Liu Dashao rushed toward Master Huang and said, “Master Huang, I’m here! I’ve finished reading that book too!”
Master Huang looked at Liu Dashao with his small, grayish eyes and asked, “Can you already use all those techniques fluently?”
Liu Dashao laughed cheerfully and replied, “I’ve memorized them all, ha ha!”
Seeing Liu Dashao’s careless attitude, Master Huang said, “I taught you these secret techniques of the Eight Trigrams so you could protect yourself and divine the future. Didn’t you foresee the danger to your life recently?”
Upon hearing this, Liu Dashao suddenly remembered that the Eight Trigrams techniques couldn’t predict the fate of the practitioner himself, and quickly asked Master Huang, “Could it be that I’m in danger soon?”
Master Huang replied, “It’s not that your fate is blocked, but rather that you’re facing a major challenge. Remember this: whatever strange things happen these days, don’t act on your own. Now, stretch out your left hand!”
After Master Huang finished speaking, Liu Dashao extended his left hand. Master Huang stood up, grabbed his finger, and suddenly bit him. Liu Dashao winced in pain and pulled his hand back. Then he heard Master Huang say, “Now that I’ve tasted your blood, I’ll come to you the moment you’re in danger!”
Liu Dashao lifted his hand and looked at it. Where Master Huang had bitten him, there was now a small flower-shaped mark on the back of his hand.
“Don’t worry, Master Huang. I’ve already mastered these secret techniques of the Eight Trigrams. Nothing will happen to me!” Liu Dashao replied with a grin.
Master Huang sighed and said, “Remember, be cautious in everything. Recently, I’ve sensed a strong malevolent force appearing in the village again. Be extremely careful!”
After saying this, Master Huang returned to his tree hollow, and Liu Dashao also left the grove.
On his way back, Liu Dashao felt that the path was unusually free of any evil aura. It was strange—he didn’t sense anything wrong even when he passed the village’s western graveyard, which was highly unusual.
Liu Dashao walked a few more steps forward when suddenly he saw a figure standing on the nearby slope. Quietly crouching down, he crept toward the person.
Liu Dashao found the person familiar, but couldn’t recall who it was at first. As he approached, he realized it was a woman—delicate and pale. Liu Dashao nearly cried out in shock!
Wasn’t this the youngest daughter of Old Lady Li? Wasn’t she supposed to be dead? Liu Dashao was puzzled. Her expression looked strange. Liu Dashao opened his Yin-Yang eye to observe her and found she had no sign of life at all—her entire body was surrounded by dark energy.
This was the strongest yin energy Liu Dashao had ever seen. Sensing the danger, he prepared to sneak back home when suddenly the woman’s neck twisted sharply in his direction.
Her sudden movement startled Liu Dashao, who hastily stepped back and prepared to cast a spell. But before he could form the hand seal, a powerful gust of wind struck him in the face. The woman swayed and suddenly rushed toward him, delivering a palm strike that sent Liu Dashao tumbling to the ground. Then he heard the woman speak in a deep male voice: “Little brat, you’ve got some guts!”
Liu Dashao was thrown far away, rolling several times on the ground, his body aching from the fall.
He felt a surge of anger but knew this woman was no ordinary opponent, so he restrained himself.
He stood up and angrily shouted at the woman, “You’re an adult bullying a child!”
After saying this, Liu Dashao pretended to be upset while secretly thinking of a plan.
The woman ignored him and simply began inhaling and exhaling toward the sky.
Liu Dashao rubbed his forehead and opened his Yin-Yang eye. He saw the woman expelling black energy while absorbing the moonlight. It seemed she must be some kind of evil spirit.
But Liu Dashao couldn’t detect any trace of evil energy on her, and she had no sign of being alive. Perhaps a malevolent spirit had possessed her body? Yet even with the Yin-Yang eye, he couldn’t see clearly. What was going on?
Just as Liu Dashao was puzzled, the woman suddenly spoke.
In a deep male voice, she said, “Stop staring at me with your Yin-Yang eye. And if you dare to use ‘Yin Release’ to project your spirit again and ruin my plans next time, don’t blame me for taking your life! Now, scram!”
Liu Dashao was greatly alarmed. Those few words alone were enough to tell him how terrifying this woman was. Thinking back to Master Huang’s warning, Liu Dashao pretended to be frightened and ran home crying.
When he got home, Liu Dashao quietly opened the door and sneaked into the room. Goudan was sleeping soundly.
Liu Dashao took off his shoes, climbed onto the kang, and stared at the ceiling, his mind in turmoil over what had happened earlier. He decided he would have to tell Master Huang everything the next day. Then he pulled the blanket over himself and fell asleep.
He woke up late in the morning and turned to see Goudan already up, sitting by the kang reading *The Divine Manual of Taiyi Tian Gang*. He had been reading this book every day for the past few days—Liu Dashao had no idea how much he actually understood.
Sitting up on the kang, Liu Dashao rubbed his shoulder and winced in pain. Last night’s fall had really hurt.
Seeing Liu Dashao was awake, Goudan didn’t even look up and asked, “Where did you go last night, Dashao?”
Without thinking, Liu Dashao replied, “Where else? Just went to take a piss.”
After saying this, he saw Goudan give him a mysterious look and whisper, “You can’t fool me. I can calculate things.”
Liu Dashao was amused by Goudan’s pretentious air.
He patted Goudan on the head and said, “I know you can. That’s why I didn’t tell you, ha ha!”
The two of them burst into laughter.
At noon, Liu Dashao went to the grove again. When he passed the place where he had seen the woman the previous night, he stopped and looked around, but saw nothing unusual. Just as he was about to leave, he heard a sigh from around him.
Liu Dashao looked around but saw no one.
He looked at the ground and didn’t see any animals either. Who had sighed?
“Ahh…” As Liu Dashao was thinking, the sighing sound came again. Liu Dashao turned toward the empty space and said, “Who’s sighing? Show yourself!”
After saying this, he scanned his surroundings and indeed saw an old woman sitting under a large willow tree nearby.
Liu Dashao knew she had revealed her form—she must be in trouble and needed his help.
He walked over and sat beside the old woman, saying, “Grandma, why are you sitting here? If you have any trouble, tell me about it!”
After Liu Dashao spoke, the old woman looked up at him and said, “Child, I am a small immortal who cultivated from this willow tree, guarding this land, keeping it peaceful and prosperous. But that was only in the past.”
Liu Dashao saw a white glow behind the old woman and realized she must be a spiritual being with cultivation. Seeing her troubled expression, he said, “Grandma, since you are a guardian deity of this land, what could be troubling you? Please tell me—I’ll help if I can!”
The old woman looked at Liu Dashao with a glimmer of hope in her eyes and continued, “A month ago, a dead scholar from the Qing Dynasty named Jiang Siwen came here. Ever since then, peace has vanished from this village!”
Liu Dashao asked in confusion, “Grandma, you are a guardian deity—how can a dead scholar be a problem?”
The old woman sighed and finally said, “Child, I see that you are no ordinary boy. I’ll tell you the whole story.”
She paused and slowly began her tale.
“Long ago, Jiang Siwen was a scholar in the Qing Dynasty. He was in love with the eldest daughter of a wealthy family. Her name was Qin Ling. They met at a market, and she admired his talent. They fell deeply in love.
The Qin family did not oppose the match, and the Jiang family, seeing how virtuous and beautiful Qin Ling was, strongly approved of the marriage. So both families began preparing for their wedding.
But as the saying goes, beauty is often short-lived.
On the day of their wedding, Qin Ling suddenly coughed up blood and died. It was fate—her time had come according to the Book of Life and Death.
Jiang Siwen couldn’t bear the grief. He held Qin Ling’s body and sat through the night without sleeping. The next day, he carried her out of the village—what happened after that is another story.”
Liu Dashao was captivated and quickly asked what happened next.
The old woman continued, “Later, Jiang Siwen placed Qin Ling’s body in an ice cellar to preserve it. Then he traveled far and wide, seeking masters who could teach him the art of resurrection.
Eventually, during a ritual, he shattered his physical body and died. But using his dark arts, he evaded the underworld’s messengers and remained between life and death, never to be reborn.
He waited bitterly in the netherworld for Qin Ling’s reincarnation. It took ten lifetimes for her to be reborn as a human again—this time as Li Zhi, the youngest daughter of Old Lady Li in the village.”
Liu Dashao suddenly understood. It was Jiang Siwen’s deep obsession that had brought him to this life, determined to cling to Qin Ling’s reincarnation.
Still puzzled, Liu Dashao asked, “Grandma, but I saw that Li Zhi’s life force was very weak. Why does Jiang Siwen still possess her at night?”
The willow spirit slowly explained, “Li Zhi is destined to die young in this life—her time is nearly up. Jiang Siwen doesn’t want to repeat the tragedy of losing Qin Ling.
After waiting through countless reincarnations, he finally found her reborn. So at night, he possesses Li Zhi and comes here to absorb the essence of heaven and earth, the energy of the sun and moon, hoping to keep her alive.
As a result, the spiritual beings around here have been drained by him. But life and death are predestined. His actions defy the natural order of yin and yang. Heaven will not allow it!”
“Why can’t you all band together to stop him?” Liu Dashao asked in confusion.
The old willow spirit shook her head and said, “Jiang Siwen has a thousand years of cultivation. We ordinary immortals can’t match him. Besides, he was skilled in dark arts even in life. Sigh, we can only endure.”
After listening, Liu Dashao thought for a moment, then bid farewell to the willow spirit and ran toward the grove.
Master Huang listened quietly as Liu Dashao recounted everything. He paced back and forth on the ground, blinking his small eyes.
After a long while, he finally said, “This thousand-year-old scholar is trapped by his obsession, creating this disaster. If we don’t stop him soon, he’ll drain all the spiritual beings nearby in a few days.”
Liu Dashao hurriedly asked, “What should we do?”
Master Huang said, “Don’t act rashly yet. We don’t have enough time today. Let’s think of a plan tomorrow. Dashao, go home and prepare some things: a handful of sticky rice, some red paper figures, yellow paper, and chicken blood. Remember them well?”
Liu Dashao nodded and asked, “Master Huang, are you going to set up a formation?”
Master Huang replied, “You’ll know tomorrow!”
After that, Liu Dashao went home.
Back at Goudan’s house, Liu Dashao took some money and went with Goudan to buy the items. But where could they find chicken blood?
After buying everything, Liu Dashao asked Goudan where to get chicken blood. Goudan thought for a moment and said, “My dad is stewing chicken for us today. We can get it from there!”
Liu Dashao was delighted and dragged Goudan back home.
As they ran, Goudan panted behind him, saying, “Hey! It’s just chicken! Slow down, I’m getting tired! I’ll give you the comb, okay?… Slow down…”
When they arrived, they saw Goudan’s father slaughtering a chicken in the courtyard.
Liu Dashao approached and said, “Uncle Dagou, could you save some chicken blood for me? I need it for my master to draw talismans!”
Uncle Dagou immediately agreed, and Liu Dashao and Goudan went back inside.
A while later, Dagou brought in a bottle stained with blood and said, “Dashao, here’s the chicken blood. But your master won’t be back for a while—won’t this blood coagulate by then?”
Liu Dashao smiled and replied, “No problem, that’s exactly what he wants, hehe!”
Uncle Dagou was confused but said nothing, wiping his hands and leaving the room.
After Dagou left, Liu Dashao turned to Goudan and said, “Goudan, I can’t play with you tomorrow. If I’m not back by tonight, stuff a pillow under the blanket. When my parents come to check on us, say I’m already asleep, okay?”
Goudan looked at Liu Dashao with confusion, then nodded and asked, “Okay, but where are you going?”
Liu Dashao couldn’t tell him he was going to meet Master Huang, so he said, “Ah, nothing much. Qian Qing just invited me to dinner. Don’t worry, he didn’t say anything about bringing you. Maybe he thought you didn’t help much last time, hehe!”
After Liu Dashao finished speaking, he saw Goudan looking upset and said, “Okay, I’ll watch the house.”
Seeing Goudan’s expression, Liu Dashao felt uneasy.
Sigh… He would have to find a chance to tell him the truth later, though he was afraid Goudan might not be able to accept it.
That night, Liu Dashao fell asleep early but had a strange dream. In the dream, a pair of blood-red eyes kept staring at him, which startled him awake.
He sat up and looked outside—it was already getting light. Liu Dashao quickly got up, gathered his things, and left.
When he arrived at the grove, he saw Master Huang already waiting by the tree hollow.
Seeing Liu Dashao arrive, Master Huang said, “We’re going to Li Zhi’s house later!”
Liu Dashao was shocked and said, “Aren’t we asking for trouble? Last time I almost got killed by her!”
Master Huang listened calmly and slowly paced around.
His small eyes looked at Liu Dashao and said, “Don’t worry. It’s broad daylight. Even if Jiang Siwen dares to appear, he won’t dare to do anything to us. We’re just going to provoke him, so he’ll come after us tonight!”
Liu Dashao thought it made sense and asked, “Then… Master Huang, how will you get in?”
“Nothing to it. I’ll just hide in your arms!”
After saying this, Master Huang quickly slid up Liu Dashao’s legs and nestled into his chest, leaving only his little head visible.
Liu Dashao was amused and said, “Alright then, let’s go find that thousand-year-old scholar, Jiang Siwen!”
With Master Huang hidden in his arms, Liu Dashao arrived at Li Zhi’s doorstep and opened his Yin-Yang eye to observe the house.
The house was shrouded in black energy, making it impossible to see what was inside.
Master Huang jumped out from Liu Dashao’s arms and said, “Cast a spell to provoke him and make him appear!”
After saying this, he quickly hid in the nearby bushes.
Liu Dashao sat down, formed a hand seal, and prepared to use the Water Element technique, since he noticed a small river in front of Li Zhi’s house.
“Yin and Yang, Water and Fire, unleash the waters of the three rivers, strike!” Liu Dashao tightly interlocked his fingers and waved his hand toward the door.
Suddenly, the river water boiled and erupted, sending a massive splash flying toward the black-energy-wrapped door.
The water struck the door as if it were absorbed, and the black energy opened a gap.
Just as Liu Dashao was about to stand up, the black energy quickly surged back and sealed the gap.
It seemed Jiang Siwen had sensed Liu Dashao’s spell and was now countering him from within.
Liu Dashao secretly quickened his hand seals, took a step backward, and pressed his left thumb against his right palm, chanting, “Eight Trigrams, Heavenly Stems, divine secrets concealed, Kan, Zhen, Li,冥, Ning Mo Su Xing,七星转邪, Hun Dun Xing, Shou!”
Then he pointed his right hand at the door, and the black energy was instantly dispelled.
“You dared to bully me last time? Now you know who the real master is!” Liu Dashao stood up proudly as the black energy dissipated. Master Huang also jumped out of the bushes and climbed back onto Liu Dashao’s body.
Liu Dashao had just taken a few steps with Master Huang when a voice suddenly came from behind.
“Hmph, this Eight Trigrams technique actually has some merit!”
Liu Dashao was startled and quickly turned around.
He saw the door had transformed into a giant human face, speaking directly to him.
Master Huang peeked out and said to Liu Dashao, “Don’t mind it. Let’s go to the back mountain quickly.”
Although it was midday, the sky had turned dark with thick clouds, as if a storm was about to break.
“This must be Jiang Siwen’s doing. He’s hastening the arrival of night so he can appear. It seems we really angered him earlier!” Master Huang said from inside Liu Dashao’s arms.
Liu Dashao ran to the back mountain with Master Huang and stood on the hillside.
“Boy, set up a soul-summoning formation around the hill for Li Zhi’s soul. I think Jiang Siwen will appear soon. I’ll go to the back of the hill to set up the formation. When he enters the soul-summoning formation, lead him toward the back—don’t panic!” After saying this, Master Huang quickly ran behind the hill.
Liu Dashao understood the urgency. Jiang Siwen had seen through his Eight Trigrams technique at a glance earlier, and now he was darkening the sky. Clearly, Jiang Siwen was no easy opponent.
Liu Dashao took out the prepared paper figures from his bag and wrote “Li Zhi” on each one. Then he buried a paper figure every few steps around the hill.
Liu Dashao was sweating profusely, and the sky was getting darker, as if it were about to collapse.
Suddenly, he heard an old woman’s voice from behind calling him, “Child, be careful! The scholar is coming!”
Liu Dashao turned around and saw it was the willow spirit grandmother.
He quickly looked around and indeed saw a red figure walking up the hill from the foot.
The figure wore red official robes and a black scholar’s hat. From a distance, Liu Dashao couldn’t see the person’s face clearly.
Liu Dashao felt nervous. This must be Jiang Siwen, the Qing Dynasty scholar.
He hurriedly buried the last paper figure, trying to stall for time until Master Huang was ready. Then he would lead Jiang Siwen to the back of the hill.
Sweat poured from Liu Dashao’s palms. He had never felt this nervous before. Jiang Siwen was now only a dozen steps away.
He had a pale face and a delicate, frail appearance.
Liu Dashao closed his eyes and sat cross-legged on the ground.
He saw Jiang Siwen step into the formation, and Liu Dashao couldn’t help but feel a flicker of hope.
“Hehe, you think you can trap me with this silly formation? A soul-summoning formation? Ha! Just a child who hasn’t even grown up yet!” Hearing Jiang Siwen’s words, Liu Dashao’s heart sank. The formation had been seen through—was there really no hope at all?
As he was thinking, he suddenly felt a strong pressure in front of him. He looked up and saw Jiang Siwen’s palm pierce through his body.
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage