Chapter 19: The Corrupting Corpse Worm

The orange eyes shimmered with a faint glow as the gray hawk swooped down sharply. Its green-black claws scraped across the glazed tiles, emitting a sharp “shh” sound.

“Who dares trespass on the Office of the Grand Historian?”

The doors of the seven small buildings burst open, and several figures swiftly emerged, shouting in unison.

Ye Ziyan tried to dodge, but it was already too late.

One after another, six bronze lamps—red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and indigo—ignited in sequence, casting elongated shadows of the fluttering figures.

Without a moment’s hesitation, the bracelet instantly unlocked. The twin purple phoenix blades spun in a whirl as Ye Ziyan decisively lunged toward the gray hawk.

The “Celestial Pivot of Ten Thousand Nations,” a bronze pillar standing ninety-five zhang tall, towered over Ziwei City. Nine dragons coiled around its body, symbolizing the nation’s fortune.

Recalling the words of Chief Physician Chao, who spoke of the unity of heaven and man in the divine capital, Ling Xuan pondered deeply. He activated the recently mastered Qi Observation Technique. The single, vertical pupil reflected nine dragon pearls, their iridescent hues subdued yet vibrant. Golden strands of energy radiated outward.

“So this is the leakage of national fortune?” he mused. To think that merely testing the Qi Observation Technique would reveal the drifting golden aura of national luck, mostly concentrated toward the Liao Dong region.

His heart stirred with surprise. Should he observe it solely here or could it be seen elsewhere as well?

He hastily opened the “Treatise on the Origins of Demon Souls,” where the opening passage elaborated on the Qi Observation Technique: “All things in the world are nourished by Qi; all things arise from Qi. When Qi dissipates, things vanish; when Qi gathers, things come to life...”

The technique observes not just superficial vitality but the concentrated essence within. The nation’s essence is its fortune, a person’s essence is true primordial energy, and the demon soul’s essence is demonic energy.

After a Shikigami is refined, it attaches to a person, manifested through patterns on the body. The demonic energy links with human blood Qi, constituting a bloodline inheritance that requires nurturing by true primordial energy and blood Qi.

True primordial energy originates from genuine Qi. Only by opening the Qi Sea and transforming Qi into liquid can it be formed.

However, little is described about Great Shikigami apart from their innate roots, spiritual rank, and hidden methods. Even when using Great Shikigami to practice Qi Observation, one can only clearly see ordinary three-star Shikigami. To perceive spiritual ranks requires corresponding star radiance.

For example, a one-star red radiance observer viewing a four-star green radiance can only see a vague aura, never clearly.

If all are Great Shikigami, the viewer must have the same star radiance level; otherwise, the vision remains blurred.

Yet, in the copy of “Treatise on the Origins of Demon Souls” given by Chief Physician Chao, a few words were specially noted: “Cultivate the five realms, Shikigami of three tiers, consider carefully.”

Just as Ling Xuan was puzzled, a hearty laugh sounded beside him. It was Yuwen Chengxiang, fanning himself with a folding fan.

“What is the young prince so engrossed in?” he teased.

Ling Xuan used the Qi Observation Technique to gaze at Yuwen Chengxiang. The single vertical pupil reflected three points of star radiance. Sensing his aura, Ling Xuan realized he had reached the Great Zhou Tian stage.

A smile curved Ling Xuan’s lips. Could it be that once a Shikigami reaches the three-star mundane tier, it corresponds to cultivating the two great realms of meridian opening and Zhou Tian? And that Zhou Tian has distinctions of great and small?

But then, why could he see the dragon pearls on the Celestial Pivot of Ten Thousand Nations so clearly?

It seemed, indeed, as Chief Physician Chao said: becoming the heir of the Prince of Changping granted him the blessing of the Great Sui Divine Dynasty’s national fortune.

Raising the Purple Sky Divine Flute, a smirk played on his lips as he pointed toward the painted boat on the Luo River.

“The lights are bright, so many beauties must be aboard. It’s a pity this young lord’s purse is shallow, and the heir’s consort is strict. Otherwise, I would have gone aboard long ago.”

“I, sir, invite the heir. What say you?” Yuwen Chengxiang laughed, orange eyes on his fan emitting a faint orange glow.

—

Just as Ling Xuan was about to retort, a sudden wave of heat surged from the spirit snake coiling the moon on his chest. The single vertical pupil reflected the purple phoenix’s wails. Ling Xuan’s heart tightened. “The tigress is in trouble! How could this happen?”

He was about to step away but was stopped by Yuwen Chengxiang’s outstretched hand.

“The heir is greatly esteemed at the Imperial Medical Office, appointed as chief physician. I, Chengxiang, have the honor to congratulate you and invite you aboard the painted boat to enjoy the beauties.”

“How do you know my Shikigami so soon? It’s just a one-star red radiance single-eyed little snake?”

Though anxious inside, Ling Xuan smiled playfully, gently caressing the Purple Sky Divine Flute.

“Has the red sand from the Demon Suppression Abyss been prepared for me?”

“How could you say such things?” Yuwen Chengxiang shook his head hurriedly. “Last time was only the word of the King of Yue.”

“If that’s the case, when is the roasted gray hawk ready?” Ling Xuan brushed past Yuwen Chengxiang, tapping his shoulder lightly. “Come to the Changping Prince’s mansion when it is.”

“Do you, heir, wish to make an enemy of my Yuwen family?” Folding his fan, Yuwen Chengxiang’s anger dissipated.

“And what do you mean by that, sir?” Ling Xuan feigned innocence, quickening his pace with a smile. “There are many hawks and eagles in the world. Does the Yuwen family wish to monopolize them all?”

“A rustic from the wilds wearing a python robe cannot conceal his original barbarity,” Yuwen Chengxiang retorted sharply.

Ling Xuan looked back with a sly smile.

“How dare a rustic share a drink on the same boat with a noble scion? Don’t disturb Yuwen’s refined pleasure on the Luo River. As I said, if you invite me, the main dish must be roasted gray hawk.”

No sooner had the words left his mouth than the spirit snake coiling the moon sent another wave of scorching heat. The single vertical pupil revealed the purple phoenix now suffused with black aura. The Smoky Moon Flame suddenly ignited, like a wisp of azure smoke, slipping into the crowd.

—

In the Changping Prince’s mansion’s rear courtyard, on a shoulder of pale skin, a clear claw mark was visible, emanating a green-black aura. Ye Ziyan bit her jade teeth tightly, the phoenix’s mournful cries echoing in her ears.

Ling Xuan dashed forward, instantly activating the Qi Observation Technique. The purple phoenix’s phantom was clearly visible—even the ice crystal chains formed by the evil frost curse were discernible. Yet, faint green-black halos shimmered indistinctly.

“How can it be so clear?” Ling Xuan was puzzled. The purple phoenix was clearly a seven-star Shikigami.

He had just observed Yuwen Chengxiang, a three-star yellow radiance Shikigami.

But upon entering the Changping Prince’s mansion, he glimpsed the steward Qiu Fu from the corner of his eye, seeing only a vague haze, never clearly.

Ling Xuan was stunned. “Could it be due to the soul imprint symbiosis?”

He swiftly drew out a silver needle, pricking away the rotten flesh around the claw mark. A foul stench and rank smell assaulted his nostrils. His heart jolted.

“Corpse worms? How did you get infested?”

“Carried by the gray hawk’s claws,” Ye Ziyan’s expression shifted slightly. “Can they be forced out?”

“Wife, you’re just eager for me to gather seven serpent patterns and summon the spirit snake, aren’t you?”

With a playful smile, Ling Xuan opened the Benevolent Heart Needle box. Black and white twin needles floated in his palm. He invoked the Taiji infinity, and a Taiji pattern appeared in his palm—Yin and Yang in his hand.

Crimson-black energy surged forth; the Taiji pattern covered the claw mark, emitting a faint sizzling sound.

The black and white needles swiftly pierced the purple pattern. The black needle spun left, the white right, forming a Taiji vortex.

The green-black aura slowly seeped out, yet the green-black halo remained motionless.

“Wife, bear with it,” Ling Xuan withdrew the red needle, pricking the tip of his right middle finger. A drop of fresh blood fell, spreading over the black, white, and red needle serpent carvings with single eyes.

Instantly, the silver serpent carving seemed to come alive, writhing slowly. The black and white snake shadows surged into the purple phoenix’s phantom.

“Little one, help me,” Ling Xuan lifted the little white snake. “Watch carefully and don’t let the toxic corpse worm escape.”

The little white snake hissed softly, nodding its triangular head before slithering onto Ye Ziyan’s shoulder, its crimson tongue licking her wound.

With a sharp “shh,” the red needle pierced the Baihui point. A surge of red snake shadows rushed forth. Ling Xuan shouted, “Wife, once the toxic corpse worm is forced out, strike immediately!”

The spirit snake coiling the moon writhed as whispers echoed in his ears—ancient serpent tongues resonated in his mind. His arm tingled with pain as a fourth crimson serpent pattern emerged. A chilling numbness seeped into his bones.

Ling Xuan’s heart trembled—time to find the orange needle was shortened again, now only three days remained.

The black, white, and red small snake shadows suddenly accelerated, coiling toward the green-black halo.

The corpse worm, a toxic corpse worm, writhed sluggishly, the green-black aura exuding a deadly chill. A tiny green worm revealed its true form, serrated teeth glinting with cold light.

Each wriggle made the purple phoenix phantom tremble and wail.

The candle flames flickered as Ye Ziyan shuddered violently, her teeth chattering loudly, sweat pouring down her forehead.

“Bear with it,” Ling Xuan comforted softly. “Prepare to act at any moment. A four-star green radiance demon soul—my silver needles still cannot pierce it. We can only force it out.”

He twirled the black, white, and red needles between his fingers, crimson-black energy surging as the snake shadows quickened.

With a sudden “pop,” the toxic corpse worm appeared at the claw wound. A strange fragrance filled the nostrils. Ling Xuan cried out, “Wife, now!”

A flash of purple light split the green worm in two. It fell to the ground, writhing.

“Little one, hold it down,” Ling Xuan hurriedly instructed the little white snake. “Put it in the porcelain bowl and roast it.”

The little white snake’s crimson tongue flicked, guiding the toxic worm into the white porcelain bowl.

Cradling the bowl with a humble embrace, Ling Xuan placed it beside the charcoal stove.

The crimson-black energy surged in his palm; the Taiji pattern imprinted once more. Immediately, green smoke wafted forth, carrying a delicate fragrance.

“Why does it smell so good?” Ye Ziyan was stunned.

“If it didn’t smell, how could it mask that rotten stench? Poison and medicine are two sides of the same coin.”

Water dripped into the teacup, silver needles stirred, intensifying the aroma. Ling Xuan hurriedly lifted it.

“Wife, be good. Drink it quickly.”

Outside, steward Qiu Fu called out urgently, “Young prince, the Office of the Grand Historian has been attacked. Yuwen family’s second young master leads the patrol to break into the mansion and search.”

Wiping the sweat from his brow, Ling Xuan’s lips curved coldly.

“So the Yuwen family has been waiting for me here all along?”