Negotiation (2)
someone to take care of him. Aunt Zhang does everything, from cooking and cleaning to sweeping the floor. When she sees us, she says: "The old master keeps talking about how you haven't come yet. Youn...When I actually faced Lin Yanhuan, I was still a little nervous.
I haven't met many different men. Perhaps most people are like Old Chen or Dabao, able to support their families and live peacefully; there are also those like my dad who seem calm and relaxed, but in fact their hearts are as gray as grass, just wanting to let go of themselves and become an old rascal.
Or like my brother, he can be boisterous and playful one moment, furious the next, yet his mind remains clear; or like Jiang Qiyun, who has long since seen through the cycle of birth and death, not even wanting to speak much.
However, Jiang Qiyun can't be considered human, so his personality is not representative.
Men like Lin Yanhuan, who are calm, intelligent, have a profound background, and are meticulous, are not representative.
As someone with limited social experience and a life that has felt aimless and directionless, I feel a sense of "inferiority" when facing him.
Our horizons and social strata are worlds apart.
To say I'm standing in his shoes is absurd, because I don't even have the right to.
Even if I say I understand, it's only on the superficial level.
No one could get into the deepest part of his heart.
To play word games and schemes with him is to show off in front of a master, inviting humiliation upon oneself.
“Lin Yanhuan, the passage to the underworld has opened, but we still can't travel back and forth. Do you know why” I looked up at him.
He raised an eyebrow slightly and asked in a low voice, "Why"
It seems like they're not going to be straightforward with me. Should I be the one to break the ice
“I heard that the Underworld's earthly dojo was sealed off by many high-ranking predecessors. With incense extinguished across the country, this place has become a one-way barrier, preventing Underworld messengers from coming and going to collect souls... This will cause big problems. Soon, the first seventh day of death will arrive, and those wandering ghosts will return to wreak havoc.”
I tried my best to keep my tone serious and my eyes focused.
There is more to this world than what our eyes can see. Parallel spaces and universes are questions that many scientists are exploring.
We are now in the last days, everyone is pursuing material enjoyment, and has long lost their reverence for heaven and earth, nature, the unknown, and their ancestors. Belief in ghosts and spirits has diminished, but this does not mean they do not exist.
He actually understands everything. He has said it himself, that he doesn't disbelieve in ghosts and spirits, but he can't make them public or respond to the general public with talk of ghosts and spirits.
It stands to reason that if a country is governed by supernatural forces, what's the difference between it and an uncivilized tribe
So he publicly distanced himself from anything related to these matters.
Behind the scenes, another picture unfolds. They infiltrate the Tongxuan Society and secretly contact high-ranking elders to oppose the Situ family, seeking hidden masters to counter the Underworld.
“The Underworld has no intention of interfering with the human world, but rather is two sides of the same coin that need normal interaction. If we seal off the passage between realms, problems will arise here. That Corpse Demon is already dissolving in the Blood Pool. The Underworld Divine Being Du-E for Lotus has dissipated its karma and resentment, so there's no need to keep it sealed. Can you remove the barrier now”
I looked at him seriously. He stood silently in front of me, his hands tucked into his suit pockets, as I finished speaking.
"Xiao Qiao, who can guarantee that the power of the underworld won't excessively interfere with the mortal world If there are no precautions in place, how can we deal with sudden situations" He frowned slightly: "This is also an order from the higher-ups. Now that society is different, the higher-ups cannot allow the Situ family to act wickedly, nor can another Situ family appear. Therefore... the higher-ups also want to know how to balance the power of the underworld."
"Lin Yanhuan, no one can guarantee that the underworld won't interfere too much with the human world. But no one can guarantee that they can control everything either! You are the same, even if you want to keep everything under control, it's impossible!"
I'm still too inexperienced on the path. Faced with his calmness, I feel a little anxious.
He has always had his own life path, beliefs, and purpose, while I am lost and aimless, on a completely different level of consciousness.
“... I know, the hardest thing in the world is to put your own thoughts into someone else's head... especially someone like you, so calm, intelligent and resolute. I can't persuade you with my clumsy words... But are you afraid of the first seventh day that comes”
I stared at his face: "From dawn till now, there are only three days left. Those masters and hermits around you must have reminded you, haven't they The country is so vast, how many souls return to the underworld and spirits dissipate every day If there is no underworld to reincarnate and renew, what will happen if these restless spirits wander the world"
Lin Yanhuan smiled: "Xiao Qiao, are you here to speak up for him"
"...it's not just for him. The celestial deities said that a mortal's karma is something only they can resolve... Have I given you the wrong impression somewhere Actually, from the very beginning, from the moment I was born, I've already been..."
He glanced at me faintly: "Are you going to talk about marriage again Is there really such a constraint I respect your choice and won't interfere with your life. With this reason, how can you stop the thought of wanting to be with me"
His sudden blunt words took me aback.
Lin Yanhuan let out a soft chuckle, brushed her hair back, and said in a languid tone: "Since you like him and are willing to tie your fate to his, I have nothing to say, I can only respect your choice... However, there are two sides to this story. The Underworld always needs some compromise, restraining its power, so that the higher-ups here can feel more at ease and continue to coexist harmoniously."
I stared blankly at him, wondering what this man was thinking.
In his heart, personal feelings had to take a back seat. Everything he did was to ensure the safety and security of "the state temple and society," even resorting to making deals with yin and yang spirits.
"I was actually also waiting for an opportunity to communicate, just didn't expect you to be the bridge… I presume the other party is also aware of my feelings towards you, hmm… I need someone in authority to have a face-to-face meeting. I know Old Madam Ma has the ability to communicate with spirits. If she could persuade the divine beings of the underworld to grace us with their presence and have a private discussion with me, we can still coexist peacefully."
"Little Qiao," he chuckled, shaking his head and poking my forehead. "You're such a little girl, trying to negotiate with a thirty-year-old man... You should get your husband to do it instead."
I couldn't help but laugh and cry, looking at him with a mix of frustration and helplessness.
He casually moved his wrist and said lightly, "Since your husband is a revered celestial deity, he should be well-informed about many things. I have no secrets before him, it's just that a face-to-face conversation would be more reassuring... My request isn't excessive, I only need a trustworthy 'person' to serve as the next special advisor."
He smiled at me: "I told Old Mrs. Shen that if you took over as head of the Shen family, the next Special Advisor would be from the Shen family... See, I wanted to ask you to be my personal advisor before, but you refused. Now we've gone in a big circle, haven't we It's back to this issue, isn't it"imultaneously emitting a sound of twisted pleasure.Long Xiaoge grew up watching unusual corpses. He remained unmoved by these scenes.I couldn't stand it any longer, my older brother stepped in to stop...