They arrived at the door of the room together. The old man stepped forward and opened the door. The neat and orderly items inside met Lin Xiaotian's eyes.
The room was very simple, with a bed, a table, a few chairs, and a wardrobe. The rest were daily necessities.
From the outside, the feng shui of the house was fine, and there was no evil energy inside.
Lin Xiaotian walked around the room twice, observing carefully. His expression became a little confused, and he thought to himself: Strange, there's nothing evil in this old man's house, so why are there strange noises?
Seeing Lin Xiaotian hesitate, the old man couldn't help but ask curiously, "Master Lin, can you see what's unusual about my house? What kind of evil spirit is causing trouble here?"
"Please wait a moment, old man. I need to open the window and check the feng shui outside."
After ruling out problems with the feng shui inside the house, Lin Xiaotian opened the window and looked outside. The window faced the mouth of a mountain pass, facing north.
A mountain pass facing north is destined for disaster, and a river in the mountain attracts evil stars.
Lin Xiaotian took out his compass, carefully calculated for a moment, frowned, and looked back at the old man, asking, "Old man, what is the name of the mountain outside your window? Is there a river flowing through it?"
"Master Lin, you are truly divine. You are correct. There is indeed a river in this mountain, and it flows from east to west," the old man said in surprise, unable to help but give Lin Xiaotian a thumbs-up.
A few seconds later, a hint of confusion appeared on his face again, and he asked curiously, "Master Lin, does the river in the mountain have anything to do with the strange sounds in my house?"
"Not only is it related, but it's very related. It's precisely because of this river and the direction your window faces that you've formed a 'Di Sha Xie Feng Ju' (Earth Fiend Evil Wind Formation)."
"The sounds you hear every night are from the evil spirits in this great mountain. As far as I know, this mountain is usually rarely entered, and some disasters have occurred within it, haven't they?" Lin Xiaotian explained seriously and then asked.
"Yes, yes, Master Lin, what you said is absolutely true. Disasters have indeed occurred in this mountain. Anyone who enters this mountain and doesn't return for half a day is bound to have met with disaster. Only a few pieces of clothing are found, and the bodies are nowhere to be seen."
"That's why we call this great mountain Tai Sui Mountain. Every full moon, people in our vicinity worship the mountain top, praying for peace."
After the old man explained to Lin Xiaotian, a confident smile appeared on Lin Xiaotian's face.
He looked at the old man and continued, "Then I understand. All the problems lie within the mountain. If you want to stop being troubled by the strange sounds, the solution is very simple. You just need to build a wall outside your window, directly facing the mountain pass. Carve the 'Ba Gua Zhen Xie Tu' (Eight Trigrams Evil Suppressing Diagram) on the wall."
"At that time, the evil energy entering your house will be blocked by the evil-suppressing diagram, thus reflecting the sound back into the mountain, and you will no longer be bothered by the strange sounds."
"Just build a wall?"
When the old man heard Lin Xiaotian's solution, he happily slapped his thighs and said, "That's easy! There are several construction workers near my house who specialize in building. Building a wall is a piece of cake for them."
"It's just... if it doesn't work, then my money..."
"If it doesn't work, we will compensate you tenfold, and we will also reimburse you for the cost of building the wall," Lin Xiaotian said confidently, patting his chest.
"Are you serious?"
Upon hearing Lin Xiaotian's words, the old man's confidence instantly grew.
Lin Xiaotian smiled slightly and nodded, continuing to assure him, "Of course. Old man, you don't have to pay me first. You can pay after the sound disappears. I'll give you an account number later, and you can transfer the money then."
"After you transfer the money, you can go to the young lady who recommended me to claim your commission."
"Okay, okay, that's fine. Thank you, Master Lin. By the way, Master Lin, do I need to adjust anything in my house? Or are there any ways to ensure my grandson has a smooth life forever?"
The old man felt that Lin Xiaotian was a reliable master and immediately asked again.
"This..."
Lin Xiaotian's gaze swept over his grandson, he examined his face, and then smiled slightly, "Old man, strictly speaking, I don't usually read fortunes for people. But considering your lifelong diligent saving, I will reveal a heavenly secret to you."
"Your little grandson, I'm afraid, has a sign of financial ruin at the age of eighteen. Your family's wealth might be completely lost by the time it reaches your grandson."
"What? That serious?"
The old man's face showed panic, and he immediately widened his eyes and asked, "Then, how can my little grandson avoid this disaster? Master Lin, you must help me."
"To break it, it's not difficult, but I've already revealed a heavenly secret. If I tell you how to avoid the disaster again, it would be going against the will of heaven and would have an adverse effect on myself. So, this requires... more money!"
Lin Xiaotian deliberately rubbed his fingers together, finding an excuse to tell the old man.
The old man's face broke into a smile, and he nodded repeatedly, "No problem, I'll pay. As long as Master Lin can help me, I will reward you generously."
"Alright, since that's the case, I'll tell you a good method. Your grandson's fate of financial ruin needs to be compensated by doing more good deeds. When the time is right, a benevolent person will appear to help him avoid disaster."
"Is that all?" The old man seemed unconvinced and asked solemnly.
"That's right. Don't underestimate doing more good deeds. Every good deed he does is like forging a good connection, and it could be the key to changing his fate."
Lin Xiaotian explained seriously, then raised his eyebrows, "Old man, I've already told you the solution. How do you plan to repay me?"
"This..."
The old man thought for a moment, then suddenly had a flash of inspiration and said, "How about Master Lin picking any antique from my house? Everything in my house is a priceless treasure. I believe Master Lin will like something."
"Alright, since you say so, I won't be polite."
Lin Xiaotian agreed without hesitation and immediately returned with him to the hall. He pointed to an ancient painting hanging on the wall and said with a smile, "Old man, I'm quite interested in that ancient painting. Would you be willing to give it to me?"
"You want that painting?"
The old man was first surprised, then couldn't help but laugh, shaking his head, "Young friend Lin, it's clear you don't understand antiques. The cheapest item in my house is that painting."
"That painting is not an heirloom. My father bought it from outside for a hundred yuan when he was alive. Young friend Lin can pick something else more decent."
"No need, I just want that painting," Lin Xiaotian said firmly.