Lu Fei returned to the pawnshop and went straight to the storeroom to retrieve the ghost-headed knife.
"Holy moly!" Tiger's eyes widened. "Using that knife to deal with the painting? It must be serious!"
"This knife was made for killing. Although I've suppressed its killing aura, its remaining power, bolstered by its imperial authority, makes it the perfect weapon to subdue evil objects," Lu Fei explained as he wrapped the heavy blade in a red cloth and instructed Tiger to buy some pomelo leaves for boiling water.
Pomelo leaf water could dispel negative energy and alleviate the damage done to Tiger's eyes by the painting.
Meanwhile, Lu Fei poured out the remaining rooster's comb blood and wrote several ghost-repelling symbols.
"Boss, this pomelo leaf water really works wonders! After washing my eyes a few times, they feel so much better," Tiger said, checking his reflection. The redness in his eyes had significantly subsided, and he felt relieved.
"Luckily, the injury wasn't too severe. If it had been worse, no amount of pomelo leaf water would help. When we go back to the auction house, don't look around recklessly," Lu Fei warned.
"I've learned my lesson! I'll be careful from now on," Tiger promised.
Lu Fei had Tiger bottle the remaining pomelo leaf water and gathered some essential exorcism tools before they hurried to the auction house.
Just as they stepped out, they nearly bumped into someone.
Lu Fei looked up and saw Liu Fugui, his arms laden with bags.
"Brother Lu, where are you two headed? You left in such a rush yesterday that Chairman Su had me bring these gifts for you," Liu said, yawning, his face looking worn and tired.
"Uncle Fugui, what happened to you last night? Your face looks terrible!" Lu Fei exclaimed.
In just one night, Liu Fugui's complexion had worsened from slightly pale to a deep, unhealthy hue, something even Tiger noticed.
"Old Liu, what's with you? You look like you're wasting away!" Tiger clicked his tongue.
Liu Fugui coughed lightly, a proud smile on his face. "Ah, I was having another heart-to-heart with a lady friend last night. What can I say? Being this charming is a burden…"
"Uncle Fugui, aside from feeling tired, do you feel unsteady, like your steps are light and your body weightless?" Lu Fei interrupted, his eyes sharp.
"Now that you mention it, a bit, yeah. I've been feeling worn out lately, lost some weight. I'll just eat more kidney to regain my strength…" Liu's heart skipped a beat under Lu Fei's scrutinizing gaze. "Why? Is something wrong?"
"There's a big problem! Your appearance shows signs of your essence being drained. You may not see any physical change, but inside, you're already hollow. That lady friend of yours might not be what she seems," Lu Fei said seriously.
"What?!" Liu Fugui was so startled he dropped the gifts in his hands.
"Y-You're not joking, are you?"
"Why would I joke about this?" Lu Fei rolled his eyes.
Panic washed over Liu Fugui, and he grabbed Lu Fei's arm. "Brother Lu, you have to help me!"
"I have urgent matters to attend to for the next couple of days. Keep this charm on you, stay in crowded places, and under no circumstances see that woman again," Lu Fei said, handing him a ghost-repelling symbol.
"What will happen if I do?"
"If you see her, you might not live to see the next sunrise. Make your choice," Lu Fei said bluntly.
Liu Fugui's face turned ghostly pale. "It's that serious?"
"Old Liu, the word 'lust' has a blade above it. Listen to the boss and don't do anything reckless," Tiger said, picking up the fallen gifts and placing them inside the pawnshop.
Locking the door, the two left Liu Fugui behind and rushed toward the auction house.
At Tenlong Auction House.
When Lu Fei and Tiger arrived, a sign reading "Closed for Internal Upgrades" was already placed at the entrance.
Most of the employees had been sent home, leaving only a few guards. The large auction house was now empty and eerily quiet.
"Shopkeeper Lu, you're back," Wan Chunhui said, coming forward to greet him.
"Why are there still people here?" Lu Fei glanced at the guards.
"I was worried things might get out of hand tonight, so I kept a few guards to assist you," Wan Chunhui said with a smile.
"That's fine, but let me be clear: dealing with evil objects is dangerous. Everyone must follow my instructions without question. If they act on their own and get hurt, I won't be responsible," Lu Fei said firmly.
He could guess why Wan Chunhui kept people around; with so many valuable items in the auction house, no one would feel safe leaving it to two outsiders.
"Don't worry, Shopkeeper Lu. The boss has ordered us to fully cooperate with you and follow your lead," Wan Chunhui said, showing respect.
"Thank you."
Lu Fei nodded and said no more as they approached the storeroom where the painting was kept.
The ghost-repelling charm was still intact on the door.
"I strictly followed your instructions and made sure no one tampered with it," Wan Chunhui assured him.
"Then, please unlock the door," Lu Fei said.
"Alright."
Wan Chunhui took out the key and unlocked the door.
The cold light flickered on, revealing the ancient painting lying quietly in its glass case.
Lu Fei scanned the room, noting that the ghost-repelling symbols on the walls were also untouched.
With no evil aura spreading, he breathed a slight sigh of relief, indicating that his method was working.
He then instructed Tiger to mix incense ash and cinnabar and sprinkle it along the walls, encircling the entire storeroom.
"Manager Wan, make sure you stay outside and keep watch. Don't cross the incense ash line or touch anything, understood?" Lu Fei warned.
"Understood, we'll be careful," Wan Chunhui assured, glancing at the guards, who all nodded in agreement.
Wan Chunhui then pulled out his phone.
"Shopkeeper Lu, the photos of the guard's scribblings have arrived."
"Excellent."
Lu Fei stepped out of the storeroom, and Wan Chunhui showed him the images.
Tiger leaned over for a look, with Lu Fei's permission.
The images on the screen were shocking.
The white walls were smeared with blood, the lines distorted and chaotic, overlapping in a frenzied pattern. The sight alone hinted at the madness behind the act.
Lu Fei flipped through several photos, sensing that the guard's drawings followed some pattern, but they were too jumbled to decipher.
He squinted and continued to examine them.
Suddenly, Wan Chunhui's phone buzzed with an incoming call.
"Is that the hospital? Excuse me, Shopkeeper Lu, I need to take this."
Wan Chunhui answered the call.
A panicked voice shouted on the other end.
"Manager Wan, something's happened! Lingling is in trouble!"