Chapter 6, Hidden Truths

As a group of people hurriedly crossed the courtyard, the cold moon revealed a corner of the floating clouds in the night sky

Since it is impossible to identify who the expert is, they must certainly be among us. As long as we take good care of this troupe, I do not believe that the expert will refrain from coming to our aid in times of crisis

Daoist priest

Suddenly recalling the demeanor of the three individuals who spoke out to obstruct earlier today

On the same night, in the same Qingshan County, a certain residence in the city displayed fluttering white banners, with burning braziers, paper money flying with sparks, a pond mixed with ash, and the gently rippling water surface reflecting the octagonal pavilion

The old servant looked at the two spirit tablets placed in the hall and sighed

It is my cultivation that is too shallow

Upon hearing this, Madam Liu, who was standing nearby, seemed to vaguely see the source of that blue light and hurriedly grasped her husband's arm

The old servant approached, holding a handkerchief.

Within the field of vision, the wooden carving subtly emanated a tangible radiance, and its expression became vividly lifelike

The Western Chamber

Later, he saw the master take out the treasured box, inside which was a black talisman, intended for the Liu family

Indeed, within a few days, it was heard that the young master of the Liu family had fallen into a deep sleep and could not awaken. However, each time the master used the talisman, his complexion would become exceedingly grim, growing more haggard with each passing day.

Hurry, follow me quickly

"Sir, you have come at such a late hour; is there something you wish to instruct?"

As soon as these words were spoken, Liu Yuanwai was taken aback for a moment, hurriedly approached, and found himself at a loss for words. Could he really say that there had been a great figure manifesting divine presence here before, and that he had come specifically to invite them?

Mr. Liu recalled that no one had lived there for a long time; recently, a grand banquet was held, which allowed a troupe from Funiu Town to stay there. Could it be that a master is among them?

The master has a shallow relationship with the Liu family in the city, but there is some interaction between them. The young masters of both families often gather to drink and visit brothels. However, two months ago, the two young masters got into a fight over a woman. During the scuffle, a broken vase was grabbed by the Liu family's young master, who waved it around recklessly in the chaos, resulting in a cut to his own young master's neck.

Indeed it is so

The guard, gritting his teeth, inched closer step by step. The moment his hand rested on the shoulder of the stout Taoist, the Taoist let out a loud "Ah!" and jumped up in place, startling the guard so much that he fell to the ground.

The blue smoke rises gently

Ah ah

Esteemed individuals within the courtyard, I humbly request an audience with you

The wind rushed past the eaves, carrying with it flickering sparks that flew into the night sky. In the side courtyard of the Liu residence's west wing, as the lanterns illuminated the way past the crescent moon gate, Liu Yuanwai hurriedly approached the eaves, and before he reached the door, his voice was already calling out.

The figure sitting cross-legged in the pavilion slowly opened his eyes, his body stiffened, and a trace of blood oozed from the corner of his mouth, as if he had sustained some injury. He brushed his fingers over the utensils placed on the table, covered his chest, and rose to leave the pavilion. He arrived at the fire basin burning in front of the main hall, sat down wearily, and threw the unburned paper money into the fire.

anomaly

The figure burning joss paper, around fifty years old, with a beard already streaked with gray, gazed at the nearly consumed joss paper in the basin, gritting his teeth

The old man's voice was not particularly loud, but in the quiet courtyard, it was exceptionally clear, causing the sleeping Zhao Laotou and others in the house to wake up. Upon hearing the second call, they recognized it as the words of Liu Yuanwai, and each hurriedly put on their clothes and came out. Chen Yuan was also awakened, but did not go outside; instead, he sat on the bedding yawning, still not fully awake.

After a moment of deliberation, the old man still called Zhao Laotou to the side

The old servant, with tears in his eyes, opened his mouth to offer further persuasion

Daoist priest ... ... Daoist priest ... ...

He turned his head to look around the room, and his gaze finally settled on the puppet dressed in golden armor and a green robe on the box

Mr. Liu, with great courage yet cautious, carefully descended the steps. He broke free from his old wife's grasp and called out twice to the plump Taoist priest who stood motionless by the altar. Seeing no response, he instructed a nearby guard to go and check.

The stout man discarded the peach wood sword, crashing into the Dharma altar and fleeing in a panic towards the courtyard gate, colliding head-on with an approaching servant, and falling into the lotus pond. This caused a commotion, with chickens flying and dogs barking as he rushed down the long street, his heart-wrenching cries gradually fading into the distance

Years ago, he had heard his wife casually mention that when the master was young, he had an extraordinary experience, being taken in as an external disciple by a great master and acquiring some remarkable teachings

Mr. Liu looked at the person, who was tall and robust. Although dressed simply, he exuded an imposing presence. How could he not have sensed this when he had scolded the other party earlier in the day

Mr. Liu shouted loudly, turned around, and pulled his old wife to push open his son's bedroom door. The figure on the bed still had not awakened. At this moment, he realized that he had been deceived again, and he was so angry that he pounded his chest and stamped his feet

The azure light emanates from here, and he is the only one with any cultivation. His Daoist practice is still quite shallow, merely having one foot in the realm of cultivation. The only spell he can perform is transforming a piece of paper into a frog.

"My lord," the steward of the residence stood at the door, trembling with fear. "Please calm down. That azure light in the sky just now might have been the intervention of some extraordinary master from beyond the world."

After hesitating for a moment, he finally spoke: "Just now, something happened over in the east wing; a sudden strong wind arose, and it became exceptionally cold. The Taoist priest, sensing the ominous situation, fled in fear. However, shortly after, a streak of blue light appeared, dispelling that strange phenomenon. My wife said that the blue light originated from this place, so she came to inquire. If there are any esteemed individuals present, Liu would be honored to pay a visit!"

Chen Yuan took advantage of the absence of attention to speak outside, approached the wooden carving, and examined it closely. Observing the incense that had burned out in the small furnace, she seemed to be lost in thought, and then promptly lit another stick of incense and placed it in the furnace.

The official's gaze swept over the troupe standing under the eaves; their clothes were not only worn but most of them had slanted eyebrows and squinting eyes, resembling a group of crooked melons and cracked dates, hardly embodying the image of distinguished individuals

The previous chill had faded from the courtyard, and the azure light that had leaped above the courtyard vanished in an instant into the night.

On the altar in the center of the room, there are two brand new spirit tablets, one for his son and the other for his wife

The wooden carving of Guan Gong appears somewhat dim.

Chen Yuan leaned against the door frame, clearly hearing the words spoken outside

Outside, upon seeing Liu Yuanwai approaching, Old Zhao hurriedly put on a thin coat and went out, bowing his hands in greeting as he walked.

When he accompanied the master to the scene, the person had already bled to death. Within two days, the lady, overwhelmed by the grief of losing her son, hanged herself at home, following him in death. In the face of such misfortune, not to mention the master, even the old servant who had served in the residence for many years could not help but shed tears.

It seems that the black talisman was gifted by a person of great ability

The oil lamp flickered, illuminating his figure as he sat on the ground, listening to the noisy commotion outside, lost in thought.

Master Zhao, do you have any unusual phenomena on your side tonight

Perhaps

It will not be long now... I originally intended to torment their family, to make them experience heart-wrenching pain. Unfortunately, my spells were broken today, and the Liu family must have sought the assistance of someone skilled in the Dao. Once I suppress my injuries, I will personally visit tomorrow night to engage in a battle of magic!

The elderly man across from me clenched his teeth tightly, his jaw muscles taut, and a hoarse voice squeezed through the gaps in his teeth

"My lord, that light seems to be rising from the western chamber"

At this moment, someone under the eaves spoke up: "Sir, we already said before that the Taoist is a fraud. Is it credible now?"

Chen Yuan suppressed the excitement in her heart and, following the incantation to control the paper frog, directed it towards the wooden carving; unfortunately, it did not move at all.

Old Zhao was momentarily taken aback, deeply immersed in a sweet slumber, completely unaware of any changes. He then shook his head and said, "Please, sir, speak plainly."

The old man casually brushed aside the embarrassment of the mistakenly invited Taoist, but the matter of inviting a master left Old Zhao in a bit of a quandary. In his impression, masters were often wandering heroes and chivalrous figures, those who radiated an aura of brilliance. He had never even considered such a scene, leaving him at a loss for words on how to respond.

My son has gone, my old wife has also gone, how can the Liu family's young one be allowed to live alone! The pain of exterminating a family, I will let the Liu family experience it as well. If all else fails, I will return to Canglan Mountain and earnestly request my fellow brothers in the sect to help me take revenge

The wind in the courtyard has ceased, and the swaying lanterns gradually come to a standstill, illuminating the couple, Liu Yuanwai and his wife, who are huddled together, looking around.

Is it the Second Master

Master ... ... perhaps it is better to let it go, your health cannot withstand it, if this drags on any longer, this old servant fears ... ...

Mr. Liu immediately exited the room, instructing the maid to bring a lantern, and headed towards the west wing accompanied by a group of guards.