Chapter Nineteen: Deterrence

The voice was soft, yet in this scene, it struck like a thunderclap tearing through the sky.

Everyone around swiftly turned their heads toward Li Yihui. The group led by Dai Heming showed unmistakable displeasure. A quick glance revealed that the one smiling was a young man in his twenties.

Dai Heming fixed his gaze on Li Yihui, eyes filled with dissatisfaction and inquiry.

He needed an explanation.

Li Yihui hurriedly signaled Shen Lin to adopt a polite demeanor, then awkwardly spoke.

“He’s my nephew, just wanting to see the world a bit. Sorry, everyone, truly sorry.”

His tone was humble. After all, these were businessmen of similar status and stature; they could tolerate what others could not. There was no need to offend partners over a trivial matter—it would be counterproductive.

“Keep an eye on him,” Dai Heming commanded, his tone no longer weak but carrying an unyielding authority.

Li Yihui awkwardly waved his hands, bowing repeatedly in apology.

The agenda continued, and their attention once again turned to Daoist Jin Xia.

“Daoist, please continue. My nephew is inexperienced,” Dai Heming said humbly. When asking for help, one must be humble. Reaching his current position was not by blind passion alone; he knew when to be soft and when to be firm.

Dai Heming could both hold on and let go.

Daoist Jin Xia was clearly displeased by the interruption. It wasn’t until Dai Heming slyly slipped him a card that his expression softened considerably.

“The Dragon-Trapping Formation has one ‘one’ and two ‘zeros’ repeatedly. We’ve trapped him once before, so the second time requires thorough preparation; otherwise, it won’t be effective.”

“What do you mean exactly, Daoist?” Dai Heming asked.

“Open a new altar, perform the ritual, and build another garden outside the existing one. I will draw the White Tiger Metal Sha, using Sha to counter Sha, poison to fight poison,” Daoist Jin Xia explained fluently, his professional jargon flowing naturally, prompting nods from the crowd.

Though they didn’t fully understand, it sounded quite reasonable.

“Daoist, what specifically should we do? As for expenses, rest assured, we will cover everything,” Dai Heming quickly added, his mind sharp, always focusing on the core.

“The clouds follow the dragon, the wind follows the tiger; the dragon and tiger shine together, complementing each other. To break the Azure Dragon’s resentment, the White Tiger Sha is necessary. You must build that garden halfway up this mountain, and it must be completed within three months. Otherwise, time will be too late,” Daoist Jin Xia sighed repeatedly, causing everyone to shudder as if sensing their own mortality.

Dai Henián grew anxious. What were they waiting for? They must act quickly—every moment counted. Eyes turned to Dai Heming, awaiting his decision.

Just as Dai Heming was about to nod, laughter echoed around them again.

“Pfft.”

No one needed to look to know who it was. Everyone simultaneously turned their faces away, visibly annoyed.

“Old Li, feels like you brought someone here today just to mess up my show, Dai Heming. After all these years of friendship, what’s the meaning of this? Let’s make it clear,” Dai Heming’s anger surfaced. His gaze darkened menacingly, yet his face remained unreadable. He leisurely picked up a cup of tea, stood, and looked at Li Yihui. That gaze alone felt like a mountain pressing down.

Two fists can’t defeat four hands, especially so many.

Li Yihui’s wealth was undeniable, and everyone present was an acquaintance of sorts. But at this level, all were respectable figures. To provoke repeatedly was no longer something that could be brushed off as youthful indiscretion.

This was deliberately picking a fight.

Feeling conflicted, he glanced at Shen Lin beside him and bit his lip.

“My apologies, everyone. My nephew isn’t feeling well today. It’s all on me, Old Li. How about this—I’ll pay for the garden construction this time. What do you all think?”

The atmosphere eased considerably. Without this, they might have united to destroy Li Yihui.

Dai Heming gave Shen Lin a deep look, as if warning him. Just as he was about to take control, the young man stepped forward.

“Sorry, everyone. I really couldn’t help it. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen such an entertaining show,” Shen Lin smiled. Having seen all kinds of talents on television, this Daoist Jin Xia was a first—quite interesting.

Li Yihui was about to speak when Shen Lin waved his hand toward him. He was momentarily stunned—did this kid have eyes in the back of his head? How did he know Li Yihui was about to speak?

Strange.

“Uncle Li, thank you for your kindness. For today’s situation, Xiao Lin will take charge for you.”

The words sounded odd. The crowd was stunned, watching as Shen Lin confidently walked to the sofa and took the seat of honor without hesitation.

The young man even picked up a cup of tea and gulped it down, grinning at everyone.

Daoist Jin Xia, who had been silent, spoke with full sarcasm.

“The old Daoist hasn’t left the mountain for a long time. Seems the world has forgotten my reputation. The younger generation nowadays knows no manners.”

He beckoned two men behind him.

“Tong’er, teach this young man a lesson—just a mild punishment. Don’t spoil the harmony.”

The two nodded and moved forward.

Daoist Jin Xia seemed to anticipate what would happen next. Though nominally acolytes, these two were professionally trained bodyguards—nimble and skilled—hired at a high price to ensure safety. Dealing with a mere youngster was no challenge.

Li Yihui felt he had to intervene. After all, this was his son’s lifesaver, someone he had brought up himself. If anything happened, his conscience would never forgive him.

Just as he was about to act, a sudden force from behind grabbed him—it was his foolish son holding onto him.

In the father’s questioning and reproachful gaze, Li Meng met his eyes calmly and shook his head seriously.

That moment was brief but beyond Li Yihui’s expectations. He seemed to witness his son’s coming of age.

Li Yihui froze. For the first time in his life, in such a crucial moment, he chose to heed his son’s advice.

Without hesitation.

Then, in the next instant, the entire room was bathed in a sweeping light—grayish and white—enveloping everything like a frozen old photograph.

At the same moment, the two bodyguards moving toward Shen Lin collapsed to the ground without warning.

The sound of their heads hitting the floor was loud enough to startle everyone awake as if from a dream.

Dai Heming was stunned. Having weathered the business world for decades and witnessed countless grand scenes, this was the first time he was utterly confused.

He was about to speak when suddenly everything went black. It was as if the light had been swallowed whole. He found himself in darkness, the silence around eerily frightening.

Finally, a color appeared before Dai Heming’s eyes.

It was red—blood red.

For the first time in his life, Dai Heming was overwhelmed by intense fear.

He tried to scream, but no sound came out. This drove him nearly mad. His hands clawed uncontrollably, as if trying to tear through the darkness.

At last, as if answering his prayers—perhaps the usual rituals of seeking gods and immortal beings worked—the darkness was torn apart.

Through the claw-like rips, Dai Heming cautiously peered out.

He saw a pair of blood-red eyes—not human eyes—that evoked an indescribable terror.

Fear made Dai Heming forget everything, even to move.

Through that gaze, the crimson eyes slowly retreated. Peering through the gap, Dai Heming saw everything.

It was a face of indescribable eerie smile, like a wooden carving that had been carved onto flesh, utterly lifeless. Though it looked like living flesh and blood, the first impression was that it was not human.

The next moment, the figure suddenly surged forward as if trying to break through the gap and come closer.

Back, back, quickly back away!

Driven by the instinct to survive, Dai Heming scrambled backward, but invisible hands seemed to push him forward.

He couldn’t retreat. He was being forced closer to that horror.

In the darkness, Dai Heming’s piercing scream shattered the blackness like glass.

Panting violently, he felt as if he could vomit out all his innards.

He stared in disbelief at the familiar villa and familiar people.

Though only seconds had passed, it felt like years.

“Ah ha~ Ah ha ha~ Ah ha ha ha ha~”

Laughter—mad laughter—unexplainable laughter. Dai Heming slumped to the ground like a lunatic, laughing grotesquely and chillingly.

Those nearby wanting to intervene stopped in their tracks.

It was haunted—definitely haunted!

They immediately looked toward old Daoist Jin Xia, only to find he was no longer human but a decayed corpse.

Yet, as their gazes converged, the withered corpse leapt up, its skull-like eyes glowing with eerie fire, staring at them.

They were engulfed by terror.

What had unfolded was beyond Li Yihui’s imagination. The moment things went wrong, he grabbed Li Meng and tried to flee, but his son was unmoving, his expression calm.

Li Yihui was almost mad. At a time like this, how could his son be so composed? Didn’t he see what was happening?

It was haunted!

Wait! Li Yihui seemed to realize something. He looked incredulously at Shen Lin smiling on the sofa. Suddenly, everything made sense.

His mind filled with the professional jargon Li Meng had rambled earlier.

It seemed all this had been orchestrated by the young man before them.

He wasn’t joking—he was far more terrifying than imagined.

Chaos, madness, screams, and even a strange stench.

The so-called upper class present had completely lost their former shine. Their frenzied state was worse than that of patients in a psychiatric hospital.

In the midst of this chaos, Dai Heming heard a crisp finger snap.

Then he saw a young man smiling serenely.

“Boss Dai, allow me to reintroduce myself. My surname is Shen—Shen Lin.”