As people busied themselves, time unknowingly slipped into the eve of the Spring Festival.
This major earthquake was the deadliest disaster in recent years. However, with the multi-faceted support of people across the nation, everyone weathered the initial panic, and things gradually became orderly. Subsequently, arrangements for disaster-stricken populations and post-disaster reconstruction were clearly outlined.
And the Underworld, with the arrival of the Spring Festival, also became lively.
Spring Festival, Spring Festival. No matter what their past was like, everyone should have a good new year. Look forward, move forward, and welcome a brand new life.
The Eastern Hall's Spring Festival this year was also a little different from previous years. With the arrival of the ghost messengers from the Southern Hall, the entire Underworld became more lively and active.
From the perspective of the Eastern Hall's ghost messengers, although the Southern Hall's ghost messengers were fond of money, the items they provided were indeed good. Although they were fond of robbing ghosts from the mortal realm, they always brought back the ghosts who had illegally lingered outside. Moreover, they were enthusiastic about taking on missions and completed them quickly. Despite being simple and crude, the overall process was not flawed.
Influenced by this fast pace, the overall rhythm of the Eastern Hall also accelerated significantly. The most obvious manifestation was that the Yellow Springs Road was not congested during the New Year this year! There were no endless queues stretching as far as the eye could see.
The Ghost Market, also influenced by the Southern Hall, saw the emergence of some peculiar skills. Everyone was excited, preparing to celebrate a different kind of New Year. Later, during the Ghost Festival, they could sport a cool look.
Of course, the disruption brought by the Southern Hall was not absent. However, as long as they reported to Lord Zhong Kui, they could receive compensation. Well, it would be even better if that Lord Zhong Kui didn't keep haggling!
...
In the Eighteenth Hall, Jiang Lin arranged staggered rest days for his team members. Machine Ball and Xu Nan had also stopped going on missions for the past few days. Together with the gatekeepers Xu Duobao and Niu Xiaoguo, they were decorating the Eighteenth Hall.
Couplets were pasted at the entrance, and the character 'Fu' was hung upside down. Red lanterns were hung. The large trees and the arena in the courtyard were tied with red silk ribbons and small colorful flashing lights. Even the small branch that Jiang Lin received as a specialty upon returning from the Western Hall had a small red silk ribbon tied to it by Machine Ball after a few glances.
The interior of the rooms was even more so. Machine Ball directly took over the cleaning ghost's work, cleaning everywhere inside and out. Its blue and white maid outfit was changed to red and white. Xu Nan meticulously organized the items within the hall. The grass in the courtyard was also mowed.
With all the hustle and bustle in the Eighteenth Hall, Jiang Lin found himself with nothing to do. After much thought, he could only prepare a big red envelope for them to get into the festive spirit.
"Master, Master, how is it? Is it very clean now?!" After finishing the spring cleaning, Machine Ball excitedly approached Jiang Lin. It was wearing a red dress with a white apron. On its head, it also wore a red, lace-trimmed headband. Red tassels hung from both ends of the headband, swaying with its movements. Coupled with its joyful face, it indeed looked very festive.
Jiang Lin looked up from a pile of documents and glanced around the hall, inside and out. It was a sea of red, with sparkling colorful lights. He nodded slightly, "Not bad, it feels very lively." The New Year... perhaps it was this feeling of bustling activity, with many people working together?
Xu Nan also walked over, a look of joy on his young face. He had visited his family in the mortal realm yesterday, and they were all well.
"Captain, should we write a reply to Senior Seven-Colored Egg and celebrate the New Year at the same time?" Seven-Colored Egg's letter had arrived that morning. Along with it came a large pile of things it thought were delicious and fun. Gifts for Jiang Lin, for Machine Ball, for Xu Nan... and for its companions in the Counterattack Alliance. As for the specific content of the letter, it was nothing more than what it had learned and done there, and how its abilities had grown stronger. It also complained about the extravagance of the Dragon Palace, the strictness of the instructors, and the unexpected agreeableness of the Old Dragon King. The letter ended with: "Master, I also really want to come back for the New Year! The Dragon Palace doesn't even celebrate the New Year! According to Sister Xiaobai, the Dragon Palace's New Year is a grand celebration. The Four Seas hold it together. When the time comes, everyone come and play!"
From the letter, it was evident that although Seven-Colored Egg really wanted to return, it had gradually adapted to life in the Dragon Palace. Was it because of that prophetic dream that occurred once a century? Jiang Lin didn't know. However, it was good that it was doing well.
At this moment, hearing Xu Nan's words, Machine Ball also excitedly chimed in, "Yes, yes, Master, let's write a reply to our senior! Okay?" It had been too caught up in its excitement before and had forgotten about this.
Jiang Lin did not refuse, "Write it. Once you've written it, give it to me together."
"Hooray!" Machine Ball immediately jumped up and ran to prepare stationery. It wanted to tell its senior that the Eighteenth Hall had been beautifully decorated by them! And also, its mechanical body had been armed to be even stronger, and it could transform into a maid! Like Master, it had a head, hands, and feet! However, it still hadn't managed to become the group's darling, and it was continuing to strive on this path!
"Thank you, Captain." Beside them, Xu Nan also smiled. He turned to get ready. He needed to thank the senior for the gifts and prepare a return gift. He also needed to mention various matters concerning the Eighteenth Hall – things the senior would surely want to hear. Lastly, Happy New Year!
...
As the clock struck twelve, both the mortal realm and the Underworld welcomed the new year. Jiang Lin gave big red envelopes to Machine Ball, Xu Nan, and the gatekeepers at the entrance. Qi Yaoyao also received a big red envelope when she came to offer congratulations, and was pleasantly surprised, "Thank you, Senior!"
The threshold of the Eighteenth Hall also became crowded, mainly due to the many ghosts coming to deliver gifts. The gatekeepers and Xu Duobao had been busy organizing all sorts of gifts for days, their hands sore. It couldn't be helped, their hall was so famous! And their captain was so formidable!
"Intelligence Team Captain Qin Zhouzhou, White Impermanence Team Captain Jian'an Wang, Sealing Team Captain Yu Baixing, Artifact Workshop Si..." As the two ghosts organized, they compiled a list of gifts. Because Jiang Lin knew more ghosts, the number of people sending New Year gifts also increased. Although busy, with the big red envelopes and the captain's promised holiday after the New Year, the two ghosts were busy yet happy!
And Jiang Lin, as in previous years, first went to the former captain, Jian'an Wang, for tea. – Both in life and after death, Jian'an Wang had been his benefactor, a mentor and a friend. Then, he went to visit Xu Shuzi's family. Machine Ball and Xu Nan accompanied him. Over the years, Xu Shuzi had become like a brother and a close relative to him. His entire family was doing well.
…………