Chapter 19

After hearing Old Li’s words, Su Jiu did not take them too seriously. Old Li’s reaction was within his expectations. Feng Shui and mysticism were indeed in such a state in today’s society. Su Jiu smiled, took a few steps forward.

The two stone lions at the entrance of the villa were exquisitely crafted, made of high-quality white marble. The stone lions were 1.5 meters tall, with a 70-centimeter base, making the entire structure 2.2 meters high. From the front, the base, body, and head of the stone lions each occupied one-third of the stone material. Both stone lions had a "treasure pearl" in their mouths.

In ancient times, stone lions were always placed in pairs, and the same was true at the entrance of the villa. The male lion had a ball under its paw, while the female lion caressed a cub.

"Do you know the meaning of the pearls in the mouths of these stone lions?" Su Jiu stepped forward, pointed to the stone ball in the lion’s mouth, and asked Old Li with a smile.

Old Li was taken aback by Su Jiu’s question.

Old Li was aware that stone lions were placed at the entrance. Generally, white marble stone lions had the function of warding off evil, and the white marble flag platforms had a similar effect. Since lions were the kings of beasts, they symbolized "nobility" and "majesty." According to custom, the pair of stone lions was placed with the female on the left and the male on the right. The male lion’s paw on the ball symbolized unifying the world and supreme power, while the female lion’s paw on the cub symbolized the continuation of offspring.

However, Old Li was not clear about the meaning of the pearls in the lions’ mouths.

Seeing Old Li’s stunned expression, Su Jiu knew he was embarrassed. Someone in Old Li’s position, who still placed a pair of stone lions at the entrance, naturally knew something about their meaning.

"As everyone knows, stone lions are always placed in pairs, with the female on the left and the male on the right. The significance of the male lion’s paw on the ball and the female lion’s paw on the cub, I believe Old Li is very clear about, right?" Su Jiu asked.

"En!" Old Li nodded.

"According to legend, in ancient times, there were many evil creatures that caused chaos and disturbed the people. A man, seeing this, decided to solve the people’s suffering and sought the help of a deity. The deity was moved and granted him a treasure pearl. When he held it in his mouth, he would transform into a lion, and all the evil creatures would be afraid and flee back to their realm, bringing peace to the world. Therefore, the pearl in the mouth of the stone lion is also called a treasure pearl."

"Later, when the man died, the evil creatures returned to the human world. People came up with a solution: they carved stone lions and placed them at their doorsteps. The evil creatures, seeing the stone lions, thought the man had returned and fled in fear. Since then, stone lions with pearls in their mouths have been passed down to the present day. This is also the origin of the belief that stone lions ward off evil."

Su Jiu paused for a moment, organizing his thoughts. There were many legends about stone lions, some positive and some negative, but according to the content recorded on the golden compass in his mind, this legend was the closest to the truth.

"Old Li, take a look at this treasure pearl." Su Jiu took a step forward, turned the stone ball in the lion’s mouth, and showed the back of the pearl.

"Ah!" As Su Jiu turned the pearl, both Old Li and Old Zhao drew in a sharp breath.

The pearl, also called a treasure pearl, was the soul of the stone lion. In terms of craftsmanship, the hollow carving of the pearl was the most difficult part of the entire stone lion.

White marble was the best material for carving stone lions. It was both high-quality and expensive, ranging from 200 to 300 yuan per cubic meter for cheaper varieties, and up to tens of thousands of yuan per cubic meter for the most precious. The stone lions in front of them were clearly carved from grade A white marble, with each lion requiring about five cubic meters of stone, meaning the raw material cost for one lion was over 100,000 yuan.

White marble is a precious type of marble, very hard and white. However, when Su Jiu turned the pearl, the pearl in the lion’s mouth had turned completely black.

After turning the pearl in the female lion’s mouth, Su Jiu moved to the male lion on the right and did the same. The pearl in its mouth was also black and shiny.

"Master Su, what’s going on? Why has the pearl turned black?" After the shock, Old Li had to ask Su Jiu, his face showing his concern. Even a fool could see what was happening. If he still maintained his high attitude, he would be the fool.

Old Zhao, standing to the side, was also staring at Su Jiu, waiting for his answer. Since entering the villa, his attention had been almost entirely focused on Su Jiu.

Previously, neither of them had fully trusted Su Jiu. Old Zhao had come with a trial attitude, and Old Li had come to save face for Old Zhao. However, in just a few minutes, the situation had changed unexpectedly, and neither of them had noticed the change.

Su Jiu saw the expressions on the two elders’ faces. People like Old Li and Old Zhao were generally between believing and not believing in Feng Shui and mysticism. Their current expressions were understandable.

"I’m not sure why the back of the pearl has turned black, at least not yet." After a pause, Su Jiu shook his head and said.

"You don’t know?" Old Li’s voice rose an octave, and Old Zhao was startled by the sound.

"Master Su, don’t play games. I know the rules of Feng Shui. Don’t worry, I understand the rules!" Old Li thought for a moment and then continued.

Su Jiu smiled. He had been waiting for Old Li to say this. The rules of Feng Shui were indeed a set of industry norms.

Generally, the Feng Shui energy field is a natural formation closely related to a person’s fate. When a Feng Shui master helps someone with Feng Shui issues, it involves a cause-and-effect relationship, which is considered a form of karmic debt.

There is no love or hate without a reason. The rules of Feng Shui are similar to this principle. The cause-and-effect relationship involves a person’s fortune, which is why Feng Shui masters generally do not easily help people with Feng Shui issues.

In simpler terms, in today’s society, the rules of Feng Shui can be summarized as: "If you take someone’s money, you must do the job."

The principle is simple, but for Su Jiu to say it outright was another matter. Generally, Feng Shui masters do not reveal these rules. Revealing them would deepen the cause-and-effect relationship, which is something no one can fully understand.

Su Jiu was very clear that if he solved the Feng Shui problem for someone without a reason, he would be taking on that person’s karmic debt. Unless it was a close relative, no Feng Shui master would do this. However, with the rules in place, he would be paid to solve the Feng Shui problem, which would reduce the direct karmic involvement and minimize the karmic debt.

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