In those chaotic times of clashing swords and billowing war flames, disputes among various states were incessant, with the smoke of war pervading every inch of land. The common people were deeply mired in the vortex of war-induced sufferings and endured great hardships. The protagonist of the story is a young soldier named Li Yong. He came from an ordinary peasant family and had witnessed since childhood the endless pain brought by war to his fellow villagers. The fields lay barren, and families were torn apart. Those tragic scenes were like sharp blades, piercing his heart. In order to enable his family to live a stable life and safeguard the peace of his hometown, at a young age, he resolutely joined the army, shouldered his long spear, and rushed towards the bloody and unknown battlefield.

The army to which Li Yong belonged was affiliated with a fairly powerful vassal state. They were often dispatched on missions and engaged in fierce battles with neighboring enemy states. On the battlefield, the glint of swords and blades flashed, and the shouts of battle were deafening. Each charge was like a brush with death. Although Li Yong was a rookie, relying on his unyielding spirit and the hardworking nature characteristic of peasant children, he quickly distinguished himself in the army and became a remarkable new recruit.

However, the cruelty of war far exceeded imagination. In a large-scale battle, Li Yong's troops encountered a fierce ambush by the enemy. The enemy had set numerous traps in front of the troops, and arrows rained down from all directions. Many comrades instantly fell into pools of blood, and their agonizing groans could be heard without end. Li Yong fought bravely, sustaining multiple wounds on his body. His battle robe was dyed red with blood, but the firmness in his eyes never wavered.

Just when the troops were on the verge of despair, an old Taoist priest in a Taoist robe, with an otherworldly and ethereal demeanor, suddenly appeared on the edge of the battlefield. He had a thin face, yet his eyes were as deep as an abyss, exuding a transcendent and wise light. The old Taoist priest waved his horsetail whisk in his hand and chanted incantations, seemingly communicating with the gods of heaven and earth. With a few deft movements, he nimbly evaded the chaotic battlefield and came to Li Yong's side.

"Young man, seeing that you are brave and fearless and uphold justice in your heart, our encounter today is also fate," the old Taoist priest said in a calm voice that carried a soothing power. "I bestow this talisman upon you. It says 'Preserve Life, Avoid Disasters, and Have Unhindered Success in Battle'. May it help you stay safe and achieve many military exploits in this chaotic world." With that, he handed a talisman shining with a strange light into Li Yong's hand.

Li Yong took the talisman, and a warm breath rushed towards him. The runes on the talisman seemed like living creatures, faintly flickering, as if recounting ancient and mysterious powers. His heart was filled with gratitude, and he immediately knelt down to kowtow to the old Taoist priest to express his thanks. However, the old Taoist priest gently raised his hand, signaling him to stand up. "No need for excessive courtesy. Remember, the The spiritual power of this talisman stems from the righteous path of heaven and earth. In your future actions, you should adhere to justice and never kill the innocent indiscriminately. Otherwise, the protection of this talisman will forsake you." Li Yong nodded solemnly and carefully tucked the talisman close to his body, secretly vowing not to let down the old Taoist priest's expectations.

From that day on, before each expedition, Li Yong would piously take up the talisman and gaze at it for a moment, as if drawing boundless strength from it. And indeed, the talisman seemed to possess a spirit and repeatedly revealed miraculous effects.

Once, the troops were ordered to attack a city firmly held by the enemy. The city walls were high and thick, and the enemy's defenses were tight. They had also set up numerous traps outside the city, with hidden arrow mechanisms scattered all around. Li Yong led a small detachment responsible for a flank assault. When they approached the city, the road ahead suddenly became foggy, making it impossible to distinguish directions. The ground beneath their feet also became extremely soft, as if a swamp was lurking. The soldiers showed panicked expressions, not knowing what to do.

Li Yong was startled and subconsciously tightened his grip on the talisman at his chest. At that time, the talisman emitted a faint heat, and a barely perceptible light shone through, dispersing the fog in front of them and allowing them to see the traps beneath their feet. Li Yong quickly led the soldiers to carefully bypass the dangerous areas and successfully reached the city wall, making a crucial contribution to the siege battle.

Another time, Li Yong encountered a fierce enemy general in a narrow passage on the battlefield. The enemy general was burly and extremely strong, wielding a large broadsword that whirled with great force. Wherever he passed, the soldiers on Li Yong's side fell one after another, and the morale was greatly dampened. Seeing this, Li Yong charged forward fearlessly and engaged in a life-and-death struggle with the general.

During the intense confrontation, Li Yong gradually grew exhausted and seemed about to be defeated. At the critical moment, the talisman on his chest suddenly shone brightly, and a powerful force surged into his limbs and bones, instantly restoring his energy. With a a loud shout, his long spear was like a dragon emerging from the sea, and his moves became even more fierce. He managed to unhorse the enemy general with one thrust. Seeing this, the enemy troops immediately panicked, and Li Yong's side pursued the victory, achieving a glorious triumph.

With one military exploit after another, Li Yong's prestige in the army grew steadily, and his official rank was continuously promoted. But he never forgot his original intention and always remembered the teachings of the old Taoist priest. He treated his comrades as dear brothers and was scrupulously respectful to the common people, leaving a reputation as a benevolent army wherever he went.

As time passed slowly, after many years of military campaigns, the curtain finally fell on Li Yong's military career. Relying on his outstanding military talent and remarkable achievements, he was promoted to general and became a pillar of the state. By this time, although he held high positions and great power, he increasingly missed the mountains and rivers of his hometown and his relatives. After achieving fame and fortune, he resolutely resigned from his official post and, with full honors and a deep longing for his hometown, embarked on the journey back.

Upon returning to his hometown, the first thing Li Yong did was to visit the local Taoist temple. The temple was not large in scale but carried the villagers' reverence for the gods and their wishes for a better life. Li Yong entered the temple and, in the main hall, ordered a meticulously crafted memorial tablet, on which the name of the old Taoist priest who had given him the talisman was written with great respect.

He placed sumptuous offerings in front of the tablet, lit curling incense, then knelt down and kowtowed, with tears glistening in his eyes. "Taoist priest, if it weren't for the talisman you gave me back then, I, Li Yong, would probably have died on the battlefield long ago, let alone enjoy today's honor and peace. Your great kindness, I will never forget. This temple is the spiritual sustenance of the people in my hometown. I would like to erect this memorial tablet here so that future generations will also know of your good deeds and remember the grace of Taoism."

After that, Li Yong often visited the temple. Sometimes he exchanged insights with the Taoist priests there, listening to them tell the wise stories in Taoist classics and perceiving the way of heaven and earth. Sometimes he helped repair the temple halls and purchase supplies to keep this sacred place solemn and majestic. He also shared his legendary experiences with the young people in his hometown, inspiring them to be brave and resolute in the face of difficulties, uphold justice in their heart, and believe that there is always the power of kindness and the right path guarding them in the unseen.

Under the influence of Li Yong, the people in his hometown grew more and more respectful of Taoism, and the incense in the temple burned more and more vigorously. And the story of "The Miraculous Effect of Talismans" was like a gentle breeze in spring, softly caressing everyone's hearts, passing down from generation to generation in the land of his hometown, becoming a much-praised anecdote. It made the compassion, justice, and wisdom contained in Taoism deeply rooted in this land, nourishing generation after generation and inspiring them to adhere to the right path and march forward bravely no matter what storms they encountered on the journey of life.

Many years later, when later generations strolled on this familiar land and heard this story, they could still sense the passion and perseverance of their predecessors and the powerful force of Taoist culture that transcended time and space from the 古老的传说. It was like a bright lamp, illuminating people's paths forward and ensuring that hope and belief would never be extinguished in the long river of time.