience with the underworld messenger Song He, who has something to ask me."

Upon suddenly hearing the name change, Zhou Jiasheng immediately crossed his arms. Seeing that Zhu Nan was standing straight and not afraid, he moved closer.

"And who is Song He...?"

"Underworld messengers".

Zhou Jiasheng was completely dumbfounded. Why was she calling out for both Fifth Uncle and underworld officials? What was she trying to do?

Fear gripped her heart, and her body trembled uncontrollably. "You must be joking..." Even her voice was shaking.

Zhu Nan didn't speak, but waited quietly.

There was no other presence around, and the incense burning quietly under the big tree was simply burning.

Xiang He's heart skipped a beat. "Song He, the underworld messenger..." A hint of sadness flashed in her eyes, but she quickly concealed it. She lightly brushed away the wisps of smoke with her hand. "Xiang He of Shanqing Temple requests an audience with the underworld messenger, Song He."

His words were cold and detached, revealing a hint of sorrow.

As her voice faded, a gentle breeze blew from not far to her right. Xiang He stood up and faced that direction, where wisps of black mist formed a circle.

The black mist gradually brightened, and the sound of footsteps carrying chains came from within. Zhou Jiasheng stared wide-eyed at the sound.

There was nothing in front of them, but suddenly a figure appeared, wearing a tall hat, with a face covered in black and gray, eyes that were pitch black with no whites, and lips that were also black.

Upon seeing such a bizarre "person," Zhou Jiasheng felt his chest heave violently, his breathing become rapid, his eyes rolled back, and he fell straight down behind him.

"..." Xiang He was speechless. "Fine, it'll be easier for us if they faint from fright..."

Zhu Nan dragged Zhou Jiasheng into the house and put him to sleep on a long bench.

Xiang He looked at Song He, whose appearance had changed, and felt a pang of sadness in her heart. "You're dead..."

The ghost messenger Song He blinked. The once stern-faced man now forced a smile. “Dead. Taoist priest, you must be careful. The enemy’s Yin energy is extremely powerful… When Houde Pass was breached, nothing grew in the area it passed through.”

Her hands, hanging by her sides, tightened. "Are you really telling me it's okay?"

"It can be considered a connection with the Taoist Master that we have met. May the Taoist Master's Taoist spirit endure and may good fortune shine upon you."

"Thank you."

Song He disappeared, and the two stood there waiting.

"Young lady, aren't the underworld officials already dead?"

As if her body was weak, she sat on the ground and gently stroked the large umbrella. "The underworld messengers are yang people who are still alive and have heavy yin energy. When the underworld is short of manpower, they will summon souls to do the work of ghost messengers; while ghost messengers are people who have accumulated merit after death and stay in the underworld to do their work to accumulate blessings for their families."

"Please accept my condolences, young lady..."

Xiang He forced a smile and waved her hand, "Life and death are common occurrences." She stood up briskly, "I'm going up the mountain to see the mountain god."