Zheng Zheng nodded thoughtfully.

Due to the incident that had just happened, the three of them lost their appetite and quickly decided to wrap things up and return to A Long's place. It was a cozy two-bedroom apartment. After taking a shower, Song Xiaolong came over to chat for a while before heading back to rest.

The next morning, Zheng Zheng rushed to the antique market again and set up his stall just like usual.

As he was about to pick up a book, a short, thin old man approached. This old man was quite familiar, squatting down next to Zheng Zheng and lighting a cigarette. He chuckled, revealing a mouth full of yellowed teeth, and said, “I say, little brother, you’re quite the rogue, charging a million for a talisman. Are you robbing people or just waiting for fools?”

Zheng Zheng glanced at him and recognized the old man, who also had a stall not far from his.

Not wanting to explain anything, he merely smiled faintly and lowered his head to read his book.

The old man, perhaps a bit bored, didn’t mind Zheng Zheng's attitude and continued, “Who still believes in these silly symbols nowadays? Even if someone does, they’d go to the mountains or temples to seek divine help. I heard that the Buddha Light Temple and the Southern Zen Temple on Putuo Mountain are packed with people seeking talismans. Unlike you, little brother. Heh, you should really consider changing careers or moving to a different place.”

“Heh heh.” Zheng Zheng chuckled lightly, a rather unenthusiastic response.

After lingering a bit longer, the old man, seeing that Zheng Zheng was uninterested, walked away in disappointment.

At that moment, a man and a woman walked by.

The man had an extraordinary presence and charming demeanor, while the woman was elegant and noble, exuding an air of wealth. However, she seemed troubled, with a hint of sorrow in her eyes. The man kept whispering comforting words, but they didn’t seem to have much effect.

“Si Ya, don’t worry about your mother’s health. I’ve already called friends in the US and asked them to contact the best tumor hospital. Once everything is arranged, we can charter a plane to the US for the most advanced treatment,” the man said.

“Chu Yun, will that help? For my mother’s condition, we’ve gone through major hospitals in the country, and not only did we not receive satisfactory treatment, but her condition has worsened. Even if the US can arrange something, can my mother handle such travel?” Fang Si Ya replied, her voice sounding a bit hoarse and defeated.

“It will definitely help. The medical technology in the US is much more advanced than here. They will have better treatments,” Chu Yun insisted.

Fang Si Ya remained silent, her expression reflecting that she held little hope for the trip to the US.

“Talismans! Premium talismans! Exorcise evil spirits, calm souls, restore vitality, and cure various ailments! One talisman, money-back guarantee if ineffective!”

At that moment, a floating and ethereal voice rang out above the two of them.

Fang Si Ya and Chu Yun stopped in surprise, looking around. The voice was strange, fluctuating between distance and proximity. Soon, Fang Si Ya noticed Zheng Zheng’s stall, and for reasons she couldn’t explain, she hesitated only briefly before stepping forward.

When she reached the stall and took a look, she found only a few talisman papers without any introduction, which left her feeling disappointed. She asked, “Boss, what are these talisman papers for?”

Zheng Zheng closed his book and raised his eyes to observe Fang Si Ya, secretly praising her beauty. She was truly stunning; even with a pallid complexion, her elegance and grace could not be hidden. Her smooth, black hair fell naturally, and her eyebrows were as delicate as distant mountains. Her lips were like crescent moons, and her autumn-like eyes sparkled with water, although they appeared somewhat vacant. She had a standard oval face with flawless skin; her complexion was so tender it seemed to glisten. Her high nose and rounded chin came together to form an exquisitely refined face. Dressed in a violet, waist-fitted long dress and white, lace-trimmed sandals, she was undeniably beautiful and elegant.

Encountering such a beauty at a roadside stall felt like finding a silver needle in a haystack.

“Hey, I’m talking to you,” Chu Yun, who had walked over with her, said impatiently.

“Heh heh, this talisman is passed down from the Maoshan Three Pure Ones, personally drawn by an enlightened master, specifically for exorcising evil spirits and curing all ailments,” Zheng Zheng replied with an inscrutable expression.

“Haha, an enlightened master? I think you’re just a fraud,” Chu Yun scoffed, noticing the sign Zheng Zheng had set up that read, “One talisman for one million, money-back guarantee if ineffective.” His skepticism grew, and he said disdainfully, “One million for a talisman? You might as well rob a bank.”

“Heh heh.” Zheng Zheng chuckled softly, ignoring Chu Yun’s provocations and focusing intently on Fang Si Ya.

“Madam, I see you are tall and have a robust figure, likely from a wealthy family. Your midsection is full and healthy, indicating you suffer from no diseases. However, your complexion is dim, and you seem to be plagued by bad luck. There seems to be an issue in your family line that might lead to a severe illness, I’m afraid...” Zheng Zheng’s tone turned serious at this point, but then he suddenly paused, sighed, and shook his head, as if regretting something.

“What are you afraid of?” Fang Si Ya felt a tightening in her heart and continued along Zheng Zheng’s train of thought.

“I’m afraid someone very dear to you might be afflicted by a serious illness, and their time may be limited,” Zheng Zheng lamented, his voice growing somber.

Fang Si Ya was completely stunned. She hadn’t expected Zheng Zheng to describe her situation so clearly.

Could this unremarkable man really be an enlightened master? But looking at him, he seemed like just an ordinary young man.

Fang Si Ya found it hard to believe, but she had no rebuttal to what Zheng Zheng had said.

As someone who had received a higher education, she held firmly to atheistic beliefs, yet there were many things in nature that could not be explained by science. This matter concerned her mother, whose fate had been tumultuous, so even the slightest hope was worth pursuing. Even if it meant praying to gods, if it could help her mother recover, she would do it without hesitation.

To put it bluntly, Fang Si Ya felt a sense of desperation, seeking help wherever she could.

“Then, boss, does your talisman work? Can it treat my family’s illness?” Fang Si Ya asked nervously.

Zheng Zheng picked up a talisman from the ground and confidently said, “I have a Rejuvenation Talisman here, sourced from Maoshan’s Qing Mountain, blessed by an enlightened master. When worn close to the body, it nourishes one’s essence and blood and restores the internal organs. Even in late-stage or incurable illnesses, as long as the talisman’s spiritual energy remains intact, it can revive the dead and extend life by three to five years without any problem.”

There was no way around it; Zheng Zheng could only cite the famous Maoshan sect. If he claimed to have drawn the talisman himself, no one would buy it.

Fang Si Ya’s heart stirred a little, but she still dared not be sure. “Really?”

Zheng Zheng nodded, “Absolutely. If the talisman is ineffective, there’s no need to pay.”