NOVEL WEB Chapter 10: The Question
Chapter 10: The Question
“Please, Elder, help me!” You Su’s words were filled with sincerity.
“Exorcising evil spirits is a cultivator’s duty,” Elder Ling said righteously. “But I also have a question for you.”
“Please ask, Elder.”
“If your family members are deeply possessed by evil spirits and I am forced to kill them, would you blame me?”
You Su fell silent for a moment, his face lowered, showing no emotion.
“If the Elder can help them escape their suffering, I would only feel gratitude.”
“Good. I will do my best,” Elder Ling said with a pleased smile, stroking his white beard.
“Elder, should we seek help? I know that there are several Water Condensation Realm cultivators in Chuyun City who might be able to assist us.”
Elder Ling’s eyes flickered with a barely noticeable glint as he glanced at You Su. “Do you doubt me?”
“Not at all! This junior is just worried…”
“When dealing with flesh and blood evil spirits, surrounding and suppressing them with force is effective because they are like savage beasts. Elemental evil spirits, on the other hand, are imbued with elemental powers-some dissolve in water, others hide in fire. The key is to cut off the elements that sustain them. Dreamlord type evil spirits, on the other hand, are extremely cunning and highly sensitive to their surroundings. A gathering of cultivators would cause abnormal fluctuations in spiritual energy, which would alert the spirit.”
“Its escape would be the least of our worries. It might even infiltrate the group and cause a total catastrophe. Therefore, the best way to deal with a Dreamlord-type evil spirit is to trap it with formations and talismans, not by gathering more people. Besides, those cultivators who have never even seen an evil spirit might not be a help, but a hindrance.”
“I see. This junior was foolish,” You Su said, looking both relieved and respectful. “Elder Ling, if there’s anything you want me to do, please give me your instructions.”
“You are wise. This exorcism is less about you helping me and more about me helping you,” Elder Ling said seriously. “I will secretly set up the Ten Thousand Ghost Subjugation Formation. Once the formation is completed, the evil spirit will have no place to hide. A Dream Lord type spirit that can no longer hide will be like a turtle in a jar. The key to this formation, however, lies in the last step that must be taken within the formation. If I reveal myself, it will alert the spirit. Therefore, you will be the one to perform the final step.”
With that, Elder Ling took out a set of items from his Dimensional bag and placed them beside You Su. “Here is a lamp, seven wicks, and three dragon sandalwood incense sticks. No later than the Yin Hour (3-5 AM) the day after tomorrow, you must find an opportunity to light these seven wicks in your residence and use the lamp to light the incense. Once all three incense sticks have burned, silently recite, ‘Heaven is round, Earth is square; by the laws of the nine chapters I command the brush, and ten thousand ghosts shall be subdued.’ When I sense this, I will complete the formation. Success or failure hinges on that moment. Do you understand?”
“I understand!”
The determination in his voice was palpable, and anyone listening could feel the immense sense of mission radiating from You Su.
“Whether you can save them depends on you,” Elder Ling said solemnly, though he softened his tone slightly, not wanting to overwhelm the young man. “Now, go. Remember to be true to yourself. Don’t let fear get the better of you, but don’t let your guard down either. After the day after tomorrow, everything will be better.”
“Thank you, Elder. You Su will remember.” You Su gathered the items, bowed, and prepared to leave. He couldn’t stay too long.
Elder Ling watched as You Su’s figure disappeared at the end of the alley. He raised his cup, swirled the remaining flower tea, and drank it in one gulp as if celebrating a victory.
You Su returned to the sect. His junior sister was already asleep, so he carefully hid the items in his room and prepared to begin his daily cultivation.
As he passed the main hall where his master’s wife resided, he paused and looked at the tightly shut door.
His master’s wife hadn’t left her room for several days. While this wasn’t unusual, he still wanted to speak with her. He wanted her response, to confirm if she was safe, if she even existed.
Recalling the few conversations he’d had with her over the past eight years, they had always been about her correcting his sword techniques.
Each time, she had simply watched him for a few moments before pinpointing the flaws in his movements. Her guidance was always invaluable.
He felt that her swordsmanship must be exceptional. If she had any cultivation, she would undoubtedly be a formidable force.
You Su prided himself on his understanding of the sword. To him, the sword technique that Elder Ling had demonstrated that day seemed almost amateurish. But in the face of the sword his master’s wife had wielded in his dream, he hadn’t even had the courage to flee.
He stood at the door for a long time, not knowing what to say. Anything he could think of felt abrupt or forced. He was afraid of disturbing the cold, vortex-like monster, but even more afraid of offending the serene, lotus-like Master’s wife.
Just as he was about to give up, a cool, clear voice came from inside the hall:
“Do you need anything?”
Simple words, but they felt like ice in the heat of August.
You Su wasn’t frightened for long. A hint of joy flashed in his eyes, and he swallowed hard. “Master’s wife, I’d like to ask you a question.”
“If it’s about your master, don’t bother.”
“No, it’s just a personal doubt.”
There was a brief silence before she replied, “Ask me.”
“If I were to face an enemy far stronger than me and had to defeat them, what should I do?”
“When your master was at his most arrogant, did he ever ask about his opponent’s cultivation level?”
You Su thought carefully. His master had indeed never seemed to care about the opinions of others. But was his master really that strong?
After all, his master couldn’t even fly, which meant that his cultivation level was definitely below the Feather Transformation Realm. And in this small Chuyun City, there were several Water Condensation Realm cultivators.
“My master would never ask.”
“What cultivators seek is immortality and freedom, not world domination. Therefore, your cultivation level does not equate to your combat strength. When facing an enemy, you must first believe in the sword you’ve wielded countless times. Only then can you stand a chance. If you really can’t win, hide. A gentleman’s revenge can wait ten years.”
“But if I couldn’t win ten years ago, how could I win ten years later?” You Su had always scoffed at such ideas.
“Of course, you still won’t win. But in ten years, your master will return, and he will avenge you.”
You Su couldn’t imagine his icy Master’s Wife making a joke, yet her tone was so serious that it didn’t seem like one.
“Will you avenge me, Master’s Wife?”
The room fell silent again.
“I have no cultivation.”
Her voice was cool, showing no emotion.
“Thank you for your guidance, Master’s Wife. I’m going to practice my sword now.”
You Su bowed to the door, and his Master’s Wife responded with silence.
The conversation had been brief, but You Su had gotten the answer he needed: when facing a powerful enemy, hesitation is the only mistake.
And his master’s wife wouldn’t lie to him. If she said she had no cultivation, then she truly had none.
He would have to face the dangers ahead on his own.