Gu Qin spent the next few hours working on the courtyard, placing talismans and performing rituals. By the time she finished, the atmosphere in the courtyard felt different, more harmonious and peaceful.

The couple and the elders thanked Gu Qin profusely, relieved that their problems might finally be resolved. Gu Qin assured them that it would take time for the full effects to manifest, but she was confident in her methods.

As she packed up her tools, Gu Qin reflected on the importance of maintaining harmony in one's environment. She knew that feng shui was not just about aesthetics but about creating a space where energy flowed freely and positively.

Returning home, Gu Qin felt satisfied with her work. She had helped a family in need and restored balance to their living space. Such moments reminded her of the profound impact that understanding and applying the principles of feng shui could have on people's lives.

The quilted person walked away.

When Gu Qin entered the courtyard, she said, "Your family is always sick and things don't go well for you, right? There was some earthwork done in your house four years ago, wasn't there?"

The couple was surprised and nodded.

Gu Qin looked around and pointed to the exit, saying, "There's work done here." Then she pointed at the flower bed, "And here too. Actually, it wouldn't be a problem if not for the fact that the exit faces a wall directly. What does that make?"

Seeing their blank expressions, Gu Qin explained, "That turns into a tired, which means being trapped. Being in such a place can lead to health issues, and the owner will always face misfortune. To break this, it's quite simple: just change the direction of the exit back to its original position. The cypress tree in the middle isn't good either; it could be dug up and replaced with a pomegranate tree, which brings prosperity and is good for grandchildren." She then took out an amulet from her pocket, "Hang this in your room during the earthwork period, and it will keep you safe. After the earthwork, those previous symptoms will gradually disappear."

Inside the amulet was a low-grade spirit gathering talisman. Besides guiding the couple on the feng shui of their courtyard, Gu Qin also advised them on where to place certain objects, which they wrote down.

After finishing the guidance, Gu Qin said, "There's nothing much I can do about the feng shui, but for the amulet, you need to pay me 200,000 yuan."

Her price was indeed high; 200,000 yuan was a lot for ordinary people, and for the couple, it was several months' income. Although hesitant, they transferred the money to Gu Qin's account. After she left, the couple asked their friend, "Why is this feng shui master so young? And why is the fee so high? Are we being cheated?"

Their friend laughed, "Don't worry, 200,000 yuan isn't too high. It's said that this feng shui master has charged millions for consultations. You can trust her. Look, Miss Gu even gave you an amulet. Hang it in your house, and you'll see that no one in your family will get sick again, and everything will go smoothly."

The couple still didn't fully believe it, but since they had spent 200,000 yuan on the amulet, they decided to hang it anyway.

Unexpectedly, their son's cold improved the next day. Before, he had trouble breathing at night, but in the morning, they found out he had slept soundly. They finally believed that Gu Qin was truly capable and quickly contacted workers to follow her advice and modify the courtyard entrance and replace the cypress tree with a pomegranate tree.

Another job Gu Qin took on was similar to Wan Jing's mortuary building, both being mortuary buildings, but Wan Jing did it for human life, while this person did it for wealth.

This person was a boss from Hong Kong, a city surrounded by sea on three sides, considered a developed secondary city, about five hundred kilometers from the capital. This boss's surname was also related to the city, called Xiang Chengjun.

It was likely that a business acquaintance introduced Gu Qin to him.

Gu Qin flew to Hong Kong the same day, unaware of what the matter was.

Upon arrival, she saw Xiang Chengjun and couldn't help but frown.

Xiang Chengjun probably didn't expect Gu Qin to be so young and wondered if this young girl could solve his problem. But he had to try, as he had consulted many feng shui masters before who couldn't solve his issue.

Xiang Chengjun said, "Master Gu, I have booked a room in the hotel ahead. Since you've come all the way, why don't we eat something first and rest a bit?"

Gu Qin replied, "No need, tell me what happened first." In fact, she already knew most of it from her Heavenly Eye.

Xiang Chengjun then said, "Master Gu, I've been feeling unwell recently and not sleeping well. I hope you can help me figure out what's going on."

Gu Qin glanced at him, "Are you not telling the truth? Boss Xiang, if you don't tell the truth, I won't be able to help you."

Xiang Chengjun was stunned, "M-Master Gu, how could you say such a thing?"

Gu Qin said, "Are you really just feeling unwell? If you're unwell, wouldn't it be better to go to the hospital? Why consult a feng shui master? Or do you think it's your home's feng shui causing the problems? Or maybe you're hoping it's just a feng shui issue and not something else?"

Xiang Chengjun's heart skipped a beat, smiling without answering.

Gu Qin said, "Forget it. Since you're unwilling to admit it, let's go check the feng shui at your house first."

They went to Xiang's house by car. Xiang's house was a separate villa, and upon seeing it, Gu Qin knew it wasn't a feng shui issue. Seeing Xiang Chengjun looking at her eagerly, Gu Qin shook her head, "There's no feng shui problem at home, Boss Xiang. If you're not willing to tell the truth, I'll leave."

Xiang Chengjun actually knew where the problem lay. He had consulted several feng shui masters but didn't reveal much. They suggested moving things around, but it didn't work. At that time, he realized it wasn't a feng shui issue but rather... karmic retribution.

"Master Gu, please don't leave," Xiang Chengjun knew this girl was truly capable, "I'll tell you everything." But how could he admit his own mistakes?

Gu Qin didn't rush, sitting quietly on the sofa, waiting for him to speak.

After a few minutes, Xiang Chengjun sighed, "Master Gu, about ten years ago, I received an engineering project to build residential areas and a mall in a planned zone. There were some setbacks, but eventually, it was completed. But every year, accidents started happening. I began to feel something was off."

Gu Qin asked, "Did you not expect these accidents, or did you know all along that accidents would happen after construction?"

Xiang Chengjun was speechless, realizing he couldn't lie to Gu Qin. He had known all along that accidents would happen.

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"Do you know what you're dealing with?" Gu Qin asked.

Xiang Chengjun's eyes widened, wondering if he was indeed being haunted by those souls.

Gu Qin said, "Take me there first." Although she had already seen the situation through her Heavenly Eye.

Xiang Chengjun dared not hide anything and immediately took her there. They stopped in front of an old, dilapidated neighborhood surrounded by high-rise buildings.

The neighborhood was called Sunshine Community, with eight eight-story buildings standing tall. Inside these buildings was a mall, which now looked old and deserted, mostly used for wholesale businesses. Floors above the fourth were for dining, clothing, and entertainment.

Gu Qin immediately recognized that the buildings were arranged in an octagonal pattern, forming eight mortuary buildings. However, these buildings weren't inherently evil; they were designed to trap the mall, trapping the spirits of those who died there.

Even though these eight buildings weren't inherently evil, they were still mortuary buildings. People living inside might not die, but their lives would never be smooth. Most residents were unlucky and struggled.

The mall, combined with the surrounding buildings, formed a special array called the Octagonal Trapping Yin Array. Such a structure was eerie, causing deaths, and was a form of ill-gotten gains. People would die there, and the spirits would be trapped, making the place increasingly yin.

Moreover, Gu Qin didn't think this array was solely for ill-gotten gains or to trap a few spirits. There must be something else buried underneath.

Gu Qin frowned, wanting to use her Heavenly Eye to see what was really there, but Xiang Chengjun grabbed her arm, "Master Gu, have you seen anything strange?"

Gu Qin turned back, "Since you used this array for ill-gotten gains, you should know the consequences."

Xiang Chengjun's eyes flickered, grabbing Gu Qin like a lifeline, "Master Gu, you can save me, right?"

Gu Qin looked at the buildings and mall, "Let's go back first. Tell me everything in detail, including when and from whom you got this land."

They returned to the hotel where Gu Qin was staying. After eating, Gu Qin listened to Xiang Chengjun explain everything.

Fifteen years ago, Xiang Chengjun was a penniless loafer. His wife urged him to find a job, but he always complained about the low pay and refused to work steadily. He dreamed of making a fortune through business but failed multiple times.

His wife grew increasingly disgusted with him, thinking he was idle.

One day, while wandering the streets, Xiang Chengjun overheard a conversation about the development zone project in Hong Kong. Rumors were circulating about the site being cursed, having changed hands twice. The first owner bought the land and hired architects, but the first building collapsed, killing two workers, and the owner met an unfortunate end.

The first owner's death was mysterious. He went to inspect the site and stumbled, falling through a safety net and dying from head injuries.

A month later, a new owner took over, but he also met an untimely death within a month. Workers continued to have accidents, and the owner died under suspicious circumstances, apparently from carbon monoxide poisoning.

Construction halted again, and rumors spread that the site was cursed, bringing death to anyone who worked there.

Xiang Chengjun heard rumors about the land being sold at a very low price due to a government initiative. Intrigued by the low price, he thought he could make a fortune by developing the area.

He lacked connections but remembered a friend working in the government and asked him to investigate. His friend brought news that the government would support a loan for someone willing to take the project.

Xiang Chengjun seized the opportunity and took the project. The government was relieved someone took it, fearing further accidents.

Construction began, but accidents continued. Xiang Chengjun felt something following him and considered selling the project. One morning, he found a jade pendant and a note on his bedside. The note assured him he'd be fine if he wore the pendant and followed the design plans, warning him to act soon or face death within a month.

Reluctantly, he wore the pendant, and no accidents occurred to him. However, workers continued to have accidents. Xiang Chengjun pushed through the pressure and completed the project.

Despite the rumors, the area eventually filled with residents due to low prices and his efforts to dispel the rumors.

Xiang Chengjun became wealthy, built a villa elsewhere, and moved out. The mall opened but faced tragedies. People committed suicide, leading to more rumors.

Each year, deaths occurred, and Xiang Chengjun paid compensation. Despite the tragedies, the mall remained profitable. He also ran wholesale businesses within the mall, which thrived.

Over time, he forgot the rumors and believed the deaths were coincidental. Until recently, he felt something following him, nightmares, and fatigue. A fall down the stairs made him realize the warnings were real. The jade pendant was cracked, indicating its power was fading.

He feared and sought feng shui masters, but none helped until he met Gu Qin, who pinpointed the problem.

Gu Qin frowned after hearing his story. She had seen the overall layout was the Octagonal Trapping Yin Array. She didn't believe the array was merely for trapping spirits to make money. Something else must be trapped beneath.

"What can you do to save me?" Xiang Chengjun pleaded, "Name your price."

Gu Qin looked at him, silent.

Xiang Chengjun's situation wasn't complicated; it all stemmed from the Octagonal Trapping Yin Array. Breaking the array was challenging, as it would release whatever was trapped underneath.

As the owner of the array, Xiang Chengjun would be affected. Ordinary people couldn't handle such an array, which explained the deaths of the previous owners. The letter and pendant given to him were likely from the person who set up the array, ensuring he wouldn't die and abandon the project, leaving it unfinished.

The array generated ill-gotten gains to appease people and prevent the project from being abandoned.

Gu Qin examined Xiang Chengjun's jade pendant, confirming it was a powerful artifact, sustaining for ten years but now useless. If he had come to her later, he might have been in grave danger.

She confirmed through her Heavenly Eye that Xiang Chengjun's story was true.

Gu Qin asked, "You must know that this place attracts death, making money from ill-gotten gains by using the deaths of others, right?"

Xiang Chengjun had long suspected but denied, "Master Gu, I didn't know. I don't understand feng shui enough to know that."

Gu Qin humphed softly, not revealing his lies. "If you want my help, I have conditions."

"What conditions, Master Gu? Just say it."

"I want half of your company's shares."

"What?" Xiang Chengjun jumped up, "Master Gu, that's highly immoral."

He expected a high price but never imagined such a demand, "Master Gu, do you know how much half the shares are worth?"

Gu Qin knew, "Around several hundred million."

Seeing her calm demeanor, Xiang Chengjun was infuriated, "Master Gu, you know that half the shares are worth hundreds of millions. How can you..."

"Brave enough to say it?"

"Gu Qin smiled instead. 'Boss Xiang, how do you think your life compares with these hundreds of millions?' Moreover, she wanted half the shares just to use that money to atone for Xiang Chengjun's sins; she wasn't really greedy. He used such sinister methods to make money, even if he didn't want to kill people, by knowing this place could only thrive on deaths and not stopping it, he was wrong. Logically speaking, with so many lives on his hands, Gu Qin wouldn't bother with him, but she found out that he treated his wife and children very well."

"So rich, yet there was only one woman in his life. Even though his wife sometimes acted like a shrew, yelling at him and not being particularly gentle, he had never strayed."

"Gu Qin knew his nature wasn't bad, but he truly watched many people die just for money."

"That's why she asked for so much, to help those in need according to market prices, which would also be a form of atonement for Xiang Chengjun."

Xiang Chengjun laughed bitterly after hearing Gu Qin's words. "Master Gu, whether you can really save me or not, even if you can, half the shares is too much. How about this, if you can really help me, I'll give you fifty million when we're done."

"No." Gu Qin stayed seated. "There's no negotiation for half the shares. I'm going to rest now. Think it over and answer me later, Boss Xiang." With that, she got up and opened the door, standing there to indicate he should leave and not disturb her rest.

Xiang Chengjun was infuriated. He got up and left the room, staring at Gu Qin for a moment, hesitating before leaving without saying anything.

"Boss Xiang," Gu Qin called out suddenly. "Be careful when you go back, watch out for the sky. Here," she handed him an incense pouch. "It contains a talisman that might save your life."

Xiang Chengjun was stunned, his face turning pale. He didn't understand why Gu Qin suddenly said this. After some hesitation, he took the incense pouch from her. When Gu Qin closed the door, he stood outside for a while before leaving with the pouch in hand.

On the way, Xiang Chengjun guessed at the meaning behind Gu Qin's gift. Was it similar to the jade pendant that had protected him for ten years, now losing its effect, leading to all his troubles?

But why did she have to give it to him now? And what did she mean by watching out for the sky?

The car turned a corner, moving further away from the hotel. Xiang Chengjun planned to go home. As they passed a construction site, the car suddenly stopped. He was puzzled; he hadn't stepped on the brake, so why had the car stopped? He pressed the clutch, but the car remained motionless. Cursing under his breath, he prepared to get out and check when a loud bang came from the front.

Xiang Chengjun looked up, his pupils contracting. Ten meters ahead, a thick steel bar was firmly embedded in the ground. The sound must have been the steel bar hitting the ground. It sank deep into the ground, suggesting it had fallen from at least the tenth floor.

Xiang Chengjun trembled. If the car hadn't stopped, the steel bar would have struck it. He couldn't understand how the car had stopped. At that moment, the incense pouch hanging on the car front caught fire and quickly burned to ashes, falling onto the car carpet.

Xiang Chengjun's face changed dramatically. He realized the talisman had saved his life. So, Master Gu had predicted his danger?