Upon hearing the words of the two teachers, Tan Xiao was speechless.

Since they had already found an excuse for him, he could only say firmly: "...Thank you teachers!"

"Then you continue, you continue." It was already lunchtime, and there didn't seem to be much to say about Tan Xiao practicing his family's craft. The two teachers left together.

Tan Xiao was about to breathe a sigh of relief when he heard their discussion.

"You say this is still a family heirloom skill? In the end, he's a high school student, what's the difference between this and shooting hoops in the air?"

"No difference, he's just more handsome. I love to see more of it."

Tan Xiao: "..."

You... I... forget it, forget it.

"Um, Senior Liu, are you okay?" Tan Xiao watched as Liu Qingquan gradually appeared, revealing a not-so-good-looking death appearance. Because of this death appearance, it was also difficult for Tan Xiao to tell whether Liu Qingquan's face looked bad from being hit by him, or if he looked like this when he died...

"It's okay, cough cough cough!" Liu Qingquan pressed the place where he was hit, still feeling lingering fear. No wonder he was a descendant of Chu shamans who could sign a contract with the Peacock God, such a fierce sorcery, "You really startled me, that was too fierce."

Fortunately, Liu Qingquan was also a former expert, a ghost cultivator with some skills, otherwise he wouldn't have been rehired after his death and be able to wander around at noon.

"Isn't it because I came to tell you some good news? You couldn't answer the phone during class," Liu Qingquan thought that today's shamans are really troublesome, still in school at the age of seventeen or eighteen. In earlier years, they would have already come out to establish their own altars, "It's faster for me to come over through the main road of the underworld to notify you."

He took out a document, "It's like this, after repeated discussions by our Bureau 404 during this period of time, and after requesting instructions from our superiors, it has been approved. We are now formally extending an invitation to you to jointly compile the "Non-Human Management Work Responsibility List" and the continuation of the Classic of Mountains and Seas - the title is to be determined.

"If you agree, we can provide detailed past information, including sharing the results of the special census of the Emperor's Essence. At the same time, your side has the obligation to cooperate and assist in investigations when our side has needs, to promote major projects in the non-human census work."

When he mentioned major projects, he was of course referring to cases like the Xiong Hui that were difficult for the Bureau 404 to solve or had no clues.

Tan Xiao is now the acting shaman of the Peacock God, a great help, especially when the Bureau 404 is short-staffed.

"How about you discuss this with the Peacock God? If you're willing, let's formally sign a contract, renewed every three years. And we've also discussed that during the period when you're completing your studies, we definitely won't 'exploit' you."

Of course, Liu Qingquan knew that Tan Xiao had this intention, otherwise they wouldn't have pushed for it.

But whether it's something like the "Non-Human Management Work Responsibility List" or the continuation of a work like the Classic of Mountains and Seas, they are all big projects that can't be completed in a year or two.

Tan Xiao is still a teenager in high school, and they are not sure if his intentions will change.

So this contract is renewed every three years. Even if they don't cooperate later, they can part on good terms. As an office with the nature of coordinating and linking up the entire area, the Bureau 404 has rich experience in cooperating with various races and religions.

Tan Xiao is young and agreeing to it may also have a lot of youthful mentality, but the Bureau 404 are all official adult employees, so they consider things much more comprehensively.

Including Tan Xiao taking a look, the documents provided by Liu Qingquan even clearly state what conditions can be rewarded for reaching what standards after assisting in completing a case.

If there are major contributions, bonus points can really be added to the college entrance examination!

Seeing them being so solemn and careful, Tan Xiao also seriously considered, "Okay, I will discuss with the Peacock God and confirm as soon as possible."

After several collaborations, Tan Xiao had realized that as an official organization for handling supernatural events, as long as citizens have needs, the Bureau 404 will file a case and rush around, dedicated to creating a harmonious urban living environment. It's great that he can help.

"By the way, wasn't Xiong Hui also praised by name at the press conference? He finally applied for a vacation. I suspect he will come looking for you again, don't scare him to death again." Liu Qingquan thought of his own experience and said pitifully, "He is very important to archaeological work now."

Tan Xiao said awkwardly, "...Okay. Sorry about just now." He apologized again.

"It's okay, so can I go to your house now? Mu Fei is waiting there, we want to move that Ah Jin to the office. I heard you've already finished writing his part?" Liu Qingquan also heard this from Mu Fei. On the Bureau 404 side, it's basically Mu Fei communicating with Tan Xiao.

"Yes, he can be moved." Tan Xiao couldn't help but ask, "Then how will you deal with Ah Jin?" Before, it seemed like he heard Mu Fei say that Ah Jin still had to sell his labor to compensate and move bricks to earn incense money for Uncle Lin?

"Haha, anyway, we won't kill him." Liu Qingquan laughed, "It's just that Ah Jin has caused a lot of damage, including economic losses to the website, losses caused by him occupying space in the funeral home to deceased citizens, etc., which have all been assessed. So now, he has to work to pay off his debts."

"What can he do?"

"To be honest, our Bureau 404 has accumulated a lot of data over the years, and it's actually very difficult to organize, after all, there's too much, and it involves various responsible units and religions, which is difficult to deal with.

"Now taking the opportunity to compile the list, we also need to sort out the data. He's at least a server, he can back up and destroy people with a raise of his hand, so we thought we'd take the opportunity to requisition him to be a data processing specialist. And then we'll train him, and after the training is completed, he can assist you in writing the continuation."

Tan Xiao nodded when he heard this, this is indeed making the best use of things, "Then wait for me."

......

The lunch break was quite ample, so Tan Xiao decided to go back with Liu Qingquan to take Ah Jin back to transmit the data first.

Tan Xiao returned to his home and sure enough saw Mu Fei's car at the courtyard entrance. He went up and exchanged greetings with Mu Fei, while Liu Qingquan, who had taken a shortcut and arrived first, said, "Student Tan Xiao, give me permission to enter your house, I'll go call Ah Jin to leave."

In the homes of shamans, there are countless magic weapons and taboos, and they don't even know if the Peacock God will appear, so ghosts don't dare to enter casually.

So Tan Xiao tried to make a Golden Bridge sign and built a bridge for Liu Qingquan, "See if you can go in now?"

Liu Qingquan successfully floated in.

"It really works!" Tan Xiao seemed even more surprised than Liu Qingquan. He knew a lot, but most of it he hadn't practiced.

Mu Fei: "..."

Still not fully adapted to being the real thing until now, right?

"Mr. Liu already told you, right?" Mu Fei asked.

"Yes, he did. I think it's feasible. Let me discuss it with Lord Peacock and get his agreement," Tan Xiao mentioned the peacock in a more casual tone than Mu Fei expected.

Mu Fei thought to herself, as expected of a shaman who signed a contract with a god.

Inside, Liu Qingquan had already called Ah Jin. Ah Jin stretched his legs and ran downstairs by himself, his suit-clad long legs clattering down the stairs straight into the courtyard. As soon as he reached the courtyard, Tan Chunying's voice rang out from the master bedroom on the first floor.

"Tan Xiao? Or a thief?"

Lord Peacock didn't show up, but Tan Chunying did.

Ah Jin: "..."

Even Tan Xiao didn't expect Tan Chunying to be home at this time. When she wasn't working, she usually went out to play mahjong in the morning.

Hearing the sound of Tan Chunying opening the window, Ah Jin immediately squatted down in fright.

Liu Qingquan, who was beside him, had heard that Tan Xiao's soulless mother couldn't handle being startled. No good, just in case, he should hide too. Liu Qingquan darted into Ah Jin's cabinet, exciting Ah Jin so much he almost exposed his legs.

Tan Chunying opened the window and saw her son's experimental class project, a cabinet that could glow in 3D on its own for some unknown purpose, sitting alone in the yard.

What the heck, could it really be a thief?

Tan Chunying jumped out of the window, looking around while picking up a hoe used for planting flowers. She stared at Ah Jin. "Hmm?"

Ah Jin trembled nervously, unable to control himself, emitting an electric current sound. After all, Liu Qingquan, such a large ghost, had crawled inside him. "..."

"Leaking electricity?!" Tan Chunying was startled.

At this moment, Tan Xiao ran in just in time. Seeing Ah Jin halfway through his escape in the yard, he let out an "uh" sound. "Mom, I need to turn in my project, so I plan to move it."

"You came downstairs just now? You've gotten stronger, moving it so quickly?" Tan Chunying asked suspiciously. "Do you know this thing is leaking electricity? Look, it's even shaking."

Tan Xiao glanced at Ah Jin. "..."

Ah Jin: "..."

He really couldn't control it. If he didn't hurry, he would have to stand up and run.

"Yeah, I called a ride-hailing to move it." Tan Xiao pointed to Mu Fei's car outside.

"Oh, then you be careful handling it. I feel like it's going to explode. Why don't you remove its battery?" Tan Chunying didn't really understand physics. She spent her school days writing supernatural novels, regretting it now.

"Okay, I'll go get the tools." Tan Xiao walked into the house. He was afraid Ah Jin wouldn't be able to hold on much longer.

Tan Chunying looked at Ah Jin, rubbing her chin, still feeling something was off. When did her son not bring his project in the morning but came to get it at noon? And if he suddenly needed it, he could have just asked her to help deliver it. Why bother coming back to get it himself?

Although she didn't know what this kid was up to...

Tan Chunying stared at the large cabinet and concluded: "There must be a ghost in here!"

Ah Jin: "..."

Liu Qingquan: "..."

......

After finally sending Ah Jin away safely, Tan Xiao also found time to have a chat with Lord Peacock.

And having a chat with the Peacock God meant...

"Is this a male duck? I want a plump one." Tan Xiao was selecting ingredients at the vegetable market, already carrying a bunch of vegetables in his hands.

At the vegetable market near his home, the vendors were all neighbors who had lived nearby for many years. Tan Xiao might not necessarily recognize them, but they recognized Tan Xiao. Their family bought a lot of food during the peak tourist season.

"Sure, sure, it's definitely a good duck." The vendor knew that Tan Chunying and Tan Xiao, the mother and son, were good at buying ingredients. They chose fat males for ducks, young chickens for steaming, and capons* for stewing.

*T/N: Neutered male chickens, they're more tender than usual

Today, Tan Xiao was preparing to make offerings to the Peacock God to discuss matters, so he bought quite a few main dishes.

In addition to a plump duck, there was also a mandarin fish, seafood for soup, plus various side dishes and accompaniments.

When he got home, Tan Chunying wasn't there. Tan Xiao sliced the mandarin fish, soaked it in ice water before coating it with batter, and even rolled each slice into a flower shape before steaming it. He stir-fried some ingredients separately, and when the steamed fish was done, he poured it right on top.

The hot oil was poured over the snow-white, tender, and smooth fish slices rolled into petals, with white steam rising and the aroma of freshness blooming together.

As for the duck, he made it into blood duck, a favorite of the Nanchu people. The duck blood had to be prepared in advance. Once the duck blood solidified, wine, salt, MSG, and other seasonings were added.

The duck meat was lightly fried first. Duck skin has a high fat content, so frying it dry makes it easier to absorb flavors later, and the crispy texture is better.

After frying, it could be stir-fried with various spices. Finally, the duck blood was added and stir-fried together. The duck meat, coated in duck blood, would turn an enticing brown color under the stir-frying, with a strong aroma, and even the bones would be flavorful.

This is the essence of blood duck - the blood wraps around the meat. When this dish comes out of the wok, the entire courtyard is filled with its fragrance.

He also made a side dish, paired with wine, cakes, and fruits. This time, he even earnestly wrote words like "Great Fortune" and "Peace" on red paper and inserted them.

The offering table was also adorned with a new altar cloth, inscribed with the four characters "Revere the Gods".

In addition to the dishes, the offering table had an incense burner, candle holder, and memorial tablet arranged in order.

After setting everything up, Tan Xiao lit the incense and chanted, "The sun bird has not yet crowed, but spring is known first. Without inviting the gods, the incense is burned first..."

He had only recited a few lines when a man appeared before him.

Perhaps because the peacock was a regular resident in his home, Tan Xiao had barely sung a few lines before he arrived, causing Tan Xiao to nearly choke on his breath. He swallowed the second half of the sentence and solemnly said the long-circulated incantation while making the "Hunger-Striking" hand seal: "...Eat, eat."

Today, Kong Xuan wore a long robe, its color burning like fire. It appeared to be a solid color but was actually embroidered with subtle patterns. A jade belt encircled his waist, and his jet-black hair was adorned with feathers on the side. He even purposely wore a golden crown, its dazzling light accentuating his handsome features even more.

This was one of the new outfits Tan Xiao had burned for him. Isn't it good-looking?

"You put in so much effort today?" Kong Xuan was quite pleased, but his face remained calm as he looked down at Tan Xiao with a noble air.

"Lord, I want to... discuss something with you." Tan Xiao took out the contract 404 had prepared and handed it to the Peacock God to look at. "Look, is this contract okay?"

For Peacock God, as long as the Chu shaman could complete the task, it was fine. Just like when the original text of the "Classic of Mountains and Seas" was written back then, it also took the Chu people a lot of effort, collecting information left by the Shang dynasty, traversing the world to conduct investigations, and even consuming the efforts of more than one generation.

Now that times have progressed, although Tan Xiao is just one person and not some nobleman, the resources he can use are actually more abundant.

Even after cooperating, Tan Xiao could still receive some reasonable rewards from the Bureau 404. In comparison, the ancient Chu shamans were truly working for love.

"So, you don't need to do as much, and even have opportunities to earn bonus points?" Kong Xuan looked at Tan Xiao with narrowed eyes.

It was written in black and white, and Kong Xuan wasn't illiterate. Asking such an obvious question was just fishing for Tan Xiao's flattery.

Tan Xiao also tactfully said, "Yes, I'm so lucky to be able to act as the Great God's proxy shaman."

Kong Xuan became even more pleased, grunted, then picked up his chopsticks and said lightly, "Then go ahead."

"Thank you Great God, come have a drink." Tan Xiao handed over a cup.

"No drinking." Kong Xuan stopped him and said mildly, "I can't drink alcohol."

Tan Xiao had never heard of such a thing and said with amusement, "Why? You're not underage."

Kong Xuan: "..."

Kong Xuan glared, "How old do you think I am?"

Tan Xiao: "..."

Uh... Tan Xiao could certainly tell the difference between the appearance of the old and young, but peacocks really do live a long time. He thought Kong Xuan was about the same age as some Taoist immortals, just wearing the skin of a young man!

Tan Xiao was sweating and quickly changed the subject, reading with a puzzled expression, "Do they also have rules prohibiting underage drinking up there?"

"What do you think?!" Kong Xuan retorted.

Different races mature at different times. Kong Xuan was sent down to work precisely because he was young. This was equivalent to his trial.

Of course, Tan Xiao didn't understand this!

Why didn't he understand? Because he couldn't recognize Kong Xuan.

Thinking of this, Kong Xuan became even angrier, his phoenix eyes burning with fire, glaring at Tan Xiao brightly.

Tan Xiao always felt that this gaze was a bit familiar...

As if he had been glared at by a similar gaze before.

Why did he think that way again? Impossible. One was a god and one was human, one had a physical body and one didn't, one walked and one floated, their hairstyles and clothing were completely different. Their temperaments must just be similar.

"...Eat, eat." Tan Xiao chanted again. Seeing that the peacock was about to continue making a fuss, he urged, "Hurry up, it's getting late. My mom will come back and eat it all!"

Kong Xuan: "..."

Tan Chunying really didn't treat offerings as offerings at all. She wouldn't wait for the ritual to end before eating, she would just grab and eat whatever she wanted.

Kong Xuan pointed to the sacred curtain beside him and said angrily, "Does your mother know what these words mean?"

Respect the gods as if they are present!

Even if he wasn't there, his offerings were not to be casually touched, let alone when he was right there.

Tan Xiao was just trying to change the subject, but he didn't expect this topic to be difficult too. He said weakly, "She was born soulless, Great God please make allowances."

"This is already making allowances, otherwise..." Kong Xuan snorted.

The Chu shamans were mostly believers of the Primordial Phoenix, and Tan Chunying's patron god was also the Primordial Phoenix, she had just "changed careers".

Kong Xuan thought, if my proxy shaman was disrespectful, I would definitely teach him a lesson.

Thinking of this, Kong Xuan glared at Tan Xiao again. But his movements did speed up, sweeping the table clean of food.

Tan Xiao was able to gain his divine response, so he indeed had some skill.

The fish was as white as snow, as thin as paper, clear, tender and smooth, melting in the mouth with a single bite. The duck had no gamey smell. Under the "blood covering", the aroma became even more intense, the more you chewed the duck, the more fragrant it became. Then taking a sip of the seafood soup that was fresh enough to make your tongue fall off...

Mm, it was worth strictly disciplining his shaman.

......

Tan Xiao watched Kong Xuan eat, having no appetite himself. He didn't have Kong Xuan's ability to eat. He stood by the window with his arms crossed. This old city district hadn't undergone much major renovation, largely preserving the old style. Here, the pace of life seemed to be a bit slower.

This was where he grew up, although he couldn't recognise the neighbors...

Rustle...

The breeze brought strange things, delivering them into Tan Xiao's ears.

Tan Xiao's movements paused. This sound was a bit familiar, he hadn't heard it in a long time, but it was an eerie familiarity that was hard to forget once you heard it.

Thinking of Liu Qingquan's words, this couldn't be...

The Xiong Hui coming to find him in broad daylight?

"Spiritual child... spiritual child..."

The multi-layered bubbly voice came from afar.

It really was the Xiong Hui.

Tan Xiao listened as the sound got closer and closer, his scalp tingling a bit. It wasn't that he was afraid of the Xiong Hui, it was just that hearing this kind of sound made him feel a bit uncomfortable.

There were many snakes in Nanchu, who hadn't been scared by a snake before.

Tan Xiao looked out speechlessly, searching for the Xiong Hui's figure. He was a bit nervous, not knowing if the neighbors could see the Xiong Hui. After all, the Xiong Hui's form could be concealed between yin and yang. Some people with lower energy could also see it.

Theoretically, the Xiong Hui had learned the rules from the Bureau 404, but Tan Xiao was still a bit worried. He always felt that the Xiong Hui was a bit silly.

The Xiong Hui crawled and crawled.

They had finally gotten a day off today. Having lived for a thousand years, they didn't have many acquaintances in the world. They just had their eye on that spiritual child, wanting to form a healthy contractual relationship with him. They had learned some modern knowledge during this time, but still had this idea.

The Xiong Hui was even puzzled as to why Tan Xiao ignored them. They were strong, wandering between yin and yang, meaning they were very portable. They could also disguise themselves as pet snakes and didn't need to eat...

So perfect.

How could there be shamans who didn't want to keep a Xiong Hui.

This spiritual child was said to still be a student, with no position yet... oh no, it was said he had taken on a position called "physics class representative". They had never heard of it, it must just be a minor official position. So he might not understand that having a highly capable pet was such a good thing.

They had to slowly persuade and teach him.

Thinking this, the Xiong Hui climbed the courtyard wall even faster. Although they didn't dare to casually enter the spiritual shaman's room, they climbed high enough. Their body was also long enough. Raising their head vertically to look -

Tan Xiao's face appeared in the window. Hey, it was him, their future master. The Xiong Hui was delighted...

No, that's not right.

The Xiong Hui's movements stalled. They saw another figure behind the window, emitting divine light while eating!

Although they didn't know Kong Xuan, snakes had an innate fear of the Primordial Phoenix's lineage!

Extreme panic overshadowed the Xiong Hui like a shadow the instant Kong Xuan's gaze also fell on them. Tan Xiao was still thinking about how to persuade Xiong Hui, but he saw that Xiong Hui had already turned around and suddenly rushed downstairs. His huge body disappeared into the alley in an instant, almost fleeing in panic.

This left Tan Xiao, who was ready to drive the snake away, a little dazed. He still had a sentence stuck in his throat, but Xiong Hui ran too fast. What's the situation? Did Xiong Hui figure it out himself?

Xiong Hui howled in his heart as he ran: Why didn't you say so earlier? You don't want to keep us because you've kept something more powerful?!