Chapter Sixty-Six: The Hidden Dragon Drinks from the Waters (Five Chapters This Weekend, Four Are Presented Here)

Moreover, that night Uncle Gu’s attitude was clear enough—though he gave face to this Lord Huang and refrained from pursuing Su Lengyue and Miao Renhuan, Uncle Gu plainly disliked having outsiders meddle in his domain. Today, even if money and influence were at hand, they were bestowed by Uncle Gu. The title of Underworld King was not empty flattery; it was earned by Gu Xiaotian. Compared with a Lord Huang whom he’d never met, Shen Jiangchuan wouldn’t dare offend Gu Xiaotian, no matter what.

“You left the underworld, invested your earnings into legitimate business—all for the sake of wealth. Looking at this office…” I scrutinized Shen Jiangchuan’s workspace and spoke calmly, “I’d say someone has taught you about feng shui arrangements.”

Shen Jiangchuan’s office sat on the seventeenth floor. Through the vast floor-to-ceiling windows, the entire city was visible. Near the window hung a string of copper wind chimes; before the desk was a slab of Mount Tai stone, and opposite the entrance stood a bronze tripod with an ancient luster. On the bookshelf was a ceramic piece, sealed at both ends. The wall displayed a peach wood fan painted with a scene of dragon boats racing.

“When Shen Xiang came back, he told me Miao Renyu died at your hands because his feng shui arrangement was broken.” Shen Jiangchuan mused as he walked over. “Clearly your mastery of metaphysics far surpasses Miao Renyu’s. Since you’d rather make peace than sow enmity, why not take a look at this room’s feng shui?”

“Hidden Dragon Drinking Water configuration!” I blurted without hesitation. “If I’m not mistaken, this layout was taught to you by Miao Renyu.”

“Sharp eye. Miao Renyu indeed called it the Hidden Dragon Drinking Water configuration.” Shen Jiangchuan nodded, increasingly convinced. “Tell me, is this feng shui good or bad?”

“Hidden Dragon Drinking Water, as the name suggests, means inexhaustible wealth—like a dragon drinking, no matter how much water there is, it can consume it all.” I pointed to the two floor-to-ceiling windows. “These are the dragon’s eyes, facing the Funan River opposite, symbolizing the hidden dragon returning to the sea. There are no mountains or forests obstructing the view, just endless expanse—dragon soaring and galloping unchecked. The northwest high-rise’s lightning rod pierces the sky like a sword cutting through obstacles, called ‘Piercing Clouds to See the Sun.’ The hidden dragon can ascend to the ninth heaven. This office’s feng shui enjoys every advantage—timing, geography, and harmony—whoever sits here will have unending wealth and unmatched prestige.”

Shen Jiangchuan smiled in satisfaction, pride evident.

“Miao Renyu said the same thing. Honestly, at first I didn’t believe in feng shui arrangements; I thought you could just place things anywhere and still make money—how easy could it be? Lord Huang offered me a welcome gift, and Miao Renyu chose this office for me. Strangely enough, since moving here, everything has gone smoothly. Making money feels as easy as picking it off the ground, just as you said—wealth pours in, impossible to stop. That’s why I agreed to work for Lord Huang.”

“While the Hidden Dragon Drinking Water arrangement is a rare and fortunate configuration for attracting wealth, finding such favorable feng shui is nearly impossible. Miao Renyu was quite generous, going to great lengths to set this up for you.” I shook my head thoughtfully and spoke quietly. “Yet, Miao Renyu might not have been entirely sincere in helping you—there’s a significant problem with your office’s feng shui.”

“A problem?” Shen Xiang and Shen Jiangchuan exchanged a surprised glance. “You just said this is the Hidden Dragon Drinking Water configuration—how could there be a problem?”

“It is indeed that configuration, but judging by the placements, it’s clear Miao Renyu didn’t intend for you and your son to live peacefully. Earning so much money is pointless if you don’t live to enjoy it.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“The wind chimes at the window are meant to dispel evil—Miao Renyu probably told you so.” I turned to Shen Jiangchuan. “The decorative lamp on the chimes signifies everlasting light.”

“Miao Renyu said I was too aggressive. The copper wind chimes would dispel evil, and the lamp meant enduring fortune, ensuring my luck never runs dry.” Shen Jiangchuan said anxiously.

“He wasn’t wrong, but Miao Renyu’s knowledge of metaphysics is far from ordinary. He certainly knows how the year, month, and day pillars affect feng shui. With this arrangement, you’ll face calamity after calamity this month.” My tone was steady.

“This month? Why will I have so much trouble this month?”

“This is the Gengwu month—the heavenly stem Geng is yang metal, the earthly branch Wu is yang fire. Metal and fire clash, so nothing goes smoothly. Look at the lamp overhead—it’s oddly shaped, artificially aged, seemingly nostalgic, but that’s not really it.” I pointed to the wind chimes and lamp. “Gengwu brings fire calamity to the home; copper and iron chimes ring out misfortune, the worn lamp brings disaster, corpses of women and deaths of youths.”

“Corpses of women and deaths of youths?!” Shen Jiangchuan stared at me in shock. “What…what does that mean?”

“Do I need to explain? The first time Shen Xiang stirred up trouble at the casino, if it weren’t for Brother Ting’s connection to you, he’d have been hacked to death. When you and your son returned, Uncle Gu left your fate in Brother Ting’s hands—if not for his mercy, you’d have died again. Miao Renyu knew you were greedy, but if you really defied Uncle Gu and Brother Ting, you’d hesitate. So he arranged your room to incite Shen Xiang to make trouble at the casino, giving you a reason to confront them.”

“That scheming Miao! He actually set me up!” Shen Xiang slammed the table in fury. “There’s plenty else he told us to put here—check for more problems.”

“There are many. This bronze tripod stands on three legs facing the door; the ceramic piece is headless and tailless. The Yi Mao Three Families Ancestral Platform, broken jug and bronze tripod bring disaster, pitcher without mouth and bed with broken corners, the family’s incense for wealth.” I walked over to the bronze tripod with earnest seriousness. “Miao Renyu worried you wouldn’t follow their orders, so he wanted to cut off your escape—Yi Mao Three Families Ancestral Platform, broken jug and bronze tripod bring disaster, meaning to sever your lineage, to make Shen Xiang die, so you’d have no choice but to help them. As for pitcher without mouth and bed with broken corners, the family’s incense for wealth—on the surface you’re earning money, but you’ll have to give it all back sooner or later. They won’t let you profit for nothing; you’re just a tool for them.”

Shen Jiangchuan’s face turned grim, furious, and he swept the bronze tripod to the floor with a cold voice.

“What else did Miao use to harm us?”

“The peach wood fan on the wall, facing your desk, painted with racing dragon boats—look at the pendant beneath it.” I gestured toward the fan.

Shen Jiangchuan went over, examined the pendant, and exclaimed in surprise. “A stone?!”

“Not a stone—a brick! A pendant polished from a brick!”

“What’s unusual about that?”

“That’s no ordinary brick—it’s from a grave.”

Shen Jiangchuan stared wide-eyed, brow furrowed in astonishment. “A grave brick?!”

“Bought the clothes of the dead, moved the god of the hearth’s old stone and tomb bricks, peach wood dragon lamp, all are unlucky. There’s a saying—ghosts paint peach talismans. That peach wood fan is actually a death charm, but it’s not meant for your life.” As I spoke, I glanced at Shen Xiang behind me. “In the end, Miao Renyu went to great lengths to take your son’s life.”

“If you can see through Miao Renyu’s tricks, you must know how to break them.” Shen Jiangchuan asked anxiously.

“That’s simple—just remove these items.” I said, looking at Shen Jiangchuan with solemnity. “But Shen Xiang mustn’t touch them—they’re objects of misfortune. Only you can remove them yourself!”

Upon hearing this, Shen Jiangchuan hurriedly followed my instructions, tossing every item mentioned out of the room.

“You’re right—harmony brings prosperity. Since Lei Ting won’t pursue this further, I’ll let it go, but I have a condition.” Shen Jiangchuan returned to the room, squinting.

“What condition?”

“You know I’m in import-export. I have a shipment held up at customs. Since you understand metaphysics, help me retrieve it smoothly. Once the goods are in my hands, I promise to cut all ties with Lord Huang forever.”

I rose from the sofa, confidence in my nod. “Deal!”

As I descended from Shen Jiangchuan’s office, Xiao Lianshan hurried over, puzzled. “Brother, the Shen father and son are no good—why make peace, why save them?”

“Who said I’m saving their lives? Brother Ting’s biggest mistake was showing mercy that night, letting Shen Jiangchuan go. I’m only helping Brother Ting make up for it.” My voice was cold.

“Brother…what are you planning?” Xiao Lianshan had never seen an expression like mine and asked in surprise.

“Heh, come, accompany me to buy something.”

“Buy what?”

“Funeral wreaths.”

“Ah! For…for whom?”

I smiled coldly and meaningfully, glanced back at the towering building behind, and spoke softly, “For Shen Jiangchuan!”