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墨書 Inktalez
Although it appears to be a living person, in reality, it is still dead. This gives me a slight understanding, but I am still curious about what method Barulan used to achieve this.
Banrada asked me if I knew about Xiangxi's Zombie Control Technique. I said of course I know; it's often portrayed in Hong Kong movies. You’re not going to tell me that Barulan can also use the Zombie Control Technique, are you?
Banrada laughed heartily and said that was a method of ours, the Chinese, how could he possibly do that? However, Barulan's method is somewhat similar to the Zombie Control Technique.
It was previously mentioned that Barulan had studied local witchcraft in Africa. Among these practices is a now rare technique known as soul-retrieval, also referred to as Haitian Zombie Magic. This is an art that has been passed down since the Middle Ages. It is said that long ago, there was a ruler in Haiti who excelled in this practice. In his territory, soul-retrieval was considered the highest form of punishment. If you committed an offense, you would first be killed and then revived using Evil Arts, turning you into a zombie, forced to labor for eternity without any chance of escape.
The saying "better off dead than alive" might just refer to this. This type of Evil Arts has not spread widely and remains confined to areas around Haiti, with very few people mastering it today.
After learning this, Barulan combined it with local witchcraft from Myanmar for modifications. The original soul-retrieval technique relied on drugs to control the nervous system and witchcraft to manipulate thoughts; it couldn't truly be considered genuine soul-retrieval. After mastering the spirit control techniques of Azhans, Barulan changed the manipulation of thoughts into spirit possession.
In simple terms, the body of Old Tycoon is actually possessed by a spirit. This spirit was inserted using African witchcraft and locked deep within his body, making it undetectable by ordinary Ajan practitioners.
Barulan then utilized neuropharmaceuticals to make his chest rise and fall at a fixed frequency while ensuring that his joints and muscles did not stiffen due to lack of blood flow. Meanwhile, the spirit within controlled all bodily movements, allowing his body—already ravaged by cancer and on the brink of death—to still move like an ordinary person.
Such a revival is undetectable unless closely examined because Barulan can control the spirit through magical tools, making the dead appear vividly alive. Banrada possesses one such magical tool, which is why he was able to make Old Tycoon speak earlier.
Banrada even told me that Barulan's father had also been turned into a Haitian zombie. Moreover, the spirit used for possession is actually his father's soul. It seems like eternal life, but in reality, he suffers torment every day—a truly horrifying ordeal.
These living dead, although somewhat different from true Haitian zombies, share a common trait: they fear anything related to the ocean. Haitian sorcerers believe that the sea can cleanse one's soul and restore self-awareness to zombies.
I listened in astonishment; such miraculous methods exist in this world. Even more astonishing is that Barulan can combine foreign witchcraft with local Evil Arts, creating a new technique that borders on miraculous. In this regard, he can be considered a genius in cultivation. However, most legitimate practitioners seek enlightenment for spiritual attainment, while he seeks profit and revenge.
Banrada said, "Actually, just like Old Tycoon, it can only last for about ten more days before it gets exposed." My heart tightened, and I quickly asked him what was going on.
Banrada replied, "You're really foolish. I've already told you, that person is just a corpse controlled by spirits and drugs. Since it's a corpse, it will eventually rot. Even if the Qian Family are fools, they should notice something's off once His Father starts to decay."
I broke out in a sweat and said, "Aren't you setting me up? Just over ten days until exposure? They will definitely come looking for me to settle the score! Besides, you only gave me sixty thousand, but expect me to take on such a huge risk! No way, I need to talk to him and clarify this matter. At worst, I'll ask my family to help mediate!"
Seeing me getting anxious, Banrada quickly grabbed my arm and said, "Why are you so worried? Let me finish. Even if his body rots, only we know the reason. When the time comes, we can play dumb and push all the blame onto them. Without evidence, even if they suspect us, they won't have any way to act. But if you reveal the truth, we're done for. Stop thinking about your family; you're old enough to handle things yourself! Besides, what can your family do? Just a small-time Dealer. If these wealthy people really get angry, do you think they would dare stand up for you?"
I instinctively wanted to argue back, but Banrada continued, "Alright, alright. You look like you're only interested in money. In the end, don't you think the amount is too little? Fine, fine, I'll give you another ten thousand. This is in USD, which is worth several tens of thousands in Renminbi!"
To be honest, at that moment I deeply regretted taking on this business deal but couldn't explain why I had impulsively agreed to Banrada. Every time something went wrong with the Amulet sold, I would tell myself it was their greed causing trouble. But when it came to my own situation, why couldn't I control myself?
I secretly lamented but couldn't turn back time. Banrada had given me a share of Seventy Thousand US Dollars, looking pained as if he was losing a fortune, making me want to punch him.
Moreover, this guy was insatiable; when Mr. Qian left earlier, he even tried to slip him a business card to grab some business. Fortunately, Mr. Qian was sharp; he glanced at me and smiled as he said, "If there's anything needed, I'll contact you through Mr. Shen."
This somewhat saved my face; Banrada was quite displeased and remarked about how our little Dealer could handle such big business. I told him it wasn't that it couldn't be done; it was that I didn't want to do it.
Banrada scoffed dismissively and said, "Keep bragging; who would complain about having too much money? Is it too hot to handle or what? If you could really do it, would you still come looking for me?"
He simply didn't believe my words; I couldn't be bothered to explain further. Whether he believed me or not didn't matter much.
I recalled what Hu Xiaoyi had mentioned about several Amulet, realizing there was no hope of getting supplies from Second Uncle, so I asked Banrada if he had any sources. Having just made hundreds of thousands in USD, he was in high spirits. Upon hearing about this small business worth a few thousand dollars, he waved his hand dismissively and said, "Authentic, right? Leave it to me; I'll let you know as soon as I have stock."
I actually wanted to get in touch with Barulan. This Half-Blood Dark Sorcerer was incredibly powerful; if I could recruit him, there would definitely be great opportunities ahead. However, Banrada was very cautious; he wouldn't even let me near when it came time to remit money to Barulan, let alone tell me how to contact him.
I cursed under my breath, but there was nothing I could do. I certainly wouldn't fall out with him over a Black Sorcerer.
Two days later, the Real Estate Tycoon would be coming to sleep in the coffin for a change of luck. This matter had almost nothing to do with me; no matter how much Banrada earned from it, I estimated he wouldn't share any with me. So once Mr. Qian's issue was settled, I planned to return to Bangkok.
I stayed by the Mekong River for nearly a day and night. Grandpa and Second Uncle didn't mind; instead, they asked if my classmates had left and why I hadn't invited them over. I casually brushed them off and went back to my room to rest. After the initial panic, thinking about how my account now had Seventy Thousand US Dollars made me feel quite pleased. Second Uncle usually made big deals, earning tens of thousands at a time; I wasn't doing any worse than him.
With a sense of accomplishment overflowing, I felt light as I walked.
Although summer vacation was long, there wasn't much time left before school started again. Just as I was planning to leave Thailand and prepare for school, an unexpected event occurred.
What Banrada said made a lot of sense, but neither of us expected Mr. Qian to be so broad-minded. He had argued with Second Uncle before but came to our house personally after more than ten days to inquire about the coffin's change of luck.
Second Uncle looked impatient when he saw him, but before he could speak, Mr. Qian said with a worried expression, "Mr. Shen, although my father has been acting normally since his change of luck, his behavior is quite strange. What is going on?"
Second Uncle replied irritably, "Why are you asking me? Ask whoever did it."
Mr. Qian was taken aback for a moment and then pointed at me, saying, "Didn't you ask him to take us to do this? Should I ask that Fat Mr.?"
"Fat Mr.?" Second Uncle was also surprised and instinctively glanced at me. The moment I saw Mr. Qian, I knew something was wrong. My mouth felt bitter as I thought about that bastard Banrada; he really got me into trouble!
Second Uncle frowned and shot me a glare before turning back to Mr. Qian with a smile, saying, "Forget it; since you've come all this way, don't bother looking for him. That guy has probably gone off somewhere else to be busy. If you have any questions, just ask me directly."
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