My uncle explained the crucial points to us.
Lao Mo and I committed them firmly to memory.
After hearing his explanation, Wu Jing bowed repeatedly in thanks.
However, my uncle was unperturbed.
"Mr. Wu, we can help you with this matter.
But it's not as simple as it appears.
The cost of handling it is quite high!"
Upon hearing this, Lao Mo and I remained silent.
It was clear my uncle wasn't joking; he intended to charge a substantial fee.
After all, this situation wasn't entirely due to the ghosts.
The desire for easy money through gambling was problematic in itself.
My uncle intended to teach him a significant lesson.
Beyond the lesson, however, I felt my uncle had another intention: to reduce Wu Jing's shortened lifespan.
As the saying goes, "money can ward off disaster."
Wu Jing's face turned deathly pale upon hearing this.
"D-Daozhang, how much... how much will it be?"
My uncle didn't answer; instead, he looked at me.
I understood his meaning.
As I had brought the man here, the decision on how severe a lesson he should receive rested with me.
It also served as a reminder to me.
Not everyone who encounters a strange incident requires our full assistance.
Some people, due to their own actions, attract unwelcome entities.
While we should help, they must also learn from their mistakes.
Otherwise, our efforts are in vain.
Take Wu Jing, for instance. Driven by greed, he sought to win money through gambling.
He gambled for over twenty consecutive days.
Not only did he lose ten years from his lifespan, but he ended up owing thirty more.
This led to his current predicament.
However, upon opening the shop and starting the business, apart from teaching him a lesson, we should also strive to maximize benefits for our clients and minimize their loss of lifespan.
Of course, the extent to which lifespan can be preserved depends on Wu Jing himself...
With this in mind, I looked at Wu Jing and stated directly,
"Fifty thousand!"
Wu Jing exclaimed again,
"Ah? F-fifty thousand?
I-I don't have a single yuan left from what I've lost.
I took the bus here today using Huabei.
Daozhang Qin, p-please help me, for Chen Kai's sake!"
Lao Mo, upon hearing "Chen Kai," paused.
"Is that the guy who's paired with that old woman from the wood spirit?"
Hearing this, I nearly burst out laughing.
I nodded.
"Yes, it's him."
Lao Mo stifled a laugh.
That kid held no sway with me.
Yet, I still told Wu Jing,
"How about this!
Take all the money you've won recently, all the things you've bought.
Including clothes, shoes, phones, watches, even your toothbrush and toothpaste.
Bring them all here as collateral, as payment for our services.
We'll leave as soon as you bring these items."
Wu Jing, on the verge of losing his life, didn't question why I wanted even his toothbrush and toothpaste.
Without a second thought, he nodded.
"Okay, okay, Daozhang Qin.
I-I'll go back right now, I'll be back shortly!"
With that, Wu Jing turned to leave.
But as soon as he turned, he spun back around.
"Oh, right, this, I'll leave this first..."
He said, removing the watch on his wrist, valued at over twenty thousand, and placing it nearby.
Then, he turned and ran out of the shop.
Watching Wu Jing's retreating figure.
Lao Mo spoke.
"Old Qin, isn't that too harsh?
Toothbrush and toothpaste, you want those too?
What are you going to do with them?"
I smiled slightly. Lao Mo clearly hadn't grasped the deeper meaning.
Before I could reply, my uncle beside me let out a cold snort.
"You kid, I tell you to read more books, but you just watch anime.
This is called dispelling disaster, blocking karma.
The things he bought are all his 'lifespan money.'
Not earned through labor, but bought with his life.
Young Qin is now collecting them all in this manner.
It's not just a lesson, but also a way to deflect disaster.
To reduce his lifespan loss.
As for us, we are professionals, protected by our ancestors.
Practicing yin and yang arts, charging fees for our services is also only natural.
This karma and disaster are naturally cleared when they reach us.
Otherwise, what would Young Qin do with his used toothbrush and toothpaste?
Dig out earwax or scrub shoes?"
Indeed, experience made the master. My uncle truly understood these matters.
I nodded.
"Yes, Uncle is right, that's exactly my intention."
Lao Mo scratched his head, looking somewhat wronged...
"Alright, you two handle this matter yourselves.
If you can't manage, give me a call.
I'm off to get some liquor. Old Li next door invited me for a game of chess tonight.
I'm going to crush him today..."
With that, my uncle picked up his gourd of black wine from nearby and walked out of the door.
Lao Mo and I watched him leave.
Then, we sat on the sofa, each lighting a cigarette.
We considered Wu Jing's issue.
With the 'lifespan IOU' in hand.
Even if those ghosts managed to kill Mr. Wu,
He wouldn't be punished in the afterlife.
The reason they hadn't killed Wu Jing outright was simply to have him introduce another victim...
After a few puffs, I heard Lao Mo speak.
"Old Qin, regarding tonight's matter, how do you think we should proceed?
I feel that it will be difficult to retrieve that IOU from the ghosts with just a few words."
I nodded in agreement.
Following my uncle's plan, with a few of my own ideas added:
"We'll go over tonight, scout the situation first, and probe their strength.
Understand their capabilities.
We'll try diplomacy first, then force.
If we can negotiate, that's best. A reasonable price can be paid.
If negotiations fail.
And the opponent isn't strong, then we won't hold back.
We'll strike directly and settle it quickly.
If their strength is comparable, or difficult to deal with.
Then we'll have to play it by ear.
If all else fails, we'll let Uncle come and deal with them..."