Demon’s Diary - chapter 7

Chapter 7

Liu Ming couldn’t resist grasping the copper ring with one hand, only to reveal an extremely astonished expression on his face.

The copper ring was light as a feather, as if it had no weight at all.

“Is this the talismanic weapon of the Bai Family’s Young Master?” Liu Ming held the copper ring in his hand and fiddled with it carefully for a while before asking.

“Indeed. The Tiger Bite Ring is a rare top-quality talismanic weapon that is both offensive and defensive, and it’s even ranked within the top ten in the Bai Family,” Three Gu explained, looking at the copper ring and showing a hint of reluctance on his face.

“However, if you wish to activate it, I’m afraid you will first have to learn the most basic Yuan Energy control technique. As for the technique, my brother and I will teach you little by little on the way, ensuring that you can activate this ring as soon as possible,” Guan Da then said.

“I greatly appreciate the help from both seniors,” Liu Ming said with a hint of excitement and immediately slipped the copper ring onto his right wrist, feeling a trace of coolness emanating from it.

“Very well, but your current appearance is still not quite right. We need to make some changes to prevent any envoys from the sect from spotting flaws,” Guan Da nodded, then looked at Liu Ming’s face as he spoke.

“What kind of changes?” Liu Ming frowned upon hearing this.

Although he had a plain appearance, he didn’t want anyone making significant alterations to his face.

“Haha, don’t worry, young friend! We will definitely not ruin your original features; it’s just minor changes to hair color and skin that we need to make. On this matter, Three Gu is the expert. Leave it to him,” Guan Da said with a laugh, seeming to have noticed the youth’s concern and offered a comforting explanation.

“If that’s the case, then it’s no problem. Elder Gu, I’ll trouble you with this,” Liu Ming relaxed inwardly and agreed.

“Heh heh, it’s a small matter. Before I became a Qi Refiner, I was once known as the ‘Master of Disguises,’” Three Gu replied with a chuckle.

Following that, he turned around and pulled out various bottles and jars, along with several exceptionally sharp scissors and knives from a large bag, and then waved at the young man.

After hesitating for a moment, Liu Ming stood up and walked over.

Half an hour later, a bright and shiny bronze mirror was placed before Liu Ming, reflecting his face with crystal-clear clarity.

“The eyebrows are lighter than before, the sideburns, which were uneven, have been neatly trimmed, and there’s a silver headband on the forehead now, adding an air of scholarly elegance. But the biggest change is…”

Liu Ming raised both hands, his originally healthy-looking palms had become abnormally pale, emanating an air of pampered nobility.

“Take this bottle of skin wash with you, and apply it all over your body every night. I will prepare a few more bottles for you on the way, so by the time we are approaching the Barbarian Ghost Sect, your skin color should be set for a while. If the color gradually fades back later, no one will notice. Although it’s been years since I’ve used the art of disguise, it seems my skills have not diminished too much,” Three Gu said, holding the mirror in one hand and looking quite pleased with himself.

Guan Da sized up the young man from top to bottom, also showing a satisfied expression.

Now, Liu Ming resembled the Bai Family’s Young Master even more. Unless it was someone well acquainted with the Young Master, they probably wouldn’t notice anything amiss.

Although Liu Ming had never seen what the Bai Family’s Young Master looked like, seeing the satisfied expressions of Guan Da and the other man, he knew his disguise must have been successful, letting out a slight sigh of relief.

Now that he was tied to these two men, if he couldn’t bluff his way through, he feared his life would be in danger.

“Haha, from now on, you are our Young Master. Be sure not to call us seniors; just address us as ‘Guan Da’ and ‘Gu Three’ to avoid giving yourself away,” Guan Da solemnly said.

“Understood,” Liu Ming pondered for a moment, then responded gravely.

…

The next day, a light yellow boat flowed downstream along the river, speeding toward the lower reaches.

On the boat, Three Gu steered with both hands while occasionally glancing into the cabin.

There, Liu Ming sat cross-legged, forming hand gestures under the guidance of Guan Da.

On a low table in front of him, the Tiger Bite Ring lay silently.

Suddenly, Liu Ming let out a low shout, lifted his arm, and pointed a finger toward the copper ring.

With a “puff” sound.

The ring merely trembled slightly on the table, then remained motionless.

Seeing this, Liu Ming’s eyebrows furrowed.

“Not bad, within such a short time, you’ve already made your Yuan Energy resonate with the Tiger Bite Ring. It seems you have quite the talent for controlling talismanic weapons,” the middle-aged man beside him said, clapping his hands in satisfaction.

“Didn’t you say I have only two months to learn this technique?” Liu Ming asked slowly.

“Young Master may not know, the Tiger Bite Ring, being a superior talisman, is not so easy to control. As far as I know, the Bai Family should have a set of secret techniques specifically for manipulating the Yuan Energy of this talisman. Right now we are just using ordinary control techniques, naturally, the effect is quite a bit worse. However, with your talent, two months’ time should be enough to get a preliminary grasp of this talisman,” Guan Da explained.

“Since ‘Guan Da’ says it’s alright, then it must be true. But after getting a handle on the Tiger Bite Ring, I’ll also need to learn those offensive and defensive techniques, which I’m afraid will also take quite some time,” Liu Ming blinked and then responded.

“Young Master need not worry about this matter. As long as you can master the control over Yuan Energy and establish a certain degree of connection with the talisman, executing other techniques is simply a matter of practice, and you’ll get it in no time,” Guan Da replied without hesitation.

“I see, then I’ll devote myself to practicing the control of Yuan Energy in the coming days. By the way, what exactly is the Barbarian Ghost Sect, Guan Da? You should know something about it,” Liu Ming nodded, then suddenly brought up another matter.

“Young Master wanting to know about the Barbarian Ghost Sect is a bit difficult. Although the sect ranks low among the major sects of the Great Xuan Kingdom, in terms of mystery, it is undoubtedly at the very top, with not much hearsay spread about it,” Guan Da said, a look of difficulty crossing his face.

“Oh? Why is that?” The youth was somewhat surprised.

“Because the Barbarian Ghost Sect is a sect renowned for commanding ghostly beings. It’s said that their mountain gate is built in a place unbearable for ordinary people, constantly shrouded in yin energy, and the Spirit Acolytes and Spirit Masters who practice the sect’s techniques possess the ability to sense the energy of the netherworld and can summon and subdue corresponding ghosts to contend with enemies. However, for this reason, not many children from other noble families choose this sect for the Spirit Opening Ceremony, should they have the conditions, most opt for the other major sects. Of course, this is all relative. As for other related information, that’s all I really know,” Guan Da pondered for a moment before replying.

“Commanding ghosts, it does sound very unorthodox. But other than the Barbarian Ghost Sect, what are the other major sects in the Great Xuan Kingdom like…” after muttering to himself for a bit, Liu Ming curiously asked.

“I’m more familiar with the other sects. Apart from the Barbarian Ghost Sect, the Great Xuan Kingdom also has the Heavenly Moon Sect, Blood River Hall, Nine Apertures Mountain, and Wind and Fire Sect among the four major sects,” detailed Guan Da one by one.

“Oh? And what kind of spells are these sects proficient in?” Liu Ming looked very interested.

“The Heavenly Moon Sect specializes in flying swords. It’s said their disciples can wield flying swords to directly slay powerful enemies from dozens of feet away, while the Blood River Hall is…”

Guan Da had no intention of concealing these sect matters and proceeded to explain in detail to the youth.

…

Half a month later, a black carriage pulled by four strong horses was speeding along a dirt road covered in yellow soil.

At the coachman’s seat in front of the carriage, Three Gu sat motionless, his expression calm.

Inside the carriage, Liu Ming still sat cross-legged, eyes tightly shut, hands naturally apart and placed on his knees, breathing lightly and rhythmically.

The copper ring around his wrist flickered subtly with the youth’s breathing.

As if the two were remotely echoing each other.

Guan Da sat in another corner of the carriage, watching the scene before him and nodded slightly.

To be honest, in his eyes the youth’s aptitude was at best medium, but the diligence shown in practicing Yuan Energy control during the journey had taken him aback.

Liu Ming, besides the necessary sleep, was almost always stimulating the Yuan Energy in his body, sensing that slight connection with the Tiger Bite Ring.

Even while eating and speaking, one could faintly see a pale yellow light flashing around the copper ring on his wrist.

You should know, this kind of cultivation is extremely monotonous and requires great concentration.

Normally, even the most determined Qi Cultivators could only keep up this kind of practice for several hours a day, any longer and their concentration would inevitably fail due to fatigue, rendering the effort useless.

Out of curiosity, both of them asked Liu Ming how he managed to do this.

The youth casually replied that he was naturally capable of ‘multitasking’, leaving them speechless.

They finally understood why Liu Ming was able to cultivate such notable Yuan Energy at a young age without the guidance of a renowned mentor.

…

Over a month later, on top of a small mound about ten feet high, Guan Da and Three Gu were both intently watching the front.

In front of them, several feet away, Liu Ming was sitting with his eyes closed, circulating his energy, his arm with the Tiger Bite Ring raised high.

Suddenly, his eyes shot open, his wrist gave a slight tremble, and the words “Yuan Shield” fell from his lips.

In an instant, a humming sound emanated from the copper ring on his wrist, and after a flash of yellow light, a small, round shield about a foot in diameter emerged and clung close to his arm.

This shield was mottled with yellow, clearly made entirely from condensed Yuan Energy.

“Finally, success! Although it’s just the simplest Yuan Energy defense technique, it’s enough to show that you have preliminarily mastered the Tiger Bite Ring, a superior talisman. I thought it would take the Young Master two months to reach this point, not expecting it to be done in so short a time,” Guan Da let out a long breath, his face still showing a hint of surprise.

“I owe it to both of your careful teachings along the way. Now that I have this talisman to protect myself, I am somewhat more confident about participating in the Spirit Opening Ceremony,” said Liu Ming with a smile, giving his arm another shake, the round light shield dispersing into nothingness.

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“Young Master, now that you have initially mastered controlling Yuan Energy, it’s time to learn some other life-saving techniques using talismanic artifacts. However, if you wish to become proficient in them quickly, it’s better not to be greedy for more. I suggest you only learn two or three to begin with, since we are all studying the most common incantations. Once you’ve entered the higher ranks, you will definitely be able to choose from better methods to activate talismanic artifacts,” Guan Da suggested.

“Fine, besides one offensive technique, the other two should prioritize saving my life. Let’s go with the Yuan Barrier Technique and the Light Body Technique,” Liu Ming said, having clearly thought this through and without hesitation.

“Okay. For offensive techniques, there’s no need to choose, because the attack of each style of talismanic artifact is almost fixed. It’s just about concentrating the Yuan Energy within the body and then releasing it through the artifact. My fist-type talismanic artifact, for example, unleashes attacks in the form of Yuan Energy spheres. Three Gu’s blade-type talismanic artifacts create attacks like beams and flashes condensed from Yuan Energy. As for your Tiger Bite Ring, it’s a rather rare type I haven’t personally witnessed. But its power should definitely be substantial. Later on, I will explain several incantations to you, and you can study them at your leisure. If there’s anything unclear, we can always explain a thing or two,” Guan Da explained a couple of things.

“When fighting others, regardless of which technique you wish to use with your talismanic artifact during combat, you must calculate the number of times you can sustain its use. We Qi Practitioners can’t compare with those true Spirit Apprentices and Spirit Masters. Our internal Yuan Energy is very limited, and each use of a talismanic artifact is a significant expenditure. Especially for a beginner Qi Practitioner like you, Young Master, I’m afraid that after three or four uses of a talismanic artifact in combat, your Yuan Energy will be completely drained. And a Qi Practitioner without Yuan Energy is only slightly stronger than an ordinary person. Young Master must remember this well!” Three Gu also reminded with a cautionary tone.

“In that case, us Qi Practitioners don’t need a second talismanic artifact, and it’s not that the more we have, the better,” Liu Ming remarked, somewhat surprised.

“Generally speaking, that’s true. Because low and mid-level Qi Practitioners have limited Yuan Energy, even if they have more talismanic artifacts, it’s not of much use. However, it’s different for those high-level and top-level Qi Practitioners. With their profound Yuan Energy, if they have several different types of talismanic artifacts, they can naturally use them flexibly and adopt multiple techniques to overcome their enemies during combat. But no matter which technique they wish to employ, they can only activate one talismanic artifact at a time. I heard that those higher-ups, the Spirit Apprentices and Spirit Masters, seem to have ways to break this limit. But the specifics are beyond the knowledge of ordinary Qi Practitioners like me and Gu Three,” Guan Da said gravely.

“Thanks to both of you for the guidance. I’ve come to understand some things and will definitely pay attention to these aspects in the future,” Liu Ming said with a bow, his expression solemn.

…

Two months later, along the rugged mountain path that scaled the pitch-black mountain, Liu Ming and his two companions were making their way upwards step by step.

The mountain path was extremely perilous, with deep, bottomless cliffs on both sides, and so narrow that only one person could pass at a time. Furthermore, the stone steps, neglected and untrodden for years, were covered with blackish-green moss, making them slippery and treacherous.

Had the three not been Qi Practitioners, extraordinarily agile and surpassing others, they might have fallen countless times into the abyss below, their fate unknown.

Even so, Guan Da and Three Gu proceeded with extreme caution, sweating profusely before long.

The young man walking between them, on the other hand, remained calm from start to finish, seemingly oblivious to the dangers at hand.

Guan Da and Three Gu couldn’t help but secretly admire his courage in the face of such a surprising situation.

For Liu Ming, these dangers were nothing compared to the numerous life-and-death situations he’d faced on the savage island many years ago.

After about two hours, the trio finally reached the summit of the mountain.

To their surprise, after a careful look around, they were left somewhat dumbfounded.

While the mountaintop held a flat area several acres in size, it was empty, with no sign of any people.

“Guan Da, are you sure we didn’t find the wrong place? Is this the designated rendezvous point specified by the higher ranks?” Liu Ming asked, frowning.

“Young Master, something this important, how could I possibly remember the wrong place? Maybe the envoy hasn’t arrived yet,” Guan Da replied, wiping the sweat from his forehead and smiling bitterly.

“How much time is left until the deadline set by the higher ranks?” Liu Ming pondered for a moment and then asked.

“There are still two days,” Three Gu chimed in this time.

“Since we still have time, let’s wait here and see,” Liu Ming said, having scanned the mountaintop and made up his mind.

At this moment, he had clearly and thoroughly stepped into the role of the Bai Family’s Young Master.

Guan Da and Three Gu naturally agreed without any objection.

Consequently, the group found a clean rock and sat down to rest and meditate.

Time trickled by, and before long, the sun hung high in the sky, reaching noontime.

Just then, footsteps suddenly echoed from another direction at the mountaintop, and the meditating Liu Ming and his colleagues were instantly alert, hurrying to look in that direction.

They saw at the other mountain path leading to the summit, figures flashed as five people arrived.

Two robust men, an old man, a middle-aged woman, and the purple-dressed young girl escorted by them.

The two burly men were fierce-looking, dressed in brocade and carrying swords at their waists.

The elderly man was dressed in a cyan robe, his visage lean, with slightly squinted eyes, and a goatee beard on his chin.

The woman had an ordinary appearance, but her skin was somewhat fairer than that of the average person, dressed in the attire of a green-clad maid.

As for the purple-clad young girl, she seemed to be only eleven or twelve years old, exceedingly cute, with a face like a delicately carved piece of jade, bearing a pair of large, black eyes that revealed a hint of mischief and spirit when they moved.

These five people were startled when they saw others already on the mountaintop, but after carefully observing Liu Ming and the other two for a moment, the elderly man indifferently murmured a few words.

Subsequently, the four escorted the young girl to the other side of the mountaintop and likewise chose a few rocks to sit and rest upon, seemingly positioned opposite Liu Ming and his companions in a distant manner.

Observing this scene, Liu Ming felt a trace of confusion and could not help but turn his head, looking inquiringly at Guan Da and the others.

“Young Master need not worry, they are not from the Barbarian Ghost Sect. It appears they are scions of other noble families here to await the emissary. Hehe, it seems we did not come to the wrong place,” Guan Da said with a low chuckle.

“I see, so there should be others arriving,” Liu Ming revealed a pensive expression.

“That’s hard to say; it depends on which noble families are in the nearby areas and if they are willing to part with corresponding resources to purchase a spot for the spirit opening ceremony,” Guan Da replied.

Liu Ming nodded, not asking further, and closed his eyes once more to meditate.

At this moment, though he seemed to be resting, the Yuan Energy within his body was circulating non-stop according to a special pattern, causing the tiger bite bracelet on his wrist to flicker intermittently.

Fortunately, all of this was covered by the long sleeves of his robe, and was imperceptible to outsiders.

However, not long after, a brocade-robed man with a slightly yellow complexion stood up and directly approached the area where Liu Ming and his two companions were.

Upon seeing this, Guan Da and Three Gu’s gazes flashed as they watched the newcomer with a hint of wariness.

Liu Ming also opened his eyes, aware of the presence.

“I am Tie Yun, a guest elder from the Mu Family of Guangling City, and I bring greetings from my young Miss Mu Mingzhu. May I know who the three of you are?” the man in brocade did not approach too closely, stopping about seven or eight Zhang away and politely asked with his hands clasped.

“So it’s the renown Mu Family. I am Guan Da, a guest elder of the Bai Family from Yumu City, and this is our Young Master Bai Congtian,” Guan Da responded with a solemn expression, quickly standing to return the greeting.

“So it’s the Bai Family’s young master; this is indeed fortuitous. Our two families share a considerable rapport. Would your young master like to join us for a while?” The brocade-robed man was initially taken aback but then his face broke into a smile as he quickly responded.

“Ah, my lord is feeling slightly unwell, so we won’t disturb Miss Mingzhu,” Guan Da hesitated for a moment before politely declining.

“Oh, that is a pity. Then after the envoy arrives, our Miss can have a chat with young master Bai,” the man in brocade seemed surprised, and after giving Liu Ming a deep look, did not press the issue any further and, after clasping his fist, turned around and walked away.

“How prominent is the Mu Family from Guangling City; are they famous?” Liu Ming asked once the man in brocade had left.

“Famous? The Bai Family is truly one of the top qi-refining noble families of the Daxuan Kingdom. The Mu Family might seem similar in stature to the Bai Family but in truth, their heritage is vastly different. It’s estimated that it would take three or four Bai Families to match up to the Mu Family. They say there are as many as four spirit disciples under the Mu Family who have pledged allegiance to other high-standing households,” Three Gu explained with an air of reservation.

“I see. But what about the good relations he spoke of? Could they have noticed something amiss?” Liu Ming continued to inquire.

“That shouldn’t be the case. During the time of the previous family head, the Bai Family indeed had some dealings with the Mu Family. But after the current Family Head took over, the reasons unknown, there has been little interaction between the two families. People from the Mu Family may have heard of you, but they most certainly have not met you in person,” Guan Da replied with certainty.

Three Gu also nodded repeatedly.

Seeing their reactions, Liu Ming’s worries naturally subsided.

Meanwhile, on the opposite side among the Mu Family group, the purple-clad young girl named Mu Mingzhu, after hearing the brocade-clad man’s report, showed a look of astonishment on her face.

“Uncle Tie, they are actually from the Bai Family. That’s quite a coincidence! I think I have heard my father mention the name Bai Congtian once, but I don’t have much of an impression. Third Uncle, do you know of this Bai Family young master?” The girl turned her pretty face toward the lean old man beside her and asked.

“Bai Congtian. Hmm, the Bai Family does indeed have such a young master. He is said to be the illegitimate son of the Bai Family head, later taken in under a guise of a foster son,” the lean elder replied with a slight smile upon hearing the question.

He revealed one of the Bai Family head’s closely guarded secrets as if it was common knowledge.

“Hmph, back then the head of the Bai Family did wrong by my aunt, and now to commit such actions is not too surprising. But it seems he truly values this illegitimate son, having managed to persuade the senior elders to send him to participate in this spirit opening ceremony,” the girl scoffed with a hint of disdain.