Chapter 35: Boss Zhang Was Mistaken—it Should Be Threefold Happiness at the Door

Facing Su Chen’s inquiry, Zhang Yugui shifted his gaze toward the vase and nodded with a wry smile.

This was a vase his grandfather had cherished. When Boss Li brought it over as a gift during a visit earlier, Zhang had been delighted, wiping it repeatedly with a cloth. However, the craftsmanship seemed somewhat unrefined; since it was embossed, his hand had suddenly been cut by a sharp corner while he was cleaning it, and his blood had stained the surface instantly. At the time, Zhang had hurriedly wiped it clean, thinking nothing of it. Now that he thought about it, that must have been when he fell into the trap.

Zhang Yugui tried to stand up, bracing his hands against the floor, but he was forced to lean back against the wall, utterly drained. He was truly terrified this time. Seeing this, Su Chen removed the Yin-suppressing talisman from his body. Feeling his strength slowly returning, Zhang managed to pull himself to his feet.

"Master, if blood drips onto it, that means I’ve adopted a malevolent spirit, right?"

Su Chen looked at him skeptically. "Boss Zhang, you know about raising malevolent spirits?"

Zhang Yugui nodded with a bitter smile. His grandfather’s generation had traveled to Southeast Asia, and he still had two great-uncles living there. The initial capital he used to start his business after the reforms had been provided by them, so he had naturally heard tales of the sinister methods used in the south, especially those involving metaphysics. That was why, when Ah Ming mentioned that a peace talisman had saved his captain, he believed it without question. First, Ah Ming was a police officer and not prone to lying; second, he was already a believer in the metaphysical.

But he never imagined that the black magic and spirit-raising his great-uncle had spoken of would happen to him. This was the mainland, after all. During the early years of the Cultural Revolution, many people who understood such things were denounced. Not many survived, and those who did were likely too afraid to practice such arts. Furthermore, raising spirits was a technique from the south.

He recounted everything he knew, then slapped his forehead in frustration. "It’s all my fault. That Boss Li mentioned on a few occasions that he was from Hong Kong. I didn't take any precautions, and I accidentally fell for his trick."

Now, the entire sequence of events was clear to him. "Master, since the vase was stained with my blood, it’s equivalent to me raising the spirit. That’s why my luck has been so good for the past two months and my business has been booming, but because I didn’t know I was raising a spirit and failed to make offerings, it began to backfire on me, right?"

Su Chen nodded. "It must have recognized you as a relative, so even when it was angry, it didn't attack you directly, but instead targeted those around you."

Zhang Yugui sighed. "That explains everything."

His fists clenched tightly, and his eyes narrowed. *Li Mingyang, you went to such lengths to harm me just to get that project in the city center. Just you wait! With the peace talisman from the Master, do you think I’m still afraid of you?*

Recalling himself, Zhang turned back to Su Chen. "Master, thanks to you, my family was spared from ruin. Thank you so much! Oh, by the way, Master, about that peace talisman..."

"Oh, I'll start drawing them now."

Zhang Yugui bowed repeatedly in gratitude. As Su Chen began to draw the talismans, Zhang excused himself to fetch some food, leaving the study. Once downstairs, Zhang immediately said to Zhao Dongsheng in a cold voice, "Brother Zhao, once the Master finishes drawing the talismans, take one and go keep an eye on Li Mingyang for me!"

Zhao Dongsheng, who had been downstairs looking after Xiao Qiang, was stunned. "Boss Li?"

"Yes. The vase he kindly 'gifted' me was tampered with. I cut myself while cleaning it, my blood got on it, and I accidentally raised a malevolent spirit. Every incident in this house lately was caused by that spirit. Now that the Master has subdued it, as for that Li fellow..." He gritted his teeth. "We must not let him get away with this!"

Zhao Dongsheng was shocked. "Raised... a malevolent spirit?"

"Brother Zhao, I’ll likely need some extra hands for a while. Can you find some people?"

Zhao Dongsheng immediately patted his chest. "No problem, Boss Zhang. I’m still in contact with many of my brothers from the service."

"Thank you."

Afterward, Zhang Yugui patted Xiao Qiang’s head and went back upstairs to his bedroom. He opened the safe, took out two stacks of cash, and after a moment of hesitation, took out a piece of jade as well. His great-uncle had said that a true Master was a rare find. He had only found Su Chen thanks to Ah Ming, so he had to show his appreciation. This piece of jade was of excellent quality, brought over by his great-uncle. He had intended to make it into a set of jewelry as a family heirloom, but now... it was better to give it to the Master. He then counted out two thousand yuan, pulled open a drawer, grabbed a leather bag, and packed everything inside.

When Zhang Yugui personally delivered the seafood porridge to the study, Su Chen had finished the third talisman and was resting. Seeing him enter, Su Chen smiled. "Boss Zhang, there's no need to be so formal."

"It’s necessary, Master. You are our savior. Without you, I don't know how much longer my family would have been tormented by that spirit." Zhang Yugui laughed. "My wife just called from the hospital to say our daughter can be discharged today. It’s a double blessing!"

Su Chen took the porridge and took a sip. He looked carefully at Zhang Yugui’s face and the corners of his mouth lifted. "Boss Zhang, you are mistaken. It should be a triple blessing."

"...Huh?" Zhang Yugui was bewildered.

"You were previously entangled with Yin energy, and your physiognomy was slightly affected, but your children's palace is very clear now. If I’m not mistaken, your third child will be born in eight months."

"What?!" Zhang Yugui was overjoyed. "Master, you mean my wife is pregnant?" He laughed heartily. "I’m going to have another child! Thank you, Master! Thank you! I’m going to call my wife right now, tell her to get a check-up and ask the doctor for some prenatal supplements. Hahaha, I’m going to be a father again!"

Seeing Zhang Yugui leave with a laugh, Su Chen shook his head slightly.

By the time all seventeen peace talismans were finished, it was already nine o'clock. Su Chen didn't get up immediately; instead, he drew one more talisman to dispel the remaining Yin energy lingering in the house. Zhao Dongsheng felt the living room, which had been icy cold, suddenly grow warmer. His belief in Su Chen deepened, and his gaze was filled with reverence.

"Master, Brother Zhao has business to attend to. If you don’t mind my driving, let me take you home."

"That will do."

After a bumpy ride, it was already eleven o'clock when they reached Liangshan Town. Hearing that Su Chen still had to climb two mountains in the middle of the night to get home, Zhang Yugui frowned. He insisted on giving Su Chen a flashlight and tried to drive him all the way home, but after being urged several times by Su Chen, he finally pulled over halfway up the mountain. Watching the dark mountain path as he left, Zhang quietly resolved to contact the town authorities to see if a road could be built. He couldn’t have the Master climbing mountains every day.

Su Chen hurried along and arrived home just before midnight. The lights, which usually went out shortly after seven, were still on. Pushing open the door, he saw Liu Chunhua, Old Man Su, and Honghong in the main hall. Honghong, in particular, was sitting on a bamboo chair, her head bobbing as she fought extreme sleepiness. Yet, the moment she heard the door open, she lifted her head and opened her eyes.

"Papa!"

"Yes, Papa is home. Honghong, go get some rest."

Honghong ignored him, rushing over eagerly to take the items from his hands. She asked anxiously, "Papa, are you tired? Should I massage your shoulders?"

Liu Chunhua had already lifted the lid of the large pot and served a bowl of noodle soup. "Ah Chen, Mom added two poached eggs in there. Eat up quickly."

Old Man Su puffed on his water pipe, huffing, "Why are you so late?"

Su Chen looked at them, confused. "I called Sister Hong. Didn't she tell you I would be late coming back?"

"She told us, she told us," Liu Chunhua sighed. "But how could we be at ease without you home? We were worried you might have tripped again!"

Su Chen: "..."