The ancestors were kowtowing so fervently their heads were practically smoking.

Two burly men, each weighing over a hundred pounds, were effortlessly pulled from the water by two tiny paper figures no bigger than a palm.

The first paper figure swung its small round hand, covering Deng Ming's face, delivering several fierce slaps. Seeing him frown, it then stomped hard on his abdomen multiple times.

After coughing up some water, Deng Ming slowly opened his eyes—and what he saw shattered his worldview.

Standing atop his stomach, the little paper figure lifted its head. Though its tiny face bore no expression or words, Deng Ming inexplicably sensed a proud anticipation, as if it were waiting for his gratitude.

Compelled by some strange impulse, he sincerely said, “Thank you, Paper Lord, for saving my life!”

Instantly delighted, the paper figure jumped up and dove headfirst back into the reservoir, retrieving the car that had been submerged underwater.

The second paper figure used the same method to rouse his brother-in-law.

His brother-in-law’s eyes went wide, even forgetting to breathe for a moment until he gasped and coughed to catch his breath.

“Sis… sis… brother-in-law…”

He remembered clearly—they had been completely trapped inside the car with no way out. And now, two little paper figures had saved them?

At that moment, a swirl of black mist surged toward them. Normally, they would not have been able to see it. But having just narrowly escaped death and carrying the aura of the paper figures on them, their eyes now perceived the unseen.

The black mist lunged straight at their faces. Deng Ming instinctively understood that this was likely the reason they had been trapped inside the car before—this sinister presence was to blame.

“What is that thing?”

Though his brother-in-law was also frightened, his gaze fixed on the paper figure that had just pulled the car out.

Sure enough, as the black mist neared, it abruptly halted its charge. The paper figure, using both hands and feet, twisted and squeezed the mist, transforming it.

It looked like a master from the stories on TV—only missing the battle cries of “Hey! Ha!”

Soon, the black mist was compressed into a black orb, about the size of a ping-pong ball. The paper figure’s tiny hands couldn’t even hold it, so it kicked the orb with its stubby legs, appearing both comical and adorable.

The paper figure then stepped forward, touching Deng Ming and his brother-in-law’s foreheads, dispelling the malevolent energy clinging to them. With that, it vanished, carrying the black orb away.

His limbs still weak, his brother-in-law took a long moment before feeling warmth slowly return to his body.

---

“Brother-in-law, what was that thing just now? That little paper figure…”

With a sharp slap, Deng Ming smacked his brother-in-law’s head.

“It’s Paper Lord! If you speak nonsense again, I won’t hesitate to hit you!”

His brother-in-law quickly smacked his own mouth, grateful for the paper figure’s life-saving intervention but having spoken too hastily without disrespect intended.

“Paper Lord, why did you come to save us?”

Deng Ming recalled the young girl they had met earlier at the service area. He knew she must have sent them.

Unfortunately, he didn’t know the girl’s true identity. Still, this did not deter his plan to return and set up a longevity shrine for Yun Ran. Businessmen believed strongly in such things.

“It must be because our ancestors always did good deeds.”

Otherwise, how could they have encountered such masters? Even the paper figures were so extraordinary. Deng Ming’s expression grew more devout.

As Yun Ran waited for the paper figures to return, she suddenly sensed several golden specks of light flowing into her body.

Surprised, she murmured, “There’s merit points to collect!”

The ginseng fruit had also received some merit, transforming into energy to replenish what it had previously expended.

[The family’s ancestors must have exhausted all their underground connections, banging their heads in frustration, just to allow you to meet them! They are surely a family blessed with merit.]

The paper figures reappeared, proudly presenting the black orb to Yun Ran, lifting their heads as if seeking praise—utterly adorable.

Yun Ran was generous, gently patting both paper figures as a reward before accepting the black orb.

To ordinary eyes, it was just a normal black sphere. In truth, inside it, the evil spirit wailed and howled, its presence easily disturbing human fortune.

This was clearly a malevolent entity cultivated to steal wealth and claim lives. It was unlucky to fall into Yun Ran’s hands.

With a firm grip, Yun Ran crushed the black orb, shattering the evil spirit within, which vanished completely.

At that very moment, in a rural courtyard, a woman dressed like a shaman suddenly paled from a rosy complexion, aging twenty years in an instant.

“Fairy, what’s wrong with you?”

Fear spread across her face as she hurriedly threw away a bank card she had previously taken.

Facing the middle-aged man before her, she shouted angrily, “You’ve doomed me! The Deng brothers have powerful protectors behind them!”

The man was soon driven out of the yard by the woman’s family.

After securing the paper figures, Yun Ran bought two ice pops by the roadside, intending to give one to the chubby boy as a token of thanks.

Returning just as the lecture ended and free time began, Yun Ran handed the ice pop to the boy.

“Here, this is for you.”

The boy hesitated, eyeing the cheap ice pop warily. He was used to ice treats costing over a hundred units; he feared these might be unclean and give him stomach trouble.

“I don’t like it…”

“Fine, suit yourself!”

Seeing Yun Ran’s indifferent response, the boy felt guilty, thinking he had embarrassed her earlier.

But knowing Yun Ran’s fiery temper, he dared not chase after her, afraid of getting scolded.

Yun Ran ate her ice pop while walking, snapping photos here and there to gather material for her reflections, just waiting for lunch.

At last, lunchtime arrived. The group leader brought Yun Ran a generous serving of oily, braised prawns—clearly an extra.

She had accepted a bowl of beef noodles in the morning, which was proper; now, with this offering, she set down her chopsticks, her gaze piercing.

“Teacher, do you need something from me?”

The leader looked a little embarrassed but, recalling how Yun Ran had saved his career, the awkwardness was insignificant.

“I saw you setting up a fortune-telling stall yesterday. Will you be there today? Do you sell peace talismans?”

“Yes, 500 each. Want to buy? I can give you a 10% discount.”

“Alright, I’ll buy three!”

No haggling—that pleased Yun Ran. “Come to my stall later to pick them up.”