Told You I Can Turn Back Time
Chapter 44 - 44 44 New Talisman

44: Chapter 44 New Talisman 44: Chapter 44 New Talisman After discussing the matter of the talisman, Commander Zhang added, “I just mentioned calling you here because there is something I want to discuss with you.”

“In a few days, I will send Zhao Yuan with troops to subdue Ruyi Temple.

I see that your injuries have healed quite a bit recently; are you willing to assist him?”

Lin Xing naturally did not want to attack others without reason, so he asked, “Why target Ruyi Temple?”

Commander Zhang laughed heartily and pointed at Lin Xing, “I’ve issued so many military orders these past few days, and you’re the first one who hasn’t immediately agreed but instead dared to ask me why.”

If it had been someone else who asked Zhang Tiande this, he might have kicked and broken that person’s ribcage.

But when Zhang Tiande took a liking to someone, it seemed like everything about that person was pleasing to his eyes.

Lin Xing’s counter-question did not annoy Zhang Tiande; on the contrary, it made him feel that Lin Xing was speaking from his heart, telling him everything directly without the cunning often found in other generals.

Zhang Tiande stated, “Everyone thinks that I am exterminating these Taoist temples just for their scriptures.

Indeed, the various techniques and legacies passed down within these Taoist temples, along with refined intelligence, are of great use to me.”

“But besides that, I’m exterminating them because over the years these Taoist temples have not only slyly seized wealth and occupied lands but, behind the scenes, are involved in thievery and prostitution—committing all sorts of vile acts.

They are a major malignancy in Dongya Prefecture, and now that I control Dongya Prefecture, naturally, I need to manage them properly.”

“Take for example this Ruyi Temple which I’m targeting this time; it appears to be just a regular Taoist temple, but it hides many secrets, including trafficking people and using female Taoists to entertain guests and sell their charms.”

“I even received a message that the Holy Daughter of the Heavenly Will Sect might be hiding within a brothel and is likely sheltered in that Ruyi Temple.”

“Got it, cracking down on prostitution, right?” A flicker of understanding passed through Lin Xing’s eyes, “I can help out.”

Commander Zhang was momentarily stunned but eventually realized that the other party was willing to join this battle and nodded, “When the time comes, you and Zhao Yuan will set out together.

He has been a veteran of many years; listen well to his commands and don’t get seriously injured again like last time.”

Lin Xing nodded to show he understood.

During his time at the mansion, he had occasionally heard news brought by dolls that Zhao Yuan was one of Commander Zhang’s four Deputy Generals and was the most powerful among them.

Now, he was specifically responsible for dealing with various Taoist temples, sects, and factions within Dongya Prefecture.

After explaining, Lin Xing was about to leave but suddenly turned around, thinking to himself, ‘Since I’m here already, should I try to win over Commander Zhang?’

Commander Zhang, seeing Lin Xing turn back, asked in confusion, “What is it?

Do you have another matter?”

Lin Xing frowned slightly, looking at the other party’s friendly demeanor; he found it difficult to proceed with his planned action.

Especially since from their interaction over this period, the other party did not seem entirely villainous to him.

In contrast, Zhang had been quite caring towards him, and his actions seemed to have their justifications.

After thinking it over, facing someone who had been good to him, Lin Xing ultimately found it hard to initiate an attack, forcing a life and death struggle with the other party.

Especially when he thought of a possibility: ‘Today’s Commander Zhang, even if I initiate an attack, might not just kill me outright.

What if he only subdues me instead of killing me…’

So, he shook his head, “It’s nothing.”

…

Soon after Lin Xing returned to his room, a group of soldiers brought over a thin volume of the Daoist Book.

Looking at the Daoist Book in Lin Xing’s hands, Bai Yiyi exclaimed in surprise, “Commander Zhang really just lent this book to you?”

Lin Xing nodded and flipped through the Daoist Book, gradually getting absorbed by its content.

This volume from Qingfeng Temple, besides recording a lot of basic knowledge about talismans, also included three types of talismans at the end.

They were the Qingfeng Talisman, Amulet, and Spirit Fire Talisman.

Lin Xing, feeling as if he had found a great treasure, immediately started practicing the three newly acquired talismans, instantly feeling his progress in talisman arts accelerate greatly, which delighted him immensely.

For the next two days, Lin Xing stayed holed up in his room, becoming increasingly adept at crafting the three types of talismans; his speed in drawing the talismans grew faster.

Talisman (Level 3 86.7%) → Talisman (Level 3 87.2%)

At that moment, the tip of his brush moved like a dancing dragon and snake, swiftly forming the shape of a Qingfeng Talisman, emitting a mysterious charm.

Lin Xing held up the Qingfeng Talisman with his right hand, murmuring, “The natural world, heed my command, let the wind rise!”

A gust of wind suddenly whipped up in the room, blowing the talisman papers on the desk into the air.

“The talismans drawn with ordinary paper and ink are a bit weak.”

While Lin Xing thought this, he turned and used cinnabar to draw on yellow talisman paper.

As a trusted aide nominally recovering from illness at the Commander Mansion, he naturally received money from Commander Zhang.

However, since Lin Xing’s food and accommodation were usually taken care of within the mansion, he seldom had a need for money.

Therefore, he had specifically strolled around the county town the day before, finding this cinnabar and yellow paper, the best talisman materials he could find in the city.

As the Qingfeng Talisman gradually took shape on the yellow paper with cinnabar, Lin Xing could feel a force called spirit thought being consumed from his mind, concentrating into the Qingfeng Talisman.

Picking up the freshly drawn Qingfeng Talisman, Lin Xing could feel the power it harbored far surpassed the talismans he had drawn with ordinary paper.

“The Qingfeng Talismans drawn with ordinary paper don’t consume my spirit thought, but their power is much weaker; they’re fine for practice, but insufficient for battle.”

“Tomorrow we’re cracking down on evil; I’d better prepare a few more talismans.”

Lin Xing rubbed his slightly swelling brow, setting the freshly drawn Qingfeng Talisman on yellow paper to the side.

Already, there were over a dozen talismans there, drawn with cinnabar and yellow paper, all prepared for the battle the next day.

If it weren’t for the fact that producing such potent talismans consumed his spirit thought each time, and spirit thought needed time to recover, Lin Xing guessed he would have produced dozens of boxes of them.

…

Early the next day, Lin Xing, with his backpack, found Zhao Yuan, who was leading the troops to raid Ruyi Temple.

He was a middle-aged man who had lost one hand, exuding a chilling aura all over.

Upon seeing him, Lin Xing immediately made his request known, “For this operation against the brothels, please assign the most dangerous opponents to me; I only wish to fight enemies capable of killing me.”

Zhao Yuan, who had initially thought Lin Xing looked somewhat soft, could not help but feel stunned by these words.

He gave an unattractive smile, “Good, truly worthy of being a talent valued by the Commander.

But remember, fighting in a war isn’t just about recklessness; stay close to me this time and watch carefully.

There’s much for you to learn.”