Zhou Jiayu wasn’t the only one captivated by The Feast of Ten Ghosts. The room’s silence lasted a moment before erupting into gasps. Startled by the noise, Zhou Jiayu glanced at Shen Yiqiong and Lin Jue beside him, who showed no surprise, as if they’d expected this reaction.

“This painting, The Feast of Ten Ghosts, is the work of Mr. Lin Zhushui,” the auctioneer said with a smile. “It has the power to ward off evil and protect a home. I won’t elaborate on its value—you all know it well. The starting bid is ten million. Please, begin.”

As soon as the auctioneer finished, the room plunged into a frenzy of bidding. Zhou Jiayu, witnessing such a scene for the first time, was stunned. The bidders raised their paddles as if money were just numbers, driving the price from ten million to over a hundred million in minutes.

Zhou Jiayu whispered, “Shibo, what’s so special about this painting?”

Lin Jue chuckled. “It’s special, sure, but not that special. Most people here come from wealthy families. The painting’s not just for warding off evil—it’s a status symbol.”

Zhou Jiayu clicked his tongue, unable to wrap his head around the mindset of the ultra-rich.

“Evil spirits tend to bully the weak and fear the strong,” Lin Jue explained. “Anything more powerful than them scares them off. This painting isn’t ideal for hanging in a home; it’s better suited for specific places.”

Zhou Jiayu nodded thoughtfully.

After a fierce bidding war, Lin Zhushui’s painting was sold for 180 million. The buyer clearly wasn’t just after the painting—they were likely trying to forge a connection with Lin Zhushui himself.

Some in the crowd sighed in regret, lamenting their failure to secure the extraordinary piece.

The painting was the auction’s climax. The auctioneer, flushed with excitement, slammed the gavel down, announcing the final price.

Witnessing such an intense bidding war, Zhou Jiayu felt the trip was well worth it.

After the auction, Lin Zhushui met with the buyer to personally hand over the painting.

Zhou Jiayu saw that the buyer was a young, beautiful woman accompanied by a middle-aged man who resembled her, likely a relative.

“Mr. Lin,” the woman introduced herself, “I’m Ye Zhen. I’ve long admired your reputation, and meeting you today, you truly live up to it.”

Lin Zhushui nodded and said calmly, “If you hang this painting at home, place it in the living room, facing the door. Never put it in a bedroom.”

Ye Zhen nodded, hesitated, then spoke up. “Mr. Lin, to be honest, my family’s been dealing with some trouble. Could you help us? If you’re willing, we’ll offer generous compensation.”

As Lin Jue had predicted, buying the painting was a roundabout way to get to Lin Zhushui himself.

Lin Zhushui said, “Tell me about it.”

Ye Zhen briefly explained the situation. She’d always loved raising dogs, keeping over a dozen pedigree breeds at home. An old servant who’d cared for the dogs for decades was suddenly attacked and killed by one of them.

Zhou Jiayu thought, That sounds like a job for an animal expert, not Lin Zhushui.

Ye Zhen sighed. “At first, I thought it was a problem with the dogs. But a few days later, something strange happened…”

Lin Zhushui asked, “What?”

Ye Zhen’s expression turned fearful. She swallowed hard and said in a trembling voice, “I noticed the dogs’ fur was turning black. I thought it was just a color change at first, but within days, their fur grew longer and longer, making them look like people with disheveled hair crouching on the ground…”

Her words triggered a fleeting image in Zhou Jiayu’s mind, too quick to grasp.

“Not only that,” Ye Zhen continued, rubbing her arms as if cold, “their faces started looking human.”

“What did you do?” Shen Yiqiong asked casually, clearly skeptical she’d done nothing.

“I put down two of the dogs,” Ye Zhen said quietly. “But I regretted it immediately…”

“Why?” Shen Yiqiong pressed.

Ye Zhen gave a bitter smile. “Because after that, I started having nightmares every night, dreaming I’d turned into a dog myself…”

After hearing her out, Lin Zhushui asked, “Your only hobby is raising dogs?”

Ye Zhen pursed her lips, looking conflicted.

“If you’re still holding back, I’m afraid I can’t help you,” Lin Zhushui said.

Ye Zhen sighed, her expression tangled with hesitation. “As expected of Mr. Lin—you saw right through me. Yes, it’s not just raising dogs. I also enjoy dogfighting.”

Dogfighting? Zhou Jiayu was taken aback. He hadn’t expected this delicate-looking woman to be into something so brutal. He knew a bit about dogfighting—two dogs pitted against each other in bloody, violent battles.

“What’s the point of that?” Shen Yiqiong said bluntly. “All that blood and gore is disgusting.”

Ye Zhen smiled but didn’t respond.

Among the wealthy, hobbies varied widely—some chased money, others power, some women, and some, like Ye Zhen, were drawn to blood and violence.

“I’ll need to see your kennel to know more,” Lin Zhushui said.

Ye Zhen replied, “It’s in the neighboring province. If it’s convenient, I can arrange for someone to pick you up tomorrow.”

Lin Zhushui nodded.

Overjoyed that he agreed, Ye Zhen thanked him profusely and left with the painting, satisfied.

After she left, Lin Jue, puzzled, asked Lin Zhushui why he’d taken on the matter, noting it wasn’t like him.

“Useful,” Lin Zhushui said simply, without elaborating.

The birthday celebration wrapped up, and Shen Yiqiong had booked hotel rooms nearby, offering to drive them there. As they reached the entrance, Zhou Jiayu noticed two people by a car—Lin Zhushui’s niece and the man who’d threatened him earlier.

“Shibo…” Zhou Jiayu called out.

Lin Jue said, “Hm? What’s up?”

“Is that girl the Shibo’s niece?” Zhou Jiayu asked.

Lin Jue followed his gaze to the couple being affectionate by the roadside. “I think so. Haven’t seen her much.” Feeling her response was vague, she added, “Your Shibo has too many nieces and nephews. I can’t keep track.”

Zhou Jiayu said, “Oh… well, the guy with her seems like a conman. I think he’s in the same line of work I used to be in.”

Lin Jue raised an eyebrow. “You’re saying she’s being scammed?”

Zhou Jiayu nodded.

“Alright.” Lin Jue, ever decisive, got out of the passenger seat and walked straight toward the man and the girl.

Lin Zhushui’s niece clearly recognized Lin Jue, hurriedly calling out, “Aunt Lin!”

Lin Jue said, “What are you doing here? It’s so late—aren’t you going home?”

The niece was likely from a distant branch of the Lin family, not particularly close, or Lin Jue would’ve remembered her name. Flattered by Lin Jue’s attention, she replied, “I was planning to check out the night market with my boyfriend…”

“This is your boyfriend?” Lin Jue glanced at the man, still in his suit.

The man flashed a bright smile and greeted her, “Hello, Aunt.”

“Who’s your aunt?” Lin Jue tilted her chin, her expression cold and haughty. “What are you?”

Her words left both the niece and the man visibly embarrassed. The niece seemed about to say something, but Lin Jue pointed to Lin Zhushui, still in the car, and said, “Your uncle asked me to tell you—this guy’s no good. Sunken silkworm lines, a thrice-bent nose, thin lips, small ears—”

The niece’s face changed instantly.

“Where did you learn to read faces?” Lin Jue continued. “Dump him.”

“Okay, Aunt,” the niece replied without hesitation, turning to the man. “We’re done.” Her decisiveness stunned Zhou Jiayu, watching from the car.

Lin Jue turned and walked away. The man was furious, but knowing Lin Jue’s status, he didn’t dare confront her. His gaze, however, landed on Zhou Jiayu, who was observing through the car window.

“Damn you!” The man, his carefully laid plans ruined, lost all composure and rushed to the car, yelling at everyone inside. “Zhou Jiayu, you sold me out? You’re a conman too! Have you scammed fewer people than me?”

Zhou Jiayu, sitting in the car, couldn’t refute the accusation, feeling a pang of discomfort. He was about to respond when several people got out of another car—Shen Chaosan and Shen Musi among them. Shen Chaosan, a towering figure, intimidated the man, who tried to back away. But Shen Chaosan grabbed his collar, glaring. “Who the hell are you talking about?”

The man’s legs trembled, nearly collapsing, but he clung to his accusation. “Zhou Jiayu’s a conman!”

Shen Chaosan didn’t bother with words, landing a punch that left the man’s right eye bruised as he screamed.

Shen Yiqiong, on the phone in the car, said, “Yeah, there’s a conman here. Probably involved in some big scams. Please send someone to arrest him.”

The man, not expecting Shen Yiqiong to call the police, shook with fear but kept insisting Zhou Jiayu was a conman. He clearly hadn’t anticipated that these people would defend Zhou Jiayu instead of doubting him.

Shen Musi sneered, “Who he is doesn’t need your commentary.”

Zhou Jiayu was deeply moved. He’d always worried about his past as a conman, feeling a slight distance from Lin Zhushui’s other disciples, except Shen Yiqiong. Yet here they were, standing up for him.

Shen Yiqiong kept shouting, “Beat him! Beat him until his own mother wouldn’t recognize him!”

Shen Chaosan rolled up his sleeves, though he was only intimidating the man, not planning to actually attack in broad daylight.

Watching Shen Chaosan’s burly arms, Zhou Jiayu recalled how he’d been beaten unrecognizable when he first arrived, a bittersweet memory.

The police arrived quickly and took the man away.

Shen Yiqiong called after them, saying the guy needed a thorough investigation for his likely numerous crimes. As the man was led away, his malicious glare at Zhou Jiayu turned to fear, as if wondering what tricks Zhou Jiayu had pulled to earn the Lin family’s protection.

Zhou Jiayu quietly chuckled to himself.

With the man gone, the group headed to the hotel.

Zhou Jiayu recounted his bathroom confrontation with the man to the others. After hearing it, Lin Jue told him to confront such people head-on next time with a “full combo of righteous fury”—Lin Zhushui would have his back.

Zhou Jiayu glanced at Lin Zhushui, whose expression remained impassive, and nodded firmly.

After getting their room keys, Lin Jue stopped Zhou Jiayu. He thought she had something important to say, but she leaned in and whispered, “We’ve known who you are for a long time. Don’t worry so much.”

Zhou Jiayu’s eyes widened in disbelief. “You knew?”

Lin Jue nodded. “Mm.”

“When?” Zhou Jiayu asked.

Lin Jue said, “Do you think Zhushui would’ve kept you around if he didn’t know who you were?”

Zhou Jiayu: “…” That made sense.

Lin Jue sighed. “Don’t underestimate their intelligence. Shen Yiqiong may seem careless, but he’s sharp when it counts. His instincts are spot-on, and he knows how to navigate risks.”

Indeed, Shen Yiqiong had been the first to show Zhou Jiayu kindness. Zhou Jiayu had thought it was just his personality, but now he realized Shen Yiqiong was both bold and perceptive. If Zhou Jiayu were truly a conman, Shen Yiqiong wouldn’t have warmed to him over a single meal.

Zhou Jiayu had suspected Lin Zhushui knew about his reincarnation, but he hadn’t realized nearly everyone in the group was aware.

“So don’t carry that burden,” Lin Jue said. “Do what you need to do. You don’t have to bear sins that aren’t yours. You’re not beneath anyone.”

Zhou Jiayu was deeply touched, thanking Lin Jue repeatedly.

“Alright, get some sleep,” Lin Jue said. “We’ve got places to go tomorrow.”

Zhou Jiayu nodded.

That night, Zhou Jiayu slept soundly, feeling like he’d shed a massive weight, finally free of his conman identity.

The next day, Shen Yiqiong ditched his suit, reverting to the familiar “Black Boy” in a T-shirt, jeans, and flip-flops, looking relaxed.

Ye Zhen arrived early at the hotel with the same middle-aged man. Zhou Jiayu learned he was her uncle, who had speech difficulties, though Ye Zhen didn’t elaborate, and it wasn’t polite to pry.

Though it was late August, the weather was still oppressively hot. Lin Zhushui barely touched his food, so Zhou Jiayu, worried he’d go hungry, borrowed the hotel kitchen to make a hearty breakfast and packed a lunch for the car.

Ye Zhen noticed but didn’t dare ask.

Ye Zhen’s hometown was near Shen Yiqiong’s city, a little over two hours away by highway.

In the car, Ye Zhen revealed more about her situation, admitting she’d held back earlier. It wasn’t just dogfighting—her family ran a small fighting ring and hosted matches. She spoke nervously, clearly worried Lin Zhushui might be upset by her omissions.

To her surprise, Lin Zhushui wasn’t fazed, merely giving a faint “mm” as if he’d already known.

Ye Zhen sighed in relief.

Though Lin Zhushui was indifferent, Lin Jue was visibly displeased. Her earlier politeness toward Ye Zhen gave way to a cold demeanor for the rest of the trip.

A few hours later, they arrived at Ye Zhen’s family estate. Wealthy enough to buy Lin Zhushui’s painting, her home was lavish, though it paled slightly compared to Shen Yiqiong’s.

“Mr. Lin, would you like to rest first or visit the kennel?” Ye Zhen asked with a fawning smile. “It’s not far—just a short walk.”

“Let’s see the dogs that caused the trouble first,” Lin Zhushui said.

Ye Zhen nodded eagerly, clearly wanting to resolve the issue quickly to avoid further complications.

The kennel was near the estate, beautifully built, hardly looking like a place for dogs from the outside. But even before entering, Zhou Jiayu caught a faint, unsettling whiff of blood—a heavy, lingering stench that made him uneasy.

“This way, please,” Ye Zhen said, leading the group.

They entered the kennel, which was still in use, faint growls echoing from within. The path was lined with cages—some empty, others holding dogs. As the dogs caught the scent of strangers, they grew agitated. Zhou Jiayu noticed one dog frantically clawing at its cage, baring its teeth and growling fiercely at him.

“The dogs inside are the best,” Ye Zhen said, her voice tinged with pride. “All the breeds here have been specially trained to bring out their ferocity. I have one champion that’s unbeatable in the ring.” She spoke with evident satisfaction, clearly proud of her ability to raise such dogs.

“Where are the mutated dogs?” Lin Jue, uninterested in Ye Zhen’s boasts and displeased by her earlier secrecy, wanted to resolve the issue quickly and leave the grim atmosphere of the kennel.

“They’re inside,” Ye Zhen said hesitantly, her voice lowering. “My favorite dog… it’s changed too…”

She led them through several turns into an indoor area.

Upon entering, Zhou Jiayu saw several large cages, one containing a massive dog resting in the corner. Its body was a tangle of knotted muscles, but what stood out most was the long, black hair trailing behind it. To an unsuspecting eye, it could easily be mistaken for a person crouching on the ground.

“This… this is it,” Ye Zhen said. Where she’d been full of pride before, her eyes now betrayed clear fear as she looked at the giant dog. “Its hair keeps getting longer, and its face… it’s starting to look human.”

As she spoke, the dog, which had been facing away, slowly turned its head. The sight made everyone’s breath catch. Ye Zhen hadn’t lied—its face was indeed becoming human-like. Its nose was flattening, its lips receding, and the fur on its face had fallen off, revealing pink skin.

Zhou Jiayu’s arms broke out in goosebumps. He finally realized why Ye Zhen’s description had felt eerily familiar. He’d seen a creature like this before, during an out-of-body experience—a strange being confronting a grim reaper on the street, bearing a striking resemblance to these dogs.

“Just this one?” Lin Zhushui asked.

Ye Zhen shook her head and pointed to a door nearby, whispering, “There are more behind that door.”

“How many?” Lin Zhushui raised an eyebrow.

Ye Zhen gave an awkward smile. “A few… dozen.”

Lin Zhushui asked, “Which dog started changing first?”

“The one inside,” Ye Zhen replied. “It’s almost dead now. Would you like to see it, Mr. Lin?”

Lin Zhushui said, “Let’s go.”

Zhou Jiayu had been wondering why Ye Zhen hid the number of affected dogs, but upon entering the next room, he was stunned. Ye Zhen had crammed dozens of dogs into a single large cage. Though spacious, the cage was stained with blood on the floor and walls, and tattered fur lay in the corners, evidence of the dogs’ violent interactions.

“You put fighting dogs together?” Lin Jue’s reaction mirrored Zhou Jiayu’s, her tone laced with anger.

“I had no choice,” Ye Zhen said. “What if it’s contagious? What if it spreads to the other dogs?”

“If it’s contagious, wouldn’t you be the first to catch it?” Lin Jue sneered.

Ye Zhen bit her lip, falling silent.

The dozens of fighting dogs in the cage all had long black hair, their faces shifting toward human-like features. They sat silently in the shadowed corners, watching the visitors with eerie, unblinking eyes. The scene sent chills down Zhou Jiayu’s spine.

“Which one changed first?” Lin Zhushui asked.

“That one,” Ye Zhen whispered, pointing. “The skinny brown one in the back… a pitbull.”

Zhou Jiayu looked to the cage’s deepest corner and saw a pitbull, noticeably smaller than the others, hunched with its back to them. Its black hair nearly enveloped its body.

“Open the cage,” Lin Zhushui said. “I’m going in.”

Ye Zhen’s eyes widened. “But… these dogs are dangerous. They’ve attacked people—even killed their keeper…”

Lin Zhushui repeated coldly, “Open the cage.”

Ye Zhen hesitated but ultimately complied, pulling a key from her pocket.

__

Author’s Note: 

Lin Zhushui: “No one bullies my little dumb fish except me.”

Zhou Jiayu, lying on the bed, tears streaming down his face from exhaustion, tries to crawl away but is yanked back…