“Chapter 26”

"Chapter 26"

"Encountering this sensation twice in a row, Xie Qingfeng’s brows unconsciously furrowed, initially thinking the issue was related to Elder Zhang."

"Now that he had seen the Yin energy Elder Zhang had been exposed to, although it was significant, it didn’t affect him."

"It seemed likely related to the little treasury."

"Having carried the little treasury with him for so long, Xie Qingfeng had never experienced such a sensation before and couldn’t pinpoint the reason at the moment."

"He could only wait to resolve the Zhang family’s matter and then check the little treasury in his consciousness back at the hotel to see if he could find the cause."

"Fortunately, the palpitations gradually subsided. As the car finally stopped at villa number 6, Xie Qingfeng temporarily suppressed the remaining palpitations with his spiritual energy, ensuring they wouldn’t affect him."

"Elder Zhang’s old friend, surnamed Zhao, attended the same school with him when they were young, and they had a good relationship."

"Later, after Mr. Zhao got married and had children, he was transferred to another place and didn't return for decades until his wife passed away. Suffering from poor health, he returned to B City six months ago after learning of a specialist here who could treat his condition. He decided to settle down and bought this villa for retirement."

"The villa area is not far from the Zhang family mansion, and it was by chance that Elder Zhang and Mr. Zhao met half a month ago, leading to Elder Zhang being exposed to the Yin energy."

"Mr. Zhao's eldest son, nearing fifty, has graying hair and deep furrows between his brows. His eyes are bloodshot from worry over his father’s health in recent days."

"Wearing gold-rimmed glasses, he appears as a refined middle-aged man."

"Elder Zhang didn’t specify the reason for his visit beforehand; partly because he wasn't sure and also not to alarm Mr. Zhao, deciding to wait until they met to discuss the situation in detail."

"Upon arriving, the group was greeted by Mr. Zhao, who courteously welcomed Elder Zhang."

"He was surprised to see so many people, both young and old, including a Taoist priest and two monks."

"Initially, he thought Elder Zhang was coming alone to see his father, but now this..."

"Elder Zhang nodded warmly at Mr. Zhao, and the group, instead of heading straight in, turned their attention to Xie Qingfeng."

"Xie Qingfeng, after getting out of the car, observed Mr. Zhao but remained where he was without moving forward."

"Everyone felt uncertain, and the five masters, including Daoist Bai, noticed Mr. Zhao’s poor complexion but couldn’t discern the specific situation."

"'Mr. Xie, can we go in directly?' Elder Zhang asked in a low voice."

"Xie Qingfeng shook his head: 'Let’s not go in just yet.'"

"Elder Zhang thought as much, recalling that he had only spent a few hours inside half a month ago and had faced significant health issues afterward."

"Xie Qingfeng turned to Daoist Bai and the others: 'I didn’t bring cinnabar or talisman paper, could you please write a protective heart talisman for everyone here except for Mr. Zhao?'"

"A protective heart talisman was too simple for him to use his spiritual energy to write."

"After Xie Qingfeng spoke, Daoist Bai and the others immediately stood up straight, treating the matter seriously, and hurriedly took out cinnabar and talisman paper: 'Please give us a moment, we will finish writing them within an hour.'"

"Each person, writing two talismans within an hour is somewhat manageable."

"This was the first task assigned by Master Xie to them, and it must be taken seriously."

"Hearing 'one hour,' Xie Qingfeng fell silent."

"Mr. Zhao, completely clueless throughout: '??'"

"Just as Daoist Bai was about to start writing, Xie Qingfeng sighed and recited a series of talismanic incantations."

"Listening to these unfamiliar yet similar incantations to the protective heart talisman, Daoist Bai and the others realized something, their eyes lighting up, and they quickly memorized it, holding their breath as they began to write."

"This time, the process was smooth, without the usual need to pause and exert themselves as before."

"Without any resistance, each talisman was completed effortlessly in less than five minutes."

"The Daoists, after finishing, were in shock: 'This, this...'"

"They looked up at Xie Qingfeng with a reverence as if he were an ancestral figure, not daring to show any disrespect."

"Especially Daoist Bai, with his entirely white hair and beard, looked at Xie Qingfeng with admiring eyes, giving Xie Qingfeng the feeling of being treated as an ancestor by an elder, wondering if it might shorten his lifespan?"

"Xie Qingfeng, realizing the scarcity of spiritual energy here made even the most basic protective heart talismans difficult to write, decisively took a brush from one of them, dipped it in cinnabar, and swiftly wrote ten talismans in under a minute."

"He distributed one to each person, and the remaining ones were given to Daoist Bai: 'I entrust the incantations to you. Practice them more, they can save lives in critical moments.'"

"Daoist Bai’s heart trembled with excitement: 'The master just taught us such powerful incantations so easily?'"

"Xie Qingfeng wanted to say that these were the most basic and fundamental talismans and silently observed Daoist Bai’s white hair, deciding not to dishearten the elder."

"After all, their cultivation environment was different, and this profession had declined... he just didn’t expect it had declined to this extent."

"Daoist Bai carefully divided the remaining talismans, treating them as treasured heirlooms, among the other two Daoist friends."

"Each person carefully stored theirs, meeting the envious gazes of the two monks."

"After everyone received one, only Xie Qingfeng and Mr. Zhao were without a talisman."

"Mr. Zhao was even more perplexed, wondering what exactly this group was here for."

"Xie Qingfeng met Mr. Zhao's inquiring gaze: 'You don’t need it.'"

"Mr. Zhao, hearing the words 'protective heart' and seeing the presence of Taoist priests and monks, wondered if there was something unclean nearby. 'I don’t need it because my body is strong enough to resist?'"

"Xie Qingfeng: 'No, the Yin energy has already infiltrated your entire body, so it's unnecessary.' Protecting him would be futile; once the issue is resolved, the Yin energy can be cleared from him."

"Mr. Zhao: '???'"

"As the group moved inside, Mr. Zhao, belatedly realizing something, turned pale: 'What does Yin energy mean? Are you saying there is something unclean in my house? And that’s causing my health problems? No, could it be my father too...'"

"With the villa’s door closing behind them, Elder Zhang stopped hiding the truth: 'Our visit today is precisely for this matter. It's not just your father; anyone who has stepped into this house may have been affected by the Yin energy. When I visited half a month ago, I started experiencing intermittent immobility afterwards. Initially, I didn’t suspect it was related to this place, but now... We have specially invited this master to check on your father first.'"

"Hearing about immobility, Mr. Zhao started to believe it."

"His father’s health had been poor, especially in the past two months, frequently becoming immobile, and the duration of immobility was increasing."

"He had taken leave from work to care for his father, occasionally taking him out in a wheelchair. Could it be... his father’s immobility wasn’t due to his illness worsening, but something sinister?"

"Mr. Zhao’s face turned ashen with regret and self-blame, feeling heavy-hearted and unable to think clearly."

"If his father was really affected by something evil, and Elder Zhang was affected this severely after just a few hours, what about his father..."

"Xie Qingfeng, walking through the yard to the hall, felt a dense Yin energy even before entering. As he pushed open the door, the living room was dim, and he could faintly see an elderly man sitting in a wheelchair next to the sofa, his eyes closed, seemingly dozing off."

"Mr. Zhao followed, slightly more composed, and hurried to the old man’s side, attempting to wake him up to inform about the visitors. However, despite his efforts, the elderly man remained asleep."

"‘His body has been severely eroded by Yin energy. Being elderly, his physical functions have declined. It’s his lifetime of accumulated virtue that has kept him alive until now. Otherwise, he might have been beyond help already.'"

"Mr. Zhao, pale and unsteady, asked desperately, 'What can be done?'"

"He had always had a smooth life and was overwhelmed by such a situation for the first time. He knew he had to stay strong, especially since his younger siblings weren’t around."

"Xie Qingfeng looked around and pointed at the curtains: 'Open all these, and turn on the lights.'"

"Mr. Zhao glanced worriedly at his father: 'Since recently, my father has become sensitive to light, feeling uncomfortable when exposed to it, that’s why…' Realization dawned on him, turning his face even paler."

"What Yin energy fears the most... isn't it light?"

"Has he been inadvertently amplifying it?"

"With trembling hands, Mr. Zhao hurried to open the curtains. Even with the light streaming in, the entire hall remained chillingly cold."

"Xie Qingfeng surveyed the area, his gaze finally resting on a pendant hanging on the carved sliding door in the hall."

"An intricate pendant, at its center a peace knot entwined with five ancient bronze coins, below hung tassels, with the red cord and white characters for 'peace' standing out prominently."

"Daoist Bai and the others, following Xie Qingfeng's gaze, first looked puzzled, but upon seeing the pendant, they instinctively frowned, sensing trouble: 'These five bronze coins... aren’t they genuine antiques?'"

"Mr. Zhao nodded: 'Indeed, they are antiques, several hundred years old. Why, is there a problem with it?'"

"Daoist Bai, looking at the pendant hanging above the door, with his vast experience, had heard of the Yin Sha Formation but had never seen it in person."

"Looking at how these five bronze coins were arranged, Daoist Bai instinctively turned to Xie Qingfeng. Not being denied, he knew his guess was correct and explained: 'The antique itself is not problematic, but if it's unearthed and not properly cleansed, directly tainted with Yin soil to form an array, it becomes a Yin energy and Yin Sha formation. The way these coins are arranged suggests that is the case. Hanging it above symbolizes doom for the entire household.'"

"It’s a very malicious method of harm, where others might only harm one person, this directly dooms an entire family, cutting off the lineage."

"No wonder earlier at the Zhang residence, Master Xie mentioned at the least, family ruin and loss of life, and at worst... complete annihilation."

"Mr. Zhao felt as if his head had been struck by lightning, and shaking with rage, he asked: 'Does it mean my entire family...?'"

"Daoist Bai hummed affirmatively: 'Yes. You must have also experienced health issues these days. Fortunately, you are in good health, otherwise...'"

"You might have already collapsed."

"Mr. Zhao clenched his teeth, his grinding audible, obviously enraged to the extreme. Such an object, hanging unnoticed in one’s home, must have been gifted by a trusted close friend or relative; otherwise, it wouldn’t have been hung without any suspicion."

"Mr. Zhao harshly stroked his face, turning to Elder Zhang with a look of sad pleading: 'Elder Zhang, can my father still be saved?'"

"Elder Zhang sighed and patted his shoulder: 'Don’t worry, we’ve come to save lives. These masters are here to help, and your father is my friend; I won’t neglect him.' Then he turned to Xie Qingfeng, 'Master Xie, can it be resolved?'"

"He realized that Xie Qingfeng initially didn’t act immediately to help his old friend, probably because he needed to find and neutralize this object first, otherwise the influence would continue."

"And this object was the root cause."

"Xie Qingfeng hummed in response."

"The resolution wasn’t difficult, just troublesome and would require the use of spiritual energy."

"It seemed his recently acquired spiritual energy from seclusion would be significantly depleted, but correspondingly, he wouldn’t be lenient with his fee."

"Xie Qingfeng instructed everyone else to step back, while Mr. Zhao stood beside the elder Mr. Zhao."

"Once everyone was positioned, Xie Qingfeng approached the peace knot and looked at the characters for 'peace,' feeling the irony."

"Raising his hand, his fingertips swirled with spiritual energy, and with a gentle wave, the tightly bound peace knot unexpectedly fell."

"Xie Qingfeng caught it steadily, then focused a portion of his spiritual energy into his palm, enveloping the entire peace knot in a faint golden glow."

"Almost simultaneously, a massive amount of black energy surged out from every knot of the peace knot, particularly from the five bronze coins, which turned a dense black, stunning the onlookers as they visibly darkened."

"Soon, the spiritual energy completely devoured the Yin energy, and the rope began to self-ignite. Before that, Xie Qingfeng had already let go."

"The burnt remains of the peace knot fell, leaving the five bronze coins, now clean."

"With a flick from Xie Qingfeng, they landed precisely on a nearby wall."

"Arranged in a specific pattern, they became embedded in the wall."

"Xie Qingfeng to Mr. Zhao: 'The Yin energy on the five bronze coins has been removed, and the Yin energy in this house is nearly gone. Now rearranged into a protective formation, it will quickly eliminate any remaining Yin energy. Of course, if you find it unsightly later, you can remove it.'"

"Mr. Zhao shook his head repeatedly: 'No need, no need.' What the master left behind, he would preserve for generations!"

"Even though he trusted the group because they were brought by Elder Zhang, witnessing the event was another matter entirely."

"Simply casting the coins onto the wall was beyond ordinary capabilities."

"Xie Qingfeng hummed and walked straight to Elder Zhao and Mr. Zhao, using his spiritual energy to inscribe a talisman on Elder Zhao’s forehead."

"His movements were swift, almost a single stroke from top to bottom."

"As the talisman was completed, from Xie Qingfeng’s perspective, a golden glow of concentrated spiritual energy formed a formation on Elder Zhao’s forehead, continuously absorbing and devouring the black Yin energy from his body."

"To the onlookers, Elder Zhao, who had been unconscious, began to regain his normal complexion rapidly after Master Xie finished the drawing, looking even healthier than before his illness."

Finally, a black rune mark appeared on the forehead.

Daoist Bai immediately took out a notebook to sketch it, thinking even if he couldn't understand it now, it would be a matter of pride to show his peers in the future.

Xie Qingfeng used the same method to remove the negative energy from Mr. Zhao's body.

Stepping back, he said, "That should do it. Later, just wipe off the rune on the forehead. The person who sent you the peace knot will suffer backlash, harming their body, but it won't be fatal. The rest is up to you."

He was only responsible for saving lives; what happened next was not his concern.

He trusted that the Zhao family wouldn't let the matter slide easily.

Mr. Zhao looked at him with gratitude and respect, "Thank you for your efforts, Master. I will handle the rest once my father recovers. My father, he..." He was about to ask when his father would wake up when suddenly, he felt the previously unconscious Elder Zhao's tightly closed eyes twitch.

Mr. Zhao immediately knelt beside him, holding Elder Zhao's aged hands, "Dad..."

As Elder Zhao opened his eyes, Mr. Zhao cried tears of joy, laughing and crying so much he nearly frightened his father.

After completing their task, Xie Qingfeng and his group didn't linger in the hall but left the space for Elder Zhang and his family, retreating outside.

As soon as Daoist Bai reached the courtyard, he surrounded Xie Qingfeng with questions about the rune, eager to learn or at least broaden his knowledge.

The two monks also joined in, listening intently.

Daoist Bai glanced at them, "Why are you learning this?"

The monks coughed softly, "We're just curious and wanted to listen." After all, it was about saving lives, and there was no harm in just listening.

Xie Qingfeng didn't hold back and explained.

Daoist Bai had an epiphany and, looking at Xie Qingfeng, his eyes shone with admiration. Suddenly, he asked unexpectedly, "Master Xie, you are young and talented. Do you have a partner?"

Xie Qingfeng was taken aback, sensing an ominous premonition: ?

"Daoist Bai, seeing Xie Qingfeng didn’t deny, became even happier. Stroking his white beard, he took out his phone and scrolled to his photo gallery: 'Master Xie, this is my granddaughter from the Bai family. The youngest is just eighteen and started college, and the eldest is twenty-one. They are quite good-looking. What do you think?'"

"Xie Qingfeng: 'What do you mean?'"

"He had sensed earlier that the five masters' gazes were different, especially this one."

"The other two Daoists exchanged glances and then closed their notebooks: 'Our family also has younger members...'"

"The two monks touched their bald heads, deciding not to join in."

"Xie Qingfeng, for the first time, forgot how to react and after a while, said to the enthusiastic crowd: 'Hold on a moment.'"

"They eagerly awaited his response: 'Master, no rush, you can meet and see how it goes. Even being friends is fine. Young people of similar ages have more to talk about.'"

"Xie Qingfeng, rubbing his forehead, decided to use his original orientation to put an end to their hopes: 'I appreciate the thought, but it’s not suitable.'"

"They looked disappointed: 'Ah? Is it the age that’s not suitable?' Does the master have a special preference, liking more mature 'big sisters'?"

"Xie Qingfeng was concise: 'Wrong gender.'"

"They stood frozen, taking a moment to comprehend, then stared in shock."

"Daoist Bai was the quickest to react, suddenly producing a photo of a young man in a white Daoist robe, handsome with a distant look in his eyes, and placed it in front of Xie Qingfeng, chuckling: 'I also have a grandson!'"

"The other two: 'Old man, are you sure your grandson knows you’re matchmaking for him?'"

"Eventually, Elder Zhang came to Xie Qingfeng’s rescue, asking him to come over."

"Xie Qingfeng immediately went, leaving briskly, causing Hao Jixin, who had heard the entire conversation, to almost collapse with laughter."

"Apparently, the enthusiasm for matchmaking knows no bounds, regardless of age or gender."

"Xie Qingfeng joined Elder Zhang and Mr. Zhao in the study on the second floor."

"Elder Zhao, having just recovered, was quite exhausted and had already taken his medicine and gone to sleep."

"Mr. Zhao expressed his gratitude again. If not for his age, which he feared might shorten Xie Qingfeng’s life by bowing, he really wanted to... Finally, Mr. Zhao took out a check: 'Master, this is for your troubles in making this trip. If it weren’t for you, our family might have... If there’s ever anything you need from Zhao, just say the word.'"

"Xie Qingfeng accepted without hesitation."

"Mr. Zhao was generous, writing a check for ten million directly."

"No wonder he didn’t opt for a bank transfer."

"After Xie Qingfeng accepted the check, Mr. Zhao sighed in relief, then turned and picked up a box, opening it to reveal a high-quality jade tiger inside."

"The tiger was exquisitely carved, the jade itself somewhat thoughtful, exceptionally translucent, and most importantly, it had a strong spiritual energy."

"Though it couldn’t compare to the pieces in the Little Emperor’s private collection, this piece of jade was the best he had seen since his arrival here."

"Mr. Zhao sincerely said: 'The previous payment was for saving our lives. This is a token of thanks, please don’t refuse it.'"

"Xie Qingfeng, however, didn’t accept it: 'What you gave just now was enough.'"

"Elder Zhang chuckled: 'Accept it, Master Xie. The Zhao family ancestors were in the jade business; they might lack other things, but never jade.'"

"Hearing this, Xie Qingfeng raised an eyebrow: 'This jade seems quite valuable.'"

"Mr. Zhao laughed: 'However precious, it’s still a mere object. It’s the only way I can express my gratitude, so I hope you’ll accept it.'"

"With such insistence, and liking the spiritual energy in the jade tiger, Xie Qingfeng borrowed paper and pen from the study, using his spiritual energy to write a health talisman."

"'Have Elder Zhao carry this with him; it will aid in his recovery.' He didn’t elaborate, but Mr. Zhao clearly understood, overwhelmed with joy."

"Elder Zhang, watching from the side, also coveted such a talisman, planning to ask Master Xie for one upon returning to the Zhang residence."

"Age was catching up with him, and though he had accepted it, he still wished for a healthier body to suffer less."

"Xie Qingfeng, holding the box, discreetly sent the jade tiger into his treasury using his consciousness."

"When they got into the car, he and Hao Jixin sat in the back. Pretending to rest, Xie Qingfeng's consciousness entered his treasury."

"But when he wanted to check what was wrong with the treasury earlier and looked for the jade tiger's place, he found the shelf empty."

"Xie Qingfeng: '??'"

"Meanwhile, Jing Xi furrowed his brows, looking puzzledly at the jade tiger that had suddenly appeared in his palm."

"Not only that, but the two jade rings on his thumb were now emitting a faint glow at the point where they met."