Chapter 910: The Arrival of the Evil God

In a room filled with swirling incense, a man dressed as a Taoist sat cross-legged on a cushion. One hand rested on a dusting brush, while the other formed intricate mudras, quietly chanting incantations.

Before him, on a wooden table, lay offerings of fruits, an incense burner, and plaques of deities. Facing the altar, elderly entrepreneur Lu Qixing sat cross-legged on the floor, his emaciated torso exposed, devoutly praying with folded hands and closed eyes, surrounded by seven candles.

Standing near the door, guarding against interruptions, were two men. Among them was Lu Qixing’s son, Wang Haitao, who witnessed this bizarre scene unfold with deep sorrow in his heart.

As the lengthy chant drew to a close, the Taoist suddenly opened his eyes, their gleam piercing through the swirling smoke. With a swift motion of his finger amidst the incense, he traced out a talisman in the air. He pushed forward, and the ethereal talisman floated and collided with the deity plaques on the altar.

“Drink!” exclaimed the Taoist urgently. “By the decree of the Most August Supreme Saint Emperor, swiftly appear, O Three Stars of Blessings, with urgent commands!”

Two disciples in yellow robes quickly arranged three straw figures on the ground. The Taoist seemed to receive mystical signals from the universe, his hand trembling as he maintained the mudras, his long goatee quivering.

Suddenly, the altar shook violently. Offerings scattered everywhere, and more mysteriously, the entire table began to tremble and hover.

“Drink!” The Taoist’s voice was stern. He placed his palm as if to suppress the floating table, which swayed as if held by an unseen force before slowly settling back down.

“Appear swiftly, O Three Stars of Blessings! If you do not appear now, heaven’s thunder will punish!” Lu Qixing took a deep breath, hurriedly reciting prayers, offering all his reverence and devotion.

The room’s electric lights flickered, an eerie wind stirred up, lifting the incense smoke. The three straw figures suddenly burst into flames and stood upright. Lu Qixing opened his mouth and hastily knelt down. “I beseech the Three Stars of Blessings to grant me twenty more years of life. Disciple Lu Qixing is willing to reconstruct your golden statues.”

“Master, the Seven-Star Lamp!” a disciple shouted.

The Seven-Star Lamp on the floor began to tremble, frightening Lu Qixing pale.

The Taoist boldly kicked the table, repeatedly pushing with his palm, releasing waves of inexplicable energy. The flickering Seven-Star Lamp gradually calmed down. He questioned the burning straw figures, “Life-star, what do you say? He has committed too many sins, unworthy of longevity?”

“No, no, Great God, spare me!” cried Lu Qixing in anguish.

“Don’t leave! Come back and explain!” Despite the Taoist’s scolding and Lu Qixing’s pleading, the “deities” did not stay. As the straw figures slowly burned to ash, hope faded for Lu Qixing. An evil wind swept into the room, extinguishing six of the seven stars on the lamp. Lu Qixing’s heart nearly stopped.

“You heartless gods, come back!” The Taoist’s tone bordered on curses, but to no avail. With the last straw burned, he wearily hung his head. “Mr. Lu, I did my best. The Life-star says this matter is difficult. Your fate has long been set.”

Lu Qixing slumped to the floor, tears welling up. “Great God, can’t you think of another way?”

“I really…” Before he could finish speaking, the altar suddenly exploded, overturning all three plaques. The Taoist quickly calculated with his fingers, revealing a shocked expression. “Who are you, trespassing into my ritual? Aren’t you afraid of heavenly punishment? What? You say you have a solution?”

Wide-eyed, Lu Qixing revived hope. He eagerly asked, “Who… who is this great god?”

“He…” Sweat beaded on the Taoist’s forehead. “No, no, this won’t do. He is not a legitimate deity; he is a demon!”

“Great God, at this point, even if he’s a demon, a devil, or an alien, as long as he can grant me a few more years, what difference does it make?”

“Mr. Lu, are you sure?”

“Absolutely!”

“Fine, he says he’s a star god who violated heavenly laws five hundred years ago and was banished to the mortal realm. He was born as Zhou Xiao!”

This name was well-known, but Wang Haitao sensed something amiss. “Father, don’t believe his nonsense!”

“Shut up!” Lu Qixing snapped. “Aren’t you filial? Are you waiting for my death?”

Wang Haitao clenched his fists in agony, unable to intervene, and could only watch this farce unfold.

The Taoist conversed with the evil god as if on a phone, occasionally making affirmative noises. A strange wind echoed through the room like eerie background music from a horror film. Flags hanging from the beams fluttered, and lights flickered incessantly.

The candle symbolizing Lu Qixing’s life stubbornly flickered in the wind but remained unextinguished.

Finally, the Taoist told Lu Qixing, “Mr. Lu, this evil god can grant you longevity, but this lifespan won’t be yours; it will be taken from someone else… This method will not only damage your karma but also harm my cultivation. Please, Mr. Lu, think carefully!”

Though phrased as a refusal, each sentence hinted at enticement. Lu Qixing pleaded desperately, “Great God, I will compensate for all the loss of your cultivation. Whatever it takes, even if… even if you ask me to sacrifice my own son!”

Pointing awkwardly at Wang Haitao, who wore a grim expression.

“Well, since I’ve promised to extend your life, there’s only one way to do it. I must act accordingly, as I promised!”

“Thank you, Great God, thank you, Great God!”

Bang, bang, bang…

Six extinguished candles suddenly reignited, but this time with a strange blue flame. Lu Qixing felt as though he had been injected with a shot of adrenaline. “Evil Lord, I agree to anything!”

The Taoist relayed, “The evil god says he will instruct you on the night of the full moon. Just follow his instructions.”

“I will, I will!”

The Taoist waved his dusting brush. “The ritual is complete. Mr. Lu, please rest.”

“Son, help me.” Exhausted, Lu Qixing was covered in cold sweat.

Wang Haitao stepped forward, but Lu Qixing sharply said, “Not you!”

On the other side of the door, the silent man in sunglasses smirked and approached to assist Lu Qixing, affectionately calling him “father.”

“Ah, good son.” Lu Qixing leaned on his son’s arm and slowly exited the room.

The Taoist exhaled deeply, instructing his disciples, “Tidy up!”

He removed his Taoist robe, lit a cigarette, and leisurely exhaled smoke. Wang Haitao approached, glaring hatefully. “Charlatan, you’ve brought calamity to my family. What is your motive?”

“Hehe, the secrets of heaven cannot be revealed!” The Taoist grinned.