The next day.
The morning light is faint, and the old locust tree in the backyard of Ye Residence is still covered with dew.
Qin Geng was shirtless, standing in front of the several Iron Pearwood piles that had become somewhat deformed.
"Collapse!"
There was a crisp sound.
The Black Gold Cold Iron chain on his body did not make a dull knocking sound as usual. Instead, as Qin Geng's back shook, it made a "clack" sound similar to shaking a big gun.
The force was transmitted along the iron ring. It was no longer a dead blow, but like Mercury rushing to the ground, and it became a bit lively.
Slow down and exhale.
Qin Geng wiped the hot sweat from his forehead, without looking at the wooden pile that had been shaken, took off the iron chain, put on the white washed green cloth gown, and covered it with a mandarin jacket. He was not wearing official uniform, so he looked more low-key.
I have something serious to do today.
Out of Ye Residence, Qin Geng walked briskly and headed straight for the inner city Geomancy Office.
Seventh senior brother Lu Xingmin gave some directions yesterday, saying that if you want to quickly get started in this Feng Shui industry, you have to look for the big tree Third Master Cao.
The yamen of Geomancy Office is not as grand as Wave-Quelling Bureau, and smells of books and incense.
There were no soldiers with swords standing at the door, only two children in gray robes sweeping the floor.
Qin Geng handed over his waist badge and entered the second courtyard.
The yard was in a mess, with many desk clerks carrying Compass and drawings coming in and out. They all looked in a hurry, as if they had lost their souls.
"Fifth brother? Why are you here?"
A slightly surprised voice came from the side room.
Qin Geng turned around and saw a young man in his early twenties, wearing a Geomancy Office standard robe, holding a stack of yellowed thread-bound books in his hand.
This person is familiar to Qin Geng, Third Master Cao's nephew, Cao Xiaoliu.
"Xiao Liu."
Qin Geng raised his hand and said, "I'm here to ask Third Master about something private. Is Third Master here?"
Cao Xiaoliu put the book on the stone table next to him, with a wry smile on his face and lowered his voice, "Fifth brother, you came at the wrong time."
"What?" Qin Geng frowned slightly.
"The third master was summoned away urgently in the middle of the night last night."
Cao Xiaoliu pointed to the north with a solemn expression. "Enter Yin Mountain."
"Yin Mountain?"
Qin Geng's heart skipped a beat.
"Something happened?"
Qin Geng asked.
Cao Xiaoliu looked around, then came closer to Qin Geng, and said in a low voice that only two people could hear, "It's a big mess. I heard that Earth Veins over there couldn't hold it in anymore. Several graves that had just been buried exploded, and the corpses inside——Hey, I won't talk about it, it's very evil anyway."
"The third master is a heavenly official and a member of Netherworld Office trade. He was dragged by the higher authorities to put out the fire. This trip will last for at least ten days and a half."
Qin Geng nodded, knowing something in his mind.
It seems that the sequelae of Dragon Vein being beheaded are coming on faster than expected.
Now that Third Master Cao is not here, this original plan has to change.
Qin Geng was not pretentious and looked at Cao Xiaoliu: "Since the third master is not here, I will say it directly if I have anything to say."
"Fifth Master You said."
"I want to get into this business."
Qin Geng pointed at Compass in Cao Xiaoliu's hand. "I have learned a little bit, and I want to find a place to practice my skills, and by the way - earn some reputation."
Cao Xiaoliu was stunned for a moment, then his eyes lit up.
"Fifth Master, are you trying to steal our jobs?"
Cao Xiaoliu said half-jokingly, but there was shrewdness in his eyes. "But that's right, many skills are not overwhelming. You are now Tianjin's famous person. If you are more familiar with Feng Shui, then our industry will be lively."
Cao Xiaoliu pulled Qin Geng to sit on a stone bench aside and poured him a cup of herbal tea.
"Fifth Master, since you want to join the industry, there are some things that my younger brother has to tell you."
"This Feng Shui practice is different from your martial arts practice."
"Martial arts are all about fists. If you knock people down, you are the master. Your reputation will be heard throughout Tianjin overnight."
Cao Xiaoliu picked up the tea cup and said as if telling a story, "But Feng Shui is a steady stream of work."
"Show people Yang Dwelling and adjust Feng Shui Formation. This effect is not just a show off today, but it will make a fortune tomorrow. It will take three to five years, when people feel that everything is going well and there are no disasters or illnesses, then they will think of you."
"So the seniors in this industry have been through it all."
"If your hair is not white, people won't believe you are virtuous."
Qin Geng took a sip of tea and said calmly, "Is there no faster way?"
"Yes!"
Cao Xiaoliu slapped his thigh. "Break the situation!"
"If it's a haunted house, a murder scene, or there's something evil happening at home, you'd be extremely anxious."
"If you go, you will be able to cure the disease immediately."
"Then this reputation is like sitting on a flying monkey. It rises instantly."
Speaking of this, Cao Xiaoliu rolled his eyes and looked Qin Geng up and down.
"Fifth Master, I know what you are capable of. Even Foreigners Zombie can be killed, but ordinary evil spirits cannot get close to you."
"Just in time, I have a job on hand."
"Originally, I asked for the third master's name, but isn't the third master going to the mountains? This matter is urgent. The average Feng Shui Master doesn't dare to accept it, and he doesn't have the ability to accept it. The more powerful ones have all gone to the mountains with the third master, and now they are anxious."
"If you want to practice your skills and make a name for yourself, this is a good opportunity."
Qin Geng put down the tea cup and looked calmly. "What kind of work?"
"Ronghe Street, Lin Family."
Cao Xiaoliu spit out two words.
Qin Geng raised his eyebrows.
Ronghe Street, that is the rich area of Tianjin, where all the residents live are apartments, compradors, or big businessmen with centuries-old heritage.
Those who can have a house there are either rich or noble.
"Okay."
Qin Geng stood up and patted the hem of his clothes. "Lead the way."
Cao Xiaoliu was overjoyed and quickly packed up the books on the table. After explaining a few words to the people next to him, he led Qin Geng out of Geomancy Office.
Along the way, the two of them walked along the Bluestone board road without taking a car.
Cao Xiaoliu is a talkative but also a warm-hearted person.
He knew that Qin Geng was new to the industry, so as he walked, he told Qin Geng the ropes in the industry.
"Fifth Master, since you want to take the job, you must abide by the rules in this industry, even if you are Dragon-Guard Office's official or Ye School's disciple."
"For the first time, the teacher doesn't want to go to the hospital, and the doctor doesn't knock on the door."
Cao Xiaoliu stretched out a finger and shook it.
"What do you mean? It means that we who treat feng shui are just like the doctor Physician. We cannot take the initiative to get involved."
"Even if you pass by a house and see a dark cloud looming over the house, which is a bad omen for the destruction of the family, you cannot take the initiative to knock on the door and say, oh, your house is going to be in trouble, I will break it for you."
"If you do this, not only will they not appreciate it, they will have to beat you out with a big broom."
"Why? Bad luck! People think you are casting curses on people to defraud money."
"So, you have to wait, you have to wait for people to ask for you, even if you kneel on the ground and ask for it, this is called sincerity. Only with sincerity can you accept the cause and effect."
Qin Geng nodded.
He understands this. What he is chasing is not buying and selling.
"This is the second one."
Cao Xiaoliu stretched out a second finger. "Don't show it to evil people."
"The evil here" refers to Thousand Gate, door robbers, horse thieves, or those who open black brothels and force girls into prostitution, etc. Anyone who does evil will not be looked at."
"These people, this is a business that harms one's morality."
"We, Feng Shui Master, are trying to seize the destiny of heaven and earth, and we are acting against nature. If we help these people find their acupoints again, we will make a fortune or avoid disaster."
"God will charge this debt to us."
"It can range from five disadvantages to three shortcomings at the least, and it can lead to a bad death at the worst.
Qin Geng sneered, "I'll kill these people when I see them, and then show them Feng Shui?"
Cao Xiaoliu winced. "Yes, Fifth Master, you are the evil star, so this is unnecessary for you."
"This third one is also the most important one."
Cao Xiaoliu looked a little more serious. "No killing game."
"Feng Shui is a knife that kills without showing blood."
"If you dislike someone and tamper with their ancestors' graves, or bury a treasure in their Yang Dwelling, it can lead to the death of the person's descendants."
"But this is too damaging."
"There is a saying in the industry that feng shui kills people and bites them back."
"You set up a trap today and harmed others. Tomorrow the retribution may fall on you or your descendants."
"So, we only save people, not harm them. If you encounter someone who wants you to harm your enemy, you can't accept it no matter how much you pay."
Qin Geng is thoughtful.
These three rules may sound like restraints, but they are actually life-saving.
"Been taught a lesson."
The two of them were talking and walking quickly.
After passing through several busy streets, the hustle and bustle around me gradually faded away, replaced by a kind of tranquility.
Ronghe Street has arrived.
In this area, the road is three feet wider than elsewhere, and is paved with neat stones.
The houses on both sides are all deep houses, with red doors tightly closed, and the stone lions squatting at the door are more powerful than the other.
"It's the one in front."
Cao Xiaoliu pointed at a magnificent mansion not far away.
The door is painted black with vertical and horizontal nails, and a plaque - "Lin House" - is hung on the lintel.
It's just that although this house is grand, Qin Geng feels a little awkward when looking at it from a distance.
It was noon at this time, and the sun was fierce.
But the sky above the forest house seemed to be shrouded in a thin layer of mist, blocking the sunlight from shining through.
The cold feeling is incompatible with the surrounding houses.
"What does this Lin Family do?"
Qin Geng asked.
"Cotton Yarn King."
Cao Xiaoliu lowered his voice. "Tianjin owns half of the largest textile factories. A few years ago, when Old Master Lin was here, it was a black and white trade. We also had business dealings with Foreigners, so our family background is very strong."
"But----"
Cao Xiaoliu changed the subject. "This Lin Family has been a bit uneasy lately."
"What's so unfair?"
"Evil."
Cao Xiaoliu rubbed his arms, it seemed that he felt a little cold in broad daylight.
"Lin Family has three big wolf dogs. They are purebred big black-backed dogs and are very ferocious. But for the past half month, these three dogs have not slept at night and barked at the Ancestral Hall in the backyard."
"The scream was miserable, as if someone was strangling her neck."
"Later, my voice became hoarse, and I continued to scream until dawn."
"And bats."
"It stands to reason that bats are a blessing. Some door towers are even specially engraved with bat patterns."
"But this Lin Family bat is hitting the door."
"At midnight, swarms of black bats flew from nowhere and crashed into the main hall door."
"It crackled like hail."
"When I woke up early the next morning, the door was full of dead bats, all bloody and bloody. It was disgusting.
Qin Geng raised his eyebrows slightly.
This is indeed interesting.
Dogs bark and bats bang against the door.
"The scariest thing is not this."
Cao Xiaoliu leaned into Qin Geng's ear. "Lin Family's current head of the family, Old Master Lin's eldest son Lin Zhengde, said that he can always hear coughing at night."
"That sound was right under the window, and the coughing was so heartbreaking."
"That kind of phlegm-like sound, like there's thick phlegm stuck in your throat and you can't spit it out."
"Lin Zhengde said, that voice is exactly the same as that of his father who died just over a year ago!"
"Old Master Lin died of tuberculosis before he was alive. When he left, he was coughing up blood."
Qin Geng After listening, his face remained calm.
Consumption ghost?
If ordinary people heard this, they would probably be so frightened that their legs would weaken.
"Let's go in and take a look."
Qin Geng stepped forward.
Cao Xiaoliu hurriedly took two steps and stepped forward to knock on the door knocker.
"Pah! Pah! Pah!"
The sound of banging copper rings echoed in the empty streets.
After a long time, the heavy black door opened a crack.
A concierge wearing a green robe and a small hat poked half of his head out, his eyes alert and his eyes darkened, obviously he had not slept well.
"Who are you looking for?"
the concierge asked angrily.
Cao Xiaoliu was not annoyed. He took out Geomancy Office's waistband from his pocket and waved it, with a professional smile on his face, "I am Geomancy Office Third Master Cao, Cao Liu in front of you."
"Didn't Mr. Lin send a message to the third master before? The third master has official business and specifically asked me to bring an expert to take a look."
As soon as he heard that it was Third Master Cao, the concierge's expression immediately changed.
That impatience disappeared in an instant, replaced by a kind of diligence as if seeing a life-saving straw.
The door opened instantly.
"Ouch! It turns out to be Mr. Cao Liu!"
The concierge quickly bowed. "Please! Please come quickly! My master is so anxious that he wonders every day when the third master can come."
As he led the two of them inside, he secretly looked at Qin Geng.
Seeing that Qin Geng is young and has extraordinary bearing, it is inevitable that he will feel guilty in his heart.
"Master Liu, who is this?"
Cao Xiaoliu straightened his back, pointed at Qin Geng and introduced, "The moves are bright."
"This is Fifth Master Qin! River-Blocking Guard of Dragon-Guard Office, the disciple of Ye School. Now Ping'an County Town has to give face to the master on both land and water!"
"Even though Fifth Master is young, his abilities are incredible."
"It is for the sake of Third Master that Fifth Master is willing to deign to come here."
The concierge heard this rapid-fire name.
Dragon-Guard Office? Ye School? Fifth Master Qin?
Any of these names can crush people to death.
His slight contempt disappeared in an instant, and he bent over so much that he wanted Boss to hit the ground.
"The little one has eyes but doesn't recognize Mount Tai! Say hello to Fifth Master Qin!"
The concierge led the way fearfully.
Enter the gate and walk around the screen wall.
The courtyard is really big, with rockeries, flowing water, and winding corridors.
It's just that the flowers and plants looked a little wilted, and the water in the pool was also glowing with a lifeless green.
Just walked to the main hall door.
I heard a burst of noisy voices coming from inside, accompanied by the ringing of bells and the sound of chanting mantras.
"Urgent as a rule! Supreme Lord Lao Manifestation!"
Qin Geng paused in his steps.
Cao Xiaoliu was also stunned.
The concierge smiled awkwardly, lowered his voice and explained, "Fifth Master, Master Six, please don't take it personally."
"My master is in a hurry. There is too much turmoil at home, and he can't live in peace every day."
"While inviting the third master, I also asked someone to find a few Daoist priests to come and take a look."
"Right now----I'm doing something inside."
"Go in and take a look."
Qin Geng strides across that high threshold.
In the main hall, smoke filled the air, and the smell of Sandalwood Incense was so strong that it was choking.
There is an altar in the middle of the lobby, on which Three Pure Ones Statues is enshrined, as well as Peachwood Sword, black dog blood, and glutinous rice bowls.
Three Daoist priests in apricot-yellow robes were circling there.
The leader, with a goatee, was holding a Peachwood Sword in his hand and a Seven-Star Steps on his feet. He was muttering something in his mouth, and from time to time he would spit a sip of wine from his mouth on the sword and draw it on the candlelight.
"Boom!"
The fire flashed, and it looked quite intimidating.
And sitting on a mahogany table Grandmaster Chair next to him was a middle-aged man in his forties.
Wearing a satin gown, he was slightly chubby, but now his face was pale and his hall was black. He was spinning a string of Buddhist beads in his hand and staring anxiously at the altar.
It is Lin Family's current head, Lin Zhengde.
The concierge led the two people into the house and announced loudly, "Master! Mr. Cao Liu is here! He also brought a distinguished guest!"
Lin Zhengde As soon as he heard the words "Cao Liuye", he was like a drowning man grabbing a piece of driftwood. He suddenly jumped up from his chair and came over to meet him.
"Oh! Mr. Xiao Liu! You are finally here!"
Lin Zhengde There was sweat on his forehead, and his eyes were all red and bloodshot. "Where is the Third Master? Third Master Cao Help!"
Cao Xiaoliu did not answer the question, turned slightly to one side, let out Qin Geng behind him, and said loudly, "Mr. Lin, the third master was summoned urgently and went to the mountain to do some work. He won't be back for ten days and a half. But the third master knows that you are in a hurry, so he specially asked me to invite this master to give you a look."
Lin Zhengde was stunned and his eyes fell on Qin Geng.
At this sight, a trace of surprise flashed across his originally anxious face.
He has been in the Tianjin business world for so many years and has the best information.
The man in front of me is the most popular figure in Tianjin recently!
"This----isn't this Fifth Master Qin?!"
Lin Zhengde quickly straightened his clothes and clasped his fists. "I had the honor to meet you before Su Family's birthday party. Lin still vividly remembers the power of tearing apart monsters with his hands! You are now our Tianjin's Dinghai Shenzhen!"
Facing this god of death, Lin Zhengde did not dare to neglect him at all.
This is the master who dares to fight Foreigners and kill Su Family. Even if he has ten more courages, he will not be underestimated.
Qin Geng nodded slightly and returned the gift with a raised hand. "Mr. Lin is polite. It is his own business to pursue his own affairs in his position."
After the pleasantries, Lin Zhengde hesitated a little.
He looked at Qin Geng's calloused hands, which looked like those of a practicing practitioner, and then looked at Cao Xiaoliu, with a trace of embarrassment and confusion on his face. "It's just----Sixth Master, the expert you said you invited to come and look after my family's affairs----is Fifth Master Qin?"
"Fifth Master I know about the martial arts. Even if someone comes to rob my house, or Foreigners comes to make trouble, as long as Fifth Master goes to this stop, I Lin Zhengde will feel relieved.
19
"But this--this is a dirty thing causing trouble in the house."
Although Lin Zhengde said this euphemistically, the meaning is very clear: This Fifth Master Qin is the ancestor of murderers, but does he know how to catch ghosts and read Feng Shui?
This professionalism is inappropriate!
Before Qin Geng could speak, Cao Xiaoliu laughed first.
He pointed at the three Daoist priests over there who were still dancing the Great God. The face that originally had a professional fake smile suddenly turned serious, revealing the cold and hard rules of the industry. "Mr. Lin, Fifth Master's ability is unfathomable. Since the third master asked me to invite Fifth Master, of course the third master has his reasons."
"It's you, but you didn't do this properly."
Cao Xiaoliu slapped the folding fan into the palm of his hand and raised his voice a little higher. "In our industry, we pay attention to one thing and not two people."
"Since you submitted the post and invited us Geomancy Office and invited the Cao family, then we will accept the cause and effect."
"But what's going on with you now?"
"While you are inviting us, you also found a few fake cow noses to toss around in this mess?"
"Are you distrustful of our Cao family? Or do you think our business is like buying food at a wet market, and we have to shop around?"
"You broke the rules! You also slapped our Geomancy Office in the face!"
Cao Xiaoliu These words are serious.
Lin Zhengde turned pale when he heard this.
"Ouch! Mr. Six! Fifth Master! You two must not misunderstand!"
Lin Zhengde was so anxious that he stamped his feet and almost burst into tears. He bowed to the two of them repeatedly. "How dare I break the rules! I am——I really have no choice!"
He pointed in the direction of the backyard and said with a cry in his voice, "You two don't know that just now, my youngest son was only five years old! He suddenly went crazy!"
"Foaming at the mouth, rolling eyes, and talking incomprehensible nonsense, that voice—that voice sounded like an old woman!"
"Seeing that my child is about to die makes my heart as a father feel like a knife!"
"I was thinking that the third master still didn't believe me. I couldn't just watch the child die, so I was so sick that I rushed to the doctor. I invited these Daoist priests to come and support me for a while, hoping to suppress the evil spirit."
"Master Liu, Fifth Master, I, Lin Zhengde, even if I have the courage, I would not dare to make fun of you two. I am really eager to save my son, but I have broken the rules. All my mistakes are my fault. You two adults have a lot, please save my poor son first!"
Saying that, Lin Zhengde was about to kneel down.
Qin Geng had quick eyes and quick hands. He reached out and held Lin Zhengde's arm firmly with a soft force, preventing him from kneeling down.
"Mr. Lin's eagerness to save his son is understandable."
Qin Geng said.
At this time, the three Daoist priests doing the practice also stopped.
The leading Daoist priest with a goatee slapped Peachwood Sword on the table and looked sideways at Qin Geng and Cao Xiaoliu.
"Huh, this poor guy still thinks he's some kind of master."
The Daoist priest said angrily, "It turns out he is a practitioner. Mr. Lin, this exorcism of ghosts and monsters relies on magic power, Talisman, not just hard fists. This Killing Intent has collided with the gods. When the time comes, my son will have his own advantages and disadvantages. Who can afford it?"
Cao Xiaoliu was about to curse back.
Qin Geng waved his hand, signaling him to stop talking.
With his hands behind his back, he looked past the crowd and landed directly on the Lin Family ancestral tablet behind the altar. He then looked up at the beams in the lobby.
Finally, his eyes were like two knives, staring at Lin Zhengde's Yintang, and then glanced at the Daoist priest who was shouting.
"Mr. Lin."
Qin Geng spoke, his voice was calm, but it contained a chill that instantly cooled the entire lobby.
"There's nothing wrong with your house."
"Mainly these few----"
Qin Geng raised the corner of his mouth slightly, revealing a trace of sarcasm. "Thousand Gate people don't keep hiding and pretend to be fake Daoist priests. Tell me, which Thousand Gate Eight Generals are you from? Qin is really not very familiar with Thousand Gate."