Chapter 046: True Disciple of the Sect

“County Magistrate, look what I found.” One of the soldiers had uncovered the ink made by Qingjin and his group.

The Magistrate of Meishan glanced down at the container, pinched his nose, and asked, “What is this? Why are there bloodsucking worms and insect droppings in here?”

“This is the special ink we made for drawing talismans,” Qingjin replied. “The ink sold outside is too expensive. My younger brother wants to learn talisman drawing too, so I made this simple ink for him. Apart from the smell, there aren’t any major drawbacks.”

“You call this talisman ink—then how is it supposed to be used?” the Magistrate pressed on, unwilling to let Qingjin off so easily.

Qingjin simply had someone pour out the droppings, then added some clean water. Soon, the mixture turned into a pungent black-red ink, spiritual energy seeping from it.

Producing a blank talisman, Qingjin took out his brush and drew a Blackwater Talisman with practiced ease. He activated it, and corrosive, soul-consuming black water surged forth, rolling out of the talisman.

Wherever the black water touched, not a blade of grass survived; all life was annihilated. Without a word, the Magistrate cast a massive fireball, incinerating the splattering stream of black water.

The stench filled the air; many people started coughing at the odor.

Several of the soldiers even fainted outright.

Qingjin’s expression shifted slightly. He hadn’t realized his talisman could be so potent, nor that its side effects were so severe.

“A common Blackwater Talisman would never reach this level,” the Magistrate remarked, his gaze deep and searching.

“I didn’t expect this either,” Qingjin replied, speechless.

“You’re using this kind of ink to make such a terrifying Blackwater Talisman. Can you tell me who taught you this method?” The Magistrate’s voice had turned icy.

“I inherited a standard talisman practice. As for the ink, that’s my own research. This is my first time using a Blackwater Talisman in front of others—I didn’t know the combination would have such power, nor that it would be so toxic!” Qingjin explained.

“You know that many people have died near the Panshe area recently. You’re making this strange ink and these poisonous Blackwater Talismans, and you can’t clearly explain your lineage. I have reason to suspect you might be involved with cultists or demonic practitioners. To prove your innocence, I’d like you to come with me to Meishan for a proper investigation.

If I find you truly have no connection to the deaths, cults, or demonic cultivators, I’ll let you return.”

Qingjin and his companions all turned pale at these words.

Especially Qingjin—he’d already been hunted several times by the secret forces of the Dao Court. Who knew what might happen to him if he followed the Magistrate back to the county offices? He might face even harsher elimination.

But refusing wasn’t an option either.

“Qingjin?” Zhou Ji asked, his face heavy with worry.

“You and Ning Qi, please take care of the family for me. I’ll go with the County Magistrate to Meishan.”

“Brother!?” Qingting’s face was full of confusion.

“That’s settled. Just look after Xiaohu, that’s all,” Qingjin said. The soldiers hadn’t found any trace of the Crimson Essence Fruit, the Blue Beauty Clam, or the Pale Cypress—clearly Qinghu had hidden them. Qingjin was secretly pleased with his little sister’s quick thinking.

If the Magistrate had found those items, he might never have gotten out.

The Magistrate was pleased that Qingjin was willing to come with him. Born and raised in the Dao Court, even he wasn’t certain Qingjin was linked to the deaths outside the Panshe territory, but he wasn’t about to let a suspect go.

Qingjin was truly taken out of the village. Qing Xiaohu stood silently on their small tower, watching her brother being led away. Turning to Yingyu beside her, she said, “It’s your turn now.”

“Don’t worry, Master. This is easy,” Yingyu replied with a mischievous grin.

Since Yingyu would have to intervene to rescue her brother, Qinghu agreed to Yingyu’s request and went to repair the underwater sanctuary as a new residence for her. Only through Yingyu’s words did Qinghu realize that, as the master of a sanctuary, every disciple or servant who joined would address her as Master.

Just like in the Dao Court, the grand cultivators within were all called Dao Masters, each with their own sanctuary where they could found their own lineages.

Yingyu was now her first registered disciple. There could be countless registered disciples, but only a true disciple had the authority to manage the sanctuary. Yingyu thought being a registered disciple was just a trial or a temporary status, but ever since she’d tried to probe the place and nearly lost her life, then kept trying to persuade Qinghu to rebuild the dilapidated underwater sanctuary, Qinghu had no intention of letting her have her way. If Yingyu thought she could seize the sanctuary for herself, she was dreaming!

Once her own school of fishlings grew, Qinghu would spare no effort to raise a radiant divine dragon and see who had the last laugh.

The Swordfish of Light possessed the rare dual attributes of light and sharp metal, along with a trace of dragon blood. Yet those fools in the Dao Court only described it as having unusual restorative properties for the flesh. What a laughable assessment!

As the Magistrate’s party reached the mountain pass, a dense, watery demon wind swept toward them.

Startled, the Magistrate drew his sword in alarm. “Who’s there?”

Yingyu immediately transformed her appearance into that of a girl of seven or eight.

It was a transformation, not a true change—her real body was still a fish.

“Are you the Magistrate of Meishan?” she asked directly.

“And who are you?” the Magistrate replied, alert. The sudden appearance, the thick demon wind—her true form must be at least a seventh-rank monster. Worse, there might be more powerful monsters behind her. The thought sent a chill through him.

“My Master says you’ve disturbed her.”

“Your master? Is that a he, a she, or something else?” The Magistrate felt a cold sweat but forced himself to ask.

“Who my Master is isn’t your business,” Yingyu retorted. “This Panshe territory has been chosen as her new sanctuary. She’ll be establishing a new Dao ground here. Aside from the original mortals, don’t let any other riffraff come here. Next time, you won’t even find the bodies.”

The Magistrate’s face turned ugly.

“Is this the sanctuary of a demon clan?”

“The person you’re holding isn’t human?” Yingyu rolled her eyes. “Whether human, demon, or beast, as long as they have special talents, our Master accepts them.”

“Wait, then the ink and talismans—your Master taught him? Why didn’t this boy say so earlier?” The Magistrate looked at Qingjin, dissatisfied. Qingjin remained impassive.

“Our Master forbade him to speak. How could he dare tell you anything?” Yingyu replied impatiently. “Enough, I’m taking this boy away. He’s our Master’s true disciple. From now on, you and your people are not welcome here.” With that, Yingyu whisked Qingjin away on a gust of wind, returning him to the village edge.

The Magistrate watched Qingjin and the little village with a face as dark as iron. “A disgrace to the human race—actually becoming a disciple of a monster’s Dao Master.”