In the frigid lands, after my exile, I began to slay demons and monsters.

Chapter 177 Secret Transmission of Calligraphy

The town of Fufang was as quiet as it was on the day they learned that Donglin City had been breached by the Banhuo and suffered heavy casualties.

No one dared to discuss the strange phenomena that had occurred during the day; everyone fell silent. The West District Market, which had just reopened for a bustling evening market, closed early, though the streets remained brightly lit and deserted.

Ning Xiaoxi and her family of four sat around a square table, each with a cup of tea.

Ning Shi looked at her son, then at her daughter, and finally turned to her son. "Ziqing, ask Lord Di Kui for leave. Tell him there's something going on at home and you'll be on standby."

Ning Ziqing nodded.

"Father, I think the garrison commander seems to know something."

“He knows nothing, and neither do we,” Ning Shi said decisively. “Xiao Xi, find an excuse to catch the demon, and keep catching it for as long as possible.”

Ning Xiaoxi looked at Ming Luoying's worried face and nodded, "But if I leave, then you all..."

“We’re fine. As long as you’re alright, we’ll all be fine too,” Ning Shi reassured Ning Xiaoxi. “Your mother’s main job is to take care of the garden, and your brother will stay home. I go to the county office every day to report for duty, but I’m only doing copying and organizing work, which doesn’t involve those things. I’ll be careful not to get involved. Our family’s main responsibility is still with you. As long as you’re alright, no one will bother us.”

Ning Xiaoxi had no other choice at the moment. The King of Youzhou had created such a grand spectacle; judging from Liao Wenju's expression, he must know something. They didn't want to get involved in the power struggle. Having just escaped their status as criminals and had their three clans pardoned, they didn't want to be implicated again, this time with their entire extended family.

"I'm going to talk to Lord Di Kui. If possible, I'll leave tonight." Ning Xiaoxi looked at her parents and brother. "I'll come back to visit every few days. If everything is alright, Mother will keep the white curtain hanging. If something happens, she'll draw something on the curtain with charcoal ash."

Ming Luoying nodded.

"Brother, I don't have any spatial talismans on me right now. I'll leave some spirit crystals for you next time I come back. As for your spells and martial arts..."

[Ding! Awakened the Demon-Slaying and Exorcising Skill, Intermediate Level: Transmission of Secret Teachings. This skill condenses knowledge and wisdom into a book that shines with a mysterious light. This book possesses its own consciousness and can automatically adjust the content and teaching method based on the knowledge level and learning progress of the disciple who comes into contact with it. It can also answer the disciple's questions, like a mentor who is always by their side. You can add restrictions and designate the cultivator.]

"Wow, this is good stuff!" Ning Xiaoxi's eyes lit up. "Brother, wait for me a moment." After saying that, she turned around and went back to her room.

I flipped through the skills I taught my brother and first made a book of beginner martial arts techniques: Tiger Roar Fist, Spirit Swallow Kick, and Swimming Dragon Step. My spiritual veins are now at the mid-level level 5, so supporting beginner martial arts techniques is no problem at all. The key is to study them in depth.

The transmission of the secret manual began. Watching the beginner martial arts manual appear in the cave, gleaming brightly, it finally landed as a small jade tablet with two words written on it: Beginner Martial Arts.

I checked the spirit crystal consumption, and thankfully it was only half of what I gave to Tianji.

Continue condensing the basic talismans into spellbooks: Illumination Talisman, Cleansing Talisman, Insect Repelling Talisman, Immobilization Talisman, Tracking Talisman, Purification Talisman, and Cage Talisman. Brother should already be able to draw the basic talismans; deepening his understanding would be beneficial. The jade tablet is inscribed with "First Talisman."

Drawing talismans is more economical in terms of spirit crystals. It seems that improving martial arts skills is not easy, and drawing talismans mainly relies on talent.

Another intermediate-level talisman was condensed for future use, including Swiftness Talisman, Concealment Talisman, Water Control Talisman, Blocking Talisman, Stabilizing Talisman, Warning Talisman, and Defense Talisman. Some of these were drawn by my brother before, and the rest were for emergency use. The jade tablet was labeled "Intermediate Talisman."

Next, bloodline restrictions were added to the three jade tablets, which only Ning Ziqing could cultivate.

Looking at the spirit crystal vein that's missing a piece, and then considering the functions of these jade tablets, it's worth it!

Then she racked her brains for a moment. She should know some advanced talismans, but Tianji had given her a space talisman earlier, so she hadn't paid much attention to it. Perfect timing! She'd find them, draw a few, and give them directly to her brother. Hmm, found them... well... after looking around, she saw the handkerchief her mother had on the dressing table. She'd use this one.

Ning Ziqing looked at the three jade pendants in her hand. They looked like ordinary jade pendants, and the jade quality was even worse. They were not as smooth and lustrous, and there were many flocculent substances inside.

"Brother, you should drip your blood into the jade tablet first, so that only you can study it."

Ning Ziqing did as instructed. As the blood dripped into the jade tablet, three beams of light flashed into Ning Ziqing's brow. Ning Ziqing seemed to sense something, and a look of surprise flashed in his eyes.

“When you’re practicing, just find a quiet place and inject your spiritual energy. This jade tablet can also answer your questions. If you don’t understand something while practicing, you can ask directly.” Ning Xiaoxi felt that this magic book was the most practical skill she had acquired.

Ning Ziqing carefully placed the jade pendant into her bosom.

Ning Xiaoxi then took out a handkerchief embroidered with orchids. "Brother, keep this handkerchief safe. I drew a space talisman on it and put spirit crystals inside. You can put all your personal belongings in it."

Ming Luoying stopped her, "Xiaoxi, how can your brother carry this handkerchief embroidered with orchids?" After saying that, she turned around and went into the house, took out a sewing basket, and took out a pure white piece of fabric without any embroidery. "Can this piece be decorated?"

Ning Xiaoxi looked at her mother's sewing basket and saw a light blue handkerchief with only cloud patterns embroidered on the edge. She reached out and took it out, saying, "This one is more suitable."

Ning Ziqing watched as Ning Xiaoxi drew talismans on the handkerchief using the juice of the Spirit Gathering Grass; the lines were clear and smooth. But after watching for a while, his eyes started to blur, and he couldn't understand them. He couldn't help but close his eyes briefly, and when he opened them again, Ning Xiaoxi had finished drawing.

The handkerchief had only a faint pattern, like a hidden embroidery, appearing and disappearing, very elegant. Ning Xiaoxi looked at it from left to right and thought it was beautiful. She handed it to Ning Ziqing, "Brother, this suits you."

Ning Ziqing channeled spiritual energy into the handkerchief, and a bright space appeared before her. She placed the jade tablet in her hand next to the handkerchief, and the three jade tablets appeared in the space. The space was filled with spiritual energy, which made the jade tablets shine brightly.

Seeing her brother's delighted expression, Ning Xiaoxi knew that she had given the right gifts.

Ning Xiaoxi turned to Ning Shi and said, "Father, Tianji told me before that the Third Prince is not a peaceful person, and now Tianji may not be able to get away with this matter. Although I am registered under his name, Father, please remember not to believe anything he says."

Ning Shi nodded seriously, "Ziqing should also be careful in the Celestial Master Pavilion. Listen to Xiao Xi these next few days and ask for leave from Lord Di Kui."

Ning Ziqing nodded solemnly again.

Ning Xiaoxi stood up, looked at her father, then at her mother, then at her brother, gave a curtsy, turned and went out the door. Looking at the clean and tidy courtyard, she knew this was her home.