Disaster Aversion

"Let the child light firecrackers first, to announce the death," Wu Zhenghua nodded, then had someone find firecrackers. After that, he walked in and waved for everyone to get out of the way.

Actually, even if he hadn't said anything, Zhao's relatives would have been trembling by now. Old Man Zhao was dead, and what was on him now was a fierce ghost. Who would dare to stay?

This was also why Old Madam Wu was still here; otherwise, everyone would have already run away.

After Old Man Zhao was released, he was still lowering his head, muttering incantations. Then, he actually lunged at Wu Zhenghua!

Wu Zhenghua was unhurried and composed. He took a step forward, and his imposing demeanor immediately reappeared. Hearing him shout, "Go!"

Old Man Zhao was as if struck by something, falling backward!

"Yang Gang Zheng Qi!" Someone suddenly cried out in surprise. The people around them suddenly understood, and they all felt immense reverence for Master Wu Zhenghua.

I glanced at the blood-brown tortoise shell he was fiddling with in his hand. I didn't pay much attention to his move of borrowing external force to drive away the fierce ghost. I guessed it was all thanks to this trinket.

But regardless of whether it was eye-catching or just a bluff, the fierce ghost on Old Man Zhao was also driven out of his body. Wu Zhenghua seemed to be able to see the fierce ghost. He reached out and swept his hand through the air. A gust of wind carrying white mist flew out, and the fierce ghost immediately disappeared.

I frowned. For a moment, I couldn't see where the white thing had gone. Could it be that Wu Zhenghua really had Kai Sheng Gui San and a powerful spell to eliminate it with a wave of his hand?

"Alright, the ghost has been dispersed by me," Wu Zhenghua said calmly. Then he looked at me with a smile that held a hint of an elder looking at a junior.

I had a blank expression. Even if he was strong enough to overturn the heavens, as long as he didn't bother me, what did it have to do with me? Besides, the ghost was eliminated without me having to lift a finger, which was also a good thing for me.

"Brother Zhenghua, thank you so much. If only you had used this ghost-dispelling skill earlier," Old Madam Wu said quickly, thanking him. Then she had her relatives change Old Man Zhao's clothes and asked others to arrange for a coffin and other matters.

"Mom, leave these small matters to me. I'll handle everything perfectly. You should go rest first; you've been busy all day and must be tired," Zhao Zhou immediately stepped forward to take on all the responsibilities.

Only then did Old Madam Wu truly look at her second son and nod with relief. "Yes, then Zhou, you must handle it well. Your father didn't leave peacefully. Ask Master Wu to take good care of things."

"I understand, Mom." Zhao Zhou's expression was solemn. However, it was clear from Old Madam Wu's words that he was the next Family Head of the Zhao Family. After all, she hadn't instructed her eldest son, Zhao Xi, at all, and she didn't even bother with her third daughter.

Zhao Yi also appeared outside at some point. He hadn't gone to the hospital but was energetically directing people here and there, as if afraid no one would see him.

Old Madam Wu saw this and felt even more comforted. "Zhou, your Yi is also very sensible. You've taught him well. I used to hear those gossips say that this child was reckless, but I don't think he's bad at all."

"Mom, the child is a bit mischievous, but when it comes to handling things, he's like me – practical," Zhao Zhou seized the opportunity and quickly helped his mother out of the main hall. As they passed me and Zhao Qian, he didn't forget to look at Zhao Qian. "Where's your brother?"

The relatives of the Zhao Family, under the mosquito net, were changing Old Man Zhao's clothes and washing his body. Zhao Qian, to avoid suspicion, stood by the doorway.

Her eyes were red, and she had shed many tears. She sobbed and said, "Brother went back to the county."

"Drinking again, I suppose? Zhao He's friend just called Yi, asking him to go too, talking about a friend's birthday. Hmph, Zhao Yi at least has some filial piety. He knew Grandpa was unwell and sternly refused, telling your brother to come back too. I heard he refused." Zhao Zhou said coldly.

"Hmph, the eldest son's family is no good. Still drinking at a time like this?" Old Madam Wu glared at Zhao Qian. She wasn't like Old Man Zhao and didn't care much for Zhao Qian. Upon hearing that Zhao He was still out drinking, she became angry. "Xi! Aren't you going to call your son back? Let him drink outside to celebrate your father's death?!"

Zhao Xi was directing inside and heard his old mother calling him, so he ran out. After hearing what she said, his face turned pale, and he pointed at Zhao Qian. "You! You! Aren't you going to call your brother back quickly! Drinking at a time like this, are you trying to anger me to death?! How can one or two of you grow up so foolishly!"

Zhao Qian's tears fell like pearls as she nodded. I stood by, saying nothing.

Wu Zhenghua came over at this moment and said to Old Madam Wu, "Sister, don't take Brother Zhao's matters too much to heart. Birth, aging, sickness, and death are all part of life's cycle. Now that Brother Zhao is gone, we can rest assured with Brother Zhou handling things. Therefore, I've come to take my leave. I'm returning to the city tonight; I still have some matters to attend to."

"So soon? I wanted to ask Brother Zhou to keep you for a couple more days," Old Madam Wu said worriedly, looking at Zhao Zhou.

"You're right. It's all your brother's and sister's fault! Sigh, then you personally escort Old Master Wu to the county. We'll find a better master," Old Madam Wu felt this made sense. Old Master Wu's status was too high to preside over the funeral; it would be like using a butcher's knife to kill a chicken and would make outsiders laugh. It would be too presumptuous of her to keep a master of Taoist magic like Wu Zhenghua.

And so, Zhao Zhou escorted Wu Zhenghua away.

Old Madam Wu looked at the pale-faced Zhao Xi, then at the worried Zhao Yuan standing beside him, and sighed deeply. She had no choice but to make the decision herself. She said, "Your father is gone, and you two still can't put my heart at ease or stop my grief. You still have to manage all the household matters. Look at what you two have done today! Sigh, if you two combined were as sensible as Brother Zhou, it would be great. Now, you two quickly discuss and decide which master in the county is suitable to preside over the funeral. Mom is tired."

Zhao Xi looked at Zhao Yuan, and Zhao Yuan looked back at her elder brother. She lived in the city and didn't understand these matters. She didn't dare to be presumptuous anymore and said, "Whatever my brother says goes. I wouldn't dare to have any more opinions."

With that, Zhao Yuan completely distanced herself from the matter.

"Mom, how about we invite Master Wang Heng from the county? He's a descendant of the Wang Family, so he should be quite good," Zhao Xi was, after all, the eldest brother. Even though he was unhappy, he had to swallow it. But then again, the Wang Family and the Zhao Family had a normal relationship. They were also one of the four major Xuanmen families in the county, so inviting someone from the Wang Family was a good choice.

"You decide. Just don't let any more problems arise," Old Madam Wu thought for a moment, having no other ideas, and nodded in agreement.

"Okay, I'll invite him now." After speaking, Zhao Xi picked up the phone and called his good friend Wang Heng. Old Madam Zhao, supported by Zhao Yuan, left.

After Zhao Xi finished his call, he turned to Zhao Qian and said, "I'll personally go pick up your Uncle Wang Heng. You stop standing here blankly and quickly go call your brother to wear mourning clothes!"

"I already called Brother. He's on his way here," Zhao Qian said, crying.

"Prodigal son!" Zhao Xi sighed heavily. Today, everything had gone wrong for him. He had even lost the position of Family Head to Zhao Zhou, and he had also left such an impression on his mother. Although his father used to be in charge of the family, his mother was usually more decisive than his father. Now that his father was gone, his mother naturally had the final say. Half of the Zhao family's assets were also in his mother's name. Zhao Zhou was now a favorite in his mother's eyes. His father's share of the assets would likely be transferred to Zhao Zhou. He would probably only get scraps, which made it impossible for him to remain calm, no matter how good-tempered he was.

After three firecrackers were set off at the entrance to announce the death, the relatives of the Zhao Family neatly arranged the prepared mourning clothes and various items.

Zhao He also rushed over by taxi, still shaken. Zhao Xi had driven off to pick up the master; otherwise, he probably would have received a slap from his father.

"Brother... Grandpa passed away... sob sob." Zhao Qian saw Zhao He arrive and immediately started crying aggrievedly.

"Qian, it's my fault. If I had known, I would have stayed here too." Zhao He regretted it. Now he didn't know what to say.

Seeing Zhao He arrive, Zhao Qian's legs went weak, and she was about to kneel by the door and cry. I thought she was quite pitiful, so I went to help her up. She slumped against me, wiping her snot and tears all over my clothes.

"Tian Ge, what should we do?" Zhao Qian asked me tearfully, looking lost.

"The dead cannot be brought back to life. Please accept my condolences. Your grandfather treated you well when he was alive. No matter what you say or do, he will bless you. Just follow the process with the master who is presiding over the ritual later," I could only comfort her. The death of an elder in a family with four generations living together was probably different from my own experience. I didn't cry when my Grandma passed away, but perhaps it was because I didn't see her body.

"Tian Ge, sigh, thank you for taking care of Qian when I wasn't here. Otherwise... If you ever need anything in the future, just let me, Zhao He, know. I'll be at your service. Tian Ge, you've also been busy all day today. Why don't you go back and rest? It's almost midnight now." Zhao He shook his head, sighed, and clasped my hand with emotion.

I smelled alcohol on him and knew he had been drinking, but he seemed relatively sober. Seeing more and more cars arriving from outside, I felt a little more at ease.

Thinking that Yu Xiao Xue was still living at home alone, I said, "Alright, now that things are like this, don't think too much about it. Call me if anything else comes up. I'll come back tomorrow morning."

Zhao Qian, with tears streaming down her face like pear blossoms, nodded and stuffed the house keys and car keys into my hand.

I didn't linger. I lit a stick of incense for Old Man Zhao and checked the smoke before leaving. It was relatively smooth: one long curl and two short ones. This was a disaster-averting incense, signifying that calamities would be resolved and a hundred blessings would arise. It seemed Old Man Zhao was a good person in life. He had just been possessed by something unclean before. After tonight, the Zhao Family would likely be fine.

Besides, Wu Zhenghua and Zhao Zhou had already returned to the county. The incident where Zhao Qian was ambushed on the national highway today probably wouldn't happen again.

Moreover, Old Man Zhao was a well-known figure in the county. There would be no shortage of people keeping vigil, and more people meant stronger Yang energy, so no unclean things would dare to take advantage of the situation.

However, I had no idea that once I left, this matter would spiral out of control.

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