Chapter 39: Losing Control Part 1

“Head Seat Wenren, I won’t hide it anymore. I once encountered a heaven-sent opportunity in talisman arts. So, despite my low cultivation and young age, I have some attainments in talisman arts. Head Seat Wenren, I can help you repair your damaged talismans, teach you various brush techniques, and even more talisman drawing methods. Everything I’ve said is true. Please, I beg you, don’t make things difficult for my friend…” Huo Zhi looked at Wenren Sumian and said, going for broke.

Wenren Sumian acted as if she hadn’t heard Huo Zhi’s words. A blue silk ribbon flew out, and Moyi Guihua’s entire body was swept over. Huo Zhi gasped and couldn’t snatch her back from Wenren Sumian.

“Head Seat Wenren…” Huo Zhi wanted to say more, but Wenren Sumian waved her hand, sealing Huo Zhi’s mouth and immobilizing her body.

Huo Zhi felt intense guilt. She felt she had been careless. She had concealed their auras but only covered Moyi Guihua’s face with a cloak. This kind of accident happened, and she was recognized!

“…It’s over! 006, stop playing dead. What exactly is the grudge between Moyi Guihua and Wenren Sumian? Is Moyi Guihua going to be killed?” Huo Zhi’s eyes looked towards Wenren Sumian as she asked 006.

“This storyline isn’t described in the original text; it’s part of the world’s naturally developing plot. I don’t know either. But in the original story later on, Wenren Sumian didn’t kill Moyi Guihua, so she probably won’t kill her now, right?” 006 said uncertainly.

“…” Huo Zhi stopped asking 006. It was as good as saying nothing.

Unable to do anything, Huo Zhi could only pray.

Wenren Sumian pulled Moyi Guihua over. Moyi Guihua was now less than a foot away from her.

The clothes covering Moyi Guihua’s head and face were gone, revealing her pale face.

Even without a trace of color in her complexion, Moyi Guihua’s face was alluringly beautiful. She was still wearing clothes in the style of the Blissful Union Sect, revealing her neck and a large expanse of snow-white skin, with her legs also faintly visible. Doing nothing at all, she was already exuding boundless allure.

Moyi Guihua was jolted awake from her meditation by the rough handling. Her body was still in extreme discomfort as she stood unsteadily. Her eyes looked at Wenren Sumian, finding her somewhat familiar, but she couldn’t recall who she was.

She heard what Huo Zhi had said just now. It seemed this person wanted to drive them away, and Huo Zhi was begging her, even willing to teach the talisman arts she knew.

“I am Moyi Guihua, an expelled disciple of the Immortal Talisman Sect. I shouldn’t have returned here. Don’t implicate Huo Zhi because of me. Huo Zhi is the most powerful Talisman Master I’ve ever seen, worthy of being befriended.” Moyi Guihua said, covering her chest.

“Did you give her the chain on her wrist?” Wenren Sumian asked, her voice trembling slightly, as if not even on the same frequency as Moyi Guihua.

“Yes. What about it?” Moyi Guihua frowned.

“…You don’t know who I am?” Wenren Sumian asked, her eyes actually revealing a sense of grievance and anger.

“The Wenren Family’s. I am the Wenren Family’s, and also the Immortal Talisman Sect’s, sinner. I know. I’ve already been punished. Now I’m just a cripple, it doesn’t matter if I die. If you want to make a move, just do it.” Moyi Guihua looked at Wenren Sumian and said.

Wenren Sumian’s expression changed. She grabbed Moyi Guihua’s wrist, and gentle Water-Attribute Spiritual Qi flowed into Moyi Guihua’s meridians.

Upon probing, Wenren Sumian’s expression became even worse.

“Back then, my meridians were destroyed, my cultivation stopped right there, and every month I had to endure the pain of my meridians twisting and breaking. I’ve endured it for over twenty years. Now my Golden Core is shattered. As a member of the Wenren Family, aren’t you happy? If you think it’s not enough, you can target me again. Just please stop taking it out on Huo Zhi. She knows nothing about what happened back then.” Moyi Guihua said.

Originally, she had saved Huo Zhi because of the secrets Huo Zhi possessed, and sought the examination token for her because of Huo Zhi’s talisman drawing talent.

But after spending time together, Huo Zhi had come to save her, so she could also repay kindness with kindness.

“Good, very good! Huo Zhi, you said it yourself: you’ll help me repair all my talismans. For now, I’ll allow you to stay! But if you do a poor job, don’t blame me for being impolite!” Looking at Moyi Guihua’s expression, Wenren Sumian released Moyi Guihua, threw out a sentence, and shook her sleeve as she left.

With Wenren Sumian’s departure, Huo Zhi’s restriction was also lifted. Huo Zhi hurried forward to support Moyi Guihua.

“I didn’t expect her to recognize you so quickly. It’s all my fault. It’s okay, luckily she’s obsessed with talisman arts, so there’s hope.” Huo Zhi transmitted to Moyi Guihua.

“Don’t blame yourself, it’s my fault for not telling you about the past earlier. What’s this person’s name? You just called her Head Seat?” Moyi Guihua asked.

“Her name is Wenren Sumian, the current Head Seat of the Immortal Talisman Sect. She’s very powerful, at the Late Nascent Soul Stage. Her talisman arts are ranked first among the younger generation, said to be a Talisman Master with hope of entering the Realm of Transcendent Mastery.” Huo Zhi supported Moyi Guihua into a side room, let her sit and rest, and transmitted to her. Now she didn’t dare to speak aloud.

Hearing Huo Zhi’s introduction, Moyi Guihua was stunned. No wonder Wenren Sumian looked somewhat familiar earlier. She remembered now: that little girl from over twenty years ago, arrogant, cold-faced, always looking unhappy.

Her temperament seemed much the same now.

“Don’t worry about dealing with Wenren Sumian for now. Rest well and cultivate. I will find a way to restore your body. Damage to meridians and Golden Core are both extremely difficult to treat, requiring very complex healing arts in talismans. The related talismans are very hard to buy. Unfortunately, my cultivation is too low; otherwise, I would draw them for you.” Huo Zhi continued transmitting to Moyi Guihua.

“It’s alright, not dying immediately is already a great blessing. I thought I was dead for sure earlier. Ah, Huo Zhi, you’re too good to me. I really want to repay you by giving myself to you.” Moyi Guihua said.

“…Sister, at a time like this, stop talking nonsense. Hurry up and cultivate. If you have the energy, tell me what exactly is the conflict between you two. That way I can be mentally prepared and see if I can resolve it.” Huo Zhi said.

“You’re just too serious. Fine, I’ll briefly explain. It’s all dirty laundry from prominent families. Over twenty years ago, I was still a side branch of the Moyi Family, not of noble birth. Fortunately, my talent was decent, I earned an examination spot and was admitted to the Immortal Talisman Sect. Later, the genius daughter of the Wenren Clan Head, Wenren Sumian, needed to select an Attendant. Wenren Sumian was only nine at the time, but her attainments in talisman arts were already profound. She was highly valued by both the Immortal Talisman Sect and the Wenren Family. Water and Wood elements complement each other; the Moyi Family and Wenren Family had always been on good terms. The Moyi Family sent several people for selection. In the end, Wenren Sumian’s mother chose me, someone not highly regarded within the Moyi Family. I benefited from their influence, moving from a side branch to the main bloodline of the Moyi Family. My status and resources were elevated. I never expected it to be the start of my calamity.”

“Moyi Family’s Ancestor saw that I was chosen by the Wenren Family and that my talent wasn’t bad, so she casually remarked that she wanted to list me as a candidate for the next Moyi Family’s Junior Clan Head. There were people in the Moyi Family jealous of me, and on the Wenren Family’s side, there were also those envious that I became the Attendant of their Eldest Miss, the future Clan Head. Later, an incident occurred. I was knocked unconscious by someone and taken into the forbidden area of the Embroidery Institute. When I woke up, I was arrested and brought to the Enforcement Court. They said the Spirit Talisman in the forbidden area had been destroyed, and it was my doing. To punish me, the Wenren Family destroyed my meridians and expelled me from the Immortal Talisman Sect. The Moyi Family couldn’t keep me any longer. The Ancestor, considering our blood relation, let me leave Immortal Talisman City. You know the rest. I went to the Blissful Union Sect and have been doing quite well.”

Moyi Guihua recounted in a relaxed tone.

“…This hasn’t reached a life-or-death level of hatred. Repairing talisman runes is my forte. Sister Moyi, rest assured, I will find a way to resolve your grievances.” Huo Zhi felt relieved upon hearing this. She had thought Moyi Guihua had killed someone from the Wenren Family.

“A Spirit Talisman is no ordinary talisman. It’s an inheritable Spirit Talisman: the talisman doesn’t extinguish when the person dies. The destroyed Spirit Talisman was the Black Tortoise Ren Water Talisman, a treasure of the Embroidery Institute. Repairing it is an incredibly difficult task. This Spirit Talisman is extremely powerful. The Embroidery Institute intended for Wenren Sumian to absorb it when she grew up. After it was destroyed, Wenren Sumian should hate me the most.” Moyi Guihua said.

“If that Spirit Talisman was so powerful, how could your cultivation possibly have destroyed it?” Huo Zhi asked suspiciously.

“That Spirit Talisman was tainted with Impure Qi, eroding a corner of it. Impure Qi, that is, Devil Qi, can erode Spiritual Qi. No matter how powerful a Spirit Talisman is, it’s still formed from Spiritual Qi. Moreover, the level of that Impure Qi wasn’t low. To harm me, they really went all out. They also framed me as a Devil Cultivator. Luckily, my body didn’t have that Impure Qi and showed no signs of cultivating the Devil Path.” Moyi Guihua said.

“Despicable! I suspect it might have been people from other families or Devil Cultivators who didn’t want the Embroidery Institute to become powerful. They destroyed the Spirit Talisman and framed you in turn.” Huo Zhi said.

“You’re quite smart. I was from another family too. This matter is hard to clarify now. I’m a cripple now, it doesn’t matter anymore. Don’t get into any conflict with Wenren Sumian for my sake. When displaying your talisman drawing talent, be a bit more careful and leave yourself some backup. If she develops malicious intentions and wants to control you for her own use, it would be very troublesome. With your current cultivation, it’s hard to resist.” Moyi Guihua said.

“I understand. I’m clear on the situation now. Sister Moyi, you rest well. I’ll go out and see if Wenren Sumian needs anything done. She’s currently researching the Supreme Clarity Meridian Sculpting Talisman. If it succeeds, I’ll definitely beg her to let you use it no matter what.” Huo Zhi said.

“You really are a bit of a fool. Don’t move, let me hug you.” After Huo Zhi finished speaking, Moyi Guihua pulled her close into a tight embrace and whispered.

“…Sister, don’t be so sentimental. You’re a mature older sister.” Huo Zhi patted Moyi Guihua’s back and said. As soon as the words left her mouth, she felt Moyi Guihua’s caressing hand on her back grab her shoulder.

“Sister, what are you doing? It’s ticklish!” Huo Zhi said.

“Ah, I couldn’t help it. I was just feeling your bone structure. It truly is a good back…” Moyi Guihua laughed.

“…Don’t forget you’re a patient. I’m going out now.” Huo Zhi patted Moyi Guihua’s shoulder, said this, got up, and left.

“What a pity. I would really like to see what happens when that silly goose is captured by that foolish bird…” Moyi Guihua sighed inwardly.

Huo Zhi went out but didn’t see Wenren Sumian. The courtyard was a complete mess. As an Attendant, she hurriedly tidied things up, hoping to improve her favorability rating.

Meanwhile, in her room, Wenren Sumian was pale and bloodless, squatting in a corner and hugging her knees, trembling slightly.

The conversation between Moyi Guihua and Huo Zhi—though it was a sound transmission, within her territory, she could still overhear such transmissions.

Moyi Guihua didn’t recognize her, had almost forgotten her, and even treated her as an enemy. She was so close with that Huo Zhi, speaking intimate words, standing so near, even hugging…

She gave the bracelet she had given her to Huo Zhi!

Huo Zhi called her ‘Sister’!

She wanted to give herself to Huo Zhi!

If anyone could hear Wenren Sumian’s inner thoughts, they would surely hear these incessant, repeating laments.

The originally icy, indifferent woman seemingly devoid of any worldly desires was now like a fragile child, yet there was a faint, swirling black Qi in her eyes, looking somewhat bizarre.

Sensing that Huo Zhi had left Moyi Guihua and gone outside, Wenren Sumian suddenly lifted her eyes. With no visible Spiritual Qi fluctuation, her body vanished. When she reappeared, she was in the side room where Moyi Guihua was.

Moyi Guihua was currently deeply meditating and cultivating, completely unaware of anyone’s arrival.