Chapter 61

Aria Bennett lightly twirled the vermilion brush between her fingers, effortlessly tracing intricate sigils across the yellow parchment with fluid strokes.

"Is... is it done already?" Walter Lowe's eyes widened as Aria casually gathered the items from the table and tossed them into a basin of water.

As she murmured an arcane incantation, the talisman suddenly ignited—without a single spark.

"Heavens!" Arthur Reed gasped.

What happened next was even more astonishing—the burning talisman didn’t extinguish upon hitting the water. Instead, eerie blue flames engulfed the submerged objects, flickering beneath the surface.

Walter stared at the basin, stunned. This was ordinary tap water—he’d filled it himself.

The flames burned relentlessly for fifteen minutes, until every last item dissolved into ash and vanished without a trace.

Meanwhile, in a suburban villa—

A robed elder in black suddenly choked, spewing dark blood before collapsing like a felled tree.

"Done." Aria dusted off her sleeves. "The backlash hit its caster. Let’s head to the antique market now."

Walter’s gaze toward Aria had completely transformed. This was no ordinary young woman—she was a true master in disguise.

At the antique market, Walter led them with practiced ease to a secluded loft.

"This jade pendant..." Aria’s fingertips glided over a piece of flawless white jade. "It carries traces of auspicious energy—perfect for you."

She selected two more jade pendants and a carnelian bracelet. "These are for the three most affected individuals."

The shop owner, Martin Lowe, watched in awe. "You have an exceptional eye, miss. These pieces are—"

"Late Qing to early Republic-era artifacts, steeped in a century of sacred incense," Aria finished smoothly, picking up a set of ancient coins. "I’ll take these."

Martin’s pupils constricted—no one had recognized the true value of those Five Emperor Coins in the three years he’d owned them.

"Master Aria," he said, suddenly deferential, "might I have your contact information?"

After leaving the market, the trio returned to the Lowe residence.

Aria arranged the newly acquired coins into a protective formation throughout the house. Walter could swear the air itself felt fresher.

"Will you draw the talismans now?" he asked cautiously.

She nodded, spreading out fresh parchment. As her brush danced across the paper, a faint golden aura shimmered around her.

Eighteen talismans flowed from her hand in one seamless session.

"Wear them close to your skin," she instructed, folding the parchment into triangles. "They’ll ward off a single calamity. Replace them immediately if they blacken."

As Walter accepted them reverently, a thought struck him. "Master Aria, can you tell who’s targeting my family?"

Aria’s fingers moved in a quick divination. "Your ancestors accumulated great virtue—enough to bless three generations. But now..." She suddenly frowned. "Wait. Is anyone in your household born in the Year of the Tiger?"

"My younger brother!" Walter shot to his feet. "It’s his zodiac year!"

Aria’s expression darkened. "Get to the hospital—now! The enemy is trying to—"

Before she could finish, Walter’s phone vibrated violently. A nurse’s panicked voice blared through the speaker:

"Mr. Lowe! Your brother just went into cardiac arrest!"