Blade - Unbound

Chapter 24: Summoning

“This...” Master Lu hesitated, his expression turning sour as he glanced sideways.

Steward Lu, who stood nearby, immediately broke into a cold sweat and hurriedly protested, “Master, I-I didn’t say anything...”

The moment the words left his mouth, he knew he made a mistake. That was practically a confession that something was wrong with the Lu household. He had always been meticulous in his work, but his fear of Master Lu had gotten the better of him, and in his panic, he slipped up.

Master Lu’s expression darkened further. Before he could lash out, however, Wang Daoxuan spoke up, “No need to blame him, Master. The steward didn’t say anything. I simply noticed a few irregularities.”

He led everyone outside, pointing first to a corner of the wall, then to a tree in the distance. “The sun has been blazing for days without a drop of rain, yet moss and mildew have formed along the wall. The jujube tree is damp, and dead birds have fallen nearby. There has to be yin killing qi present.”

Everyone looked, and indeed, it was exactly as he said. Things that had seemed trivial before now appeared suspicious. Standing behind the group, Li Yan couldn’t help but smile to himself. Wang Daoxuan might be a decent man, but his techniques were just as polished.

The Daoist had traveled far and wide, seeking masters, ever since deciding to enter the mystic path. Though he had failed and been deceived many times, he had still gained knowledge. He understood many of the tricks and methods of the mystical world. Ordinarily, that would be enough to make a living.

But Wang Daoxuan’s spiritual sense was peculiar, it was a tongue-based ability. He had to taste something to discern information. He couldn’t exactly go around licking everything he saw, could he? How was he supposed to lick zombies or ghosts? And if a young woman were possessed, was he supposed to lick her as well?

Fortunately, he later developed a workaround, using talismans or other means to collect traces before analyzing them. Even so, his most common trade was that of a geomancer. After all, geomancers had a traditional technique of tasting soil.

Of course, his spiritual sense wasn’t without potential. At higher levels of cultivation, reciting incantations could yield greater effects than others. Unfortunately, Wang Daoxuan had yet to reach that level. After spending everything on ritual preparations for his own cultivation, he was left in dire straits.

He had seen an opportunity after meeting Li Yan. The latter could smell unusual traces, while Wang Daoxuan could interpret their signs. Working together, they complemented each other perfectly. The two hadn’t spoken during their journey for precisely the same reason.

Li Yan had detected faint yin killing qi and subtly signaled by turning his hand palm-down, his open palm representing yang, the back representing yin. A raised little finger indicated the area of disturbance within the courtyard.

Wang Daoxuan had taken note immediately. He understood the situation the moment he had entered, allowing him to play the part of a master and firmly plant the stake.

“As expected of Daoist Wang!” Sha Lifei clapped exaggeratedly, playing the role of hype man.

Three cobblers could rival Zhuge Liang.

Sure enough, Master Lu’s expression shifted. He gave Wang Daoxuan a long look before cupping his hands respectfully. “Daoist Wang is indeed perceptive. Please, take a seat.”

They returned indoors and sat down.

Master Lu hesitated before speaking again. “It’s not that I wished to conceal anything, but about this matter...”

“Rest assured,” Wang Daoxuan said with a smile, already understanding. “My cultivation may be lacking, but my discretion is impeccable.”

Only then did Master Lu sigh. “This matter is truly strange. Last night, Zhao Jiu, one of the night guards, heard a disturbance and went to investigate. He saw a figure floating in the air, my wife. His shout drew others, and several saw it as well. Then, in full view of everyone, it vanished.”

Wang Daoxuan frowned. “Seeing ghosts? That’s unusual indeed.”

Li Yan also found it strange. Whether they were ghosts, spirit troops, or other entities, they were typically formless. Only those with awakened spiritual senses could perceive them. Ordinary people would only see such things under special circumstances, like if they were on the brink of death, when afflicted by heavy yin energy, or when spirits intruded upon dreams.

For so many to see it at once was rare.

Sha Lifei, meanwhile, cared little for such matters. He was already stuffing his face, shoveling down food and gulping wine. “The madam, has she already passed on?”

“That’s the issue,” Master Lu muttered bitterly. “My wife has been bedridden for years, and her condition has worsened these past months. After the incident, we checked on her and she’s still alive.”

Wang Daoxuan stroked his beard as a frown formed. “Her living soul has left her body. A soul-summoning ritual is needed. But such souls are usually invisible. So many people seeing it is unheard of.”

Beside him, Li Yan ate just as quickly, chopsticks flying as he stuffed slices of braised beef and fish into his mouth. On the outside, he seemed focused on eating. In truth, his eyes gleamed.

Could this strange phenomenon be connected to the thing he was searching for?

Master Lu’s jaw tightened. “Daoist Wang, how do we resolve this?”

Wang Daoxuan thought for a moment before responding. “There are many causes for a living soul leaving the body. In my opinion, your wife’s long illness has weakened her yang energy, causing her soul to disperse. We’ll begin with a soul-summoning ritual.”

That night, the Lu Manor was brightly lit with candles, despite the still air.

Contrary to Sha Lifei’s earlier assumptions, Master Lu, though he had taken two beautiful concubines, had not abandoned his first wife. In fact, he treated her with great respect. Her residence, a refined courtyard in the inner estate, remained immaculate despite her bedridden state, with many servants attending to her.

Most telling of all, this was the main household residence. Master Lu had vacated it, moving himself and his concubines elsewhere. Now, a ritual altar had been set up in the courtyard.

It was a simple setup, with a square table holding a statue and a tablet of Heavenly Monarch Chen, along with red candles, an incense burner, incense trays, a bowl of purified water, ritual slips, command tokens, a wooden fish, a peachwood sword, and yellow talisman paper. There was even a small black jar bound with red string and sealed with yellow cloth, bearing talismans. Faint yin killing qi emanated from it.

It contained a minor yin soldier Wang Daoxuan had painstakingly acquired. It was hardly powerful, but useful for delivering messages or locating things. Having secured such a major commission, Wang Daoxuan had brought all his tools.

Master Lu, along with guards and servants, stood nearby.

After calculating with his fingers, Wang Daoxuan said solemnly, “The madam is born in the year of the tiger. Anyone born in the year of the ox, tiger, snake, or monkey must leave the estate until sunrise.

“All mirrors in the house must be covered. The personal maid attending the madam shall remain. All others must stay in their rooms. No matter what they hear, do not come out.” freēwēbnovel.com

A string of instructions left everyone bewildered.

Master Lu snapped, “What are you waiting for? Do as instructed!”

Servants rushed to comply. The Zhao Family guards exchanged glances but said nothing and withdrew.

Master Lu hesitated for a moment before asking, “Must I leave as well?”

Wang Daoxuan nodded. “A living soul is easily startled. One mistake and it could scatter completely. It’s best to be cautious.” frёeωebɳovel.com

“Very well. I leave it in your hands, Daoist.” Master Lu departed without further words.

Soon, only Li Yan, Wang Daoxuan, and a single maid remained. The maid followed his instructions, entering the room to cut a lock of hair and tear a piece of clothing from the frail, unconscious woman.

Taking the opportunity, Li Yan whispered, “Master Lu smells faintly of urine. He’s masking it with expensive perfume, I didn’t even dare get too close.”

“I noticed,” Wang Daoxuan said calmly. “During my travels, I encountered a village where families would have their second sons castrated to enter the palace. Many rose to become powerful eunuchs and returned to build grand estates. However, the palace is a dangerous place. Not everyone succeeds. Those who fail become idlers, big-bellied, pale, beardless, with loose skin.

“Has your divine ability returned?”

“It works sometimes,” Li Yan said with a wry smile.

His spiritual sense had been unstable ever since it transformed outside Xianyang. Sometimes his sense of smell was weak, sometimes it was overwhelming, leaving him mentally drained. Moments ago, it had flared again, allowing him to detect Master Lu’s scent.

That explained his behavior. Keeping two beautiful concubines close without concern, even seeming proud of it. If he were a eunuch, it made sense.

Li Yan had come for the mysterious treasure. If there was an eunuch who worked in the imperial palace, could what he was looking for come from there? Unfortunately, his ability was unreliable for the moment. It was truly bad timing.

Wang Daoxuan, unaware of his thoughts, continued, “The art of summoning souls originates from ancient shamanic rites. The Book of Rites states: To summon the soul and restore the spirit...

“Given her condition, once the soul returns, it may soon be time for burial rites.”

As he spoke, he used a pair of scissors to cut the yellow talisman paper into a large soul-summoning banner decorated with cloud patterns and human figures.

Li Yan couldn’t help but praise, “Impressive craftsmanship.”

Wang Daoxuan smiled. “If you ever meet a true paper craftsman of the mystic path, you’ll see what true mastery looks like. I’ve only learned the basics.”

His hands didn’t stop even as he explained what he was doing to Li Yan. That was their tacit agreement. Li Yan assisted while Wang Daoxuan guided him into the trade.

Soon, the maid returned with the items. Wang Daoxuan burned the hair into ash, mixed it into water, and studied the patterns. Then he placed the cloth inside the pole of the banner he planted nearby.

“When the hour of the rat arrives,” he instructed, “take this banner to the northeast rooftop. Wave it and call the soul home. Remember, do not be afraid. If you feel cold, close your eyes and keep calling. When you hear the knocking of the wooden fish, run back immediately. If someone calls your name from behind, do not turn around.”

The maid trembled; but when she thought of the promised reward, she nodded. “I-I understand.”

With that, she took the banner and left.

Li Yan asked, “Calling someone from behind, that’s something evil spirits do. Can a living soul harm people too?”

Wang Daoxuan replied, “A living soul is easily frightened. Like sleepwalkers, it must be guided back. I’m worried she’ll scare the soul away if she turns around.”

Li Yan chuckled. The man really had thought of everything.

Soon, midnight arrived. The estate was plunged into darkness.

The maid stood on the rooftop with her eyes shut, waving the banner and chanting, “Soul, return. Soul, return...”

Her voice echoed eerily, sending servants cowering under their blankets.

In another courtyard, Master Lu and his two concubines sat in darkness. His expression now carried a hint of authority. Turning to them, he said coldly, “Take them out.”

The two women reached beneath their garments, each producing a jujube. Master Lu took them, popped them into his mouth, and chewed slowly, listening to the chanting outside, his gaze flickering unpredictably.