As Masami spoke, Itakura smoked cigarette after cigarette, looking extremely agitated.
When she finished, Itakura ground out his cigarette fiercely and gasped, "It must be a thieving monster! Maoto is cursed by it! All he did was find its hiding place. Why harm Maoto? He's just a child!"
Itakura was furious—his own son was the victim.
Their guess was not unreasonable; in fact, it made perfect sense. By normal logic, that was indeed possible. My gaze drifted involuntarily toward the room across the courtyard.
"That's where we found all the things…" Masami said with a sorrowful expression.
My eyelids twitched slightly. So that room really was the source. Everything was connected to it—the very room where the Daikokuten statue was enshrined. But what exactly was wrong with it? Why were so many strange things happening there?
I felt an involuntary aversion to it and no longer wanted to take another step near.
At first, I had considered other possibilities. But if Itakura and his family were not lying, then that room was truly the problem.
As for why everything happened there, and what was special about it—I had no clue at all.
"Did you ask for the Daikokuten statue from Mr. Lu because of this?"
"Yes." Itakura nodded. "We heard that divine statues hold the power of Buddha and can suppress evil spirits. So we asked for one from Mr. Lu. But who knew…"
Now I finally understood. No wonder Itakura had panicked so badly when the statue cracked. There was so much more to it.
I had a general idea of the Itakuras' situation. Masami's account only made me realize… this was extremely bizarre. I had never heard of anything like it.
If this really was just psychological, I could calm them down as my uncle suggested and take some payment. But clearly, things were not that simple. I began to want to back out. I could talk my way through things, but actually exorcising demons? That was a death sentence for me.
I was hesitating how to escape when Itakura seemed to sense my reluctance. He suddenly scrambled to his knees and knelt right in front of me.
He begged, "Lu Cheng-san! Please save my family! I don't care if the minshuku closes. I can work harder to support us. But Maoto is still young! If… if you can fix this, we will pay you whatever you want. And if the minshuku reopens, we will recommend your uncle's workshop to everyone. Please!"
I didn't even have time to stop him. His words made my hand freeze.
This man had hit my weak spot. My uncle had said before that, even though Itakura was a little dishonest, he had brought in a lot of business.
If I could fix the problem at his house, my uncle would keep this profitable connection.
I was worrying way too much about my uncle's messy business.
I hesitated. After a moment, I gritted my teeth. "Itakura-san, don't do this. Get up first. Alright… today I'll stay and see. If I can solve it, I will. But I have to say this clearly—I may not be able to. If I can't handle it, you'll have to find someone else who's capable."
Itakura was overjoyed and nodded repeatedly.
I said this to leave myself an out. I almost certainly couldn't solve this. But by showing willingness, even if I failed, it wouldn't damage the relationship between my uncle and Itakura. Later, if the minshuku reopened, Itakura might still send customers my uncle's way.
It was the best plan I could think of. I showed my attitude and gave them advice. If they found another expert later, the problem would still be solved.
After I agreed, the couple was thrilled. I had no idea what kind of nonsense my uncle had fed them to make them think I was some great master. I felt annoyed and secretly decided to scold my uncle later. How could he sell his own nephew out like this before I even did anything?
Everything was happening in that room, so naturally, Itakura asked me to check it again.
I couldn't think of an excuse to refuse, so I reluctantly and slowly walked in.
I paced around pretending to inspect. Luckily, it was daytime. At night, I would never have entered, not even if I was beaten to death.
Thankfully, nothing strange happened while I wandered. I breathed a little easier and relaxed.
"Is it really a monster?"
I mumbled, stroking my chin. Legends of monsters existed all over Southeast Asia, even the entire world. No one could prove they were real. As an atheist, I would never have believed in them before.
But this situation was too strange. It made me doubt myself.
My eyes fell on the shattered statue. I silently cursed Itakura for being blind. Even Buddha couldn't handle this thing, and you expect me to? Are you kidding?
After circling once and putting on a show, I immediately headed for the door. I didn't want to stay in this room a second longer.
Masami was nowhere to be seen—probably too scared. Only Itakura waited outside.
Jingle… jingle…
Just as I reached the door, the sky suddenly darkened. Before I could speak, a faint, clear bell sound reached my ears.
I froze, looked at my shoulder bag, quickly took out the wooden box my grandmother had given me, opened it, and stared at the two strangely shaped bells.
Jingle… jingle…
"They're ringing again…"
Even in my hand, the bells kept ringing. I couldn't believe it.
"Lu Cheng-san, what's ringing?" Itakura asked, confused.
I stared at him. "Didn't you hear the bells?"
Itakura looked strangely at the bells in my hand, leaned a little closer, and listened carefully. He shook his head. "Lu Cheng-san, I don't hear anything. These bells look… solid, don't they? How can a solid bell ring?"
I opened my mouth but couldn't speak. Yet the clear sound of the bells echoed in my ears.
Somehow, I felt my hair stand on end all over my body.
I swallowed hard and quickly stepped out of the room. The second I left, the bells stopped…
I shuddered. This was… seriously creepy.
I glanced back at the room. Even though I said I'd stay, I wasn't going in there again today, not for anything.
Itakura was also afraid of the room and didn't dare linger at the door. He invited me to another room to drink tea.
Before long, Masami and Maoto came out, carrying luggage. Masami apologized to me, saying that mother and son were too scared, and Maoto was young. Since I was going to handle the problem that day, they should leave and avoid seeing anything scary.
My mouth twitched. I forced a smile and agreed. I couldn't very well make them stay just to keep me company.
Soon only Itakura and I remained. I asked him curiously why he wasn't going too—wasn't he afraid?
Itakura's expression turned solemn. "Of course I'm afraid. But I am the head of this family. I have to stay and help. If this can't be fixed… we'll have no choice but to move out. But our financial situation is terrible. If we really move…"
He didn't finish, his face bitter. I could imagine how devastated the family would be if it came to that. That was the main reason he had forced himself to stay.
The sunset gradually dyed the sky red. Even though I had stayed, I had no idea what to do. I could only wait.
I didn't call my uncle—I didn't want to worry him.
I told myself I was only staying one night. Maybe nothing would happen. So I had to keep waiting.
I chatted with Itakura for a long time and drank a lot of tea. When we ran out of topics, I started to feel sleepy. I was so careless that I actually drifted off to sleep at the table…