Chapter 177
Chapter 177
The secret chamber behind Xuanji Hall was where the sect leader of Mount Yunhe cultivated in seclusion.
At present, no one apart from the sect leader, Master Tianji, and his chief disciple, Yan Zhengchu, could open its door.
But after Master Tianji, walking in front, opened the stone door, he stopped.
“Zhengchu.”
He called Yan Zhengchu’s name, then issued an unexpected instruction. “Stand guard outside.”
Yan Zhengchu froze, unease rising in his heart. He hurriedly asked, “Master, weren’t you going to let me see Little Martial Uncle’s soul?”
Master Tianji shook his head slightly. “You share no blood ties with my junior brother Ren Yao. Even if you enter, you will not be able to see his soul.”
“Only this young gentleman of the Ren Family can.”
Disappointment filled Yan Zhengchu. He was about to make another appeal when his master raised a hand.
That gesture made it clear there was no room for discussion.
Daoist Yan had always feared his master’s authority. He could only lower his head obediently and hold his tongue.
Ren Fengjue, however, remained mindful of Yan Zhengchu’s feelings and took the initiative to ask, “Daoist Yan, is there anything you would like me to convey?”
Daoist Yan’s nose nearly stung with tears at those words.
To avoid growing emotional and weeping in front of his master, he hurriedly waved a hand. “Whatever you wish to ask is what I wish to ask.”
Ren Fengjue nodded in understanding and followed Master Tianji into the secret chamber.
The moment the heavy stone door closed, Yan Zhengchu felt as though ants were crawling through his heart, tormenting him with impatience.
After wrestling with himself for a long while, he could no longer resist. He used an invisibility talisman, secretly opened the stone door, and slipped inside after them.
Guilt made Daoist Yan’s heart leap into his throat as soon as he entered the secret chamber.
But Little Martial Uncle had shown him kindness as weighty as a mountain. Even if he could not see him with his own eyes, he had to know what happened.
Afraid that his master would notice him, he did not dare draw too close. Taking advantage of his familiarity with the chamber, he hid behind a cauldron and secretly observed the scene.
Ren Fengjue sat cross-legged in the center of the chamber with his eyes closed.
Master Tianji arranged a Copper Coin Array around him.
Yin-Yang Candles stood inside the array. A red thread was tied to Ren Fengjue’s little finger, while Master Tianji held the other end.
Yan Zhengchu’s eyes widened in amazement.
His master had never taught him this array.
But he knew that a Copper Coin Array could imprison a Yin Soul, while the Yin-Yang Candles were used to summon souls. The red thread, meanwhile, was the key to forming a passage between yin and yang.
It looked like a soul-summoning array, yet it was far too elaborate.
Something did not seem right…
Was it because his martial uncle’s soul was somehow extraordinary?
Yan Zhengchu frowned in thought. Then he saw his master approach Ren Fengjue, prick the pad of his little finger with a silver needle, drip the blood from his fingertip onto the Yin-Yang Candles, and form a hand seal.
But at that moment, a scene unfolded that made Yan Zhengchu’s scalp prickle.
His master took out a Black Talisman and pasted it directly onto Ren Fengjue’s forehead.
Yan Zhengchu’s mind exploded with a roar.
A Black Talisman…
Why would his master use a Black Talisman?
He had said himself that Black Talismans invoked evil gods and were used only by sorcerers with corrupt hearts.
Yet now, he had used one…
Yan Zhengchu’s head buzzed, his thoughts in chaos.
Shock, suspicion, confusion…
Every emotion surged into his heart at once.
He pressed his back against the cauldron and clenched both hands into fists. He did not know how to accept what he had seen, and his heart refused to calm.
Then he saw another figure enter the secret chamber.
It was his own junior brother, Bai He.
Yan Zhengchu’s chest churned again. Why could Bai He open the stone door too?
No!
This was wrong!
Bai He walked to his master’s side and whispered something into his ear.
Master Tianji nodded slightly, then motioned for him to withdraw.
Yan Zhengchu looked at Ren Fengjue inside the array. His brows were tightly furrowed, and cold sweat had begun beading at his temples.
Master Tianji watched him coldly. He wound the red cord around both index fingers, pressed the pads of his fingers together, and murmured an incantation.
Wind began to rise inside the secret chamber…
The flames of the Yin-Yang Candles flickered uncertainly, while the coins in the Copper Coin Array chimed with a clear, cold sound.
Then Ren Fengjue suddenly doubled over and spat out a mouthful of blood.
Blood splashed across the array, and a violent yin wind erupted.
At the sight, Yan Zhengchu could bear it no longer. He summoned his Jade Sword and, with a furious shout, sent it flying into the array.
Master Tianji clearly heard him, yet his expression did not change. Unhurriedly releasing one hand, he thrust his palm toward Yan Zhengchu.
Three Flying Talismans shot out at once, knocking Yan Zhengchu back in midair.
There was a heavy bang as his whole body slammed into the cauldron, leaving his head spinning and his vision blurred.
“Master…”
Yan Zhengchu fell to the ground, and his invisibility talisman lost its effect.
He struggled to his feet and stared at Master Tianji in disbelief. “Master, what exactly are you doing?”
Master Tianji glanced back at him coldly. None of his usual solemn dignity remained on his face, and not a trace of compassion lingered in his eyes.
“Do not call me Master!”
He rebuked him harshly. “When have you ever listened to anything I said?”
Yan Zhengchu opened his mouth, wanting to explain.
But across the chamber, Ren Fengjue spat out another mouthful of blood.
At that, Yan Zhengchu became nearly certain that this array did far more than summon a soul.
In all likelihood, it would harm Ren Fengjue!
He did not know why his master was doing this, but he knew he could not stand by and watch.
If so…
“Master! Forgive your disciple for defying you!”
Yan Zhengchu guessed that the key to breaking the array had to be the red cord. All he needed to do was get past his master and sever it.
Master Tianji had already expected him to interfere. As Yan Zhengchu approached, he sent out another three Flying Talismans to drive him back.
Yan Zhengchu knew how formidable the talismans were. If he was struck again, there was no telling whether he would be able to get back up next time.
He was not especially gifted, but he had trained diligently over the years and possessed great perseverance. His movement techniques were nimble and agile.
When the Flying Talismans came at him head-on, he did not meet them directly. He sprang up, twisted through the air, and deftly evaded them.
Once clear, he gauged the force required and, without hesitation, flicked a copper coin toward the array…
It was about to strike the red cord when a Jade Sword knocked it aside.
Yan Zhengchu started in surprise and was about to launch another attack when agony exploded across his back. He had no idea what spell had struck him, but he pitched to the ground, his limbs instantly paralyzed.
Horrified, he saw a figure slowly approach from behind. It was Bai He, the junior brother who had pretended to leave.
Bai He did not even look at him. He walked to Master Tianji and bowed respectfully.
“Please perform the ritual without concern, Master. I will keep watch over Senior Brother Yan.”
Yan Zhengchu was furious enough to curse him, only to discover that his tongue was numb as well. He could not make a sound.
He could only watch helplessly as Master Tianji once more wound the red cord around his index fingers and continued chanting.
A moment later, Ren Fengjue violently spat out a third mouthful of blood. Unable to hold on any longer, he collapsed to the floor.