Chapter 006: Wan Qing's Promotion

On this day, Wan Qing, dressed as a white impermanence, earnestly instructed Wen Zhao before leaving. Li Buping, the ghost officer of Changchun Lane, had been a scholar in life, originally named Li Changping. Due to repeated failures in the imperial examinations, he harbored grievances and, after death, lingered in the underworld. With nothing to do, he would go to the City God’s office to beat the drum and express his discontent. Eventually, he even changed his name to Li Buping. Coincidentally, at that time, there was a vacancy for a ghost officer in Changchun Lane, and since he was a rebellious spirit, the City God’s office appointed him as the ghost officer of Changchun Lane, assigning him tasks to keep him occupied and prevent him from beating the drum at the City God’s office. This rebellious spirit, for some unknown reason, developed a good friendship with Wan Qing. The two men hit it off immediately, calling each other brothers. Sometimes, when he had free time, Li Buping would come to invite Wan Qing for drinks. This time, with Wan Qing promoted to white impermanence, Li Buping was not envious at all, but rather remarked that it would have been better if the flower basket had floated to the vicinity of the yellow springs near Changchun Lane.

Wen Zhao looked at it with joy, noticing that the water in the basin was shallow. It swam around, feeling unsatisfied, so she specially added half a basin of water for it. At first, she had several nights of nightmares, waking up each time to rush to the basin to check if her head was still there. This continued for seven or eight days, and as her head remained intact, she gradually stopped worrying. Occasionally, she speculated whether it was because she was not afraid of anger that the fish chose her, or perhaps because the fish chose her, she was not harmed by anger. Unfortunately, the fish could not speak, and she would never know the truth. However, this was not a bad thing; as the old saying goes, "What comes, let it come." Occasionally, she also speculated whether it was because she was not afraid of anger that the fish chose her, or perhaps because the fish chose her, she was not harmed by anger. Unfortunately, the fish could not speak, and she would never know the truth. However, this was not a bad thing; as the old saying goes, "What comes, let it come."

After two days of freedom, on the third day, she was practicing as usual when she suddenly felt a jolt at her forehead, as if the fish that had been frolicking in the basin had returned to her forehead.

Wen Zhao had been lost in thought for a long time, and in the end, she actually came up with some reasoning. The Yin Food Technique is fundamentally about extracting energy from Yin Qi and transforming it into food. Although the Qi Nourishing Method she practiced did not provide any noticeable sensation, it nonetheless absorbed some Yin Qi. The quantity might be extremely small, making it imperceptible to her body. However, when employing the Yin Food Technique, it is possible that a trace of the Yin Qi absorbed through the Qi Nourishing Method was mixed in, which slightly enhanced the flavor of the dishes. Nevertheless, it is still Yin Qi that is being absorbed, albeit in a very small amount, which her body cannot detect. Yet, during the use of the Yin Food Technique, it is likely that a bit of the Yin Qi absorbed through the Qi Nourishing Method contributed to making the food taste a little more palatable.

If her inference holds true, does this not imply that the yin energy absorbed through the Qi-nurturing technique far exceeds the energy obtained from the yin food technique in terms of quality? Just a small amount mixed in has made the dishes taste better. When she cultivates to a more advanced level, she is likely to become the top chef in the underworld

In the language of the underworld, he is now a Wuchang, possessing the authority to enter and exit the mortal realm to capture malevolent spirits and fleeing souls. The City God’s office even specially bestowed upon him a set of Wuchang robes, white in color, which, when worn by him, exudes a certain elegance. He also oversees five little ghosts and has learned an additional spell known as the Five Ghosts Transporting Technique

Wishing you a smooth journey, my lord

Wen Zhao's cultivation has become more vigorous since then. In the past, she would occasionally go out to visit friends and pass the time, but now, unless absolutely necessary, she hardly steps outside. Every day, she stays indoors practicing her Qi nurturing technique. After one or two months, she gradually began to feel changes in her body; she felt stronger and heavier, and indeed, she was heavier. Previously, if she ran a bit faster, it felt as if her body would float into the air, and sometimes she could actually glide for a short distance. However, now when she runs, she clearly does not experience that sensation of almost floating; instead, she feels a solid, grounded sense beneath her feet.

Wen Zhao's personality is not sufficiently independent, but her strength far surpasses that of other women in the underworld. Although she is somewhat stronger than other male spirits as a ghostly envoy, having cultivated the art of gathering yin energy and possessing a certain level of self-protection, she would never fully entrust herself to this man. Wan Qing is a good person, with a good temper, and is usually very responsible, yet she still cannot trust him. This is not Wan Qing's fault; rather, it stems from Wen Zhao's deep-seated unease towards everything in this world. No matter how thick-skinned a person may be, it is impossible to remain calm upon suddenly arriving in an unfamiliar place. Moreover, women are inherently sensitive and delicate. Her ability to adapt to life here so quickly is also thanks to her innate disposition of going with the flow; otherwise, she would have long been clamoring to be reincarnated.

After sending Wan Qing away, Wen Zhao felt immensely pleased, wishing that Wan Qing would be gone for thirty to fifty days without returning. Originally, she had to avoid Wan Qing while cultivating, but now that Wan Qing had left, she was free to practice as she wished, no longer needing to lock herself away. Even the live fish in the center of her brow flicked its tail joyfully a couple of times, slipping out and landing in the water basin, frolicking about, indicating that it had also been stifled during Wan Qing's presence at home

"Zhao Niang, the City God has commanded me and Hei Wuchang to go to the mortal realm to pursue evil spirits. I fear that I may not return for three to five days. Please guard the door at home. If there is an urgent matter, do seek help from Bu Ping. I have already spoken to him about this."

Although it is unfortunate, Wenzhao has decided to persistently cultivate the Qi Nourishing Technique. She does not believe that she is destined to be a cook for the rest of her life. She does not expect this technique to be earth-shattering or soul-stirring; she only hopes it will allow her to protect herself in this underworld. There is no absolute paradise in the world. Although the underworld is comfortable and peaceful, with a worry-free life, it is not without danger. Otherwise, the Bureau of Afterlife Affairs would not provide each newly arrived male soul with a copy of the Gathering Yin Technique.

If a flower basket is so important, then the live fish in the center of one's brow must be even more extraordinary. The flower basket is an inanimate object, while the fish is alive. Upon further reflection, how could the breathing technique on the fish scales possibly be merely a minor method for cooking and preparing meals

The method of nurturing one's energy undoubtedly has other remarkable uses, a belief that Wen Zhao firmly holds. The source of her confidence, of course, is not merely that the meals have become more delicious, but rather that three days later, Wan Qing received commendation from the City God Office, resulting in a promotion from the director of the street office and a police officer to the captain of the criminal investigation team at the Public Security Bureau

Upon thinking of this, she first felt joy, but then suddenly sensed something amiss. It seemed that after all her cultivation, she was still just spinning around in the kitchen. Thus, her joy vanished without a trace, leaving her with a sense of misfortune. What is so great about being a lifelong cook? The golden finger of a time-traveling woman should not be so underutilized.

Someone has arrived

Wen Zhao analyzed the situation based on her past life experiences and concluded that this was a case of exceptional promotion. The reasoning is quite simple: whether in the past or present, in the underworld or the mortal realm, there are two unavoidable factors in the promotion of officials: one is qualifications, and the other is political achievements. Besides these two fundamental factors, there are also two additional factors: connections and luck. Wan Qing is a ghost who has only been dead for half a year, and this ghostly position was purchased with money. As for qualifications and connections, he certainly lacks both. Moreover, it is not yet the Qingming Festival, and his father, Wan Caishen, probably does not even think about burning paper money to help his son buy a higher official position. Even if he did burn it, it would certainly not be enough money. What remains are only political achievements and luck. Luck is too elusive, while political achievements are tangible. The flower basket he presented must be an extremely important treasure; otherwise, how could the City God’s office promote him exceptionally? If her guess is correct, the benefits gained by the City God are likely much greater, and for Wan Qing, it is merely a small fraction.