Chapter 34: We'll Split It Evenly—Essence Blood Forms the Talisman

The old man with a white beard was dressed in a gray robe and wore a Daoist crown, holding a white horsetail whisk in his hand. He truly looked the part of an immortal sage. However, there was not the slightest fluctuation of inner energy about him, and his eyes were crafty—that fellow was obviously a swindler.

Those who practiced the Dao usually had to cultivate inner energy. With it, martial arts, longevity, acupuncture, healing, exorcising ghosts, and catching monsters all became possible. But this old man, at his advanced age, hadn't cultivated any inner energy at all. That could only mean he was a fake Daoist.

Still, Song Kai didn't care. A fake Daoist was fine by him—he had only come to buy some tools for exorcising spirits, such as peachwood swords and compasses.

"Immeasurable Heavenly Venerable," the Daoist introduced himself, feigning a celestial aura. "Sir, I see a grayish hue upon your face and dimness in your eyes; you must be troubled by difficulties. But worry not, for I am Master Baiyun, and I can naturally solve your problem."

Song Kai rolled his eyes at the old man, waved his hand, and said, "Enough. I'm just here to buy something. You have talisman paper and brushes, right?"

"Ah?" Daoist Baiyun looked at Song Kai and nodded, "I do, but, sir, what do you mean by this?"

Song Kai replied, "I've run into some trouble and need to handle it, so I need to buy some exorcism items. Get me a set of talisman paper, brush, and cinnabar. Also, give me a peachwood sword, a bagua compass, and an ink line—all of good quality. The thing I’m dealing with this time might be formidable. If your stuff isn’t good enough, I could die."

Daoist Baiyun stared at Song Kai in surprise, stroked his beard, then slung an arm around Song Kai’s shoulder. "Hey, you really know how to exorcise ghosts?"

Song Kai glanced at him, "Obviously."

The old Daoist didn't mind Song Kai’s rude tone. He pulled Song Kai toward the back of the temple, saying, "Sir—no, Daoist, please, follow me." With that, he led Song Kai into the temple’s backyard.

At this moment, the taxi driver hadn’t left yet. He stood by the temple gate, waiting. He was in collusion with Daoist Baiyun; for every customer brought in, he’d get a cut. This is how many hospitals and temples operated nowadays. Especially hospitals of the Putian system—even regular doctors would recommend patients to those hospitals, earning generous commissions for successful referrals.

The old Daoist led Song Kai deep into the temple. The incense here was sparse; in fact, Song Kai was the only visitor, and Baiyun was the sole Daoist.

When they reached the backyard, Baiyun stopped and pointed to one of the rooms. "Daoist, could you take a look inside?"

Song Kai eyed him curiously, nodded, and walked toward the room. After a few steps, a chilly wind swept past, making Song Kai hug his shoulders. His expression grew grave as he stared at the room—something extraordinary was inside.

Most likely, it was already a vengeful spirit.

Such things were rare treasures.

Unfortunately, Song Kai was in no condition to handle it now.

He turned back at once.

"How is it, Daoist?" Baiyun asked.

Song Kai shook his head, cupped his hands in respect, and said, "Sorry, Master, the thing inside is stronger than me. I have no inner energy now and can't handle it. You’d better find someone else."

Baiyun sighed, "Ah! What a bother."

"What is it in there?" Song Kai asked.

Baiyun shook his head. "I don’t know either. This temple used to be famous—back when my master was alive. Later, my master passed away in that room. I didn’t learn much, so I thought of selling the temple. But for some reason, the thing in the backyard is too powerful, so I can’t sell it. The backyard has become a forbidden zone, and I don’t dare go in. My master’s coffin is still in there."

Song Kai thought for a moment. "I’ll have to wait until I’ve cultivated my inner energy again. Right now, I don’t dare enter. By the way, where are the items I asked for?"

Baiyun grinned, slinging an arm around Song Kai. "Daoist, though you’re young, I can tell at a glance you are no ordinary man—descended from the Three Pure Ones, a divine dragon among men, the Jade Emperor..."

"Enough," Song Kai interrupted, "What are you trying to say?"

Laughing, Baiyun said, "Look, the temple has no business, and I scrape by with a bit of trickery. Honestly, I feel bad—this temple is my master’s legacy, and I don’t want to ruin it. The things you need—I can give you my master’s old tools. But, in the future, if I run into trouble, you have to help me. What do you say?"

Song Kai's eyes flashed. To be honest, this could be a good source of income. "Fine, but, Master Baiyun, about the profit split..."

"As long as you can handle the job, money is no issue. Fifty-fifty. You take care of the exorcism, and I’ll handle the rest!" Baiyun pounded his chest, then laughed. "I know the ropes—guaranteed to make a fortune!"

"Deal," Song Kai agreed without hesitation. He was short on money and needed it badly.

Baiyun took down Song Kai’s phone number, then brought out his master’s old equipment: a stack of talisman paper, select cinnabar, three wolf-hair brushes, a peachwood sword, and other items.

Song Kai examined them and nodded approvingly. "Very nice—these are all good. They’re worth at least tens of thousands. But I only have three thousand on me now. Take it for now; I’ll pay the rest when we make money."

Baiyun took the money. "Very well, Daoist Song, it’s all up to you now whether this temple prospers again."

Song Kai rolled his eyes. "Don’t flatter me. I have things to do—call me if you need anything." With that, he slung the bag of equipment over his shoulder and left.

Feeling he was well prepared, Song Kai hailed a cab straight to Tang Zhong’s home. It was noon—when yang energy was at its peak. If it were night, the yin spirits would be stronger and harder to handle.

If Song Kai had already restored his inner energy, he’d have no fear of ordinary ghosts. But right now, he was just an ordinary man and had to be cautious. That’s why he’d come to the temple for exorcism supplies.

At Tang Zhong’s door, Song Kai knocked.

A beautiful woman answered. Her eyes were red from crying, but though she was in her forties, she had kept her figure well, and her face, streaked with tears, was still lovely.

Song Kai knew this must be Tang Zhong’s wife.

"Hello, Auntie, is this Mr. Tang Zhong’s home?" Song Kai asked.

Tang Zhong’s wife quickly took his arm, "You must be Daoist Song Kai, right? Please, come in. Old Tang isn’t well again—he’s lying on the sofa, unconscious..." As she spoke, she wept anew.

Song Kai entered the room and glanced at Tang Zhong, who lay pale and sweating on the sofa.

Song Kai went over and checked his pulse without a word.

"How is he, Daoist Song?" Tang Zhong’s wife asked anxiously. She’d obviously heard Tang Zhong describe Song Kai as a disciple of some master—a Daoist who caught ghosts.

Song Kai straightened up. "He’ll be fine. Give him some brown sugar water. Is there a herbal medicine shop nearby? I’ll write a prescription—get the herbs and give them to Mr. Tang. He’s just low on yang energy and a bit weak. Don’t worry."

"Alright, thank you... Ah, Daoist Song, you know how to write prescriptions?" Yang Cailan was surprised.

Song Kai smiled, "Auntie, I’m an all-purpose Daoist. Hand me some paper and a pen."

Yang Cailan fetched them, and Song Kai wrote a prescription for restoring yang and energy. He sent Yang Cailan out to get the herbs and, meanwhile, took out his compass and circled the living room.

Yang Cailan watched anxiously.

Song Kai waved her off, "The house is safe—no problem. It looks like Mr. Tang was attacked somewhere else. Let him take the medicine first."

Yang Cailan soon returned with the herbs, quickly brewed the medicine, and gave it to Tang Zhong.

After drinking, Tang Zhong felt much better; at least he no longer felt so cold. He licked his lips and looked at Song Kai, "Thank you, brother."

Song Kai shook his head. "Mr. Tang, you must think carefully—have you been anywhere unusual lately, or spent time somewhere you don’t usually go?"

Tang Zhong wiped the sweat from his brow, "I’ve been busy with all sorts of inspections—no time for other places. It’s just home and the office. Hardly anywhere else."

Song Kai thought for a moment, checked the time, and said, "Mr. Tang, let’s check your office now. Once evening comes, when yang energy fades and yin rises, I might not be able to handle the evil thing."

"Alright, let’s go now."

Tang Zhong and Song Kai took a car to Tang Zhong’s office. At the Tengyun City Administration for Industry and Commerce, Tang Zhong introduced Song Kai as a relative. They pretended to have business to discuss and entered Tang Zhong’s office naturally.

Inside, Tang Zhong closed the door.

Song Kai immediately frowned, took out his compass, and watched as its needle spun several times before pointing to Tang Zhong’s desk.

Song Kai glanced around. "Mr. Tang, are there any surveillance cameras here?"

"Don’t worry, there aren’t," Tang Zhong replied.

Song Kai nodded, followed the compass over, and felt a faint trace of yin energy himself.

At the desk, Song Kai’s eyes swept across, landing on a spiky datura plant. He beckoned Tang Zhong over.

Tang Zhong’s heart pounded as he came closer, "Well?"

Song Kai pointed at the datura, "Did you buy this?"

Tang Zhong waved his hand, "A subordinate gave it to me. I used to have a clover here, but it died, so he gave me this, saying it would provide shade and keep people cool. Why, is there a problem?"

Song Kai nodded, "This is a special kind of datura from the mountains of Yunnan. It must feed on animal carcasses to survive. It’s also an ideal host for many evil spirits. If I’m not mistaken, the thing draining your yang energy is in this plant."

"What?" Tang Zhong swallowed hard, "What should I do?"

Song Kai considered. "Your subordinate is definitely involved. First, have him detained. Then we deal with what’s inside the plant. If I act now, the other party may sense it and escape."

"Alright!" Tang Zhong clenched his fist, nodding. "I’ll call Director Wang at the police bureau right now. I can’t believe Deputy Director Luo Kai would be so treacherous."

He dialed his phone, explained briefly, and asked Director Wang to secretly detain Luo Kai.

Soon, car engines sounded outside, followed by plainclothes officers and a commotion. In no time, Luo Kai was taken away in a car.

A knock came at the door.

Tang Zhong opened it to admit a burly middle-aged man—apparently Director Wang Dalì.

"Tang, what’s going on?" Wang Dalì asked as he entered.

Tang Zhong shut the door, "Did you get Luo Kai?"

"Of course—don’t worry. But what about charges?" Wang Dalì glanced at Song Kai.

Song Kai signaled them to step back. He took out a cinnabar brush and a sheet of talisman paper and began to draw swiftly.

When he finished, the paper flashed with a yellow light before returning to normal.

Song Kai, exhausted, panted heavily. Drawing a talisman wasn’t just about painting—it required infusing one’s spirit, energy, and will into the paper. With no inner energy, it was hard work.

He picked up the talisman, recited an incantation, and tossed the paper onto the datura.

With a "whoosh," the talisman flared, and the entire datura burst into flames, burning rapidly into a cloud of black smoke.

In the distance, Tang Zhong and Wang Dalì stared at Song Kai in shock…