Xie Zhaofan also cast aside her nonchalant expression.
While she didn’t know if what this Daoist was saying was true or false, at least from Chunxing’s reaction, it seemed the man had indeed sensed something.
“Do you mean that the malevolent entity might return, Daoist?”
“I cannot rule out that possibility.”
The Daoist stroked his goatee with a grave expression.
Xie Zhaofan pondered for a moment before asking directly, “Do you have any Magic Tools or talismans that can directly exorcise this kind of thing? Ideally, something that can resolve it once and for all without any lingering consequences.”
The Daoist couldn't help but look at her again; this young lady was quite peculiar.
Ordinary noble misses would have been frightened out of their wits by such a thing, yet she remained impossibly calm from beginning to end, even taking the initiative to ask how to handle the malevolent entity.
However, he naturally wouldn't pry into such matters.
“Naturally, I do.”
The Daoist showed a hint of confidence as he pulled a talisman from his sleeve.
“This is an Exorcism Talisman I drew personally. It is written with cinnabar mixed with spirit ink to suppress yin-evil and drive away ghosts and spirits. Many citizens in the capital have requested these, and their effectiveness is excellent.”
Xie Zhaofan looked at the talisman. No matter how she looked at it, it didn't seem any different from the talismans used by Daoists in TV dramas.
But since she didn't understand the craft, she could only trust a professional for now.
“How much?”
The Daoist held up one hand.
“Five taels.”
Chunxing’s eyes instantly widened.
Five taels of silver?
How much was her monthly allowance? He dared to ask for five taels for a single piece of yellow paper?
Xie Zhaofan, however, didn't feel the slightest bit of stinginess.
If it truly was effective, she would be willing to spend fifty taels, let alone five. After all, the most important thing right now was to figure out exactly what the malevolent entities in this world were.
She looked at the Daoist and said calmly, “Five taels isn't much, but I have something to say first.”
The Daoist looked up.
“If it works, I naturally won't treat you poorly. But if it has no effect and I find out you’re just a con artist stealing money…”
Xie Zhaofan gave a sweet smile.
“Then I’ll ruin your reputation.”
The Daoist arched an eyebrow.
“Don't you worry, young lady. If it’s ineffective, you’re welcome to come back and smash my sign; I won't say a word.”
“Fine.”
Xie Zhaofan immediately had Chunxing take out five taels of silver.
Soon, a deep yellow cinnabar talisman landed in her hand.
The cinnabar lines on the talisman paper were curved and winding, tracing out characters and patterns she didn't understand at all. At first glance, it really did have a somewhat mysterious and unfathomable feel to it.
Xie Zhaofan turned it over a couple of times before finally deciding to take it back first.
If it truly was useful, then all would be well.
If it wasn't…
Hehe! Was her money really that easy to swindle?
Once the matter was settled, she led Chunxing and the guards out of the City God Temple.
After they were far away, the Temple Manager leaned in toward the Daoist and whispered, “Daoist Ma, why do I feel like that young miss didn't quite seem like an ordinary official’s daughter?”
“She is indeed a bit different.”
The Daoist stroked his goatee as he watched the direction Xie Zhaofan had departed, his expression regaining a bit of ease.
“But she’s still just a little brat in the end. She believes anything about possession and malevolent entities. Five taels of silver is already letting her off cheap.”
The Temple Manager’s eyes lit up as he couldn't help but give a thumbs up.
“Brilliant, Daoist.”
Daoist Ma chuckled and patted the Temple Manager on the shoulder.
“Let's go. We need to settle the accounts for today's business properly.”
As the two spoke, they walked toward the back courtyard, the smiles on their faces exceptionally bright.
As for whether that Exorcism Talisman was actually useful, only they knew the truth in their hearts.
…
Having acquired an Exorcism Talisman, Xie Zhaofan did not end her search for a way to break the evil.
In her view, since things had progressed to this point, she couldn't place all her hopes on a single talisman of unknown origin.
What if that Daoist was just a traveling charlatan? Five taels of silver was a small matter, but if it delayed the situation for Xiangling, Chunxing, and Xiahe, that would be the real trouble.
Therefore, after leaving the City God Temple, she didn't even take a break and directly told the driver to head to the next location.
There was another modestly sized temple in the capital called Dahua Temple. It was said to be quite effective as well, and many dignitaries and wealthy people frequented it to offer incense and pray for blessings.
However, compared to the flourishing incense of a place like the City God Temple, Dahua Temple was significantly more low-profile, tucked away behind a relatively quiet street.
If she hadn't inquired in advance, an ordinary person would have had a hard time finding it.
The carriage stopped in front of the temple gates, and Xie Zhaofan stepped out with Chunxing, Xiahe, and two estate guards.
She specifically instructed the guards not to announce the name of the Prime Minister’s residence, saying only that they were ordinary pilgrims coming to ask about something. She then entered the temple gates, supported by Chunxing.
The environment inside the temple was much more tranquil than she had imagined. Ancient trees reached toward the sky, blue stone paved the ground, and the air was filled with a faint scent of sandalwood.
Occasionally, the sound of a distant bell could be heard, lacking the hustle and bustle of the capital's markets and adding a bit of Buddhist purity.
Xie Zhaofan had originally held some expectations, but once she actually walked inside, she found that this place seemed a bit different from the temple she had imagined.
She directly found a Receptionist Monk and explained that the maid beside her might have been tainted by something malevolent and that she wanted to request a Magic Tool that could suppress evil and drive away ghosts.
The Receptionist Monk was clearly no stranger to such requests. Not only did he show no surprise, but he also very naturally led them into a side hall of the temple.
As soon as she entered, Xie Zhaofan was a bit dazzled.
The hall was filled with various Magic Tools of all sizes. There were Vajra Pestles, Buddhist beads, and Vajra Bracelets, as well as exquisitely carved small Buddha statues.
There were also some bronze items of unknown use, each laid out neatly with simple explanations placed beside them.
A middle-aged monk with a slightly plump figure soon came to greet them. With a gentle and kind smile, he pressed his palms together and bowed to Xie Zhaofan before beginning to tirelessly introduce the various Magic Tools in the hall.
It had to be said that this monk was quite eloquent. He spoke of these items with great clarity, from the materials and origins to the consecration ceremonies and the effects of suppressing evil and warding off malevolence.
He could even make recommendations based on the different needs of the pilgrims, and the nearby Chunxing and Xiahe gradually began to show expressions of awe.
However, the more detailed the monk spoke, the stronger the strange feeling in Xie Zhaofan’s heart became.
Although she didn't know much about the Buddhist sects of this era, she had heard more or less about the tactics of commercialized temples in modern society.
This place had a somewhat familiar flavor no matter how she looked at it.
Especially when the monk pointed to an exquisitely crafted Magic Tool and claimed with absolute certainty that it had been consecrated by a high monk and could ward off evil and protect the home.
Xie Zhaofan looked at the item, but her system didn't give even the slightest reaction, making her even more suspicious.
Was this thing really useful?
Or was the so-called consecrated holy object just an ordinary item whose real effect relied entirely on psychological suggestion?
Rate on N.U.
