Chapter 34: I Will Heed Master Cheng’s Teachings
Vases??
The men froze, looking in confusion at the vases in the small pavilion.
These vases were a gift brought to the Mei Mansion by a small-time contractor hoping to land a job.
The contractor had made some extravagant claims, saying the vases were priceless antiques from an official Song dynasty kiln.
Mei Xing’an had an expert appraise them, only to conclude they were just four modern-made craft pieces.
Since Cheng Yuan wanted them, he might as well just give them to him.
Mei Xing’an put on a pained expression. "Master Cheng, you truly have a discerning eye. These four vases have been passed down in our Mei Family for generations. Since you like them, I’ll give them to you!"
Mei Xing’an turned to Liang Zhen. "Ah Zhen, go clean those four vases and pack them up for Master Cheng."
"Yes, sir."
A satisfied smile crept across Cheng Yuan’s face. ’I’ll have to get an expert to appraise these later. If they turn out to be valuable antiques, I’ll have found the final showpiece for Ruoxi’s inaugural auction.’
"Come on, take me to the construction site."
"Of course, Master Cheng. All the necessary materials have been prepared for your inspection."
Materials??
Cheng Yuan was completely bewildered. "What materials?"
Mei Xing’an clapped his hands, and two bodyguards walked over carrying two suitcases. A thick, metallic smell of blood and a rank, pungent odor emanated from them.
CLICK.
The two bodyguards opened the suitcases.
Inside one suitcase were several blood bags and a few urine bags, which were emitting a powerful stench.
The other suitcase held Glutinous Rice Talisman Paper, Cinnabar, a powdery substance Cheng Yuan didn’t recognize, a Peach Wood Sword, and some Silver knives.
"Master Cheng, these are the supplies we prepared in advance. We have Black Dog Blood, Child’s Urine, Rhino Horn Powder, and so on. We thought you might need them for the ritual."
Cheng Yuan rolled his eyes, annoyed.
"Boss Mei, have you been watching too many zombie movies? Put this junk away!"
Mei Xing’an was taken aback. "Master Cheng, you really don’t need these? The other masters I hired all required these things for their rituals."
"And did they solve the problem?"
"No."
"And there you have it. This stuff is nothing but a Blinding Technique. If there’s truly something foul afoot, what you need is a Mystical Technique, like the Dragon Seeking and Qi-Watching Skill. You need real ability. A true master needs, at most, a Compass to read the Power of the Earth Veins. Put all this paraphernalia away."
Mei Xing’an was suddenly filled with deep respect for Cheng Yuan.
’So all those so-called masters I hired before were just a bunch of clowns?’
"Didn’t you hear Master Cheng?" Mei Xing’an snapped. "Get rid of all this filthy junk! What an eyesore!"
After saying that, Mei Xing’an’s expression changed completely. He spoke with the utmost respect, "Master Cheng, the car is ready. Please."
Mei Xing’an personally opened the door of the Rolls-Royce for Cheng Yuan. Not one to stand on ceremony, Cheng Yuan slipped right in and took the seat behind the driver.
Mei Xing’an and Mei Chao sat with him. As a junior member of the family, Mei Bin wasn’t qualified to ride in the lead car and had to take the second one.
VROOM! VROOM! VROOM!
The convoy set off, heading straight for the construction site.
The Xing’an Group’s construction site was situated in the best part of the city center, less than two kilometers from the Municipal Government Office. It was prime real estate, covering a full 200,000 square meters.
Mei Xing’an planned to develop it into the most high-end residential community in Luocheng.
One-third of the area was designated for villas, one-third for large, single-floor luxury apartments, and the final third for smaller high-rises.
If the project sold smoothly, Xing’an Group stood to rake in at least thirty billion.
Even after accounting for bank loans, various payoffs, land acquisition, construction, and labor costs, the profit would still be in the billions.
It was supposed to be a hugely profitable venture.
But after work was halted for six months due to supernatural incidents, the losses had become enormous.
SCREECH.
The convoy ground to a halt.
Mei Bin got out and hurried over to the lead car. He obsequiously opened the door for Cheng Yuan—an act meant to repair their relationship, provided Cheng Yuan actually had the skills he claimed.
’But if Cheng Yuan was a fraud, he would make him pay dearly!’
’The Mei Family was not so easily fooled!’
"Master Cheng, if you please. We’ve arrived at the site."
Cheng Yuan stepped out of the car and looked around, letting out a low whistle. "Whoa, what a massive development. Halting work on a project this size... the losses must be staggering."
Mei Xing’an forced a smile. "You have no idea. Every single day of stoppage costs us millions. I’m begging you for your help, Master Cheng."
Cheng Yuan didn’t reply. He activated his Double Pupil and gazed toward the construction site.
In an instant, his brow furrowed.
’Such a heavy aura of death!’
’Looks like the supernatural incidents are real after all!’
"Let’s check over here first!"
As he spoke, Cheng Yuan raised his hand and pointed to the nearest high-rise building.
Mei Xing’an’s pupils constricted. ’Is this a coincidence, or is he the real deal?’
’The very first place Master Cheng chose to inspect was where the incident occurred!’
Soon, the group arrived before the high-rise building.
It was an 18-story high-rise with an unfinished, unsealed roof. It was one of the areas on the site with the thickest aura of death.
"Boss Mei, did an incident occur in this building?"
Mei Xing’an grew flustered. His eyes darted about as he forced a laugh. "I haven’t heard about any incidents. Why do you ask, Master Cheng?"
Cheng Yuan shot Mei Xing’an a displeased look. "Boss Mei, if you’re going to be this dishonest, then I can’t do my work. You should find someone more qualified."
With that, Cheng Yuan turned to leave.
"Wait, wait, wait! Don’t go, Master Cheng! I’ll be honest. Three workers died in this building! Three elevator technicians fell from the thirteenth floor of the elevator shaft—improper operation—and died instantly!"
Three workers died??
Mei Chao and Mei Bin exchanged a look of shock. Mei Xing’an had kept this matter so tightly under wraps that even his own family hadn’t known a thing!
’Cheng Yuan—no, Master Cheng—actually figured it out with a single glance?’
Cheng Yuan snorted. "Improper operation? That’s just an excuse for you to shirk responsibility, isn’t it, Boss Mei? Who would gamble with their own life like that? I suggest you provide the families of the deceased with a generous compensation. It would be good for your karma."
Mei Xing’an’s heart sank. ’He saw through that, too?’
’He’d only given each family one hundred thousand at the time. It was a bit on the low side.’
"Yes. I will heed Master Cheng’s counsel."
Cheng Yuan glanced coolly at Mei Xing’an, knowing the man wouldn’t dare to brush him off now. He said in a low voice, "Let’s go. Time to go inside. I want to see for myself just what kind of malevolent entity is at work here!"
With that, Cheng Yuan strode into the high-rise.
But Mei Xing’an, Mei Chao, and Mei Bin hesitated. The building was just too eerie. Even standing outside, they felt waves of cold wash over them, raising goosebumps on their skin.