The male supporting character was actually myself.

There are still a lot of bad things I haven't dared to say, what if the retribution really comes back to me?

"What should I do? I'm so anxious! I've already killed and done it all, how can I escape this calamity? Great Immortal, please save my life!"

Qian Shuandi was also busy pleading, since no one except this fortune teller who had been hired at great expense could figure out what the problem was.

What's more, he made a bit of a commotion when he first came in, but then he calmed down, which clearly showed that the thing was afraid of him!

"This matter is probably going to be very difficult." Daoist Danlu was in a panic. How could he lie and put on an act to trick the jinx into coming up the mountain and being imprisoned?

"Great Immortal, if you can save us, we'll do anything for you, even be your slave!"

"Please have mercy and help us!"

"Please, great immortal, if you don't remove this vengeful spirit, our whole family will be doomed sooner or later..."

…………

Feeling the time was right, Daoist Danlu sighed and shook his head, saying, "It is indeed too troublesome. Even with rituals, I am not confident I can completely expel it. Unless..."

His bright eyes were fixed on He Yongqiang, and he deliberately stopped himself from saying the second half of the sentence.

"Unless what? Great Immortal, please tell us quickly, we'll agree to any conditions!"

Faced with their urgent request, Daoist Danlu said quietly, "Unless you can hide in my Daoist temple to cultivate in seclusion and escape this calamity, I'm afraid even I can't save you."

Chapter Forty-Eight: There's Always a Way Out

"Go up the mountain?!" He Yongqiang thought about the dilapidated Taoist temple and shook his head like a rattle drum. "I'm not going! There's nothing there, and it's inconvenient to do anything. I'm not going!"

Qian Shuandi was extremely anxious. "My little darling, saving your life is the most important thing now! What else do you want? If you keep your life, you'll have everything you need in the future."

He Gousheng spoke harshly, but since he only had one son, he could only patiently persuade him.

"Then, Great Immortal, how long do I have to stay with you on the mountain?" After much persuasion from his parents, He Yongqiang reluctantly asked, thinking to himself that he wouldn't go if he stayed in that godforsaken place for more than three days!

Danlu Daoist planned to lure the jinx up the mountain and then immediately imprison him to prevent him from going down the mountain to cause trouble. No matter what, he would just have to get him up the mountain first!

He pretended to do some calculations, clicked his tongue, and hesitated, saying, "Your situation is too special. My cultivation is too shallow to calculate it. You will have to go up the mountain to cultivate in seclusion to see the result."

"Huh?!" He Yongqiang grinned, extremely unwilling.

Seeing her son's reluctance, Qian Shuandi thought about how harsh life on the mountain was, and how the dilapidated Taoist temple might even leak wind and rain. She worried that her son would be deprived of meat if he lived there, and how pitiful he would be!

She was heartbroken and discussed with the other party, "Great Immortal, you can't say for sure how long my son will stay. You see, he's not young anymore and it's the time for him to find a wife. If he goes to the Taoist temple to cultivate and delays his marriage, our He family line will end!"

Why don't you make do and stay at my place for a while?

With you keeping that thing under control, it won't dare cause any trouble. Once Qiangzi gets married and leaves, we can send him up the mountain for a while, and then it won't be a problem..."

Seeing that his plan was not going smoothly, Daoist Danlu waved his hand and refused, saying, "This humble Daoist does not live in secular homes. You can think it over carefully. If you think saving your lives is the most important thing, then come up the mountain with me. Otherwise..."

He glanced around a few times and, sure enough, didn't find the gray cat again, so he frowned slightly.

I wondered if the little guy had really been scared away by me.

If it doesn't cause trouble at home, how can I trick the jinx into coming up the mountain?

But we don't know anything about the little guy's origins, so where can we look for him now?

Indeed, even Heaven seems to be protecting those destined for disaster; the future will be filled with chaos, moral decay, and a depraved world...

Clearly, threats were useless. Qian Shuandi, determined to find a wife for her son first, had other ideas. She smiled and said, "Great Immortal, let's compromise. Qiangzi will definitely have to go to your Taoist temple to cultivate in peace. It will also be a good opportunity for him to atone for his sins."

But it's not realistic to go right now; he needs to prepare some everyday items.

"Please help us exorcise the vengeful spirit first. Once the house is settled, I'll arrange everything for him and then personally take him to your Taoist temple so he can obediently follow you in your cultivation!"

Seeing her son pouting and looking unhappy, she gave him a look to calm him down.

Danlu Daoist calculated with his fingers and, realizing that fate was unchangeable, sighed and could only agree. Then, he pretended to fiddle with something for a while, leaving the family of three stunned.

"Mom, I'm not going to the mountain! You've seen how dilapidated it is, there's nothing there..." He Yongqiang had just thanked the Taoist priest profusely when he got home and started tugging at his mother's sleeve and acting spoiled.

A sly smile appeared on Qian Shuandi's face. "Are you stupid? Mother won't let you suffer for nothing, but that vengeful spirit is troublesome! Listen to me, I'm going to find that madwoman later and have her make a voodoo doll to kill He Jiangchen quickly. Tonight you..."

The mother and son whispered to each other for a while, their faces beaming with smiles.

As soon as Danlu Daoist stepped out, he noticed a handsome young man sitting under a big tree at the entrance of the neighboring courtyard. What caught his eye even more was the faint light emanating from the man, which exuded righteousness and kindness – the perfect nemesis of the calamity that had descended from the heavens!

"Heaven never seals off all paths, and Earth cherishes life!"

He was overjoyed but didn't show it, walking slowly forward until the family of three he had escorted returned home. Only then did Danlu Daoist turn around, avoiding the gaze of the jinx family, and jogged to Jiang Chen's side. He grabbed Jiang Chen's wrist and whispered, "Young man, don't panic, come with me quickly!"

Jiang Chen watched as Bug left the door and walked away. Just as he was thinking of chasing after him, he saw Bug running and jumping towards him like a thief. He raised an eyebrow and asked, "What advice do you have for me, Daoist Master?"

"You're in big trouble!" Danlu Daoist grabbed him and hurriedly hid in the courtyard. Then, feeling that his behavior and words seemed a bit like a swindler, he grinned and said with a wry smile, "Young man, I don't take money or ask for anything. I just don't want you to be harmed by your neighbors, so I came to remind you."

As he spoke, he looked carefully at the young man standing in front of him, then counted on his fingers and said softly, "Are you related to the family next door? You seem to be quite close. Since your parents died, you have suffered a lot of oppression and exploitation from them."

Let me do some calculations...emmmm, your destiny has suddenly changed, probably because you have a benefactor to help you?

Three or four days ago, you suddenly had a stroke of good luck and became enlightened, which is a good thing! However, I see a dark aura around your face, which suggests your relatives next door might be up to no good. You know their character better than I do, so I won't say more.”

Danlu Daoist took out a yellow paper packet from his robe and handed it over, saying, "This is a peace talisman I drew. Keep it with you!"

If I'm not mistaken, your neighbor is trying to steal your luck and life, and they might even use some evil magic. As long as you carry my amulet, you'll be protected from any harm.

Remember, lock the main door when it gets dark, and make sure all the doors and windows are closed. Don't go out, and you'll avoid disaster.

Otherwise, I wouldn't be able to help you!

It's not a good deal to be eager to sell; most people would probably think a Taoist priest who comes to their door is a swindler.

But this one has a bug that allows it to see the little white cat!

Jiang Chen pulled out a stool for him to sit down, then brewed a pot of tea and offered it to him with a respectful attitude, saying, "Master, your predictions are incredibly accurate. You have no idea how much my neighbor has cheated me out of my meager fortune. It's fate that we've met. Master, could you please give me some more guidance?"

The fluffy little ball of fur didn't dare to leave the house; it peeked out from the window with its two short, furry paws resting on the windowsill.

Liao Yuzhou sat on the kang (a heated brick bed) learning to sew shoe soles. A pot of blooming red flowers on the windowsill looked even more serene under the sunlight.

“Young man, your fate and fortune…” After carefully calculating for a moment, Daoist Danlu couldn’t help but gasp and carefully chose his words, saying, “This humble Daoist cannot predict it accurately!”

To be honest, most people's fates are already predetermined, but your fate is in your own hands, making you the freest person in the world. Perhaps this is why you can withstand the influence of misfortune.

He spoke very subtly, but in reality he was extremely shocked.

In his own calculations and deductions, this young man was highly likely to influence the workings of Heaven! And he himself seemed to have some understanding of this. Could it be that a deity had descended to earth? And yet, he happened to be next to a celestial calamity star, specifically sent to punish him?

Then my plan will have something to rely on!

Thinking of this, the straightforward and honest Daoist Danlu, who had cultivated since childhood and had little contact with the secular world, said with a solemn expression: "To tell you the truth, there is a calamity star next door to your house that will surely bring disaster to the world in the future. The evil trends and wickedness he brings will rise rapidly, and the decline of morality and ethics in the world will all come from this."

If you want to stop this jinx, only you, young man, still have a fighting chance!

If I'm not mistaken, the neighbor is currently plotting a vicious scheme to kill you with evil magic, and then have He Yongqiang sneak in at night to impersonate your wife and seize your wealth.

"If you wish to break this cycle, remember to carry my amulet with you and stay indoors after dark for the next three days. The problem will resolve itself after that."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Chen couldn't help but feel a sense of awe. This year's bug was indeed amazing; it had even figured out the script!

Chapter 49: Bugged Fortune Telling and New Mission

“Young man, you are indeed a person of destiny. I shall say a few more words.”

Danlu Daoist took a sip of hot tea and said in a serious tone, "Taoists often talk about the thirty-six heavens, and there are heavens beyond heavens. I have cultivated myself in seclusion since childhood and believe that I have some skills and have also comprehended some of the wonders."

I can vaguely see that there are many more wondrous worlds beyond the world we live in.

Like a towering, lush tree, our world is merely an ordinary leaf within it. It's a pity that even though I can vaguely see some of its secrets, I am temporarily unable to leave this world with my physical body. If I wish to leave, my soul must leave my body and undergo a period of ignorance before I can live in other worlds.

However, uncontrolled astral projection could very well lead to a life of mediocrity where one never even touches the path of spiritual cultivation, and thus be lost among the masses, becoming utterly ordinary.

Young man, you are different from me.

The opportunity to see the myriad worlds and enter them with a clear mind is an incredible one!

But I just calculated and discovered that you are about to face a great calamity outside this world!

"A black mist floats above your soul, and you can vaguely see your life hanging by a thread..."

He squinted, as if he could see another world through the other person's eyes.

Jiang Chen couldn't help but wonder, "On the verge of death?"

“That’s right.” Daoist Danlu gestured with his hand. “I can only see a very thin, hair-like glowing line that’s pulling you back so you don’t fall completely into the darkness.”

Is there any chance of a turnaround?

“I can’t see clearly or calculate it, but you have a benefactor in your life who may help you turn bad luck into good.” He looked up at the sky and counted for a while before explaining, “My Taoist skills are still shallow, and I really can’t calculate any more. I can only vaguely deduce that your destined benefactor seems to be a woman.”

The "line" that the bug sees should be the Horcrux, right?

Who was this benefactor who helped them? Where are they located?

Unfortunately, the other person quickly became listless and obviously didn't have the energy to "spoil" him anymore. The two chatted for a few more minutes about subduing the jinx.

A moment later, he respectfully saw him out and made an appointment to visit the Taoist temple on the mountain after this matter was settled.

Before leaving, Daoist Danlu repeatedly instructed him to be obedient and avoid this calamity. Only when He Yongqiang was tricked into going up the mountain and locked up would the world be at peace.

"Where can things be so easy and peaceful?" Jiang Chen watched the Taoist priest leave, glanced at the script, and couldn't help but laugh at himself.

He had made all the necessary preparations for the upcoming plot, but the plot had not yet started updating, which meant that He Yongqiang would still be able to succeed in one fell swoop by relying on the protagonist's halo!

Since you insist on barging into hell even though there's no gate to it, don't blame me for being ruthless and taking precautions beforehand.

"Host, is that guy really a bug? What did he say to you?" The little white cat ran over cautiously, perched on his shoulder, and peeked out furtively.

Jiang Chen took a bag of dried fish from the food maker and handed it to it, saying, "He praised you for doing a great job. Keep up the good work."

"Huh?! Really? Wasn't the bug something He Yongqiang paid to have?"

"This bug is excellent; it wants to get rid of the protagonist, this menace."

"Meow meow meow~ What a great bug! What should I do now?"

He whistled, teased the excitedly charging Big Yellow, and lowered his voice, saying, "You take a rest first, and while I'm gone, don't leave Liao Yuzhou's side for a second. The main system will likely issue a mission tonight, and you'll be very useful then!"

"Okay, meow!" The fluffy ball of fur bounced happily into the house, stepping on Big Yellow's head. "Hey, silly dog, you stay with the host, I'm going to protect the heroine!"

Jiang Chen told Liao Yuzhou, who was sewing shoe soles in the house, that he would take Da Huang out for a "dog walk" and give it some special training.

The day passed quickly and leisurely.