Chapter 23: A Weasel Paying New Year's Greetings to a Chicken

Dahu had offended his ancestral spirits, making him the primary target of karmic creditors. This would manifest as misfortune in his health and career, though it would never be fatal.

Er Lengzi, however, was in a dire situation. "A black-decree karmic creditor does not take a life, but it prevents one from sailing smoothly."

Er Lengzi was in the worst state of all. Since the debt was originally inherited from his ancestors, the creditors would not have taken his life, but he could not afford any other misfortunes, as he would inevitably bear the brunt of them.

The complexions of everyone in the room were poor, and with Chunhua and Dahu stirring things up, Er Lengzi’s ashen face suggested his days were numbered.

Seeing this, I began to mutter to myself. If my great-grandfather’s handbook was accurate, someone was likely to die today.

Frowning, I looked at them—both had been my childhood playmates. I couldn't bear to see them meet such an end, so I spoke up: "Dahu, Er Lengzi, both of you, tone it down. Is there some kind of misunderstanding here?"

"Go to hell, Xiao Fang! Stop playing the good guy; this is none of your business. Don't act like a holier-than-thou hypocrite!" Dahu suddenly turned his hostility toward me.

My heart sank. As I looked at him, he raised his hand to strike. I noticed his brow was pitch black, as if stained with ink, and I instantly channeled my inner energy throughout my body.

I saw a black shadow flicker behind Dahu—a round mass of black mist that felt exactly like that rag doll.

Dahu threw a punch at my face. I raised my hand to block it, deflecting his arm to the side. Immediately, I channeled my spiritual power into my right palm and struck his forehead. The white light of my spiritual energy hit him, and a ball of black mist was instantly driven out of his body.

Dahu froze in place. The others were stunned for a moment before quickly grabbing him. "Dahu, are you crazy?" Fatty Fang shouted. "How can you lose your mind like this?"

Dahu came to his senses, looking around in confusion. "What happened? What was I just doing?"

The others stared at me, dumbfounded.

I watched the black mist spin and head upstairs. My heart skipped a beat; it seemed the entity’s true form was up there.

Frowning, I asked, "Have you all been feeling an inexplicable rage lately, a sense of wanting to kill someone?"

They were all taken aback. Dahu retorted, "Damn it, Xiao Fang, what kind of crazy talk is that? We’re just trying to have a meal; can you stop stirring up trouble?"

Er Lengzi added, "Xiao Fang, we treat you like a friend, but don't think we owe you anything."

My heart churned. It wasn't just the black mist; these people were ostracizing me from the bottom of their hearts.

I shook my head and turned to leave. These people were beyond saving, and there was no need to try. Each person must bear their own karmic consequences.

"Xiao Fang, Xiao Fang, they didn't mean anything by it, don't be angry!" Fatty Fang interjected.

I waved my hand without looking back. Fatty Fang’s words were hollow. I understood their intent—they were uncomfortable with my presence because they had guilty consciences.

The next day, Xiao Zhao came to school and asked in surprise, "Xiao Fang, didn't you go to dinner at Brother Fang's place yesterday?"

"I went, but I left as soon as I arrived."

"Why?"

"It felt awkward, so I left." I didn't say much. They knew what was going on; sometimes, leaving things unsaid was a way to save face for everyone.

"Oh, I see." Xiao Zhao breathed a sigh of relief and continued, "It’s a good thing you left. Something terrible happened last night—Dahu killed Er Lengzi."

I was shocked. So, Er Lengzi really had died!

Seeing my surprise, Xiao Zhao continued, "They got drunk last night. Apparently, Er Lengzi’s wife had been sleeping with Dahu. Er Lengzi went after Dahu with a knife, but ended up getting killed himself."

I was stunned. This version of events was the complete opposite of what I had expected when I left. Yet, the outcome remained the same; it seemed my grandmother’s handbook was quite accurate.

I looked at Xiao Zhao’s face. I suspected their misfortune was still linked to the pagoda tomb. That tomb was far too malevolent; even I had been affected when I entered.

Xiao Zhao’s forehead was flushed with a reddish hue—a sign of good luck recently—but upon closer inspection, a trace of black mist was coiling around it. That red was as vivid as cinnabar.

My heart sank. Xiao Zhao had also been marked by a red-decree karmic creditor. It was the same situation as Li Changfeng: in the best case, he would contract a terminal illness; in the worst, he would be dead or insane within three to four months.

Everyone else was having problems, yet Fatty Fang was completely fine. I became curious.

"Xiao Fang, I have things to do, so I’ll head off first," Xiao Zhao said, receiving a phone call and leaving.

I returned to the dormitory and lay down, thinking about these people, and took out my grandmother’s handbook to study it carefully.

I reached a conclusion: Fatty Fang was involved, but he must not have handled the objects himself. He had only been directing from the sidelines, and he hadn't kept any items, taking only cash.

That was the best deduction I could make. I shook my head; my cultivation was still too shallow.

*Ring, ring, ring.* My phone suddenly rang, startling me.

Since Li Si had bought it for me, I hadn't used it once. The only contact in it was Li Si.

I hurriedly took out the phone; the screen displayed "Brother Four."

It really was Li Si. I pressed the answer button in confusion.

"Is this Brother Four?"

"Oh, little brother! It’s me, I’ve missed you so much."

My thoughts stalled. Li Si was just like his father—his words were as sweet as honey. We had only known each other for a few days; there was no way we had such a deep friendship.

"Cough, cough, Brother Four, is something up?"

"Hahaha, I do have something. Given our relationship, I won't stand on ceremony."

I knew it. A weasel wishing a chicken a happy new year—nothing good could come of it. I had known from the start that the phone wasn't a free gift. A kid from a poor family who hadn't seen much of the world couldn't resist such a temptation.

Although I sensed he was testing me, I couldn't bring myself to refuse. "Brother Four, tell me what it is. I'll see if I can help."

I sighed inwardly. Those who eat others' food are soft-mouthed, and those who take others' things are soft-handed. I had to learn my lesson for next time; once they asked, I had no way to say no.

"It’s like this: I have a friend in the provincial capital who has run into some trouble. I’d like to invite you over to take a look."

Li Si’s tone shifted. "But don't worry, little brother. If you can fix it, great. If not, there’s still a red envelope for your trouble. You won't be doing it for free."

I frowned slightly. Li Si’s words were standard industry jargon—meaning, just show up. If it doesn't work out, travel expenses are covered; if it succeeds, there’s a big reward.

I felt a bit nervous. I had just started my path as a shaman; I was a novice who knew the theory but had zero practical experience.

"Brother, I know you just started under Auntie San. Why not come and get some practice? If it doesn't work out, just pull back. I’ll have your back."

My heart stirred. Since I had started this path, my cultivation depended entirely on myself. If I didn't get involved in this line of work, I would never make a name for myself. Besides, I had to walk the Path to Immortality.

The thought of the Path to Immortality gave me courage. I told myself: "I’m already a person who won't live past twenty-three, what is there to fear? Let's do it!"