Chapter Seventy-Seven: Seeking Help

The people gathered around Cheng Che in the room were all familiar faces to Elder Xu. His gaze swept across to the person standing diagonally opposite, then suddenly shifted to the right and caught sight of two identical figures. A flicker of shock and disbelief appeared in Elder Xu’s eyes. He glanced at Cheng Che, who was slumped in the chair in a pitiful state, and interrogated, “What’s wrong with Che’er? Why aren’t you helping him first? Why are you all just standing there? A-Yong, hurry and fetch a doctor!”

Uncle Jiang stepped forward to Elder Xu, and Zhang Qinglin also approached, just in time to hear Uncle Jiang say, “Elder Xu, the situation is urgent. We need to send someone to bring over that old lady at once.”

“What old lady?” Elder Xu asked, puzzled.

Zhang Qinglin described the old woman’s appearance in detail to Elder Xu, who immediately instructed A-Yong to send someone to both the Sixth Company and Zhang Family Tower. Zhang Qinglin, watching the vicious look in Cheng Che’s eyes, sensed that something was terribly wrong.

Suddenly, Cheng Che sat up straight in the chair, still staring fixedly ahead. His body lurched forward and both arms flailed wildly, clawing at the air.

Cheng Che’s sudden outburst startled everyone. Zhang Qinglin and Wu Cheng’an immediately rushed to restrain him by the shoulders.

Elder Xu’s expression remained unchanged. He struck his cane heavily on the floor twice and barked for someone to fetch a rope.

Once the rope was brought, Cheng Che was tightly bound to the chair, his twisted face distorted by anguish and resentment. No one wanted to tie him up, but they were afraid he might harm himself or others.

Uncle Jiang, standing beside Elder Xu, spoke quietly about Wu Daoyi, who stood isolated in the corner. Elder Xu nodded and ordered two men to keep an eye on him.

Not long after, A-Yong rushed in from outside, heading straight for Elder Xu and announcing breathlessly, “Elder Xu, that old lady… she died five days ago…”

“What about her family? There was a couple who came to collect her that day,” Zhang Qinglin said, his face complicated.

Uncle Jiang’s expression was grave as he added, “This is truly troublesome. Xiaolin, you may have encountered a vengeful spirit returning for retribution. If the killer of the old lady’s daughter isn’t found, I fear Che’s fate will be grim.”

For the current situation, this was indeed terrible news. Cheng Che’s condition was rapidly deteriorating. Elder Xu paced anxiously, his heart wracked with worry. If anything happened to Cheng Che under his roof, how could he answer to the boy’s father?

“Please, think of a way to save him! We can’t just keep him tied up like this,” Jiang Xinyue pleaded urgently.

A-Yong’s eyes flashed as an idea struck him. After a moment’s thought, he said to Elder Xu, “Elder Xu, I think we’ll have to invite Mr. Hu here.”

Elder Xu’s aged face showed little emotion, but inwardly he was reluctant to call upon Hu. Still, seeing Cheng Che’s madness, he had no choice but to nod and send A-Yong to fetch him.

A-Yong dared not delay, and immediately set out for the southern part of Fang County.

The profession of exorcist is often mistaken for that of a charlatan. While the two share some similarities, there are differences. Charlatans typically take people’s money in exchange for dispelling disasters, gaining both wealth and fame if they’re good at it—though most are frauds. Exorcists, on the other hand, usually do not charge fees. They specialize in driving out vengeful or evil spirits that have possessed others. Still, most exorcists are little better than charlatans—just putting on a show and leaving with their reward.

Mr. Hu was the most famous exorcist in Fang County, but his temperament was notoriously poor and his stubborn nature meant he never listened to advice from anyone. Because of this, he remained nothing more than a humble tofu vendor.

Three years ago, Elder Xu had dealings with him. At first, he thought well of Hu, finding him meticulous and earnest. But later, Hu’s obstinacy frustrated Elder Xu time and again, leading to stricter demands and, ultimately, a falling out.

Elder Xu sat aside for a moment, watching the scene before him, then glanced at Cheng Che. He thought to himself: If Hu truly manages to drive out the vengeful spirit, he will set aside past grievances and thank him generously. But if he fails, he will not let Hu leave this house.

It was nearly five o’clock in the morning. The morning star still hung high in the sky, and the sun was slowly climbing up from the east.

Elder Xu did not let anyone leave the room, posting guards at the door. It wasn’t that he distrusted Uncle Jiang, but the presence of Wu Daoyi and Wu Cheng’an was too suspicious to ignore.

Zhang Qinglin remained not far from Cheng Che, glancing at Wu Daoyi—whom he had once mistaken for Uncle Jiang. In his heart, he felt that everything that had happened was simply too coincidental, as if something was amiss.

Uncle Jiang kept a close eye on Cheng Che’s abnormal arms. At that moment, he reached into his pocket and took out a silver watch, glancing between Cheng Che and the timepiece.

Zhang Qinglin recognized the watch; it was the one Jiang Xinyue had bought for Uncle Jiang at the watch store in the International Trade Center for his birthday last year. Uncle Jiang treasured it, rarely wearing it.

Zhang Qinglin’s gaze shifted to Jiang Xinyue. She was now asleep at the bedside in the inner room, her lack of rest over the past few days evident in her pronounced eye bags and dark circles.

“Elder Xu, Mr. Hu has arrived. Mr. Hu, please come in!” A-Yong called from the door.

At the sound, Zhang Qinglin turned and saw a middle-aged man in his fifties enter. He was disheveled, with unkempt hair falling over his face. Clearly summoned in haste, his grey coat hung open, buttons undone, exposing his chest as he strode quickly to the center of the room.

Elder Xu straightened and stood up from his chair. Mr. Hu’s face was stern, his gaze unwavering, meticulously arranging his clothes. Elder Xu stepped forward, his face taut as he fixed his stare on the man.