Hearing this, my master and Daoist Tang laughed.
Mo Ting and I followed suit and laughed.
In our line of work, the fundamental practice is to guide departed souls to the afterlife for reincarnation.
If we couldn't even achieve this, could we truly be called Daoist priests?
Mo Ting said without hesitation,
"Are you questioning our abilities? Any funeral director can do that.
Why would it take ten years?
How badly were you deceived by that person?"
Steward Li's expression turned peculiar upon hearing Mo Ting's words.
This was because the Daoist priest had told him that his child and wife had died in a car accident, making them vengeful spirits.
They were unable to pass on.
Even if he forcibly sent them off, they would suffer immensely.
The only solution was to place them in a wealthy family's care to absorb their fortune.
After ten years, they could be sent to reincarnate, and their next life would be one of prosperity.
At this moment, Steward Li felt as if he had awakened from a dream.
He realized that he had been deceived from beginning to end.
It was at this very moment that Zhang Youguo's voice suddenly rang out from behind,
"Old Li, why are you still being stubborn?
Young Qin could cure Yueyue, so his skills are undeniable.
Now that Young Qin's master is here, you still don't believe?
Cooperate well with the Daoist priests, and your family's matters will surely be handled properly.
Don't make one mistake after another..."
As he spoke, Zhang Youguo walked over from the aisle.
The two bodyguards in black respectfully greeted him with, "Mr. Zhang."
Seeing Zhang Youguo, I also called out,
"Uncle Zhang!"
Zhang Youguo nodded and cupped his fists towards my master and Daoist Tang,
"Two Daoist priests, I am Zhang Youguo.
I apologize for the trouble regarding my household matters."
Seeing this, I quickly made an introduction,
"Uncle Zhang, this is my master, Gu Hui of Wanfu Hall.
And this is Tang Lin, Daoist Tang of Wanshou Hall."
My master and Daoist Tang nodded slightly and returned the fist salute, acknowledging each other.
Steward Li felt ashamed as Zhang Youguo approached.
He couldn't hold back his emotions and suddenly burst into tears,
"Ch-Chairman, I-I'm sorry..."
"Old Li, say no more.
I've heard what the Daoist priests said.
Whatever they ask, you answer.
You've worked tirelessly for my family for half your life; even without merit, you've earned gratitude for your efforts.
Now that Yueyue's illness is cured,
all that is in the past. Cooperate with Daoist Gu and Daoist Tang now.
I believe they will handle your wife and child's affairs properly."
With Zhang Youguo's appearance and his words,
Steward Li, who was already wavering, finally let go of his internal conflict.
He nodded repeatedly,
"Okay, I'll do as you say."
As he spoke, whether from emotion, self-blame,
or concern for his deceased wife and child who couldn't reincarnate, tears flowed freely.
Seeing that Steward Li was no longer agitated, my master calmly formed a sword finger seal.
He then gently uttered,
"Release!"
As soon as the words left his mouth, the talisman pasted on Steward Li's chest erupted with a green flame, turning to ashes in an instant.
Steward Li, who had been frozen in place, immediately regained his mobility.
He slumped to the ground like a deflated ball.
My master's use of the immobilization talisman greatly surprised Zhang Youguo, who had just arrived.
But Zhang Youguo quickly recovered his composure.
He sighed, walked over to Steward Li, and softly consoled him,
"Old Li, we've known each other for thirty years.
I am also very saddened by the matter of Mrs. Li and Xiao Jun.
If you truly wish them well, don't remain stubborn.
Listen to the two Daoist priests..."
My master and I remained silent, standing aside.
After all, to obtain information from Steward Li,
we needed him to trust us and be emotionally stable first.
After a while, Steward Li calmed down.
He stood up again,
"Two Daoist priests, ask me whatever you wish to know.
My only hope is that you do not trouble my wife and child."
My master waved his hand,
"Rest assured, we are only interested in the demonic individual who gave you the box.
When your wife and child pass on, I will inscribe a plea talisman.
Upon their arrival, the judge will consider it."
Steward Li nodded repeatedly and expressed his gratitude.
Daoist Tang, standing beside him, grew impatient and began to press,
"Steward Li, can you tell us the sequence of events?
Ideally, provide the location and time of your meeting with that person."
Steward Li "mm-hmm"ed and then began to recount.
The events he had experienced after his wife and child's car accident ten years ago.
Ten years ago, Steward Li's family of three was driving home.
However, due to slippery road conditions, a car accident occurred.
His child and wife died at the scene, and only Steward Li survived.
As Steward Li was overcome with grief, a shadowy Daoist priest in plain clothes appeared before him.
The old Daoist priest told him that his wife and child had died unjustly, as vengeful spirits.
They were unable to pass on after death and would be subjected to suffering in the cauldron of oil, possibly not even being reborn as humans in their next lives.
At the same time, he showed Steward Li the spirits of his wife and child, who had just died.
Seeing that the Daoist priest possessed such abilities, Steward Li sought his help.
So, the old Daoist priest asked for his wife and child's birthdates and gave him this box.
He told him that as long as he placed the box and his wife and child in the care of a wealthy family to steal their fortune.
Each year, fortune could be condensed into a bead.
Ten beads in ten years.
By then, he could send his wife and child to reincarnate.
Not only would they suffer no torment upon arrival, but they would also be reborn into a wealthy family.
He painted a grand picture for him.
More importantly, their family of three could remain together for these ten years.
For a husband and father who had just lost his wife and child, this offer was incredibly tempting.
Without a second thought, he agreed.
With the help of the grey-robed Daoist priest, he "locked" the souls of his wife and child onto the box.
And as the old Daoist priest instructed, he began to steal the fortune from wealthy families.
This had been going on for almost ten years.