Chapter Ninety-Two: Changing Rooms

“Gathering of the Nine Shadows?” I feigned ignorance, wondering if that crooked fellow with all those skills would really travel thousands of miles just because of this Qingfu matter to find someone as insignificant as me. Surely not...

“If you know where my master is, please, you must tell me!” The man with the small mustache pleaded sincerely.

Tears glistened in his eyes. I nodded at him, and he visibly relaxed, as if a great burden had been lifted.

Old Liao lifted his beer bottle to help him and said, “Your master must have his own reasons for what he’s done. As an old hand in the shadowy ways, he wouldn’t do anything foolish. Now that Qingfu’s curse is broken, you needn’t worry about his safety anymore. Rest easy. I believe in time, your master will return to the Northeast to find you. Come, let’s drink this cup dry.”

His words were like a tonic, easing the tension among everyone present. They all raised their remaining drinks and downed them in one gulp.

The celebration ended abruptly. Hu Ji took the man with the mustache to the hotel to rest, and Xiao Li, not really part of our circle, left early by taxi. Only Old Liao, Huzi, and I wandered the streets aimlessly.

What fate would the destiny of the Nine Shadows bring me? It was clear now that it had irrevocably bound me to the shadowy underworld.

Was this fate a blessing or a curse?

I walked on alone, head down, the autumn wind bleakly stirring the fallen leaves at my feet.

Suddenly, a voice came from behind: “Boss Zhang.”

Lost in thought, I hadn’t heard the call.

“Boss Zhang!” the voice called again. I turned and saw Huzi standing there, face serious, eyes fixed on me.

“Huzi, just call me Brother Xu; it sounds more familiar. What’s up? Why aren’t you leaving?” I asked.

Under my gaze, Huzi suddenly stepped back, bent his knees, and knelt on the ground, performing a deep bow.

“What are you doing? Get up at once!” I was startled and rushed to help him.

But his grip was strong; he refused to rise, just as when he first met Old Liao and me and begged for our help. Only now, his kneeling was more solemn and resolute.

“You two are men of great skill. In the shadow trade, you will surely become the cream of the crop. I’m just a rough man, no knowledge of geomancy or mysticism—only guts and strength. From now on, I, Huzi, pledge to be under your Yin-Yang embroidery banner. Even if I must do dirty, hard work, I will never complain!”

I stared in disbelief at the burly man kneeling before me with his fists clenched. Looking at Old Liao beside me, I saw him squinting, grinning slyly. He leaned close and whispered in my ear, “The shadow trade is like business. To grow big and strong, someone must do the dirty work. Huzi fits perfectly.”

“But I don’t want to grow big and strong. I just want to run my tattoo shop well,” I said, half laughing, half crying.

“The wheel of fate has already begun to turn. Some things you cannot choose. Fate has already decided the course of your life,” Old Liao said, standing nearby, sounding mysteriously profound.

Perhaps it was because Huzi was an orphan of the Shi Ling clan, having witnessed the fall of a sect firsthand, that he yearned so deeply for a close belonging.

Accompanied by cold burial tools and faced daily with human affairs, he was too lonely.

I sighed. To say I didn’t want to grow big and strong would be a lie. Every businessperson dreams of opening shop in a bustling area, earning market respect, and becoming a leader in their field.

After much effort, Old Liao and I helped Huzi to his feet. The rugged man dusted himself off and, seeing my agreement, brightened considerably. He thanked us profusely before taking a taxi away.

The occasional sound of car horns and the cawing of black crows whistled past me.

The night was uneventful. Stretching as I woke from bed, shaking my head to clear a hangover, my phone rang: it was Mr. Li.

I had met Mr. Li a few times before—our first encounter was arranged by Old Zhao and Brother Wang at a teahouse, then again at a banquet where Brother Wang entertained me. Mr. Li was a true big shot in southern Guangdong, a real estate titan. My current shop was originally rented from his family by my grandfather and had never changed hands since.

“Ah, Boss Zhang, business booming lately, huh?” came Mr. Li’s muffled voice over the phone.

“Mr. Li, you flatter me. I’m still not open yet, just drying my heels in the sun. Things at home are tight,” I joked, keeping a humble tone since he was my landlord.

“Don’t be modest. I’ve heard a lot about your recent success. You’ve got real skills in your hands.”

“Mr. Li, to what do I owe the honor of your call?”

“Well, your lease on that shop is up. I need the place for something else.”

Good grief, after all this buildup, they’d been waiting for me here? So, should I leave?

“Mr. Li, this is too sudden. Though my business is small, I’ve never missed a rent or utility payment. Is this really necessary?” My tone sharpened with anger. After renting for so many years, there should be some decency.

“Heh, don’t misunderstand. It’s not that I won’t rent to you anymore. I have a better place for you...” Mr. Li laughed heartily over the phone, quickly explaining.

“I’ve got a new property for you—not some tiny shop. There, you can live with your staff, with parking and a big yard. I told you, you have valuable skills—you won’t want to stay confined forever. Moving to a better location will help your business grow. It’s not far from here. I’ll send you the address; the price is negotiable. I know your business is doing well and you’re not short of money, haha.”

Hearing this, I felt ashamed. I had just judged him harshly, suspecting ill intent, when he was actually offering generous help to expand my shop. I had been hasty.

“But...” he hesitated.

“But what?” The word made my heart sink. In our line of work, words like “but,” “however,” or “maybe” usually mean trouble. Hiding risks always leads to bad outcomes.

“Heh, this has been bothering me for a while. That mixed-use commercial-residential property I mentioned has had some strange occurrences. I had a master check it out—he said there’s some unclean presence. There are still college students renting there now, so I’m uneasy. If you can handle this, I’ll cut the rent in half!”

Great, supernatural trouble had found me once again.