**Chapter 48: The Ancestral Master in the Portrait**

**Chapter 48: The Ancestral Master in the Portrait**

After the Ancestral Master warned of looming troubles, Li Chengfeng pressed anxiously, "What kind of trouble? Can't you give me a hint?"

The painted figure stroked its beard cryptically. *"Fate weaves its own tapestry. Blessings and curses are two sides of the same coin. You cannot escape what's coming."*

When the portrait fell silent, Li Chengfeng muttered, "Old trickster, dangling half-truths like a—"

***Thwack!*** An invisible force flicked his forehead.

"Ow!" Rubbing the sore spot, he glared at the portrait—only to yelp as the Ancestral Master's upper body lunged out of the canvas, eyes blazing. **"Insolent brat! One more word, and I'll drag you into the afterlife myself!"**

Li Chengfeng scrambled backward, bowing frantically. "Forgive me, Ancestral Master! I'll never disrespect you again!"

The figure retreated into the painting with a huff.

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**Morning Aftermath**

The next day, over steaming bowls of Henan-style lamb noodle soup, Wang Bin announced flatly, "My mom called. I'm going home. Don't… don't contact me anymore."

Li Chengfeng smirked. "Scared of a few ghostly critters? Where's your backbone?"

"*Scared?* I peed my pants!" Wang Bin hissed, face reddening. "You're not human. Stay away from me!"

But as Wang Bi stormed off, Li Chengfeng grabbed his arm. "Those spirits marked us. Run all you want—they'll find you. And your family."

Wang Bin froze, fear overriding pride. "You're lying."

"Am I?" Li Chengfeng's voice turned grave. "The cat, crow, and bat aren't done. They'll haunt everyone tied to this curse—including your parents."

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