Chapter 517: Overcome
Translator: Sparrow Translations Editor: Sparrow Translations
"This is the trader from the Pawnshop?"
While Lu Bingqi returned to reality and began to make preparations for the unleashing of the spirits, he had no idea that Fang Yuan and Jiese the Monk were watching him.
"Amituofo, that's right! I thought it was strange when I left the bus station, then when I met this person again, I was very sure that he was a trader from the Pawnshop!"
Jiese the Monk clasped his hands together and shouted out the name of Buddha.
Fang Yuan found that this little monk not only had a solid grounding in cultivation, but was also intelligent.
This person had placed a tracking imprint on Fang Yuan upon meeting him for merely the first time. This was a clear indication of his devious nature.
Nevertheless, in the current day and age, it was necessary to employ underhanded tactics in order to deal with more unscrupulous enemies.
"Something is wrong!"
Fang Yuan and Jiese covered up their tracks and began to travel back to where they came from. In the end, they still managed to make it to the Chen Residences.
"Indeed… the Spirit Recalling Ritual that my Master had imparted to Chen Xinbo is another one of the Pawnshop's creations…"
Lu Bingqi had already closed a few deals with the Pawnshop and was uncommonly skilled. He had dispatched of the two guards easily and strode into the Chen Residences unopposed.
Jiese the Monk let out a sigh as he witnessed the scene.
"This person has ill intentions. If he releases the evil spirits, the consequences will be dire. He must be stopped…"
"Oh, are you talking about the ghost in the Chen Residences?"
Fang Yuan grinned.
"That's nothing much to worry about. Let's wait and see for now."
Even if a paranormal entity like that appeared, Fang Yuan would destroy it all the same.
…...
"Damn it!"
Lu Bingqi wandered deep into the building and came to the elder daughter's room. His right eye suddenly became bloodshot and his pupils dilated. He cast a sweeping glance and cursed loudly.
"What the heck...why are there so many talismans placed here? Which bloody monk did this…"
Although these talismans were not very effective against spirits, they could at least discourage evil spirits from convening in the area.
Without hesitation, Lu Bingqi took out his little knife, black dog's blood and other tools, and began to vandalise the walls so as to drown out the spiritual light emanating from it.
It was dusk and the stars were out by the time he was finished.
Lu Bingqi sucked in a deep breath and took out a piece of green jade. He then pressed it to a hollow on the floor.
This was the original location in which Chen Xinbo devised the Spirit Recalling Ritual, and he had reactivated it!
Since he was to release the spirit through the ritual, he had obviously brought along the necessary tools.
The piece of jade was translucent and he could see veiny traces of red in it.
In truth, the red lines were the products of hatred and blood, and when the jade was added into the array, it would become the key to releasing the evil spirit.
"I cannot expect a malevolent spirit such as this to thank me upon its release. It is more likely to kill me!"
Lu Bingqi gulped.
But the agreement was already in place and he could not back out now.
The Pawnshop had decreed that he stay here for a night after releasing the evil spirit. He had to do it!
Or else, they would tag another evil spirit to him for the rest of his life, and he would suffer a terrible fate.
To break a contract with the Pawnshop was to suffer a fate worse than death!
This piece of advice was given to him by countless people, and he would never forget it.
"Amituofo, I cannot bear to witness this any longer!"
Jiese the Monk pounced on Lu Bingqi in a flash and snatched over the piece of blood jade.
"I cannot let this spirit be revived and run amok as a menace!"
"Where did you come from, monk? Don't interfere in my business!"
Lu Bingqi spoke coldly with every intention to kill.
He was prepared to do anything just so he could survive. Also, he had done enough deals with the Pawnshop to acquire a few special abilities.
For example, his right eye was able to detect paranormal activity and entities.
"You have desecrated this place, a site set up by my Master...how can you say that this isn't my business?"
Jiese the Monk was simmering with anger and broke out into an attacking stance.
He was not afraid, for he knew that the Buddha would look out for him and aid him in dealing with demonic creatures!
"Hmph, seems like you are tired of living!"
Lu Bingqi was aware of this monk's background and knew that there was no way to resolve this peacefully. He glared at Jiese the Monk.
"Don't blame me if you die!"
Out of his right eye, he could see the aura surrounding Jiese the Monk becoming thicker.
At the same time, Jiese the Monk had a premonition of the other party extinguishing his aura, which would lead to dire consequences. He immediately flew forward and threw out his right palm.
"Veda Palm!"
Pak!
Lu Bingqi sent his fist flying and retreated. It was clear that he was skilled in the martial arts and was quite the formidable fighter.
In a blink, the two had traded multiple blows. It was a stalemate.
"Wow...what a boring fight!"
Fang Yuan yawned as he spectated the fight lazily.
Finally, Jiese the Monk managed to disarm Lu Bingqi of his knife and palmed his right eye. A golden swastika appeared and sealed off the abilities of the right eye temporarily. He had been overcome.
"You are finally done…"
Fang Yuan stepped forward and examined the defeated Lu Bingqi.
"You are a trader from the Pawnshop, is that right? You have been sent to release the spirit?"
"You know about the Pawnshop?"
Lu Bingqi was stunned but he shut his mouth and refused to say another word.
"Would he die if he revealed information? Or does he simply not want to talk to us?"
Fang Yuan turned around to face Jiese the Monk.
"What should we do?"
"Amituofo! When such a situation arises, we monks would beat the information out of them!"
"Hmm, great suggestion! But I have a better idea!"
Fang Yuan stood in front of Lu Bingqi with an indifferent look on his face, which gave Lu Bingqi the chills.
"What are you going to do?"
"Nothing?"
Burn marks suddenly appeared on Fang Yuan's face and his eyes turned blood red.
"Wha…"
Jiese the Monk had a more agitated response.
Just as Fang Yuan released his inner demon, Jiese the Monk felt all his hairs stand on end and he retreated into the distance.
"Are you… even human?"
"Of course I am! Long story, but I can do what spirits do…"
Fang Yuan injected red rays of light into Lu Bingqi's pupils and left him in a sluggish state while Fang Yuan riffled through his memories.
"You are really human?"
Jiese the Monk found it hard to believe. To him, Fang Yuan had become a terrifying spirit. He was spooked beyond measure.
"He has the abilities of spirits...did he seal a spirit on his own body?"
He was truly the successor to the Golden Mountain Monastery and had quickly come to an accurate conclusion.
"Buddha used to say, 'If not me, then who?'. This young master has made a great sacrifice and is an inspiration to our generation!"
Admiration aside, Jiese the Monk would never do that.
He knew that if he sealed a spirit on his own body, he would most definitely die! The best case scenario would be a possession by an evil spirit, and he would live out his days like his master, in a demonic trance!"
"Lu Xia's uncle? Interesting!"
Evil spirits could force mortal memories to reveal themselves. Fang Yuan learnt everything about Lu Bingqi after a short time.
"You were forced to release the spirit, and intended to take revenge for your nephew as well? Hmm?"
Although Lu Bingqi's memories were laid bare for Fang Yuan to see, Fang Yuan also realised that there were many gaps.
"The memories of the Pawnshop were blanked out! No...they were inaccessible to him! Indeed, there were mantras that were capable of countering the abilities of evil spirits…"
Fang Yuan ceased using his divine technique and Lu Bingqi slowly regained his senses. He immediately felt a sharp iciness in his heart.
"What...what did you do to me?"
"Don't be upset. We're all professional exorcists and are here to help you out."
Fang Yuan smiled and went on.
"Do you not want to escape the control of the Pawnshop?"
"You all want to deal with the Pawnshop?"
Lu Bingqi shook his head.
"That's impossible! No one can destroy the Pawnshop. You have no idea about our desolation… even the spirits of the lowest level cannot be defeated. This is the truth!"
"Seems like you're well aware of your situation. However, I am an exception… Just a heads up. The evil spirit that killed your nephew Lu Xia was sealed up by yours truly."
"What?"
Lu Bingqi was more distressed than Fang Yuan expected. He went slack-jawed.
"What did you say?"
Fang Yuan continue blandly.
"I know you are confused, but I can tell you the whole story!"
When Fang Yuan was done explaining everything, Lu Bingqi was devastated.
"So… this is the truth? My god, I would have found out about the truth if I only waited a little longer. But I had to make a deal with the Pawnshop… Haha… I must be the dumbest person who has ever lived!"
"What kind of deal? Explain!"
Fang Yuan's interest was piqued.
"You explanation ties in with my investigations. I believe you. Since you have avenged my nephew, let me give you a caveat. The Pawnshop is worldly and has vast resources. You cannot hope to challenge them. Forget your plan and move on with your life!"
"Don't worry, I don't do things that I don't have confidence in!"
Fang Yuan kept smiling.
"Anyway, tell me everything you know about the Pawnshop, if there is nothing stopping you from doing so…"
"Alright, if you insist!"
Lu Bingqi began to share all that he knew, with Fang Yuan and Jiese the Monk listening intently beside him. As Lu Bingqi spoke on, their faces, Jiese's especially, slowly morphed into stunned ones.
"This is ridiculous. Such a thing actually exists in this world? So you're saying that my Master was entranced by it?"