This time, I practiced drawing talismans every day.
When I had nothing else to do, I would read the books on talismans, feng shui, and other such topics that Master had given me.
Through constant exposure, I had gained a certain understanding and mastery of the various techniques involved in drawing talismans.
Furthermore, this Fire Element Sword Opening Talisman was not complicated, so I found myself drawing it smoothly.
“Clear and serene, heart of fire and earth.
Gaze at the Southern Dipper to the right, the Seven Stars to the left.”
…
I whispered the incantations, imitating every movement Master had made while drawing talismans earlier.
Soon, the Sword Opening Talisman was completed.
And it was a success on the first try.
“Master, it’s done!”
I exclaimed with joy.
Master smiled and nodded, quite pleased with my result.
He asked me to try it on the sword.
Following Master’s example, I held the peach wood sword and slid the Sword Opening Talisman along its blade.
I shouted:
“Open Sword!”
However, the talisman showed no reaction; it did not ignite or release any energy.
It simply slid off and fell to the ground…
“Master, why didn’t it work?”
I frowned, wanting to ask Master about the issue.
Master picked up his pipe and said with a chuckle:
“How can it be so easy to succeed? Have you forgotten what I taught you when learning talismans?
Calm mind, sincere heart, connected spirit.
Just like drawing talismans, rushing through the process of opening a sword—how can it possibly succeed?”
Hearing this, I fell silent for a moment.
I picked up the talisman from the ground and took a few deep breaths.
I recalled the state I was in when I drew the “Evil Suppressing Talisman.”
Master simply sat nearby, smoking his pipe with an air of contentment, not disturbing me.
After a good while, I picked up the Sword Opening Talisman with my sword finger.
Sliding it along the blade of the peach wood sword:
“Open Sword!”
This time, the talisman did not fall to the ground.
As it moved across the sword blade, it ignited with a “buzz” the moment it was drawn, turning into ash in an instant.
The peach wood sword in my hand also reacted.
I clearly felt a slight warmth emanating from the handle.
I was a bit excited:
“Master, it worked!”
Master nodded with great satisfaction:
“Good, good. You truly are cut out for this line of work. Excellent.
Starting tomorrow, you will practice this Sword Opening Talisman more.
Continue until you can open the sword without a talisman…”
Master said earnestly, imparting much wisdom that greatly benefited me.
Afterward, I continued practicing in the shop for another two or three hours…
Although the method of drawing the Sword Opening Talisman was simple, its application had high requirements.
After practicing for an entire evening, I had not achieved a hundred percent mastery.
Let alone reaching what Master had mentioned—opening the sword with just a finger gesture, without any paper talisman.
As it was getting late, Master didn’t ask me to go home.
He said I would stay in the shop for the night and continue practicing tomorrow.
Seeing that it was almost midnight, I just nodded and prepared to wash up and go to sleep.
Master had also not rested well last night. He yawned, shut down his computer.
But just then, a series of knocks came from outside the door.
“Dong, dong dong dong, dong, dong dong dong…”
Suddenly hearing the knocking.
Master and I both turned our heads.
Upon hearing the rhythmic knocking, my expression instantly turned solemn.
Humans knock three times, ghosts knock four times.
Although I had encountered a similar situation in the rental house last time, and it turned out to be a misunderstanding.
Still, in the middle of the night, I couldn’t help but feel a little scared.
Turning to look at Master, I asked with surprise:
“Mas-Master. The door was knocked four times. Should I open it?”
Master was only slightly startled but quickly regained his composure.
He waved his hand:
“It’s fine, it’s probably someone coming to buy clothes.
You go handle it.
I’m tired, I’m going to bed now…”
Saying this, Master yawned and went into the inner room.
Watching Master leave, I looked back at the still-sounding door, a chill creeping up my spine.
Our shop was in the business of funeral services.
We sold incense, candles, paper money, funeral clothes, and coffins.
Coming to buy clothes so late at night, it was likely not a living person who had come…
Shuddering, I swallowed.
Following Master’s instructions, I prepared to open the door and deal with it.
“Dong, dong dong dong…”
“Coming, stop knocking!”
I replied to the door.
The knocking ceased the moment I responded.
Arriving at the door, I took a deep breath.
With a hint of nervousness, I unlocked the bolt and pulled open the large door.
As soon as the door was opened by me, I felt a gust of cold air hit me.
Immediately after, I saw an elderly couple standing at the doorstep. Their faces were pale, their pupils gray, and they were slightly stooped, dressed in tattered gray cloth clothes.
They leaned on each other, managing a pale, colorless smile.
Upon seeing these two, my first impression was that something was not right with them.
Their skin was too white, and their pupils were gray.
Moreover, I instinctively glanced at the ground.
As expected, there were no shadows…
I could be a hundred percent certain that this couple were malevolent entities.
But the gray pupils indicated they had no malevolent aura.
They were likely just ordinary wandering spirits.
I sized them up, remaining silent.
The sparse-haired old man then cupped his hands toward me.
And then said to me in a hoarse voice:
“Young man, we, a couple, have traveled a long way to this place.
It is late and cold, and we wish to buy some clothes to wear.
Please be accommodating.
Sell two sets of clothes for us to wear to ward off the cold…”