"I recently found an ancient local record, which documents some weird and unusual phenomena that have happened in Chunhua County over hundreds of years. Based on the research carried out by my men, these records are mostly true, but for unknown reasons, they are little known to ordinary people. Among these anomalies, a place called the Spring and Autumn Pavilion is frequently mentioned. According to the records, this Daoist temple is located within Chunhua County, and the priests there should know the real art of exorcism." Shen Luo replied with bright eyes.
"That's news! Where is this Spring and Autumn Pavilion? I will send someone to invite them immediately." On hearing this, Shen Yuange, agitated, stood up with a 'bang'.
"Father, do not worry. I have already sent people to invite them, paying them handsomely. If everything goes according to the letter, the people of Spring and Autumn Pavilion will arrive today." Shen Luo replied with a slight smile.
"Great, I will tell the servants to prepare immediately so that there won't be any issues with our hospitality." Shen Yuange was not concerned about the actions taken by his eldest son; instead, he rubbed his hands together and said contentedly.
At this time, from outside the study, Shen Yuange's personal assistant delivered a respectful message:
"Old Master! Young Master! A Daoist named Luo has arrived as scheduled with the Young Master."
Upon hearing this, both father and son looked at each other in surprise and joy.
"Father, you stay here and have some tea. I'll personally meet this Daoist from the Spring and Autumn Pavilion." Shen Luo decisively suggested.
"This matter concerns your life and death. How can I stay here and have tea? Let's meet Master Luo together." Shen Yuange waved his hand, and people hastily ran towards the entrance.
Seeing this, Shen Luo revealed a slight smile.
In the side hall of the Shen Family.
Shen Luo carefully inspected the middle-aged Daoist who introduced himself as 'Luo Daoist'.
He had a date-red face filled with worldly wisdom, wearing a light blue Taoist robe, a wooden sword slanting from all sides on his back, a small white cloth bag hanging around his waist. Other than the figure straight as a long spear, everything else seemed rather ordinary.
"Master, please have a seat. Serve the good tea." On seeing the middle-aged priest, Shen Yuange greeted him with full smiles.
"There's no need for tea. Master Shen, did you send someone with a token to invite people from our temple for exorcism?" The red-faced Daoist named Luo completely ignored the extremely enthusiastic Shen Yuange, instead choosing to give Shen Luo a serious stare and asked.
"Master, you know me?" Shen Luo asked back in surprise.
"Hehe, I made some vague inquiries about Master Shen before paying a formal visit. But how does Master Shen know about our temple, which has been closed for many years, and where did you get the token?" Daoist Luo asked impolitely, staring at Shen Luo. It seemed like he was ready to get angry if he didn't get satisfactory answers.
"Did the Master come here to question us?" Hearing this, Shen Yuange's smile faded a bit, and he became a little unhappy.
"Master Shen, don't blame me. Although our tokens are not rare, none of them is associated with the Shen family. Since Master Shen sent someone with a token to come to our temple, I naturally have to ask clearly first." Daoist Luo finally turned to Shen Yuange and said indifferently.
"Closed for many years? That's why few people in the county know about your pavilion now. Rest assured, Master. I learned about the Spring and Autumn Pavilion from this book. As for the token, I bought it with a heavy gold from a descendant of a settled family." Shen Luo took out something from his sleeve and handed it over, looking somewhat enlightened.
It was the copy of the "Chunhua Strange Occurrences Chronicle" previously placed on the desk.
When Shen Yuange saw this, he could not help but take another look at the dilapidated book.
"So that's how it is."
Daoist Luo took the book with a slight surprise. After browsing a few pages, his expression relaxed considerably.
"This book records some tales of exorcism and demon-slaying of our sect from years back, and the details suggest that it was written by someone who had genuinely been in contact with our temple. Could the young master gift this book to a poor Daoist like me? I would like to take it back and let the others have a look. Regarding the token, as long as what Master Shen said is true and it was voluntarily transferred by others, our sect will not mind." The red-faced Daoist read the book, then casually tucked it into his bosom and spoke with a straight face.
Seeing this, Shen Yuange frowned slightly.
However, Shen Luo did not mind. He chuckled and asked,
"It's good if Master Luo likes it. Could you rest and have something to eat now, prepare for a while, and then perform an exorcism on me?"
"There's no need for any rest or preparation. As for the evil spirit on your body, hehe …" The red-faced priest gave Shen Luo a deep look, suddenly flashed, and charged directly to the front. With a 'slap', he tightly grabbed one side of Shen Luo's arm.
"What are you doing? Come here!" On seeing this Shen Yuange took two steps backward, called out sharply.
In an instant, seven or eight burly men rushed into Hall from outside, ready to pounce on the priest under the angry command from their master.
"Everybody, stop! Father, don't worry, Master Luo has not hurt me. He is performing an exorcism for me!"
However, it was at this moment that Shen Luo spoke.
He felt a wave of warmth flowing into his body from the seized arm. Wherever it passed, the constant chill in his body was melting away, and he felt beyond comfortable.
Upon hearing this, Shen Yuange carefully examined Shen Luo's expression, finally relaxed, waved at his men, and had them leave the side hall again.
'Woosh'
A plume of faint gray air shot out from Shen Luo's chest, swirling around, then rushing straight at Shen Yuange, who was nearby.
"Humph, back to me." The red-faced priest seemed to have foreseen that, flinging his big sleeve towards the gray air, a yellow talisman paper hit the gray mist in a flash.
'Pop'
The talisman paper instantly turned into a fist-size fireball and tightly wrapped the gray air.
The gray air seemed alive, twisting urgently in the flames. But soon after, it disappeared without a trace in the crackling burning sound.
The fireball also vanished after a moment, leaving behind a slightly charred smell in the hall.
Shen Yuange watched in astonishment.
"The Yin Qi in Master Shen's body has been stripped out, leaving only the need for some recuperation of his body. If that's the case, I will leave first." The red-faced priest only let go of Shen Luo's arm at this point and spoke calmly.
"Yin Qi? Is Luo'er not possessed by an evil spirit?" Shen Yuange finally came back to his senses, asking subconsciously.
"If it were a real evil spirit, how could it be so easily exorcised? Even I would treat it like a formidable enemy. Your young master seems to have gone to an unclean place, and some Yin Qi has entered his body, causing his current predicament." Daoist Luo replied indifferently.
"But, Master Luo, every now and then I turn pale and weak, and I become incredibly strong, to the point that even three or five sturdy family servants can't get close to me. Afterward, I have no memory of it. What's going on? And Master Luo, what did you infuse into my body just now?" Shen Luo, still feeling the lingering warmth in his body, asked with a surprised look.