Volume One: Kingdom of the Endless Night Chapter Seventy: I Have a Talisman

Qixia Street, Xuyang Marquis Manor.

Zhao Si is painting.

He seems to be trapped in a demonic obsession.

His mind is entirely filled with the image of Bai Chuanling.

Jiang Wang approaches silently.

Gazing at Bai Chuanling’s face taking shape on the paper, he says softly, "A beauty has come uninvited; you should just be secretly thrilled."

Zhao Si rolls the drawing paper into a ball and says, "Upon careful reflection, I truly need to thank her. It was precisely because of her appearance that I fancied myself innately talented, practicing painting diligently, which led to the achievements of today."

Although Jiang Wang once belittled Zhao Si's paintings, his work is not actually bad. Perhaps it was very bad in the past, but simply because he lacked fame and was unwilling to sell it dirt-cheap, he met with the fate of being ignored by everyone.

Zhao Si may not be a genius, but he is a very hardworking person.

Jiang Wang does not disturb Zhao Si any further.

At this moment, what he cares about most is still that stone statue.

He must find another suitable target as soon as possible.

Yet, after much thought, right now no one seems more suitable than Bai Chuanling can be found in Huncheng.

Because of this, Jiang Wang has a massive headache.

He suddenly misses Cai Tanggu a little bit.

He eagerly hopes that Cai Tanggu will return with even stronger helpers to take revenge.

Meanwhile, two thousand miles away, Cai Tanggu is having a massive headache as well.

They follow Lady Pei meanderingly, sometimes even walking the exact same path repeatedly. Every time they inquire, Lady Pei always says that the Mountain-Marsh Faction members are cautious and they must not let slip a single trace.

Were they not cultivators for whom traveling ten thousand li a day is an effortless feat, they would likely have lost their lives on this journey long ago.

Dong Chongyang speaks up, "I have also heard of the Mountain-Marsh Faction in the jianghu. They have always been elusive, and to this day no one has truly seen the faces of the key members of the Mountain-Marsh Faction. Searching like this perhaps yields little effect."

Cai Tanggu chimes in, "The Mountain-Marsh Faction wanders the world, seizing resources and stirring up trouble everywhere, completely ignoring the imperial court. The wanderers still have their bottom lines, whereas the members of the Mountain-Marsh Faction are all madmen and can never be judged by conventional logic. Our trip to Huncheng has been delayed for quite some time; why don't we put the matter of the Mountain-Marsh Faction aside for now?"

Thinking Lady Pei would find it hard to agree, he has already prepared himself to compromise.

To his surprise, Lady Pei responds quite naturally, "That works too."

Cai Tanggu is left in utter astonishment.

He always feels something is somewhat amiss somewhere.

Lady Pei agreeing to head to Huncheng is naturally a good thing. Fearing she might change her mind again, Cai Tanggu immediately rushes to the front, heading in the direction of Huncheng.

......

Chunyi Pavilion.

Bai Chuanling rests her head on her arms, lying face down on the desk, recalling the scene of Zhao Si leaving in grief and indignation. Though she used her identity as a demon as an excuse, thinking of the time Zhao Si tore up the talisman, he should have known she was a demon long ago.

Where on earth did something go wrong?

Am I not pretty enough?

Yet it must be very hard to find a prettier girl than me in Huncheng.

Bai Chuanling is full of confidence.

At this moment, a knock on the sound rings out.

The maid's voice comes from outside the door, "Mistress, that scholar has come again."

Bai Chuanling ignores it, figuring the maid will naturally know how to tactfully send the person away.

The noise outside truly dies down.

Soon, however, the maid's voice rings out again, "Mistress, there's a one-armed painter who has no money and insists on forcing his way up to the third floor, demanding to see you by name. People in the pavilion are already grabbing clubs to beat him."

She also wants to join in the excitement.

As a result, the door is flung open abruptly, and she only perceives a black shadow flashing past. The maid remains frozen in place, utterly bewildered.

Before the staircase leading to the third floor, Zhao Si wears a dark expression.

He had been told that Jiang Wang would pay for his courtesan listening session, but changes occurred midway, and naturally, the bill was never settled.

Zhao Si returned only to be caught red-handed, and his savings were completely emptied. Wanting to go up to the third floor required shelling out more silver, which has put him in a terrible fix.

The scholar who wants to redeem Bai Chuanling's indenture instead tries to dissuade Zhao Si, "Brother, do not cause a scene in Chunyi Pavilion. They have Master Tao as their backing, and Master Tao is the savior of the Garrison Commander. Offending Chunyi Pavilion will land you in deep trouble."

Seeing that the people of Chunyi Pavilion have already come over with clubs in hand, he hurriedly says, "To tell you the truth, I have already gathered enough silver to redeem Lady Bai's indenture. Lady Bai and I are deeply in love, and she is the one who urgently wants me to help redeem her, presumably unable to wait to marry me."

He smiles and pats Zhao Si on the shoulder, saying, "Therefore, brother, do not covet Lady Bai any longer; go look for another beauty."

Zhao Si gazes at him blankly.

Lifting his head, he sees Bai Chuanling about to jump directly down from the third floor. In reality, her body is already suspended in mid-air, but she quickly lands back on the stairs and gracefully walks down.

The scholar also notices Bai Chuanling immediately, but failing to witness her floating through the air, he is merely overjoyed and says with concern, "You are feeling unwell, why did you come downstairs?"

Because the maid had turned him away on a pretext, he was just about to summon a physician while simultaneously redeeming Lady Bai's indenture to take her home for care. As it turns out, even enduring her discomfort, Lady Bai is still eager to see him.

Yet Bai Chuanling does not even glance at him, walking straight toward Zhao Si.

She even goes so far as to display a trace of demonic aura, causing the people holding clubs to freeze for a moment and respectfully back away.

Seeing this scene, Zhao Si realizes where the problem lies. Rubbing his hands, he says, "This is simply too awesome."

......

Bai Chuanling is somewhat nervous, but Zhao Si's reaction is entirely unexpected. Feeling suddenly bashful, she says softly, "Please go upstairs, Young Master."

Zhao Si nods silently and struts up the stairs with a swagger.

The scholar stands frozen in place.

Watching Bai Chuanling about to go upstairs as well, he hastily calls out, "Lady Bai, I have already gathered the silver..."

Bai Chuanling says casually, "Keep it to spend yourself."

Watching with his own eyes as Bai Chuanling affectionately supports Zhao Si and disappears around the corner, the scholar turns deathly pale.

Patrons at nearby tables are discussing something.

"Why have I never seen that young lady before? Both her appearance and temperament far surpass the courtesan supreme; could she be a newcomer?"

"Forget about any young lady. That vibration at the third quarter of the Xu hour was definitely unusual. The garrison yamen's given explanation is clearly just an excuse—why didn't anywhere else shake, but only Chunyi Pavilion?"

"Speaking of which, I actually remember something."

"A handsome young man boasted that he came to Chunyi Pavilion to slay demons, and shortly after, an accident happened here. Could there really be demons here?"

"Don't scare me! That makes me too afraid to stay here overnight!"

"Beauties are truly precious, but life is even more dear. After finishing this meal of wine, let's retreat."

"If it's for the peak's crevice, both can be discarded. You lot are absolute cowards! If there really were demons, the garrison yamen would have long since closed down Chunyi Pavilion. Today I call the shots: no holding back, no returning home!"

The scholar looks at those who are speaking. He has also heard about the incident at Chunyi Pavilion during the Xu hour, but because he was busy gathering silver, by the time he found out, the matter had already subsided. However, that is not the crucial point.

With a deathly pale complexion, he says, "Lady Bai has always been at Chunyi Pavilion, how could you all have never seen her?"

......

Inside Chunyi Pavilion, on the third floor.

Bai Chuanling is very demure, maintaining a certain distance from Zhao Si.

Yet her gaze possesses not a shred of demureness, being thoroughly alluring and charming.

Zhao Si assumes the appearance of a man of virtue, pours himself a cup of tea unconcernedly, and says, "My arm was lost because of you, and my skill flourished because of you. The two cancel each other out, and that is all."

Bai Chuanling says with a melancholic sigh, "Are you trying to draw a clear line between us?"

Zhao Si replies, "Not at all. I came this time because inspiration suddenly struck me, and I want to paint a portrait of you."

Bai Chuanling is very puzzled, "Paint a portrait?"

Zhao Si says, "I have seen the succession of courtesans supreme in Chunyi Pavilion before; like a flash in the pan, it is hard to last. Although Little Yu surpasses the courtesan supremes I have seen, she is young and ultimately lacks a certain something. Then there is Lady Shu, who is very fierce... Today, seeing Lady Bai and considering our past connection, you are truly the lingering trace of white moonlight in my heart. I imagine you certainly will not refuse."

Bai Chuanling's expression changes slightly as she says, "You came to find me just to paint a portrait of me?"

Zhao Si says sincerely, "You spent a long time with me before and understand best how obsessed I am with painting. That story certainly made it hard for me to accept for a while, but my mind is broad and I never harbor grudges over matters. But when it comes to painting, my hands simply itch unbearably."

Bai Chuanling forces a smile and says, "Are you concerned about my identity as a demon? Or is it that even if I weren't a demon, you still look down on me?"

Zhao Si hastily says, "I look up to you, naturally I look up to you! Otherwise, why would I want to paint you? After all, as you well know, my standards are very high."

The first sentence makes Bai Chuanling immensely pleased, but the words that follow cause her expression to freeze instantly.

She stares at Zhao Si with full resentment.

Zhao Si exclaims, "Lady's expression right now is exquisite! Please hold it; my painting is very fast!"

He immediately pulls out brushes, ink, paper, and an inkstone from his bosom, smooths the paper flat on the table, and grinds the ink frantically. He begins to paint immediately as if aided by divine help, his strokes flying like dragons and phoenixes.

Bai Chuanling: (ó﹏ò｡)

Zhao Si urges anxiously, "Hold on, Milady, I am very fast!"

Because of the incident during the Xu hour, although some guests still linger in Chunyi Pavilion, they are relatively quiet. The third floor is shielded by gauze curtains pasted with talismans, but they are not soundproof.

Thus, Zhao Si's voice is extremely clear.

Fellow connoisseurs wear strange expressions.

The scholar's face turns ashen white.

......

In the dead of night.

In West City Lane.

Master Tao is utterly entranced, studying the *Grand Codex of Array Talismans*. Having witnessed Xiao Shinian's display firsthand, understanding even the tip of the iceberg makes him view the other as a celestial being.

The *Grand Codex of Array Talismans* bestowed by Xiao Shinian records knowledge that rebuilds his worldview.

He never imagined talismans could be used like this!

In fact, within the contents, talismans are merely auxiliary; the most crucial element is the array.

The entire courtyard is littered with tattered talisman papers—those are all failed attempts—but Master Tao vaguely feels that he will soon be able to catch a glimpse of the threshold.

Just as he is concentrating on continuing to draw talismans, a knock on the door suddenly sounds.

He is so startled that his heart almost stops.

"Which thousand-slash bastard is that!"

Master Tao harbors monstrous fury.

He yanks the door open.

Before him stands someone draped in a black robe, seemingly melting into the darkness.

Master Tao is momentarily dazed as a result.

The black-robed person walks straight into the courtyard, looks at the scene before him, and chuckles lightly, "You really are as diligent and hardworking as ever."

Master Tao snaps back to reality, hurriedly steps forward to shove the *Grand Codex of Array Talismans* into his bosom, then turns to look at the black-robed person, frowning as he asks, "Why have you come again?"

The black-robed person smiles and says, "What are you hiding?"

Master Tao says coldly, "None of your business."

The black-robed person does not mind, thinking what kind of treasures could someone surnamed Tao possibly have? Even if there truly were any, given his vision, they would at best be ordinary items.

"I have had the fortune to behold the true countenance of the elder Grandmaster Zhang and obtained a great fortuitous encounter. Given time, I will surely achieve something as well, and perhaps even take up a post in the Qingxuan Bureau. Back then, you and I researched talismans together, and I also intended to promote you. Why are you so hostile toward me?"

Master Tao says in a deep voice, "Those with differing principles cannot conspire. You are no longer the you of the past, and I am no longer the me of the past. I can only accept your good intentions in spirit, but I never wish to be associated with you in the future."

The black-robed person looks toward the main room and chuckles lightly, "Refusing with your mouth, but what is the deal with the ghouls and goblins inside the house? Demons are a scourge to the mortal world; using their lives to strengthen oneself is likewise justice. Is it really so hard to admit that you are the same kind of person as me?"

Master Tao says with shame, "On the path of pursuing the Dao of talismans, I indeed went astray."

With that, his expression turns stern.

"However, I have resolved to seek another path and have never harmed the lives of demons. Yet the so-called justice in your mouth treats human lives like grass, and extreme justice becomes evil. You use ordinary people to test talismans, leaving them in agonizing pain—what kind of justice is that!"

The black-robed person shrugs and says, "They were already terminally ill, or else weary of life. I helped them find release while also being able to use this to perfect the talismans. It can be called win-win. I did not force a single person; how can this not be considered justice?"

Master Tao scrutinizes him and says, "Aside from in front of me, I'm afraid you wouldn't dare to casually utter such words. If elder Grandmaster Zhang were to learn of this, what you obtained would not be a fortuitous encounter. Deceiving the world and self-deceiving as well—Surname Fan, you are truly laughable."

The black-robed person frowns and says, "Yet in the art of painting talismans, I have far surpassed you. You and I share the same ideals; I have become a true master, while you are still struggling outside the threshold. That is a fact."

Master Tao sneers, "Is that truly the case? If you have the ability, then compare yourself with me."

The black-robed person is surprised, "You want to compete with me? Brother Tao, oh Brother Tao, since when did you become so impulsive? Knowing you cannot possibly win against me, why bother?"

Master Tao says, "I have a talisman that can breach the boundary between heaven and man. No matter what skills you deploy, I can take them all."

The black-robed person raises an eyebrow and says, "A half-decade ago I once visited Huncheng, and at that time I came to check on you during my free time. Where on earth do you get the confidence—you who struggle even against the most ordinary ghouls and goblins? Do not put on a temporary show of might only to force me to mock you afterwards."

Master Tao says indifferently, "If you lose, you will be my grandson."

The black-robed person: "......"

So if I lose, I am your grandson, or if you lose, I am your grandson?

Isn't this fucking the exact same meaning!

The black-robed person is furious.

He glares at Master Tao and says, "It seems you are determined to go your own way. Fine! If I lose, I will never set foot in Huncheng by even half a step, fulfilling your wish to part ways with me. But if you lose..."

Master Tao says solemnly, "I cannot possibly lose."

The black-robed person chokes slightly. Master Tao at this moment is indeed different from the past, but he assumes his brain must be broken; thinking he can surpass a true initiated master while only understanding some superficialities is sheer delusion!

Wasting no more idle breath, the black-robed person flicks his sleeve and throws out a talisman.

The entire courtyard blazes with brilliant light.

The ghouls and goblins inside the main room begin to shriek miserably.

Master Tao leisurely retrieves a talisman from his bosom, saying at the same time, "You had better unleash all your abilities, otherwise you won't have another chance."

The black-robed person says in a deep voice, "To defeat you, what need is there for that!"

Master Tao smiles faintly, lightly pinching the talisman. Instantly, a gale arises, and the qi between heaven and earth converges into the talisman in an instant. Following that, the black-robed person's talisman directly turns to dust, and the shrieks of the ghouls and goblins cease.

"What......!?" The black-robed person's expression turns to one of extreme panic. In a flurry, he throws out more talismans, but they are all all bark and no bite. Facing Master Tao's talisman, they have no room to display their usefulness and are reduced entirely to scrap paper.

Master Tao promptly puts away the talisman. Because of the existence of the array patterns, the wall-breaking divine talisman that could originally only be used once can be reused repeatedly before the array patterns dissipate.

A talisman of similar effect is only the Six-Jia Divine Talisman, which can withstand six full-strength strikes from a peak Void-Underworld Realm cultivator. Yet such a talisman can only be drawn by Grandmaster Zhang in the Sui State.

"How can this be possible?!" The black-robed person breathes heavily, unable to believe the scene before his eyes.

Master Tao says, "Painting talismans requires a quiet mouth and a tranquil mind; one must concentrate fully, cast aside distracting thoughts, and be sincere. You are eager for quick success and harbor complicated thoughts. Even if you stumble blindly into the methodology, you remain merely in the lower tier."

"Those of our generation all hold Grandmaster Zhang in supreme reverence. I suppose you did indeed behold the true countenance of the elder Grandmaster, but I firmly disbelieve that the Grandmaster would grant you a fortuitous encounter. Because I know you best—you are full of lies. A person like you is the disgrace of the talisman world."

"Perhaps you caught a distant glimpse of the Grandmaster, but the Grandmaster never laid eyes on you; you merely struck dog-shit luck, caught sight of the Grandmaster's supreme countenance, and had a sudden epiphany. But such good fortune, I fear, happens only once in a lifetime."

The black-robed person's expression turns exceedingly unsightly.

He did indeed only cross paths with Grandmaster Zhang; in truth, whether Grandmaster Zhang even noticed him, he cannot be certain.

However, Grandmaster Zhang is the absolute pinnacle of the Dao of talisman painting, possessing an extraordinary temperament. Even just imitating and learning from him is enough to benefit an uninitiated novice for a lifetime.

He admits that he relied on luck, but he firmly believes he is a late bloomer. He has paid an unimaginable price for this in effort; how could he possibly lose to a good-for-nothing like Master Tao!

Moreover, he truly possesses another fortuitous encounter, though it does not originate from Grandmaster Zhang.

"The wall-breaking divine talisman..." The black-robed person's face turns gloomy as he says harshly, "How could you possibly draw a wall-breaking divine talisman!"

Master Tao naturally will not admit that this talisman was bestowed upon him by someone else. Looking at the black-robed person's current reaction, he feels immensely gratified, and sneers, "Only someone like me who honestly and diligently paints talismans can comprehend the superior Dao of talismans."

The black-robed person clenches his cuffs. Having attained enlightenment by beholding Grandmaster Zhang's supreme countenance and truly entering the threshold, he is nevertheless only at the threshold—meaning he is merely more adept at the simplest talismans and has yet to qualify for drawing powerful talismans.

Yet due to a certain fortuitous encounter, he has several divine talismans hidden in his sleeves. Having already wasted a few, he is unwilling to abuse them further, even if he currently has the urge to pull them out to slap Master Tao across the face.

He can only swallow his humiliation, thinking that after waiting a while longer, once he captures that demon and figures out the doorway to the divine talismans, he will no longer fall into the predicament where every divine talisman used is one less in stock.

"It seems I underestimated you." The black-robed person says sinisterly, "A bet is a bet. Once I finish my business, I will naturally never set foot in Huncheng by even half a step!"

In reality, he has no intention of keeping his promise whatsoever; it is merely a delaying tactic. Originally intending to display his superiority in front of Master Tao, he got counter-showed instead, and naturally, he has to return this slap in the face.