Divine Level Witch Doctor

When Zhao Yuan returned to the courtyard, tables and chairs were already set up both inside and out, and steaming hot dishes were being served. Seeing him, Shen Lijun said, ”Where did you run off to? We couldn’t find you anywhere, and your phone wasn’t picking up. Hurry and wash your hands. We’re about to start eating.”

”Alright,” Zhao Yuan replied with a laugh, and went to the well to draw water to wash his hands.

His father, Zhao Shiquan, sidled over and said with a mock-aggrieved expression, ”You little brat. How dare you make me take the fall for you? So unfilial!”

Zhao Yuan laughed. ”Dad, you’re used to getting chewed out by Mom anyway. What’s the big deal about taking the blame for me this one time?”

”Hey, you little punk!” Zhao Shiquan rolled up his sleeves, pretending to be angry and making a move to rough up Zhao Yuan.

The father and son immediately dissolved into a fit of playful wrestling.

The next day, Zhao Yuan woke up early.

His parents and younger sister were up even earlier, having cooked breakfast for him. As he ate, they reminded him to be careful on his journey and to take good care of himself. Although this wasn’t Zhao Yuan’s first time traveling far from home, their worry and concern were just as strong as ever.

Zhao Yuan agreed to all their requests, a warmth spreading through his heart.

’It’s a wonderful feeling, having family that worries about you.’

Not long after breakfast, a car horn sounded from outside.

Cai De had arrived in his car.

During the gathering yesterday, Zhao Yuan had asked Cai De to drive him to the airport today. Without a ride, travel was very inconvenient; it would be an arduous journey of at least two days just to reach Rongcheng City.

This incident further solidified Zhao Yuan’s determination to get a driver’s license and buy a car.

After bidding his family farewell, Zhao Yuan got into Cai De’s car, and they sped toward Rongcheng Airport.

「Meanwhile, in Tokyo, Japan.」

Kobayashi Haruo sat in Kawashima Haruhiro’s car, looking very nervous. He opened his mouth to speak several times, but always hesitated.

Kawashima Haruhiro noticed and frowned. ”Mr. Kobayashi, if you have something to say, spit it out. Stop hemming and hawing!”

Kobayashi Haruo hesitated for a moment, then said, ”Senior Brother, perhaps I should stay in Japan. I have a bad feeling... that something unexpected is going to happen today.”

Before he could finish, Kawashima Haruhiro cut him off with a furious roar. ”Idiot! Your cowering is a disgrace to the Qu Zhelei School! Fine! Get out of the car. Stay in Japan. But if you do, I will immediately report this to Master and have you expelled from the school!”

Kobayashi Haruo’s face went pale with fright. His reputation was already in tatters; he was surviving solely on the charity of his school. If he were expelled, he would be utterly finished. He could forget any fantasy of making a comeback.

He hastily cried out, ”Please, Senior Brother, don’t! I’ll go! I’ll go, alright?”

”Hmph!” Kawashima Haruhiro’s anger finally subsided a little. ”Remember this: A disciple of our school can be defeated, but he can never be a coward! A coward is not worthy of being one of us!”

Kobayashi Haruo bowed obsequiously. ”Yes! You are right, Senior Brother. I will take your words to heart!”

Upon arriving at the airport, Kobayashi Haruo followed Kawashima Haruhiro out of the car. Accompanying them on this trip were several of Kawashima Haruhiro’s assistants and a woman wearing a face mask.

Kobayashi Haruo had never seen this woman before and had no idea who she was. He asked Kawashima Haruhiro and learned that she was his new girlfriend, whom he was bringing along for a tour of China.

Though her mask hid her face, the eyes visible above it held a soul-snatching charm. Her bewitching figure also turned more than a few heads. Even though Kobayashi Haruo was... no longer functional in that department, his heart still skipped a beat upon seeing this woman.

’This woman is a natural-born siren!’ Kobayashi Haruo thought in admiration before quickly looking away. ’She’s Senior Brother’s girlfriend. I’d better not stare. Besides, in my current condition, there’s no point in looking anyway.’

At this thought, the anguish in Kobayashi Haruo’s heart deepened, and his hatred for Zhao Yuan burned even more intensely.

As if sensing the shift in Kobayashi Haruo’s emotions, the masked woman turned her head and glanced at him.

The group crossed the parking lot and entered the terminal building.

Kawashima Haruhiro sent an assistant to get their boarding passes. Just as Kobayashi Haruo handed his passport over, he suddenly felt as if a switch had been flipped inside his body. His strength vanished in an instant, like a receding tide. He couldn’t even remain standing and collapsed to the floor with a THUD, where he began to convulse violently, as if in the throes of an epileptic seizure.

”Mr. Kobayashi, what’s wrong?” Kawashima Haruhiro cried out in alarm. He couldn’t understand it; just a moment ago, Kobayashi Haruo had been fine, joking with him, and now he had suddenly collapsed. Still, he was an experienced and renowned doctor, so he immediately knelt to diagnose his condition.

However, his attempts at treatment had no effect; Kobayashi Haruo’s condition only worsened.

Kawashima Haruhiro made a quick decision, ordering his assistants, ”Pick him up! We’re taking him to the airport clinic!”

Several assistants immediately joined Kawashima Haruhiro in lifting Kobayashi Haruo, keeping him as steady as possible. One of them held his jaw firmly to prevent him from biting his own tongue.

They rushed out of the terminal and were just about to head for the airport clinic when Kobayashi Haruo, the man they were carrying, suddenly regained his strength. He pushed away the hand holding his jaw and shouted, ”I’m fine! You can put me down.”

After confirming that he was indeed fine, Kawashima Haruhiro had his assistants set him down, then asked with a frown, ”What just happened to you?”

”I don’t know either,” Kobayashi Haruo said, his expression baffled. ”I just suddenly lost all my strength, and then I started convulsing.”

Kawashima Haruhiro pressed, ”Do you have a history of epilepsy? How come you’ve never mentioned it?”

Kobayashi Haruo shook his head. ”No, I’ve never had epilepsy.” He kept another thought to himself—’I suspect that wasn’t an epileptic fit. It was Zhao Yuan’s Curse taking effect!’

He didn’t dare say this aloud, fearing another scolding from Kawashima Haruhiro.

The group returned to the terminal building once more.

But then, bizarrely, the exact same scene played out again. And just like before, the moment they carried Kobayashi Haruo out of the terminal, he was instantly back to normal.

”Mr. Kobayashi, don’t tell me you’re putting on an act,” Kawashima Haruhiro demanded, his face grim. ”Are you trying to pull a stunt like this to fool me because you’re scared to go to China?”

It was no wonder he was suspicious. Kobayashi Haruo’s behavior was just too bizarre. ’He has a fit the moment he enters the terminal, but he’s fine as soon as he’s outside? Is he trying to make a fool out of me?’

Kobayashi Haruo looked like he was about to cry. ”No, I’m not acting, I... I don’t know what’s happening either! Maybe... maybe it really is the Curse that Zhao Yuan put on me? It must be taking effect!”

”Bullshit!” Kawashima Haruhiro roared, but just as he was about to unleash his fury, a soft, delicate voice spoke up. ”He’s not wrong. It is a Curse.”