Taboo Mage - Chapter 5 - Ah Biao

Liu Yineng sat across from me, his face devoid of any expression. However, when he saw me zoning out, the corners of his lips twitched ever so slightly.

I noticed a flicker of hostility in his eyes, even though he had reined it in. The cold and indifferent aura he emitted was still enough to make one’s heart palpitate with fear.

“Brother Liu, I’ll keep the life amulet for now. I’ll have someone bring it to you once I’ve taken care of it,” I said cautiously, hoping to get Liu Yineng off my back temporarily. The matter of the life amulet was indeed tricky, and I needed some time to handle it.

“How long will it take?” Liu Yineng needed the life amulet to protect his wealth, but it also caused him trouble. Although it was a contradiction, since he had caught me, he naturally wanted things expedited.

I racked my brain, “A month.”

“Half a month, max,” Liu Yineng replied, already rising to leave, summoning his subordinates to follow him.

Watching the trouble finally walk out the door, I slumped weakly into my chair.

On the corner-cut table in front of me lay Liu Yineng’s life amulet, a black tiger head glinting coldly. Even in broad daylight, the tendrils of dark energy surrounding the amulet were palpable.

Fatty Ling, who had been beaten black and blue, had been cowering in the corner all this time. Only now did he dare to approach me, pulling up a chair and looking as docile as a lamb, far from the street thug he usually was.

“Brother Gu, can you really sort out Brother Liu’s issue in half a month?” Fatty Ling asked cautiously, probably still scared from the beating he received, fearing that if I failed, he would share my misfortune.

I knew very well that even a month was pushing it; half a month was virtually impossible. Moreover, the resentment on Liu Yineng’s life amulet was so strong that if I didn’t handle it properly, I might lose my own life in the process.

After giving Fatty Ling a few instructions, I closed up shop for the day.

That night, I tossed and turned in bed, unable to sleep, my mind full of thoughts about the tiger head life amulet.

In the afternoon, I had tried to find a place to settle the amulet. After much contemplation, I realized that only the ancestral tablet in my home could hold it.

After lighting three incense sticks, I happened to notice an ancient book in front of my Father’s tablet. I absentmindedly tucked it into my pocket. Now, unable to sleep, I pulled it out, hoping to find something that could both reduce the backlash and help me resolve the matter of the tiger head life amulet quickly.

To suppress a Vengeful Spirit, there are only two methods: one is to exorcise it, and the other is to invite an even more resentful spirit to suppress it.

Exorcising is definitely not feasible for me; I’m not an eminent monk. I’m more likely to be exorcised by the Resentful Spirits inside rather than the other way around.

So, as it stands, there’s only one option-inviting a spirit.

According to the ancient books, the method for inviting a spirit involves first finding a suitable soul, then using a human body as a medium. Through a ritual to summon the spirit, the soul is transferred into a vessel, after which red beans and runes are added to seal it in.

Those steps are manageable, but finding a suitable soul is another story. The tiger head life amulet contains more than fifty Vengeful Spirits, and the thought of it made my head spin.

Using just one soul to suppress dozens of spirits, I’d need something as powerful as a millennium-old Zombie…

Closing the book, I rubbed my eyes. This was not something that could be resolved quickly. Luckily, I still had half a month. If worse came to worst, I could just grab Mother and run.

However, reality turned out to be much more complicated than I had imagined.

The next morning, I planned to visit the hospital to see Mother. She had surgery scheduled in a few days. The doctor said the chemotherapy had worked well, significantly increasing the chances of a successful operation.

Who knew that as soon as I stepped out of the bedroom without even opening the door, I would see a burly man standing at the entrance through the glass window. He had a broad back and a thick neck, wearing a gold chain as thick as a finger.

“Hey! You’re finally up. He’s been waiting at the door for half the morning,” Fatty Ling called out as he noticed me standing in the center of the room. He pounded on the door, shouting.

Initially, I planned to sneak back quietly. The burly man looked familiar; he was with Liu Yineng yesterday. Now that Fatty Ling had made a scene, escaping was no longer an option. I had no choice but to open the door.

“You two are here so early? This isn’t a breakfast joint,” I said, forcing a smile at the burly man. I then signaled discreetly to Fatty Ling, asking what was going on.

Fatty Ling grabbed me and said with a smile, “This is Ah Biao, Brother Liu’s subordinate. From today onward, he’s responsible for your safety.”

For my safety? More like here to keep an eye on me! I cursed inwardly and looked at Fatty Ling’s squinted, smiling face. It was clear to me that he was involved in this too.

But since Ah Biao was already here, I didn’t have the courage to confront him. I let him find a place to sit and began to think about how to get through the day.

The hospital was out of the question. Liu Yineng already distrusted me, and if he found out which hospital my mother was in, who knows what this ruthless man might do.

Ah Biao and I sat at the shop’s entrance, basking in the sun, exchanging awkward glances. Ah Biao was boastfully recounting Liu Yineng’s exploits, which made me nearly spew blood in frustration.

Suddenly, a student-looking guy walked towards us, looking anxious. As soon as he saw me, a quick, odd smile flashed across his pale face.

“Gu Qingshu? So you really are here!” he exclaimed excitedly while reaching out to slap me on the shoulder.

Seeing my confused expression, Ah Biao stood up, clutching his fist menacingly. My mind raced; before Ah Biao could throw a punch, I quickly grabbed his arm tightly.

“Li Guai Zi?” I blurted out.

The guy across from me scratched his head sheepishly. He had changed so much over the years. If it weren’t for his slight limp, I wouldn’t have recognized him.

Li Guai Zi’s real name was Li He, an old neighbor of ours. He had broken his leg climbing a tree when we were kids. Medical facilities weren’t great back then, and although the bone was set, he was left with a permanent limp.

Because of his condition, he was often bullied as a child.

Li He glanced fearfully at Ah Biao, his lips trembling as if he had something unspeakable to say. I quickly sent Ah Biao to buy some things and brought Li He inside the shop.

As soon as we got inside, Li He couldn’t hold back any longer. He collapsed to his knees with a thud, tears and snot streaming down his face.

“Don’t! Please don’t! You’re going to shorten my lifespan like this. Let’s talk once you get up,” I said as I hurriedly helped him up and poured him a glass of water.