The interior of the small building was quite well decorated, far surpassing the main lodge of the villa in both taste and cleanliness. It was clear that someone carefully cleaned it every day.
"Lai Tou Hua, this isn't right. You're living in such comfort while the dining area for the guests is messy and rundown. I think you should reassign some resources," Chen Jinfa said as he glanced around, a hint of displeasure in his tone.
"Haha, Brother Chen, fixing up this small place doesn't cost much, but renovating the entire lodge would be quite an expense. When I have the funds, I'll definitely give it an overhaul," Bald Hua replied with a smile, brushing it off. He led Lu Fei through the building to search for any trace of cursed objects.
Lu Fei scanned each room carefully, and finally, on the dressing table in the second-floor bedroom, he noticed a small incense burner. The scent coming from the ash was distinctive.
"What kind of incense is this?" Lu Fei asked, scrutinizing the burner.
"It's for calming the mind and aiding sleep. I haven't been sleeping well because of the baby cries, so I bought some to burn," Bald Hua replied.
"Is it working?" Lu Fei asked.
"Not much use. These things are just gimmicks. I've been considering getting some sleeping pills," Bald Hua said with a rueful smile.
"Master Lu, you've looked through everything now. Is there anything unusual?" Bald Hua inquired.
"There's no cursed object here, at least nothing I can detect," Lu Fei replied, turning to face Bald Hua. The seven infant spirits clung tightly to him, sapping his life force, but curiously, he still looked fit and energetic without a trace of bad luck or weakness.
"Then where's the crying coming from?" Bald Hua scratched his head, looking even more troubled.
"Mr. Hua, have you ever done something that weighs on your conscience, especially involving infants?" Lu Fei suddenly asked. If it wasn't a cursed object, then the issue must be personal.
"Huh?" Bald Hua's expression blanked out in confusion. "Master Lu, what do you mean? I run a legitimate business; I've never done anything shady."
"In that case, I can't help you," Lu Fei said, shaking his head.
Bald Hua's face froze for a moment before he hurriedly pleaded, "Wait, Master Lu! Please help me. Even if it's not a cursed object, it could be some other evil presence—maybe a ghost. Can you help me exorcise it?"
"Sorry, I only deal with cursed items. You'll need to find someone else," Lu Fei said flatly, striding out of the building.
Tiger and Liu Fugui quickly followed him.
"Lai Tou Hua, what's the matter with you? Not even in front of Master Lu will you tell the truth? Are you really saying you've never done anything shady?" Chen Jinfa said, eyes full of disappointment.
"Brother Chen, I really haven't!" Bald Hua said, looking helpless.
"Then answer this: what exactly do you feed those moon-gazing eels?" Chen Jinfa shot back with a cold glare.
"Brother Chen, I hired specialists to care for them at great expense. It's their secret formula; I'm not allowed to disclose it," Bald Hua said with an awkward smile.
"Is it human flesh?" Chen Jinfa asked, narrowing his eyes.
Bald Hua's eyes widened in horror. "Brother Chen, you think too highly of me! How could I ever dare to do that? You know me from the old days—I've never had blood on my hands."
"True. You used to hide behind everyone during a fight and were the first to bolt when women were around. But now... who knows if you can still run?" Chen Jinfa chuckled.
Bald Hua's smile stiffened.
"If you won't be honest with Master Lu, your bad luck is on you. Take care," Chen Jinfa said dismissively, waving him off before walking out.
As he watched them leave, Bald Hua's face turned cold. Moments later, a woman in her thirties emerged from the row of dark rooms and walked over to him. Under the light, the left side of her face showed a large black birthmark, marring what might otherwise have been a beautiful appearance.
"Husband, how did it go?" she asked, glancing in the direction Lu Fei and the others had gone.
"I don't think much of this so-called Master Lu from the Evil Pawnshop. He couldn't even figure out what's clinging to me! That fool Chen Jinfa got duped and treats him like a god!" Bald Hua scoffed.
"So what now? How much longer can your body hold up?" the woman asked, worried.
"What else can we do? I'll just eat more eels for now. I refuse to believe that money won't buy us a real expert!" Bald Hua said.
"I'll go get a good one for you now," she said, rolling up her sleeves as she headed toward the dark rooms.
"Wait. Did you catch the one that got away?" Bald Hua called after her.
"It hasn't had food or water; it won't get far. I'll catch it tomorrow. Right now, your health is more important," she said before disappearing into the dark rooms.
Bald Hua adjusted his expression and returned to the lodge to host his guests. The lodge was bustling, its lights blazing.
As Lu Fei's car drove down the mountain, more vehicles streamed upward.
"The guy really hit the jackpot with whatever technique he's using to breed those eels. Business is booming," Chen Jinfa said enviously.
"Brother Chen, it's best not to eat those moon-gazing eels anymore," Lu Fei said, shaking his head. He had glanced at the dark rooms and noticed that even closed, they couldn't fully contain the stench of death. Those eels were undoubtedly problematic.
"I asked him, and he said there's no issue. He wouldn't dare lie to my face, right?" Chen Jinfa said, surprised.
Lu Fei chuckled without responding.
"Hold on," Liu Fugui interrupted nervously. "Is there something really wrong with those eels? I already ate two pieces!"
"It's fine. Just two bites won't kill you. You're still fine now, aren't you?" Lu Fei reassured him with a smile.
"Really?" Liu Fugui asked, still doubtful and looking downcast.
Chen Jinfa's expression turned to fury as he smacked the side of the car. "Damn it! He dared to lie to me? I'll make him pay!"
"Let it go, Brother Chen. There's no point in fighting him. He's already cursed and won't last long," Lu Fei said calmly.
Being haunted by infant spirits could only mean one thing: they were connected to their parents or their deaths. Bald Hua was not a good man. Whether or not his troubles were connected to an artifact, Lu Fei had no interest in helping him.
"Cursed? Really?" Chen Jinfa's anger turned to amusement. "I knew it! Master Lu wouldn't miss something like that. He had his chance and didn't take it, so it's on him. I'll just wait to see when his luck runs out."
"Let's not let this downer spoil our night. We're headed to Rose Garden next. Alright, Ah Long, start the car," Chen Jinfa instructed the driver.
He leaned toward Lu Fei and added, "The boss lady over there, Sister Hua, is an old friend of mine. I've already called ahead and reserved a spot for us."
Liu Fugui, who would usually be thrilled, looked glum and uninterested this time.
As they neared the foot of the mountain, he squirmed in his seat and said, "Stop, I need to go to the bathroom!"
"There's no restroom here. Hold it until we get there," Tiger said, glancing at the dark forest outside.
"I've been holding it for ages," Liu Fugui complained.
As soon as the car stopped, he jumped out and rushed into the woods.
Barely two minutes later, a blood-curdling scream echoed from the forest.
"What happened?"
Everyone exchanged glances and hurried out of the car.
Liu Fugui stumbled out of the woods, tripping over his half-done belt with terror written all over his face.
"A monster! There's a monster!" he screamed, throwing himself into Tiger's arms.
"What monster?" Tiger peered into the dark woods, seeing only shifting shadows.
"Four legs and the head of a baby, covered in fur," Liu Fugui babbled incoherently.
"What kind of creature is that? You must be seeing things!" Tiger said, skeptical.
"If you don't believe me, go look! It's right there!" Liu Fugui said, pointing a shaking finger at the woods.