A journey through the world of martial arts

Chapter 197 Confusing
Ning Caichen looked at the strange black porcelain bottle, took a step back, and turned to Shen Zichuan, whose face was pale, and said, "Zichuan, something is not right with this thing. We need to deal with it as soon as possible."

Upon hearing this, Shen Zichuan swayed, nearly falling, and stammered as he leaned against the doorframe, "Caichen?"

Seeing his friend looking at him with hope, Ning Caichen nodded to him, took a deep breath, and reached for the black porcelain bottle with a determined look in his eyes. Just as Ning Caichen's hands grasped the black porcelain bottle, a chilling aura quickly entered his body, making him shiver and his face turn pale.

But as soon as the cold air entered his body, it was instantly dissolved by a red light in his dantian. After a barely audible scream, Ning Caichen's dazed expression returned instantly. Looking at the porcelain bottle he was holding, Ning Caichen slowly walked towards the door.

"Caichen, are you alright?" Shen Zichuan was too scared to approach earlier, but when he saw Ning Caichen seem to freeze for a moment, fearing that something might have happened to him, Shen Zichuan mustered his courage and walked closer.

“It’s alright, Zichuan. This porcelain bottle has an illegitimate origin. Your being haunted by that evil spirit is definitely related to this thing. We need to go to Boguxuan to ask about it.”

Ning Caichen placed the porcelain bottle in the courtyard. It was noon, the time when the yang energy was at its strongest. Shen Zichuan couldn't see anything special about it, but Ning Caichen saw a completely different scene.

The mouth of the black porcelain bottle was covered with a layer of mist as black as ink, and inside there were wandering evil creatures that darted back and forth. When the sun shone on them, they broke through layer by layer, just like the sun melting snow, and disappeared without a trace.

"Yes, yes, shall we go to Boguxuan now?" Shen Zichuan had now placed all his hopes on Ning Caichen, and he would do whatever Ning Caichen said.

Ning Caichen said, "Let's wait a while. This black porcelain bottle has too much yin energy. Let's dissolve it with the energy of the blazing sun before we go."

The yin energy inside this black porcelain bottle is extremely harmful to living people, so it's best to destroy it as soon as possible. Although he doesn't understand magic, he knows that evil spirits are most afraid of strong and righteous yang energy.

Shen Zichuan remained silent upon hearing this, quietly standing aside, looking at the black porcelain bottle with lingering fear, while a sinister look appeared in his eyes.

"Liu Kuan, how dare you sell such a thing to me? Whether you did it intentionally or not, you will pay the price."

Don't be fooled by Shen Zichuan's approachable demeanor; that's only because his interests haven't been infringed upon. Once they are, he'll show no mercy and won't rest until he gets his due.

A full hour passed, and the power of the celestial sun gradually weakened. In Ning Caichen's eyes, the porcelain bottle had also changed drastically. The yin energy inside had completely dissipated, and he could no longer feel that cold yin energy.

"Zichuan, let's go. Take the black porcelain bottle to Boguxuan and ask that Boss Liu where he got this thing."

Ning Caichen held the black porcelain bottle in both hands and looked at the astonished Shen Zichuan beside him.

"Okay, let's go now."

After having the servants prepare the carriage, the two boarded and headed towards Boguxuan.

"Caichen, has the evil spirit been exorcised?" Shen Zichuan asked cautiously, looking at the black porcelain bottle next to Ning Caichen.

"The yin energy in the black porcelain bottle has been removed, but the evil spirits on your body, Zichuan, have not been completely removed. It seems that this matter is not over yet."

Ning Caichen originally thought that only the black porcelain bottle was related to Shen Zichuan, but the yin energy on his body only dissipated a little, and the more intense one was still lingering on Shen Zichuan's brow. The only possibility was that it was the evil spirit from Lanruo Temple.

Upon hearing this, Shen Zichuan felt a chill run down his spine and asked weakly, "Is it because of Lanruo Temple?"

Ning Caichen pondered for a moment, nodded, and then said, "Let's deal with the problem of this black porcelain bottle first. How could you have bought it just before you made the bet to enter Lanruo Temple? That's too suspicious. By the way, who did you make the bet with?"

"It's Song Wen!"

Shen Zichuan said through gritted teeth, his eyes bloodshot.

"So it was him. It seems this matter is not so simple."

Ning Caichen naturally knew Song Wen, who was also a student of Wenze Academy. His father was the largest rice merchant in Jinhua City, and his family business was no less than that of the Shen family. The two families had never gotten along well, and naturally, this feud continued into this generation.

Unlike Shen Zichuan, Song Wen, though handsome, was extremely despicable. On the surface, he was a refined and gentlemanly young man, admired by the teachers of the academy. But in reality, he was full of evil intentions, making friends with scoundrels and causing trouble for Ning Caichen in secret.

Just as Ning Caichen and Shen Zichuan were heading to Boguxuan, on their way to Jinhua City, Shen Xiu was talking to a young Taoist priest in a Taoist robe in the carriage.

"Master Chu, I'm so sorry to trouble you this time. It was my son's ignorance and recklessness that caused this trouble."

"Master Shen, there's no need for further words. I have already reported this matter to the capital, and a fellow Daoist with profound cultivation will arrive soon," Daoist Chu said slowly, opening his eyes upon hearing this.

Shen Xiu was taken aback upon hearing this. This was merely the work of an evil spirit, but judging from Master Chu's words, there seemed to be more to it than met the eye. He opened his mouth as if to ask, but fearing he might offend someone, Shen Xiu felt quite uneasy.

"Master Shen, there is no need to worry. I will help you exorcise the evil spirits. However, it is better for you not to know about the Lanruo Temple, so as not to disturb your mind."

Seeing Shen Xiu's restless state, Master Chu immediately offered an explanation, after all, this man had given a considerable amount of money and was worthy of his advice.

Upon hearing this, Shen Xiu finally relaxed, a wry smile appearing on his face.

"I'm so sorry to have made you laugh, Master Chu. It's really that wretched child, alas..."

Upon hearing this, Master Chu chuckled softly but remained silent, closing his eyes to quietly rest.

The carriage arrived safely and smoothly in Jinhua City. After arriving at the manor, they asked the servants and learned that their son had gone to Boguxuan with Ning Caichen.

"Master, please have a seat. Old Wu, go and fetch the young master."

Shen Xiu invited Daoist Chu to sit down and have tea in the main hall, and then sent someone to fetch Shen Zichuan.

Steward Wu immediately agreed and was about to call someone to Boguxuan when suddenly a servant who had been following the young master stumbled into the gate.

The servant's eyes lit up when he saw Steward Wu, and he hurriedly ran over.

"what happened?"

Steward Wu's face was very unpleasant. The master had just invited the distinguished guest in, and now the servants were acting so recklessly. If they offended the distinguished guest, he would surely be scolded. So he immediately reprimanded them in a low voice.

"Butler, the young master has been detained at Boguxuan. They say they want money to ransom him. Song Wen from the Song family is also there."

The servant was quick-witted and explained the situation in a few words. Upon hearing this, the steward's expression changed, and he immediately led the servant to the main hall.

As Shen Xiuzheng and Daoist Chu were enjoying tea, he noticed Steward Wu entering with a servant. He frowned, glanced at Daoist Chu, gave an apologetic smile, and then turned to Steward Wu, saying in a deep voice, "Didn't I tell you to go find the young master? What's going on?"

Butler Wu strode in, came to Shen Xiu's side, whispered a few words in his ear, and Shen Xiu's expression immediately changed.

Seeing this, Master Chu asked, "Master Shen, what has happened?"

"Master, my son's attendant has returned to report that he has been attacked by evil spirits and has been vandalizing Boguxuan. He has now been detained."

Upon hearing this, Master Chu's eyes flashed with a sharp light, and he stood up and said, "Master Shen, quickly take me there. I want to see what kind of evil spirit dares to be so rampant and commit such atrocities in broad daylight."

Shen Xiu was overjoyed and quickly instructed Steward Wu to prepare a carriage. He then led a group of guards, and the whole group headed towards Boguxuan.

Half an hour earlier at Boguxuan, Ning Caichen and Shen Zichuan were surrounded by a group of people. Broken porcelain shards littered the ground, and a fair-skinned, well-off middle-aged man wore a bitter smile.

“Young Master Shen, our shop is just a small business. What you’ve done has put me in a difficult position. If outsiders find out that our shop has done such dirty things, I will have no place to stand in Jinhua City.”

"Since you are unwilling to reveal the origin of this black porcelain bottle, then I have no patience to continue telling you. Either tell me who is behind it, or give me an explanation. Otherwise, the name Boguxuan will no longer exist in Jinhua City."

Upon hearing Liu Kuan's words, Shen Zichuan was filled with rage. His face turned fierce, and he pointed his folding fan directly at Liu Kuan's face, looking as if he was determined not to give up.

Upon seeing this, a fierce glint flashed in Liu Kuan's eyes. If it weren't for Shen Xiu's sake, he could have made this brat suffer for those words alone.

“Young Master Shen, it’s not that I’m deliberately making excuses, but I really don’t know the origin of this black porcelain bottle. I just got it from an old man, but I don’t know his name or anything.”

Shen Zichuan didn't believe it at all. He knew some of the rules of antique shops. Any valuable item must have a clear origin. Even if it was fabricated, a reasonable reason had to be made up, otherwise it would not sell at all.

This black porcelain is extremely rare, and he had only bought it at a high price because he believed Liu Kuan's words. Now that Liu Kuan was denying it, how could Shen Zichuan be satisfied? Just as the two sides were at a standoff, a young man in white robes, accompanied by a page, pushed through the crowd and entered.

Upon seeing the white-robed young man appear, Liu Kuan's eyes lit up, and he hurriedly exclaimed, "Young Master Song, you be the judge! This Young Master Shen is going too far..."

Liu Kuan ignored Shen Zichuan's expression and hurriedly said a few words. Song Wen chuckled and looked at Shen Zichuan and Ning Caichen.

"So it's Brother Shen and Brother Ning. I didn't expect you two to be here. I overheard a few things outside. In fact, it's your fault. Business is always a matter of mutual consent. Once the money is in hand, there's no need to pursue it further. Besides, Manager Liu has already agreed to double the money back. Why are you two being so aggressive? Isn't that the behavior of a gentleman?"

The onlookers all exclaimed in admiration upon hearing this. This young master Song was indeed a gentleman. Although they came from the same academy, he still stood by what was right and not by his own family. He was truly admirable.

Shen Zichuan felt a sudden heat in his head as he looked at Song Wen and Liu Kuan's mocking eyes. His face flushed abnormally for a moment, and he glared fiercely at Liu Kuan and Song Wen. The latter remained calm and composed, while Liu Kuan was startled.

"Is this kid really possessed?" Liu Kuan was muttering to himself when he heard a crisp sound, and the black porcelain bottle was knocked over.

That wasn't all. Shen Zichuan broke free from Ning Caichen and reached for the antique porcelain pieces beside him. The sound of porcelain shattering echoed incessantly, and the onlookers were immediately astonished, then terrified, and retreated in panic.

"Is this young master Shen possessed by an evil spirit? Why are his eyes so red?"

"It really is true. Let's go, this person who's possessed by an evil spirit is not someone to be trifled with."

Upon seeing Young Master Shen's appearance, the onlookers fled, leaving only Song Wen with an indifferent expression and Liu Kuan, the manager of Boguxuan, with a pained look on his face.

"what!"

With a mournful cry, Liu Kuan disregarded everything and reached out to pull Shen Zichuan away. In just a short while, a large portion of his family's wealth had been reduced to rubble. If he didn't stop it soon, he would be bankrupt.

"Brother Ning, hurry and go call someone. It seems that Brother Shen is possessed by an evil spirit."

Song Wen exclaimed in surprise, looking at Ning Caichen with a look of horror. The latter, however, had a solemn expression, gave Song Wen a deep look, and immediately stepped forward to stop Shen Zichuan.

Just as Shen Zichuan was entangled with Liu Kuan and the others, he suddenly felt a heat coming from his body, and his previously dazed state suddenly became blank.

"Caichen, what exactly happened?" Shen Zichuan woke up and looked at Liu Kuan, whose eyes were lifeless, and the mess on the ground, feeling somewhat at a loss.

"Oh dear, Brother Shen, you seemed to be possessed just now. Could it be that you really picked up some evil spirits after your trip to Lanruo Temple?"

Song Wen, always eager for a good show, shook his head and looked at Shen Zichuan with a mocking expression.

"you!"

Shen Zichuan was furious at the thought of Lanruo Temple, and was about to step forward when Ning Caichen stopped him.

"Zichuan, don't act impulsively. Let's think about how to deal with this."

The commotion here is too big; if we can't handle it, it will be difficult to explain.

Upon hearing this, Shen Zichuan was taken aback. He then beckoned to a servant, whispered a few words in his ear, and told him to leave. Liu Kuan did not stop him, after all, someone had to clean up this mess.

Song Wen waited calmly to the side. After a while, a carriage stopped outside the Boguxuan Pavilion, and Shen Xiu and Daoist Chu walked in together.

"Manager Liu, it was my son who was rude. I will compensate your shop for all the losses and deliver them in a few days. Please give me the courtesy of letting my son leave first. I will be very grateful."

Before Liu Kuan could speak, Shen Xiu immediately stepped forward, bowed, and apologized, cutting off the other man's words. Upon hearing this, Liu Kuan forced a smile and said, "It's all a small matter, it's all a small matter, please do as you please, Master Shen."

With a wave of his hand, the guards immediately retreated. Shen Zichuan was initially delighted to see his father arrive, but upon seeing the lack of a smile on his face, he trembled uncontrollably.

"Come here now!"

Shen Xiu shouted angrily, and Shen Zichuan immediately ran over and stood next to Shen Xiu without daring to utter a sound. Ning Caichen bowed to Shen Xiu and stood aside as well.

When Song Wen saw Shen Xiu and Daoist Chu enter together, he immediately sensed something was wrong and was about to sneak away when a voice rang in his ear.

"Who taught you this evil magic?"

Song Wen froze, his heart filled with turmoil. He wanted to escape, but felt powerless. Looking down, he saw a circle of runes on the ground flickering slightly.

Master Chu looked at Song Wen with great interest. As soon as he entered, he sensed the yin energy emanating from the other man. This energy was not external but internal, clearly indicating that he had cultivated some kind of evil technique.

Upon hearing this, Liu Kuan and the others were all astonished, and their expressions changed drastically as they distanced themselves from Song Wen.

"What do you mean by this, Daoist Master? I don't understand. I have important matters to attend to and must not keep you company any longer."

Song Wen's aura suddenly intensified, and the runes on the ground dimmed instantly. Just when Song Wen thought he had succeeded, a glittering golden ring descended from the sky and directly encircled him.

"Young Master Song, I have something to ask you. Please come with me."

Chu Daoren watched Song Wenshu run away without paying any attention. He turned to Shen Xiu and said, "Master Shen, the aura on this person is exactly the same as the evil spirit on your young master. There must be a connection between them."

Upon hearing this, Shen Xiu's expression changed drastically, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes. He crushed one of the antique walnuts in his hand. Then, his expression turned serious, and he clasped his hands in a fist and said, "I'll leave everything to you, Daoist Master. I will handle the rest myself. Please, Daoist Master."

Upon hearing this, Daoist Chu nodded, carried the unconscious Song Wen into the carriage, and just as Shen Zichuan was about to let Ning Caichen get in, Daoist Chu leaned out of the carriage and said to Ning Caichen, "Young Master Ning, if you don't mind, come over here. I have some things I need to ask you."

Ning Caichen pondered for a while, then got into Master Chu's carriage. Master Chu must have seen something unusual about him.

Inside the carriage, Master Chu smiled at Ning Caichen, who, however, was filled with unease and looked at Master Chu with an embarrassed expression.

"Young Master Ning, I am Chu Xu. Please forgive my intrusion."

"Master Chu, you flatter me. I dare not ask. I don't know what you need to inquire about, as I am afraid I don't know much about it either."

“Young Master Ning, there’s no need to worry. I don’t mean to pry. I just noticed that you seem to have the aura of the Xuanmen (Mystic Sect) on you, which has made me very curious. May I ask if you have ever practiced under someone from my Xuanmen?”

“No,” Ning Caichen replied immediately.

"Hmm." Upon hearing this, Daoist Chu did not ask any further questions. He turned to look at the unconscious Song Wen, and with a wave of his hand, a wisp of black smoke suddenly emerged from Song Wen's body. As soon as it appeared, it transformed into a hideous ghost face, baring its fangs and claws and roaring at the two of them.

"Bluster, huh!"

With a cold snort, a talisman in Chu Daoren's hand quickly burned, and strands of golden threads rapidly wrapped around it, tightening it continuously. In Ning Caichen's astonished gaze, it transformed into a black incense stick about three inches long in less than a moment.

“This is Yin energy. The evil spirit on Young Master Shen’s body and this thing come from the same source. It seems that Song Wen is just a lowly soldier. The person behind the scenes should be hiding in Lanruo Temple.”

Ning Caichen remained silent. The Lanruo Temple was shrouded in gloom, making it difficult for strangers to enter. Although this Taoist priest possessed some skill, he might not be able to defeat the person behind the scenes and could very well lose his life in vain.

"Master, you may not know this, but Master Qingquan of Qingquan Temple also possessed extraordinary skills, yet he lost his life at Lanruo Temple. You should be careful."

“Young Master Ning is kind-hearted, as I understand. I will not overestimate my abilities. People from my sect will come later. My only task now is to remove the evil spirit from Young Master Shen. If my prediction is correct, tonight will be the time for this wicked creature to return.”

Master Chu put away the incense sticks and then closed his eyes to rest. Ning Caichen was relieved to see that he was full of confidence.

A moment later, the carriage stopped at the manor gate. Master Chu led the unconscious Song Wen inside. Ning Caichen originally wanted to take his leave, but Shen Zichuan repeatedly invited him to stay for the night. As for his mother, Shen Zichuan simply sent a servant to inform her.

“Caichen, without you here, I really feel uneasy.”

Seeing Shen Zichuan's pleading expression, Ning Caichen agreed to stay.

(End of this chapter)