C70 The Parting Gift

It was bizarre; as soon as I laid my hand on the arms and wrists of these dying elders, my ability to see death resurfaced!

Their shackles had become so short, they wouldn't last a day. Had I arrived even a moment later, they would have surely passed away.

While collecting their blood, I pondered. The man in white had told me my ability would vanish for a while, yet here it was again. His definition of "temporary" seemed to span only a few days.

But after visiting several more homes and interacting with additional elderly and frail individuals, I noticed something even more peculiar.

I could only see death and shackles when I touched them with my right hand; my left hand elicited no response.

This meant the man in white hadn't been wrong. The reason I could still perceive death must be connected to my right hand. The black rune mark had faded, but I felt it had etched itself deep into my palm.

Having worked through the night, I managed to lift the malevolent spell from those who had placed their trust in me, which brought me some solace.

Before dawn broke, I arrived at Ms. Xiaofeng's home to bid her farewell.

Yet, seeing her stirred complex emotions within me. Memories of her kiss on my cheek, her disrobing to save Xiaohu, and the indignities she suffered at the hands of the Sunn family in the temple all flooded back.

"Ms. Xiaofeng, you and Xiaohu are on your own without a financial safety net. Please, take this money," I said, offering her the most tangible help I could.

Ms. Xiaofeng, however, refused the fifty thousand yuan with a smile. "Changsheng, you've already done so much for me. You're my savior, but I've always been in your debt. I can't accept this money."

I sighed, almost revealing that I had just three years left to live, making money irrelevant. But I didn't want to worry her, so I simply said, "Please, take it. Earning money is much easier for me than it is for you to scrape by with odd jobs and sewing. Retrieving a single body or advising a wealthy family on Feng Shui can equal your yearly earnings."

Ms. Xiaofeng turned to glance at Xiaohu, clad in his ragged clothes, then at the vegetable leaves in the bowl on the table. After a moment's hesitation, she accepted them.

Tears welled up in her eyes as she looked at me, her gaze complex with gratitude and a touch of tenderness.

Deaf Zhang, usually so goofy and confused, seemed to have learned to read the room. He coughed and discreetly excused himself.

I was at a loss for words under Ms. Xiaofeng's intense stare. She offered a timid smile and suggested, "Changsheng, why not take this fifty thousand yuan to hire someone to rebuild your house? You could move back in."

I sighed, gently declining her offer. For one, I had no desire to return to a place filled with painful memories. Besides, I wouldn't be staying long.

We didn't speak much after that. When it was time to go, I embraced her and promised to visit often. She nodded, biting her lip, and as she touched my arm, she said, "Changsheng, you've gotten thinner. Make sure to eat well."

I nodded, filled with emotion, and walked away with Deaf Zhang.

Silent throughout the journey, my mind replayed memories of Ms. Xiaofeng and the village. Deaf Zhang, noticing my quiet reflection, broke the silence with a smile. "Changsheng, you're running low on funds, aren't you?"

I responded with a wry smile, "Yeah, after shelling out fifty thousand and buying a motorcycle to fend off the Evil Taoist, I've spent quite a bit. Now I've got just thirty thousand left. But it's enough for me to get by, enough to make it to Wuling Mountain."

As Deaf Zhang and I chatted, we reached the edge of the village where my motorcycle, its tank full, awaited. But just as I was about to leave, that chilling gaze returned.

The sense of fear gripping my heart made me imagine countless eyes watching me from the shadows. Instinctively, I clutched the hem of Deaf Zhang's garment and turned around with a tremble.