Chapter Forty-Four: Severing the Chains of Fate

Yang Meng had just stepped out of the elevator when he froze in place, unsure which foot to move first.

“What the hell is this?” he muttered under his breath.

All the walls before him were plastered with talisman papers, each covered in bizarre scribbles and symbols. Heavy black curtains hung over every window. Yang Meng couldn’t tell whether he was in a hospital or a haunted house.

The two bodyguards at the elevator entrance immediately surrounded him. “No outsiders allowed here. Please stop and forget everything you’ve seen today. If anything leaks, the Long Corporation will pursue legal action against you.”

“I’m one of you, I’m one of you!” It was Duan Bowen who spoke, rushing over from a distance after witnessing the scene. “Mr. Yang, you’ve finally arrived!”

Yang Meng frowned. “Secretary Duan, what on earth are you all doing? This is a hospital, not your home! Aren’t you afraid this circus will affect the Long Corporation’s reputation?”

Duan Bowen smiled sheepishly. “I suggested taking Yao Yao home so the family doctor could look after her, but Old Master Long disagreed. He’s too worried about Yao Yao, afraid the medical facilities at home might not measure up to those here. So he simply rented out this entire place. If there are consequences, so be it—Yao Yao’s life comes first.”

Yang Meng pointed at the talisman papers on the wall. “What’s all this about, then? Don’t tell me it was that old Daoist Yun He—he’d never do something like this.”

“Huh?” Duan Bowen was taken aback. “How did you know Yun He wasn’t responsible?”

Yang Meng replied matter-of-factly, “Daoist Yun He’s skills may be a bit lacking, but he’s no amateur.”

“So you’re saying… these are just random scribblings?” Duan Bowen looked puzzled.

Yang Meng gestured at the talisman papers. “These are drawn by a complete outsider. It’s not entirely accurate to call them random scribbles; they are indeed ancient talismans, but their purpose isn’t to ward off evil spirits. That one is meant to help women conceive quickly; those over there are for cursing enemies; oh, and there are some for blessing students—does your family want someone to top the imperial exams? Whoever drew these copied them straight from a book, a mere half-baked mystic. Pure amateur work.”

“What?” Duan Bowen was stunned. “There are talismans like that?”

Yang Meng chuckled. “Of course. The art of talisman scripts is vast and profound, predating even the Huangdi’s naming of the ‘Zhu You technique.’ Tear them all down; they make the place look creepy. Who did this?”

Duan Bowen explained, “It was Feng Tao. He went back to his hometown specifically to find a master to draw these talismans. You lot, don’t just stand there—didn’t you hear Mr. Yang? Take them down!”

Yang Meng frowned. “Feng Tao? Didn’t he know you were looking for Zhao Yun?”

Duan Bowen shook his head. “We didn’t tell him. Let’s put it this way, Mr. Yang—the Long family doesn’t really like Feng Tao, so they kept him in the dark about what happened after he fainted that day. His trip home to find a master… well, it was a good intention gone awry. He’s concerned about Yao Yao, so it’s understandable.”

“Is that so?” Yang Meng’s brow creased slightly.

“You mean…?” Duan Bowen suddenly realized. “Feng Tao is a problem?”

Yang Meng replied, “You’ll find out soon enough. Hurry up and tear these talismans down—they’re an eyesore!”

Just then, someone began shouting, “What are you doing?”

“Well, speak of the devil.” The newcomer was none other than Feng Tao. “So, you leech, you’re looking lively today!”

Yang Meng raised a hand in greeting.

“You…” Feng Tao glared at Yang Meng. “What are you up to?”

Yang Meng shrugged. “Even a fool can see we’re cleaning up junk.”

“These talismans cost me a fortune!” Feng Tao scoffed.

Yang Meng nodded. “Junk can only attract junk. All right, hurry it up—the darkness here is getting to me.”

Feng Tao laughed angrily. “You call what I brought junk? Ha! What do you know?”

Yang Meng curled his lip. “I don’t know? Secretary Duan, help me out—don’t let this clown loiter in front of me. I can’t stand freeloaders.”

Secretary Duan turned to Feng Tao, “Feng Tao, Mr. Yang has business to attend to. Why don’t you step aside for now?”

“Step aside? Why should I?” Feng Tao shouted. “Oh, I see! Duan Bowen, you like Yao Yao, and you can’t stand me being with her. And you!” He pointed at Yang Meng. “Yao Yao’s current state is all your fault! You just want to watch her die!”

Yang Meng looked at Duan Bowen with a gossipy expression. “Secretary Duan, is there such a story? Well, well, who’d have thought—a big-eyed, bushy-browed backup?”

Duan Bowen waved his hands frantically. “No, it’s not like that at all! I grew up with the Long siblings—Long Teng and Xi Xiang are older than me, only Nan Yao is younger. She’s just a little sister to me!”

Yang Meng’s expression was playful. “No need to explain—explanation is concealment, and concealment is storytelling.”

“There really is nothing…” Duan Bowen tried to protest.

Yang Meng adopted a ‘I can’t hear you, I can’t hear you’ look.

Seeing the two ignore him, Feng Tao fumed, “What, you don’t dare face me now that I’ve spoken the truth?”

Yang Meng simply gave him a middle finger, not bothering to reply.

At that moment, the elevator doors opened and Long Teng stepped out, just in time to hear Feng Tao’s shouting. “Feng Tao, why are you making such a racket?”

Feng Tao, seeing Long Teng, hurried to complain. “Brother, these two are plotting against Yao Yao! They’re about to remove the talismans I had drawn by a master!”

Long Teng glanced sideways at Yang Meng, who spread his hands. “Why are you looking at me? Hurry up and help tear them down—and open those curtains!”

“Oh, right!” Without another word, Long Teng set about helping.

Feng Tao was stunned by Long Teng’s response. “Brother Teng…”

Hearing the commotion, Long Mingyang stepped out of the ward. “What’s all the noise out here?” But upon seeing Yang Meng, his face immediately broke into a smile. “Young friend Yang, you’re here!”

Yang Meng greeted him, “Old Master Long.”

Afterwards, he lowered his voice and asked Duan Bowen, “Hey, Secretary Duan, is there really something going on between you and Long Nan Yao?”

Duan Bowen became anxious. “Nothing at all! Why are you asking?”

Yang Meng whispered, “Whether there is or isn’t, I’m giving you a chance to shine—just don’t let Feng Tao get away, and that’ll be a big achievement.” Without waiting for a reply, he walked straight toward Long Mingyang.

Long Mingyang looked much more haggard than when Yang Meng had last seen him. Seeing Yang Meng approach, he hurriedly asked, “Young friend Yang, please go in and check on Yao Yao.”

Feng Tao was bewildered by Long Mingyang’s respectful manner. Why was Old Master Long so polite to Yang Meng?

Yang Meng ignored him and followed Long Mingyang into the ward.

Long Nan Yao lay on the bed as before, appearing merely asleep. Long Mingyang, full of concern, asked Yang Meng, “Young friend Yang, what do you think of her condition…?”

Yang Meng waved his hand. “Don’t worry, don’t worry. Waking her up won’t be a problem.”

Long Mingyang breathed a sigh of relief. “Thank you, young friend.”

Yang Meng continued, “But, Old Master Long, you have two choices: waking her up is easy. But to solve the problem at its root—it’ll be troublesome.”

“Oh? What do you mean?” Long Mingyang inquired.

Yang Meng glanced at Feng Tao, who was following behind, and asked, “Do you remember the Zhao Yun I mentioned?”

Duan Bowen had been watching Feng Tao, and noticed that upon hearing the name ‘Zhao Yun,’ Feng Tao suddenly turned pale with shock.

Long Mingyang frowned. “Young friend Yang, the Long family has been searching for this girl named ‘Zhao Yun,’ but we have no connection with anyone like that. Can you give us a clue?”

Yang Meng thought for a moment. “Old Master Long, have you decided how you want to proceed?”

Long Mingyang nodded. “Your question is odd, but of course we want to solve the problem at its root. Is there any risk to Yao Yao if you do so?”

Yang Meng shook his head. “Just a bit troublesome, no real risk.”

“Then I’ll leave it to you to thoroughly resolve this issue. The Long family will be deeply grateful.” Long Mingyang said.

Yang Meng shook his head. “You think I’m telling you this for your gratitude? I’m just trying to understand a karma I’ve taken on. Forget it, you wouldn’t understand if I explained. No more time wasted; let’s sort out her situation so I can go find my friend.”

Long Teng happened to enter the ward at that moment, holding the talisman papers he’d just torn from the walls. Yang Meng took them, muttering under his breath.

“Such theatrics!” Feng Tao muttered, watching Yang Meng.

Long Mingyang shot him a fierce glare. “Keep quiet—or leave!”

Feng Tao was about to leave when Yang Meng said, “No, let him stay. This concerns him too.”

“How does it concern me?” Feng Tao’s face changed dramatically.

Yang Meng ignored him, placed the talisman papers on the floor, took out a lighter, and set them alight. Thick black smoke billowed up.

He chanted toward the black flames, and the smoke didn’t dissipate, but instead gathered together. The smoke swirled in the air, finally forming the shadow of a person.

Long Mingyang and the others instinctively stepped back in fear at the sight. The shadow grew denser until its features were clearly visible.

“Why does she look so much like the ghost we saw that day?” Long Mingyang frowned.

Long Teng replied, “The features are similar, but she’s not as big as the ghost we saw that day—not as scary, either.”

Yang Meng snapped his fingers. “You’re right. This is indeed the ghost you saw that day. Her name is Zhao Yun. Feng Tao, come take a good look—is she familiar to you?”