Chapter 71

After the golden cicada charm was cut, it flew to the head of the human-shaped diagram, opened its mouth, and spat a drop of fresh red blood onto the head, which then slowly seeped into the entire head.

When the head of the human-shaped diagram was completely soaked in blood, Xia Yunjie took a brush and slowly began to draw on it. With each stroke, a cold and eerie aura drifted in from outside, gathering on the blood-soaked head, turning the originally bright red color into a dark and gloomy shade. Upon closer inspection, it seemed as if countless vengeful ghosts were gnashing their teeth and clawing at the head.

As Xia Yunjie was drawing, Shen Ziliang, who was lying on the big bed, furrowed his brows deeply, beads of sweat dripping from his forehead. He mumbled incoherently, "No, no!" as if he were dreaming of something very terrifying.

In fact, Shen Ziliang was indeed dreaming of something very terrifying. He dreamed that he had come to a graveyard, surrounded by desolate darkness and countless fierce ghosts. Some of them extended their bloody tongues to lick his face, while others used their long, sharp claws to strangle his neck...

"Ah! No!" When a fierce ghost reached into his body and pulled out his still-beating, bloody heart, and then opened its mouth to eat it, Shen Ziliang finally screamed and woke up from the nightmare.

Upon waking, Shen Ziliang found himself drenched in cold sweat, even the bed was soaked.

Shen Ziliang panted heavily, having never experienced such a terrifying dream before.

After a while, Shen Ziliang gradually recovered from the shock. Because the dream was so terrifying, he tried to stay awake, but due to the frustration he had endured at the bar and the exhausting double flight he had played afterward, he couldn't resist falling asleep again after a while.

However, as soon as Shen Ziliang fell asleep, the terrifying scenes reappeared...

While Shen Ziliang was being tormented by nightmares, the instigator, Xia Yunjie, was already sound asleep.

There has always been a folk method of cursing people one resents by making small paper figures, but this method is merely a way to vent anger and is not true witchcraft. True witchcraft can actually harm people through curses or the use of small paper figures.

What Xia Yunjie had just performed was such a form of witchcraft. Since Shen Ziliang had dared to threaten him, although he wouldn't kill him, he certainly wouldn't let him off easily.

Xia Yunjie woke up on time at the hour of Mao (5-7 AM), then sat cross-legged facing east to practice.

The purple qi from the east entered his body through his眉心 (third eye), and the threads of heaven and earth's qi were converted into witch power in the泥丸宫 (cerebral palace), then flowed through his entire body, nourishing and refining him. The two witch cauldrons in his arms became increasingly solid, emitting a faint, ancient, and terrifying power.

After the hour of Mao passed, Xia Yunjie promptly finished his practice, washed up, and began preparing breakfast.

Since he planned to be self-sufficient in the coming days, Xia Yunjie didn't want to neglect himself. For breakfast, he prepared a popular dish in the Jiangnan region—century egg and lean meat porridge.

The century egg and lean meat porridge is thick, smooth, and light, and was also a favorite breakfast of Wuzhe. When Wuzhe was alive, Xia Yunjie often made it for him, so he was very familiar with the process.

Rice, century eggs, lean meat, scallions, ginger...

Xia Yunjie worked efficiently in the kitchen, and soon the kitchen was filled with a mouth-watering aroma that made one's appetite grow.

Today was Shen Liti's day off, so she slept in, not waking up until around eight o'clock.

However, when she stretched her lazy limbs and pushed open the bedroom door, a strong, pleasant aroma immediately hit her nose, invigorating her and making her eyes brighten. She followed the scent.

Immediately, Shen Liti saw that the kitchen, which was usually empty, now had a man in it. He was ladling century egg and lean meat porridge while taking deep breaths, looking self-satisfied.

"Wow, it smells so good!" The strong aroma and Xia Yunjie's satisfied expression immediately whetted Shen Liti's appetite, making her swallow her saliva and her stomach growl.

Hearing Shen Liti's praise from behind, Xia Yunjie recalled the events of the previous evening. He originally didn't want to acknowledge her, but considering they would be living together, it would be better to maintain a good relationship. Otherwise, seeing each other every day would be awkward. He finally turned his head and smiled, "You're up. I made some century egg and lean meat porridge. Do you want some?"

"Sure, I'll have a bowl. I'll go wash my face and brush my teeth first." Shen Liti nodded without hesitation. She hurriedly headed to the bathroom, as if afraid that the porridge would be gone if she delayed.

Watching Shen Liti's hurried departure, Xia Yunjie was taken aback. He had only meant it as a polite offer, but he didn't expect her to be so unreserved, asking for a bowl right away. Didn't she see that the pot only had enough for one person? Besides, hadn't she said she didn't want to live with him yesterday?

However, since the words were out, Xia Yunjie could only sigh at women's fickleness and divide the limited porridge into another bowl.

After washing up, Shen Liti came out of the bathroom and saw Xia Yunjie sitting at the dining table, slowly eating the century egg and lean meat porridge. Next to him was another bowl and a pair of chopsticks. Shen Liti felt a gentle tug in her heart, and the sight of Xia Yunjie, who had seen her precious body last night, no longer bothered her. Her gaze even softened.

"This porridge is so fragrant and delicious!" Shen Liti sat down, picked up her chopsticks, and took a bite. The taste was so good that she almost bit her tongue, and she couldn't help but praise it sincerely.

"Hehe, I'm glad you like it." Xia Yunjie smiled modestly, not feeling particularly proud. He had been making this porridge for about ten years, so it would be strange if it weren't good.

"Delicious, really delicious. I've never had such delicious century egg and lean meat porridge!" Shen Liti continued to praise as she ate.

Seeing Shen Liti's enthusiastic praise, Xia Yunjie felt a bit embarrassed and blurted out, "If you really like it, I'll make it again tomorrow."

As soon as the words were out, Xia Yunjie wanted to slap himself. He was already struggling to support himself this month, and now he was acting like a rich man "supporting a woman." Wasn't he digging his own grave?

"Great! I was just thinking that." Shen Liti immediately clapped her hands happily.

Xia Yunjie rolled his eyes. Even if he hadn't said it, she had already planned it out.

"By the way, I see you bought oil, salt, and other condiments. Are you planning to cook at home from now on?" Shen Liti continued, not noticing Xia Yunjie's distress.

"Yes." Xia Yunjie nodded hesitantly, sensing the looming economic crisis.

The money he had was enough to support himself, but not enough to support two people.

"Great, then I can eat at home from now on. You don't know how tired I am of the greasy and unhygienic food from outside. Neither Haiqiong nor I can cook, so we just make do. Now that you can cook, I won't have to eat out anymore." As Xia Yunjie had feared, Shen Liti immediately made a full-time dining request.

Xia Yunjie had never expected that a bowl of century egg and lean meat porridge would lead to supporting a woman. He looked at Shen Liti, feeling awkward and troubled. To be honest, cooking for one person or two was the same, and in fact, cooking for two was easier than for one. But the key issue was that Xia Yunjie had no money.

Living frugally for one person was already difficult; adding another person would mean eating century egg porridge every day.

"Why are you looking at me like that? Don't worry, I can't cook, but I can wash dishes and clean up." Shen Liti pouted, seeing Xia Yunjie's awkward and troubled expression.

Xia Yunjie was speechless. Why didn't this woman think about the money issue and only about washing dishes and cleaning up?

"Oh, and the money. You really are a money-grubber!" Shen Liti finally remembered the issue of the entry fee and rolled her eyes.

"Cough, cough, my finances are a bit tight recently." Xia Yunjie said, feeling embarrassed.

"Don't tell me you're cooking at home because of financial difficulties?" Shen Liti said, not believing him.

"Mainly because of financial reasons. Otherwise, I wouldn't bother cooking for myself." Xia Yunjie no longer felt embarrassed as the topic unfolded.

"Really? I heard the income from the bar is pretty good. Besides, don't you have a side job?" Shen Liti said, surprised.

"Side job?" Xia Yunjie was momentarily confused.

"Playing the mystic, cough, cough, don't take it personally. Actually, Haiqiong and I think you're pretty strong. You don't have to pay for taxi rides, and people call you Master. In this day and age, this profession is quite profitable." Shen Liti said, but when she mentioned "playing the mystic," she saw Xia Yunjie roll his eyes and quickly changed the subject.

Xia Yunjie looked at Shen Liti, speechless. It seemed that his image as a mystic was deeply ingrained in the minds of Shen Liti and Du Haiqiong.

However, Xia Yunjie had to admit that if he were to take up this profession, he would indeed make a lot of money, but he couldn't do it!

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