"Nine-Stroke Talisman"

Chapter 15: The Third Voice

The second karmic obstacle came faster than Shen Moyan expected.

That night, he was practicing charms in the shop when suddenly a sharp pain exploded in his head. Like something was forcing its way in, tearing open a gash.

"Another one." Zhu Quan said. "Get ready to receive."

Shen Moyan crouched down, holding his head, pain making cold sweat pour down his face. His vision went dark in waves, his ears rang, and somewhere in the noise he could hear a voice speaking, but couldn't make out the words.

After a long time, the pain slowly receded.

He opened his eyes. He was on the floor, soaked through with sweat.

"Welcome." Zhu Quan's voice sounded. "New neighbor's here."

Shen Moyan asked silently: "Who are you?"

No answer.

After a long pause, a voice sounded, very slow, very heavy, like it came from deep underground:

"This humble one... Zhang Sanfeng."

Shen Moyan froze.

Zhang Sanfeng?

Founder of the Wudang school? The legendary figure who lived over two hundred years?

"You... how did you..."

"Owe a debt." The voice said. "A very large debt."

"What debt?"

Zhang Sanfeng was silent for a long time.

"This humble one lived too long, saw too much, owed too much. Which specific debt, I cannot recall. Only know that this body can help me repay it, so I came."

Shen Moyan didn't know what to say.

Inside his head lived Zhu Quan, Wang Qizhen, Zhang Sanfeng—three of the most famous figures in Taoist history. In another life, he could brag about this forever. But right now, he just wanted them to be quiet for a while.

"Young friend," Zhang Sanfeng spoke, "which stroke have you reached?"

"Second."

"Too slow." Zhang Sanfeng said. "Nine strokes complete, ten thousand kalpas repaid. You only have two. The remaining seven must come quickly."

"Can't rush it. One stroke, one obstacle. I don't even know what the second obstacle is."

Zhang Sanfeng was silent a moment, then said:

"The second obstacle has already arrived."

Shen Moyan's heart tightened.

"Where?"

"Right in front of you."

Shen Moyan looked up. At the shop door stood a woman.

Red.