Chapter Twenty-Five: Intimidation

Sensing something unusual about the bronze oil lamp, Liu Chen examined it closely several times. Only then did he realize that the lamp was cast in one piece, polished with exceptional finesse. Judging by its craftsmanship alone, it would easily be considered a fine work of art even on Earth—completely out of place among the villagers, whose clothes were mostly tattered and filthy.

Liu Chen’s lingering gaze on the lamp naturally drew the attention of the middle-aged man beside him, who offered an explanation about its origins.

“Twelve years ago, there was a great famine in Xuzhou, accompanied by the chaos of war. Corpses littered the wilds, white bones covered the land, and resentment soared to the heavens. It was even said that the ghosts wailed in broad daylight. Later, the authorities brought Taoist priests from Mount Tai in Qingzhou to perform rites for the restless souls. This lamp was left behind by one of the priests. They said that as long as the flame never goes out, the people of the village will know peace after death.”

Hearing that the oil lamp was meant to placate vengeful spirits, Liu Chen understood at once why he had felt so comfortable in its presence. Likely, the aura surrounding the lamp was of the netherworld, harmonizing perfectly with his own corpse body and the spectral flame within him.

With this realization, Liu Chen found himself intrigued by the so-called Taoist priests of Mount Tai. He thought that after avenging Lu Qingtai, he might pay them a visit. Perhaps there would be something to gain, something that could further strengthen his zombie form.

With this idea in mind, Liu Chen kept up the topic of the Mount Tai priests, asking the middle-aged man a few more questions.

“Those Mount Tai priests were quite generous, leaving such a lamp in your village. Did you have a special relationship with them?”

The man shook his head emphatically, smiling wryly as he replied, “Back then, I was running wild with the militia, not lucky enough to cross paths with those true masters. Besides, the lamp wasn’t left for our village alone—everywhere got one. Folk say there were as many as a hundred thousand of them!”

From the man’s tone, it was clear that he held the priests of Mount Tai in great esteem. Even after twelve years, he spoke of them with spontaneous admiration.

But his tone seemed to irritate Lu Qingzong, who was chanting sutras before the lamp. Lu Qingzong turned slightly, casting the man a disdainful glance and snorting coldly.

Yet, when his eyes met Liu Chen’s, Lu Qingzong’s eyelids twitched noticeably. He quickly turned away, pretending to lower his head and focus intently on his chanting—as if he were an ostrich burying its head in the sand.

The middle-aged man heard Lu Qingzong’s derisive snort but paid it no mind, pretending not to notice the contemptuous gesture. In truth, not only he, but also the villagers sitting close by reacted the same way. As long as Lu Qingzong continued reciting prayers for the dead, the living could endure a bit of disrespect.

Only the younger ones, not yet worn down by hardship, dared glare at Lu Qingzong with open resentment. But with the adults around, all they could do was fume in silence.

Lu Qingzong, however, was not some youth under adult control—he was the strongest fighter present. Liu Chen, who had already considered teaching Lu Qingzong a lesson, now saw him acting petulant and resolved not to let it go.

“You charlatan priest,” Liu Chen suddenly barked coldly at Lu Qingzong, “even your sutra chanting is nonsense and insincere. Do you think no one can call you to account?”

In truth, Liu Chen hadn’t heard clearly what Lu Qingzong was muttering. But he could sense that the lamp’s aura remained unchanged during the chanting, so his accusation was made with full confidence.

Lu Qingzong’s heart skipped a beat at Liu Chen’s words—because he truly had been reciting nonsense, counting on the villagers' ignorance.

But Liu Chen was no country bumpkin. To Lu Qingzong, Liu Chen was a seasoned expert—sharp of hearing and sight, with knowledge enough to see through his act.

“And what would a martial artist like you know of Taoist rites?” Lu Qingzong tried to retort, though uneasily. He couldn’t afford to let Liu Chen expose him, especially in front of the villagers who depended on him to perform rites for their recently departed. If not for that, his safety would hardly be guaranteed.

The villagers, unable to perceive the lamp’s aura or distinguish true Taoist rituals, were thrown into confusion by Lu Qingzong’s defensive reply.

After all, the mysteries of Taoist rites, matters of life and death, seemed far removed from the world of martial artists like Liu Chen. The priest’s words sounded more plausible. Even if the villagers doubted Liu Chen, they dared not show it—his strength was obvious.

But Liu Chen could see the skepticism in their faces and refused to let the matter rest. He said to Lu Qingzong, “I may not know the techniques, but I do know that sincerity is the foundation of all things. Besides, for someone whose so-called Taoist arts I broke with a flick of my hand, do you really think you’ve attained the Way? Ridiculous!”

Were he facing true experts, Liu Chen would have either kept silent or settled things with his fists. But these were only villagers, easily deceived by Lu Qingzong’s priestly airs. As a man of the twenty-first century, Liu Chen was confident he could outfox him.

With a scornful laugh, Liu Chen refuted Lu Qingzong with full conviction. Without waiting for a response, he strode before the lamp, feigned a rapid-fire incantation, and with a flash of ghostly flame in his eyes, ignited the aura clinging to the bronze lamp.

Before everyone’s eyes, the lamp’s flame blazed up, casting an eerie, cold light that illuminated the clearing.

This spectacular effect, paired with Liu Chen’s deliberate performance, gave the villagers undeniable proof that Lu Qingzong had been deceiving them all along.

“What—what—how is this possible?” stammered Lu Qingzong, aghast, pointing a trembling finger at Liu Chen, his face contorted with disbelief.