Chapter 46 Underworld Debt

　　I noticed that his smile was just like mine—a knowing grin, as if everything was unfolding exactly as expected.

　　Zhang Ming was no stranger; he was the man I had spotted at the next table when I first arrived in the city. At that time, he was having dinner with a woman, deeply engrossed in discussing the murder case from the garden community.

　　I stood up and chuckled, “I never would have guessed someone like President Zhang would eat in a place like this!”

　　The restaurant was a budget-friendly spot, serving up home-cooked meals. It was hard to picture a big boss dining there.

　　As he walked over with that same smile, he pulled out a cigarette and offered it to me, but I politely declined.

　　“Surprised? I come from a working-class background, so I often eat in places like this!” he said with a laugh.

　　“Really?” I replied, a bit taken aback.

　　He didn’t dwell on that topic and instead got straight to the point. “So, what’s on your mind?”

　　I met his gaze and said, “I wanted to ask you about Zhou Yong.”

　　He took a seat across from me, lit the cigarette, and looked at me thoughtfully as he said, “So, you’ve been digging into my life just for him?”My expression shifted slightly as I said, “So you’ve known all along!”

　　He chuckled, his tone dripping with arrogance. “In this little city of Mountain, nothing escapes my notice.”

　　His smile carried a hint of disdain, projecting an air of superiority. But he could never have guessed that I would dare to meet his gaze, smiling back as I replied, “So you think you’re pretty impressive, huh?”

　　“What do you think?” He leaned in a little closer, staring right at me.

　　I wasn’t intimidated at all because, to me, he was nothing but a puff of air!

　　“You used Xu Xiaoli to get close to Zhou Yong, and your goal was to have him killed!” I didn’t beat around the bush; I went straight to the point.

　　His smile vanished instantly, replaced by a look of surprise.

　　“Now hold on a minute! I have my issues with Zhou Yong, but I never thought of killing him. You know he committed suicide!”I smiled and said, “Oh really? So you didn’t have anyone tamper with Xu Xiaoli’s bracelet to ensure that Zhou Yong was constantly plagued by malevolent energy, losing his mind and ultimately taking his own life in a fantasy?”

　　His eyes suddenly shifted, but he remained silent, taking a drag from his cigarette instead.

　　I watched as he exhaled, then continued, “I have to say, that method is quite clever!”

　　“Using the bracelet’s malevolent energy to kill someone? You think you’re writing a novel?”

　　“Not at all, but to me, reality is often more thrilling than fiction!”

　　He shook his head and laughed, “You’re really something else. I have no idea what you’re talking about!”

　　“People like you typically have two motives for murder: money or love. Which one is it for you? Is it because of your wife, Liu Qing, or is it tied to your business?”

　　His smoking paused, and he looked at me intently. “Go on.”

　　After a brief pause, I added, “Don’t get too worked up, President Zhang. I’m just speculating here; I don’t have any evidence, do I?”

　　“If Zhou Yong’s death was really caused by malevolent energy, then why didn’t Xu Xiaoli die? The bracelet was on her wrist, and she was around him all the time.”

　　“Well, that’s something you should ask the Feng Shui master on your side—Li Yongxia.”

　　His hand paused mid-air with the cigarette, and he shot me a surprised look. “How do you know about Li Yongxia?”

　　I didn’t bother answering him directly. Instead, I went on, “Xu Xiaoli’s bracelet and the suppression talisman on her forehead—both were Li Yongxia’s work. The malevolent energy was aimed at killing Zhou Yong, while the talisman protected Xu Xiaoli. You’ve got to admit, Li Yongxia’s got some serious skills.”

　　Zhang Ming dropped the act, taking a long drag from his cigarette. “Even if you’re right about all this, so what? Like you said, you don’t have any proof.”

　　I leaned back on the sofa, smiling knowingly. I had expected this response.

　　“So, don’t waste your breath. You’re not in my league if you’re trying to come after me.”

　　“I think you’re misunderstanding me, President Zhang. I’m not interested in you,” I replied with a calm, dismissive tone.I wasn’t making anything up. After investigating Zhou Yong’s death for so long, I was almost certain Zhang Ming had orchestrated the whole thing with Xu Xiaoli. But there was no way to prove it—malevolent energy wasn’t exactly something you could see or touch, and it wouldn’t hold up in a police report.

　　What intrigued me more was the person behind Zhang Ming and Xu Xiaoli: Li Yongxia. Even putting aside the whole malevolent energy and suppression talisman business, her ability to manipulate those forces with such precision was no ordinary skill. That’s beyond the capabilities of your average Feng Shui master.

　　Zhang Ming’s expression darkened, clearly unhappy with my tone. “What are you getting at?” he snapped.

　　“Can’t tell if you’re clever or just clueless,” I replied coolly. “How else do you think I know all of this?”

　　He hesitated, then suddenly stared at me as if he’d figured something out. “You’re a Feng Shui master, just like Yongxia!”I gave him a knowing smile and set my teacup down. “Not bad. You’re sharper than I thought.”

　　“You… you actually know Feng Shui?” His eyes widened in disbelief.

　　I stood up, keeping my gaze on him. “Calling her Yongxia, huh? Seems like you two are more than just ‘regular friends.’”

　　“We’re just friends… that’s all,” he stammered, a hint of unease creeping into his voice.

　　I clapped my hands softly and nodded. “Right, ‘just friends.’ I get it.”

　　He took a step closer, his tone hardening. “I don’t care who you think you are. I’m warning you—don’t mess with me. Here in Mountain city, whether you’re a dragon or a tiger, you’ll play by my rules.”

　　“Is that supposed to scare me?” I asked, raising an eyebrow.

　　“Take it however you want.”

　　I chuckled, the sound low and easy. “So, where can I find Li Yongxia?”

　　He smirked and crushed his cigarette in the ashtray. “You’re the one who’s supposed to be smart. Figure it out yourself.”

　　With a sigh, I turned to leave. “Do me a favor—let Li Yongxia know that sooner or later, I’m going to find her.”

　　For a Feng Shui master, karma is everything. That’s why we don’t mess around with practices that hurt others just to benefit ourselves—doing so racks up a spiritual debt. And let me tell you, Underworld debt is no joke. Don’t shrug it off, because it can come back to haunt you, or worse, your descendants.

　　Think about it: some people scrape by their whole lives, barely making ends meet, but then their kids go on to live in abundance. Others seem to have it all, living large and worry-free, only for their family’s luck to take a nosedive later on. That’s exactly why the saying “the debt gets passed down” rings true here.

　　So, why did Li Yongxia team up with Zhang Ming to pull a stunt like this? I’d love to hear her side of it—and while I’m at it, maybe see just how good she really is.

　　Zhang Ming lit a cigarette and exhaled slowly. “That’s your problem, not mine,” he said, his tone dismissive.

　　I didn’t bother with a reply. I just turned on my heel and walked out, leaving Tongming Group behind.

　　I had the basic story of Zhou Yong’s death pieced together, but this whole thing was far from over. The real issue was the Bagua stone carvings at Huayuan District. Those needed to be dealt with—if not, it was only a matter of time before something went seriously wrong.