Welcome to the Bizarre Games

Chapter 358 Paper Man
Old Li looked at Zhou You as if he were looking at an ignorant idiot, or a primitive man who had just come out of the deep mountains and forests.

"You don't even know about supernatural phenomena? How have you survived until now?"

Zhou You has a thick skin; this level of aggression in his gaze is nothing to him, so he just smiled.

"I've lost my memory, and I've forgotten a lot of things. I can only ask you, Master, for help."

Old Li scratched his head and finally sighed.

"Well, you can't forget about this thing that's essential for your livelihood. Fine, I'll tell you. Do you know what a 'Sui' is?"

Zhou You hesitated for a few seconds before answering.

"Calamity is what people invite, and the gods attach themselves to it. Evil spirits are what the gods themselves send out to warn people. What are evil spirits are the disasters created by the ghosts and gods of this world."

After he finished speaking, the old man was stunned.

"I didn't realize you were such a cultured person. I didn't understand the first half, but you're right about the second half. This thing is a calamity caused by ghosts and gods."

Zhou You wanted to say something after hearing this, but the old man waved his hand to stop him.

"But this calamity caused by ghosts and gods is not the same thing you imagine at all. Rather than ghosts and gods, it is more like a phenomenon, or even a natural disaster. Well, your master is not very knowledgeable and cannot explain it to you clearly. Just watch and see."

After saying that, the old man walked back to the living room with his hands behind his back. Zhou You frowned and thought for a while before following him.

The scene was still filled with beautiful women. For the sake of his grandson's life, Liu Hao not only offered up his own maids but also borrowed a few from acquaintances. Old Man Li quickly forgot about this incident amidst the soft fragrance and warmth of the women. Although he was too old to afford the tools for his crimes, he still managed to gain quite a bit of advantage from the encounters.

As this man's apprentice, several girls did try to woo him, but Zhou You politely shook his head and refused them all.

Time passed by little by little, and soon news came from Liu Hao's side.

Everything is ready.

Then Old Man Li patted his backside, put his hands behind his back, and walked out like a true master.

Outside, several servants had just put down a box and sat down on the edge, panting. Liu Hao himself stood to the side, his face full of anxiety. The moment he saw Old Man Liu come out, he rushed over to greet him impatiently.

"Old Immortal, I've prepared everything you requested. When would you like to begin processing it?"

Old Man Li did not reply. Instead, he slowly walked to the box, had his servant open the lid and take a look, before speaking.

"The items do look quite good; they're rare finds. Where's your grandson? Bring him out so I can take a look."

Upon hearing this, Liu Hao quickly sent a servant to the back room to deliver a message—and soon after, a woman in her forties came out with a child in her arms.

The child was one thing, but when Liu Hao saw the woman, he was stunned for a moment, then quickly pulled her to a corner.

"Didn't I already tell you to stay in the back and not come out?"

The woman's eyes were swollen from crying as she spoke sadly.

"Song'er is about to die, what's wrong with wanting to spend more time with him?"

"I've even found a god here!"

"Looking at him? He doesn't look like a god at all."

Ignoring the couple's whispers, Zhou You squatted down and examined the child with great interest.

The little guy looked to be only five or six years old, and he had a robust and chubby face. However, he seemed to have a good upbringing. After being stared at by Zhou You for a while, he seemed a little scared, but he still bowed respectfully and asked.

"May I ask what brings you here, elder brother?"

Zhou You was amused by the little man's mature demeanor and subconsciously wanted to take out a piece of candy—but he immediately remembered that he was penniless and would be making a racket. However, it didn't matter. He looked around twice, took a carrot from his master's pocket, and held it up in front of the little guy.

"These are top-quality water radishes, they taste incredibly sweet, would you like some?"

"."

Just as the young man was looking around, preparing to call for help to catch the human trafficker, Old Man Li behind him was also ready. He slapped Zhou You's head aside and then shouted.

"Master Liu, Master Liu!"

Liu Hao, no longer able to persuade his wife, jogged over.

"What are your instructions, sir?"

Old Man Li simply took out a piece of red paper and then said...

"Write down everything here, including your grandson's birth date and time, his parents' birth dates and times, who the midwife was when he was born, and whether he has ever had any serious illnesses or disasters."

After he finished speaking, he glanced at Zhou You again.

"You're so bored you're practically rolling on the floor. Come here and give me a hand!"

I'm still suffering from amnesia, is it appropriate for you to ask me to help?

However, Zhou You didn't say those words aloud, but instead followed closely behind Old Man Li.

It was still those same few large boxes. Old Man Li laboriously lifted the lid—and at that moment, the contents were revealed to Zhou You.

He was taken aback.

Originally, he thought that Old Man Li's so-called spell was something like setting up an altar to invite gods—but at this moment, what was placed in the box were stacks of white paper, as well as piles of scissors, glutinous rice glue, and oil paint.

Weren't we supposed to be dealing with evil spirits? Why are you getting into art?
However, Old Man Li didn't bother to explain at all and simply waved his hand.

"Come on, carry all these things out for me, and then bring me a stool—my old back can't take squatting for so long while working."

This task wasn't difficult for Zhou You. Although he was still recovering from his injuries, his body was in pretty good shape. While he was busy, Old Man Li had already picked up a pair of scissors, made a mark on the child's paper, and then quickly started cutting it.

When the stool was brought over, he had already roughly cut out a blurry shape.

At this moment, the old man's face no longer showed that lewdness, but rather a serious expression of extreme concentration and focused attention.

"Disciple, bring me some glutinous rice."

"Disciple, bring me the needlework."

“Disciple, that tricolor is not this kind; it’s the kind that’s diluted with water.”

"Disciple."

Even as he was directing Zhou You, the work proceeded smoothly.

Unbeknownst to them, the surroundings quieted down. The old woman, who had previously harbored many grievances against him, unconsciously lowered her voice upon seeing this scene.

After a long while, as Old Man Li applied the last bit of paint, the thing took shape in his hands.

It was a paper figure, about the size of a boy, made entirely of white paper.

Yes, that's right, they are the very common paper boys and girls used for burning in funeral parlors.

To be honest, although they are similar in size, they look completely different. The paper figure has its cheeks painted with bright red powder, wears the same red clothes, and looks really ghostly with its pale appearance—and the most important point is that...

The paper figure did not have eyes drawn on it.

After finishing his work, Old Man Li took a step back—yet he nodded with great satisfaction at this extremely crude contraption.

"It seems my skills haven't deteriorated too much. Mr. Liu, have you finished writing on your side?"

Liu Hao did not speak.

Looking at this strange object, he seemed hesitant, but thinking of his only son's life and the numerous Taoist temples that had been abandoned, he finally hardened his heart, ignored his wife's objections, and handed over a piece of paper. "Old Immortal, it's all written down. Do you have any questions?"

Old Li took it, glanced at it casually, then asked for a bowl of wine, flicked the paper over the candle next to him, and then, taking advantage of the firelight, took a mouthful of wine and forcefully spat it out!
The flames instantly intensified, and the red paper floated onto the paper figure, but instead of igniting it, it gently scattered across its body.

next moment.

The paper figure suddenly smiled.

At first, everyone thought they were seeing things, but when they truly recognized the scene, a scream suddenly erupted from the maids' quarters—Liu Hao also felt a little unsteady, but still managed to ask.

"Old Immortal, this thing... just came to life?"

Old Li tugged at his mustache and said proudly.

"It didn't come back to life; rather, I infused it with my innate true energy and magical power, allowing it to temporarily connect with your grandson's destiny."

Zhou You ignored the rest of what was said and instead carefully examined the paper figure.

That laugh just now wasn't actually any kind of true energy, or even magic; it was just a cheap trick used by martial arts practitioners to fool people.

But does that mean Old Man Li is a fraud?
Nor is it.

Zhou You felt that something had indeed seeped into the paper figure with that sip of wine.

Although it wasn't as powerful as Old Man Li boasted, that thing did indeed become connected to Liu's only son.

However, Zhou You didn't recognize the essence of this thing or the way it was connected.

However, he can at least confirm one thing.

This paper figure looks and feels sinister, but there isn't a trace of evil about it.

Even more so.
It's quite similar to the Maoshan sect's approach, isn't it?

At this point, Old Man Li had almost finished fooling him, and Master Liu Hao was now completely stunned, almost ready to bow down in submission—and Old Man Li then revealed the arrangements for what followed.

"When did that evil spirit say it would come to your house to take the person away?"

Three days later.

"Then let's get down to business in three days. But what about our food and lodging during these few days?"

Liu Hao immediately perked up.

"Stay at my place, just let me know if you need anything, and I promise I'll take care of everything!"

Three days passed in the blink of an eye.

Old Man Li has been living a very comfortable life these past few days, eating delicacies and sleeping in fine silks and satins—but for some reason, no matter how many times Zhou You asked him, he refused to reveal a single word about it.

It wasn't until early this morning that this person called Zhou You over again.

"My disciple, do you know what your master's lineage is called?"

"The 'scam' in swindling and deception?"

"That's one way... no, that's just a temporary measure. Let me tell you, our sect is the White Sect among the lowest of the low, though it's not exactly respectable, it has a long history. Your master is most skilled at making paper figures; people in the martial arts world call him Paper Figure Li."

"Master, why are you telling me this?"

Old Li suddenly paused, then looked at Zhou You with a complicated expression.

"You've always wanted to know what I'm planning to do, haven't you? You'll see today. But I also have to tell you, this is risky. If you want to leave, you still have time. Consider these next few days my treat."

"But if you don't want to leave."

"I can teach you the skills to survive in this chaotic world, but in return, you must truly become my disciple. Are you willing?"

"."

Zhou You looked at that lewd old face and then sighed.

"master."

"What's wrong?"

"Do you think I have any chance of survival if I leave this place in my current condition?"

"Does that mean you agree?"

"What do you say?"

Old Li immediately burst into laughter.

"I knew you'd know what's good for you, kid. Let me tell you..."

However, before he could finish speaking, a knock on the door suddenly sounded.

Then came even more anxious, even frantic, knocking on the door.

"Old Immortal, that thing is here!"

Old Li paused, then his brows furrowed.

"Wasn't the sacrificial ceremony supposed to end at Chenshi (7-9 AM)? Why are you here so early?"

Liu Hao's voice was now filled with terror.

"I don't know either. Normally it should be Chen Shi (7-9 AM), but who would have thought it would arrive today? Now that thing is waiting outside the gate. What should we do?"

Old Li was silent for a few seconds, then spoke towards the door.

"First, hide your own grandson. Remember to put incense in the room and seal the door tightly. Make sure his smell doesn't escape. As for the other disciples..."

Zhou You nodded.

“You carry the box containing that paper figure and come with me first—today, your master will show you what our lineage does.”

But after thinking about it, Old Man Li added a sentence.

"But you're not fully recovered yet, so don't rush ahead. Just stay behind and watch."

After saying that, Old Man Li didn't say anything more. He put on his greasy sheepskin coat—Liu Hao had offered to give him a new one more than once, but Old Man Li refused no matter what—and then pushed open the door and walked out.

The weather wasn't very good today; it was not only terribly overcast, but also shrouded in a hazy smog. Most of the servants in the mansion had gone to hide in the backyard, leaving only Liu Hao waiting outside with his hands hanging down, filled with anxiety.

"Old sage, what should we do now?"

Old Li waved his hand.

"Go back inside and stay there. Leave the rest to me. Remember my instructions: under no circumstances should you let your child leave the house. Otherwise, it won't just be one grandson who dies this time; your whole family, including me, will be wiped out!"

Seeing Liu Hao hurriedly agree, Old Man Li continued forward.

Outside, right in front of the Liu residence, a series of knocks were being made in an orderly fashion.

The rhythm was neither too fast nor too slow, giving the impression of...
It sounded like a dead person knocking on the door.

(End of this chapter)