The burning pain reminded Wan Li that he had focused on the satisfying kick, forgetting the opponent was made of wood! Now hed be limping for at least a week. He swore never to laugh at Ruan Zhan for being injured all over after his battles again. Only now did he realize that it wasnt easy being the main force in a battle against the supernatural. Especially when fighting solo.
One really shouldnt talk shit. Karma cos around quickly! He said in annoyance, hopping as he picked up the bloodwood sword. He took out the backup flashlight from his backpack and prepared to enter the courtyard.
At that mont, a noise rang out from beside him. One of the headless puppets closest to the door had actually gotten there first, crawling towards the gates!
Clackclackclack
The scraping of wood on stone and the clanking of joints sounded exceptionally piercing in the silent night. Once the first puppet moved, the other three also started moving, struggling to crawl into the courtyard.
Wan Li got the creeps while watching. Before he could react, he felt sothing bump against his heel. He hurriedly leapt aside. He saw the bisected puppet pulling itself along with one hand while its other hand dragged its lower half. Since Wan Li was in its way, it kept colliding against him.
Seeing those puppets reach the gates, Wan Li suddenly realized that these puppets shouldnt be moving without so external force. If it wasnt sorcery or talismans, then they were possessed by spirits.
Thinking of this, he imdiately pulled the bloodwood sword out. It imdiately glowed faintly red after coming out of the case.
As expected!
The reason it had been calm previously must be due to Master Long having done sothing with the puppets. Yet now that their heads had fallen off, the protective layer definitely shattered. The bloodwood sword imdiately reacted!
Wan Li ignored the pain in his right foot. He walked over and stabbed down with the sword.
rcy! A voice suddenly rang out from the courtyard, stopping him. At the sa ti, the door to the small wooden building opened with a creak. A thin figure appeared in the doorway. They are all damaged spirits with nowhere to go. Im rely helping them gather their aura. They wont harm people!
Wan Li sighed, looking at his tattered body and suspended right foot. Wasnt this called harming people? If he didnt possess so ans and if he hadnt been vigilant, it would be a miracle if he was still able to crawl, let alone be able to stand here and chat.
I did warn you to be careful. Master Long seed to have read his mind and said faintly.
Im so extrely grateful. If I hadnt been able to hold on, would you have imdiately stepped out to stop things? Wan Lis tone was sarcastic as he hopped to one side, allowing those puppets to crawl into the courtyard and directly into the large stone building.
Actually, no. If you couldnt even handle these possessed puppets, there would be no need for your to go help your friends in the new town. Youd be throwing your life away, without any chance of victory. Master Long still spoke indifferently, as if talking about soone unrelated. Co in.
Wan Li had no retort. He knew Master Longs word made a lot of sense, but still felt this sort of test was a little excessive. The withered elder walked out of the small tone building after speaking and followed the puppets into the larger building without looking back.
The inside was pitch black. A gust of damp and cold air greeted Wan Li as he entered, and he couldnt help but shiver. What made him even more uncomfortable were the nurous eyes staring at him. However, there wasnt the slightest presence of living humans. Instead, even Master Longs traces had vanished.
Wan Li stood still, his hand gripping the bloodwood sword tightly as he turned on the flashlight. The stone building was very large. It was at least forty square ters. It was a long rectangular shape, and for so reason Wan Li felt he had entered an enormous stone coffin. There was no furniture. A pile of shining white objects lay by the wall.
The beam of the flashlight hesitated before stopping on the objects.
Puppets. They were still puppets, the size of actual people! They were similarly whole in body and varied in appearance, but their features were still blurry. Unlike the ones patrolling outside, these ones werent wearing clothes and they hadnt been painted. Apart from two black circles for their eyes, their glossy wooden parts emitted a faint white light.
These puppets were piled by the walls against each other, layer by layer. There were at least over a hundred standing there in a dense group, making Wan Li feel surrounded. Even more frightening was that despite them not moving or breathing, he felt that they were alive. They all stared mutely at the visitor. No matter where he stood, the pairs of round and dark eyes still stared at him coldly. He felt inexplicable nervous and a layer of sweat ford on his brow.
This way. Master Longs voice suddenly rang out again, startling Wan Li. He didnt know where it had co from. Looking towards the sound, he realized the building had a tiny door on the right. It seed to be linked to the smaller building.
Wan Li was a little dissatisfied. He hardened his scalp and walked into the smaller building. He felt goosebumps along his back from being stared at by those puppets, wishing to leave as soon as possible. He did his best to steady his steps, not wanting to be looked down upon by the strange elder.
He had always been brave, and was able to handle actual ghosts. However, this sort of silent threat tested his ntal endurance.
You are very courageous. The mont he entered, he heard Master Long say. Although the tone was still indifferent, it finally contained a hint of praise.
The smaller building was just as dark. Master Long had no intention of turning on any lights, but Wan Li could see the situation inside using the flashlight. It was much smaller than the bigger building, less than six square ters. A heated brick bed commonly seen in northern farming villages occupied half of the room. There were two simple pieces of furniture and so luggage. A small brick bed table, a wooden chest and so blankets were placed on one side of the bed. Apart from that, there was only a wooden shelf containing neatly arranged carving tools.
This room didnt have the damp, chilly air. Instead, it was filled with the sweet fragrance of wood!
Wan Li was a little doubtful for a mont.
Was this frail elder really Master Long? Why did he live in such poverty? This differed from what he had imagined. An expert like this, even if he was no immortal, should at least be free and uninhibited. Why did he feel Master Long was like a spirit? Furthermore, his actions were also extrely weird. Soone so famously skilled at fengshui and geomancy was carving puppets, and shoddily at that, instead of reading the Book of Changes or studying trigrams or what not!
The villagers said he made a living by crafting puppets, but from what he saw, that was impossible. Who would want these life-sized creepy dolls? He didnt seem like a craftsman. Instead, he seed like a witch that played around with ghosts and spirits!
Had he fallen into another trap? Dangers lurked around every corner, so he had no choice but to be cautious!
Thinking of this, he shone the flashlight onto Master Longs body. He was sitting next to the brick bed, his body completely covered in oriental robes. Only two withered arms and a head full of white hair could be seen. On the ground was his small shadow.
However, when the strong beam of light hit his face, his eyes showed completely no reaction. They were still half-opened, the pupils unmoving!
Just what was going on? What did he not react like a human being?
I am blind. Master Longs dried lips moved, answering Wan Lis doubts.
Wan Li softly let out a breath. He was really afraid of encountering sothing unexpected. He wasnt afraid of things he could interact with, no matter human or ghost. Yet at this mont, he was afraid of being led in circles again.
He had made contact with Ruan Zhan prior to heading up the mountains. Ruan Zhan had told him he had already recovered his powers. The situation in the new town couldnt be dragged out any further, so he was preparing to act. He hoped Wan Li could find Master Long, because he needed the architect of the tower to cooperate with him outside the town.
Wan Li knew that if he couldnt find Master Long, Ruan Zhan would still make his move. It was just the chances of victory wouldnt be great. Ruan Zhan was facing a hundred and seventy-three resentful spirits. Those resentful spirits held extrely deep grudges, and had been suppressed for many years. Now that they were released, their powers naturally shouldnt be underestimated. However, the chances of suppressing them were also slim to none. Therefore, with the stubbornness ingrained in Ruan Zhans bones, he would definitely give it his all, even if he only had a one percent chance of success.
The situation in both towns kept changing and opportunity could knock at any mont. Therefore, they couldnt prearrange a mont to act. However, Wan Li really hoped to finish preparations on his side first and wait outside the new town. When Ruan Zhan gave the signal, he could make his move. He wouldnt want Ruan Zhan to receive no reinforcents after giving the signal.
Sorry. He felt a little awkward. It wasnt intentional.
Do you understand now why I dont need any lights? Im not a puppet, I just dont need it. Master Long said. If youve seen clearly, could you please move the light away from my face?
Wan Li thought Master Long had sohow seen his surreptitious appearance and coughed awkwardly, hurriedly withdrawing the flashlight, shining the beam at the ceiling.
Find a place to sit. Master Long spoke once again.
There were no stools or chairs in the room. Wan Li could only sit on the brick bed as requested.
Master Long, I
You dont trust ? Master Long interrupted him, pointing out that Wan Li was sitting so distance away.
Im afraid you might throw so more trials at . Wan Li answered honestly. Im already spent just finding this place. I cant take anymore surprises.
This elder was really sothing. The smaller building clearly had a door, but he insisted on making a detour through the larger one. He had clearly been testing him a second ti, observing whether the eerie scene would frighten him.
You must be wondering why Im living like this, why I would carve those puppets, why I hide in the dark like a spirit, why my eyes are blind. You must have heard from others that I dont have any handicap. You might even be wondering whether I am the Master Long you are calling for. Then let tell you, I am not.
Youre not?! Wan Li almost leapt up.
Im not. That so-called Master Long had already died after the matter from ten years ago. What you see now is just a spirit. Master Long sighed.
Wan Li didnt speak He could sense the elders warmth and breath, and there was even a shadow on the ground. He couldnt be a spirit. He was just lost in regrets and speaking taphorically. However, this fengshui master was truly different from what he imagined. He wasnt profound like he knew the mysteries of the heavens. Instead, he was a little frank and overbearing.
No matter what you are now, you still have to help us this ti. Wan Li said sincerely.
Master Long let out another long sigh. His expression was filled with desolation and helplessness as he avoided the request. Just one month away, just thirty more days, but everything ended up being for naught! Fate, it really is fate!
Werethings really about to be resolved? Could you perhaps lock them up again and complete the final month?
Master Long faintly shook his head and smiled bitterly. That is impossible. Ive already said Im not soone with great powers. I rely rely on my understanding of the elents and fengshui to erect formations, suppress spirits and communicate with the netherworld. For the sake of suppressing them back then, I spent all my energy which was why I ended up blind.
Master Long
But that wasnt all. Master Long continued speaking. My act was immoral. I claid I was purifying their resentnt and sending them off to where they belong, but I was actually just protecting soone for my own sake. This angered the heavens. I got what I deserve. Since you were able to find this place, you should have figured everything out. Say, I got what I deserved, right? He raised his head and looked at Wan Li. Ai. I still cant get over it.
In my opinion, since things have already turned out this way, its best to figure out how to redy things. Better late than never, right?
Master Long fell silent as if pondering over his words. After a mont he spoke, Youare very impressive. Your courage is extraordinary. If one possesses a asure of courage, one will possess a asure of opportunity. But who knows what the outco will be?
No matter the outco, I still have to try. Wan Li hurriedly said. Inside the new town is my friend who Ive gone through life and death with, as well as the woman I care most about. No matter what, I have to save them.
What if Im unwilling to help?
Ill bring you there even if I have to use force!
What if I still refuse to help?
Then Ill kill the one you are protecting. If you force , Im able to do anything! In his anxiety, Wan Lis tone contained so provocation.
Him? Master Longs expression was calm, not getting angry at Wan Li. Paper cannot contain fire. As the saying goes, nothing escapes heavens grasp. I wanted to extinguish the source of the flas and go against the heavens back then. It seems I was a mantis trying to stop a chariot. Now that this matter has been exposed, he will die sooner or later. What do I have to fear? However, you dont need to worry. I wont refuse to help. This was my fault, and I cannot let bystanders get implicated. Answer honestly. That friend of yours, does he have innate gifts?
You know? Wan Li asked.
Wan Li wasnt actually that surprised. From the mont they t, this master seed to know everything in advance. He had heard the townsfolk say that Master Long was filled with mysteries so it wasnt hard to imagine that he already knew everything.
I knew right away when things changed within the new town. Master Long reached out and pulled the small brick bed table over, lifting the black cloth covering it.
Wan Li shone the light over and saw that the table wasnt covered in food and drink, but rather a model. It wasnt an architectural model used by real estate companies to show off model hos. Instead, it was a sand table used to plan military strategies. Clear vertical and horizontal lines were drawn, seeming to be streets, while partitioned squares represented buildings. There was a small saucer that contained water in the middle of the sand table. In the middle of the saucer was a detailed replica of a wooden tower.
Do you see that tower? Tell , how is its surroundings? Master Long asked.
Wan Li focused the light on the sand table. The sand around the saucer is a ss. The water inside the saucer is very turbid and the small wooden tower ismy goodness, its moving! As he leaned closer to look, he saw the small tower suddenly shake and was startled, instinctively stepping back.
What was going on? Did all wooden things co to life around Master Long?
There you have it. Master Long said calmly. The sand was previously level, the water clear, the tower steady. But one day, when everything changed, I naturally realized soone had broken the grand fengshui formation there!
What is going on here?
As I said, my powers are limited. I normally use my knowledge and experience to handle the occult. Besides, did you think that fengshui formation was all it took to suppress those spirits with towering resentnt?
Could it befor the past decade, youve been guarding the formation here? Wan Li sucked in a breath, finally understanding why Master Long would live in this weird and murky place, using a formation to shut himself off from the world. So this was the reason.
Master Long nodded. Theres also these puppets, a total of a hundred and seventy-three. Each of them have a na, carved behind their heads along with their birthdate. I move these specially constructed puppets into the courtyard each night, using the power of yinyang to purify their resentnt and prevent them from breaking through the fengshui formation! I made those other four puppets firstly to store those pitiful damaged souls while also using them as guards to scare off animals with the fire. Animals dont have human thoughts, and thus their minds are not like those of a human. Therefore, they arent bewildered by the surrounding formation. Their aura would startle spirits and cause those senseless puppets to also beco fiendish objects!
That bastard! Wan Li gritted his teeth and cursed Si Ma Nan.
Master Long naturally understood his aning. He should be called an expert. Although he broke my fengshui formation, I cant help but be impressed. He laughed bitterly. From your perspective, you probably think hes the one that ssed things up. But from my perspective, it is the nature of the heavens that divine retribution cannot be avoided. That day, I was pouring magic into the puppets when they suddenly started moving about. You should know that they are lifeless objects. I rely carved their nas and birthdates into the backs of their heads, seemingly giving them consciousness when I cast my magic. However, they are rely pieces of wood. But things were different that day. They seed to be responding to the resentful spirits in the new town. I hurriedly withdrew the yinyang magic and returned to the house. Although I couldnt see, I still sensed the changes in the sand table! At that ti I realized soone had broken my arrangents!
As he spoke, a wave of scattered noises ca from the large stone building. Listening carefully, it was the sound of people speaking. Many, many people speaking at the sa ti!
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