Chapter 82: The Duty of a Spirit Hunter

The essence of talismans lies in drawing patterns on yellow paper using various “dyes” such as cinnabar, black water, and animal blood; different patterns produce different effects, after which yin energy or yuan energy is infused into the talisman to achieve special results.

But how do you depict a lightning strike talisman with a pattern?

The cold “spiritual glow” he had just witnessed gave Li Lin an idea.

He went back to town and spent a high price to buy several thunder-struck logs, then headed to the town’s paper mill.

In Da Qi, paper is state-run; ordinary people cannot directly contact the papermakers at the mill.

But Spirit Hunters can.

After all, they’re considered an “official.”

“Master, you want to turn all these thunder-struck logs into yellow paper?”

Li Lin nodded.

“How large should the sheets be? What thickness?”

“About the same as regular yellow paper.”

“Understood,” the papermaker said. “But it will take some time.”

“How long?”

“Depends on the weather—minimum half a month, up to a full month!”

Li Lin pulled out a silver ingot and handed it over. “I appreciate your effort.”

“Thank you, Master, for your generous gift,” the papermaker said, happily pocketing the silver ingot.

After leaving the paper mill, Li Lin strolled through the streets and unexpectedly ran into Su Huafang, Bai Liwei, Bai Bufan, and Zhao Hao.

All four looked weary, and Bai Bufan’s arm was wrapped in white cloth, as if broken.

Li Lin greeted them and asked, “Did you four just return from Jincheng?”

The four smiled warmly upon seeing Li Lin.

Li Lin looked at Bai Bufan. “How did you get hurt? Good timing—I was just about to have lunch. Let me treat you, and we can chat about what happened in Jincheng.”

All four smiled.

Zhao Hao laughed loudly. “We want the best dishes and the finest wine.”

“No problem.”

Li Lin still had over thirty gold ingots at home; treating them to one meal was no issue.

The four sat down at the Jucailiu Restaurant, choosing the finest private room.

While waiting for the food, Su Huafang placed on the table an object resembling a completely pure, irregular crystal.

“This is the yin stone left behind after the Taowu Zhenjun dispersed.”

Li Lin picked it up and felt it was soft, unlike the texture of crystal.

He also sensed strong malevolent energy and heavy resentment within it.

He put it back down.

It felt inferior to his Shengxi Pill.

“Who defeated the Taowu Zhenjun?”

“Bi Fang Zhenjun and Si Miao Zhenjun,” Bai Liwei said in awe. “Those two are absurdly powerful. Even from a li away, watching them made us feel like ants—utterly insignificant.”

Li Lin turned to the boy with the bandaged arm. “What happened to Bufan’s arm?”

Bai Bufan looked embarrassed. “I got blown away by the wind from their battle and crashed into a big tree—my arm snapped.”

Bai Liwei scolded him. “You brought it on yourself. I told you to stay on the ground, but you insisted on standing up.”

“It was just too awe-inspiring—I lost my head for a moment,” Bai Bufan said helplessly.

Then Bai Bufan described what the four had witnessed on the northern outskirts of Jincheng.

The three Zhenjuns stood a hundred zhang tall, engaged in close combat, wielding spells; wherever they passed, everything was reduced to ruin.

Even in recounting, their expressions were filled with longing.

But Li Lin said, “If these Great Lords are so powerful, how were they ever subdued?”

“I heard… when deprived of vital energy, a Zhenjun’s power drops drastically,” Su Huafang explained. “These Zhenjuns grow so large only because they’re nourished by human qi.”

Ah, Li Lin understood.

That’s why the Great Wraiths are willing to stay on altars.

Su Huafang continued: “Besides, a Zhenjun without an altar is essentially just a mad wraith—much easier to deal with.”

Then Su Huafang shared more common knowledge about the Zhenjuns—things Li Lin had never known.

There was no help for it; no one had taught him.

Su Huafang had only ever guided him into the basics.

After an hour of eating and drinking, Su Huafang and the others thanked Li Lin and departed.

Li Lin bought some daily necessities and returned to the village.

Since the talisman paper would take a long time, he continued cultivating other martial skills.

He shifted the time he spent on “White Tiger Flip Stance” to “Short Weapon Training.”

The manual Wang Tianyou had sent him was called “Silver Snake in the Sleeve.”

As the name suggested, it was an assassination technique involving hiding a short sword in the sleeve, then striking when close to the target.

It emphasized surprise.

It had only three moves.

Stab the heart, pierce the throat, gouge the eye.

Though only three moves, all were lethal.

But for it to be a secret manual, there must be a reason.

The manual detailed how to conceal the short sword, how to walk without it falling out, and how to forge a blade that wouldn’t stain with blood.

These were the real core techniques.

Li Lin got stuck on the second step.

As instructed, he hid the short sword in his sleeve, but it kept slipping out as he walked.

Just practicing this one skill took him seven days.

One morning, as Li Lin ran around the courtyard, after only a few steps, a short sword clattered out of his sleeve.

He picked it up, about to resume training, when he saw an old man approaching in the distance.

It was Old Village Chief Zhang.

The old man leaned on his cane and stopped at the fence.

“Spirit Hunter Li, could the old man speak a few words?”

Li Lin wiped his sweat and said, “Please, Elder.”

“I have a granddaughter who married into Pingzheng Village. A few days ago, I visited her and learned the village has recently been troubled—likely by wraiths.”

Li Lin thought for a moment. “I recall Sun Youyi was guarding Pingzheng Village before. He passed away recently, but there should still be a Zhenjun stationed there, shouldn’t there?”

Old Village Chief Zhang shook his head. “I don’t know for sure—my granddaughter said so. She also said the village has gathered a hundred taels of silver to hire you to investigate. Whether you succeed or not, they’ll pay you the full amount.”

Li Lin was even more puzzled. “Why me? There are stronger Spirit Hunters in the county.”

Old Village Chief Zhang explained: “Spirit Hunter Li, you may not know, but you’re already famous in nearby villages.”

Huh?

Li Lin was even more confused.

Old Village Chief Zhang smiled. “The wandering wraith outside Shangtikou Village has existed for decades—everyone in neighboring villages knows of it. But you eradicated it, bringing peace to Shangtikou Village. That story has spread far and wide.”

So that’s why.

Li Lin considered it.

A hundred taels of silver was no small sum.

But he believed Pingzheng Village could afford it.

Because it was the largest and wealthiest village in Yulin County.

Over eight hundred households, more than four thousand people.

Pingzheng Village even had a prominent family: the Zhao family.

The hundred taels of silver must have come from them.

Besides, it’s part of a Spirit Hunter’s duty.

After weighing the pros and cons, Li Lin said: “I’ll go tomorrow.”

Old Village Chief Zhang was overjoyed. Getting Li Lin to help Pingzheng Village made him feel greatly honored.

“Thank you, Spirit Hunter Li. We’re truly indebted to you.”

Li Lin smiled. Money made everything easy.

(End of Chapter)