Qin Liuxi didn’t really trap Mu Xi; among the ten peace charms, seven were ordinary, and three were amulets, all capable of blocking an evil spirit once. Additionally, he gifted him a small wooden plaque engraved with a rune.
Mu Xi’s eyes sparkled, and he solemnly placed those three amulets in a box and kept it close to his chest. He asked, "These other seven, don’t they have the same effect? Can’t you make them all into amulets? If there isn’t enough incense oil, I can add more."
"These also have spirituality. As long as they don’t get wet, they can protect against all sorts of evil spirits," Qin Liuxi explained. "As for the talismans that can block evil spirits, young heir, it’s good for you to know that the talismans I draw are also transformed from the spiritual energy of my own cultivation and merit. Just one thousand taels for three; it’s because I’m in a good mood today. Otherwise, even if you offered me one thousand taels, you couldn’t get one."
The guards gasped and swallowed their saliva.
"What is this then?" Mu Xi asked, holding up the small rune card hanging with a red string.
"This is the Thunderstruck Wood Talisman, engraved with exorcism runes. It was also blessed at the Grandmaster’s feet during the law code ceremony. It may not look as refined as the ones on you, but its effect may be no less powerful. Your birth elements are light; you’re a walking yin body, which is why your family sought these magic artifacts to protect you," Qin Liuxi explained.
Mu Xi was startled and almost blurted out his own birth chart when a guard stepped forward and said, "Princely Heir, quickly thank Master Buqiu."
Qin Liuxi glanced at the guard with a not quite smiling expression but didn’t care. He pointed to the talisman: "If you don’t despise it, wear it. It will prevent you from being possessed by the chaotic wandering ghosts."
Startled, Mu Xi quickly hung the red string talisman around his neck, pressing it against his skin.
"I trust you." He grinned like a cheeky dog.
Qin Liuxi responded, "You’re lucky."
Mu Xi thought she was referring to his status and proudly said, "Indeed. When you come to Shengjing, I’ll treat you to good food and lodging, all on me."
Qin Liuxi was indifferent.
Suddenly, a loud noise came from the side hall. Qin Liuxi frowned and said to Mu Xi, "Please yourself."
She walked towards the noise and, before getting close, heard a series of painful cries, sharp accusations, and Qing Yuan’s carefully conciliatory laughter.
Approaching, she saw several scholar-dressed individuals angrily protesting something, and a person was lying on the ground, wailing.
"What happened?" Qin Liuxi asked, looking towards the person on the floor. Her eyes deepened, and a sharp glint flashed through them.
Wiping the sweat from his forehead, Qing Yuan said, "Brother, you came just in time. Please treat this good person’s injury. He claims he fell and hurt his hand while strolling in the back mountain."
"It was during your visit here that he fell. Mr. Tang is a great talent of Ningzhou Prefecture, surely to pass the Imperial Examination next year. If he can’t participate because of the injury sustained to his right hand here, what can you compensate for his future prospects?" another scholar said sharply.
Qin Liuxi replied, "He fell because he wasn’t careful during his stroll, and you blame us?"
"Isn’t the back mountain part of your Daoist Temple? You didn’t maintain it well, causing him to fall. Shouldn’t you be responsible?" the scholar retorted coldly. "If you don’t heal Mr. Tang’s hand today, the pens of scholars worldwide may just have to spread the word about your temple’s reputation."
Is this a fool who has read himself stupid?
Qin Liuxi chuckled, "Young scholar, could it be that your surname is Lai?"
The man was stunned, "What if my surname is Lai?"
"Lai Xiucai, stop talking and let Mr. Tang tend to his injuries quickly," a scholar tugged at the vociferous student.
Is his surname truly Lai?
Qin Liuxi looked towards the scholar and raised an eyebrow, "Oh, I’ve seen him before."
When in the bookstore, she had advised this scholar who then avoided a calamity; how did he end up associating with nefarious characters again?
Scholar Nian recognized Qin Liuxi and held immense respect for her. After all, the last time they met at the bookstore, she spoke ill of Scholar Du, and within days, Du was involved in a scandal leading him to prison. That night Scholar Nian was supposed to join, but remembering Qin Liuxi’s words, he felt uneasy and refrained going, thus escaping disaster.
Therefore, recently he had declined numerous so-called poetry and tea gatherings, focusing solely on his studies. Today being the Double Ninth Festival, he couldn’t refuse and, hindered in his writing, accepted an old classmate’s invitation to go out, watch the autumn scenery, only to encounter this situation.
And there was Qin Liuxi, turned out she was a Daoist from Qingping Temple, no wonder she spoke like that that day.
Qin Liuxi pointed at Scholar Nian and said, "You, your learning is acceptable, but you have poor judgment in friends."
"What did you say?" Lai Xiucai shoved Scholar Nian away angrily.
Qin Liuxi looked at him disdainfully and said, "I’m talking about you. Your literary talent isn’t as good as theirs or even the injured one. Have you been arguing with me just to delay his treatment and ruin his chances in the examination?"
"You fraudulent God Stick, spouting nonsense!"
"You, your temples are visible, thin lips, sharp points, deceitful inside and out, with a cunning talent at arguing. To associate with you, one must always be wary of being stabbed in the back. Your wandering eyes and evasive gaze only prove your guilty conscience. Furthermore, your sunken temples indicate your fickle heart, easily swayed by others, and your proficiency in deceit must have legends spinning around you, right?" Qin Liuxi eyed him intently.
Another student’s face turned pale, Lai Xiucai was planning to marry his sister.
Lai Xiucai, red-faced from criticism, pointed at Qin Liuxi and cursed loudly, "You, you God Stick, you’re spouting utter nonsense! I’m a respectable scholar; how dare you slander me ."
"I’m slandering you? You’ve been speaking for so long, have you noticed him nearly dying from pain?" Qin Liuxi pointed towards the scholar surnamed Tang.
Tang Xiucai was pale, leaning on Scholar Nian, weakly crying for help, his right sleeve soaked in blood.
Qing Yuan then said, "Brother Buqiu, please treat him first, after all, he was injured on our mountain."
"He brought it upon himself; I won’t save him. Don’t you see it?" Qin Liuxi snorted.
What do you mean he brought it upon himself?
Everyone around was startled, murmuring and pointing.
Tang Xiucai looked in disbelief.
Scholar Nian, catching on to a deeper meaning, stiffened. Perhaps Tang had done something wicked secretly?
Only Lai Xiucai, seizing on Qin Liuxi’s words, thought he caught a handle and shouted loudly, "Look, even monks see death and don’t save. If you still worship at such a Daoist Temple and seek help from such gods, what’s the use if they don’t save lives when needed? This Daoist Temple is truly a den of iniquity; don’t trust them, they’re all deceivers."