bookbashuk Chapter 79 Unorthodox Methods
Chapter 79 Unorthodox Methods
Zhou Ning was preparing to return to the mountain when he suddenly heard the sound of chanting coming from afar.
He followed the sound and saw a tall altar erected on an open space at the south end of the town.
On the altar, a young Taoist priest dressed in a yellow robe sat cross-legged on a futon, chanting incantations and making hand gestures.
Hundreds of people closed their eyes, knelt on the ground, and prayed devoutly.
Zhou Ning could clearly sense that the young Taoist priest was emanating a thin layer of black energy.
That's demonic energy.
Just like the middle-aged Taoist priest he had seen in Qingyun City in the North, his demonic aura was faint.
"I can sense that this Taoist priest and the middle-aged Taoist priest who held the ritual in Qingyun City belong to the same lineage. There's something fishy going on here," Zhou Ning thought to himself.
One in the south and one in the north, their demonic energy originates from the same source. If this is true, then this force must be an organization that is extremely widespread.
Zhou Ning didn't make a move to alert the young Taoist, but watched silently. However, when the young Taoist put away his peach wood sword, Zhou Ning couldn't help but smile, because he had already guessed what the young Taoist's next move would be.
The young Taoist priest sheathed his peach wood sword and then shouted loudly:
"Dear devotees, today's Dharma assembly has come to an end. Tomorrow at noon, I will continue to pray for you. After you return home, please remember the teachings I have taught you and recite them once each morning and evening to ensure peace and safety for your home and to protect you from all illnesses."
As always, everyone stood up, bowed to the Taoist priest, and then dispersed.
Zhou Ning thought to himself, "They really are exactly the same, even their speech is exactly the same. It seems that this person has a great connection with that Xuanzhenzi."
However, Zhou Ning then looked at the people, and saw that those who had dispersed were even paler than when they arrived, and their steps were even more unsteady.
Just as expected.
Moreover, a trace of demonic energy could be seen emanating from their heads and drifting towards the altar.
"This is... lifespan, even greater than that of Qingyun City."
Zhou Ning was startled. He hadn't expected that this young Taoist's stripping skills were even more formidable than those of Xuanzhenzi from Qingyun City.
At most, Xuanzhenzi could only deprive the people of a tiny bit of their vital energy in Qingyun City. However, there was always a chance to replenish the lost vital energy.
However, what this young Taoist priest was stripping away was his lifespan, which directly deprived him of his life essence, something that could not be recovered.
"What's going on? It's the same situation as last time in the North, but one is draining vital energy, while the other is stripping away the source of life."
Zhou Ning was somewhat taken aback.
The same Taoist practices, similar rituals, all possess the same demonic energy.
However, the thing they were looking for was slightly different.
One draws upon vital energy.
One that deprives life of its very essence.
The only difference was that this young Taoist was much more wary than Xuanzhenzi. The moment Zhou Ning approached him, the young Taoist suddenly looked at Zhou Ning, then glanced at the top of Zhou Ning's head, and his expression instantly became tense.
"Young man, is something the matter?"
Instead of being angry, Zhou Ning smiled and said, "I am just a scholar on my way to the capital to take the imperial examination. I happened to encounter a Taoist priest performing a ritual in a certain place. I would like to ask the Taoist priest to tell my fortune and predict my future."
The Taoist priest looked at him suspiciously, then immediately relaxed his guard and said with a smile, "I see. It's a pity, though. I only know a little about exorcism and divination. I know nothing about divination. I hope I haven't disappointed you, young master."
"I understand, I just mentioned it casually. But... do you know Yan Chixia?"
The Taoist priest's expression changed slightly: "Yan Chixia? You know Yan Chixia?"
Zhou Ning smiled and nodded, saying, "It was a coincidence. I happened to meet the immortal master on the way and he taught me a few self-defense techniques. He can be considered my mentor."
A strange glint flashed in the Taoist's eyes. He said, "So that's how it is. I am a disciple of Qingxu Temple in Laoshan, with the Dharma name 'Xuanlingzi'. I have long admired Master Yan's chivalrous reputation. Although I have not been able to meet him in person, it is still a great honor to meet his beloved disciple. I am right."
Zhou Ning shook his head: "Daoist Master is too modest. May I ask if you know Xuanzhenzi?"
Xuan Lingzi's expression changed completely.
"Who? Xuanzhenzi? I don't know, I don't know. I'm just a wandering hermit, I don't know many people."
When Zhou Ning saw that the man was stuttering, he knew that this man must know Xuanzhenzi. So he said, "Alright, then I won't hide it anymore. Actually, I have learned a few tricks of Qimen Dunjia from my master, and I also know a little about the Taoist's peach wood sword and incantations."
"Moreover, the Taoist priest who taught the students the Taoist arts had told them about evil techniques that could scare people's spirits and energy. The incantations he chanted were extremely harmful. I must be careful when I go to the capital to take the imperial examination."
"Just now, I watched the Taoist priest perform a spell... Hey, what a coincidence, not a single word was wrong. Could it be that the Taoist priest... perhaps I misremembered?"
A flicker of panic crossed Xuan Lingzi's eyes, but he quickly regained his composure.
"Young Master Zhou must have misremembered. Moreover, my Taoist practice is extremely yang and strong, which is specifically designed to subdue evil spirits. How could it be some kind of heretical or crooked path?"
Zhou Ning sneered inwardly, but outwardly smiled and said, "Is that so? But why do these people look so unwell? How does the Daoist priest explain that?"
Xuan Lingzi sneered, "Is Young Master Zhou doubting my Taoist magic? Or is he doubting the abilities of my Qingxu Temple?"
"You insulted me, and I can overlook your reputation, but if it involves the honor of my temple, I will not let you off easily, you scholar."
Zhou Ning smiled wryly and said, "I have long heard of the great name of Qingxu Temple, and it is well-known. I would never dare to slander it. However, the world is going downhill and people's hearts are no longer what they used to be. Some people use the name of Qingxu Temple to swagger around and oppress the people. This is intolerable."
Xuan Lingzi's face turned ashen, his fingers clenched, and he said coldly, "You've said a lot, but all you're trying to say is that I'm using evil tricks to deceive the people. How audacious of you, scholar."
Xuan Lingzi suddenly pulled out an unknown talisman from his sleeve and threw it at Zhou Ning.
Zhou Ning was clearly prepared and saw through the situation. He had already prepared an "evil-repelling talisman" in his sleeve and quickly threw it the moment Xuan Lingzi made his move.
"disease!"
The talisman transformed into a golden light, destroying Xuan Lingzi's talismanic power.
Upon seeing this, Xuan Lingzi was startled and took advantage of Zhou Ning's momentary lapse in attention to escape.
Its speed was so fast that Zhou Ning couldn't catch up with it in a short time.
However, Xuan Lingzi fled towards a pine forest north of Qingshan Town.
Zhou Ning didn't hesitate and immediately chased after them.
This person, under the guise of a Buddhist ceremony, drained the life essence of ordinary people; his crime is unforgivable.
If he escapes, who knows how many more people will suffer.
Zhou Ning used his lightness technique, his body moving like an arrow, swiftly through the night.
The pine forest grew denser, the moonlight was blocked by the tree canopy, and the forest was pitch black.
Zhou Ning poured his true essence into his eyes, activating his spiritual eyes, and barely managed to see the road ahead.
After chasing for about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, an open space appeared ahead.
In the open space, there stood a dilapidated Taoist temple.
The Taoist temple is small, with blue bricks and gray tiles. It has been in disrepair for many years, and the courtyard walls are covered with withered vines.
Above the door hangs a mottled plaque with the three characters "Qingxu Temple" written on it, the characters already blurred and illegible.
Is it Qingxu Temple again?
Zhou Ning frowned, slowed his pace, and approached warily.
The door to the Taoist temple was ajar, and the inside was pitch black, making it impossible to see the depths.
Xuan Lingzi's aura was faintly visible within the Taoist temple.
"Trying to hide inside?"
Zhou Ning gripped his Qingfeng sword, pushed open the door, and went inside.
The Taoist temple is not large; the main hall is located in the front courtyard, where the Three Pure Ones are enshrined.
The hall was covered in dust and cobwebs, clearly indicating that no one had been there for a long time.
Zhou Ning looked around but found no trace of Xuan Lingzi.
He continued walking in, passing through the main hall, and arrived at the back courtyard.
There is a small courtyard in the backyard, with several pine and cypress trees planted in it, and an old well under the trees.
The moonlight shone on the well opening, giving it a cold, gleaming appearance.
Xuan Lingzi was standing by the well, with his back to him.
"You've caught up with me."
Xuan Lingzi's voice was hoarse and low, with a hint of weariness.
"Do you really have to be so ruthless as to wipe them all out?"
Zhou Ning said, "You used the Dharma assembly as a pretext to drain the life essence of the people, causing them immense harm. If you surrender and come back with me to see the officials, perhaps you can receive a lighter sentence."
Xuan Lingzi turned around, his face full of mockery: "Go to the authorities? You think the government can control me?"
He took a black token from his sleeve and held it high.
"Young Master Zhou, don't you claim to be on the righteous path? Then let me see just how steadfast your resolve is."