Chapter 108: Fear Not—I, Jiang, Am Here

What!

Amidst the stunned gazes of everyone present, Jiang An reached out and used his spiritual power to seize control of Huo Xiao and the air surrounding him, rendering Huo Xiao utterly immobile.

“Mr. Jiang, what do you mean by this?” Huo Xiao asked, both shocked and suspicious.

Huo Xingge, more composed, narrowed his eyes slightly and inquired, “Mr. Jiang, could there be something strange about my son?”

Recalling the earlier condition of his second son, Huo Lei, he couldn’t help but voice his suspicion.

Jiang An nodded, then flicked his finger through the air. With a swift motion, a streak of white light shot out from the collar behind Huo Xiao’s neck and was held suspended by Jiang An’s power. It was a small paper doll, finely detailed with a nose, eyes, limbs, and inscribed with runes and some writing on its torso.

“Paper Puppet Technique!” Master Zhou suddenly exclaimed, his face registering surprise.

“Master, what is the Paper Puppet Technique? Is it very powerful?” Huo Xingge asked, his expression darkening, as the matter involved his eldest son.

“The second young master just now was afflicted by a spirit possession technique, but that’s merely a minor ghostly invasion of the soul, something I could easily dispel. However, the Paper Puppet Technique is quite extraordinary. Please look, Elder Huo,” Master Zhou explained. “The paper doll bears the eldest young master’s birth date and time. Once the doll remains in close contact with him for over twelve hours, it fulfills the condition to activate this spell. There is an identical doll elsewhere. When the enemy activates their spell, the paper doll on the eldest young master’s body will merge into his flesh, allowing the other party to control his movements remotely, like a puppet.”

Upon hearing Master Zhou’s explanation, Huo Xiao turned pale and quickly urged, “Honored gentlemen, please break this spell at once! I have no desire to become a puppet.”

Jiang An smiled lightly, and the paper doll atop Huo Xiao’s head burst into flames and dissipated, freeing him to move freely again.

“Thank you, Mr. Jiang!” Huo Xiao said, bowing with lingering fear in his heart.

Master Zhou, however, fixed a piercing gaze on Jiang An and said, “I am Zhou Boxuan. The eldest young master has been under my watch for a long time, yet I never detected the paper doll. To my knowledge, before activation, the paper doll of the Paper Puppet Technique does not emit any spiritual energy. Mr. Jiang, your ability to perceive its presence at a glance is truly impressive.”

Though he spoke admiringly, there was a hint of doubt beneath his words.

“I see it is Master Zhou. Pardon my disrespect,” Jiang An said, clearly having done his homework and knowing who Zhou Boxuan was. “I am not from the arcane sect and was unaware whether the paper doll emits spiritual energy before activation. However, when I approached the eldest young master, I sensed his vital energy quietly draining to one spot, which led me to detect the anomaly. When I first met him at the auction hall during the day, there was nothing unusual. It seems someone slipped it in after we parted.”

“The scoundrel is truly malicious! Impossible to guard against!” Huo Xiao said angrily.

“With two masters present, the Huo family will be safe without a doubt!” Huo Xingge interjected supportively, eager to prevent any friction between Jiang An and Master Zhou. “I hope you two will cooperate fully. The Huo family will reward generously. By the way, what arrangements do you need for tonight’s fierce battle?”

He first looked toward Master Zhou.

“I believe the household servants and bodyguards should be sent away first to avoid harm to innocents during the spell duel. As for the women and children of the Huo family, if we tell them to leave now, it may be too late. They could be seized by our enemies, forcing us to hesitate. What does Mr. Jiang think?” Master Zhou responded slowly.

“Master Zhou’s concern is prudent. I think the women and children of the Huo family should not be separated from us, not even in the backyard. The best course is to bring them here with us,” Jiang An replied.

“Mr. Jiang’s reasoning is sound. That is the safest way. However, these women and children do not know what will occur tonight, especially the two children. The duel might involve some terrifying scenes that could unsettle their minds…” Huo Xingge said, troubled. He feared the conjuring of evil spirits or ghosts during the duel might frighten the children severely.

“That’s simple. I can cast a spell to make them sleep soundly. After they wake, nothing will be amiss,” Jiang An said with a light laugh.

Father and son from the Huo family exchanged looks, finding this plan acceptable, and nodded. “We entrust everything to you two tonight.”

“Then it’s settled. That so-called Southern Ocean sorcery is left to Master Zhou; the rest, I will handle alone!” Jiang An set the tone decisively before smiling, “Well, it’s almost mealtime. I heard Elder Huo has some fine red wine in reserve?”

Influenced by Jiang An’s calming presence, Huo Xingge smiled broadly. “Haha, I shall fetch it at once. Xiao’er, go call the women and children from the backyard. Let’s begin the feast!”

With that, Huo Xingge rose to fetch the wine from the cellar with the old steward, Huo Xiao went to summon his family, and Jiang An took the opportunity to converse with Master Zhou.

Soon, the well-trained Huo family servants arranged the banquet, and Huo Xiao led his family to greet the two masters.

“Gentlemen, this is my mother, who usually lives a simple, devout life,” Huo Xiao introduced, first pulling forward a kind-faced elderly lady.

“Madam Huo, greetings,” Jiang An said politely.

The elderly lady said nothing but nodded gently at the guests.

“This is my wife and our two children,” Huo Xiao continued, presenting his beautiful wife and adorable children.

“Madam Huo, greetings,” Jiang An replied respectfully.

Mrs. Huo responded with dignity but cast a questioning glance at her husband, sensing something amiss.

Huo Xiao pretended not to notice and invited everyone to sit. Just then, Elder Huo returned, laughing and announcing the start of the meal.

During the dinner, the Huo father and son did their utmost to enliven the atmosphere, chatting amiably with Jiang An and Master Zhou. Even Fan Jun and Huang Dashu were drawn in, the men sharing jokes and laughter, while the four women quietly ate with impeccable manners.

Half an hour later, Mrs. Huo quietly tugged her husband’s sleeve. “We’ve finished eating. I’ll take Mother and the children back now.”

Huo Xiao glanced at Jiang An instinctively and said, “You all wait in the sitting room. I have something to discuss with you.”

“What is it?”

“When I tell you to go, just go. Don’t ask so many questions!”

Mrs. Huo pressed further, “I feel something strange about you all tonight. I may not know everyone, but I do know Master Zhou. Are you hiding something from me?”

“It’s not for you to know, so don’t ask!” Huo Xiao’s face hardened, then softened his tone. “Ruoqiao, do you distrust me? Listen carefully... alright, I’ll tell you later.”

Mrs. Huo could only obey, leading the elderly lady and children to the sitting room.

“Mr. Jiang, what do you think?” Huo Xiao asked.

Jiang An calmly wiped his mouth and said, “Have someone check for yourself.”

Huo Xiao looked back, and the steward nodded and went to the sitting room, soon returning to report, “Master, Eldest Young Master, Madam Huo and the others are all asleep on the sofa.”

The father and son of the Huo family breathed a sigh of relief but were deeply impressed by Jiang An’s unfathomable methods.

“All right, I’m done eating,” Jiang An said, though he had barely touched his food.

“Me too,” Master Zhou added.

The elderly Huo tilted his head slightly. The steward leaned in and spoke quietly in a well-understood manner.

“Afook, tidy this place up and tell the servants: those who live nearby may go home for the night; those who cannot must lock their doors and stay inside. Remember, no one is to leave under any circumstances until this is resolved.”

“Understood, Master!”

Meanwhile, Jiang An instructed Fan Jun and Huang Dashu, “Stick close to me tonight. Don’t worry; nothing will happen. Just think of it as watching a show.”

Fan Jun smiled and nodded, while Huang Dashu rubbed his hands excitedly, saying, “Got it, got it! Tonight’s a chance to see something new.”

Thus, the Huo family mansion sprang into swift action, each fulfilling their assigned roles.

Time passed steadily, and before long, it was just minutes before midnight.

In the spacious sitting room, the Huo women and children lay peacefully asleep in a corner. The second young master, Huo Lei, also rested nearby. Huo Xingge and Huo Xiao sat restlessly, while Fan Jun and Huang Dashu brimmed with excitement. Jiang An and Master Zhou both sat expressionless with eyes closed, gathering their energy.

The front door stood wide open, and in the courtyard, a ritual altar was set up.

Whoosh!

A chilling wind blew from nowhere, sending shivers down the spine. The wind chimes rattled erratically, sounding like a death knell.

“Such a potent aura of darkness! The villains have arrived. I’ll leave this place in Mr. Jiang’s hands,” Master Zhou said before leaping out to oversee the ritual altar.

“Rest assured, I am here,” Jiang An replied without lifting his eyelids.

Moments like these—when fate hangs between what has come and what is yet to come—are the most terrifying. For the Huo father and son involved, their teeth chattered uncontrollably. Only when they looked at Jiang An did they find some measure of comfort, knowing a great master stood by their side.