Chapter 6: The True Value of the Celestial Register
After hearing Zhao Zhen’s words, Wen Liangong immediately fell into silence, and even Yuan Jinguai, who had been incessantly boastful, lost his earlier arrogance.
They all knew that Zhao Zhen was not bluffing. If he had already mastered the Golden Escape Light technique, then indeed he could accomplish what he claimed.
According to Wen Liangong’s knowledge, the Golden Escape Light of the Golden Light Master could transport others as well!
If it could carry people, then replacing them with several tons of cannonballs was perfectly reasonable.
Even if they were extraordinary beings, facing such a close-range, instantaneous explosion of that magnitude would inevitably reduce them to scattered fragments.
“Kid, you’re ruthless; I admit defeat...”
After much inner deliberation, Yuan Jinguai finally gave up on seeking revenge against Zhao Zhen.
“To the two of you, farewell forever.”
With that, Zhao Zhen smiled faintly and prepared to turn and leave.
But at that moment, Wen Liangong called out to Zhao Zhen again.
“Wait!”
“Is there something else?”
Zhao Zhen stopped and glanced back at Wen Liangong.
“Since you young brother refuse to associate with us Complete Essence people, we shall leave the matter here.
However, we’ve followed you all this way, noticing you constantly asking about the location of the Trinity Sect, and judging by your route, it seems you’re heading east to find the Trinity Sect, right?”
“So what if I am?” Zhao Zhen frowned.
“I wonder what your purpose is in going to the Trinity Sect?”
“What’s it to you?”
“Indeed, it may not concern me, but I must advise you: since you’ve learned the Master’s techniques, even if you lack the title of disciple, you have the reality of being one, which makes you half one of us Complete Essence disciples.
Don’t think that if you don’t say it, others won’t see your lineage.
If I can see the connection between you and the Master at a glance, then who is Zuo Ruotong, the Great Spirit of Daying? How could he fail to see your following?
And if he notices your lineage, how would he accept you?”
After these words, Wen Liangong stared intently at Zhao Zhen’s face, watching his expression.
To him, Zhao Zhen was calm and composed, but still just a green youth.
Hearing that the Complete Essence were despised like rats crossing the street, he thought to join a reputable sect to cleanse his identity.
The more he despised his connection with the Complete Essence, the less Wen Liangong was willing to let him go.
Such a promising youth had to be “kept” for the Golden Light Master within the Complete Essence!
Master, no thanks required; this is our duty...
---
Wen Liangong and Yuan Jinguai exchanged a smile, silently reaching an unspoken understanding.
“How about this, young brother Zhao, we’re heading near the Trinity Sect anyway; why not go together?
You’re still a child, wandering the martial world alone is inconvenient. Not to mention, the journey expenses are not trivial.
Since you are the Master’s disciple and thus our junior, traveling with us means we can look after you along the way.”
Yuan Jinguai also spoke persuasively.
With their warm, uncle-like demeanor, if Zhao Zhen hadn’t known their true nature, he might have believed them.
A classic case of a weasel paying respects to a chicken — ill intentions all along!
Just as Zhao Zhen was about to ignore them and leave, a brilliant idea suddenly struck him.
“Is that so? What a coincidence. Traveling with you two isn’t impossible, and I have a way to help us reach the Trinity Sect quickly.”
“You mean the Golden Escape Light?!!”
Wen Liangong and Yuan Jinguai exchanged surprised glances.
They hadn’t lied about going to the Trinity Sect; if they could skip the arduous journey via Golden Escape Light, they welcomed it.
“That’s right, but as you know, performing Golden Escape Light requires talismans, which are troublesome to make. They need a ritual setup and cost a lot of money.
Unfortunately, I only have some travel funds left from the old man before he left, so I’m strapped for cash...”
“That’s simple — money is no problem; we’ll get it for you.”
“Great, then I’ll wait here for your good news.”
---
About an hour later, Zhao Zhen, who had been sitting cross-legged meditating, slowly opened his eyes.
In front of him, two gold bars were tossed out of a cloth bag by Yuan Jinguai.
“This should be enough, right?”
Zhao Zhen picked up the gold bars, squeezed them slightly, and a smile appeared on his face.
“Enough.”
Indeed, the ways to wealth were always written in the laws.
For these Complete Essence fiends who had no moral bottom line, making money was a breeze.
As for how the money was obtained, Zhao Zhen didn’t ask nor did he need to.
With society in such chaos, apart from warlords, who within hundreds of miles could afford so many gold bars?
Judging from the previous soldier thug who killed recklessly, this so-called Marshal Li was surely no good either.
Letting the Complete Essence and warlords fight each other, while “extracting” some gold coins from them, was a surefire, profitable business.
---
“Well then, shall we set off?”
With that, Zhao Zhen took out a talisman, activated his true energy, and crushed it.
A golden light flashed, and in the next moment, Zhao Zhen, Yuan Jinguai, and Wen Liangong vanished from the spot.
When Yuan Jinguai regained his senses, the road sign before him reading “Laifeng County” made his pupils shrink sharply.
“Laifeng County? That’s at least 400 li away!”
“Just in the blink of an eye, we escaped 400 li?”
Wen Liangong was equally astonished; he hadn’t expected the Golden Escape Light to be so extraordinary, practically miraculous!
“Brother Zhao, can you use the Golden Escape Light again?”
“Yes, but I must prepare another talisman first.”
“No rush, this speed is already impressive...”
“Then please help me buy some yellow mulberry bark paper from the next county ahead, handmade with mulberry fibers. The edges of the talisman paper must be faintly printed with cloud patterns.
Also, cinnabar, rooster’s blood, pine soot ink, oh, and wolf hair brushes, mugwort, jujube wood struck by lightning, and the Three Purities plaques...”
Hearing the long list of materials, Yuan Jinguai and Wen Liangong both felt a headache coming on.
Although they knew little about talisman crafting, they understood this was far more complicated than ordinary talismans.
It seemed the Golden Escape Light was miraculous but came at a steep cost...
After the two left, Zhao Zhen leisurely lay on the grass, a faint smile curling at his lips.
“Not bad. With these two helping me gather materials for the talismans, I can save myself the trouble of walking.
Although the Golden Escape Light is convenient, making the talismans is far too tedious...”
The special talisman required for the Golden Escape Light was called the Earth-Spanning Golden Light Talisman, which involved three processes: material preparation, altar setup and energy flow, and talisman core drawing.
Altar setup and energy flow were the most demanding, requiring the ritual to be performed at the Yin hour (3–5 a.m.) in a quiet place, with an incense altar, offering the Three Purities plaques, burning mugwort to purify the talisman paper, and taking three Yu steps circling the altar.
Finally, using the Golden Light Master’s unique breathing method to gather energy at the brush tip before beginning to draw.
The first stroke must be made in reverse, inscribing the characters “Imperative Order” in seal script at the center of the yellow paper.
The talisman’s foot incorporates the twenty-eight lunar mansions star map, with each stroke’s turn aligning with the Qimen Dunjia directional formations, with zero mistakes for successful creation.
This explained why the Golden Light Master had only given Zhao Zhen three talismans before parting; he himself had very few in stock.
“Sigh, the more I understand how complex talisman making is, the more I realize the true value of the Celestial Talisman...
No, I must get that Celestial Talisman as soon as possible!”