With virtue

The road was impassable, and now it was ablaze.

As the talisman was burned, the cave entrance suddenly became bright and then dark.

The smoke from the burning yellow paper drifted in, making Zhao Yunshu immediately aware of what was happening.

He suddenly raised his head and stared at the cave entrance.

An ordinary person would have already found a way out or hidden in the cave by now.

But Zhao Yunshu was not worried at all and walked straight out of the cave.

In the depths of autumn amidst the chaos, the wind howls through the mountain valleys, and the closer one gets to the cave, the louder the whistling wind becomes, sending a chill down one's spine.

The sky was already darkening, and the faint light of stars and moon that had been outside the cave had all disappeared.

The mountain wind abruptly ceased, and all was silent, except for the faint, distant clanging of armor, which gradually rose and drew closer.

We arrived outside the cave.

Sure enough, a ghost general stood outside the cave.

It was the same one who had just stopped Zhao Yunshu.

He not only returned, but even followed the trail back here, only to be blinded by the "road is impassable" sign and unable to see the cave in front of him.

The ghost general exuded a terrifying and ferocious aura.

But when he stood at the cave entrance, his gaze fell upon something that was sizzling, and the two talismans were burning even more intensely.

"Not here? He's really gone? This Taoist priest has this ability?" The ghost general seemed to be talking to himself.

Just then, a beautiful woman walked out from the side. The fragrant breeze dispelled some of the murderous aura, but it made the atmosphere even more stagnant.

"That old Taoist priest was, after all, from Yuntai Temple. He only left behind this one disciple, so it's only natural that he has some skills. However... this defeat will be difficult to explain when he goes back."

"It's alright. The governor has given us plenty of time. Your young lady should also know that this is not a good situation and won't blame us too much. He can't have gone too far from here. You see, we just returned for the third time and discovered his movements. We followed the trail and found him here. It's clear that he's just hiding and hasn't actually fled far."

"Hmm, let's look for more clues around here." The beauty nodded.

However, Zhao Yunshu abruptly shifted his gaze and took a few deep breaths.

The ghost general's gaze could have that effect... it must be something extraordinary, but I don't know the details.

But what the other beauty said made Zhao Yunshu prick up his ears.

"Yuntai Temple? What's that? The old Taoist priest's background? How come I don't know?" he muttered to himself.

The old Taoist priest was no different from his father, but he had always only known that the old Taoist priest was a wandering sorcerer in the guise of a Taoist priest. How did a Yuntai Temple suddenly appear?

However, you can't really tell anything from the name. Yuntai Temple is such a common name. There must be at least eighty or a hundred Taoist temples with this name.

Perhaps the old Taoist priest had a family background, but was expelled from the sect because of his reckless behavior.

But... if the old Taoist priest is in such a state, what could possibly be worth all this trouble for these ghosts to come looking for?

I didn't even know such a thing existed, let alone...

These ghosts never showed themselves before the old Taoist priest died.

They appeared immediately after the old Taoist priest died, one playing the good cop and the other the bad cop, using both threats and seduction. It's estimated that the next scene will be the beauties sacrificing themselves to let him and his younger sister escape, then forging trust and developing feelings for each other during their escape, and voluntarily offering the treasures left behind by the old Taoist priest to overcome their difficulties together.

These ghosts didn't dare approach the old Taoist priest before he died. It was only after he died that they set their sights on him, trying to find a way to break through his defenses.

Unfortunately, they really thought they were fools.

However, I really don't know what the old Taoist priest left behind.

Ok……

Zhao Yunshu's mind raced, but he remained quietly waiting.

Before long, the ghost general's gaze stopped, the blazing light vanished, and the talisman stopped burning halfway through, seemingly having gotten away with it.

In this way, as long as dawn breaks and the light of day comes out, these ghosts will naturally hide away.

He felt relieved and sat down in a relaxed manner.

The ghost general sat down, showing no intention of leaving, and closed his eyes to rest.

The beautiful woman laughed and said, "General, your cultivation is truly remarkable. Your vision is now so sharp that you can carve words into the stone wall. Is this also a skill of the White Bone Temple?"

She continued, "I heard that the prefect taught the general the White Bone Observation technique..."

Before she could finish speaking, the ghost general, without even opening his eyes, interrupted her: "So what if your young lady teaches you about the ways of the virtuous?"

Upon hearing this, the beauty fell silent.

After all, mentioning the Dharma of Contemplation is a bit taboo.

The so-called "contemplation method" refers to the method of cultivation. There are countless methods of cultivation in the world, but no matter what, they all revolve around the word "contemplation".

In ancient times, when Fuxi ruled the world, he looked up to observe the celestial phenomena and down to observe the patterns of the earth. He observed the markings of birds and beasts and the suitability of the land. He drew inspiration from his own body and from all things around him, and thus created the Eight Trigrams to understand the virtues of the divine and to categorize the nature of all things.

Therefore, the sage observes the changes in heaven and earth and thus attains the Way.

Wise people observe the seasons and understand the proper balance of Yin and Yang.

A superior observes people and identifies their strengths.

Travelers appreciate the beauty of mountains and rivers.

Those who observe the qi (vital energy) can discern rise and fall by observing the clouds and qi.

Physicians observe a person's complexion and vital signs to determine whether they are alive or dead.

Generals and commanders observe the enemy's formation and the spirit of their banners to determine victory or defeat.

In the past, when Fan Zeng observed where Liu Bang was, he saw clouds above him that had turned into five colors and tigers had transformed into dragon patterns. He then advised Xiang Yu to attack immediately and not miss the opportunity. This is an example of the wonderful application of observation.

Taoism has methods of inner observation and contemplation.

Buddhism has various forms of contemplation, such as the contemplation of the white bones, the contemplation of the sun, the contemplation of the moon, and the nine contemplations.

Confucianism also says: Observe things to compare with virtue, investigate things to acquire knowledge, observe things to extract images, and observe wisdom to reflect on oneself.

Even martial arts practitioners have methods such as "seeing the spirit without being destroyed" and "observing the movements to know the essence".

Therefore, the sage observes the way of Heaven to understand human affairs, the perfect man observes the way of the world to understand the truth, and the virtuous man observes the principles of things to cultivate himself. The word "observation" connects the three teachings and encompasses all methods, and is indeed the first essential meaning of cultivation.

Without the means of observation, even if one masters some techniques, it's merely knowing what to do but not why, failing to enter the path of cultivation, and not qualifying as a true practitioner.

This is precisely why visualization diagrams are so precious. A suitable visualization diagram can quickly help practitioners enter the path of visualization and guide them into the inner sanctum.

In fact, some methods of visualization, without the guidance of visualization diagrams, will kill nine out of ten practitioners.

The foundation of many temples lies in having a visualization diagram and accompanying visualization methods.

In this world, there are many people who know the two techniques, but most of them are just rural shamans, witches, wild monks, or martial artists without a sect. Only those who can observe the techniques can be considered to have a true lineage.

Zhao Yunshu actually knew about the White Bone Temple.

In Buddhism, there is a concept called "White Bone Contemplation." One first contemplates the form of the skeleton, which begins as a single point of essence and gradually develops into a fetus, produces milk, grows strong and healthy, ages, falls ill, and dies, eventually turning into a bloated and stiff corpse that eventually becomes white bones. Since one contemplates becoming white bones, one sees the body as constantly white bones, thus developing aversion and detachment without any attachment. This is considered the lowest form of Buddhist contemplation.

Even the lowest level of the White Bone Contemplation is a Dharma gate that ordinary people can only aspire to but not attain.

This is all because the White Bone Temple is also a genuine transmission. In this world, anyone who is associated with the words "genuine transmission" is not someone to be trifled with.

"The White Bone Temple and the Red Powder Temple... these two demons are indeed not simple. Fortunately, they haven't discovered me. I'll stay here until dawn, and they will naturally retreat. They can't really stand guard against me in the sunlight, can they?" Zhao Yunshu made up his mind and immediately retreated into the cave, calming his mind and reducing his movements.

The outside area also became quiet for a moment.

But after a short while, Zhao Yunshu stood up again!

Because he heard something.

First came the tinkling of jade pendants, coming from afar—the voices of the beauties who had previously surrounded Zhao Yunshu.

Then came the dragging sound, the heels scraping against the gravel, dull and long. Occasionally, there was a struggle, and the soles of the shoes would kick the ground, but after a couple of kicks, the person would be dragged along as before.

There was heavy breathing, squeezed out from the throat, with a phlegm-like sound; it was an old man.

She was muttering to herself, repeating the same phrase over and over again: "May the Bodhisattva protect me." She was a village woman.

There were several low sobs, like the whimpers of puppies, broken and incoherent, and they appeared to be some children.

Her clothes trailed on the ground, rustling like a snake.

He quietly hid in the shadows, peeking out.

The beauties who had been surrounding him earlier started to make noise and appeared from the side.

The hundreds of ghosts that the ghost generals had previously commanded had now gathered around.

They arrested a total of five people.

These people—the old man, who appears to be a traveling merchant; the village woman, who is likely a local resident, carrying a machete and half a bundle of firewood; and three children among them.

Then the situation becomes clear.

Children... well, they're nothing more than child prodigies, goddesses, or Buddhist disciples. These days, such things happen everywhere, so it's not unusual.

The village woman was probably there to see the boy off.

That old man must have been a traveling merchant; you could still see his luggage. He must have been discovered while passing through the ravine. How unlucky.

"All the living people around here are here. Why did the general order us to capture them?" one of the monsters said.

"Just looking for survivors around, in case they have some kind of transformation technique? But they all look like ordinary people."

"Since we're all just ordinary people?" the other ghost wondered.

The general waved his hand: "Today's hunt was fruitless, and the brothers are all starving. Since we have no treasures from the old Taoist priest, let's lock these mortals up for now and interrogate them slowly later."

The beautiful woman with red hair and a crimson skirt chimed in, "That's true. Besides, we've happened to encounter some young boys and girls; why don't we entrust them to my care?"

"Ha, then your skills are lacking." The ghost general laughed.

The woman in the red dress frowned slightly: "General, do you underestimate my skills? I have served Miss for many years and am proficient in cooking all kinds of ingredients, as well as preparing all kinds of banquets."

The ghost general shook his head and said naturally, "When I was alive, I followed the commander in battles everywhere, confronting that hateful Xuanwu army. I got used to it back then. You're just having a taste; how can you compare to us, who eat it like a meal?"

The surrounding ghosts laughed loudly, but their laughter was tinged with fear.

Even Zhao Yunshu's pupils shrank, and he felt a little flustered.

He studied history.

Clearly, the military commander mentioned by the ghost general was none other than Qin Zongquan, the former military governor of Caizhou.

At that time, this man surrendered to Huang Chao, the Great General of Heavenly Restoration and became one of his generals. He was also involved in the conquest of Chang'an, and later even inherited Huang Chao's kingdom and incorporated his remaining troops. He was a vicious and ruthless figure.

When the Ghost General was alive, was he perhaps commanding troops under Qin Zongquan?

No wonder it was already more ferocious than ghosts back then. Now that it has escaped the judge and the underworld officials, it has become a vengeful ghost, making all ghosts tremble with fear.

Upon hearing this, the beauty frowned at first, then smiled with relief: "In that case, I will shamelessly enjoy the general's cooking for once."

Then, he took out the ghost-headed broadsword and walked towards the group of people.

The child naturally cried loudly, and the woman closed her eyes and chanted the name of the Bodhisattva, but her lips became increasingly bluish-black.

Upon hearing this, the merchant's expression changed drastically, but he did not cry and beg like a woman or child.

But he said in a low voice, "Sister-in-law, my surname is Chen and my given name is Wanchuan. I travel all over the country all year round, selling medicinal herbs and leather goods. I have also escorted goods and walked the night road for others. Sister-in-law, don't worry, baby, don't cry. Trust me this time."

"Don't be afraid. I've encountered far more ferocious creatures in Qingzhou. These mere ghosts are nothing. In a moment, I'll give a shout, and you can all take the opportunity to run away. Every one of you who can escape is a piece of cake."

"Brother..." The woman choked with tears, unable to speak, but her eyes shone with hope.

The children continued to cry and fuss, as if they weren't listening.

The ghost general dragged his sword as he walked, the blade scraping the ground as he approached step by step.

Just then, the merchant suddenly broke free from the ghost's arm behind him, rolled on the spot, stood up, pulled a bag from his pocket with his left hand, bit the seal, and splashed it out in his face—it was black dog blood that had been smoked using a secret method, dark red and viscous, with a pungent fishy smell.

Black dog blood is considered the most powerful talisman against evil spirits in folk tradition. Ordinary ghosts will flee at the touch of it, and even lingering vengeful spirits must temporarily avoid its power.

Blood was splattered onto the demon general's chest armor, sizzling and rising in a puff of white smoke!

it works!

The traveling merchant's face lit up with joy.

However, the ghost general lowered his head, seemingly laughing.

It stretched out its left hand, gently smeared the black dog blood on its breastplate with its fingers, and sniffed it.

Then, it flicked its finger, and a drop of blood shot out from its fingertip, hitting the soil like a firecracker exploding.

"—They're nothing but filth."

Chen Wanchuan's pupils contracted sharply. Just as he was about to turn around to protect the child, the ghost-headed knife arrived.

With a clang, the ghost-headed knife seemed to have struck a rock, making a cracking sound.

"Hmm?" The ghost general looked down.

But then they saw that he wasn't chopping at the peddler, but at a large rock.

"Go!" the peddler shouted suddenly, then grabbed the doll next to him and ran.

If you try to catch two slow runners, neither of them will be able to escape!

Then he called out again, "Thank you, Taoist priest!"

Upon hearing this, the ghost general and the beauty immediately turned their attention back to the ghost general!

But then Zhao Yunshu jumped out of the cave.

To know--

The "Road Impassable" talisman can only block the eyes of ghosts and monsters; it has no effect on the living.

Therefore, the peddler was able to see Zhao Yunshu gesturing deliberately at the entrance of the cave from the very beginning!