Sinisterium Pawnshop: Exclusive to Malevolent Objects

　　"Didn't I tell him not to act rashly!"

　　Concerned about his son's safety, even the usually calm Su Liguo could not sit still. He immediately got up and hurried toward the Buddha hall with large strides.

　　The butler, in a panic, ran all the way.

　　Lu Fei and Liu Fugui exchanged glances and immediately followed.

　　The group's steps were hurried, and just as they reached the side hall, the heavy door of the Buddha hall burst open with a bang.

　　Two people tumbled out in a stagger.

　　It was Su Mingxuan and Master Yang, both ashen-faced and drenched in cold sweat, appearing utterly disheveled as if they had experienced a tremendous fright.

　　"Young Master, are you alright?" The butler hurriedly helped Su Mingxuan to his feet.

　　Su Liguo pressed down his anger and asked, "What happened?"

　　"J-just now, Master Yang was dueling with the Buddha Mother..." Su Mingxuan, unable to stand steady, hung limply on the butler like a noodle, stuttering with trembling lips.

　　"What was the result?"

　　"Master thrust his sword out... and subdued the Buddha Mother..."

　　At these words, everyone present widened their eyes in shock.

　　Liu Fugui was even more unwilling to believe it.

　　Was that Mr. Yang really that formidable?

　　Su Liguo immediately glanced at the Buddha hall and saw that the statue of the Buddha Mother was properly seated on the altar, with the red cloth still covering its entire body. There wasn't any sign of it being suppressed.

　　He couldn't help but ask in doubt, "Master Yang, what exactly happened?"

　　Master Yang got up from the ground, straightened his disheveled clothes, and said, "I dare not deceive Chairman Su. This Nanyang Buddha Mother is indeed formidable! I exerted all my efforts to barely gain the upper hand and just managed to suppress it."

　　"But rest assured, Mr. Su, from now on, this Buddha Mother will no longer cause chaos. As long as the red cloth is not removed, it will sincerely bless the Su family. Not only will it make your business thrive, but it will also ensure the prosperity of the Su family's descendants!"

　　Su Liguo frowned slightly.

　　Only suppressed, but not completely eradicated?

　　He was not satisfied with this outcome, but seeing Master Yang's disheveled appearance, it seemed this was the best he could do.

　　"What about my sick family members?"

　　"Their conditions will not worsen anymore. With proper care and treatment, they will surely recover and return home."

　　Master Yang's vague response did not convince Su Liguo, so he turned to look at Lu Fei.

　　"Manager Xiao Lu, what do you think?"

　　Lu Fei looked at Master Yang. There was a long bruise on his neck, as if he had been strangled by something. His money sword was half scattered, and the tassel had turned black. His Tang suit was covered in incense ash, with several tears in the hem.

　　It really looked like he had been in a fight.

　　Lu Fei looked again at the statue of the Buddha Mother inside and felt that the cold and oppressive aura from before had vanished. The Buddha Mother no longer gave off a sinister and eerie feeling; it seemed to have become an ordinary statue.

　　Could it be that Master Yang really subdued the Buddha Mother?

　　He thought for a moment and asked, "Master Yang, since you engaged in a magical battle with the Buddha Mother, you must have seen its true appearance, right? What does it look like?"

　　"I battled it from a distance and never saw its true form." Master Yang glanced at Lu Fei with disdain. "A magical battle in the Xuanmen tradition is profoundly mysterious and not like a brawl where thugs hack at each other with knives and axes!"

　　Lu Fei was not bothered by his attitude and instead gave him a thumbs up, praising, "Master Yang truly is a highly skilled person! I have one major question I'd like to ask Master Yang to clarify."

　　"Speak." Master Yang could not help but stand up straight.

　　"Since it's a deity, why can't the Buddha Mother show its true face and must hide behind a red cloth?" Lu Fei stared at him intently.

　　Whether it's the 'expert' who gave the Buddha Mother to Director Su, or this Master Yang who has crossed hands with the Buddha Mother, they are all emphasizing the same point: do not lift the red cloth.

　　Why?

　　What is there to hide about the Buddha Mother?

　　Master Yang was taken aback and said, "There are many taboos regarding spirits in Southeast Asia, each with its own rules. Is that so strange?"

　　"Since Master Yang has already subdued the Buddha Mother, what's the need for so much caution?" Lu Fei smiled, "Why don't you, Master Yang, lift the red cloth and let us see the true face of the Buddha Mother, so that Director Su can be at ease."

　　As soon as he finished speaking, everyone's gaze fell on Master Yang.

　　Earlier, only Master Yang and Su Mingxuan were in the Buddha hall, and no one else knew what had happened. All Su Mingxuan saw was him making one sword move, and the outcome of the contest is just his one-sided account.

　　Liu Fugui was overjoyed.

　　Lu Fei's move was brilliant!

　　It posed a difficult question for Master Yang.

　　If Master Yang doesn't dare to lift the red cloth, it means he hasn't suppressed the Buddha Mother at all. If he does lift the red cloth, Lu Fei will have the chance to see what kind of evil spirit the Buddha Mother truly is, and then find a way to completely subdue it.

　　"Master Yang, why haven't you moved yet? Are you not daring enough?" Liu Fugui urged in a mocking tone.

　　Lu Fei said, "How could that be? I've heard that Master is very famous in the Xuanmen of Jiangcheng, not only for his profound abilities but also for his high moral character. How could he engage in fraudulent behavior like those con artists?"

　　The two of them worked together to put Master Yang on the spot.

　　Master Yang's face twitched.

　　Neither going nor staying was an option.

　　Su Mingxuan, hanging onto the butler, regained some strength and shouted angrily, "Didn't you hear Master Yang? The red cloth is taboo and cannot be lifted! Since you don't have the ability, you're just giving him a hard time. It's really shameless!"

　　"Dad, make them leave right now! People like them dirty our house's floor..."

　　"Mingxuan, don't be rude!" Su LiGuo reprimanded sternly, "Is this how I taught you to treat guests? They are the guests I invited!"

　　Startled by his father's cold glare, Su Mingxuan wanted to say more but was silenced.

　　Su Ligu slightly bowed to Lu Fei and the other person, then made a gesture to Master Yang, an offer he couldn't refuse.

　　"Master Yang, please."

　　He wouldn't be fooled by a few words from Master Yang. To make him believe that the Buddha Mother would no longer cause trouble, something convincing must be shown.

　　To judge a person, don't listen to what they say, but look at what they do.

　　"Since Chairman Su has spoken, I will give it a try," Master Yang swallowed, forcing out an ugly smile, and re-entered the Buddhist hall.

　　The others followed behind him.

　　Liu Fugui secretly gave Lu Fei a thumbs up, but Lu Fei remained impassive, watching Master Yang's back.

　　Master Yang stood in front of the altar, his forehead already sweating, and under the intense gazes from behind, he shakily reached out and grabbed the red cloth.

　　He first pulled gently, causing the red cloth to slip down a bit, revealing the base of the Buddha Mother.

　　It was a pair of legs sitting cross-legged on a lotus platform, carved from green stone.

　　After waiting for a moment and seeing that nothing happened, Master Yang secretly let out a breath of relief and then confidently pulled the red cloth.

　　The red cloth slowly slid down.

　　The true appearance of the Buddha Mother was about to be revealed.

　　At this moment, everyone's hearts were held in suspense, not even daring to blink their eyes.

　　The red cloth completely fell off.

　　A strange fragrance wafted out, and the true appearance of the Buddha Mother was displayed before everyone.

　　Everyone looked up at the Buddha Mother, their eyes filled with disbelief, and for a moment, they all stood there dumbfounded.