The Stone Lady’s face showed a nostalgic expression as she spoke with some regret, “Speaking of the Fragrant Sect, it actually has some connection with me. Those two, Liu Wu and Liu Liu, are the sons of local farmers. The Liu family has lived here for hundreds of years. Though not particularly wealthy, they owned a bit of farmland and could be considered a comfortably-off household. Their father, Liu Sen, had some savings and studied for a few days when he was young, though he never amounted to much. Later, for some unknown reason, he became obsessed with seeking the Dao and Buddhism, but he never found the right path and instead dabbled in all sorts of haphazard practices. At that time, I already had some abilities and often wandered around aimlessly. One day, I happened to pass through this area and saw Liu Sen setting up a sacrificial altar and concocting some unsavory things. I felt annoyed and wanted to tease him, so I blew a gust of wind to scatter his altar.”
Zhang Shisan nodded and smiled, “It sounds like that fellow might have been practicing some soul-charming techniques. Although not orthodox, they do have some effect. But with you showing up, you probably stirred up some karma for yourself.”
The Stone Lady gave a bitter smile, “Exactly. After that incident, Liu Sen didn’t become more cautious—in fact, he became even more extreme. He claimed that he had been guided by a divine being through fragrant incense, and so he adapted the White Lotus practices for his own use, naming it the Fragrant Sect. He took in a few disciples, gradually gaining some reputation, and eventually attracted many followers from nearby villages, using this to amass great wealth and establish a religious sect.”
“However, a few years later, Liu Sen indulged himself in wine and women, which drained his health, and he eventually died. At that time, I was going through a crucial stage in my cultivation, so naturally I had no time to deal with him. After the incident at Changchun Palace, I fled injured and later learned that one of the people involved was Liu Sen’s son, Liu Liu.”
“Liu Sen had two sons, but he cunningly claimed he had six sons born at birth, with the first four being the Four Heavenly Kings guarding the four directions, hence naming his two actual sons Liu Wu and Liu Liu. After his death, these two continued the practices of the Fragrant Sect, each taking the title of Grand Master and Second Master. Although Liu Wu was called the Grand Master, he was actually a fool, ineffective and merely a figurehead. It was Liu Liu who was clever and ruthless, making all the real decisions in the sect.”
“That night at Changchun Palace, although Liu Liu was present, he was only there to lead the way. The real people who took action were three others. One I recognized—Yuan Wang (the Ape King), Yuan Chongzhen, dressed in black with white hair, was especially skilled at controlling beasts. But I wasn’t particularly afraid of him. Another was a bald, fat man with a constant smile on his face, yet he was extremely treacherous. The others called him Xiao Ye (Laughing Master), though I don’t know his real background.”
Upon hearing this, Zhang Shisan said, “Although Yuan Chongzhen is known as the Ape King, his entire cultivation centers on beast control. Against you, a mere minor demon cultivator, he wouldn’t necessarily have the upper hand. As for the fat man, he’s most likely Xiao Mile (the Laughing Maitreya), Li Xiaotian—famous for smiling while concealing a hidden blade, a master of treachery. Though his actual skills aren’t remarkable, he excels at escaping. Heh heh.” As he spoke, he shook his head and smiled, “Xiao Mile fears nothing more than that苦 monk (bitter monk). If they happen to meet this time, I wonder whether he’ll still manage to escape with his life?”
Mei Qing found it amusing too—these enemies had names like Master Bitter and Laughing Maitreya, which was quite interesting.
The Stone Lady frowned, “The third person was very strange—always completely wrapped up, so I couldn’t see his face. But his cultivation was far beyond mine—I couldn’t even discern his depth. When I escaped from Yuan Chongzhen and the fat man, that person simply raised his hand and shot out a beam of light, instantly shattering my protective energy. At that time, the heavenly lightning tribulation was raging, and he probably thought I was doomed, so he didn’t pursue me further. Otherwise, I definitely wouldn’t have escaped from his grasp.”
“Oh?” Zhang Shisan furrowed his brows. Although the Stone Lady’s cultivation hadn’t been extremely strong, she had hundreds of years of experience. If even she couldn’t sense the depth of this person and was seriously injured with just a single move, then such a person would be considered a top-tier expert in the entire realm.
“You’re saying these people are all mixed up with the Fragrant Sect?” Mei Qing asked, “From what you’ve said, the Fragrant Sect is nothing but a paper tiger. Those so-called masters don’t have any real abilities. How could someone like Yuan Chongzhen, Xiao Mile, and that mysterious figure be associated with the Fragrant Sect?”
The Stone Lady shook her head, “I don’t know the exact details. Although I’ve sent people to investigate, we only got surface-level information. We know that Liu Wu, as the Grand Master, is merely a figurehead. Liu Liu, as the Second Master, might have gained favor with the two elders and learned some techniques. He does have a say in the sect’s affairs. But the real authority lies with those two elders, likely Yuan Chongzhen and Xiao Mile. As for that mysterious figure, we’ve heard nothing more about him.”
Zhang Shisan nodded and didn’t ask further. This drinking session started in the afternoon and lasted until evening. Finally, Zhang Shisan ordered the banquet to be cleared and said to the Stone Lady, “Little demon, I’ve had enough to drink. But treating your precious son, my efforts alone won’t be enough. I’ll need my apprentice to help out. You prepare a guest room first, so I can guide him a bit. As the saying goes, sharpening the spear at the last minute may not make it fast, but it still helps.”
Upon hearing this, the Stone Lady felt uneasy. She had originally been full of confidence in Zhang Shisan, but now hearing that even his apprentice was needed, she assumed it was Bi Zhen. Although Bi Zhen’s cultivation seemed decent and she had once helped treat the Stone Lady’s son, her abilities were only slightly better than ordinary doctors—able to stabilize the condition but not cure it. Now she was expected to rely on Bi Zhen for treatment, and the Stone Lady couldn’t help but doubt.
No matter what she thought, since Zhang Shisan had spoken, she couldn’t refuse. The Stone Lady ordered the rooms to be prepared and respectfully invited everyone to rest, then returned to take care of the drunken Stone Master.
“Hehe, good kid. Haven’t seen you overnight, and your cultivation has improved quite a bit!” Zhang Shisan circled around Mei Qing twice, clicking his tongue, “Tell me, old man, what’s going on? Don’t tell me it’s because you did some dual cultivation all night. You know I’m an expert in this area.”
After the Stone Lady left, the few of them sat together, and Zhang Shisan playfully teased Mei Qing.
Mei Qing already knew his master’s mischievous nature and understood that the more he played along, the more Zhang would enjoy it. So he didn’t blush and smiled, “So Master also practices dual cultivation? When will you introduce your wife so I can pay my respects?—But honestly, I’m a bit worried whether any female cultivator would actually agree to dual cultivate with you, Master.”
Hearing this, Zhang Shisan actually blushed slightly and couldn’t come up with a retort. Meanwhile, Bi Zhen giggled softly on the side, which made Zhang Shisan even more embarrassed, “You little bastard! Now you’re making fun of your master? Did you eat some cat piss or pick some wild flowers? You better confess everything right now!”
Seeing that Zhang Shisan’s face was turning red, Mei Qing feared the old Taoist might become too embarrassed, so he stopped teasing and honestly recounted how he had met Bi Zhen after escaping, how she had been suppressed by that strange cauldron, and how he had recklessly extended his spiritual sense, only to provoke an attack from the cauldron, which then entered his body and rendered his escape techniques useless.
“Hmm?” Zhang Shisan furrowed his brows upon hearing this and remained silent for a while before finally asking, “You’re saying that cauldron actually appeared inside your body and merged with your golden core? Have you tried controlling it as if it were your golden core? Can you manipulate it freely?”
Mei Qing shook his head, “I’ve tried. Although it sits peacefully inside me and is faintly connected to my spiritual sense, I can’t command it.”
Zhang Shisan thought for a long while but couldn’t figure it out. Mei Qing couldn’t help but ask, “Master, if you’re still unsure, why don’t you examine me and find out for yourself?”
Zhang Shisan rolled his small eyes and said, “Examine what? You think your body is easy to examine? I don’t have that kind of interest. Forget it. Anyway, you’re alive and kicking, not looking like you’re about to die. Just leave it be.”
Before Mei Qing could speak, Bi Zhen had already become anxious, grabbing Zhang Shisan’s arm and shouting, “Master! Your disciple is in such a serious situation, how can you ignore it? Why don’t you examine him right away!”
Seeing Bi Zhen’s anger, Zhang Shisan quickly put on a smiling face, “My dear apprentice Bi Zhen, don’t worry. Your little husband is a freak. If your master says he’s fine, he’s definitely fine!”
“Fine? What if something happens?”
“If he dies, I promise to find you an even better husband!” Zhang Shisan patted his chest to guarantee.
The old and young pair bickered for a while until Zhang Shisan signed a series of unequal treaties, guaranteeing Mei Qing’s personal safety, life quality, and freedom of belief, before finally reaching a ceasefire agreement and turning to discuss the treatment plan for the young master of the Stone family. “That little guy, what’s his name again? Shi Lengzi? What a great name!” Zhang Shisan smiled and said, “As for treating this kid, I won’t do it myself. Mei Qing, you’ll handle it!”
“Huh? Master, I don’t know how!” Mei Qing was shocked, thinking that Zhang Shisan’s apprentice was Bi Zhen. Now suddenly being told to act as the main physician, he was quite surprised.
“What’s there to be afraid of? I don’t know how either,” Zhang Shisan glared, “When there’s work to be done, the disciple must do it. Who else is going to treat him? Actually, it’s not that hard, not much harder than drawing talismans. Come on, I’ll teach you the basics first. As for how to deal with it later, you’ll have to figure it out yourself.”
With that, Zhang Shisan began explaining the treatment method in detail to Mei Qing. Mei Qing listened carefully, while Bi Zhen beside him kept widening her eyes, almost popping out.
“Master, is this really going to work?” After the lesson, as Mei Qing was digesting the knowledge, Bi Zhen pulled Zhang Shisan aside and whispered.
“Of course it will,” Zhang Shisan replied with a grin, “Unconventional methods can cure serious diseases. Just wait and see. If it works out, that fool Mei Qing might even gain a lot from it!”
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage