Chapter Seventy-Three: Death Does Not Always Mean the End

At this moment, he was truly startled. Although his movements were concealed by talismans and swift, he knew well the prowess of Master Su—the manager of the pharmacy—one of the few martial artists in Jianghuan Town who had cultivated internal strength, a warrior capable of resisting possession by fierce ghosts through sheer force. His eyesight would surely be keen; it was quite possible he’d notice such subtle actions.

“Master Su!”

Chen Yushu answered, carefully stepping forward.

“Come with me. I’ll take you to meet two people,” Master Su nodded, then spoke.

“Ah?” Relief flooded his heart. Had Master Su not noticed his little maneuver? Then all was well. But who were these people he was to meet? Though confused, Chen Yushu didn’t press further and followed Master Su out of the pharmacy.

The other apprentices nearby were surprised, but Master Su’s authority in the pharmacy was such that none dared question him.

“How much progress have you made in your stance training?” asked Master Su on the way.

“I’ve mastered it,” Chen Yushu replied without hiding anything.

“Oh? I’ve heard from Qian Qian that your talent is exceptional. Now I see it for myself. In just a dozen days, you’ve mastered stance training—something rarely seen even at the headquarters of the Liu family’s pharmacy,” Master Su’s face showed a hint of astonishment.

He pondered for a moment and asked again, “What are your plans for the future?”

“My plans? What do you mean, Master Su?” Chen Yushu was taken aback.

“Do you intend to keep learning martial arts here in our pharmacy, or…” Master Su paused, waving his hand. “You’ll see soon enough.”

Despite his many questions, Chen Yushu silently followed. Because of the market day, Jianghuan Town was bustling with people, hawkers calling out, and a troupe performing tricks surrounded by a large crowd. Standing far off, Chen Yushu couldn’t confirm whether the group included his neighbors, the Qin father and son.

Then Master Su led him into a tavern, escorting him upstairs to a private room.

“Master Ma, Old Wu, forgive me for being late,” Master Su entered the room, cupping his hands with a smile.

Chen Yushu’s gaze followed, recognizing everyone inside—they were the middle-aged Daoist who had exorcised the ghost in the pharmacy earlier, and Wu Hong, the official from the Office of Yin Suppression.

Recalling Master Su’s words, Chen Yushu began to guess their intentions.

“No need for such formality, Brother Su. This is the apprentice from your pharmacy, I presume? Indeed, a promising young man,” Wu Hong spoke first, his gaze settling on Chen Yushu.

The middle-aged Daoist beside him also looked at Chen Yushu inquisitively.

“Yushu, let me introduce you. This is Master Ma from Qingsong Temple. The other is Lord Wu Hong from the Office of Yin Suppression. You met them both in the pharmacy last time,” Master Su said, smiling.

“Chen Yushu, at your service. Greetings, Lord Wu, greetings, Master Ma,” Chen Yushu bowed respectfully.

“Good,” Master Ma nodded. “You possess some cultivation, don’t you?”

Chen Yushu remained silent, thoughts whirling rapidly.

“Don’t be nervous. I actually noticed it last time—you already have the cultivation of one incense-stick’s worth. That’s considered entry-level in our field. Last time, there were many matters to attend to, so I didn’t ask in detail. This time, we invited Master Su to bring you, because there are some questions we wish to ask,” Master Ma continued.

Chen Yushu blinked. He had assumed he’d have more time before encountering people from the profession and thought his concealment had been thorough. Now it was clear he hadn’t fooled Master Ma and the others.

But that was only natural. Master Ma was no novice; he possessed three incense-sticks’ worth of cultivation, his talisman skills finely honed, able to cast five spirit talismans in quick succession. They clearly sensed the fierce ghost dissipate, so they knew it was Chen Yushu who banished it. After all, ordinary people—even with talismans—could not exorcise fierce ghosts, nor even see them. It was obvious he belonged to their profession, bearing cultivation.

Moreover, Master Ma surely possessed techniques like Qi Watching, able to discern a person’s spiritual merit.

“So, what do Master Ma and Lord Wu wish to ask?” Chen Yushu finally spoke, relaxing inwardly. This was not a banquet with hidden dangers, after all. Of course, given his abilities, he wasn’t important enough for someone to lay such a trap.

“You’ve learned the path of the Yin Walker, haven’t you? Who taught you? I looked into your village—aside from the old man ten years ago, there’s only Zhong Fa, who has some skills but barely possesses one incense-stick’s worth of cultivation, and his learning is scattered. He could never train a disciple like you,” Wu Hong said.

“I inherited the Li family’s legacy. Li Pei, a former apprentice at our pharmacy, taught me in a dream after his death,” Chen Yushu replied truthfully. Since they had sought him out, they likely already possessed much information about him. There was no need to hide it.

After all, ghosts imparting knowledge in dreams was normal in this world of spirits and monsters. Death did not necessarily mean oblivion. When the soul perishes, that is true death.

“I see. I was the one who sent Li Pei to your pharmacy. Unfortunately, he lacked the aptitude—his spirit was weak, unable to learn the Yin Walker’s arts. I thought martial arts might suit him better, but he insisted on learning the Yin path, which drained his spirit, and his relentless martial training left him frail, leading to his demise…” Wu Hong shook his head.

Chen Yushu remembered Li Pei saying he died from ‘evil’. Ghosts, evil, calamity, misfortune—fierce ghosts were only one level. Evil was above ghosts. Seeing how much trouble the group had with evil spirits and fierce ghosts, he decided to keep silent. Saying anything wouldn’t help, and he could not afford to provoke them.

“If it’s Li brother’s legacy, that makes sense,” Master Ma nodded, then smiled at Chen Yushu. “Would you be interested in joining Qingsong Temple? Since Li brother has passed, it would be fitting for you to transfer into our temple.”

“Our Office of Yin Suppression could use more hands as well. You might consider joining us. Of course, joining our office doesn’t preclude entering Qingsong Temple. If you do, I can guarantee you’ll receive a consultant’s post immediately, with royal stipends and authority above the town’s guards and constables,” Wu Hong added.

“Thank you both for your kind offers. But I am still learning martial arts at the Liu family pharmacy…” Chen Yushu paused, then shook his head.

Master Su, hearing this, smiled broadly.

“Since we invited Master Su, matters regarding the apprentice can be discussed…” Master Ma urged.

“You two mustn’t be too aggressive. Our Liu family pharmacy is no worse than yours. We simply cannot offer much guidance for the Yin Walker’s cultivation. Everything is up to him,” Master Su interrupted, eager to protect Chen Yushu, whose martial aptitude he valued. Exorcising spirits was another path, one he could not help with, so he brought Chen Yushu here to give him options.

“No, thank you. I’d rather focus on martial arts for now. As for the Yin Walker’s path, my sister said I have enough for the time being,” Chen Yushu said, shaking his head.

“Your sister?” Wu Hong frowned.

“She’s surnamed Liu,” Chen Yushu replied.

He had long noticed that both Master Ma and Wu Hong treated someone in his village with great respect—a hint of reverence in their tone. In Beijiao Village, only the old ‘Ghost Granny’ from ten years ago, Liu Qiao’er’s grandmother, could inspire such deference. Though from what he’d heard, the Ghost Granny should be dead, it was unclear why they still feared her. Still, it was a convenient tiger skin to borrow; he had no desire to enter the world of Yin Walkers so soon, especially not the Office of Yin Suppression.

Just from this latest haunting, he’d heard they lost several skilled people—otherwise Wu Hong wouldn’t be so eager in his invitation. He knew his own abilities well; dealing with minor ghosts and evil spirits was barely manageable, but anything more would be disastrous. The Office of Yin Suppression was far too dangerous for him at present.

Qingsong Temple, however, was stronger and more comprehensive in the Yin Walker’s legacy compared to Li Chao’s. He’d witnessed Master Ma’s power firsthand. Had he not entered the pharmacy to learn martial arts, he would have jumped at the chance to join. But now, it was impossible.

He had seen Master Su’s awe-inspiring prowess with his own eyes. Perhaps Master Ma was more specialized in dealing with ghosts, but when it came to warriors possessed by spirits, Master Su was unbeatable. Ghosts were only one form of evil; their profession faced deaths, corpses, even monsters. These beings possessed not only strange powers but formidable physical strength. Without matching martial arts, one could not withstand them.

If he left the pharmacy, where could he learn the complete martial legacy—from internal strength to the vital essence of martial power?

As expected, when Chen Yushu spoke, both Master Ma and Wu Hong’s expressions changed, and after some hesitation, they dropped the subject. Master Su, meanwhile, wore a delighted smile, his cheeks flushed as if intoxicated before even a sip of wine.