National Division

Chapter 19 But there's plenty of time! (Please continue reading!)
Meanwhile, Shen Xian left Qingyang Temple and looked up at the sky, feeling a sense of pent-up frustration weighing on his heart.

In such a large county as Guhe, at least two people could easily deal with the so-called demons and evil spirits, but no one paid any attention.

What kind of world is this?
Although he was no longer a hothead, he still felt indignant when faced with such a matter.

It's especially infuriating when all the cases fall on your own father's shoulders.

If his father were to meet with misfortune, his title as the son of a county magistrate would instantly become meaningless.

All their grand plans to get rich have become like a rootless duckweed.

Because it's impossible to protect it at all; it's all just benefiting others.

"Young master, where are we going now?" Ah Xin asked.

Shen Xian said in a deep voice, "Go to the East Gate to find Father."

The weapon of criticism can never replace the criticism of weapons. Based on his current position of power, he is not yet able to directly communicate with the Abbot of Qingyang Temple.

But there's plenty of time in the future!
With this thought in mind, he raised his riding whip and headed towards the east gate.

At this moment, inside a shop with a sign that reads "Ma Yi Shen Suan" hanging on the street at the east gate of Guhe County.

Shen Bin, along with his brothers Zhao Lang and Li Yan, and a group of yamen runners, arrived at the East Gate and entered in a grand procession.

Wu the Cripple limped forward and said, "What gust of wind blew Young Master Shen over to this old man?"

The old Taoist priest wore a hemp robe covered in grease, had a thin face, and a few strands of gray-white beard under his chin. He was vigorous and had a somewhat otherworldly air about him.

Shen Bin got straight to the point, stating his purpose: "I would like to ask Elder Wu to draw some talismans to deal with evil spirits."

Shen Bin, as a county constable, was no fool. He knew that this Wu the Cripple probably had some real skills.

For some reason, he couldn't detect the slightest aura of a Qi Refiner.

Upon hearing this, Wu the Cripple frowned deeply, his index and middle fingers twitching repeatedly. Whether he was faking it or not, he said in a hoarse voice, "Recently, the celestial phenomena have changed drastically, and the fortune of the county has weakened. Indeed, there are demons causing trouble."

Zhao Lang didn't have time to listen to Wu the Cripple's nonsense and impatiently interrupted, "Alright, we still have to go to the countryside to investigate a case later. Draw a few talismans based on these patterns and see if they work."

He was convinced by his elder brother's wisdom; his essence and blood were incredibly precious. Even if he were to draw a talisman, he would have to find a Taoist priest from the Qingyang Temple, right?
What use is this cripple Wu?

Shen Bin frowned and said sternly, "Second brother, you mustn't be rude."

Then, looking at Wu the Cripple, he said, "Old Wu, my men were in a hurry to do official business and spoke rudely. Please forgive them."

Wu the Cripple smiled and said, "It's alright, may I take a look at these talismans?"

Zhao Lang handed over the talisman he had drawn.

Wu the Cripple took the talisman and examined it for a moment. Then, meeting Shen Bin's expectant gaze, he said, "This is a demon-suppressing talisman and a manifestation talisman, which are most effective at suppressing the transformations of demons. However, this talisman requires the essence and blood of a Xiantian martial artist to enhance it."

"Old Wu has a good eye." Upon hearing this, Shen Bin felt relieved.

If someone can understand it, it means they are an expert, and they wouldn't ruin these talismans, nor would they entrust them to the wrong person.

Wu the Cripple smiled and said, "Young Master Shen, please wait a moment. This old man will prepare cinnabar and talisman paper to draw a talisman for you."

Shen Bin nodded, watching Wu the Cripple leave, feeling somewhat relieved. He then looked at Zhao Lang beside him and said, "Second Brother, Old Wu is quite capable."

Zhao Lang retorted defiantly, "Recognizing it doesn't necessarily mean you can draw it."

Shen Bin didn't argue. Li Yan said, "Brother, this seems somewhat reliable?"

“If he were completely unreliable, he wouldn’t have been able to swindle people in the county for so many years,” Shen Bin said.

He wasn't stupid. Based on his deduction, this Wu the Cripple was either a traitor to the Immortal Sect or had once been a member of it.

Otherwise, the arts of talismans, divine runes, and feng shui divination have always been mastered by the disciples of the three religions, and charlatans would have nowhere to learn them!
Li Yan's eyes flickered, and he seemed to be deep in thought.

Just then, a yamen runner came in from outside and said, "Your Excellency, Young Master Shen has arrived."

Shen Bin's expression changed, and he said urgently, "What is he doing here? This is ridiculous!"

Li Yan quickly interjected, "Brother, please wait here for a moment, I'll be right back." As he spoke, he went to the outer room, looked at Shen Xian, and asked, "Why are you here? What did they say at Qingyang Temple?"

Shen Xian's face was ashen, and he said coldly, "The Abbot of Qingyang Temple is unwilling to help in the slightest."

He had actually rarely gotten angry in recent years, but he was still extremely annoyed by the way Crane Guardian had acted before.

Li Yan sighed and said, "It's not surprising. Over the past few years, your father and I have begged countless times, but we haven't succeeded even once."

Shen Xian said in a deep voice, "These Taoist priests turn a blind eye to the suffering of the people, and they are unworthy of the incense offerings from the people, and the imperial court does nothing about it."

Throughout history, the imperial court has strictly controlled religion. For some reason, this great realm has allowed those outside the secular world to ride roughshod over it, even using the teachings of Huang-Lao (Taoist philosophy) as a way of governing the country. Aristocratic families and powerful clans have made discussing metaphysics and Taoism fashionable.

"Who knows?" Li Yan sighed again, looked at Shen Xian's handsome face, and said, "Let's not talk about this for now. This business trip is extremely dangerous, so you shouldn't go."

Shen Xian's gaze was firm as she said, "Uncle Li, I'm going this time."

Li Yan said with concern, "Although it's just investigating the case and there may not be any danger, your father only has you as his son, and your cultivation level is still low. It would be better for you to stay at home for now."

Shen Xian said, "Uncle Li, now that demons are causing trouble, when the nest is overturned, how can the eggs remain intact? Besides, I am still with my father and you, Uncle Li, which is better than encountering it on my own."

Li Yan smiled and said, "It's easy for you to convince me, but you'll have to convince your father."

Shen Xian's expression shifted slightly, and he said, "Then I'll talk to Father later."

“Your dad’s got a lot of problems right now,” Li Yan said, leading Shen Xian into Wu the Cripple’s shop.

At this moment, Wu the Cripple had already drawn the talisman, took it out, handed it over, and said, "County Commandant Shen, what do you think of this?"

Shen Bin took the talisman and examined it carefully for a while. It was a yellow talisman with powerful lines drawn in cinnabar, the lines penetrating the back of the paper.

Although Shen Bin was not familiar with immortal arts and supernatural powers, he could still see that it was extraordinary, and he exclaimed, "Old Wu's talisman is well drawn."

Even Zhao Lang, after taking a close look, couldn't find any fault with it.

Wu the Cripple stroked his beard and smiled, "Although there is no fluctuation of spiritual power, if it is activated by the essence and blood of a congenital martial artist, the most yang and most powerful substance is enough to subdue evil spirits. But Young Master Shen, do you really want to sacrifice yourself for others?"

Shen Bin composed himself, cupped his hands in greeting, and said, "It is my duty, and I cannot shirk it. I will rely entirely on Elder Wu in the future."

Wu the Cripple laughed and said, "I have been fortunate enough to have a place to live thanks to Magistrate Shen's care over the years. I have nothing to repay him with, so I am doing some talisman drawing. It is nothing."

Just then, Shen Xian stepped across the threshold and heard the two men. Even a cripple knew gratitude, while those morally upright people in Qingyang Temple, who had hands and feet, stood idly by. It was truly chilling!
Wu the Cripple said, "A martial artist's innate essence and blood is an extremely yang and strong substance, which needs to be mixed with cinnabar to harmonize it."

Compared to the blood of a rooster, the innate essence of a martial artist is undoubtedly hundreds of times stronger.

Shen Bin said, "I'll get it for you right away."

As he spoke, a beautifully crafted dagger appeared in his hand. The dagger was silver and white, and the words "Qing Si" were engraved on the tip.

This item is a keepsake from Shen Xian's mother.

Upon hearing this, Wu the Cripple looked up at Shen Bin, his slightly drowsy eyes brightening considerably. He said, "County Commandant Shen, this... has severely damaged his health."

Shen Bin said, "It's just a little bit of essence and blood. Compared to the lives and safety of the people in the county, it's nothing."

As he spoke, a flash of cold light appeared, and his true energy propelled the dagger, revealing a wound on his left middle finger.

A martial artist with innate abilities possesses bones and muscles as strong as copper and iron, making them difficult to harm with ordinary weapons, unless they possess true qi.

At the wound on his middle finger, as Shen Bin activated his innate true energy, a drop of bright red blood, faintly shimmering with golden light, appeared.

Zhao Lang placed the prepared bowl aside and looked at Shen Bin with concern.

At this moment, Shen Xian also stared intently at the innate essence blood.

This is the essence and blood of a primordial martial artist!

The essence blood contained traces of golden light?

Actually, I don't remember ever seeing my father take action.

(End of this chapter)