Daoist Competition

Qian Tong’s eyelids twitched. Though he appeared unbothered, a faint chill flickered in his eyes.

Zhang Zhan sighed and said, "Let’s talk about this again in a few days. For now, you all leave. I need to speak privately with the children."

Liang Wu and Qian Tong understood he had family matters to discuss in private, so they cupped their fists and withdrew.

After they left, Zhang Zhan’s gaze shifted briefly before settling on a young girl of thirteen or fourteen. He showed a faint smile and said, "Ling Yu, come closer. The others can leave."

His other sons, born of concubines, were timid in character. Hearing these words was as if they had received a pardon, and they scurried out immediately. Only the girl approached, sat on the bedside, and grasped her father’s hand. She felt that the hand which was once strong and warm was now weak and clammy, ice-cold to the touch. Her heart dimmed, and she said softly, "Father."

Zhang Zhan abruptly clutched her wrist. She winced at the pain but did not dare to pull away.

His eyes brimmed with authority and intensity as he said in a low voice, "Ling’er, listen to me. Someone is trying to harm your father. Tonight, you must leave the mountain and go find your elder brother. Bring him back before sunrise."

He had always been robust, immune to the elements, and untouched by disease due to his grasp of rudimentary Qi Refining Technique. This sudden illness came mysteriously and unnaturally. He suspected it was caused by some sinister Daoist Skill. Though he tested a few people and formed suspicions, he dared not act recklessly. Thus, he entrusted his bold daughter with the task of summoning his eldest son.

Ling Yu was startled. "Father, I..." she stammered.

Zhang Zhan interrupted firmly, "No questions! Just do as I say. If you can’t find him before sunrise, then don’t return to the mountain. Have him avenge me in the future. Go now!"

Ling Yu hesitated momentarily, biting her lip before replying, "Yes, Father."

After Qian Tong returned to his residence, he sat in silence for half the day before heading to the back hall. Pushing open the door, he found a Daoist seated motionlessly on a cushion. The man’s chin was sharp, his eyes narrow as slits, and one couldn’t easily tell if his eyes were open or closed.

Qian Tong’s face darkened as he asked, "When will he die?"

A flash of brilliance flickered through the Daoist’s half-closed eyes. "Not much longer," he replied. "With my ’annihilation powder’ poisoning him, he’ll be dead by tomorrow night at the latest. Didn’t you say there’s no rush?"

Qian Tong’s expression shifted unpredictably. He sighed, "Even a dying tiger retains its might. Zhang Zhan is gravely ill and won’t live long, yet I tested the waters everywhere and found no one willing to act even slightly reckless."

The Daoist chuckled sinisterly, "If you wish him dead sooner, that’s quite simple."

Qian Tong was tempted but hesitated for a moment before suppressing the impulse. "No," he said. "If he dies suddenly, it’ll certainly arouse the suspicions of Liang Wu and those old brothers of his. Now is not yet the right time to act."

Just then, a middle-aged woman with a face powdered with makeup hurried in. "Master, Master, there’s something..."

Qian Tong glanced at her impatiently. "What’s the matter?"

"Zhang Ling Yu left the mountain an hour ago."

"If she left the mountain, so be it. What’s the..." Qian Tong trailed off mid-sentence, suddenly reacting as his face changed. He stood abruptly and exclaimed, "This is bad! Quickly send men to pursue her!"

The middle-aged woman pursed her lips. "That little bitch is riding the Qingying Fast Horse—the tribute horse from Yumian Country. How could anyone catch up to it?"

Qian Tong’s gaze grew murderous as he roared, "I told you to keep an eye on Zhang Zhan’s rear courtyard. How did you only notice this now?"

The woman recoiled two steps in fright, clutching her chest. "Why are you yelling? That little bitch used the secret waterway route to leave. If it weren’t for the spies I have stationed outside the mountain, I wouldn’t even know she had already left the fort!"

Qian Tong’s temples throbbed with violent veins. He paced irritably, muttering to himself, "Leaving the mountain at this hour—she must be going to summon Zhang Chunde. That brat’s martial skills are unrivaled. If he returns, won’t all my plans be ruined?"

The Daoist spoke with conviction, "Master Qian, why panic over such a trivial matter? To this poor Daoist, it’s not even worth mentioning."

"Oh? Hu Daoist, what clever plan do you propose?"

Hu Daoist’s voice carried an icy undertone as he said, "Watch as I perform a Daoist Skill that will claim Zhang Ling Yu’s life from a thousand miles away."

Qian Tong doubted. If Hu Daoist could kill someone from so far away, why did he insist on coming to the mountain in person? Yet with no other option, he decided to take the gamble. "Can it truly be done? Then please, Daoist, proceed with the spell."

Hu Daoist chuckled eerily and began mumbling incantations under breath.

Though he boasted of killing from a thousand miles away, he lacked such ability. However, he had tampered with the fort’s stables upon arrival, especially sabotaging several prized horses. By chanting specific spells, he could make them go mad and throw their riders off. This was nothing more than a small technique, but in his words, he exaggerated its effects to intimidate others.

Still, Qian Tong remained uneasy. He thought for a while before his expression turned ferocious. "Zhang Zhan must already suspect me. The time has come; I can’t hold back any longer. Act now!"

With that, he turned resolutely, cupped his fists, and said, "Hu Daoist, everything depends on you now!"

The Daoist burst into laughter, stood up, and said, "Master Qian, this should’ve been done a long time ago. Early action would save us so much hassle. Whomever you wish to kill, just tell me—none will escape, all will be dealt with."

Hearing the Daoist call him "Mountain Master," Qian Tong’s spirits flared higher, his gaze sharp and merciless. Clenching his teeth, he extended his hand and said, "Hu Daoist, if this succeeds, I’ll keep my word. I’ll offer five hundred boys and girls each year for your alchemy!"

Hu Daoist’s eyes lit up with greed and joy. "Master Qian, it’s a deal! Very well, I shall perform the spell immediately."

After Zhang Ling Yu left the mountain, she galloped with urgency. Yet the dark night obscured the path ahead, preventing her from riding at full speed. At this pace, she’d likely fail to reach Spirit Bridge Daoist Palace before dawn.

She was, after all, just a young girl and her heart was filled with both anxiety and despair. In her distraction, she neglected her surroundings until suddenly, her horse shuddered violently, let out an agonized neigh, and bucked upward, flinging her into the air.

Her beautiful face paled in fright. If she landed poorly, she would be gravely injured or even crippled. Just as she resigned herself to disaster, her arm was enveloped by a gentle force, setting her steadily down on the ground.

She looked up to see a young Daoist standing before her. There was something familiar about his appearance. Her wide eyes sparkled with joy as she cried out, "Brother, is it you? Quickly! Go save Father—he’s being targeted by villains!"

The Daoist’s eyes flickered faintly before he smiled calmly and said, "Niece, do not fret. With me here, who dares harm him?"

...

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... (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, consider visiting Qidian.com to cast your recommendation and monthly votes. Your support is my greatest motivation.)