The phone connected, and Old Mo, panting, started, "You, you're awake?"
Hearing Old Mo's labored breathing, I asked, "What are you doing? Plowing the fields?"
Old Mo replied breathlessly, "Plowing fields, no! Running!"
I chuckled and said, "Not bad! You tossed and turned all night, and then went running in the afternoon. You've got plenty of energy."
Old Mo panted a few more times, "You, you think, think I want to? It's all because I took that Ren Yuanyang Shou Dan. I won't waste words with you. I'm full of vigor right now, with endless energy. You, you'll know when you go to my master's."
With that, Old Mo hung up.
Hearing Old Mo's words, I was slightly taken aback. Ren Yuanyang Shou Dan. So, my martial uncle had already identified it, and it was indeed edible. I was currently in dire need of lifespan, so if this thing was edible, that would be fantastic. What you need most appearing when you need it most—that's just too good to be true. Without hesitation, I got dressed and left the shop.
Wanshou Hall was open. As I approached the entrance, I saw there were customers. I decided not to go in and waited outside. Inside, I saw my martial uncle speaking to a greasy middle-aged man with a slicked-back hairstyle and a black leather briefcase.
"Boss Li, rest assured. Once you invite this Three Altars Sea Manifestation Great God back, that malevolent entity will surely no longer plague you. Your business rivals will also be firmly in your grasp. Prosperity will be yours, all affairs will go smoothly, and your household will be at peace!"
The middle-aged man looked at the eight-armed Nezha statue with some doubt, "Master Tang, I know your abilities. But I've heard that Nezha is not to be invited, and it's even less suitable to worship at home! They say Nezha died by his own hand, cutting flesh to return to his mother and scraping bones to return to his father. Won't the killing intent be too strong and bring misfortune to the family?"
My martial uncle waved his hand, looking composed, "Boss Li, your parents are gone, so there's no talk of misfortune. Besides, you mentioned your business rival was born in the Year of the Dragon, with a full dragon tattoo covering his back and a dragon crossing his shoulders. This signifies authority, prestige, and boundless wealth, naturally putting him above you. If you want to gain the upper hand, you must invite my eight-armed Nezha back. Nezha always fights dragons and targets their tendons. As long as you worship him properly, I believe your career will surely flourish! With Nezha's heavy killing intent and high divine status, those malevolent entities won't be able to enter your home, guaranteeing safety."
The middle-aged man seemed enlightened by these words. He became delighted, "Excellent, excellent! Master Tang speaks the truth. Heavy killing intent scares even ghosts. And I want to target that dead dog's tendons, damn him for always stealing my business. Master Tang, I'll take this statue. How much is the service fee?"
My martial uncle waved his hand, "Not expensive, not expensive. Boss Li is an old customer. I'll only charge you eighty-eight thousand, for prosperity all the way! Leave a few strands of your hair. Later, I'll give you a peace talisman to wear. Tonight, I'll perform a ritual to invite fortune for you. I guarantee Boss Li will have good fortune for the next ten years."
My martial uncle said it all so casually, with such confidence, looking like an otherworldly master. But these words, to me, sounded exactly like how my master, when he was alive, would con rich patrons into buying statues. It would certainly work against common malevolent entities. But to truly change one's fortune with a statue, then the business of "raising ghost children" in Southeast Asia would truly have no market. If anyone could gain good fortune just by worshipping a deity, then there would be no suffering people in the world.
The middle-aged man, after being thoroughly persuaded by my martial uncle, quickly swiped his card and paid eighty-eight thousand. Then, under my martial uncle's guidance, he performed some rituals to invite the deity. Finally, he left with a happy smile, carrying the statue, and even met my gaze.
After the customer left, I went inside. Seeing me, my martial uncle immediately reverted to his usual appearance of a drowsy, drunken old man. "You're here!"
"Martial Uncle, who was that boss just now? Eighty-eight thousand, just like that?" I asked curiously.
My martial uncle glanced at the Mercedes car driving away outside. "Oh! A major factory owner. He has some influence around here. But this man has done many dishonest deeds, evading taxes, and exploiting his workers' medical and social security fees. He was recently reported and fined heavily. He's become superstitious, always feeling someone is trying to harm him. At the same time, he wants to change his fortune and boost his business. So, I thought it was time to clear some inventory and gave him that old Nezha statue."
My martial uncle finished speaking unhurriedly and took a swig from his gourd. Earning eighty-eight thousand didn't even bring a hint of surprise to my martial uncle's face, as if it were worthless paper. After hearing this, I simply replied, "Oh," and didn't think about the middle-aged boss anymore.
Then, my martial uncle, after finishing his drink, burped, "Little Qin, I've heard about last night from Little Mo. Those two Ren Yuanyang Shou Dans, I've examined them, and they are edible. But you two really have some nerve, inviting Yin Messengers."
Hearing my martial uncle say this, I was a bit confused. Didn't it work very well? "Martial Uncle, by doing this, we not only got rid of the ghost but also gained an opportunity! Isn't that great?"
My martial uncle's face darkened. "Great what! You must understand, there's a distinction between Yin and Yang. There's a boundary between the living and the dead. Especially for us Taoists and Yin Messengers. Our identities are very sensitive. One is an official from below, the other is the Way from above. Even if you possess the Yin Yang Emissary Talisman, you are still a living person and cannot have too much involvement with Yin Messengers, let alone direct contact. There are regulations in the underworld governing this. It's to prevent Yin Messengers and earthly Taoists from colluding. If Yin Messengers turn a blind eye, it could disrupt the cycle of reincarnation. And what Chimewangliang said was correct. Arbitrarily inviting Yin Messengers and delaying their duties can lead to punishment. But fortunately, nothing major happened. You two just got lucky and managed to obtain a protective amulet from the Four Yin Messengers."
Upon hearing my martial uncle's words, I couldn't help but gasp. I never imagined there was such a detail involved. Last night, when I heard Chimewangliang, I thought they were just finding an excuse to ask for favors. Turns out, you really can't casually invite Yin Messengers.
"Martial Uncle, I've noted it all." I nodded. After all, some rules and taboos cannot be broken. Even though I had no ill intentions, these red lines are not something I can casually cross.
My martial uncle nodded, "Good, it's good that you remember. Don't be so rash in the future. Try to avoid direct contact with Yin Messengers. Of course, Yin commanders like Black and White Impermanence are exceptions, as they hold high positions. Also, this Ren Yuanyang Shou Dan is in the box. Take it now. It should greatly benefit your body. Later, I'll assign you a task to help stabilize your lifespan..."