Ex-Wife is a Big Villainess
Chapter 81 - 77: The Taoist Ancestor Enlightens

Chapter 81: Chapter 77: The Taoist Ancestor Enlightens

"Since you’re already here, why not stay?"

Yan Changqing flicked his finger, and the lamp trembled slightly as a small flame took form in mid-air. Abruptly sharp and elongated, the flame darted out in the blink of an eye.

The door was breached once more.

The thin, sharp flame struck the young Taoist’s back with precision.

The Taoist fell flat on his back.

Without moving an inch.

The flame rapidly expanded like a wildfire, completely engulfing the Taoist’s body. Instead of a skeleton, a pile of paper ash was left burning.

Jiang Shouzhong stared, dumbfounded.

"It’s a paper effigy combined with the Shape-shifting Illusion Skill."

Yan Changqing unscrewed the bottle cap, took a whiff of the fragrant liquor, and said with a smile, "Logically speaking, this kid isn’t so cautious. He probably ran into trouble on the way, which is why he dared not to show up in person."

A paper effigy?

The world’s magical arts opened Jiang Shouzhong’s eyes wide.

Yan Changqing said, "His name is Feng Yichen, the chief disciple of Zhenxuan Mountain’s headmaster. His cultivation is decent. His presence here means Zhenxuan Mountain already knows about the Tianyuan River Map Book recognizing its master. Your real troubles are about to start."

Jiang Shouzhong was helpless.

Fortune and misfortune follow each other like shadows, such is the eternal way of the world.

Jiang Shouzhong picked up the jade hairpin that had started to show fine cracks on the table, his expression lost and saddened.

"Li Guanshi didn’t lie to you, this life-bound hairpin can only be used two more times."

Yan Changqing said indifferently, "The owner of the hairpin has bound your life-soul to it, so its perception is extremely sharp. As soon as it detects someone harboring ill-intentions towards you, it will undoubtedly protect you."

Yan Changqing remarked sentimentally, "Li Guanshi has taken in a formidable disciple, capable of nurturing and refining a life-bound sword that aligns so well with the way of heaven. It can only mean that this girl was inherently a Sword Cultivator prodigy."

"So, she... "

"Most likely died."

Yan Changqing sighed, "The life-bound sword is the life itself. Once it formally separates from its true body, it signifies that its owner has given up their own life."

Jiang Shouzhong’s hand clutching the jade hairpin trembled slightly.

Even Ye, someone as formidable as she was, had died. The ones who attacked Anhe Village must have been hiding a master.

What was the real purpose of slaughtering the village?

Was it targeted at Ye?

Or... Hong’er?

Jiang Shouzhong exhaled a breath of murky air, gathering his thoughts, and asked Yan Changqing, "Mr. Yan, what do you think was that woman’s purpose in giving me a snake?"

Yan Changqing replied irritably, "How would I know, I already told you to decide for yourself. If you think her intentions are malicious, you are free to refuse. If you think the deal is worthwhile, then keep the snake.

"That Snake Demon’s cultivation is indeed not ordinary, and though it won’t obey your orders, it will indeed save your life in a critical moment. After all, you’re now in possession of the Taoist River Map, and you’ll face many more dangers. I can’t protect you day and night.

"But then again, Li Guanshi, that woman, never makes a loss-making deal. She’s even stingy with her own disciples, let alone you."

Jiang Shouzhong scratched his head, clearly troubled.

He wanted to tell the other party about the Demon Venerable, but he swallowed his words before they could escape.

"Make your own decision. I’ll go talk to that kid from Zhenxuan Mountain, and you need not worry."

Yan Changqing smiled faintly, "Since I’ve promised that friend to find a suitable master for the River Map, I won’t abandon my responsibility halfway. Zhenxuan Mountain might be tough to handle, but I, Yan Changqing... am not a vegetarian."

After Yan Changqing left, Jiang Shouzhong approached the pile of paper ash and stared at it intently.

"Paper effigies..."

——

Not far from the street, inside an obscure little inn.

Feng Yichen, who was meditating in a room, suddenly opened his eyes, his face rapidly losing color, becoming almost frighteningly pale.

"I knew it! I knew it wouldn’t be so easy!"

Feng Yichen stood up and paced back and forth in the room, cursing, "Luckily I used the paper effigy, or I would have been stabbed again! This Capital is full of dangers at every turn, is there no peace to be had?"

The young Taoist regretted it,

regretted not asking his second senior brother to consult the almanac before leaving.

"I must leave here quickly, otherwise if that bastard Sword Demon finds me, there won’t even be anyone to collect my body."

Feng Yichen quickly packed up his Skyfall Sword, ready to leave.

The candlelight in the room flickered softly.

A figure appeared behind the young Taoist like a ghost, chuckling, "The bastard has arrived."

Feng Yichen felt as if he had been struck by lightning.

His mouth twitched a few times before he turned around and saluted, "I am the chief disciple under the head of Zhenxuan Mountain, a person enlightened by the Grandmaster Xuanling, one of the three great golden crows of Taoism, known in Jianghu as the Great Daemon-Slaying Master, the eldest legitimate son of the Feng lineage from Pingyang, Feng Yichen, and I have seen the respected Sword Demon senior."

Yan Changqing laughed, "So many titles, are you trying to scare me to death?"

Feng Yichen’s stiff cheeks immediately forced a chrysanthemum-like smile as he waved his hands, "Not at all, not at all. I just feared that senior might not remember me, a nobody, and it would lead to misunderstandings. After all, my third senior brother and senior are also close friends."

The young Taoist threw out all the life-saving amulets he could.

"Hasn’t your third senior brother been expelled from Zhenxuan Mountain already?"

The corners of Yan Changqing’s mouth curved slightly, but his eyes bore no hint of amusement.

Just had to hit the sore spot... Feng Yichen wanted to slap himself and squeezed out an awkward smile, "In my heart, he is still my third senior brother."

"That’s more loyal and affectionate than your headmaster father," Yan Changqing said sarcastically.

Feng Yichen could only offer a dry laugh.

Yan Changqing glanced at the Skyfall Sword on Feng Yichen’s back and said indifferently, "Let’s not waste words. Go back and tell your master that the Taoist River Map has not been found."

"That... might not be quite proper," Feng Yichen said hesitantly, mustering his courage.

"The Taoist River Map is a treasure of Zhenxuan Mountain, and it should be returned," he continued bravely.

"It has already recognized a new master, named Jiang Mo."

"Without Zhenxuan Mountain’s approval, it doesn’t count as recognition."

"Oh? Is that so?" Yan Changqing glared coldly at Feng Yichen, who was sweating profusely from his forehead, "I promised your third senior brother that I would help the lower half of the ’Tianyuan River Map Book’ find its companion. Since the Yin talisman has already found its master, and the Yang talisman chooses to follow, it is their decision."

Feng Yichen gritted his teeth, "My third senior brother has been expelled from the sect, he can’t represent Zhenxuan Mountain!"

Bang!

The young Taoist was slammed against the wall, unable to move.

Blood trickled from the corner of his mouth.

The Skyfall Sword on his back hummed but did not dare to unsheathe.

Yan Changqing sneered, "Your Zhenxuan Mountain has merely been taking care of the Taoist River Map for someone else. After a hundred years, you think you’re the owner?"

At this moment, Feng Yichen threw caution to the wind and looked straight at Yan Changqing, "Since it is about guardianship, it certainly can’t fall into the hands of outsiders."

"Oh, do you have the ability to take care of it?"

Yan Changqing’s face showed scorn, "How many years have you lost the upper part of the Tianyuan River Map Book? Now that it has recognized its own master on its own, you just come to pick the fruits of someone else’s labor, thinking you’re so righteous?"

Feng Yichen’s face turned red with embarrassment, unable to refute.

Suddenly remembering something, he said through gritted teeth, "Senior Sword Demon, it’s true that the River Map recognizes a master, but it hasn’t yet been blessed by the Taoist Ancestor. Without the Taoist Ancestor’s approval, the yin and yang sword spirits won’t be able to emerge!"

"Taoist Ancestor?"

Yan Changqing’s gaze floated, his eyebrows knitted slightly, "Your third senior brother did mention this, but he didn’t tell me the details."

Feng Yichen spoke earnestly, "Simply put, it is about eliciting a reaction from the Taoist Ancestor’s corpse. Even the slightest reaction means the Taoist Ancestor has given his approval, and Jiang Mo would then be the rightful master of the Taoist River Map!"

Yan Changqing laughed incredulously, "Eliciting a reaction from a corpse, do you think that’s possible? Unless you resort to some kind of resurrection trickery."

Feng Yichen said, "According to the records, the Taoist River Map has gone through seven masters, and only two have successfully received the blessing of the Taoist Ancestor’s spiritual body. The first time, the Taoist Ancestor’s left pinky toe moved. The second time, the Taoist Ancestor’s eyebrows moved."

The more Yan Changqing heard, the more ridiculous it seemed, and he said mockingly, "Why don’t you just have the corpse start talking instead?"

"That...would indeed be tricky,"

Feng Yichen chuckled awkwardly, "If Jiang Mo can actually make the corpse of the Taoist Ancestor speak, I’ll eat a hundred pounds of shit."

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