Dao Cheng Gui Xian

Chapter 91 Ghost Hand Tricks
Early the next morning
As usual, Li Erniu accepted the breakfast delivered by Chef Hu, but this time there was another person beside him, his son Li Hu.

"This is Chef Hu from the City God Temple, quickly call him over!"

Li Erniu gave instructions to Li Hu, who was looking somewhat dejected beside him.

"I've met Chef Hu."

Li Hu bowed politely, but still looked somewhat dejected.

Chef Hu felt a deep empathy for that expression; he had the same look on his face yesterday afternoon when the merchant ship hadn't arrived.

"Young Master Li is too kind!"

He returned Li Hu's greeting with a smile, then turned to Li Erniu and said, "Manager Li, your young master seems rather dejected!"

Li Erniu waved his hand and said somewhat helplessly:
"What kind of young master is he? When children grow up, they're never easy to raise. Sigh, it's a long story."

Seeing that Li Erniu was unwilling to say more, Steward Hu did not ask any further questions. Instead, he changed the subject and complained to Li Erniu about how he had boasted to the High Priest the day before.

Only then did Li Erniu learn that the merchant ship from Beicheng had not returned to port yesterday.

The two chatted for a while, then Manager Hu had to return to the City God Temple, so he took his apprentice back with him.

Li Erniu's face turned cold, and he turned to Li Hu beside him and scolded him: "Let's see if you dare to be so arrogant again?"

Li Hu was somewhat unconvinced: "Dad, I've practiced that 'Three Immortals Returning to the Cave' trick for so long, don't you know it? When have I ever failed? That person is definitely up to something!"

Just as Li Erniu was about to scold him, Li Wushou walked in, still half asleep, and asked with interest:

"What do you mean by 'Three Immortals Returning to the Cave'?"

Li Erniu was still surprised that Li Wushou was up so early, but Li Hu answered first:

"Uncle Wushou died young, and the three immortals returned to their caves." This is a gambling trick played near the South Bridge. It involves using a chopstick, two bowls, and three balls, and the player has to guess which ball is in the bowl through a series of sleight of hand gestures.

"Oh, so that's the Three Immortals Returning to the Cave."

Li Wushou had seen this trick before; a crowd would often gather around the bridge between the main city and the south city. He never imagined the name of this trick would be so similar to that of the Three Immortals Pavilion.

Li Wushou became interested and invited Li Hu to sit down.

"Tell me what happened?"

Seeing that Li Erniu was about to pack up the food and take it to the backyard, Li Wushou waved his hand to interrupt him.

"Captain, the old beggar and Chen Gou'er got up late today, so just leave them here. They'll come and eat when they get up."

"That's how it is, Uncle."

Li Hu was a young man, unlike Li Erniu who was more restrained. After a vivid description, Li Wushou finally understood what had happened.

It turns out that although Li Hu was originally from the South City, he was under the protection of Li Erniu and had no sense of propriety, often mingling between the Main City and the South City.

Because of his cleverness, he was noticed by "Ghost Hand" at the South Bridgehead, who taught him the skill of the Three Immortals Returning to the Cave.

Because he had been implanted with a spiritual eye a few days ago, Li Hu hadn't been to Zhengcheng for a long time. Fortunately, Li Wushou rescued his family. Now that he had settled in Zhengcheng, Li Hu thought about visiting his master.

But upon reaching the south end of the bridge, he discovered that his master's gambling stall had been taken over by Taxin. He learned that his master had lost not only the gambling stall but also his life in a bet. The person his master had lost to was none other than the owner of the gambling stall before him, a man who called himself "Divine Eye"—Liu Yiming!
Li Hu was filled with resentment. His master was highly skilled and had been playing the Three Immortals Returning to the Cave game his whole life. Although he set up a gambling stall, he always balanced everyone's wins and losses, only taking enough money to live on.

If it were just losing the gambling den, that would be one thing, but I never expected to lose my life too!
This was unacceptable to him, and his blood rushed to his head. He immediately made a bet with the other party, but Li Hu didn't have much money, and no one bothered to pay attention to a teenager.

Finally, it was only when onlookers said that Li Hu was "Ghost Hand's" apprentice that the man became interested, as if to prove that he was better than "Ghost Hand." Liu Yiming finally agreed.

Liu Yiming sat firmly at the head of the table, displaying the demeanor of a gambling master. He allowed Li Hu to do whatever he wanted, seeing through Li Hu's tricks at a glance.

Li Hu found it hard to believe, because the Three Immortals Returning to the Cave was not just a visual trick, but also involved psychological manipulation.

No matter what I do, the other party always manages to see through me at the last second.

How is that possible?
Even now, Li Hu still refuses to believe the outcome when facing Li Wushou.

Li Erniu reprimanded him without any politeness: "Now you know there are people more capable than you, and there's always something beyond your understanding?"

Li Hu insisted that the man was a ghost! Just as the father and son were about to start a fight, Li Wushou quickly changed the subject and interrupted them.

He took out the utensils for the three of them to eat from the lunchbox on the table and said to Li Hu:

"Perform the 'Three Immortals Returning to the Cave' scene once, let me see!"

Li Hu wasn't intimidated and immediately started demonstrating. However, he became even more frustrated after a while because he realized that no matter how he changed things, Li Wushou could guess everything.

Could it be that I haven't practiced enough?
Even with his confidence, Li Hu couldn't help but fall into deep self-doubt.

However, Li Wushou did not deny Li Hu like Li Erniu did. Li Hu had not become worse; on the contrary, in Li Wushou's eyes, he had become extremely good. It was just that from Li Wushou's perspective, he had nowhere to hide.

All of this was right under his nose, so he didn't need to guess at all, which is why he did it this way.

How did Liu Yiming, that "divine eye," manage to do it?

Could it be that the other person also has a unique perspective, just like me?
Li Wushou instantly became interested, broke off his portion of food on the table, and said to the still dejected Li Hu:
"Let's eat first, and I'll go with you to take a look later."

Li Erniu hesitated, feeling that Li Wushou, as a high priest, shouldn't get involved in such a trivial matter as Li Hu's.

He brought Li Hu along today for two reasons. First, to prevent Li Hu from getting stuck on his own ideas and going on another gambling spree. Second, he wanted Li Wushou to see if Li Hu was suited for cultivation; Li Hu wasn't young anymore, and it wasn't good for him to just drift around like this.

Unexpectedly, Li Wushou became interested in Li Hu's tricks, which made him both amused and exasperated.

But Li Hu was so happy he almost jumped for joy. Ever since he saw Li Wushou display his power a few days ago, even trampling the monks of Blood Buddha Temple under his feet, Li Hu had developed a great admiration for this uncle!

These past few days, he secretly returned to Nancheng. The many spiritual eyes on the faces of his neighbors had also been removed by the Blood Buddha Temple. Only then did Li Hu realize that not only his family had been saved by his uncle, but the people of Nancheng had also received his uncle's kindness.

Some people in the southern part of the city are even secretly praying that if High Priest Li Wushou could become the City God, he would surely be able to drive away the monks of Blood Buddha Temple.

Li Hu felt honored to hear this!
Even his most skillful tricks were seen through by his uncle at a glance; in his mind, Li Wushou was simply omnipotent.

Upon hearing that Li Wushou wanted to come with him to take a look, he immediately nodded vigorously, picked up a lunchbox, and started eating.

But in his heart he was plotting: "That damn 'Divine Eye' Liu Yiming, just you wait, I'll definitely get my revenge this time."

Today I'm heading back to my hometown for the Chinese New Year. Hopefully there won't be any traffic jams on the road! And to everyone traveling home, please stay safe!
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(End of this chapter)