After removing the iron nails from the doll, I carefully placed the doll back inside the wooden box and told Butler Wang to find a place where we could burn both the box and the doll together.
Then, I sat cross-legged on the floor between the little piglet and Zhang Yunliang. I clasped my hands in specific hand seals and began softly chanting the incantations for the "Mountain Shift Shadow Exchange" ritual.
Honestly, I wasn't very confident in this method—it was mostly theoretical knowledge from my master, and this was my first time doing actual work out in the field. Had I known this task would be so complicated, I might never have taken it.
I also wondered if I had broken one of my master's three rules: no business in Yanbei City. Although I wasn't physically in Yanbei, the Zhang family came from there.
Sitting down, I began to focus deeply, almost like an old monk entering meditation.
The atmosphere grew tense; everyone in the room stared silently, afraid to breathe.
As I steadily chanted, the copper coins tied to the four red cords began to jingle and slowly move toward the piglet.
The Zhang family and Butler Wang were stunned—no one touched the coins, yet they moved on their own.
The tied piglet struggled, shaking and letting out harsh, piercing squeals.
I ignored the noise and continued the chant.
Soon, the coins moved to a central position between Zhang Yunliang and the piglet. The four red cords suddenly tightened straight as arrows. At that moment, I felt something was wrong—a strange force pressed down on me, making my breath quicken.
While I was trying to break Zhang Yunliang's curse, the person who cast it surely sensed it and launched a mental attack against me—a sort of psychic duel from afar.
Sweat dripped from my forehead. Before long, my clothes were soaked through.
Zhang Yunyao, seeing my state, grew anxious and tried to come help wipe my sweat, but Uncle Huzi stopped her: "Don't go over there. Young Master is casting a spell. Any interruption could ruin it."
She reluctantly stopped, looking at me with worried eyes.
The mental assault intensified, pounding in waves, causing my blood to surge and my chest to tighten as if I were gasping for air.
The enemy's skill was impressive; their cultivation was probably higher than mine.
After a while, I could no longer hold on. My body shook slightly, and I coughed up a mouthful of blood.
"Young Master Wu!" everyone rushed forward, their faces full of worry.
Even Uncle Huzi looked shaken, sweat beading his forehead, but he kept them back from me.
Despite the dizziness, I didn't stop the hand seals. If I did, the consequences would be terrible—not only would Zhang Yunliang die, but I might lose my own life too.
Making money really is tough.
After spitting out blood, I opened my eyes but couldn't speak. I just glanced toward the window.
Uncle Huzi understood immediately and ran out of the courtyard.
Two or three minutes later, he returned and nodded silently.
I could clearly feel the mental assault had vanished. The copper coins tied to the cords resumed their slow movement toward the piglet.
A few minutes later, when all the coins gathered by the piglet, I finally exhaled deeply, swayed, and collapsed to the side.
At the same time, the piglet's agonized squeals abruptly stopped.
When everyone looked at the piglet again, blood was slowly flowing from its seven orifices.
This meant the "Mountain Shift Shadow Exchange" had worked.
"Young Master!" Uncle Huzi hurried over and helped me up.
Zhang Yunyao came close, kneeling beside me, using her clothes to wipe the blood from my mouth, her eyes reddened.
"Young Master Wu, are you okay?" she asked with concern.
I gave a weak smile, "I'm fine. Not dying yet."
"You can't say that kind of hopeless thing," she replied.
"Is Yunliang going to be alright?" Zhang Yucheng approached.
I coughed twice, spat more blood, and said, "He should be fine. He'll wake up by dawn."
Hearing that, Zhang Yucheng hurried to Zhang Yunliang's side and was relieved to see no more blood flowing from his orifices and his breathing had evened out.
"He's truly a worthy disciple of the Feng Shui King," Zhang Yucheng said emotionally.
Uncle Huzi gave Zhang Yucheng a sharp look, clearly annoyed. I almost lost my life saving his son, and all he thinks about is his own son's safety.
I shook my head at Uncle Huzi, signaling him to keep quiet.
In our line of work, we take money to relieve disasters for others and simply do our duty.
"Mr. Zhang, we agreed to relocate your ancestral tomb, but with so many unforeseen complications, you'll need to pay extra," Uncle Huzi said reluctantly.
"That's fair. Once this is done, I definitely won't shortchange Young Master Wu," Zhang Yucheng promised.
Then Uncle Huzi looked at me. "Young Master, I saw someone sitting behind the house just now. The moment they noticed me, they ran off quickly. I didn't chase—worried something might go wrong here."
Just as I expected, the person targeting the Zhang family sensed I was saving Zhang Yunliang and went behind the house to interfere with my spellcasting.
They wouldn't be far from me, and I could sense the mental assault's direction, which is why I sent Uncle Huzi to check outside.
Now that the mental assault has ceased, things can proceed smoothly.
I was very weak and sat on the ground for a while before getting up.
Looking outside, I said, "It's late. We need to head to the ancestral grave and continue the relocation."