Chapter 142 Zero Remorse (1/2)
Lin Feng was already up, working on his combat skills training when I reached the Center. If he had noticed me coming in, he certainly made no sign of it. His passion for training was equaled only by Chongxi's compulsion for food.
I went straight upstairs and delivered a kick into the bum of a Chongxi who was still salivating into his pillow in his sleep. ”Come on, get up! It's time for your workout!” Chongxi spun in his bed, rubbing his behind painfully. ”What are you talking about... Sleeping's... fine...”
I looked down at Chongxi, exasperated beyond words. Oh, what a troublesome one this is, I mused, we had already agreed to take a look at the weasels today! Then a wicked idea came to me. I walked to the door. Just before walking out, I feigned surprise and exclaimed, ”Yo, Xiao Yu? What brings you here so early in the morning?” Immediately a thud came from behind. I turned and saw Chongxi almost finishing dressing up, looking completely wide-awake!
He rushed past me to the door, only to discover that he was tricked by me. He came back and punched me in my arm before he shuffled languidly into the bathroom.
We got just in time for Lin Feng to complete his training, and we immediately rushed to the farmer's fields without having breakfast. When we got near, we saw the farmer already there, waiting for us. His electric cart was parked just beside the field. I could see that he was slightly anxious, his brows littered with beads of sweat as he walked around the fields in circles. At the center of the field, a group of weasels was running in a line as if they were in a race. The farmer was relieved to see us. ”I can't walk into the fields, Master! Is this a spell of yours? The weasels ran past me, missing me barely by inches, but I can't seem to touch them!”
His worried demeanor sent us into fits of laughter. More compassion, less judgment, I advised the farmer. The beasts have been through a regimen of penance, so there was no need to harm their lives, I added.
But the weasels seemed to have heard our talking and laughter. They looked distressed and worried; their heads jerking everywhere to locate the source of our voices but they can't seem to see us as if their visions were blinded. I raised a hand and signaled to the four ghosts that I had enlisted to sentry the field for them to cease their magic. I went to the car and took out some ritual offering. I burned them all for the four spirits and said my thanks for their help.
With the magic of the Ghost Barrier undone, the weasels finally regained their sense of sight and direction and bolted into the bushes to their safety. Everyone laughed at their antics. The farmer fished out a wad of notes as payments to us, but I only picked out a 100-yuan bill. We shook hands. ”Thanks for your breakfast treat then,” I muttered, and we left. We headed straight for a roadside stall for breakfast, during which Lin Feng grumbled glumly, ”It's 100 yuan for all the trouble... I'm afraid...” But before I could react, Chongxi chuckled. ”The money's only for breakfast. The matter is still far from over.” Lin Feng looked at me inquiringly. I nodded and muttered, ”Just you wait!”
But the peace only lasted for a day. On the third day, the farmer came to the Center again.
After letting the weasels go, everything was fine that day. But the second night, all hell broke loose. The farmer was jolted awake by a loud bang and his house shook. Then another bang, and again, and the noise and shaking never ended. Someone was raining bricks and tiles at his house! The farmer got up and opened his door to go out, only to be driven back by a brick that missed him merely by inches! Horrified beyond wits, he slammed the door shut at once and waited out the hailstorm of bricks and mortar until daybreak. When he went out in the morning, his entire compound was scattered with debris, bricks, tiles and splintered shards of glass!
Yuan Chongxi stomped his foot with rage. ”How could they! We only punished them lightly for what they did! How dare they come back for revenge! The bunch of mongrel pups has a death wish!” I waved to Chongxi for restraint. I offered the farmer a cigarette and lighted one for myself. ”The weasels must have had help. They do not have enough brains between them to know that they have been tricked by the ”manure feint” of my friend's here. Yet, they returned in the second night, falling for the ruse completely; and now, they come pelting bricks and tiles in revenge! Very well, we'll do all we can to help you. Where are the debris and tiles now?” ”I have piled them just outside my compound!” I nudged with my head toward the door, saying, ”Let's go then!”