Talisman Emperor

Chapter 1 - Chen Xi.

Dusk fell upon Pine Mist City in the southern territory as the fiery sun set in the west.

For the thousandth time, Chen Xi pushed upon the door and entered the Zhang General Store.

The Zhang General Store was just an ordinary, medium-sized retail store within Pine Mist City that sold self-manufactured talisman-related products to keep itself afloat.

The merchandise that sold the most were first-grade and second-grade talismans. These were the foundation of the Zhang General Store’s survival. While its business wasn’t great, it benefitted from the small but steady stream of income and was barely able to establish itself within Pine Mist City.

“Talisman paper, talisman brush, and ink; it’s impossible to craft talismans without these three materials. It seems simple, but in reality it’s extremely complex. From today onwards, you will all learn how to differentiate between talisman papers, the utilization of the talisman brush, and the composition of the ink. Once you have a solid foundation, I’ll then instruct you in talisman crafting.”

Only now did Chen Xi realize that the store had once again recruited seven or eight talisman crafting apprentices with immature faces. Boss Zhang Dayong’s shriveled voice echoed within the general store.

“I’ll give the lot of you a month. If your skill doesn’t satisfy me after the month is over, then go home and play in the mud. You lot must remember that if you want to become a qualified talisman master, studying diligently and training hard is the only way to get there, as no one is able to easily succeed!”

The newly recruited talisman crafting apprentices had gazes that were filled with excitement and eagerness; they were itching to have a go at talisman crafting.

“Mmm, Chen Xi, you’re here.” Zhang Dayong looked over his shoulder to see Chen Xi and greeted him with a smile on his face.

“Uncle Zhang, these are the 30 Flamecloud Talismans for today.” Chen Xi pulled out a stack of azure talismans and passed them over.

Zhang Dayong waved his hand in dismissal. “There’s no rush. Since you’re here, then help me teach these little kids. These wages will be calculated separately. Hmmm, how about I pay you 3 spirit stones per hour?”

Chen Xi nodded after pondering for brief moment. “Alright!”

30 Flamecloud Talismans could be sold for 10 spirit stones but required five hours of his time to craft, and thus, if calculated in this manner, three spirit stones per hour was indeed generous.

Zhang Dayong smiled before turning to look at the newly recruited talisman crafting apprentices and said in a low voice with a serious expression, “The Dao of talisman crafting is broad and profound, and to better assist you lot in grasping the rudiments, your senior, Chen Xi, will demonstrate how a first-grade Flamecloud Talisman is crafted. I don’t dare speak about anything else, but if I were to speak about the solidity of one’s foundation in talisman crafting, then no one in the entire city is more extraordinary than Chen Xi. In this aspect, even I feel ashamed of my inferiority. You lot should look carefully and learn properly, and be sure to not miss out on this opportunity.”

Whoosh!

Seven or eight gazes descended upon Chen Xi in unison, but when they noticed that he was only a youth with a haggardly pale expression and was not much older than them, doubt arose within their eyes. Is this fellow really as formidable as Uncle Zhang says?

Chen Xi remained unfazed, seemingly unable to notice the subtle changes in the atmosphere around him as he moved forward and arrived before the talisman crafting desk. Here he picked up the light azure talisman paper from the side and placed it flat on the desk before lifting his brush and gently dipping it into the ink. He waved the brush in his hand in a fluid and skillful manner as if he was moving his hand without the need to reflect.

The youths hurriedly surrounded Chen Xi when they noticed this scene.

Talisman brush in hand, Chen Xi’s disposition seemed to change as his gaze became focused and tranquil. His wrist swayed like a snake, moving the tip of his brush in an agile and graceful manner, rustling as it moved... Fine and elegant blackish-red lines crept across the Talisman Paper in a natural and smooth manner, seeming to be like wisps of smoke naturally curling into existence.

The newly recruited talisman crafting apprentices didn’t blink; they stared wide-eyed at Chen Xi’s wrist, the talisman brush, and the talisman markings slowly coming into form on the light azure talisman paper. A sense of shock slowly arose within their hearts as they watched.

Talismans were divided into nine grades. The first-grade Flamecloud Talisman was merely one of the most basic talismans, and thus it naturally was also one of the lowest level talismans. The youths originally didn’t take Chen Xi, who seemed not much older than them, seriously. Chen Xi’s movements were limited and repetitive, but they were filled with a graceful and lively aesthetic combined with precise control. Even though his movements weren’t grand, when the youths witnessed Chen Xi craft a talisman with their own eyes, their hearts were instantly conquered by him.

Chen Xi wore a concentrated expression and was completely oblivious to what was going on around him, not noticing the changes in the gazes from the surrounding people. Once he started crafting a talisman, Chen Xi would immerse himself in a profound and tranquil state, and only the fine and intricate talisman markings would remain in his eyes.

Zhang Dayong couldn’t help but laugh heartily when he saw the shocked appearances of the youths. Not to mention these newbies, even he himself couldn’t help but feel a sense of shock within his heart whenever he saw it with his own two eyes. It was exactly as he had said, Chen Xi had indeed achieved an extraordinary level of skill in terms of attainment in basic talismans.

Chen Xi controlled the brush’s tip to dot, flick, hook, stroke, and whirl with sharp and precise force. Following the movement of Chen Xi’s Talisman Brush, a delicate and intricate pattern slowly formed on the thin, light azure pine grain talisman paper.

The time it would take for one incense stick to burn passed.

Whoosh!

The talisman paper shone abruptly, seeming to exhale and inhale before returning to normal.

As he laid down the talisman, Chen Xi’s entire body felt sore and uncomfortable; it seemed like it was about to fall apart, and that haggard and handsome face of his was so pale that it almost seemed translucent.

Before coming to the general store, Chen Xi had already crafted 30 first-grade Flamecloud Talismans, and thus not only was his True Essence on the verge of depletion, even his mental energy was consumed greatly. Therefore, completing this talisman utterly drained him of his True Essence, and his mental energy was emaciated.

The newly recruited talisman crafting apprentices didn’t take note of this, however. They instantly burst into an uproar the moment they saw Chen Xi complete a talisman with such fluidity.

“How formidable! The speed, nimbleness, and precision with which he wielded the brush is really shocking!”

“Wah! Senior Chen Xi successfully crafted a talisman in one go! Such a success rate can only be described as perfect!”

“I must properly ask Senior Chen Xi for advice in the future! I must become proficient in that brush technique!”

However, at precisely this moment, a sarcastic voice abruptly echoed within the store.

“Hmph, what’s so great about crafting a first-grade basic talisman? If you lot are given five years, you’ll be able to excel in basic talisman crafting like Deadpan Chen too. Why don’t you lot ask Deadpan Chen when he’ll be able to craft second-grade talismans? With his level of skill, all he can do is overawe newbies like you lot.”

The person who said this was a frivolous young man who stood at the general store’s entrance. He had a long and narrow face, a pair of large eyes filled with a sense of disdain, and his arms were crossed over his chest. It was unknown when he arrived.

The sounds of praise instantly vanished without a trace upon hearing what the young man said, and the originally burning gazes of reverence of the youths now contained a trace of doubt.

He took five years to master first-grade basic talismans? What shitty natural talent!

Deadpan Chen, ha, what a vivid nickname.... Wait, so it’s him!

The new talisman crafting apprentices were finally able to recall who Chen Xi was, and their gazes emitted a weird sense in unison.

The name “Deadpan Chen” was known to every household within Pine Mist City, and Chen Xi was the worthy owner of the title “no.1 jinx.”

On the day of his birth, the Chen Clan, which was originally thought of as a first-rate clan, was annihilated by their enemies in a night. Chen Xi’s grandfather, father, and mother were the only survivors.

When he was one year old, his grandfather was bedridden with a severe illness, which eventually led to his grandfather losing his entire cultivation and becoming a cripple. His family was thus forced to move into Pine Mist City’s commoner district.

When he was two, his younger brother, Chen Hao, was born, but his mother, Zuo Qiuxue, went missing. Rumor had it that she detested the fallen Chen Clan and couldn’t bear with such an impoverished life, and thus eloped with a young and handsome son of a wealthy family.

When he was three, his father, Chen Lingjun, left his family and had not returned since.

When he was four, the Su Clan from the southern territory, which had formed a betrothal contract with him since before he was born, dispatched more than ten Golden Hall Realm masters to Pine Mist City. When they arrived, they stood atop the sky and tore the marriage contract to shreds before the eyes of everyone within Pine Mist City before flying off with a swagger.

Misfortune after misfortune befell Chen Xi continuously for five years, each more stirring than the previous. Pine Mist City wasn’t large at all, so before long, the name of Chen Xi the jinx seemed to have grown wings and spread throughout the city, and it became known to all.

Chen Xi had been reserved since he was young and had a cold and detached expression; no one had seen him smile before. Combined with the dissemination by some busybodies, the nickname “Deadpan Chen” resounded within Pine Mist City.

“Uncle Zhang, I’ll come again tomorrow.”

Chen Xi could feel the strange atmosphere around him. That is to say, he grew up under such gazes in these past few years and had long since gotten used to them. He nodded towards Uncle Zhang before turning around and leaving with a calm expression.

“Hmph!”

Not long after Chen Xi left, Zhang Dayong fiercely glared at the young man at the entrance before scolding him. “Yun Hong, come with me!”

The youth jolted. “Uncle, I...” Before he could explain himself, the young man called Yun Hong noticed that his uncle had long since entered the rear room. As he hurriedly ran to follow, he resentfully muttered, “Incomprehensible. All I did was present some facts about Deadpan Chen. What’s he getting so serious about?”

Right after the two of them left, the group of newly recruited talisman crafting apprentices couldn’t help themselves from discussing what they had just witnessed.

“Heh, so that was Deadpan Chen. If I knew this earlier, I wouldn’t have come. I wonder if I’ll be contaminated with misfortune if I learn talisman crafting from him.”

“Ah! Shit! I accidentally bumped into Deadpan Chen earlier when he was crafting the talisman... This won’t do, I have to hurry home and take a bath.”

“Haha, look at how intimidated all of you are. My father said that Deadpan Chen only brings disaster upon the Chen Clan and doesn’t affect us.”

The night sky was as dark as ink and studded with stars.

Under the piercingly cold gale, Chen Xi silently loosened his fist, which was clenched to the point where his joints were pale, then tightened the thin clothes on his body as he swiftly walked towards his home.

When he was about to reach his home, he spotted a thin figure sitting before the door. Thanks to the starlight, he was able to vaguely discern that the figure was his younger brother, Chen Hao.

“Big Brother, you’re home.” Chen Hao, who was only 12, stood up and shouted out in joy before seeming to realize that something was wrong, making him hurriedly lower his head.

Chen Xi walked up and said with a voice that contained a trace of sternness, “Raise your head.”

Chen Hao was like a child that had made a mistake, but he stubbornly refused to raise his head as he spoke nervously. “Grandfather is waiting for you to have dinner. Let’s go inside.”

After he spoke, Chen Hao turned around and wanted to enter the house, but he was grabbed by Chen Xi from behind.

“Did you get into a fight again?” Chen Xi extended his hand to raise Chen Hao’s chin. He frowned slightly when he saw blotches of red and swollen bruises on his younger brother’s small face.

Chen Hao forcefully struggled free of Chen Xi and lifted his head, then he loudly said with a gaze that contained as much stubbornness as before, “They called me a bastard, they called Big Brother a jinx and cursed our family, saying we will all die sooner or later. Of course I had to beat them.”

Chen Xi jolted, then he gazed at his stubborn younger brother, gazed at the sense of rage and unwillingness on his immature and small face, and an indescribable pain suddenly arose within his heart.

Chapter 2 - Departure

Chen Hao gazed at his older brother with an anxious and fearful expression and held his breath in fear.

His older brother took care of his food, housing, and sent him to cultivate in the best martial school within Pine Mist City. Even the spirit stones that Chen Xi obtained with great difficulty were all spent on him, whereas Chen Xi had always been unwilling to spend even a wee bit of spirit stones on himself.

Chen Hao knew that although his older brother seemed frosty, he actually had an extremely good heart and was considerate right down to the most trivial details of himself and his grandfather. But why does everyone make fun of him?

Deadpan Chen, Jinx...

Whenever he recalled these malicious nicknames, Chen Hao’s heart would be filled with fury and he would wish for nothing more than to fiercely break the jaws of those people that made fun of his older brother.

“Hmph. I’ll still beat them for as long as they continue to insult Big Brother!” Chen Hao clenched his tiny fists tightly as he secretly made this decision in his heart.

“Let’s go home and have dinner.” Chen Xi came to from his silent state and took a deep breath before patting Chen Hao on the shoulder. He then pushed the old and worn-out door and walked into the house.

“Big Brother, you’re not going to scold me?” Chen Hao was stupefied for a moment before joyfully grinning and yelling, “Alright, Big Brother, I was about to starve to death!”

...

A pine oil lamp flickered with dim rays of light that illuminated the narrow, cramped, and worn-out wooden house.

An old man with aged and sparsely scattered hair sat silently at the dining table. His face was full of wrinkles and he had bones that were thin like twigs, as well as a pair of murky eyes that emitted a decaying aura.

The old man was Chen Tianli, a figure that once commanded the wind and the clouds within Pine Mist City. Unfortunately, after the annihilation of the Chen Clan, his old illness relapsed, causing his cultivation to be completely crippled and turning him into an ordinary old man.

“Grandfather.” Chen Xi silently sat at the table. He couldn’t help but sigh inwardly when he saw the bowl of pickled cabbage and three bowls of rice on the table. I’m still too stupid. If I could earn a few more spirit stones each day, Grandfather and Little Brother wouldn’t have to suffer anymore.

“Eat.” Chen Tianli’s voice was deep and hoarse. “I have something to say after dinner.”

Chen Xi jolted before nodding. “Okay.”

The way the group ate was extremely amusing. Chen Xi and his grandfather only ate rice; they gave the small bowl of pickled cabbage to Chen Hao. The little fellow seemed to know that refusing would be of no use, so he immersed himself in eating as he repeated in his heart the pledge that he made a long time ago. “Grandfather, Big Brother, once my cultivation becomes strong, I’ll surely get all the best delicacies in the world for you two, and we won’t eat this damned pickled cabbage anymore!”

After their meal, Chen Hao obediently cleared the dishes, then he picked up a wooden sword and walked out of the house. He wanted to train with the sword; he wanted to use every minute he had and make himself stronger!

“What level have you cultivated your Violet Sky Arts to?” Chen Tianli’s aged face revealed a trace of gratification when he heard the swishing sounds of sword training from outside the window.

The Violet Sky Arts was the Chen Clan’s qi refinement cultivation technique that was handed down from their ancestors. It had a total of 18 levels which recorded in detail the cultivation technique from the 9th level Postnatal Realm to the 9th level Congenital Realm.

“Still at the 13th level.” Even when speaking with his grandfather, Chen Xi’s face was as icy-cold as always, and that sedated and stiff aura of his seemed as if it would never change.

“Oh.” Chen Tianli nodded and made no comment, but in his heart, a trace of complicated feelings poured out.

He both loved and hated this grandson of his, because ever since Chen Xi was born, the entire Chen Clan was struck with grievous news non-stop. The clan was annihilated, Chen Xi’s mother abandoned her family and left, Chen Xi’s father left full of hatred...

Most loathsome of all was that Dragon Lake City’s Su Clan actually tore apart the previously agreed upon marriage contract before the eyes of everyone in Pine Mist City, causing Chen Tianli to lose face. Were it not for him being concerned that there would be no one to bring up his two young grandchildren, he would wish for nothing more than to commit suicide and end his own life!

Sometimes, he would question if his grandson was really as the rumours portrayed, a jinx with misfortune looming above his head. However, he would quickly get rid of this thought, as he and his two grandchildren were the only remnants of the entire Chen Clan. Coupled with his deteriorating body, they could only rely on Chen Xi crafting talismans to barely bring home the bacon.

That is to say that it was precisely because of the presence of Chen Xi that their family didn’t stoop to the extent of becoming associated with beggars all these years. Under Chen Xi’s toilsome efforts, his young grandson, Chen Hao, was even able to enter and cultivate in the Skystar Dojo, which was famous within Pine Mist City.

A jet of warmth gushed out from Chen Tianli’s heart when he thought up to this point. No matter how misfortunate he was, Little Xi was still his grandson and the flesh and blood of the Chen Clan.

“I’ve really made you suffer all these years.” Chen Tianli sighed. “I let Chen Hao eat and wear the best we have, and I even let him enter the dojo to learn martial arts. But I made you work hard to earn a living while not gaining the slightest bit of benefit. Grandfather...has really been unfair to you!”

Chen Xi’s body stiffened as the grievances that were suppressed deep within his heart for so many years stirred within him. He hurriedly took a deep breath, forcefully suppressing these grievances, then he shook his head and said, “You’re aged and in poor health, whereas Little Hao is young and ignorant. Thus, these things naturally ought to be done by me.”

Chen Tianli laughed it off as he waved his hand and said, “Let’s not talk about all this.”

Chen Xi nodded and then fell silent.

His disposition was dull and unsociable, nor was he good with words. Combined with being subjected to the mocking and ridicule of the people around him all these years, it had caused him to grow reserved, and he would rather go about silently than speaking an extra word.

After pondering for quite some time, Chen Tianli abruptly spoke. “Dragon Lake City’s Thousand Sword Sect will open its doors to the public in half a month and recruit disciples. I plan to take Little Hao there to try his luck.”

Chen Xi jolted before saying, “That’s good as well. Leaving Pine Mist City is more beneficial to Little Hao’s growth.”

Chen Tianli couldn’t help himself from asking, “You... don’t hate Grandfather for showing preference, right?”

Chen Xi shook his head. “I’ll obey Grandfather’s arrangements in everything.”

Chen Tianli carefully gazed at his grandson’s face, seeming to want to see something in it. What made him disappointed after that was that from the beginning till the end, Chen Xi’s appearance didn’t move in the slightest; it was as if he was a stiff log.

“He is dull when amongst people, and when others speak, he even becomes silent. I wonder if it’s good or bad that he has such a firm and wilful disposition, alas!” Chen Tianli sighed in his heart, then returned to the house.

...

Early in the morning of the next day, when Chen Xi had just awoken, the day had only just dawned. He used cold water to wash his face and had only just walked out of his room when he saw Chen Hao training with the sword.

Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh!

The wooden sword repeatedly emitted sounds of air being torn as it moved about uninhibitedly. Chen Hao held the sword with his right hand, and his thin and weak figure leaped about nimbly as he chopped, slashed, flicked, stabbed, and swept his sword as he scrupulously practiced his swordsmanship.

His small face was filled with sweat, but between his immature brows was a sense of staunchness, and the wooden sword in his hand didn’t tremble in the slightest as it moved steadily and skillfully.

Chen Xi silently watched for a moment without disturbing his younger brother. After hurriedly preparing breakfast, instead of crafting talismans as usual, he instead quickly dashed towards the Zhang General Store. 

“Ah, Deadpan Chen is here again!”

“Alas, I originally thought that I wouldn’t bump into him if I came to work in the morning, but who knew that I would still run into him? Truly misfortunate.”

Within the Zhang General Store, the newly recruited talisman crafting apprentices moved away in succession when they noticed Chen Xi walk in. Their faces were full of the fear of being infected with misfortune.

“Uncle Zhang, is it alright for me to borrow 100 spirit stones from you?” How could Chen Xi have the mood to pay attention to these fellows who taunted and jeered at him? He directly arrived before the counter and raised his request to Zhang Dayong.

Zhang Dayong said, in a questioning manner, “Chen Xi, what happened? Tell me and maybe I can be of some help.”

Chen Xi has helped craft talismans for his general store for more than five years, and he had never once borrowed money from him, but today Chen Xi unexpectedly wanted to borrow 100 spirit stones from him. He was naturally bewildered and thought that if it was something within his ability, he would help the kid out.

Chen Xi perceived the sense of care within Zhang Dayong’s words, and his heart was warmed as he said while shaking his head, “I haven’t encountered any trouble; I only want to buy something.”

Zhang Dayong came to a sudden understanding. He then decisively took out a spirit jade and said, “Here, is it enough? If it isn’t, I can still lend you a little more.”

“It’s enough. Thank you, Uncle Zhang. I’ll repay you quickly.” A spirit jade was roughly comparable to 100 spirit stones, and the exchange rate was only higher, not lower. After Chen Xi received the spirit jade, he turned around and left with hurried steps.

“Strange, this kid is usually extremely thrifty for the sake of maintaining the livelihood of his family, so he has never once spent money recklessly. What’s going on today?” Zhang Dayong gazed at Chen Xi’s figure that vanished outside the store and was extremely bewildered.

...

The Hundred Refinement Hall was situated in a busy district at the center of Pine Mist City. It exclusively sold weapons and equipment that were required by cultivators on a grand scale, and it was rather famous within the city.

After Chen Xi dropped by, it wasn’t even 15 minutes before the spirit jade was spent, but he didn’t feel pained at all; a sense of gratification arose within his heart instead.

When he returned home, it was already near midday. Chen Tianli was packing their bags, whereas Chen Hao sat before the door with his hands cupping his face, pondering about something.

“Brother, you’re back.” Chen Hao stood up with a ‘whoosh,’ and his small face was filled with joy.

Chen Xi rubbed Chen Hao’s head as he asked, “Leaving soon?”

Chao Hao nodded, and his expression dimmed. He wasn’t willing to part with his older brother, and when he thought of how he wouldn’t be able to frequently see his older brother once he’d gone to Dragon Lake City, he felt extremely sad.

Chen Xi took out a rectangular, jade case and passed it over. “I bought this for you; you have to work hard.”

“For me?” Chen Hao was stupefied. He looked at the exquisite, jade case, and for a moment, he didn’t dare believe his eyes.

Ever since he was small, whenever he saw the kids of other families flaunting various gifts, he would feel extremely envious, but he didn’t dare have any extravagant hopes of possessing one. Because he knew that the life of his family relied on the toilsome efforts of his older brother in order to maintain their livelihood, and under these circumstances, he didn’t dare crave for it at all.

Now, at the moment before he departed, his older brother didn’t say a thing and bought him a present. How could this not make him feel touched?

“Brother...” Chen Hao’s voice was slightly choked as he lowered his head. He spent a great deal of effort to stop himself from crying, but his eyes were already red.

Chen Xi patted his young brother’s shoulder. “Take good care of Grandfather, and take good care of yourself as well.”

“Mmm!” Chen Hao fiercely nodded.

“I’ll go see to Grandfather, and I’ll escort you two out of the city later.” Chen Xi’s face revealed a rare trace of a faint smile as he turned around and walked into the house.

Chen Hao took a deep breath as he slowly opened the jade case. Within the case, a longsword that emitted a piercingly cold sheen silently laid there.

Om!

After holding up the longsword and pouring his True Essence into it, the long sword suddenly emitted a clear and melodious cry, and a trace of a dense, sharp qi gushed out.

“Brother, don’t worry, I won’t let you down!” Chen Hao gazed at the longsword in his hand with a firm gaze. It was like he had grown up overnight and was no longer the ignorant child from before.

...

Outside the city’s gate.

At midday, as the sun hung high in the sky, a carriage carried the pair of grandfather and grandson as it slowly sped off.

Chen Xi stood atop the city wall. With his gaze focused on something in the distance, his heart rose and fell like the waves.

Chapter 3 - Grievous News