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Chapter 48: Spirit Talismans and Manuals
Chapter 48: Spirit Talismans and Manuals
Chu Ning looked up at Zhuang Yunde once more. He noticed that the other man also heaved a sigh of relief after Zhang Zhishi and the others had left.
Zhuang Yunde turned back and smiled at Chu Ning, "Finally, they're gone. The Enforcement Hall is the last group anyone wants to see within the sect. They tend to blow minor issues out of proportion."
Chu Ning smiled in response, finding the situation rather amusing. Zhuang Yunde's fear of the Enforcement Hall likely had less to do with Qi Chongmao's case or any other specific incident. It was probably due to his clandestine dealings with the menial disciples.
Of course, while these thoughts crossed Chu Ning's mind, he didn't voice them. Instead, he asked curiously, "Senior Brother Zhuang, who is Qi Chongmao?"
"He's missing," Zhuang Yunde replied nonchalantly. "It's not uncommon for a menial disciple or two to go missing from time to time. Some might have run away, while others could have met with accidents."
Chu Ning's eyebrows furrowed in confusion, and he asked, "Will the sect keep investigating?"
Zhuang Yunde scoffed, "You're overthinking this. He's just a menial disciple. If he goes missing, they'll go through the motions, but these cases rarely lead to anything. The only change you'll see is an increase in their patrols from the mountain gate to the market street."
Zhuang Yunde smiled at Chu Ning, "For you, it's actually a good thing. Traveling to and from the mountain gate will be safer. But don't worry too much; it's rare for cultivators to be ambushed near Qingxi Zong. I suspect Qi Chongmao simply ran away."
"Ran away?" Chu Ning echoed in surprise.
Zhuang Yunde nodded, "Some menial disciples find sect life too austere and see no future in their cultivation, so they run away. They might end up in a minor clan or even the mortal world, where they can live as esteemed guests. But if they're tracked down by the Enforcement Hall, well... let's just say they're not very smart."
Chu Ning's expression reflected his newfound understanding, and he sighed. "The sect will never find Qi Chongmao because he's already turned to ash," he thought to himself.
Zhuang Yunde didn't linger and left after a brief chat. Chu Ning slowly made his way toward the mountain gate.
Previously, he had been concerned that someone might discover Qi Chongmao's disappearance, but now he felt completely at ease. If Zhuang Yunde was right, the sect wouldn't pursue the matter internally, and the Enforcement Hall's external investigation had nothing to do with him.
Chu Ning arrived at the mountain gate and met up with Qiu Shuny and Lyu Xingyuan, who had been waiting for him. Together, they headed toward Qinghe Fang.
Along the way, Chu Ning noticed the increased presence of Enforcement Hall disciples and felt relieved. At least now, their return journey after shopping in the market would be less nerve-wracking.
In truth, the route from Qingxi Zong to the market town was quite safe. Low-level disciples traveled back and forth frequently, and incidents were rare. However, since Chu Ning had experienced an ambush before, he remained cautious.
The Yunhai Pavilion auction took place once every two months, so Chu Ning found the market town less bustling than it had been the previous month. Their shopping trip was shorter, and Chu Ning purchased some talisman paper and a few manuals before returning to the sect.
After bidding farewell to Qiu Shuny and the others, Chu Ning made his way directly to the outer gate, a place he had visited a few times and now knew well. However, this was his first time visiting Mu Ling's courtyard.
She had left her storage bag in the talisman-making room, so she didn't have it with her.
As soon as Chu Ning stepped inside, he froze.
In what appeared to be a study, there was a table in the center.
Upon it were talisman brushes and special ink for talisman-making, along with several books and stacks of talisman paper.
There were both completed talismans and blank sheets.
However, these were not the reason for Chu Ning's astonished expression. The true cause was the ash scattered all over the study floor—undoubtedly the remains of talisman paper that had failed to be crafted and had burned itself out.
Mu Ling seemed to realize this as well, and she let out a soft "Oh," before continuing, "Hmm, the talisman I was researching today is quite tricky to make. I wasted quite a few sheets of paper.
Just a moment, let me tidy up."
Hearing Mu Ling's nonchalant tone, Chu Ning's eyes twitched slightly.
So, this was just the waste from a single day's work, and she seemed so accustomed to it? This young lady wasn't crafting talismans; she was burning money.
As Chu Ning thought this, Mu Ling flipped through the books on the table and pulled out two talismans.
"Found them! Cleaning Talismans."
As soon as she finished speaking, Mu Ling activated the talismans and threw them out.
Her extravagant action caused Chu Ning's eyes to twitch once more.
Even he knew the simple spell for cleaning, and surely Mu Ling did as well. Why would she need to use talismans for such a minor task?
The ways of the rich were truly incomprehensible to the poor.
Mu Ling, pleased with herself, looked at the now-clean room and clapped her hands. "Much better.
Oh, right, take out the talisman paper you bought and put it here."
As she spoke, Mu Ling pointed to the table in front of her.
Chu Ning immediately took out the "purchased" 1,000 sheets of talisman paper from his storage bag and placed them on the table.
Mu Ling picked up a few sheets to examine, then nodded in satisfaction. "Good quality, as always. Here are the spirit stones for next month's purchase."
She took out 22 spirit stones from her storage bag and handed them to Chu Ning.
However, Chu Ning's attention was completely captured by the books on the table, and he forgot to reach out to take them.
Introduction to Talismans
Thirteen Types of Lower-Grade Elementary Talismans
Basic Elementary Talismans
Spirit Talismans
…
The talisman-crafting techniques that Chu Ning had always wanted were right here on this table, with four or five books on the subject.
Mu Ling followed Chu Ning's gaze and noticed his eyes fixed on the books. Her bright eyes shone with a hint of excitement.
"Oh? Chu Ning, you're interested in talismans, too?"
Chu Ning snapped out of his trance and nodded. "Now that I know how to make talisman paper, I really want to learn how to craft talismans as well."
"I can teach you," Mu Ling offered enthusiastically.
Just as Chu Ning looked up in surprise, Mu Ling shook her head. "Oh, wait, these talisman techniques were given to me by my grandaunt from the sect.
There are rules in the sect that prevent me from teaching them to others casually.
Oh, but I have an idea…"
~ An additional chapter will be released at 8 PM tonight ~
(End of Chapter)
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