Chapter 35 Depraved Dividends

I studied the frown on the man's face and asked, "Where are the two vengeful spirits that you were charged to subdue?" The man replied that the spirits were kept in urns that he had left at his hotel room. "Did you not ask them about the whole story?" I asked again and the man replied, "I did but to no avail. The spirits refused to answer me." I shook my head, exasperated, and said, "I'll have my colleague first divine your condition before we decide what to do then." Realizing his cue to act, Yuan Chongxi asked the man about his birthdates and time of birth and began working. The man must surely had begun plying his trade despite being fully-trained, I thought. Surely the matter was one beyond his skills and abilities to handle; hence his need for help. But I was wrong. Beside me, Yuan Chongxi calculated and augured the truth of the two vengeful spirits, his expression darkened, gradually turning into horror. By the time his calculations were finished, his face was of genuine fear! Immediately I asked, "What are the results, Chongxi?" He acknowledged my inquiry, his eyes first glancing at me before transfixing upon the man. Gulping hard, Yuan Chongxi croaked. "Y-you... Y-your end is near..." "Ah?" Everyone present cried in unison. None of us understood what he meant by his stuttering mumbles. The man from the North-East cried. "No, wait. Please! Speak plainly! How is it that my end is near!" Yuan Chongxi began stammering incoherently. "Th-the... th-this... th-that is wh-what, wh-what the omens show... Good Heavens! I can say no more!" But I knew full well what Yuan Chongxi was trying to convey: the man's end was nearing, although Yuan Chongxi did not dare speak openly for the fear of the very same karmic retribution that had befallen his teacher. But the man, not understanding Yuan Chongxi's reservations, pressed on, demanding to know the truth. At last, Yuan Chongxi relented, but he said only this, "You have, by your own hand, sold your life away for 1.2 million yuan!" Immediately when he had finished, Yuan Chongxi began slapping himself on his mouth, muttering, "Touch wood! Touch wood!" His complexion seemed to return at least, whereas the man's face paled instantly, a stark contrast to Yuan Chongxi as the latter's words, which had hinted him of his transgressions, dawned the truth upon him. Yuan Chongxi whispered softly into my ears, asking, "Do you think this counts as a sin, Shiyan?" I shook my head dubiously; it was a question best directed at Old Man Chen rather than me. "I cannot say," I said under my breath, "But it is blessed to deliver one into salvation. Being able to save him might prove to be a boon to us in the future." Somehow, the man heard me. But just when he was about to rejoice at his renewed hopes of redemption, Yuan Chongxi let slip again. "But it's impossible. The auguries do not deceive! His name has been marked by the Underworld!" Recognizing that he had misspoken again, Yuan Chongxi gave himself another slap.