Chapter Twenty-Two: Opportunity

A chilling fear vanished within seconds—like the suffocating sting of scalding bathwater, it faded as quickly as it came.

Those brief moments left a thin sweat coating the back of Le Dong. He wondered if anyone else felt the same terror, but scanning the room, no one seemed affected except Cai Kun, who still appeared tense.

“Old Cai, they’re gone…” Le Dong hesitated, deciding not to mention the strange feeling to Cai Kun—it was too vague to describe.

“Gone?” Cai Kun glanced around cautiously. Seeing nothing unusual, he finally relaxed and was about to complain to Le Dong when Master Zhao’s murmuring—like the buzzing of flies—suddenly stopped, plunging the entire living room into silence.

“Ahem. Most of the yin energy inside Madam has dissipated, but she still needs to rest,” Master Zhao wiped sweat from his brow and carelessly tossed the peachwood sword onto the altar. “Boss Hu, rest assured. We’ll perform another ritual tomorrow night, and this place will be free of yin energy.”

Boss Hu repeatedly bowed. “Master Zhao, you truly are a great man. Please come with me, I have a small token of gratitude prepared…”

Boss Hu led Master Zhao away, waving to Madam Hu as they left. She nodded faintly and quietly slipped away.

Le Dong watched Madam Hu’s stiff figure vanish around the staircase corner. Her gait seemed oddly familiar. He was about to follow when a cold gust blew through the stairwell, rekindling that fleeting terror. His feet froze in place.

“Hey? Where’s Steward Ma?” Boss Hu called out, returning from the villa courtyard. Le Dong glanced around and realized the grim old man had disappeared. From the moment Madam Hu descended the stairs, Ma’s presence had been absent.

“Oh, probably busy with something else. Boss Hu, these ritual items are sufficient; no need to trouble him…” Master Zhao glanced around, deliberately changing the subject.

“Oh, Master, this is just a small matter, no trouble at all…” Boss Hu’s voice left no room for argument as he shouted for Steward Ma, lifting his hands off the wooden box nestled in Master Zhao’s arms.

Le Dong noticed the wooden box—the gift Boss Hu had offered Master Zhao. It was small but appeared heavy.

“Clatter, clatter…” With Boss Hu’s increasingly urgent calls, footsteps sounded down the wooden stairs. Steward Ma hurried down, stuffing a phone into his pocket, water droplets still clinging to his aged face and temple.

“Where have you been?” Boss Hu frowned. “Get the items ready for tomorrow’s ritual. We must clear out this yin energy quickly!”

Steward Ma lowered his head in acknowledgment. As he turned, his gaze swept over Le Dong, a strange glint flickering in his murky eyes.

“Achoo…” Boss Hu casually reminded a few things, then pulled Master Zhao upstairs. Steward Ma bowed and stood aside. Once Boss Hu left, he straightened, waved to Le Dong and the others, and said, “Clean up a bit, then head to bed. We have work tomorrow.”

The four agreed and scattered to collect the scattered yellow paper talismans. Seizing the moment while Steward Ma was distracted, Le Dong slipped over to the ancestral photo on the altar.

Something about the portrait seemed off. Upon closer inspection, Le Dong noticed the frame was unusually thick, and beneath the glass, a slip of paper—like a slide—was partially rolled down…

“Had enough of looking?”

Startled by Steward Ma’s sudden eerie voice, Le Dong jumped.

“Clean up and then upstairs.”

There was no anger in Steward Ma’s tone, only calmness, which made Le Dong feel uneasy. He stood and forced a polite smile.

“Heh, young man…”

Steward Ma chuckled, shaking his head as he disappeared up the stairs.

Le Dong frowned, watching his retreating figure.

When he returned to the guest room, Xiao Zhang was already lying in bed. Le Dong turned off the light but didn’t undress, climbing in and pressing a copper coin against his chest. He wasn’t sure if Su Juanjuan would return tonight; better to stay alert.

Outside, tree shadows danced as moonlight filtered through the curtains, casting pale patches on the floor. Le Dong’s eyelids grew heavy until darkness claimed him.

After an unknown time, a buzzing filled his ears.

“Dongzi! Wake up!”

Pain flared across his face as Le Dong snapped open his eyes. Cai Kun’s sweaty, round face filled his vision; sweat dripped from his double chin onto Le Dong’s collar.

“Dongzi! That Zhao fellow… he’s… dead!” Cai Kun blurted, voice trembling despite Le Dong’s angry glare.

Confused, Le Dong jolted upright and saw Xiao Zhang standing by the bed, eyes wide behind glasses.

Below, Boss Hu’s hysterical shouting mixed with the sound of shattering porcelain.

“Let’s go! See what’s happening!”

The three rushed downstairs, and what they saw churned Le Dong’s stomach.

Master Zhao knelt before the portrait of Old Master Hu, hands bound behind his back. His hair was meticulously combed back, revealing pale skin. A peachwood sword pierced through his neck, the tip emerging from his Adam’s apple, pinning him in a kneeling position. Five gold bars lay neatly before him in a pool of blood, the thick liquid blackened with age.

The strangest thing: Master Zhao’s eyes were wide open, a faint smile on his lips as if he had glimpsed something joyful before death.

“How could this be…” Le Dong murmured. Just last night, this white-bearded elder was lively and hopping, and now…

“It’s over… over… over…” Boss Hu sank into the grand chair, repeating the words with a vacant stare at the portrait. The teacup in his hand lay shattered.

Even Steward Ma’s face was grim. His eyes swept the villa’s surroundings, fingers nervously rubbing his sleeve.

“Did anyone hear anything last night?” Steward Ma suddenly asked, icy eyes scanning everyone.

No one shook their head.

“Sigh… Old Ma…” Boss Hu struggled to stand and shuffled toward Master Zhao’s body. “He’s not one of the Hu family, but we can’t leave him here either. Should we call the police…”

The words hung heavy, and the onlookers’ expressions shifted. Le Dong found himself conflicted.

If they called the police, the scene would be sealed off and everyone questioned; the source of the trouble would drag on. Once inside the station, Ma Wenwen couldn’t help. How long could he last?

If they didn’t call, perhaps there was still a chance…

Before Le Dong could think further, Boss Hu slapped his forehead, grabbing Steward Ma’s arm frantically. “No, we can’t call the police!”

“This is halfway done. Police involvement would delay everything for days. If we miss the auspicious date, my father won’t return…” His voice trailed off as he stared fearfully at the portrait.

Steward Ma’s expression softened. After a moment’s thought, he said, “I feel the same way…”

“Do you know any other masters?” Boss Hu pressed.

Steward Ma fell silent, lowering his head in thought.

Le Dong, who had been listening quietly, suddenly had an idea.

If they could bring in Ma Wenwen now, it would save a lot of trouble.

He spoke up immediately:

“Boss Hu, I know someone!”

Cai Kun, stunned for a moment, quickly chimed in. “Yes, yes, a true master! Much more powerful than Master Zhao!”

Boss Hu fixed his gaze on Steward Ma. The old man narrowed his eyes, listened to Le Dong and Cai Kun, then glanced at Master Zhao with a knowing look. Turning to Le Dong, he suddenly said, “I can’t recall anyone else right now. Why not let them try first?”

Boss Hu sighed, organizing his expression. Turning to Le Dong, he smiled:

“Little brother, you know our situation here. Are you sure this person can handle it?”

“Absolutely.”

“All right. Time is tight. Can you bring him here today?” Boss Hu’s eyes gleamed with hope. Then, slapping his forehead, he added, “Don’t worry about the fee. Whatever he charges, I’ll pay. And after it’s done, I’ll give you an extra fifty thousand. How’s that?”

Le Dong agreed readily. Suddenly, Steward Ma sneered, “But he’ll have to leave his phone behind, and someone must accompany him to prevent any calls to the police.”

Boss Hu nodded and gestured for Le Dong to proceed.

“All right…” Le Dong replied decisively. He handed his phone to Cai Kun and discreetly passed the fat man’s phone to him as well.

Seeing this, Boss Hu personally opened the iron gate, urging Le Dong to hurry. Yet behind him, the lean old Steward Ma continued to follow closely…