Forgotten Photo Studio

Chapter 131 Trading
He did not attempt to unravel those intricate traps, as that would only alert the enemy and push a potential alliance towards hostility.

He hesitated for a moment, then turned to Chen Zhiwei, his voice even lower:

"Zhiwei, do you carry the 'Purifying Yin Talisman' left by your master in that sandalwood box you're carrying?"

Upon hearing this, Chen Zhiwei immediately took out a flat sandalwood box about an inch long from her inner pocket.

She carefully opened the box, and inside, on a yellow silk lining, lay a talisman of a special texture.

It was not ordinary yellow paper and cinnabar, but rather made of a thin sheet of dark silver metal, hammered together and etched with intricate cloud and thunder patterns. A tiny red crystal was embedded in the center, and the whole thing exuded a gentle yet undeniable aura of purification.

“I brought it with me.” She showed the wooden box to Xu Yan and whispered, “Grandpa said that this talisman can cleanse the evil spirits and quell the backlash. It is a life-saving item when one is possessed by evil spirits or corrupted by extremely evil things. It is extremely precious.”

Xu Yan took a closer look and confirmed that the talisman was intact. The pure yang energy was the key to suppressing filthy things like "filth-eating ghosts".

He nodded, closed the wooden box, and handed it back to Chen Zhiwei to keep safe.

“Alright, with this, we finally have the confidence to negotiate.” Xu Yan’s gaze returned to the quiet bungalow. “Now, we can ‘send a letter’ to invite him out.”

“Zhiwei,” he gestured, “light the ‘Blood-Guiding Incense’.”

Upon hearing this, Chen Zhiwei immediately understood.

She skillfully took out a slender wooden box from the inner pocket of her handbag. Inside, several dark red, tightly packed incense sticks lay neatly, emitting a scent that was a mixture of special medicinal herbs and a very faint fishy smell.

This is the "blood-infused incense" left by my grandfather. It is extremely difficult to make. It requires mixing the blood of a rooster comb from a specific year with several kinds of yang-natured medicinal materials and a special "guide vine" powder, and then repeatedly pounding and drying it.

Its function is not to attack or defend, but rather to use its unique "blood energy" and "medicinal properties" to simulate the ancient signal of a fellow traveler formally visiting with a "blood letter". It is often used when dealing with reclusive and highly vigilant extraordinary people to show that they are not hostile and know the rules.

She then took out the old compass engraved with cloud patterns, used it as an incense base, and gently placed it on the ground to determine the orientation and stabilize the incense array.

Using the compass as the center, she placed three sticks of blood-infused incense in a triangle shape on the ground, her fingertips gathering a barely perceptible wisp of spiritual energy as she rubbed the incense sticks together.

laugh!
The incense stick ignited spontaneously without a flame, emitting three straight, almost transparent, blue-green smoke columns that condensed and did not dissipate, slowly seeping into the surrounding air, carrying that special "visiting card" message, and silently drifting towards the bungalow.

"Senior brother, it's done." Chen Zhiwei turned around and looked at Xu Yan.

"He'll come out." Xu Yan's lips curled into a calculating smile.

Using blood to attract incense simulates the ancient signal of "like-minded people visiting with invitations," which not only expresses non-hostility but also demonstrates one's knowledge and skills, thus avoiding triggering any negative influences.

Sure enough, less than three minutes later, the seemingly rotten wooden door of the bungalow creaked open. A sturdy man with an honest face, wearing faded blue overalls, walked out; it was Zhou Wenbin.

He was carrying an old, white tin watering can, as if he was about to come out and water the wilted flowers and plants by the door.

His gaze first swept over the compass and three incense sticks on the ground, his eyes narrowing slightly before he looked up and fixed his gaze on Xu Yan and Chen Zhiwei. A simple smile spread across his face, and he spoke with a heavy accent:
"Gentlemen, what brings you here? This is just a small shop where I help people with feng shui and dream interpretation."

Xu Yan stepped forward, cupped his hands in a traditional greeting, his movements precise and fluid, and said, "I apologize for the intrusion into your esteemed place at this hour. I have heard that Master Zhou is proficient in the art of 'walking between the underworld,' able to communicate between the two realms and find lost items. I am Chen Yan, and this is my junior sister, Xu Wei. We have come for a 'lost item,' and also wish to discuss with Master Zhou... a business deal concerning the backlash from 'filthy ghosts.'"

Zhou Wenbin's honest smile froze instantly, his eyes suddenly became sharp as a hawk, and the old farmer's temperament on his body vanished, replaced by a deep, dangerous aura that seemed to blend into the shadows.

He stared intently at Xu Yan, his voice lowering: "Young man, do you know what you're saying?"

"Of course I know." Xu Yan met his gaze calmly, his tone steady. "Those who follow the Yin path often deal with filth and impurity, inevitably becoming entangled by ghosts like 'filth-eating ghosts' that crave turbid energy. Initially, they can enhance Yin cultivation, but over time they will inevitably backfire, eroding the heart meridian and causing unbearable pain. I observe that Master Zhou's forehead is shrouded in a dark bluish-black aura. Although he suppresses it with secret methods, he experiences a sharp, cold pain in his dantian every midnight and noon. Is that right?"

Zhou Wenbin's pupils contracted sharply; Xu Yan's words struck at his hidden sore spot! This was something that could not be guessed.

"Do you have a way?" Zhou Wenbin's voice carried a hint of barely perceptible urgency.

“I happen to have a ‘Purifying Yin Talisman’ here, which is specifically designed to counter this thing,” Xu Yan said unhurriedly. “It can not only drive away the ‘Filthy Ghost’, but also purify its residual yin and filth, and strengthen its foundation. In exchange, I would like to ask Master Zhou to return an item that originally belonged to my sect and is currently being held by you—a black jade cicada. The jade cicada is as thin as a cicada’s wing and is icy cold to the bone.”

"Jade Cicada?!"

Upon hearing those two words, Zhou Wenbin's facial muscles twitched violently, and the honest look in his eyes was instantly replaced by a sharpness. However, it wasn't pure fear, but rather an extreme vigilance as if his core secret had been touched.

He didn't back down; instead, he leaned forward slightly, like a cheetah poised to pounce, his voice low and dangerous:
"Black jade cicada... as thin as a cicada's wing, icy cold to the bone... kid, not many people recognize this thing."

Despite the sudden increase in pressure, Xu Yan remained calm: "Since Master Zhou recognizes it, then it's easy to talk. We came for this item, and at the same time, we want to make a deal with Master Zhou to resolve your suffering from the backlash of the 'Filthy Ghost'."

Zhou Wenbin's pupils contracted slightly. Not only did the other party know about Yu Chan, but they also saw through the hidden danger within him at a glance?!
The feigned simplicity on his face vanished completely, replaced by a cold smile that was a mixture of shrewdness and ruthlessness.
"A deal? Based on nothing but empty words? First, tell me, how do you know about this jade cicada, and what makes you so sure it belongs to you?"

His hands hung naturally at his sides, but Xu Yan could sense that the energy of the three Yin barriers around them was secretly adjusting, locking down all their escape routes.

Chen Zhiwei stepped forward, standing shoulder to shoulder with Xu Yan. She looked calmly at Zhou Wenbin, her voice clear and resolute:
“Master Zhou, if you truly possess this item, you should know that it is no ordinary jade cicada. It is entirely black, as thin as a cicada's wing, and chills to the bone to the touch. Its body is covered with fine runes, and under certain light, a line of ancient seal script can be seen beside it: ‘Breath-Concealing Cicada: Wearing it can conceal one's life force. Note: It feeds on souls.’”

She paused slightly, letting her words settle in the quiet night.

(End of this chapter)