Oddities Everywhere

A cold wind suddenly blew from a distant alley, rustling debris like old talismans, incense, and burnt paper.

This strange gust of wind reached the entrance of the You Dao Si, but it seemed to hit an invisible barrier, swirling and howling in place.

The two senior brothers couldn't help but feel a chill creep up their spines.

Zhao Yifan waved his sleeve, dispersing the swirling wind. The fragments of talisman paper scattered across the ground.

Just then, someone emerged from the You Dao Si.

"Heh heh, this humble Daoist is Jia Song, Deputy Commander of the Yinshan Town You Dao Si. I've finally been waiting for two esteemed disciples from Lingbao Temple!"

An elderly Daoist priest, clad in a light purple robe and wearing a Daoist official's hat, emerged with two young Daoist priests whose faces were somewhat pale, smiling as he greeted them.

They were also accompanied by the aroma of wine and meat emanating from them.

The old Daoist in the purple robe, who called himself Jia Song, was very old. He had heavy eye bags, dim and murky eyes, and his aged skin was loose, creasing into a multitude of wrinkles when he smiled, giving him a weary and decrepit appearance.

A subtle cultivation aura emanated from him, not to be underestimated.

This Deputy Commander Jia was very enthusiastic, stepping forward to offer a warm welcome.

"Thank you both for coming to our aid. You must have had a tiring journey. Many of the Daoist friends and chivalrous warriors who have come to help are currently gathered in the backyard discussing matters. We'll have a few drinks later to warm yourselves up..."

As he spoke, old Daoist Jia Song winked, and a young Daoist priest quickly stepped forward to take the reins of Li Qingyun's yellow-maned horse and lead it away for proper care and feeding.

"May I ask the names of you two Daoist friends?"

Jia Song's gaze swept back and forth between Li Qingyun and Zhao Yifan. He grinned again, revealing a mouth full of yellow teeth still clinging with bits of meat. The loose skin on either side of his slack mouth dangled, as if it might fall off.

"I am Zhao Yifan, and this is my junior brother, Li Qingyun!"

Zhao Yifan replied with a hint of respect.

Although the old Daoist appeared aged and weary, his cultivation was superior to his own, so Zhao Yifan could not afford to be disrespectful.

"Good, good, good! Truly young and promising..."

Jia Song chuckled loosely, but his murky eyes suddenly shifted, revealing the whites as he fixed his gaze on Li Qingyun, who had remained silent, and the big black cat dozing on his shoulder.

"This Daoist Li seems to cultivate the Lightning Method? His bearing is sharp and upright, and his lightning intent is pure. Truly excellent!"

Old Daoist Jia's words made Li Qingyun's heart tighten.

This old Daoist appeared frail and aged, but his gaze was sharp, his depth like the sea, and there was a strange aura about him that made him not to be underestimated.

Li Qingyun's expression sobered, and he said humbly, "Deputy Commander praises me too highly. I truly do not deserve it!"

"Haha, please come in quickly, both of you. It's quite cold outside! Yinshan Town has a unique geographical environment, and it gets terribly cold after autumn begins each year..."

Jia Song ushered them in, smiling and leading the way. Li Qingyun and Zhao Yifan naturally followed close behind.

The You Dao Si was vast inside, with winding corridors and gardens, courtyards within courtyards, and halls for duties like talisman crafting. However, perhaps because it was after duty hours, few official Daoists were seen.

With so few people, the large and empty You Dao Si felt even more dim and gloomy.

Following the old Daoist, Li Qingyun walked through the empty corridors and halls, feeling the cold intensify.

It was indoors, yet colder than the streets outside!

A chilling breeze would suddenly gust through the corners of the pillars and eaves, its origin unknown. The eerie wind was so cold that his hair began to stand on end.

Li Qingyun felt as if he wasn't walking indoors, but through a cold, dark ancient tomb.

His right hand, tucked into his sleeve, quietly formed a Thunder Seal, the six types of Thunder Seals shifting and evolving silently.

His left hand hovered near the bronze short sword at his waist, ready to draw it at a moment's notice.

He glanced at Zhao Yifan, who was half a step ahead. His senior brother also seemed to sense something, with many of his hairs starting to stand on end.

"Qin Qing, go tell them to light all the lamps. It's so dim and gloomy, it'll be a laughingstock for the two Daoist friends from Lingbao Temple!"

Jia Song noticed their subtle reactions. In the dim light, a hint of coldness seemed to flicker across his loose lips as he turned and snapped at the young Daoist priest beside him.

"Yes, yes, it was my oversight..." The pale young Daoist priest trembled all over, lowered his head, and hurried away.

Immediately, lamps began to be lit in the empty and silent halls and courtyards.

The lamplight finally dispelled some of the chill, and Zhao Yifan's stern expression relaxed.

Then, from the brightly lit inner courtyard, sounds of shouting, laughter, and clinking cups drifted over, making the desolate You Dao Si finally seem a little more lively.

Li Qingyun looked at the purple-robed old Daoist leading the way, lost in thought. Suddenly, he asked loudly:

"Deputy Commander, is your Commander Zhou Gang's illness any better?"

Scenes flashed through his mind: riding into Yinshan Town, the silent residential houses, the deserted taverns, the quiet pedestrians...

Then his memory clearly returned to the entrance of the town, to the dilapidated notice board. The talisman paper on it was yellow and old, peeling off, but a relatively newer red paper had left an impression on him.

The text on the red paper was written in a tone of warning to all residents of the town, issued under the authority of Zhou Gang, Commander of the Yinshan Town You Dao Si.

"...Yinshan Town currently has thirty-seven unexplained disappearances. The town-guarding talismans seem to be failing intermittently. All town residents are advised to firmly close their doors at night and silently chant the name of the Dao Lord for protection. Furthermore, do not venture outside... This Commander has suddenly fallen ill and is bedridden, unable to fulfill his duties and protect the town, which is a disgrace to all of you! I have already issued a plea for help in all directions, and soon chivalrous warriors and esteemed masters from various temples and monasteries will arrive to lend their aid and uncover the mystery of the evil spirits plaguing this town..."

Li Qingyun quickly calculated the time.

It had been several days since Zhao Yifan mentioned the Yinshan Town ghost-guarding and peace-keeping mission at Lingbao Temple, and this public notice issued by Commander Zhou Gang was clearly from even earlier.

At that time, the notice already stated over thirty missing people; now, there were likely even more!

"During this time, other cultivators should have arrived, so why is the town's atmosphere still so strange, with no sign of improvement?" His doubts grew heavier.

He even considered turning around and leaving, escaping this cold, tomb-like Daoist temple, escaping this Yinshan Town tainted by ill omen!

"Heh heh, I, on behalf of Commander Zhou, thank you for your concern, young friend. The Commander was injured by a ghostly creature half a month ago and is now bedridden, recuperating at home in town!

Rest assured, with capable individuals like yourselves, who care for the populace, gathered in town, I believe we will surely find that ghostly creature and demon, and restore Yinshan Town to its bright and clear state!"

Jia Song paused, turned to look at Li Qingyun, and explained with a smile.

Under the flickering candlelight, the old Daoist priest in purple robes appeared even more weary.

"Oh, that's good. My senior brother and I will pay him a visit later!"

Li Qingyun showed a hint of concern and regret.

His sudden question just now was actually a casual probe, to see if he could glean anything.

Old Daoist Jia was as deep as the sea, letting not a single drop leak.

But the other pale-faced young Daoist priest's expression flickered for a moment, as if he wanted to speak but stopped. After Deputy Commander Jia spoke, he immediately lowered his head, returning to his original demeanor.

Soon, everyone arrived at a brightly lit large room.