Book Synopsis
Book Tags
Donation Rankings
Comment
0 Comments
You May Also Like
墨書 Inktalez
Chapter 144: Turning Dao into Paper
With the Heavenly Eye activated, Yin Cheng looked at the corpse effigy created by Yin Chunlai, which was constantly emitting a green mist. This must be the Corpse Poison. If anyone were to come into contact with it, they would surely die from the Corpse Poison. However, Yin Chunlai was his own Son! A corpse effigy created by someone else to harm the world; he should have struck down the corpse effigy to eliminate the threat to people, but he just couldn't bring himself to do it.
The corpse effigy is completely different from a Corpse Spirit. A Corpse Spirit is formed from being trapped and continuously washed by Yin Qi for thousands of years. In contrast, a corpse effigy is merely a killing weapon controlled by a Paper Effigy Maker. To create a corpse effigy, one must first find a living person and use the Soul Separation Technique from the ancient art of paper crafting to separate that person's soul from their body, turning them into a fool. Then, through the Soul Controlling Technique, this now foolish person is controlled. A pit is dug in a designated area, and this person is buried there, covered with filthy substances such as human excrement and menstrual blood. They are then exposed to moonlight, allowing these impurities to be absorbed by the person, gradually killing them and resulting in a state where their soul is still alive but their body is dead. The impurities inside the body transform into a terrifying form of Corpse Poison, turning this person into a corpse effigy. The corpse effigy has no thoughts of its own and is entirely controlled by the Paper Effigy Maker, making it extremely powerful.
The Soul Separation Technique and Soul Controlling Technique are two unrelated ordinary spells, yet they are used by this Paper Effigy Maker to control corpse effigies, killing dozens in just one day. Moreover, this insane Paper Craftsman has yet to reveal themselves.
What should he do? Having lived his life as a good person, Yin Cheng was caught off guard by these sudden events. The corpse effigy stood before him; he knew that if he did not act, more people would die in the city tomorrow. Yet he could not bring himself to kill the corpse effigy and could only turn away.
Although Yin Cheng had already informed the families of the deceased that they needed to burn the bodies immediately, in that era, who would be willing to burn their parents or children? Ancient customs dictated that one should be buried peacefully. As a result, what was meant to happen occurred the next day. The corpses were corroded by the Corpse Poison, slowly becoming carriers of it. Although these corpses could not move, they could not stop the spread of the Corpse Poison. The next day, dozens more died in the city; even the county office in Youdou County was wiped out with no one left to manage the situation. The entire city fell silent; those who could flee had already left with their families, while those who could not gathered together with several respected individuals to discuss how to handle things. Ultimately, they came to Yin Cheng's home, hoping he could save them all.
Now facing many challenges, Yin Cheng had several pressing issues: first was everyone's lives; most remaining were lonely or impoverished individuals who could not escape. Second was the elusive Paper Effigy Maker. The sudden deaths in Xiong County were definitely related to him; allowing corpse effigies to kill people in town also implicated him. What did he want? What was his purpose?
At this point, Yin Cheng could only gather hundreds of people in town together. The first thing he did was dig a large pit filled with lime at the bottom and stack firewood on top. He used long bamboo poles to lift all those who had died from Corpse Poison and threw them into the pit for burning.
That night, Yin Cheng summoned the God of Thunder and Lightning Mother—commonly known as Thunder God and Lightning Mother. After invoking them and hiding away, he held a talisman in one hand and a Peach Wood Sword in the other. For such evil entities as corpse effigies, he could only seek celestial power for extermination.
That night, when the corpse effigy attacked again, Yin Cheng no longer hesitated but fought back with his Peach Wood Sword. He called upon Thunder God and Lightning Mother Paper Figurine, which raised its hammer and struck at the corpse effigy. The hammer released a bolt of lightning that crackled through the air towards the corpse effigy. Caught off guard, it was directly hit on its arm, severing it cleanly.
The corpse effigy felt nothing; it had no consciousness and was entirely controlled by the unseen Paper Effigy Maker. The corpse effigy turned and fled. Since Yin Cheng had made up his mind to kill it, there was no way he would let it escape. He chased after it along with Thunder God and Lightning Mother.
The corpse effigy ran towards the east of town until it reached a riverbank where the water was deep. The Paper Effigy Maker, fearing that water would disperse all of its accumulated Corpse Poison, did not dare cross. Seizing this opportunity, Yin Cheng performed another spell for an attack from Thunder God and Lightning Mother. He saw that Thunder God raised his hammer high along with an opening tool while Thunder Mother Paper Figurine placed her handprint on top of it. The entire hammer sparkled brightly under their combined might.
However, surprisingly, the corpse effigy showed no fear of them; instead, it stood quietly under a willow tree by the riverbank without moving. This was exactly what Yin Cheng had been waiting for; he gathered his spell energy and shouted "Rise!" With that command, he struck down hard with his hammer while using his opening tool forcefully released an arc of electricity—this arc was twice as large as before and emitted a green glow as it instantly struck the corpse effigy. The corpse effigy exploded into countless filthy particles.
Just when Yin Cheng thought he had everything under control, he suddenly felt a chill in his lower abdomen. Turning around, he saw a Paper Figurine with a high ponytail and two red-painted cheeks, its paper-drawn red lips splitting into a mischievous grin. Looking down, he noticed that the small hands beneath the longevity lock were gripping a dagger, which was aimed directly at Yin Cheng's lower back.
The ancient city had always been peaceful. As a Paper Effigy Maker, Yin Cheng lacked combat experience and was kind-hearted, never suspecting that this hidden Paper Effigy Maker could be so ruthless. The corpse was merely bait to lure Yin Cheng to the riverbank alone, abandoning the corpse while secretly controlling the Paper Figurine to stab him in the back.
Yin Cheng gritted his teeth and thrust his weapon through the Paper Figurine, then shouted at his surroundings, "Who are you? What grievance do you have against the people of this city that requires you to harm them so? Are you not afraid of the Patriarch descending to punish you? The way of heaven is constant; your actions will surely bring retribution!"
As soon as Yin Cheng finished speaking, a sharp voice came from a nearby bush: "The way of heaven is constant; I say it is not!"
Hearing the voice but seeing no one, Yin Cheng retorted, "If you're going to act, then take responsibility for it. What are you hiding in the bushes like a coward?"
The sharp voice replied again, "You're about to die; why worry so much? By now, the entire city might have turned into Hell City!"
Little did Yin Cheng know that he had learned to be cautious. After pinpointing the source of the voice, he quietly began chanting a spell during the Paper Effigy Maker's speech. As soon as the Paper Effigy Maker finished speaking, Yin Cheng shouted "Rise!" A bolt of lightning shot forth directly at the source of the voice, only to be met with disappointment; it turned out to be another Paper Figurine controlled by the Paper Craftsman mimicking speech.
This Paper Effigy Maker was not only cruel but also exceptionally cunning. It was unclear why they committed such heinous acts and betrayed their craft. Yin Cheng's final strike drained all his energy; blood flowed like a fountain, and he could no longer hold on. Darkness enveloped him as he fainted.
Chaos had indeed erupted in the city. The Paper Effigy Maker picked up the corpse's arm and somehow summoned a gust of eerie wind infused with green Corpse Poison that swept through the city. Anyone who came into contact with this green Corpse Poison immediately collapsed dead, turning into ghosts.
When Yin Cheng awoke again, he found himself surrounded by villagers. His wounds had been staunched, but his body was extremely weak; he could barely last two moments—clearly a fleeting moment of clarity before death. The entire city was shrouded in Azure Corpse Poison, and everyone had suffered misfortune. Seeing this, Yin Cheng could only apologize to the gathered villagers (now ghosts), saying, "Yin Cheng has accomplished nothing and is powerless to stop this disaster. I am sorry."
The ghosts bore no resentment towards Yin Cheng because they all witnessed his efforts. The impoverished were often the most innocent; they were harmed without harboring any resentment.
Looking at the villagers, a wave of guilt washed over Yin Cheng. His son, Yin Chunlai, had transformed into a corpse and brought disaster upon everyone. Although others were unaware, Yin Cheng knew that if he had acted sooner against that Paper Effigy Maker’s wrongdoing, perhaps this calamity could have been avoided. Thus, Yin Cheng resolved to uncover the truth behind these events and seek out why this Paper Effigy Maker acted so maliciously.
The entire district had become engulfed in Corpse Poison; given his current state, even waiting a moment longer would likely lead to his demise. Moreover, it was uncertain when this Corpse Poison would dissipate completely. Once turned into a ghost, he would lose all his powers; furthermore, that paper man did not fear him in life and certainly would not fear him as a ghost.
In "Paper Effigy Maker," there is a forbidden technique called "Transformation into Paper," which is the ultimate forbidden art within the paper crafting lineage. The principle behind it is to attach all of one's Essence Blood to a Paper Figurine crafted by oneself, and then forcibly transfer one's soul into the Paper Figurine using this technique. This way, the Paper Figurine possesses the caster's Essence Blood and soul, effectively becoming the caster. However, once the caster enters the body of the Paper Figurine, they cannot escape. The Paper Figurine can only sustain the caster for twelve hours, or twenty-four hours in total. Once this time elapses, the caster's soul will scatter. This is a desperate and forced technique that has been classified as forbidden by the paper crafting sect.
Yin Cheng did not have time to think deeply; after giving a few instructions to the spirits, he found a Paper Figurine he had crafted. He then brandished a dagger and cut off half of his tongue in one swift motion, blood spraying onto the Paper Figurine. After using his Tongue Blood to paint eyes on the Paper Figurine, Yin Cheng mumbled incoherently: "Originally devoted to eliminating demons and protecting the path, but alas, misfortune has befallen me. Today, as Yin Cheng of the paper crafting lineage, I beseech the Patriarch to open your eyes and let me die in my rightful place to uncover the truth."
After finishing his words, he began to chant an incantation, his fingers continuously performing the spell...
In the vast Fengdu, amidst towering Diamond Mountains.
Lingbao Wuliangguang illuminates the Flame Pool Disturbance.
Nine Nether Punishment Souls follow the Fragrant Cloud Banner.
Calm and Wise Azure Lotus rises above Shen Yong'an.
Casting divine powers, let me summon the Paper God; in all matters of the world, allow my body to go forth.
Urgent Order, to obtain righteous energy, rise!
After completing the incantation, Yin Cheng grasped his dagger and sprayed out one last mouthful of Tongue Blood. He then thrust it into his temple with force, piercing through his head. A stream of golden light flowed from his head and surged into the Paper Figurine. Moments later, Yin Cheng collapsed and died.
The Paper Figurine was drenched in blood; after absorbing the golden light, everything about it seemed to come alive as it opened a pair of blood-stained eyes.
Comment 0 Comment Count