145: Chapter 145 Someone Must Be Lying

Holy crap!

What the hell?

Han Jingyang sat up abruptly, his face pale with shock.

Shi Xiaoya and Liu Jing both sprang up at the same time: "Boss?"

"Boss, what's wrong?"

Han Jingyang was drenched in sweat and gasping for breath. He wiped the sweat from his forehead with lingering fear and immediately grabbed the amulet hanging around his neck.

The color had faded slightly.

As expected, it wasn't just an ordinary nightmare.

It was a bizarre attack.

Who was the culprit?

Zhou Jianjun?

Huang Zhiyun?

Wang Wei's parents?

Or... someone else?

Han Jingyang let Shi Xiaoya wipe his sweat while his brain worked rapidly, pondering the identity of the culprit.

But he came up with nothing.

Without clues, there was no way to deduce anything.

There were too many suspects, leaving him with no place to start.

Even the Japanese had the motive and the capability.

A few minutes later.

Han Jingyang exhaled and said in a low voice, "I was attacked. The culprit is unknown. You two be careful. Oh, and bring out Lord Guan and the Bodhisattva."

"It's that serious?" Shi Xiaoya's expression changed slightly.

Han Jingyang shook his head: "No, I just want to get a good night's sleep."

With Lord Guan and the Bodhisattva guarding the room, Han Jingyang managed to sleep well.

However, that terrifying face from the night before kept appearing in his mind, and it was exceptionally clear.

This method was quite troublesome.

And very sophisticated.

He didn't know which school of technique it belonged to.

Even now, he couldn't understand how he had fallen for it.

Could it be that the culprit could cast spells from a distance and transmit dreams across a thousand miles?

Six-thirty.

Han Jingyang finished washing up and went downstairs for breakfast.

Wang Yan, the village chief's brother-in-law, was dragging a water hose to water the vegetables. Seeing Han Jingyang, he casually picked two fresh cucumbers and handed them over: "Did you sleep okay?"

Han Jingyang nodded slightly: "The air in the village is great, and it's quiet. I slept right through until dawn. It was comfortable."

"Right? Everyone who stays here says so. Try these cucumbers; they couldn't be fresher. Let me tell you, these cucumbers taste best in the morning; once the sun hits them, they aren't as succulent."

"Then I must try them," Han Jingyang said, taking a large bite.

*Crunch, crunch—*

He nodded while chewing: "Indeed, they're succulent and crisp. Just for these cucumbers, this trip was worth it."

"In a bit, I'll make some smashed cucumbers for you, drizzled with oil and vinegar, and a big spoonful of chili oil. That taste is even better."

"Good. What else is there?"

"Steamed buns, big meat buns, soup dumplings, tofu pudding, millet porridge, eight-treasure porridge—it's quite a spread. But quantities are limited. Since you're up early, you can eat more; those who wake up late just have to make do."

"Waking up early has its perks?"

"Haha, that's how it is in the village. We'd rather make less than have leftovers. Leftovers don't taste good, and throwing them away is a waste."

"You're quite practical. Aren't you afraid customers will complain?"

"We just talk it out. Most customers are reasonable. Of course, we don't let the guests lose out; it's just that if they wake up late, they won't get the freshest stuff. In the countryside, sleeping until nine or ten in the morning just doesn't feel right."

"True, true," Han Jingyang nodded and asked casually, "By the way, are there any people in your village who can read Yin and Yang?"

"You're looking for a Yin-Yang master?"

"Yes."

"Aren't you one yourself?"

"That's why I want to find them to exchange ideas. We're in the same trade, so we can learn from each other. I'm young, and I like chatting with the older generation to learn and broaden my horizons."

"Our village really doesn't have any. There was one over ten years ago, but he's been dead for many years. Since then, there hasn't been anyone in the village who knows Yin and Yang."

"That's a pity."

"It really is. Since then, for any weddings or funerals, we have to find someone from another village. Not only is it expensive, but they often delay things."

Han Jingyang nodded and went to the kitchen to get breakfast.

The breakfast was even more authentic. Although there were only a few items, the taste was truly extraordinary.

The smashed cucumbers were sour, spicy, crisp, and appetizing.

The big meat buns were juicy, rich in flavor, and packed with ingredients; one bite brought a sense of pure happiness.

Though they looked ordinary, the meat chunks were large and tender, the scallion aroma was strong, and the juice was rich yet not greasy. The taste was simply superb, and since they were fresh out of the steamer, they were piping hot and incredibly delicious. They were the best pork and scallion buns Han Jingyang had ever eaten.

He finished five by himself.

And those were big buns, larger than an adult's fist.

Liu Jing also ate three.

Even Shi Xiaoya, who had a small appetite, ate two.

After eating and drinking their fill, the three of them headed straight to the reservoir to fish.

When they arrived, Huang Zhiyun was already there.

Upon meeting, Huang Zhiyun greeted them warmly: "Brother, did you sleep well last night?"

"Quite well. I even dreamed of a beautiful woman."

"Haha, you're quite greedy, brother. Not only do you have two great beauties accompanying you in reality, but you also have to find someone to accompany you in your dreams."

"It wasn't me who went looking; someone sent her into my dream."

"You truly live up to your reputation as a young talent famous throughout the city; people even send beauties into your dreams."

"Not only did someone send a beauty, but someone also sent a female ghost."

"Was she pretty?"

"Quite hot."

"Hahahaha..."

They baited the area and cast their lines.

Soon, they caught some fish. They scaled and gutted them on the spot and started grilling immediately, and soon, bursts of aroma wafted through the air.

Huang Zhiyun's skills were indeed good.

The seasonings he brought were also excellent.

It smelled delicious.

Once grilled, the four of them shared the fish, eating with great relish.

After eating, Han Jingyang tossed away the fish bones and asked while wiping his hands, "Old Huang, your father-in-law is from the neighboring village, right?"

"Right, didn't I tell you yesterday?"

"What's their village called?"

"Xipo Village."

"Is there anyone in their village who understands Yin and Yang?"

"Brother, aren't you one yourself?"

"I like to exchange ideas with those in the same trade."

"Well, Dongpo Village has one. Why run off to Xipo?"

Han Jingyang raised an eyebrow: "Dongpo Village has one?"

"Yeah."

"Do you know them?"

"I don't know her personally, but I know there's such a person."

"What's her name?"

"Liu Guihua, I think. I heard she came from the Northeast and understands Chuma. My father-in-law even went to her for treatment before, but it seems she hasn't practiced for many years."

A Chuma immortal?

From the Northeast?

It sounded plausible.

But this was interesting; Huang Zhiyun said there was a Chuma immortal named Liu Guihua in Dongpo Village.

Yet Wang Yan, the village chief's brother-in-law, said there hadn't been anyone who understood Yin and Yang in Dongpo Village for many years.

Who was lying?

Or was there another hidden story?

When Han Jingyang asked further, Huang Zhiyun knew nothing more.

Eleven-thirty.

Han Jingyang packed up his rods, said goodbye to Huang Zhiyun, and headed back to the farmhouse with his bucket of fish.

On the way, he briefly explained his suspicions to Shi Xiaoya and Liu Jing.

Shi Xiaoya frowned: "Liu Guihua?"

"What? Do you know her?"

"Wang Wei's mother is named Liu Guihua."

Han Jingyang narrowed his eyes.

This was getting interesting.

Indeed, still waters run deep, and a small place can hide many secrets.

A mere Dongpo Village actually concealed so many stories and people.

Shi Xiaoya said with murderous intent, "Boss, do you want me to go and grab Liu Guihua?"

"If what Huang Zhiyun said is true, she might not be easy to deal with."

"With the dharma instrument you bestowed upon me, dealing with a mere Chuma immortal would be a piece of cake, wouldn't it? Look at how weak her body has become."

"That's true in principle, but it's not necessary."

"How so?"

"The enemy's situation is unclear right now, so it's best to wait and see. Besides, if Liu Guihua really is capable, perhaps we can win her over. Don't forget our main objective."

Shi Xiaoya pouted: "I just wanted to help you vent some anger, Boss. How dare she launch a sneak attack."