"After I escaped, the next day the Wuchang ship gang released news saying that I killed Li Yude. The Wuhan police station also issued a wanted notice, not only accusing me of murder but also embezzling public funds and stealing national treasures. These past few days, I have been hiding here and there, quite embarrassed. Thinking that Mingya should be back from Mount Wudang today, he would surely go to Wuhan Port to look for them. But I was afraid of being captured by the Wuchang ship gang or the police station, so I secretly waited at the dock. When I saw Mingya, he couldn't show up, so he asked a child to pass us a note to meet here." After Hu Si finished recounting his experiences over the past two days, the wound on his chest seemed even more painful, and he panted heavily.
After hearing this, Tang Jiongming and the other three were deeply moved.
Xuan Zhen said, "The most urgent matter now is not how to evade the pursuit of the Wuchang ship gang and the police station. But rather, the palm strike that Elder Hu received has a name, called 'Seven Stars Fetch Death Charm.' It is less a martial arts technique and more like a Daoist charm. Presumably, that Chen Dairen is also a Daoist practitioner with considerable research on the charms of Mount Maoshan."
"This 'Seven Stars Fetch Death Charm,' if struck on a person, will trigger the reaction of the three-corpse worms inside the body, accelerating blood circulation and destroying the circulatory system. If not resolved within thirty-six hours, all blood vessels in the body will burst and death will follow. Today is already the last day; if the charm is not resolved soon, even the gods may be powerless."
After hearing Xuan Zhen's words, the three became anxious and quickly asked how it could be resolved.
Xuan Zhen instructed, "On Shuangfeng Mountain outside the Dong Gate of Wuchang, there is a 'Changchun Temple.' I am slightly friendly with the abbot there. We will stay there tonight. The two young ones should go buy some things, and must arrive at Changchun Temple before nightfall."
Tang Jiongming hurriedly asked, "What does the Taoist want us to buy? I'll go buy it right away."
Xuan Zhen said, "A large vat, the bigger the better. Then go to the pharmacy to buy four taels of Chenzhou Vermilion, two taels each of Sanqi, Bai Zhu, Ru Xiang, Huang Qi, Mo Yao, Yan Hu Suo. Also, one rooster and two jin of yellow wine."
"Alright!" Tang Jiongming responded, pulling Liu AShui out.
"He said, elder brother, he hasn't eaten his bean curd skin yet! Hey!... Wait... Let him take two more bites!" Liu AShui called out.
Tang Jiongming and Liu AShui spent the entire afternoon on the streets, buying everything Xuan Zhen had instructed. By dusk, they had hired a carriage, placing the water vat and other items high up, and set off after confirming the location of the 'Changchun Temple' on Shuangfeng Mountain.
Upon arriving at 'Changchun Temple,' several young Daoists were already waiting at the entrance led by Xuan Zhen. Everyone helped carry the items from the cart into the temple. Xuan Zhen guided Tang Jiongming, Liu AShui, and a few other Daoists to build a makeshift large stove in the courtyard using bricks, placing the large vat on top. They filled the vat with clear water and started a fire to boil the water.
After completing these tasks, Tang Jiongming asked Xuan Zhen, "Master, where is our Elder Hu? Why haven't we seen him?"
"Oh! He is currently in one of the side rooms inside the temple. The abbot Shi Daoist of 'Changchun Temple' is giving him acupuncture to block the veins used by the 'three-corpse worms.'"
After about a few hours, Hu Si walked into the courtyard accompanied by an old Daoist. This old Daoist was no taller than 1.6 meters, with white hair and beard reaching down to his chest, likely over eighty years old. He wore a black Daoist robe and ten-direction shoes, exuding a sage-like demeanor, truly resembling an immortal beyond the mundane world. He must be the abbot Shi Daoist of 'Changchun Temple' mentioned by Xuan Zhen.
Shi Daoist, upon seeing Tang Jiongming and Liu AShui, seemed as if he already knew them. Smiling, he approached them and greeted, "Boundless longevity Buddha, greetings to the two young benefactors!" Then turning around, he laughed to Xuan Zhen, "Xuan Zhen, these two are far superior to you when you were young. Truly remarkable bone features, indeed young heroes. Good, good."
Tang Jiongming and Liu AShui recognized this as the abbot Shi Daoist of 'Changchun Temple' and quickly bowed respectfully, delighting Shi Daoist greatly.
At this moment, the water boiled. Xuan Zhen poured all the herbs such as Sanqi and Bai Zhu into the water. About half an hour later, after the herbal aroma was extracted, he instructed Tang Jiongming and others to extinguish the fire under the vat. He then asked Shi Daoist for some incense candles, lit them, and placed them in front of the southern side of the water vat. He dissolved some vermilion in water, took out three sheets of yellow paper, and used a brush dipped in vermilion to draw three talismans on the yellow paper.
After all preparations were complete, he instructed Hu Si to remove his clothes and sit in the vat. Xuan Zhen, with both hands forming seals, stepped in the 'Big Dipper Seven Stars Gang' steps, corresponding to the number of the Big Dipper Seven Stars. He recited, "Mysterious essence of the dipper, twelve hours, riding the Heavenly Gang, mighty array displayed, energy flowing like clouds. Seven stars move, responding to heaven above, knowing changes, fortune or misfortune. Entering the dipper constellation, passing through the heavenly gate, stepping six laws, holding Jia Yi. Treading Tian Ying, ascending Tian Ren, cold spring depths, can sink or float. Leaning on the heavenly pillar, embracing the heavenly heart, henceforth crossing, ascending Tian Qin. Passing Tian Fu, looking at Tian Chong, entering Tian Rui, exiting Tian Feng. The way of the dipper connects, yin and yang harmonized, adding blessings and fortune, leaving legacy for future generations. Entering the profound darkness, thousands of years endure. Following one yang step closely, vast spirit removes hundreds of demons, entering the dipper mouth, ten thousand evils avoided. Urgently obey the command."
Suddenly, he changed his steps to the 'Earth Breaking Summon Thunder Gang' steps. Since the three-corpse worms belong to yin qi, this step dispels yin qi and releases yang qi, causing thunder to suppress the three-corpse worms. He then placed the three previously drawn talismans on the water surface, chanting secret spells. Suddenly, he shouted loudly, "Bang!" A sound of thunder echoed in the sky, and the three talisman papers actually ignited on the water, burning out shortly.
"Done! Help Elder Hu out!" Xuan Zhen, after performing this ritual, was quite exhausted and softly said to Tang Jiongming and the others.
"Master, is it done?" Tang Jiongming asked.
"Hmm! What else does she want?" Xuan Zhen replied weakly.
Liu AShui helped Hu Si up and asked, "Then what do we need the rooster and yellow wine for?"
"You little brats, the old Daoist injured his muscles and bones saving their boss. Shouldn't you buy a chicken and some wine to reward my five internal organs?" Xuan Zhen then said sternly.
"They..." Tang Jiongming and Liu AShui looked at each other, speechless.
Damn, this old Daoist is too crafty!
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