CHAPTER 280: CHAPTER 252 STRANGE TALES FROM A CHINESE STUDIO, MOUNT TAI LADY

Xuanyu City.

Inside Lingguang Palace sat seven or eight Taoists.

Most of them were mages of the Taoist School or Masters of Houses.

They were responsible for determining the contents of the Divination Department at the Taoist Method Meeting, or selecting the primary department members.

"Brilliant, truly brilliant; if Zhi Xin has really succeeded, I almost want to pledge myself under his tutelage,"

an old Taoist praised.

"Mei Hua, you lost this time, and quite miserably,"

someone teased Mei Hua.

Mei Hua’s face darkened in displeasure as he snorted, "What nonsense, don’t speak without understanding. Without me, Zhi Xin wouldn’t be where he is today!"

Mei Hua saw things clearly. Though there wasn’t a concrete method, he noted many theories within this introduction that stemmed from Mei Hua Divination.

It was only after reading Zhi Xin’s article that Mei Hua had a sudden epiphany.

This article was known as *The Treatise on Zhi Xin*.

It explored the laws between fixed patterns and variables.

On the fixed pattern side, it heavily leaned on the theories of Mei Hua Divination. Originally, Zhi Xin had vehemently opposed Mei Hua’s concept of fixed patterns, asserting that there were only variables in the world.

Mei Hua had debated with him for years, leaving him utterly defeated.

Now, it seemed that this man had deliberately set him up, tricking him into divulging all his knowledge on fixed patterns.

"Send this article to the Taoist Alliance Department and let everyone in the Taoist Alliance see. The Holy Might Taoist School isn’t without talent in this realm."

"I agree!"

Envy flickered in the hearts of many.

To become renowned in the Taoist Alliance and achieve the stature of a Great Grandmaster was the dream of countless people.

Moreover, it opened the door to the path of the Heavenly Master.

"Alright, Song Lin has also published three articles... in total, five. He can be elevated to Refiner."

"Elevate his rank? No way! It’s obvious that Zhi Xin ghostwrote those articles. I absolutely won’t allow this to happen."

In the realm of advanced Taoist skills, practitioners were divided into Refiners, Mages, and Grandmasters.

Though Refiners were at the lowest tier, the majority of practitioners within the Taoist School would never reach even that level in their lifetime.

Being a Refiner signified not merely following the path of predecessors but possessing innovative breakthroughs and achieving mastery in Taoist skills.

For this reason, many were reluctant to grant Song Lin this qualification.

Becoming a Refiner came with several advantages, including eligibility to attend various magic meetings and lectures by Heavenly Masters at any time.

Furthermore, many places within the Taoist School were open to Refiners.

They enjoyed privileges comparable to those of Taoist Masters and Department Directors.

"Fine, it’s decided—no qualifications granted..."

"Hold on, grant it. I’ve interacted with Song Lin, and he’s an incredibly capable person. He invented the *Bone Weighing Song* and the *Two-division Skill*. It must have been his achievement."

Mei Hua stepped forward to vouch for Song Lin.

With Mei Hua’s endorsement, Song Lin swiftly passed the evaluation.

The publication date of the latest Taoist Method Meeting marked the day Song Lin officially became a Refiner.

At that time, it could also be announced that he would take on a new title, reported to the Taoist School, and formally initiate a challenge against Mei Mountain Jungle.

This type of challenge was generally unrestricted by time.

The decision lay with the challenger, though it typically could not exceed two *Jiazi* cycles.

During this period, both sides were prohibited from underhanded attacks or ambushes.

This rule was implemented by the Taoist Alliance to prevent infighting within sects.

Once, a jungle was split because of discord between two Masters of Magic Veins.

It led to the Taoist School favoring one Master, which forced the other to flee and align with demons.

Centuries later, this individual returned as the Demon Clan’s military advisor and retaliated fiercely against Wu Country.

Thus, this regulation came into being.

In any case, having an independent Magic Vein enhanced the strength of the Taoist School as a whole.

...

The story shifts to Jinguan City.

Song Lin and Gongsun Jiuniang walked through the streets.

Jinguan City was far livelier than other counties, with numerous women walking in small groups on the streets. Jiuniang didn’t need to conceal herself anymore.

"Jiuniang, do you know martial arts?"

Song Lin asked suddenly.

"A bit of swordsmanship,"

she replied.

However, her skill in swordsmanship was merely for self-defense; otherwise, she wouldn’t have been relentlessly chased by Barbarian Soldiers.

"Alright, I’ll teach you some new sword techniques someday."

"Sword control for ascension?"

"Exactly."

Besides Song Lin, the women from the jade gourd were also with them.

At that moment, Song Lin suddenly heard the sounds of shouting and fighting on the streets.

Civilians on both sides of the street fled in panic.

"Let’s go check it out."

Song Lin and Jiuniang quickly made their way over.

They finally discovered the source of the chaos.

In the street’s center lay a headless corpse.

The headless corpse, clothed in rough hemp garments, had bronze-colored skin and heavily calloused palms.

It wielded a steel blade as it fought against the people around it.

Dozens of constables surrounded the headless corpse but were no match for it.

The corpse’s woodcutting knife was practically a divine weapon, instantly breaking any weapon that came into contact with it.

Soon, the corpse broke through the crowd of constables.

The constables were so terrified that they fled in all directions.

The headless corpse didn’t give chase but instead resolutely walked to the end of the street before leaping over the wall into a luxurious mansion.

"When a nation is on the brink of ruin, there will be foul creatures. To witness such an extraordinary event in broad daylight..."

An elderly scholar stroked his beard and sighed.

"Elder, what’s the story here?"

Song Lin stepped forward and asked.

The elderly scholar recounted the tale.

The headless corpse was named Tian Qilang.

In life, he had frequently received the kindness of the wealthy Wus Chengxiu, forming a bond so close that they even slept in the same bed.

One day, the brother of an Imperial Censor sought to seize Wus Chengxiu’s wealth. Forced into submission, Wus Chengxiu could only sacrifice his assets for peace. However, the Imperial Censor’s brother was relentless, sending the Wus family’s thugs to insult and aggravate them. When confronted, the thugs fabricated rumors accusing the Wus of infidelity.

The next day, the thug died under mysterious circumstances.

The County Magistrate suspected the Wus family and coerced confessions from them, leading to the sudden death of Wus Chengxiu’s uncle. Helpless, the Magistrate abandoned further investigation.

Today happened to be the funeral of Wus Chengxiu’s uncle.

Tian Qilang had taken up his blade to avenge his benefactor but was killed by the constables.

And what followed was the scene everyone saw just now.

"Interesting, truly a loyal and righteous man,"

Song Lin remarked with a smile.

Such individuals could only exist among the common folk.

Song Lin quickly followed.

The headless corpse had entered the County Magistrate’s residence.

Inside, it slew the Magistrate and the Imperial Censor’s brother, who had been drinking with him.

After accomplishing this, the headless corpse staggered out of the residence.

It trudged all the way to the outskirts of the city.

Passersby were horrified and fled in all directions.

The corpse finally stopped in a forest, leaning against a large boulder before collapsing lifelessly.

In death, birds and wild dogs stood vigil over it.

"Alas... Such a short life for a man like Qilang. How tragic!"

A pale scholar dressed in white emerged from the shadowy woods.

The scholar was strikingly handsome, with a beauty that seemed almost feminine.

He extended a finger.

Understanding the gesture, a nearby wild dog frantically began clawing at the ground to dig a pit.

"What a fine white fox!"

Song Lin stepped out from the shadows.

The scholar froze in terror and attempted to dissolve into smoke and vanish.

In the next instant, his form reverted, not because he didn’t want to flee but because an invisible force held him in place.

"Taoist, in all my years, I have never harmed a soul. Please, have mercy and spare me; cultivation is no easy feat."

The scholar smiled bitterly, readily admitting his fox demon nature.

"No need to panic; I won’t kill you."

He was a good fox spirit, and Song Lin had no intention of taking his life.

Song Lin approached the headless corpse and examined it closely.

He realized that the corpse wasn’t truly dead; it had turned into a zombie.

Zombies typically formed when a person died harboring an unresolved grievance.

However, this undead being was unique. It wasn’t driven by malice but rather by an overwhelming sense of loyalty and righteousness.

Now it was on the verge of true death as its righteous resolve began to dissipate.

All it needed was for that spirit of loyalty and righteousness to be preserved.

Song Lin lightly extended a finger, conjuring golden mana that materialized into runes mid-air, sealing the wound at its neck.

After a long moment, the headless corpse abruptly rose to its feet and knelt before Song Lin.

From that moment on, the headless corpse pledged loyalty to him alone.

The scholar was left awestruck by what Song Lin had just displayed.

Mastery of the Taoist arts that bordered on the divine—restoring life to the dead!

Wasn’t such knowledge the stuff of legends?

Song Lin cast the fox demon a glance and said, "Follow me."

With a wave of his hand, all three of them stepped into the World in the Pot.

When the scholar saw the floating islands hovering in the void and the three massive palaces at the center, he was left utterly convinced.

"This humble one, Ma Jiefu, pays his respects to the immortal. May I ask for the immortal’s name?"

"Donghua,"

Song Lin replied.

Upon hearing this familiar name, Song Lin suddenly realized which world he was in.

Wasn’t this the world of *Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio*?

"Greetings to the esteemed Donghua Elder,"

Ma Jiefu bowed deeply.

It wasn’t flattery; spirits like him typically addressed immortals in such a manner. Male immortals were referred to as "Elder," while female immortals were called "Grandmother," conveying the greatest respect.

Within the palace stood five women.

Compared to their earlier state of despair, their appearances had greatly improved.

Each of them was exceptionally beautiful, befitting ladies of high station.

Upon seeing Song Lin, the women stepped forward to bow and express their gratitude to their savior.

"Jiuniang, I’ll give you a Sword Immortal technique. Take them to practice it,"

Song Lin instructed.

Afterward, Song Lin conversed with Ma Jiefu about this world.

Ma Jiefu’s knowledge was limited.

He did, however, know that the court harbored a Great Demon in disguise.

The Netherworld was deeply revered, and the West Sichuan region was still home to the Emei Sword Immortals.

"A Great Demon... I suppose I’ll need to bide my time and tread carefully. Perhaps I’ll visit this Emei Sect someday,"

Song Lin mused.

He knew nothing about the northern regions.

All he had heard was that it was an unimaginably terrifying Demon Country.

Even the Mount Tai Lady might not be able to defeat the dreadful Demon King ruling those lands.

"Hmm? Mount Tai Lady?"

Song Lin was surprised. Did this realm also have True Gods?

"Indeed, the Mount Tai Lady is a patron deity of our Fox Clan,"

Ma Jiefu replied.

"Could you arrange an introduction?"

"Certainly, but we will need to wait until the Ghost Gate opens."

...

(Author’s note: Seeking monthly tickets, three Chapters completed with six thousand words, additional Chapter to be posted shortly.)