The Tycoon's Enchanted Mermaid

Chapter 165: Chapter 165: Dreamland

Qin Yu briefly recounted the events at the Wanrong Auction and how Lu Yuan and others were targeting Ah Da.

“According to Ah Da, someone had tampered with the door; she couldn’t touch it. An accomplice of Lu Yuan who captured Ah Da said that there was something called a Prohibition Talisman on the door.”

Qin Yu placed the yellow paper talisman he had taken from the door that night on the table.

Master Ting Chan, while stroking his beard, paused, reached out to pick up the talisman, and frowned as he examined it.

“This talisman…”

The atmosphere in the room grew tense with Master Ting Chan’s hesitation.

Qin Yu’s lips pressed into a thin line, at which point Master Ting Chan suddenly threw the talisman to the ground, voicing his disdain, “It’s too ugly, these strokes are all crooked, like a child’s drawing.”

“I’m telling you, if my disciple drew like this, I would expel him from my school the next day.”

Qin Yu: “…”

“Isn’t it said that talismans require a high level of skill? Since you say this talisman is ugly, why does it work?”

Qin Yu bent down to pick up the talisman and placed it back on the table.

Master Ting Chan shook his head, chuckling, “Not necessarily, not necessarily. Talismans are all about rules and the cultivation and mindset of the person who draws them.”

Insider matters, no matter how much explained, are incomprehensible to outsiders, and Master Ting Chan was not one to beat around the bush.

“This talisman is indeed ugly, and even the order of the strokes is incorrect, which speaks to the low level of the drawer’s cultivation. However, it uses a certain golden sand, which is more than sufficient against some weak demons and spirits.”

Qin Yu frowned: “Golden sand?”

“Gold is the foremost among the five elements, naturally exuding righteousness and doubling the effects. Using gold to draw talismans, the person you’re talking about is truly extravagant.”

Master Ting Chan sighed; there were too many rich people in the world, who once they found shortcuts cannot calm their minds, don’t put in the effort to properly study the way of talismans, and are at risk of straying onto evil paths.

Qin Yu asked solemnly, “If Lu Yuan traps Ah Da again using a golden sand Prohibition Talisman, do you have a way to break it?”

Master Ting Chan’s brows twitched, and he retorted indignantly, “You’re being excessive with your words. What need is there for a way to break it? Upon encountering such inferior things, just tear them up. Even sparing them a glance is an insult to me.”

After saying this, Master Ting Chan’s eyes flickered, then he added,

“Of course, if you want something to protect the little merfolk, I do have a talisman that breaks such spells. Just wear it, and you’ll be fearless against these golden sand talismans, as if passing through an uninhabited realm.”

Qin Yu, knowing Master Ting Chan was beginning to ramble, held his porcelain teacup and said lightly, “How many do you have?”

“As many as you want.” Master Ting Chan smiled joyfully, eyes gleaming, “Later, talk to my disciple, tell him how many you need, and he’ll draw them. Quality guaranteed. Remember, there’s no free lunch on Lingcheng Mountain, so make sure to pay.”

Qin Yu wasn’t concerned about the money; he was more worried about why Lu Yuan captured Ah Da, “Lu Yuan must know of Ah Da’s identity. He and his accomplices fled Capital City overnight, and I haven’t been able to find much information on them. What do you think?”

“The surname Lu? Sounds somewhat familiar.”

Master Ting Chan recalled an incident not long ago.

“It seems like a while ago, a kid with the surname Lu came here asking me to clear up some doubts; I’m not sure if he has anything to do with your Lu Yuan.”

Qin Yu looked up: “A child? What’s his name?”

“Lu Jing,” he replied, thoughtfully. “Speaking of which, I have a deep impression of him. My ancestor often taught that karma is unfailing. No matter how much time passes, deep sins must be atoned for, or they will shadow descendants like the sun casting shadows, endlessly affecting generations. Lu Jing is the first case I’ve seen in my life. He is surrounded by resentment, and his fate is strangely twisted; such a state cannot be caused by one or two acts of violence.”

Qin Yu spoke calmly, “Lu Jing and Lu Yuan are brothers, but neither of them are children.”

Information obtained indicated that Lu Yuan and Lu Jing are blood brothers, born in M country. They only recently returned to the Capital City to develop their careers. One was twenty-five, the other twenty-three.

Why did Master Ting Chan refer to Lu Jing as a child?

Master Ting Chan stroked his beard, his face untroubled, “Interesting, when he came here, he indeed appeared as a teenager. Perhaps that is his secret. I am very interested in him and wanted to delve deeper, unfortunately, he doesn’t trust me, didn’t stay long and even his words were always guarded.”

“I am not one who likes poking his nose into others’ affairs, so since he is insincere, I just observe. Everyone has their fate. For those who seek death, neither heaven nor I will dissuade them.”

Qin Yu’s eyes darkened as he stared at him, to which Master Ting Chan touched his beard and stood up, sighing reluctantly.

“Even if you can see right through me, I know nothing. I am not a deity; I cannot know everything.”

If it had been a normal situation, Qin Yu wouldn’t have worried, but the hidden motives of the Lu Family and what they did behind closed doors posed a hidden danger to Ah Da.

Master Ting Chan sighed, “Qin boy, nothing is accomplished at once. Since you’re here, relax. Worrying too much will only cloud your judgment. Go back.”

Master Ting Chan turned to face the green trees on Qing Shan’s outside window.

Qin Yu bowed his head and after a while stood up, “Thank you, Master, for your answers. The tea you requested will be delivered to Lingcheng Mountain tonight.”

Upon hearing this, Master Ting Chan turned his head to inquire, “Is it from you, or the young girl?”

“It will not disappoint you,” Qin Yu stated blandly.

“That’s more like it,” Master Ting Chan waved his hand. “Go now, go.”

Qin Yu picked up the young girl from the sofa and walked out the door, Yao Qingzhi and Long Qi stood up as soon as they saw him emerge.

“Third Young Master, what happened?” Long Qi, looking at the unconscious Ah Da, asked in surprise.

Qin Yu looked down at the girl in his arms, who was sleeping peacefully with her eyes closed, and lightly said, “She’s fine.”

Long Qi sighed in relief, since Miss Ade’s importance to the Third Young Master was undeniable. It was best that she was alright.

Qin Yu’s gaze then fell on Yao Qingzhi, who was dressed in white, his tone polite.

“Master Yao, the more Golden Sand Talisman Prohibition Talismans the better. I appreciate your effort.”

Yao Qingzhi looked puzzled, “Golden Sand Talismans?”

“You can ask your master about this,” Qin Yu stated without delay, leaving Long Qi at Lingcheng Mountain to wait for the talismans while he took Ah Da back down the mountain to Wuqiong Water Pavilion.

…

Ah Da had a very long dream. In it, she was a lone ghost hidden within the incense burner, coming out with the smoke whenever the burner was lit.

The burner was placed in an ancient room. On the eastern side of the room was a huge landscape map filled with dense red dots, seemingly marking various locations, which Ah Da, no matter how hard she tried, could not discern clearly.

The owner of the room was a tall man whose face was unclear, known only for his preference for black clothing, the flowing sleeves and hems of which occasionally revealed golden dragon patterns among auspicious clouds.

He looked extremely noble.

The man had a temper, foul when in a bad mood—often cursing, even killing people. When happy, he would write, play chess, and drink tea, even practicing swordsmanship in the courtyard in the dead of night.

Ah Da would then perch at the window, resting her chin on her arms to watch.

The moon in the sky, the drifting snowflakes, and the bluestone slabs on the ground were all clear, but the man’s figure was always concealed by a mist, like a blurred shadow.

Ah Da could not leave the room, and others couldn’t see her. She would often dance and make faces in front of the man out of sheer boredom, but he never noticed, so she had to amuse herself.