Anyone who understands Luban's Arts must have a background as a carpenter—there's no doubt about that.
I've also heard some things about Luban's Arts from my master.
Almost all of Luban's Arts come from a mysterious ancient book called The Luban Book, said to be written by the sage Luban himself. It's a strange tome about civil engineering and carpentry. Legend says that anyone who learns from the Luban Book must "lack one door"—meaning one of widowhood, orphanhood, disability, or loneliness must be chosen when beginning the practice. Because of this, the Luban Book is also called The Book of Missing One Door.
The legend goes that Luban, shortly after his wedding, was summoned to work for the kingdom. Missing his wife dearly, he made a wooden kite that, when ridden and spoken over with a few incantations, could fly him home across a thousand miles for reunion.
One day, curious, his wife secretly tried to ride the kite after he returned, repeating the incantations. She soared freely through the sky, enjoying herself like never before. But tragedy struck—she was pregnant and suddenly went into labor mid-flight. Blood spilled.
Since the kite was made with secret magic, once defiled by the blood, its power vanished, and she fell from the sky, dying along with her unborn child.
Luban was heartbroken and cursed that everyone who studies the Luban Book would be "missing one door."
The Luban Book is said to have two volumes. The upper volume contains knowledge of carpentry and construction, while the lower volume holds powerful and mysterious magic, encompassing everything from the primordial and postnatal Bagua (eight trigrams) to various sinister methods to harm others.
Luban's original intent for these harmful techniques was because carpenters were low in status in ancient times. Wealthy tyrants would sometimes withhold pay, damaging foremen's authority and craftsmen's rights. The Luban Book's methods allowed craftsmen to fight back, protecting themselves and punishing evil.
Those three wooden boxes I found earlier at the Zhang family's ancestral grave completely destroyed the grave's feng shui. The doll dug up behind Zhang Yunliang's room is another extremely malicious curse—all definitely from the dark arts recorded in the Luban Book's lower volume.
Standing with the Zhang family's father and daughter and Butler Wang, I looked at them seriously and asked, "Mr. Zhang, have you recently hired any carpenters for work at your home?"
Zhang Yucheng was stunned, then said, "No, what era are we in? Who still hires carpenters? Even furniture is bought at the market nowadays—no need for all this hassle."
"Have you offended any carpenters or woodworking workers?" I asked again.
Zhang Yucheng shook his head repeatedly, denying it.
Butler Wang also said they had no contact with any carpenters.
"Young Master Wu, why do you suddenly ask about this?" Zhang Yunyao asked, curious.
"The person who tampered with your ancestral grave and the one who harmed your brother are the same. It's very likely he's a carpenter because the dark magic used matches the techniques described in the Luban Book," I explained.
"Can my son still be saved in this condition?" Zhang Yucheng worried aloud.
"I only know a little about the Luban Book's methods. Most of what I learned from my master are feng shui and spiritual arts. To save your son, we must find the person who cast the spell," I said.
"Even if you find that person, I doubt he would lift the curse. Using such a vicious method makes me think he has a deadly grudge against the Zhang family, like he wants to destroy everyone in it," Uncle Huzi said.
"No matter what, we find that person first," I said. Then I looked at Butler Wang, "Wang, please help me investigate nearby villages. Find out if there are any carpenters working around here and let me know."
I asked him because I believed the culprit lived not far from the Zhang estate. He was very familiar with the family's situation and had been watching them closely these days. I guessed he must live nearby.
Even if Zhang Yucheng's family didn't offend him recently, it might be an ancestral feud.
"Alright, Young Master Wu. I'll start investigating first thing tomorrow. It's too late now," Butler Wang replied politely.
I nodded and looked again at Zhang Yunliang lying on the bed.
Though I hadn't gotten along with this kid, I couldn't just watch him die.
"Young Master Wu, you must save my son," Zhang Yucheng pleaded again.
I went to Zhang Yunliang's side. Blood was still slowly flowing from his seven orifices, making his face look terrifying.
I placed the wooden box on the bedside table and took out the doll, placing it next to Zhang Yunliang.
Each of the doll's seven orifices had an iron nail stuck through, matching Zhang Yunliang's seven orifices exactly.
This was dark magic—also a curse.
Such Luban magic is not casually used; casting such a vicious spell inevitably causes backlash to the caster as well.
The person who harmed Zhang Yunliang now was probably suffering too.
Standing by the bed, I recalled what my master had taught me over the years, pondering how to save Zhang Yunliang.
Soon, I came up with a possible solution to ease the immediate crisis.
If I didn't act, Zhang Yunliang wouldn't survive until dawn; the bleeding alone would kill him.
"Now, bring a living creature—preferably livestock like a pig or dog," I instructed.
Zhang Yucheng immediately ordered Butler Wang to arrange it.
The Zhang family estate was in a mountain village with many families raising livestock, so finding one was easy.
Half an hour later, Butler Wang returned carrying a small piglet, about thirty or forty pounds, bought at a high price from a neighbor.
I had Butler Wang tie the piglet up with a rope and placed it next to Zhang Yunliang's bed.
Then, I took four red cords and tied each to Zhang Yunliang's four limbs and to the piglet's hooves.
Several copper coins were hung on the cords.
Next, I removed the iron nails from the doll's seven orifices, wrapped them in yellow talisman paper, and placed the yellow talisman with Zhang Yunliang's birth chart from the doll onto the piglet's forehead.
What I was about to perform is called the "Mountain Shift Shadow Exchange" technique—a method to transfer the evil spell onto the piglet's body.