Chapter 105: Golden Horned Boy, You Have Been Exposed
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As the Golden Horn Youth chanted the incantation, Cao Kong suddenly felt an uncontrollable sensation, as if the spell aimed to draw his soul out from the clay golden figure and bring it before the Golden Horn Youth. Soon, Cao Kong realized that what was being seized by this magic was the incense fire upon him—the divine power of the incense sought to carry away his soul.
“Such worldly magic is truly fascinating,” Cao Kong thought with a light smile. Then, a flicker of golden essence radiated from his soul, firmly anchoring his spirit, unshaken by the spell.
Seeing that the spirit before him was not drawn forth, the Golden Horn Youth muttered, “This shouldn’t be. My master taught me this Spirit Binding Edict, which should have great control over such incense gods.”
He stomped his foot and prepared to chant the incantation once again.
“Why bother with incantations? I am here to see you in person,” said a voice. At that moment, the clay figure on the divine altar gleamed with a sharp light in its eyes, as if coming to life, and stepped down.
With each step Cao Kong took, the vivid colors on his body faded gradually, like a myth reflecting into reality, an immortal descending among mortals.
By the time Cao Kong reached the Golden Horn Youth, he appeared no different from a living man.
The Golden Horn Youth felt the overwhelming divine soul beneath the incense aura in Cao Kong and involuntarily twitched his eyelids. Then, placing his small hand behind his back where the Seven-Star Sword rested, he steadied his heart.
With resolve, he said, “You so-called deity, indifferent to evil, now that you have come down, you might as well have stayed silently on the altar as a clay statue.”
Cao Kong was not offended, understanding that this was at most a righteous grievance.
However, the golden thread and the treasured sword behind the youth, as well as the gourd at his waist, caught his attention.
He asked, “May I inquire your name, young immortal boy?”
While speaking, he used spirit-perception to observe the sword and gourd, which radiated a dazzling treasure light, filling the city with auspicious clouds and radiant energy.
“Whoa,” Cao Kong gasped inwardly, forming a suspicion.
Hearing this, the Golden Horn Youth laughed and said, “If you reveal my name, you’ll be startled. No jokes—hurry and tell me why you neglect your own duties.”
By now, Cao Kong fully understood who this person was and felt a sense of effortless fortune, as if finding what was sought after a long search without any effort.
He did not argue but swept his divine senses with the incense air and saw someone outside the temple stealing under the guise of magic tricks.
Pointing outside, he smiled, “Young immortal, take a look.”
The Golden Horn Youth looked and saw, above the bright sky and towering clouds, seven stars—the Azure Dragon’s Seven Mansions.
These seven mansions belong to the Wood element, associated with the Zhen and Xun trigrams. Star forces intertwined, yin and yang mingled as thunder, surging electricity.
Boom!
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Suddenly, thunder rumbled and lightning flashed sharply.
Under the clear sky, a bolt of lightning struck the group performing magic tricks, causing their hair to stand on end, their clothes scorched and tattered.
Onlookers were shocked but then saw the thieves collapse, silver coins spilling from their bodies.
Strangely, the silver remained pure and shining under the lightning, as if revealing some omen.
The crowd checked themselves anxiously and cursed, “Thieves! My silver has been stolen!”
Then someone shouted loudly, “Today is a day of sacrifice; surely these thieves have angered the Benevolent Rescuer Sovereign. The Sovereign watches over us—let us pay our respects!”
Soon, the entire street was packed with people kneeling in worship.
Among them were the clever ones who wasted no time rushing into the temple, for worship inside held more spiritual power than outside.
One wave after another, people poured into the temple. The Golden Horn Youth kept shouting “Freeze,” his lips nearly dry from chanting.
Cao Kong smiled, “Young immortal, this is no place for conversation. Shall we find somewhere else more suitable?”
The Golden Horn Youth glanced at Cao Kong, feeling confident with his Seven-Star Sword and purple-gold red gourd, and agreed, “Let us go.”
He then lifted the immobilization spell, transforming into a radiant light and soaring skyward. The previously frozen people awoke, all turning to gaze at Cao Kong standing in place.
“Whoa!”
They all looked at the altar, now empty of the clay figure.
“Ha!”
Cao Kong’s mouth twitched; seeing this scene, he felt an inexplicable urge to laugh but knew he should not linger.
In an instant, the clay figure returned to its place, and Cao Kong's soul left the golden clay body, disappearing without a trace.
The temple folk went wild, loudly proclaiming, “The Benevolent Rescuer Sovereign has manifested!!”
From that day forward, the city saw even more sincere worship of the Benevolent Rescuer Sovereign, and the legend of the lightning that struck down thieves spread through every mouth.
...
On Misty Fog Mountain, the Golden Horn Youth appeared before Cao Kong.
The Golden Horn Youth looked at Cao Kong, his pupils contracting sharply—he could not read him at all, which was itself remarkable.
Silently, he drew the Seven-Star Sword, gripping the hilt, his courage swelling.
Seeing this, Cao Kong laughed, “I am Dongzhen, a humble Taoist who has long cultivated in the mountains. Today, I just learned that people below worship me, so my soul came down.”
The Golden Horn Youth frowned upon hearing the title Dongzhen and thought, “Which impudent Taoist master taught this disciple to arrogantly take such a name?”
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Just as this thought crossed his mind, he suddenly shivered all over, looking around cautiously, seeing no one watching him, and dismissed it as a hallucination.
He then said, “So, you are from a heretical shrine?”
Cao Kong hesitated, “If accepted by the city, probably not. But if sanctioned by Heaven, then perhaps yes.”
The Golden Horn Youth hesitated for a moment, sheathed his sword, and said, “Very well, little deity, I won’t quarrel with you. But from now on, do more good deeds. Since you are venerated by the people, you should fulfill your duties.”
“Ha ha ha ha!”
Cao Kong laughed heartily. Though the Golden Horn Youth looked like a mere Taoist boy, when he spoke with the tone of an elder or superior, it was quite amusing.
“What are you laughing at? My words are precious advice,” the Golden Horn Youth said, somewhat embarrassed and angered, feeling underestimated.
Seeing the youth by the Old Lord’s side in such a state, Cao Kong grew curious and playfully barked, “Golden Horn Youth, your matters have been uncovered!”
The small Taoist boy’s face instantly paled at the mention of “Golden Horn,” his back weakening, but he forced a brave face and said, “There’s no Golden Horn or Silver Horn here—you’ve got the wrong person.”
“Heh, I come on orders to find you. Dare you deny it? Know that resistance will be dealt with severely.”
The Golden Horn Youth’s expression fell, head bowed. The thought of returning to the furnace again drained all his spirit.
His once radiant face now looked exhausted. “Fine, I’m tired. You may take me back.”
Cao Kong smiled, “Why take you away? The Old Lord cares for you. My master tasked me to find you and let you have some fun in this mortal world.”
In an instant, the Golden Horn Youth’s eyes widened in disbelief, and a smile spread uncontrollably across his face.
He then asked, “May I ask who your master is...?”
“Taiyi the Compassionate Heavenly Sovereign.”
Hearing this name, the Golden Horn Youth became more intimate, “No wonder I find you so friendly—it must be because of this connection.”
Cao Kong smiled wryly. This Golden Horn Youth was indeed clever, smoothly switching from little deity to fellow Taoist to senior brother.
Suddenly, the Golden Horn Youth’s face changed. A chill ran from his feet to his crown.
He recalled how, upon hearing the title “Dongzhen,” he had silently judged him.
This... Taiyi the Compassionate Heavenly Sovereign surely must be very magnanimous.