Chapter 22

Our Zhao Qian is not a flower vase; she naturally has a way to counter such spells. Watch as she picks up the paper talisman, mutters a spell, and easily separates the paper figure from the talisman.

This person is really bad, making me bump my head. Yuxiaoxue was also angry, rubbing her forehead, very unhappy.

Only then did I remember that Yuxiaoxue was sitting behind me, and I quickly checked her injury, finding that it wasn’t swollen. Rubbing it a bit would make it better.

Our journey, which had been quite pleasant, changed because of this incident. Zhao Qian had just cried, and she spoke less. I felt that this person should be given a lesson.

The ancestral home of the Zhao family is very large, almost like a resort. The surrounding trees are planted in positions that have some knowledge behind them, after all, they are a family of feng shui experts. This is not simple, but unfortunately, I can't understand it.

Thinking about it, Grandpa Zhao is also a wealthy landowner. Turning the ancestral home into a resort for rest and recuperation is not difficult.

The parking lot outside the resort was already filled with many cars, mostly high-end vehicles worth three to fifty million. It seems that the people who came this time are either rich or noble.

Zhao He was already waiting for us anxiously at the entrance of the resort. It seems that Zhao Yi told him about the trick he played on us.

If it weren't for Uncle, I almost beat that kid up. He's damn vicious! Zhao He cursed.

Thanks to Brother Tian, otherwise I would have been in trouble. He somehow got my hair and tied the paper figure with my birth date to the talisman, wanting me to be plagued by misfortune all the time.

The talisman was glued to the ground with glue, and as cars came and went, it had a similar effect to what some old ladies do when they curse people. After tying it with the evil talisman, it escalated to the point where thousands of people would step on it, and the person cursed would stumble while walking. Over time, they might encounter a car accident or other misfortunes, leading to a tragic death. It's extremely malicious.

This kind of person will get their retribution, right, Brother Tian? Yuxiaoxue said, waving her small fists.

I nodded and looked at Zhao Qian. Zhao Qian was just looking at me, and she blushed, somewhat moved. This time, I saved her again.

That damn old beast! To be so vicious to his own niece, I'll go and reason with him! Zhao He was furious, rolled up his sleeves, and was about to go find Zhao Zhou, but Zhao Qian held him back.

Brother, if you reason with him, he won't admit it. Last time, it was the same. After he reported to Grandma, we became the bad guys. Zhao Qian was a bit anxious. Zhao He's mind is straightforward; how can he match the twists and turns of others?

That can't be let go! Zhao He's teeth were grinding with anger.

Alright, Dad is probably waiting for us. Let's take it one step at a time. After all, they didn't harm me. Zhao Qian is quite good-tempered; the evil talisman is not something to play with.

I led Yuxiaoxue and followed the two siblings to the ancestral hall at the back of the resort.

As expected of a large family, the ancestral hall is very large, covering at least 200 square meters. From the outside, it looks to be about ten meters long.

The Zhao family hasn't set a rule that outsiders can't enter, so there are quite a few people, with dozens of men and women, and many of the great-grandchildren are already running around the room.

The old man of the Zhao family is probably still burning incense and worshiping in the inner hall, so the hundred or so people are divided into several groups. For example, the eldest son Zhao Xi's group, the second son Zhao Zhou's group, and the third daughter Zhao Yuan's group. The camps are clearly defined, and it seems that not all their people have arrived yet, so they don't greet each other, creating a situation similar to the Three Kingdoms.

Zhao He led us to the group on the left side.

A thin, white man in his fifties was standing next to several Taoist priests. The rest were relatives from Zhao Qian's mother's side. Her mother is one of the four leading cadres in the county, although she didn't come this time to avoid suspicion, Zhao Qian's uncles and other relatives came to support.

Dad! Zhao Qian and Zhao He greeted Zhao Xi.

Mm. Zhao Xi nodded, glanced at me and Yuxiaoxue behind Zhao Qian, and his face showed a slight disappointment: Didn't you invite Aunt Zhou?

No, I let you down, but Zhao Qian bit her lip and wanted to introduce me and Yuxiaoxue to her father.

It's fine if you didn't invite her. Aunt Zhou doesn't act easily. Zhao Xi waved his hand: Are they friends of Zhao He and Zhao Qian? You can sit down first. I need to talk to the Taoist priests, so I can't take care of you.

Dad! Zhao Qian wanted to say something but was stopped by me.

Don't worry, Uncle Zhao, you're busy. I politely replied. It's not Zhao Xi's fault; after all, we are just here to watch. Zhao Xi being so polite to us is already quite considerate. Expecting him to treat us as honored guests would be too much.

I glanced at the Taoist priests in yellow clothes but couldn't figure out which sect they belonged to. After all, they haven't shown their skills yet, and these few didn't even look at us.

Seeing that their father didn't want to talk to their friends, Zhao Qian and Zhao He looked a bit awkward. Of course, Zhao Qian was much better than Zhao He when facing her father. If Zhao He had brought his friends, Zhao Xi probably wouldn't have paid attention to him at all.

The hall of the ancestral temple was filled with many tables, with cold dishes like braised beef and cashew pig tongue, for the guests to eat. Yuxiaoxue, being young and having no chance to speak, could only enjoy the food.

Sorry, my dad is actually quite good, but he's not feeling well recently, so his mood is not good. Zhao Qian explained to me.

It's fine; I'm not here to help anyway. I smiled, picked up my chopsticks, and started eating the cashew and braised beef.

Zhao Qian didn't know what to say and looked at her brother. Zhao He looked at me, pinched his chin, and was at a loss.

After a while, he said: Brother Tian, shall we have some white wine?

Brother, that's not good! Zhao Qian immediately stopped him.

It's fine, let's have some. I said straightforwardly.

Saying it, Zhao He ran to get two bottles of Jinliufu and filled my cup.

The other two groups didn't pay attention to us, and Zhao Yi was chatting with his friends. So, the two of us started drinking, while Zhao Qian and Yuxiaoxue were bored and just stood there.

Soon, most people had arrived, and the old man of the Zhao family came out of the inner hall in a wheelchair. He was emaciated, with many age spots on his face, lying in a chair and receiving an IV drip. He couldn't speak, and it seemed he could pass away at any moment.

I glanced at the old man of the Zhao family but didn't see any signs of a fierce ghost. It seems that with so many people and in a place like the ancestral hall, the ghost had hidden. The ritual would probably start with summoning the ghost; otherwise, it wouldn't work.

The old lady of the Zhao family had a fierce look on her face. She must have been the one managing the household in her youth. She pushed the wheelchair and scanned the three groups with a frown.

Zhao Xi, Zhao Zhou, Zhao Yuan, you three have seen the state of your father. Now it's time to save him. Who will go first? The old lady of the Zhao family spoke with authority, directly naming them.

The leaders of the three groups immediately became agitated. After all, everyone was confident in saving their father. They had spent a lot of money and effort to invite these experts. Whoever could save their father first would be the one in charge in the future.

Mom, I'm the eldest, so let me go first. I've invited the Taoist Priest Canyun from the Three Immortals Temple and his disciples, who specialize in driving away fierce ghosts. If it doesn't work, let the second brother and third sister try. Zhao Xi, being the eldest, tried to take the lead. He had always been like this, not letting others have a chance.

Zhao Zhou sneered but didn't argue, just exchanged a glance with the old man beside him. The old man was still dignified, seemingly telling Zhao Zhou to be patient, and then gave a smile with a hidden meaning.

The old lady of the Zhao family looked at the old man beside Zhao Zhou and smiled, nodding at him, as if she knew him. It seems that the old man's identity was not simple.

Eldest brother, where is the Three Immortals Temple? Don't blame me for not knowing, as I live in the city. How much did you spend? My brother-in-law donated over a million to the Piantian Temple and invited the abbot Jishi several times. Dad is in such a state, so let Jishi take a look first to avoid any low-level practitioners causing more trouble. The third daughter, Zhao Yuan, was not willing. Why should she? Her husband was a powerful figure in both the black and white worlds, and her brother-in-law was rich and could do as he pleased.

The one you invited is Abbot Jishi. Look at his demeanor, which is far superior to those poor Taoists from the Three Immortals Temple.

Indeed, when I looked at Abbot Jishi, he looked very impressive, wearing a red福田衣 (Futianyi), holding a dragon-headed staff in his right hand, and a redwood bowl in his left. They were all expensive items! Some might even think Zhang Jizhong was about to remake "Journey to the West."

Moreover, Jishi brought about ten followers. Tang Sanzang only had three disciples, but now, with his presence, it seemed that even a gang fight would be no match for him.

Abbot Jishi was probably in his sixties or seventies, with a kind and benevolent face. Anyone who saw him would feel reassured. He stepped forward and kindly shook his head at Zhao Yuan: Layman, do not speak rashly. Bodhidharma once said: "Buddha is not sought externally; Buddha is in the heart." The incense offerings you made did not invite me, Abbot Jishi, but the Buddha's heart.

The old lady of the Zhao family was also a Buddhist believer. Hearing Abbot Jishi talk about the Buddha's heart, she immediately nodded with a smile: Look, just these few words show the level. This one can probably do it.

Unexpectedly, Zhao Yuan, hearing Jishi's words, was stunned and said helplessly: No, Abbot, you are on my side. My husband spent a lot of money. I don't understand this Buddha's heart stuff. After spending so much, can you really do it?

The old lady of the Zhao family frowned, wondering why this third daughter was so blunt.

Everyone is originally a Buddha, but becomes an ordinary person due to delusion. The Buddha's heart is the process of breaking through delusion and finding one's true nature. Layman, evil does not come from outside; it arises from the mind. When the right mind arises, evil naturally disappears. Jishi saw that she didn't understand and explained further.

But Zhao Yuan still didn't get it. She only recognized money. Hearing this, she thought the old monk couldn't do it and immediately became angry: Can you do it?

Yes, I can! Jishi's face turned red: I've never seen someone so uneducated. I said so much, and you just ask this?

Brother Tian, Snow understands. He said he can do it. Yuxiaoxue said, biting the braised beef.

Zhao Qian, standing next to me, burst into laughter, and I sprayed the wine I had just swallowed, speechless: Sigh, it's hard for the great monk. His attempt to show off didn't find the right audience.

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