Chapter 16: Zhipianxian
“Are you sure you want to leave here?”
After Luxianbei stated his intention to leave the Siye Association Headquarters in Tangcheng, Shang Nanxing’s eyes widened slightly, showing a look of surprise.
Right now, there was an obscure force active around Tangcheng that specifically targeted members of the Siye Association. To Shang Nanxing, it seemed unwise for a rookie operative to act alone at this time.
Isn’t that the same as going out to d*e?
She didn’t want anyone else to d*e because of their faulty intelligence.
“I’m sure I want to leave,” Luxianbei replied, nodding.
With everything happening outside, hiding here didn’t guarantee safety.
The criminal forces clearly wanted to create a major incident, and it was likely that after dealing with the operatives who had come to support them from various places, the local Siye Association operatives would be next in line, right?
Staying here might be asking for trouble, Luxianbei thought.
Seeing Luxianbei was resolute in leaving, Shang Nanxing sighed, “Alright then, but I advise you to leave the Mourning Gray Owl Badge here or hide it somewhere; in any case, don’t carry it with you.”
Luxianbei was taken aback and asked in confusion, “Why?”
“In the past two or three days, when we were assisting in recovering the bodies of our colleagues, we discovered at two of the sites that there were two different spiritual energy fluctuations—both using spell formulas unique to the Siye Association. We suspect that among that group of unknown forces, there is a high possibility of defectors from the Siye Association. In other words…”
Halfway through, Luxianbei lowered his gaze to the silver badge on his chest, shocked, “So you mean those guys are using the badge in the hands of the defectors to track the operatives who came to support?”
“Yes, that’s what we think,” Shang Nanxing nodded in affirmation. “So, if you don’t carry the badge with you, the chances of being found by them might decrease significantly.”
“…”
So you’re saying I was lucky that I wasn’t targeted on my way here and ambushed? Luxianbei was startled and quickly took off the badge from his chest.
However, just as he placed the badge on the long table, as if suddenly remembering something, he furrowed his brow slightly, reached for the badge again, and casually tucked it into his coat pocket.
Maybe the skill my ancestor taught me could come in handy this time… Luxianbei thought to himself.
Shang Nanxing noticed this small action of Luxianbei and paused for a moment.
What’s he doing…
“Well then, I’ll head out now. Let’s catch up later~!”
While Shang Nanxing was still in a daze, Luxianbei said his goodbyes and turned to rush out of the unfinished house. The sound of a loud bang rang out, and as he looked at the cement wall sealing back up, she silently sighed.
At that moment, Mao Sanyou, who had finally “returned to the world,” approached Shang Nanxing and said with a pout, “Doesn’t my junior seem rather… eager? What did that saying go? Right, young and reckless!”
“Yeah, he does seem quite confident. I just hope it’s not blind confidence; otherwise…” Shang Nanxing replied calmly.
Mao Sanyou shrugged and added the half-sentence Shang Nanxing didn’t finish, “Otherwise, I’ll have to find him a nice grave in Tangcheng.”
There were only three operatives in the Tangcheng Siye Association. Right now, Old Xu was busy investigating Jumeng’s whereabouts, Shang Nanxing was handling sudden urban legend incidents, and Mao Sanyou was secretly protecting the relevant departments and researchers responsible for recovering cultural relics while also being prepared to assist the other two operatives at any time.
Once Luxianbei left the headquarters, if he encountered danger, he would be isolated and helpless, much like the city itself.
In the silence, Shang Nanxing suddenly recalled something and turned to look at Mao Sanyou, coldly saying, “By the way, that Luxianbei said earlier that you stole his phone?”
“That’s not true!” Mao Sanyou exclaimed. “I just saw someone taking advantage of the chaos to steal his phone and didn’t tell him about it. It’s not like I…”
“Shut up!” Shang Nanxing interrupted, then silently took out her finger claws from her collar and prepared to help Mao Sanyou “boost his power” again. “I don’t want to hear your excuses. Shall we begin?”
Mao Sanyou, “…”
————
After leaving the Tangcheng Museum, Luxianbei immediately headed to the nearest telecommunications service center, replaced his original phone number with a new SIM card, bought a new phone, and purchased another SIM card.
He inserted the new SIM card, successfully powered on the phone, and while heading towards the Tangcheng Four Seasons Hotel, he sent a message to Jiang Li.
Luxianbei: “Boss, it’s Luxianbei.” [Message Sent Successfully]
Luxianbei: “d*mn it, do you know how dangerous Tangcheng is right now? I might not make it out alive!” [Message Failed]
Luxianbei: “Boss, there’s about to be major news in Tangcheng. Almost all the operatives who came to support, except for me, are dead, and the danger level here is so high that if ten more operatives come, they’ll also be in trouble.” [Message Failed]
After quickly sending off three messages, Luxianbei stared at the notification and glaring red exclamation mark on the last two messages, his expression turning solemn.
After pondering for two seconds, he seriously checked his phone settings and signal, then once more picked up his phone to send a message to Jiang Li.
Luxianbei: “Boss, come stick close!” [Message Sent Successfully]
Luxianbei, “…”
Ah, just as I suspected, any message that might involve the current situation in Tangcheng gets intercepted.
But…
d*mn it, text messages are really becoming a relic of the past! Can’t they just develop an undo feature?
Thirty seconds later.
Dog Boss: “?”
Dog Boss: “Did you send this to the wrong person?”
Luxianbei facepalmed, single-handedly replying on his phone, “Yeah, just pretend you didn’t see it.”
Through the screen, he could almost see Jiang Li’s expression, with a slightly raised chin and eyes angled downwards, looking at him with disdain.
Highly damaging.
Putting down his phone, Luxianbei quickly took out the new SIM card, broke it in half, and tossed it into the nearby ditch.
He didn’t know how the urban legends or spiritual ability users in that mysterious force intercepted messages, but to be safe, after confirming that information regarding Tangcheng was intercepted, it was better to dispose of the SIM card used for sending messages.
Leaving the Tangcheng Museum, Luxianbei boarded the bus back to the Tangcheng Four Seasons Hotel, found a seat at the back by the window, took out his phone and swapped in the replacement SIM card, and deftly downloaded various apps from the app store.
After finishing the download for a particular chatting app, he immediately logged in, and once the account information was synchronized, he quickly found the Urban Legends Chat Group.
Wang Buliu: “@Void, are you there? Let’s chat privately?”
Isn’t it just intercepting messages?
I happen to know a person who is a major player in web urban legends; who’s afraid of who?
We’ll use online urban legends to defeat online urban legends today! Luxianbei thought excitedly.
However…
After waiting for about five minutes without receiving a reply from Void, he received a private message from an old online lecher.
Old Online Lecher00: “Our boss probably can’t come online recently.”
Wang Buliu: “Huh? Why not?”
After waiting for two minutes.
Old Online Lecher00: “It’s all your fault! [Angry]”
Wang Buliu: “?”
What does this have to do with me? Stop trying to frame me, please!
Old Online Lecher00: “Didn’t you hunt down an Olden Destroyer before? Our boss got the news and went to hunt another Olden Destroyer, and then… [Skull]”
Luxianbei, “…”
What’s going on with this Void kid?
I have so many good qualities and heroic deeds, but instead of emulating the good, he goes and learns this?
That wasn’t hunting; I was forced to be enemies with the Olden Destroyer; how can he voluntarily go and offer himself?
Old Online Lecher00: “In short, our boss followed your lead to hunt the Olden Destroyer; although he succeeded, he also paid a heavy price, and is temporarily in a deep sleep, so he can’t reply to you right now.”
He actually succeeded in hunting it? Luxianbei was startled, his pupils slightly contracting as he focused on his phone screen.
He had personally experienced the methods of the Olden Destroyer, and although he hadn’t directly confronted the Big Boss, just the Big Boss’s last-ditch counterattack nearly cost him his life.
Now, Old Online Lecher is saying that Void successfully hunted an Olden Destroyer after paying a heavy price.
Though the strength of Olden Destroyers varies drastically based on the spread and influence of doomsday legends, they are still remnants of world-destroying forces; even if the spiritual energy fluctuation is only at B level, they possess bizarre means that ordinary B-level spiritual ability users or urban legends do not.
Is Void really that formidable?
This kid has a bright future ahead, and I must not make an enemy of him.
From now on, we are like brothers born of different mothers! Luxianbei thought.
Wang Buliu: “Can you help me send a message to the Siye Association?”
Old Online Lecher00: “Sending a message to the Siye Association? That’s a bit difficult, but let’s hear it; I’ll think of a way.”
The Siye Association is not lacking in old lecherous types either; they also browse lewd pictures in various chat groups, and wherever there are lewd pictures, there will be old online lechers lurking.
Luxianbei pondered for a moment while holding the phone, then typed out a message to reply.
Wang Buliu: “Just tell them: Tangcheng is dangerous, do not provide support, do not provide support!” [Message Failed]
Looking at the red exclamation mark that appeared after the message, Luxianbei’s expression darkened, and he unconsciously clenched his fist, then sighed dejectedly.
d*mn it, can’t I even send information through the Urban Legends Chat Group?
Given the current situation, perhaps only Void could bypass the interception and successfully relay the message?
Old Online Lecher00: “Are you still there? What exactly do you want me to help relay?”
Wang Buliu: “Forget it, let’s hold off on that for now.”
After a pause, Luxianbei typed another message, adding, “If your boss wakes up in the next few days, please let him know and have him contact me quickly.”
Old Online Lecher00: “[Big-breasted loli OK emoji]”
Luxianbei, “…” As expected of you, even your emojis are so provocative!
Wang Buliu: “Want some more? GKD”
Luxianbei jokingly sent a message, and five seconds later, received nearly a hundred images sent by Old Online Lecher.
Old Online Lecher00: “[Image][Image][Image]…[Image][Image]…”
However, before Luxianbei could appreciate the artistic value of those pictures, everything froze, and a system notification popped up.
[System Notification: Sorry, your private chat account has been banned for suspected violations.]
Luxianbei, “…”
Sorry, HXD, I didn’t mean to.
Luxianbei thought sarcastically as he prepared to put away his phone, when suddenly, his phone vibrated twice, and he received two messages from Miaomiao Sauce.
Miaomiao Sauce: “I heard from a friend that you lost your phone? The previous talisman is also gone, right?”
Wang Buliu: “[Is that friend you yourself? GIF]”
Miaomiao Sauce: “What nonsense are you talking about? You still want the talisman?”
Wang Buliu: “Yes!”
Miaomiao Sauce: “[Image][Image][Image] You better not lose it again! If you do, I won’t give you another one.”
Luxianbei quietly stared at the screen, seeing Miaomiao Sauce dressed as 【Flower of Chaos in Parallel Time and Space】, 【Nirvana Red Lotus·Bai Xiaohua】, 【Freedom Feather·Dandelion·Bai Xiaohua】, striking enticing poses, and it took him several deep breaths to finally calm his stirring emotions.
Wang Buliu: “Don’t worry, I definitely won’t lose it again!”
Miaomiao Sauce: “[Heart emoji]”
——————
The bus departed from the bus stop in front of the Tangcheng Museum, continuing to stop and go, passing through a small part of the city as the ancient city scenery outside transformed continuously.
While Luxianbei busily communicated with Old Online Lecher and Miaomiao Sauce, time slipped away quietly, and when he came back to his senses, the bus had reached the vicinity of the Tangcheng Four Seasons Hotel.
Upon arriving at the hotel, Luxianbei first went straight to Professor Ma’s room, saw the “Someone is resting, please do not disturb” sign hanging on the door and realized the professor was still asleep, so he didn’t disturb him and returned to his own room.
Back in the room, he rummaged through a metal box, confirmed that the hairpin clamped at the opening had not been disturbed, and after carefully checking that nothing inside was missing, Luxianbei hid the metal box again, then laid down on the soft bed to empty his mind and wait for sleep to come.
When in doubt, sleep it off!
Right now, dangers lurked around Tangcheng, and Luxianbei asked himself if he could manage this situation alone; especially at a time like this where he couldn’t count on the Siye Association or the Urban Legends Chat Group, the only help he could seek came from his ancestor.
Previously, when Qing Ji was recounting his glory days of causing chaos in Dachunyang Palace all by himself, he casually mentioned a type of substitution technique.
According to Qing Ji, without that substitution technique, he would have been caught by the Dachunyang Palace’s sect leader and whipped hundreds of times in front of the palace gates.
When he heard about that magical skill, Luxianbei had wanted to learn it at the time, but back then, his ancestor had refused his request with, “Sword techniques are the true way; once you’re skilled in sword techniques, it won’t be too late to learn these tricks.”
Just now, while pondering how to shake off the tracking of that obscure force at the Tangcheng Museum, Luxianbei suddenly thought of the substitution technique his ancestor taught him, which led him to bring back the Mourning Gray Owl Badge that could signal danger.
At present, he had basically learned the “Taihe Gentleman Sword Illustration” and only lacked continuous practice and experience to make further progress. He thought that this time when he approached his ancestor to learn the substitution technique, he shouldn’t be refused.
After all, this time I have quite a legitimate reason! Luxianbei thought.
————
As Luxianbei fell into a deep sleep, he felt his body rapidly descending, and before long, he landed on the familiar rooftop of the high-rise building.
Opening his eyes, the pitch-black night sky and the dilapidated roof came into view, and in one corner of the rooftop, Qing Ji seemed to be meditating, sitting cross-legged as a surge of agitated spiritual energy fluctuated, condensing into a pearl-sized chaotic light ball.
That azure light ball slightly undulated between his palms, occasionally sparking with brilliant arcs of electricity, spinning at high speed and whipping up gusts of strong winds that made Qing Ji’s long robe flutter.
Staring at the light ball, even though Luxianbei’s expression was stone-faced, waves of shock surged within him.
His ancestor actually replicated the general workings of the Hundred-Armed Giant Power using his own spiritual energy?
It’s only been a few days, and yet he’s a genius who mastered various esoteric skills in his teens!
Why didn’t I inherit such talent?
While Luxianbei was pondering in silence, Qing Ji suddenly opened his eyes and looked over, revealing a cruel smile, “Hey, granddaughter-in-law, you’re here? I’ve been waiting for you for a long time!”
Not good, this old thing is up to no good! Luxianbei thought alarmingly, turning to escape, but heard a rush of wind behind her as Qing Ji had already taken the lead to dart toward her.
In his hand, the pearl-like light ball slipped from his control, rapidly expanding at a visible rate and was thrust toward Luxianbei’s back by his palm.
Boom! The crashing sound echoed, spiritual energy burst forth like a flood, and amidst a dazzling array of chaotic colors, Luxianbei felt that familiar pain as if every cell in her body was being crushed into dust; then, a muffled explosion of flesh and bl**d echoed in her ears, and her vision faded to black as she lost consciousness.
When Luxianbei regained consciousness, Qing Ji had sat down beside her, grinning widely, “Hehe, granddaughter-in-law, how’s my work? Not bad, huh?”
Luxianbei shrank back slightly, warily watching Qing Ji’s hands, weakly asking, “Ancestor, have you already unraveled the mystery of that power?”
Upon discovering that Qing Ji had uncovered part of the mystery of the Hundred-Armed Giant Power before her, Luxianbei realized their roles had reversed, returning to the starting point.
Previously, she had caused Qing Ji a great deal of trouble; now that he finally had the upper hand, would he sing songs sitting on her back?
In short, this is going to be troublesome! Luxianbei thought.
Qing Ji nodded, “I’ve been studying some things during these idle days, but I haven’t fully grasped it. Quickly summon that power again; let me see it properly.”
“Okay.” Luxianbei responded, subconsciously attempting to draw some of the Hundred-Armed Giant Power out, but just as her hand lifted, it hovered in midair, her eyes darting around, “Ancestor, actually I’m not here to research this power today.”
“What do you mean?” Qing Ji furrowed his brows, visibly displeased. “Are you referring to the Empty Eye technique or the Five Ghosts Fortune? Those aren’t proper spells; I can’t teach you those!”
“No, no!” Luxianbei hurriedly clarified, “I’m not trying to spy on anyone or steal anyone’s money, I just want to learn that kind of technique similar to the substitution technique.”
“Why do you want to learn that?” Qing Ji waved his hand dismissively. “Not teaching, not teaching! That troublesome power in your body hasn’t been resolved yet! Stop thinking about these unorthodox things.”
“Please, Ancestor, I really need it urgently, teach me please?” Luxianbei pleaded.
While speaking, she conjured up some emotions and felt a slight sting in her nose as tears welled up in her eyes.
Even if this was a bit shameless, it was better than being targeted by the thugs hunting Siye Association operatives, Luxianbei thought.
Seeing this, Qing Ji paused for a moment, his voice softening a bit as he earnestly said, “Why are you crying for no reason? I’m not teaching you those miscellaneous techniques because I’m afraid you’ll be distracted. I…”
“I’m not crying because of you, Ancestor; I just suddenly thought of Luxianbei,” Luxianbei turned her face away, feigning nonchalance as she wiped the corner of her eye.
Qing Ji raised his hands awkwardly and then sighed, questioning, “What did you think of regarding my great-grandson?”
“I remembered he was never good to me while alive, and after d*ath, he still makes me suffer.” Luxianbei huffed indignantly, “Just like this time, I came to ask you for the substitution technique to save his mistress!”
“Huh?” Qing Ji was taken aback, scratching the back of his head, “What do you mean? Are you saying that mischievous brat… isn’t the only one?”
“Hmph! Isn’t he?” Luxianbei huffed, feeling feisty, “All those close friends, those opposite-s*x buddies, those soulmates…”
“There are many girls around him; if I only occupy one-tenth of a space in his heart, I would consider my life fulfilled.”
Hearing this, Qing Ji’s expression darkened, and he raised his hand sharply, slamming it onto the ground, leaving a deep imprint, “Hmph! This incorrigible scoundrel deserves to be disowned!”
“Granddaughter-in-law, let’s forget about learning the substitution technique! I’ll teach you a Yellow Spring Soul Summoning Seal; this talisman can summon the souls of those who died less than five years ago, maintaining for half an incense stick’s time. You go and settle accounts with that b*stard!”
Luxianbei, “…”
That really doesn’t need to happen, right? I’ve already dug my own grave; do I have to summon my own soul? What kind of underworld operations is this?
Luxianbei thought, wiping her eye corners with her sleeve and shaking her head, “No thanks, Ancestor; I’ve already come to terms with that. Just teach me the substitution technique; after all, she’s someone who Xiaobei loved, and I need to save her.”
“Well…” Qing Ji opened his mouth, sighed heavily for a long while, “Ah! I didn’t expect my granddaughter-in-law to be so broad-minded. I’ll teach you, but before that, I have to ask you something.”
Luxianbei nodded, “Go ahead.”
After pondering for two seconds, Qing Ji asked, “My great-grandson has so many close friends; didn’t he leave any descendants?”
“???”
Luxianbei was momentarily stunned before gritting her teeth, reluctantly stating her bad points about him.
“No, he’s such a scumbag that he doesn’t want to take responsibility and has always been careful about it.”
Qing Ji, “…”
Since she had already spoken, it would be unreasonable not to teach her now.
——————
19:33, the sky was enveloped by the veil of night.
Not far from the Tangcheng Four Seasons Hotel, by the Lotus Seed Lake, a dense thicket appeared shadowy and dark. Soon, a rustling noise emerged, and following the sound, a figure in black clothing with white hair could be vaguely seen walking from afar, squeezing into the thicket.
Finding a secluded corner within the thicket, Luxianbei ensured that no one was around, then placed the metal box from her shoulder down, opened it, and pulled out the list she received from Qing Ji.
“Yellow paper, glue, watercolor, vermilion, bamboo strips, and a drop of bl**d from the ring finger.”
After checking the materials and feeling satisfied, Luxianbei began to operate according to Qing Ji’s instructions.
This substitution technique was called “Zhipianxian” and was a product of alchemy and spell combined. According to Qing Ji, the incantation also borrowed from the folk legend of “a drop of bl**d from the ring finger on a broom will make the broom come to life,” and was nearly equivalent to creating a no-level urban legend; it was quite wicked.
This was also one of the reasons he refused to teach Luxianbei.
The first step of creating Zhipianxian was relatively simple: use the materials at hand to make the desired shape, with techniques somewhat similar to crafting paper figures or paper horses for the deceased, but the standards weren’t as high; it just needed to be recognizable.
Luxianbei crouched in the thicket, following Qing Ji’s teachings, and awkwardly shaped the bamboo strips into a humanoid figure that was about her height, smeared glue on it, covered it with yellow paper, painted eyes, eyebrows, and nose with watercolor, and drew red lips with vermilion. From a distance, it looked…
“Hiss—! Goodness, if this thing starts moving, it’ll probably be thought of as an urban legend that transformed from Picasso’s ‘Woman Sitting’; it’s too scary!”
After complaining a bit about her lack of drawing skills, Luxianbei continued with the process.
She stuffed several Alchemical Dirty Bombs 3.0 into the stomach of the distorted paper figure through reserved openings, sealed the stomach of the paper figure, and quickly whispered the incantation, bestowing a spiritual energy-triggered spell onto the paper figure. Finally, after biting her fingertip, she placed a drop of crimson bl**d on its forehead.
“Zhipianxian, Zhipianxian, today I have matters to summon, make me cicadas shed their dust… Hurry, as per the laws of decree!”
As the incantation finished, the paper figure immediately emanated a crimson glow throughout its body, the yellow wrapping paper seemed to morph into something akin to human skin as spiritual energy continuously infused it.
In the next second, the paper figure “whooshed” upright, its nose touching Luxianbei’s nose.
That mottled yellow face, painted in watercolor, with uneven eyes staring straight at Luxianbei, then… blinked, and its entire eye socket caved in.
“What the hell!” Luxianbei exclaimed, jumping back half a step, surveying the bizarre creation she had just made, feeling quite complicated.
Is my drawing and crafting ability really that poor?
Thinking this, she took another look.
Alright, it’s really bad, worse than something made by a student who studied animation for three years that looks completely unpresentable.
However…
Isn’t this enough?
Luxianbei thought, taking out the Mourning Gray Owl Badge from her pocket and pinning it to the chest of the paper Zhipianxian, then willed it to follow orders—run around the Lotus Seed Lake.
Let’s see who is secretly hunting down Siye Association operatives.
Meanwhile, I’ll also try the explosive enmity-filled Alchemical Dirty Bombs 3.0. Luxianbei pondered as she watched the paper figure, resembling a bizarre creature, dash into the distance, slowly raising her hand to cover her eyes.
Uh, I hope it won’t scare away the people coming to hunt…
