Chapter 79
The four members of the Yang Family concluded their discussion.
That night, Old Yu visited Qinghe Town to relay the Yang Family’s stance to Tian Yu.
“Does Senior Yu doubt my sincerity?”
When Tian Yu learned the Yang Family refused the cleansing elixir and wouldn’t intervene in Sanglu Valley’s affairs, an odd glint flashed in his eyes as he pressed urgently.
Old Yu observed this reaction, which aligned with Yang Lingqing’s predictions.
Shaking his head, he sighed. “Mayor Tian misunderstands. It’s not unwillingness, but impossibility…”
Old Yu then presented the prepared explanation: Yang Lingrui had returned from the Golden Scales Ceremony with a massive talisman order.
“The client is a bamboo forest cultivator from Fengling at the ninth level of Gathering Qi. We must produce thirty-six fire talismans before the peak of summer. The time is short and the task immense—we can’t spare any hands to help.”
He produced the contract between Yang Lingrui and the bamboo forest cultivator, stamped with the Immortal Patrol Office’s seal. Seeing this, Tian Yu dropped further objections.
After Old Yu departed, Tian Yu’s face tightened with worry. “Why now? What can be done…”
The contract’s authenticity left no room for doubt. He’d been certain of securing the Yang Family’s aid—whether to suppress the dark energy or slay the valley’s evil beings. But now, relying solely on Qinghe’s forces was untenable.
“Sir! Ghosts are causing havoc southeast of town!”
“Then destroy them! Why report this? Mobilize everyone—contain this immediately!” Tian Yu roared.
Old Yu crossed Qinghe and headed to Fish Ridge River market to restock talisman paper and spiritual mediums.
Twenty days later, Gao Hui returned to Baishi Town from Moon Watching City. Though he’d met an aristocratic heir and attended City Lord Song Kaiyang’s banquet, the demanded concessions proved impossible.
“All that effort for nothing. Should’ve returned with Lingrui instead,” he muttered, reaching the town gate—where Yang Lingrui stood waiting.
“Lingrui!”
Gao Hui brightened. “Were you guarding the gate just to see me?”
Yang Lingrui smiled. “Greetings, Mayor Gao. Master Yang Lingqing sent me with a message for you.”
Gao Hui swiftly ushered him inside. Their private discussion shifted his expression from curiosity to gravity, then shock, delight, and finally moved gratitude.
“That’s the situation. What do you think, Mayor Gao?”
“There’s nothing more to discuss!”
Gao Hui exclaimed excitedly, “Tell the Yang Master I’ll give my full support this time!”
After seeing Yang Lingrui off, Gao Hui sat alone in his room, his mind restless.
Who could’ve imagined? The opportunity he’d desperately sought at the Golden Scales Ceremony had now been delivered to him by Yang Lingqing herself.
Yang Lingrui’s words—“The Yang Family has received your protection since our founding, and now it’s time we repay you”—still warmed his heart.
Looking back, aligning with the Yang Family after his transfer to Baishi remained his wisest decision.
“The Yang Master’s great kindness won’t be forgotten! I’ll repay this debt in full!”
With Gao Hui’s return, all pieces of Yang Lingqing’s plan fell into place. They only needed to wait.
As weeks passed, dark energy leaks from Sanglu Valley worsened. A month later, news spread like wildfire—mountain ghosts had attacked a Qinghe merchant group on the Dao.
Panic gripped the townsfolk.
Tian Yu reached out to neighboring families, but their meager forces—one or two cultivators each—proved useless compared to the Yang Family’s might.
Ghost attacks grew fiercer daily. Mounting casualties stretched Qinghe’s defenses thin. With no other choice, Tian Yu reported the crisis to the royal court.
Songshan Yang Family
“One hundred… two hundred… three hundred…”
Yang Linghu counted stacks of evil-repelling talismans in the ancestral hall—some average, others of superior quality.
“Four hundred total. Enough.”
Thanks to the spiritual treasure from Chen Yang, their talisman production had soared. The scholar had worked tirelessly for weeks to fulfill Yang Lingqing’s request.
“The time’s right,” Yang Lingqing declared. “Summon Mayor Gao. We march to Qinghe today.”
“At once, Master!”
Under the Master’s orders, every Yang cultivator mobilized. With Gao Hui and four hundred talismans, they raced toward Qinghe.
*
In a southeastern Qinghe village, survivors of the monster tide now faced new horrors.
“Torches ready!”
“Watch the roofs!” shouted villagers clutching makeshift weapons.
A shrill whistle pierced the night. “Five incoming!”
The defense line tightened as red-eyed figures shambled into view.
“Hold formation!”
They’d fought ordinary mountain ghosts before—but the fifth creature radiated deep purple energy. It smashed through barricades like paper, sending villagers flying.
“Useless!” A burly man stabbed from behind, only to be batted aside. His leg snapped audibly.
As the monster lunged for the kill, a shadow dropped from above.
CRACK!
The mountain ghost exploded under Yang Linghu’s fist. Pale talismans fluttered down.
“I’m Yang Linghu of Songshan. These evil-repelling talismans are yours.” He gestured at the glowing slips. “When ghosts come, raise one and shout: ‘Immortal Master’s power, repel evil!’ They’ll be destroyed.”