Learning Invisibility Talismans

When they first entered Yanjiang County, Man Gu suggested informing the local government about the Yanjiang Detachment and searching for Qin Yuanhao together, but Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou rejected the idea on the grounds that the government was not trustworthy.

In retrospect, their concerns were not unfounded.

Yan Jiangduo has planted a spy in the government, and the spy holds a high position!

Chu, the leader, said slowly and deliberately, "Lu Yang, among the higher-ups of the Yanjiang Branch, you are the one I have the highest hopes for. After the Spring Festival, the higher-ups will send people to inspect the Yanjiang Branch. This inspection is different from the past. This time, with you, Meng Jingzhou, and Man Gu, three potential demonic cultivators, the higher-ups' evaluation of me will be much higher."

"I have a very high chance of being promoted, which will leave the position of helmsman vacant."

"According to convention, the new leader will be selected from the senior members of the branch. Although you are still relatively inexperienced, considering the leader's evaluation of you, it is not impossible for you to be appointed as the new leader."

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

"The Spring Festival is a major holiday for several counties in the vicinity, and its influence is considerable. If you cause trouble during such a holiday, the higher-ups will look at you more favorably," Chief Chu subtly hinted to Lu Yang.

Lu Yang relayed what Chief Chu had said to Meng Jingzhou and the others. Meng Jingzhou and Man Gu were both very glad that they had chosen to spread rumors about Qin Yuanhao instead of seeking help from the government.

Otherwise, how could such a popular barbecue restaurant exist?

Lu Yang wondered if there was something wrong with their focus.

"We just don't know who exactly is the spy that Chief Chu planted." The four of them were in a dilemma, as they didn't know who in the government was qualified to know about Huang Fu's affairs.

"Don't worry, you'll know who the mole is once you become the leader. Leader Chu values you so much, he'll definitely tell you before he leaves!" Meng Jingzhou laughed heartily, not expecting Lu Yang to be promoted so quickly.

If Lu Yang gets promoted, he and Man Gu can do whatever they want in Yanjiang County.

It's good to have someone protecting you.

The four were having a lively discussion when they heard Officer Wei knocking on the door.

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

Lu Yang opened the door and warmly welcomed Officer Wei inside.

"Oh, everyone's here, it's quite lively," Officer Wei remarked casually.

"We are discussing yesterday's case."

Hearing Lu Yang's words, Officer Wei sternly warned, "Young Master Lu, you must keep last night's case a secret and not tell anyone else."

"I also know that you are not ordinary people, but cultivators who have come here to experience life, and sometimes you even do good deeds."

"But this time is different. This time it involves ruthless demonic cultivators. If you are not careful, your lives could be in danger. You must not look for the owner of the talisman."

Lu Yang chuckled. The demonic path had warned him not to get involved in this matter, and the righteous path had also warned him not to get involved.

"Don't laugh, this is a very serious matter!" Officer Wei thought Lu Yang didn't take it to heart.

Lu Yang put on a stern face and promised that he would not get involved in this matter again, only then did Constable Wei leave with peace of mind.

"Have some tea before you go."

Officer Wei waved his hand. "No, the superior is in a hurry, and I still need to take some men to find other talismans."

After seeing off Constable Wei, Lu Yang and his three companions worried that the yamen was short-handed and might not be able to catch the person hiding in the shadows.

If this matter goes wrong, countless people's lifespans could be secretly taken away.

Lu Yang lowered his head in thought, "We have already learned the method of concealing our aura, but simply using this method may not be safe."

He looked up at Lanting, who was learning how to skewer barbecue with the ghosts, and an idea struck him.

"Fellow Daoist Lanting, I have a request."

Lan Ting smiled and said, "We are all disciples of the immortal sect, fighting demons and monsters together. I am still your subordinate, so there's no need to be so formal. Just call me Lan Ting."

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

Lanting understood Lu Yang's meaning. "You mean you want to use an invisibility talisman to hide your identity and secretly help Constable Wei?"

Lu Yang nodded.

"Of course, no problem. Invisibility runes aren't too difficult. As long as your talent isn't too bad, you can learn it in half a day."

Meng Jingzhou and Man Gu were very excited to hear that they could learn something new again, and not by Lu Yang.

"Have any of you three studied talismans?"

All three shook their heads.

Lanting wasn't surprised. "Then I'll teach you from the beginning."

Lanting was also very excited. This was the first time she had taught someone. Back in the Moon Laurel Fairy Palace, her senior sisters had always taught her. Now it was finally her turn to be a teacher.

"The essence of talismans is to materialize Law Technique in a graphic form and put them on paper. The three of you come from the Ask Dao Sect, and you all have good talent in Law Technique, so it will be easy for you to learn them."

"... The core of a talisman is its soul; whether a talisman can fully exert its effect largely depends on whether it has a core guarding it..."

"... The most commonly used pattern in talismans is the cloud talisman, which is a pattern created to imitate the changing shapes of clouds in the sky, derived from nature..."

"Specifically, when it comes to the invisibility talisman, it uses 'Gang' as the talisman and the ethereal fixed cloud as the picture."

Lanting dipped her fingertips in water and, with a few deft strokes, drew an invisibility talisman on the table. With a flick of her palm, the talisman detached from the table and adhered to her hand.

Lan Ting patted himself and disappeared before the three people's eyes.

A few breaths later, Lan Ting appeared and said with a faint smile, "This is the most basic invisibility talisman. It can only conceal the body visually. You should be able to detect my location through details such as breathing and heartbeat."

The three nodded; even so, it was still quite impressive.

"You guys give it a try."

After half a day of learning, the three gained a basic understanding of talismans. They took out their writing implements and began to try writing invisibility talismans, though they were not yet able to use water as a talisman.

Meng Jingzhou has practiced calligraphy for many years and has excellent handwriting. His right hand and wrist are extremely steady when holding the brush.

He channeled his spiritual power into the tip of his brush and quickly drew an invisibility talisman, which was about 80% similar to the one drawn by Lan Ting.

After drawing it several times, it became almost identical to the Lanting Preface.

Meng Jingzhou grinned and stuck to him, then indeed disappeared.

Man Gu was less talented in this area, and his control over spiritual power was not precise enough. He succeeded only once after dozens of attempts, but the success rate increased with each attempt.

Lan Ting secretly admired him, thinking, "As expected of a disciple of the Ask Dao Sect, he has a natural talent for talismans."

How is Lu Yang?

Lanting looked at Lu Yang.

Lu Yang quickly wrote an invisibility talisman, and succeeded on his first try, demonstrating his terrifying talent.

Lu Yang affixed the invisibility talisman to his body, and he disappeared completely.

However, only the person disappeared; the clothes remained.

It's like a ghost story.

"What the heck!" A magical thing happened—the clothes started talking.

Since he was invisible anyway, Lu Yang decided to take off his clothes.

Then, in despair, he discovered that the invisibility talisman was still visible.

That's utterly ridiculous stealth!

He almost tore the invisibility talisman off.

Fortunately, his rationality prevailed, preventing him from doing so.