Yin Soldiers Crossing

The Zhu Family main residence was spacious; the guest rooms in the front courtyard were all empty. Zhu Fengqin arranged for Ye Dan to stay there, telling her she could wander around the courtyard as she pleased, and if she wanted anything to eat, just say the word and she would make it, but she must not go to the back garden.

Ye Dan naturally followed the host's convenience, smiling as she said, 'Don't worry, I definitely won't go to the back garden.' 'There's actually nothing much in our back garden—just some medicinal herbs and flowers planted, and the empty spaces I've filled in with cowpeas and greens.

Besides those, there are some things in the back garden that aren't convenient for others to see.' Zhu Fengqin didn't specify what those things were, only saying, 'If it were a healthy person, going to the back garden occasionally wouldn't matter, but you're weak right now, recuperating.

If you accidentally touch something you shouldn't, wouldn't all that effort be wasted?' Hearing this, Ye Dan understood: there were ghosts in the back garden. Seeing that Ye Dan understood, Zhu Fengqin made it a bit clearer: 'It's not anything bad.

It's just that it has a stubborn attachment and refuses to go to Reincarnation, so our eldest daughter put it in the back garden to guard the place. Our eldest daughter doesn't allow it to come out and scare people, but you know, accidents happen—you never know when you might run into it, who can say for sure.' Ye Dan took Zhu Fengqin's hand and said, 'Thank you for thinking of me.' 'I know what your Action Team does.

You do good deeds that accumulate hidden merit. I admire people like you the most.' Zhu Fengqin said with a smile, 'Rest easy here.

Our eldest daughter will definitely nurse you back to health.' 'Mm.' Zhu Fengqin patted her hand. 'You've just had lunch, so rest first.

I need to go out and get busy. Oh dear, we just got back today, so there must be many people in the clan coming to see our eldest daughter.' Zhu Fengqin hurried off, leaving Ye Dan standing alone in the courtyard.

She chuckled, looked up at Yuntai Mountain behind Sanqing Lane. She had heard from Ding Mao that there was a Yuntai Temple on the mountain, an ancient building that had stood for a thousand years.

Once her strength was better, she would go up the mountain to have a look. Ye Dan swung her arms, feeling her strength gradually returning.

All the way here with the Zhu Family, on the boat, Master Zhu had given her Acupuncture every two days. She felt her body should be about fifty to sixty percent recovered.

Ye Dan wasn't in a hurry to go inside and rest; she walked in circles around the courtyard. After a while, she heard chattering laughter from outside, the joyful cries of children, and the barking of a little dog.

Zhu Fengqin exclaimed in surprise, 'Zhang Hui, you've gotten a dog? Hey, this little black dog is really sturdy.' 'It's not that I wanted one.

Kang Kang wanted it. A few days ago, that kid went to play in the clan for a few days and came back carrying a dog. Afraid I wouldn't agree and would throw the dog out, he even wanted to sleep with the dog in bed at night.

It made me so angry.' Zhu Changfang covered her mouth and laughed, 'Aren't you a clean freak? Is your house still clean after getting a dog?' Zhang Hui waved her hand helplessly.

'I didn't want to raise it, but if he wants to, let him. As long as the dog doesn't come into my room or climb onto my bed, I'll pretend I don't see it.' The little black dog was only as long as an adult's arm, with a chubby little belly that looked soft to the touch.

It whimpered and circled around Zhang Hui's feet. Zhang Hui nudged the puppy away with her foot, but the puppy ran back to her feet, affectionate.

Zhu Changfang winked and teased her, 'Oh, oh, oh, you don't like it, but it keeps coming to you?' Zhang Hui said, 'It's stupid.' Fufu came toddling over, her cheeks jiggling, and plopped down on her bottom. 'Dahei, be good.' 'Tsk, a tiny dog named Dahei.' 'What's wrong with Dahei?

Dogs grow fast. In a few months, it'll be big and strong, just like its name.' Zhang Hui rolled up her sleeves as if to pinch Zhu Changfang.

'Are you determined to pick a fight with me today?' Zhu Changfang laughed loudly and dodged. 'Pfft, I just like seeing you say one thing and mean another.' The two of them started messing around, running back and forth in the courtyard, while a group of young wives nearby watched the commotion.

Zhu Shian came out from the back courtyard. When the little black dog saw her, it immediately slipped out of Fufu's arms and ran to her, looking up at her.

Its front paws left the ground, but it lost its balance and fell over with a thud, exposing its soft little belly. 'Ahh, Dahei, don't run!' Fufu ran over and picked up the little black dog, holding it like a baby and patting it, even scolding it in an adult's tone, 'Dahei, be good.' 'Woof woof!' Dahei ignored Fufu, its eyes fixed on Zhu Shian, black and bright.

Zhu Shian looked down at the little black dog. Its fur was jet black, its eyes, nose, and paws were also black. The key was its head shape—wide at the top and narrow at the bottom, resembling a fox's face.

This dog was no ordinary little black dog; it looked like a spirit dog with psychic abilities. Zhu Shian asked Zhang Hui, 'Did you get this dog from the clan?' 'No.

My Kang Kang said he found it by the river. Probably someone's dog had puppies and they didn't want to raise them, so they abandoned them by the river, and Kang Kang picked it up.' In these times, though not as hard as the three years of natural disaster, every family's grain was still tight.

People couldn't even eat their fill, so how could ordinary families spare extra grain to raise a dog? Even families willing to raise a dog would only keep one at most.

Any extras would have to be abandoned, which was normal. 'This dog is good. Take good care of it.' Zhang Hui smiled and replied, 'I think so too.

Its eyes are bright, clearly a smart, home-loving dog.' Zhu Changfang annoyingly said, 'Isn't it dirty?' Zhang Hui shot her a look. 'I don't mind, okay?' Zhu Changfang burst out laughing.

Er Gupo came forward and said with a smile, 'The eldest daughter is finally back. The children's daily bowl of soup can continue.' When Zhu Shian was away, and Zhu Fengqin was also away, no one dared to go to the back garden of the main residence.

Ever since Zhu Shian went to Shanghai, the daily bowl of soup for the children of Sanqing Lane and Zhujia Village had stopped. Zhu Shian nodded and said, 'I'll go open the door in a bit.

Aunt Feng, draw some water and you can make the soup.' As they were talking, Zhu Changming and Zhang Hui's son Kang Kang, Zhu Changfang's daughters Xu Tang and Xu Mei, and Zhu Changfeng's two children Zhu Kangyang and Zhu Kangmin all arrived. A group of over twenty children ran in, shouting 'Eldest Daughter' and 'Family Head,' and when they saw Zhu Shian, they all came to greet her.

Zhu Shian nodded to them and asked with a smile, 'Where did you come from?' 'From the clan. It's summer vacation, so everyone should play together.' Yingying ran at the front.

After most of the summer vacation, she had tanned into a dark little boy. When she smiled, she showed her little white teeth—oh, one of her front teeth was missing.

Xu Tang leaned on Yingying's shoulder and laughed. 'We were playing in the village, but then Grandpa Zhu Shouguang and the others returned to the village.

We knew the eldest daughter was back, so we ran back to see.' Zhu Changfang pretended to be annoyed and poked her daughter's cheek. 'You!

You've been gone for over half a month. Why didn't you think to come back and see your old mother?' Xu Tang turned and clung to her mother's arm, acting spoiled.

'But I'm back now, Mom. Did you miss me and your little sister? We missed you too.' Xu Mei added, 'I also missed Dad, and the meat Dad makes.' The little girl couldn't help but drool, clearly craving meat.

Everyone in the courtyard laughed again. The children from Sanqing Lane had all returned from the village. After seeing Zhu Shian, they clung to their parents, acting spoiled, either asking for food or saying they would go back to the village to play later, telling their families not to worry.

'A bunch of wild monkeys who never stay home, running wild outside.' 'It's already the end of August. School will start in a few days.

All of you, settle down at home and get ready to study.' At the adults' nagging, the older children calculated in their heads—school really was starting soon. Ah, why did the fun days pass so quickly?

Zhu Shian came out to see everyone briefly, then went to the back courtyard. She undid the seal on the back garden wall and told Aunt Feng she could go to the back to draw water from the cistern.

Aunt Feng made two trips, carrying two buckets of water out. Wu Shenpo and the others got busy, making a pot of mung bean soup for the children today.

'Grandma, I want meat, not mung bean soup.' 'No meat. If you want meat, go line up at the Food Supply Station with your meat ration tickets early tomorrow morning.' 'Mom~ My dear mom!' A group of children crowded with the adults into the small side courtyard.

The small side courtyard was so packed that people couldn't turn around. Wu Shenpo pulled a stick from the firewood and chased a bunch of wild boys and girls out.

The small side courtyard was not far from the guest rooms. Ye Dan could hear the children's ruckus from inside her room and couldn't help but sigh.

The Zhu Family really had a thriving population. It was a pity that only the eldest daughter, Zhu Shian, could practice Dao Cultivation.

In the back courtyard, Zhu Shian sat at her desk organizing the yellow paper and cinnabar in the drawer. Xiaobai sat on the table reporting news.

'The monks from Wangyun Temple went to Mountain Valley twice. They didn't dare enter. They just talked outside the Formation for a while and left.

Besides the monks, two groups of outsiders also went to Mountain Valley. They only circled around outside the Formation a couple of times, couldn't find a way in, and left.' Zhu Shian was far away from Mountain Valley and couldn't sense whether anyone had entered the Formation.

She had instructed Xiaobai to keep an eye on the Magic Array to prevent ordinary people from the county from accidentally wandering in and getting trapped. However, the fact that Xuan Sect members had gone but none had entered the Formation surprised her.

Xiaobai's little tail perked up and wagged back and forth. 'Hmph, they must have heard how powerful the Formation is and were afraid of getting trapped inside, so they didn't dare enter.' 'Did the people who went to Mountain Valley go during the day or at night?' 'During the day.' Since they went openly during the day, they probably weren't the evil cults hiding in the shadows.

Zhu Shian guessed they might be from the Action Team. After all, so far, only Wangyun Temple and Ding Mao's group knew how powerful her Magic Array was and had suffered from it.

It wasn't surprising that this news had spread within their circles. 'Bai Youqian hasn't come, has he?' 'He came. Lord Bai came half a month ago.

He said he would come again when you returned during the Ghost Festival, and asked you not to forget what you promised him.' If Xiaobai hadn't mentioned it, Zhu Shian would have forgotten. She had promised Bai Youqian that she would burn paper figures for him during the Ghost Festival.

Zhu Shian flipped through the almanac on the table. September fifth was the fifteenth day of the seventh lunar month, the Ghost Festival.

There were still eight or nine days left, plenty of time. 'Is Wang Erzhu still behaving?' 'Hehe, he's obedient. Even when you're away, he dutifully guards the back garden every day, hiding under the lotus leaves, not daring to show his head.' Seeing Xiaobai's smug look, Zhu Shian said, 'Don't bully him.

Even a clay figurine has some temper. If you push him too far and he turns into a vengeful spirit, you might not be able to beat him.' Xiaobai felt both guilty and defiant.

'I am an immortal. Am I afraid of a little ghost?' Zhu Shian's lips curled slightly, and she couldn't help but laugh. 'Generally, a snake immortal like you, who has lived so many years and practiced Dao Cultivation, is indeed very powerful.' But look at yourself.

Greedy and playful, only interested in incense and basking in the sun, and reading stories about scholars falling in love with spirits. No progress at all.

Zhu Shian said nothing, but Xiaobai sensed her owner's disdain and ran off in displeasure. 'By the way, do you want me to set up an incense tower for you?' 'Yes, yes, yes!

I want it!' Having just slipped out the threshold, upon hearing Zhu Shian's words, Xiaobai flicked its tail, hooked it on the threshold, and crawled back, even acting cute. 'Master, I want a big, big incense tower.' 'Big, big incense tower'—the repetition emphasized its wish.

Zhu Shian couldn't satisfy it for now. She opened the cabinet to show it. 'This is all there is. If you think it's too little—' 'I don't think it's too little.

Light as much as there is.' Xiaobai circled around Zhu Shian, its head raised in excitement. 'Master, when you make more incense later, you can make it up to me, okay?' 'Mm, in a few days.' Using the remaining incense in the cabinet, she built an incense tower, lit it with a candle flame.

The unique scent of incense drifted in the corner. The incense smoke that Xiaobai didn't absorb seeped out through the cracks in the door, strand by strand.

In the back garden, Wang Erzhu, with a lotus leaf on his head, grew jealous again. Ah, he wanted incense too! The Ghost Festival was not far off.

Zhu Shian would definitely burn a lot of incense for the entire Taiyi Sect. She would need time to make the incense and also prepare paper offerings in advance.

She had only returned today, and the next two days would certainly be busy. These matters would have to be put off for a while.

The news that the Zhu Family had obtained the Individual Medical Practice License was still spreading. The Zhu clan members knew, the residents of Zhenshan County knew, and the collateral branches and distant relatives scattered in neighboring counties also knew.

In the following days, every day, people from other counties who had some connection to the Zhu Family would take a boat to Zhenshan County. As soon as they got off the dock, they would head straight to Sanqing Lane with their children.

For no other reason than to ask the Zhu Family, for the sake of sharing the same surname or being relatives, to take their children under their wing, so that the children wouldn't have to scratch a living from the soil and could have another path in life. Zhu Shian didn't see everyone, but she had to see some out of necessity.

Zhu Shian looked at the young man standing before her. He was probably a few years older than her. His parents wanted to send him to her as an apprentice?

The young man was named Zhu Chuangao, twenty-two years old. A few years ago, after graduating from high school, he returned to his hometown to farm and worked as an accountant in the production brigade.

After the College Entrance Exam was reinstated last year, he had taken it from last year to this year, not only failing to get into university but also failing to get into a technical secondary school. He was also discouraged, feeling that he probably wasn't meant to go to university.

Last night, he heard that the Zhu Medical Hall could openly open its doors to treat patients. His parents didn't think twice and said they would send him to the Medical Hall as an apprentice.

He himself agreed. Being a doctor was better than being a farmer. Zhu Chuangao came to Sanqing Lane early this morning with his parents to claim kinship.

When he saw Zhu Shian, who was four years younger than him, he immediately blushed and found it hard to say many things. Zhu Chuangao's mother looked at Zhu Shian eagerly and said, 'Eldest Daughter, although our branch is collateral and doesn't live in Zhujia Village, my family moved out of the village only in my father-in-law's generation.

By blood, we're still within five generations of mourning, so we're legitimate relatives. Now that the Zhu Family has a good opportunity, please take my Chuangao under your wing.' Zhu Shian looked at the faces of Zhu Chuangao's parents and then at Zhu Chuangao's face.

She said, 'You are not suited for medicine. You should study hard and take the College Entrance Exam. Mm, it's best to aim for the southeast direction.

That direction will bring you good fortune.' Zhu Chuangao's eyes lit up. 'Can I go to university?' 'Yes, you can.' 'But I couldn't even get into a technical secondary school.' The light in Zhu Chuangao's eyes went out.

Zhu Chuangao's mother said anxiously, 'Eldest Daughter, although my Chuangao is a bit older, he is sensible, obedient, and has a good memory. Please don't look down on him.' 'I'm not looking down on him.

It's just that he really isn't suited for medicine. Study hard. You will definitely get in.' Zhu Chuangao's mother wanted to plead further, but Zhu Chuangao himself said, 'Mom, I want to go to university.' 'Who doesn't know that going to university is good?

Am I stopping you from going to university? It's just that you didn't get in.' 'Mom, let me study for one more year. I will definitely get in next year.' 'What if you don't?' 'Then I'll honestly farm at home and not think about anything else.' Zhu Chuangao had made up his mind to try again.

Since Zhu Chuangao had said so, his parents knew his personality and knew they couldn't persuade him, so they dropped the matter and let him be. He would learn when he hit a wall.

Zhu Shian still had to see others, so Zhu Chuangao's family couldn't stay long and were about to leave. Before leaving, Zhu Chuangao wanted to ask for a Peace Talisman.

'I studied with Zhu Kangli. Although we weren't in the same grade, we had a good relationship. I heard that after he got a Peace Talisman from you, he passed the exam and got into Beijing.

A few days ago, he received his admission notice and went to report to school.' Seeing that the eldest daughter didn't refuse, Zhu Chuangao continued, 'I know that studying requires hard work, but with a Peace Talisman, I'll feel more at ease.' Zhu Chuangao's mother also helped plead, 'Eldest Daughter, please give him one.' This was easy.

Zhu Shian gave him one. 'Since you have a direction in your heart, don't hesitate. You will succeed in your studies.' 'Thank you for your auspicious words, Eldest Daughter.' He hoped he would be as lucky as Zhu Kangli.

After Zhu Chuangao's family left, Yingying came bouncing in, holding her mother Sun Guizhen's hand. Zhu Shian smiled and asked, 'What?

Do you also want to be my apprentice?' Yingying grinned. 'Grandpa Zhu Shouguang said I'm not cut out for it.' 'Then what are you here for today?' Sun Guizhen said, 'It's not about Yingying.

I have something I want to discuss with the eldest daughter.' 'No rush. Sit down and tell me.' After Sun Guizhen came in, Zhu Changfang, who had been helping entertain guests these past two days, poured her a glass of water and cleared away the teacups that Zhu Chuangao's family had used.

Sun Guizhen organized her thoughts and said, 'I came today to find a job for myself.' 'Oh?' Sun Guizhen said, 'I'm very good at controlling the heat. In previous summers, when the village needed to brew medicinal tea, they always asked me to do it.

Because of this, Grandpa Zhu Shouguang and Grandpa Zhu Shouxin both praised me, saying that the medicine I brewed was proper and the potency was just right. I thought that since our family's Medical Hall is about to open, it will definitely need someone to brew medicine.

So I came to recommend myself, hoping the eldest daughter will consider it.' Yingying smiled at Zhu Shian, and Zhu Shian smiled back. Truly, like mother, like daughter.

Sun Guizhen was an assertive person, and her child had the same temperament. 'Eldest Daughter, please consider me too. I also studied medicine with the old master for a few years.

Although I didn't learn well, I know all the medicinal herbs, and I can use the scale. I can help with picking herbs.' Zhu Changfang also wanted to find a job at the Medical Hall.

She had planned to wait a couple of days until the eldest daughter had time, but now that Sun Guizhen was asking for work, she was afraid others would come later, so she decided to bring it up today. Zhu Shian said, 'On the way back from Shanghai, I discussed it with Grandpa Zhu Shouguang and Grandpa Zhu Shouxin.

For tasks like picking and brewing medicine, there are many people in our clan who have studied medicine and can do it. Many people are capable.

But there are only so many positions at the Medical Hall. We plan to have those who sign up take an exam in a few days. We'll be fair and impartial.

Whoever does the best will be chosen. Those who aren't selected won't have any complaints.' 'That's good. Eldest Daughter, I'll sign up first.' 'I'll sign up too.' Sun Guizhen and Zhu Changfang both said they wanted to sign up.

Zhu Shian handed the task of recording names to Zhu Changfang. 'In the next few days, if anyone comes asking about jobs at the Medical Hall, write down their names.

When it's time for the exam, notify them.' 'Okay, I've got it.' At the height of the Zhu Medical Hall's prosperity, there were over a dozen consulting physicians and dozens of apprentices and helpers. The front hall and back workshop were busy from morning till night.

Now that the Medical Hall was just about to open, no one knew how it would fare in the future. They wouldn't hire that many people for now.

Those who wanted to enter the Medical Hall would have to work hard. The clan members only dared to inquire with Zhu Shian; very few, like Sun Guizhen, actively fought for themselves.

It was different with Zhu Changming. Many clan members went directly to the County Hospital to find him, begging him to put in a good word.

Zhu Changming was about to get off work when he saw off another clan member who had come to plead. He closed the door and turned to his two apprentices.

'If anyone comes to you, just push it onto me and tell them to come to me, or push it onto the eldest daughter. Say that the eldest daughter is in charge of the Medical Hall, and we can't do anything about it.' Zhu Kanglin and Zhu Yongwen both sighed.

It wasn't just them. In the past few days, every family living on Sanqing Lane had clan members coming to ask for help every day.

Many were close relatives like uncles and aunts. It was hard to say anything too light or too heavy. Zhu Yongwen said, 'My grandparents found it too troublesome.

Starting yesterday, they simply closed the door and went to the main residence to hang out with the eldest daughter, only coming home after dark.' Zhu Kanglin was also annoyed by this. 'They don't dare to go directly to the eldest daughter, but they dare to come to us again and again.

We're just apprentices who haven't even graduated yet. How can we handle these matters?' Zhu Changming sat down and laughed.

'You really can't handle these matters, but you can think for yourselves. Do you want to help at the Medical Hall?' Zhu Kanglin and Zhu Yongwen exchanged glances.

Zhu Yongwen, being older, spoke first. 'We've studied medicine with you since we were kids, so naturally, wherever you are, we are.' Zhu Changming shook his head, his tone relaxed.

'That has nothing to do with being a master and apprentice. The eldest daughter told me that the Medical Hall has just opened and there are many miscellaneous tasks that need immediate attention.

I recommended the two of you to her.' 'What did you recommend us for?' 'You two have worked with me at the County Hospital for the past few years. You're familiar with the whole process of seeing patients and dispensing medicine.

So I thought I'd ask you to help out at the Medical Hall when you have time. After the busy period, you can either come back to the County Hospital with me or stay at the Medical Hall—either is fine.' 'Master, school starts in a few days.

I'll be in my second year of high school and need to prepare for next year's College Entrance Exam. I can't take time off to help at the Medical Hall.

Even if I go, it can only be on days off.' Since Zhu Yongwen couldn't go because of his studies, and Zhu Kanglin would only be starting his first year of high school next month, he quickly said, 'I want to go. I have time.' Zhu Kanglin had always heard from his master that the eldest daughter was amazing at Acupuncture and had great medical skills.

He had only heard about it, never seen it, and really wanted to go to the Medical Hall to see how the eldest daughter treated patients. 'I'm not asking you to neglect your studies.

I said, go when you have time.' Zhu Yongwen said, 'Let Kanglin go. When I have time after school, I'll still come to help you here.' Zhu Changming disagreed.

Since he had proposed sending his two disciples to help at the Medical Hall, he naturally had his reasons. He said, 'Studying medicine requires broadening your horizons.

You've studied with me for so many years. You probably have a good idea of how I diagnose and prescribe. Now you have the chance to learn from the eldest daughter's approach.

It would be a waste not to take it. Yongwen, especially you. After next year's College Entrance Exam, you'll go to another city to study.

It will be hard to find such an opportunity again. When you go out, whether it's teachers at school or colleagues at the hospital, it's rare to meet someone willing to teach you everything they know.' Zhu Changming genuinely cared for his two disciples.

He made the final decision. 'From now on, both of you go to the Medical Hall to help when you have time. If there's anything you don't understand, come to me for clarification.' 'Okay, thank you, Master.' 'No need to thank me.

If you really want to thank me, study medicine well. Don't bring shame to the Zhu Family name in the future.' The Zhu Family no longer needed to hold back or hide.

The elders of the Zhu Family should encourage the children to spread their wings like eagles leaving the nest, to fly outward, the higher the better. 'Dong dong dong!' Li Director knocked and entered.

He handed a stack of papers to Zhu Changming. 'The county government sent me a document this afternoon. Your Zhu Family can now purchase medicinal herbs through the County Hospital's channels.

I've brought the list back for you. It has the types and prices of herbs. Come to me if you need anything.' Zhu Changming asked, 'What if we don't purchase through the County Hospital?' Li Director sneered.

'I knew you'd ask that. What, you look down on the County Hospital's herbs?' 'The hospital has some good herbs, but most of them...

Director, do you think they're good?' The Li family had also run a pharmacy before. Li Director knew good and bad Chinese Herbal Medicine well.

At this point, he couldn't lie and say the County Hospital's herbs were all good. 'If you don't like them, find a way to buy them yourself.

After all, your Zhu Family has that license. You can buy whatever herbs you want, can't you?' Li Director snorted and left.

The Zhu Family had already mobilized their old connections to contact herb suppliers. Although it wasn't a large-scale transaction, just for the Medical Hall's use, they still needed to establish the connections first.

However, transportation was inconvenient, so it wouldn't happen quickly. The Zhu Family's herb procurement channels hadn't been set up yet.

To get the Medical Hall up and running as soon as possible, they still needed the County Hospital's help for now. The Zhu Medical Hall had its doctors ready.

The helpers for the Medical Hall would be selected in a couple of days. The Zhu Family purchased a batch of good herbs from the County Hospital, supplemented the poorer ones with their own stored herbs, and left any gaps unfilled.

If there were substitute herbs available when writing prescriptions, they would use those; if not, they would change the prescription. Once everything was ready, Zhu Shian calculated the date.

They would open on September eighth, an auspicious day for starting business, trading, praying, and hanging plaques. The weather was good that day.

Zhu Fengqin took the Individual Medical Practice Licenses of Zhu Shian, Zhu Shouxin, and Zhu Shouguang to the Subdistrict Office to handle matters. The Subdistrict Office staff finally saw the license that had been the talk of the county recently.

It didn't seem particularly special, except for the red stamp they had never seen before. Sanqing Lane was still under Cao Jing's jurisdiction.

Cao Jing efficiently registered the license information, returned the original documents to Zhu Fengqin, and smiled. 'Congratulations.

Which day will you open?' 'Haha, thank you, thank you. We'll open on the eighth.' 'Is everything ready? If you need any help from the Subdistrict Office, please don't hesitate to say so.' 'Alright, thank you all for your support of our Medical Hall.' 'You're welcome.

It's our duty.' Cao Jing, as enthusiastic as ever, personally saw Zhu Fengqin out the main door. The deputy director of the Subdistrict Office sighed softly.

'In the nearby counties, we haven't heard of any family that can openly operate a medical practice. The Zhu Family is the only one in Zhenshan County.' 'Not just the nearby counties.

Even in the nearby cities, it's rare to find someone with this license. Didn't you hear the Zhu Family say that the temporary exam was only held in Shanghai and Beijing?

The people who signed up were all from nearby areas. It's only because the Zhu Family has connections that they managed to register and travel a long distance to take the exam.' 'At the beginning of the year, we were saying that the Zhu Family had a bright future.

I didn't expect that before the year was even over, their future had already lit up. Tsk.' The deputy director patted Xiao Zhang.

'Sanqing Lane used to be under your jurisdiction. Regret it now, don't you? If only you hadn't given Sanqing Lane to Cao Jing.' Xiao Zhang smiled.

'It's all work. What's there to regret? Besides, without Sister Cao and everyone else helping me share the load, I would have had a hard time having a stable postpartum confinement after giving birth.' Cao Jing laughed.

'I remember everything you told me. I'll definitely do a good job with Sanqing Lane.' 'Sister Cao, you've worked hard.' 'Ah, I thought the eldest daughter of the Zhu Family would come to the Subdistrict Office to handle the procedures.

I was hoping to meet her, but she didn't come.' 'The eldest daughter of the Zhu Family is hard to meet. I've been in charge of Sanqing Lane for over half a year, and I've only seen her a few times.' Zhu Shian had no time to go to the Subdistrict Office.

Even the selection of personnel for the Medical Hall was handled by the clan elders. Zhu Shian had been staying at Yuntai Temple these past few days, preparing Incense, Candles, and Spirit Money, folding ingots, and making offerings to the teachers and fellow disciples of the Taiyi Sect.

The offerings didn't have to wait until the Ghost Festival itself. Zhu Shian did it a day early and also chanted the sutra for the dead twice.

Zhang Xuanqing came in and said, 'Eldest Daughter, are you done? There's a ghost official outside looking for you.' 'Who?' 'The one with the really big head.' Oh, Bai Youqian, Big Head Bai, had come.

Zhu Shian went out to see him. As soon as Bai Youqian saw Zhu Shian, he grinned and bowed. 'Greetings, Master Zhu. In the two or three months since I last saw you, your skills have deepened.' Zhu Shian smiled and asked, 'Why have you come today?

The things I prepared for you are all at the house down the mountain. I was planning to burn them for you tomorrow during the Ghost Festival.' Bai Youqian naturally coveted the good things Zhu Shian had prepared for him, but that wasn't why he had come today.

He had come specifically to remind her to pay extra attention to the situation at Mountain Valley during the Ghost Festival tomorrow. 'What news do you have?' 'Alas, you know the Underworld is not peaceful.

Since the Heavenly Path closed and there are no higher immortals to keep order, some ghost immortals in the Underworld want to come to the human world to enjoy incense offerings. These ghost immortals form one faction.

Another faction insists on maintaining the boundary between the living and the dead, forbidding these ghost immortals from appearing. These two factions have been fighting openly and covertly for over a thousand years without resolution.

Lately, it seems to be escalating, and it might affect certain special places in the human world. For example, here. Tomorrow, during the Ghost Festival, there will definitely be Yin Soldiers Crossing in Mountain Valley.

But don't worry too much. The King of Hell is above, keeping things in check. As long as he doesn't allow it, no matter how powerful those ghost immortals are, they can't break the boundary between the human world and the Underworld.' 'Is it that chaotic?' 'Besides the Buddhas and Daoist deities, there are many hidden big shots in the Underworld.

Compared to them, little ghosts like us aren't even worthy of mentioning their names. If those big shots behind the scenes refuse to let go, what can we do?' 'What about the City God?

Matters like Yin Soldiers Crossing used to be under his jurisdiction, right?' The City God—that was also a messy affair, hard to talk about. Bai Youqian spoke vaguely.

'Wait. The Underworld's affairs will naturally be resolved in the Underworld. When the time comes, Heaven, Humanity, and Earth—the three realms will be clearly divided.' Qiye had sent Bai Youqian to remind Zhu Shian out of their past friendship.

After saying his piece, Bai Youqian took his leave and left. Zhu Shian looked up at the moon in the sky and didn't want to speak for a long time.

Above, the Heavenly Dao has set your Mandate Of Heaven. Below, there are things unseen lurking in the shadows, spying. Ordinary people already struggle just to live, yet they must endure these unwarranted hardships.

Even when they suffer, they don't know who has wronged them or why, and can only bear it silently. Most people come into this world just to suffer.