Chapter 21: Uncle, Think It Over Carefully
Smiling, Qin Mochen asked, “Then do I need to take you as my master?”
Su Keke gave it some serious thought, then answered solemnly, “If you’re only learning how to draw talismans, then there’s no need to formally enter the sect. Many talismans are universal and don’t belong to any particular school. But if Uncle wants to learn other things, that won’t do. I don’t have enough experience yet and can’t take disciples. My master can, though.”
At that, Su Keke’s eyes rolled playfully, and she smiled until her eyes curved. “By then, Uncle would have to call me Senior Sister!”
Qin Mochen let out a low laugh. “Then I’ll think about it and give you an answer later.”
“Uncle, you definitely have talent. Think it over carefully, okay~”
Off to the side, Assistant Wu wore a fond, doting smile. Such a little cutie.
Although Su Keke’s talisman-drawing looked quite convincing, Chen Yujuan still didn’t believe in such things. She muttered, “I’ve seen plenty of this stuff on TV. They’re all props used to scare people. How could they deal with ghosts?”
Seeing that her hostility had eased a little, Su Keke’s small temper faded as well.
These days, feng shui masters were no longer treated as they had been in the past. Long ago, people in this line of work were held in high esteem.
Now, most people didn’t believe anymore. Only returning clients who had benefited before still respected them and revered them as masters.
It wasn’t really anyone’s fault. Too many half-baked practitioners had gone around scamming people, ruining the reputation of the entire profession.
Su Keke explained to Chen Yujuan, “This is a soul-summoning talisman. Of course it can’t deal with ghosts. Talismans used against ghosts are different.
“But Auntie is right about one thing—many talismans these days are fake. A talisman must be drawn in one continuous stroke. The reason is that if you pause, the primordial energy of heaven and earth gathered at the tip of the brush will disperse.
“A talisman without that energy is just a piece of useless paper. Ordinary people can’t even gather energy in the first place, so how could they draw talismans? That’s why most talismans drawn by ordinary people are fake and have no real effect.”
Whenever the little girl talked about such professional matters, her words carried an old-fashioned tone—probably from reading too many ancient texts.
Qin Mochen found it quite interesting, the corners of his lips lifting into a faint curve.
Chen Yujuan snorted. “You shamans rely on nothing but smooth talk to deceive people. Of course what you say sounds convincing. As for telling real talismans from fake ones—who decides that? You do.”
“Then today, Auntie can just watch.”
After saying that, Su Keke said nothing more and focused on drawing talismans.
With ease, the little girl drew five soul-summoning talismans in a row.
By then, Auntie Zhou had returned with the borrowed black silk umbrella. Once opened, it was large enough to shelter two people.
Su Keke slapped the five talismans onto the umbrella, spacing them evenly in a circle.
Though nothing sticky had been applied, the talismans seemed to adhere on their own, sticking firmly to the black silk umbrella.
Seeing this, Auntie Zhou’s reverence deepened. Even Chen Yujuan looked a little surprised.
“Auntie Zhou, take this black silk umbrella and go look for your grandson. Search the places he usually likes to play. As you search, keep calling his name—his full name.
“Pay close attention to the shadows on the ground. If there’s suddenly an extra child’s shadow under the umbrella, you can come back.”
Auntie Zhou carefully accepted the umbrella covered in talismans, nodding repeatedly. “I remember everything. I remember it all.”
After Auntie Zhou left, Su Keke drew the curtains, making sure the room was dim.
Then she took out a white candle, placed it by the child’s bedside, and lit it.
Watching the matchstick in the little cutie’s hand, Assistant Wu remained silent.
He really hadn’t seen one of those in a very long time.
