Just after I sealed the dragon's mouth, a sudden scream erupted from within the villa.
A maid had fallen down the stairs, breaking her leg on the spot. Her calf was visibly deformed.
Activating my spiritual eye, I observed that everyone in the villa was enveloped by ominous blood-red auras.
This signaled the onset of the "Returning Dragon" phenomenon, indicating that the Su family's fortune was shifting from good to bad.
Fortunately, I had preemptively sealed six dragon mouths; otherwise, this calamity could have been fatal.
I called out loudly, "Everyone, stay calm. Find a place to sit and avoid moving around."
After reassuring everyone, I called for emergency services.
Soon, an ambulance arrived and took the injured maid away.
At this point, Su Dazhuang grew restless and asked, "Li Yang, what's going on?"
I explained, "Grandfather, the formation at your parents' graves is known as 'Serpent Coiling the Waist.' Initially, I thought someone was merely trying to harm you. Fortunately, Zuo Daoran discerned the deeper intricacies. The perpetrator aimed to kill two birds with one stone—harming you while using the serpent formation to manipulate the earth's energy, initiating a 'Returning Dragon' to siphon the Su family's fortune."
"With this formation, the adversary could usurp the Su family's luck, gaining an upper hand over you in certain matters."
"However, this formation has a flaw: once broken, the previously stolen fortune returns, hence the term 'Returning Dragon.'"
Su Dazhuang, puzzled, asked, "Isn't that a good thing?"
I nodded, "The return of fortune is indeed beneficial. However, the sudden influx can disrupt the family's energy, leading to temporary misfortunes. Currently, everyone in the Su family is under a blood-red aura."
"But rest assured, I've sealed six dragon mouths, so the returning energy won't be too overwhelming. As long as everyone stays put, once the process concludes, the ominous auras will dissipate."
Relieved, Su Dazhuang then grew angry, exclaiming, "It must be that old scoundrel from 'Yi Jiangnan.' Unable to compete with me in the restaurant business, he's resorted to such underhanded tactics."
I seized the moment to say, "Thankfully, you have my second uncle as your son-in-law; otherwise, this time, you might have truly fallen victim to a villain."
Su Dazhuang's expression darkened.
Seeing this, I dared not say more.
My second uncle seemed conflicted and only arrived at dusk, driving my aunt Su Yimei's car.
This sight immediately infuriated Su Dazhuang, who had just begun to calm down.
I was exasperated by my second uncle's actions.
Must he provoke the old man like this?
Upon entering, my second uncle arrogantly ignored Su Dazhuang.
When the two met, it was like two angry bulls ready to clash.
I briefed my second uncle on the situation. He responded, "Let them come; we'll deal with them. Yangyang, don't get involved in business disputes. Just focus on handling the person behind this formation."
I nodded.
I trust Su Dazhuang can handle business matters.
During our conversation, I showed my second uncle Zuo Daoran's notes.
He was astonished by the contents and asked, "What's his name?"
"Zuo Daoran!"
He gasped, his expression turning serious, and asked, "Yangyang, do you know who he is?"
I shook my head.
He took a deep breath and said, "Zuo Daoran is a once-in-a-century genius, a Taoist master. His notes are highly coveted."
"You're fortunate to have them; it seems your grandfather was right about you."
Geniuses are rare, but true masters are even rarer.
These notes are essentially Zuo Daoran's legacy.
The method I used to suppress the dragon's mouth came from this book and proved effective.
I intend to study its contents thoroughly.
However, I'm uneasy knowing that Zuo Daoran was an elder of Longhu Mountain.
If news spreads that I possess his notes, Longhu Mountain might demand their return.
My second uncle advised me to keep this a secret and suggested entrusting them to Xiaocui.
Su Dazhuang also knows about this, so I quickly cautioned him.
He promised not to tell anyone else.
I trust the old soldier's word.
However, when my second uncle and Su Dazhuang locked eyes, they immediately started arguing.
Su Dazhuang shouted, "Useless! Living off a woman!"
My second uncle retorted, "I drive my wife's car; got a problem with that? Without me, you'd be in a coffin tonight!"
I was overwhelmed and tried to mediate.
But both scolded me, telling me to stay out of it.
Dealing with elders is challenging; I decided to excuse myself, claiming I needed to check on the Returning Dragon.
Just as I reached the door, Su Dazhuang's mocking words toward my second uncle abruptly ceased, and the family members screamed.
I rushed back to find the old man lying on the ground, eyes rolled back, limbs convulsing.
Activating my spiritual eye, I saw a black aura replacing the previous blood-red one above his head.
Even my second uncle was shrouded in this dark aura.
If he's affected, I won't be spared either.
My second uncle held Su Dazhuang, placing a cloth in his mouth to prevent him from biting his tongue.
Though hasty, this action seemed retaliatory.
I couldn't dwell on this.
The transformation from red to black aura indicated someone had tampered with the dragon's mouth.
My primary concern was my aunt and cousin.
Thankfully, my second uncle had sent them to Huang Xian'er, ensuring their safety.
He applied pressure to Su Dazhuang's philtrum, stabilizing him slightly.
However, upon hearing he had a granddaughter, the old man gasped and convulsed again.
I couldn't comprehend it fully but understood his feelings.
I instructed my second uncle to keep everyone stationary, then dashed out to the first dragon's mouth.
As expected, the Five Emperors Coins I placed there were gone, replaced by a black object.
This was the cause of Su Dazhuang's condition.
I drew my blood dagger to remove it.
As soon as the dagger touched it, the object came alive—a black snake lunged at my hand.
I swiftly swung, slicing the snake with the dagger's edge.
Then I proceeded to the next dragon's mouth.
Along the way, I remained vigilant.
Given the use of venomous creatures, the culprit likely practiced Gu techniques.
Moreover, he was probably still in the yard.
I didn't seek him out immediately; removing the poisons from the dragon's mouths was the priority.
If Su Dazhuang didn't survive the night, my aunt Su Yimei, already motherless, might resent my second uncle.
I couldn't allow that to happen.
At the second dragon's mouth, the coins had been replaced by a blood-red centipede as thick as a thumb.