76: Death is hardly worth lamenting.

The Eight Characters can predict life and death, and so can physiognomy. While the Eight Characters can reveal the general time frame, changes in the vital aura visible on the face mostly reflect imminent events—such as imminent loss of wealth, unexpected accidents, sudden illness requiring hospitalization—all of which can be discerned from shifts in one's facial aura.

The Life Palace, the most crucial among the twelve palaces of physiognomy, chiefly reveals a person’s recent fortune.

Some obvious features are perceptible even without the opening of the heavenly eye, but when it comes to discerning matters of life and death, only with the heavenly eye can one see clearly.

So-called “darkened glabella” describes exactly Zhao Wanglong’s current condition—a black glow spreading throughout the Life Palace, signaling the nearness of death; without the intervention of a benefactor, his fate is sealed.

Even with aid that might alter his destiny, his body will not escape grave affliction and suffering.

“Hao Jianguo, your courage is growing, isn’t it? You dare barge in here directly,” Zhao Wanglong spoke first, his tone hostile. The fact that he addressed Hao Jianguo by name showed he held the chief in no regard.

Now that I had confirmed the Zhao family as the chief instigators behind this Five Elements Life-Stealing ritual, Hao Jianguo showed no politeness. He replied coldly, “Zhao Wanglong, aren’t you curious why we’ve suddenly come knocking?”

Hao Jianguo’s blunt manner made Zhao Wanglong’s expression shift slightly. Glancing at our group—numerous, each fully armed—he clearly realized we hadn’t come on a whim.

He knew full well what he’d done, but Zhao Wanglong was a seasoned fox. With a snort, he said, “Isn’t it just that my son got into a fight outside? You must want money. Name your price.”

“Fights like that don’t fall under my jurisdiction.” Hao Jianguo smiled indifferently.

“Oh? Then are you here to join our banquet?” Zhao Wanglong feigned surprise, then swept his gaze over us again. “But we don’t have much space—just enough for one more at the table. As for your men, perhaps the kitchen has seats.”

Watching Zhao Wanglong, still unrepentant on the brink of death, believing his wealth made him untouchable, I felt an unspeakable disgust. People like him, even if saved, only bring suffering upon others. I regretted getting involved.

He cared nothing for the lives of others—murdering five just so his troublemaking son could rise and cause more trouble. Was such a man worth saving?

At that moment, I understood why my grandmother always reminded me to think carefully before intervening in any affair—for some people, saving them is simply not worth it.

Karma cycles; disaster comes as the fruit of seeds once sown.

Deep within Zhao Wanglong’s Life Palace, a blood-red glow flickered, proof of lives he’d taken—by his own hand. I made a decision then: I would not care for Zhao Wanglong’s fate.

As for the others—his wife, for example, though her sharp features revealed a cunning nature, had never harmed anyone. The children in the room, likely the offspring of Zhao Zilong’s siblings, also showed dark glows in their Life Palaces, evidence of their entanglement in the Five Elements ritual. If left unchecked, only death awaited them.

They were but children, guilty of nothing. For them to die because of another’s crime would be unjust.

I surveyed everyone in the room, calculating whom I ought to save, and who should be left to reap the consequence of their actions.

“Zhao Wanglong, there have been five murders in town recently. I imagine you’ve heard?” Hao Jianguo cut straight to the point, eyes locked on Zhao Wanglong.

At the mention of the five cases, Zhao Wanglong’s eyes flickered, but he feigned ignorance. “I’ve heard, but I don’t see why Chief Hao would suddenly visit—do you suspect I had something to do with those deaths?”

All five were staged as accidents; Zhao Wanglong knew this and wore a smug, arrogant expression, entirely untroubled—he had an alibi, and no one could prove the Zhao family’s involvement.

“Hmph. If you wish not to be found out, do nothing to be discovered,” Hao Jianguo retorted, leaving the rest unsaid. He was at a loss, for there truly was no actual evidence linking Zhao’s family to the crimes.

In an age where everything depends on proof, investigations require evidence. To accuse the Zhao family of the Five Elements ritual would be impossible to justify.

The living room fell silent. Everyone looked at Hao Jianguo; opposite, Zhao Wanglong wore a mocking smile, eager to see how the chief would extricate himself from this blunder.

I was the one who uncovered these events—at this point, I had no choice but to step forward and face Zhao Wanglong directly.

My movement drew everyone’s eyes. Zhao Wanglong looked at me, surprised, as if he sensed I was not a member of the police.

“Sir, I imagine you’ve seen the effects of the Five Elements Life-Stealing ritual?”

I spoke plainly, for I was certain Zhao Wanglong knew of it, and merely needed to hear the consequences to lose his arrogance.

Sure enough, Zhao Wanglong’s face changed drastically, but he quickly masked his panic, instead sneering, “Five Elements, you say? I’ll give you three minutes to disappear, or you’ll pay dearly for this.”

He still refused to admit the truth.

I continued, unruffled, “The Five Elements ritual is indeed powerful—it can snatch life from the jaws of death. But the world is governed by cause and effect; to seize what does not belong to you demands a bloody price.”

I expected Zhao Wanglong to erupt, but instead, he narrowed his eyes at me, asking, “What do you mean by that?”

His voice showed he truly did not know the consequences of the ritual, but sensed it wasn’t as simple as borrowing life.

He was afraid—that would make things easier.

I pressed on, “What do I mean? Five lives for one, one life paid with ten more. The Five Elements ritual is forbidden sorcery—whoever practices it brings disaster upon their whole family. Those on the verge of death will already see signs: sharp, stabbing pains in the head, flashes of red before the eyes.”

I said this for Zhao Wanglong’s benefit. The ritual for Zhao Guang was completed yesterday, so since then, Zhao Wanglong should have experienced these symptoms, which would only worsen with time.

As the first to die, Zhao Wanglong should recognize these warnings well.

The drastic change in his face confirmed I was correct.

Money may buy arrogance, but without life, what good does arrogance do?

Some truths need not be fully revealed—some secrets are not meant to be spoken.

I turned to Hao Jianguo. “Uncle Hao, as we’re clearly not welcome here, let’s take our leave.”

Hao Jianguo was briefly startled, but reading Zhao Wanglong’s shifting expression, he realized my words had struck deep. He knew it was time to play hard to get and gestured for Cao Guangshan and the others to withdraw.

“Wait.”

Just as I turned, Zhao Wanglong called out. But none of us stopped. Once outside, he chased after and grabbed my arm.

“Stop right there.”

He seized me rudely, but I twisted my arm, channeling the strength of the Nine Palace Steps my grandmother had taught me, and easily broke free, ignoring him as I caught up with the others.

“You…” Zhao Wanglong stood frozen, mouth open, lost for words, his face ashen.

Death itself is not frightening—what’s truly terrifying is knowing it is near.

I believed Zhao Wanglong was a clever man. From his reaction, he understood now that there was a price for the Five Elements ritual, and wanted to ask me more, but I would not relent.

As my grandmother had always said, life is precious, for it takes much hardship to grow from birth to adulthood. Yet for some people, death is preferable to life.

Zhao Wanglong was precisely such a man.

Now that we had confronted him, he would not confess his crimes, but after leaving him with these words, I was certain it would not be long before he came seeking us out.

Then, holding the advantage, every crime would be exposed.

Back in the car, Cao Guangshan asked why I hadn’t been more direct.

“If I’d said it plainly, he might not have believed me. Only by being vague would he sense the gravity of the situation. Don’t worry—he’ll come to us soon enough, because he has less than two days left.”

Everyone present knew the cost of the Five Elements ritual.

At this, Hao Jianguo added, “People like him deserve no better.”