Rebirth of MC Chpt 102 - 202 (unedited translations)

Chapter 157: Invitation to a funeral

This night, when darkness encircles the 'School of Taoism', a mysterious tint enshrouds the building. All the disciples have already departed, but a small room within is still illuminated by a faint light.

A small lamp sits on the desk, weak candlelight casting warm rays of light over the interior of the room. A pale hand grips a calligraphy brush, ink-stained bristles flowing smoothly over the talisman paper.

No one knows when, but a set of light footsteps ring out in the silent corridor. Suddenly, a pair of demonic red eyes peers in through the small gap of the ajar door. A split-second later, the door is slowly pushed open, revealing a brightly smiling youngster standing in the doorway.

"Junior Martial Uncle, I heard that you have spent the last few days within this school ceaselessly drawing talismans." Xu Mingyi smiles and steps into the room with a bounce in his step, an inquisitive light in his eyes. "Junior Martial Uncle, what kind of charms are you drawing?"

"It's only a simple evil repelling charm." Huo Zaiyuan doesn't prevent Xu Mingyi from taking a seat next to him, picking up a completed charm between two fingers.

"Wow, it's so beautiful! Junior Martial Uncle, may I study it more closely?" A worshipping light shines in his eyes as Xu Mingyi asks with eager anticipation.

"Of course, you may. Go ahead." The corners of Huo Zaiyuan's mouth curls upwards, generously permitting him to take the talisman.

A dazzling smile breaks out on Xu Mingyi's face as he takes the paper, sneakily stealing a glance at Huo Zaiyuan who has started to work on another charm.

Seeing the wholly focused look, a crafty smirk flashes across Xu Mingyi's lips. With a flick of his fingers, the scarlet ink on the talisman pinched between his fingers suddenly darkens to deep, coal-black before reverting back to its original colour.

"Junior Martial Uncle, I have finished studying it. Here, returning it to you!" Angelic smile back in place, Xu Mingyi hands the talisman over.

Brush completing the final stroke, Huo Zaiyuan looks up, stretching a hand out to take the evil repelling charm.

"It's already late. You should go back and rest. Sleeping too late at night will not be good for your body." Covering the cinnabar jar, Huo Zaiyuan sets the calligraphy brush back in its rack.

"Un, it's time I went to bed." Charming pink lips curling into an enticing smile, Xu Mingyi's fingers twitch, black energy seeping from his fingertips. "However, I will not spend tonight alone. Junior Martial Uncle, how about accompanying me?"

As the last words fall from his mouth, Xu Mingyi's hand darts out, a black talisman shooting towards Huo Zaiyuan. The target evades swiftly, causing the black talisman to miss and explode into a cloud of black mist.

A snap of his fingers and a yellow talisman appears between Huo Zaiyuan's fingers. But he doesn't move to attack, merely staring at Xu Mingyi with a face full of cautiousness.

"You've finally revealed your fox tail," Huo Zaiyuan comments lightly.

The bright smile on his face doesn't waver. If one disregards the withered left hand that looks like it belongs on a mummified corpse, one will think Xu Mingyi is just another ordinary human.

"Tsk, tsk. So it seems that Junior Marital Uncle is already suspicious of me early on. Don't tell me my act as a zealous priest has flaws?"

"The Junior Martial Uncle of a demon, I am afraid I am not worthy of being addressed as such!"

"Is that so? Since that's the case, then how about being called fuel to increase my strength? You, this Taoist priest with a high-level cultivation!" Pupils blown wide, demonic energy flashes through his eyes as Xu Mingyi raises his withered hand and charges towards Huo Zaiyuan.