Chapter 506

The Masked Man frowned, watching Teng Qingxing fold the talisman paper into a pentagram in just a few moves: "Sir, what are you trying to do?"

Teng Qingxing's face darkened: "The person you want to deal with bears tremendous fortune; ordinary talismans simply cannot be used on her."

Therefore, I must borrow the power of the Northern Dipper Star Lord for the spell to succeed.

The Masked Man hesitated for a moment: "Will it harm her life?"

Teng Qingxing scrutinized him: "You want to deal with her yet also protect her—truly puzzling."

Just as the Masked Man was about to speak, Teng Qingxing interrupted: "No need to worry; if it's what you want, I'll do as you wish."

I just never imagined she was actually worth an entire city.

The Masked Man asked: "May I ask what exactly you mean by the Northern Dipper Star Lord?"

Teng Qingxing replied: "The Northern Dipper Star Lord came from your country's Daoism into ours."

Do you know why our country's Onmyoji all speak Zhongyuan speech?

The Masked Man's eyes flickered: "Could it be related to the Northern Dipper Star Lord?"

Teng Qingxing nodded: "Exactly."

The most skilled Onmyoji must, when casting a spell, chant a true phrase from the Northern Dipper True Classic in pure Zhongyuan speech to obtain the Star Lord's divine power.

He murmured: "Nine Stars of the Northern Dipper, Great God of the Midheaven. It can resolve all misfortune, relieve all suffering."

His pronunciation of these words was pure and extremely fluent, as if he had practiced them hundreds of times.

It was completely different from his usual strange tone of speech.

The Masked Man exclaimed in surprise: "I have never heard of this before."

Teng Qingxing's face showed satisfaction: "Your country has so many good things, yet you don't cherish them—I too feel great regret."

The Masked Man ignored his sarcasm: "Since it's the Northern Dipper Star Lord, you should perform the spell at night, but by then the child will already be asleep—what could you possibly see?"

Teng Qingxing said solemnly: "The Northern Dipper Star Lord's power is boundless; I can cast the spell continuously for three nights, and if uninterrupted, it can last up to thirty-six hours."

The Masked Man understood: "Then thank you for your trouble, Sir."

If any materials needed for the spell are lacking, please have your servants purchase them, Sir.

I'll take my leave now, Sir, please do as you wish.' Having said that, the Masked Man turned and departed.

The next day, at Xibei Daying.

Feng Zhou stepped out of his tent, gazed at the brilliant sunshine outside, and narrowed his eyes.

Sir Feng!

He looked up and saw Xiao Er and Lu Qi accompanying three little beans as they ran wildly around the main camp.

Brother Xiao, Brother Lu!

Xiao Er bowed and said: "Sir Feng, how are the keys coming along?"

Almost done!' Feng Zhou, upon seeing them, was delighted: "Little Alliance Leader!"

Tuan Tuan stopped in her tracks: "Are the keys almost ready?"

Yes! I've made countless copies, tried many times, but the molten silver still won't join; we need to add components in the proper proportion...

Tuan Tuan couldn't stand it anymore: "Feng Zhou, I don't understand! Just do it properly! Let's go play!"

She waved her little hand at Feng Zhou, then turned and ran off with Gongsun Yue and Xiao Jin.

Xiao Er and Lu Qi hurried after them: "Sir Feng, let's go look after the miss!"

Feng Zhou blinked, then laughed: "All right!" The Little Alliance Leader is truly adorable!

Xiao Jin asked: "Tuan Tuan, do we have to wait until those keys are finished before we can return to Jingcheng?"

Tuan Tuan nodded: "Exactly! Once the keys are done, the dots on the Heavenly Son Sword will all light up; when they're all lit, we can go home!"

Xiao Jin thought of Chen Wang and Qing Wang, his little face tensing: "Yeah! We have to return to Jingcheng and drive those two scoundrels, Chen Wang and Qing Wang, away!"

Exactly!' Tuan Tuan grabbed his hand: "They've bullied you so much; when the time comes, we'll bully them back! Make them cry too!"

Good!' Xiao Jin clenched his little fist: "I, I want to beat them, to vent my anger for Mother Consort!"

Tuan Tuan looked at Xiao Jin and smiled: "Shi'er, you're not the same as before!"

Xiao Jin blinked: "Really?"

Yes! You used to never say such things.

Xiao Jin shrank back: "Then, is that not good?"

Tuan Tuan, like a little adult, patted his shoulder: "How could it be not good? It's great! No matter what you become, you're my good friend—I like you!"

Xiao Jin beamed: "Tuan Tuan, you're truly kind!"

Gongsun Yue stood to the side, silently watching, feeling moved: "Tuan Tuan, you have changed me, and also changed this Twelfth Prince."

We have all become better and better because of you.

He pointed toward the Bitter Water Well: "Tuan Tuan, shall we go play in the mud?"

Tuan Tuan was delighted: "Sure!"

The three little ones held hands and ran toward the Bitter Water Well.

That night, the Masked Man entered Teng Qingxing's courtyard.

The courtyard floor had been laid with white sand into a winding river of stars, and seven bronze star plates were placed at the positions of the Northern Dipper's seven stars.

Teng Qingxing sat upright among the Seven Stars, closed his eyes and focused his spirit, as if perceiving something.

Masked Man stood silently outside the white sand.

Seeing Teng Qingxing slowly open his eyes, the Masked Man asked softly, "Sir, what did you see?"

Teng Qingxing showed a doubtful expression: "Sir, I saw some strange things."

Masked Man said: "Sir, speak freely."

Teng Qingxing replied: "That child is still playing nonstop today, without a moment's rest. She plays with mud, chases her companions, hits rats, chases mountain chickens……"

Masked Man: "……"

"Just these?"

"No." Teng Qingxing recalled: "The people around her, and a person named Feng Zhou, mentioned the key."

After that, they said, if the key is made, something on the Heavenly Son Sword will light up, and then we can return to Jingcheng.

That Feng Zhou said the key still lacks something.

There's a young boy by her side who seems to have a grudge against two people named Prince Chen and Prince Qing, saying that upon returning to Jingcheng, he will drive those two away.

The Masked Man looked at him, his expression changing: "Heavenly Son Sword? Key? Can you elaborate?"

Teng Qingxing shook his head: "None."

The Masked Man lowered his head in thought: "The person in charge of the Private Items Workshop, Feng Zhou? It turns out you weren't blown to death in Chen Village."

Teng Qingxing asked: "Sir, do you still need me to continue the spell?"

The Masked Man nodded: "Thank you for your hard work, please continue. What you've heard today is very useful; my city was indeed not given away for nothing."

Teng Qingxing smiled proudly.

Night fell, at the Guoshi Residence.

On the floor of the quiet chamber, the Big Dipper within the silver-inlaid heavenly stars flickered nonstop.

Chu Yuan sat cross-legged on the futon: "It's already the second day; how could someone in Jingcheng be using the Big Dipper for a ritual? Could there still be someone from the previous dynasty here?"

He thought: "If yesterday was just divining fortune or misfortune, that would be fine, but two days in a row is somewhat unusual."

Forget it; regardless of who you are or why you're casting the spell, since I can't be sure whether you'll be harmful to my disciple, I will stop you.

He flipped through the ancient book left by Taoist Priest Xuanwei that Tuan Tuan brought back from the Imperial Study, made hand signs, and murmured: "Northern Dipper Nine Stars, Great God of the Middle Heaven."

It can resolve all misfortunes, relieve all suffering... Break!