Chapter 436: Mountain God's Blessing

"A substitute scarecrow? How does this child have a substitute scarecrow like that?"

Wei Yuan couldn't help but exclaim, his face turning pale, and immediately understood why Yu Die said that Tang Anzhi had ill intentions toward a child.

If one knew that this child carried a top‑grade life‑saving treasure like a substitute scarecrow, not only Tang Anzhi but even he couldn't help having improper thoughts.

Especially since Tang Anzhi had just faced a death threat; without a substitute scarecrow, he likely would have lost his life then.

He valued the substitute scarecrow more than anyone else, pondering how to obtain another life‑saving substitute scarecrow.

Now, seeing a child who actually has a substitute scarecrow, it's natural to develop improper thoughts.

Lü Tu sneered, "County Magistrate Wei, how can you still claim that Imperial Attendant Tang wouldn't have improper thoughts about this child?"

Wei Yuan forced an awkward smile; not knowing how to reply, he saw Tang Anzhi give him a look again, "San Yang Pill, another bottle," and his eyes lit up. His resentment toward Tang Anzhi deepened a few more points, recalling how he once couldn't even obtain a single San Yang Pill, and he said:

"Lv Qianhu, I truly didn't expect this child to have a treasure like a substitute scarecrow."

But I know what kind of person Imperial Attendant Tang is; I understand that he could never commit murder or robbery.

Now I understand why Hundred Commander Yu said Imperial Attendant Tang had improper thoughts about this child; it was a misunderstanding on Yu's part.

Lv Qianhu, you know full well that not long ago Imperial Attendant Tang was attacked and almost lost his life; it was only because of a substitute scarecrow that he survived.

Now seeing a child actually possessing a substitute scarecrow left me a bit stunned, which caused Hundred Commander Yu's misunderstanding!

"Ha!"

Lü Tu let out a cold laugh, about to mock sarcastically when a strange voice rang out in the hall; instinctively he turned his head and saw a frail old man, his expression instantly turning solemn.

Because the old man who suddenly appeared was no ordinary person—no, he wasn't even human!

"Dongzhu, it's been years, you're getting more and more beautiful!"

A familiar voice sounded beside his ear; Liu Dongzhu was startled at first, then recovered, quickly turned his head and saw the frail old man walking over with a smile, exclaiming ecstatically:

"Uncle, you, you, you—how did you wake up!"

The frail old man who appeared was none other than De Ben, who had passed away just a few days earlier.

Never imagined…

He actually came back to life!

Logically, Liu Dongzhu had only just seen De Ben's corpse, so when she saw him again she should have been terrified.

But for some reason…

Even if she knew that De Ben before her might be a ghost, there was not a hint of fear on her face, only an unmistakable excitement.

"Well, it's thanks to this!"

As he spoke, De Ben produced an ancient token, the recovered Mountain God Token, and laughed:

"With this Mountain God Token I can manifest in broad daylight; otherwise, to see you again I might only appear in your dreams!"

"Uncle, you've become the Mountain God of Shizi Ling, that's wonderful; when I have time, I'll visit you every day!"

Liu Dongzhu said excitedly.

"Seeing me every day isn't feasible; after all, you still have to take care of your whole family…"

De Ben hadn't finished speaking when he suddenly noticed Wang Ping'an in Liu Dongzhu's arms, briskly walked over, and exclaimed with delight:

"Is this your child with Ruhai?"

Liu Dongzhu nodded. "That little rabbit Ruhai had when he was a child looked exactly the same!"

De Ben looked at Wang Ping'an with the indulgent gaze of an elder toward a junior, then seemed to recall something and glared resentfully at Zhang Chengze, who had followed.

Zhang Chengze could not possibly not understand his master's look; he blamed him for being useless. Wang Ruhai already had a child, yet their family showed no sign. In all these years of marriage there was not even a hint. Their family is fine, Zhang Family Village, though some gossiping women still say odd things.

There's nothing to do.

He could only go to the county seat for a physician's checkup, which found no health issues for either his wife or himself, yet after so many years of marriage there was still no sign. According to the physician, their family's fate simply hasn't arrived yet.

If fate hasn't arrived, can he be blamed?

Hearing this, Liu Dongzhu's gaze at Wang Ping'an became extremely dazed.

The next moment.

A sphere of light manifested on De Ben's hand; he placed his palm on Wang Ping'an's head, and it gradually seeped into his mind.

De Ben exclaimed in surprise, "Dongzhu, you're not worried at all—could I ever harm your family's Ping'an?"

This novel you

"Uncle, you're Ping'an's uncle; whether you're human, a Mountain God, or a spirit, I believe you'll never harm our Ping'an!"

Liu Dongzhu smiled.

"You little girl, you can still talk!"

De Ben smiled lightly, his face showing a hint of ease, and explained, "I'm bestowing a blessing on your Ping'an; from now on, whether in our Shizi Ling or any other mountain range, you won't encounter danger!"

Since he appeared in broad daylight using the Mountain God Token, aside from his own family and his younger sister's family, everyone else who saw him felt fear beyond surprise.

Even knowing he isn't a death‑seeking demon but the new Mountain God of Shizi Ling, not a single person from Zhang Family Village dared approach him.

Obviously.

The surprise at De Ben's resurrection was far outweighed by the fear of the Mountain God!

"Ding! You have received the Lion Ridge Mountain God De Ben's Blessing; congratulations, you've earned the reward: Talent: Mountain God Blessing 【Entry Level】!"

A mechanical, crisp voice echoed in his mind, and Wang Ping'an's little face couldn't help but break into a delighted smile.

"Hehe, this child saw me and smiled happily!"

De Ben noticed the smile on Wang Ping'an's face and also smiled, taking a long moment to recover before speaking again:

"By the way, Dongzhu, why didn't Ruhai come to my funeral this time? Did he go to the imperial examination and not return, or what?"

These past years, because of illness and not wanting to see his younger sister's sorrow, he not only stopped visiting her home, but even when his own sister wanted to come over, he had to find excuses to refuse.

He hasn't seen Wang Ruhai again, but when he did see him before, Ruhai still treated him with great respect.

At that time, Wang Ruhai had already made a name for himself.

Therefore.

Even if Wang Ruhai had become a successful candidate official, upon hearing the news of his death, he would still rush to attend the funeral at the earliest opportunity.

Liu Dongzhu spoke with a desolate expression: "Uncle, Ruhai, Ruhai, on the way to take this year's imperial examination, encountered a ferocious beast's attack and lost his life!"

(End of chapter)