Qin Yu and Zhang Hua entered the Jingxiu District again, and the armed police at the entrance only glanced at them before letting them through. It was evident that they had received instructions from Meng Feng.
"Master Qin, I really appreciate your help." This time, Meng Feng greeted Qin Yu and Zhang Hua at the entrance, but there was always a strange look in his eyes when he looked at Qin Yu.
When he received Qin Yu's call earlier, Meng Feng was puzzled for a long time. He had just left, and Qin Yu had arrived so promptly. This young man seemed to be more concerned about this matter than Meng Feng himself. It was clear that his diligence wasn't due to Meng Feng's official position. Thinking about this, Meng Feng became even more certain that this young man must have some relationship with his daughter.
"You're too kind, Secretary Meng."
Qin Yu carried the bag and followed Meng Feng into the villa but didn't enter the hall. Instead, he stopped in front of the building and spoke to Meng Feng, "Secretary Meng, are you ready with the things I mentioned on the phone?"
"Everything is ready. Xiaozhang, bring those things out."
Xiaozhang was the bodyguard responsible for Meng Feng's security. He could be considered Meng Feng's confidant, and Meng Feng had no intention of hiding things from him.
In a short while, Xiaozhang brought out a dark lacquered incense table with dragon-patterned wood carvings from the hall and placed it in the designated spot in the garden as requested by Qin Yu. Then, he stood silently to the side. As bodyguards, their first principle was to do more and say less. Some things would always rot in their hearts.
Qin Yu placed the Infinite Water and Yin-Yang Mirror on the incense table and lit three sticks of incense, inserting them into the incense burner. A piece of red paper with Meng Feng's birth information was already placed on the table.
Qin Yu glanced at the sky. The setting sun was descending in the west, which indicated it was the third quarter of the You hour. During the You hour, chickens and ducks returned to their coops, and people enjoyed drinking and eating. It was a turning point in the day.
"Is this bucket of water from the river in this community?" Qin Yu pointed to a bucket of water nearby and asked.
"Yes, Xiaozhang just fetched it from the river according to Master Qin's request," Meng Feng nodded.
"Cousin, let's move this bucket of water to the center." Qin Yu called Zhang Hua, and surprisingly, the bucket was quite heavy. It weighed around a hundred pounds, and Qin Yu couldn't move it alone.
After completing these tasks, Qin Yu memorized his future father-in-law's birth information in his mind, lit the red paper on the incense, and directly threw it into the water bucket.
"Bring me the fragments of the dragon turtle jade carving, and from now on, no matter what you see, do not make a sound or create any disturbance."
Qin Yu took the plate handed to him by the bodyguard, Xiaozhang. On the plate were the fragments of the dragon turtle jade carving. He picked out a larger piece and threw the rest into the water bucket.
After giving the final instruction, Qin Yu walked up to the incense table. He grabbed three sticks of pale orange-colored incense, crossed his hands, with one palm facing inward and the other outward. The middle finger of each hand pressed against the incense, and he bowed three times towards the table.
This special form of worship was called "Yin Bai." Those who have watched movies by the master Lin Zhengying from Hong Kong and Taiwan would notice that he always lit incense and paid respects when conducting rituals. The technique he used was somewhat similar to what Qin Yu was doing now.
The three sticks of incense that Qin Yu lit were different from the regular incense used for worship. These were called "Yin Long Incense," a special type of low incense used by coastal people to worship the dragon god and pray for favorable weather.
After inserting the Yin Long Incense into the incense burner, Qin Yu took a deep breath, turned his body, and faced the direction outside the door. He circulated his psychic energy within his body and spoke loudly:
"The dragon god of the four directions, please come forth as I light these three sticks of Yin Long Incense. Show yourself, hidden dragon."
The atmosphere remained calm and unchanged. Qin Yu's brows furrowed slightly, and he called out again:
"Show yourself, hidden dragon."
Meng Feng, Zhang Hua, and the three bodyguards stared at Qin Yu in confusion, not understanding whom he was talking to. Zhang Hua wanted to ask his cousin what he was doing but remembered the earlier instruction to remain quiet and motionless. He could only hold back his question.
"Cousin, lay the red carpet that I asked you to buy from the bag in front of this water bucket," Qin Yu instructed.
After two unsuccessful calls, Qin Yu signaled to his cousin and then walked up to the incense table. He picked up the incense burner and removed the incense sticks inserted in it, sprinkling the ashes onto the red carpet spread on the ground.
At the same time, he rubbed his index and middle fingers with some of the ashes, approached the water bucket, and traced something in the air above the water's surface.
"Dragon god of the four directions, if the hidden dragon does not appear and the grudges remain unsettled, the descendants of the Meng family obstruct the dragon's ascent. They should have faced heavenly punishment. However, the heavens show benevolence and compassion for all beings. I earnestly plead with the dragon god of the earth to guide and bring forth the hidden dragon."
As Qin Yu finished speaking, his finger movements abruptly ceased. Simultaneously, the water in the bucket began to rapidly spin, creating a small vortex. Even Meng Feng and the others standing some distance away could hear the sound of the water swirling.
The water bucket shook violently, but strangely, not a single drop spilled from the brimming bucket. Qin Yu sighed in relief upon seeing this. He turned and bowed towards the entrance before speaking again:
"The three-foot red carpet is laid, and the three sticks of Yin Long Incense are lit. I respectfully request the hidden dragon to reveal itself."
This time, as soon as Qin Yu's words fell, a strong gust of wind arose, causing the incense table to creak. Meng Feng and Zhang Hua were buffeted by the wind and could hardly keep their eyes open. However, the bodyguard, Xiaozhang, only wavered momentarily but quickly regained his balance, taking two steps forward and conveniently shielding Meng Feng from the wind.
"Damn, the grudges of this hidden dragon are truly strong," Qin Yu cursed inwardly. The gust of wind was caused by the hidden dragon, clearly intending to knock over the incense table. It seemed that the dragon had no intention of letting go of his future father-in-law. However, this also indicated that the hidden dragon was not dead, just having missed its opportunity to ascend. Filled with resentment, it was not the worst possible outcome.
"When will this cycle of revenge end? The master of this place had no ill intentions. Why not dissipate the grudges here and now, allowing dust to return to dust and earth to return to earth? Let's go our separate ways... cough, cough..."
"Bang!"
Before Qin Yu could finish his words, the entire incense table was blown over, crashing onto the ground. The fruits and offerings scattered all around, and a strong gust of wind even blew directly into his mouth, causing Qin Yu to cough involuntarily.
"You've heard all the good words I had to say. If you still refuse to let go of the master of this place, then so be it. I will go and invite a stone statue of the Xuanwu divine beast tomorrow to permanently suppress you here."
Anger flashed across Qin Yu's face. This hidden dragon had crossed the line and persisted in causing trouble. It was currently just a fledgling hidden dragon and had not yet taken flight. If it truly wanted to go all out, Qin Yu had ways to deal with it.
Boom!
The fierce wind intensified, causing Qin Yu's robes to flutter loudly. Amidst the howling wind, there were faint angry roars, which greatly alarmed Meng Feng, Zhang Hua, and the security guard.
However, Qin Yu paid no attention to them. His gaze remained fixed on the direction of the door. After a while, he raised his right hand, about to plunge it into the water in the bucket.
Just as Qin Yu's right hand was about to touch the water's surface, the raging wind suddenly dissipated, disappearing as abruptly as it had come. If it weren't for the garden plants and the chaos caused by the fallen incense table, Meng Feng and the others would almost doubt whether there had been any wind at all.
"It seems that no matter what, one should not be too weak," Qin Yu sighed. The communication between him and the hidden dragon relied on the water in the bucket as a medium. If he were to put his hand into the water, it would disrupt this medium, signifying the end of their communication and the collapse of negotiations. It appeared that the hidden dragon, sensing that Qin Yu was willing to risk everything, grew afraid and no longer acted out when his hand was so close to the water's surface.
"The gate is open, and the dragon god guides the way. Come in by yourself," Qin Yu glanced at the entrance and casually spoke with a much stronger tone than before.
Upon hearing Qin Yu's words, Meng Feng and the others turned their heads, their gazes firmly fixed on the entrance. Could it be that the hidden dragon would really enter through the main gate?
Thud! Thud!
The sound of colossal footsteps, as if a giant beast were walking upon the earth, reached Meng Feng and the others' ears. They felt the ground beneath their feet tremble, and the sound grew increasingly heavy, accompanied by more distinct vibrations. The three of them felt a gust of wind pass by, and then the footsteps vanished.
Qin Yu looked at the dragon-welcoming carpet, where several distinct five-clawed footprints were visible. Besides Qin Yu, Meng Feng and the others also saw them. They exchanged glances, their faces displaying incredulous expressions.
"Has the hidden dragon truly come?"
The three of them looked at each other, silently communicating through their eyes. At this moment, they set aside their official positions and distinctions, becoming ordinary individuals filled with curiosity and doubt.