From Paper Craftsman to World-Suppressing Immortal

The sky is clear and blue in Linshuigu Town today.

Zhang Zhixuan, Qingxuan, and Wuming walked back onto the streets of Linshuigu Town, but the scene was very different from before.

All the shops in the town removed their doors and reopened for business. The streets returned to their bustling and prosperous state, and the people of Linshuigu finally shook off the gloom that had lasted for more than half a month and regained their smiles.

Halfway through their journey, Zhang Zhixuan and his companions spotted a large crowd gathered on one side of the town's street, pointing and whispering amongst themselves. Curious, they wondered, "What's going on up ahead? Why are so many people gathered here?"

The three of them went closer to take a look and found that it was a notice that had just been posted by the police station of the prefectural government.

The notice, written in black and white, clearly outlined the whole story, explaining the truth about the headless ghost, detailing Xia Linyuan's heroic deeds as a young man, and also clarifying the origins of the fish monster lurking at the bottom of Huishui Bay.

Zhang Zhixuan and his companions, satisfied with the notice's contents, turned to leave when a voice suddenly rang out beside them: "Look! The great hero who slays demons and monsters at Huishui Bay!"

Wow! Really!

"This is Master Zhang, that's Daoist Qingxuan, and that one is Master Wuming!"

Several screams drew a chorus of "wows" from the surrounding crowd, and the next moment, Zhang Zhixuan and his two companions were surrounded by a large group of enthusiastic people.

"No, no! Auntie, don't pull my clothes!"

"Who pulled down my pants!"

"Amitabha! This lady, you mustn't touch me like that!"

The three of them finally managed to escape from the crowd and quickly slunk away.

Having learned their lesson, the three dared not approach any more inexplicable commotion on the road.

After traveling at a brisk pace, the three of them finally arrived at the canal ferry crossing in a low-key manner.

At this moment, at the canal ferry crossing, the warm morning sun shines on the surface of the canal, and the shimmering gold-like waves gently ripple with the tide.

The docks by the ferry crossing have become lively again. Merchant ships with flags of various companies are lined up one after another, shuttling back and forth along the canal. The boatmen's shouts, the merchants' calls, and the children's laughter are mixed together and carried far away by the river breeze. There is no trace of the deathly silence and desolation of before.

Looking at the bustling and prosperous Linshuigu that had returned to its former glory, Zhang Zhixuan's nerves, which had been tense for several days, finally relaxed a bit.

"Brother Zhang, I've confirmed with the boat crew."

Qingxuan strode out of the dock manager's room and said with a smile, "This afternoon there will be a passenger ship going downstream directly to Jinmenwei South Wharf. From there, you can transfer to another ship and reach Wuliu Town in less than half an hour."

Wuming clasped his hands together and bowed to Zhang Zhixuan, saying, "Benefactor Zhang, the matter at Linshuigu is settled. My fellow Daoist Qingxuan and I have discussed it, and we will set off to return to our sect today. I have witnessed the suffering of the people along the way and know that they are not only worried about making a living, but also about evil spirits running rampant and taking lives. I will report all of this to our sect in a truthful manner."

Zhang Zhixuan turned around, cupped his hands in thanks to the two men, and said, "Thank you both for your help along the way. Take care on your journey as we part."

Qingxuan patted Zhang Zhixuan on the shoulder, grinned, but his eyes were full of reluctance: "Brother Zhang, what are you saying! We've been through thick and thin together, it's too formal to say such things."

"If Brother Zhang encounters any trouble in the future and needs any help, feel free to send us a message, and we will definitely come."

"good!"

The three exchanged a smile, needing no further words; the bond forged through life and death together was already etched in their hearts.

That noon, Qingxuan and Wuming bid farewell to Zhang Zhixuan. One went south to Maoshan, and the other went west to Wutaishan, each embarking on their journey back to their respective sects.

After seeing the two off, Zhang Zhixuan sat alone by the ferry, opened the book he kept close to his body, "Secret Records of Taoist House-Protecting Techniques," and then flipped through the pages to take out a protective talisman.

This talisman was naturally left behind by Daoist Yunya. The talisman is called the "Shangqing Thunder Sword Formation Talisman". It was drawn with the magical power of a great master and is used to save one's life in critical moments.

After the ritual for the deceased was completed last night, Zhang Zhixuan had a detailed conversation with Daoist Yunya, recounting his encounters with the evil paper wife, the sorcerer involved in the Tianjin disappearance case, the evil jade cicada, and Panlong Mountain, among other things.

Surprisingly, aside from the paper wife, Daoist Yunya knew most of the other things.

The Taoist Yunya advised Zhang Zhixuan, stating that the matter involved a past affair of the Taoist sect, and that someone would intervene when the time was right. He then left behind this life-saving talisman and went off to live a carefree life.

In the afternoon, Zhang Zhixuan boarded the passenger ship to go home.

The passenger ship sailed downstream along the canal, and the reed beds and villages on both banks slowly receded into the distance. The river breeze brushed against our faces, carrying a damp mist.

Standing at the bow of the boat, Zhang Zhixuan gazed at the rushing river, his mind filled with countless thoughts.

As dusk fell, Zhang Zhixuan finally returned to Wuliu Town.

Back home, after tidying up the house and boiling some water, Zhang Zhixuan sat down at his desk, picked up bamboo strips, and began to make new paper puppets.

In the Battle of Huishui Bay, all his paper puppets were destroyed, and he had no soldiers under his command. Life as a commander without troops was not easy.

After making four paper soldier puppets, Zhang Zhixuan immediately made two more Four Symbols puppets, the White Tiger and the Black Tortoise. By the time he finished, it was already late at night. Feeling drowsy, Zhang Zhixuan lay down on the hard earthen bed and gradually fell asleep.

"Zhang Zhixuan!"

In a daze, he heard a woman calling his name. Zhang Zhixuan suddenly opened his eyes and saw a vast expanse of white all around him. This scene was just like the one before!

"Evil spirit! Why hide any longer!" Zhang Zhixuan cursed angrily, immediately becoming alert and on guard.

Suddenly, a deafening laugh of triumph came from above. Zhang Zhixuan looked up sharply and saw a terrifying, enormous ghost face emerging from the vast white expanse.

"what!"

With a startled cry, Zhang Zhixuan hurriedly sat up from the earthen bed. He was drenched in cold sweat, breathing heavily, and his mind was in complete chaos.

Looking around and hesitating for a moment, Zhang Zhixuan finally realized that it had indeed just been a nightmare.

After waking up from a nightmare, Zhang Zhixuan was wide awake. It was still pitch black outside, and he had no idea how long he had slept.

Since he couldn't sleep, Zhang Zhixuan simply continued making his paper offerings. He had gone to his uncle's place earlier and then spent some time in Linshuigu, so he had to finish Liu Ling's batch of paper offerings as quickly as possible without stopping.

After working until dawn, Zhang Zhixuan finished a piece of paperwork, stood up, yawned, stretched, and was thinking of going out to get some breakfast to tide him over.

Just then, "Bang bang bang!" came the sound of knocking on the door from outside the courtyard.

"Zhixuan, have you returned yet?"

Upon hearing the voice, Zhang Zhixuan immediately realized that it was his uncle, Second Master Zhao, knocking on the door.

He walked to the gate, opened it, and sure enough, there stood Master Zhao.

"Zhixuan! You're finally back!"

When Master Zhao saw that Zhang Zhixuan had returned safely, he was overjoyed.

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Master Zhao got straight to the point: "I've found buyers for the antiques you bought at the ghost market! They're two big bosses who came all the way from Lucheng and Jincheng specifically to buy a batch of authentic old items. I showed them the goods you had, and they're both interested. They're just waiting for you to come back for a face-to-face meeting!"

"When will we meet?"

"Today! They're waiting for us at the inn at the town entrance! I've arranged to go there as soon as you get back!"

"Let's go then."

Without further ado, Zhang Zhixuan locked the courtyard gate and followed Master Zhao toward the inn in town.