Chapter 14: The Dark Art of Witchcraft

I paid little heed to the old man’s words, for to me, he was truly insignificant.

My purpose in coming to the provincial capital was to help my grandfather restore the glory of the Qingma Physiognomy.

I had no intention of engaging in conflicts with others, but if anyone sought to cause me trouble, I would not surrender so easily.

After the old man left, the barrier that had been sealed at the entrance of the hall vanished in an instant.

I looked up at Liu Sihai, disappointment evident in my eyes.

I had hoped that after the recent upheaval, he would have tempered his nature.

Yet, to my surprise, he remained the same man.

“I have resolved the matters concerning the Liu family. As for what happens to your family from now on, it no longer concerns me,” I said, clipping the Soul-Calming Bell to my waist before turning and walking towards the door without looking back.

Even as Liu Sihai begged me repeatedly, I had no intention of stopping.

Only when he told me that his entire family had been cursed with witchcraft by Chen Yanlong did I halt my steps.

“What do you mean? Your whole family is cursed?” I asked, stunned beyond belief.

I knew of this witchcraft from my grandfather’s teachings.

Originating in the Miao region, it was a cruel and malicious art.

Witchcraft, as the name implies, involved taking venomous or toxic materials and forging them into a conduit for harm.

Through unknown rituals, the curse was placed upon the victim, allowing the caster to control them and force them to act in ways they could not otherwise.

This dark art was utterly malevolent. My grandfather had warned me never to practice such a harmful craft.

If ever I encountered someone afflicted by it, I must do everything in my power to save them.

And if I found the one who cast the curse, I must eliminate them without hesitation.

These were my grandfather’s final instructions, and I could never ignore them.

With no other choice, I stopped again.

“Is what you say true? If you dare lie, I will unleash demons upon your family right now,” I warned.

Hearing this, Liu Sihai hurried forward.

“Since our family lost its fortune, I sought help from a master in the provincial capital, and that’s how we were unwittingly cursed,” he confessed without restraint, fully aware of my anger.

If I caught even a hint of deceit, I would walk away immediately.

“Do you know who cast the curse?” I asked, looking at Liu Sihai with a deep sense of disgust.

“He is one of Chen Yanlong’s men, known in the underworld as Ghost Fox. He’s been working at the Chen Guild as Chen’s right-hand man,” Liu Sihai explained earnestly, laying out everything he knew.

Though I was reluctant to deal with the Liu family, I could not go against my grandfather’s wishes.

Resigned, I remained at the Liu family villa for the time being.

My decision pleased not only Liu Sihai but also brought a visible smile to Liu Qingqing’s face.

“Qiyue, I know my earlier decision was terrible, but Uncle Liu has his own unspeakable difficulties. All of this is Chen Yanlong’s doing,” Liu Sihai said sincerely, his expression honest.

“The engagement has been broken off; there’s no need to dwell on the past any longer.”

“My grandfather told me that when encountering those cursed, I must do all I can to free them.”

“Since your entire family is afflicted, I will stay a few days to help you rid yourselves of this suffering,” I said slowly, then affixed a special talisman to Liu Sihai’s neck, warning him never to remove it, no matter what happened.

If he did, even my greatest abilities might not be enough to save him.

After placing similar talismans on Liu Qingqing and Liu Sihai, I entered Liu Sihai’s bedroom.

Liu’s mother had returned to her previous state, though still weak and dispirited.

I understood this was the toll of mental anguish; recovery would take time.

I placed a talisman on her and signaled for her to rest peacefully.

Leaving the room, I called Liu Sihai and Liu Qingqing to stand before me.

Today, I met with Chen Yanlong. His magical arts are formidable, rivaling even my grandfather’s.

If I were to challenge him recklessly, my chances of victory would be slim, and I might even die by his hand.

But the current situation compelled me to act.

Could the change I saw in my divination be this very turning point?

To defeat Chen Yanlong and make the name of Qingma Physiognomy resound throughout the provincial capital.

This would not only free the Liu family from their plight but also establish my reputation here.

It seemed a promising choice.

Yet, I knew well the vast gulf between us.

A direct confrontation might be beyond me.

But I believed I still had a chance if I eliminated his right-hand man.

After all, this was my grandfather’s instruction—I could not forget it.

“Stay right here, both of you. No matter what happens, do not step beyond the circle I draw. Since you have trusted me to lift the curse, trust in what I do. Otherwise, seek help elsewhere,” I said solemnly to Liu Sihai and his daughter.

I planned to first remove the curse from them before helping Liu’s mother.

But I also knew the caster would not let me succeed easily.

He would stop at nothing to prevent me, so every step I took had to be precise.

“Don’t worry, Qiyue. We trust you, both of us,” Liu Qingqing said earnestly.

“Being forced to end the engagement was already a mistake for me. This time, we won’t make another,” she added.

“I know you’re a good person, Brother Qiyue. I’m willing to follow your lead,” she said, a faint blush returning to her cheeks.

“Very well. Then stay inside the circle I draw, and I will confront the sorcerer,” I said.

First, I used a special protective barrier around Liu’s mother to prevent any accidents.

Then, in the villa’s main hall, I set up a unique ritual altar.

As this was my first time arranging such an altar, it took a bit longer than usual.

Still, I completed the curse-breaking altar before sunset.

“Uncle Liu, Qingqing, just close your eyes and rest. No matter what you hear, do not move or act. Leave everything to me,” I instructed the Liu family father and daughter, urging them not to panic.

Though witchcraft is cruel, it is not invincible.

With patience, I can dispel their curses.