Chapter 191: 190: Life Borrowing

Words : 1494 Updated : Sep 21st, 2025

Chapter 191: Chapter 190: Life Borrowing Women are far more likely to trust and spend silver on the supernatural than men. As such, if some swindling god stick wanted to make money, it would be much easier to deceive women than men. Qin Liuxi spoke so mysteriously and accurately that Zao Qingman’s wet nurse, an old nanny, was utterly convinced and extremely nervous. She was not foolish; as Zao Qingman’s wet nurse, who had cared for her as her own daughter and had been with her for many years, she knew Zao Qingman very well. Just to speak of her fortune, indeed, it was excellent. She was the eldest daughter of the family, and at her birth, her father was conferred the title of scholar. His official career was smooth sailing. Over the past ten years, he received recognition and achieved notable political accomplishments, his rank rising meteorically to the fourth rank, with it still not being his pinnacle. As for the girl herself, with a good temper, cultured upbringing, and extremely good luck, everything she did was like playing tuhu; while others repeatedly failed, she could toss blindfolded and still succeed. This was just one aspect; most importantly, she always encountered excellent teachers, and the knowledge she gained was naturally better than others. When the time for marriage came, it too was extraordinarily smooth, having verbally agreed to join a family of scholarly reputation, currently the legitimate eldest grandson of Meng the Scholar from the imperial court, Mr. Meng. They were only waiting for the completion of her Aunt’s birthday celebration to exchange the marriage contract. But the stroke of bad luck began half a month ago when suddenly, it seemed as if the girl had offended the god and ghost, with everything going awry. To this day, even standing still, she could be struck by a falling flower pot—if this wasn’t bad luck, then what was? Even drinking cold water could choke you. And Qin Liuxi said that the girl’s misfortune was due to life borrowing, which was terrifying to contemplate! What did life borrowing mean? Just hearing about it made one feel apprehensive. “Little Taoist, what is this talk of life borrowing? Let me tell you, don’t try to deceive us. My master is the Governor of Fengtian. If you dare to spout nonsense, no matter how far, someone will come to flatten your Daoist Temple,” the old nanny bluffed loudly. Zao Qingman’s brow furrowed slightly as she scolded, “Nurse!” She bowed gracefully to Qin Liuxi, and then to the Grandmaster’s god statue, saying sincerely, “If the servants of my house overstep, I hope the little Taoist and all the immortals will not blame them.” Qin Liuxi chuckled and said, “As I’ve said before, whether I’m deceiving you or not, you all know in your hearts. The girl is a good one. In her previous life, she accumulated immense yin de, earning her a naturally wealthy and noble fate in this life. It’s a pity and sorrowful to see it borrowed away.” “Little Taoist, if what you said is true and I have indeed had my life borrowed, what will happen to me in the long run?” Zao Qingman asked, unfazed and still mild-mannered. “What do you think? In fact, you’ve noticed it yourself. If bad luck comes, you don’t even need to leave the house to stumble and bump into things. Once all your good fortune is used up, and more misfortunes come, at best you’ll be injured, at worst you could lose your life. It all depends on how much fortune you’ve got left.” Zao Qingman frowned and inquired further, “Daoist, do you know who has borrowed my life?” “Life borrowing is not the same as life replacement. With replacement, you take someone’s belongings, and naturally, you endure what they should endure. But borrowing requires knowing your birth dates accurately and casting the spell precisely to borrow your good fortune and replace it.” Hearing this, both Zao Qingman and the old nanny’s complexions genuinely changed. Birth dates are extremely important. Apart from close relatives, a man’s and a woman’s birth dates are only revealed when exchanging marriage contracts. Although Zao Qingman’s marriage had been verbally negotiated, it had not yet reached the stage of exchanging the contract, so who could know her birth dates? Only a close relative. “Little Taoist, is there a solution to this?” the old nanny asked, somewhat anxiously, “If you can resolve this calamity for our young lady, our madam will surely reward you generously.” “Of course, there is. Break the sinister spell, and all shall be well.” It was nothing more than fighting against the caster’s evil magic, which was not difficult. The old nanny sighed in relief, content that there was a solution. From a little further away, Mu Xi couldn’t help but click her tongue in amazement, “Can’t believe it, did this little god really hit the nail on the head? Women are too gullible.” “How do you know she’s being deceived?” Yu Changkong looked over unsatisfied, mocking, “Away from this Daoist Temple, would you dare to remove the talismans and magic artifacts you carry?” Within the precincts of a Daoist Temple, there’s an inherent righteousness that prevents those brazen evils from daring to enter. But what about outside the temple? Mu Xi’s face paled as her Qi surged, opening her mouth to retort, “Why wouldn’t I... mmph.” Shuangquan promptly and accurately covered her mouth. Mu Xi: You impudent slave, how dare you! Yu Changkong scoffs. The mocked Mu Xi nearly faints from anger. On the other hand, Qin Liuxi hands Zao Qingman a Peace Talisman and says, “This talisman can shield you from a blood disaster once. After discussing with Mrs. Zha, if you wish to avert this calamity, return to Qingping Temple.” Zao Qingman accepts it without saying much, and only says to the old nurse, “Wet nurse, add some more incense oil.” “Yes.” After adding incense oil, Zao Qingman and her party leave in a hurry. Only then does Yu Changkong approach and ask, “That lady, is she the one we saw the other day? Will something happen to her?” Qin Liuxi answers, “No.” “Why not? Didn’t you say someone borrowed her life? Or were you, this little god stick, deceiving her?” Mu Xi interrupts and asks between the two. Qin Liuxi glances at him, “Why would I deceive her? I said she’ll be fine because she encountered me. When she seeks me out again, I will resolve this calamity for her.” “You talk as if you, this God Stick, truly have the capability,” Mu Xi sneers sarcastically. Qin Liuxi smiles genuinely, “Do you want me to summon a female ghost and possess you, then help you with the exorcism, to let you experience if this god stick has the capability? For this ghost exorcism, I will charge you but a little less.” Mu Xi: “...” Yu Changkong pushes him aside and walks out with Qin Liuxi, asking, “Are there really people who practice such life borrowing evil magic? Who do you think it might be?” “For life borrowing, one needs the birth dates. Besides her family, who would know these details? Look at her relatives, if someone’s fortune suddenly takes a turn for the better, that’ll be very telling.” “What if it’s uncovered?” “If uncovered, her fortune will naturally return bit by bit, and whoever performed the spell and borrowed her fortune will suffer backlash,” Qin Liuxi explains. Yu Changkong cold sneers, “So much for familial affection, that’s all it amounts to.” Isn’t that the truth? Meanwhile, Zao Qingman, clutching the Peace Talisman, is lost in thought until she reaches the courtyard where she’s staying, deeply preoccupied as she walks towards Mrs. Zha’s courtyard. Mrs. Zha is in the courtyard, watching her son practice with the Flower Dance Spear, occasionally coughing a few times, her face full of smiles. Upon seeing her daughter’s return, she signals, “Man’er, come quick, your brother Zhao Qingyu got a new long spear, he handles it so deftly...” At this moment, Zhao Qingyu performs a Flying Dragon Tail move, flings the spear, and the spearhead detaches from the handle, shooting straight towards Zao Qingman. “My heavens, Miss, be careful!” “Man’er!” Mrs. Zha screams. Zao Qingman watches as the sharp and coldly gleaming spearhead thrusts towards her forehead, her pupils constrict, and instinctively, she raises her hand to block. Suddenly, her hand feels scorching hot, she cries out in shock and loosens her grip. Ting. The spearhead, having flown up to her nose, seems to be repelled by an invisible barrier, falls to the ground, and emits a crisp sound. As Zao Qingman releases her hand, the Peace Talisman she was holding in her palm inexplicably bursts into flames.

Chapter 191: 190: Life Borrowing

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