Chapter 86: The Startling Swan Sword Technique and the Foundation-Building Pill

After drawing five talismans in succession, Chen Yushu felt his mind growing weary. The creation of this spiritual talisman was, after all, particularly demanding. He was just about to rest when a thought flashed through his mind—the six spiritual talismans described in the first volume of the Dawn Talisman Arts. Of those, he had already mastered the Household Protection Talisman, the Evil Dispelling Talisman, the Calming Talisman, the Ghost Banishment Talisman, and the Lightning Summoning Talisman. There was only one he had neglected, never intentionally studying it: the Fetal Protection Talisman.

He had once thought he would have no use for this talisman in the near future. But recalling his father's words earlier that day—his mother was pregnant—although he had found it hard to process, deep down he was genuinely glad. He was well aware of his own circumstances; whether practicing martial arts or cultivating the path of the Yin Walker, danger was ever-present. His life could end at any moment, leaving his parents to mourn a son lost before his time. If he had a younger brother or sister, it might bring them some comfort and ensure someone was there to care for them.

Thus, Chen Yushu quickly set his mind to mastering the Fetal Protection Talisman. With his previous experience in drawing talismans, and given that this one consisted of only six runes, it was a simple matter for someone at his current level of meditation and stability. In less than half an hour, with a swift movement, he successfully drew a new Fetal Protection Talisman.

“With this, I have mastered all six talismans from the first volume of the Dawn Talisman Arts. The next step is to tackle the contents of the second volume.” The thought of the power and effects of the talismans in the second volume filled him with anticipation. After tidying up, he opened the study door and stepped outside.

He looked around. Xiao Yin was nowhere to be seen. He was not concerned; at night, Xiao Yin often wandered off for an hour or two, sometimes three, always returning on her own. She claimed she was just out playing, that she had made a new friend with whom she often romped until late. Chen Yushu did not know what life was like for Xiao Yin when she was with Sister Qiao’er, but as long as she returned on time, he didn’t worry.

He then stood in the courtyard and began to practice the Suppression of Yin technique. He now wielded this art with great proficiency. When performed, it might seem calm to outsiders, but it exerted immense pressure on ghosts and spirits. Chen Yushu formed a seal with his hands, fingers flickering quickly, then pressed down.

Boom!

With a single execution of the Suppression of Yin, dust swirled as a force pressed downward, the momentum impressive. Suppression of Yin +3. Suppression of Yin: Proficient (153/200). This was the result of his dedicated practice over recent days. Having reached proficiency, he was not far from true mastery, and only then could he generate such a powerful force, enough to compress the air itself.

After each sequence, Chen Yushu rested briefly before repeating the technique, again and again, until his incense power was exhausted. He paused for breath, then, as if recalling something, reached into his robes and drew out a jade pendant—the Phoenix Jade Pendant that Miss Liu Qingyan had given him that morning.

“This jade pendant is not only beautifully crafted and of fine quality, but is in fact an antique artifact. It can regulate the surrounding energies, ward off evil, and deflect malevolent forces. Moreover, it is highly effective in exorcising ghosts.” Chen Yushu had long known the value of such artifacts. Uncle Zhong from Beijiao Village had once used an old bell to help him deal with a little ghost. When the apothecary was haunted, many people had produced such artifacts to drive away evil for the martial artists.

“The pendant alone is worth at least fifty or sixty taels of silver. As an artifact, it is even more valuable; at a critical moment, it could save a life, perhaps even withstand a full-force blow from a vengeful ghost.” Chen Yushu carefully sensed the unique energy within the pendant, making his assessment. He couldn’t help but marvel at Liu Qingyan’s generosity. Settling into meditation, he began to restore his spiritual strength after his cultivation.

Half an hour later, Chen Yushu opened his eyes. “Lately, Xiao Yin has been coming back later and later,” he mused, a hint of worry on his face. He quickly used his Qi-Gazing Art and saw Xiao Yin hopping into the house, waving behind her as if bidding farewell to someone.

Chen Yushu was about to scold her when he saw, right behind Xiao Yin, a little girl in red, also waving, reluctant to leave. Alarm shot through him—a ghost in red! A vengeful spirit? Even though she appeared as a young girl, she was a true vengeful ghost. Her red dress was formed of condensed fiendish energy; only her shoes remained grayish-white. If the shoes turned red, she would become a most fearsome vengeful ghost, far more dangerous than ordinary ones.

In his meditative state, the little girl in red also noticed him immediately. Floating in mid-air, she glanced at him, then silently withdrew. Chen Yushu breathed a sigh of relief. If such a ghost lost control, he might not be able to deal with her, even with all his talismans.

“Goodbye, Little Red!” Xiao Yin waved energetically, then noticed Chen Yushu and bounced over. “Brother Yushu, are you done?”

“Yes. That was your friend, Little Red, just now?” Chen Yushu asked, a slight headache coming on.

“That’s right! You know, last time Little Red chased after me, but she didn’t want to hurt me—she just wanted to play. She even took me to her house. It’s huge! We walked for ages and met her grandpa. But her grandpa was scary and told my sister to return something to him quickly. My sister can’t even find him, so I ignored him.” Xiao Yin giggled.

“Little Red’s family has a grandpa? And Sister Qiao’er borrowed something from him? What was it?” Chen Yushu asked in surprise, a chill creeping into his heart. He had always known that place was dangerous, but not this dangerous. A little girl was a vengeful ghost, and her grandfather was clearly something even greater. Above vengeful ghosts were ‘Evil Spirits.’ How powerful were such beings? Just look at the Li family—Li Chao, with three sticks of incense worth of cultivation, was killed through trickery, nearly wiping out the whole clan. And in the Zuo family’s mansion, there were probably more than just Little Red and her grandfather—the parents, the servants… The more he thought about it, the more it sent chills down his spine. To call that place a haunted house was an understatement—it was a haunted manor.

“Yeah, I think it was a rope. Last time, my sister took me to Little Red’s house and borrowed the rope from her grandpa. He agreed at the time, but now he’s pestering me for it. Hmph, bullying children! I’m not even going to give him a message,” Xiao Yin huffed.

“A rope?” Chen Yushu guessed it must be something very powerful. As for the so-called borrowing, perhaps it hadn’t been so simple. Given Xiao Yin’s tale that her sister had beaten Little Red badly, it was likely that she had fought her way in, or used some means of coercion to get the item from Little Red’s grandpa.

“In any case, Sister Qiao’er must be extremely powerful—at least stronger than Daoist Song,” Chen Yushu surmised, a sense of awe for her rising in his heart for the first time.

With that, Chen Yushu returned to his room to meditate and visualize the White Tiger.

Incense Power +1

The next day, after completing his daily training, Chen Yushu headed straight for the apothecary. He went directly to the second-floor training hall, where, to his surprise, Third Miss Liu Qingyan was practicing a sword technique while his master, Su Ming, watched and occasionally offered pointers. The mysterious geomancer, Lu Yizhi, was not present.

Standing to the side, Chen Yushu dared not interrupt. Liu Qingyan wielded her sword deftly; the blade flickered and trembled as if alive. Sometimes it flashed as swiftly as a startled swan, sometimes it seemed slower, yet every motion was exquisitely subtle and masterful. Her final thrust appeared slow, yet was actually astonishingly fast, accompanied by a clear sword hum. Chen Yushu’s eyes widened—an average martial artist, misled by the apparent slowness, would have no idea how they had been struck down. There would be no way to evade it.

“Excellent. Your Startled Swan Sword is coming along nicely. It seems you’re close to true proficiency?” Su Ming praised.

“It’s nothing compared to your own skill, Uncle Su,” Liu Qingyan replied modestly.

“I am getting old.” Su Ming waved a hand and smiled at his disciple. “You’re here.”

“Master. Miss Liu,” Chen Yushu greeted them respectfully.

“No need for formality,” Liu Qingyan responded, her eyes brightening. “Uncle Su, how is your disciple progressing?”

“He’s just begun external training,” Su Ming replied.

“Has he learned a martial art?” Liu Qingyan turned to Chen Yushu.

“My master taught me a saber technique,” Chen Yushu answered honestly.

“Show me,” Liu Qingyan requested.

Seeing his master’s nod, Chen Yushu did not refuse. He took up a long saber, slashed swiftly, and moved with sudden speed, unleashing one stroke after another. In a flash, a cascade of saber light poured forth; with his final strike, three layers of blade light merged into one, the air resounding with a thunderous crack.

“Eighteen-Linked Sabers? And you’ve already reached proficiency?” Liu Qingyan’s face showed surprise. “Uncle Su, your disciple is indeed extraordinary. His talent with the blade is no less than yours in youth.” She added meaningfully, “I had thought of arranging some protection for him, but with his skill, there is little need to worry about his safety. In any case, Tianyuan Mountain is not especially dangerous.”

With that, she tidied up, nodded to Chen Yushu, and left.

“Master, what was that about?” Chen Yushu asked, sensing something.

“Miss Liu has invited you to join her party on the day after tomorrow to collect medicinal herbs at Tianyuan Mountain near Qianjia Village. They’ve realized you are a Yin Walker, so they wish to ask for your help. I agreed. You won’t be helping for nothing—I secured a Foundation Pill for you from Miss Liu,” Su Ming explained.