20demayo Chapter 57 Planning Ahead and Cooperating Fully
Chapter 57 Planning Ahead and Cooperating Fully
The character Che Ma Zhi has appeared many times in Chinese folk legends.
Legend has it that the Ganoderma lucidum can transform into human form, first as one of the six domestic animals, which can be eaten to improve health and prolong life; then it can transform into human form, which can be eaten to achieve immortality.
Finally, it transforms into the form of a small horse pulling a cart, which is the finest of all. Eating it allows one to ride the clouds and ascend to immortality.
Of course, it's just a legend. Eating this mutated Ganoderma lucidum will only lead to a blissful rebirth in paradise.
However, just as Huangjing Guiwa can be used to make medicine after being purified by a divine object, Chemazhi, as a form of Lingzhi transformed from a magical mushroom, can naturally also be used in medicine.
Cai Liang was also aware of this legend: "Teacher, according to the legend, the horse is one of the six domestic animals, and a horse-shaped Ganoderma lucidum can only be considered a low-grade one."
"This carriage and its horses were originally of superior quality, but now that the carriage is gone and only the horses remain, is it considered inferior, or only half superior?"
Jiang Jun: "..." That's a good question. Don't ask it again next time.
He took out the "Gourd of Devouring Monsters" and tilted the gourd's mouth slightly toward the monster-like plant on the ground.
There was no howling wind, no deafening roar, only a gentle suction force spreading silently.
The talismans blessed by the Divine Bureau floated down from the wooden box on their own.
The strange plants inside the box seemed to sense something, struggling and twisting, but in an instant, they turned into streaks of dark light and filed into the gourd's mouth.
Jiang Jun lightly brushed the gourd's belly with his fingertips, and after a few muffled thuds, it fell completely silent. Even the elite-level chariot horse didn't make a ripple.
Su Tie looked at Jiang Jun with a solemn expression: "Senior's protective artifact is truly extraordinary. It is worlds apart from our imitations."
Jiang Jun declined, saying, "As a pioneer of the Way, I am naturally different from others."
Su Tie's eyebrows twitched slightly, but he didn't ask any further questions.
Looking at the small gourd, Liu Yan laughed and said, "Senior has really given us a big problem this time. The price of gourds has skyrocketed, almost triggering inflation..."
Jiang Jun asked with a smile, "It's not the first time. I believe the Department of Supernatural Affairs must have contingency plans, and this time it was handled very well."
Price limits of up to ten times the original price will be imposed to crack down on hoarding and speculation, and export shipments will be strictly prohibited.
Ordinary people bought them at a premium, but few complained; in fact, they wished they could buy more.
The terrifying level of execution demonstrated here is something the Star River Federation can't even dream of matching.
Su Tie's expression hardened slightly as he looked solemnly at Jiang Jun: "There is one more thing, senior, please pay close attention to. Because some international students and people coming to China are gradually finding that talismans are becoming popular abroad as well."
"We're not afraid if they follow suit. After all, we're all human, and everyone's happy to see more people helped."
"But we've received word that someone over there has brought out a legendary diviner at the fifth level of the Extraordinary Realm to find you, which might be detrimental to you."
Upon hearing this, Jiang Jun's heart skipped a beat, but he remained calm and asked with a smile, "Has the Department of Divine Mysteries had anyone divine my fate?"
Liu Yan kicked Su Tie under the table, but Su Tie bluntly said, "Of course there was something at the beginning. But none of the fortune tellers could find out anything about you."
"Moreover, the higher-ups are very happy to pave the way for you, not only giving you the green light but also helping to cover it up. It won't be so easy for the Star River Federation to find you..."
Seeing his sincere tone, Jiang Jun believed him halfway: "Director Su is an honest man."
Liu Yan breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this, and then tentatively asked, "May I ask, senior, are there any other talismans to be released later? If so, we can make contingency plans in advance."
Jiang Jun pondered for a moment, then spoke frankly: "There are no plans for the time being. But there will always be more talismans in the future."
"As you may have noticed, the talismans are mostly derived from folk customs, such as peach wood, jujube wood, lightning-struck wood, as well as calamus and mugwort leaves, which are all within my material selection range."
Upon hearing this, Liu Yan felt reassured and prepared to classify these as strategic resources and develop a contingency plan for their allocation.
Trees like peach and jujube take a long time to grow, so you can buy mature orchards; while calamus and mugwort are much easier to grow.
She thought for a moment, then asked, "I wonder if materials like black dog blood and rooster blood are also in your plans?"
If so, she plans to suggest that the authorities open more farms.
In addition, public opinion should be guided properly, since taking black dog blood could cause considerable controversy.
Jiang Jun shook his head: "I have no such plans. I'm a kind-hearted person and can't bear to see bloodshed, so I won't harm these little creatures."
Cai Liang, standing to the side, thought to himself, "You can't stand bloodshed, so you killed the Blood Demon Child with a single sword strike... But you didn't hold back when killing those blood-stained Blue Fish Ghost Children either..."
After learning about Jiang Jun's follow-up plans, Su and Liu gradually felt more confident.
Thinking of Jiang Jun's help to the Department of Supernatural Phenomena, Su Tie asked, "I wonder if there's anything else you need us to do, senior? As long as it's within our authority, I will do my best."
Jiang Jun thought for a moment, then pointed to the lotus seed in Huang Jing Tong Zi's arms: "I wonder if the other seeds that came with this golden lotus seed are still in the Department of Divine Wonders?"
Liu Yan was taken aback: "These lotus seeds come in a set?"
Su Tie was equally puzzled.
Seeing that the two seemed genuine, Jiang Jun pressed further, "Don't you know that this is a miraculous object evolved from the Buddhist Six-Syllable Mantra?"
Upon hearing this, Liu Yan smiled wryly: "You overestimate us. To comprehend divine beings, one needs comprehension, temperament, and fate—all three are indispensable."
"This lotus seed has been in the provincial treasury for three years, and no one has been able to decipher its secrets; they can only use its basic functions."
If they had known its purpose, they wouldn't have given away the Brahma Lotus seeds.
Jiang Jun was somewhat disappointed, but after thinking for a moment, he instructed, "If your company obtains any clues about the lotus seeds in the future, please let me know. I will certainly repay you with a generous gift."
Su Tie said solemnly, "Senior has helped my Department of Supernatural Affairs a great deal, there is no need to talk about repaying you. Rest assured, as soon as I have any news, I will ask Xiao Cai to pass it on to you."
Jiang Jun didn't stand on ceremony any longer. Seeing that the handover of the spiritual plants and the strange plants was over and there was nothing else to do, he got up to take his leave.
Cai Liang quickly picked up Huang Jing Tongzi and followed.
Su and Liu escorted him for three miles before hurriedly returning to the Bureau of Divine Wonders.
Liu Yan was in charge of allocating the spiritual plants: the General Headquarters, the Provincial Headquarters, the Municipal Headquarters, and Qingzhu Temple each had their share, and the arrangements were very neat and orderly.
Su Tie then returned to the real world, picked up the red secure telephone, and reported his work to the headquarters.
"I am Deng Xingguo of the Divine General Headquarters." A dignified voice came from the other end.
"General Deng, hello!" Su Tie straightened his back and said excitedly, "I have important information to report about that person."
He then proceeded to recount in detail the story of the Yellow Essence Boy.
"Are you sure there's nothing sinister about that little baby?" Deng Xingguo's voice was deep and serious.
Su Tie replied, "I cannot investigate that young attendant myself. But I think he has no reason to lie to us."
"Moreover, from my observation, although the boy is not very smart, he has a clear and honest gaze, acts quite childlike, and snuggles in Cai Liang's arms like a child. He is indeed not much different from a child."
"Turning monsters into spirits...and living children at that..." Deng Xingguo muttered to himself, "This is somewhat similar to our Bureau of Supernatural Affairs' plan..."
He pondered for a moment, then instructed, "In that case, your Qingjiang City Division shall, from this moment forward, do everything in its power to capture the Yellow Essence Ghost Child and deliver it to that Purifier."
"If necessary, inform Elder Jiang that we can catalyze a Lord-level Yellow Essence Ghost Child to see if there are any more special changes."
"Yes!" Su Tie replied in a deep voice.