Chapter 104 – Cause and Effect

His voice was unprecedentedly stern, and Wei Yang didn’t dare hesitate. He immediately took off the leather cord around his neck and handed it over. Zeng Jingxuan didn’t stand on ceremony either. He took the bone segment and examined it carefully, as though it wasn’t unfamiliar to him.

Wei Yang couldn’t help but feel nervous. Did Master Zeng know about these bone formations? Or had he heard of things like witch bones?

Sure enough, a few minutes later, Zeng Jingxuan put down the leather cord and sighed softly, “Where did you get this witch bone?”

Having prepared himself mentally, Wei Yang quickly replied, “One was dug up from a cemetery, and the other is a family heirloom from my grandmother’s side. My grandmother’s ancestors were always spirit mediums, and they even enshrined a fox immortal using ghost yin wood. This thing was found in the ancestral shrine.”

Zeng Jingxuan hadn’t expected this and raised an eyebrow in surprise, “This is a family heirloom? Wait, where’s the talisman jade you used to carry?”

If not for the reminder, Wei Yang would have almost forgotten about the talisman jade. Now that he was being questioned, he felt a bit uneasy and replied in a low voice, “Brother Qi and I ran into a corpse puppet before, and the talisman jade was destroyed by that thing…”

“What? A corpse puppet?” This was even more shocking than before. Zeng Jingxuan slightly sat up, his brows furrowing tightly, “What exactly happened? Tell me in detail!”

Faced with a true expert, Wei Yang didn’t dare hide anything. He recounted everything that had happened recently, especially the incident with the corpse puppet, including how the Little Celestial Master’s soul had been unstable and the events after returning home. He spoke for nearly half an hour, not uttering a single lie except for omitting some overly “private” details. For a little swindler like Wei Yang, who could lie at the drop of a hat, this was quite a feat.

However, Zeng Jingxuan grew more and more astonished as he listened. He couldn’t help but glance at his nephew standing nearby. He had watched Zhang Xiuqi grow up and was well aware of the limits of his abilities. He had left him with Wei Yang in the hopes of keeping him away from danger and allowing him to recover peacefully. Who would have thought that the troubles they encountered would be even greater than usual? Yet, after all these unexpected incidents, Xiao Qi’s soul not only hadn’t been damaged but seemed to show signs of regaining consciousness. Even Zeng Jingxuan was puzzled by this.

However, there was no need to mention this to others. After Wei Yang finally finished recounting everything, Zeng Jingxuan nodded, “I didn’t expect you to run into so many things… So, you must now know the purpose of this witch bone, right?”

When mentioning his hometown, Wei Yang didn’t hide much either. He gave a rough explanation of the fox immortal incident. Since he had used the bone formation to deal with the fox immortal, it was clear he understood the extraordinary nature of this item. Wei Yang obediently replied, “It seems this thing can deal with yin evil, but I still haven’t figured out how it works. I only know it has something to do with the Wu Family’s bloodline.”

Zeng Jingxuan nodded, “That’s correct. Witch bones originally came from the Wu Family. Judging by your bloodline, you probably have some connection to them. However, this item hasn’t been exclusive to the Wu Family for a long time.”

“Someone researched a Taoist method to use witch bones,” Wei Yang said with certainty, already aware of the existence of the manuscript.

“Sun Yunhe, the thirty-second head disciple of the Mao Mountain Sect, formed a bond with a descendant of the Wu Family and eventually developed a set of techniques. However, witch bones were originally a closely guarded secret of the Wu Family. That descendant of the Wu Family suffered misfortune because of him, and Sun Yunhe eventually went mad and defected from Mao Mountain.”

Zeng Jingxuan answered calmly, but Wei Yang couldn’t help but widen his eyes, “You’re saying the book Old Yao obtained might be Sun Yunhe’s work? Such a powerful figure actually defected from his sect?”

This was something Wei Yang hadn’t anticipated at all. After all, the manuscript seemed perfectly normal. The writer didn’t show any signs of madness; instead, there was a scholarly dedication to research, even with a self-deprecating tone. He didn’t seem like a bad person at all.

“Entering the Dao or falling into madness is just a matter of obsession,” Zeng Jingxuan seemed unwilling to continue discussing Sun Yunhe and quickly changed the subject, “I’ve also looked into some things about witch bones and even seen people use them. However, I’ve never seen a complete bone formation like yours.”

So this thing really is called a bone formation? Wei Yang caught the implication in Zeng Jingxuan’s words, “So, this is indeed a set. Do you know its purpose?”

“It’s just a legend,” Zeng Jingxuan leaned back slightly, letting his shoulders rest against the raised hospital bed, “It’s said that the witch bones of the Wu Family are also graded. The lowest level consists of single bones, which are larger and inscribed with simpler Extinction Script, used for ordinary witchcraft rituals. The next level consists of paired bones, with Extinction Script that complements each other, capable of bridging yin and yang. Their power is said to rival the signature formations of the Taoist sects. The truly precious ones are bone formations made of three or more bones. The bones in such formations are usually uniform, and the Extinction Script is meticulously carved, resembling intricate patterns. These can only be forged from the bones of the most pure-blooded grand witches, and many were even crafted by the grand witches themselves using their own bones during their lifetimes. Like this bone formation.”

Zeng Jingxuan picked up the two finger bone segments and said lightly, “Judging by their shape, it’s likely that a grand witch from a certain generation extracted one of their own finger bones and carved it into a bone formation using three or four bone segments, then empowered it with witchcraft. Such bone formations are a hundred times more powerful than other witch bones. Moreover, bone formations can be combined for use, and each individual piece also has its own functions—they can be used against demons, humans, or yin ghosts. However, bone formations are extremely rare, and the descendants of the Wu Family are even rarer. Nowadays, very few people know their exact usage.”

Zeng Jingxuan spoke slowly, but his reasoning was very clear. Wei Yang’s heart raced as he listened. He had no idea that such a small bone segment could have such a purpose. Swallowing hard, Wei Yang finally asked, “Then, were the people who came after Old Yao this time aware of the bone formation, or did they have other intentions regarding that manuscript?”

“Perhaps both,” Zeng Jingxuan chuckled coldly, “Actually, this time was also a coincidence. The people who targeted Master Yao might be the same ones I’ve been investigating. In this world, there are very few people without Wu Family blood who can still use witch bones. Only they would be so determined to obtain Sun Yunhe’s manuscript.”

There was definitely more to this story, but Wei Yang keenly sensed that Master Zeng wouldn’t tell him everything. After hesitating for a moment, Wei Yang said, “Before, Brother Qi and I encountered a Jiangtou Master in my hometown county. He was skilled in using ghost immortals and seemed to be investigating your whereabouts. Brother Qi and I went through quite a bit of trouble to deal with that guy…”

Zeng Jingxuan raised an eyebrow in surprise, a faint smile appearing at the corner of his lips, “No wonder those little ghosts disappeared. Ghost immortals harm the natural order; it’s best to eliminate them.”

So-called ghost immortals were a general term for things like Camphor Willow Immortals and Soul Dolls, all of which were evil techniques that used children to create ritual instruments. However, these methods were highly effective for tracking and gathering information, so some people still dared to try them despite the risks. Master Zeng’s words carried a tone of approval, and Wei Yang couldn’t help but feel relieved. After thinking for a moment, he hesitantly asked, “Master Zeng, what should we do next? I’ve already asked someone to capture the Jiangtou Master who escaped yesterday, but as long as the manuscript is still in Old Yao’s hands, it will always be a problem.”

“That’s right,” Zeng Jingxuan chuckled coldly, “Later, we’ll have to ask Master Yao to lend us that book and see what those people are after. We’ll also need to investigate the people around Master Yao to find out where the information leaked from. Once we’ve figured out the details, we can decide how to use this book.”

This was exactly the answer Wei Yang wanted. What he feared most wasn’t being chased or getting caught up in some witch bone vortex, but rather that Master Zeng would take the Little Celestial Master and leave. As long as they stayed here and needed to communicate with the Yao Family, they couldn’t shake off his clingy presence. This was also why Wei Yang had insisted on personally rescuing Old Yao.

Feeling as though he had taken a calming pill, Wei Yang glanced at Zeng Jingxuan’s still-pale face and quickly said, “Then I’ll go contact the police and see if we can find the Jiangtou Master. Also, Uncle Qi should be arriving soon. Once he retrieves the manuscript, I’ll make sure to borrow it for you to take a look at. Master Zeng, just rest here peacefully and leave everything else to us.”

After speaking, he glanced at Zhang Xiuqi standing by the hospital bed. With his uncle and Ah Yang by his side, the Little Celestial Master no longer seemed anxious. He stood there quietly, watching the two of them. Sensing his thoughts, Wei Yang gave him a reassuring smile, not daring to say anything unnecessary, and turned to leave the ward.

Despite the intentional smile, Zhang Xiuqi couldn’t help but frown as he watched Wei Yang’s retreating figure, taking a few steps to follow him. Seeing this, Zeng Jingxuan coughed lightly and called him back, “Xiao Qi, help me lower the bed.”

This call immediately made Zhang Xiuqi stop in his tracks. He turned back to the bedside and steadily began operating the lever to flatten the bed. In a VIP ward like this, every bed could be adjusted with a remote control—there was no need for manual operation. However, Zeng Jingxuan didn’t explain this. Instead, he struggled to extend his hand and gently touched Zhang Xiuqi’s messy bangs, “Xiao Qi, the talisman jade that boy was carrying has already been destroyed. Why are you still following him?”

If Wei Yang had been present, this question would have made him break out in a cold sweat. But Zhang Xiuqi didn’t have such concerns. Without even thinking, he replied, “That’s Ah Yang.”

“Ah Yang?” Zeng Jingxuan’s brows tightened. When had their relationship become so intimate? However, his furrowed brows quickly relaxed, and he chuckled softly, “Is it from what you remembered back then?”

The time was too short, and Zeng Jingxuan’s energy was truly limited. He hadn’t been able to ask about everything in detail. But from what Wei Yang had said, it was clear that the boy had indeed remembered some things from the past. If the two had met back then, it wasn’t impossible for Xiao Qi to have retained some memories, especially since he had lost his Heavenly Soul after that incident…

Closing his eyes briefly, Zeng Jingxuan lowered his arm and smiled at his nephew, “It’s good that you’ve remembered. I didn’t expect him to bring so many unexpected encounters. Perhaps I wasn’t wrong this time—he’s a variable in your fate, and it seems like quite a promising one at that…”

Master Zeng’s gaze shifted to the bedside, where Wei Yang’s bone formation lay. Now that he understood the importance of this item, the fact that Wei Yang had dared to leave it with him showed that the little swindler was deliberately trying to show goodwill and express his trust in the two of them. With such an ally, it would also be good for Xiao Qi to make friends. It didn’t seem like a bad thing. As for what would happen next…

Zeng Jingxuan’s eyes darkened, a cold glint appearing in them. As for what would happen next, they would just have to see what tricks those people had up their sleeves.

&&&

“Master,” an elderly man with white hair said respectfully before a spacious desk, “There seems to have been some trouble in Shanxi Province. Junior Brother Xu and Junior Brother Yan both died unexpectedly. Xiao Liu just called and said he’s encountered others.”

“Others?” The person sitting at the desk raised an eyebrow and stopped writing, “Do you know which sect or school they’re from?”

The elderly man’s expression grew tense, “This… Xiao Liu is still young and couldn’t tell. But anyone who could defeat Junior Brothers Xu and Yan must have considerable skills. Junior Brother Xu even had a Soul Binding Talisman with him, but it still couldn’t save his life.”

“Oh, then it must be one of those families,” the man chuckled, his wrist lowering as the brush returned to the paper, “Senior Sun’s manuscript is a rare item, but for us, it’s not necessarily crucial. Send someone reliable to take a look. If you can retrieve it, that’s best. If not, make sure it doesn’t fall into their hands.”

The elderly man pondered for a moment before asking for instructions, “Should we send Junior Brother Sun to check it out?”

The man’s brush paused again, and he glanced at the elderly man with interest, “Nian’en? That’s fine. But before he goes, give him this.”

With that, he took something off his wrist and handed it to the elderly man. As if it were burning hot, the elderly man immediately accepted the item with utmost respect, took a light breath, and then whispered, “Master, this thing… isn’t it too…”

“It’s just a bone formation. Tell him to use it carefully and come back safely,” the man waved his hand dismissively, “By the way, you should also prepare well. We’ll be heading into the mountains during the dark moon. Don’t delay the journey.”

“I understand!” the elderly man quickly replied. After observing the man’s expression and confirming there were no further instructions, he carefully exited the study.

Looking at the item in his hand, the elderly man’s lips curled into a bitter smile. It seemed his attempt to trip up Junior Brother Sun had backfired. Junior Brother Sun was still more favored by the master. However, this bone formation was only lent to him for use—it wasn’t a gift. There was still a chance for competition. It all depended on the results of this trip into the mountains.

With a cold snort, the elderly man no longer lingered. Holding the bone formation, which was only as thick as a finger bone, he quickly walked out the door.