117: Chapter 117 Mishap 117: Chapter 117 Mishap Chen Hai was drawing a talisman, even though it was his first time trying something so unprecedented.
But at this moment, he felt blessed, as if receiving divine assistance.
With the Wolf Brush Pen in hand, he made bold and fluid strokes on the yellow paper.
In just under a breath’s time, he had completed the entire talisman in one go.
After finishing the talisman drawing, he pointed the tip of the brush upward, and with the brush head downward, he channeled all his energy into the brush and tapped the yellow paper three times.
Then, he put down the Wolf Brush Pen and began to gasp for air, breath after breath.
Drawing talismans seemed simple, but in reality, it was incredibly draining on one’s energy.
After resting for a short while, Chen Hai finally caught some breath.
He picked up the Corpse Transformation Talisman he had just drawn and examined it over and over for a long time.
Compared to the Corpse Transformation Talismans in the fragmented books, the patterns on his talisman were noticeably different.
For instance, one stroke might be a bit too thick, or the curve of another was slightly too wide.
However, when he used his Divine Soul’s power to carefully inspect the talisman, he could clearly see a faint halo rippling over it.
“Drawing talismans shouldn’t be bound to each stroke.
When the Wolf Brush Pen touches the yellow paper, what should really emerge is the essence of the talisman’s spirit!”
“Judging from its appearance, my talisman should be considered a success!”
“The only problem is, there’s no chance to test it yet.
I have no idea how powerful this Corpse Transformation Talisman might be!”
Carefully storing the talisman in his hand, Chen Hai muttered to himself.
After resting for another half an hour, the energy he had expended in drawing the talisman had just barely recovered.
“Hai, what are you doing cooped up in your room, performing some ritual?”
Just as he was gearing up to draw another talisman to test it out, his mother Jiang Meixian’s voice inconveniently reached his ears.
“Mom, I was just bored and wanted to try drawing a couple of talismans!” Chen Hai scratched the back of his head and explained.
“You’re about to be a university student and still, all you know is how to fiddle with these ghost talismans!”
With a dissatisfied huff, Jiang Meixian continued, “If you’ve got nothing to do, go pick some peppers and eggplants from the terraced fields; they’d be perfect for dinner!”
It wasn’t easy for the family to produce a university student, yet here he was, always messing with these bizarre things.
Jiang Meixian couldn’t help feeling displeased at this sight.
“Alright!
I’ll go now!”
With a resigned face, Chen Hai sighed.
He had trouble explaining his Taoist Skill activities; he surely couldn’t bluntly tell his parents that he managed to get into university by cheating with Taoist Skill.
The following days were calm and uneventful.
Whenever he had a chance, Chen Hai would hide in his room and try to draw talismans.
Whether it was because his luck had run out or for some other inexplicable reason,
in these days of drawing talismans, he tried over ten times without producing a single Danghui Talisman.
Instead, he had successfully drawn another Corpse Transformation Talisman.
On August 22, they were preparing the feast; in fact, on the afternoon of the 21st, the helpers and cooks had already arrived at the house.
By dinner time, there were already quite a few guests at Chen Hai’s house.
With so many people around, it was not the time when one’s mind could be tranquil, and certainly not suitable for drawing talismans.
Chen Hai had to put his drawing activities on hold after several days.
Few people are willing to give help when it’s truly needed, yet there are plenty eager to join in when it’s time to lift the ornate bridal sedan.
Chen Hai getting into university was a major event for the entire Chenjiaping.
On the day of the banquet, his house was bustling with excitement, and nearly all the village officials came by to make an appearance.
Cousin Chen Dongmei’s family certainly wouldn’t miss out.
Bright and early, they hurried over, but only cousin and her husband came; Sun Jinzhong was nowhere to be seen.
“Cousin, where’s Brother Zhong?
Why didn’t he come?”
Feeling a bit puzzled, Chen Hai specifically approached Chen Dongmei to ask.
“Don’t get me started on your Brother Zhong, that kid.
Just the other day, he was saying he’d accompany us to Wuyang Town to offer you his congratulations!”
“But this morning, out of nowhere, he tells us he has urgent matters to attend to at Liuyuan No.1 Middle School!”
“I scolded him a bit, but in the blink of an eye, he had disappeared!”
Chen Dongmei sighed and lamented.
The one from her own family could be perfectly fine one moment and then truly a headache the next.
“Headed to Liuyuan No.1 High School?
No wonder then,” said Chen Hai with a nod.
In his view, it must be that Director Tao had some definite news, which was why Sun Jinzhong didn’t come to Wuyang Town and went directly to the school instead.
“Hai, when you were taking the college entrance exams, you came to my house and said you were seventy to eighty percent sure you’d get into university!”
“At the time, I thought you were just boasting, but now it seems you really have the ability!”
“Here, take this little red envelope, accept it, and let our family share in the joy!”
With a faint smile on her face, Chen Dongmei took hold of Chen Hai and forcibly stuffed a red envelope into his hand.
A cash gift is a cash gift, and a red envelope is a red envelope.
To celebrate Chen Hai getting into university, relatives who were somewhat close all gave Chen Hai a red envelope in addition to the cash gift.
Although the money inside the red envelopes wasn’t much, usually around three to five yuan, it was still a thoughtful gesture from everyone.
After attempting to decline it for a while, and failing to do so, Chen Hai ultimately accepted the red envelope given by Chen Dongmei.
Regarding the banquet they had at home, the food and drinks were only average at best.
After all, the financial situation at his home was clear, and the debts that Chen Zhonghua and Jiang Meixian still had to pay off were not yet settled.
Chen Hai had saved a few thousand yuan with them, but unless it was absolutely necessary, they certainly wouldn’t spend it carelessly.
At around twelve noon, most of the guests had finished lunch and had begun to leave.
‘Di di di…’, the pager Chen Hai had in his pocket suddenly went off.
In a corner where no one was paying attention, he took out the pager and checked the caller ID.
The person who paged him had a Liuyuan County phone number—likely, the call was from Sun Jinzhong without any surprises.
“This guy, does he not know that my family is hosting a banquet today!”
“In this whole area of Chenjiaping, where am I even supposed to find a phone to return his call!”
Muttering to himself, Chen Hai felt somewhat speechless.
By four in the afternoon, there were hardly any guests left at his home.
Those from his community who’d come to help were starting to wind down and take care of the post-banquet cleanup.
Not far away, on the dirt road leading to Chen Hai’s house, Sun Jinzhong’s head was wrapped in a large piece of white gauze, and he was hurrying over in a rushed pace.
“Cousin, it’s bad news…”
As soon as he saw Chen Hai, Sun Jinzhong approached eagerly with an urgent expression on his face.