Chapter 1: The Fierce General

That night, Kang Mingyu truly experienced the overwhelming power of a battle cry that could intimidate thousands of troops. Although Zhang the old man's house was still sturdy, it was nonetheless shaken by the loud shouts coming from several miles away, causing the beams to tremble and the window frames and door frames to sway precariously.

Since it would not attract any attention, drawing two talismans would be beneficial and harmless. Old Zhang readily agreed.

However, Kang Mingyu was clearly startled. As the area struck by the initial sun's fusion fire talisman began to settle, a gray-robed monk stood up, cursing under his breath. He was evidently furious about the unexpected disaster that had just occurred. Kang Mingyu felt quite embarrassed and hurried over, repeatedly apologizing: "Master, please do not take offense. In a moment of panic, I accidentally harmed you. I hope for your understanding."

Kang Mingyu whispered the title of the Old Lord with disdain for the monk. It was one thing for the monk to eat meat, but he even personally went hunting. This is truly a violation of natural order, and Buddhism cannot condone it

Although what the monk said has some merit, Kang Mingyu had no intention of coming here to eliminate evil. Although he possessed some magical skills, he could only deal with malevolent spirits and strange creatures. This level of cultivation was likely far inferior to that of true masters who were hundreds of times more skilled than him, so how could Kang Mingyu dare to recklessly seek death? If what the monk said were true, and there existed an ancient being capable of summoning hundreds of thousands of souls, it is likely that there would be very few individuals in the entire world of righteous and evil sects who could confront such a threat. With his level of cultivation, he would be powerless to eliminate this 'demon'.

Although Kang Mingyu did not have a meal in the morning, seeing the monk's vile behavior, he did not dare to ask for a bite. He is a Taoist priest of the Fire Residence, yet he does not abstain from meat or marriage. However, such things are not something he can stomach.

Kang Mingyu had been running around for so many days, repeatedly passing through chaotic troops, and rarely had the chance to rest so peacefully. He drank tea in large gulps, feeling much more comfortable in his stomach. Kang Mingyu did not forget to ask in return: "Does this general often disturb the village? It must be for conscription, to demand grain, and it has been rather harsh. Can the old man's village not support it?"

The old man, upon hearing Kang Mingyu's question, sighed deeply once more and said: "The young Daoist is unaware, I am surnamed Zhang, and the villagers all call me Old Zhang. This year I am already sixty-two. I originally had several unruly sons and seven or eight little grandsons. Unfortunately, not long ago, two armies came from unknown places and began fighting in the northwest of this village"

Kang Mingyu cast a brief glance at the pair of straw sandals on the monk's feet and truly admired him for being able to wear them. The state of disrepair was beyond measure; it seemed that the sandals were not merely tied with straw ropes but rather that some yellow mud was directly stuck to the soles. It was remarkable that Kang Mingyu could still discern that the monk was indeed wearing monk sandals.

Such sinister matters seem reminiscent of the discussions among the elders of his Wujigong, regarding one of the seven malevolent arts circulating in the martial world, known as the Evil Ghost Yin Soldiers

Kang Mingyu was uncertain about the safety of his senior brothers. His martial arts and Taoist skills within the sect had always been commendable. When Qingping Mountain was set ablaze by the chaotic troops, his master was killed while trying to protect everyone. Filled with anger towards these soldiers, Kang Mingyu charged through the encirclement with even greater ferocity. Over the past few days, he had no idea how many enemy soldiers he had slain, and his actions were accompanied by a chilling aura of murder. The originally serene and tranquil demeanor he had cultivated was long gone. Over the past few days, he had no idea how many enemy soldiers he had slain, and his actions were accompanied by a chilling aura of murder. The originally serene and tranquil demeanor he had cultivated was long gone

The disheveled monk, regardless of what Kang Mingyu was thinking, spoke loudly: "Little Daoist, do you know why the yin energy here dissipates during the day but becomes astonishingly strong at night? It is because someone is exploiting the yin energy here to attract hundreds of thousands of restless souls to practice sinister spells. Once they succeed, there will be no life for hundreds of miles around. I originally intended to slay demons and eliminate this evil creature. However, I am currently unable to separate myself from my duties, and since you have also arrived, why not join me in dealing with this demon?"

During their casual conversation, Old Man Zhang seemed to have some affection for Kang Mingyu, so he continued to speak about the unusual events in the village

The monk looked up and saw such a naive little Taoist, so he refrained from scolding him. He let out a strange laugh and said: "Little Taoist, you are so reckless. Do you know that I am currently engaged in an important matter? If you delay my timing, how will you compensate me?"

Old Zhang then noticed that Kang Mingyu was not carrying a satchel, only a long sword in its sheath. After a slight hesitation, Old Zhang said, "If the young Daoist is not performing any significant ritual, it would be better to wait until tomorrow during the day to proceed."

Old Zhang initially did not believe that this little Taoist from hetushu.com had any real abilities. He thought it was merely a way to find peace of mind, allowing Kang Mingyu to tinker with things. However, he did not expect that Kang Mingyu truly possessed such skills, indicating extraordinary magical powers. These talismans indeed appear to be quite remarkable

The season is already late autumn. At noon, the bright sun hangs high in the sky, casting a warm and indescribably comfortable light on the body. Standing on the earthen mound and gazing around, Kang Mingyu surprisingly cannot detect any signs. If this were a sinister place, there should be some atmosphere during the day, yet now there is not even a trace of ominous energy, leaving Kang Mingyu puzzled as to whether he has made an incorrect deduction.

After listening for a while, Kang Mingyu was slightly taken aback, having caught some inconsistencies in the story, yet he dared not believe it. He asked the old man Zhang, "Since these soldiers could not be found during the day, how did you see that general kill the yellow cow?"

Gazing at the distant green mountains, I have traveled half a day on my journey

Kang Mingyu listened to the words of the old man Zhang and immediately began to contemplate. This old man had never encountered a martial arts master; he could strike down a plowing ox from ten steps away. Clearly, this so-called general who claimed to be the Hegemon of Western Chu indeed possessed genuine skills. Not only was his internal strength formidable, but his martial arts had also reached an extraordinary level. Although Kang Mingyu had practiced some martial arts from the Wujigong, he felt that his own martial arts cultivation was far from being comparable to that of this general. The ability to emit a commanding shout that could startle birds from the sky might seem incredible to ordinary people, but it was certainly not impossible in the eyes of martial arts experts. Kang Mingyu had heard from his master that many external martial arts techniques included methods for channeling energy and exerting force. He had once witnessed a wandering monk who, with a mighty roar, stunned a ferocious tiger that blocked his path.

When Kang Mingyu arrived at the entrance of the village, the sky had already darkened, and the God of the Morning Star had long since returned home to sleep. Fortunately, Kang Mingyu had practiced martial arts for many years, making his body agile and his vision sharp and clear. He could barely distinguish the path and found the nearest household, intending to seek lodging. To avoid frightening the farmers, Kang Mingyu deliberately tidied his robe, casually tossed aside the long knife in his hand, and brushed off the dust from his clothes. He gently knocked on the courtyard door and called out loudly: "Is the head of the household present? I have missed the lodging for the night and would like to borrow a place to stay for one night, leaving at dawn. I sincerely hope the host can grant me this favor." To avoid frightening the farmers, Kang Mingyu deliberately tidied his robe, casually tossed aside the long knife in his hand, and brushed off the dust from his clothes. He gently knocked on the courtyard door and called out loudly: "Is the head of the household present? I have missed the lodging for the night and would like to borrow a place to stay for one night, leaving at dawn. I sincerely hope the host can grant me this favor."

Kang Mingyu knocked on the door panel countless times, raising his voice twice, yet no one responded. Feeling quite puzzled, he began to carefully observe this small village.

He was originally from the Wuji Palace, which is the orthodox sect of Daoism. Kang Mingyu had been practicing the sect's spells for over ten years, yet he had never heard of such matters.

A small spark of fire fell onto that gray area and instantly ignited. What surprised Kang Mingyu was that as soon as the flame struck its target, it was repelled in a brief moment, forming a circle around the gray area, indicating that it could not burn the places it was meant to.

In these tumultuous times, amidst the chaos of war, when the dead are left unburied, many nearby households often scavenge for useful items to supplement their household needs. Since Old Man Zhang claimed to have seen it, there is certainly no doubt. Although Kang Mingyu had some suspicions, he did not wish to alarm him, and thus refrained from stating it explicitly

Before Kang Mingyu could take a step away, a sudden roar echoed. Countless plumes of black smoke erupted from the surrounding grass, within which were mixed millions of vengeful spirits and malevolent ghosts... Their wails and piercing cries resounded incessantly...

Lying on the ground, he gasped for a long time before feeling a slight recovery of his strength. Fully aware of the dangers in this place and the inappropriateness of lingering, Kang Mingyu still struggled to force himself to rise. He was also reluctant to exert effort to pull the long knife from the corpse. After surveying several fallen soldiers, he casually found a relatively sharp saber on the battlefield and tucked it into his waist, too lazy to search for a scabbard. Feeling that his strength had somewhat returned, Kang Mingyu left the bloody battlefield without hesitation.

In order to convince Kang Mingyu, Old Man Zhang urged, "The general's roar truly shook the heavens; if those birds were not killed by the shock, they would certainly have some injuries on their bodies. In just a little more than half an hour, the young Taoist priest will be able to hear it!"

The scruffy monk grinned widely and said with a chuckle, "It seems the little Taoist still possesses some skills. Of course, I and the monk know that the things that died here cannot be eaten. This was hunted from elsewhere, and consuming it poses absolutely no problem."

A murky gaze swept over, and upon seeing only the young Taoist, Kang Mingyu, who appeared to be around seventeen or eighteen years old, the person inside the door opened it. An elderly man with a kind and benevolent expression quickly emerged, without exchanging a word with Kang Mingyu, and pulled him inside. Moreover, the old man turned around and firmly closed the door, securing the latch. He continued to pull Kang Mingyu into the room. Moreover, the old man turned around and firmly closed the door, securing the latch. He continued to pull Kang Mingyu into the room

In today's chaotic world, where battles are incessant, even those who seek peace, such as monks, cannot escape being drawn into the turmoil. Recently, a band of marauding troops advanced to the foot of Qingping Mountain, demanding money and provisions from the temple. Although the Daoist temple run by Kang Mingyu is one of the most renowned in the land, with numerous palatial structures and considerable grandeur, it is still difficult to fill one's stomach in such troubled times, let alone have surplus resources to meet the military's demands. When the marauders' objectives were not met, they resorted to violence and set fire to Wujigong. The monks, including Kang Mingyu and others, could only scatter to survive. Of the three to four hundred ascetic monks in Wujigong, only about one or two hundred managed to escape, which is less than thirty percent.

Old Zhang shivered, his murky gaze becoming somewhat alarmed, and said to Kang Mingyu: "Moreover, these troops are indistinguishable as to whether they are human or ghost. They vanish without a trace during the day and emerge at night to fight in the wilderness. What is even stranger is that while there is fighting, there are no dead bodies to be seen. The sounds of battle are deafening at night, yet during the day, not a single corpse can be found"

This village has approximately over one hundred households, situated in a hollow of a small hill. The surrounding scenery is exceptionally beautiful, and the houses of the villagers are well-maintained. Nestled at the foot of the green mountains, they appear remarkably elegant. Moreover, each door is clean and tidy, clearly indicating that there are regular cleaning activities, and it is certainly not an abandoned village. Just as Kang Mingyu was about to change to another household, he heard a creaking sound, and the front door opened slightly.

Amidst the cacophony of battle cries, even if Kang Mingyu had nerves ten times thicker, he could not sleep peacefully. He could only clutch the bedding, turn over, and lean against the wall to rest his eyes. It was not until dawn approached that he noticed the battle cries had gradually subsided.

While apologizing, Kang Mingyu deftly sheathed the broken sword and performed a respectful bow.

If such a malevolent spirit truly exists, it would have endured for a thousand years without losing its essence. Kang Mingyu reflected that although he made a living by capturing ghosts and exorcising evil, he would not dare to provoke it. In Kang Mingyu's view, this King of Western Chu must be a certain military general, renowned for his imposing stature and exceptional martial skills, hence the honorific title. It seems this old man is not well-versed in history and is unaware that this person has been dead for many years.

Old man Zhang gave a faint bitter smile and said: "If that is the case, it can still be considered normal. That general does not come out during the day, but at midnight, he causes a great uproar, not knowing which army he is fighting against. The sounds of shouting and killing have knocked down countless tiles from the roof of my house. It has been like this every night, and the people in the village are unable to sleep at all."

At this point, Old Man Zhang's eyes also turned red, and he spoke with a sorrowful voice: "Our village has been affected, and many people have died. Several of my sons fled to other places to avoid disaster long ago, and they are no longer in this village. Only I cannot bear to leave this village, still feeling nostalgic about it."

Upon reaching this point, Old Man Zhang shivered, shaking his head repeatedly and remaining silent.

Kang Mingyu devoted himself to Qingping Mountain, the Wujigong, which is a major sect of Taoism. It indeed possesses some authentic spells, unlike the charlatans in the rivers and lakes who merely seek to make a living by deceiving others. Just now, Kang Mingyu used the Qing Shi Zhen Xin talisman for a test and discovered that the northeast direction of this village is filled with an unprecedented level of yin energy. In such an extremely yin and evil place, it is likely that malevolent creatures and ghosts will emerge sooner or later

Kang Mingyu was strenuously trying to discern whether the figure before him was a monk, a beggar, or perhaps a corpse that had been buried for several years and had now returned to life. Suddenly, he caught a whiff of a fragrant aroma. Turning his head, he saw some charcoal burning on the ground, with an unknown bird roasting above it, emanating a delicious scent.

Kang Mingyu noticed that the monk had no intention of greeting him and was about to take his leave. However, he suddenly remembered something and quickly stopped him, saying: "Master, please take your time with the meal; the birds here might be somewhat unclean, and eating them could lead to illness"

A loud curse suddenly erupted, startling Kang Mingyu. With a twist of his right hand, the broken sword at his side was already drawn. The blade, as clear as a pool of autumn water, emitted a faint blue glow, appearing extraordinarily sharp. The red talismans on the spine of the sword also glimmered faintly.

The monk chuckled lightly, not making any attempt to stop it. With a single palm strike to the ground, there was no visible display of power. However, a sudden eerie sound echoed from below, accompanied by a chilling wind that swept through the area

Old man Zhang, upon hearing Kang Mingyu's consolation, felt even more sorrowful and sobbed, "If it were just the books, that would be one thing. In times of war, where is there not death? It is merely the misfortune of my village. Yet, I do not know which plague god we have offended..."

Kang Mingyu now appears as disheveled as one can be. Not only is his robe tattered beyond recognition, but his entire body is also stained with patches of dried blood, rendering him a dark figure. The sword he carried has long been broken in half, and what he now holds in his hand is a long knife seized from an unknown individual.

As he was dozing off, he suddenly heard faint shouts and cries coming from the northwest. Remembering the introduction by the old man Zhang earlier, he became much more alert. Before he could prepare himself, a loud roar erupted, akin to thunder on a clear day, a sudden strike from the heavens, the wrath of a strange beast, and the display of divine power. Even from such a distance, it sounded as if it were right beside him, nearly causing Kang Mingyu to tumble off the bed.

Although Kang Mingyu was aware that this situation was somewhat suspicious, the usually neither timid nor particularly bold young Taoist had made up his mind to wait until dawn to take a look, satisfying his curiosity. Venturing out at night like this was simply not worth it

Such things are not closely related to sinister secret arts

Having cut down the last of the chaotic troops, Kang Mingyu collapsed to the ground alongside the enemy's corpses. The bloody and arduous battle had drained all his energy

To the northwest of Qing Shan Village, beyond a small mound, lies a flat expanse of land. The sounds of shouting and killing at night come from this very place. After a night of deep sleep, Kang Mingyu felt invigorated, and even the tattered Daoist robe he wore seemed to fit him much better.

Moreover, this monk is quite peculiar, and Kang Mingyu did not dare to engage casually. He quickly said: "Master, your magical powers are profound; I fear that I cannot be of any assistance. This senior cultivates spells, and it is not necessarily to harm others. Approaching in this manner is improper. Let us discuss this another time. I take my leave." After saying this, Kang Mingyu immediately turned to leave

Kang Mingyu was immediately alarmed upon hearing the words of the old man Zhang

Upon being questioned by Kang Mingyu in such a manner, the old man let out a long sigh and did not respond immediately. He warmly invited Kang Mingyu to sit down and then served him some plain tea. After accommodating Kang Mingyu in the main room, he finally explained in detail: "The young Daoist is unaware that our village is plagued by a fierce ghost. It has caused great unrest among the people, and everyone is extremely frightened and anxious."

Since he had not slept well at midnight, Kang Mingyu, once the noise that disturbed his sleep disappeared, turned over and fell into a deep sleep, striving to make up for the lost rest. The old man, who probably also had a sleepless night, was currently catching up on his sleep. He did not come to greet him, and Kang Mingyu's slumber lasted until the sun was high in the sky, finally getting up leisurely just before noon.

Old Zhang was taken aback upon hearing this. He exclaimed, "Indeed, even the yellow cattle from Old Wang's family, when they went out during the day the next day, found that no one had moved them, so they brought them back intending to eat the meat. Unexpectedly, the whole family fell ill for a while, and they have not fully recovered to this day"

As soon as the two disordered armies had departed, a general appeared in the vicinity with his troops, exhibiting extreme ferocity. It is said that he is known as the Overlord of Western Chu, standing at a height of six zhang and possessing a broad and robust physique. With a single roar, he could startle even the birds flying in the sky.

Kang Mingyu shuddered at the monk's words. He had noticed last night that the yin energy here was exceptionally dense, yet it remained stagnant, which was not characteristic of a typical place of malevolent energy. He vaguely suspected that there must be some unorthodox practices taking place here.

Just now, I asked Old Man Zhang, and he said that this village has not been significantly affected. The dead livestock and wild birds, I fear, were not casualties of battle but rather perished from the erosion of malevolent winds and ghostly influences. Normally, such things would cause an ordinary person to fall gravely ill and possibly lose their life. However, Old Man Zhang mentioned that the family who consumed the beef is not in any danger. Moreover, someone from the village went to check on them and found that nothing was amiss, which makes the situation seem extraordinarily strange.

Old Zhang was slightly taken aback and said, "Almost everyone in the village has gone to see it. After returning, some people said they felt a bit dizzy, but the old man himself went to see it and had no reaction."

In three days, Kang Mingyu encountered the chaotic army twice in succession. Relying on his exceptional martial skills and avoiding the large troop formations, Kang Mingyu barely managed to escape the battlefield after enduring fierce battles. During today's bloody conflict, Kang Mingyu almost believed he was about to ascend to the celestial realm.

The old man looked up and down at Kang Mingyu a few times, noticing that the young Taoist was dressed in a blue robe, albeit travel-worn, covered in blood and tattered. He appeared somewhat disheveled, yet his face still bore the innocence of youth, smiling in a way that did not seem malicious. He finally mustered the courage to speak: "Young Taoist, you are quite bold, but you may not know that a strange incident has recently occurred in our Qingshan Village. No one dares to venture out of the village at midnight; if it weren't for the old man's remaining courage, who would dare to open the door for you?"

Kang Mingyu saw that Old Man Zhang had agreed, removed the backpack from his back, took out a small brush, and mixed some cinnabar to write seven calming talismans on the yellow paper he had taken out. With a flick of his hand, the seven yellow paper talismans floated around Kang Mingyu, not falling down.

Old Zhang's face turned slightly red as he said: "I, an old man, did not witness it with my own eyes, but it was just that Old Wang from next door lost his plowing ox in the middle of the night. When he got up to search for it, he happened to encounter a battle between two armies. Just then, his yellow ox wandered into the battlefield, and he saw with his own eyes that the general struck a palm from a distance, causing the surrounding grass and trees to fly about. That yellow ox from Old Wang's family weighed over a thousand jin, yet it was blown away four or five steps as if it were made of straw, and fell to the ground, dead."

Kang Mingyu was unwilling to resist the old man and allowed himself to be pulled into the house. The old man's actions made Kang Mingyu suspicious, and as soon as he entered, he asked, "Why did you not dare to open the door just now, yet are now so eager to receive me? Is there something that has happened in the village?"

Thinking of the formidable nature of this rumored dark art, Kang Mingyu shivered a few times. He hurriedly continued to ask: "Have you ever seen this general, Elder Zhang? Or those mysteriously originative armies?"

Old Zhang finally breathed a sigh of relief. Inviting strangers into his home in the middle of the night had made him quite anxious, and he dared not make any loud noises at such an hour, fearing that it might bring about some calamity. The nearby army, although engaged in battle every night, did not disturb the village; passersby or animals caught in the crossfire at the battlefield were certainly affected, with none left alive to tell the tale. Otherwise, Old Zhang would not have dared to continue living here and would have fled with his sons long ago.

Kang Mingyu, upon hearing the words of the old man Zhang, found some relief in his mood, feeling both amused and exasperated. The King of Western Chu was a figure from the Western Han dynasty, who contended for supremacy with Liu Bang, the founding emperor of the Han, ultimately taking his own life by the banks of the Wu River. Now, over a thousand years have passed; how could he possibly manifest in this world under the clear and bright heavens?

Kang Mingyu fell silent upon hearing the words of the old man Zhang. After contemplating twice in his heart, he said to Zhang, "Old sir, I would like to borrow a spell from your family. May I?"

Hello! A blade protrudes from behind the soldier, a long sword that has cleaved down from the shoulder, becoming lodged when it struck the ribs. However, such a severe injury can still result in death

Kang Mingyu was greatly surprised by the old man's words and quietly asked, "May I inquire what unusual events have occurred here, causing such a desolation in the village"

Kang Mingyu, upon hearing the elder's words, felt a deep sense of sorrow in his heart and could only offer words of comfort, saying: "This matter has finally passed, so there is no need for you to be overly saddened."

Most Taoists cultivate their practices and spells in the deep mountains, primarily to subdue monsters and evil spirits, thereby protecting themselves from the harm of the supernatural beings that dwell in the mountains. However, there are also those who cannot withstand temptation, who cultivate malicious spells with the intent to harm others, engaging in heretical practices.

In the early years of the Yuan and Mongol dynasties, Buddhism and Daoism were highly esteemed. Various sects and schools flourished across the land. However, as time progressed, Daoism faced suppression from Tibetan Esoteric Buddhism and began to decline. Coupled with the tyranny of the Yuan and Mongol rulers, widespread famine led to numerous uprisings among the starving populace. Even ascetic Daoists like Kang Mingyu were not spared from the repercussions.

It is said that those with great magical power can gather the lingering souls that have not yet dispersed. After being refined through spells, these souls can be contained within a gourd, and when released, they can devour the living. The greater the magical power, the more souls can be gathered, and the more formidable the evil spirits and ghostly soldiers refined through spells become

Kang Mingyu had been sleeping rough in the wilderness for the past few days. Tonight, after finally securing a bed, he naturally fell into a deep sleep as soon as his head hit the pillow

Kang Mingyu had traveled a long distance and, after several days of fatigue, could not wait to drink a cup of tea to soothe his throat. Just as he was about to inquire further, he looked around and found that there was no one else in the room. He casually asked, "Why do you live alone, old sir, and why are there no children or grandchildren gathered here?"

As the day began to wane, a small village finally emerged faintly in the distance. Kang Mingyu raised his hand to wipe away the sweat, and spat out the dried blood from his mouth. He thought to himself: "Today, the Daoist master no longer needs to sleep rough in the wilderness; I can find a farmer's home to stay for the night"

Old man Zhang was very warm towards Kang Mingyu, clearly showing that he was a charitable elder in his daily life. Several of his sons had gone out to seek refuge. The remaining bedding and quilts were quite convenient, and he invited Kang Mingyu to stay in the east side room, while he himself returned to rest.

In the middle of the night, feeling uneasy, Kang Mingyu greeted the already awake Old Man Zhang and made an excuse to go out for a stroll, heading straight towards the northwest.

Kang Mingyu was taken aback, realizing that he had fallen into a perilous situation

Kang Mingyu's Qing Shi Zhen Xin talisman paused briefly in the air, pointing towards the northwest, and the originally pale yellow talisman gradually changed color. Starting from the northwest, it slowly transformed into a dark, muted blue-black. Kang Mingyu's expression suddenly changed, and he said to the old man Zhang: "Who in this village has gone to witness the battle, and what feelings did they have upon returning?"

Old Zhang was evidently very hospitable. Just as Kang Mingyu was about to ask some more questions, Old Zhang had already gone to the kitchen to fetch some coarse rice and kindly invited Kang Mingyu to have a simple meal. Kang Mingyu was indeed hungry and also wanted to hear more about the affairs of the village from Old Zhang, so he did not decline. He only thought to himself, "I will leave some money for this old gentleman later, which will compensate for this tea and meal, as well as the night’s lodging."

Such intense malevolence should have long since driven all living beings from this village. Upon thinking of this, Kang Mingyu shuddered involuntarily. Reflecting on the expression of Old Zhang just now, it seemed there was nothing unusual. Feeling increasingly anxious, Kang Mingyu still reached out to hold his long sword close to his chest, finding some comfort in it. Although this sword was already broken in half, it was a talisman for dispelling evil from his sect, and thus Kang Mingyu was reluctant to part with it, always keeping it by his side

After repeatedly apologizing, Kang Mingyu finally had the leisure to scrutinize the monk. This monk truly lived up to the title of "poor monk." Not only was his robe so stained that its original color was unrecognizable, but the mud on his face and hands was also over half an inch thick, as if he hadn't washed for years. The lower part of his trousers, below the knees, was completely missing. The tattered threads of his monk's robe fluttered in the wind, exuding a distinct musty odor. One could imagine that even a corpse buried in the ground for half a year would not be in such a dilapidated state. Even among beggars by the roadside, it would be rare to find someone with clothing in such a state of disrepair.

As he gazed around, Kang Mingyu suddenly noticed a gray object hidden among the grass, which was trembling continuously. Without a moment's hesitation, he raised his hand and cast the Initial Sun Melting Fire Talisman. Unlike the Clear World Calming Talisman he used last night to examine the earth's energy, the Initial Sun Melting Fire Talisman, refined from his own true energy and embodying the true fire of the sun, possesses significant power to ward off evil and intimidate demons and spirits. It can even disperse some malevolent spirits that have not yet fully materialized.

The monk followed Kang Mingyu's gaze and recalled his roasted bird. He could no longer continue the conversation with Kang Mingyu, turned over, and resumed rotating. With one hand, he tore off a large thigh and began to chew.

Kang Mingyu then suddenly thought of the possibility he had just considered. He asked coldly, "Did the old man mean that the fallen birds would be discovered the next day, with dead birds found around the area? Moreover, they had no visible injuries. Is it possible that someone picked them up and ate them, leading to illness?"

Kang Mingyu smiled and said to Old Zhang: "I merely wish to pray for your blessings and ward off evil, to secure the peace of your residence. This is simply my way of repaying your hospitality, and it is not a formal ritual, nor does it require any elaborate arrangements; I will just draw a couple of talismans for you."

Kang Mingyu was momentarily taken aback, pondering for a moment. He then replaced his expression with a calm smile and said to the elder: "Then there is nothing to worry about. This village is picturesque, and although the feng shui is not the best, it is certainly not bad. In the future, someone will surely prosper here. When the war settles and the world is at peace, it is possible that distinguished officials will appear in the village. That sneaky army will eventually disappear. I thank you for your hospitality, but it is already quite late, and I do not wish to disturb your rest. I would like to find a place to stay for the night."

Kang Mingyu was originally a Taoist priest at the Wujigong Temple on Qingping Mountain, having entered the monastic life at a young age. On ordinary days, apart from cultivating his mind and character with his senior brothers, he would assist nearby families in exorcising ghosts and dispelling evil, living a life of simplicity and poverty. Although the mountain dwelling was austere, there was no need to worry about daily meals, whether in the heat of summer or the cold of winter

Old Zhang groped around for a moment and made the already dim oil lamp even smaller. Only then did he dare to speak: "Of course I have seen this barbarian. That fellow is not only more than twice my height, but also possesses immense strength and countless abilities. From ten paces away, he can kill a yellow cow with a single slap; it is simply... like a ghost or a deity"