{"id":16698,"date":"2022-08-06T14:00:42","date_gmt":"2022-08-06T18:00:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/betwixtedbutterfly.com\/translations\/?p=16698"},"modified":"2022-08-06T13:21:51","modified_gmt":"2022-08-06T17:21:51","slug":"pttp034","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/betwixtedbutterfly.com\/translations\/pttp034\/","title":{"rendered":"Part-Time Taoist Priest 34"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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<< Chapter 33<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Project Page<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Chapter 35 >><\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Borrowing Soldiers from the City God<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Never mind Xie Lingya, even Shi Changxuan had never heard that the supernatural army could pilot fighter jets. What a joke!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you break it down carefully, the theory should be:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In funeral ceremonies, most of the wealthy people in ancient times buried real money and utensils so that they could enjoy them in death. The common people could only make imitations from paper to use in the netherworld. These paper products were definitely not as good as the real things. That was why there were many stories of spirits visiting family in their dreams asking for more paper offerings because they weren\u2019t living well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Such paper products, while functional in the netherworld, fell apart quickly due to the low durability of paper.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Think about how frail papier-m\u00e2ch\u00e9 was\u2014even if a fighter jet was made and burnt as an offering, how long could it fly before it disintegrated?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Of course, these discussions were meaningless. The ghostly soldiers did not battle in the same way as humans. Humans needed aircrafts to fly in the sky but ghosts could fly themselves. Humans needed weapons but ghosts could cast spells\u2014as long as they weren\u2019t like Qin Limin, who learnt a trick that only worked with candlelight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Xiao Liang smugly looked at them being silent. He thought he had surprised them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou\u2026 should study more.\u201d Xie Lingya thought for a long time and settled on saying that. Had the kid been more well read on Taoism, he wouldn\u2019t have believed that the supernatural army could pilot jet fighters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Xiao Liang harrumphed: \u201cI graduated high school!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Xie Lingya: \u201c……\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At this time, Master Zhao had finished the talisman. With wind under his feet, he marched towards the second floor with his sword.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elder Zhu\u2019s room was upstairs. Mr. Zhu hurried after Master Zhao, who despite his age was hard to keep up with.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Madam Zhu also hurried after them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDo you want to come and witness the miracle?\u201d Xiao Liang laughed, walking confidently.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Xie Lingya: \u201c……\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They had to wait anyway if they stayed downstairs, so Xie Lingya and Shi Changxuan headed upstairs together. Xie Lingya had just opened his Sight. Arriving on the second floor, the first thing he saw was not Master Zhao or Elder Zhu, but a room full of spirits squishing up against each other.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He reconsidered entering and just stopped at the entrance. It was just too crowded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elder Zhu was lying on the bed, his brow furrowed deeply. A horde of ghosts piled on top of his body and took turns harassing him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Master Zhao noticed none of this. He sat down on the bed and lifted Elder Zhu. He stuffed the talisman into the elderly man\u2019s shirt and drew symbols on him with the tip of his sword while reciting an incantation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mr. Zhu and Madam Zhu were standing by the bed and stared intently at their father\u2019s face, having no idea that they were standing amidst a crowd of ghosts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After a while, Elder Zhu opened his eyes with difficulty and moved slightly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Xiao Liang triumphantly looked around.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Almost everyone\u2019s gaze was attracted by Master Zhao\u2019s gestures when he drew the symbols. Xie Lingya, however, had seen clearly how Master Zhao had pressed on Elder Zhu\u2019s back and neck several times with one hand while he drew the symbols with the other.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elder Zhu was just sleeping for longer and longer but he was not in a coma. Xie Lingya knew that Master Zhao could not call upon the army of the Netherworld. Rather than magic, he felt that Master Zhao had some understanding of Chinese medicine and stimulated Elder Zhu\u2019s acupuncture points to wake him up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cLao\u2019da, Lao\u2019er\u2026\u201d Elder Zhu yelled out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His two children rushed to his side. \u201cDad, dad, are you alright now?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMy body\u2026 feels heavy.\u201d Elder Zhu said. After panting a few breaths, he closed his eyes again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Master Zhao calmly let go of him and said, \u201cElder Zhu has been haunted by ghosts for too long. Although I subdued those spirits and put a talisman on him, he could only wake up for a moment. He needs time to rest and get back to health. Be at ease, the problem was solved.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mr. Zhu was completely convinced by Master Zhao. It was ironic. The previous master he had hired did have some abilities. He lost in the magic duel and spat blood from his injury. This Master Zhao on the other hand did nothing and was unharmed. However, he did manage to rouse Elder Zhu for a moment, leading Mr. Zhu to think that he was better.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI have to perform an exorcism at the provincial capital tomorrow. I need to take my leave,\u201d Master Zhao said, flicking his sleeves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cLet me send you off!\u201d Mr. Zhu replied.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHold on, my dad isn\u2019t awake yet.\u201d Madam Zhu stopped them. She was half-believing before but she was more straightforward in personality. It was simple to her, Elder Zhu was only awake for a moment, shouldn\u2019t Master Zhao wait till he was fully healed?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDid you not listen to Master Zhao? It\u2019s all right now, he just needs to rest and recover his health!\u201d Mr. Zhu exclaimed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhy isn\u2019t he awake if he is alright, then?\u201d Madam Zhu asked, raising her eyebrows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c……\u201d Mr. Zhu was speechless by her logic, \u201dYou are simply making trouble. You go ahead then, can the people you hire make Dad recover right away? \u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cVery good, let\u2019s do it!\u201d Madam Zhu shouted back immediately.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After shouting, she realized she hadn\u2019t yet asked Xie Lingya if he could do it. But then again, remembering what Tang Qi said about his abilities, she regained her confidence. She coughed and said, \u201cTeacher Xie, why don\u2019t the two of you begin?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Xie Lingya nodded. \u201cAlright. Let me set up an altar on this floor.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSure, let\u2019s take a look then!\u201d Mr. Zhu said fiercely. When he then turned to Master Zhao, his expression changed to a kind one. \u201c My apologies, Master. Please wait a while longer, I will have a car prepared to take you back.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Master Zhao was not afraid either. He\u2019d guessed that these two youngsters were probably of the same\u2026 profession as himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He was prepared for everything. He had done something to the talisman on Elder Zhu. Tomorrow, after he left for the provincial capital, if Elder Zhu did not recover and Mr Zhu looked for him, he would tell him to take off the talisman. Then, he would say that someone had broken his spell and there was someone malicious in the household.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With this thought in mind, Master Zhao sat down to watch with Xiao Liang next to him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cTeacher Xie, Shi Daozhang<\/em>, can you also invite those armies?\u201d Madam Zhu asked and added, \u201cWe need to pay back an eye for an eye!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She asked because one of the masters said that her father was haunted by ghosts on order of someone, and Master Zhao also summoned a supernatural army. She was feeling a bit competitive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Xie Lingya and Shi Changxuan were silent for a while.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Xie Lingya couldn\u2019t, but Shi Changxuan could. Although it was not an area his family specialized in and he didn\u2019t normally summon the ghostly soldiers, he knew how.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There were indeed a lot of ghosts in that room. Ordinary people might think that summoning a bunch of Netherworld soldiers to fight against the ghosts would be a better choice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But they didn\u2019t know how to explain to Madam Zhu that it would be time consuming to summon the soldiers and even more time for them to fight it out. It would\u2019ve been much faster if they let Xie Lingya go in with his sword and perform a violent suppression\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But Madam Zhu had made her point and she didn\u2019t want to be the butt of a joke. She whispered, \u201cIf there is difficulty, I will add another 100,000 yuan.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Xie Lingya: \u201cAhem<\/em>, no, no problem. \u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He thought, well, since Madam Zhu had such a request, he would try his best to satisfy it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Xie Lingya and Shi Changxuan discussed how to divide the work. Of course, Shi Changxuan was the one who set up the altar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At this time, Shi Changxuan heard Pokeweed say in his ear, \u201cSummon the gods and bless the soldiers, let the altar be set by Lingya.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Xie Lingya noticed Shi Changxuan\u2019s hesitation. \u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shi Changxuan whispered to him that Pokeweed wanted him to set up the altar instead. This should also be Pokeweed\u2019s prediction that it would be better for Xie Lingya to do it rather than Shi Changxuan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Xie Lingya couldn\u2019t hold back his exclamation, \u201cBut I don\u2019t know how!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shi Changxuan: \u201c\u2026\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Xie Lingya: \u201c\u2026\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Sitting next to his master, Xiao Liang kept watching the two of them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After setting up the altar, they did not commence with the ritual right away. Instead, one of them was whispering something to the other, and the other was making gestures while listening and moving his lips slightly, as if silently memorizing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Xiao Liang could not help but utter, \u201cAre you just learning now?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He voiced everyone\u2019s suspicions. In fact, even Madam Zhu was a little dazed. At first, she thought they were making preparations, but after preparing for so long, it looked like they were learning on the spot \u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When Xie Lingya heard this, he immediately retorted: \u201cNo, I am not. We are discussing strategy!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Xiao Liang said dumbfounded: \u201cHow could discussing strategy take so long? You don\u2019t actually know, do you?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Xie Lingya replied with conviction, \u201cWhy would we take this job if we didn\u2019t have the skills? Your ghost army can fly fighter jets, can\u2019t our soldiers use formations?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Xiao Liang: \u201c……\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When others thought about it, at least the first half of what he said made sense. If they really didn\u2019t know how to do anything, wouldn\u2019t they be worried of getting caught?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Xie Lingya turned back to Shi Changxuan. \u201cThere are still a few more paragraphs. Quickly, let me finish memorizing them.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shi Changxuan: \u201c……\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When Xie Lingya was ready, he started the ritual to summon the army.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFragrance of the incense reaches all directions, Pray for the mighty spirit to come forth!\u201d Xie Lingya walked in the formation of the celestial constellations and curled his fingers into a seal. His expression was much more serious than before.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What surprised Xiao Liang was that Xie Lingya\u2019s aura was no less than his own master.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even Master Zhao didn\u2019t expect this kid to look so experienced at such a young age.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He was in this business for so many years, and he had met many colleagues. He could tell from the small details what they were worth as soon as they opened their mouths or set up the altar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Just from looking at the aura of this young man, he knew that Xie Lingya could bluff very well. No wonder he dared to take this job.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Xie Lingya didn\u2019t know that he was being compared by Master Zhao to a liar. He was reciting a long prayer, holding a sword in his hand, and summoning the ghostly army.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Darkness had descended upon the night sky outside. As Xie Lingya recited the line, \u201cWelcome the mighty spirit\u201d, the temperature indoors dropped by a few degrees suddenly. Goosebumps formed on the bare skin of everyone present.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This abnormality didn\u2019t happen during Master Zhao\u2019s performance just now. Master Zhao himself was a little puzzled. What is this? Did this kid have an accomplice here in the Zhu family?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For those who traversed the underbelly of society, there were a myriad of tricks. Smoke and mirrors were common and there were even cons and deception that were passed down from ancient times, scams handed down every generation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There were some records in the \u201cBaoyang Notes\u201d of con artists that the previous masters of Baoyang Temple met on their travels. The notes included how the masters thought the con was carried out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Like the trick involving a fairy\u2019s descent to the mortal realm was performed by using aerial rope tricks. The black ropes used were virtually invisible at night and some visual obstruction like curtains provided additional distraction to the audience. After the \u2018fairy\u2019 made a swoop above their heads, some excuse would be provided by the scammers to let the \u2018fairy\u2019 leave and not actually descend to preserve the deception.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This type of trickery was considered a big con. It required premeditation and collaborators. There was a common saying within the circles of con artists that those with brains could work as a ritual master while those lacking in intelligence could perform acrobatics on the streets. The methods used by both were similar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Of course, tricks like that were no good in this day and age. Some tricks were also debunked by science. However, the con artists and scammers would also improve their techniques over time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Feeling the sudden drop in temperature, Master Zhao\u2019s first thought was that Xie Lingya had another accomplice in his group or he had bribed someone in the Zhu family.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Xie Lingya on the other hand glanced around to see how many netherworld soldiers he managed to summon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At this moment, a man wearing ancient-style clothes flew into the room through the window. After entering, he looked around and floated over to Xie Lingya.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Xie Lingya glanced behind him and asked disappointedly, \u201cJust one of you?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It was supposed to be a horrifying scene when Xie Lingya spoke to empty air. But when he said \u201cJust one of you\u201d, everyone turned speechless.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is this here? Master Zhao had millions of soldiers under his banner and had claimed to have summoned a hundred thousand. Is it not too simple and cheap that you only summoned one?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It was Xie Lingya\u2019s first time summoning spirits but he unexpectedly encountered a rare setback.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A touch of embarrassment appeared on the ghost\u2019s face, and he immediately bowed his hand at Xie Lingya, \u201cI am Zhang Shan, a lishi<\/em>1<\/a><\/sup>foot soldier<\/span> from the Niuyang City God Temple. I am here humbly awaiting the command of Teacher Xie.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Xie Lingya was amused, \u201dYou even know that everyone calls me Teacher Xie.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zhang Shan: \u201c……\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When Shi Changxuan heard the ghost\u2019s self introduction, there was a flash of surprise. He coughed lightly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Xie Lingya came back to his senses, he seemed to have missed the main point. He said, \u201cI\u2019m sorry, I\u2019m sorry. I see you are the lishi<\/em> from the City God Temple.\u201d If that\u2019s the case, even one would be enough.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Madam Zhu exclaimed: \u201cCity God Temple? Shi Daozhang<\/em>, this means that a civil servant from the underworld is summoned? \u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Damn, she thought to herself, this is much cooler compared to big brother!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Xiao Liang looked back to his master dumbly. Master Zhao couldn\u2019t help but roll his eyes. He felt that this kid was still young but acted cunning like an old fox. Even boasting of summoning a warrior from the City God Temple.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As mentioned earlier, a practitioner might rear their own army or conscript them. The conscription could either summon wandering spirits from the vicinity or borrow the troops residing in temples.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The city gods were local officials of the netherworld and the guardian gods of their locality. They were equivalent to their counterparts in the human realm like county magistrates and mayors. Just like in the human world, the city gods had ranks going up corresponding to the counties or provinces they oversee.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The post of city gods were usually occupied by heroes who died in the region. Under the city gods were \u2018civil servants\u2019, the so-called lishi<\/em>, who would be chosen from wandering spirits by merits. Once these ghosts had a job they were no longer adrift\u2014it could be considered a compassionate gesture of the city gods.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But borrowing troops from the temples was much more difficult than summoning wild spirits. First, the practitioner needed to have a good relationship with the city god and second, the practitioner must be skilled and powerful. Spirits that were employed by the city god temples were the best chosen from hundreds and thousands of ghosts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the words of Master Zhao, the performance was more compelling than summoning ordinary ghosts!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Look at this young man here, his performance was very good. It was as if there was really a ghost in front of him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Xie Lingya told Zhang Shan: \u201cThe situation is that the master of this residence, Mr. Zhu Ding Feng, is haunted by ghosts on someone\u2019s orders. I\u2019m entrusted by the family to expel the ghosts.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zhang San replied with understanding, \u201cLeave this to me. I will immediately chain these ghosts and detain them for a few days. I\u2019ll leave one for Teacher Xie to interrogate. \u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Xie Lingya smiled. As expected from an officer of the netherworld, he really knew how to get things done. \u201cSure.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hm, this section was a little lacking. How could one speak vernacular when communicating with soldiers from the temples? He should use more classical Chinese if he wanted the trust of the clients. Although Master Zhao hadn\u2019t figured out how the temperature was lowered, he finally found a flaw and felt in his heart that young people were still too young.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At this time, Zhang Shan hovered into the room bringing a gust of chilly wind behind him. As an actual employee of the city god temple, his power was unmatched to those wild spirits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The chilly wind gave everyone a hair-raising shiver.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This was far more terrifying than a simple drop in temperature because the windows on this floor were not opened. Where was the wind coming from?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Master Zhao\u2019s face paled, and he froze on the spot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Xie Lingya went up to the room and looked in through the doorway. Madam Zhu and the others hurriedly followed. They were about to step into the room, but saw that Xie Lingya did not go in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mr. Zhu remembered that this person didn\u2019t go in previously. Due to the latest development, his tone was much better when he spoke, \u201cWell, teacher, why don\u2019t you go in?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Xie Lingya: \u201cI\u2019d rather not. It\u2019s too crowded inside.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Everyone felt another chill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Xie Lingya saw Zhang San holding a command token in his hand and easily chained up the wild spirits one after another. The token was probably given by the city god, another benefit for the civil servants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zhang San chained up all the ghosts, leaving only one. He escorted the lone ghost to Xie Lingya, then clasped his fists together in a salute. \u201cMission accomplished.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThank you, lishi<\/em>.\u201d Xie Lingya returned to the altar and burned ingots and coins of joss paper he prepared in advance to thank Zhang San.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zhang San smiled embarrassedly: \u201cHow embarrassing is this? I\u2019m just following orders, how can I take money from Teacher Xie.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shi Changxuan was surprised for the second time. It was still within reason that Xie Lingya could summon a lishi<\/em> on his first conscription with that talent of his; Shi Changxuan was almost used to it. However, he had never heard of the netherworld civil servants refusing benefits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In large ceremonies, for example the Ghost Festival, priests would summon lishi<\/em> to help corral the ghosts. Food and wine, and joss paper were expected compensation for their service. Since when did they become so generous to refuse compensation?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Xie Lingya didn\u2019t know so much. He continued to burn the joss paper and finished all that he prepared: \u201cI\u2019ve asked for your help and it is only appropriate. I would be embarrassed if you didn\u2019t take it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He thought to himself, it\u2019s cheap anyway, 3,000 ingots was only 20 or 30 yuan, everything here didn\u2019t exceed 100 yuan\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zhang San shyly accepted money, and said: \u201cThen I will duly accept and not delay Teacher Xie\u2019s business. By the way, the lord asked me to say hello to you on his behalf.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Xie Lingya\u2019s smile froze, \u201cLord? Who?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zhang San: \u201c…The Lord, Lord City God. \u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Xie Lingya\u2019s eyes widened, \u201cWhy is his lordship saying hello to me?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zhang San was also confused. Now he was even more curious. He thought that Teacher Xie had a good relationship with the city god, that was why he was respectful to Xie Lingya. He thought Xie Lingya was very polite for someone with personal connections to the city god. Who knew that Xie Lingya didn\u2019t even know the city god?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis… I don\u2019t know. I\u2019m just acting according to the order. \u201c Zhang San answered cautiously. He was just a lowly lishi<\/em>, why would his lordship tell him so much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hm, was it because the venerable founder knew that I needed to borrow soldiers and helped me speak to the city god? They were both gods\u2014maybe the venerable founder was friends with the city god and asked him to take care of his disciple.<\/em> After all, I\u2019m probably the most outstanding disciple under our founder.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Xie Lingya was full of questions, and barely came up with an explanation. He temporarily put the questions aside and bid farewell to Zhang San.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An even bigger gust of wind billowed inside the room as Zhang San left with a long string of ghosts in tow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As soon as they left, a sound came from the room. A few seconds later, Elder Zhu came out in slippers all by himself! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDad!\u201d Madam Zhu and Mr. Zhu exclaimed in unison. They rushed over to help hold Elder Zhu, but got waved away. Elder Zhu was fine by himself. Now, everyone was fully convinced by Xie Lingya\u2019s skills.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the sideline, Master Zhao sat with numb limbs and wide eyes. He couldn\u2019t utter a single word.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His apprentice, Xiao Liang was even more dazed, still shocked with disbelief.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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As shameless as Master Zhao was, he didn\u2019t dare to claim any credit for Elder Zhu\u2019s recovery. His only thought now was to leave quickly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cCongratulations, Elder Zhu. Seeing you awake, I can leave without worry now. I still have other business tomorrow,\u201d he said, keeping his calm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elder Zhu just woke up and didn\u2019t know anything. He didn\u2019t even remember that he woke up for a short time a moment ago. He answered blankly, \u201cThank you, see you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, Mr. Zhu\u2019s face darkened. He said through gritted teeth, \u201cI won\u2019t be sending you off.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Don\u2019t even think about getting any money. Master Zhao packed his things and walked out. He called out to Xiao Liang who was still standing around dumbly, \u201cWell, why are you still standing here?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Xiao Liang obviously couldn\u2019t stay behind. Rationally, he already knew that Master Zhao had no abilities, but he hadn\u2019t accepted it psychologically. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

With regret in his eyes, he glanced at Xie Lingya as his feet brought him reluctantly to the exit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Xie Lingya didn\u2019t notice. He picked up the ghost Zhang San left him and interrogated him about the person who summoned him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These ghosts had to gather at the altar before receiving their commands, so he definitely knew where the altar was. The ghost immediately answered, \u201cI\u2019ll talk, I\u2019ll talk. Don\u2019t hit me!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elder Zhu was just filled in on what happened by his children. He said angrily, \u201cI want to know who harmed me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These last few days he was becoming more and more lethargic as if his body was being crushed under a boulder. That was until just now, in his dazed state between darkness and consciousness, when he heard the sound of rattling chains. Then suddenly he was awake.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With the guidance of the captured ghost, they tracked down an apartment not far away. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mr. Zhu had ordered the door to be forced open. Inside, they found an altar and other religious items. A middle-aged man was sitting on the sofa with blood dripping from his lips. He watched them enter the house while he sat paralyzed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Xie Lingya knew this man was probably behind the attack. It was apparent that he\u2019d suffered a backlash from his spell when the lishi<\/em> had seized the spirits under his control.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Madam Zhu rushed up and clawed at his face. \u201cHow dare you harm my dad\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The man couldn\u2019t move as Madam Zhu scratched up his face. He screamed, \u201cI\u2019m only doing it for money! Stop scratching and I will tell you everything!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Under Madam\u2019s interrogation, the man finally gave a name. Madam Zhu and her brother exchanged a look of utter disbelief. For the first time, they didn\u2019t quarrel, but warned, \u201cYou\u2019d better not lie.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The middle-aged man covered his face and said, \u201cI didn\u2019t. He would contact me every once in a while to ask about the situation. You just have to wait.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hearing the conversation, Xie Lingya deduced that Madam Zhu knew the mastermind behind the attack and probably had a close relationship with him. With the wealth Elder Zhu possessed, it was not surprising if there were people around him with ulterior motives. He didn\u2019t pry into other people\u2019s family affairs seeing how secretive the Zhu siblings were over the identity of the perpetrator. He just needed to do his job.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At this time, Shi Changxuan suddenly came over with an object, and asked coldly, \u201cWhere did you obtain this?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Xie Lingya saw that Shi Changxuan was holding a few talismans in his hand, probably taken from the altar. He took a closer look and found that there were some red square seals on the talisman, and the shape was very familiar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After a moment, Xie Lingya remembered, isn\u2019t this the mark of the Dugong Seal?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Xie Lingya became attentive immediately. He snatched the man\u2019s collar from Madam Zhu and growled, \u201cWho! Who gave it to you! Where is that person now?!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Neither he nor Shi Changxuan thought it was this man that took the Dugong Seal. The thief wouldn\u2019t be so inept to only summon so few ghosts and be caught so easily.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But it was certain that this person had come in contact with the Dugong Seal. Now in Xie Lingya\u2019s eyes, the man\u2019s head had a one million yuan mark on it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The middle-aged man trembled. \u201cA friend I met only once gave it to me. I don\u2019t know where he is. We met in Boshan last week. He saw that I was drawing a ghost-summoning talisman, so he said he would help me stamp it. \u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The man didn\u2019t even know it was the Dugong Seal on the talisman. No doubt he was only a folk practitioner, otherwise he would\u2019ve known the Taoist Association was in a total uproar over the burglary. Xie Lingya let go of his collar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Boshan\u2014then this person was still in Queshan Province!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But that was last week, he might not be there anymore\u2026 Obviously he couldn\u2019t get the one million with outdated news. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Xie Lingya was a little disappointed, but thought maybe he could find some clues on Boshan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shi Changxuan asked, \u201cWhat did this person who had the seal look like? \u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The middle-aged man thought for a moment. \u201cHe was in his 30s or 40s, beardless, and always wearing a hat that covered his eyes… By the way, there was a willow sprite on his hat, the same as the one on your clothes. \u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Immediately, Xie Lingya and Shi Changxuan thought of the man they met at the high speed rail station when they came back from Xiangyin. The man was wearing a hat and had a willow sprite. There weren\u2019t that many people who owned a willow sprite. Could it be such a coincidence that they had seen the same person?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Moreover, Xie Lingya remembered the man got on the train heading to the provincial capital. Soon afterwards, the Dugong Seal was stolen from the Provincial Museum.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The two fell into silent contemplation. Pokeweed, on the other hand, became furious. \u201cWhat do you mean, the same? Where are we the same? One is willow, the other pokeweed. How could it be as cute as me<\/em>?!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

Translator: <\/em>Velvet
Editors: <\/em>Miiya
Proofreader:<\/em> Eques
QC:<\/em> Eques <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Chapter 35 >><\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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