The Ultimate Horror Live Stream - Chapter 16 - Sincerity Brings Results

The atmosphere in the small shop was a bit tense, with three pairs of eyes fixed on the thin talisman paper on the desk.

“Old Liu, don’t be too upset. I’ll take responsibility for this…” I looked at Blind Liu’s face, which had turned a shade of bronze, and couldn’t help but marvel at how human faces sometimes resemble statues.

“Without this talisman, I might not have survived last night. If you want any compensation, just say the word. I’ll do my best to oblige.”

“Compensation?” Blind Liu scoffed, “Entangled in karma, I want you to repay with your life. Would you agree to that?”

“Well… this is a society governed by law. If something happens to me, you’ll be implicated too, right?” I wiped the cold sweat from my forehead. Blind Liu was usually a harmless man, but now he was talking about taking my life: “This is a civil dispute. How about I compensate you with some money?”

“Money? How dare you suggest that.” Blind Liu retrieved a Peach Wood Box from his pocket, handling the talisman with reverence, as if it were an ancestral tablet.

“This talisman was left by my great-grandfather to uphold the family’s fortune, ensuring prosperity for a hundred years, allowing the Liu Family to thrive and flourish.”

“But as far as I know, you’re over forty and still single. Has the talisman lost its effectiveness?”

“Bang!” The Shoulder Pole struck the floor, causing both Xia Qingzhi and me to flinch, and I dared not speak recklessly again.

“The Liu Family is a Feng Shui family. The wisdom of our ancestors is beyond the understanding of ordinary folk like you.”

I nodded and agreed, acknowledging my mistake.

“To be honest, you’re quite lucky. This talisman survived wars and chaos, escaped foreign invaders, and avoided the Japanese, only to be taken by you.”

“I’m just ignorant and fearless, like a blind cat stumbling upon a dead rat.”

As the talisman returned to the Peach Wood Box, I couldn’t help but feel it had regained some vitality.

“By taking our family’s talisman, you’ve unwittingly entangled yourself in the Liu Family’s karma. If the Liu Family faces difficulties in the future, you must assist us, or else you’ll face dire consequences.” Seeing that the Thunder Talisman was not severely damaged but merely weakened, Blind Liu’s face finally softened.

“Of course, just say the word, and I’ll be at your service.”

“Words are cheap. Who knows how sincere you really are?” Blind Liu sighed, putting away the Peach Wood Box, “You’ve entangled yourself in the Liu Family’s karma. If you encounter trouble, the Liu Family will be affected too. I see the area between your eyebrows looks dark, your fate is nearing its end, and you’ve brought a big problem to us.”

If someone had told me on the street that my fate was doomed, my first reaction would have been to chase them with my shoe. But recent events defy scientific explanation: being forcibly signed by the Underworld Showroom, staying overnight at an inn where at least four people had died, and seemingly witnessing a ghost possession.

All these experiences suggest that Blind Liu’s words are not nonsense; perhaps my fate is indeed nearing its end.

“Old Liu, do you know any way to break this? As you said, we’re in the same boat now.”

“Who knows what kind of sinister spirits you’ve provoked? Besides, I’m just a fortune teller. I can read faces and interpret words, but I’m clueless about fighting demons.” Blind Liu said, removing the black cloth from his eyes and taking out a bottle of eye drops to moisten his eyes.

“You’re not blind?” Xia Qingzhi, sitting in the corner, finally dared to speak after listening to our conversation.

“I never claimed to be blind. The black cloth is for training the six senses, connecting with the divine.” After applying the eye drops, Blind Liu covered his eyes again, “Young girl, why aren’t you in school? What are you doing here with this man? I see Yin energy surrounding you. Being too close to him is bad for both of you.”

“I’m here to…”

“Ahem!” I interrupted Xia Qingzhi, as the Underworld Showroom’s matters must remain confidential, per the contract’s first clause.

“To be honest, I don’t know what has attached itself to me recently. Due to certain reasons, I must frequently visit places with few people and heavy Yin energy.”

“What are you doing in those places?” Blind Liu frowned.

I placed the black package on the table and opened it, revealing the gold bar: “People die for wealth, birds die for food.”

The deeper reason was not suitable to discuss; I hoped Blind Liu understood my situation.

“Wait a moment, where did you get this book?” Blind Liu ignored me, his attention drawn to the General Outline of Celestial Eye Practice: “You didn’t steal from Miao Zhen Temple, did you? This Celestial Eye Practice is a secret not easily shared, even inner disciples must cultivate for five years before they can read it.”

“Do I look like a thief? This book is… never mind, it’s neither stolen nor robbed.”

“If it came from dubious origins, be careful not to get burned. Today’s practitioners are different from the past.”

“Is Miao Zhen Dao difficult to deal with?” Blind Liu’s words made me uneasy, as who knows where the Underworld Showroom got this book?

“Ah, you’re really fearless. Today’s Daoism has developed over a thousand years, with many internal factions. According to doctrine, there are five types: Benevolent, Classic, Talisman, Alchemy, and Divination.”

“By region, there are Longmen Sect, Laoshan Sect, Suishan Sect, Huashan Sect, Yushan Sect, Heshan Sect, Huoshan Sect, Wudang Sect, and more.”

“If categorized by lineage, there are even more, like Shaoyang Wang Xuanfu, Zhengyang Zhong Lihan, Chunyang Lu Dongbin, Ziyang Zhang Boduan, Chongyang Wang Zhongfu, and others.”

“Miao Zhen Dao belongs to the Suishan Sect, one of the more influential sects today.”

“Wow, are there still so many practitioners?”

“Heaven and earth change, there are many extraordinary people, but most Daoist masters hide in the city, indifferent to worldly affairs.”

“Now that you say that, I’m relieved. They don’t care about worldly matters, hiding in the mountains to practice. Even if I open the Celestial Eye and develop Clairvoyance, they won’t know.” I casually flipped through the General Outline: “Besides, this book is all blank inside. Old Liu, do you Daoists also like playing tricks? Does this paper need to be soaked in realgar wine to reveal the words?”

“If you truly wish to practice Daoism, I’ll give you four words: sincerity brings results.” Blind Liu closed the book: “This book should not be shown lightly. Don’t force things; everything depends on fate. When the fruit is ripe, it will naturally fall.”

Blind Liu and I chatted until afternoon, finally clearing the air.

I offered him a gold bar as compensation, hoping to hire him as my paranormal consultant, but he refused. He’s an interesting man, preferring to endure the elements and evade city management rather than join me in live streaming.

After sending Blind Liu off, I turned to Xia Qingzhi, who had started doing her homework in my shop. This girl had become quite familiar with me, not treating herself as an outsider.

“Finish your homework and head home; it’s getting late.” I desperately needed sleep, barely able to keep my eyes open.

“I’m here to provide clues. I found some marks left by my brother at home. Can we go check them out together?” This somewhat shy girl finally spoke after my conversation with Blind Liu. Though I didn’t want to refuse, visiting her home might cause misunderstandings. Typically, a detective’s work is done discreetly.

“Another day, I’m really too tired now.”

The anticipation on Xia Qingzhi’s face dimmed, but she didn’t give up: “I have photos of those marks on my phone. How about you take a look first, and we can visit my home tomorrow after you’ve rested?”

“Qingzhi, your brother’s situation is very complex and dangerous. I can’t disclose much to you; it’s not something you can be involved in.” I knew the Underworld Showroom’s danger firsthand: “Go home; I’ll get to the bottom of your brother’s situation.”

“But…” The girl held her phone, ultimately not forcing me, and left quietly with her backpack: “Sorry for bothering you.”

Watching her lonely figure, I couldn’t help but think of myself at that time. Misunderstanding and loneliness are things everyone experiences, and no one can help her now.

After she left, I opened my computer. As usual, I needed to document everything that happened last night.

Just as the computer booted up and I was about to make tea, I noticed Xia Qingzhi’s homework and textbooks left on the desk: “This girl, how can she be so careless?”

She hadn’t gone far; I should be able to catch up with her.