Chapter 9

Young people love to show off and are mostly self-centered; when he was young, Hui Bin once learned a bit of Tai Chi and went around challenging martial arts schools, only to be easily subdued in return.

He himself is only in his thirties, so he understands the urge of young people to impress others; today, encountering one such person felt oddly amusing.

“Brother, did you run into something unclean?” Hui Bin asked with a playful tone.

“Huh?” Gu Zhao suddenly turned to Hui Bin, deeply startled—could there really be demons and spirits in the modern world? Is there still a hidden underworld today?

But seeing the amusement in Hui Bin’s eyes, he realized he had misunderstood—both he had misunderstood Hui Bin, and Hui Bin had misunderstood him.

He hadn’t expected this Daoist to have such a good nature, even playing along with his act.

Gu Zhao smiled inwardly, then spoke honestly again, with perfect seriousness: “Yesterday I encountered a female ghost. Though I destroyed her, I fear I might meet something stronger next time, so I want to draw some Five Thunder Talismans to prepare.”

The onlookers: “Oh—”

Some quick-witted visitors began scanning left and right for cameras, wondering if this was being filmed for a skit.

Others, even quicker, had already pulled out their phones and opened video recording.

Hui Bin also laughed, but felt a hint of disappointment—he still thought this kid was too young, blurting everything out at once. No suspense, obviously fake, clichéd.

You’d be more convincing saying someone used dark magic to stick needles in a doll to harm you, and you’re countering with thunder arts!

If there really were female ghosts, would they even leave you to deal with them?

The unmarried Daoist brothers from every mountain gate would be howling and rushing forward!

Now that Gu Zhao had revealed his hand, Hui Bin had no interest in continuing the act. But since this young man showed some interest in the Daoist path, a few sheets of yellow paper and cinnabar weren’t valuable enough to withhold.

“I see. Then you’ll need some talisman paper. Wait a moment—I’ll get you some,” Hui Bin smiled, then turned and walked away.

Gu Zhao’s eyes lit up; he bowed respectfully. “Thank you, Senior Brother!”

Even if the man clearly didn’t believe him, as long as he sold him cinnabar and yellow paper, he was a good Daoist.

The staff member looked at Gu Zhao as if he were a con artist, but since Elder Hui Bin had spoken, he said nothing.

The young man snorted, “Putting on airs,” but his girlfriend tugged his sleeve, so he stopped paying attention to Gu Zhao and instead helped her pick out talismans.

The “Shuoguo” girl, however, cheerfully struck up a conversation with Gu Zhao: “What does a Five Thunder Talisman look like? What are the five thunders?”

Gu Zhao turned around and realized she wasn’t alone—beside her stood a tall-legged girl, her hair flowing over her shoulders, her expression shy yet barely suppressing amusement, clearly curious as well.

“There are several interpretations of the five thunders.”

Shuoguo was bright and cheerful; the tall-legged girl was gentle and elegant. Gu Zhao was happy to explain: “One version says Heaven, God, Dragon, Water, and Society; another says Wind, Fire, Mountain, Water, and Earth; yet another says Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth. But all variations ultimately correspond to the Five Directions, Five Elements, Five Organs, and Five Qi.”

Shuoguo nodded blankly—she didn’t quite understand.

The young man, seeing Gu Zhao had fooled Shuoguo, scoffed: “Just memorized some terms and came out to show off. Five Thunder Talisman? If you’re so skilled, cast a thunder spell right now!”

Shuoguo turned and shot him a glare. “I’m talking to this person—what’s it to you?”

Anyone willing to speak openly in public isn’t one to tolerate others’ nonsense.

The young man scowled, glanced at the two girls, a flicker of jealousy in his eyes, but said nothing more.

Mocking Gu Zhao was one thing; arguing with a beautiful woman was another.

At that moment, Elder Hui Bin returned, holding a stack of yellow paper, a small bottle of cinnabar ink, and a new brush.

He had heard Gu Zhao’s explanation from afar, since the area had been quiet; now approaching, he smiled and asked, “So, Brother, which five thunders are you using?”

Gu Zhao replied, “Heaven, God, Dragon, Water, Society.”

Hui Bin nodded. “Yu Shu Five Thunder Method.”

The tourists glanced between Gu Zhao and Hui Bin. Even if they thought Gu Zhao was faking, the fact that he could converse with a Daoist from Yuanfa Palace without flinching suggested he had some real ability.

Hui Bin handed the items to Gu Zhao. “Here’s the cinnabar and yellow paper. I’ll throw in this brush as well.”

“Thank you! Thank you!” Gu Zhao quickly accepted them. “Um, the cost—”

“Consider it a gift. No need to be formal,” Hui Bin waved dismissively, then smiled. “If you feel uneasy, could you spare me one Five Thunder Talisman?”

Since this man had come here to show off and specifically mentioned drawing Five Thunder Talismans, he must have practiced extensively in private—perhaps even prepared for a live demonstration. Hui Bin had no objection to granting his small wish.

“Of course!” Gu Zhao immediately agreed.

Every year when he returned home for the New Year, he reviewed what he’d learned and drew blessing peach talismans to hang on his door. The Five Thunder Talisman was a classic Daoist talisman—he knew it well.

Seeing Gu Zhao agree, more tourists gathered around to watch.

Hui Bin kindly asked, “Here, or in the quiet room behind?”

“Here! Here!” The tourists clamored.

“Fine, here it is,” Gu Zhao didn’t care—he was excellent at drawing Five Thunder Talismans and wouldn’t fail.

The staff immediately cleared the counter, making space for Gu Zhao, and even offered him their chair.

“No,” Gu Zhao waved off the offer, solemnly stating, “Though the talisman paper is small, drawing a talisman isn’t like writing. It requires strength flowing through the entire body, qi circulating up and down—it’s unsuitable to sit.”

The onlookers looked impressed, as if he were a true master—except Hui Bin, whose face flushed slightly, since Daoists of Yuanfa Palace always drew talismans while seated.

Seeing Gu Zhao pour a little cinnabar ink into the bottle cap and pick up the new brush, the crowd watched with anticipation. But the tall-legged girl suddenly spoke: “Aren’t you going to activate the brush?”

Gu Zhao raised an eyebrow. Hui Bin also glanced at the tall-legged girl in surprise, then nodded and smiled: “I overlooked that.”

As he spoke, he stepped into the nearby scripture hall and returned quickly with another brush, handing it to Gu Zhao.

Gu Zhao took the brush, gave it a light shake, and realized it had just been moistened—perfect for writing.

…

The tourists once again gathered around the talisman counter, eager to witness the drawing of the Five Thunder Talisman.

Gu Zhao did not disappoint—he dipped the brush lightly into the cinnabar ink, then began to write with swift, fluid strokes.

First, the Eastern Heavenly Thunder: nine dots. Then the Southern Divine Thunder: three dots. Then the Central Society Thunder: one dot. Then the Western Dragon Thunder: seven dots. Finally, the Northern Water Thunder: five dots to conclude.

Using the brushwork of the Five Elements’ mutual generation, he completed the five directional thunder scripts, connected them with cinnabar, and ended with a single sweeping stroke below, forming a glyph-like character: 【 Chi 】.

As he drew the final stroke, Gu Zhao’s expression changed—he couldn’t help it. Magic power surged naturally, infusing the brush tip.

“Shhh!”