txolops Chapter 25 Paper Armor Like Iron, Heroic Souls Return Home
Chapter 25 Paper Armor Like Iron, Heroic Souls Return Home
For this batch of goods, Gu Yan shut down the furnace and closed the doors, working for two whole days and two nights.
The shop was filled with a strange smell, a mixture of the smoky aroma of burning bamboo and wood and the strong smell of realgar wine.
Gu Yan did not use ordinary paste, but instead boiled glutinous rice juice and added a little iron powder.
The frame was no longer made of fragile bamboo, but of old nanmu wood that he bought at a high price from a timber company. It was hard, rot-resistant, and insect-resistant.
Since we promised to send off the heroes, we can't just do a show.
These paper figures and horses, though they cannot actually fight on the battlefield, must withstand the fierce winds of the underworld at the moment they are burned, so that those brothers can leave this world with dignity.
On the morning of the third day, a thin mist hung in the air.
Before anyone could walk on the street, the silence was broken by a series of rhythmic, deep hoofbeats.
Song Hong arrived, followed by two black-covered carriages and four officers from the Demon Suppression Division dressed in black brocade robes.
These captains were all imposing, with long swords at their waists. Even just standing there, they exuded a menacing aura that kept strangers at bay.
They looked at the small paper-making shop with a mixture of scrutiny and disdain in their eyes.
In their opinion, their parents were giving this young boss far too much credit.
When burning paper money for a deceased brother, you can just buy some; why bother ordering a special one?
"Boss Gu, is the goods ready?"
Song Hong dismounted, her voice still cold and clear.
Gu Yan was already waiting at the door. His long robe was faded from washing, but he was neat and tidy.
He didn't say much, but simply turned to the side and gestured for them to proceed.
"Gentlemen, please inspect the goods."
The group stepped into the shop.
The next moment, the captains, who had been somewhat nonchalant, suddenly caught their breath and instinctively placed their hands on the hilts of their swords.
In the center of the not-so-spacious shop, two rows of "guards" stood in neat rows.
They were clad in heavy armor, wielded long halberds, stood eight feet tall, and had cold, resolute faces.
What's most chilling is that these paper figures seem to have a real murderous aura hidden in their eyes, as if they've survived countless battles.
Behind them were four well-fed and strong warhorses.
The horse's mane flies, its hooves seem to fly, and the details of the saddle and reins are meticulously reproduced, even down to the wear marks on the horseshoes.
"Is this made of paper?"
A captain couldn't resist stepping forward and reaching out to touch the warhorse's muscles.
The instant his fingertips touched the paper horse, it seemed startled and let out a very faint neighing sound, similar to the rubbing of leather.
The captain was startled, pulled his hand back as if he had been electrocuted, and looked like he had seen a ghost.
"Masterful skill."
Song Hong's eyes sparkled with wonder.
Although she didn't understand the art of paper crafting, she knew that this kind of paper crafting that could generate a response was already a prototype of a high-grade magical artifact.
"Mr. Gu, thank you for your kindness."
Song Hong turned around, her tone carrying a hint of respect for the first time:
"These brothers loved horses most of all when they were alive, but unfortunately our Changning County was poor and couldn't afford good horses. I never thought that they could fulfill this dream after they died."
Gu Yan bowed slightly, his expression solemn:
"The road to the underworld is long, and it's difficult to travel without a good horse. I've added powdered wood struck by lightning to the leg bones of this horse, so it can kick ghosts and cross water. This is just a small token of my appreciation."
"What a feat! It can kick ghosts and cross water!"
The captain who had previously looked down on Gu Yan now clasped his hands in a deep fist salute:
"Master Gu's skills are divine; we were simply blind to his abilities. We, the Demon Suppression Division, will remember this kindness."
Several strong men carefully began to move it.
Their movements were as gentle as if they were handling fragile porcelain, as if afraid of damaging these paper figures that seemed to have a life of their own.
Once the goods were loaded onto the truck, Song Hong took out the black iron Demon-Slaying Token from her bosom and solemnly handed it to Gu Yan.
In addition to the token, she also handed over a thin booklet.
"Here's what you wanted. The token has been registered with your aura. With this token, you can go to the Old Locust Tree Teahouse in the west of the city on the fifteenth of each month. That's our Demon Suppression Division's secret outpost. This booklet contains a list of supplies that can be exchanged for with merit points or silver."
Gu Yan took the item; it felt slightly heavy in his hand.
"Thank you, Lord Song."
Song Hong mounted her horse and took a deep look at the small business owner who always hid himself in the shadows:
"Gu Yan, things might get a little unsettled in Changning County lately. Although the White Spirit Sect has disbanded, you know some things are like weeds, they can't be completely burned away. Take good care of yourself."
After saying that, she flicked her whip, and the caravan slowly drove away.
Gu Yan watched the convoy disappear into the morning mist before closing the shop door and eagerly flipping through the booklet.
Since Song Hong specifically warned that things weren't going smoothly, it means the real storm was yet to come.
He must arm himself as soon as possible.
The booklet wasn't thick, but every page recorded made Gu Yan's heart race.
[Demon Tiger Spine: 100 taels of silver or 10 merit points. Suitable for crafting powerful offensive puppet skeletons.]
[Centennial Corpse Silkworm Silk: Fifty taels of silver per bundle. Incredibly tough, impervious to water and fire, suitable for sewing armor or making trap bait.]
[Lightning-struck peach wood core: 300 taels of silver. An extremely yang material, capable of suppressing all yin energy, a superior material for crafting magic swords.]
……
Great stuff, all great stuff.
Gu Yan watched with envy.
His current net worth, including what he plundered from Bai Yunfei, is about three thousand taels of silver.
This would be a huge sum of money in the mortal world, but on this list, it would barely be enough to assemble a set of mid-level equipment.
"I want that lightning-struck peach wood core."
Gu Yan's gaze was fixed on that line of text.
Although his "Paper Cutting into Soldiers" is impressive, ordinary talisman paper has limited capacity and is a disposable item.
If you can use peach wood struck by lightning to make pulp, and then mix it with bone powder from demon beasts, the resulting "talisman soldiers" will not only be twice as powerful, but they can also be recycled.
Just as I was figuring out how to spend the money wisely, a faint noise suddenly came from the backyard.
That was the warning bell he had set up on the wall.
"Hmm? Someone's spying on us?"
Gu Yan closed the booklet, his eyes instantly turning cold.
He didn't turn around, but simply picked up his teacup, took a small sip, and quietly activated the "Concealing Breath Turtle-Snake Technique" within his body, his senses spreading outwards like a tidal wave.
In his perception, an extremely faint presence was perched on the roof ridge in the backyard.
The aura was cold and sticky, not like a living person, but more like a gecko.
It seems the remnants of the White Spirit Cult are arriving faster than expected.
Gu Yan put down his teacup and tapped his fingers lightly on the table, making a rhythmic tapping sound.
Beneath the table, a golden paper praying mantis silently unfurled its deadly scythes.
Since you're here, don't leave.
Let's test just how sharp this master-level paper-making technique combined with paper-cutting skills really is.