Chapter 20
Chapter 20
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: [Number]
Chapter Title: Roadside Retribution
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"From the provincial capital? Looking for the missing Zhao family girl?"
Chen Shi recalled that purple-clothed girl he had tricked into the kiln works, who had turned into porcelain.
The Zhao family from Xinxiang Province had finally come looking.
It wasn't surprising, though. After all, the purple-clothed girl had traveled with over a dozen Embroidered Uniform Guards, which showed her high status in the Zhao family. After disappearing for more than ten days, they were bound to send people to search for her.
"That said, all those people I tricked into the kiln works before—probably over two hundred, with most of them dead—how come none of their families came looking?" Chen Shi thought to himself.
He pushed aside these stray thoughts and continued asking, "This very old talisman master stayed overnight in the Tian family's abandoned house?"
Sanwang shook his head. "He slept in Godmother's shrine at night."
Chen Shi's gaze fell on the temple in the center of the village, his expression deepening as he murmured, "Staying in the temple, huh..."
The offerings in that temple had dwindled greatly. The fat god statue had devoured most of the piled-up mountain of food, revealing its fleshy upper body like a hill of meat.
Chen Shi withdrew his gaze, took out the few pieces of broken silver Sanwang had given him, toyed with them in his palm for a moment, and pinched out a piece weighing a little over one tael to hand to Sanwang.
Sanwang looked puzzled, eyeing him in confusion.
"Take this silver and bury those eight coffins properly. And those three children—buy some coffins for them too, and give them a decent burial."
Chen Shi glanced toward the village entrance and said, "Also, bring two stools and put them at the village entrance. I'm waiting for someone."
Sanwang didn't understand, but he did as told and fetched two stools.
Chen Shi went to the village entrance and quietly sat on one of the stools. He said to Blackie Pot beside him, "Fugui is my friend—my only living friend. He's hurt so badly; I can't just ignore it. The talisman master who harmed him had his lamp oil ruined by me, which spoiled his plans. He's definitely furious beyond measure and will rush back for revenge."
Blackie Pot wagged its tail in agreement.
Chen Shi said, "This talisman master is very strong—probably stronger than Grandpa. Grandpa's old now, not as powerful as he used to be. He might not be a match for him."
Blackie Pot hesitated but didn't wag its tail.
If Chen Shi had seen Grandpa flying out at night, he probably wouldn't have said that.
Chen Shi continued, "Logically speaking, I shouldn't be so arrogant, waiting here for him. I should leave right away and run as far as I can. Right?"
Blackie Pot nodded solemnly.
That talisman master was too dangerous, manipulating talismans from afar to turn them into talisman monsters and fight Chen Shi, even suppressing him.
If Chen Shi hadn't set up the Five Mountains Town-Protector Talismans in advance, he would have ended up in the jaws of that talisman monster!
A direct confrontation with the talisman master would be even more perilous.
Chen Shi went on, "He's coming in a rage, surely with full preparations. His talismans are so bizarre; I definitely can't beat him. So running away would be the smart choice."
Blackie Pot nodded while wagging its tail.
"But that would be wrong!"
Chen Shi suddenly shouted, "Blackie Pot, doing that would be wrong, wouldn't it? Killing four kids just to refine some damn lamp oil—that's wrong, isn't it? Doesn't this world need justice anymore? I think it does! Someone has to stand up and say loud and clear that this shit is wrong! So I can't leave."
He looked at his hands and said softly, "I can't leave. If I do, that talisman master will come back anyway and take Fugui. I can't leave; I have to stay and wait for him. I know I can't beat him, but... someone has to do something about this. Someone has to pay a price for it!"
He was agitated, a fire burning in his chest that wouldn't fade.
He desperately wanted to stand up and beat that talisman master senseless—pummel him to death!
If you don't kill me, I'll kill you!
Blackie Pot hesitated but didn't try to dissuade Chen Shi.
It knew Chen Shi's temperament: sly on the outside, but stubborn as a mule inside, incredibly bullheaded.
Born like a donkey—once he set his mind on something, nothing could make him turn back.
Blackie Pot felt reassured. Anyway, Chen Shi had left a letter for Grandpa. Once Grandpa got home and saw it, he'd rush to Huangyang Village.
Then Grandpa could deal with that ancient talisman master.
Meanwhile, in a camp dozens of li away at the western foot of Qianyang Mountain, a Mongolian tent was suddenly flung open. A white-haired elder stormed out in fury, fastened a Galloping Horse Talisman to his feet, and charged out of the camp.
"You damn brat, you ruined my plans!"
The white-haired elder was seething, grinding his teeth as he snarled, "I'd finally refined the Life-Extension Lamp, only needing one last child to succeed, and you wrecked it. I won't let you off! You destroyed my lamp oil and smashed my little cauldron—no, if I don't turn you into lamp oil, my seventy years will have been wasted!"
He activated the Galloping Horse Talisman, wind rising beneath his feet and lifting his body three or four inches off the ground!
"Iron Brush Old Man, where are you off to?"
A voice suddenly called out. The white-haired elder whipped around, not daring to be rude, and smiled obsequiously at the newcomer. "Steward Zhao doesn't know, but I've come to the countryside to investigate Second Miss's disappearance. While here, I refined something good to offer the master, hoping to earn a promotion. But today, a local kid talisman master ruined it, so I'm going to settle the score with him."
The newcomer was a plump middle-aged man wearing a碧玉扳指 thumb ring and a jade pendant at his waist—none other than Zhao Ming, steward of the Zhao family's Xuan Ying Manor in Xinxiang Province.
Zhao Ming flicked his folding fan and glanced at him with a cold laugh. "Something to offer the master—like the Life-Extension Lamp? You're harming people again. Iron Brush Old Man, the master values you for your mastery of spells and talismans, not your flattery! This Life-Extension Lamp costs lives. If you succeed in making it, outsiders will say bad things about the Zhao family. How many people have you harmed?"
Iron Brush Old Man didn't dare hide it and told the truth. "Only four."
Zhao Ming snapped, "Those four lives won't be pinned on you—they'll land on the Zhao family! Forget it; stop refining it. We're here to find Second Miss, not make Life-Extension Lamps. Last time you mentioned refining a Soul-Searching Talisman—where is it?"
Iron Brush Old Man hurriedly produced the Soul-Searching Talisman and smiled. "The Soul-Searching Talisman is ready, Steward Zhao. Take a look."
Zhao Ming unfolded the Soul-Searching Talisman, examining it as he said, "The master trusts your skills greatly. He thought Second Miss died on Qianyang Mountain, but you divined she's still alive. If you can lead me to her, what promotion won't you get?"
Iron Brush Old Man was overjoyed.
He'd divined Second Miss Zhao was alive not through true foresight, but because he couldn't summon her soul no matter how he tried—so he'd boldly guessed she was still among the living.
Zhao Ming returned the Soul-Searching Talisman and said, "Since the talismans are ready, let's go find Second Miss. Put the revenge on hold for now."
Iron Brush Old Man assented. "That kid—I remember his face; he can't escape. I've just used soul-searching to pinpoint Second Miss's general location. Steward Zhao, should we call the others?"
Zhao Ming's eyes flickered as he smiled. "More people means more sharing the credit."
Iron Brush Old Man understood. He took out another set of Galloping Horse Talismans, knelt to tie them on Zhao Ming's legs himself. The two stepped on clear winds, each stride covering over a zhang, heading east along the foot of Qianyang Mountain.
Outside Huangyang Village, Chen Shi sat motionless at the entrance. The sun blazed fiercely, making him dizzy.
Luckily, Sanwang's family feared he might go hungry and cooked him a meal.
After two years, Chen Shi finally ate a properly seasoned meal. He was moved to tears, praising it endlessly and flattering Sanwang's wife until her cheeks flushed red.
"It's just country food—how could it be that good?" The honest woman kept rubbing her apron, laughing.
Chen Shi ate every scrap, replenished his energy, and returned to the village entrance to wait.
He waited all afternoon until Blackie Pot barked twice. Only then did he stand, slinging his book chest onto his back.
No more waiting.
Any longer and night would fall—he wouldn't make it back to Huangpo Village.
Blackie Pot was always spot-on with time, except that one time the sun set a quarter-hour early.
Chen Shi didn't bid farewell to the Huangyang villagers and left straightaway, hurrying toward Huangpo Village.
"That talisman master didn't come. He must worry about his child-refining lamp oil scheme being exposed and ruining his reputation. If he doesn't show today, he won't at all."
Chen Shi said to Blackie Pot, "Didn't expect him to have some shame. Too bad I didn't run into him this time. Who knows when I'll get another chance."
Blackie Pot trotted after him, relaxing more.
Chen Shi wanted to fight the talisman master to vent, but it didn't.
If something happened to Chen Shi, could Grandpa revive him just to beat him?
No—Grandpa would dump the blame on its black pot head!
Chen Shi looked up at the sky. The blazing sun showed no sign of setting.
With his pace, he'd make it home before sunset.
"I wonder if Grandpa's back home..."
Chen Shi and Blackie Pot had gone two or three li when they heard clothes whipping through the air from behind. Chen Shi slowed, turning to look. Two men approached on clear winds.
One was very old with white hair; the other middle-aged in fine clothes. As their feet touched down, whirlwinds rose, lifting their bodies so their feet barely touched ground.
This let them stride over a zhang per step, most effortless.
"Galloping Horse Talismans can be used like that?"
Chen Shi was astonished. He leaned by the roadside, waiting for them to pass.
He'd watched Grandpa draw Galloping Horse Talismans and learned them himself, but Grandpa always drew them on wooden carts to make the carts move. Chen Shi had never seen Grandpa tie them to legs.
"So late, and there's a kid by the road." The middle-aged man spotted Chen Shi from afar, puzzled.
They closed in rapidly. The elderly talisman master was none other than Iron Brush Old Man. He smiled. "Not home at this hour—this kid's probably done for. Pity we can't use him for medicine; we're in a hurry..."
Mid-sentence, he clearly saw Chen Shi's face and exclaimed in surprise, "It's you! The little punk who ruined my lamp oil!"
Chen Shi recognized the voice too—it sounded familiar. His eyes widened suddenly.
Blackie Pot heard Iron Brush Old Man's voice, ears perking straight up, black fur bristling all over, tail stiff as an iron rod!
It was about to warn Chen Shi when Chen Shi beside it shot forward like an arrow off the string—so fast it blurred!
Chen Shi charged at Iron Brush Old Man!
Like a leopard long poised to pounce, he burst out, first step covering a zhang. When his foot landed, vital blood surged into his sole. His foot slapped down—crack!—his straw sandal split and fell off!
Chen Shi's foot had grown a full size larger. His second step was faster, more ferocious, peaking his speed!
Whistling gales battered his face; his bound hair was whipped back by oncoming winds, streaming straight behind!
Meanwhile, Iron Brush Old Man and the middle-aged man approached too. Galloping Horse Talismans were swift already; with Chen Shi rushing head-on, they closed to a zhang apart in an instant.
Chen Shi threw a punch!
Fist covering a zhang!
His fist whistled through air, sharp, piercing even—like it could drill into brains!
The speed was unreal. Iron Brush Old Man had just finished "the little punk who ruined my lamp oil" when Chen Shi's fist arrived!
Chen Shi firmly remembered Grandpa's warning.
He had no magic; any cultivator could kill him with a spell. But his strength was immense—he could slay those cultivators too!
On a narrow path, to win, don't let the enemy strike first!
Iron Brush Old Man's reaction wasn't slow. His wide robes and sleeves billowed; yellow paper talismans fluttered from both sleeves—pre-drawn talismans flying out.
At the same time, divine light churned behind his head. The Divine Shrine coalesced in the light, taking form!
A Divine Embryo's shadow faintly emerged within!
Vast true qi spread instantly from behind him—stronger than any Chen Shi had seen, pressing oppressively!
From Iron Brush Old Man's left sleeve, the first talisman flew to meet Chen Shi's fist: Supreme Eight Trigrams Body-Protector Talisman. Simultaneously, the second bloomed golden: Golden Bell Talisman.
Any one activating would make him invincible!
But the instant the Supreme Eight Trigrams Body-Protector Talisman touched Chen Shi's fist, Chen Shi's right leg whipped to his crotch—like a full-drawn bowstring released, snapping out to kick his groin!
Iron Brush Old Man's strength drained instantly. The Galloping Horse Talisman's forward momentum halted dead by Chen Shi's kick. His face twisted, eyes bulging round, head tilted in agony, as if questioning existence.
Chen Shi's fist crushed down on the activating Supreme Eight Trigrams Body-Protector Talisman, smashing into the old man's face. It sent him flying backward, body spinning like a top.
Zhao Ming, the Zhao steward beside Iron Brush Old Man, reacted, activating his Divine Shrine and channeling true qi to cast a spell. Chen Shi, having just punched Iron Brush Old Man flying, glimpsed divine light flaring nearby. Without thinking, he sidestepped, twisted his waist, swung his left elbow back flat—elbow tip slamming the sharp bone where Zhao Ming's two ribs met.
The blow nearly snapped Zhao Ming's breath; he doubled over involuntarily.
Tall as he was, in bending, Chen Shi's blood-engorged right hand—thick as a bear's paw—clamped his throat.
"Crack!"
The hand that crushed stone and snapped iron shattered his throat bone. Gripping his neck, it dragged his body forward, chasing the still-falling Iron Brush Old Man!
Zhao Ming's head smashed brutally into Iron Brush Old Man's—dull thud echoing.
Iron Brush Old Man's skull caved in deep. Yellow talismans burst from his sleeves like yellow butterflies—Supreme Eight Trigrams Body-Protector Talisman, Golden Bell Talisman, Star Chart Five Bushels Talisman, Six Calamities Divine Talisman, Life-Protector Talisman, Canopy Talisman, and more divine talismans—all powers erupting!
Blood gushed from Iron Brush Old Man's crotch. His knees buckled; he knelt, head drooping, brains spilling.
Instantly, multicolored divine lights exploded. Various glows formed Daoist spells: Eight Trigrams runes, golden bells, Six Calamities manifestations, canopies, gods, ghosts, demons, monstrosities—surging out, piling up, shielding Iron Brush Old Man at the center.
Iron Brush Old Man was already dead.