Chapter 96: Chapter 95: Celestial Spirit Talisman: Actually, I’m Mainly for Defense
After seeing Wang Runheng off, the group didn’t leave right away.
Yunyang looked at Gu Zhao. "You’ve run into this evil energy many times? Was it always people cultivating Evil Techniques?"
Gu Zhao asked Yunyang in return, "What about the time you encountered it?"
"It was at a construction site. They accidentally dug up an old mass grave. The feng shui of the place was bad, and the death energy lingered. It had been buried underground, but once they dug it up, the Yin Qi scattered and infected the workers. They all fell ill and started having nightmares."
Yunyang sighed, sounding a bit let down. "It’s a good thing I got there early. If I had arrived any later, they probably would’ve recovered on their own just by getting some sun and taking some medicine."
Gu Zhao was speechless.
"The Sakura Country has people who cultivate Yin Qi Evil Techniques. Don’t we have any in our country?" Gu Zhao asked.
"Well, I’ve never seen any," Yunyang said, looking toward Taoist Yi Hong.
Taoist Yi Hong chuckled. "It’s not easy for us to cultivate Daoist Techniques. Do you think cultivating Evil Techniques is any easier?"
After a moment of thought, Taoist Yi Hong continued, "Alright, I suppose these crooked paths are indeed a bit easier than breathing in the spiritual energy of heaven and earth.
"Back in the old days when life was hard, many unorthodox practitioners walked down evil paths, engaging in shady business. Plus, with wars and plagues everywhere, it was easier to cultivate these things. That’s why so many of these heterodox practices and folk legends originated from that era."
Yunyang and Gu Zhao nodded. That was indeed the case.
"But life is good now, and the legal system is robust. What’s the use of cultivating an Evil Technique that can only harm people?" Taoist Yi Hong said with a laugh. "The police would teach him a lesson in minutes. You think he can stop a bullet?"
Gu Zhao asked, "Are those Evil Techniques powerful?"
"Didn’t you just see it for yourself?" Taoist Yi Hong gestured toward the door. "They can only scare ordinary people, give them some nightmares, or cause their bodies to weaken from Yin Qi invasion.
"Compared to poison, the only advantage is the lack of evidence. In fact, it’s not even as effective as poison. If you really want to kill someone, a knife is faster than any Evil Technique.
"Just think about it. Even with all the heterodox practitioners that appeared during the wars and all the folk legends they inspired, none of them ever caused a major stir in the end. That tells you just how powerful—or not—these Evil Techniques really are."
The group fell silent.
"That’s getting into the level of affecting the nation’s destiny, but what ordinary person could ever reach that level?"
Taoist Xiu Xin couldn’t help but say, "You think Evil Techniques aren’t powerful because you yourselves are powerful. An ordinary person facing such a mysterious force would probably be scared to death. Besides, long-term lack of sleep and physical decline will also affect their lifespan."
"That’s true," Taoist Yi Hong nodded, but he still emphasized, "But ultimately, they’re not that useful. With modern technology, investigators can find suspects even without direct evidence. That’s why we haven’t seen people like that in the country for a very long time."
Yunyang added, "And even if they exist, they wouldn’t dare use their powers recklessly."
Gu Zhao thought for a moment. "So, they’re more common abroad?"
Taoist Yi Hong conceded, "Judging from Mr. Wang’s situation, they are at least more common than in our country."
Considering Taoist Yi Hong’s status, Gu Zhao asked tentatively, "Has the government taken any precautions against this sort of thing?"
Taoist Yi Hong chuckled. "What era do you think this is? You have to trust in science. These methods are only effective against ordinary people. Who would bring them out into the open? Who would dare?"
Gu Zhao nodded, feeling he now had a general understanding of the situation here.
Seeing how detailed Gu Zhao’s questions were, Yunyang’s curiosity was piqued, and he asked again, "What were those situations you encountered?"
Gu Zhao didn’t answer directly. He just said, "Next time I run into something like this, I’ll call you."
Yunyang was overjoyed and nodded repeatedly. "Yeah, yeah!"
...
When the group returned to the backyard, Taoist Xiu Xin was not only more reverent toward Taoist Yi Hong, but he also treated Yunyang and Gu Zhao with a new level of respect.
After returning to their hotel after the meal, Sheng Lin, his face full of curiosity, questioned the two. As Yunyang described what had happened, Sheng Lin was a bundle of nerves, gasping one moment and sighing with admiration the next. "Why can’t I cultivate anything?!" he said, full of envy.
"Just relax, keep working hard, and leave the rest to fate," Yunyang comforted him. "Even if you can’t cultivate it, you can still build up your body. Look at my Martial Uncle Jing Yan. He spent his whole life in Cultivation, and even though he never produced True Qi, he’s still perfectly healthy and never gets sick."
Sheng Lin sighed wistfully. "I want to roam the martial world, Exorcising Demons and Evil Spirits!"
Gu Zhao clapped Sheng Lin on the shoulder. "Forget roaming the martial world. This afternoon, we can roam Tsim Sha Tsui. And while Exorcising Demons and Evil Spirits is out, we can go to Bolan Street and subdue some Banshees."
Sheng Lin couldn’t help but gulp, looking both expectant and bashful. "That’s... not a good idea, is it?"
Gu Zhao and Yunyang were both stunned. "You actually took that seriously!?"
Sheng Lin was speechless.
After some good-natured joking, the three of them headed out together to the most bustling area of Port City. In the afternoon, they wandered around Tsim Sha Tsui, bought some things for their families, and then went to see Victoria Harbor.
In the end, they didn’t go to Bolan Street. They went to Temple Street instead, and their experience could be summed up in a single word: Expensive!
...
While Gu Zhao and his friends were happily shopping, Wang Runheng placed the talisman paper in the inner pocket of his clothes and, with a mix of anticipation and anxiety, agreed to Yoshiyama Yuuki’s request for a meeting.
In a certain high-rise in Central, Wang Runheng waited for Yoshiyama Yuuki.
As the other party entered, Wang Runheng’s eyes scanned the group of people behind him, finally spotting an old man who looked to be in his fifties or sixties.
Although there were several other elderly men in the group, seemingly to conceal this particular person, Wang Runheng still picked him out. He was wearing a suit, but he lacked the air of a corporate employee.
As the boss of a large company, Wang Runheng was very familiar with that particular air.
Moreover, he noticed that the moment this old man stepped through the door, his expression changed ever so slightly.
"Wang Sang, since you’ve accepted my invitation, I assume you’ve thought things over?" Yoshiyama Yuuki said with a loud laugh, extending a hand. "Malaysia is a big place. It would be just the same for you to find a different location, Wang Sang."
Wang Runheng snorted. ’How could it possibly be the same?’ he thought. ’Does all the time, resources, and energy I’ve already invested count for nothing?’
"Mr. Yoshiyama, you’ve misunderstood," Wang Runheng said firmly. "I’ve already signed a letter of intent with the Malaysian government. My bid and supporting services are also the best. How could I possibly give up?"
"Hm?" Yoshiyama Yuuki was taken aback. He looked Wang Runheng up and down, his eyes narrowing. "You’ve been resting well recently, Wang Sang?"
Wang Runheng had taken a nap after returning that morning and was now full of energy. "Better than ever!"
’I’m not afraid,’ he thought. ’Even if the Protective Talisman doesn’t work and I fall under their spell again, I can just go back to the Penglai Immortal Pavilion to get it sorted out. Since that young man told me to come, he’s surely responsible for after-sales service.’
A flicker of uncertainty crossed Yoshiyama Yuuki’s eyes. After they had taken their respective seats as host and guest, he shot a discreet glance at the old man. When he saw the old man give an almost imperceptible shake of his head, followed by a nod, he relaxed.
"Wang Sang, there’s really no need for us to compete..." Yoshiyama Yuuki began, trying to drag things out.
Just then, the few people looking at Wang Runheng felt their vision blur. They weren’t sure if it was the angle of the sun, but the light streaming through the window seemed to be shining on his back, and a wave of what looked like heat seemed to ripple into existence in front of him.
The next moment, one of the old men in Yoshiyama’s team suddenly let out a muffled grunt. He was thrown backward, sliding a short distance across the floor as blood gushed from his mouth. His expression instantly became listless.
"AHHH!" The people in the meeting were stunned, and several men and women screamed.
Yoshiyama was also stunned. He pushed his chair back and rushed to the old man’s side. "Mr. Tsuchimikado! Mr. Tsuchimikado? What’s wrong?"
The old man struggled to open his eyes. "A master is here!" he managed to say. "A... mas..."
Before he could finish, his head lolled to one side, and he fell unconscious.
