Page 168

The elderly woman leaned against the wall with her eyes closed, resting amidst a sprawl of fresh vegetables spread out on a tattered snakeskin bag at her feet. Hearing the commotion, she instinctively detached herself from the wall and sat up, her eyes still heavy with sleep.

"Granny, it's dark outside, why haven't you gone home yet?" Chu Yuening smiled as she pulled out some banknotes, "I'll take it all."

Finally, the drowsy old woman opened her eyes. She first tidied her silver hair before noticing someone crouching in front of her stall. She weakly waved her hands.

"How can a young girl like you eat so many vegetables? They'll go bad if they stay too long."

"No worries," Chu Yuening explained, "I have a friend who runs a restaurant, he can sell them all in one day."

"Really?" The old lady asked doubtfully. "You're not lying?"

"Not lying," Chu Yuening replied with a slight smile.

Only then did the old lady agree to sell, carefully selecting the vegetables, potatoes, and tomatoes one by one into a plastic sack. Chu Yuening asked as she watched.

"It's almost ten. Why haven't you gone home yet, Grandma?"

"Ai," the old lady paused in her task and waved dismissively. "I can't stand staying at home, and I can't explain why. It just feels gloomy and unsettling inside, as if I'm either going to have a nightmare or fall ill. Strangely enough, I feel more comfortable outside. Actually, I live nearby."

As Chu Yuening listened to the description, Nancy Kang's image came to mind.

Though feng shui is intangible and elusive, those residing within its influence can indeed feel its effects. In a place with auspicious feng shui, one's spirit thrives and there is a sense of ease. Conversely, in an unfavorable setting, one might be plagued by nightmares and encounter health issues.

"Granny, where do you reside?"

The old lady had finished picking her vegetables and, using both hands to support her knees, slowly stood up. She pointed to a nearby residential area and said, "That's Garden Estate right there. These vegetables are too heavy. Where do you live, young lady? I can help carry them back to your place, dear."

Chu Yuening rose and turned to look back.

The night was deep, and in the dim light, one could discern the peeling paint on the high-rise buildings in the compound. A faint black aura hovered around the area, within which a subtle tinge of bloodred seemed to drift intermittently.

Outside the neighborhood, several individuals stood.

Surrounded by others, a middle-aged man clad in a saffron-colored Taoist robe held a compass in his hand.

If there were any media reporters present on the scene, they would undoubtedly recognize the middle-aged man as Guang Deye, the master of metaphysics who has made a name for himself in the Feng Shui circles of the Fragrant River. They would also be able to identify Zhan Jun, the rising star in the real estate industry and the head of Shengshi Real Estate.

"And how about it?" Zhan Jun's gaze kept straying back to the residential area.

The Garden Estate consisted of eight buildings, all constructed in the 1950s, and was once one of the most sought-after properties in Hong Kong, renowned for its innovative approach of selling by floor. Yet, now, the area was desolate, with only a few scattered lights illuminating each building.

Still, Zhan Jun was dissatisfied.

"Can't you think of a better way to get rid of everyone? A few remaining households in each building hinder my acquisition plans! Master Guang, please, think of something else."

"Rest assured," Guang Deye replied coolly to Zhan Jun's complaint. "I brought my apprentice here today precisely to reinforce the array inside. Since you've paid me, I'll find a way to clear the residents out."

Zhan Jun felt a chill run down his spine. Despite his wealth, he dared not offend Guang Deye openly. After all, a master of metaphysics like him could easily bring harm to others just by setting up an array.

"Master Guang, I'm just anxious," Zhan Jun hastily retrieved a check from his suit pocket. "Whatever method you use, as long as you can evict them, it's fine."

Guang Deye held back the check. "No second payment for the same job."

Of course, Guang Deye's refusal wasn't due to arrogance or disdain for money. He was already defying the natural order, and accepting a second payment would invite a backlash.

No matter how much he loved money, he cherished his abilities too much to risk them for a mere few million dollars.

"I'll escalate the situation with the Wind and Cries Bureau." Guang Deye's gaze fell on the lamps upstairs, and a wicked smile gradually formed on his face. "If they still refuse to move by then, they'll all remain within those walls."

"So fond of the building, huh? Why not perish along with it?"

Upon hearing that lives might be at stake, Zhan Jun, still fearful, hastily put away the check and probed further, "D... Death? Can we avoid it?"

Impatiently holding the compass, Guang Deye replied, "Didn't you just say any means necessary?"

"Well..." Zhan Jun hesitated, "If there's a death, will I be held accountable?"

"Accountability?" Guang Deye sneered disdainfully, "No one needs to be present at the scene. Who would suspect you?"

"Stop questioning. Yes or no, that's all."

After a long moment of hesitation, Zhan Jun gritted his teeth, "I'll do it!"

"Very well." Guang Deye's grin returned, his cunning eyes signaling to his apprentice to retrieve something.

Zhan Jun noticed a knife placed on the bowl and jumped in surprise, "What's this for? !"

"Zhan Jun, to upgrade this formation, your blood is required. Your aura needs to be bound with the Garden Compound, using it to intimidate the residents so that they fear you, making it easier for them to show respect."

The disciple held the bowl with a solemn, deceptive smile.

He handed over the dagger.

"Please."

Zhan Jun took the dagger, his hand trembling as he slit his finger. Blood dripped from his palm into the pristine white bowl.

One drop.

Two drops.

...

The door to the apartment opened. The old lady carried a sack of vegetables into the kitchen, carefully emptying them onto the floor.

"They need to be taken out, or they'll rot in the snake-skin bag."

"Thank you, Grandma," Chu Yuening said, seeing the elderly woman off and handing her a hundred yuan.

The old lady insisted on not taking it, rummaging through her loose change to retrieve fifty yuan and return it to her. "How could those vegetables possibly cost a hundred yuan? You should keep the rest."

"The natural vegetables at the market are usually more expensive," Chu Yuening assumed, thinking that the grandma was unaware of market prices.

According to the grandma, she had cultivated those vegetables herself by carrying soil up to her rooftop.