Free Web NovelChapter 44: Chapter 44: The Hidden Truth _1
Although his mind was filled with Feng Shui knowledge, this unique charm had not been recorded, belonging exclusively to Zhang Tianlai’s secret formulation.
After looking it over, Ye Ming committed it firmly to his memory.
Then, he posed his second question, "I have something else I don’t understand and need you to tell me the truth."
"For a fortune-teller and Feng Shui master like you, why do you collect so much resentment, and moreover, why did you compete with me at the auction for medicinal materials?"
Zhang Tianlai no longer had any intention to resist, and upon hearing Ye Ming’s questions, he spoke without hesitation, "To be honest, these actions weren’t initiated by me."
Following that, Zhang Tianlai confessed all the reasons behind his actions.
As it turned out, just a few months ago, Zhang Tianlai had been captured by a group of peculiar outsiders, who had placed a curse on him to control him.
Those people taught him the skill of absorbing resentment and then, they had him amass a large amount of money and a considerable quantity of rare medicinal materials.
Zhang Tianlai had originally refused, for although he was poor, he would not commit such sinister and malicious acts.
However, having witnessed the consequences of being cursed, Zhang Tianlai did not want to suffer a terrible death, and had no choice but to become those people’s puppet, using deceitful means to gain wealth in Hai City.
Through his efforts over this period, he had indeed made a tidy sum, and his reputation in Hai City gradually became more prominent.
But now, he was constantly waiting for those people to appear, and when they did, he would have to offer up all the resentment, money, and medicinal materials he had gathered.
Among these three things, Ye Ming had taken the medicinal materials and resentment into his possession and blocked Zhang Tianlai’s path to wealth, effectively condemning him to a dire fate.
Therefore, Zhang Tianlai was at odds with Ye Ming, plotting by any means to kill Ye Ming.
After hearing his story, Ye Ming’s curiosity intensified.
"To think that there are such people in Hai City, it piques one’s curiosity." ƒreewebɳovel.com
Ye Ming nonchalantly took out two charms and quickly sketched patterns on them, handing them to Zhang Tianlai, "As compensation, take these two charms, they might be useful against that curse."
"Seeing as you’re not inherently evil, I’ll let you off this time."
Having tossed out these words, Ye Ming collected the Shrinking Charm Zhang Tianlai had given him, and turned to leave.
Zhang Tianlai hung his head in dejection, and although Ye Ming had spared him, his mood did not improve as a result.
Yet, when his gaze fell upon the charms gifted by Ye Ming, Zhang Tianlai’s body trembled, and he exclaimed in shock, "Could this charm be... the Golden Light Spell?"
He examined it closely, and after confirming its authenticity, he quickly followed in Ye Ming’s footsteps.
A thumping sound followed as Zhang Tianlai knelt down in front of Ye Ming, and earnestly said, "Mr. Ye, I wish to apprentice myself to you!"
Ye Ming was unaware of the miraculous nature of the Golden Light Spell, only knowing that the charm he had drawn had a protective function and should be of some help in times of danger.
But in Zhang Tianlai’s eyes, Ye Ming was the descendant of a Great Master.
The only person in the world who might be capable of drawing such a charm was probably Ye Ming himself.
Zhang Tianlai was utterly convinced and cleared his mind of other thoughts, desiring only to become Ye Ming’s disciple.
Ye Ming was puzzled by Zhang Tianlai’s sudden behavior.
He smiled and replied, "You old man, don’t make fun of me!"
"I’m not particularly interested in taking you as a disciple, you should seek someone else."
Having said that, Ye Ming no longer paid attention to them and went straight back to the villa.
Watching Ye Ming’s departing figure, Zhang Tianlai’s eyes were filled with determination; he had set his mind that Ye Ming was his master.
...
Back inside the villa, as soon as he entered, Ye Ming sensed a strange aura.
Even the temperature inside the house was much lower.
He saw that there were three girls sitting on the sofa in the living room.
Lin Bingqing continued to meditate with her eyes closed, while Xu Lele and Xia Ningning were sitting together, watching TV.
When they saw Ye Ming come back, Xu Lele hurriedly came up to greet him, asking with concern, "How did it go at the Qin Family? Is the issue resolved?"
Xu Lele didn’t really care about what happened to the Qin Family; she was just worried whether Ye Ming was alright.
Ye Ming spread his hands and said, "Look at me—do I look like something’s wrong?"
Xu Lele immediately beamed with joy, praising him, "I knew you could do it, I believed in you!"
"Psh! What’s the big deal? It’s just some feudal superstition stuff," Xia Ningning added somewhat jealously on the side. "All that obscure trickery, even if you resolved it, the Qin Family won’t think any highly of you."
Xu Lele glanced at Xia Ningning with some dissatisfaction, then asked Ye Ming, "So what did Qin Tianyu give you for your trouble? Did he give you money?"
Ye Ming took out the Jade Plate that he had brought from the Qin Family for Xu Lele to see, saying, "I didn’t take money, just this little thing." freēwēbηovel.c૦m
Seeing the Jade Plate, which didn’t look particularly impressive, Xu Lele didn’t pay much mind to it, but Xia Ningning had a face full of mockery.
"Just as I guessed, they’re just giving you scraps, like fending off a beggar. The Qin Family deals in jade and their house floors are even made of jade; to give you a broken plate, they don’t hold you in high regard at all!"
In the face of Xia Ningning’s mockery, Ye Ming had long become immune and didn’t take it to heart.
This woman liked to antagonize him and it was not a matter of one or two days. If he took her on every time, it would drive him mad.
However, Lin Bingqing, who had been meditating cross-legged, couldn’t stand it anymore. She could not tolerate her master being humiliated like this, so she opened her eyes and seriously said, "My master is not a beggar!"
Xu Lele also chimed in, "It’s not like fending off a beggar; at least, Ye Ming has earned the respect of the Qin Family. The Qin Family owes Ye Ming a big favor."
"You know, the Qin Family’s standing in Hai City is not low, they’re among the top in terms of power. Having the Qin Family owe you a favor is much better than money; it will definitely come in handy when it matters."
Seeing the two women sticking up for Ye Ming, Xia Ningning pouted with annoyance, crossing her legs and sitting on the sofa, not forgetting to snort coldly.
Ye Ming arched his eyebrows but didn’t bother arguing with Xia Ningning.
He explained, "This Jade Plate wasn’t given to me by them; I asked for it on my own initiative."
"This piece of jade has spiritual qualities. I plan to use it to make an amulet."
Xu Lele’s eyes lit up instantly. She wasn’t interested in the amulet itself but asked Ye Ming, "Can you give me one of those amulets then?"
"My neck always feels so empty, and I don’t like those jewelry necklaces. I just want to wear an amulet that you give me!"
Ye Ming had no choice but to laugh and respond, "Of course!"
"But you’ll have to wait a few days. It’s my first time doing this, so I’ll have to take it slow!"
Xu Lele smiled sweetly and looked at Ye Ming, "No problem, I can wait!"
