Capítulo 69: Residual Power
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Could you drop some reviews? It helps to get this fic a rating.
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Regarding Christian's new script, the timeline needs some adjustment:
After enjoying a leisurely afternoon with Charlize, night descended once more. For most new lovers, this moment should mark the start of another wonderful time. However, Christian and Charlize were anything but ordinary.
"I'm heading to Vinales Valley tonight."
"Are you going for the final part?"
"Yep."
As Christian carefully placed the Ghost Tiger-sealed ant bottle into a red backpack filled with newspapers, Charlize grew curious.
"Is this also part of a spell preparation? I mean, these newspapers."
"No, it's just for shock absorption. If this bottle accidentally breaks on the way, it could be a big problem"
Charlize felt a bit foolish for her question.
"Or, I can accompany you and hold this bottle during the journey."
Haunted by the supernatural, Charlize offered this suggestion, though she immediately regretted it. While her curiosity was genuine, she didn't particularly enjoy anything related to the supernatural. Previous experiences had forced her into such situations, but this time...
"Have I spent too long in Hollywood and absorbed its obsession with the macabre?"
Charlize mumbled to herself but decided not to retract her offer.
"Then let's go together"
Unaware of Charlize's internal struggle, Christian saw no danger in this mission. Traveling with a beautiful companion seemed more enjoyable than a solitary drive.
"But why does it have to be at night? Can't it be during the day?"
Despite a day of rest following strenuous activities, Charlize preferred not to stay up late, as it wasn't ideal for her skin.
"During the day, there's an FBI presence"
Christian sighed.
"Indeed."
Recalling the afternoon newspaper report about the discovery of numerous missing persons' remains in Vinales Valley, Charlize understood the choice.
"Mr. Westwood must be ecstatic right now, don't you think?"
"Don't count on him having a heart attack"
Christian offered a sarcastic comment about their producer, which made Charlize a bit uncomfortable.
"Why are you always so critical of Mr. Westwood in private, Christian? I thought you enjoyed working with him."
"It has nothing to do with whether the collaboration is enjoyable or not."
Christian waved away Charlize's assumption.
"As the producer of 'Wrong Turn', Mr. Westwood is, in essence, our boss. Did you know, Sally? If you don't dislike your boss, it probably means you haven't put in enough effort."
"Is that a saying?"
Christian's explanation left Charlize momentarily stunned, but upon reflection, it seemed oddly logical.
"Then, when we were shooting 'Wrong Turn', you were my boss, right? Should I dislike you too, BOSS?"
The blonde girl cast a faint smile at Christian. Despite her grinning expression, it held a sense of allure that Christian found intriguing.
"I'll make you despise me even more," he teased.
Charlize's reaction was immediate...
************
"If you pull a stunt like that again, I'm going to genuinely hate you," Charlize complained through gritted teeth, sitting in the co-driver seat of Christian's second-hand Ford and massaging her knees.
Christian's response was a smirk.
An hour had passed, and the two were en route to Vinales Valley.
"Can you please explain what we're going to do when we get there?" Charlize inquired, shifting her focus from the previous incident. After all, men...
"Our first task is to locate Wei Changhui, or rather, the residual power of the Ghost Tiger", Christian explained, sounding more composed now.
"Since we've sealed his soul or consciousness, his power is in a state of complete disarray. Once we locate it, whether we choose to absorb it or seal it will be relatively simple. The real challenge is finding it," Christian continued.
"How do we find it?" Charlize asked, a bit puzzled.
"I think I read in the report that the FBI discovered a hidden cave where they found the corpses. Could that be his lair?" she suggested.
"That's very likely", Christian affirmed, as the night grew darker and the road ahead cleared of traffic. He switched on the high beams for better visibility.
"But once the FBI discovered his lair, those reckless cowboys probably conducted a thorough search, possibly damaging the stored power or other related items. In that case, the unclaimed power could have dispersed, or even if it's still there..."
Christian trailed off, wearing a wry smile.
"Chances are, the FBI now has that place under guard. We won't be able to access it."
"What?" Charlize was momentarily speechless but noticed Christian's unchanged expression as he drove. She soon calmed down.
"Given your confidence, can't we sneak in without the FBI noticing?" she asked.
"No, that's not possible," Christian replied, eyeing a road sign illuminated by the high beams. "However, even if we can't enter, we can lure out the unclaimed power. As long as it hasn't left Vinales Valley, I can do it."
************
"Is this what you meant?"
Watching Christian retrieve candles, yellow money paper, and a bundle of incense sticks from the trunk of the car, Charlize was at a loss for words.
Having learned that Christian's practices were inspired by Chinese traditions, Charlize had watched some Hong Kong ghost films out of curiosity, such as "The Mountain Village Corpse," where she saw the use of yellow money paper and letter incense.
"In Hong Kong movies, people who use these things usually die within five minutes," she remarked.
"In American movies, it's usually a weirdo in underwear and a cape saving the world," Christian retorted with a playful smile.
By this time, they had reached the outskirts of Vinales Valley, and Christian stopped the car, seeking a remote location to prepare.
"Yellow money paper and letter incense are tools for communicating with the realm of life and death in Eastern magic. Even today, the Chinese use them as offerings to their departed loved ones. For those unfamiliar with magic, it's merely a way to pay respects to the deceased. But if you know how, you can genuinely use them to attract nearby spirits," Christian explained.
"Is that how you plan to attract the residual power of the Ghost Tiger?" Charlize asked, intrigued.
"Not exactly," Christian replied with a mysterious smile. "But it will attract something else, something that can draw out the Ghost Tiger's remaining power."
He lit an incense stick and inserted it into the nearby soil, then took a stack of yellow money paper and circled the lit incense. The stack spontaneously burst into flames.
"I didn't even touch a flame" Charlize exclaimed in amazement.
Ignoring her, Christian silently watched the yellow money paper burn. When it was about halfway consumed, he threw a whole stack of burning yellow money paper into the air. Surprisingly, the burning papers did not descend with gravity but instead floated upward, burning out entirely without leaving any ashes.
"They're coming" Christian announced.
PENSAMENTOS DOS CRIADORES 
Dark_Symphony
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