[Blind box mini - theater for Basswei]
The so - called "Celestial Master" was nothing more than a handsome, bearded Taoist priest with white hair and beard.
Du Zhong had once mentioned this man. He was said to be a highly - accomplished hermit sent by Lady Lian's family. He accompanied the master of the house day in and day out, concocting pills for "strengthening the body" to increase the master's longevity.
It was also because of this "Celestial Master" that in recent years, the master of the house had grown to look down on the effects of medicine. Deji Hall, once famous throughout the country, lost the support of the Ping'an Bank, and thus, gradually fell into decline in the world of medicine.
As for Du Zhong, he could only come to this inconspicuous fishing village to become an unknown shopkeeper, swallowing his pride and humiliation.
Li Ying sized up the "Celestial Master" from head to toe. He saw him gently waving a feather fan, looking every bit like an otherworldly immortal. But behind his squinted eyes, one could clearly see the cunning and vulgarity in his eyes. The Taoist robe embroidered with the patterns of cranes and pines could not hide his hideous appearance, and Li Ying could not help but feel a sense of contempt.
"The master of the house is no ordinary man. How could he be blinded by such a quack?"
Li Ying lowered his voice and asked casually, but did not receive a response from Lu Xunguang.
She turned around suspiciously, only to realize that Lu Xunguang, who had been following her like a shadow, had disappeared without a trace.
While Li Ying was still looking around for him in the crowd, the Celestial Master had already solemnly drawn out his peachwood sword, muttering some incantations under his breath.
He walked around the tent with an air of mystery. Finally, he suddenly let out a loud roar, slashing the peachwood sword at the empty air. The villagers watching gasped in unison!
Wherever the sword pointed, there was actually a green, ghostly shadow!
"Ghost fire! There really is a ghost!"
The villagers had never seen such a scene before. Everyone stood there, stunned and tongue - tied, their legs shaking as they were on the verge of leaving.
A faint sneer appeared on Lady Lian's lips.
Li Ying, didn't you want evidence? Very well, today, this lady will grant your wish!
The crowd began to stir. The Celestial Master calmly took out a yellow talisman from his bosom, impaled it on the peachwood sword, and roared at the "ghostly shadow" in the empty air: "What demon are you? Hurry up and show yourself!"
He solemnly lit three incense sticks. The talisman paper was smoked by the incense, and gradually, the shape of a beautiful woman appeared.
The commoners gasped again - what? There really was a malevolent ghost who had come to claim lives?
It seemed that they could no longer live in this village!
A gust of night wind blew. The talisman paper caught fire, and the flames shot up into the sky. In a moment, it was burned to ashes.
The "Celestial Master" roared angrily: "Bold demon! Don't you dare escape! Quickly surrender!"
He tightened his grip on the peachwood sword, jumped out of the tent, and solemnly chased in a certain direction.
Li Ying wanted to see just how long this so - called "Celestial Master" would continue to play the role of a ghost. Without hesitation, he followed him.
The commoners who remained outside the tent looked at each other in confusion. Each person's heart was filled with unease. Finally, as if they had made up their minds, they followed Li Ying like a shadow.
The "Celestial Master" stopped under the great banyan tree, nailing a yellow talisman on the trunk.
He looked around at the commoners present, before respectfully bowing to the master of the house, saying: "Master, the great banyan tree is the hiding place of this evil spirit. Now, it has been suppressed by this subordinate with a talisman. As long as this tree is cut down, disasters can be eliminated, and you and Lady Lian can rest easy."
He continued worriedly: "However, this village is by the water, and is an extremely yin place. It is very easy to attract filth. The master's body is weak. It is best to leave as soon as possible. It would be best if you never set foot here again for the rest of your life. Otherwise, your lifespan will surely be damaged."
A look of fear appeared on Lady Lian's face. She quickly reached out and grabbed the master of the house's arm: "Husband! We really cannot stay here any longer. Let's quickly leave! It is not worth risking our lives for a business as illusory as the 'basin - covered glue'!"
Once she said this, Li Ying felt at ease.
She had exposed herself so impatiently. It seemed that Lady Lian was indeed targeting him.
Before she could say anything, Du Zhong had already panicked.
"Master, this is absolutely impossible! Deji Hall will be able to concoct the second batch of basin - covered glue in a few days. It is definitely not a baseless rumor. Please think twice!"
When he saw the master of the house showing a hesitant expression, Lady Lian did not panic. She gently advised him: "Husband, if you insist on interacting with this small fishing village, this wife will not say much. However, the banyan tree is said to be able to attract souls. It is extremely inauspicious. At the very least, you have to order someone to cut down this tree, and invite the Celestial Master to perform a forty - nine day long religious service. Only then will this wife be at ease."
Li Ying frowned, letting out a cold laugh.
Lady Lian had such a malicious thought!
If they really did perform a forty - nine day long religious service, the matter of the fishing village being haunted would surely spread like wildfire, and everyone would know. Who would dare to come and take a risk?
This was clearly an attempt to cut off the fishing village's livelihood!
Before she could say anything, a clear male voice sounded in the crowd. Looking up, it was Su Buchi.
"Lady Lian's words are incorrect."
"The banyan tree has a complex root system, and has the momentum of a dragon or a snake. It represents an endless flow of wealth. Its branches are long and winding, representing a strong and unending life force. In terms of feng shui, it is clearly a lucky symbol that can receive good fortune and dispel bad luck. How could it be a disaster?"
Li Ying did not expect this junior uncle, with whom he had only a shallow acquaintance, to come out and help him speak. He cast a grateful look at him.
When he saw Lady Lian looking like she wanted to say something, Su Buchi continued: "This subordinate's teacher is the strict Elder. This subordinate can be said to be slightly proficient in the art of feng shui. Is it possible that even this subordinate's words cannot be trusted?"
Lady Lian waved her hand: "What are you saying, Mr. Su! However, this matter is extremely mysterious, and concerns the lives of my husband and the villagers in the village. It really cannot be taken lightly..."
When he saw that all the villagers were afraid, Li Ying cleared his throat, looking at Lady Lian and the "Celestial Master" with a faint smile.
She knew how to use the power of public opinion to influence the master of the house's decision. Lady Lian was really not too stupid.
He thanked Su Buchi for his outspokenness, before calmly nodding in agreement: "Although everyone in our fishing village has never done anything wrong in our lives, and we are not afraid of ghosts knocking on our doors at midnight, but this matter of the supernatural is something that it is better to believe in than not to believe in. It seems that this great banyan tree can only be cut down."
Lady Lian was slightly stunned - why was this woman so weak today?
Li Ying did not pay any attention to Lady Lian's doubts. He looked around at the fishermen beside him, regretting: "It's just a pity about all the banyan tree seeds on the ground. They are the most suitable for raising chickens. I originally thought that, given some time, they would surely become a specialty unique to the fishing village. Paired with my unique, secret - recipe for the red - oil chicken, and sold while sailing, we would surely earn a fortune. Cutting down this century - old tree... this business will surely go bust..."
He let out a long sigh, full of regret. But when the fishermen in the village heard this, they looked at each other, but their expressions clearly showed that they were interested!
The popularity of the canned fish was there for everyone to see. In just a few short days, the female workers in the canning factory had already become the pillars of their families.
If they raised chickens and sold red - oil chicken, then...
The fishermen were calculating in their hearts. For a moment, it was so quiet that a pin could drop. No one else agreed with the words "cut down the tree".
The illusory "evil ghost harming people" and the real gold and silver that would soon be in their pockets. It was obvious which was more important.