Chapter 390: 387: No Comparison, No Hurt

Words : 1477 Updated : Oct 11th, 2025

Chapter 390: Chapter 387: No Comparison, No Hurt Teng Zhao pushed his out-of-tune master away expressionlessly and silently arranged the things on the table neatly. Qin Liuxi chuckled and said, “Now you’re getting the hang of drawing talismans, but you still need to practice more, and work harder on your cultivation. Look at that pale face of yours after drawing just one talisman. If you encounter an opponent in the future and engage in a battle of talismans, you’ll lose if you can’t keep up.” “Battle of talismans?” Qin Liuxi nodded: “Sounds mysterious and otherworldly, doesn’t it? Zhaozhao, in the mortal world, where there is good, there is also evil. We cultivate the Righteous Path, but there are also those who cultivate the Evil Path for personal gain. Good and evil are never reconcilable; they are always in opposition. When you venture into the secular world after completing your apprenticeship, you will meet those from the Evil Path, and even some who claim to follow the Righteous Path. Once there is opposition, conflict is inevitable.” “All Taoist Sects are one family, yet each has its own doctrines and persistence, which gives rise to debates on the Dao. Dissimilarity in Dao means no collusion; even the slightest encounter with someone obstinate could lead to disputes, or even spell-fighting, even if both parties are from the Righteous Path.” Qin Liuxi said, “Just look at your Grandmaster for example.” Teng Zhao was confused: “What about Grandmaster?” Qin Liuxi spoke, “Your Grandmaster, too, has people he wants to challenge, and it’s someone from our own sect. It’s a shame though, that the old fellow’s body isn’t strong enough to seek revenge. Probably just a fool’s dream.” Teng Zhao had never heard of such internal strife within the sect. Qin Liuxi was about to elaborate when a series of heavy coughs came from outside the door. “Don’t speak ill of a person during daylight; your master isn’t dead yet.” Qin Liuxi stood up, walked outside, and saw Master Chi Yuan with a furious expression, and snickered, “Oh, eavesdropping at the corner, I see.” Master Chi Yuan glared at her irritably and nudged his chin towards a wrapped package on the ground: “Why bring such evil artifacts into our temple?” Even though Qin Liuxi used talismans for evil suppression, he still sensed the malevolent aura. Qin Liuxi explained, “It’s the Blood Attraction from Si Lengyue’s family curse. I plan to send it to Wuxiang Temple, and hope Master Hui Neng can help transcend it and then break the curse.” “Oh? Found a way?” Master Chi Yuan showed some interest. Qin Liuxi repressed her smile and said, “It’s a rather cruel method.” “Let’s hear it.” Master Chi Yuan walked in. Without hiding anything, Qin Liuxi detailed the curse-breaking method, causing Master Chi Yuan’s eyebrows to twitch. “If that’s the case, you’ll need to set up an Array. Karmic Fire, ah, must not lose control, otherwise...” Qin Liuxi didn’t notice something was different with the old man and went on to explain her plan concisely: “I’m most afraid that she won’t be able to bear it, damaging her Divine Soul.” Master Chi Yuan fell silent for a moment and said, “This is indeed her fate. Using this method to cure the curse is also defying heaven and altering destiny. As for the karmic consequences, she must bear them herself, and as the one lifting the curse, you must bear your part as well. Do you understand?” He was warning Qin Liuxi to be mentally prepared for the Five Disadvantages and Three Deficiencies that came with defying heaven. Qin Liuxi replied confidently, “Don’t worry.” “Master?” A tender voice sounded at the doorway. Qin Liuxi looked over to see Little Wang Chuan, wearing a crooked, thick Daoist robe, rubbing her eyes sleepily in the doorway, looking at her. A gust of cold wind blew, and Wang Chuan shivered, fully awake now. Seeing that it was indeed Qin Liuxi, she hurried over: “So Master really has returned, I’m not dreaming.” Wang Chuan threw herself into Qin Liuxi’s embrace, her eyes brimming with dependency and grievance. “Every day, I dream about Master, wuu wuu.” With that, she began to cry out of self-pity. Qin Liuxi promptly consoled her, and it took a significant effort to make the little girl laugh and finally she could breathe a sigh of relief. Teng Zhao watched with a hint of envy in his eyes. As usual, Qin Liuxi checked her little disciple’s progress. Wang Chuan’s eyes darted around guiltily, glancing at Master Chi Yuan. Grandmaster, save me! Master Chi Yuan coughed and said, “She’s only five years old and hasn’t learned many characters yet; don’t be too harsh...” Qin Liuxi’s face darkened: “When I was five years old following you, that’s not what you said.” Playing favorites with the younger generation? Master Chi Yuan hurriedly stood up and said, “As your mentor, I need to offer incense to the Grandmaster now. You all come quickly and join the morning class.” A disciple throwing a tantrum is something he cannot endure, and for matters regarding the grand-disciples, the old grandmaster is truly helpless. Master Chi Yuan slipped away as if greasing his heels. Seeing the old grandmaster flee, Wang Chuan turned pitifully towards senior apprentice brother Teng Zhao, who remained expressionless: “Recite the Tangtou Song, the Ma Huang Soup.” Wang Chuan straightened up and hurriedly began: “In the Ma Huang Soup, use cinnamon twigs, almonds, and licorice spread forth, for fevers and chills, head and neck pains, in treating colds this makes one sweat profusely.” “Great Azure Dragon Soup.” “The Great Azure Dragon Soup with cinnamon, ma huang, almonds, licorice, gypsum, ginger, and dates, with no sweat and agitation in Taiyang, it’s good for resolving both wind-cold.” “Xiao Qinglong Soup.” “Xiao Longqing Soup to treat dampness, wheezing, vomiting, dry retching, thirst, and diuresis, with ginger...” Wang Chuan paused, “Ginger, ginger...” Her face turned red, slightly anxious. Teng Zhao continued, “Ginger, cinnamon, ma huang, peony, licorice, Xixin, Banxia, and Five Flavors. You haven’t recited before, copy fifty large characters today.” Wang Chuan let out a sound, even more pitiful, but didn’t dare say a word against the threatening gaze of the senior apprentice brother. Teng Zhao ignored her, took Wang Chuan’s lessons from another shelf, and delivered them to Qin Liuxi. Qin Liuxi flipped through the pages. The script was crooked and uneven, all the characters of a child’s primer, and the talismanic charms were a sorry sight. Let alone forming a proper talisman, the lines were as twisted as worms, soft and weak, like random scribbles on the page. Slightly better in the pages beyond, but still not recognizable as a talisman. Qin Liuxi snapped the book shut and closed her eyes. Without comparison, there would be no harm. The disparity between the two disciples was too great. The only slight consolation was that she could recite a few Tangtou Songs. Qin Liuxi looked at Teng Zhao, who stiffened and quickly explained, “Every day, I remind her to practice, study calligraphy, and draw talismans, I dare not slack off.” So punishments like scrubbing the toilet bucket really couldn’t be imposed. Qin Liuxi saw through his careful thoughts and said, “But her progress...” “I will continue to teach her and not let her slack off.” Teng Zhao looked at Wang Chuan, clenched his fists – dare to be lazy, and get a beating! Wang Chuan pouted her lips. Qin Liuxi looked at the two, feigned a look of reluctant effort, and said, “Since you’re conscious of your responsibility as the senior apprentice brother, then as your teacher, I will support you.” Teng Zhao breathed a sigh of relief. “Wang Chuan, you must not let your senior apprentice brother’s hard work go in vain,” said Qin Liuxi. “Learning skills requires enduring hardship, but once learned, you have the ability to traverse the world, and no one can take that from you.” “Disciple will heed Master’s teaching.” Qin Liuxi then stood up: “Let’s go, we shall offer incense to the Grandmaster, join morning class, then make a trip to Wuxiang Temple before descending the mountain to return to the city.” Wang Chuan jumped up, finally able to return to the city. Teng Zhao’s eyes also filled with a bit of joy, wondering whether the Little Ginseng Spirit had grown properly. He looked at the small scissors on the table, lost in thought. In the Qin family’s side residence in the city, the Little Ginseng Spirit burrowed in the soil suddenly felt a chilly sensation on its leafy top. Could it be because of the snow?

Chapter 390: 387: No Comparison, No Hurt

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