“Uh, why not?”

Sha Lifei looked puzzled at Wang Daoxuan’s instant refusal. Even Li Yan turned to look at him.

Li Yan had now learned quite a bit about the world of the mystic path from Wang Daoxuan. Consecration originally came from Buddhist practice. When a statue was completed, symbolic organs would be placed inside, along with various rituals, to imbue it with spiritual presence. There were many methods of consecration, with each lineage preserving strict traditions, and the process was extremely complex.

For example, the statue had to be purified before consecration. It would be cleaned, fumigated with incense, sprinkled with safflower water, and finally infused with pine resin and frankincense smoke[1].

Then there were rules about the materials used, the specific combination of five-colored gemstones that represented the five elements, and even strict requirements for the person performing the ritual.

After Buddhism and Daoism took root in the land, craftsmen from the mystic path were often hired to create statues, and the methods gradually spread. When done correctly, such rituals make it easier to gather divine astral qi. Yet Wang Daoxuan seemed unusually wary.

Seeing their confusion, he stroked his beard and shook his head. “Consecration and inviting spirits are not unusual. Nearly every troupe does it. Some even have centuries of tradition, with strong power of incense. During the Ghost Festival, they can perform for spirits without issue. But this newly arrived shadow puppet troupe is definitely suspicious.

“Xianyang isn’t big or small. There are over a dozen troupes. If they want to establish themselves, they’ll inevitably resort to certain tricks. Inviting a deity? I’m afraid they intend to invite something else. Moreover, shadow puppet troupes are different. Other troupes worship the Theater God, but shadow puppeteers worship Li Shaojun, the Daoist adept of the Han Dynasty.”

He continued, “It’s said that Emperor Wu of Han once longed for his deceased consort Li. Li Shaojun crafted her likeness as a shadow puppet, painted it, attached rods to its limbs, and performed behind a screen by lamplight. The emperor was delighted with his performance. Thus, Li Shaojun, being a master of the mystic path, became the founding figure of shadow puppetry.

“All theater originates from entertaining spirits, and none more so than shadow puppetry. It’s often used for vow plays, thanksgiving rituals, rain prayers, sacrificial performances, and exorcisms. It’s performed during festivals, temple fairs, and both weddings and funerals. It has many rules and taboos.

“If they’ve invited something improper, the consequences will be horrifying. If something goes wrong, people will die.”

After hearing his explanation, both men understood. Sha Lifei scratched his head and cursed, “No wonder that sly bastard came over the moment I mentioned it. Guess no one else dared take the job.”

True to his thick skin, he didn’t mind having let it slip, and quickly grinned. “Daoist Wang, look, since they’re the ones inviting whatever it is, we just need to finish the job. Whatever happens afterward isn’t our concern.”

“No.” Wang Daoxuan shook his head firmly. “I can’t cross that line. If lives are lost, regret will come too late.”

Li Yan also spoke. “Let’s follow Daoist Wang’s judgment.”

He had seen from the beginning what kind of man Wang Daoxuan was. The Daoist was a sincere man, who, even in hardship, refused to take ill-gotten gains. No wonder he lived in such poverty despite being part of the mystic path.

***

Knock knock knock.

Someone was knocking politely on the courtyard gate, causing the three to look up. Outside stood an elderly white-haired man in black. Beneath his oil-paper umbrella was a face full of sorrow.

“May I ask, is this where Daoist Wang lives?”

“Master Zhou?” Sha Lifei frowned, then his expression darkened. “Old White Face sure has a quick tongue. Master Zhou, you must’ve followed me the moment I left, didn’t you? You tracked me all the way without me noticing, impressive.”

“Old White Face” was a suona player in the troupe, and Sha Lifei’s acquaintance. He hadn’t expected that after only a casual conversation, before anything was settled, the troupe leader would come knocking.

What was even worse was that he was followed without him noticing.

Wang Daoxuan waved him quiet and spoke earnestly. “Master Zhou, I know your purpose in coming, but in your line of work, true skill is what matters. Borrowing power from spirits will bring harm in return.”

“I know,” the old man sighed, looking even more weary. “But please, hear me out. My name is Zhou Kangnian. Our troupe is called the Spring Breeze. We’ve had a reputation for a hundred years in Huayin. I saved up some wealth and came to Xianyang to build a name for ourselves before moving on to Chang’an. But it’s all my fault. My useless son didn’t understand the dangers of the jianghu. Soon after arriving, he was tricked into gambling and owed a large debt.

“He couldn’t face us and he hanged himself that night. I indulged him too much. The old arranging a funeral for their descendants, it’s a sad take, but it’s my fault. However, the elders and children in the troupe are innocent. Now the Iron Blade Gang has come knocking. If we don’t repay the debt, none of us can leave.

“I know this is dangerous. I am willing to bear the consequences alone. If something happens, let me die. I only ask that my troupe survive this disaster...”

Li Yan’s eyes flickered. He recognized the situation immediately. Among Zhou Pan’s many disciples were two former street thugs. After learning real martial arts, they gathered some people and formed two factions, the Iron Blade Gang and the White Ape Gang. Backed by the Divine Fist Association, they had grown rapidly, to the point of dominating Xianyang’s underworld. Their operations mainly consisted of extortion and lowkey robbery.

With the Divine Fist Association’s backing, the authorities turned a blind eye to their actions. Even if the gangs offended other factions in the jianghu, they would sometimes step out to settle the situation. Thus, both gangs had been growing bolder by the day. Clearly, the Spring Breeze troupe was their next target.

Seeing Wang Daoxuan hesitate, Zhou Kangnian suddenly dropped to his knees. “Daoist, I beg you, please help us! I know a method to gather all misfortune onto myself. As long as my troupe survives, I’ll die without regret!”

Zhou Kangnian was no ordinary man. He had reached the Dark Jin Realm. He might be old, but he had a good set of skills. Yet, even he had been pushed to this point.

Wang Daoxuan sighed, “Master Zhou, I understand. But think carefully, if something goes wrong, it won’t just be your soul that is destroyed.”

Zhou Kangnian’s face lit up with hope when he heard Wang Daoxuan; he did not care about the consequences that were mentioned. “Please, Daoist, lend your aid!”

“Not yet.” Wang Daoxuan remained calm. “First, we’ll visit your troupe. Wait outside, we’ll prepare and follow shortly.”

“Good, good!” Zhou Kangnian understood he was being dismissed for the moment, but was already deeply grateful.

Once he left, Sha Lifei groaned, “Daoist Wang, those spirit taboos are far off, but the real danger is right in front of us! You refused earlier, why agree now?”

Wang Daoxuan looked awkward. “I was soft.”

Before Sha Lifei could argue, Li Yan spoke. “If we want a reputation, how can we fear trouble? We can take this job.”

Sha Lifei instantly understood. Li Yan wanted to use this opportunity to deal with the Iron Blade Gang and ultimately get closer to Zhou Pan.

He sighed softly, “One stubborn, one reckless, what rotten luck.”

But thinking of his own boring life, he gritted his teeth and decided that since he wasn’t going to stop them, he might as well go along with it. “Fine. Let’s do it!”

“Not so fast.” Wang Daoxuan raised a hand, dousing his enthusiasm. “I’ve heard that there are dark practices within shadow puppet traditions like using human skin as puppets. When people are pushed to extremes, the line between the light and the darkness is but a single thought.

“Li Yan, keep watch. If they’ve already turned to forbidden arts, we leave immediately and report it.”

“Understood.”

With that, the three packed their things and left.

Zhou Kangnian led them through twisting streets toward the northwest corner of Xianyang. Near the Horse King Temple, where Marshal Ma, one of the ten marshals of the mystic path was worshipped, the air was thick with the smell of incense.

However, it was the same area where the horses were kept. With the rain that had just arrived, the earth was wet. Coupled with the smell of the animals, it was truly nasty.

The wealthy avoided the area and only the poor lived here. The state of the Spring Breeze Troupe was evident.

Soon, they entered a dilapidated alley, filth flowing along cracked stone paths. A rundown courtyard appeared ahead. It looked like it used to be a shop that sold horses, but it was already dilapidated. A dozen rough men stood outside. They were bare-chested, tattooed, poorly dressed, armed, and almost every sentence they spoke was filled with vulgarities.

Li Yan suddenly stopped, a faint smile appearing on his lips.

He recognized the leader of those thugs. It was Meng Haicheng, who had received a beating from him back then!

1. Frankincense, or olibanum, is an aromatic resin obtained from Boswellia trees, primarily found in Oman, Yemen, Somalia, and India. It is used in incense, perfumes, and skin care, and is renowned for its potential anti-inflammatory, anti-arthritic, and soothing properties in traditional medicine and aromatherapy ☜