In tombs, sometimes turtles take over, and accidentally occupying a fox's den can happen.
Foxes are among the untamed spirits and are extremely malevolent creatures, especially white foxes.
When a corpse occupies a fox's den, the fox will retaliate, resulting in The Face Veiled by a White Fox. This causes changes in both the feng shui arrangement and the corpse itself, bringing great danger to the corpse's descendants.
Master Stella said that dreaming of a corpse in a coffin is usually a sign of good fortune and satisfaction. But in Stella's dream, the corpse appeared with The Face Veiled by a White Fox, transforming good fortune into calamity. Combined with the evil black carbon coffin, the omen became even more sinister.
Having this dream for over ten years meant Stella would face a great disaster in the future—likely a tragic death. However, the dream also hinted at a possible turnaround. The fact that Stella was pulled into the coffin but woke up suggested that life and death were unpredictable—perhaps there was still a sliver of hope.
"Ah, a beautiful face often comes with a short life!" I sighed after hearing Stella's story.
"Hey! Are you cursing me to death, you damn tattoo artist? Can't you say something nice?" Stella stomped her foot angrily.
This really annoyed me. Her master was the one who said it—I just repeated it! What does it have to do with me?
Stella glared at me unhappily, saying her master could say such things, but I couldn't. She was perfectly healthy—what "short life" nonsense!
This girl might look beautiful, but her temper was anything but mild. I didn't dare provoke her further, so I steered the conversation back to Tattoos of Gods and Ghosts.
This dream was too sinister—I couldn't break it for her. But there was a specific Tattoos of Gods and Ghosts design that could suppress the nightmare, ensuring she would never have it again.
This design was the Baku, a beast that specializes in devouring nightmares. It could take away bad dreams and grant peaceful sleep.
The Classic of Mountains and Seas describes the Baku as having a horse's body, an elephant's trunk, a lion's face, a rhinoceros's forehead, an ox's tail, and tiger's legs. Legend says that when the gods created animals, they used leftover parts to fashion the Baku.
During the full moon, the Baku emerges from dark forests, emitting hypnotic sounds. As people sleep, it collects their dreams one by one and brings them back to the forest to consume.
If Stella got a Baku tattoo, the nightmare should stop—though I couldn't guarantee it would prevent future calamities.
Stella said that was fine. She'd endured this nightmare every night for over ten years, never sleeping properly. If this continued, she'd lose her mind before her life.
At this point, she didn't care about omens or disasters—she just wanted the nightmares to stop.
After discussing, I didn't stand on ceremony and directly quoted the price. "The Baku consists of multiple animal parts—the technique is extremely complex, and the tattooing process will take longer. It'll cost thirty thousand."
"Damn! Thirty thousand for a tattoo? Why don't you just rob me?" Stella exclaimed.
I explained that Tattoos of Gods and Ghosts weren't ordinary tattoos and were definitely more expensive.
Stella disagreed at first, but after a few meaningful glances, she finally nodded—though I wasn't sure what she was thinking.
I had her lie down on my new tattoo bed and remove the necessary clothing.
Since dreams originate from the heart, the Baku tattoo couldn't go anywhere else—it had to be placed over the heart. So... I asked Stella if she understood what I meant.
She said she did—she just thought I was being a hooligan trying to take advantage of her.
I gave a bitter laugh. A tattoo artist is like a doctor—the body is just a canvas. I have professional ethics! If she wasn't willing, there was nothing I could do.
After much hesitation, Stella finally compromised. She couldn't bear the nightmares anymore and decided enduring a little embarrassment was worth it—though she kept her hands firmly in place the entire time, refusing to move them.
Stella's figure was truly exceptional. Even with her hands covering up, glimpses could still be caught. Her skin was flawless—smooth and translucent like white jade.
Working around her obstructions, I had no choice but to tattoo slowly and with great difficulty.
After about two hours, Stella grew bored and dozed off.
When quiet, she was a rare beauty—delicate as a fairy. But the moment she spoke, I couldn't stand her and had the urge to smack her.
Just then, the sleeping Stella suddenly loosened her hands. I—
Being a tattoo artist really has its perks... This is practically a slice of heaven! Wait—let me wipe this nosebleed first. Professional ethics can wait.
With the obstruction gone, my work sped up considerably. Though my focus may have wavered, the resulting Baku shape was passable. Tattoos of Gods and Ghosts prioritize effect over artistry—as long as the pattern is recognizable, it's fine.
Stella soon woke up, immediately covering herself again before examining the tattoo.
"So cute!" she exclaimed.
Though Baku is a divine beast, its patchwork animal parts make it look fearsome when large. So I minimized it into a cute, miniature version—after all, it's for a girl.
Once dressed, I asked if she was satisfied. If so, please pay up!
Stella said it was acceptable... then transferred me 10,000 yuan.
Confused, I said, "Did you send it to the wrong account? The price was 30,000."
Stella's expression turned fox-like. She insisted she hadn't transferred the wrong amount—it was 10,000 yuan, and she'd pay the remaining 20,000 only if the tattoo proved effective.
What kind of rule was that? I didn't know her, nor where she lived. How was I supposed to collect the rest once she left? Unlike her, I had a fixed shop here—you can run from the monk, but not from the temple. If any issues arose, she could always come find me.
But before I could argue further, she'd already slipped away. Despite being a woman, she vanished in the blink of an eye—faster than a rabbit.
Well, I got it. This was outright debt-dodging!
At first, I considered demanding the money from her senior brother Philip. But though we'd only met once, we did share a life-saving connection. After some thought, I decided to write off the 20,000 as a loss. At least I'd gotten some benefit—it wasn't a total loss.
After Stella left, it was already 3 p.m. Bored, I began advertising my Tattoos of Gods and Ghosts in various alumni group chats, hoping to drum up business through acquaintances.
I had no choice. Being new to Vervecity, with a tattoo parlor in the middle of nowhere—no reputation, terrible location—I needed word-of-mouth referrals.
My group post read:
"Millennium-old Tattoos of Gods and Ghosts—ensures safety, wards off evil, changes fortunes, attracts love and wealth. Multiple benefits, proven effects. Don't miss out!"
The ad sank like a stone. By 5 p.m., I'd given up hope.
Then, suddenly, my WeChat chimed. A message from Olivia, a female classmate from high school.
Back then, Olivia had been average-looking—she'd even confessed to me, but I turned her down. At the time, I only liked pure, innocent types, while Olivia oozed sensuality from her bones. I wasn't interested... and didn't dare to be.
After high school, I quit studying, while Olivia went to college. Rumor had it she later got plastic surgery and entered showbiz, though she remained a Z-list celebrity.
From what I'd heard, despite her lack of fame, she'd made plenty of money—accompanying bosses and directors, raking in cash hand over fist.
We hadn't spoken in years. After exchanging pleasantries, she cut straight to the chase: "Can Tattoos of Gods and Ghosts ward off evil spirits?"
I assured her they could, promising a full refund if ineffective.
Olivia agreed and asked for my address. She wasn't in Vervecity but a neighboring city—about an hour away.
Around 6 p.m., just after dinner, a BMW pulled up at the alley's entrance. Out stepped a bejeweled woman: Olivia.
Honestly, I barely recognized her. Post-surgery, she'd become strikingly beautiful—apparently modeled after some celebrity. No wonder those bosses and directors kept her around.
Beyond her face, her figure had transformed too—curvier than before.
Like others, she complained about my shop's shabby location. I could only smile wryly before getting to the point: "What kind of evil are you facing that you need Tattoos of Gods and Ghosts?"
Olivia sighed. "It's so horrifying, you probably wouldn't believe me if I told you."