Chapter 97: Nuo Gao!

“Of course,” Li Yan nodded in response.

The Baopu Mountain Ascension Technique was the first spell he had learned.

When a sorcerer awakens his spiritual power and successfully cultivates the spirit, even without setting up an altar, he can still activate certain talismans or use specific spells.

Like his Three Talismans of Devil-Subduing Coins and the Cloud-Thunder Divine Drum.

The “Baopu Mountain Ascension Technique” was taught to him by the Daoist Luo Mingzi of the Enforcement Hall when he faced Chen Fa’s puppet—it could be altered using the Six Jia Secret Chants to evade evil spirits or intimidate beasts, and was highly practical.

According to Chen Fa’s puppet, this method was left behind by the Immortal Ge, passed down to all Daoist disciples of the Xuan Men, used to avoid calamity when entering mountains, and thus not rare enough to be kept secret.

But after asking Wang Daoxuan, he learned it was not so simple.

Indeed, to the Tai Xuan Zheng Jiao, this technique meant little, but it was still a true method; many sects required strict examinations before teaching it.

Even Wang Daoxuan himself had not fully mastered it.

Because of this, Li Yan held great respect for Luo Mingzi.

The only difficulty in using this technique was the need for a talisman to accompany it.

Even those who all knew the “Baopu Mountain Ascension Technique” displayed vastly different effects due to differences in spiritual cultivation and talisman quality.

The mugwort Li Yan used was far inferior to the “Shang Xuan Bamboo Talisman” used by Tai Xuan Zheng Jiao disciples.

Wang Daoxuan grew curious, “From your tone, does this Divine Tiger Token pair with the Baopu Mountain Ascension Technique?”

Chen Yuan nodded, “Forged from the ancestral master’s remains, how could it be ordinary? Its power far surpasses the Tai Xuan Zheng Jiao’s ‘Shang Xuan Bamboo Talisman,’ and it carries the essence of the tiger—holding it while entering the mountains keeps all beasts at bay.”

“Moreover, my lineage possesses another spell passed down by the Medicine King, sharing the same origin as the Baopu Mountain Ascension Technique, recorded in the Qianjin Yifang and called the Qianjin Bodyguard Charm—it can harm the spirit, causing mild cases to grow dazed and heavy ones to fall into illusions…”

Li Yan’s eye twitched, “I just experienced this spell today.”

“Forgive me, Daoist.”

Chen Yuan smiled bitterly, “My ancestral master’s true spirit has endured for a thousand years, barely awake—most of the time he sleeps, no different from an ordinary temple deity; he instinctively retaliates when threatened.”

“Our Medicine King lineage’s spells mostly heal and save lives—we are not skilled in attack. Only this spell, originating from the Warring States period, excels at repelling enemies, and its power grows stronger when paired with the Divine Tiger Token.”

Li Yan narrowed his eyes, “Master, you mention this for a reason, don’t you?”

Chen Yuan nodded and sighed, “The Medicine King passed down these spells so disciples could avoid evil, beasts, and bandits while gathering herbs—thus the public Qianjin Fang never recorded these methods.”

“Lin Hui was no Daoist sorcerer; she attacked and stole the token because someone manipulated her, hoping to sell it. If it falls into wicked hands, the consequences will be endless.”

“I am not skilled in combat, and my disciples’ spells are weak. I offer this ‘Qianjin Bodyguard Charm’ as payment, asking Li Jushi to reclaim the Divine Tiger Token.”

“If you recover it, I will give you the Divine Tiger Token as well.”

Li Yan was surprised, “The Divine Tiger Token is your sect’s greatest treasure—can you really part with it?”

Chen Yuan shook his head and smiled bitterly, “Our lineage doesn’t seek to compete. We kept the token only to remember our ancestor; Zhongnan Mountain is safe, and we rarely used it.”

“Now that others know of it, keeping it invites disaster. This time it was me; next time it might be a disciple. Continuous incense and constant healing matter far more.”

“Moreover, I do not wish this object to fall into the hands of those with corrupt hearts.”

Li Yan narrowed his eyes, “Master, aren’t you afraid I might be one of them?”

Chen Yuan smiled, “I trust my ancestral master’s judgment.”

Hearing this, Li Yan did not hesitate—he bowed and said, “Master, rest well. I accept this task.”

With that, the three took their leave and stepped out the door.

…………

“This job won’t be easy.”

Back in the guest room, Sha Lifei scratched his head and shook his head, “It’s been nearly two days, still raining—the man might have fled already. If he headed for Chang’an, you won’t chase him a thousand li.”

“Besides, we have other matters—we can’t delay. If snow falls on the Qinling trails, we’ll be stranded…”

Wang Daoxuan also looked troubled, “Pity I lack the spiritual power—Zhongnan Mountain is shrouded in primordial gang qi. Otherwise, returning to the scene to set up an altar might have yielded clues.”

Li Yan thought for a moment, “Regardless, let’s try.”

With that, he found the young Daoist and went to Lin Hui’s quarters, memorizing her scent, then set out to search.

Unfortunately, as Wang Daoxuan said, the autumn rain had already washed away the scent; activating his Yang Seal and spiritual power was blocked by the mountain’s primordial gang qi.

Li Yan had no choice but to return to the temple.

An idea struck him—he went to the main hall, respectfully lit three incense sticks, and said solemnly, “Elder, I help your sect hunt the villain. If you are aware, please guide me.”

But after waiting a long time, there was no response.

Li Yan sighed faintly—he had a suspicion.

This Tiger Daoist’s true spirit had held firm for a thousand years, clinging only to the desire to see the Medicine King again. Unless saving lives, he would never manifest—how could he care about a mere object?

With no other options, they were at a loss.

The porters and drivers waited—they had to return immediately after finishing their work, to reunite with their families before the Winter Solstice; they couldn’t waste time helping them investigate.

Besides, the corpse on the road couldn’t be left long.

Li Yan had no choice but to inform Chen Yuan, promising to keep watch for any news and reclaim the Divine Tiger Token if an opportunity arose.

At dawn the next day, everyone prepared to depart.

Just then, the young Daoist rushed out of the temple gate, offering a wooden box with both hands, bowing respectfully: “Lords, my master asked me to deliver this.”

“He says whether you recover the item or not is fate—Li Jushi need not dwell on it. But your life-saving grace cannot go unrepaid. He has nothing else to give, so he offers this spell instead.”

Li Yan knew what was inside the box—he nodded, “Thank you. Please tell the Daoist to rest well—we’ll visit again if the chance comes.”

With that, he bowed and mounted his horse.

“On the road!”

At the order, the caravan resumed its journey.

As they left Zhongnan Mountain, the distant sky had turned pale with dawn.

Li Yan couldn’t help but turn back to look.

In the hazy distance, beneath the mountain, a tiger seemed to stand, its mouth holding a bronze ring, staring blankly at the sky…

…………

Creaking and groaning, the cart struggled forward.

The Qinling Mountains separated north and south, their climate capricious—just yesterday, mist had shrouded the peaks; after leaving Zhongnan Mountain, the sky suddenly cleared.

The last heat of autumn scorched the mountains and rivers; some roads had dried, but shaded patches grew muddier, gouged deep by cart wheels.

“This road is terrible!”

After helping the porters push the cart over a ditch, Sha Lifei mounted his horse and grumbled,

Wang Daoxuan shook his head, “This Qin-Chu Ancient Road—the stretch from Xianyang to Zhongnan—was built during the Qin Dynasty. The part we’re on was carved in the Han. The journey is long, and the court has no funds to maintain it.”

“This is still the best. If you go west to the ancient roads leading to Ba and Shu, the plank paths are rotten and collapsed—people get stranded, and it’s even harder to pass…”

Their idle chatter was merely to pass the time.

Li Yan sat on his horse, staring at the cloth scroll in his hand, lost in thought.

This was the “Qianjin Bodyguard Charm” gifted by Chen Yuan.

The scroll contained diagrams of the Seven Stars Stepping and hand seals with incantations—extremely complex, dizzying to behold. In the past, Li Yan would have understood nothing. But now he had entered the Daoist path, and with Wang Daoxuan’s frequent guidance, he had some grasp of such things.

More importantly, it resembled the “Baopu Mountain Ascension Technique.”

Especially the incantations.

Baopu Mountain Ascension: “Nuo Gao! Solely open for the descendant Wang Jia. Six Jia: Azure Dragon. Six Yi: Meeting Star. Six Bing: Bright Hall. Six Ding: Hidden Within…”

Qianjin Bodyguard Charm: “Nuo Gao! Left bears Three Stars, right bears Three Bonds. Heaven turns, earth flips, nine paths all sealed. Make you lose your mind—east becomes west, south becomes north…”

Li Yan mused, “Daoist, what exactly is ‘Nuo Gao’?”

“I actually know something about this,” Wang Daoxuan said, intrigued. He slowed his horse to ride beside Li Yan and examined the scroll closely.

After a long while, he recalled, “When I wandered through Chu lands, I once saw an ancient text in a scholar’s study—the Qin bamboo slips of the ‘Rishu: Dreams’ chapter, used to dispel nightmares…”

“‘Nuo Gao! I dare to report to you, Wan Qi: I have a nightmare—I flee to Wan Qi’s domain…’ Wan Qi is Bo Qi, one of the Twelve Nuo Beasts.”

“But only the incantation remained—the bamboo slips were incomplete. Later, I asked an elder of the Daoist path—he said someone had studied it and believed ‘Nuo Gao’ was the name of an ancient Yin True Deity.”

!.

“But what exactly it was, no one knows anymore—too many ages have passed. Fortunately, the spell still works, and since there are countless deities, few bother to investigate further.”

“According to Daoist Chen Yuan, the Baopu Mountain Ascension Technique and the Qianjin Bodyguard Charm share the same origin, both from the Warring States period—perhaps linked to the Qin palace’s Fangxian Dao.”

“Oh, I see.”

Li Yan felt a faint regret and carefully rolled up the scroll.

The Qianjin Bodyguard Charm also required a talisman to function.

Of course, it didn’t have to be the Divine Tiger Token—any bone of a mountain beast that had gained spiritual awareness could be forged into one.

If the chance arises, I must have one made.

“Ah—!”

Just then, a faint cry came from ahead.

“Watch out!”

Li Yan’s expression changed—he waved to halt the group, then activated his Yang Seal and sniffed the air, saying sternly, “A beast is attacking someone ahead. Stay here. Sha Laoshu, guard them. Wait for my signal!”

With that, he flicked the reins and spurred his horse forward.

Around two bends, the cries and beastly roars grew louder, and the stench of blood and animal musk surged toward him.

Li Yan’s face remained calm—he crouched low, squeezed his thighs against the horse, and with a quick motion, drew two flying knives from each side of his waist.

The battle at the graveyard had shown him the value of flying knives.

He had practiced them before, and on the journey from Xianyang, he’d used roadside beasts as targets. Combined with his spiritual perception, though far from a master, he was now adequate.

Shhh! Shhh!

As he rounded the bend, Li Yan flicked his wrists—left and right—and the flying knives shot out.

Around the bend in the mountain pass, a group of traveling merchants had set up camp on an open patch beside the road, about seven or eight men in all.

Around them circled a dozen or more vicious wolves, some baring their fangs in threat, others launching sudden ambushes, repeatedly striking and harassing.

This was the wolves’ tactic.

Within the camp, two men fought well, holding broadswords and shielding the others behind them, slashing left and right, with several wolf corpses already piled before them.

Yet, like Li Yan once had been, two fists cannot fend off four hands.

They could barely defend themselves; two had already been dragged from the perimeter and torn apart on the ground, their flesh shredded, long dead.

Puff! Puff!

Li Yan’s flying daggers pierced straight through the bodies of two wolves.

Of course, this was pure guesswork based on scent—he hadn’t even aimed properly—and wolves were naturally agile, so none struck vital spots.

Worse, the wolf pack was enraged.

The wolves of the Qinling were already massive in size and ferocious by nature; their alpha, especially, radiated brutal menace. With a low growl, several wolves lunged forward.

Whinny!

The black stallion beneath Li Yan reared back, startled, tossing its head.

This was merely an ordinary horse—gentle-natured, and far more timid.

Yet facing the charging wolves, Li Yan remained calm; he had thrown the daggers only to break their assault.

These things are best dealt with using the Three-Cosmos Exorcism Coins.

Li Yan had already gripped his sword hilt, summoning his spirit to activate it.

Whinny!

A chilling aura of killing intent surged forth, and the steed beneath him collapsed in terror.

The charging wolves all froze mid-stride, whimpered, and turned to flee.

These beasts sensed killing intent far more acutely.

The aura radiating from the Three Talismans of Devil-Subduing Coin struck them with dread.

“Roar—!”

A wolf howl came from the alpha.

Perhaps the beast was bold, or perhaps it had seen something similar before—it showed no fear, roaring to spur the pack into renewed attack.

But this moment created a gap in the wolves’ encirclement.

One of the men guarding the front of the caravan seized the chance, charging forward with blazing eyes, roaring as he swung his broadsword in a thunderous arc.

Puff!

The blow was heavy and powerful.

The alpha, unprepared, had its head cleanly severed.

Blood sprayed everywhere as the wolf’s head rolled away with a thud.

Now, the other wolves lost all restraint and scattered in panic, vanishing into the mountains.

Seeing this, Li Yan sheathed his sword halfway drawn and reached down to soothe the collapsed steed.

Fortunately, the horse was a bit dull-witted, and after eating two more carrots, it rose to its feet, snorting and licking Li Yan’s palm.

The man who had struck the blow, seeing the wolves gone, finally exhaled and approached Li Yan, bowing with clasped fists: “Thank you, young master, for your aid…”

…………

Sobs continued as the caravan members began cleaning up the aftermath.

Sha LiFei and the others had arrived, helping to collect the bodies, while Wang Daoxuan shook the Soul-Soothing Bell and chanted a sutra to guide the dead.

This era differed from Li Yan’s past life.

Travel was perilous; meeting others was fate. Though one must remain wary, one must also act when needed—and such encounters might yield valuable news.

Don’t underestimate it: a careless word from a stranger might save you from disaster—or bring you a small fortune.

This group was no professional caravan, but villagers from Zhaoshui near Shangzhou, hauling several carts of laopi paper to sell in Chang’an.

Wang Daoxuan glanced at the cargo and exclaimed in surprise: “Zhaoshui laopi paper is top quality, among the best in all of Shaanzhou. There are established caravans to buy it—why do you haul it yourselves?”

Laopi paper, or burnt paper, fire paper—each region had its own name for it.

“It’s those bandits!”

The man with the broadsword spat angrily, his face twisted with rage.

(End of Chapter)