Su Fei'ang believed he had made a perfectly logical point and was quite smug about it. However, no one around him cracked a smile, and he soon felt a sense of pointlessness.
Shen Dianlan sighed, feeling dejected.
The old matriarch indeed did not want Su Wanran to be the family head, but not because Su Wanran lacked the capability. It was because Su Wanran had offended various powers.
At the same time, the old matriarch also disliked Su Fei'ang.
The reason was simple: Su Fei'ang was truly too foolish to bear the heavy responsibility of a family head. Su Fei'ang was obstinate, vengeful, and incorrigibly stupid. If such a person led the Su family, could the Su family have a future?
This was why Shen Dianlan had encouraged everyone to participate in the succession dispute at the funeral. The old matriarch genuinely hoped that other capable younger generations would step forward.
At this moment.
Shen Dianlan gave Su Fei'ang a stern look and then, focusing on Lu Ming, asked, "Lu Ming, although I believe in Buddhism, I am not superstitious. Do not try to deceive me with all sorts of nonsensical ghost stories; they won't work, understand?"
Lu Ming nodded.
Shen Dianlan said, "Good, then tell me, why is this a ghost牌 (guǐ pái)? What is a ghost牌?"
Lu Ming organized his thoughts and began to explain in a clear and articulate manner.
In Southeast Asia, Buddhist culture was indeed very popular. However, it was not the only thing that was popular; its derivative culture—supernatural culture—was equally prevalent.
In Southeast Asia, all sorts of supernatural and terrifying legends emerged endlessly, making it difficult to discern truth from falsehood.
Raising Kuman Thong, casting black magic, raising spirit insects, and so on.
The ghost牌 was one such item.
A ghost牌 was a perversion of a Buddha牌.
A normal Buddha牌 was crafted by skilled artisans and then consecrated by eminent monks, possessing a certain mystical power.
Such a Buddha牌 could ward off misfortune and bring good luck.
However.
A ghost牌 was the complete opposite.
Some individuals with malicious intent would soak a Buddha牌 in blood, causing it to lose its mystical power and its Buddhist essence. Then, they would implant the souls of people who died unjustly or violently into the Buddha牌.
On the surface, it still appeared to be a Buddha牌, but in reality, its internal mystical power was completely gone, replaced by endless, terrifying curses and resentments.
This kind of item, which looked like a Buddha牌 but actually harbored an evil spirit within, was called a ghost牌!
If one wore a ghost牌 every day, they would be haunted by the evil spirit.
In mild cases, their health would deteriorate; in severe cases, they would die.
Finally, Lu Ming concluded, "The one Han Yun gave you is a ghost牌, containing an extremely terrifying vengeful spirit. If you, Old Madam, were to wear such a ghost牌, your health would rapidly decline, and within a week, you would surely perish!"
Tsk, tsk, tsk. The tale was horrifying.
The air in the entire room seemed to freeze. The atmosphere was awkward and eerie. No one dared to speak, their eyes fixed on the Buddha牌 on the table.
Even Su Fei'ang stopped interjecting.
Although he wanted to refute Lu Ming, the thought of a vengeful spirit lurking within the Buddha牌 terrified him into silence. He involuntarily took two steps back, deliberately putting distance between himself and the Buddha牌.
When it came to such matters, it was better to believe it existed than not.
After a long while.
Shen Dianlan suddenly burst into laughter, lightly fiddling with her prayer beads and saying, "Lu Ming, your storytelling ability is quite remarkable. Where did you read such a cliché plot from, some cheap horror novel?"
She didn't believe it!
Lu Ming said earnestly, "Old Madam, everything I've said is true; I am not lying."
Shen Dianlan immediately dropped her smile and snorted, "Still pretending with me? Do you think I'm that easily fooled? You are clearly slandering Han Yun maliciously, trying to get me to give a good plot of land to Wanran! What Buddha牌, ghost牌, it's all just your fabrication! Do you take me for a three-year-old child, so easily deceived?"
Su Fei'ang and Han Yun both chuckled.
Han Yun, in particular, knew best about the Buddha牌. It was not a ghost牌 at all; Lu Ming was undoubtedly spouting nonsense.
Lu Ming sighed, shook his head with a bitter smile, "Good advice often sounds unpleasant. Fine, since Old Madam doesn't believe me, I have nothing more to say. It's pointless to stay here any longer. Goodbye."
He stood up and left. No one tried to stop him; they simply watched him go.
Seeing that the situation was not in her favor and that the outcome could not be changed today, Su Wanran also said, "Then Grandmother, I'll take my leave as well and go to the West District's Qionghuo to inspect that piece of land."
She stood up and followed in Lu Ming's footsteps.
After the two had departed, Han Yun let out a long sigh of relief and said, "Old Madam, you are truly wise not to have been deceived by that scoundrel Lu Ming."
Shen Dianlan replied, "Although I am old, my mind is still clear. I can distinguish who is good and who is bad. Lu Ming wanted to frame you to get me to side with Wanran and give her a good plot of land. How could I not see through such intentions? And he fabricated such a terrible story. Heh, I believe in Buddhism, but I am by no means superstitious. How could I believe his ghost stories? He underestimated my intelligence!!!"
Su Fei'ang gave a thumbs-up, "Grandmother, your spirit is still young. I must learn from you."
...
In the courtyard, by the car.
Lu Ming leaned against the car, lit a cigarette, and waited for Su Wanran while smoking.
Soon, Su Wanran ran up to Lu Ming.
She stared at Lu Ming, unsure of what to say.
After spending some time together, Su Wanran felt she had a good grasp of Lu Ming's personality. Although this man often said bold things, what he said was always true; he never lied.
However, this time Lu Ming spoke of a ghost牌, which was truly difficult to believe.
After a moment of hesitation.
Su Wanran furrowed her brow and asked, "Lu Ming, about the ghost牌 you mentioned, is it... real? Was that Buddha牌 truly soaked in blood, and does it really contain a vengeful spirit?"
Lu Ming had anticipated her question.
"Hahahaha," Lu Ming guffawed, his face unblushing and his heart at ease, "Where in the world are there vengeful spirits that claim lives? Of course, everything I said just now was false."
Huh?
"You!" Su Wanran was almost infuriated, "After I trusted you so much, you actually lied to me?"
Lu Ming exhaled a puff of smoke and said, "Didn't I fabricate the story of the ghost牌 to help you secure a prime piece of land?"
Su Wanran rolled her eyes, "I thank you! It's just a pity that your story was too bad, and Grandmother's mind is very clear; she didn't believe your nonsense at all. Everything you said was in vain, and you were even ridiculed."
In vain?
No!
Lu Ming feigned mystery and said, "I was not doing anything in vain. Everything I do and every word I say is useful. Although Old Madam didn't believe me, my objective has actually been achieved. Just wait and see, within three days, Old Madam will come begging you for the best plot of land."
Su Wanran was bewildered, "Really? Are you lying to me again? How is that possible?"
Lu Ming glanced around, opened the car door, and said, "This is not a place to talk. Let's go, we can talk on the road."