Chapter 109: The Origin of the Malevolent Aura

Zhou Baitao naturally did not understand what "baleful energy" was, but with a look of astonishment, she asked, "Father, you’re awake? Are you all right now?"

Old Master Zhou coughed softly, his voice weak. "I have some consciousness now. What happened to me?"

Xie Huaiyan, standing nearby, immediately leaned over to look at the man in the hospital bed, delighted. "He’s awake. He’s finally awake."

Ye Fei did not really want to involve himself with Old Master Zhou. He was not short of money, but the existence of baleful energy was a serious matter. That someone in this world was cultivating such energy meant they were of wicked intent. Therefore, saving this old man was necessary to uncover the truth behind it all.

"Old Master Zhou, where did you get that small cage? And what is the story behind the purple aura on it?"

When Old Master Zhou opened his eyes and saw Ye Fei, he immediately understood that this was his savior, and his gaze softened. "Is this the divine doctor you often speak of? Truly a brilliant young talent!" Old Master Zhou slowly sat up and carefully examined Ye Fei.

"I saw that small cage once at an auction house in the black market. I didn't find it strange at the time, but a few days ago, a man brought a small cage glowing with a purple aura. I was immediately drawn to it and kept it with me day and night. Who would have thought that my health would deteriorate day by day because of it?"

Xie Huaiyan bowed and asked, "Divine Doctor Ye, may I ask what exactly that purple aura is? Is there any hope for Old Master Zhou to return to his former state?"

Even for a martial artist, encountering baleful energy left one with no choice but to surrender; ordinary people could hardly resist it. The old man had not only been attacked by the baleful energy but also suffered from the harm of parasitic insects within his body. Combined, these two factors would leave someone either dead or crippled.

"It is hard to say. The purple aura is baleful energy that erodes the body, and the old man also had parasitic insects inside him. Although I have removed the insects, the erosion caused by the purple aura cannot be undone overnight."

Ye Fei’s candid words earned him the old man's admiration. "As expected of a divine doctor, you saw through it at a single glance."

Ye Fei shrugged and chuckled, "You should have the contact information for that man. Could you give it to me? Baleful energy is not a good thing. If you wish for prosperity, you should do more good deeds; there is no need to rely on things you cannot control yourself."

Whether it was spiritual energy or baleful energy, it required a master of Ye Fei’s level to utilize it. Even if an ordinary person kept it by their side day and night, there would be no luck involved—only, perhaps, the opening of a path to financial ruin.

"I have it. Baitao, give it to Divine Doctor Ye."

Zhou Baitao did not dare to act out in front of her father. She lowered her head and handed over a number.

After obtaining the number, Ye Fei teased, "Miss Zhou, you wouldn't even spare a glance for a 'charlatan' like me. Could it be that you’ve fallen for me?"

Zhou Baitao’s face flushed red. Beside her, Xie Yaxuan said with disdain, "Who would be blind enough to like you?"

Ye Fei gave Xie Huaiyan some final instructions before setting off to follow the trail using the phone number.

Hangzhou had many antique shops, so finding someone shouldn't be difficult. Making a random phone call might alert the enemy, so the best approach was to take the number and find the person directly, while warning them not to spread word of his investigation.

He first went to Hangzhou’s underground antique auction house. As soon as he stepped inside, the air was thick with smoke, as if he had entered a temple. Ye Fei was blinded by the haze and covered his nose and mouth as he pushed his way inside.

Suddenly, someone slammed into his left shoulder. The man exhaled a cloud of smoke and said unceremoniously, "You dog, watch where you’re going! Even a good dog doesn't block the path."

Ye Fei stood his ground and turned his head. "You were the one who bumped into me."

The man was nearly two meters tall, dark-skinned and burly, looking very much like a forest bear. "I’ll be damned, this is the first time I've heard someone dare to talk back. What’s the matter? What are you going to do about it?" He glared at Ye Fei provokingly, a look of petty triumph in his eyes.

He placed both hands on Ye Fei’s shoulders and suddenly increased his strength. His knuckles cracked, but Ye Fei’s expression remained unchanged as he stared blankly at him.

The lackeys nearby sneered. "He’s a tough one, I’ll give him that. An ordinary person would have been pale by now!"

"If this were anyone else, their shoulders would have been crushed!"

"What kind of background does this kid have? He’s completely fine!"

The big man’s eyes showed surprise. The guy’s shoulders were like iron—he couldn't squeeze them at all. Even though he used all his strength, Ye Fei’s expression remained indifferent.

"Boss, let it go. This guy isn't afraid of death; he’s probably already suffering from some terminal illness."

"Yeah, boss, this guy doesn't even look human!"

The big man let go, but unwilling to give up, he pulled a dagger from his waist and stabbed at Ye Fei’s abdomen with a fluid, seamless motion.

"What's going on?"

"Holy crap, he caught the blade with his bare hands!"

"No way, he really isn't human."

The big man looked down to see the knife held tightly in Ye Fei’s hand, motionless. His face changed, and his previous arrogance vanished into thin air.

The big man tried to pull the knife back, but he could not break free from Ye Fei’s grip. The knife seemed anchored to Ye Fei’s hand, unable to budge.

"Who exactly are you?"

Ye Fei sneered, slowly condensing his spiritual energy into his hand, and then suddenly pushed the big man with a violent burst of force!

The big man flew back seven or eight meters like a lump of meat, crashing into the ground.

"Boss!"

The lackeys rushed over to check on him, not forgetting to turn back and warn, "You’ve messed with Brother Long’s men! You’ll never live a peaceful day in this life!"

Ye Fei rolled his eyes. He had lost count of how many times he had heard such threats, yet he was still living quite well. As for those who said such things, they were likely already drinking the broth of oblivion in the afterlife.

He did not linger, as his mission today was to find the owner of the phone number.

"Sir, have you been in the antique trade for a long time?" Ye Fei walked over to an elderly man and asked. The old man glanced at Ye Fei and sighed lightly. "That’s all in the past, but I suppose I’m an elder of sorts around here. Do you need something from me?"

"I'm looking for the owner of this number. Do you recognize it?"

The old man looked at it for a long time before shaking his head. "I haven't seen it. I’ve met many people, but I don't recognize this one."

It seemed the owner of the number was not involved in the antique trade. He would have to ask Yang Tianming to investigate the mastermind behind it.

Just as he stepped out of the antique market, he was surrounded by a large circle of men!

"That’s him, he’s the one who hurt our boss!"

"Brother Long, this is the guy! Kill him!"

Ye Fei glanced at the group, speechless, and cracked his joints. It looked like he was going to get a good workout today!

"You want revenge, do you? Then let’s get started! Stop dawdling!"