Chapter Twenty-Two: Leaving the Mountain
The Greedy Wolf Seven-Kill Yin Talisman Sword is an art of attack and slaying that can be wielded both from afar and up close. Its refinement requires the use of talismans and other techniques. Practicing this sword also hones one’s skills in drawing talismans, and allows for sword control, thus fulfilling Lu Qian’s dream of becoming an immortal swordsman. This method is valued at twenty-five points, roughly equivalent to the Spirit Messenger Child technique. Yet, many consider its cost-effectiveness inferior to that of the Messenger Child method. After all, the Messenger Child can act as a substitute for ears and eyes; other methods of equal value offer similar benefits. The zombies bouncing along the streets, as well as birds, beasts, and children, are all controlled by Taoists. Their true bodies are usually safe at home, making it both safe and convenient. The Yin Talisman Sword’s power is impressive, but its refinement is exceedingly difficult.
This art features only a single talisman: the Greedy Wolf Yin Talisman. The refinement process involves continuously layering talisman seals upon its foundation. A One-Kill Yin Talisman Sword requires one talisman seal. A Two-Kill Yin Talisman Sword requires two seals layered upon the original. Similarly, three kills require three, four kills four, and so on up to seven kills, needing seven seals in total. Altogether, it amounts to seven layers and twenty-eight talismans. If a single step goes awry, the process must restart from the beginning. The difficulty is extremely high. Most practitioners only achieve three or four kills, resulting in power akin to a typical Qi Refining stage.
“Refining the Yin Talisman Sword demands a high degree of skill; isn’t this art perfectly suited to me?” Lu Qian mused inwardly.
The next step was to buy materials from the Ghost Market.
In the quiet chamber, Lu Qian laid out a pile of materials: yellow reed talisman paper, spirit fox blood talisman ink, wolf-hair brush, and a sword hilt carved from lightning-struck jujube wood.
With the materials ready, he began to inscribe the Greedy Wolf Yin Talisman onto the paper.
Greedy Wolf governs slaying; so does Yin fire.
The talisman sword forged from this would possess formidable killing power.
Dipping the brush in blood, he wrote winding, twisted glyphs.
Command!
A wisp of green smoke rose.
Failure!
The brushstrokes lacked continuity—failure!
Too much talisman ink, the strokes stuck together—failure!
His hand trembled—failure!
A sneeze—failure!
After dozens of attempts, a faint red glow appeared—success!
In his mind, the circular mark representing the Greedy Wolf Yin Talisman flickered with a notch.
Greedy Wolf Yin Talisman (Initiate: 1/100)
He succeeded five times in succession, advancing the notch six steps.
With growing confidence, Lu Qian drew another talisman and produced the lightning-struck wood sword hilt.
A flash of red light, and deep black, mysterious glyphs appeared on the wood.
The One-Kill Yin Talisman Sword was thus forged.
Lu Qian picked up the talisman sword and infused it with true energy.
The glyphs flared red, emitting a soft “zz” sound. A three-foot beam of azure light emerged from the sword hilt.
Sharp and fierce, it pressed directly upon the brow.
The sword’s body was entirely composed of blue flames.
A falling leaf drifted down—before touching the blade, it was reduced to ash.
Lu Qian vaulted over the wall, approached a tree, and gently swung the Yin Talisman Sword.
Sizzle, sizzle!
The smell of scorched wood wafted forth; the sword easily severed the tree, leaving a charred cross-section.
He then placed it against a stone, which it did not slice through, but merely scorched a mark.
“Swift!”
Lu Qian formed a sword seal with his hand, and the Yin Talisman Sword transformed into a long blue chain, drawing an arc in the air.
It pierced several trees in succession before returning, reverting to a hilt lying in his palm.
“A fine weapon,” Lu Qian laughed.
Though its power was lacking, there was ample room for improvement.
In the days that followed, aside from studying with Li Du, Lu Qian devoted himself relentlessly to drawing talismans, increasing his proficiency.
He wore out several sword hilts in the process.
At last, the Three-Kill Yin Talisman Sword with three layers of seals was newly forged.
Its flexibility and lethality were notably enhanced.
Even stone yielded as easily as tofu.
Of course, the price was that his reserves were once again depleted.
Lu Qian stood by the window, gazing into the distance.
“It’s been so long since I ventured out. Next, I’ll find something to test the sword on,” he thought.
He wished to descend the mountain for a look.
Counting his time at Mo Liang Taoist Temple, it had been four or five years since he’d encountered the outside world.
Though the wisdom of his past life enriched his experience, what is gleaned from books is always shallow.
With this in mind, Lu Qian pulled a thousand-paper crane from the drawer and wrote a line upon it.
A flash of red light, and the crane fluttered its wings, flying off.
This was the thousand-paper crane Yu Ci had given him that day, saying it could be used to contact him.
The next day, in the Hall of Law Enforcement.
Along the corridor, the Taoist children nodded respectfully to him.
Yu Ci and a plain-looking woman had already been waiting for some time.
Lu Qian was familiar with this woman—Tang Bing, a member of the small group.
As Lu Qian approached, Yu Ci wiped a snow-white long sword and greeted him with clasped hands.
Beside him stood a dark-faced man carrying a blood-red broadsword, exuding a murderous aura.
“Well, isn’t this the great apothecary!” Tang Bing greeted him heartily.
“He’s Lu Qian, the newly recruited Taoist in the pharmacy? Why is he here to work hard with us?” the dark-faced man asked in confusion.
“He’s an old acquaintance of ours; of course he’ll come to help,” Yu Ci explained.
“Then you must introduce me! Who wouldn’t want to befriend an apothecary?” The dark-faced man laughed boisterously.
“Let me make introductions,” Yu Ci said with a smile.
“This is Fellow Taoist Yan Xinglie from the Fire Kitchen, and Tang Bing, whom you surely recall. Though Tang Bing is but a Taoist child, her skills in seeking out secrets are unparalleled.”
“An honor, Yan Xinglie at your service. If you want to buy weapons, come to me; I have access to magical artifacts as well,” Yan Xinglie said, bowing.
“A pleasure, Lu Qian,” he replied.
Yu Ci cleared his throat and said,
“This time, the mission is in Baiyang City at the foot of the mountain. This city is famed for its Ghostface Flowers and Ice Silkworm Silk; it is an important supplier for Tongyou Temple.”
“Recently, dozens of young women have disappeared without reason, and the entire city is on edge. The temple has issued a mission to uncover the truth and apprehend the culprit.”
Yan Xinglie frowned in thought and said, “Since the city supplies valuable materials, surely there are attached forces stationed there. Why not let them handle it?”
Tongyou Temple’s influence spans thousands of miles, with a population of fifty to sixty million in its sphere.
A Taoist temple of several hundred cannot possibly monopolize such vast resources.
Thus, attached forces have arisen.
These powers deliver certain produce annually in exchange for survival.
“You’ve hit the nail on the head,” Yu Ci said, pausing before continuing, “In recent years, the supply of Ghostface Flowers has fallen by thirty percent. Baiyang City claims it’s due to pest infestation, but the Hall of Law Enforcement suspects embezzlement.”
“So our hidden task is to investigate the real reason for the reduction in Ghostface Flower yield?” Lu Qian caught the implication.
“Exactly,” Yu Ci nodded. “Under the pretext of investigating the case, we’ll learn the truth and report back to the temple.”
“There will also be a formidable fellow Taoist accompanying us, though he’s just finished a mission and isn’t at the mountain gate. We’ll meet in Baiyang City.”
Three days to prepare; arrival in Baiyang City in five days.
Yu Ci and his companions decided to depart immediately.
Lu Qian pondered and said, “I won’t go with you. I’ll leave the day after tomorrow and travel day and night to catch up.”
The mission might take a while, so Lu Qian planned to prepare more supplies and deliver a batch of goods to Wang Ming.
A greeting to Li Du would suffice; Taoists enjoyed considerable freedom, and this counted as official business.
“Very well, that fellow Taoist won’t arrive quickly anyway; we may have to wait once we’re there.”
Yu Ci handed him a thousand-paper crane, then departed.