The mustached Taoist priest clapped his hands together with a sharp snap, stamping his feet in a measured rhythm. He raised his sword to the sky, scattering a flurry of yellow talismans. With a swift series of sword strikes, he pierced several talismans, then suddenly somersaulted through the air. The peach wood sword danced in his grip as he chanted under his breath.
"Disciple lifts his eyes to the blue heavens, masters gather at my side. Eighteen Arhats, twenty-four Celestial Guardians, come swiftly to my aid—cut down demons, uphold the righteous path, empower your disciple for spirit invocation. Hah..."
The mustached Taoist staggered and hummed a strange tune, his footfalls growing louder and louder—thud, thud, thud. Suddenly, a golden light flared on his shoulder. He straightened, reversed his grip on the peach wood sword, holding it behind his back, and raised two fingers.
"Ghost Eye, open."
I watched as the Taoist brushed two fingers before his eyes, as if glimpsing something unseen. Suddenly, he leapt into the air, slashing several times with his sword.
A woman's anguished scream pierced the air. As the Taoist landed, he raised his peach wood sword and thrust it fiercely into empty space.
"Fiend, you won't escape!"
Suddenly, all the residents were awestruck by his presence. Excited, they rushed up the stairs, eager to follow.
I wanted to follow and see for myself. That mustached Taoist wasn't as powerless as I'd thought.
"You're the powerless one, brother. That Taoist has real skill—he just performed a spirit invocation, and that female ghost might really get taken down by him."