Volume Three: The Two-Faced Demonic Infant - Chapter 152: The Young Daoist Takes the Stage

Hearing this, I was somewhat dumbfounded. For a long time, I had been following my unreliable Third Uncle to crack several haunted houses. Although our trip to South Willow Village this time was not technically a haunted house, the level of danger far exceeded that of any haunted house.

No matter what dangers arose, I always felt that Third Uncle was right by my side. Therefore, I still had some confidence in my heart, knowing that no matter what, Third Uncle would never abandon me.

But this time, Third Uncle explicitly stated he was leaving, forcing me to face various unknown and dangerous situations alone. I truly had not mentally prepared for this.

"Third Uncle, why don't we put this matter on hold for now? With my meager skills, how can I possibly crack a haunted house? Your Taoist arts are profound and your experience is vast; I simply cannot manage without you. Why don't we wait until you get back?" I pleaded with a mournful face.

According to our usual routine, if I flattered Third Uncle like this, he might have agreed.

Yet today, Third Uncle's attitude was exceptionally resolute. With a cold face, he said, "No way. You brat, I always told you to read more, but you always slacked off. Now you realize you're clueless. Actually, the methods I use to crack haunted houses fall far short of the records in the book we acquired. It's just that your Third Uncle is getting old and no longer eager to learn. You are different. All of us in the Li family are intelligent, and you've even been to university. Learning these things should start from the fundamentals. This is also an opportunity to temper you..."

Acting completely out of character, Third Uncle rambled on and on.

In the end, I grew anxious too. We weren't pressed for this money, so why force me to crack a haunted house? Staring angrily at Third Uncle, I said, "Li Dagang, aren't you afraid that if I go to crack a haunted house alone and something happens to me, you won't be able to face the ancestors of the Li family? How will you answer to my father, and how will you answer to your father, my grandfather?"

My final words actually had some effect. Third Uncle hesitated for a moment and sighed.

I thought he had given up the idea of letting me crack a haunted house alone. Unexpectedly, after sighing, he said, "All right then. After I leave, if you receive a job to crack a haunted house, accept it first. If you encounter difficulties, go find Chu Liuyan."

"The Thin Bamboo Pole? What am I going to find him for?"

"He is my senior fellow apprentice, and his Taoist attainment is higher than mine. I have already spoken with him; if you go to him, he will help you."

"Third Uncle, are you completely determined to let me take risks?"

"My dear nephew, I am your biological Third Uncle. Just remember one thing: your Third Uncle will never harm you. Do you believe this?"

I nodded. "This... I suppose I believe it..."

Third Uncle gave a bitter smile. "As long as you believe it. Then do as Third Uncle says."

Seeing that Third Uncle's complexion was very poor, I knew he wouldn't leave here unless it was absolutely necessary. At this point, it wasn't appropriate to argue with him any further.

The day after we talked about this, Third Uncle left the company. He said he was going to a temple, though he didn't specify which one. Before leaving, he mentioned that the cell reception in the mountains was poor and his phone might not connect, but he would let me know he was safe, so I didn't need to call him when nothing was going on.

After Third Uncle left, he vanished like a ghost, leaving no news for days on end. Not believing his words, I tried calling him twice, but the calls truly failed to connect.

Five days later, Third Uncle finally sent me a text message containing only a few characters: Safe. All is well, do not worry.

I almost dropped my phone. Who was he trying to impress by acting like a profound scholar? Would it kill him to use a couple more vernacular words?

However, after Third Uncle left, the pressure on me truly increased. I could leave the real estate agency business to Chen Tao, but to be prepared for rainy days, I had no choice but to seize every spare moment to study that haunted house record book.

In fact, I had already read that book several times, yet many parts of it remained unclear to me. Even so, with every additional reading, I gained quite a bit. By now, I felt that at least in terms of theory, I could be considered a semi-skilled practitioner.

Half a month passed since Third Uncle's departure, and all the business the company received was completely normal; not a single housing listing related to a haunted house appeared. This actually gave me peace of mind. I wished there were no such business at all, so I wouldn't have to take risks, hiding out in the company every day eating and drinking to my heart's content. If I could just endure another half month, Third Uncle might return.

Yet it truly proved the old saying: the tree wants to remain still, but the wind will not stop. Just as I was leisurely living my peaceful life, my calm existence suddenly changed.

Early that morning, while I was still sleeping in, Chen Tao ran upstairs to wake me, saying someone was looking for me.

I was startled. I only knew a few people around here. If it were Liang Yue or Ma Zuo, they would have already rushed up directly instead of letting Chen Tao call me.

After a simple wash, I went downstairs.

I saw a middle-aged man dressed in a crisp black suit pacing back and forth in the lobby.

Early in the morning, most of the company staff hadn't arrived yet, and only Chen Tao always came early to open the doors. It seemed this man must have been waiting at the company entrance for quite some time, arriving the moment Chen Tao unlocked the door.

Seeing me come down, the man visibly hesitated for a split second, but quickly broke into a smile.

This kind of smile is common in the corporate world, standard equipment for many successful people.

From this, it could be deduced that the man's status was likely extraordinary.

Chen Tao introduced me to the man, saying, "This is our Vice President Li."

Remaining completely composed, the man shook hands with me and offered a greeting. Immediately afterward, he pulled out a business card and handed it to me with both hands.

I took it and glanced at it. There was a long list of titles that I didn't bother to read through; I only noticed his name was Xue Quangui, with the title of General Manager specified underneath.

I escorted this Xue Quangui into the reception room and asked him what he wanted to see me about.

Xue Quangui glanced to the left and right, then asked hesitatingly, "Um... Master Li, is Taoist Priest Li Dongbin... not in?"

Only then did I realize he was here to look for Third Uncle. No wonder he had looked somewhat surprised upon seeing me come down alone.

I nodded. "My Third Uncle has business elsewhere and is not here."

"Then... when will he be back?"

I shook my head. "Hard to say. He has gone away for a while."

Sitting on the sofa, Xue Quangui looked somewhat restless, rubbing his hands back and forth—an uncomposed gesture completely mismatched with his status.

Without asking, I knew he must have encountered an extremely difficult problem and wanted Third Uncle to resolve it. But with Third Uncle absent, he could hardly conceal his disappointment.

Clearly, this person had already figured out our background, making Chen Tao's introduction of me as Vice President Li rather laughable.

At the same time, I felt a bit awkward. Coming specifically to find Third Uncle made it obvious that he didn't trust me.

I tentatively asked, "Would you like to... wait until Third Uncle returns before coming back?"

Upon hearing this, Xue Quangui hurriedly shook his head. "No, no. Actually, I came to invite you all to help me deal with a house. Since Taoist Priest Li is not here, then the young Taoist priest can help me..."

I froze, looking around in a daze. "Who? Who are you talking about?"

Xue Quangui gave a bitter smile. "You, of course. Your Third Uncle is a Taoist priest, aren't you the young Taoist priest? Young Taoist priest, you must help me."