Volume One: The Journey of a Useless Talent, Fiery Demon-Slaying Chapter Forty-Eight: The Method of Breaking the Deadlock—Advance by Retreat

After hearing all this, Yang Chengzi gazed at Chen San, as if a plan had already formed in his mind, while Chen San himself was thoroughly baffled, unable to make sense of what had just been said.

Just as Chen San was feeling uneasy under Yang Chengzi’s scrutinizing stare, Chang Yu frowned and asked, “So should we tear Chen San apart? Otherwise, how do we draw the villains away?”

Chen San’s face twisted at Chang Yu’s words; he sucked in a sharp breath, his mouth twitching in distress.

Master Suichang shook his head. “Tearing Chen San apart is out of the question. According to the ancient Daoist method, all we need is another Chen San.”

“The reason Chen San became the center of this ‘stars encircling the moon’ phenomenon is mainly because Yang Chengzi placed a grand formation on him. This formation constantly absorbs the spiritual energies of heaven and earth. Since we’re on the move, any cultivator sensing this would assume someone is carrying a treasure of immense spiritual power, which is why the celestial sign appeared, drawing countless practitioners hoping to seize the artifact.”

Now Chen San finally understood; it turned out his brief blackout had led to this disaster. With a bitter face, he asked, “Master, please tell me the specific method. I feel there’s still hope for me.”

Master Suichang nodded. “I have a plan, but I’m not sure if Yang Chengzi can carry it out.”

“What is it, Master?” Yang Chengzi immediately inquired upon hearing there was a way.

“The Buddhist school has a technique called Breath of Essence, used to regulate internal energy. When I was meditating on the back mountain, I discovered this technique not only calms the breath but also draws many birds and beasts near.”

Yang Chengzi frowned at this, but Master Suichang continued, “In Daoist arts, there is the Spirit Awakening technique. I wonder if that could work here?”

Chen San and Chang Yu were both lost, unable to follow. Chang Yu saw the troubled look on Yang Chengzi’s face and asked, “Sir, I don’t quite understand the method, but you seem troubled. Is there something you cannot speak of?”

“It’s not exactly a secret. I do know the Spirit Awakening technique Master mentioned, and once these birds and beasts have their spirits awakened, they do gather spiritual energy like Chen San does. The difference is, Chen San absorbs the energy, while animals release it. This could certainly confuse those with ill intent. However, the Spirit Awakening technique is fatal to the animals—it only temporarily releases their spiritual essence and awakens their intelligence, but once their essence is spent, their lives end as well. Daoists rarely use this art, reserving it only to send messages before great disasters.”

Chang Yu now understood why Yang Chengzi was so troubled, and why Master Suichang had asked if he could do it. Yang Chengzi, as a Daoist, could not bear to kill.

Even though these birds and beasts would not die immediately, using the technique would ultimately exhaust their essence, and Yang Chengzi would be responsible for their deaths—a hard thing for one who never takes life.

Seeing Yang Chengzi’s hesitation, Chen San slapped him on the shoulder. “Is the life of a bird more important than mine? You’re still hesitating? After I dragged your half-dead self back to Hanshan Temple, not to mention that monk! That wasn’t easy for me, you know—I hadn’t eaten for two days, hauling you two like dead pigs, step by step. If I’d hesitated like you, you’d be long dead, with grass this tall on your grave—no, this tall!” He jumped up and gestured wildly.

Yang Chengzi shook his head and sighed. “Cause and effect, the cycle of rebirth—these birds and beasts have souls and spirits just as we do, only they were born as animals this time. Each life is equally precious. I’m not exactly hesitating, just feeling sorrow for those creatures.”

Chen San, thick-skinned as ever, rubbed Yang Chengzi’s shoulder to comfort him. “We have no choice. Think of the people of Chen Family Town waiting for us to save them. If we die, they might not survive either. Even if lives are equal, if these birds and beasts can save so many people, it’s worth it.”

Chang Yu chimed in, “That’s right. If these animals can save so many lives, it’s a great act of virtue. Maybe in their next life, they won’t have to be born as animals again.”

Master Suichang pressed his palms together and said, “As you said: cause and effect, the cycle of rebirth—perhaps everything is predestined. We should go with the flow and not betray our conscience.”

Yang Chengzi nodded in agreement. “Master, what exactly should we do? My Spirit Awakening technique can awaken dozens of birds at once. When should I perform it?”

Master Suichang nodded approvingly. “I didn’t expect someone so young to have such profound mastery. Clearly, I underestimated you. Soon, you will set up a Bagua Qimen formation—make sure the Gate of Life is placed at Kan. I will use the Breath of Essence technique within the formation to draw the birds and beasts. Once I leave the formation, they will be trapped by your array. Then you use the Spirit Awakening art, and finally, break the formation. Once the birds scatter, Chen San will no longer be the sole target, and the ‘stars encircling the moon’ celestial formation will dissolve.”

Yang Chengzi looked around and fixed his gaze on a small grove not far away. Turning back, he said, “Master, it’s too open here for a formation, and we don’t know where our enemies are. Let’s move to the grove—it’s small, but enough for my array, and we’ll be less vulnerable to ambush.”

The group moved into the grove. Yang Chengzi was about to start the formation when the master stopped him.

“The bright moon is overhead, but at night the woods are filled with snakes and insects; it’s hard to attract intelligent animals now. Wait until morning to perform the awakening.”

Yang Chengzi looked puzzled. “But we don’t know if our enemies have already arrived. Won’t waiting a night make us miss our chance? If they’re already near, tonight could be dangerous.”

Master Suichang shook his head. “They are following the spiritual energy on Chen San. I can set up a formation to block the energy from being sensed outside. One night won’t matter.”

Chang Yu asked, “Then why not keep blocking it for Chen San all the way? That way, they’ll never find him.”

“Exactly!” Chen San nodded vigorously.

“In a formation, that works, but we’re on the move. Once we leave the array, they will sense the energy again. So it’s only a temporary fix.”

Everyone now understood. Yang Chengzi asked curiously, “Master, does such a formation really exist?”

“Of course. In fact, there are several. Buddhism has the Binding Spirit Array and the Concealing Spirit Array. Daoism has the Bagua Soul-Trapping Array as well.”

“But isn’t the Bagua Soul-Trapping Array used for trapping spirits? Can it really block spiritual energy?”

“If you didn’t know that, you surely don’t know it can also preserve a person’s life.”

“Please explain, Master. In my understanding, it’s just an ordinary soul-trapping array. How can it preserve life?” Yang Chengzi asked humbly.

Master Suichang pointed at Chen San. “Take Chen San, for example. Before the phantom demon broke loose, if you had set up the Bagua Soul-Trapping Array in advance, there would have been two outcomes. One: the phantom demon breaks free, but the array traps it; it cannot escape. Two: the demon escapes the body and the array can’t hold it, but it will trap Chen San’s souls and spirits. Even if his three souls and seven spirits leave his body, as long as they aren’t scattered, they remain within the array. You might not be able to save him, but your master or another expert might, given time. As long as his body is preserved and someone who can save him is found, he has a chance at life.”

After hearing this, Yang Chengzi stood silent for a long time. This master could wield arrays so effortlessly, even basic Daoist formations were studied to such depth—it completely overturned Yang Chengzi’s understanding of array techniques.

Chen San, seeing Yang Chengzi lost in thought, patted his shoulder. Yang Chengzi finally recovered and bowed respectfully to Master Suichang.

“Master, though we come from Daoism and Buddhism, if fate allows us to meet again, I hope you will share your insights into arrays with me. I would be deeply grateful.”

Master Suichang lifted Yang Chengzi’s hands. “A teachable soul indeed. With more talented and humble young men like you, we old folk can rest easier. If fate allows, I will teach you everything I know. For now, let me arrange the array. The rest of you find a safe place in the woods to rest; it won’t take me long.”

The small grove was filled with pine and camphor trees and covered about three acres. Hidden among the trees, they could not easily be found. Though there were more snakes and insects than outside, it was safer after they were driven away.

The group sat in a circle beneath a sturdy pine. Since they could not light a fire, Yang Chengzi sprinkled realgar powder around them and, after sensing there were no large animals nearby, allowed everyone to rest.

Master Suichang found a branch and swept away the leaves on the ground, then used the branch to draw a Concealing Spirit talisman. He sat cross-legged, chanting softly. Soon he rose and beckoned Chen San over, who hurried to him.

Master Suichang had Chen San sit atop the talisman and instructed, “The Concealing Spirit Array is active. Once you sit, they can no longer sense you. You may sleep, but do not leave the array.”

Chen San, nervous, asked, “What if I sit down and ruin your talisman? Wouldn’t that put me in danger?”

Master Suichang chuckled. “Don’t worry. The array is already functioning. Just don’t relieve yourself in it and you’ll be fine. Sit down and wait for dawn. After Daoist Yang awakens the spirits tomorrow, you’ll be able to sleep peacefully at night.”

With no other choice, Chen San sat down. Yang Chengzi closed his eyes to meditate, carefully sensing the life around them. Even with a way to break the ‘stars encircling the moon’ omen, he knew not to relax until the celestial formation was truly dissolved. The smallest lapse could mean death.