One should never cling to hope, for it can sometimes lead to one's downfall.
"Master, what benefit do we get for coming all this way to slay zombies?"
It was obvious from the outset that this task came without monetary reward, and the three of them—master and two apprentices—might just be wasting their time.
"What do you know?"
Uncle Ninth glared at the incessant Qiusheng, feeling like slapping the brat.
"It's just that..."
"Master."
Xu Yan blinked his eyes curiously, and Qiusheng couldn't help but grin mischievously at Uncle Ninth, as if saying, "See, master? It's not just me who thinks so. My junior brother is curious too."
"..."
With both apprentices united in their curiosity, what could Uncle Ninth say? He sighed and explained, "I didn't want to tell you too soon, but since it's been brought up, I'll share it with you."
"As Maoshan Taoist, we can accept payment for our services, but we mustn't deliberately use our Taoist magic to solicit money."
"We know, master. You said it would harm our Yin De (spiritual merit)."
Qiusheng wore a skeptical expression, while Xu Yan was slightly surprised.
Yin De? Is it related to Gong De (meritorious virtue)?
Taoists also need to eat and live, so it's normal to accept payment for their services, but they shouldn't go overboard. But what about when there's no payment?
It seemed that most Taoists would still lend a helping hand, essentially for free. Was it all about Yin De?
Accumulating Yin De was related to the well-being of one's descendants and one's rebirth in the next life. However, not many people believed in this, even among Taoists. Otherwise, there wouldn't be so many third-rate sorcerers around.
"Master, why does Yin De sound similar to the Gong De in myths? But why are some Taoists labeled as third-rate sorcerers even if they don't do bad things?"
"Gong De?!"
Uncle Ninth was taken aback, not expecting Xu Yan to associate Yin De with Gong De. After a moment's pause, he said vaguely, "You can understand it that way, but it's too complicated to calculate. You know I'm a specially licensed soul mediator. Don't ask more; it's not good for you."
"As for sorcerers, they are inherently third-rate individuals! They either raise ghosts to harm others or are incompetent in their studies, harming others and eventually themselves, facing heavenly punishment!!"
With that, Uncle Ninth sighed.
It seemed that those inferior Taoists and those who practice deviant arts were all lumped together into the sorcerer category. Xu Yan had been an apprentice for too short a time and still had much to learn.
"Don't ask. I know you want to know."
Before Xu Yan could speak, Uncle Ninth looked at him and said, "You three brats are sorcerers now! Incompetent and full of pretense."
"Cough, cough!!"
Xu Yan was nearly choked by his saliva, while Qiusheng's face darkened.
Master, we're orthodox! How could we be sorcerers?
After a moment's thought, Xu Yan asked, "Master, how do we distinguish the levels of Taoists?"
"Inferior sorcerers, Earth Masters, Human Masters, and Heavenly Masters! It requires not only your own strength but also recognition from the Underworld. I'll tell you more later. Let's keep moving."
Incompetent ones were called sorcerers, mostly fake practitioners. Capturing ghosts could turn into being captured by ghosts. Reaching the level of Earth Master already qualified one as a competent practitioner.
An Earth Master had learned many Taoist arts and could subdue many demons and monsters. The next level was Human Master, where Uncle Ninth currently standed. Among his many disciples, only his eldest brother Shi Jian and Uncle Ninth had reached this level.
As for the even higher level of Heavenly Master, it's elusive and difficult to attain.
Did advancing in levels require not only one's own strength but also recognition from the Underworld?
Xu Yan looked at Uncle Ninth's back and thought, inferior sorcerers...
Thinking about his own level, Xu Yan was speechless.
Work hard!!
I must get rid of this inferior label as soon as possible.
As night fell, the three finally arrived at their destination, exhausted from the long journey. To prevent the zombies from continuing to harm people and cause devastation in the small mountain town, Uncle Ninth had to hurry.
"Something's wrong!!"
Uncle Ninth, who was running ahead, stopped and raised his hand to signal caution to Xu Yan and Qiusheng. "Give me the torch!!"
Qiusheng handed the torch to Uncle Ninth, who used it to push aside the bushes by the roadside. Xu Yan and Qiusheng gasped in horror. Two corpses, their bodies turning from white to black, especially their mouths and fingers, indicated that they were about to undergo zombie transformation.
There were two blood holes on the necks of the corpses, and all their blood had been sucked by zombies.
From their clothes, scattered money, and cosmetics, it was easy to deduce their identities—traveling merchants who had unfortunately encountered zombies on the road.
"Alas, let's burn them."
Uncle Ninth handed the torch to Xu Yan, who stepped forward. "I apologize to both of you."
He took out a peach wood sword and stabbed each of them in the chest, then threw out a Fire-Inducing Talisman.
"Boom!!"
The Fire-Inducing Talisman burst into flames, and the two corpses ignited as if doused with gasoline.
Ideally, the corpses should be moved to a place with firewood for burning, but time was pressing, so they had to use the Fire-Inducing Talisman.
Impressive!!
The Fire-Inducing Talismans he made could barely burn paper after chanting spells several times. Look at Xu Yan; he just threw it and it was done.
"What are you staring at? Don't you need pocket money?"
Seeing Qiusheng starin at him enviously and incessantly, Xu Yan was speechless. There was so much money on the ground; why weren't you picking it up?
"Can we take dead people's money?"
Qiusheng widened his eyes, and Uncle Ninth's face darkened. What kind of disciples had he taught? It seemed they hadn't remembered any of his teachings.
Xu Yan rolled his eyes. "I'm not asking you to dig graves. Why not take it? Collect it. Ninety percent goes to the public, and the rest can be used to buy some joss paper to burn for them. The excess is yours."
"That sounds good."
Qiusheng glanced at Uncle Ninth and, seeing no objection, happily knelt down to pick up the money.
Even after ninety percent was confiscated, there would still be plenty left after burning the joss paper. His pocket money was secured.
"Let's go."
As the corpses burned, Uncle Ninth led the two away quickly. They needed to find the harmful zombies and eliminate the source as soon as possible. "I hope the zombies haven't entered the town yet."
Uncle Ninth looked worried.
What would happen if a group of zombies ran into the town? It was terrifying to imagine. Zombies weren't like wild animals that scatter after eating; they bite anyone they see, and one slip could lead to a chaos of zombies dancing!
"Split up!!"
Soon, the three came to a crossroads. After inspecting, Uncle Ninth found strong Yin energy on both paths, a sign left by the zombies.
This book comes from：m.funovel.com。