“Then, repeat it three times. Every month, without mistake, to show the keeper’s sincerity.”
“Lastly, in May every year, capture poisonous insects and place them in an old pottery vessel, letting these little creatures fight each other until only one remains. That survivor is then nourished with curse medicine. The keeper places the object inside the pottery dish and covers the jar’s mouth with a red cloth wound with five-colored thread. Every day, the keeper feeds the creature with their own fresh blood. After three years, it becomes a curse.”
After listening to Dr. Lee’s explanation of curses, Arlene’s face turned pale. With a trembling voice, she pleaded, “Please, save my grandpa!”
With a sigh, Dr. Lee’s expression became pained. “While I know about curses, I don’t know how to treat them. Leo, do you have a solution?”
“I do have a solution, but…”
Leo’s words were cut off as Arlene grabbed his arm. “Please, save my grandfather! I believe in your abilities. If you can heal my grandfather, I’ll never call you a fraud again.”
They say a woman’s emotions can change as quickly as flipping a page, and it seemed to be true.
Leo walked over to Renee and exchanged a glance with her. They then moved to the side.
Leo leaned in and whispered a few words in her ear, causing Renee to give him a strange look.
“Do I really have to ask that?” Renee questioned.
“We need to ask that if we want to save Mr. Dan,” Leo replied.
Renee nodded.
“Renee, what are you two whispering about? Please, ask Leo to save my grandfather!” Arlene’s impatience was evident.
Leo signaled to Renee with his eyes.
Renee walked up to Arlene and took her hand. “Arlene, let’s step outside for a moment. I need to ask you something.”
“Why can’t you ask here? What’s the matter?” Arlene was puzzled.
“Let’s go.” Renee led her out of the bedroom.
Seeing the secretive behavior of them, Dr. Lee wore a curious expression, but he refrained from asking too much.
“Dr. Lee, could you please remove the silver needles from Mr. Dan’s body?” Leo asked.
“Of course.” Dr. Lee nodded and proceeded to remove the silver needles he had inserted into Godfery.
Before long, Renee and Arlene returned. Arlene’s cheeks seemed to have a hint of blush, and she stole a glance at Leo.
Renee nodded at Leo.
Leo walked up to Arlene and said, “You should have garlic here. Get a clove of garlic for me.”
“Why do you need garlic again?” Arlene was becoming increasingly perplexed, but her tone had softened and she wasn’t being hostile anymore.
“To save your grandfather, and also bring a round plate,” Leo replied.
“Fine, just wait.” Arlene hurriedly left the room.
She returned shortly, holding a few cloves of garlic in her right hand and a round plate in her left.
“Here, for you.”
Leo took the garlic and the plate and placed them on the coffee table. He then took a silver needle he had on him, removed one from the garlic, and inserted it into the garlic.
Next, Leo picked up the round plate with his left hand and walked up to Arlene. “Extend your right index finger.”
“Why?” Arlene’s resistance was returning.
“To save your grandfather.” Leo mechanically repeated.
Although hesitant, Arlene extended her right index finger, looking somewhat nervous.
Leo placed the round plate beneath her index finger and then lightly flicked her finger with his right hand, quickly grabbing her wrist.
“Ah!”
Arlene let out a soft cry.
“Don’t move!” Leo held her wrist firmly.
“I’m bleeding… I’m bleeding.” Arlene felt a little dizzy and tried to pull her hand back instinctively, but she couldn’t move.
Three drops of blood dripped from Arlene’s index finger into the plate.
Leo placed the plate back on the coffee table, then extended his left index finger toward Arlene’s right index finger.
Arlene suddenly felt a mild electric current pass through her body, causing a strange, tingling sensation that was oddly pleasant.
Leo released his grip on her wrist, and Arlene immediately examined where her finger had bled. Surprisingly, there was no wound, and it didn’t hurt at all.
“Amazing.” Arlene muttered to herself.
Leo retrieved the plate from the coffee table and walked over to Godfery’s bed.
Approaching the bed, Leo placed the plate near Godfery’s ear, then returned to Renee and the others.
“Leo, what are you up to?” Arlene’s suspicions were growing.
This didn’t look like medical treatment at all; it seemed more like a prank.
“Hush.” Leo placed his index finger against his lips, gesturing for silence.
Seeing Leo’s solemn expression, Renee and Arlene exchanged glances, remaining quiet.
Dr. Lee’s face was reflective.
Leo then removed the silver needle that had been inserted into the garlic and motioned the others to the bedroom door to wait.
With Leo’s eyes fixed on the plate next to Mr. Dan’s ear, Arlene whispered to Renee, “Renee…”
“Don’t talk. Just wait.” Renee low track.
Arlene wanted to know what she was waiting for, but everyone was so serious that she had to stay silent.
Time ticked away, and the room was filled with nothing but the faint sounds of breathing.
Just as Arlene was growing impatient, she saw her grandfather’s ear move slightly.
Did he wake up?
Arlene was about to approach, but Renee held her back.
In the next moment, a dark worm-like creature emerged from Godfery’s ear.
After testing the waters a few times, seemingly unaware of any danger, the dark creature leaped into the plate from Godfery’s ear. It quickly squirmed towards Arlene’s blood.
Arlene gasped and covered her mouth with her hand, trying to stifle any sound from escaping.
Although Renee was somewhat prepared, astonishment was evident on her face.
On Dr. Lee’s face, however, was an expression of understanding.
Just as the dark creature was about to touch the blood, Leo swiftly flicked the silver needle in his hand.
A glint of silver flashed, and the dark creature, sensing danger, tried to retreat into Godfery’s ear, but it was too late.
The silver needle pierced through the creature’s body, pinning it to the plate.
“Squeak, squeak.”
A bone-chilling sound echoed through the room as the creature struggled briefly before rapidly shriveling up, transforming into black liquid.
“Okay, the curse insect is dealt with.”
Leo stated this matter-of-factly, and a collective sigh of relief was released from everyone.
Looking at Godfery now, although he was still sleeping, his complexion was visibly better, and the black patches on his face had disappeared.
“Leo’s methods for treating illnesses are truly extraordinary. I’m fortunate to witness them firsthand. Arlene, the curse insect within your grandfather has been removed, and his bizarre illness is completely cured.” Dr. Lee’s face was filled with admiration and relief.