"Mr. Lu, don't be so formal. Just say what you need!"
Kudeng's smile was wide and his enthusiasm overwhelming.
"I'd like to borrow some of the lamp oil offered before the Buddha. I hope it's not too much trouble?"
"What trouble is there? Mr. Lu, you are kind and benevolent; a little lamp oil is nothing. The Buddha would never be stingy with it!"
Kudeng immediately fetched the oil and filled a large jar for Lu Fei.
"This is more than enough, many thanks, Master!"
Lu Fei was even happier than Kudeng.
Now we won't have to worry about the lack of lamp oil for the votive lamps.
"Why thank this humble monk, it should be I who thanks you for your repeated assistance. If the two of you are not in a hurry, why not have a vegetarian meal before you leave?"
"Then we won't stand on ceremony."
At Kudeng's warm invitation, Lu Fei and Jing Jian stayed for the meal.
The clear porridge and tofu had a unique flavor.
It is just unknown how Kudeng manages to put on weight by eating these every day.
"By the way, Shopkeeper Lu, the Association has issued a bounty notice, searching for an evil cultivator by the name of Xuan Yinzi. This humble monk heard that it's related to you, is that so?"
"Yes, does Master Kudeng have any leads?"
"This humble monk lives in the temple and has never seen this person. I heard that Xuan Yinzi can hold his own against Vice Chairman Xu, which is truly remarkable."
Kudeng shook his head and took out a small white lotus the size of a palm.
"This serene lotus is unique to our temple. I have placed it before the Buddha to pray and consecrate for Manager Lu. It has the ability to foresee danger. If there are people with ill intentions around Manager Lu, the heart of the lotus will turn black. I hope this can be of some help to Manager Lu."
"This is too much, Master. You are very thoughtful!"
Lu Fei accepted the lotus while being polite.
"If I come across any more exorcism jobs in the future, I will leave them all to Master."
"Thank you, Manager Lu."
"Master, remember to contact me when you come to the city. I'll drive you around," Jing Jian said warmly.
"Ahaha, thank you for your kindness, Benefactor Jing, but I get car sick easily. Let's just walk around instead."
...
Back at Sinisterium Pawnshop.
"Those two children must have had a reason for leaving the doll with me. I wonder if its teleportation ability is still intact."
Lu Fei couldn't wait to take out the cloth doll, glanced at Xiao Hei who was dozing in the courtyard, and prepared to test it.
"Xiaohei, I'm going out for a while, watch the house! Don't let anyone in!"
After saying that, he deliberately strode out with large steps.
In reality, he held his breath and stopped at the doorway.
Xiaohei perked up its ears for a moment, thinking he had gone far, and then its eyes lit up with excitement. It slunk into the bedroom and fetched a slipper.
Lying in the yard, it bit and chewed on the slipper with great relish.
Lu Fei held the doll's hand, and an idea struck him.
The next second.
Like a ghost, he appeared soundlessly behind Xiaohei and yelled loudly.
"You stinky dog, what are you doing?"
Xiaohei nearly jumped out of its skin.
The heart-wrenching barking of the dog, and Lu Fei's hearty laughter, echoed throughout the courtyard.
After playing enough.
Lu Fei took out the ledger and began to record the accounts.
Hiding Doll.
Holding the doll's hand allows one to teleport once, with a range not exceeding ten meters. It can only be used once within a day.
Prosperity Doll.
A doll made from an innocent child, its abilities are currently unknown.
Punishment Ruler.
It hurts a lot when used to hit someone; other abilities are currently unknown.
Evil Objects +3.
A total of 36 evil objects were collected.
This time, the harvest was truly plentiful.
Not only did we collect three types of evil objects, but we also unexpectedly gained lamp oil and a Pure Heart Lotus at Red Flower Temple.
The lamp oil, which is also used for offerings, can naturally be used in the Merit Cup.
The Pure Heart Lotus can predict danger and can be carried as a form of protection.
"Brother Jing is really my lucky star!" Lu Fei stroked his chin, "Next time I get any monster's inner dan, I'll give this kid a share. That way, even if he has a life-bound magical instrument, he won't get beaten up. He's one of us, so we can't treat him poorly."
Then, he took stock of his inventory.
He had collected a variety of evil objects, each with all sorts of strange and bizarre functions, but none that could heal injuries.
In the future, he would need to pay more attention to evil objects with healing properties. Dealing with evil spirits often involves bumps and bruises.
If he had an evil object capable of healing during the incident at the kindergarten, Jing Jian wouldn't have been so passive.
After tidying up.
Lu Fei called Xu Bei to inquire if there were any clues about Xuan Yinzi.
"This heretic cultivator is hiding very deep, it may take some more time! But rest assured, Shopkeeper Lu, I will use all my connections in the city to search."
With Xu Bei saying this, Lu Fei could only wait patiently.
Sinisterium Pawnshop continued its usual business.
Hu Zi, who was on holiday, returned from outside.
Wearing new clothes and shoes, he had a smug look on his face with a pair of sunglasses on.
"Boss, I'm back!"
"Where did you go to play? You seemed to have a great time." Lu Fei leaned on a recliner, giving him a lazy glance.
"Boss, I went to meet a few old buddies. We all said we would make something of ourselves together, but it turns out I'm the only one who made it."
Hu Zi felt a mix of sighs and emotions.
"This time, I specially asked around about that foreman who used to bully me. Boss, can you guess what happened?"
"What?" Lu Fei had almost forgotten about this matter.
Back then, Hu Zi had sworn to one day rise up and crush this man underfoot.
"He's in trouble for a murder case and has gone bankrupt! He might even go to jail, hahaha! It's retribution, he deserves it!" Hu Zi burst out laughing.
"Aren't you going to take revenge on him?"
"Forget it, a person like him isn't even worth dirtying my hands, Hu Zi Lord's!"
Hu Zi waved his finger, as if he had completely forgotten the way he had once made such a solemn vow.
Lu Fei smiled.
People are like this; when you are in a weak position, every step on you feels like the sky is falling.
But when you stand at a different height, you'll find that those people are not even worth mentioning.
Huzi hummed a tune as he went to clean up.
After this holiday, he became much closer with his old friends, often playing games together whenever they had nothing to do.
He idled for two days.
"By the way, boss, I have a little brother who works in an opera troupe, and he invited us to watch a performance. Do you want to go? It's free, so why not?"
Huzi suddenly said excitedly to Lu Fei.
"Watch a show? Not interested." Lu Fei shook his head.
"Boss, watching the show is just one aspect. The important thing is, my brother said that there aren't many people watching the performances now, and their troupe is about to go under. The troupe leader wants to sell some antiques."
Huzi opened his eyes wide.
"I specifically inquired, and those antiques might have some issues! He said that at night, there are always sounds of singing in the room where the props are stored. I think there might be something evil there!"
"Is there an evil entity?"
Lu Fei then raised his head, looking at Hu Zi with satisfaction.
"Not bad, Hu Zi, you know how to gather information now. You are a qualified partner!"
In the evening.
Hu Zi drove, taking Lu Fei and Xiao Hei to watch the show.
Following the navigation, the car left the city and gradually headed towards the outskirts.
"Hu Zi, something's not right. Aren't we going to watch a show? Why are we heading further and further away from the city?" As the surroundings grew increasingly desolate, Lu Fei looked suspicious.
"Boss, the troupe is performing in the suburbs. There is someone who is 109 years old, celebrating a grand birthday, and they have invited them to perform for the celebration."
Hu Zi explained.
"109 years old, that is indeed a long life, worth celebrating."
"Yeah, celebrating a birthday in the countryside is much more elaborate and lively than in the city! We can join in the festivities."
The car drove further and further, and it got darker and darker on both sides.
They were the only car on the entire road.
Huzi gradually frowned.
"This lousy navigation, why is it going in circles? We must be lost..."
Just as he was wondering, a light appeared ahead.
Looking far into the distance.
It was a stage that had been set up.