Liaozhai: Immortality Begins with Becoming Yan Chixia's Apprentice

Chapter 12 The True Understanding of Talismans

The next day at dawn, before daybreak, Zhou Ning was already standing on the sword-training ground behind the mountain.

He practiced talismans until late last night and only slept for two hours, but his energy was surprisingly good.

The internal energy circulated on its own, bringing warmth and dispelling fatigue.

Yan Chixia appeared on time, holding several new pens and a stack of talisman paper.

"I saw the talisman you drew last night." Yan Chixia placed the item on the stone table.

"You've barely scratched the surface, but you're still far from being a practical practitioner. Today, I will formally teach you the way of talismans."

Zhou Ning respectfully said:

"Please give me your guidance, Master."

Yan Chixia took out a piece of yellow paper, spread it out, picked up a pen, and dipped it in cinnabar.

"Watch closely."

He picked up his pen, the tip landing on the paper with fluid, effortless movements.

Zhou Ning only saw the pen strokes dancing on the paper, as if there was a spiritual light flowing from the pen tip.

As the last stroke was made, a dazzling golden light suddenly shone on the talisman, and the entire talisman seemed to come alive, exuding a pure and vast aura.

"This is an 'Exorcising Talisman'." Yan Chixia handed the talisman to Zhou Ning:

"Take a look and see how it differs from your drawing."

Zhou Ning took the talisman and immediately felt a warm energy flowing through the paper, as if it were alive.

The paintings he created last night, though they possessed a certain brilliance, were lifeless and dull, like withered trees.

"My disciple's talisman has the form but lacks the spirit," Zhou Ning said.

Yan Chixia nodded:

"The way of talismans is easy to learn in form, but difficult to comprehend in spirit."

Form refers to the arrangement of strokes and symbols.

God is the spiritual power and intention you infuse into us.

It has form but no spirit; it's nothing but a piece of waste paper.

"It possesses a divine form but lacks physical form; its spiritual power is scattered and chaotic, and it cannot form a talisman."

He picked up the pen and handed it to Zhou Ning:

"You draw one, and I'll watch."

Zhou Ning took a deep breath, laid out the paper, dipped it in ink, and picked up the brush.

He drew it stroke by stroke, following the steps he had practiced the night before.

This time, he deliberately slowed down and focused his attention on the infusion of spiritual energy.

However, when the last stroke was made, the talisman only lit up slightly before dimming, not even as bright as the one from the previous night.

Zhou Ning frowned, wondering what the problem was.

"Your spiritual energy is unevenly distributed," Yan Chixia said.

"If the strokes are too forceful at the beginning, too weak in the middle, and broken at the end, the spiritual energy of such a talisman cannot circulate, and it will naturally be difficult to last."

He walked behind Zhou Ning and grasped his wrist:

"I will guide you to feel the rhythm of the spiritual energy flow."

Yan Chixia's palm was broad and warm, and a gentle force flowed from his wrist, guiding the internal energy within Zhou Ning's body to slowly flow into the tip of the pen along a specific trajectory.

"Be steady when you start writing, and let your inspiration flow like a stream, never ceasing."

"The transition should be gradual; spiritual energy is like a river, winding yet never ceasing."

"The finishing stroke should be decisive, the spiritual energy flowing down like a waterfall, without hesitation."

Under Yan Chixia's guidance, Zhou Ning experienced the "smoothness" of talisman drawing for the first time.

The spiritual energy flows with the strokes of the brush, dancing on the paper naturally and harmoniously.

As the last stroke fell, the talisman suddenly shone with a golden light. Although it was not as dazzling as the one drawn by Yan Chixia, it already had a touch of liveliness.

"It's done." Yan Chixia released his grip.

"Remember this feeling, and practice it more."

Zhou Ning held the talisman, his heart filled with excitement.

He finally grasped the basics of the art of talismans.

-

In the days that followed, Zhou Ning's life became even more fulfilling.

He practices swordsmanship at dawn, meditates and cultivates his inner energy from dawn to noon, practices talismans in the afternoon, and studies other talismans in "True Explanation of Talismans" in the evening.

The book "True Explanation of Talismans" records dozens of basic talismans, including "Exorcising Evil Talisman", "Purifying Heart Talisman", "Exorcising Evil Talisman", "Protecting Home Talisman", "Water Avoidance Talisman", "Fire Avoidance Talisman", and so on.

Each type of talisman has its unique rune structure and way of circulating spiritual energy.

Zhou Ning started practicing with the simplest "Purifying Heart Talisman".

This type of talisman has no offensive power; it can only help cultivators concentrate their minds and eliminate distracting thoughts. It is a basic talisman for beginners.

The runes of the "Purifying Heart Talisman" are relatively simple, consisting of only seven strokes.

After practicing for three days, Zhou Ning was able to succeed in seven or eight out of ten attempts.

Next is the "Exorcism Talisman," which is slightly weaker than the "Exorcism Broken Talisman," but requires a higher level of spiritual power.

Zhou Ning practiced for five days, and his success rate was barely over 50%.

As for the "evil-repelling talisman," he would practice making several every day, but the success rate was always low.

Often, out of ten drawings, only two or three will be successful, and even then, they will lack brilliance and have limited power.

"Don't rush," Yan Chixia said.

"There are no shortcuts in the art of talismans; it's all about practice. You've only been practicing for half a month, and to have reached this level is already quite impressive."

Zhou Ning knew that his master was trying to comfort him, but he was not satisfied.

He wanted to become stronger, so that when facing evil spirits again, he wouldn't have to rely solely on his master's talismans to save his life.

-

On this day, Zhou Ning was practicing talismans on the back mountain when he suddenly heard a commotion coming from down the mountain.

He put down his pen, walked to the edge of the cliff and looked down. He saw a group of people walking along the mountain path towards Lanruo Temple.

The leader was a middle-aged man dressed in a brocade robe, riding a tall horse, followed by a dozen or so burly men who looked like servants, carrying several large boxes.

"Master, someone's here," Zhou Ning said, turning around.

Yan Chixia was meditating in the hall when he heard this. He opened his eyes and said calmly:

"They are local gentry from the town at the foot of the mountain, here to donate money for incense."

"Donate incense money?" Zhou Ning was taken aback.

"Wasn't Lanruo Temple already abandoned?"

"It's the temple that's abandoned, not me." Yan Chixia stood up:

"I have been practicing here for many years, and occasionally I help the people in town with some problems. They are grateful and often send some supplies up the mountain."

He walked to the palace gate, watching the procession draw closer, a slight smile playing on his lips:

"There must be quite a few delivered today."

Sure enough, the middle-aged man in the brocade robe arrived at the temple with his servants. Upon seeing Yan Chixia, he immediately dismounted and bowed respectfully.

"Master Yan, it's been a long time. This junior pays his respects to you."

Yan Chixia nodded:

"Master Wang, there's no need for such formalities. What brings you up the mountain today?"

Master Wang laughed and said:

"This junior has recently acquired several bolts of fine silk and some mountain delicacies. Knowing that you are cultivating in seclusion on the mountain, I brought them to honor you. Also..."

He lowered his voice, his expression turning serious:

"I have one more request."

Yan Chixia glanced at him:

"Come in and speak."

-

Inside the main hall, Master Wang recounted the whole story.

It turns out that fifty miles northwest of Qingshan Town, there is a place called "Black Wind Village".

It used to be a barren mountain, but strange things have been happening there for the past six months.

Livestock from nearby villages often go missing, and sometimes even people disappear without a trace.

"A few days ago, one of the tenants from my estate went to chop firewood near Black Wind Village and didn't return overnight. The next day, his family went to look for him and found only a pool of blood and a few pieces of cloth."

Wang Yuanwai was pale.

"Everyone in town says there's a monster there."

After listening, Yan Chixia remained silent for a moment, then said:

"You came to me wanting me to exorcise the demon?"

Master Wang hurriedly said:

"This junior dares not trouble the immortal sir, but only wishes to ask the immortal sir to point out a clear path. If you could ask the immortal sir's disciple to come down the mountain, this junior would be eternally grateful."

He looked at Zhou Ning, his eyes full of expectation.

Zhou Ning was taken aback, not expecting that Master Wang would set his sights on him.

Yan Chixia also looked at Zhou Ning and said calmly:

"His cultivation period is still short, he may not be able to handle it."

Master Wang hurriedly said:

"I dare not force you, but... but there's really no other way. People from several nearby villages are moving out, and if this continues, I'm afraid they'll all be gone."

Yan Chixia pondered for a moment and said:

"Give me a few days to think it over. Go back first, and come back in three days."

Master Wang expressed his gratitude profusely, left the gifts, and went down the mountain with his servants.

After seeing off Master Wang, Zhou Ning returned to the main hall and saw Yan Chixia standing with his hands behind his back by the window, gazing at the distant mountains.

"Master, are you really considering letting me go?" Zhou Ning asked.

Yan Chixia did not turn around:

What do you think?

Zhou Ning thought for a moment and said:

"I have only been cultivating for a few months and am not even at the Qi Refining stage. I am afraid I am no match for that monster."

"It's good that you know." Yan Chixia turned around:

"But you can't hide in the mountains forever. The path of spiritual practice must eventually be taken out."

He walked up to Zhou Ning, his gaze deep and intense.

"I already know about Black Wind Stronghold. It's just a mountain demon that's cultivated for a hundred years; its strength is limited. If you can integrate the results of your cultivation over the past few days, you might be able to put up a fight."

Zhou Ning's heart skipped a beat:

"What does Master mean?"

"Three days later, you will accompany Master Wang down the mountain. I will watch from the shadows, but I will not intervene," Yan Chixia said.

"This is your experience, and also your opportunity."

Zhou Ning took a deep breath and solemnly said:

"Disciple understands."

-

Three days passed in the blink of an eye.

For the next three days, Zhou Ning practiced talismans and swordsmanship almost non-stop.

He practiced all the offensive talismans in "The True Explanation of Talismans". Although the success rate was still not high, at least he could draw each one.

Yan Chixia handed him a new jade talisman:

"This talisman contains a wisp of my sword energy, the same as last time. But remember, it's for self-defense; don't use it unless absolutely necessary."

Zhou Ning took the jade talisman and carefully put it away.

"And another," Yan Chixia added.

"The mountain demons of Black Wind Stronghold are skilled in illusion and bewitching. When you arrive, whatever you see, do not believe it. Guard your conscience and break through with righteousness."

Zhou Ning nodded:

"This disciple has remembered."

The next morning, Master Wang went up the mountain on time, accompanied by his servants and several mules and horses carrying goods.

Zhou Ning changed into a set of close-fitting clothes, slung the wooden sword across his back, and hung a small cloth bag at his waist, which contained the talismans he had drawn in the past few days.

"Young Master Zhou, are you ready?" Master Wang asked with a smile.

Zhou Ning nodded: "Let's go."

He glanced back at Lanruo Temple, where Yan Chixia stood at the entrance of the main hall, hands behind his back, watching him descend the mountain.

Zhou Ning bowed deeply to him, then turned and strode away.

Behind him, Yan Chixia's voice drifted from afar:

"Remember, no matter what happens, come back alive."

Zhou Ning paused, a warmth spreading through her heart. She quickened her pace and disappeared into the morning mist.