Lantern Festival

ou were unharmed, not a single drop of blood staining their bodies. A faint golden glow enveloped them like an eggshell's protection.The monstrous bellow, deafening and earth-shattering, rumbled like...The aura is not strong, and it's barely noticeable.

Just like a wisp of faint fragrance brushing past, it quickly dissipates into the air.

Lin Lao's eyes swept over each of us in turn. Except for Jiang Qiyun, we all stood. His gaze lingered on Jiang Qiyun for a moment before he nodded and said, "Hello."

"Hello..." I strained to read something in his face.

His eyes were clear, not like he had attracted anything, but I wouldn't be wrong now.

Lin's father was dressed plainly; only when he took off his scarf did I vaguely see a black, thin cord around his neck.

"Mu Yunfan, right Nice to meet you. I'd heard about your story from the institute before. Was it you who donated that bronze jade sacrificial vessel to the country" Old Man Lin asked.

"Hmm."

"... Quite perceptive."

My brother smiled, he must be thinking: That thing attracts disaster, what's the point of keeping it if we don't donate it

"I'm short on time, let's talk inside." he said to my brother.

We were all left outside. Lin Yanqin sat beside Lin Yanhua and pouted, "Daddy wouldn't let me go in..."

"Some things are better left unsaid when you're right here." Lin Yanhuan patted her shoulder, comforting her. Let me know if you need anything else translated!

"Lin Yanhuan, what's your dad wearing around his neck" I whispered, making a gesture with my hand.

Lin Yanhuan frowned and said, “That was given to him by a master. Ever since things started happening at Haiyan Tower, I’ve privately told him that he chatted with a master friend of his, and the master gave him a talisman.”

"A talisman What school is it from"

Lin Yanhuan shook her head and said, "I'm not quite sure either, but it seems like a tooth."

"Huh! Human"

"How is that possible Of course, it's not human teeth. It seems like the teeth of a mastiff." Lin Yanhua chuckled with amusement.

Mastiff

I turned my head to look at Jiang Qiyun.

Jiang Qiyun shook his head slightly, indicating that he did not agree with that statement.

The Tibetan mastiff is a type of dog, usually referring to large and ferocious, wild and fierce dogs.

A folk tale circulating among the people is that there are nine dogs and one mastiff. Just like raising centipedes, they would let hungry dogs fight each other, and the last dog standing would be the wildest and most formidable.

This statement is almost superstitious, seemingly fabricated to glorify the fighting prowess of mastiffs. Perhaps such events did occur, but no one knows the outcome.

In some regions, animal teeth, skulls, and horns are considered talismans for warding off evil spirits. There is some truth to this belief.

But if these teeth were to take on a sinister air... I'm afraid it wouldn't be anything good.

Lin Yanhuan, after hearing my words, whispered: "This is an old friend of my father. He shouldn't harm him, right This old man usually doesn't seek fame or fortune."

"Um, I'm just worried that this old man might have missed something. Maybe he meant well, but mistook something harmful for a ritual tool I just felt a faint trace of ominous energy a moment ago, I'm sure of it." I looked at Jiang Qiyun.

Jiang Qiyun nodded slightly.

Look, even the revered gods have said so, how could there be a mistake!

Lin Yanhuan frowned deeply and said, "What can we do then If I say it directly, I'm afraid I can't persuade my dad."

Lin Yanqin immediately whispered, "Then I'll sneak it out of Dad's room at night He'll be home tonight, right Even if he catches me, he won't hit me. I'll sneak it out for Xiao Qiao to see... I also feel that Dad seems a bit tired lately. He's always full of energy, so don't get him tricked by someone."

She pouted her lips and said in a huff, "Being an official isn't fun at all!"

I quietly crept up to Jiang Qiyun's ear and whispered, "What do you think it is"

"Anything with an ominous air must be something sinister, either dug out of a grave or taken from a corpse," he said calmly.

Lin Yanqin, who was across from me drinking soup, suddenly choked and sputtered. She covered her mouth with a tissue and coughed for a long time before looking at me reproachfully.

Xiao Qiao, your husband speaks so... bluntly!

What can I do He controls the underworld. Souls, corpses, blood, flesh... he's seen it all and become numb to it. Can you expect him to be tactful

"Lin Yanhua, what's the name of this expert, where does he live in seclusion I might go visit him privately and inquire about the origins of this thing. Your father isn't an ordinary person; you really need to be careful. Yin-Yang esoteric arts and sorcery are truly beyond words. Sometimes, one gets involved with these things without even realizing it." I said seriously to Lin Yanhua.

He gave a cold nod, rose to his feet, and walked out.

Lin Yanqin looked at me pitifully, clasping her hands together and saying: "Xiao Qiao, do you have any powerful amulets or something like that I want to ask for one for my dad. But I don't believe those ones from temples and Taoist temples that cost 9999 yuan or 6888 yuan each! I only trust you guys, can you get me a real amulet"

I glanced at Jiang Qiyun, this true deity was sitting right beside me. Why don't you light some incense, bow down, and pray

Lin Yanqin gave me a pleading look and said, "Please, please, ask your husband for one. I'm too scared to talk to him!"

I touched my chest. This deity had only given me his own seal, and as far as I knew, he'd never issued talismans to protect people before. He probably hadn't, right

“Well then, why don’t you just point me in the right direction, Your Majesty… er, husband.” I whispered.

Jiang Qiyun raised an eyebrow and glanced at me, saying in a light tone: "When one person achieves enlightenment, all under their roof benefit. Since you've become Xiao Qiao's sister-in-law and given birth to the bloodline of the Mu family, your fortune will naturally increase, including your own household. Just do more good deeds."

Lin Yanqin widened her eyes, quickly stood up and bowed, saying: "Yes yes, I understand, thank you!"

"Know what" I teased, "Time's ticking, don't let my brother get away with this for too long."

Lin Yanqin stuck out her tongue: "Hee hee, I'll learn from you!"

As we were talking, another big shot arrived at the door—the "big boss" from the military!

"Eh Uncle Qin! How did you get here!" Lin Yanqin quickly stood up to greet him.

Qin Grandpa glanced at me, strode over and said: "Miss Mu, you are amazing, you really have some skills! I, on behalf of my brothers, thank you!"

He even saluted me!

My goodness! I quickly jumped up and bowed, saying, "Don't do that to me, I don't deserve it! It wasn't easy to earn this good fortune, please don't diminish it!"

He was filled with excitement and emotion, his eyes glistening with tears: “Thank you so much! Don’t even mention helping Mu Yunfan get married, if there's anything I can do for you in the future, just let me know!”

As soon as the words left his mouth, Lin Yanhuan walked in holding her phone and exchanged a few pleasantries with Grandpa Qin.

He looked at me seriously and said in a low voice, "...That master's name is Yi Xianyang. It is said that he practiced deep meditation in the mountains for many years before, and now he lives incognito in the city. He lives near—the alleyway where your house is!"

What, what! petals falling onto my spine, it was a little itchy."So soft," he chuckled, gently pinching my lower back. He reached up and plucked the flower petals from my hair.I clung to his shoulders, my head d...