Chapter 753: Chapter 735: The Meddlesome Chief Taoist

Lu Xun and Wei Ren, though cousins of noble birth and accustomed to grand spectacles, were utterly upended by the scene before them, turning pale and disbelieving as they rubbed their eyes multiple times. But no matter how much they rubbed, the thing in the air above that courtyard did not disappear.

“This, this is actually a person, right?” asked Wei Ren, shivering.

He himself didn’t quite believe what he was saying. Which person would make such a ghoulish face, shrouded in black miasma? It wasn’t like someone was carrying burning charcoal to release smoke.

Indeed, across the courtyard, an indeterminate being with a ghastly pale face, blood-red eyes, voluptuous eye makeup, and black lips was enveloped in an ominous black mist.

“More like, it used to be a person,” sighed Lu Xun, casting a sideways glance at him. “So, can you get off me now?”

Why cling onto him like this? Wasn’t he heavy?

Wei Ren looked down and immediately got off Lu Xun, smoothing out the wrinkles he had made on Lu Xun’s robe with a sheepish smile, “Cousin, you really seem fearless, quite impressive.”

“If you were scared, why did you get on?” Both timidity and addiction; there goes the manly pride!

Wei Ren said, “You all got on, I was just curious.”

Curiosity killed the cat, what even is this thing.

Lu Xun, speechless, replied, “Even so, you are a father, why can’t you be a bit more composed? If Chong’er sees you like this, where is your paternal dignity?”

Wei Ren argued, “You wouldn’t understand, a man is always a boy at heart. Regardless of whether I’m a father, I’m still a man of steel and dreams.”

Also, your own face is as white as if you’ve powdered it, don’t laugh at the pot calling the kettle black.

Lu Xun sneered, “Yes, the steel on my shoulders felt quite heavy.”

Wei Ren blushed and muttered, “You are the elder brother, you should be looking out for me.”

“I’m only ten days older than you.”

“Being even a quarter-hour older still makes me the elder.”

“…”

Qin Liuxi watched the two bicker and, with arms folded, said, “Stop quarreling, you’ll attract the ghost.”

What?

The two looked over and indeed saw that androgynous being, like a Great Demon King, looking their way and rising up as if drawn by their commotion.

“!”

Oh no, Junior Temple Master, save my dog life!

The two of them moved closer to Qin Liuxi in unison.

Qin Liuxi half-closed her eyes and hummed, she was just here to watch the show; should it seek death, it’s not her fault for meddling!

Across the girl’s courtyard, screams were unending.

The Magic Altar was not yet completely set up when a gust of ghostly wind blew out the incense candles, followed by a chilling laugh that frightened the women in the courtyard into fainting and fleeing.

The old Taoist was also vexed and reluctantly stepped forward, sternly ordering Sanyuan to smear a rooster’s neck for chicken blood, while he himself drew a Peach Wood Copper Coin Sword and took out a yellow talisman, chanting a spell under his breath. He swung the peach wood sword and flung the talisman which self-ignited: “What evil demon lurks here? Show yourself at once!”

He felt a sense of awareness, and his peach wood sword slashed through the air.

He struck nothing.

“Cackle cackle cackle.”

A brazen laugh echoed from the night sky.

The old Taoist’s face flushed red as he stood before the altar, bit his fingertip, took out a piece of yellow paper and quickly drew on it with blood while rapidly reciting the Summoning God Spell: “First Decree Not Descending, the Dao is extinguished in nothingness, Second Decree Not Descending, the Dao is cut off from immortals, Three Decrees Not Descending, behead and present to heaven, Duke of Thunder commands, descend onto my altar swiftly, eliminate evil and subdue specters, Lord Lao Zi of the Great Monad, heed my decree with urgency!”

It was unclear whether it was a matter of strong belief or some measure of Daoist Cultivation, but once the talisman was burned, the peach wood sword on the table started to vibrate, and the spiritual platform seemed to acquire a touch of divine connection.

The old Taoist’s heart leapt with joy, nearly bursting into tears. After many attempts at summoning, finally a deity had shown him favor.

He picked up the peach wood sword and said, “Disciple, the Cow Tears.”

Sanyuan reluctantly took out a bottle and handed it over, wanting to say to use it sparingly, but also knowing that this was not the time to be frugal.

The old Taoist poured the Cow Tears on his eyelids and finally saw a dark shadow; he did not know what the other was looking at, but it was the ideal moment to strike. Immediately he wielded the sword and slashed at it.

The peach wood sword cleaved through, and this time it did not miss. The blade struck the shadow, hissing and emitting smoke.

The Evil Ghost, pained, averted its gaze, furious from the slash, it cursed, “Nosy damn Taoist.”

Spreading its hands, ghost energy swirled between them, then suddenly flew towards the old Taoist.

Pfft.

The old Taoist was sent flying backward, his face pale and green, coughing out a mouthful of blood.

“Master!” Sanyuan cried out in alarm, grabbing the already-prepared chicken blood and black dog blood, splashing it all toward the ghost’s location.

The Evil Ghost sneered: “You yellow-mouthed child, still wet behind the ears, dares to contend with me?”

It flew toward Sanyuan, its fingertips turning black, and in an instant, it had seized Sanyuan by the throat.

The old Taoist was enraged and despairing; it was over—this time both master and disciple would perish here.

That meal just now was indeed their last supper. Had he known, he would have eaten one more chicken. What a loss.

Lu Xun and Wei Ren witnessed this scene, hearts pounding with fear. They turned to Qin Liuxi, their faces pale, and said, “Shao Temple, aren’t you going to save them?”

“Do you know what’s the most common insult we Taoists receive?” Qin Liuxi said coolly.

“May I hear it?”

“Nosy damn Taoist!”

Both men: “…”

So you’re planning to watch indifferently, not caring whether they live or die?

“So, you see, if one is just watching a play, why seek trouble? Why look for abuse? I don’t stink,” Qin Liuxi said. “Besides, they took on this job, it’s their task. If I interfere, am I trying to steal their job? One must uphold ethics.”

The men laughed awkwardly. It sounded reasonable, but there seemed to be another meaning.

Was she waiting to catch the hare before letting the eagle go?

A stroke of genius came to Lu Xun; remembering the words said upon her invitation, he said, “An evil spirit has come to Princess Rong’an’s Mansion. If these two Taoists cannot subdue it, surely another Heavenly Master will be needed, and the reward they offer will be substantial. When Princess Rong’an got married, her dowry procession stretched for ten miles—she is not short of money.”

Wei Ren looked at him, Why mention this?

At this moment, Qin Liuxi spoke, “We are all fellow practitioners. If this Evil Ghost slays one of our own, it’s as though it’s slaying me. This won’t do. You two wait here; I’ll go and perform a righteous deed.”

At her words, she tapped her foot lightly and soared toward the roof in that direction.

Wei Ren: “?”

What happened to not meddling?

He glanced at Lu Xun, blinked, and said, “Should I increase the offer that I’ve already agreed upon?”

Lu Xun suppressed a laugh, seeing the guards emerging from Princess Manor, and said, “I’ll go ahead and explain the situation. You wait here.”

Before Wei Ren could respond, Lu Xun had already followed Qin Liuxi. Annoyed, Wei Ren stamped his foot—this was discrimination against those without martial arts skills.

“Hey, you there, come and lead the way.”

That nameless somebody: “…”

Had they known, they would have taken an assignment elsewhere.