I become a god in another world

Chapter 348: Traveling companions

Chapter 348

"At this point, it's beyond our control."

Zhong Yao said calmly:

"I was going to die anyway, so I'm sorry to have caused you trouble."

"Big brother-"

Yu Ping, who had been full of worry before, was stunned when he heard this.

Xia Misheng was also stunned, and his eyes suddenly turned red:
"I haven't heard you say this in a long time since Big Brother started controlling ghosts."

Yu Ping smiled, and suddenly let out a long breath:
"When we three brothers became sworn brothers, we said that we would share happiness and difficulties. Big brother didn't forget us when he was in glory, so naturally we should shoulder the disaster together now."

……

As the three brothers were talking, a streak of bright red blood began to fall from the eaves of the Demon Suppression Bureau's lobby.

There was a drop of blood hanging at the end of the blood thread. Upon closer inspection, there was a clever eye hidden in the blood bead. When it heard the three people talking, the eyeball moved.

Then the thin blood bead turned into black gas and dissipated, leaving only a blood line as thin as a hair, which swayed in the wind twice and disappeared without a trace.

In the lobby, Kuai Manzhou's body twisted flexibly, and the child put his mouth close to Zhao Fusheng's ear and told him a little story:
"…the three of them said they wanted to die together."

"..." Zhao Fusheng didn't know what Kuai Manzhou had overheard or seen, but she was very sure that Yu Ping and the other two did not want to die.

She touched the child's head, then turned to look at County Magistrate Pang, but County Magistrate Pang turned his head to look in the direction where Zhong Yao and the other two had left. After a long time, he turned back and saw Zhao Fusheng looking at him, so he smiled:

"It looks like the Ryudo Village case has been solved by the Master."

After saying this, he glanced across the lobby.

Liu Yizhen, Zhang Chuanshi and Kuai Manzhou, who were traveling with Zhao Fusheng, were all there, but Meng Po was missing.

County Magistrate Pang was stunned for a moment, and Zhao Fusheng said:

"It's not completely solved." She sighed, thinking of the current situation of Shilipu, and frowned:
"The case of Liutu Village has far-reaching implications. The source of the ghost disaster comes from Shilipo."

When she mentioned the case of Shilipo, she temporarily put aside the ghost case in Changping County and said seriously:
"Earlier..."

Zhao Fusheng briefly recounted the events of the ghost case at Shilipo, and then mentioned the current situation of Shilipo. County Magistrate Pang's expression became solemn, and he became a little uneasy in the end.

He knew clearly how much importance Zhao Fusheng attached to Wan'an County. The outbreak of the Shilipo Ghost Case resulted in a town under the jurisdiction of the county being almost entirely massacred by evil spirits. This was a serious dereliction of duty.

"I--"

"The case in Shilipo involves village fighting, which is a legacy of earlier problems." Zhao Fusheng saw the look on Magistrate Pang's face and sighed silently:
"It has already happened. It is useless to discuss right or wrong now."

County Magistrate Pang is suspected of dereliction of duty.

But this matter cannot be entirely blamed on Magistrate Pang.

The people under the rule of the Han Dynasty lived a hard life, with bandits being frequent. The villages under the jurisdiction of the county towns had their own set of survival rules.

The power of the government has fallen into the hands of others. Take Wan'an County as an example. Magistrate Pang is short of money and cannot even support the officials under his jurisdiction. Once they follow the rules, he has to rely on the Demon Suppression Division for money for assistance.

When the internal strife broke out in Shilipu, the government had neither the ability nor the manpower to forcibly interfere or intervene.

When Luo Liu killed Qiao Yuesheng and caused the evil spirit to revive, everyone in Shilipu huddled together and no one informed the government at all.

The nearby villages and towns also followed suit and concealed the truth, so no one knew about the ghost case after it broke out.

If it weren't for the death of Yang Tiehan's family in Liutu Village, there's no telling to what extent the ghost disaster in Shilipu would have developed.

This incident can no longer be simply attributed to ghosts, but rather a tragedy caused by humans, which ultimately brought disaster upon itself.

……

County Magistrate Pang thought that she would reprimand him loudly for such a big mistake, but Zhao Fusheng did not get angry. Instead, he said gently:
"Although we are not to blame for the Shilipo case, we are all suspected of negligence in the fact that so many people died as a result of the case."

In addition to some evildoers who got what they deserved, there were also many honest and decent people like Yang Guiying in Shilipu who all died in this ghost disaster and became innocent ghosts.

Zhao Fusheng thought of this and his expression became serious:

“When the headless corpse case happened, even if everyone in Shilipo was united, the nearby Sifang Town should have heard about it. But more than two years have passed since the incident, and apart from the death of the Li family in Changsheng Town, no one else has reported the case. This is also a big problem in our county.”

People dare not report crimes, especially ghost crimes!
There is a folk proverb that goes like this: The government office faces south, and if you don't have money, don't come in.

Such folk tunes may sound like a joke at first, but when Zhao Fusheng dealt with and questioned many villagers during several ghost cases, he deeply felt the seriousness of the problem.

The impression that the government collects money is deeply rooted in people's minds, and for ordinary people, it may be even worse than the harm caused by ghosts.

She looked at Pang Zhixian:

"I know that Wan'an County was not peaceful at the beginning of the year." From Zhao Qiming's control of Wan'an County to the revival of the evil spirit, the impact on the county was huge.

The old magistrate was in constant fear and had no spare energy to pay attention to the ghost disaster in the village.

"But this incident has also sounded the alarm for us. We must never let such a thing happen again. We must try our best to reduce the probability of ghost disasters breaking out from the root." After saying this, she looked at the old magistrate earnestly:
"Wan'an County is where all of us will settle down." County Magistrate Pang even summoned his cousin Pang Qing over within the past six months, apparently considering Wan'an County as his future retirement home.

"This is our home. We all work together and contribute our strengths to create a future."

Magistrate Pang was relieved, but then he felt ashamed of Zhao Fusheng's tolerance:
"Don't worry, sir. I understand."

Zhao Fusheng stopped talking about this matter without further ado.

"Fortunately, this case went smoothly. The aftermath of Shilipo will be handed over to you, Magistrate Pang. If the money is not enough, ask Pang Qing to pay first."

County Magistrate Pang felt a little embarrassed after hearing this.

In his past understanding, the county governments in various places obeyed and followed the orders of the Demon Suppression Division, and after collecting taxes every year, they would find ways to get money and send it to the Demon Suppression Division.

However, he did not expect that in Wan'an County, the situation was reversed. It was Zhao Fusheng who lent a helping hand to the government office many times.

County Magistrate Pang felt a little ashamed after thinking about it, and responded in a low voice:
"Thank you, sir."

Zhao Fusheng nodded:
"I wonder if Changping County has a lot of money..."

Today, rebuilding Wan'an County costs money like water, and she doesn't make money quickly. Before, she relied on donations from several gentry and wealthy families in the county.

However, it is difficult to make money but easy to spend it. Always relying on donations from gentry is not a long-term solution. We must always find other ways out.

"Are you planning to go to Changping County?" As soon as Zhao Fusheng finished speaking, Wu Shaochun understood her implication and hurriedly asked:
"That Ding Datong clearly has evil intentions—"

“It’s just doing my job.”

Zhao Fusheng said calmly:
"Ding Datong's approach is correct. If I were in his shoes, I would also give priority to choosing the right person to handle the ghost case."

"..." Her words caused everyone to be silent for a moment.

Liu Yizhen recalled that when they first met, she left him with the impression of being particularly vengeful, but after getting along with her, he felt that his initial view of her was too narrow.

She holds grudges, but she knows the priorities when it comes to major issues. Once a ghost disaster occurs, she shows extraordinary tolerance and magnanimity.

"I plan to go to Changping County to transport the ghost disaster." Zhao Fusheng first said his plan:
"I'll go to Beijing by the way." When she said this, she showed an unhappy look on her face:
"Since I took over Wan'an County, the court has never paid me a salary. Until now, I am only a chief official of the Lingsi and have to be dispatched by Ding Datong."

"...You want to go to the capital to ask for a title?" Liu Yizhen's mouth twitched. Zhao Fusheng nodded as a matter of course:
"You should take what you should take."

"But I heard from Yu Ping that this ghost case is unusual." Wu Shaochun said, "My Lord has also said that this ghost case is unusual and full of dangers."

"No one is safe when handling ghost cases." Zhao Fusheng smiled.
“Fortunately, after the Shilipo ghost case, I was able to control two more evil ghosts and retrieve the door gods.” Now she has the two evil ghosts of the level of disaster that she originally controlled, the evil ghost who gives first and takes later and the beggar ghost.

At the same time, there are disaster-level ghost cars and door gods who have been bearing the incense.

From the fact that the door god can restrain the incomplete Liu Huacheng, it can be seen that with the incense and believers, the door god's power has at least reached the half-step calamity level. When his believers increase and the incense value is promoted, the door god is very likely to grow to the real calamity level.

At the same time, she also has a real evil ghost horse-faced demon.

"I can't say that I am completely sure of success on this trip, but I have means to protect my life, so I can make this trip."

After Zhao Fusheng finished speaking, Wu Shaochun asked impatiently:

"This time, it's my turn to go out with the adults on this ghost case, right?"

As soon as he finished speaking, Fan Wujiu, who had been looking relaxed, immediately became anxious:

"Shaochun, you went to the Guo family last time and you even controlled ghosts. It's my turn to go this time."

"You can't go unless there's help!" Fan Bisi said immediately.

Fan Wujiu jumped up immediately:
"Why can't I go? I didn't go to Fengmen Village or Shilipo Case, so I must go to Changping County this time."

Fan Bisi felt a bit of a headache looking at this silly brother:
"This case is very complicated—"

"What's so complicated about it?" Fan Wujiu disagreed:

"Anyway, Fu Sheng is here too." After he finished speaking, he couldn't help but complain:
"Brother, you are always so cautious. Look at us, in the Demon Suppression Division, we and Lao Zhang are the only ones who don't have ghost control right now—" When he said this, he secretly glanced at Liu Yizhen, but when he saw a gloomy black ghost coffin in front of him, his expression suddenly fell:

"Lian Yizhen has a ghost coffin, and his grandfather is a big ghost. What do we have?"

"..." Fan Bisi was speechless for a moment and seemed to want to say something but stopped himself several times.

Fan Wujiu said again:
"If we continue like this, we might not even be as good as Lao Zhang."

Zhang Chuanshi was unhappy when he heard this:

"What do you mean maybe he's not even as good as Lao Zhang?" He sneered twice:

"You are not as good as me. At least I have a ghost ship. What do you have?!"

His words added fuel to the fire, and Fan Wujiu became even more determined to go to Changping County:

"I'm going anyway. If you don't want to go, just stay in Wan'an County!"

"I want to go, but you can't." Fan Bisi said.

When Fan Wujiu heard this, he was shocked at first, then became furious:
"You're going, so why can't I go?"

Zhang Chuanshi deliberately said:

"Why does he care about you? Is he your father or your mother——"

Fan Bisi glared at him:
"Lao Zhang, you did it on purpose."

The three of them immediately started arguing with each other.

Wu Shaochun hurriedly tried to stop the fight:
"Master Zhang, please stop talking..."

The more they argued, the angrier they became. They all pulled Zhao Fusheng to judge the matter:
"Sir, what do the quarrel between these two brothers have to do with me, Zhang? What are you pulling me to talk about--" Zhang Chuanshi looked unhappy.

Fan Bishi said:

"This old man has bad intentions and is deliberately trying to sow discord between my brother and me. I think he and Paper Man Zhang are really from the same family, both of them are holding back to do bad things."

Zhang Chuanshi was furious:
"You bullshit!"

"Old Zhang is right. We are brothers. You are not my father. Why do you care whether I go to Changping County or not—"

……

Zhao Fusheng's head was buzzing and his mouth was twitching. He could no longer bear it and shouted:
"Okay, stop arguing!"

"..."

"..."

"..."

The three of them stopped at the same time.

At this moment, someone's voice came from outside:

"Sir——" It was Pang Qing who came in.

Zhao Fusheng had been away from home for a few days because of the Shilipo case. After he came back, he felt a little tired but in good spirits.

Pang Qing, on the other hand, had wrinkled clothes, red eyes, and his usually neatly trimmed beard was a little dry and messy. He looked in even worse condition than Zhao Fusheng.

When he saw Zhao Fusheng, he said with some shame:

"Sir, there is a problem with the government account book. When we took inventory a few days ago, there was a mismatch of ten cents."

He looked frustrated:
"These past few days we have looked through all the account books, checked every single entry, and counted the money, and surprisingly found that there was a shortage of ten cents."

Pang Qing had been unable to eat or sleep for several days because of this matter. After this incident, he realized that he did not have enough manpower.

"..."

Zhao Fusheng didn't have time to settle accounts with him at the moment. She turned her head to look at County Magistrate Pang:

"Pang, the Magistrate, can help with this matter."

The old magistrate was somewhat reluctant to leave.

The three people from the Demon Suppression Division were arguing fiercely, but no result had been reached yet.

But Pang Qing looked pleading, and with Zhao Fusheng helping him speak, he had no choice but to get up regretfully and leave with his cousin.

After everyone left, Zhao Fusheng rubbed his brows and said:

"This time, Mr. Fan will go with me to the Changping County Government."

After hearing this, Fan Bisi smiled.

"The second one will go too." Fan Wujiu, who was originally a little anxious, brightened his eyes when he heard her say that, and then sat back in his original seat happily.

"Sir..." Fan Bisi's smile froze on his face. Just as he was about to speak, Zhao Fusheng raised his hand to interrupt him:
"Some things can't be hidden. Old Zhang is right. You are not his father, so you can't make decisions for him. Even if you are his father, the child is grown up, so you have to tell him the reason before making a decision."

She had no interest in helping the brothers with their household affairs, so she only spoke briefly:
"This ghost case is not about people, so you two should come with me."

Zhao Fusheng has made up his mind.

Although Fan Bi Si still felt unwilling, he finally sighed and nodded.