Chapter 82: Learning Invisibility Talisman

When they first entered Yanjiang County, Man Gu had suggested informing the local authorities about the Yanjiang Branch and seeking Qin Yuanhao together. However, Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou rejected the idea, deeming the government untrustworthy.

Now, it seemed their concerns were not unfounded. The Yanjiang Branch had planted an informant within the government, and their position was not low!

Branch Master Chu spoke unhurriedly, "Lu Yang, among the high-ranking members of the Yanjiang Branch, you are the one I value most. After the Harvest Festival, the higher-ups will send someone to inspect the Yanjiang Branch. This inspection will be different from previous ones, as it will include the three of you – Lu Yang, Meng Jingzhou, and Man Gu – as seeds of the demonic path. This will significantly elevate the appraisal of me by the higher-ups.

"There's a high probability I'll be promoted, which would leave the Branch Master position vacant.

"According to tradition, the new Branch Master is chosen from among the branch's high-ranking members. Although your seniority is limited, given the Holy Leader's appraisal of you, it's not impossible for the higher-ups to appoint you as the new Branch Master.

"Your competitors are currently still in jail and won't be released for three more days. Such foolish actions will not earn them a high evaluation from the higher-ups.

"The Harvest Festival is a major holiday in the surrounding counties, with considerable influence. If something were to happen during such a festival, the higher-ups would certainly view you in a more favorable light." Branch Master Chu subtly prompted Lu Yang.

Lu Yang relayed Branch Master Chu's words to Meng Jingzhou and the others. Both Meng Jingzhou and Man Gu were grateful that they had chosen to spread rumors about Qin Yuanhao instead of seeking help from the authorities. Otherwise, there wouldn't be such a thriving barbecue restaurant. Lu Yang felt their priorities might be a little off.

"We just don't know who Branch Master Chu's informant is," the four of them mused, feeling troubled. They didn't know who in the government would be privy to information about the yellow talismans.

"Don't worry, you'll find out who the informant is once you become Branch Master! Branch Master Chu values you so much, he'll definitely tell you before he leaves!" Meng Jingzhou burst out laughing, surprised that Lu Yang was getting promoted so quickly. If Lu Yang got promoted, he and Man Gu could do whatever they pleased in Yanjiang County. It was good to have someone covering for you.

As the four were discussing animatedly, a knock came from the door. It was Constable Wei.

"Little Shopkeeper Lu, I've brought you another commendation banner."

Lu Yang opened the door and enthusiastically welcomed Constable Wei inside.

"Oh, you're all here, how lively," Constable Wei remarked casually.

"We were just discussing yesterday's case."

Hearing Lu Yang, Constable Wei warned gravely, "Little Shopkeeper Lu, you must keep last night's case confidential. Do not discuss it with anyone else. I know none of you are ordinary people; you're cultivators here to experience life, and sometimes you act heroically. But this time is different. This involves ruthless demonic cultivators. Even a slight misstep could put your lives at risk. You absolutely must not try to find the owner of those talismans."

Lu Yang couldn't help but chuckle. The demonic path warned him not to get involved, and now the righteous path was also warning him not to get involved.

"Don't laugh, this is a very serious matter!" Constable Wei thought Lu Yang wasn't taking it seriously.

Lu Yang straightened his face and promised he wouldn't get involved. Only then did Constable Wei leave, relieved.

"Have some tea before you go."

Constable Wei waved his hand, "No, I can't. My superiors are rushing me. I still need to take people to search for other talismans."

After seeing off Constable Wei, Lu Yang and the other three worried that the yamen might not have enough manpower to catch the hidden individual. If something went wrong with this matter, who knew how many lifespans would be secretly stolen.

Lu Yang lowered his head in thought. "We've already learned how to conceal our aura, but simply using that method might not be safe enough." He looked up at Lantian, who was learning how to skewer barbecue with the *chang* ghosts, and an idea sparked.

"Fellow Daoist Lantian, I have a request."

Lantian smiled, "We are all disciples of immortal sects, working together to slay demons and eradicate evil. And I am currently your subordinate. There's no need to be so formal; just call me Lantian."

Lu Yang readily agreed, "Lantian, can you teach us the invisibility talisman?"

Lantian understood Lu Yang's intention. "You mean you want to use invisibility talismans to hide your presence and secretly help Constable Wei?"

Lu Yang nodded.

"Of course, no problem. The invisibility talisman isn't a very difficult rune. As long as your talent isn't too terrible, you can learn it in half a day."

Meng Jingzhou and Man Gu were very excited to hear they could learn something new, especially since Lu Yang wasn't the one teaching it.

"Have any of you three studied talisman-making before?"

All three shook their heads.

Lantian wasn't surprised. "Then I'll teach you from scratch." Lantian was also very excited. This was her first time teaching someone. At the Moon Palace of Osmanthus, her senior sister had always taught her; now it was finally her turn to be the teacher.

"The essence of talismans is to materialize spells in a graphic form, inscribed onto paper. Since you three are from the Dao-seeking Sect, your talent in spells isn't bad, so it will be easy to learn."

"...The talisman core is the soul of a talisman. Whether a talisman can fully exert its effect largely depends on whether there is a talisman core safeguarding it..."

"...The most commonly used pattern in talismans is the cloud script, which is a pattern created by imitating the changing shapes of clouds in the sky, drawing inspiration from nature..."

"Specifically for the invisibility talisman, 'Astral Qi' serves as the talisman core, and an ethereal, fixed cloud script pattern is used for the drawing."

Lantian dipped her fingertip in a bit of clear water and deftly drew an invisibility talisman on the tabletop. With a pull from her palm, the talisman lifted from the table and adhered to her hand. Lantian slapped it onto herself and vanished before the three of them, who were watching intently.

A few breaths later, Lantian reappeared, smiling faintly. "This is the most basic invisibility talisman. It can only make the body visually disappear. You should still be able to detect my location through details like breathing and heartbeat."

The three nodded. Even so, it was quite impressive.

"Now, you try."

After half a day of learning, the three had a preliminary understanding of talismans. They took out their Four Treasures of the Study and began attempting to draw invisibility talismans; they weren't yet capable of drawing talismans with water alone.

Meng Jingzhou, having practiced calligraphy for many years, had excellent handwriting and held the brush with an extremely steady right hand and wrist. He channeled spiritual energy to the brush tip and quickly drew an invisibility talisman that was eighty percent similar to Lantian's. After drawing a few more, it was almost indistinguishable from Lantian's. Meng Jingzhou gleefully stuck it on himself and indeed vanished.

Man Gu's talent in this area was somewhat weaker; his control over spiritual energy wasn't precise enough. He succeeded only once after dozens of tries, but his success rate increased with more attempts.

Lantian secretly marvelled. As expected of Dao-seeking Sect disciples, they possessed an innate talent for talismans.

How was Lu Yang doing? Lantian looked at Lu Yang.

Lu Yang also quickly drew an invisibility talisman, succeeding on his first attempt. His talent was terrifying. Lu Yang stuck the invisibility talisman on himself, and his entire person disappeared.

However, only the person disappeared; the clothes remained. It was like a haunting.

"What the hell!" A miraculous thing happened: the clothes started talking.

Thinking he was invisible anyway, Lu Yang simply took off his clothes. Then he despairingly discovered that the invisibility talisman paper itself was still visible. What kind of invisibility was this?!

He almost tore off the invisibility talisman. Fortunately, his rationality prevailed and prevented him from doing so.