Uncle Nine: I Have a Few Too Many Talismans

Li Huaian transmigrates into the world of Uncle Jiu’s zombies and becomes Maoshan’s youngest disciple. Lin Zhengying is his second senior brother, and Shi Jian is his eldest. While everyone else relies on talismans and magical artifacts to fight demons, Li Huaian has the Twelve Charms in his mind. The Rat Charm turns paper into soldiers, and the paper figures call him their master. The Horse Charm cures every illness, and he can sleep beside a coffin even with a corpse inside. The Ox Charm gives him immense strength, letting him punch zombies to bits. His fellow disciples all say he’s Maoshan’s darling: talented and level-headed. Even Shi Jian, the hardest person to deal with, loves taking him out for tea. But Li Huaian chooses to open an incense and candle shop in Ren Family Town, making his living from the dead. Uncle Jiu asks him, “You’re so capable. Why not save people?” Looking at the state of the world, Li Huaian gives him only one answer. “Senior Brother, I can cure illnesses, but I can’t cure the poverty that plagues this world.” He’s seen too many people thank him profusely when he saves them, only to turn around and complain that he didn’t come sooner. So he’d rather give people a peaceful burial than watch human nature change its tune again. Until the day Old Master Ren is disinterred for relocation. Uncle Jiu’s expression turns grave. “Junior Brother, I’m afraid this is no simple matter.” The corpse-raising sect from West Mountain has returned, and beneath the town lies a blood-fiend formation buried for forty years. Shi Jian heads south with the power of thunder. Simu invites their grandmaster to possess him, while Qianhe points his sword at the mass graves. Many years later, Li Huaian stands outside his incense and candle shop, an army of paper figures in his sleeve and talismans glowing faintly. “Senior Brother, this time we’re not just curing zombies.” “We’re going to cure the poverty in people’s hearts, too.”