"From the provincial capital? Looking for the missing Zhao family girl?"
Chen Shi remembered the girl in purple he had tricked into the kiln factory, turning her into porcelain.
The Zhao family from New Township Province had finally come looking.
It wasn't surprising, given that the girl traveled with over ten Imperial Guards, indicating her high status in the Zhao family. She had been missing for over ten days, so the Zhao family would definitely send people to find her.
"Come to think of it, I've tricked over two hundred people into the kiln factory before, and more than half died. Why didn't their families come looking for them?" Chen Shi thought to himself.
He pushed these thoughts aside and continued asking, "That old talisman master, did he stay at the abandoned Tian family house last night?"
Sanwang shook his head, "He slept at the godmother's temple."
Chen Shi looked at the temple in the center of the village with a deep gaze and muttered, "Stayed at the temple, huh..."
The offerings in the temple had decreased significantly, with the large, chubby deity having eaten most of them, revealing a mountain of flesh for an upper body.
Chen Shi withdrew his gaze, took out a few pieces of broken silver given by Sanwang, fiddled with them for a moment, and handed over a piece weighing over an ounce to Sanwang.
Sanwang was puzzled and looked at him in confusion.
"Take this silver, bury those eight coffins, and for those three children, buy some coffins and give them a proper burial."
Chen Shi looked towards the village entrance and said, "Also, bring me two stools to the village entrance. I'm waiting for someone."
Sanwang didn't understand but followed the instructions and brought two stools.
Chen Shi went to the village entrance, quietly sat on one of the stools, and said to Heiguo beside him, "Fugui is my friend, my only living friend. He's hurt so badly, I can't ignore it. The talisman master who hurt him, I spilled his lamp oil and ruined his plans. He'll definitely be furious and come back to seek revenge."
Heiguo wagged its tail in agreement.
Chen Shi said, "This talisman master is very strong, probably stronger than grandpa. Grandpa is old, not as strong as before, maybe not his match."
Heiguo hesitated but didn't wag its tail.
If Chen Shi had seen grandpa flying out at night, he might not have said that.
Chen Shi continued, "Logically, I shouldn't be here waiting for him. I should leave immediately, run as far as I can. Right?"
Heiguo nodded seriously.
The talisman master was too dangerous, controlling talismans from afar to create talisman monsters, even suppressing Chen Shi.
If not for Chen Shi setting up the Five Mountains House-Sealing Talisman early, he might have been devoured by the talisman monster!
Facing this talisman master directly would be even more perilous.
Chen Shi went on, "He'll come in anger, fully prepared. His talismans are so strange, I'm definitely not his match. So running away is definitely wise."
Heiguo nodded while wagging its tail.
"But doing so is wrong!"
Chen Shi suddenly shouted, "Heiguo, doing so is wrong, isn't it? Killing four children just to make some lousy lamp oil is wrong, isn't it? Doesn't this world need justice anymore? I think it does! Someone needs to stand up and say loudly that this is wrong! So, I can't leave."
He looked at his hands and said softly, "I can't leave. If I leave, that talisman master will come back and take Fugui. I can't leave. I have to stay and wait for him. I definitely can't beat him, but... someone needs to do something about this, someone needs to pay a price for this!"
He was very emotional, with a fire in his heart that hadn't died down.
He really wanted to stand up and beat that talisman master until he was dead!
If you don't kill me, I'll kill you!
Heiguo hesitated but didn't try to persuade Chen Shi.
It knew Chen Shi's character, appearing clever on the outside but actually very stubborn and headstrong.
Born like a mule, once he decided on something, he wouldn't turn back.
Heiguo felt reassured, knowing that Chen Shi had left a letter for grandpa. When grandpa returned home and saw the letter, he would come to Boxwood Village.
By then, grandpa would deal with that old talisman master.
Meanwhile, in a camp on the western slope of Heavenly Yang Mountain, a yurt was suddenly opened, and an old man with graying hair stormed out, fastening an Armored Horse Talisman to his feet and leaving the camp.
"Little brat, ruining my plans!"
The graying old man was furious, gritting his teeth, "I finally managed to make a life-extending lamp, just one more child, and it would have succeeded, but you ruined it. I won't let you off! Ruined my lamp oil, smashed my little cauldron. If I don't turn you into lamp oil, I've lived in vain for seventy years!"
He activated the Armored Horse Talisman, and a gust of wind lifted him three or four inches off the ground!
"Iron Brush Elder, where are you going?"
Suddenly, a voice called out to him. The graying old man quickly turned around, not daring to be slow, and smiled apologetically at the newcomer, "Manager Zhao, you don't know. I came to the countryside to investigate the disappearance of the second young lady and took the opportunity to make something good for myself, intending to offer it to the master for a promotion. But today, a little talisman master from the countryside ruined my plans, so I'm going to settle the score with him."
The newcomer was a middle-aged man with a wealthy appearance, wearing a jade ring on his hand and a jade pendant at his waist. He was Zhao Ming, the manager of the Zhao Family's Dark Jade Manor in New Township Province.
Zhao Ming waved his fan, glanced at him, and sneered, "Offering to the master, is it the life-extending lamp? You're up to no good again. Iron Brush Elder, the master values you for your expertise in various spells and talismans, not for your flattery! That life-extending lamp takes lives. If you succeed, people will speak ill of the Zhao family. How many have you harmed?"
Iron Brush Elder didn't dare hide it and confessed, "Only four."
Zhao Ming was angry, "These four lives won't be blamed on you but on the Zhao family! Enough, stop making it. We're here to find the second young lady, not to make a life-extending lamp. Last time you mentioned making a Soul-Seeking Talisman, where is it?"
Iron Brush Elder quickly took out the Soul-Seeking Talisman and smiled, "The Soul-Seeking Talisman is ready, Manager Zhao, please take a look."
Zhao Ming unfolded the Soul-Seeking Talisman, examining it while saying, "The master trusts your skills. The master thought the second young lady died on Heavenly Yang Mountain, but you calculated she wasn't dead. If you can help me find her, why worry about a promotion?"
Iron Brush Elder was overjoyed.
He didn't really have divine foresight; he couldn't summon Zhao's second young lady's soul, so he boldly guessed she was still alive.
Zhao Ming returned the Soul-Seeking Talisman to him, saying, "Since the talisman is ready, let's go find the second young lady. Put aside your revenge for now."
Iron Brush Elder agreed, "That kid, I remember his face, he won't escape. I've already used the soul-seeking method to locate the second young lady. Manager Zhao, should we call others?"
Zhao Ming's eyes flickered, and he smiled, "The more people, the more people to share the credit."
Iron Brush Elder understood, took out another set of Armored Horse Talismans, squatted down, and personally tied them to Zhao Ming's legs. The two stepped on the wind, each step spanning over a yard, heading east along the foot of Heavenly Yang Mountain.
Outside Boxwood Village, Chen Shi sat at the village entrance without moving. The sun was scorching, making him a bit dizzy.
Fortunately, Sanwang's family was afraid he'd go hungry and made him a meal.
For the first time in two years, Chen Shi ate a meal with just the right amount of salt, moved to tears, praising it endlessly, making Sanwang's wife blush.
"It's just country food, nothing special," the simple woman said, rubbing her apron and smiling.
Chen Shi ate everything, regained his energy, and returned to the village entrance to wait.
He waited all afternoon until Heiguo barked twice, prompting Chen Shi to stand up and pack his book box.
He couldn't wait any longer.
If he waited any longer, it would be dark, and he wouldn't make it back to Yellow Slope Village.
Heiguo was always good at judging time, except for that one time when the sun set fifteen minutes early.
Chen Shi didn't say goodbye to the people of Boxwood Village and headed straight out towards Yellow Slope Village.
"That talisman master didn't come. He must be worried about being exposed for using children to make lamp oil, ruining his reputation. If he didn't show up today, he won't show up again."
Chen Shi said to Heiguo, "I didn't expect him to care about his reputation. It's a pity I didn't meet him this time. Who knows when I'll meet him again."
Heiguo quickly followed, feeling more relaxed.
Chen Shi wanted to fight the talisman master to vent his anger, but Heiguo didn't want that.
If something happened to Chen Shi, could grandpa save him and then scold him?
Grandpa would only blame Heiguo!
Chen Shi looked up at the sky, the sun still blazing, showing no signs of setting.
With his speed, he could make it home before sunset.
"Wonder if grandpa's back home..."
Chen Shi and Heiguo walked two or three miles when they suddenly heard the sound of clothes fluttering in the wind behind them. Chen Shi slowed down and turned to see two people approaching, stepping on the wind.
One was an old man with graying hair, the other a middle-aged man dressed in luxurious clothes. Their steps stirred up whirlwinds, lifting them off the ground, allowing them to cover over a yard with each step, making walking very easy.
"Armored Horse Talismans can be used like this?"
Chen Shi was surprised, leaning against the roadside, waiting for them to pass.
Grandpa had drawn Armored Horse Talismans before, and Chen Shi had watched, learning how to make them. But grandpa always drew them on wooden carts to make them move on their own. Chen Shi had never seen grandpa tie them to his legs.
"So late, and there's still a kid by the roadside," the middle-aged man said, puzzled.
As they quickly approached, the old talisman master, Iron Brush Elder, laughed, "Out so late, this kid probably won't survive, quite pitiful. Too bad we're in a hurry, can't use him for medicine..."
He stopped mid-sentence, suddenly recognizing Chen Shi's face, and exclaimed, "It's you! The little brat who ruined my lamp oil!"
Chen Shi also heard his voice, finding it very familiar, and his eyes widened.
Heiguo heard Iron Brush Elder's voice too, its ears perked up, fur standing on end, tail straight like a black iron rod!
It was about to warn Chen Shi, but Chen Shi had already shot out like an arrow, a blur in front of its eyes!
Chen Shi charged at Iron Brush Elder!
Like a leopard that had been waiting to pounce, he leaped, covering over a yard with each step. As his foot landed, his blood and energy surged into his foot, and with a snap, his straw sandal split and fell off!
Chen Shi's foot grew a full size larger. With his second step, he moved even faster, more fiercely, reaching peak speed!
The wind howled against his face, his tied-up hair blown loose by the oncoming wind, flying straight back!
At the same time, Iron Brush Elder and the middle-aged man were approaching. The speed of the Armored Horse Talismans was fast, and with Chen Shi charging towards them, they were face-to-face in an instant, only a yard apart.
Chen Shi punched out!
A punch within a yard!
The punch whistled through the air, sharp, with a brain-piercing power.
The speed was too fast. Iron Brush Elder had just finished saying, "The little brat who ruined my lamp oil," when Chen Shi's punch was already in his face!
Chen Shi remembered one thing clearly: grandpa's warning.
He had no magic power, any cultivator could kill him with a single spell, but he had great strength, enough to kill these cultivators!
When paths cross, to win, you can't let the other side strike first!
But Iron Brush Elder's reaction was quick. His wide sleeves fluttered, yellow paper talismans flying out, already drawn and ready to activate.
At the same time, divine light shimmered behind his head, a Divine Altar forming in the light!
A Divine Fetus was faintly visible in the altar!
Mighty True Qi spread from behind him, stronger than anything Chen Shi had ever seen, exerting intense pressure!
Iron Brush Elder's left sleeve released the first talisman, meeting Chen Shi's punch. It was a Supreme Eight Trigrams Protection Talisman. Simultaneously, a second talisman began to glow, a Golden Bell Talisman.
If either talisman activated, he would be invincible!
But just as the Supreme Eight Trigrams Protection Talisman touched Chen Shi's fist, Chen Shi's right leg swung under Iron Brush Elder, snapping out like a released bowstring, kicking his groin!
Iron Brush Elder's strength seemed to drain away. The forward momentum from the Armored Horse Talisman was abruptly stopped by Chen Shi's kick. His face twisted, eyes wide, questioning life.
Chen Shi's punch, pressing against the activating Supreme Eight Trigrams Protection Talisman, slammed into his face, sending the old man spinning back like a top.
Zhao Ming, the Zhao family's manager next to Iron Brush Elder, reacted, quickly activating his Divine Altar, channeling True Qi, ready to cast a spell. Just as Chen Shi punched Iron Brush Elder away, he noticed divine light bursting nearby. Without thinking, he sidestepped, twisted his body, and swung his left elbow back, striking Zhao Ming's ribs.
The blow nearly knocked the wind out of Zhao Ming, bending him over involuntarily.
Zhao Ming was tall, and as he bent over, Chen Shi's blood-filled, bear-like right hand clamped around his throat.
"Crack!"
The hand that could crush stone and iron shattered his throat, pressing his neck, carrying his body forward, catching up to the still-airborne Iron Brush Elder!
Zhao Ming's head slammed into Iron Brush Elder's, producing a dull thud.
Iron Brush Elder's skull caved in, yellow talismans fluttering from his sleeves like yellow butterflies, the Supreme Eight Trigrams Protection Talisman, Golden Bell Talisman, Star-bound Five Constellations Talisman, Six Calamities Divine Talisman, Life-Saving Talisman, Imperial Canopy Talisman, and other divine talismans and scripts, all activated!
Iron Brush Elder's groin bled profusely, knees buckling, head drooping, brain matter spilling out.
In an instant, multicolored divine light erupted, forming various shapes of spells, some like trigrams, some like bells, some depicting calamities, others showing canopies, spirits, demons, and other strange things, all pouring out, stacking together, protecting Iron Brush Elder in the center.
Iron Brush Elder was already dead.
—End of Chapter—
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