Chapter 0007 Sent Back to Chiang Rai
I quickly said, "I can send you home. Just let us go first."
Xiaoyong shook his head. "I knew you were lying to me. Fine, you can all be buried with me. I'll find someone else to take me back!"
I was frantic, but I didn't even have the strength to sit up. Just then, Old Li slowly walked out of the bedroom, leaning against the wall. I was shocked and used all my remaining strength to gasp, "Quick, quick, help us!" Xiaoyong looked at Old Li, confused, not understanding what I was saying.
Old Li collapsed onto the floor, panting. I began reciting the Katha. Xiaoyong seemed to sense something, rushed over, and kicked Old Li down. He then turned back, grabbed my throat with both hands, and hissed, "You will all be buried with me! I'll find someone else to take me back!"
Although Xiaoyong was only six or seven, his grip was incredibly strong. My arms were useless; I couldn't break free. My face was turning purple when suddenly, two hands reached out from behind Xiaoyong and firmly squeezed his neck. Xiaoyong coughed, gradually releasing me. I saw Frank Fang sitting behind Xiaoyong, desperately choking him, shouting, "Quick! Quick! Put the amulet on Tien Chi, and let him chant the Katha!"
Old Li struggled to his feet and snatched the amulet from Xiaoyong's hand. Xiaoyong spun around and clawed at Frank Fang's face. Frank Fang didn't flinch. He kept his eyes closed, enduring the scratching. Finally, Old Li got the amulet and placed it around my neck. I continued to chant in a low voice. The amulet pendant lifted up, pulling the chain tight, straining toward Xiaoyong, as if trying to leap out.
Xiaoyong covered his ears with his hands, letting out a piercing scream, "I won't go! I don't want to go! I want to go back to Chiang Rai!" He desperately clawed at my face, but his neck was still trapped in Frank Fang's grip. His screams grew louder and sharper, sounding completely inhuman.
I finally finished the Katha, nearly fainting. Suddenly, Xiaoyong slipped out of Frank Fang's hands and ran toward me. I wanted to dodge, but my movements were sluggish; I couldn't move at all. Xiaoyong crashed into my chest, knocking me and the chair to the ground. Frank Fang also fell to the floor, losing consciousness.
I was confused, expecting Xiaoyong to attack me, but he didn't move for several minutes. I was immobilized but vaguely saw Old Li manage to pull out his phone and call the police before I, too, lost consciousness.
When I woke up, I was in the hospital. The rest of the story was straightforward. Frank Fang, Old Li, his wife, and I were all rescued. Lab tests showed that the substance mixed into the juice was a hallucinogenic drug called Dormicum, which can cause unconsciousness or temporary amnesia. As for how Xiaoyong, a boy under seven, obtained the drug, no one knew. To avoid trouble, Frank Fang and I never mentioned the amulet. Although Old Li and his wife honestly explained that their son was possessed by an evil spirit, the police didn't believe them. They found the unused portion of the tranquilizer at Old Li's home and began to suspect the couple of intentionally drugging us and Frank Fang to rob or harm us. But lacking evidence or motive, they eventually released everyone.
Frank Fang and I were discharged quickly. Old Li was incredibly grateful to us, promising to repay the 70,000 Baht owed to my cousin as soon as possible. He called me his benefactor and said to call on him anytime, even if it meant death.
Frank Fang returned the Negative-energy Amulet to the Arjan master, who allegedly sold it to someone else who needed it more. The new bride Yin Spirit would not be sent back to her hometown of Chiang Rai until she had accumulated enough merit to be reborn. When that would happen, and how many people she would need to help, only heaven knows.
The deal was finally settled. It was my first close encounter with a case of spirit possession. Frank Fang, claiming he took a great risk, strong-armed my cousin into giving him an extra 10,000 Baht. I might not have realized it then, but from that point on, I was on the irreversible path of selling amulets and Guman Thong.
After spending half a month in Thailand, my parents pressured me to return for blind dates, so I went back to Shenyang. The dates, of course, failed, because I am ugly, short, and broke. A few days later, the classmates organized another gathering. During dinner, the classmate named Lü spoke excitedly about how much her life had changed since she acquired the amulet from me and how good her luck had been.
Among my classmates was a guy named Wang Ming. Although he was in the same grade, he was two years older than us because he had failed to advance twice due to poor academic performance, so everyone jokingly called him Brother Ming. Brother Ming ran a steel business in a Shenyang steel market. One day, he invited me to a barbecue restaurant near the market. Midway through the meal, he brought up the topic of amulets. He asked, "Tien Chi, give it to me straight. Was Lü Wen's escape in Yunnan really linked to the Thai amulet?"
I figured even if it wasn't, I had to say yes. After all, not everyone encounters accidents. As long as you stay safe, you can attribute it to the amulet's effect—what a perfect excuse. So, I just smiled and replied, "What do you think?"
Brother Ming urgently asked, "I'm asking because I don't know!"
I said, "How could there be such a coincidence in the world? You just acquire an amulet and then face a life-or-death crisis?"
Brother Ming's expression gave him away. "I know. I never believed in ghosts or gods before, but that incident was just too bizarre. To be honest, I'm doing really badly right now. My business isn't making money, and I lose every time I play cards. What should I do?"
"If you don't gamble, won't that solve it?" I advised.
Brother Ming sneered. "Life is short. There are only a few hobbies: eating, drinking, whoring, and gambling. If you touch none of them, what's the point of living to be a hundred? I'd rather die."
"Alright then," I said. "I can help you acquire a Positive-energy Amulet for protection and wealth, but you also need to cooperate: work hard on your business and do good deeds."
Brother Ming looked around furtively and asked mysteriously, "I want to get a Negative-energy Amulet."
I was surprised. "How do you know about Negative-energy Amulets?"
Brother Ming chuckled. "I asked around. Everyone says Negative-energy Amulets work better. I don't know or trust anyone else, so can you get me one—the kind that brings windfall wealth? How about it?"
To be honest, I didn't know much about Negative-energy Amulets, but I couldn't let money slip away. I nodded and agreed. Brother Ming's phone couldn't make international calls, so we went to a call center, and I called Frank Fang for advice. I heard Frank Fang's heavy breathing and a woman's laughter through the phone. Frank Fang was annoyed. "I'm busy! Text me if it's important!" I quickly explained that I was in China and couldn't send international texts. Frank Fang told me to call back in two hours.
I hung up, and Brother Ming was unhappy. "Who does this guy think he is? He has a deal on the line, and he makes us wait two hours?" I quickly explained that this person was a good friend of many esteemed monks and masters in Thailand. Although his temper was bad, his network was strong, and some amulets could only be acquired through him. Brother Ming had no choice but to tolerate it.
After a long two hours, I called back. Frank Fang immediately scolded me. "Why did you call and bother me right when I was busy?"
I was wronged. "How was I supposed to know you were with a woman? I wouldn't have called if I knew."
Frank Fang, still testy, told me to get to the point. I explained the situation. Frank Fang cut straight to the chase. "I told you the prices for several Negative-energy Amulets last time. Unless it's a special case, you can quote directly. We have everything here in Thailand. As long as you dare to wear it, I can get it. A Yin object for attracting windfall wealth? 15,000 Baht. Payment upfront. No haggling."
The exchange rate for Thai Baht to RMB is about five to one, so that was 3,000 RMB. I took the plunge and told Brother Ming the fee was 10,000 RMB. He hesitated, clearly thinking it was expensive. I said, "You get what you pay for. If you could get rich by spending just a thousand or so, who in the world would bother to work hard? Everyone would be a millionaire." Brother Ming figured that was true. With Lü Wen's successful case and the fact that I was an old classmate, Brother Ming trusted me relatively well. He immediately returned to his shop in the steel market, opened his safe, and handed me 10,000 RMB.
As he paid, Brother Ming pointed to the empty safe. "Look, after I give you this ten thousand, I only have five thousand left in this safe. I won't even be able to play Mahjong tonight. You better get me something that really works!" I thought, It's truly difficult to wait for an amulet to make you rich.
On the way home, I was incredibly excited. If this worked out, I would net 7,000 RMB from this deal. I couldn't wait and quickly found a place to call Frank Fang. I told him the money was received and asked what the next step was. Frank Fang chuckled. "Your customer is very prompt. Windfall wealth items are easy to get. There's a local master named Arjan Neng who specializes in making wealth-attracting Negative-energy Amulets. The item can ship tomorrow. By the way, how much did you make? Give me the lowdown."