Traveling Through Journey to the West: I Am the Dragon King

Upon hearing this, Yun Chonghua exclaimed, "Such a thing is true! Not only did he use magic to subdue the mountain gods and ghost messengers, but his invisibility technique even failed to capture you, the Dragon God of the Four Rivers."

Although Yun Chonghua became increasingly suspicious as he listened, he still decided to go and take a look first.

Soon, Yun Chonghua and the Azure-Backed Dragon flew out of the Sishui River. He was faster than others and arrived at the edge of the village near Wushan ahead of everyone else.

After he arrived in the vicinity, he descended from the clouds.

Although he doesn't know transformation techniques yet, he is already in human form, so there's no need for him to transform.

He arrived at a secluded spot, used his divine sense to change into the simple clothes he usually wore when he went to the human world to buy supplies.

He also took out a longsword that he had picked up while practicing martial arts all over the world.

At this moment, Yun Chonghua was dressed in plain clothes, wearing a bamboo hat for sun and rain protection. A jade wine pot hung at his waist, and he carried a sword in his hand. He had the air of a carefree and unconventional wandering knight.

Finally, Yun Chonghua concealed his immortal aura, picked a foxtail grass from the roadside, put it in his mouth, and walked towards the village ahead.

It was already dusk. Yun Chonghua, a stranger, entering the village, certainly attracted the attention of many people.

Just as Yun Chonghua was wondering why they were all staring at him like that, he heard a shout.

"Hey! Young man! Are you trying to cross the mountain?"

Looking over, Yun Chonghua saw an elderly man in his sixties greeting him at a tea stall nearby.

Yun Chonghua bowed to the old man and said, "Yes. May I ask what advice you have for me, sir?"

The old man didn't speak, but simply waved his hand, signaling Yun Chonghua to come over.

As Yun Chonghua approached, the old man who ran the tea stall poured him a cup of tea.

The old man looked Yun Chonghua up and down, as if he were searching for something.

Seeing his expression, Yun Chonghua took out some change from his pocket and placed it on the table.

Seeing this, the old man said, "Sir, you misunderstand. It's just a bowl of coarse tea. I'm just doing a favor for a passerby; no money is required."

Yun Chonghua asked, "What are you looking for, old man, as you scrutinize me like this?"

The old man selling tea said, "Sir, you are about to cross Wushan. It's one thing that you haven't prepared enough provisions, but how come you haven't even obtained a talisman?"

"Huh? A talisman? What kind of talisman?" Yun Chonghua asked.

The old man said, "The path through Wushan is over eight hundred li long. Even riding a fast horse, it would take more than a day. If you walk, you will inevitably have to spend the night in the mountains."

After hearing this, Yun Chonghua said, "Hehe, what's the harm? We Jianghu people are nomads, living on the wind and dew, and sleeping on the streets is a common occurrence. Since we are in the deep mountains, we can catch a few wild rabbits and pick some wild fruits to fill our stomachs. Even if the mountain road is eight hundred miles long, we can still enjoy the beautiful scenery along the way."

The old man shook his head and said, "If this were in the past, I would never have stopped you, sir. But now, if you are traveling alone without any protective talisman, you will likely become food for that monster."

Upon hearing the old man's words, Yun Chonghua immediately became interested.

Although it is dusk, it is not yet night.

Although the cougar was controlled by the tiger spirit, it was still a ghost after all.

Ghosts are evil spirits. During the day, the true spirit of the three-legged crow of the sun shines upon the earth, warding off all evil. Evil spirits cannot emerge from the sky.

It can only appear when the yin energy is heavy at night.

It's still early, so it wouldn't hurt to find out what's going on first.

Yun Chonghua said, "A monster? What kind of monster?" As he spoke, he slammed his longsword on the table and continued, "Can this monster defeat the sword in my hand?"

The old man shook his head upon hearing this and said, "I understand the youth's impetuousness. However, this monster is no joke. The government has previously sent troops to suppress it, but they all ended up as its prey. I've also heard that the monster has several female ghosts under its command, who specifically lure travelers in the mountains. You are traveling alone without any protective talisman. I'm afraid you will not survive."

Yun Chonghua bowed respectfully to the old man, then asked, "May I ask, sir, what exactly is that talisman? And where can one obtain it?"

Seeing that Yun Chonghua was a persuasive person, the old man selling tea breathed a sigh of relief.

The old man said, "That monster has been wreaking havoc in these mountains for months. Even the government's soldiers, the sorcerers that everyone pooled their money to hire, or the various gods that went to the temple to invite, were all ineffective. But just half a month ago, a wandering Taoist priest with great magical powers came to Wushan City."

"That Taoist priest came here from Zhongnan Mountain. Knowing that there were evil spirits causing trouble in this place, he set up a stall in front of the Sanqing Temple in the city. Any passerby who was willing to ask him for help would be given a peace talisman. With this talisman, one could be protected and kept safe from the evil spirits."

"I see you are all alone, without any talismans or companions. If you do not mind the long journey, you can go to the city and ask the Taoist priest for a protective talisman. However, if you do not wish to continue, you can stay in the village for a while. There are many travelers in this Wushan region. Perhaps someone carrying a talisman will pass by tomorrow, and you can travel with them to ensure your safety."

Upon hearing this, Yun Chonghua couldn't help but sneer inwardly.

"Heh, another one of those petty tricks to raise a bandit for personal gain and swindle money from offerings? It seems that the demon isn't on the mountain, but in the city."

Upon hearing this, Yun Chonghua stood up, cupped his hands in greeting to the old man, and said, "I see. Thank you for reminding me, sir."

As he spoke, Yun Chonghua took out another silver ingot from his pocket and placed it on the old man's table. He then continued, "I wonder how to get to that city. Please guide me, sir. We wanderers of the martial world travel far and wide. If we can obtain that Taoist priest's talisman, we can have a protective treasure in the future."

Upon hearing this, the old man picked up the silver and returned it to Yun Chonghua, saying, "Please take back this silver, sir. I only stopped you because I didn't want innocent people to lose their lives like the people in my village. It wasn't for your money." As he spoke, the old man sighed softly.

The old man then pointed to the northwest of the village and said, "That Taoist priest is in the city, fifty li northwest of this village. Every day, he draws talismans to exorcise evil spirits for everyone outside the Sanqing Temple. You may go there on your own."

Yun Chonghua said, "In that case, thank you very much, sir." He then bowed to the old man again.

However, Qian Yunzhonghua did not take it back, but quickly bid farewell to the old man. This was considered a reward for the old man's kindness.

After all, it doesn't matter since I'm a celestial being, but if it were a mortal who didn't know about this, they would really be doomed.

He performed this great act of saving a life and deserves to be rewarded.

After leaving the village, Yun Chonghua didn't linger and headed straight for the city. However, he didn't use the Cloud Flight technique.

After all, the newcomer's strength and who was behind him were unknown. If he revealed his immortal energy and it was noticed, he might alert the enemy.

Fifty li was not too far for Yun Chonghua's immortal body. Even on foot, he entered the city before the gates closed.

But he was still a step too late. When Yun Chonghua arrived at the gate of the Sanqing Temple, the Taoist priest had already packed up his stall and disappeared.

Helpless, Yun Chonghua had no choice but to find an inn to rest for the night and come back the next day.