Chapter 44
Fifty-two failures.
Sixty-three failures.
Seventy-eight failures.
Formation diagrams littered the table and bed. Heng Yu had drawn them for her experiments. She had tried all five common arrangement methods, finally settling on the less common reverse Bagua, which maximized the properties of gold and crane stones. There were also variations, but as a novice, she kept things simple. “This should be the optimal refining temperature for snake grass,” she noted after another failure. “Using crane stones after the gold stones reach this state should be more effective.” She wrote it down, then revised it.
Time flew by. Only half a month remained before the two-month deadline. Hanshan Temple was lively again, with artisans, women delivering goods, and children attending classes. The main hall was filled with worshippers, the statues regaining their luster.
Liaowu stood in the main hall, looking at the restored statue of Buddha Xule. Since the repairs were recent, dust still covered it. Instead of using a cleaning spell, Liaowu fetched water and meticulously cleaned the statue with a damp cloth.
After over a hundred failures, Heng Yu had a better grasp of her formation. She decided to take a break and clear her mind. “Where’s Liaowu?” she asked a novice.
“Master Liaowu should be at the side hall.”
Heng Yu thanked him and went to find Liaowu, waving a horsetail plant. She found him meticulously cleaning the statue, sunlight illuminating his focused and devout expression. Even in the temple, he wouldn’t be bored. But he lacked worldly experience. His tribulation of love was his way of experiencing the mortal realm.
Heng Yu entered, wet a handkerchief, and began cleaning the candle holders.
“Are you hungry?” Liaowu’s expression softened upon seeing her.
“I have a craving for candied hawthorns,” Heng Yu replied.
Liaowu smiled. “How’s the formation coming along?”
“Well. I’ve identified several possibilities.”
After cleaning the statue, Heng Yu was about to leave, but Liaowu said, “Let’s go down the mountain. You need a break.”
Heng Yu agreed.
The afternoon sun was strong. Liaowu chose a shady path lined with Bodhi trees. Heng Yu walked ahead, stepping on the dappled sunlight filtering through the leaves. Liaowu watched her, amused. Reaching the market, he said, “Let’s buy candied hawthorns.”
Heng Yu smiled. “As you wish.”
Liaowu bought two skewers and gave them both to her. He then bought chestnuts, tofu pudding, and a peach blossom branch. “Anything else?” he asked.
Heng Yu, eating a candied hawthorn, shook her head.
“Let’s return then.”
He escorted her back to her room and followed her inside. Formation diagrams covered every surface. “Don’t mind the mess,” Heng Yu said.
Liaowu smiled, put the snacks on the cabinet, placed the peach blossom in a vase, and then quietly tidied up the diagrams. “Continue your work. I’ll clean up.”
Heng Yu resumed her research.
Liaowu gathered the diagrams, examined them, starting from number one. As a future leader of the Undying Sect, he had some knowledge of formations and could understand the first few, but they quickly became too complex. He looked at Heng Yu, engrossed in her research, her hair loosely tied up. He brewed a fresh pot of tea for her and quietly left.
Three more days passed.
Liaohe came to find Liaowu with a message talisman. “Senior Brother, the sect is urging us to return and depart for the Sword Sect.” He glanced at Heng Yu’s room, knowing about her research.
Liaowu read the message and nodded. “Tell them we’ll leave in five days.”
After Liaohe left, Liaowu looked at Heng Yu’s closed door and went down the mountain. A while later, he returned with a bag of warm roasted chestnuts and was about to knock on her door when —
It opened.
Heng Yu, seeing the chestnuts, smiled. “How did you know I wanted these?”
“I’m glad you like them.” Liaowu peeled the chestnuts for her.
After eating a few, Heng Yu said, “Let me show you something.”
Liaowu followed her inside and saw the formation disc. It was a reverse Bagua formation, inlaid with gold and crane stones and other materials, the lines drawn with snake grass extract. He picked it up and examined it carefully.
“A disc is easier to replicate,” Heng Yu explained. “We can engrave it onto accessories to create defensive talismans. I’ve added a self-destruct mechanism to prevent the formation from being leaked.”
“Have you tested it?”
“It can withstand three attacks from a peak Qi Refining cultivator.” It was a consumable formation for now.
“That’s enough. An overly powerful formation isn’t always good,” Liaowu said.
With this formation, Huai City could mine gold and crane stones, creating jobs. The demand for snake grass would also increase. If the talisman proved effective, it would attract merchants and cultivators, boosting the local economy.
Liaowu put down the formation disc and noticed Heng Yu’s fatigue. “You’ve been working hard. Rest. I’ll handle the rest.”
Heng Yu was indeed tired. Researching formations was draining.
“Then I’ll leave it to you.”
Liaowu nodded and pointed to a chair. “Sit there and wait.”
Heng Yu sat down, puzzled. Liaowu gathered the formation diagrams from the bed, then the table and floor, placing the inkstone on them. He lit a calming incense and looked at Heng Yu.
“Sleep,” he said gently.
Heng Yu woke up the next morning, sensed Liaowu’s aura, and found him in the bamboo forest, meditating. She sat beside him, leaning against a bamboo tree and listening to his chanting. Just as she was about to fall asleep, he finished his morning prayers.
“Perfect timing,” Heng Yu said, rubbing her eyes.
“Still sleepy?” Liaowu asked, pretending to open his scripture.
“No. Let’s talk business. How’s the formation promotion going?”
“I went to Abbot Wule yesterday, and we met with the city magistrate. He’s knowledgeable about formations and has decided to start mining gold and crane stones.” He added, “I told him about you. The people will remember your contribution.”
Heng Yu, pleased, rested her hands behind her head. Liaowu was always so thoughtful.
“It will take time for the formation to spread. When are we leaving for the Undying Sect?”
“Would you like to visit?”
“If you’re worried about me being uncomfortable there, we can stay longer and go directly to the Sword Sect from the Undying Sect. If you’re interested in visiting, we can leave tomorrow.”
“I’m interested.”
“Then we’ll leave tomorrow.” Liaowu put away his scripture, helped Heng Yu up, and they walked towards the main hall. There were more worshippers than before. This was a good sign.
The next morning, the four of them left Hanshan Temple for the Undying Sect on the flying carpet. Abbot Wule and the novices came to see them off. “We’ve troubled you,” Abbot Wule said to Heng Yu, his eyes compassionate. The novices also bowed in gratitude.
“You’re too kind,” Heng Yu replied.
After he spoke, she felt warmth from her sect identity jade pendant. On the flying carpet, she checked it and saw her admiration points had increased from 350 to 500. The 150 points came from the monks, grateful for her help. However, Heng Yu felt a little frustrated: all that work for only 150 points! Earning admiration this way was a slow process.
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