The Aloof Lord's Mysterious Wife
Chapter 82: Using as Many Talismans as Needed

Chapter 82: Using as Many Talismans as Needed

"However, Miss Chu’s Taoist skills surpass mine," Ming Xu said, "I made a mistake by accepting Ling Yuan, this wicked man. It put the Chu family and Miss Chu in grave danger, and I deeply regret it."

His immediate admission of fault caught Nanli off guard, making it difficult for her to get angry. With limited time, she decided not to waste any more words on Ming Xu.

To set up the talisman formation, each person needed to have a talisman with sufficient power to cover a specific area. Nanli focused her mind and began sketching with her brush.

When she finished a set of talismans, Ming Xu was slightly astonished and exclaimed, "Marvelous!" He also assisted in drawing, and by the afternoon, they had completed eight sets of talismans.

Nanli carefully inspected each one, ensuring that the talismans drawn by Ming Xu were flawless.

Only then did she allow the Black Armor Guards to wear them and await their orders in their designated areas.

It must be said that Ming Xu’s skill in drawing talismans was impressive, only slightly inferior to Nanli’s. Nanli had not rested all night, and her eyes were already bloodshot.

Chu Hanlin couldn’t help but feel distressed. After setting up the talisman formation, he took his daughter back home.

The Black Armor Guards were well-trained and completely obedient to Ye Siheng.

Apart from them, few knew about this plan, ensuring that the masked woman and Ye Jinming remained unaware that a trap had been set in the capital.

As expected, before midnight, two areas emitted signals.

Chu Hanlin hurried over to inform his daughter, unaware that Nanli had already awakened.

She formed hand seals, focusing her gaze on a suspended copper coin in the air. Seeing this, Chu Hanlin didn’t dare to disturb her and simply stood silently by her side.

Nanli quickly withdrew her hand seals and caught the copper coin, her brows furrowing.

"What’s wrong?" Chu Hanlin rarely saw his daughter with such a furrowed brow. "Two areas have already sent signals. Shouldn’t you go and check?"

"The person has already fled, leaving the capital," Nanli said with a cold expression.

"What?" Chu Hanlin didn’t immediately understand.

"That vengeful spirit triggered the talisman formation; it was an illusion," Nanli explained.

"They have already left the capital and headed south."

Having been separated from the Spirit Pearl for too long, Nanli couldn’t accurately determine its exact location. At best, she could only roughly ascertain the direction it had gone.

"Are you saying that the woman controlling the vengeful spirit has left the capital?" Chu Hanlin asked.

Nanli nodded.

Chu Hanlin furrowed his brows as well, his voice growing dark.

"That’s impossible. The city has tightened its security in recent days. Everyone, including nobles and officials, undergoes thorough inspections when entering or leaving the capital. Not to mention that the woman accompanied by Ye Jinming, who sustains himself with human souls. If he were to pass through the city gates, there would definitely be a reaction."

This was something Nanli had arranged at the city gates long ago. Apart from Ye Siheng, only he knew about it.

Nanli also found it difficult to understand. The inspections were already meticulous, and there were talisman formations around the city walls.

How did the woman and Ye Jinming manage to leave the city?

At this moment, south of Jing City

A carriage halted beneath a tree, near a bustling village.

Resentful spirits returned, carrying a few lingering souls, swiftly subdued by the veiled woman.

Ye Jinming’s breath steadied only after inhaling the refined essence of the captured souls.

The veiled woman sighed in relief, wiping the beads of sweat from her brow.

Beside her stood an elderly Taoist wielding a duster, who turned around to reveal himself as Ming Xu.

Unable to resist a jest, the veiled woman remarked, "Who would have thought that Ming Xu, the esteemed Daoist of Sanqing Temple, is also a secret agent of Qi Country? Is that Ni Kun, your junior disciple?"

"A waste like him is unworthy of being my junior," Ming Xu replied.

"I have already assisted Princess Qingyue in escaping danger. I implore the princess not to disappoint my lord again."

Since entering Mu Country, Xuanyuan Qingyue had not heard anyone refer to her as Princess Qingyue, momentarily taken aback.

She raised her chin proudly and said, "Please convey my gratitude to the Crown Prince of Qi. As long as I protect Ye Jinming’s life, I am not afraid of Ye Siheng’s survival."

A knowing smile played at the corners of Ming Xu’s lips.

"That may not be the case. The girl named Nanli is formidable. She possesses intelligence and talent that surpasses most in this world, perhaps only my master can surpass her."

And his master possessed the ability to unravel all sorts of enchantments.

If Chu Nanli were to comprehend something, would it still be necessary to concern oneself with Ye Jinming’s fate?

Xuanyuan Qingyue furrowed her brows, having crossed paths with Nanli before and knowing of her prowess.

However, she had not expected even Ming Xu to praise her so highly, feeling inferior in comparison.

"Will the Daoist return to Sanqing Temple now?" Qingyue Xuanyuan inquired. "Why return? Soon, she will realize that those resentful spirits were merely unintentionally released, and their master has long left the capital," Ming Xu explained.

"I have employed some methods in the capital, so once they regain their senses, they will suspect me."

He needed to immediately ride north and catch up to his lord’s footsteps.

As the two groups prepared to part ways, a loud noise erupted from not far behind.

Ming Xu listened intently, his expression changing drastically.

It was the sound of hooves!

And they belonged to the well-trained Black Armor Guards!

"They discovered us so quickly? How do they know we headed south?"

Ming Xu urged Qingyue Xuanyuan to quickly board the carriage while he set up a formation.

He had underestimated the situation!

Understanding the gravity of the situation, Xuanyuan Qingyue did not contend with Ming Xu and promptly boarded the carriage.

Ming Xu deployed several talismans, concealing any traces of their departure.

He then immediately arranged an illusion formation to buy them some time.

Having cultivated as a Daoist for many years, aside from being unable to surpass his master, he easily overwhelmed anyone else he faced.

Today presented an opportunity for him to test his skills against Chu Nanli.

If he could seize this chance to kill Nanli, it would resolve the Crown Prince’s major concern.

Ming Xu concealed himself, waiting for the Black Armor Guards to enter the formation.

Ahead of the troop were Nanli and Qing Feng, accompanied by dozens of Black Armor Guards, their approach fierce.

Though the night was tranquil, the sound of hooves reverberated, deafening the ears.

Just as Nanli was about to lead her group into the formation, she promptly pulled on the reins.

With a few talismans, she effortlessly shattered Ming Xu’s illusion formation.

Ming Xu had not anticipated his illusion formation being so easily broken by Nanli.

Frustration overwhelmed him, causing him to cough up a mouthful of black blood.

No wonder his junior disciple had been defeated by her.

He had not expected to engage in a prolonged battle, quickly retrieving a teleportation talisman, hoping to escape.

However, under the cold moonlight, a figure suddenly appeared behind him.

Ming Xu’s heart skipped a beat as his teleportation talisman was snatched away.

Teleportation talismans were extremely precious, and he only had this one!

Enraged, he disregarded any treasures on his person and hurled them at Nanli.

Nanli swiftly changed her position, delivering a kick to Ming Xu’s knee, forcing him to kneel.

Another immobilization talisman was affixed, leaving Ming Xu unable to move.

He had never experienced such humiliation before.

Recalling Nanli’s swift movements earlier, his eyes widened, "You have exhausted so many teleportation talismans. Your master will surely be infuriated!"

"Apologies, I craft my own talismans and use as many as I need," Nanli raised an eyebrow, nonchalantly responding.