"If so many people are showing symptoms of lethargy, does that mean the Reverse Lifespan Talismans have already begun absorbing mortals' lifespan?"
Lan Ting shook her head. "Not quite. Lifespan is the very foundation of life; it isn't shaken so easily. From your description, people have only started feeling lethargic in recent days. Right now is merely the prelude. It will take at least half a month before it truly starts siphoning lifespan."
"The process of officially siphoning lifespan is exceptionally slow and difficult to detect."
"However, there is also a method to forcefully trigger the Reverse Lifespan Talisman."
"What method?" Lu Yang pressed.
Lan Ting said grimly, "By using the Reverse Lifespan Talismans as nodes to lay down a Reverse Lifespan Formation and using human blood as a catalyst. One wouldn't need to wait half a month; the grand formation can be activated immediately, using mortal lifespan to boost the practitioner's cultivation!"
In truth, Reverse Lifespan Talismans and the Reverse Lifespan Formation were exceedingly obscure lore, recorded in only a handful of books. Furthermore, because the Reverse Lifespan Talisman was an out-and-out demonic practice, texts recording it were classified as forbidden books. Even erudite formation masters might have only heard its name, unable to recognize the pattern of the talisman itself.
Only someone like Lan Ting, hailing from the Moon Laurel Immortal Palace, had the privilege to access such forbidden texts.
She claimed to dabble only superficially in formations, but the depth of knowledge she displayed now could hardly be described as merely dabbling.
Lan Ting added, "However, whoever drew this Reverse Lifespan Talisman probably doesn't know the Reverse Lifespan Formation. Before the Reverse Lifespan Formation is activated, there aren't even symptoms of lethargy, making it far stealthier. Then again, it's also possible that the Reverse Lifespan Formation is currently being set up and hasn't been completed yet."
Listening from the side, Meng Jingzhou and Man Gu also realized the gravity of the situation. Right now, people across the entire Yanjiang Commandery were showing signs of drowsiness, which meant Reverse Lifespan Talismans were hidden all throughout the commandery!
Whoever was behind this was plotting something massive!
"Once the Reverse Lifespan Formation is activated, to what realm could it elevate the caster?"
Lan Ting shook her head. "Hard to say. It depends on how much lifespan the formation absorbs. It's impossible to tell for now."
"Come on, let's go check the Great Stone Bridge. There might be more there!" Lu Yang rallied the other three.
On the western side of Yanjiang Commandery ran a massive river named the Yinlong River. The section of the Yinlong River passing through Yanjiang Commandery flowed gently, making it a popular leisure spot and a signature scenic attraction of the area. The name 'Yanjiang' Commandery itself was derived from this river.
The "Great Stone Bridge" mentioned by the attempted burglar, Lu Zhi, was located right here.
At this late hour of the night, the Yinlong River was completely deserted. The four went together to the Great Stone Bridge and searched high and low, but failed to turn up any new Reverse Lifespan Talismans.
"Sure enough, our culprit isn't stupid either. They wouldn't place two Reverse Lifespan Talismans in one spot."
...
Early the next morning, Constable Wei sought out Chief Constable Fang Qingyun.
"Xiao Wei, what brings you here?"
"Master, have you noticed that lately, the folks of Yanjiang Commandery generally go to sleep early at night and struggle to get up in the morning?"
Fang Qingyun nodded. "Indeed. I suspect it might be because the cost of living in Yanjiang Commandery has risen while incomes haven't kept pace. The increased pressure of daily life causes the commoners to work themselves ragged during the day to make ends meet."
Constable Wei massaged his temples in agony, carefully choosing his words: "Master, I know you're eager for a promotion and have recently been reading socioeconomic books to lay the groundwork for your advancement. But have you ever considered that you're simply not cut out for economic development?"
"Speak your piece or get lost!"
"...It's like this: last night, an enthusiastic citizen apprehended a burglar. According to the thief, he stumbled upon a talisman paper that induces sleepiness, making people within roughly a fifty-meter radius drowsy."
Constable Wei pulled the talisman paper out of a sealed box.
The talisman slip on the box had a sealing effect. He had discovered that the sleep-inducing talisman had no effect on him, but was remarkably potent against ordinary people—all the colleagues on night duty with him had dozed off.
He had no choice but to lock the talisman in the box.
"Do you recognize this thing?"
Fang Qingyun studied it for a moment, then shook his head, admitting he didn't recognize it either. "Commandery Governor Li is well-traveled and knowledgeable. Perhaps he'll know."
When the two went to see Commandery Governor Li, the governor was buried in official affairs.
The two held immense admiration for Commandery Governor Li. As a Golden Core stage cultivator, he had been stationed in Yanjiang Commandery for twenty years, during which the commandery had seen virtually zero actual change. Yet whenever superiors arrived for an inspection, or whenever Governor Li went to report to his superiors, Yanjiang Commandery always showed its absolute best face, as though earth-shaking transformations had taken place over the past two decades.
"Governor Li, this subordinate has a matter to report!" Fang Qingyun said.
Governor Li put down his writing brush and gestured for the two to sit down and speak.
Constable Wei truthfully reported the previous night's situation, presenting the talisman paper for Governor Li's inspection.
Governor Li narrowed his eyes and let out a soft exclamation of surprise. As if recalling something, he fell into deep thought. After several minutes, he finally spoke: "If my memory serves me right, is this a Reverse Lifespan Talisman?"
"Thirty years ago, when I was in Poyang Commandery tasked with cracking down on the demonic path, I exchanged experiences with colleagues from other commanderies. One of them introduced this talisman, saying it was a Reverse Lifespan Talisman capable of absorbing mortal lifespan and converting it into cultivation. It is indisputably a demonic art."
Governor Li said solemnly, "The Spring-Plucking Festival is just around the corner. A vast influx of people from other commanderies and counties will be visiting, both ordinary mortals and cultivators alike. The Spring-Plucking Festival is Yanjiang Commandery's most prominent calling card; we cannot afford the slightest blunder. You must apprehend the demonic scoundrels pasting these talismans before the Spring-Plucking Festival begins!"
"These demonic scoundrels are utterly lawless, having zero regard for the imperial court!"
"Chief Constable Fang, you must take this to heart. If the Reverse Lifespan Talisman gains momentum, the consequences will be endless!"
Then Governor Li changed the subject: "Of course, if you catch the mastermind, it will be a major accomplishment. I will report it to the higher-ups. If possible, it would be best for you to break through in cultivation; that would make your promotion a certainty."
"Yes, sir!"
"If there's nothing else, you may go. I have another meeting shortly."
...
That same morning, Lu Yang and the others planned to continue following the clues to search for the locations of the Reverse Lifespan Talismans. Before they could step out the door, however, Branch Master Chu sent a messenger summoning Lu Yang over.
Lu Yang didn't understand why Branch Master Chu had summoned only him. On guard, he sensed something strange.
Branch Master Chu sat on a jade chair, resting his head in one hand. Wearing his mask, he spoke in a raspy voice: "I heard you caught a thief last night and even found a yellow talisman paper that puts people to sleep?"
Lu Yang replied with utmost respect, "Yes. I suspected the yellow talisman was an art of our demonic path, so I wanted to find the person who drew it, kill them for their treasures, and learn the technique to craft such talismans!"
Branch Master Chu waved a hand. "Maintaining good relations with the yamen is certainly necessary, but this time is different. The authorities will launch a thorough investigation into this matter, and a Golden Core stage cultivator has intervened. The truth will come to light very soon. Do not interfere any further, lest you expose your identity and get dragged into it."
"It's merely a talisman that makes people drowsy. It isn't worth the risk."
Lu Yang's heart skipped a beat.
Branch Master Chu already knew about last night's events by this morning—and even knew that a Golden Core cultivator was stepping in, something Lu Yang himself hadn't known!
The Yanjiang Branch had planted a mole within the government!
Chapter 86