"The departed are gone, the living carry on, the world is full of suffering, enter reincarnation early..."
The Daoist chanted while shaking a bell, casually tossing, causing Yellow Talismans to dance in the air. Beside him, a Taoist Child carried a Soul-Calming Incense Burner, smoke curling upward as he staggered along.
Behind them was a group of mourners dressed in mourning white, lifting a massive coffin that trembled with their steps, and occasionally someone would lower their head to sob.
At dawn, as the city gate of Black Water City creaked open, a funeral procession poured out.
Villagers carrying vegetables and fruits for the morning market, and peddlers driving mule carts, quickly stepped aside.
Some shook their heads, others wore indifferent expressions.
In the crowd, Zhang Kui glanced back towards Black Water City, muttered, "Such thick evil aura!"
Beside him, the old yellow weasel had transformed into a short white-browed old man, adjusted his clothes to hide his tail, and took a puff from a large opium pipe, "This is just the day, the night presents a different scene entirely."
Zhang Kui sneered,
"I'll have to see for myself then!"
With that, he flicked his sleeves and strode towards the city gate.
"Three cents to enter the city!"
The guard at the gate shouted while inspecting the people's goods, occasionally taking a bite of the fresh fruits and vegetables.
Suddenly, everything darkened.
The guard looked up at Zhang Kui, a hint of fear in his eyes, swallowed his saliva, and forced a smile,
"Sir Daoist, you don't need to pay."
Zhang Kui ignored him, casually tossing a few coins before striding boldly through the gate.
The old yellow chuckled, closely following him, his short legs moving surprisingly fast for his age, accidentally revealing a tail tip, which he hastily concealed.
Nearby, a young soldier's eyes widened,
trembling as he pointed ahead,
"Demon... Demon..."
Slap!
"What demon, we saw nothing!"
The older guard gave him a flick on the forehead, shaking his head while muttering, "Seriously... Been with me so long yet still foolish..."
Suddenly, he froze, as if recalling something, quickly pulling out a piece of paper from his sleeve. After unfolding it, it displayed the image of a fierce Daoist.
The guard's face lit up with joy, grabbing the young soldier, "We hit the jackpot, hurry and inform Master Hu, the person he's been waiting for has arrived!"
......
Qingzhou, located in the central region of the Qian Dynasty, mostly consists of plains and hills, abundant in resources, and is a major grain-producing area.
As an external hub, Black Water City naturally thrives in commerce, with numerous grain and oil shops lining the streets.
Upon entering the city, Zhang Kui didn't rush to find lodging; instead, he leisurely strolled around.
Looking at the bustling streets and alleys, he chuckled, "You say Qingzhou is chaotic, but it seems quite lively to me."
The old yellow sneered, remaining silent.
After following him for half the day, he couldn't help but ask:
"Why this aimless wandering, what exactly is your plan?"
"No rush..."
Zhang Kui looked around, "First, let's find something to eat. Any recommendations?"
"Didn't you just eat?"
The old yellow shook his head, "When it comes to Black Water City, the lamb head soup stands out. I snuck in a few years ago to try it, and the taste..."
Zhang Kui laughed heartily,
"Then what are we waiting for, let's go!"
Indeed, the lamb head soup in Black Water City was a real treat, white and fresh, with tender lamb hidden within, garnished with green onions that enhanced its flavor.
Zhang Kui found the largest shop and drank two bowls in a row, while even the old yellow weasel squatted on a stool, devouring it all.
Just as he was about to order another bowl, the entrance suddenly darkened.
A burly man with a face full of menace entered the shop with a few followers, his eyes lit up upon seeing Zhang Kui, and he quickly approached.
"Are you the Black Corpse Taoist?"
The burly man cupped his hands with a broad smile.
Another case of mistaken identity?
Zhang Kui wiped his mouth, glancing sideways, neither admitting nor denying.
"Who are you?"
The man chuckled, "I am Wang Hu. My master heard of your journey through these parts and sent me to invite you."
The old yellow weasel looked up, suddenly exposing his tail.
But Wang Hu seemed not to notice, instead showing a satisfied smile.
The surrounding customers were startled but dared not speak, quickly lowering their heads and walking out.
No wonder Black Corpse that Demon Taoist rushed to Qingzhou...
Zhang Kui understood, coldly smiled and asked:
"Oh, and who is your master?"
Wang Hu smiled faintly,
"This is not the place to talk. However, the Taoist is a hero of these times, and my master has long heard of you. A banquet has been prepared to welcome you."
At this moment, a black-faced burly man suddenly rushed in and whispered a few words into Wang Hu's ear.
Though the voice was low, Zhang Kui heard it clearly.
"The person has arrived, this one is a fake..."
Wang Hu's face quickly darkened, a glint of ferocity flashing in his eyes as he looked at Zhang Kui.
"Who are you really?"
Zhang Kui laughed heartily, a look of disdain in his eyes,
"You fool, think about who I am, pretending to be an old hand in Jianghu. You don't know the true is false, and the false is true!"
Wang Hu was taken aback, his expression shifting continually. He sized up Zhang Kui for a long time and then glanced at the Yellow Talisman beside him, forcing a smile on his face.
"This is a serious matter, does the Taoist dare to confront face to face?"
Zhang Kui slammed the table, his leopard-like eyes glaring around,
"Why wouldn't I dare!"
...
Soon, under Wang Hu's lead, Zhang Kui arrived at a rather large Taoist temple in the west of the city.
The temple was called White Cloud Temple, its main entrance facing the street, with a handsome Taoist child guiding visitors offering incense.
However, Wang Hu led Zhang Kui to the back door, where several fierce-looking burly men in shabby Taoist robes immediately nodded and bowed upon seeing them.
Inside the temple were ancient woods densely planted, red walls and green tiles, the wisps of green smoke creating a celestial atmosphere, full of antique charm.
Yet Zhang Kui's eyes narrowed slightly.
Upon examining with the Tongyou Skill, the once solemn main hall was shrouded in an unprecedentedly dense aura of ghostly energy.
Next to him, Wang Hu sneered,
"Taoist, please!"
Zhang Kui snorted, following him into a secluded courtyard.
In the courtyard, a row of green bamboo was planted. Under an octagonal pavilion, an elderly Taoist with long white eyebrows and a baby-like face was chatting happily with three people.
One of them was a plump monk, with his chest exposed and shining with oil, a kind expression on his face, but wearing a string of white prayer beads around his neck.
On closer look, all the beads were children's skulls.
Sitting next to him was a woman with a sullen face and sharp features, dressed in black tight-fitting clothes, with a large black wooden box on her back.
Seated beside the old Taoist was a fierce-looking burly man in a Taoist robe, sizing him up with eyes full of killing intent.
It seemed this guy was the Black Corpse...
Zhang Kui glared back unceremoniously.
Wang Hu stepped forward, bowing his head respectfully to the old Taoist, "Taoist Yunxu, the person has been brought."
This Taoist Yunxu stroked his beard, nodding with a smile, just about to say something, when the Black Corpse Taoist suddenly leaped out of the pavilion, his tone malicious.
"Whoever you are, daring to impersonate me, go to hell!"
In mid-air, a gust of sinister wind kicked up, both his hands suddenly turning ink black, with crimson sharp nails, like those of a demon, clawing straight at Zhang Kui's head.
Watching the eerie black claws closing in, Zhang Kui didn't dodge but grinned fiercely, his hands igniting with Blood Evil, grabbing directly.
"Fool, get down here!"
With a crisp snap, the Black Corpse Demon Taoist let out a scream, his right hand crushed into a grotesque shape, then slammed hard onto the ground by Zhang Kui.
Boom!
The ground caved in, and the Black Corpse spat out a mouthful of blood.
This guy, not knowing what evil skill he had practiced, made his hands like those of a demon ghost. Even if his kung fu was mediocre, an ordinary Jianghu expert would suffer greatly encountering him.
But Zhang Kui's Demon-slaying Skill Gang Evil was specifically designed to counter such things, hence the heavy loss at first sight.
Zhang Kui sneered coldly, his eyes revealing killing intent, drawing the Greatsword backhandedly, just about to slash, but a thought crossed his mind, stopping it in front of him.
Clang!
The Greatsword shattered, while a skull prayer bead darted back to the pavilion like lightning.
The big monk grabbed it, nodding with a smile.
Zhang Kui's eyes flashed with murderous intent, warily glancing at the gloomy main hall, sensing that an unseen presence was watching him.
These people in front were just rallying manpower, plotting something sinister. The unknown entity in the main hall was the real threat.
Seems like I need to play the part of an evil demon to blend in...
The old Taoist chuckled,
"Quite a skill, my friend, may I ask your noble name?"
Zhang Kui laughed heartily, casually tossing the broken Greatsword aside, "I am Zhang Kui, let me eliminate this impostor first, then chat with you."
The Black Corpse Taoist had long taken advantage of the chaos to escape, standing angrily beside the bamboo grove, "I am the true Black Corpse, you imposter!"
"I never said you weren't the Black Corpse..."
Zhang Kui chuckled, then his expression turned somber, "But you not only impersonate me in appearance, but also plagiarize my name."
"Oh..."
Taoist Yunxu smiled, "May I ask who you are..."
Zhang Kui puffed up his chest, staring disdainfully at the Black Corpse Taoist,
"In the Jianghu, people call me by the nickname..."
"Black Mountain Demon!"