Chapter 102: The Bloodwater Wraith

 With Lu Fei in charge, Chen Jinfa quickly calmed down.

 "Master Lu, what kind of live animals do you need? I'll get them right away," Chen Jinfa said.

 "Get a few robust roosters and geese, preferably older and more vigorous ones," Lu Fei instructed.

 "Got it."

 Chen Jinfa immediately sent Ah Long to make the purchases.

 Ah Long swiftly left the construction site.

 "I should've known something was fishy when that scoundrel Qiangzi recommended this lucrative project. Turns out it's a trap!" Chen Jinfa gritted his teeth as he stared at the pit brimming with unsettling, crimson water.

 "When this is over, I'll make sure he pays for this. If we can't fix it, he'll go down with me!" 

 He clenched his jaw, a fire smoldering inside him.

 Originally, he had planned to profit greatly and make a triumphant start in his business venture. Instead, he had landed himself in a mess from the very beginning.

 Lu Fei stood at the edge of the pit, glancing at the sky before looking back down at the pool of blood.

 A dense stench of iron filled the entire construction site.

 Occasionally, bubbles rose from the water, and while the water level rose slowly, it showed no signs of stopping. If left unchecked, it could soon overflow the pit.

 Lu Fei noticed that all the bubbling spots were in areas untouched by sunlight, and he thought he saw dark shadows flickering beneath the surface.

 "What is that?"

 He squinted, but the distance and the creature's concealment underwater made it difficult to identify. It definitely wasn't human-shaped.

 "Tiger, keep an eye on me," Lu Fei said as he stepped onto the ladder, trying to get closer to the bloodwater. After descending two rungs, an icy chill wrapped around his leg.

 The cold bit into his skin, just like the chilling sensation in his nightmare of being submerged in freezing water.

 Lu Fei quickly retreated and climbed back up to the edge. This bloodwater was dangerous—better safe than sorry.

 Chen Jinfa anxiously paced the edge of the pit.

 Two hours later, Ah Long returned, sweat pouring down his face. In his left hand, he carried a few roosters, and in his right, several geese. The geese were especially noisy, stretching their necks to peck at Ah Long's legs now and then.

 "Master Lu, are these good?" Ah Long asked.

 "Yes, perfect."

 Lu Fei nodded and promptly tossed the roosters and geese into the pool of bloodwater.

 Splashes resounded as the water bubbled furiously. The roosters and geese flapped their wings frantically, scattering drops of bloodwater everywhere.

 Everyone at the pit's edge instinctively stepped back.

 "Boss, look!" Tiger shouted, his face pale as he pointed at the bloodwater.

 The terrified birds struggled with all their might to escape but seemed to be held by some invisible force, slowly sinking below the surface.

 Their piercing cries ceased abruptly, leaving only bubbles rising to the surface. Not even a feather remained, as if they had dissolved in acid.

 The pool of bloodwater looked like a gaping, sinister red maw from a distance.

 "Master Lu, what... what's going on?" Chen Jinfa's heart raced.

 "This bloodwater can dissolve living beings." Lu Fei pushed a few long sticks into the water and stirred the surface. The sticks came out intact.

 "Roosters and geese are typically used for warding off evil spirits. Most malicious entities fear them, but this bloodwater is so powerful that even they disintegrate. There must be a formidable malevolent force below."

 "A formidable force?" Chen Jinfa's face darkened. "Master Lu, can you handle this? Money is not an issue!"

 "Brother Fa, at the Evil Pawnshop, we take on evil to protect our clients. Once we accept a job, we see it through. Rest assured, I'll find a way," Lu Fei assured him solemnly.

 "If I can't solve it, I'll tell you honestly. I won't waste your time."

 "That I believe, Master Lu! But I really hope you can help me fix this mess." Chen Jinfa nodded firmly.

 Lu Fei circled the pit, deep in thought, before suddenly stopping.

 "I think I know of a malevolent spirit similar to this bloodwater."

 "What is it?" Chen Jinfa, following closely, immediately asked.

 "It's called a Bloodwater Wraith. Formed when someone dies in extreme pain and hatred, usually in water, it turns the water around it blood-red. Anyone who approaches will be dragged in and disappear without a trace," Lu Fei explained gravely.

 "You mean someone died down there, and in a particularly horrible way?" Chen Jinfa's brow furrowed deeply.

 "But this is the city. Where would there be a water accident big enough for that? The only thing we know for sure now is that when the original contractors were building this mall, they must have encountered this, which is why they resorted to using a pair of children as soul anchors."

 "How do we get rid of it?" Chen Jinfa only cared about that.

 "Brother Fa, we need to make a two-step plan," Lu Fei said after a moment's thought.

 "Go on," Chen Jinfa replied, his expression serious.

 "First, we should buy some suppression stones to temporarily hold back the bloodwater so it doesn't overflow. Second, we need someone to investigate exactly what happened when the mall was first built."

 "No problem!" Chen Jinfa immediately instructed Ah Long, "Go yourself. If anyone refuses to talk, use force if you have to!"

 "Understood."

 Ah Long, his expression steely, nodded and set off to complete his task.

 "Also, don't let anyone near the site," Lu Fei added.

 Chen Jinfa called for more guards to secure the perimeter.

 Soon after, they bought suppression stones from a market on the outskirts of the city. Lu Fei selected four stones carved with fierce mythical beasts.

 Chen Jinfa paid immediately and had the stones delivered to the site.

 Lu Fei directed the workers to place the stones at the east, south, west, and north corners of the pit.

 An astonishing thing happened shortly after.

 The bloodwater began to recede, and the level noticeably lowered!

 "Master Lu, incredible!" Chen Jinfa exclaimed, relief flooding his face.

 "These stones are known as 'Shigandang' and are believed to ward off evil. They're often placed along roads prone to accidents to keep things peaceful," Chen Jinfa said, nodding. "But I never thought they could hold back a water wraith."

 "Bloodwater Wraiths are water-aligned in the Five Elements. Earth counters water, so naturally, stone—which is aligned with earth—can suppress a water wraith," Lu Fei explained, eyes still wary as he watched the water level drop.

 "But this is just a temporary fix. If the source isn't removed, the bloodwater will rise again."

 Chen Jinfa gritted his teeth. "What's needed to remove it completely?"

 "The simplest way is to destroy the Bloodwater Wraith itself. But living beings can't get close to this water, so that's a last resort. We need to wait for Ah Long's information."

 Ah Long spent the entire day gathering information and finally returned in the afternoon, dragging another man with him. This man's face was bruised and swollen, evidence of a severe beating.

 "Qiangzi?" 

 Chen Jinfa's expression darkened at the sight of him.

 "Ah Long, did you find out the details?"

 Ah Long glanced at Qiangzi and said coldly, "Should I tell it, or do you want to?"

 Qiangzi shivered, immediately stammering, "I-I'll say it, I'll talk."

 He cast a nervous glance at Chen Jinfa.

 "Brother Fa, I honestly didn't know this mall had issues. If I'd known, I would never have recommended it to you! But… it was only today that I found out what really happened during the original construction…"