I, the number one master of metaphysics, have achieved legendary status in the entertainment industr

Fine beads of sweat appeared on Qingsong's forehead, his gestures became heavier, and his chanting grew more rapid and louder.

He suddenly opened his eyes, his gaze flashing with a sharp light, and the peach wood sword pierced towards the scarecrow's chest like lightning!

The sword tip stopped an inch from the straw man.

hum!

A deep, rumbling sound, as if from the earth itself, arose.

The vermilion lines on the ground array seemed to light up slightly for a moment.

Wang Huajian in the center trembled violently, feeling a faint but clear warm current surging from somewhere and flowing into his cold and stiff limbs and bones.

A strange blush rose on his pale face.

At the same time, the yellow talisman with Lu Fan's name written on it on the scarecrow's chest seemed to have dimmed slightly.

The sword technique of the green pine tree continued unabated, shifting to a smaller formation. The peach wood sword lit the candle flame, and the sword was used to press down lightly.

The items in the center of the small formation seemed to be crushed by an invisible weight, sinking slightly.

The whole process lasted about fifteen minutes.

As Qingsong uttered his last incantation, the peach wood sword clattered back into its sheath, and all the strange phenomena in the basement vanished instantly.

The wind stopped, the banners drooped, and the candlelight returned to a steady state.

Qingsong staggered, his face deathly pale, almost unable to stand, and the back of his Taoist robe was soaked with cold sweat.

"Sir!" Wang Zhentao quickly stepped forward to help him up.

Qingsong waved his hand, took a few breaths, and said in a weak voice, "The formation... has been set up. The outcome will be clear within three days. This formation is extremely taxing on one's energy, so I need to rest quietly for two days. Please do not disturb me during this time."

Zhou Li gave a wink, and a trusted confidant immediately brought over a black combination lock box that had been prepared beforehand and opened it.

Inside were neatly stacked banknotes and several bank cards.

"This is just a small token of my appreciation for your hard work," Zhou Li said respectfully. "There will be a greater reward later."

Qingsong glanced at the box, a hint of satisfaction appearing on his tired face. He nodded slightly, "Mr. Zhou has gone to great lengths. Once Young Master Huajian recovers and his fortunes return, it will be time for this humble Taoist to retire successfully."

The trusted aide closed the box and carried it to Qingsong's side.

Wang Huajian tried moving his hands and feet in the center of the formation, his eyes filled with even more excitement: "Dad, Mom, I feel much better! I have energy again!"

Zhou Li and Wang Zhentao exchanged a glance, seeing excitement and ruthlessness in each other's eyes.

……

On the other side, on the rooftop of Boss Han's office building, which was under renovation, the wind was very strong.

Boss Han wasn't wearing a helmet, but rather a worn-out jacket. He was squatting next to the newly installed feng shui ball, touching the polished curves on the surface of the bronze ball.

He didn't turn his head when he heard footsteps.

"It's here? Look at this ball. Just as you said, it's pure copper, solid, with an aged finish, and it spins smoothly without any noise. Can this thing really suppress the 'Hanging Knife煞'?"

Lu Fan walked over to him and squatted down, his fingers tracing the cool bronze surface: "Yes. Bronze belongs to metal, and the sphere belongs to earth. Metal and earth generate each other, turning evil into power. Thank you for your trouble, Elder Han."

"It cost me quite a bit of money." Boss Han stood up, dusted off his hands, and then turned to look at Lu Fan, his eyes sharp. "But compared to your current troubles, this is nothing. You saw that video online, right? Wasn't it you who saved Yu Tinglan?"

"It's me." Lu Fan also stood up, his tone calm.

Boss Han raised an eyebrow: "The jade pendant?"

"be mine."

"Heh." Boss Han chuckled, took out his cigarette case, flicked out a cigarette and put it in his mouth. "This is getting interesting. You want me to help you. If I help you now, wouldn't that be openly going against the Zhou family? My building isn't even fully finished yet."

"That's why I've come to ask Old Han to make a deal," Lu Fan said, looking at him. "I'm not asking Old Han to help me for free."

"A deal?" Boss Han lit a cigarette, took a drag, and squinted. "What kind of deal can you make with me? Filming? Endorsements? I'm in business, I don't play those superficial games in the entertainment industry."

"It's not a deal within the entertainment industry," Lu Fan said. "It's about helping Old Han get the Zhou family."

Smoke slowly billowed from Boss Han's nostrils. He didn't speak, but just looked at Lu Fan, waiting for him to continue.

"The Zhou Li family's businesses mainly involve high-end hotels, private clubs, and overseas investments. They have always had overlapping competition with Mr. Han's real estate and cultural and creative park sectors in terms of high-end customers and location resources."

"Three years ago, the Zhou family beat you to the punch on that piece of land in the west of the city, and last year they beat you to the development rights for the seaside resort." Lu Fan's voice wasn't loud, but every word was clear. "Old Han, don't you want to get back the face you lost, with interest?"

Boss Han's eyes darkened: "So what if we want to? The Zhou family is deeply entrenched, Zhou Li is a shrewd woman, and her husband Wang Zhentao is also well-known in the industry. It's a close contest; it's a battle of patience and timing."

"The time is almost here," Lu Fan said. "Within three days, the Zhou family's core business will run into trouble, and it will be a major blunder that they can't cover up. At that time, public opinion, their financial chains, and their partners will all be shaken."

"Oh?" Boss Han flicked his cigarette ash. "What mistake? And how did you know?"

"How I know isn't important," Lu Fan said, meeting his gaze. "What's important is whether Elder Han believes me or not. If I'm lying, with your influence, Elder Han, it would be easy for you to make me disappear from the industry completely, or to increase the rent of this building tenfold. If I'm telling the truth..."

He paused for a moment, then said, "This is the best time for Elder Han to make his move. Strike while the iron is hot. In the business world, this is quite normal. You just need to provide me with some support in your own way, both in the entertainment industry and in the media, when I need it. This shouldn't be difficult for you."

Boss Han silently smoked his cigarette, the wind on the rooftop ruffling his gray hair.

He stared at the distant city skyline for a long time.

"Words are meaningless." He finally spoke, his voice a little hoarse. "Why should I believe an actor like you who can't even protect himself, and risk my direct confrontation with the Zhou family?"

"Besides my life and this reputation that hasn't been completely crushed, I have nothing right now," Lu Fan said slowly. "And you are the only person I can think of who could possibly challenge the Zhou family and who wants to do the same."

"Lying to you would bring me no benefit, only certain death. But if you bet correctly, you'll gain the market and space ceded by the entire Zhou family. Old Master Han should understand this."

The cigarette burned to the very end, scalding his fingers. Boss Han hissed, threw the cigarette butt on the ground, and crushed it out forcefully.

He turned back and looked Lu Fan up and down with a complex expression, a mixture of scrutiny, calculation, and a hint of ruthlessness at being exposed.

"How do you want me to support you?" he asked, his tone already changed.

"First, my studio open day is in three days. I need the venue to be absolutely safe, so that the media can come in, but troublemakers can't."

"Okay. I'll arrange someone."