Chapter 535: Foundation Shattered, Even Immortals Can’t Save

　　"President Liu, please go ahead."

　　Lu Fei wasn't surprised by the request, making an inviting gesture with his hand.

　　"Two days ago, Shopkeeper Lu identified the issue with my family residence. Might there be a solution?" Liu Chongming inquired, watching Lu Fei with probing eyes.

　　"That depends on the true nature of the residence's problem."

　　Lu Fei didn't commit directly.

　　Typically, the severing of a family's foundation stems from accumulated misdeeds that damaged their ancestral virtue.

　　Similarly, Liu Chongming's heart condition wasn't a true physiological ailment but rather a consequence of retribution.

　　Liu Chongming glanced at Master Yan, seemingly hesitant to speak openly.

　　"If convenient for Shopkeeper Lu, would you consider visiting my residence? Rest assured, we'll keep matters separate - aside from the theatrical costumes, the Liu family will show substantial gratitude."

　　His attitude was quite sincere.

　　Compared to his old father, he was a reasonable man.

　　"Manager Liu, please wait a moment. I'll prepare." Lu Fei couldn't be bothered to put on airs.

　　After all, he still had some questions about the opera costumes and wanted to clarify them all at once.

　　"Manager Liu, then I..."

　　Master Yan hadn't expected this to actually succeed. Liu Chongming had truly returned to plead with Lu Fei. He now gazed at Liu Chongming with hopeful eyes.

　　"Master Yan, the loan note and the costumes will remain in our custody for now. If Shopkeeper Lu takes the costumes, certain matters can naturally be resolved." Liu Chongming spoke plainly.

　　"Good! Good! Thank you, Manager Liu! Thank you, Shopkeeper Lu!"

　　Master Yan was overjoyed—he could finally rid himself of this hot potato.

　　These costumes are a curse.

　　Seemingly helping their family preserve the opera troupe, but in reality, it has caused them great suffering and needlessly implicated so many innocent women.

　　After briefly packing up, Lu Fei set out with Liu Chongming.

　　"Manager Lu, President Liu, you both have matters to attend to. I'll return and wait for news, so I won't disturb you further!"

　　Master Yan understood he shouldn't be privy to subsequent matters and took his leave.

　　"Very well! Safe travels, Master Yan."

　　After over two hours by car, the group arrived at the Liu Family Mansion.

　　Though the vehicle was supposed to enter the compound directly, Lu Fei glanced through the window at the five-story building and suddenly called for the car to stop.

　　Liu Chongming immediately raised his hand, instructing the driver to park outside.

　　Lu Fei exited the vehicle and circled the entire compound.

　　"Manager Lu, what's wrong?" Liu Chongming followed closely.

　　"President Liu, has your household done anything unusual these past few days?" Lu Fei paused at the main entrance.

　　Black mist resembling thorny vines continuously emerged from beneath the foundation, entangling the entire building in a terrifying spectacle.

　　Though this phenomenon remained invisible to ordinary eyes.

　　Yet curiously,

　　the foundation appeared nearly completely fractured, but the building still stood upright, as if temporarily supported by some mysterious force.

　　"Manager Lu's extraordinary abilities are truly remarkable!"

　　A flicker of astonishment flashed through Liu Chongming's eyes.

　　He had only turned to Lu Fei as a last resort.

　　While the reputation of Sinisterium Pawnshop was widely known, without witnessing the young manager's capabilities firsthand, few could genuinely believe in them.

　　"We obtained a merit talisman from a renowned monk at Yunhua Temple."

　　But the eminent monk said their accumulated virtue was severely depleted, and the merit talisman could protect them for at most three days.

　　He came to Lu Fei with a desperate last-ditch mentality, never expecting this young man could immediately discern they'd taken remedial measures.

　　"No wonder."

　　Lu Fei nodded slightly, keeping his composure outwardly while inner doubts arose.

　　If even enlightened monks couldn't save them, one wonders how many immoral deeds this family had committed.

　　The serving of yin dishes at the longevity banquet offered a glimpse of their misdeeds.

　　"Shopkeeper Lu, please come in."

　　Liu Chongming had someone open the gate.

　　Upon entering the Liu family compound, everyone felt an icy chill permeate their bodies, accompanied by an unsettling sense of dread.

　　"Holy shit! No ghosts in sight, yet my hairs are standing on end!"

　　Hu Zi vigorously rubbed the goosebumps covering his body.

　　This was actually humans' instinctual response to danger - the Liu residence could collapse at any moment.

　　Xiao Hei outright refused to enter, whining and refusing to come in from outside the gate.

　　"Fine, go play outside by yourself. Stay safe." Lu Fei didn't force the issue.

　　With permission granted, the little creature immediately wagged its tail and scampered off to find female dogs nearby.

　　Then.

　　Lu Fei began inspecting the situation by walking through various parts of the Liu residence.

　　Though the Liu family compound was large, usually only Grandma Liu and Liu Chongming's father resided here, with other family members only returning during holidays.

　　The two elderly folks lived on the first floor due to mobility issues, while other floors contained guest rooms.

　　Despite the grand interior decoration with redwood furniture throughout, the house maintained an persistently chilly atmosphere.

　　When walking inside, one could even hear echoes.

　　"Two people living in such a big house is such a waste! There's no human warmth at all!" Hu Zi couldn't help muttering, "When I build a house for my parents later, I definitely won't make it like this."

　　Lu Fei wandered through each floor.

　　The middle floors appeared ordinary, but the entrance door on the fifth floor was tightly locked.

　　Through the door crack wafted the scent of burning incense and candles, suggesting something was enshrined within.

　　"Shopkeeper Lu has observed for so long—have you reached any conclusions? What solution is there for our family's situation?" Liu Chongming asked urgently.

　　"Manager Liu, forgive my bluntness—with the foundation broken, not even immortals could save it." Lu Fei replied affirmatively, "You must have been suffering unbearable heart pain recently, correct? Moreover, the attacks usually occur at night. Yet hospitals detect no illness."

　　"Exactly!"

　　Liu Chongming stared intently at Lu Fei.

　　"It's not just you. Many in your clan have similar conditions, with symptoms of varying severity. When the foundation fractures, everyone dependent on the Liu family's existence will naturally be affected."

　　"Shopkeeper Lu has uncanny foresight!"

　　At this moment, Liu Chongming was thoroughly convinced of Lu Fei's abilities.

　　These matters—he had ordered his family to keep their lips sealed—no outsider could possibly know.

　　Outwardly prosperous and wealthy, the Liu family was like this house—a great edifice on the verge of collapse.

　　"Shopkeeper Lu, what should we do now?"

　　"The house certainly won't be saved, but there might still be a chance for the people. It depends on whether you're willing to make sacrifices," Lu Fei said thoughtfully.

　　"Manager Lu, please speak," Liu Chongming's eyes lit up with hope.

　　"First, start anew. Have as many descendants as possible change their surnames to distance themselves from the Liu family—save whoever can be saved. Second... find the root cause of the fractured foundation and resolve it. Mend the fold after the sheep are lost, eliminating future disasters."

　　Lu Fei had spoken with utmost clarity.

　　Whether Liu Chongming would take it to heart remained to be seen.

　　"If all future generations change their surnames, the Liu family will cease to exist. Indeed, it cannot be preserved... But compared to everyone's lives, what importance does a surname hold?"

　　Liu Chongming let out a bitter laugh.

　　"However, regarding the reason for this severed foundation... Does Shopkeeper Lu know what it is?"

　　"Shouldn't Director Liu be the one who knows this best?" Lu Fei smiled. "If you find it inconvenient to speak, it's alright. Let's return to discussing the pawnage of the opera costumes."

　　He had come specifically for the ghostly opera costumes. If the other party wished to keep secrets, he couldn't be bothered with this troublesome affair.

　　"Shopkeeper Lu, this is the Liu family's secret... In truth, the opera costumes are also connected to this secret..."

　　Liu Chongming heaved a long sigh, his face filled with helplessness.

　　"But given our current predicament, such considerations no longer matter."