Chapter 45: A Gentleman’s Duel
Li Tianqing followed Chen Shi’s gaze to an ancient cedar tree. Its trunk was straight but marred with scars and knots, while its branches swayed gently in the mountain breeze. Around the tree, pale green and white incense smoke coiled, occasionally condensing into the figure of an old woman before dispersing again.
“This tree once protected Chen Shi,” Li Jindou remarked with emotion. “The mountains here are alive. These trees, stones, and ruins—nurtured by incense offerings—become new Spirit Guardians to protect generations of villagers. One Spirit Guardian may fade, and a village may decline, but another Guardian rises, and new villages take root. Life perseveres.”
Chen Shi led them deeper into the enigmatic mountain range with practiced ease. Li Jindou, however, marveled at the terrain’s complexity. “Without a guide,” he thought, “finding this place would be impossible!”
Eventually, the dense forest thinned, revealing brick kilns scattered across the landscape.
Li Jindou’s excitement surged. “This is it—the kiln factory that crafted ceramics for the True King’s Tomb!” His joy quickly gave way to caution as he muttered, “A Domain of Ghosts and Gods...”
He halted Chen Shi and Li Tianqing at the edge of the site. “This place is dangerous. The kiln is enveloped in a Ghosts-and-Gods Domain—entering unprepared would mean certain doom.”
Chen Shi froze, recalling the fate of those who had entered before. The kiln’s domain had transformed them into porcelain dolls. This old man is sharper than I expected, he thought.
Li Jindou carefully marked the domain’s boundaries, carving deep pits with each step as he circled the factory. “Stay outside the marked area,” he warned. “No matter what, do not step inside.”
He turned to the kiln and took a deep breath. Though he had faced many dangers in his life, this domain filled him with dread.
“I’ll investigate alone,” he announced. “If I don’t return, Tianqing, go back with Chen Shi. Return to the village tonight and head for Quanzhou tomorrow morning. Tell the family I’ve run away. Say nothing about my death.” Tianqing’s face paled. “Yes, Grandfather. I understand.”
“You’ve always been a good child. Take care of your mother—she’s suffered enough.”
With a smile, Li Jindou stepped into the domain.
The moment he entered, a shrine appeared behind him, its godly light shooting into the sky. Within the shrine, his Divine Embryo sat radiantly, while a towering primordial spirit loomed behind it.
As he ventured further, his body began to transform. Flesh and blood turned to porcelain, and even the shrine and Divine Embryo underwent the same metamorphosis. Only his primordial spirit remained unaltered. Step by step, his figure shrank until he was no taller than a foot—a porcelain doll navigating the eerie domain.
Outside, Tianqing suddenly asked, “Chen Shi, did you kill my cousin Li Xiaoding?”
Chen Shi, searching for Zhao Erguniang and the other porcelain dolls, paused. He turned to face Tianqing, who was biting his lip.
“You carried the Red Barbarian Cannon like it was weightless,” Tianqing continued. “Your strength is immense. My cousin’s death led to my Seventh Uncle’s investigation, which ultimately brought us here. The inspector, Zhuge Jian, described the suspect as a small, childlike talisman master with immense physical power. He also noted the suspect was accompanied by a large black dog.”
Chen Shi scratched his head. “Zhuge Jian kept records of that?”
Tianqing nodded. “He destroyed some documents but left enough for me to piece together. Everything points to you.”
Chen Shi sighed. “It does match me perfectly.”
“You brought us to this kiln, knowing it’s a Ghosts-and-Gods Domain,” Tianqing pressed. “You intended for us to be trapped here. I suspect this isn’t your first time using such a tactic.”
After a moment of silence, Tianqing added, “But I also know why you’ve done what you’ve done. You’re not just protecting yourself; you’re protecting Huangpo Village. Without you, it would’ve been destroyed long ago.”
Chen Shi remained silent, then asked, “Why reveal this now?”
Tianqing’s voice trembled. “Because I care about my grandfather and mother. I must survive for their sake. If solving my uncle’s case or discovering the True King’s Tomb can restore our standing in the Li family, it’s my only chance to protect them.”
Summoning his shrine, Tianqing revealed his Divine Embryo: a brilliant purple gem radiating divine light. His shrine exuded overwhelming majesty, far surpassing anything Chen Shi had encountered.
“The Six Yin Jade Wheel Method,” Tianqing began, “is unlike the Heavenly Heart Righteous Qi Method others practice. It channels six internal meridians into a wheel of energy, invisible to the naked eye.”
As he spoke, his hands formed intricate seals, and his Divine Embryo mirrored his movements. Invisible energy rippled through the air, distorting his figure.
“With the Jade Wheel, I can fight up close or attack from a distance. Within sixteen feet, everything is within my reach.”
Tianqing concluded his demonstration and stood still, exuding an air of mastery. “You’re my friend, Chen Shi. I don’t want you to die without understanding my power.”
Chen Shi smirked, summoning the power of the Three Radiance Righteous Qi Method. The Big Dipper’s constellations formed luminous talismans around him.
In an instant, he stepped forward, his body cutting through the air like thunder. The sheer force of his movement made Tianqing’s robes ripple violently.
“I’ve improved since I killed Li Xiaoding,” Chen Shi declared, moving with ghostly speed. “My Sacred Embryo Body lets me cross fifteen feet faster than magic can strike.”
He demonstrated a series of steps, each named after a star of the Big Dipper, each augmenting his power and speed. “My fists are as potent as any spell. Watch closely, Tianqing. This is the Heavenly Pivot Step!”
Stars swirled around Chen Shi as he wove through the air with unparalleled agility. “Now the steps of Heavenly Jade, Heavenly Balance, Yao Light, Opening Sun, and Hidden Pearl!”
Chen Shi stopped suddenly, his energy calming. He bowed slightly. “Tianqing, your move.”
The two boys squared off outside the kiln, their respective powers swirling in anticipation. Two young masters stood poised, ready for battle.