When she heard it was the Xu family’s business, Gu Xingzhao suddenly remembered—how could she have forgotten?

The fact that the Xu family could afford the money to save their daughter back then meant their business in the capital must have been quite prominent.

Curious, she asked, “What business does the Xu family run?”

He Zhen replied, “Their main business is in precious treasures and calligraphy. They also deal in grain and own some restaurants.”

She had specifically gathered this information over the past few days, anticipating that the deity might ask, so she needed to be well-informed.

Gu Xingzhao nodded slightly. Treasures and calligraphy… She suddenly thought of Xu Shisan, who dealt in antiques and paintings in the modern era. A strange feeling arose within her—could it be that the ancient Xu family and the modern Xu family are connected?

She hadn’t considered this before, but now that the thought was in her mind, she began to see signs everywhere that Xu Shisan might indeed be a descendant of the ancient Xu family.

If that’s true, it would be incredible!

Gu Xingzhao decided that the next time she saw Xu Shisan, she would ask him about it.

After checking the time, she prepared to visit the Lu family. Remembering she also needed to refine some fireworks, she gave He Zhen some instructions and left her some money. “By the way, leave an empty room in the new house for me.”

He Zhen was stunned, her heart racing with excitement—was the deity planning to live in her house?

“Yes, I will make sure it’s done properly!” she replied, her voice trembling with anticipation.

Gu Xingzhao then teleported to where the Lu family was located. By now, the sky had completely darkened. With no snow over the past couple of days, most of the Lu family members were outside.

The warmth patches sent by their ancestor had been used up for several days. As the snow melted and the cold intensified, they resorted to warming themselves by the fire.

The entire Lu clan unanimously believed that divine objects were rare and they couldn’t keep asking their ancestor for more—it would trouble the deity too much.

At this moment, Lu Zhou and Lu Xingyao were trying to start a fire, but the damp firewood they had collected was making it difficult. The fire starters they had were useless, and no fire could be lit. The clansmen behind them sighed, resigning themselves to the harsh conditions outside.

Holding the now-useless fire starter, Lu Zhou felt a bit guilty as he looked at his clansmen’s expressions. “I’m sorry.”

It was then that Gu Xingzhao realized she had been so busy with her own tasks that she hadn’t noticed the warmth patches she had sent earlier were long gone. And Lu Qing hadn’t informed her of this.

She had always assumed that if they needed something, Lu Qing would tell her. But now, it seemed she needed to be more attentive.

Gu Xingzhao quickly returned to the modern era, packed some warmth patches into a box, and added a bottle of kerosene along with two lighters, thinking this would make it easier for the Lu family to start a fire.

After packing everything into a bamboo basket, she noticed Lu Qing teaching his granddaughter to read. Not wanting to disturb him, she wrote a note and, with a “thwack,” stuck it to Lu Xingyao’s forehead!

The sudden appearance of the divine message startled both father and son. They reached for the note simultaneously, but Lu Xingyao, being younger, was quicker.

Triumphantly, he waved the note in front of his father. “See? The ancestor must have thought my forehead was a good landing spot. Otherwise, why would it stick only to me?”

Gu Xingzhao stood nearby, almost spitting out her drink at his words. “???”

Is a large forehead something to boast about? Since when is that a thing?

The surrounding clansmen also gathered around, eager to see what the ancestor had to say.

Seeing his son’s smug expression, Lu Zhou’s temple throbbed. “Aren’t you going to read what the ancestor said?”

Only then did Lu Xingyao unfold the note and read aloud, “The ancestor said there’s a batch of warmth patches sent over; they’re in the bamboo basket.”

No sooner had he finished speaking than the surrounding clansmen dispersed, trying to remain calm on the surface but rushing to the tent where the bamboo basket was stored, fearing others might notice something unusual. Once inside, they began grabbing everything they could get their hands on!

Lu Xingyao ignored them and continued reading the note, “There’s also a small bottle of kerosene and two lighters. The kerosene helps with ignition; pour some on the wood before lighting it with the lighter.”

As soon as he finished, a small bottle and two finger-sized objects appeared on the ground—these must be the lighters the ancestor mentioned.

Lu Zhou picked up a lighter, feeling puzzled. “You mean this small thing can light a fire with just a press?”

Though it felt wrong to doubt the deity, he couldn’t help but be skeptical. After all, it was just a small item—it didn’t seem to have the fuel that a fire starter did, and it looked like it held only water. Could it really start a fire?

Lu Xingyao, with prior experience in such matters, said, “We’ll know if we try.”

He had complete faith that anything sent by the ancestor would be genuine.

Lu Xingyao immediately uncorked the bottle and poured a little kerosene on the wood. He picked up the lighter and carefully pressed down on the top—“click”—a flame burst forth unexpectedly!

Both father and son’s eyes widened in shock, especially Lu Zhou, who stammered, “Th-th-this!”

Trying to maintain his composure, Lu Xingyao said, “Father, there’s no need to be so surprised. This item must contain the ancestor’s divine powers, with the liquid inside being some sort of holy water, allowing us mortals to control fire.”

He said it so earnestly that even Gu Xingzhao, the supposed “ancestor,” almost believed him.

Lu Zhou quickly pocketed the lighter, fearing someone might snatch it away. Such a powerful divine item—he had to keep it safe.

Lu Xingyao brought the lighter’s flame close to the wood, and within moments, the kerosene-soaked wood was engulfed in flames. He quickly released the lighter, stunned by what he saw.

He gripped the bottle of kerosene tightly. This stuff was too potent—just bringing the fire near the wood had instantly set it ablaze!

Lu Zhou couldn’t hide his astonishment. Such a divine item, if widely used, could benefit all the people of the world.

Gu Xingzhao observed their reactions, realizing that in an era without gunpowder or petroleum, where people still used tallow and vegetable oil for lamps, kerosene was indeed something far beyond their time.

Lu Zhou stammered, “Quickly, go fetch your grandfather!”

Such a divine item—Father would surely be thrilled to see it!

Lu Xingyao immediately ran off to fetch Lu Qing, dragging the old man over from where he was with his sister. “Grandfather, the ancestor sent us a divine item. Come and see!”

Lu Qing looked at his grandson with disdain. What could possibly warrant such a reaction?

But as Lu Xingyao explained what had happened and Lu Zhou excitedly confirmed it, Lu Qing’s expression grew increasingly serious. Though he was impressed, his fear outweighed his amazement.

He sternly ordered his grandson to put the items away. “Only the three of us should know about this. Don’t let anyone else find out, not even our own family.”

Lu Qing’s seriousness puzzled the father and son. Lu Zhou couldn’t understand, “Father, why?”