Chapter 184: Abe’s Lip’s Scheme

No sooner had I finished speaking than Gu Xiulian let out two chuckles. “You think too highly of yourself. I won’t kill you, but I won’t let you off either.”

I gave an “Oh?” and asked, “What do you mean?”

Gu Xiulian said, “I was originally going to deal with you. But the Japanese have arrived. If I kill you now, it would be helping the Japanese, making me look like a traitor. So, I won’t kill you—but I won’t let you go either. I want to make a deal with you.”

I thought to myself that Gu Xiulian’s level was indeed far above that of the Flying Centipede, so I asked what kind of deal he had in mind.

“Help me retrieve the stone coffin from the woman in the red mask, and I’ll let you go for now,” Gu Xiulian said, his face still expressionless.

I asked, “Who is she?”

Gu Xiulian replied, “Originally, I wanted the stone coffin for myself. But Xia Jinrong changed his mind at the last minute, and the woman in the red mask got to it first. Something that was rightfully mine was stolen by her. I’m not sure I can handle her alone, so I’m asking for your help.”

I asked, “What’s inside the stone coffin?”

Gu Xiulian said, “I don’t know exactly, but it’s something very alluring, very precious.”

In the end, I agreed to Gu Xiulian’s terms and knocked out one of my teeth with a brick. Gu Xiulian took my tooth, warning me not to forget my promise—after all, trading a tooth for my life was a fair deal.

Gu Xiulian dripped his blood onto my tooth, muttered some incantations, and after half an hour of ritual, swallowed it. “Xiao Qi, if you break your promise, you’ll wish you were dead. My curse will remain on you until you bring me the stone coffin.”

I had never seen a curse like this before. I knew that among sorcerers, there were methods involving hair or clothing, but using a tooth was new to me. The art of curses originally came from the Central Plains, influenced by the ghostly paths of Maoshan. Since Gu Xiulian was a Taoist, the principle was likely the same.

Normally, such curses could be undone by retrieving the tooth, but Gu Xiulian had swallowed mine—meaning the only way to lift the curse was for him to do it himself.

I nodded in agreement. “The Abe family has sent many people. If I survive, I won’t break my promise.”

Gu Xiulian said, “If you get killed by the Japanese, then I misjudged you. Actually, the woman in the red mask has some connection to you. She traveled from Fenglingdu to Xi’an, then flew to Jiangcheng. Chances are, she’s from the Guo family.”

Gu Xiulian formed a Taoist hand seal, and I faintly saw the aura of Taoist energy. The two dark energies writhing inside me were instantly expelled by him.

Before I could ask anything else, Gu Xiulian turned and left.

As for how the Flying Centipede died in his fight with Yi Miao, only Yi Miao knew—I had no idea. But since Gu Xiulian hadn’t gone all out to kill me, I felt a bit of goodwill toward him. I just hoped that when Yi Miao and Gu Xiulian met, they wouldn’t fight to the death.

And as for the woman in the red mask—she was actually from the Guo family.

What secrets were hidden in the stone coffin buried deep in the mountain? The thought gave me a headache. The Guo and Hua families seemed to be playing a massive game of chess, and I was just a pawn.

“Master Xiao, where are you?” Uncle Jianguo’s voice called out. I responded, “Over here!”

Uncle Jianguo looked at me. “I searched this place earlier. When did you get here?”

I forced a bitter smile. “Uncle Jianguo, you almost got me killed. Luckily, Gu Xiulian had some conscience—he said he’d let me live to deal with the Japanese, and we’ll settle our business later.”

Uncle Jianguo sighed. “Sometimes I don’t recognize you anymore. You’ve become so ruthless all of a sudden.”

I replied, “People change.”

…

Brother Jun was still recovering in the hospital. I visited him twice—he was mostly fine now, with no permanent injuries, though he wouldn’t be able to have children.

Apart from studying *The Compendium* and fiddling with the golden compass, the past few days had been relatively calm. But I knew a bigger storm was brewing, one that would crush me when it hit. The golden compass was strangely captivating—after just two days, I felt deeply drawn to it.

My father had been calling an old professor these past two days, trying to track down Xiao Buquan. But in the end, he hung up in disappointment.

I comforted him, “The police will figure it out. I’ll get your ninety thousand back.”

Before I knew it, New Year’s Day arrived.

Chen Tutu called to ask when the class reunion was starting. It took me a moment to realize it was already New Year’s Day—the dinner was at eight in the evening, and we could bring family. After her reminder, I finally snapped out of my daze. I changed into my plainest clothes and rode my motorcycle to pick up Chen Tutu.

The venue had been booked by Chen Yongming, one of Feng Wushuang’s old admirers. Rumor had it that among the classmates who stayed in Jiangcheng, he was the most successful and well-connected, so he was in charge of the evening’s activities. He’d reserved a large private room at the Supreme China restaurant. When I arrived with Chen Tutu, Feng Wushuang was already there, chatting loudly with a few classmates—as usual, she was the life of the party.

Chen Tutu’s appearance caused a stir. Feng Wushuang immediately started calling her “sister-in-law.” Chen Tutu laughed and said, “Don’t call me that yet—it’s not official.” Chen Tutu, being a Shanghai girl, had a refined air about her. Feng Wushuang gave her an approving look and whispered to me, “Not bad, bro. She’s a catch.”

I laughed heartily. Chen Yongming arrived in a rush, decked out in designer gear that must have cost tens of thousands. His watch alone looked expensive—though I couldn’t tell the brand. He was accompanied by a third-year music student, sweet-looking but heavily made up, with a resemblance to Feng Wushuang.

Chen Yongming announced, “Been crazy busy lately—two weeks straight on projects. Working with Japanese investors—just had drinks with the mayor’s secretary.”

With that, he tossed his car keys onto the table and handed out packs of premium Huanghelou 1916 cigarettes.

“Nice, Lao Chen!”

Out of thirty classmates, most of those still in Hubei had come. Only two from faraway places like Yunnan and Inner Mongolia couldn’t make it—seventeen in total. With family members and four kids, we had about thirty people. Parents sat together, swapping parenting tips, while single men and women were seated separately. Old crushes and admirers chatted away.

Kids cried, adults laughed—chaos reigned. It hadn’t been long since graduation, so the memories were still fresh. Most had become history or politics teachers, living relatively simple lives. The atmosphere was youthful, free of pretentiousness.

Chen Tutu teased, “Aren’t you going to cozy up to Chen Yongming? He’s been drinking with the mayor’s secretary.” I shrugged. “I run a flower shop—we’re in completely different worlds.”

Dinner seating was arranged—parents with kids at one table, singles at another, couples at a third.

Unfortunately, I ended up at the same table as Chen Yongming.

I asked Feng Wushuang, “What exactly does Chen Yongming do?” She replied, “Something in construction—renovation projects, I think. His dad’s in one of the China Construction bureaus—I forget which.”

Class reunions were always dull, and Chen Tutu wasn’t fond of crowds.

Chen Yongming glanced at me, flanked by Chen Tutu on one side and Feng Wushuang on the other. He had always had a thing for Feng Wushuang, but she’d never reciprocated. After a couple of drinks, he started talking.

“Xiao Qi, what have you been up to? Heard you struck it rich,” Chen Yongming said. “What kind of car do you drive? Mine’s worth seven hundred thousand. Ever heard of the Abe Group? I handle their big projects.”

I nudged Chen Tutu—she wasn’t one to let things slide. “I drive a Wuling—for delivering flowers. I own a flower shop.”

I frowned inwardly. The Abe Group—wasn’t that Abe Lips’ company? Why was he working with a construction firm?

Feng Wushuang scoffed. “Stop showing off. Remember when you got your ass kicked and someone had to bail you out? And then you just ran off.” Chen Yongming flushed at her words. I stayed silent. That incident had landed me in bed for a month. Chen Yongming was worthless.

Chen Yongming sneered, “Xiao Qi, why bother with some lousy flower shop? Work for me. I’ll eat the meat, you can have the broth—life’ll be sweet.”

I threw down my chopsticks. “Let’s go, babe.” Chen Tutu, ever the sharp-tongued policewoman, stood up with a thud. “You’re full of crap.”

Chen Yongming scowled. “So uncivilized. We’re educated people.”

We were still too young. Chen Yongming had probably been waiting for us to lose our tempers. The farce ended there. Feng Wushuang pulled me aside to wait for the others to leave. After dinner, there was supposed to be a second round, but the parents with kids had already gone home, and the rest of us weren’t in the mood.

Chen Yongming said, “Xiao Hu, bring the car around. Wushuang, let me give you a ride.” The young girl took the keys—it was a white BMW.

Feng Wushuang leaned in and whispered to Chen Yongming, “If he wanted to ruin you, it’d just take one call. Chen Yongming, you’re playing with fire. I didn’t like you back then, and I still don’t now.” Chen Yongming’s lips twitched—he *had* run away that time, afraid of getting beaten to death.

Chen Tutu climbed onto my motorcycle, looking even more striking. Feng Wushuang called out, “Bro, your girl’s gorgeous! You’re killing it!”

“See you all next time—my treat,” I said apologetically.

After riding for a while, I pulled over and dialed a number. “Hey, Brother Shan. There’s someone I need you to handle—license plate number XXXX. I’ve got a lead.”

Chen Tutu frowned. “You’re not seriously holding a grudge over that, are you?”

I shook my head. “Not Chen Yongming—it’s the Abe Group.”

Not long after, at an intersection ahead, a white Fukang rammed into the white BMW. Chen Yongming barely had time to step out before he was jumped. Xiao Hu screamed, her phone smashed to pieces.

I rode up and shouted, “Enough! Don’t hit him—he’s a friend.”

Chen Yongming glared at me, teeth grinding in fury.