As Charlie observed Mr. Quinton’s arrogance, he couldn’t help but sneer and shake his head in disbelief. “You really can’t tell the difference between a gourd and a jade plug? Haven’t you ever heard of the nine orifices or the jade plugs used in ancient burial practices?”


    “What are you talking about with jade plugs and corpses?” Mr. Quinton replied, his face a mask of confusion.


    Charlie sighed, exasperated. “You’re hopeless!” He shook his head again before adding, “Have you never heard of the ‘Nine Aperture Jade’?”


    “What’s this ‘Nine Aperture Jade’ you speak of?” Mr. Quinton stared nkly at Charlie,pletely lost.


    Despite his passion for collecting antiques, Mr. Quinton had never bothered to learn about them. He simply purchased whatever was deemed valuable and then boasted about his collection.<h3 style="background-color:DodgerBlue">


    “You’re such a fool!” Charlie mocked him. “The ‘Nine Aperture Jade’ refers to nine jade plugs used to seal the nine orifices of a deceased person. The first seven orifices are located in the ears, nose, mouth, and eyes, while thest two are the genital and excretory openings.”


    “Dead people!?” Mr. Quinton eximed, his mouth agape in shock.


    He nced at the chalcedony pendant hanging around his neck, panic washing over him. Suddenly, he was ovee with goosebumps.<fn525f> ?? ??? ???? ?? ???? ???? ???????s, ????s? ??s?? FindN()vel</fn525f>


    Could this chalcedony pendant havee from a corpse?


    Charlie continued his taunts. “Clearly, you have no idea what I’m talking about. That chalcedony pendant you’re so fond of is actually a jade plug meant to seal the excretory hole of a dead person. I can’t believe you’ve been wearing it around your neck! Doesn’t it smell?”


    Mr. Quinton was at a loss for words, staring at the chalcedony gourd pendant in his hand. Nausea washed over him as he fought the urge to vomit.


    This was a jade plug that had been used on a dead body?!


    And he had proudly worn it as if it were a treasured piece for three years…


    To make matters worse, he often ced the jade in his mouth, relishing it as if it were a precious gem…


    Wasn’t he essentially tasting the excretory opening of a corpse?!


    “Ohh!”


    Unable to contain himself any longer, Mr. Quinton doubled over and started to vomit.


    Onlookers who had gathered to witness the spectacle now cast scornful nces in his direction.


    Some were openly mocking him, questioning how someone could be so foolish as to spend a fortune on such a dreadful item.


    Not letting up, Charlie continued, “Furthermore, that jade piece you wear has absorbed the ‘qi’ from the corpse for a long time, rendering it no longer auspicious or lucky. In fact, it now harbors a very malevolent aura. If you keep it on, you might not survive the year!”


    As soon as he finished speaking, the crowd instinctively took a few steps back, fearful of the jade’s sinister aura contaminating them.


    Zachary, who had been standing next to Mr. Quinton, quickly moved to the other side of the stall.


    Though a swindler himself, he recognized that Charlie’s ims were not without merit.


    Meanwhile, Mr. Quinton was visibly shaken, staring nkly at Charlie.


    Charlie’s expression was cold and indifferent as he scoffed. “Has this year been particrly disastrous for you? Have you found yourself in any bloody incidents or car idents?”


    Mr. Quinton focused on Charlie, his mind racing through the past year’s events.


    Indeed, it had been a harrowing year. He had been in a severe car ident at the beginning of the year. If not for his sturdy Hummer, he would have likely perished that day.


    His driver had been killed instantly in the crash, while Mr. Quinton himself suffered broken ribs and spent over half a month in the hospital before he could return home.


    Now, cold sweat began to bead on his forehead. Without hesitation, he yanked the chalcedony pendant from his neck and hurled it to the ground.


    The crowd quickly backed away, eager to avoid any contact with the pendant.


    Charlie sneered, observing the horrified expression on Mr. Quinton’s face. If he hadn’t intervened today, Mr. Quinton would likely have met his end within a year.


    “Who are you?” Mr. Quinton gritted his teeth, ring at Charlie.


    This stranger seemed to know far too much about him. Was he an enemy sent to torment him?


    “I’m someone you can’t afford to offend.”