Chapter 12: The Three-Eyed Child

Regarding the legitimate breaking of formations or curses, there truly are no such tattoos, but there is one that mimics such powers, albeit with uncertain efficacy. It's named the Three-Eyed Boy.

The origins of the Three-Eyed Boy are quite bizarre. It is said that during the Ming Dynasty, a fisherwoman who went out to sea caught an exceptionally beautiful fish. Unable to bring herself to sell or eat it, she kept it at home.

About a month later, this single, unmarried woman found herself inexplicably pregnant. Some claimed the fish she brought back was a demon, while others speculated she caught the eye of the Dragon King during her fishing endeavors and that she was carrying the Dragon King's child.

Rumors abound, the event took a sinister turn, and fearing the potential wrath of the Dragon King—a particular concern for those who make their living at sea—the fisherwoman's parents dared not dispose of the child.

Ten months later, she bore a peculiar child with three eyes. Unlike Erlang Shen's third eye, this child's third eye was on the back of his head.

This third eye was supposedly a most pure and sacred one, capable of seeing through all forms, breaking a thousand spells, and dispelling numerous curses. Later taken as a disciple by a revered monk, the child was known as the Three-Eyed Boy.

Inherently mischievous, it was said that this tattoo should be inked on the soles of the feet to keep the child-like spirit under control; otherwise, although no major calamities would occur, small misfortunes were inevitable.

This humanoid tattoo is relatively simple, not overly complex in technique, and costs ten thousand yuan. I must make it clear in advance though, its effectiveness is not guaranteed! I don't know if that third eye actually works. But of course, if there's no effect, a full refund is assured.

Su Yu didn't hesitate. She trusted Zhang Qing's recommendation and trusted me as well. Without further ado, she transferred the money to me directly.

Different from her sister, Su Yu's refreshing directness and gentleness are lovable. I knew I had to put extra effort into the tattoo.

After preparing the ink, I began work on the tattoo. When Su Yu took off her shoes and rolled up her pant leg, I couldn't help but be taken aback by her beauty.

Su Yu had petite feet and long, fair, completely straight legs. I knew there was a profession called a leg model and thought that Su Yu was a perfect fit.

Touching a woman's foot can be just as intimate as touching her waist. When I first made contact with Su Yu's ankle, she instinctively withdrew in bashfulness, her face blushing.

But the job had to continue, and after a few more touches, Su Yu was able to gradually come to terms with it. Holding her foot in my hand was genuinely a pleasure.

The entirety of the Three-Eyed Boy wouldn't fit on just the foot, so I tattooed it upside down, with the boy's head positioned at the base of the foot and extending upwards along the leg. So, I touched not only the foot but the leg as well.

Just like a photographer, tattooing has its perks.

Su Yu was incredibly patient. If it had been Su Qing, I reckon she would've slapped me across the face by now. After all, having a strange man touch one's foot is quite uncomfortable for many women, so I count myself lucky.

It was around 1 a.m. when I finally finished tattooing the Three-Eyed Boy.

It was a cute depiction of a child, and even with an odd eye on the back of his head, it didn't detract from his innocence and charm. The somewhat chubby, playful face matched well with Su Yu's beautiful legs, making the tattoo seem perfect, yet whether it was truly effective remained to be seen.

After the tattoo was completed, Su Yu lavished praise on my skills and thanked me profusely before leaving. She also promised she'd take care of things with her sister.

With Su Yu's assurance, I felt at ease, and with today's earnings hitting thirty thousand, I was content as I lay down to rest.

Despite still being far from my goal of a hundred million, I am determined to earn it. Just wait for me, grandpa!

The following morning, before I even opened the door, Xu Meng arrived with a troubled expression. Only after asking did I learn that the man from the bureau was actually dead and had been dead for some time!

He was a driver who died in a car accident about a week ago. The case officers were puzzled because Xu Meng was sure she had slept with him. Could it be that he died suddenly during their encounter, just as Su Qing said... could it have been some kind of necromantic possession?

I told her not to panic and suggested that such occurrences could be intentional. I asked her to think carefully whether she had offended someone or if any enemies wanted to harm her.

After some reflection, Xu Meng seemed to realize who it might be. She had a sworn enemy at the entertainment club named Chen Xiaomei.

Chen Xiaomei used to be the top performer at the club, but Xu Meng took over that spot and a good portion of her business.

Connecting the dots, it seemed Chen Xiaomei might have orchestrated this harm. Xu Meng cursed her, condemning her for resorting to dirty tricks instead of competing fairly, almost costing her life.

Xu Meng vowed to retaliate later, but for now, she was insistent on getting a tattoo to protect her life. Su Qing had mentioned that Xu Meng was due to die within seven days!

Initially skeptical, Xu Meng was now a firm believer, especially after identifying her would-be perpetrator. She no longer baulked at the twenty-thousand yuan price tag; in fact, she'd pay whatever it took to save her life.

I reassured her that as long as the payment was made, I'd be able to accommodate her with a protective tattoo.

After a quick breakfast, I set up to start work on Xu Meng's tattoo, planning to replicate the ghost beggar tattoo I did for Wang Xin, hoping it would drive away the ghost haunting Xu Meng.

Just then, however, Wang Xin called again, effusive with gratitude, claiming the tattoo had indeed proved effective.

One night, as she was in bed, the ghost appeared yet in the midst of the encounter, a shadowy figure with a rod suddenly stood by her bedside. With a terrifying yell, it scared the ghost stiff, causing it to flee through a crack in the door and disappear, along with the shadow figure.

Without any doubt, it was the ghost beggar's power at work, which gave me confidence in doing the same for Xu Meng.

But Wang Xin mentioned on the call that one ghost tattoo wasn't enough, and she'd visit me again in the afternoon, before abruptly hanging up.

I was bemused—what would she need me for? The malevolent spirit was gone, and tattoos aren't consumable. What could she possibly be scheming? Regardless, as long as she was willing to pay, I didn't mind.

As I was readying to tattoo Xu Meng, I suddenly realized I was out of ink. I had only brought enough for the three tattoos I did yesterday.

Ah, yes, grandpa had mentioned that if I needed more ink for ghost tattoos, I could find someone who runs a crematorium—he goes by the name Hong Wu!