"What are you doing here?"
Two burly security guards with broad shoulders and imposing builds approached, blocking Chen Yi's path just as he was about to examine the site more closely.
"Big brothers, we noticed this area is under construction for a new housing project. We came to take a look and see if it's suitable for us to buy a unit," Chen Yi replied calmly, his tone smooth and unbothered.
For him, lying came as naturally as breathing—it was ingrained in his very bones. Otherwise, he wouldn't have earned the nickname "The Great Deceiver" among his peers.
"The site isn't open to the public yet. Outsiders aren't allowed in!"
"When will it open for sales, then?"
"How would I know?"
"Which developer is behind this project?"
"Are you done? I said I don't know! Get lost and stop wasting my time!"
The guards lacked even the slightest trace of professionalism one might expect from real estate sales staff. Their tone was sharp and aggressive, as if they were ready to physically throw them out at any moment.
Chen Yi quickly apologized and left with Boss Wu in tow.
On the way back, Chen Yi secretly cast a divination. To his surprise, the resulting hexagram was chaotic and indecipherable, revealing nothing.
Someone was deliberately obscuring the heavenly secrets!
Not only that, but there was something deeply peculiar about this housing project.
Typically, real estate developers start pre-selling units long before construction is complete to recoup costs. Yet this project was nearly finished, and not only had it not opened for sales, but outsiders weren't even allowed to view the premises. It was highly unusual.
Moreover, the two security guards had been unreasonably rude. No legitimate business would hire staff with such poor attitudes.
Chen Yi also noticed their movements—steady and powerful, with the stride of a tiger. Their robust physiques and confident postures indicated exceptional physical fitness.
Given their skills and strength, it was clear these men were trained martial artists, capable of easily handling five or six street thugs at once.
With such abilities, why were they working as mere security guards?
Chen Yi's brows furrowed deeply as he walked, lost in thought. He didn't even hear Boss Wu's repeated attempts to strike up a conversation. Frustrated, Boss Wu eventually fell silent.
"Handsome, is there something wrong with the Feng Shui in the store?"
Upon their return, a fair-skinned, delicate-looking young woman approached Chen Yi curiously. It was the same sales assistant who had served him the other day.
"Liu Hua, don't ask about things that don't concern you!" Boss Wu scolded sternly, his face darkening.
Such matters were best kept under wraps. If word got out, it could tarnish the store's reputation. And if Chen Yi failed to resolve the issue, even selling the business would become problematic.
The girl named Liu Hua pouted, letting out a soft hum of protest like a child sulking.
"Hehe, Brother Wu, it's fine if they know. Once we solve the problem, everything will be fine. Sometimes it's better to address concerns openly than to suppress them," Chen Yi said with a casual wave and a smile.
"You wouldn't say that earlier when I asked you. Now you're suddenly all chatty," Boss Wu grumbled, clearly displeased with Chen Yi's tendency to prioritize women over principles.
Chen Yi merely chuckled, unbothered, and began explaining the situation in simple terms.
The metal statue they had seen earlier was positioned at the store's southeast corner, the Xun Gate. In Feng Shui, Xun represents wind, symbolizing continuous flow and wealth.
However, Xun also corresponds to the Wood element. The statue, being made of metal, created a conflict—Metal overcomes Wood, which naturally stifled the store's prosperity.
Furthermore, the statue was shaped like a flame, embodying the Fire element. Fire directly counteracts the store's jewelry business. Even without the strange malevolent energy, the shop would still be prone to mishaps.
Like the chandelier incident, for example.
Of course, Chen Yi refrained from mentioning the eerie serpent of malevolent energy he had seen. That was far too fantastical—no one would believe it.
"Handsome, can you fix it?" Liu Hua asked eagerly after hearing his explanation.
"I should be able to," Chen Yi replied.
"What will you do? Set up an altar and perform some rituals? I've never seen a shaman dance before," she teased.
A vein throbbed on Chen Yi's forehead. Was this what Feng Shui had been reduced to in the public's eyes? Shamans? Ritual dances? He was a Feng Shui master, not some spirit medium!
Ignoring her ignorance, Chen Yi walked to a nearby table in the lounge area and took out his tools: a small bowl, a packet of cinnabar powder, a sheet of yellow talisman paper, and a fine wolf-hair brush. He also asked Boss Wu for some hot water to mix the cinnabar.
"What's he doing? Drawing talismans?"
"Looks like it."
"Do they even work?"
"Who knows?"
The employees watched with curiosity, whispering among themselves as Chen Yi prepared.
He was indeed about to draw a talisman—a Lingbao Dissipation Talisman, as described in the Dragon Taming Scripture.
Taking a deep breath, Chen Yi steadied his mind, clearing away all distractions. Once his thoughts were as calm as still water, he dipped the brush into the cinnabar mixture and began to draw.
As soon as the brush touched the paper, a warm current surged from his lower abdomen to his arm. With this energy guiding his hand, his strokes became fluid and precise, the characters flowing like dragons and serpents.
In no time, the palm-sized yellow talisman paper was filled with intricate crimson patterns and ancient script. With a loud exclamation, Chen Yi chanted, "Heaven's essence, Earth's spirit, boundless transformation! By my ink, the Lingbao Dissipation takes form!"
As his chant ended, the crimson lines on the talisman suddenly emitted a dazzling golden light. The radiance spread warmth, like sunlight piercing the cold of a harsh winter.
Within seconds, the light faded, and the talisman reverted to its ordinary appearance.
Everyone in the store was stunned, their eyes wide with disbelief. Was this the legendary power of talismans?
To them, talismans had always seemed like nonsensical scribbles, dismissed as superstitious nonsense. Yet here, before their very eyes, was undeniable proof of their efficacy.
"Master, what kind of talisman is this?" Liu Hua asked timidly, her earlier playful tone replaced by genuine respect. She no longer called him "handsome" but "Master."
"This is a Lingbao Dissipation Talisman, designed to neutralize malevolent energy and improve the store's Feng Shui," Chen Yi explained with a smile.
"And how do we use it?" Boss Wu asked nervously, his faith in Chen Yi now solidified. Just witnessing the talisman's creation was enough to convince him he had chosen the right person for the job.
"Simply affix it to the back wall of the store," Chen Yi replied.
Boss Wu's face lit up with relief. "Someone, bring me some glue!"
"No need for glue," Chen Yi said.
"No glue? Then how do we stick it?" Boss Wu asked, puzzled. Was the talisman self-adhesive? If so, that would certainly be convenient—modern technology at its finest!
Chen Yi chuckled but said nothing. Walking to the back wall, he formed a sword-finger gesture and performed a quick incantation.
"Go!"
The Lingbao Dissipation Talisman seemed to come alive, flying through the air and adhering itself firmly to the wall without any external support.
"Ah!"
The entire store erupted in gasps of astonishment.
They had witnessed too many unbelievable things today.
Scenes they had only ever seen in movies or on television were now unfolding right before their eyes.
Some of the female employees couldn't help but gaze at Chen Yi with admiration, their eyes filled with awe and infatuation.
Chen Yi basked in their adoration, feeling like a hero. Perhaps one of these young women would even fall for him.
Ignoring whether Boss Wu was present or whether it was work hours, the employees rushed out from behind the counters to get a closer look at the talisman.
"It flew! It really flew on its own!"
"Unbelievable—this is divine intervention!"
"Look, it's glowing again!"
Under everyone's watchful eyes, the Lingbao Dissipation Talisman emitted a second burst of golden light, even brighter than before, almost blinding.
"Master, you're amazing!" one of the female employees exclaimed, starry-eyed.
"Can you read my fortune in love?" another asked, more practical in her concerns.
"Something's wrong!" Chen Yi suddenly shouted, his face darkening.
With a faint "pop," the Lingbao Dissipation Talisman spontaneously combusted, disintegrating into ashes that scattered into the air.
The talisman had failed to suppress the malevolent energy!
Chen Yi's expression grew grim. This was far beyond his expectations.
The Lingbao Dissipation Talisman was a high-level tool, more than capable of neutralizing ordinary malevolent forces. For it to fail could mean only one thing: this was no ordinary malevolence.
It was Dragon Sha—malevolent energy born from a dragon vein!
Dragon veins, known to carry spiritual energy and fortune, occasionally produce malevolent energy under rare circumstances, such as the death of a dragon or the birth of a vengeful one.