Chapter 489

Wang Ping'an controlled the shrunken Paper Person as it left the Mountain God Temple, chasing the procession that stretched like a long dragon.

Besides the initial You Village procession, many villagers from Zhang Family Village and surrounding villages came to join the revelry, surrounding them.

Only some elderly, weak and infirm remained outside the Mountain God Temple.

Although.

Many of those elders had been carried out on their own door panels; on their faces one could clearly see a lifeless aura, instantly revealing they were near death with only a few good days left, yet their faces were full of an unmistakable joy.

They learned from Village Chief Zhang Yongde that today's deity‑ascension ceremony of Zhang Deben would bring a divine rain; if they received its baptism, the maladies on their bodies would be dispelled, granting them not only freedom from disease and disaster but also a lifespan of a hundred years.

Most of them had lain in bed for years, gradually accepting the news that their lives were short, having become indifferent to life and death; yet if they could live, who would wish to die?

Now.

Having received this good news from Zhang Yongde, how could they possibly not be happy?

Their relatives were still alive, and they still wished to watch their descendants thrive, so naturally they were unwilling to go to the Yama King so "early" to report.

In a short while.

The shrunken Paper Person neared the You Village procession, and Wang Ping'an readied to, as the Paper Person approached, draw it into the World Pearl and check the peculiarity of the incense stick he had stealthily taken from the Mountain God Temple; he vaguely caught sight of a pair of blazing eyes, instinctively looked up, and saw Qi Wenshan looking at him with a fiery expression, his heart trembling as he muttered:

"Damn it, that old guy can't possibly have some special hobby, can he?"

However.

Wang Ping'an quickly realized that although Qi Wenshan stared at him with a fiery expression, there was not a trace of lust in his face or eyes, clearly indicating no special hobby.

"If it's not a special hobby!"

In Wang Ping'an's mind, myriad thoughts swirled, and he mused:

"Could it be that he has a love for talent, instantly recognizing me as a peerless master, wanting to take me as a disciple and pass all his skills to me?"

He thought so, but Wang Ping'an believed Qi Wenshan likely didn't have such an intention; even if he did, it would soon be shattered.

He had just been nearby; even though he previously knew little of Wang Ping'an's deeds, after hearing Tong Weicai's account he should know that he was favored by the chief of the Nine-headed Mountain Fox Clan to become their son‑in‑law, and likewise was coveted by the Thousand Commander Lü Tu of the Fengyin County Demon‑Subduing Office, who wished to take him as a disciple.

As long as Qi Wenshan isn't foolish and his mind hasn't gone soggy, he should know his own worth; he's merely a master stone‑carver, perhaps skilled, but only enough to earn a living. Compared to Lü Tu, he's far inferior, perhaps not even matching his first master, Xuanqing Daozhang.

How could he possibly think of taking a disciple?

"Fine, I'd actually like to see what scheme you have in mind!"

Wang Ping'an pondered for a long time, still unable to understand why Qi Wenshan stared at him with a blazing expression; he was too lazy to think further and not in a hurry to retrieve the Paper Person.

Qi Wenshan's gaze at Wang Ping'an was as if he had seen a priceless treasure; fearing others might notice his oddity, he reluctantly withdrew his eyes, took a wooden figurine from his pocket, and handed it to Liu Dongzhu. Liu Dongzhu, not understanding why Qi had inexplicably handed her a wooden box, asked in confusion, "Master Qi, what is this?"

"Madam Wang, this is a toy I carved from special wood, it repels insects and promotes sleep; if you don't mind, you may give it to your child as a toy!"

Qi Wenshan explained.

"Is it Dragon‑soaring wood?"

Liu Dongzhu had not yet spoken when Tong Weicai stepped forward, gave a slight sniff as if detecting the figurine's scent, his eyes instantly brightening, and said, "How should I address you, Master?"

Qi Wenshan warmly replied, "Master Tong, I am the old Qi Wenshan!"

"So you are Master Qi, I thought you were someone else; such generosity, even using Dragon‑soaring wood to make a toy!"

Tong Weicai praised briefly, urging Liu Dongzhu, "Madam Wang, just accept it; this Dragon‑soaring wood‑carved figurine is top‑grade. Dragon‑soaring wood is already expensive—one jin can fetch at least one tael of gold. With Master Qi's craftsmanship, though the figurine is small, selling it for ten taels of gold would be no problem if you wish!"

"Ten taels of gold?"

Li Ping exclaimed, but before she could speak, she was interrupted by Zhang Guihua and Wang Lin beside her: "Master Qi, how dare you, we all understand, but this thing is too precious; you should take it back. Our child Ping'an is still young and doesn't need a toy!"

The old Wang family, since that beast's rise, has gradually become prosperous from poverty; over the years, even just farming they've saved some money, but in total, not even five taels of gold, let alone ten.

This novel you…

…how could you not have thought of it!

The toy wooden figurine that Qi Wenshan casually produced turned out to be worth ten taels of gold!

"Everyone, don't listen to Master Tong's nonsense; he's just flattering me. Dragon‑soaring wood is valuable, and my skill is decent, but this little trinket was made from scrap, it's worthless—certainly not ten taels of gold, perhaps not even twenty copper coins!"

Qi Wenshan chuckled wryly: "I have a habit of teasing children, often carving worthless trinkets in my spare time. When I first saw your Ping'an, I liked that plump, cute child, so just take it. This thing truly isn't worth ten taels of gold; if it were, I wouldn't part with it!"

Liu Dongzhu, Zhang Guihua, and Wang Lin hesitated, unsure how to reply, and turned to look at Tong Weicai, seemingly wanting his opinion.

"This old thing is spouting nonsense here; whether this trinket is worth ten taels of gold, I already know! To give away such a valuable item so casually—could it be that he heard my words and wants to befriend the Wang family, thus he's willing to give it away? But unfortunately, giving it away is pointless, since this brat won't live many days!"

Tong Weicai let out a silent sneer, did not expose Qi Wenshan's lie, and said apologetically:

"It was my fault; I mainly wanted you to value the gift Master Qi gave you, so I exaggerated the price. I didn't expect it to backfire. Please don't take it as a challenge to me!"

"Just accept it; it's merely a worthless trinket!"

Seizing the moment, Qi Wenshan forcibly shoved the little trinket into Liu Dongzhu's hand, saying, "Carry this; it repels mosquitoes, wards off poisonous snakes, and helps the child sleep soundly!"

(End of chapter)