Chapter 150
Chapter 150
Everyone discussed Xu Fangcao’s situation for a while longer. When they still had no answer by two in the morning, they could only disperse.
Before leaving, Old Sixth Hui said quietly to Hua Jiunan, “Rest without worry, young master physician.”
“I will send more of my little ones to watch Miss Xu.”
Zhao Aiguo drove Elder Monk Kongchan back to Jinguang Temple in the city.
“It’s almost dawn anyway. Once I drop Master Kongchan off, I can go straight to work.”
Elder Monk Kongchan pressed his palms together in thanks.
“Namo Amitabha. This poor monk thanks Benefactor Zhao.”
Before departing, Master Kongchan bowed to Deaf Granny again.
“Bodhisattva Lady, that evil Buddha suppressed inside our humble temple…”
Deaf Granny pondered for a moment before answering.
“Ghost Buddha, Ghost Buddha… he possesses both a ghostly nature and a Buddha nature.”
“As long as he doesn’t come out to harm people, let him be.”
“If he dares cause trouble, this old woman will summon the Immortal Spirits and subdue that disgrace!”
Only after receiving Deaf Granny’s promise did Master Kongchan leave with his mind at ease.
Once everyone had gone, only the four pairs of paper warriors and horses remained in the courtyard.
Deaf Granny began, “You…”
Before the old woman could finish, the four pairs bowed together.
“Old Immortal, we have discussed the matter and wish to remain by your side and serve you. We ask you to take us in!”
Deaf Granny hesitated as she watched the paper warriors and horses kowtow without pause.
“This…”
In the end, Chen Daji spoke up for them.
“Grandma, haven’t you said that once a killer’s head falls, the debt is paid?”
“I think they truly understand that what they did before was wrong.”
“Why not give them one chance?”
Deaf Granny lovingly stroked Chen Daji’s head.
“Very well. For my second grandson’s sake, you may stay.”
“I will assign you to the Scout Hall as mounted scouts. Normally, you can carry messages and perform odd jobs.”
The four pairs of paper warriors and horses kowtowed like pounding pestles and repeatedly voiced their gratitude.
“Thank you for your grace, Old Immortal! Thank you for fulfilling our wish, little immortal! Thank you for your grace, Old Immortal! Thank you for fulfilling our wish, little immortal!”
After everyone went inside to rest, Chen Daji ordered the paper warriors and horses into formation. Then he held his head high and issued commands.
“Grandma is the highest authority here. Second is my Big Brother, Hua Jiunan.”
“Other than those two, you obey only my commands. Understand?”
“I’ll drill you every day from now on!”
How could the paper warriors and horses dare object? They hurriedly agreed.
One of the cleverer figures cautiously asked, “Little immortal, isn’t Lord Chen Fu your father?”
“Should we obey his orders too?”
That question stumped Chen Daji.
Only after a long silence did the fool grit his teeth and answer.
“Ignore him!”
“My dad is a coward. If he dares yell at you, wait until he comes outside to take a dump at night and scare him half to death!”
“I guarantee he’ll shit straight into his own pants!”
“After that, he’ll be cowed into submission whenever he sees you!”
The northeastern dialect expression used here was a derogatory, challenging way of saying someone had been “cowed into submission.”
For example: “Keep showing off, and I’ll beat you until you’re cowed into submission!”
The paper warriors and horses stared in astonishment but hurriedly promised they would remember.
“Little immortal, what should we normally do?”
Chen Daji scratched his head.
“Nothing much…”
“Just patrol the courtyard in formation. Your movements have to be perfectly synchronized, like on television!”
“Oh, and if I run out of cigarettes in the middle of the night, you’ll have to buy some for me.”
Tonight was destined to be sleepless.
After Chen Daji finished instructing the paper warriors and horses, neither Hua Jiunan nor Zhao Fei went to bed.
The two were passing the time in desultory conversation.
“Heh heh, Big Brother. Why are the two of you so wide awake? Missing your wives?”
Chen Daji’s question struck Zhao Fei directly in the heart.
The fat man answered miserably.
“Of course I am!”
“I’m so fucking unlucky!”
“It took me forever to get married. I got beaten senseless, and before I could do anything with my wife, paper figures carried her away…”
Chen Daji doubled over laughing.
“You fucking deserved it, Fatty Zhao!”
“All you ever do is eat, fart, and pile on blubber!”
“You’re all flab!”
“You can’t even beat paper figures. Who can you blame?”
Zhao Fei sighed without arguing. In his heart, his resolve to learn martial arts from Hua Jiunan grew even stronger.
After mocking Zhao Fei, Chen Daji asked Hua Jiunan, “What’s bothering you, Big Brother? Are you worried about Xu Fangcao?”
Hua Jiunan nodded.
“Yes. Brother Chang didn’t find anything unusual, but I still can’t stop worrying.”