My heart skipped a beat when I heard a response from inside the room.
I stood straight in the hall, gazing in the direction of the inner room.
A moment later, the curtain of the inner room was lifted.
Immediately, a thin old man in a grey Zhongshan suit emerged.
The old man appeared to be in his sixties, of medium build, with a few wrinkles on his face.
His hair was streaked with grey and parted at the side.
His eyes were remarkably clear, without any trace of turbidity, looking full of vitality.
However, what was most striking was the raised red scar on the old man's neck.
The scar looked like it had been stitched together dozens of times, extending from the side of his neck to his throat.
It appeared as if a red centipede were coiled around his neck.
Composing myself, I asked,
"Are you Master Gu? My name is Qin Ze, and I've come here today to..."
Just as I began to explain my purpose, the old man in the Zhongshan suit was sizing me up.
He then showed some impatience and said,
"No need to say anything. I cannot help you with your matter. Go back!"
Hearing this, I was completely stunned.
I hadn't even spoken yet, and he said he couldn't help?
"Master Gu, I haven't even told you what it is yet?"
I hurriedly replied.
Brother Chen had told me that the thing haunting me would definitely come tonight.
If I had no one to help me, I might not survive the night.
Master Gu of this Wanfu Hall was now my only hope.
Upon hearing my words, the old man in the Zhongshan suit curved his lips into a faint smile:
"Your luck is too low, it's a matter of just a day or two. Even if I help, it'll be in vain.
It would be a waste of both our time.
Before it gets dark, you should eat and drink as usual.
For a thousand yuan, I'll sell you a peace talisman.
When you leave, you might be able to do so more peacefully!"
With that, he took out a crumpled piece of yellow paper from his Zhongshan suit and unfolded it with his hand.
It was wrinkled, and he casually placed it on the nearby counter.
If he hadn't called it a peace talisman, I would have thought it was toilet paper, too rough for comfort.
Although his words were not kind, the fact that he could instantly tell I had low luck, and that it was a matter of a day or two, indicated he possessed genuine skill.
However, for the sake of survival, I had no choice but to lower my stance and speak with utmost sincerity:
"Master Gu, I was recommended by Brother Chen Qiang.
He said you could definitely save me.
I still have a grandmother over seventy who needs me to see her off.
I truly don't want to die, I beg Master Gu to save my life."
Master Gu paused upon hearing me mention Brother Chen:
"That brat Chen Qiang sent you?"
"Yes, Master Gu. Brother Chen was trying to help me expel evil spirits.
Last night he was possessed by a ghost and is still in the hospital.
He advised me to come and find you.
He said you definitely have a way to save me."
I told him the truth, hoping to receive Master Gu's help.
Master Gu took a deep breath and then changed his tone:
"That brat Chen Qiang, he learned a bit of superficial knowledge and dares to help people with their affairs.
Never mind! Come and sit down.
Since that kid sent you here.
It means we have some fate between us. I'll see if I can help you live a few more days."
Hearing this, my heart leaped with joy.
I quickly expressed my gratitude:
"Thank you, Master Gu, thank you, Master Gu!"
After speaking, I sat down on the sofa.
Master Gu took a pipe from the nearby counter and filled it with some tobacco.
Holding it in his mouth, he lit it and said,
"Tell me! What exactly happened? The more detailed, the better."
Without hesitation, I recounted seeing the car accident at the beginning of the month.
Then I started feeling like someone was following me, all the way to last night when Brother Chen was possessed.
I recited the "Prajnaparamita Heart Sutra" and by chance, managed to scare away the fierce ghost, detailing the entire process.
I told Master Gu everything I had experienced.
After listening, Master Gu burst into laughter:
"Hehehe, a blind cat stumbling upon a dead mouse.
You're quite lucky and possess some innate wisdom.
An ordinary person like you, who can scare away a fierce ghost by reciting scriptures, is the first I've ever seen.
What is your birth date and time? I'll calculate it for you."
Master Gu remained very calm.
He did not show the slightest surprise at the dangers I had encountered last night.
He made it sound trivial, as if it were nothing worth mentioning.
The more he acted this way, the more I felt that this person possessed genuine abilities.
He must have weathered great storms and experienced much to be so calm and composed.
Without any hesitation, I quickly replied,
"My name is Qin Ze. Qin as in the Qin dynasty, Ze with the water radical. Born May 10th, 2001, at 10 PM."
I stated earnestly.
Master Gu held his pipe, smoking,
And raised one hand in front of his chest, tapping his thumb on his other fingers.
However, when I finished stating my birth date and time,
Master Gu, who had been so calm moments before, suddenly changed his expression, revealing a hint of shock.
His fingers, as if calculating, sped up significantly.
And he kept looking up at me, his eyes clearly filled with disbelief.
Seeing Master Gu's sudden change in expression, I sensed something was amiss.
I asked nervously,
"Master Gu, is my fate... my fate not good?"
But Master Gu raised his eyebrows and stared at me in surprise:
"Yin year, yin month, yin day, yin hour. You are of pure yin destiny.
Impossible, impossible! With your birth chart, your destiny...
How could you live to twenty years old!
Something's not right, not right..."
Master Gu suddenly muttered to himself, and I was confused by his words.
But I felt that the situation was very serious.
After muttering to himself, Master Gu even put down his pipe and stared at me strangely.
I felt unnerved by Master Gu's gaze and became quite uncomfortable.
Finally, Master Gu spoke in a low voice:
"Extend both your hands, let me see your palmistry!"
"Oh, oh!"
I quickly got up and extended both my hands to let Master Gu examine them.
The moment Master Gu saw my palms, his pupils contracted sharply.
He snatched both my hands and peered closely at all ten of my fingers.
Then, he once again showed a look of astonishment and said,
"Ten, ten Dipper signs!"