My first time entering such a luxurious mansion, I felt rather reserved.
Upon entering through the main gate, there was a screen wall design, the kind you only see on television, with a curiously new-looking stone placed in it.
The symbolism was quite fitting, getting straight to the point.
This was followed by a covered walkway, and beside it, a pond with rocks, water, fish, and a pavilion.
There were also people who looked like servants, sweeping the garden or trimming branches.
A mansion is indeed a mansion, not only luxurious but also vast.
Arriving at the living room, the entire space was filled with rosewood furniture.
But beyond the opulence here, I was more focused on observing my surroundings.
I was looking for any signs of something unholy.
The butler then led me further, saying:
"Mr. Qin, Miss is upstairs. Please follow me."
I nodded and followed the old man upstairs.
Reaching the second floor, we headed directly towards a room.
Upon reaching the doorway, I saw Zhang Chu Yue inside.
She was leaning against the bed, looking very frail.
Beside her sat a middle-aged man.
He was holding her hand, seemingly saying something.
"Miss, Mr. Qin has arrived."
With that, he gestured for me to enter.
Zhang Chu Yue on the bed and the middle-aged man both turned their heads to look at me.
"Qin Ze!"
Zhang Chu Yue on the bed called out to me, craning her neck.
"It's me, Chu Yue!"
I replied, walking into the room.
Even the bedroom felt larger than my rented apartment.
I quickly walked over and approached the bed.
Zhang Chu Yue's complexion was very poor – gaunt, weak, exhausted…
Standing by the bed, looking at the emaciated Zhang Chu Yue, it was hard to believe.
It had only been a week since I last saw her, and she had become so frail.
I inquired with concern:
"Chu Yue, how are you feeling now?"
Chu Yue shook her head:
"Not very well. I feel tightness in my chest, like something is wrapped around my neck, and I'm afraid to sleep."
As she spoke, she touched her neck.
She felt as if she couldn't catch her breath.
As soon as Zhang Chu Yue finished speaking, the middle-aged man beside her touched Chu Yue's forehead:
"It's alright! Dad has already contacted doctors from Jingbei, and they will definitely cure you."
The middle-aged man's voice was tinged with emotion as he spoke.
Zhang Chu Yue took her father's hand:
"Don't worry, Dad. Qin Ze is my classmate.
The one who saved me when I fell into the water as a child.
Perhaps his method can save me."
After Zhang Chu Yue finished speaking, she looked at me.
The middle-aged man also turned around.
He extended a hand towards me:
"Hello, I am Chu Yue's father, Zhang Youguo.
Chu Yue mentioned you do business in the funeral industry?"
"Uncle Zhang, hello!
Yes, I am currently working with my master, handling some funeral arrangements, and helping people ward off evil and bring good fortune.
Uncle Zhang, please rest assured, I will do my best…"
I said with a serious expression.
However, Zhang Youguo simply said with a faint smile:
"You are classmates, and you saved Chu Yue when you were young. It's good for her to talk to you."
Zhang Youguo smiled outwardly, but his eyes suggested he didn't quite believe it.
I didn't mind, after all, I didn't believe in such things in the world either, back in the day.
I just chuckled and said, "Mm."
"Then I won't delay any further."
With that, I put down my tool bag.
Simultaneously, I took out a yellow talisman and a Bagua mirror from the bag.
The yellow talisman was drawn by my master, with the character "眠" (mián, meaning sleep) written on the talisman's core.
My master said that placing this near Zhang Chu Yue's bed could temporarily help her sleep.
This Bagua mirror is not an ordinary Feng Shui compass. The pointer inside is specially made and is called the "Yin Needle."
My master also gave it to me as I was leaving.
He said that if there were any unholy entities around, its pointer would spin irregularly.
I need to use this to further ascertain if the room is clean.
And based on that, proceed with the next step…
At this moment, holding the talisman, I said to Zhang Chu Yue:
"Chu Yue, please pull out a strand of hair for me!"
Zhang Chu Yue nodded, picked out a strand of hair with her fingers, and handed it to me.
I took the hair and lit it directly with a lighter.
With a "sizzling" sound, green smoke rose. I rubbed the remaining hair ash onto Zhang Chu Yue's forehead.
Zhang Chu Yue showed no particular reaction.
But Zhang Youguo, seeing this, clearly looked somewhat displeased.
However, given that I was called by Zhang Chu Yue, he didn't overtly show it.
At the same time, I held the yellow talisman and chanted a few mystical phrases.
Finally, I pointed it towards Zhang Chu Yue's bedside and uttered a low command:
"Set!"
The talisman, as if by itself, stuck naturally to the head of the bed.
Both the top and bottom of the talisman adhered perfectly to the wall.
It looked quite magical, but in Zhang Youguo's eyes.
I looked more like a street vendor, a charlatan using illusions to swindle people out of their money.
Zhang Youguo's actions towards me clearly indicated his apprehension.
He then asked:
"Little Qin, what is this?"
"Oh, Uncle Zhang, this is a sleep-inducing talisman.
Chu Yue hasn't been able to rest well for several days.
With this talisman, she can now get a temporary peaceful sleep."
After saying that, I turned to Zhang Chu Yue and smiled slightly.
"Chu Yue, how are you feeling now?"
Upon hearing my question, Zhang Chu Yue instinctively took a deep breath.
The pressure on her chest and the feeling of being choked surprisingly began to recede inexplicably.
She touched her neck, and with some shock, said:
"The feeling of being choked and the tightness in my chest are gone. My breathing is also much clearer…"