When we arrive, I'll head to the Eighteen Layers of Hell. Are you and the Great Emperor going to be all loving and respectful there?"

"Didn't really think about it at first."

"Hehehehe."

"No need to worry too much, things aren't that bad."

"The Great Emperor's anger needs an outlet. Do you think he won't be mad about today's events?"

"Not necessarily mad."

Zhao Yi's eyes narrowed.

Li Zhiyuan continued, "Some things can't be said outright, we can only infer based on known conditions."

"So you mean the Great Emperor wants to act but finds it inconvenient, so he might as well let others do his dirty work? That's the heart of an emperor."

"You're the one saying that."

Zhao Yi: "Anyway, I'm already used to trouble. If worse comes to worst, the whole family just plays along. This time, when we came out, a lot of Ghost Generals and Ghost Generals were taken down, and those three were sealed away, opening up many positions. It's beneficial for my Zhao family to strive underground again."

"Sounds good."

"It still feels unreal. Such a presence descended, and then was sealed away. We're just a makeshift troupe, yet we managed to bring out so many great deities to perform.

In the end, it feels like we're just pawns."

"Weren't the four traveling disciples in Journey to the West also pawns?"

"So me getting removed from the Book of Life and Death is like paying tribute? Haha."

Laughing, Zhao Yi's mood fell again: "And that person just got buried like that."

Li Zhiyuan: "If you miss him, you can dig him out for a chat anytime."

"Did you implant memories about me in him?"

"Yes, used you as a tragic example, an inspiring model."

"Tsk, what a pity. That guy was nice. When the time is right later, we can really dig him out for some fresh air."

Zhao Yi checked the status of the Liang Sisters.

The once vibrant sisters are now gravely injured and looking haggard.

Zhao Yi lightly brushed his fingers across their faces.

"Li Zhiyuan, do you think they're stupid?"

Li Zhiyuan didn't reply and closed his eyes.

Zhao Yi continued on his own, "I tricked you, yet you still went all out for me."

Li Zhiyuan was truly asleep.

Upon waking, he found himself sitting in the passenger seat of a truck, wearing a seatbelt.

Outside, the day was bright, the scenery was nice, expansive.

In the driver's seat, Zhao Yi had a cigarette in his mouth, steering the wheel skillfully, looking like an old hand.

"Awake?"

"Yeah."

Li Zhiyuan rubbed his forehead, but his vision was still gray and devoid of color.

From this perspective, everyone seemed like they were being memorialized.

"Hungry? You slept a long time."

"Hungry."

"Then let's grab a meal at the service area ahead."

"What about them?"

"Still asleep, but I've regularly given them medicine so it's not a big issue."

At this moment, Zhao Yi noticed through the rearview mirror a small truck trying to switch lanes to overtake him.

He signaled and then deliberately turned the steering wheel to the left, taking over the left lane, forcing the small truck behind to fall back.

Soon after, Zhao Yi switched back to his lane, and a construction section appeared ahead, turning it into a one-way street.

After entering the service area, Zhao Yi parked the truck.

"Wait here, I'll go buy some boxed meals for us to eat together."

Zhao Yi got out of the truck, and through the rearview mirror, Li Zhiyuan saw the small truck had also entered the service area, parking behind, and a short middle-aged man got out, following Zhao Yi.

Li Zhiyuan picked up a bottle of water, just about to drink when he saw a group of plainclothes police entering the service area to inspect vehicles.

Aside from those specialized in undercover work, most police officers, even in plain clothes, could be identified by details, especially their eyes.

No idea what they were inspecting, but if they checked their truck, it would be troublesome.

Because the back of their truck wasn't loaded with cargo, but people, all unconscious and severely injured.

However, Li Zhiyuan wasn't too worried, as based on previous habits, worldly troubles while traveling with Zou Jiang are easily circumvented.

Based on the plainclothes' inspection pattern from the front to here, at the latest, the van in front of him would have an issue.

Indeed, when one person approached the van and opened the driver's door, plainclothes officers swarmed in, subduing him along with another person inside the van.

Soon, the police began searching the van and brought in police dogs.

Meanwhile, another group revealed their identities, setting up a perimeter to temporarily prevent outsiders from approaching, even nearby car drivers couldn't get out.

Li Zhiyuan saw Zhao Yi returning with boxed meals, accompanied by that thirty-something man, chatting and laughing.

Zhao Yi gave Li Zhiyuan a look, and then simply opened the boxed meal with the man beside him, eating while watching the police search.

A police officer, looking tired with red eyes, took a break after capturing the suspect, walking over to Li Zhiyuan to light a cigarette.

"Kid, is your dad outside? Don't worry, he'll come soon."

Li Zhiyuan took out a can of drink and handed it over.

The officer wetted his parched lips, checked his pocket, then called over a passing young officer, asking for money and handing it over.

"Here you go, kid, thanks."

"No need, police and civilian harmony."

"Hahaha!" The officer laughed but still tossed the money back into the can.

Li Zhiyuan bent down to pick up the money and said, "Officer, you should get your heart checked at the hospital."

Judging by his facial expression, not only was he overworked, but it also indicated a problem in his heart.