Volume One, Chapter 26: A New Way to Unlock

Wang Chenyang, in an effort to salvage his reputation, hurriedly ordered his staff to put away the Goddess Painting. He then stepped to the front, bowed earnestly to the auction house guests, and spoke with sincerity.

“I apologize. This time, Xibo Auction failed to conduct a proper review, causing you all unnecessary alarm. I will immediately withdraw the Goddess Painting from the auction. As compensation, everyone present today, whether buying or selling at Xibo Auction in the future, will have three opportunities to reduce the commission fee by one percent.”

Once the painting was removed, the guests soon regained their composure. Seeing how sincerely Wang Chenyang handled the matter, they did not make things difficult for him.

Just then, a sudden voice rang out, “I’ll take that painting.”

Everyone was astonished, wondering who would be so fearless as to dare purchase that painting. They turned toward the voice and saw that it was Xiao Shiyu.

Some shook their heads and sighed—still too young, lacking the proper reverence for such terrifying things. Others, however, admired his courage.

Wang Chenyang hadn’t expected anyone would want the painting after all that. Yet now he didn’t dare sell it. The Xiao family was still a top-tier clan; if something truly happened with that painting and the Xiao family blamed him, Xibo Auction would be finished.

Seeing his hesitation, Xiao Shiyu said, “Once the transaction is completed, any further problems with the painting will be my own responsibility. They will have nothing to do with Xibo Auction.”

With Xiao Shiyu’s assurance, Wang Chenyang no longer worried. As long as the painting was sold, he would earn his commission. He had the painting brought back up, though he dared not unroll it.

The host proceeded with the auction as usual. Naturally, no one bid against Xiao Shiyu, and in the end, he acquired the Goddess Painting for the starting price of eighty million.

Seeing this, Su Mingzhe’s cold expression warmed. The unsettling painting was finally sold—and, fittingly, to Xiao Shiyu, the very man who had snatched the land in the east of the city from him. Su Mingzhe felt a surge of satisfaction. He was eager to see the sinister presence in the painting sap Xiao Shiyu’s fortune, bring him misfortune, perhaps even death.

After the auction, Xiao Shiyu took the painting and followed Su Tong to her room. Su Tong spread out yellow paper and drew more than a dozen Five Thunder Talismans. Then she turned to Xiao Shiyu and Xiao Shiwei.

“Step back,” she instructed.

She went to the table and unrolled the Goddess Painting. As the scroll opened, the room suddenly darkened, and the curtains stirred though there was no wind. Xiao Shiwei, terrified, clung tightly to Xiao Shiyu’s arm.

Su Tong remained vigilant, producing a Five Thunder Talisman and tossing it into the air at a certain spot.

A flash of golden light blazed forth. An ear-piercing shriek rang out. Xiao Shiwei and Xiao Shiyu covered their ears.

Suddenly, Xiao Shiwei screamed. She felt a chilling sensation, as if something was trying to burrow into her body. Then, a bright light flashed, and the icy feeling vanished. Su Tong saw the protective charm on Xiao Shiwei burning and hurried to affix another.

“You two, back to the door,” Su Tong commanded.

Xiao Shiwei and Xiao Shiyu obeyed immediately. Both had witnessed the supernatural events and knew they could only avoid hindering Su Tong.

Su Tong closed her eyes, keenly attuning herself to the flow of spiritual energy. Suddenly, she flung all the Five Thunder Talismans toward the area of disturbance, chanting incantations under her breath.

Brilliant golden light flooded the room, revealing a strange black shadow, surrounded by the talismans. Changing her hand seals, Su Tong unleashed bolts of lightning from each talisman.

The black shadow writhed in agony, shrieking again and again. Soon, the golden light faded, the cries ceased, and silence returned.

Xiao Shiyu asked cautiously, “Was that a ghost? Is it dead?”

Su Tong corrected him, “Not a ghost—a malevolent deity. Such entities are formless; they can reside within paintings or nest in a person’s wicked thoughts. They’re not so easily destroyed.”

Hearing this, Xiao Shiyu shivered involuntarily, concern written on his face. “Will it come back?”

Su Tong glanced at him, a sly smile on her lips. “It won’t return. It’s probably gone to seek out the one who owes it something. Still, it’s gravely wounded and temporarily powerless to harm anyone. That person will get off lightly for now.”

At her words, both Xiao Shiyu and Xiao Shiwei let out sighs of relief.

Su Tong went to the table, picked up the Goddess Painting, and handed it to Xiao Shiyu. “Now, this is truly the Goddess Painting. Keep it well—it’s valuable.”

Xiao Shiyu didn’t take it right away. “Aren’t you in need of money? Why not keep it yourself?”

Su Tong shook her head firmly. “I don’t want it. But since I’ve expelled the malevolent deity for you, you owe me thirty merit points.”

Su Tong had calculated carefully. If she kept the painting, then removing the evil presence would be her own trouble, earning her no merit at all. If the painting belonged to Xiao Shiyu, then by saving him, he owed her compensation—hence, merit points.

Xiao Shiyu, feeling he’d gotten the better deal, accepted the painting readily. “Fine, take it.”

Su Tong reached toward Xiao Shiyu, gathering thirty merit points. As she suspected, she’d shortchanged herself before. Regret gnawed at her—she wanted to cry, but there was nothing to be done. Fifteen merit points dissipated, fifteen remained hers.

Merit: –9964.5.

After Su Tong finished, Xiao Shiyu asked a question that had long puzzled him. “I’ve heard that good deeds generate merit, but although I’ve done some charity work, it shouldn’t add up to much. How have you been collecting so much from me?”

Su Tong glanced at the merit radiating from him, a hint of envy in her voice. “Some people, because of great deeds in a past life, are born with merit. You’re one of them.”

It was the first time Xiao Shiyu had heard such a thing. He felt a mix of gratitude, happiness, and an unnameable emotion.

Xiao Shiwei slapped Xiao Shiyu’s shoulder excitedly. “Who would’ve thought, big brother—you made such great contributions in your past life.”

She turned to Su Tong. “Tongtong, if I ask for your help next time, can you take merit from my brother instead?”

“Well... I’m not sure,” Su Tong hesitated, for she’d never considered this possibility.

“Let’s give it a try?” Xiao Shiwei suggested. “Tongtong, check my fortune for the coming days, and if you need merit, take it from my brother.”

She gave Xiao Shiyu another pat. “Big brother, do you agree?”

Though the question seemed polite, her clenched fist and tone were clearly threatening.

Xiao Shiyu couldn’t help but laugh, indulgence in his voice. “Alright, I agree—take my merit.”

Both turned to Su Tong.

Su Tong was curious herself, eager to see if she could unlock a new way of collecting merit. She studied Xiao Shiwei’s face, her expression growing grave, then took out coins to cast a divination.

Noticing Su Tong’s serious demeanor, Xiao Shiwei’s heart skipped a beat. With a worried face, she asked, “Is there really a problem?”