Chapter 360: Three Fatal Questions

Under the scholar’s efforts, the One Short Sect continuously grew and gained considerable prestige in the Martial World. However, due to the scholar’s indifference to fame and fortune, the sect did not participate in the selection of the Ten Great Immortal Sects and therefore, was not included among them.

Nevertheless, ordinary people preferred the One Short Sect’s more approachable and accessible nature over dealing with the Ten Great Immortal Sects.

A thousand years ago, Celestial Master Zhong discovered an immortal and received a manual named [One Short].

The term ‘One Short’ referred to an evolution based on destiny patterns. The book was divided into two parts: the first contained sophisticated techniques for subduing demons, while the second detailed methods for exterminating evil. The book was extraordinary not only because of the ancient secret techniques it recorded but also because it brought disaster to those who learned it.

They became widows, widowers, orphans, childless, or crippled. They were all missing something, hence the book was named ‘One Short’.

The scholar was worried that Ye Wenxin might not understand the connection, and began to provide a detailed introduction to One Short Sect’s history, its association with Celestial Master Zhong, as well as the origin of the name ‘One Short’.

“I am Priest¹ Wang of One Short Sect,” the scholar introduced himself. Seeing Priest Wang’s respect towards Ye Wenxin, the other disciples also showed their reverence, bowing to Ye Wenxin and calling her ‘Grandmaster’ in unison.

“Please don’t call me that; I’m only fourteen.” Ye Wenxin was the dignified Demon Lord and already in her fifties; being called ‘Grandmaster’ wouldn’t actually be a loss. However, it brought her no merit either, and the fact that Celestial Master Zhong’s divination had trapped her still exasperated her.

“Then let’s change the title. How about ‘Sister Grandmaster’?” Priest Wang suggested. Ye Wenxin felt that Priest Wang was making fun of her, but she waved her hand and said, “Never mind, just call me Grandmaster.”

The others stifled their laughter, and Ye Wenxin looked resigned. Since the umbrella sword had already joined her, she couldn’t escape the debt of gratitude she owed Celestial Master Zhong. Moreover, since she had just inherited the umbrella sword, her ownership was still not finalized, leaving her truly unable to deal with the One Short Sect’s matters at the moment.

Priest Wang looked regretful and, after glancing at Ye Wenxin, asked in a conciliatory tone, “Since you’re currently inconvenient, I will visit your esteemed sect at a later time, Grandmaster.”

Ye Wenxin felt even more troubled upon hearing this. She was already quite famous at the Azure Wings Sect, and the thought of Priest Wang visiting the sect made her anxious about the potential aftermath. She quickly shook her head. “No, once I finish my business at the Southern Dipper Temple, I will naturally visit the One Short Sect to pay my respects to you, Priest Wang.”

Priest Wang appeared delighted upon hearing this, but then looked at the sealed door and shook his head. “It seems you won’t be able to enjoy the scenery at the One Short Sect for now, Grandmaster. Until the Jiangshi King is eliminated, I must stay and guard this place.”

He sighed, and the mention of the Jiangshi King triggered a memory from Ye Wenxin’s inheritance. Clearly, Celestial Master Zhong had foreseen the mess that would come later, so he taught Priest Wang a century ago in hopes of completely eliminating the Jiangshi King.

Yet, Celestial Master Zhong was prudent and, fearing that Priest Wang might not be able to handle it alone, had provided some information about Ye Wenxin. Priest Wang had recognized Ye Wenxin as the Grandmaster they had been waiting for due to her attire and the umbrella sword behind her. When the Jiangshi King appeared, the Grandmaster was expected to resolve the crisis, and bring salvation to the people.

“I’ve already informed the Azure Wings Sect. Haven’t you notified the Golden Age Dynasty? I recall that this area is within their jurisdiction.” Ye Wenxin shifted the topic, trying to give Priest Wang some reassurance. At the same time, she wondered why such a major issue hadn’t prompted the Golden Age Dynasty to dispatch additional forces.

Priest Wang gave a wry smile and began recounting the events of the past month.

The Golden Age Dynasty had indeed sent elite reinforcements. However, they and a group of monks and Daoist priests, had all been turned into jiangshi.

“Jiangshi are already difficult to deal with, and now we’re facing a group of cultivator jiangshi. There are even a few thousand-year-old feishi. These are likely minions the Jiangshi King had summoned. The Golden Age Dynasty has also sent me, leading a group of over a hundred disciples, but now only these dozen or so disciples remain.”

Ye Wenxin finally got the picture upon hearing this, and looked at the expressions of the disciples behind Priest Wang. Their faces were marked by bitterness, yet showed no fear of death. They were clearly ready to sacrifice themselves for the One Short Sect at any moment.

The conversation continued as others busily filled the gaps in the array and chanted incantations. It was quite ironic that the array, which required so many people to set up, was less effective than a single talisman Ye Wenxin had drawn.

The other group, seeing the talisman, was full of admiration for Ye Wenxin and held no disrespectful thoughts. After setting up the new array, they didn’t leave, and Priest Wang engaged Ye Wenxin in casual conversation.

“How is your cultivation, Grandmaster?”

“Have you found a Dao companion, Grandmaster?”

“Do you need any money, Grandmaster?”

These questions left Ye Wenxin at a loss. It seemed that elders, no matter the world, always loved to ask such things.

Priest Wang was very kind and approachable towards Ye Wenxin, but he was quite strict with his disciples.

The disciples behaved with great propriety, and even if they were excessively polite, it showcased Priest Wang’s skill in teaching. Priest Wang continued to ask Ye Wenxin about practical issues related to exorcism and dealing with supernatural creatures.

“If you encounter a monster’s Charm, how should you break it?”

“If possessed by a ghost, how should you save yourself?”

The questions were all related to the One Short Sect’s practices, so Ye Wenxin shared her inherited knowledge in detail. Gu Xiangsi, bored, practiced with her axe, while Hei Haowen sat in meditation.

As the sky grew dim, the atmosphere in the city abruptly shifted. They could feel the chill from afar. Occasionally, Ye Wenxin would see a few feishi leap up, but the One Short Sect disciples quickly knocked them down. It was a bit like a whack-a-mole game—somewhat amusing, but considering they might be thousand-year-old feishi, it was still quite terrifying.

“Grandfather, we’re back!” After a moment, the remaining One Short Sect disciples returned, led by a sixteen- or seventeen-year-old girl with a delicate appearance. With every step she took, the bells on her attire jingled. Ye Wenxin glanced over and noticed that these bells were actually a divine weapon.

The bells emitted a faint golden light, but Priest Wang’s granddaughter lacked any visible aura, indicating that she must have obtained this divine weapon by chance. Unfortunately, Ye Wenxin was unable to absorb others’ luck.

Now, Ye Wenxin had confirmed her special ability; she could see others’ luck but could only leave her mark on it through forceful means. She couldn’t reverse other aspects of their fate.

“What’s that smell? It’s so fragrant!” The girl, upon entering, couldn’t help but sniff around, searching for the source of the unusual fragrance in the room.

Ye Wenxin and Priest Wang were the only ones in the room. The girl was very relaxed as she sniffed around and eventually came before Ye Wenxin.

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Footnotes:

1. 1. The full title is Daoist Priest (道长 daochang), but that’s a mouthful, so I shortened it to Priest. Priest only applies to Daoism, while Buddhism has monks. ↩︎