Chapter Two: The Unorthodox Path

Louis snatched the book and began to examine it carefully.

Mary looked at him with a wronged expression, letting out a soft huff before turning her gaze toward Emma beside her.

Emma furrowed her brow slightly, waved her hand to call Mary over, and started a friendly conversation to comfort her. Her eyes kept casting glances at Louis but detected nothing unusual.

Unbeknownst to them, the girl opposite, whose expression had once again turned cold, was also secretly observing Emma.

Louis looked down at the book in his hands.

Indeed, it was written in Chinese characters—simplified Chinese, no less—and the texture felt authentic.

So, this was my time-traveling trump card?

Eagerly, Louis flipped it open.

At the very beginning, the dense stream of ancient characters suddenly warped and transformed into simplified Chinese...

"Five thousand years of civilization, a heritage profound and unbroken. Since ancient times, countless cultivation methods have declined, been replaced, or vanished altogether, yet their echoes remain—like geese leaving their calls and people leaving their marks.

They have not disappeared completely but, due to various reasons, have seeped into the folk customs: strange rituals, folk folk remedies, secret arts in fringe trades, and even mysterious professions... Onmyoji, mute mediums, shamans, corpse retrievers, carpenters...

Most of these are mere techniques without true mastery, relying on a few arcane spells. Even the few genuine practitioners among them are not aligned with orthodox paths.

Hence, they are collectively known as: the Left-Handed Ways!

The author of this Left-Handed Folk Manual intended it as a testament to their own legacy and path.

Thus, it compiles the majority of folk arts and techniques that have surfaced throughout the ages in that land, improved and annotated, with some ancient Left-Handed techniques added as the core.

Its nature: eclectic, unorthodox, easy to learn but hard to master.

As for the author... the corner of the first page bore four characters: Left-Handed Divine Lord."

Flipping to the second page, Louis found a table of contents divided into two main sections.

One was the General Fringe Techniques, subdivided into four chapters:

Folk Remedies,

Folk Occult Arts,

Thieves, Beggars, and Prostitutes,

Miao and Dai Gu Sorcery.

The other was the General Left-Handed Path, with no further chapters listed.

Turning to the third page, Louis saw the Folk Remedies chapter under the General Fringe Techniques, listing several folk remedies.

Most of these so-called folk remedies were strange customs: rolling eggs to ward off illness, willow branches to beat away ghosts, protective blades that kill living beings, yang energy to dispel evil (using boy’s urine, saliva, or blood from the middle finger), fierce verbal curses (stirring spirit and energy to drive away weak spirits), and disgusting substances to repel evil...

They were generally easy to obtain and simple methods, traditions passed down through generations, influenced somewhat by Taoism, Buddhism, and other minor doctrines. As for their effectiveness...

"Killing blades for protection, fierce curses, willow branches to beat ghosts, and blood-infused locks."

What use could these possibly have?

Am I supposed to face a witch with these?

Ridiculous! She’s not a ghost!

Moreover, this is overseas—could these folk remedies even work here?!

Indeed, the folk remedies chapter was mostly about protecting one’s home and roaming rural lands; when real trouble comes, they simply won’t hold up!

Louis was about to turn the page when the paper suddenly stuck together like glued, refusing to budge. A sudden understanding dawned in his mind.

As a heritage tome, it must be studied step by step.

Either master everything in the current section to unlock the next page, or kill an evil entity or powerful cultivator to perform a blood sacrifice to the treasure and prove one’s strength, thereby qualifying to access higher levels of inheritance.

Louis glanced at his small limbs and the confined surroundings, decisively abandoning the latter method.

"Soldiers with over ten years of battle experience and many kills."

"Emotions must be dominated by anger; the dirtier the curse words, the better; the louder the voice, the more effective."

"Willow branches from trees growing in dark places without sunlight, soaked in saltwater before use, work best combined with fierce curses."

"Find a two-inch-long iron piece, as thick as a pinky finger, cut the tip of your pinky to draw blood once, insert it into a lock, silently recite the name of Master Lu Ban, and it will be forged in three days."

"Seems like only the second method can be practiced and used on the spot?"

"But this fourth one, lock picking..."

At that moment,

Clack, clack, clack.

Clear, loud footsteps echoed down the corridor outside, followed by the sounds of doors opening and closing repeatedly.

Louis knew it was the meal delivery.

Indeed, although they had been kidnapped, the captors provided food and water without forcing them to work, allowing them occasional exercise in the courtyard.

Typical human trafficking operations would never be so considerate—there’s no trust, and money is spent to create value. But if this witch had other motives, it made sense.

Hearing the footsteps, Mary’s pale face trembled, shrinking back silently, while Emma, who had been slightly lively moments ago, remained impassive.

The cold girl’s eyes rolled, her thoughts inscrutable.

After a moment, the footsteps stopped before them.

Click.

Noël entered carrying a tray, casting a cold glance at the four before placing down four meals.

The four meals differed greatly: Louis and the cold girl received only mashed potatoes, a few slices of ham, and a glass of water; Emma and Mary’s meals were entirely different.

Soft white bread with blueberry jam, a spiced fried chicken leg, and a serving of milk—food fit for children of the wealthy class.

As for the reason behind such disparity...

"Eat, quickly! Don’t keep me waiting, or I won’t mind leaving some pretty marks on your face!"

Noël raised his palm threateningly.

Mary shuddered, timidly beginning to eat, while Emma stared intently at Noël. "Brother Noël, does the mistress like this kind of meal?"

Noël’s expression shifted slightly. "Hmm, it’s alright. You’re somewhat useful after all."

"..."

The two began to chat casually.

Louis ate quietly beside them, paying close attention to their conversation. He wasn’t surprised by this exchange.

After all, Emma and Mary, whom he had met during the trafficking journey, were no ordinary children—or rather, none of the trafficked kids here were ordinary!

Each possessed a certain sharpness.

Mary was the youngest at five years old but a prodigy, her recent grasp of Portuguese proof enough, even if likely only temporary.

Emma was seven, a year older than Louis, but this girl had a somewhat sinister streak, adept at disguise and observation—a conclusion he reached only after awakening his memories and reviewing their time together.

As for the cold girl, she maintained a deep wariness, refusing even to reveal her name.

In fact, Louis felt something strange—Emma seemed oddly familiar, though he couldn’t recall exactly where he had seen her before.

A clever, slightly dark, skillfully disguised, and beautiful girl...

The more he thought, the more familiar she seemed.

...

The mashed potatoes tasted mediocre—just boiled white potatoes mashed with a pinch of salt. The ham slices were overcooked, overly salty and dry, quite unpalatable.

Still, Louis finished everything, tidied the utensils, and pushed the tray aside.

Soon after,

Noël seemed to be enjoying the conversation, a faint smile appearing on his face. After clearing the trays, he left—but not before casting a cold glare at Mary, whose small face turned pale with fright before he finally departed.