Chapter 13 Chapter Thirteen — The Five-Thunder Talisman Advances

Zhang Qianyang picked at his ear and sneered. "What, didn't you say you'd flay this Daoist, gouge his heart, and refine him into a vengeful ghost?"

The old Daoist's face was deeply uncomfortable. He had formed the thought of retreat, yet could not bear to part with the Red Robe bride.

Five years of laying the plan — the net was to be drawn shut at last. How could he give up?

"True Person, since you hail from Mount Longhu, you must look down on unaffiliated stray Daoists such as myself. But this girl is the fruit of my labor over many years. For you to cut in and take her — is that not bullying?"

"Pah!"

Zhang Qianyang looked at him with contempt. "A heretic who treats human life as grass — this Daoist slays one at every sight. It's only that I've grown old and my heart has softened; had it been ten years earlier, I'd have not only destroyed you, but suppressed your soul beneath the privy, to be smoked and rotted for all eternity, never to be reborn!"

At these words, the old Daoist's pupils jerked; he cried in terror, "You… you couldn't be—"

Zhang Qianyang chuckled. "Indeed. This Daoist is a true-disciple of the Old Celestial Master of Mount Longhu, second in seniority."

"Zhang Qianyang!"

The old Daoist's eyes were written full of horror, as if the yellow-robed middle-aged Daoist before him were no man, but some man-skinned beast.

Zhang Qianyang was thoroughly pleased. He shot Li Daoxuan a glance: See, boy? This Daoist is famous.

Li Daoxuan looked at Zhang Qianyang, a little surprised. The disheveled, slovenly Daoist of a moment ago now carried Mount Longhu weight. He had nearly walked past a true-disciple without knowing it.

Zhang Qianyang was about to say more when the old Daoist produced a small jar and smashed it to the ground!

A black mist spread, vaguely gathering into the shape of a man — a ferocious vengeful ghost, kept for years as his deepest last-resort move.

"Keh-keh. Old man, are we to kill these two?"

The vengeful ghost asked, killing intent in his eyes.

"Kill nothing — he's Zhang Qianyang!"

The name alone gave the ghost such a start he stepped back several paces, trying to hide behind the old Daoist.

"Flee, quick!"

The old Daoist leapt onto the ghost's back, and man and ghost shot off like the wind, gone in an instant.

Li Daoxuan's mouth fell open. Such a fearsome entrance — and then that was it?

"Hmph. Think you can run?"

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Zhang Qianyang sneered. "Boy, this place is yours. I'll go rid the world of that demon Daoist!"

With that he stepped forward, spanning a dozen yards in a stride, and gave chase.

Li Daoxuan started — the ghost bride was still here!

Fortunately, Zhang Qianyang knew Li Daoxuan could not handle her. He waved a hand, and a golden talisman flew forth.

The ghost bride tried to dodge, but the golden light was swift as lightning, broke through layers of blood mist, and stuck to her red veil.

She stood frozen in place, motionless.

"Boy, this Paralysis Talisman will hold for two quarter-hours. Within that I shall return."

No sooner had he spoken than Zhang Qianyang's figure vanished entirely.

He had pinned the ghost bride and gone to hunt the demon Daoist; the only other threatening ghost, Master Chen, had been gravely wounded by the earlier thunder. In his eyes, Li Daoxuan would meet no danger.

Li Daoxuan thought the same. Zhang's meaning was clear: this wounded Master Chen was left for him to practice on.

Master Chen seemed to have recovered some wits; panic flashed in his eyes, and he turned to flee.

But Li Daoxuan blocked his path.

"Master Chen, you forced wine on me — I'll return the favor with a talisman. Fair exchange."

Li Daoxuan worked Divine Striding, one step, and appeared before Master Chen in an instant.

Master Chen thrust out a palm; its black nails were thin and long, clawing toward Li Daoxuan's throat.

Yet he clutched at empty air — Li Daoxuan's figure flickered and was back where he started.

And on Master Chen's body now rested an extra Five-Thunder Talisman.

"Five thunders, five thunders, hasten to Huang Ning; mist and change, roar of lightning and thunder; at my call you come, swift send the yang sound — swiftly, swiftly, as the law commands!"

Boom!

The thundercloud reappeared; a chopstick-thin bolt struck down, landing true on Master Chen.

"No—"

Master Chen's voice vanished into the lightning. The black mist scattered; his soul was destroyed, wholly gone.

At Li Daoxuan's cultivation, he should never have beaten a vengeful ghost — but the foe had just been struck by heavenly thunder. Strike while weak, and take the life.

The very instant Master Chen dissolved, the Heaven-Subduing Demon Scripture in Li Daoxuan's mind blazed, and lines of script appeared.

"Fifth year of Zhenguan, at Li Family Village, slew one vengeful ghost. Reward gained: 【Five-Thunder Talisman · Tier Two】!"

In the next breath, Li Daoxuan felt a flood of information pour into his mind — dense talisman-patterns, the art of their drawing, the insights of crafting them…

As if he had steeped himself in the Five-Thunder Talisman for a dozen years, drawn it thousands of times — his mastery of it leapt upward!

A moment later, Li Daoxuan opened his eyes; a faint thread of lightning flickered within them.

His heart raced — he could scarce wait to draw a Five-Thunder Talisman and test its power.

Following Zhang had been the right call. Softening every foe behind another man's thunder, though — that path had teeth of its own.

He drew a deep breath and turned to the ghost bride, standing tall and still.

She wore a magnificent wedding robe, the night wind sketching her form; her long hair fell to her waist, black as ink. Though her face was hidden, one could still sense that uniquely cold yet alluring air.

Gazing at her pinned motionless, a bold thought rose: if he drew a Five-Thunder Talisman now, could he seize the chance to strike her dead?

Slaying an ordinary vengeful ghost already brought rich reward; to destroy a Red Robe — would that not send him soaring?

But after a hesitation, Li Daoxuan chose not to.

Should the Tier-Two Five-Thunder fail to kill her and instead burn away the Paralysis Talisman, he would be finished.

Better to play it safe.

Li Daoxuan pinched a Five-Thunder Talisman and walked to the ghost bride's side, studying her quietly. A light breeze stirred, lifting a corner of the red veil, revealing a pale chin and thin red lips.

For reasons unknown, Li Daoxuan's heartbeat quickened; his gaze grew hazy, his breathing grew heavy.

At the tip of his nose came a faint fragrance — orchid-like, musk-like, sinking into the heart.

As if bewitched, Li Daoxuan slowly reached out a hand toward the bride's red veil. Now his only thought was to lift that veil, and see the face within.

And the Paralysis Talisman pasted on the veil's outside — he saw it not at all.

Amid heavy breathing, Li Daoxuan's fingers drew ever nearer the red veil…