Jing Xingzhi’s Daily Life in Ancient Times

Liu Fang looked up in horror, only to find Jing Xingzhi holding his sword, a mischievous glint in his eyes.

Breathing a sigh of relief, Liu Fang patted his chest and exclaimed, “Why are you trying to scare me?”

“I didn’t think you’d be frightened by this. It’s been ages since I crafted a coin sword. I’m just checking if my skills are rusty.” Jing Xingzhi smiled, setting down the coin sword.

This incident made Liu Fang truly grasp the distinctions within Jing Xingzhi’s profession.

Pondering, Liu Fang realized Jing Xingzhi was actually a Feng Shui Master. Despite their seven-plus years of friendship—from college to post-graduation—this facet of Jing Xingzhi remained unknown.

With his still-racing heart, Liu Fang questioned a bit dejectedly, “I never knew about this. After all these years, why keep it a secret?”

“When I started university, I found it cumbersome, so I chose to keep it under wraps. Later on, with a more relaxed family situation, I focused solely on cultivation and never had to showcase my skills. Revealing them would only complicate things in our ordinary lives,” explained Jing Xingzhi.

Recalling his grandfather’s words about the responsibility that came with strength, Jing Xingzhi acknowledged the need to maintain peace and comfort, not to flaunt one’s capabilities.

Turning to Liu Fang with sincerity, Jing Xingzhi said, “Liu Fang, I didn’t mean to hide it from you. Besides my grandpa, you’re the one closest to my heart.”

Liu Fang felt a tickle in his heart but suppressed it, responding, “I believe you. It’s just surprising, like discovering another side of you.”

Jing Xingzhi assured, “I’ll still be the same person you knew, just living a bit longer. When I finish my work, I’ll teach you my family’s Qi trainings.”

Regarding the exclusivity of his family’s qi-cultivation skills, Jing Xingzhi explained, “There are exceptions for you and me; I’ll teach you after my work is done.”

Liu Fang, touched by Jing Xingzhi’s sacrifice, inquired about Qi trainings, comparing it to Tai Chi.

“Similar, but the authentic Tai Chi skills aren’t widely taught. What you see in the park is mostly imitation. It’s good for exercise, though,” Jing Xingzhi chuckled, recalling the practice of Tai Chi.

While conversing, Jing Xingzhi grounded the cinnabar.

“I’m going to clean my hands first, and don’t make any noise while I draw the talisman later,” Jing Xingzhi instructed, turning around to wash his hands. After drying them with a cloth, he returned to stand in front of the table.

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Liu Fang observed Jing Xingzhi’s movements, breathing softly to avoid disturbing him.

Jing Xingzhi deftly produced three pieces of yellow talisman paper with one hand, lips moving as if reciting something. His hand shook vigorously three times, and three pieces of yellow talisman paper descended from thin air, neatly arranged on the table.

In awe, Liu Fang watched as the talisman papers rested on the table without Jing Xingzhi’s hands ever touching them. It was truly astonishing, transforming Jing Xingzhi’s aura into something mysterious.

Immersed in the task, Jing Xingzhi focused on painting the talisman. He dipped the brush in cinnabar liquid, angrily lowered his head, wrist down, and began writing.

His strokes were swift, the runes both simple and intricate, executed with precision. However, as the pen reached the bottom of the yellow talisman paper, the last stroke turned the first talisman into ashes.

Failed.

Jing Xingzhi exhaled, rubbed his brows, and admitted, “It’s been a while since I drew this kind of psychic talisman. It’s a bit challenging to do it in one go.”

Liu Fang, glancing at the ashes on the table, expressed concern: “What should we do then? Take a break and try again slowly.”

“No, let’s continue painting. I’ll only be home for two days, and I can resolve this cause and effect while my soul is still intact.”

In accordance with Liu Fang’s understanding, the day Fang Ge’er dead, seven days had not yet passed.

The commotion in the yard earlier was not Jing Xingzhi teasing Liu Fang. Jing Xingzhi had actually recited half of the soul-inducing spell at that time, stirring up residual vitality and soul breath left by Feng Ge’er in the past. If Liu Fang had been in the bedroom, where most people were, he would have experienced a ghostly presence.

To avoid alarming Liu Fang, Jing Xingzhi had playfully smiled, redirecting Liu Fang’s attention elsewhere.

Clearing away the ashes from the failed first talisman, Jing Xingzhi commenced drawing the second one.

Sutras and mantras flowed onto the talisman paper, merging with the cultivator’s true energy, channeling spiritual energy, transforming the talisman paper into a potent charm.

While many could attempt talisman-making, the success rate for entry-level cultivation talismans was notably low. Jing Xingzhi, having delved into advanced practices, dared to experiment with talisman drawing when his Qi reserves were limited.

Midway through the second talisman, a thin layer of sweat broke out on Jing Xingzhi’s forehead.

Feeling his physical strength waning, Jing Xingzhi sensed his true energy permeating the talisman.

Slowly, they reached the last corner.

Jing Xingzhi, seemingly weightless, expended every ounce of energy, pouring it into the talisman with meticulous movements.

A soft “puff” resonated in the quiet main room.

Liu Fang squinted as a layer of white light appeared on the table, dazzlingly close.

Wiping sweat from his forehead, Jing Xingzhi remarked, “I forgot to remind you again; the light can be a bit bright. Is it okay?”

As Jing Xingzhi spoke, a hint of pride colored his tone, unbeknownst to him.

Liu Fang, responding nonchalantly, wiped Jing Xingzhi’s forehead with a handkerchief twice. “I’m fine. You’re quite powerful. The light was there just now.”

Although Liu Fang spoke casually, holding the handkerchief, his heart raced.

The artwork was truly impressive.

He enjoyed strange symbols.

After a brief moment lost in thought, Liu Fang innocently asked Jing Xingzhi, “What kind of talisman is this?”

“It’s a psychic talisman, also known as a spiritual talisman, attracting the spiritual energy of heaven and earth. It may have other names. It’s like a phone, a medium for communication,” explained Jing Xingzhi, holding the talisman and coin sword.

“The talisman is ready. Let’s go to the backyard to do something. Bring paper money and a fire starter.”

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In the backyard, Liu Fang, following Jing Xingzhi’s instructions, created three piles of paper money and ignited them.

As the paper money burned, Liu Fang retreated to the doorway leading to the backyard, arms tightly crossed.

Jing Xingzhi turned around, asking, “Are you afraid? If you are, just close the door, stay in the main room, and wait for me.”

Although shaken by the question, Liu Fang firmly shook his head. “I think I won’t be afraid anymore.”

Despite his fear, Liu Fang was more concerned about Jing Xingzhi’s safety. Having grown up under with no knowledge and unfamiliar with such practices, he deemed them potentially dangerous. Moreover, Jing Xingzhi stated he was seeking Fang Ge’er, and Liu Fang had taken over the shuanger’s body. Worried about potential dangers, Liu Fang believed his presence could be more helpful than Jing Xingzhi alone.

Acknowledging Liu Fang’s decision, Jing Xingzhi accepted that he would stay. “As long as I’m here, nothing will happen.”

Turning his attention, Jing Xingzhi held the coin sword in his right hand and the psychic talisman in his left. Stepping on the seven-star palace underfoot, he moved his body mysteriously.

Jing Xingzhi steadily moved his wrist, extending his right hand to tap the coin sword made of red thread on the flames of the three piles of paper money.

Concerned about disturbing his neighbors, Jing Xingzhi lowered his voice and softly exclaimed, “The sky is round and the earth is bright, the sun and the moon are divine lights, the Tao is mysterious, and the Dharma has returned to me!”

His face solemn, eyes brighter than before, and tone hushed, he continued, “Today, a man over twenty-five years old, unfortunately, has met an untimely end. By chance, he has been killed. Please come forward and converse with me!” Saying this, Jing Xingzhi infused spiritual energy into the earlier-made psychic talisman and sent it forward.

Liu Fang heard only the sound of the wind, and upon looking again, a white mist enveloped Jing Xingzhi’s body.

Teeth chattering, Liu Fang hesitated before stepping out of the main room. Fixating his gaze on the ground, he took a few steps forward to get a clearer view of the white mist.

‘If you want to eat… just eat me…’

Terrified by the indistinct faces in the mist, Liu Fang closed his eyes while trembling, but his silent plea lingered in his thoughts.

Jing Xingzhi, maintaining a solemn demeanor, addressed Fang Ge’er’s residual spiritual consciousness gathered before him.

“Your husband has followed behind you, but his spiritual consciousness departed early, and this disciple didn’t get a chance to inquire. If it’s within the disciple’ limits, may I ask if you have any unfulfilled wishes? I can assist if it aligns with our principles.”

The white mist appeared unconscious, taking a while to respond very softly, its voice ethereal.

“I just want to be husband and wife in the next life…”

With that, the white mist seemed to expend its last strength, its presence fading significantly.

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Note:

Coins sword mainly used to ward of evil spirits.