From Paper Craftsman to World-Suppressing Immortal

Zhang Zhixuan activated his treasure-appreciating eye, and the precious energy of all things manifested, with each color of precious energy clearly marked and distinguished.

With his keen eye for treasures, Zhang Zhixuan quickly spotted the problem after scanning his surroundings.

In his eyes, everyone and everything around him was different except for Shen Weiyong.

He was enveloped in a gray-black aura, especially around his chest, where the aura almost solidified into a terrifying, sinister face that clung to his chest. The face opened and closed, as if absorbing his yang energy.

At this moment, Zhang Zhixuan understood what was causing the tall horse pulling the cart to be so fearful and uneasy.

Animals are naturally sensitive to such sinister things, so when Shen Weiyong got into the carriage, the close contact immediately made the horse feel the danger, which is why it became agitated and almost lost control.

"Shen Weiyong, what's that thing you're wearing on your chest?" Zhang Zhixuan asked Shen Weiyong casually.

With so many people present, Zhang Zhixuan singled out Shen Weiyong for his own benefit. Already in a bad mood due to his embarrassment in the carriage, Shen Weiyong's face darkened, and he said unhappily, "What I wear is none of your business, is it?"

"It has nothing to do with me, and I don't want to get involved. However, because you were wearing it, the horse was frightened and became agitated."

No sooner had Zhang Zhixuan finished speaking than Shen Weiyong, who had maintained his refined and gentle demeanor, flew into a rage: "Nonsense! This is a talisman I obtained from the Asakusa Shrine during my studies in Japan! This talisman not only protects me, but also helps me attract wealth, safeguard my luck, and ward off villains! Zhang Zhixuan, you know nothing, yet you spout such nonsense. What are your intentions?"

Zhao Qingzhi frowned, her face full of anger, and echoed, "Zhang Zhixuan, are you ever going to stop? It's one thing to be rude to me just now, but now you're targeting Shen Weiyong?"

"Let me tell you, your tricks and charlatans won't work on us modern scholars who have returned from studying abroad! All that talk about demons and monsters is just a bunch of charlatans' tricks to fool people. I think you're just jealous of Wei Yong's good family background, his overseas education, and his extensive reading, so you're deliberately trying to smear him here!"

Madam Wang chimed in, "That's right, Zhang Zhixuan, you can eat whatever you want, but you can't say whatever you want."

Zhang Zhixuan suddenly became the target of everyone's criticism. Even Master Zhao and Lin Shuyao looked at Zhang Zhixuan in confusion, wondering what his basis was.

Zhang Zhixuan smiled faintly, unhurriedly: "Alright, Shen Weiyong, let me ask you, have you been experiencing cold hands and feet, chest tightness, as if a stone is pressing on your chest, and frequent nightmares at night, dreaming of a sinister and terrifying ghost face?"

After Zhang Zhixuan finished speaking, Shen Weiyong's body stiffened abruptly. He subconsciously touched his chest, his mouth agape, unable to utter a single word for a long time.

He had indeed been experiencing these symptoms recently, but he had never mentioned them to anyone, not even Zhao Qingzhi, who was by his side. How did Zhang Zhixuan know this when they were meeting for the first time?

The more he thought about it, the more he felt that Zhang Zhixuan was right. At that moment, cold sweat slid down his forehead and dripped onto the front of his clothes.

Zhao Qingzhi noticed Shen Weiyong's unusual behavior and quickly grabbed his hand. But the moment she held Shen Weiyong's hand, she was stunned. Shen Weiyong's hand was indeed a little cold.

"Weiyong, what's wrong? Are you alright...?" Zhao Qingzhi asked with concern in her voice.

Shen Weiyong snapped out of his daze, grabbed Zhao Qingzhi's hand, shook his head with feigned composure, still stubbornly refusing to admit defeat, and coldly shouted at Zhang Zhixuan: "Zhang Zhixuan, I respect you as Qingzhi's cousin, but don't go too far. Stop with your charlatan tricks. Western science has long proven that talk of ghosts and gods is all nonsense."

Zhang Zhixuan scoffed, "Western science has proven that the idea of ​​ghosts and gods is utter nonsense. So tell me yourself, why did you go to all that trouble to get a talisman from some shrine in Japan? Can a foreign talisman protect a Chinese person like you?"

"You!" Shen Weiyong was speechless after being rebuked by Zhang Zhixuan's words.

Zhang Zhixuan added, "Shen Weiyong, there's an old saying in Daxia: 'It's hard to persuade a damned ghost with kind words.' Whether you believe it or not, I have to remind you that what you're wearing isn't a proper amulet; it's something made with evil magic. I also advise you to get rid of it as soon as possible, or don't blame me for not reminding you if something happens later."

"Nonsense, utter nonsense!" Shen Weiyong was furious and didn't believe Zhang Zhixuan's words at all.

"Let's go! Qingzhi, we won't take the carriage. I saw taxis at the dock, let's take one back." After saying that, Shen Weiyong walked straight towards the black cars parked on the other side, regardless of whether Zhao Qingzhi wanted to or not.

"Weiyong!" Seeing Shen Weiyong leave in a huff, Zhao Qingzhi glanced at her parents and Zhang Zhixuan, then, without thinking too much, hurriedly chased after him.

In those days, taxi fares were extremely expensive, costing at least four or five dollars for an hour's journey. In addition to the fare, a 10% tip had to be given to the driver.

But right now, Shen Weiyong would rather spend a lot of money to take a taxi than lose face by going back to ride in the Zhao family's carriage.

Old Master Zhao was shrewd, and just by looking at Shen Weiyong's reaction, he guessed that Zhang Zhixuan was not talking nonsense. He immediately stopped Wang Shi, who was about to chase after the two, and said, "Let them go."

After saying that, he called the others to get into the carriage. This time, the tall horse pulling the carriage was quiet and showed no abnormality.

On the way back, the carriage was awkwardly quiet.

Zhang Zhixuan closed his eyes to rest, Wang Shi sighed, and Zhao Erye remained silent. Only Lin Shuyao stared at Zhang Zhixuan with her big, bright eyes, wanting to go up and talk to him several times, but she held back because of the awkward atmosphere in the carriage.

When the carriage returned to the Zhao residence, it was already afternoon. Second Master Zhao and Madam Wang invited Lin Shuyao to come inside and rest, but Lin Shuyao made an excuse that she was feeling a bit uncomfortable from the bumpy ride and wanted to take a stroll around the neighborhood to clear her head.

Wang wanted to accompany them, but Lin Shuyao politely declined. After they all left, Lin Shuyao sneakily caught up with Zhang Zhixuan: "Cousin Zhixuan! How did you figure out that there was something wrong with the amulet Shen Weiyong was wearing?"

Zhang Zhixuan had no aversion to this girl, whose personality was completely different from Zhao Qingzhi's and who was rather carefree. He even found her sly demeanor somewhat amusing: "You made an excuse to walk away on purpose, just because you were curious about this?"

"Yes, tell me quickly, how did you figure that out?"

Zhang Zhixuan smiled and teased her deliberately, "Of course, it's seen with your eyes."

"You're lying! Use your eyes to see! Are you Sun Wukong? Do you have fiery eyes?" Lin Shuyao said angrily.

Zhang Zhixuan thought the girl had quite a wild imagination, even making connections to Sun Wukong.

"Yes, it's like Sun Wukong's fiery eyes. I not only saw that there was something wrong with Shen Weiyong's amulet, but I also saw that you would have a little bad luck today."

"Hmph! Trying to scare me? I don't believe it. I, Lin Shuyao, may not say anything else, but my luck has always been the best. I..." Before Lin Shuyao could finish speaking, she suddenly felt something soft under her foot. When she lifted her foot, she found it was a pile of smelly dog ​​poop.

Seeing this, Zhang Zhixuan couldn't help but imitate Lin Shuyao's tone, saying, "I, Lin Shuyao, may not say anything else, but my luck has always been the best..."

"Good luck, but it's just pure bad luck." Zhang Zhixuan laughed heartily.