Chapter 38: The City of Untruths
Xiao Wangsun’s mention of “Master Chen” referred to Chen Shi’s grandfather.
Chen Shi recalled hearing Xiao Wangsun address his grandfather by that title when they had encountered him outside Mirror Lake Manor. Surprised, Chen Shi quickly expressed his gratitude and asked, “Grandpa knows all this too?”
Xiao Wangsun replied coolly, “Though his knowledge is not quite on par with mine, it is not far behind. Naturally, he knows these things.”
Chen Shi was perplexed. He had always thought of his grandfather as a simple talisman master, but the appearances of figures like Madam Zhuang and Xiao Wangsun suggested otherwise.
Yet, if his grandfather knew these techniques, why hadn’t he taught Chen Shi?
“What were you doing out at night to end up in such a dire state?” Xiao Wangsun inquired.
Chen Shi recounted how Zhao Yue’s men had ambushed him, leading to his retaliation and subsequent decision to wipe out the Zhao family’s influence in Huangyang Village. Embarrassed, he admitted, “I’m not very smart. When Sanwang died, I thought I had to avenge him by killing the culprit. I kept chasing and ended up in this mess.”
“‘Zhao wears a Hu sash, his Wu blade glints like frost. A toast of three cups and the mountains bow lightly.’ You have a streak of chivalry in you,” Xiao Wangsun remarked with a note of admiration.
He continued, “The technique you cultivate surpasses mundane methods. It’s leagues ahead of the Heavenly Heart Righteous Qi Method taught in schools. That method is basic, intended for scholars to build a foundation, form a shrine, and cultivate a Divine Embryo through the blessings of an external deity.
“Your technique, however, is different. It strengthens the body, mind, and spirit simultaneously. Even I have rarely encountered techniques of comparable caliber. You must have acquired it from the True King’s Tomb, correct?” Xiao Wangsun’s piercing gaze fixed on Chen Shi as though he could see through him.
Chen Shi nodded frankly. “Yes, I found it in the True King’s Tomb, but Uncle Ramhorn stopped me from delving deeper to obtain the complete manual. If you’re interested, I can write down what I’ve learned and give it to you.”
Xiao Wangsun seemed momentarily stunned. “Give it to me? What do you want in return?”
Chen Shi shook his head. “You’re my grandfather’s friend, and you just helped me without expecting anything in return. I don’t have much to offer, but if you like this technique, it’s yours. I don’t want anything for it.”
Xiao Wangsun studied him closely for a moment before shaking his head. “I don’t need your technique. While it’s impressive, I’ve seen methods of similar rank before. Moreover, at my level, switching techniques would be counterproductive. Still…”
A rare smile crossed his lips. “You are intriguing. Traveling at night is fraught with danger, and someone of your current strength wouldn’t survive the journey back to the village. I have matters to attend to, so I cannot escort you yet. But if you can wait, I’ll take you back afterward. Can you wait?”
Chen Shi climbed into the carriage without hesitation. “I can wait.”
Looking around at the surrounding darkness, he saw pairs of greenish eyes and the dim glow of red lanterns—manifestations of malevolent entities lying in wait for him to be left unguarded.
He wondered what business Xiao Wangsun could possibly have in such a perilous night.
The coachman cracked his whip with a resounding snap, and the four horses leapt into motion. The carriage wheels glowed faintly, lifting the vehicle slightly off the ground and allowing it to glide smoothly over the uneven terrain.
Chen Shi watched the horses with interest. Though they bore no Horse Charm Talismans, they seemed to run on the wind itself. He deduced they were not ordinary horses but likely possessed some divine lineage.
Silence settled over the carriage save for the rhythmic clatter of wheels and hooves. After some time, Xiao Wangsun remarked, “Your technique is exceptional, as is your disposition. Despite losing your Divine Embryo, your potential remains vast. In time, you will achieve greatness.”
“Really?” Chen Shi’s eyes lit up with excitement.
Xiao Wangsun replied with quiet confidence, “Why would I lie?”
Chen Shi’s heart swelled with gratitude. Ever since his mysterious awakening, he had struggled alone to rebuild his strength, refine his shrine, and make sense of his path. His grandfather was reticent, his dog Black Pot mute, and his mentors, like Scholar Zhu, were absorbed in theory.
Now, hearing Xiao Wangsun’s words of affirmation, he felt an unparalleled joy.
The carriage rolled onward through a landscape of gnarled trees, their moonlit shadows casting claw-like shapes on the ground. Xiao Wangsun looked out the window and began speaking again.
“There was once a man with abysmal talent. He built his foundation at twelve and completed it only at fifteen. A process meant to take a hundred days stretched over three years, a testament to his mediocrity.
“He eventually became a scholar and earned a Divine Embryo, but even then, it was the lowest grade—a Phantom Embryo, signifying illusion and ephemerality. By all accounts, he was destined for mediocrity.
“Yet, this man was stubborn and tenacious. Though his peers outpaced him, reaching the Nascent Soul stage while he lingered at Divine Embryo, he refused to give up. After ten years of grinding effort, he broke through, and within another decade, he surpassed all his peers, achieving near-invincibility.”
Chen Shi listened intently, eyes wide with hope.
He hesitated before asking, “Was that man… you, Senior?”
Xiao Wangsun chuckled. “Hardly. I formed one of the strongest Divine Embryos at nine years old and gained fame as a prodigy in my youth. I am no such fool.”
“Then… who was he?”
“His name was Chen Yindu,” Xiao Wangsun said. “Your grandfather.”
Chen Shi was stunned. Could his seemingly ordinary grandfather really have achieved such greatness?
Yet doubt crept in. His grandfather now appeared frail, a humble talisman master scraping by to support their family. Could he still possess such power?
The carriage began ascending a winding mountain path, eventually arriving at a brightly lit city nestled at the foot of a mountain. Chen Shi stared in astonishment. He knew the Qianyang Mountains intimately, yet had never seen such a place.
Entering the city gates, he noticed the word “Wu Wang” (Untruth) etched above them. The streets were filled with ghoulish figures and spirits, yet the atmosphere was vibrant, with lights, music, and laughter.
“This city is called Wu Wang,” Xiao Wangsun explained. “Here, deceit cannot flourish. All lies are punished. Speak untruths, and you lose your tongue.”
Chen Shi shivered as he witnessed a man’s tongue forcibly expelled after a lie, only to be snatched up by a dog.
“This city was built to expose liars,” Xiao Wangsun added. “I have business here with someone whose words I cannot trust elsewhere.”
They stopped at a teahouse, where Xiao Wangsun took a seat near a window. Soon, a towering ghostly figure with a green lantern appeared, accompanied by a slender, graceful woman in red.
The woman ascended the stairs, her every movement deliberate and alluring. When she finally removed her hat and veil, she revealed a stunningly beautiful face.
She glanced at Chen Shi, her lips curling into a mischievous smile.
“Little brother,” she teased, “do you think I’m beautiful? Would you like to sleep with me?”