Christoph said, "Of course there are ghosts, and they're still fresh. Just last week, a woman was killed by her husband—pushed from the 20th floor. Her death was very tragic."
The ghost in Christoph's possession was that woman, and she would be most suitable for tattooing the Nine-Tailed Fox Demon.
I felt somewhat shocked upon hearing this. "Is this kind of ghost acceptable?"
Christoph said I didn't understand—Yin-inspired tattoos should use precisely this kind of ghost. The more tragic, the more ferocious, the more full of resentment and fury, the better the effect.
I frowned, thinking that Christoph knew too much about Tattoos of Gods and Ghosts. But he was indeed correct—that's exactly how it worked.
Yin-inspired tattoos were inherently sinister, and using such ghosts as pigment would produce a more dominant effect.
This guy... Had he learned so much from working extensively with my grandfather? Or had he himself... previously practiced Tattoos of Gods and Ghosts? Normally, even if familiar with such a specialized family craft, one wouldn't know these details.
"How about it? Want it? Should I deliver it to you?" Christoph's voice interrupted my thoughts over the phone.
"Yes! How much?" I asked.
Christoph said acquaintances could get a discount—just ten thousand!
Damn, so expensive! Yesterday those three items together only cost 10,000, and now he claims this is the "friendship price"? Wasn't this just daylight robbery?
Christoph assured me it was absolutely worth the price, explaining that Yin-inspired tattoos were inherently expensive—easily ten times this amount wouldn't be unreasonable.
After some hesitation, I gritted my teeth and bought it. Yin-inspired tattoos started at 100,000 anyway, so 10,000 was nothing in comparison.
Christoph worked fast—he arrived in about ten minutes driving a large truck, which I heard was used for corpse transportation.
He brought a big round bamboo tube. Though I couldn't see inside, I could hear sounds.
"Let me out, let me out! I want to kill, kill..."
The voice wasn't loud but was piercing and terrifying, giving me chills. If not for the bamboo container, I would have thought a homicidal maniac was trapped inside.
"How about it? Substantial resentment, right? Worth the price?" Christoph raised an eyebrow at me.
"Hehehe, this woman was murdered by her husband. You can imagine the hatred and resentment in her heart," Christoph added.
He spoke with animated expressions, appearing completely unafraid of this evil spirit. But I felt somewhat numb—what was I supposed to do with something like this? If it got out, it would skin me alive. Thank goodness it was broad daylight.
Christoph seemed to read my mind. He told me not to worry—he would teach me how to use it—and reminded me to bring the regular tattoo ink.
At this point, Christoph fearlessly opened the bamboo tube and poured its contents onto the ordinary pigment.
I saw a cloud of black smoke surge down, then dissolve into the pigment. Nothing else happened—it was that simple—and the bamboo tube was now empty.
"This… will work?" I asked hesitantly.
"It works!" Christoph nodded. "These ghosts have been refined—they're not actual ghosts anymore. You can just use this pigment to tattoo the Nine-Tailed Fox Demon."
I understood then, so I didn't need to be afraid. Still, it had made me break out in a cold sweat—this thing was pretty terrifying.
I handed Christoph the $10,000. Before leaving, the old man tried to pitch me other business, saying he had some beautiful, top-quality corpses. He mentioned that a celebrity had recently died in a car accident, and the body had been brought to him. Then he asked if I needed anything.
I immediately told him to get lost. Trying to push this disgusting stuff on me? Whoever dragged bodies to his crematorium was seriously unlucky. This old man would do anything for money.
After Christoph left, I called Olivia. The phone rang strangely, and she was panting heavily. I couldn't tell what she was doing, so I quickly told her the Tattoo of Gods and Ghosts was ready and hung up before I interrupted her work.
Around evening, Olivia came over. When she heard I was willing to give her the Tattoo of Gods and Ghosts, she was so happy she almost lost her nose.
But I had to explain—this time, the Tattoo of Gods and Ghosts I was doing for her was a Yin-inspired tattoo, completely different from the previous Yang-themed one. Not only was it much more expensive, but it was also far more sinister. However, the effect was far more dominant than a Yang-themed tattoo, and it also met her requirements.
Once Olivia heard the effect was stronger, she didn't care about anything else. Money wasn't an issue—I asked for 100,000, and she paid in full without blinking, even before the tattoo was done. You could just imagine how badly this bitch wanted it.
There was no time to waste. Olivia was in such a hurry that she wouldn't let me drag my feet, pushing me to start the tattoo immediately.
I picked up the tattoo needle and the Yin-inspired pigment, preparing to tattoo the Nine-Tailed Fox Demon on Olivia's arm.
But at that moment, I heard a soft hee-hee laugh—eerie, sending chills down my spine.
I asked Olivia if she had heard laughter. She said no and impatiently told me to hurry up and tattoo her.
Assuming it was just my imagination, I ignored it and continued working on the Nine-Tailed Fox Demon for Olivia.
About six hours later, I finally finished the Yin-inspired tattoo. Honestly, it didn't feel any different from a Yang-themed tattoo—except for the pigment.
The Nine-Tailed Fox Demon turned out well—the nine tails were vivid, but the face was a bit strange. One side appeared human, while the other resembled a fox. The corners of its mouth curled in a faint, unsettling smile, and its eyes were scarlet. Compared to the orthodox Yang-themed tattoos, this Yin-inspired one carried a far more sinister aura.
Since ancient times, foxes have symbolized charm and beauty, and fox demons took that allure to a darker extreme. Whether it was the fox spirits devouring scholars in Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio or Daji from Investiture of the Gods, their nature and reputation were undeniable.
Olivia was thrilled with the tattoo—it looked far better than the Ghost-Begging Yaksha. I hoped the effect matched her expectations; otherwise, I'd have quite the show to watch. After all, 100,000 was no small sum, and money didn't come that easily.
If the results were as Olivia imagined, there'd be rewards beyond just cash. She had hinted as much—Not yet, she'd said. Once it takes effect, you'll get what you want. I'll make sure you're satisfied.
As Olivia turned to leave, I suddenly spotted nine furry tails swaying behind her, floating midair. Then, a fox-like human face emerged on her arm, grinning at me.
I stumbled back in terror—but in the blink of an eye, everything vanished. Had it been an illusion?
Maybe I'd been tattooing too long, my mind playing tricks. I had spent the whole night on those nine tails.
No… something felt off. A creeping unease settled in my chest.
About a week later, Olivia finally called. She raved about the Tattoo of Gods and Ghosts—its power was overwhelming. Men now fell for her at first sight, utterly spellbound. Many abandoned their wives and children, begging her not to leave them.
Directors, CEOs, tycoons—they all groveled like dogs at her feet, desperate to obey.
But Olivia? She only cared for wealth and fame. Once she drained a man's fortune, she'd discard him and move to the next. Supply was no issue now.
As for our agreement, she said she was too busy this month—swarmed by men—but next month, she'd visit me personally. Then, she purred, you can "clean me up" however you want.
The Yin-inspired tattoo's dominance was undeniable, its effects staggering. While I was pleased with its success, Olivia's behavior disgusted me.
She was too greedy.
And I'd been right—Olivia had overplayed her hand. She never kept our agreement.
Because she died.
Horribly.