74: Chapter 74 The Golden Cicada's Escape Plan

Eastern Han Dynasty Dushan Jade Cicada.

Warring States Period Dragonfly Eye.

Both are Grade 6.

Both carry skills, namely "Mental Distraction" and "Blood-Light Calamity" respectively.

Han Jingyang hesitated for a few seconds.

Use both?

Would that be a bit of a waste?

No, when facing such a depraved beast, one must strike hard.

Either don't act.

But if you do, you must strike a fatal blow.

This concerns the safety of my family; I absolutely cannot be careless.

Shi Xiaoya noticed the change in Han Jingyang's eyes and, keenly realizing his intent, hurriedly whispered: "Boss, don't waste the dharma instruments. Leave that He fellow to me."

Han Jingyang patted Shi Xiaoya on the shoulder and turned to walk out.

Shi Xiaoya reached out to stop him, but failed. Watching Han Jingyang's retreating back, her mood was quite complicated.

This boss... really is quite different.

Han Jingyang returned to the front hall, picked up the Dushan jade cicada-shaped mouth amulet, and waved it in front of He Zhiqiang, instantly activating the "Blood-Light Calamity" skill.

Seeing the blue light from the jade amulet sink into He Zhiqiang's body, he finally revealed a faint smile and said to He Zhiqiang: "This is a Dushan jade piece from the Eastern Han Dynasty. The material is average, but it is sufficiently ancient and is a fairly good dharma instrument. I will use it as the eye of the formation to set up a 'Golden Cicada Sheds Its Shell' formation in your home. If operated correctly, it can allow you to escape death."

"Golden Cicada Sheds Its Shell?" He Zhiqiang was both surprised and delighted: "Really?"

Han Jingyang nodded and placed the jade cicada in front of He Zhiqiang: "In the Han Dynasty, cicadas already carried the meaning of reincarnation and rebirth. The purpose of Han nobility placing jade cicadas in their mouths after death was the hope of using the cicada's power to break through the soil and be reborn. It is perfectly suited to be the eye of the 'Golden Cicada Sheds Its Shell' formation."

"This, this..." He Zhiqiang was overjoyed: "Can it really let me shed my shell like a golden cicada?"

"'Golden Cicada Sheds Its Shell' is one of our sect's core Feng Shui formations. The fact that our sect has been able to pass down to this day is entirely thanks to this Feng Shui formation."

"Does that mean I'm safe?"

"That's not necessarily true," Han Jingyang said calmly: "The Feng Shui formation is merely an aid. To succeed, you, the involved party, must cooperate. Back then, when our sect faced annihilation, we gathered all the sect's power to set up the 'Golden Cicada Sheds Its Shell' formation. No matter how powerful that was, everyone in our sect still had to hide their names and go into seclusion. Do you know what the core of this Feng Shui formation is?"

"What?"

"Hiding," Han Jingyang explained solemnly: "Before a cicada sheds its shell, it must hide in the soil for many years. It spends ninety percent of its life hidden in the dirt, and after it emerges, it dies within three months at most. The core of the 'Golden Cicada Sheds Its Shell' formation lies in hiding. Only if you can successfully hide do you have a chance to escape death."

"This..."

"So, Boss He, I'll tell you clearly in advance: if you really want to save your life, you must be as low-profile as possible. Otherwise, even the most powerful Feng Shui formation won't be able to save you. As I said before, Feng Shui is just an aid, a boost; the core is always the person. Understand?"

He Zhiqiang gritted his teeth and nodded: "Understand."

"Can you do it?"

"I can."

"I hope you can remember what you've said," Han Jingyang said, then brought out the Dragonfly Eye: "This is a Warring States Period Dragonfly Eye. Its essence is a glass bead, but it was mainly used for sacrificial rituals in the Warring States period and is also a fairly powerful dharma instrument. It will also be used as a core dharma instrument in the 'Golden Cicada Sheds Its Shell' formation. You head home first; on the night of the 6th at 9 PM, I will bring these two dharma instruments to set up the formation."

"Can't you do it now?"

"What do you think a Feng Shui formation is? Playing house? A truly useful Feng Shui formation requires not only dharma instruments but also the consideration of the right time and place. The core of the 'Golden Cicada Sheds Its Shell' formation is the cicada. Do you know when these cicadas emerge from the soil?"

"At dusk..."

"To be precise, it's the Hour of the Bo, which is between 9 and 11 PM. Therefore, the most suitable time to set up the 'Golden Cicada Sheds Its Shell' formation is during the Hour of the Bo."

"Can't it be done tonight?"

"No. Today is the day the Heavenly Prison deity is on duty; it is a Great Black Path day and the day of the Suppressing God Star. It belongs to Metal, so the timing is unfavorable."

"What about tomorrow?"

"Tomorrow's duty deity is Xuanwu. It is also a Great Black Path day, the Heavenly Prison Star, and also belongs to Metal. The gentleman uses auspiciousness, the villain uses ominousness. Boss He, do you consider yourself a gentleman?"

He Zhiqiang took a deep breath: "Then what about the day after tomorrow?"

Han Jingyang remained calm: "The day after tomorrow is a Great Yellow Path day, with the Life-Ordering Moon Immortal Star on duty. It belongs to Earth. The timing and location are both perfect, making it the most suitable for setting up this 'Golden Cicada Sheds Its Shell' formation, because only with Earth does the cicada have a path to life. Encountering Metal or Fire would only lead to death."

He Zhiqiang was silent for a long time: "Fine. I hope Boss Han keeps his word, otherwise, I will certainly keep mine."

"I need to do some preparatory work over these two days and collect some auxiliary dharma instruments," Han Jingyang said expressionlessly: "Before the setup, I don't want to see you again, nor do I want my family or friends to be harassed."

"Fine."

"Also, you need to pay more. Five million is far from enough."

"This still isn't enough?"

"It's not. Five million wouldn't even buy this jade cicada; it could barely buy that Dragonfly Eye."

"How much do you want?"

"Twenty million."

He Zhiqiang narrowed his eyes: "You'd better not play any tricks."

"To use your own words, once I've taken your money, I'm at your mercy. If you don't trust me, you should at least trust yourself."

"Hmph—"

He Zhiqiang snorted coldly and transferred another fifteen million to Han Jingyang's account.

With twenty million in cash received, Han Jingyang's face carried a few more smiles. He personally saw He Zhiqiang and his wife out. At the door, he took out the Dragonfly Eye and waved it at He Zhiqiang: "Boss He, have a safe trip."

While speaking, he activated "Mental Distraction," watched the blue skill effect take hold on He Zhiqiang, and revealed a satisfied smile.

Acting tough?

Go act tough and throw your weight around with Ox-Head, Horse-Face, and King Yama in the underworld.

See if those gods and ghosts buy that act.

What kind of thing is he?

Daring to threaten me!

Pah!

Shi Xiaoya turned out from the back room: "Boss, are you really going to help him set up that 'Golden Cicada Sheds Its Shell' formation?"

Han Jingyang sneered: "In his dreams."

"Then why did you take his money? This money is very hot to the touch."

"I'll donate it," Han Jingyang said without a second thought: "I'll transfer it to the Youth Foundation right now. I won't keep a single cent of this money."

"That's one way to handle it, but he'll still come looking for you. If that He fellow starts spouting nonsense inside, it could be very troublesome."

Han Jingyang "humph"ed: "Let's see if he can live until that time first."

Shi Xiaoya was horrified: "You've already made a move?"

Han Jingyang did not answer directly: "If, and I mean if, that He fellow has a hard life, I'll have to trouble you to take action."

Shi Xiaoya nodded fiercely.

...

He Zhiqiang and his wife left Jiguang Zhai, but his mood was extremely irritable. The moment he thought about being "extorted" for twenty million by Han Jingyang, he wished he could tear Han Jingyang into ten thousand pieces.

As the car turned onto the road, he saw a delivery rider speeding past from the side. He immediately rolled down the window and cursed: "Are you rushing to die?"

Just as he entered the main road, before he could even accelerate, he hit a traffic light.

A full forty-eight seconds.

He Zhiqiang stared fixedly at the red light counting down digit by digit, becoming increasingly irritable. While cursing, he drummed on the steering wheel, and his foot slammed on the accelerator like a spasm, causing the eight-cylinder engine to produce wave after wave of deafening roars.

The moment the red light turned to yellow, the car roared forward.