Chapter Three: The Daoist of Spiritual Treasures

"The rules in the army are strict; be careful not to cause trouble later!"
The three quickly approached the marching troops bearing torches. Before drawing nearer, Li Cui turned to Liu Chen, speaking with genuine seriousness.
"I know my limits."
Though Liu Chen felt some dissatisfaction at such warnings, born in the twenty-first century, he understood military discipline and naturally could accept it.
Seeing Liu Chen agree without hesitation, Li Cui felt reassured and grew more favorable toward him. As a veteran soldier, he had encountered many skilled men, but had often suffered from their inexplicable arrogance.
Li Cui skillfully led Liu Chen through the ranks, soon arriving before a man who seemed to be an officer.
Military routines during marches were kept simple, with little ceremony. After exchanging a few words with a sentinel before the officer, Li Cui brought Liu Chen directly to meet him.
"This is Quartermaster Sergeant Zhao Qian, my immediate superior."
Li Cui pointed to the officer and introduced him with a certain casualness. Liu Chen took the opportunity to size him up; he looked ordinary but quite spirited.
"This is Liu Chen, an exceptional man I met along the way—he possesses remarkable skills, able to leap several feet at once. He’s heading toward Xin City as well, so I invited him to join us for mutual support."
After introducing Zhao Qian, Li Cui then introduced Liu Chen.
"So that's how it is. Li Cui’s an old hand, and his judgment is always sharp. I notice Brother Liu’s presence is faint but steady; I suspect you have some martial cultivation. Yet martial practice is best tempered on the battlefield. What plans do you have, Brother Liu?"
Zhao Qian, worthy of being Li Cui’s superior, revealed his intent to recruit at first meeting. Such gestures in this world are a sign of eagerness for talent.
"I still have enemies to avenge; I must see to personal matters before seeking experience in the army."
Liu Chen shook his head, finding an excuse to decline Zhao Qian’s invitation.
"Ah, so that’s it. I thought your attire marked you as an eccentric, but now it seems to express your ambitions. May I ask who your enemy is? Perhaps sharing with us might bring you some assistance."
Upon hearing Liu Chen’s excuse, Zhao Qian glanced at his black hemp robe, as if suddenly enlightened.
Liu Chen realized Zhao Qian had misunderstood, but he didn’t intend to clarify; after all, he himself had arrived in this world without explanation and knew not how to explain.
As for Zhao Qian’s promised assistance, Liu Chen took it as mere courtesy, yet after a brief consideration, he decided to mention his foe—not in hopes of aid, but simply to gain information, since he truly knew nothing of this world.
"My enemy’s details are vague, but I know he’s a Daoist named Lu Qingcai. He practices some sinister arts. Have you heard of him, Sergeant?"
"A Daoist using evil magic? This land of Xusi is a major stronghold, dense with all sorts of factions; ordinary sorcerers wouldn’t dare venture here."
Zhao Qian thought carefully but had no recollection of Lu Qingcai, and could only shake his head.
"Hmph, the court’s decline grows daily—what’s so strange about some sorcerer or even monsters appearing? Who says main strongholds are free of evil? Those Lingbao Daoists I’ve seen are all greedy and corrupt, worse than any sorcerer. I’d wager this Lu Qingcai is just one of those hunting for profit!"

A man who had been standing beside Zhao Qian suddenly spoke, his words revealing deep resentment toward the so-called Lingbao Daoists.
"Lingbao Daoists? Now that you mention it, I remember. The Lu family of Jingzhou has practiced Daoist arts for generations, and this generation uses the character 'Qing.' When I was in Annam, I met a Lu Qingzhou, a military Daoist of the Qinghai army. The Lu Qingcai you speak of must be one of their clan."
Prompted by the man, Zhao Qian clapped his hands in realization.
"What abilities do Lingbao Daoists possess? And how is the Lu family distinguished?"
Liu Chen had little hope of learning anything, but was surprised at the results, and pressed eagerly for details.
"Brother Liu, you probably rarely deal with the court, hence your unfamiliarity. Lingbao Daoists are a branch of the talisman school of Daoism, who aided the founding emperor of Great Yan. So, after the dynasty’s establishment, they were granted control of the nation’s Daoist temples. At least half the Daoists you meet are Lingbao. My expertise lies in military arts, so I don’t know their exact abilities, but mostly they rely on forbidden spells and talismans."
Seeing Liu Chen’s urgency, Zhao Qian answered straightforwardly, sharing what he knew.
"I see. My knowledge is shallow; thank you for enlightening me, Sergeant."
Though he hadn’t learned anything more specific, Liu Chen was satisfied with the general information.
"No need to thank me; such trivial news isn’t worth gratitude. Lingbao have gained influence these last centuries thanks to imperial favor, but most lack real skill—just tricksters fooling the ignorant. With your martial prowess, a surge of vital energy will render their dark arts useless."
"But mind this: Lingbao Daoists either rely on the court or attach themselves to the powerful. Plan carefully before seeking revenge!"
As Liu Chen thanked him, Zhao Qian waved his hand dismissively, and added a warning. Though Liu Chen knew it was part of Zhao Qian’s recruitment efforts, he couldn’t help feeling some gratitude.
However, the talk of martial arts and vital energy gave Liu Chen a headache; he couldn’t very well admit he was a corpse, lacking vital energy altogether.
Still, recalling how he broke Lu Qingcai’s forbidden spell and hearing the phrase ‘Spirit-Flame of Disruption,’ he guessed its effect against Daoist arts might rival that of vital energy.
"Hmm? Why has the front stopped?"
As the group spoke, they suddenly noticed the army ahead had halted. Soon, a messenger ran over, summoning Zhao Qian to a council of war.
"Li Cui, take Brother Liu and find something to eat. It seems we’ve met the enemy ahead—better fill your belly now, or you’ll go hungry all day."
Having heard the messenger’s orders, Zhao Qian instructed Li Cui and hurried away.
"You don’t need to remind me about food!"
Li Cui replied carelessly, then dragged Liu Chen and the young man accompanying him toward the commissary.
"Why are you rushing so fast?"
Liu Chen, being a corpse, was less enthusiastic about eating than Li Cui. Though he could keep up, being pulled along was unpleasant.
"For meat, of course!"

Li Cui answered without thinking, then quickened his pace as if a starving dog chasing a meal.
When they reached the commissary, Li Cui managed to secure first place. Moments later, nearly a hundred soldiers crowded in, cursing when they saw Li Cui laden with food.
Li Cui ignored their complaints, quickly running out and dividing the food between Liu Chen and the young man.
Liu Chen examined his portion—quite dreadful. The meat still had hair, and the bread was a dry, hard lump. Even if his body had returned to human form, he doubted he could stomach it. Yet seeing Li Cui devour his share, Liu Chen began to question his judgment.
But even if he was wrong, his corpse body couldn’t test it anyway.
"Here, take it."
Seeing Li Cui finish his meal in moments and still seem unsatisfied, Liu Chen, unwilling to waste, handed over his portion.
"You’re not eating?"
Li Cui was puzzled by Liu Chen’s gesture, but accepted without hesitation, shoveling most into his own hands and giving the rest to the young man.
"Eat too much and your body becomes sluggish. But judging by your appearance, you don’t seem to come from poverty, yet you know nothing of common sense—are you from some reclusive family?"
Li Cui explained briefly, noticing Liu Chen’s surprise at his way of dividing food. After finishing, he eyed Liu Chen curiously and laughed.
Liu Chen didn’t know how to answer. As someone from the twenty-first century, he differed greatly from the people of this world. He simply left Li Cui to his own guesses.
"By the way, will you be fighting later?"
Whether as post-meal banter or pre-battle relaxation, Li Cui continued the conversation when Liu Chen didn’t respond.
"I don’t even know who the enemy is—why would I fight?"
Liu Chen shook his head decisively. Though he believed that in this chaotic world, he would one day grow accustomed to killing, he still needed a reason before taking a life.
"Haha! You haven’t seen blood, have you?"
Li Cui scrutinized Liu Chen up and down and then burst out laughing.
"Is seeing blood something to be proud of?"
Liu Chen couldn’t understand why Li Cui laughed at his lack of experience with bloodshed, nor did he care to.
"Seeing blood is no pride, but not seeing blood is a problem. In this world, if you can’t kill, you’ll be killed."