Chapter 241: Staying Overnight

Chapter 241: Staying Overnight

When Qi Xuansu arrived at the main hall, the host was already waiting for him. A scholarly middle-aged man, about 40 years old, was sitting there elegantly, dressed in warm woolen clothes.

Qi Xuansu glanced at the man a few times with his Yin-Yang Eyes. The man’s yang energy was weak, but the Three Yang Lights on him were still shining brightly with no signs of flickering.

In comparison, Qi Xuansu’s Three Yang Lights was like a furnace fire that could not be extinguished with a simple blow. No matter how many times he looked over his shoulder in the night, his Three Yang Lights would still be shining intensely. Ordinary ghosts who dared to come close to Qi Xuansu would burn like moths to the flame.

A Martial Arts Practitioner at its peak had strong blood qi, comparable to that of ancient wild beasts. Ordinary people would not be able to see anything, but to ghosts, the Three Yang Lights were like the sun. A Martial Arts Practitioner would just have to stand there for everything around them to be illuminated, and the ghosts would burn and be reduced to ashes.

Someone brought out a brazier and some hot tea, and a servant helped Qi Xuansu remove his cloak.

Without the cloak, all the weapons on Qi Xuansu’s waist could no longer be hidden, especially the Divine Dragon Pistol, Qing Yuan, and the Dual Cutlass. His satchel and various items were also visible.

Qi Xuansu smiled apologetically. “When traveling alone, I have to carry weapons with me. I never part with them, as they can come in handy.”

“I understand.” The host nodded calmly.

In the former Wei Dynasty, civil officials were more powerful than military officials. However, the Great Xuan Dynasty valued both civil and military officials equally. Military generals could become prime ministers, and the Black Robes were revered. The army no longer consisted of prisoners or farmers as it was in the past, so warriors were no longer looked down on.

Qi Xuansu removed the Dual Cutlass from his waist, put them aside, and sat down on the chair.

The two exchanged pleasantries.

Qi Xuansu used his alias, Wei Wugui. However, he claimed to be part of the Black Robes, serving as a personal guard to Qin Wubing, the General of Loulan.

Usually, no one would pay attention to low-ranking soldiers or officials. However, it made a difference if this low-ranking soldier was the personal guard of a general. It was akin to the Emperor’s personal eunuch, or the Empress’s personal maid. These were low-ranking positions, but they were close to those in power, so no one would dare to be disrespectful.

Due to this, the owner of the Xiang Residence did not look down on Qi Xuansu for having no official rank or position.

As they conversed, Qi Xuansu learned that the Xiang family had been a scholarly family for generations. The deceased Old Master Xiang once served as the Director of the Ministry of Revenue, but he died of illness while in his post.

The current head of the family was called Xiang Rulin. He was the owner of this place and a Juren Scholar[1], but he failed to pass the examination to become a Jinshi Scholar[2]. However, Xiang Rulin came from generational wealth, so he did not have to work for a living and merely spent his days leisurely.

However, the weather was too cold, so the hot water cooled quickly.

Qi Xuansu lifted his wet feet and placed them on the edge of the tub. Suddenly, he sighed, thinking of his situation. At the moment, he felt as if he were stepping on two boats, struggling to keep his balance. These two boats were the Daoist Order and the Qingping Society.

It was clear to anyone that the Daoist Order was undoubtedly the better choice between the two. However, since Qi Xuansu had faked his death, he did not know when he would ever be able to return to the Daoist Order.

Qi Xuansu lamented. “I intended to direct my heart toward the bright moon, but alas, the moonlight only shines on the ditch.”

While staring out into space, Qi Xuansu suddenly noticed some marks on the wall.

He instantly sobered up and stood up, splashing the water out from the tub.

His bare feet were grounded next to the wall as he leaned in closer.

Although the marks were faint, they were still vaguely visible. The color of the wall was a little different compared to its surroundings.

“This is...” Qi Xuansu discovered that this wall was added later. It was not the original wall.

Normally, Qi Xuansu would not give much thought to it, but because he had a premonition before, he was more wary of his surroundings. After some hesitation, he pressed his fingers on the wall and exerted a little force.

The wall began to crumble, revealing gray bricks underneath.

Qi Xuansu’s expression turned solemn the moment he saw the talismans painted on these bricks.

Although Qi Xuansu was not a Diviner proficient in drawing talismans, he could identify them thanks to a basic course in the Wanxiang Daoist Palace.

These talismans were incomplete, with vague outlines. They seemed to be used to ward off ghosts. Moreover, these talismans were not drawn on talisman paper but were drawn on the brick wall with blood. This was a tactic used by Diviners against opponents. However, it indicated that the Diviner was likely in a precarious situation, as he or she was forced to draw talismans using their blood, which was full of yang energy.

Qi Xuansu gasped. Have I stepped into a demon’s lair?

1. Title for those who passed the Provincial Exams. ☜

2. Highest title for scholars, with more privileges to become high-ranking officials in the Imperial Court ☜