chapter 10 The evil Taikang Manor

After another fifteen minutes, the so-called stone gambling experts finally finished their selection. But they were visibly stressed, as Cyneburg Wu had chosen three high-quality jade pieces in just a few seconds, putting immense pressure on them.
If their selections were inferior to Cyneburg's, they would be too embarrassed to stay.
As Arlet Tang had predicted, the three pieces Cyneburg chose turned out to be the best. The pieces chosen by the others were far inferior in quality, the highest valued at only a fraction of Cyneburg's total.
The results were clear. The experts, embarrassed, made excuses to leave, some casting meaningful glances at Cyneburg on their way out.
Once they were gone, Arlet Tang burst into applause, "Impressive!"
Cyneburg asked with a smile, "Do you believe me now?"
"I've always believed in you, but I didn't know you were this good," Arlet Tang said with a laugh, "How did you do it?"
Cyneburg casually replied, "You should know, I've been in prison. There, I met many extraordinary people and learned from them."
"Including your martial arts?" Arlet Tang's interest was piqued, feeling the prison was a den of hidden dragons and crouching tigers.
"Something like that," Cyneburg could only say.
He then rubbed his nose, changing the subject, "I can go to Bian Nan. When do we leave?"
Arlet Tang's expression turned serious, "The trip to Bian Nan can wait. Since you're so good at jade gambling, let's take my dad and visit the Jade Gambling City in a few days. Only after he sees your skills will he be willing to invest his savings."
Cyneburg understood that Arlet Tang still wanted to test him further, but he didn't mind. The prospect of earning ten million was enticing enough.
"Sure, I'm free anytime. By the way, you mentioned Carloman Lu's situation today. Can you tell me more about it?"
"Sure, let's find another place to talk," she suggested, leading Cyneburg to a tea house on the fifth floor. As they sipped tea, she detailed the Lu family's situation.
According to Arlet Tang, the Lu family began to prosper over a decade ago and then ventured into real estate. The first few years were smooth sailing, and by five years ago, the Lu family had amassed assets worth several billion.
With growing ambitions, the Lu family prepared for three years, raised ten billion in financing, and began the Taikang Manor project.
Taikang Manor was a project comprising villas and commercial housing. The first phase involved an investment of eight billion yuan, constructing 200 villas on the mountain and commercial housing at the foot of the mountain.
If this project succeeded, the Lu family would leap to become a major real estate developer, and their family assets would double.
However, unexpected accidents started occurring when most of the buildings were near completion. In just a week, four workers died.
The Lu family tried to manage and compensate, thinking this would resolve the issue and allow them to quickly finish the construction. However, they never anticipated the more terrifying events that followed.
In the following month, two potential homeowners died in accidents, followed by the deaths of three security guards.
With nine deaths in total, the news could no longer be contained. Rumors of Taikang Manor being haunted spread throughout Yunjing. Many buyers who had paid deposits backed out. At the same time, the official investigation into the accident identified the head of the Lu family as responsible, resulting in a three-year prison sentence.
After that, no more units in Taikang Manor were sold, leading to a financial crisis for the Lu family.
Since the houses in Taikang Manor couldn't be sold, the banks delayed liquidation, hoping the Lu family would resolve the situation. As a result, Taikang Manor remains under the Lu family's name to this day.
After hearing the story of the Lu family, Cyneburg Wu found it unbelievable, "Nine deaths, what was the cause?"
Arlet Tang shook her head, "It's unclear. The Lu family had consulted many experts, but none could solve the problem. That's why no developer dares to take over Taikang Manor."
Cyneburg sighed, "An investment of over ten billion, and not a penny recovered. The Lu family has really suffered a huge loss."
"Indeed, all of the Lu family's businesses have stopped, and all their money is being used to pay interest."
Cyneburg couldn't help but feel sorry for Carloman Lu. What was once a wealthy heir was now worse off than an average person.
Thinking this, he had an idea. Could his Eye of Dimensions, which could see ghosts and spirits, help if he visited Taikang Manor?
Their conversation was interrupted by a phone call to Arlet Tang. She said, "I need to go home to deal with some matters. I'll contact you in a few days."
Cyneburg nodded, "Okay."
After Arlet left, he decided to call Carloman.
In a rented ordinary house, Carloman was doing laundry. All the Lu family's money was not enough to cover the bank's interest, and they were living a frugal life. But this was still insufficient, and the Lu family would have to declare bankruptcy in another month.
Carloman frowned deeply. Just a few years ago, he was a wealthy young master, but now he was worse off than an average person.
Just yesterday, his father, who had just been released from prison, gave him a bank card with two million yuan, urging him to leave Yunjing and live a simpler life elsewhere.
Clearly, the Lu family could not hold on any longer. His parents hoped he could live a more relaxed life in the future, taking on all the consequences of bankruptcy themselves.
Every time Carloman Lu thought about these things, he wanted to cry. But he knew that tears wouldn't change their fate – the world does not sympathize with the weak!
Suddenly, his phone rang. It was Cyneburg Wu calling.
He wiped his hands, suppressing the turmoil in his heart, and answered, "Cyneburg, where are you?"
Cyneburg, "Carloman, come pick me up at the hotel. Take me to Taikang Manor."
Hearing "Taikang Manor," Carloman Lu's heart ached painfully, "Did Miss Tang tell you everything?"
"Yes, she did," Cyneburg confirmed, "Take me to Taikang Manor. Maybe I can help."
Carloman was momentarily stunned, "Help me?"
Cyneburg didn't elaborate much and simply asked, "Carloman, do you trust me?"
Without hesitation, Carloman replied, "Of course, I trust you."
"Trust me and come pick me up," Cyneburg said. "Who knows, I might surprise you."
Carloman made up his mind, "Alright, I'm on my way!"
Half an hour later, Carloman arrived in his old car and took Cyneburg to Taikang Manor.
On the way, Carloman was curious about Cyneburg's acquaintance with Arlet. He said, "Cyneburg, you're lucky to be friends with someone like Arlet Tang."
"Is she famous?" Cyneburg inquired, "Is the Tang family wealthy?"
Carloman, "Arlet Tang is one of Yunjing's four great beauties, graduated from a globally renowned university, and is a business prodigy. As for the Tang family, they're more than just wealthy. They dominate the antiques, gold, and jewelry markets across five provinces in the south-central region. They're also involved in hotels, real estate development, cultural tourism, and venture capital. In short, when the Tang family makes a move, Yunjing trembles."
Cyneburg was astounded, "That's impressive!"
Carloman, "However, the Tang family has many branches. Arlet Tang belongs to the line of the Second Old Madam, mainly responsible for jewelry and investments. The other branches manage different sectors."
Then he couldn't help but ask, "Cyneburg, what exactly are you planning?"
Cyneburg grinned, "I learned some feng shui skills in prison from a master."
Carloman rolled his eyes, "Bro, can you really learn such skills in just two years?"
Cyneburg winked, "This will be my first time using feng shui for someone. Don't discourage me."
Carloman sighed and silently drove on.
The car finally arrived at Taikang Manor. Below the mountain was a large area of commercial residential buildings, all topped off, but now not a single person was in sight, giving off an eerie feeling.
"This is Taikang Manor. The total construction area of the residential buildings at the foot of the mountain is 850,000 square meters, and there are 200 villas on the mountain. If valued at the current market rate, it's worth over twenty billion yuan," Carloman Lu said with a distant look in his eyes. "I thought this place would be where my Lu family soared to new heights, but it turned out to be our family's graveyard!"
Cyneburg was silent, his eyes fixed on a building emitting a strong aura of darkness, visible only through his Eye of Dimensions.
Carloman noticed Cyneburg's focus and asked, "What are you looking at?"
Cyneburg asked him, "That building, did something happen there?"