Chapter 529: An Uncomfortable Aura

Su Qing went with a restaurant owner named Pana to get the peace charms.

In the West Suburb of Kongkan Prefecture, there was a teak forest. The place to get the peace charms was located within this Youmu Forest. Su Qing heard from Pana that Master Wen’s residence was also there—a few interconnected wooden cabins where he lived.

Hearing this, Su Qing couldn’t help but sneer inwardly. ’According to An Zhihan’s research, this "Master Wen" in A Tai is a disciple of the Master Wen from Xiangcheng, as well as a grandnephew from the same family. Back in Xiangcheng, he could only be called Little Master Wen. I can’t believe he’s just called Master Wen here in A Tai.’

’And from the looks of it, he’s earned quite a bit of reverence from the locals.’

"Look, they’re handing out the peace charms now," Pana said excitedly to Su Qing, pointing toward the cabins.

Su Qing looked in the direction Pana was pointing and saw Master Zhang up ahead, distributing the peace charms.

"Is that Master Wen?" Su Qing asked, feigning curiosity as if she didn’t recognize Master Zhang.

"No, that’s Master Wen’s senior disciple. We all call him Master Zhang," Pana said with a smile. "Master Wen is often in seclusion, so Master Zhang handles most of the distribution. But the peace charms themselves are hand-drawn by Master Wen."

"Oh, I see." Su Qing nodded slightly, her eyes narrowing as she watched Master Zhang.

On the wooden table in front of Master Zhang sat a large wooden box. Everyone who stepped forward received a peace charm from his hand. Master Zhang would offer words of blessing, and not a single person who received a charm left unhappy.

"Oh no, we have to hurry! If they run out, we won’t get one." Afraid she’d miss out, Pana quickly pulled Su Qing into the queue. The line was incredibly long, snaking around two or three corners. By the time the two of them got to the end, it didn’t take long for another long line to form behind them.

"Look at all these people! Everyone’s here for the peace charms," Pana said, her tone filled with a sense of vicarious pride.

Su Qing gave a faint smile. "You all are certainly fortunate."

’But whether that fortune is tinged with misfortune is another question entirely.’

"Of course we are," Pana said, smiling at Su Qing. "Susan, if you have free time, you should come around more often. Master Wen distributes peace charms once every three months. The people here receive his blessings all year round. If you come often, you can get his blessing too."

Su Qing smiled. "Alright, I’ll come when I have time."

As they talked, it was mostly Pana praising Master Wen, with the people in front of and behind them in the line chiming in enthusiastically. The whole scene was one of cheerful harmony.

By the time Su Qing and Pana reached the front to get their peace charms, more than half an hour had passed.

"May you have peace throughout the year and good health," Master Zhang said with a smile, handing a peace charm to Su Qing.

Su Qing put on a delighted expression and said in a slightly saccharine, cutesy voice, "Thank you, Master."

"You’re very welcome," Master Zhang said, his eyes crinkling in a smile. As he pulled his hand away, he seemed to let it graze the back of Su Qing’s hand, the look of stunned admiration in his eyes unmistakable.

’Well now, this is quite a beautiful girl.’

Su Qing was nearly sickened by Master Zhang’s gesture. She had to fight the urge to deck him right then and there. ’It’s not the right time,’ she thought. ’I have to endure this.’

Biting the inside of her cheek, Su Qing forced a smile in return. Instantly, Master Zhang’s eyes lit up even more. With so many people around, it wasn’t the place to say anything. He decided he would have someone look into this girl later.

As this thought crossed his mind, Master Zhang noticed Pana waiting for Su Qing in the distance. A flicker passed through his eyes. He recognized that woman—the owner of a small restaurant in town who often came for peace charms. He turned and whispered a few words to someone behind him.

"So, what do you think? Master Zhang is very kind, isn’t he?" Pana asked with a wide smile as Su Qing walked over.

Su Qing smiled. "Yes, very ’kind’."

Pana missed the hidden meaning in Su Qing’s tone and continued to advise her, "You have to keep that peace charm safe. It’s very useful. The Master said that carrying it will turn major disasters into minor ones, and minor ones into nothing. If a great catastrophe comes, this peace charm will block it, and you’ll just get away with a small illness or minor misfortune."

Su Qing couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow. "It’s that effective, huh?"

"Of course," Pana said proudly. "Come on, let’s head back. By the way, have you found an inn yet? I know a place that’s comfortable and affordable. I can take you there and make sure you get the best price."

Su Qing smiled. "Then I’d be very grateful."

"Psh, it’s nothing. I just have a good feeling about you," Pana said with a happy laugh. She really did like this girl.

With Pana’s help, Su Qing found an inn that was both affordable and comfortable. Su Qing thanked Pana, gave her a small gift, and the two went their separate ways.

Back in her inn room, Su Qing took out the peace charm. She frowned, studying it in her hand. While she didn’t know much about things like feng shui or metaphysics, as a Wood Ability User, her perception was powerful. She could keenly sense an uncomfortable aura emanating from the charm. What’s more, that aura seemed to be faintly trying to invade her body.

With her skills, Su Qing naturally wouldn’t allow such a thing. The aura circled around her for a while, but finding itself unable to penetrate her body, it slowly dissipated.

’What is the purpose of this aura?’

Su Qing didn’t understand, but she was now certain that this "Master Wen" was definitely using these peace charms to achieve some sort of goal. ’As for what that goal is...’

Su Qing’s eyes narrowed. ’I’ll find out when I go take a look tonight.’

But what Su Qing didn’t know was that, at this very moment, the details of her cover identity had already been delivered into Master Zhang’s hands.

"So, this girl is here as a tourist? From Xiangcheng?" Master Zhang asked, looking at his junior apprentice.

"Yes, Senior Brother," the junior apprentice replied. "I’ve looked into it. The girl’s name is Susan. She just arrived in Kongkan today. She heard what the restaurant owner said and came along with her to get a peace charm out of curiosity."

"A curious one, is she?" Master Zhang chuckled. "Did you find out where she’s staying?"

"Yes, I did," the junior apprentice said quickly. "She’s staying at an inn on the east side of town. It’s the one the restaurant owner recommended."

"Good. Tonight, invite the young lady over. I’d like to have a nice, long ’candlelit chat’ with her," Master Zhang said to his junior apprentice, his eyes crinkling in a smile.

"Yes, Senior Brother."

The junior apprentice wasn’t the least bit surprised by Master Zhang’s words. After all, this wasn’t the first or second time something like this had happened.