Chapter 388
by fanqienovelChapter 388: Exorcising Evil (Part 2)
With hundreds of townsfolk, Wang Chen rejoined Zhang Dahu and the others who had remained outside the town.
The townsfolk who had followed Wang Chen and returned had been anxiously waiting, fearing that he would be overpowered by the Evil Spirits and trapped in the town.
If that happened, they would lose their protector.
To their surprise, Wang Chen ended the battle so swiftly and brought back so many people.
Seeing familiar faces, many were overwhelmed with joy and wept tears of relief.
One townsfolk cautiously asked, “Immortal Master, will the Evil Spirits return?”
He had all his wealth in the town—his house, spirit fields, and shop were irreplaceable.
If the Evil Spirits had all been vanquished, he truly wished to stay.
This concern was shared by many others.
They looked at Wang Chen with hopeful eyes.
Wang Chen glanced at the man and replied, “Yes.”
The townsfolk lowered his head awkwardly.
Wang Chen understood their thoughts but would not offer them any guarantees.
The reason he took the time and effort to save these townsfolk was because performing good deeds could enhance his own fortune.
Fortune was invisible and intangible, and it wouldn’t appear on the Cultivation Panel.
However, Wang Chen had long since discovered that doing good truly increased his luck.
Thus, as long as his own safety was assured, he was willing to do what others might consider “foolish.”
After dashing the hopes of those who relied on chance, Wang Chen led the group of townsfolk toward Huai County City.
However, a new problem arose.
Among the six to seven hundred townsfolk, the weak and elderly accounted for more than half, and the number of cultivators was less than a third.
Without transportation like oxen or horses, the pace at which the ordinary people could travel was predictably slow.
As for flying artifacts, only Wang Chen likely possessed one.
This made the group’s progress painfully slow.
Wang Chen felt this was unacceptable, so he instructed everyone to halt.
Under the anxious gazes of the crowd, he retrieved a stack of talismans, along with a talisman brush and talisman ink from his storage bag.
He began crafting talismans on the spot!
Wang Chen was, of course, making Armor Horse Talismans.
Being low-level legal symbols, and with Wang Chen’s current cultivation level and perfect mastery of Beginner Talisman Making, crafting these talismans was incredibly easy.
He dipped his brush into the ink and effortlessly created a talisman with a single stroke.
After drawing ten talismans and stacking them together, he infused them with magical power, causing a radiant spiritual light to shine and completing the crafting in an instant!
Zhang Dahu was quite knowledgeable, but when he saw Wang Chen produce legal symbols in such large quantities so quickly, he couldn’t help but stare in astonishment.
He held even more respect for the Immortal Master from the West Sea Sect.
In just the time it took to burn an incense stick, Wang Chen had crafted over three hundred Armor Horse Talismans—not a single one failed!
He then selected the cultivators, martial artists, and strong, healthy individuals from the group.
Wang Chen placed the Armor Horse Talismans on them one by one.
Next, he instructed those who had been empowered by the talismans to carry the elderly and weak forward.
With this arrangement, the speed of the group’s journey increased tenfold!
Zhang Dahu carried his wife on his back while holding their child; his father was behind him, carrying his elderly companion.
The father and son dashed at the front of the line.
They headed straight along the road towards the county city.
They were deeply impressed by Wang Chen’s extraordinary skills.
As Wang Chen rode the Yaoguang flying sword high above, he remained vigilant and protected the townsfolk fleeing from danger.
Wuyan Town was over two hundred miles from the county city, but thanks to the direct road, it was quite easy to travel as long as they didn’t encounter any dangers.
The Armor Horse Talismans that Wang Chen crafted were not comparable to ordinary ones.
This predominantly elderly and weak group arrived at Huai County City in just two hours.
Huai County City, backed by mountains and beside water, was a beautiful place, but at this moment, the city gates were tightly shut.
The outside was desolate and empty, with the spirit fields and farmhouses abandoned, painting a scene of desolation.
Armored soldiers stood on the city wall, appearing heavily guarded.
When they saw the townsfolk rushing toward them, their expressions turned wary, and some soldiers even readied their longbows.
Wang Chen hovered above the city gate and called out sternly, “I am Wang Chen, the Exorcism Agent dispatched by the West Sea Sect. May I ask if the besieger is present?”
In the next moment, a figure abruptly rose from within the city and swiftly approached Wang Chen.
The newcomer wore a sky-blue robe, held a whisk, exuding an outstanding aura, and appeared to be in his thirties or forties.
He stood in the air and bowed to Wang Chen, saying, “I am Zhao Hongyi, the besieger of Huai Mountain. I greet you, esteemed agent!”
“Commander Zhao…”
Wang Chen pointed to the townsfolk from Wuyan Town who had just arrived at the city gate and said, “These people are those I brought from Wuyan Town. Please take care of them.”
“Understood!”
Zhao Hongyi immediately commanded, “Open the city gates!”
Zhang Dahu and the other townsfolk finally breathed a sigh of relief, and many knelt down to Wang Chen, bowing repeatedly in gratitude.
Zhao Hongyi smiled and said, “Brother Wang, please come to my humble abode to rest.”
The local besiegers of the five states in the West Sea were usually from the West Sea Sect, and Zhao Hongyi was no exception.
Although he joined the sect long before Wang Chen and his cultivation level was also higher, Outer Sect Disciples had to show respect and refer to inner sect disciples as “brother,” regardless of seniority or age.
Wang Chen nodded and said, “Thank you, Zhao Senior Brother.”
Seeing that Wang Chen did not act superior as an inner sect disciple, Zhao Hongyi secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
Inner sect disciples held high status, and when they arrived in a region, they were like envoy masters, requiring special treatment even from the county government.
Some inner sect disciples had arrogant personalities, looking down on others, which would be inappropriate for a county like Huai Mountain.
Zhao Hongyi dreaded encountering such attitudes.
Wang Chen was polite and measured, making sure to lead his superior to his besieger’s office.
“Zhao Senior Brother, there’s no need to trouble yourself.”
When Zhao Hongyi ordered his servants to prepare a banquet, Wang Chen interrupted, saying, “With our sect mission at hand, we should discuss business first; I need to return to Wuyan Town later.”
Zhao Hongyi was taken aback, “Brother Wang, are there still people in Wuyan Town?”
“Probably no one left,”
Wang Chen explained, “I’m going back to deal with the Evil Spirits.”
Zhao Hongyi was speechless, sighing inwardly that youth was indeed wonderful.
Young cultivators often had passionate hearts; when faced with Evil Spirits, they would often charge forward without regard for their own safety until they defeated them.
The besieger contemplated and asked, “Is there anything I can help you with?”
Wang Chen did not hold back: “Zhao Senior Brother, I want to understand what Evil Spirits have appeared in the Huai County area over the past two years.”
Knowing oneself and knowing the enemy ensures victory in a hundred battles; Evil Spirits are most cunning and difficult to deal with. The more information he had, the greater his chances of success against them.
“Alright.”
Zhao Hongyi readily agreed, “I’ll have someone bring all the records related to the Evil Spirits immediately.”
Wang Chen’s eagerness to confront the Evil Spirits was met with great enthusiasm by him, so he cooperated fully.
As dusk approached, Wang Chen bid farewell to Zhao Hongyi and left Huai County City, heading towards Wuyan Town!