Chapter 3: Answers
“This bookstore of ours is the real supernatural affairs bureau that people talk about. What we do is receive clients—not the ones who come in to read or buy books, but clients who come seeking help with unnatural incidents.”
“Supernatural affairs bureau? Aren’t those the places that sell protective talismans?”
Xiao Xu said with a look of disdain, “Those things are a load of crap. They’re just riding the coattails of our four great families, having only learned a few superficial tricks. As for why we don’t stop them, it’s because they’re useful to us. They can provide us with cover, and we can also sell them some of the family’s failed yellow talismans. These talismans still have some effect, although not much. The real supernatural affairs bureaus of our four great families are these bookstores scattered all over the country, helping people who encounter ghosts and monsters.”
Liu Chuxia processed this information before speaking again. “So those bureaus are just a front, and places like ours are the real deal, right? Then how do we receive requests for help from those clients? And will people really come to this bookstore? Even if they do, won’t they be suspicious?”
After listening, Xiao Xu glanced at Li Hanyan, who was sitting on the sofa, then back at Liu Chuxia. She seemed to want to say something but hesitated. Finally, she stood up and called out, “Big Sister Hanyan…”
Without lifting her head, Li Hanyan continued looking at the notebook in her hand and said, “Keep talking. She’ll have to know these things sooner or later…” She paused, then looked up, her gaze cold as she stared at Xiao Xu. “You need to understand that she is the heir now, not me.”
Xiao Xu shuddered at her words, slowly sat back down, and looked at Liu Chuxia with a wronged expression. “Big Sister Chuxia, I’m sorry…”
As she spoke, she started to cry. Liu Chuxia had no idea what was going on, but her heart softened, and she handed the little girl a tissue.
“It’s okay, it’s okay. Is there something wrong with those questions? I won’t ask anymore.”
Just then, Li Hanyan walked over and led Liu Chuxia to the sofa. “Ignore her. It’s not your fault. Let me tell you. Those clients get the bookstore’s address from certain entertainment venues. We have our people in there, so you don’t need to worry about that, and it’s not under our jurisdiction anyway. Whether the clients come after getting the address is up to them. If they want to come, someone will tell them how to submit their case. And since they’ve come, it’s basically a last-ditch effort for them. They have to try, no matter what.”
Liu Chuxia was actually still a little worried about Xiao Xu, but when she looked at the front counter, Xiao Xu was gone. She didn’t know where she had gone. Only then did she focus on listening to Li Hanyan’s explanation. After hearing it, it seemed she had even more questions…
“Then how are the bookstore addresses distributed? Surely one entertainment venue can’t have the addresses of all the bookstores, right? And what do these entertainment venues include? After helping a client, how do you ensure they don’t leak information about the bookstore? How do you ensure the address isn’t leaked?”
Li Hanyan chuckled softly, her eyes gentle as she looked at Liu Chuxia. She poured herself a glass of water before speaking. “There’s only one bookstore in each district, and there are no more than three entertainment venues around it, and they’re not too close to the bookstore either. Each venue is located in advance, presumably to cover the entire district, but that’s not our concern. You’ll be given a map of our bookstore’s district later. The entertainment venues include bars, internet cafes, tea houses, KTVs, and also places like arcades. Basically, anything you can think of, and even some you can’t. As for whether the clients will leak information, after the incident is resolved, they are required to drink a bowl of talisman water. After a night’s sleep, they basically won’t remember the event. Do you have any other questions?”
Liu Chuxia shook her head. After listening, her head started to feel dizzy, but she still pulled herself together and asked what she wanted to know most. “Hanyan, you seem to know this place very well. How long have you been doing this? Why didn’t you tell me anything about it? Do you know how shocked I was when I first saw you? And why did Mom hide this from me?”
Li Hanyan’s beautiful brows furrowed. She pondered for a moment before speaking. “A Xia, I was taken in by Master. On the third day after she took me in, Master told me not to tell you about this place. I asked her why, and Master said she wanted you to grow up safe and sound, and didn’t want you to enter this dangerous world. At that time, I had only met you once, and Master was the one who saved my life. Actually, after spending more time with you later on, I did think about telling you, but Master repeatedly warned me not to. I couldn’t do it. The current situation is also a last resort for Master. I hope you won’t blame her.”
Although Liu Chuxia knew she had a point, she still felt uncomfortable and a little annoyed.
“What important business does my mom have, exactly? You all are quite the actors! You kept me completely in the dark!” Liu Chuxia was still a little angry. She didn’t know if her mother was in some kind of danger, and on top of that, she had been kept in the dark for so long. She felt as if she had been betrayed.
“A Xia?” One look at Liu Chuxia and it was clear she was angry, but Li Hanyan was terrible at comforting people. “Don’t be angry. I… I also don’t know why Master suddenly wanted you to come out, or even wanted you to grow up quickly. I… I…” Her previous composure was completely gone.
Liu Chuxia sighed softly. “Alright, sit down. Look how anxious you are. Wipe your sweat.” She pulled out a tissue and handed it to Li Hanyan. “I’m worried that Mom might be in some kind of danger, and I’m a little angry that she didn’t tell me anything. She didn’t even have time to explain it to me in person, which shows how big of a deal this is. Hanyan, tell me, is she doing something very dangerous?” Liu Chuxia tried to speak calmly, then looked at Li Hanyan with a burning gaze, waiting for an answer.
Li Hanyan was rendered speechless by her stare and could only nod with difficulty.
“Okay, I understand.” Liu Chuxia nodded, then stood up and walked behind Li Hanyan, changing the subject. “Tell me, what is this thing on your back? Why are you always carrying it?”
Li Hanyan’s body stiffened, not daring to move. “A Xia, you can’t touch this. This is a magical artifact Master gave me. It’s a sword, called the Evil-Dispelling Sword.”
“Can I see it?”
“No. This sword can only be drawn when facing evil spirits. Drawing it normally will cause harm to people. In the most severe cases, yin energy can enter the body and cause death in one’s sleep. Besides, this sword has already recognized its master and is very hostile to others.” Li Hanyan was genuinely afraid Liu Chuxia would touch it, and she stood ramrod straight. “A Xia, don’t touch it.”
She knew Li Hanyan was telling the truth and wouldn’t try to fool her. It seemed this sword was indeed quite dangerous.
“Mom gave this to you?”
“Mhm. It was my reward for using an evil-dispelling talisman to drive away a ghost for the first time.”
Liu Chuxia slowly nodded. “Mhm, it seems Mom values you a lot. Was she training you as the heir?”
“Master said you couldn’t escape your destiny of being the heir, but she didn’t believe it and said she’d let me try in your place. Unfortunately, man’s plans are no match for heaven’s.” The older Li Hanyan got and the more she was exposed to, the more she could understand Master’s painstaking efforts. She didn’t want Liu Chuxia to get involved in these things either; it was too dangerous.
Liu Chuxia nodded. She had roughly sorted some things out, and then she thought of Xiao Xu. “Hanyan, where’s Xiao Xu?”
“She’s in the Reflection Room. This is her punishment for being disloyal to you,” Li Hanyan said, her calm demeanor restored as she organized some documents.
Liu Chuxia’s face was full of questions. “What’s that? Are you still playing that ruler-and-subject game? What’s this about loyalty?”
“These are the rules, set by Master. A type of talisman has been placed on them, with a one-month time limit. If any of them have improper thoughts, the talisman will activate, causing their entire body to itch. This is to prevent them from not acknowledging you. Xiao Xu absolutely must pass this. She will be a great help to you. It was truly inappropriate for her to make such a low-level mistake just now. Do you want to go see her?”
After hearing this, Liu Chuxia was surprised by how many preparations her mother had made for her. Thinking this, she voiced the question, “Yes, I’ll go. How many preparations did Mom make?”
Li Hanyan led her along as she spoke. “Master has arranged everything. You just need to learn.”
The two arrived at a door with the words “Reflection Room” written on it. Next to the door was a small window that could be opened to speak with the person inside. Liu Chuxia opened the small window and saw Xiao Xu kneeling on the floor, facing the wall in contemplation. The room wasn’t very large and was completely empty, not even a toilet.
“Xiao Xu?”
Xiao Xu turned around and looked at Liu Chuxia with a pained expression. “Big Sister Chuxia…”
Li Hanyan promptly explained from the side, “The talisman has taken effect. Nothing can help her at a time like this. She’ll be fine by tomorrow.”
“She has to endure this for a whole night?”
“Mhm. A mistake is a mistake. She deserves to be punished.” Li Hanyan glanced at her phone and started walking forward as she spoke.
“Do you have one too?” Liu Chuxia stopped and grabbed Li Hanyan’s wrist.
Li Hanyan instinctively wanted to pull away but didn’t dare to use force. She could only stand stiffly and say, “Yes.” After saying that, she felt that this might make Liu Chuxia misunderstand Master. “I did it voluntarily. I have to set an example.”
Liu Chuxia didn’t know what to say. She just stared at Li Hanyan quietly, holding her hand tightly.
“Let’s go. A client just contacted us and is on their way here.” Li Hanyan felt a little uncomfortable under her gaze and could only bring up the case she had just seen to change the subject. She had originally planned to handle it alone. After all, Liu Chuxia hadn’t even passed the assessment yet and hadn’t received her things. She didn’t dare let Liu Chuxia go. However, Liu Chuxia would have to learn about this kind of thing sooner or later, and this mission wasn’t difficult. It would be good to take her along to see.
