As dawn broke, Duan Changzai gathered the items he needed to take and left with Lu Zheng.
They exited the peach grove.
Duan Changzai frowned, “Did we forget something?”
Lu Zheng paused, then shook his head, “No, we’ve got the ghost python and scorpion corpse.”
Duan Changzai nodded, “Right, both creatures are dead.”
They walked a bit further.
“Really nothing else?”
Lu Zheng thought for a moment, “Really nothing.”
They exchanged a glance.
“Daoist Yuanjing!”
“Senior Brother Yuanjing!”
In the middle of the night, they, along with Shen Ying, had slain the scorpion demon and ghost python, then went to Peach Blossom Manor to sort things out, completely forgetting that Yuanjing had said he’d catch up later.
Could he… have been searching the forest all night?
They shared a look, turned in unison, and hurried back to the city without a word.
Upon reaching the city and asking the yamen runners, they learned Yuanjing had indeed headed into the mountains as soon as his injuries improved, and he still hadn’t returned.
“The case is closed now, so I’ll head back to the prefecture office to report,” Duan Changzai said. “If you ever visit Yizhou Prefecture, Young Master Lu, come find me at the Anomaly Suppression Office for a drink.”
“After last night’s battle, why not rest at my place, Lord Duan?”
“No, no,” Duan Changzai waved it off. “I’m off. Until we meet again, farewell!”
He gave a few instructions to Liu, the head constable waiting nearby, then took a horse from a runner, mounted it, and rode off.
Lu Zheng: ~_~
…
That afternoon, at Lu Zheng’s home.
“So you just forgot about me?” Yuanjing sipped his tea, his expression calm.
Lu Zheng stood to refill Yuanjing’s cup, smiling broadly, “It was just one thing after another, too much going on. Please forgive me, Senior Brother. Look, I’ve already used the scorpion demon’s venom sac to brew some wine. In a few days, I’ll bring it up the mountain to honor you and Master.”
Yuanjing nodded, glancing at the jar in the corner, “The scorpion’s venom sac is potent. Three days of soaking should suffice, enough for ten jars.”
Lu Zheng exclaimed, “Senior Brother, you know your stuff!”
Yuanjing smiled faintly, “I’ve killed… Never mind, it’s nothing…”
He’d meant to boast a bit, but recalling that both times he appeared before Lu Zheng, he was gravely injured by demons, he let it drop.
“By the way, how did you meet that Madam Shen?” Yuanjing asked suddenly.
“Met her while sightseeing at Peach Blossom Ridge,” Lu Zheng replied calmly.
Yuanjing rubbed his chin, thought for a moment, and finally said, “Alright, just be mindful.”
Lu Zheng gave an awkward laugh.
“Oh, Senior Brother, Master taught me the *Five Curses Technique* and the *Binding Curse*, but I’ve hit some snags. Since you’re here, I’d love to pick your brain.”
Yuanjing was taken aback, “The *Five Curses Technique* and the *Binding Curse*?”
“Yeah!”
“The *Five Curses Technique* is one thing, but the *Binding Curse* is tough to master. I haven’t even started on it,” Yuanjing said, surprised and a touch envious. “Must be because you progressed so fast with the *Five Talisman Method* and the Transport Technique. Master has high hopes for you.”
“Heh, really?”
Yuanjing nodded, “Yeah, even Master hasn’t learned it.”
Lu Zheng blinked, deciding to keep that tidbit to himself.
So, Lu Zheng consulted Yuanjing about the *Five Curses Technique*. Yuanjing stayed for lunch at Lu Zheng’s home before leaving.
…
That afternoon, Lu Zheng crossed back to the modern world to perform acupuncture for Lin Wan.
That evening, under the desk lamp, he began studying the *White Bamboo Curse*.
The curses in the *White Bamboo Curse* weren’t so much for direct combat as for tormenting people.
The Soul-Sealing Curse sealed the target’s spiritual light, leaving them dazed and miserable daily.
The Gold-Melting Curse drained the target’s essence and marrow, causing excruciating death.
The Yang-Dissolving Curse stripped the target’s yang energy, feminizing men and rendering them impotent.
The Yin-Gathering Curse drew yin energy into the body at night, eventually causing death like a stiffened corpse.
The Nightmare Curse, an enhanced hypnosis, forced the target to have nightmares every night about specific people or things.
There were others, like the Gluttony Curse and the Bone-Softening Curse, among many.
“What kind of nonsense is this… Is this something a righteous cultivator would practice?”
Lu Zheng cursed aloud, then studied it even more intently.
For three days straight.
“*Five Curses Technique*, enhanced!”
“*White Bamboo Curse*, enhanced!”
Eleven strands of fate light consumed, and several curses were now second nature.
Leaving aside the *White Bamboo Curse*, the *Five Curses Technique* was an upgrade of the *Five Talisman Method*, executable with true qi and hand seals, quick and convenient.
The biggest change was the Peace Talisman, upgraded to the Golden Light Curse, a protective technique. Last night, Yuanjing had blocked a fatal strike from the ghost python by preemptively applying a Golden Light Curse.
The Qi-Seeking Talisman’s upgrade, the Qi-Observing Technique, sounded impressive but still couldn’t actually see qi.
The Evil-Dispelling Curse, Swift Travel Technique, and Breath-Concealing Technique didn’t even change names.
…
8 p.m., Haicheng, Qing’an Temple.
Lu Zheng recalled the conversation he overheard while treating Lin Wan that day, between her and Huang Xiumin.
After a ritual at Qing’an Temple brought five days of peace, Liu Yifan had taken up residence there.
No matter where he went or how recklessly he behaved during the day, he always returned to the temple’s guest room to sleep at night.
And, remarkably, another five days passed without the ghost infant appearing.
As a result…
True or not, Qing’an Temple’s reputation soared among the wealthy, with many rich merchants and executives coming to burn incense and pray.
“The Buddha’s unfair, protecting a scoundrel like him!” Huang Xiumin complained.
“What era is this? You’re still praying to Buddha. Find evidence, arrest him at his door, and see if Qing’an Temple’s Buddha or Bodhisattva stops you.”
Huang Xiumin sounded sheepish, “Liu Yifan’s clever. There’s no direct evidence pointing to him.”
…
At this thought, Lu Zheng looked up.
With the *White Bamboo Curse* in hand, he no longer worried about Liu Yifan fleeing the country. He could act freely.
“I’m a law-abiding citizen. I’d never do anything listed in the criminal code.”
Lu Zheng gazed at the brightly lit Qing’an Temple.
“But the criminal code doesn’t say anything about casting curses, does it? So it’s not a crime, and I’m not breaking my promise to Lin Wan.”
Flawless logic, no issues!
…
The autumn breeze was bleak, fallen leaves drifting.
At dusk, ghosts roamed.
Lu Zheng strolled to the outside of Qing’an Temple, looking up at the grand, ancient yet recently renovated temple.
“Woo—”
A car slowed behind him. Lu Zheng turned and saw a stretched Mercedes pull up to the curb.
The back door opened, and a young man stepped out, bending slightly—it was Liu Yifan.
