The restaurant outside the construction site wasn't particularly fancy, and the hygiene was poor.
However, when the dishes were served, both Uncle and I were surprised to see several plates of wild game.
Chen Kai, smiling, gestured for us to start eating.
During the meal, Uncle asked about the details of the worker's accident, and Chen Kai casually explained, giving a rough overview.
The worker had fallen into the foundation pit and, by the time he was pulled out, all the blood had drained from his body.
At the time, everyone on the site had been focused on rescuing him, and when they came to their senses, they discovered that the previously dry pit had been filled with water.
As I listened, I quietly fed Huang Jiu under the table.
After we finished eating, while Chen Kai went to settle the bill, Huang Jiu stuck his head out and said, "I estimate that there's a Moxiang statue buried in that foundation pit. After absorbing human blood, it's likely turned into a spirit."
A statue turning into a spirit wasn't particularly rare. Usually, those were statues placed at entrances, absorbing Yang energy over the years, and by chance, they developed intelligence.
But those were typically auspicious beasts, and even if they became spirits, they wouldn't harm people. They were similar to door gods.
If the owner was knowledgeable and realized the statue had gained some form of spirit, a little offering could bring great benefits.
However, a statue buried under the ground, hidden from sunlight for years, wouldn't easily develop intelligence.
After all, the Yin energy underground nourishes only flesh and blood, not inanimate objects.
But for now, this was all just speculation. The truth would only be revealed once the water was fully pumped out.
After leaving the restaurant, Chen Kai called the foreman. As the saying goes, "Under a heavy reward, there will be a brave man." I thought he would offer a price that no one could refuse.
Instead, Chen Kai just told the foreman to send people over to pump out the water, warning that if they weren't there within ten minutes, they should consider themselves dismissed.
After hanging up, Chen Kai smiled at Uncle and said, "Master Li, don't worry, people will be here shortly."
I despised his approach to doing things, but as someone with little influence, there was nothing I could do.
This is how society works—what we saw here was just the tip of the iceberg.
We waited at the site for a while before the foreman arrived, accompanied by six migrant workers in camouflage and rubber boots.
Chen Kai went up and scolded them, while the foreman nodded and bowed, personally leading the workers to the foundation pit to pump the water.
About half an hour later, we heard the workers' startled exclamations from the edge of the pit.
Uncle and I quickly rushed over.
When we reached the edge of the pit, I leaned over and saw that the murky water had been drained enough to expose the bottom.
In the foul, muddy water, a dark red statue emerged, half-submerged. Even though it was only partially visible, its general shape was clear.
My grandfather had always taught me not to allow bystanders during such operations.
As he used to say, we were there to work, not to lecture.
A group of people asking questions only distracted the workers and overlooked the important details.
Fortunately, the workers had already scattered to the distance without needing Uncle to disperse them, and Chen Kai had never gone near the foundation pit.
I moved the cat bag to the front, opened the transparent window, and let Huang Jiu take a good look.
After a moment, Huang Jiu sucked in a sharp breath and said, "This thing is so red, it must have absorbed blood and eaten brains and livers. It's probably already gained a spirit. If it's exposed to the moonlight tonight, it might start killing people and drinking brains."
I asked, "Is there any way to deal with it once we bring it out?"
Huang Jiu, who had spent many years in the mountains and with ancient tombs, knew more about such things than Uncle and I combined.
"The best way would be to refill the pit with soil, clear the area of people, and wait for ten to fifteen days for the blood energy to drain. As long as it doesn't see daylight again, there should be no more problems."
Huang Jiu's suggestion made both Uncle and me furrow our brows.
If this approach would work, why would anyone pay us to deal with it?
Uncle said, "I have an idea. We could bring in a Fangxiangshi statue, let them fight each other at night. That should deal with the Moxiang."
Huang Jiu responded, "It's easier said than done. A new Fangxiangshi statue won't do anything. There are very few statues of Fangxiangshi with real spiritual energy, even in the Great Mountains. Unless you can use your Qi and blood to drive a talisman to control the beast, even then, a new one might not be able to defeat the Moxiang."
Uncle seemed troubled by this. He had only studied the basics and didn't have enough Qi inside to control the beast with a talisman.
I wasn't sure if my own Qi would be enough.
But whether it was enough would depend on how much we were paid.
The 200,000 from a couple of days ago had stirred my desire for money. I asked Uncle, "How much is Boss Zhang offering for this?"
Uncle replied, "Ten thousand. After the job is done, there might be a little more, but it shouldn't be much. Since it's through Mr. Wang, I didn't ask too many questions."
I frowned. Uncle was great in many ways, but he was often too soft when it came to social matters and couldn't bring himself to ask for more.
Taking the opportunity, I reminded him, "The issue with Mr. Wang's family is already settled. The next matter is dangerous work. I don't want you to screw things up."
I hadn't mentioned this to him before, but I could guess he might have slipped some details privately after all the glances exchanged with Mr. Wang.
Uncle glared at me and said, "You're nothing like your grandfather or father, always so sly."
"Don't worry. I have a plan," I said.
If I were like my grandfather or father, I'd be doomed in this life.
But seeing Uncle's response, it didn't seem like he would act impulsively, so I decided not to press it further.
After thinking for a moment, I said, "Uncle, have Chen Kai pull some strings and find an old stone sculpture factory. Buy a Fangxiangshi statue, and tonight I'll give it a try!"
I had told Uncle about the battle with the Luban Sect people, so he knew I had some Qi. He asked, "Are you sure you can do it?"
"Ten thousand yuan, I must be able to do it," I gritted my teeth and replied.
Huang Jiu peeked its head out and said, "I reserve my opinion."
I quickly shoved its head back in and closed the small window.
Reserve your opinion?
It didn't even have the right to offer an opinion in my presence.
Outside the shed, Uncle spoke to Chen Kai about the situation, instructing him to find a Fangxiangshi statue. If it wasn't found by nightfall, they would have to refill the pit and stop work for half a month.
Upon hearing that, Chen Kai immediately called around, and the foreman also activated his network to make connections.
While we were waiting, there was a sudden uproar outside the site's security gate. Not long after, there was a loud knocking on the gate.
Chen Kai, busy on the phone, immediately got angry, cursing, "Who the hell lit a lamp in the toilet and came here to die?"
He stormed toward the gate but immediately bent his back when he saw who was outside. His angry expression faded, replaced by a smile as bright as a blooming peach blossom.
Uncle and I exchanged glances, thinking it might be Boss Zhang.
However, when the door opened, two young girls and a young man entered.
They were probably only a few years older than me.
The girls had curious looks on their faces, immediately scanning the area as if searching for something.
The young man, on the other hand, had a stern face, as if someone owed him money.
I was a little confused—how did Chen Kai let them in?