Chapter 285: Chapter 285: Entering the Haunted House!
Upon noticing that Huang Xiaolong did not refute Lin Zicong’s reverence to him as a “master,” he instantly became overjoyed. His face displayed a sort of flabbergasted happiness that he had trouble concealing.

It should be understood that Lin Zicong was an arrogant, unyielding character and an elite among men throughout his life, he rarely conceded to anyone.

However, during the charity auction hosted by the four major families, Huang Xiaolong’s various tactics effortlessly subdued Lin Zicong, who had used every trick in his book.

This caused Lin Zicong to submit to Huang Xiaolong.

Wholeheartedly and unreservedly.

Given his nature, he wouldn’t yield unless he truly conceded. He definitely wouldn’t put up a false appearance.

At this moment, Lin Zicong’s demeanor greatly alarmed Chairman Qiu, Yang Kai, Qian Feng, and others.

Damn… the leader of the four young masters of Binhai actually reveres Huang Xiaolong as a “Master.”

Who on earth is this person?

Chairman Qiu attended the banquet that day, but was dismissed before Huang Xiaolong and Lin Zicong’s showdown. He had no idea what had happened later, and never in his wildest dreams did he expect Lin Zicong to regard Huang Xiaolong as a “master.”

Especially, Qian Feng and Yang Kai, they were fear-stricken and broke out in a cold sweat.

Both of them had once looked down on and scorned Huang Xiaolong. Fortunately, they hadn’t quarreled with Huang Xiaolong; otherwise… Oh my god, if Lin Zicong’s master wanted to play them, wouldn’t he just have to lift a finger?

“Master, may I ask what brings you here?” Lin Zicong couldn’t help but ask.

“Oh, there’s a haunted house here. I’m planning to take a look.” Huang Xiaolong casually replied. “And you?”

“Master, I have a holiday villa by the sea here. I occasionally come here to unwind—one can find peace amidst the commotion.” Lin Zicong quickly answered, then asked curiously, “Master, are you referring to that villa where a lot of people have died—the one considered the most haunted in Binhai?”

“Yes.” Huang Xiaolong nodded slightly. “Alright, no more idle chatter. Let’s go in and take a look.”

Upon finishing his sentence, an enthusiastic Huang Xiaolong strode towards the villa.

Chairman Qiu and others hurriedly followed.

“A haunted house? Master is actually… actually going to explore this haunted house? Interesting…” Lin Zicong also quickly followed.

In Lin Zicong’s view, Huang Xiaolong was a martial arts expert, who’d earned the respect of the Sun Family. His shooting skills were godlike. He was also exceptionally skilled in antique appraisal and medicine.

However, he had never actually witnessed Huang Xiaolong’s exorcism methods.

He had heard about this haunted house before. Now that Huang Xiaolong was going to explore it, his curiosity was piqued.

The environment within the villa community was undoubtedly beautiful. The magnificent scenery made you deeply appreciate the allure of money.

Only with money could people enjoy such heavenly surroundings!

As they walked, Qian Feng exposed everything he knew to Huang Xiaolong, not daring to conceal any information the slightest bit longer. “Dr. Xiaolong, this haunted house—ever since the keys were turned over five years ago and the owner’s family died tragically—has been plagued by continuous eerie incidents. In total, about twenty to thirty people have died… Some of the news has been suppressed by the government and real estate developers… The outside world may not know that so many people have died in this terrifying house…”

“Oh, so dozens of people have died here? No wonder there’s such heavy resentment.” Huang Xiaolong nonchalantly nodded.

In this complex, each villa was quite a distance from the next, providing for a private space for the owner. Because of this, the wicked and resentful spirit of the haunted house had not affected other homes within the neighborhood.

However, as Huang Xiaolong put it, if more people die in the haunted house, the consequences would be unimaginable.

Eventually, under Qian Feng’s guidance, they arrived at the notorious haunted house!

This villa was three stories high, with an underground parking garage and a basement. The villa was surrounded by a large lawn where the owner could relax and enjoy leisurely activities, such as barbecues, if they felt compelled. Tall green trees were planted around the lawn.

It was broad daylight, and to an average person, there was nothing unusual or frightening about the estate.

However, there were over a dozen black cats gathered outside the villa!

The eyes of these cats were all red, which was extremely eerie. They silently stared at Huang Xiaolong and the others, without showing any signs of fleeing. Instead, they held their ground by the gates of the villa.

“Scram!” Qian Feng proactively walked up and waved his hands to shoo away the swarm of cats.

However, the black cats didn’t fear people at all. Not only did they refuse to run away, they all raised their tails and hissed aggressively, as if they owned the place, and Huang Xiaolong and the others were intruders.

“Huh” Huang Xiaolong chuckled, then a flash of gold sparked in his eyes, causing the black cats to retreat hastily and scurry away in all directions.

“Master… those cats are?” Lin Zicong had been observing Huang Xiaolong in silence. Just now, Huang Xiaolong looked solemn as a Buddha, and there was a flash of golden light in his eyes, which made Lin Zicong shudder slightly, trying to guess what means Huang Xiaolong had used.

“Black cats. They are a very ominous existence known as the messengers that wander between the world of the living and the dead.” Huang Xiaolong casually explained, then turned to Qian Feng. “Did you do as I instructed?”

“Yes, Dr. Xiaolong, after Chairman Qiu’s call this morning, I and a few workers bought a few hundred kilograms of glutinous rice, spread it on the floors of every level of the villa, and sprinkled cockerel blood on the doors and windows.” Qian Feng dutifully reported.

Seeing the bewildered looks on Chairman Qiu and the others, Huang Xiaolong explained, “If a haunted house only has ordinary fierce ghosts, then sprinkling glutinous rice on the floor and cockerel blood on the doors and windows can kill them directly. That’s because glutinous rice and cockerel blood are items used for exorcism. In addition, glutinous rice has a particular damaging effect on zombies. For example, if you sprinkle it on the ground, zombies won’t dare to approach. If a zombie bites or scratches you, applying raw glutinous rice to the wound can also have a certain healing effect.”

“Not to mention the cockerel. The fact that a cockerel can expel evil is because when a cockerel crows —it announces dawn— it’s a yang animal. Do you know the origin of the idiom ‘killing the chicken to scare the monkey’? Why isn’t it killing a pig, a sheep, or a cow? Why specifically kill a chicken? It’s because only killing a chicken can truly scare a monkey.”

“I had you scatter glutinous rice on the ground and sprinkle cockerel blood on the doors and windows to seal off this haunted house, creating a near vacuum space. The ghosts inside can’t escape; they will be directly strangled and their souls dispersed.” Huang Xiaolong laughed. “Let’s go in and see what’s going on inside. Let’s see if there are any ghosts or people who died inside.”

After finishing speaking, Huang Xiaolong asked Qian Feng for the key to the villa and walked up to the door. He inserted the key into the keyhole, click… the door opened!

An indescribable stench emanated from the villa!

“Those who are too timid can stay outside. Those who are brave enough, follow me in and have a look.” Huang Xiaolong turned back and smiled, then walked straight into the villa.