Chapter 168: Puppet Talisman

"I happened to catch a glimpse of..."

"Hahaha, cousin, isn't that coincidence a bit too convenient?"

Mo Shiyu offered an awkward smile, trying to explain, "Actually, that man just happened to look a bit like you. Cousin, you have to believe me."

Jiang Yan decided to stop arguing with Mo Shiyu; this girl was completely obsessed with money.

"Let's go. We're going to retrieve all those pulp fiction novellas from the bookstore."

"Oh please don't, cousin. Think of how that would break all those young ladies' hearts!" Mo Shiyu pleaded.

With lightning-fast speed, Jiang Yan slapped a "Puppet Talisman" onto Mo Shiyu.

This was a new type of talisman paper he had recently researched. Once applied, unless the target possessed sufficient cultivation to break through it on their own, they would become like a puppet, entirely obedient to the command of the user.

"Since we are cousins, I'll waive the compensation for emotional distress for now. Let's head to the bookstore," Jiang Yan said calmly.

"I... No, mmm-mmm-mmm."

Mo Shiyu tried to say more, but Jiang Yan slapped a Silence Talisman on her as well.

Just like that, Mo Shiyu's limbs refused to obey her own will as she began following along behind Jiang Yan.

Her eyes darted around frantically; she really, really didn't want to go take back those novellas.

Wuwu, those novellas were all her painstaking creations—to her, they were as precious as her own children!

Was it easy for her to write them all?

A few gossipy passersby on the street noticed Mo Shiyu's stiff, mechanical gait, casting curious glances and whispering among themselves.

Suddenly, a handsome man dressed in pristine white robes with a full head of silver hair blocked Jiang Yan's path.

"Young friend, please hold your steps," the man said gently.

Jiang Yan looked at the newcomer with puzzlement. The man before him appeared to be in his early twenties, yet his white hair contrasted sharply with his youthful appearance.

"And you are?" Jiang Yan inquired.

"This deity is Shiyu's master, Immortal Venerable Bailing."

No sooner had the words fallen than Immortal Venerable Bailing gave a gentle flick of his finger, and the talisman paper on Mo Shiyu turned into fragments that scattered with the wind.

"Shiyu, hurry over to your master."

Mo Shiyu was slightly stunned for a moment before taking a quick step toward Immortal Venerable Bailing, wrapping her arms around his sleeve with a grievance-laden expression.

"Wuwu, Master, you're finally here."

Immortal Venerable Bailing's eyes filled with boundless doting affection. He gently tapped the tip of Mo Shiyu's nose and laughed softly, "Shiyu, were you acting mischievous again?"

Watching the intimate interaction between Mo Shiyu and Immortal Venerable Bailing, Jiang Yan felt as though he had been pelted with unsolicited romance right on the spot.

How did the dynamic between this master and disciple seem just a bit off...

Besides, this Immortal Venerable Bailing looked quite reliable, and his cultivation level was even higher than his own. So how on earth did he manage to brew that Marrow-Cleansing Pill that had nearly sent him straight to the afterlife?

Mo Shiyu playfully stuck out her tongue. "Master, how was I being mischievous? I merely went to the bookstore to deliver some novellas, and I never expected to run into my cousin Jiang Yan."

With that, she signaled for Immortal Venerable Bailing to look at Jiang Yan. Jiang Yan offered a polite bow and introduced himself, "Immortal Venerable, I am Jiang Yan."

"Jiang Yan, Shiyu talks about you often. She said you are an interesting person. Seeing you today, this deity agrees that you do possess a certain uniqueness."

Immortal Venerable Bailing's tone was gentle, completely devoid of the haughty airs typical of an Immortal Venerable.

Jiang Yan knew that the Immortal Venerable was merely exchanging polite pleasantries with him.

He cupped his fists. "Immortal Venerable flatters me!"

"Since it seems there might be some misunderstanding between you two, how about we head over to the Mingxuan Pavilion, sit down, and talk over some tea?" Immortal Venerable Bailing suggested.

With her master present, Mo Shiyu instantly grew a lot bolder.

"That's right, cousin, there's been a misunderstanding. Let's go sit at the Mingxuan Pavilion, and I'll explain everything to you."

Jiang Yan nodded. "Very well. Thank you, Immortal Venerable."

He wanted to see just how Mo Shiyu planned to talk her way out of this.