Knife splashing

Chapter 363 Ghosts and Spirits in the Middle of the Night

"Donghu Patriarch?"

Hearing this name, Li Yan frowned immediately.

This monster lurks in the East Lake outside Wuchang. It is said to be a big toad with some followers. It was once enlightened by Liu Hai.

To be honest, he is not an evil spirit. He has been practicing in seclusion for many years. If it were not for Master Tuo, no one would have known about the existence of this old monster.

According to Master Tuo, many old monsters in the Yangtze and Han River areas have been persuaded by Master Huang Liu to unite against the imperial court, and the East Lake Patriarch is among them.

It seems that this time, it is also related to this monster...

"Where did he disappear?"

"The river near Mt. Xian."

"Let them gather more information. After we rescue Master Wang and Uncle Sha, we will go look for Master Tu..."

After some instructions, the crocodile disappeared into the water.

“Brother Yan…” Lu San’s face was solemn.

He originally thought that the plague in Xiangyang was just a minor matter and that it would only take some effort to find the source. He did not expect to encounter this situation as soon as he entered the city.

They were attacked, the crocodile master disappeared...it seemed as if a pair of eyes were watching them, weaving a web layer by layer.

Lu San had already sensed a hint of danger.

"It doesn't matter."

Li Yan patted his shoulder and said in a cold voice: "This is the heartland of the imperial army. Not to mention the 200,000 troops in Yunyang, even the Xiangyang navy and garrison are a powerful force."

"Humanity comes first now. Don't look at any old monster or giant. If you really have the guts, why would you hide in the dark and do something?"

"What they rely on is nothing more than the people from the Heavenly Saint Cult and the Ghost Cult lurking around, colluding with each other inside and outside, and playing tricks."

"As long as we find these people, we can break the impasse!"

…………

The layout of Xiangyang City is very rigorous.

In addition to the six city gates, there are four corner towers. The overall structure is divided into a cross shape, dividing the entire city into four parts.

In the center of the intersection is a tall drum tower, which was originally built to commemorate Prince Zhaoming, so it is called Zhaoming Terrace.

As soon as Li Yan and his companion returned to the city, they heard a commotion in the distance.

"Why can't you let me leave?!"

"That's right, they clearly want us to die!"

It was a street corner, and many people were shouting wildly.

Judging from their clothes, some were ordinary people, some were coolies and porters, and there were also quite a few people in luxurious clothes and Confucian scholars, all mixed in the crowd.

The soldiers of the garrison blocked the street entrance with long spears, but these people were obviously a little crazy, holding torches, sticks, knives and guns.

An old Confucian scholar stood on a high platform in the distance and shouted with all his might: "Fellow villagers, please do not act recklessly. The court has no choice but to do this. The plague is fierce. If it spreads to other places, the whole of Ezhou will be in trouble!"

"Master Lu!"

In the crowd, an old man in gorgeous clothes roared with red eyes, "It's easy for you to say that. My family is about to collapse. Why should I stay here and wait for death!"

boom!
Before he finished speaking, Captain Zhou rode up on horseback, took out his flintlock rifle from his waist, fired a shot into the sky, and shouted, "I'll count to three. Anyone who dares to break through the gate again will be killed on the spot!"

Wow!
When the soldiers heard the order, they raised their muskets.

"No, don't mess around!"

The old scholar standing on the stage saw this and hurried to persuade them.

"Humph!"

Captain Zhou looked around with a cold look in his eyes, "I will give Master Lu some face and not pursue you today!"

"Mr. Zhao, let me give you a piece of advice. If you lose money, you can earn it back. But if you lose a person, you lose everything. The bodies on the top of the city wall haven't been collected yet!"

Everyone's face was covered with vinegar cloth. After hearing what he said, several people in the crowd avoided his gaze and retreated.

Without a backbone, the crowd gradually dispersed.

Li Yan and the other man then rode over.

"Young Master Li."

Captain Zhou saw this and immediately shook his head and sighed, "As you all have seen, those were the people from the caravan. They are now short of food and grass, and they want to leave Xiangyang as soon as possible and escape to Shuzhong via the mountain road."

"If we let them run away, everyone along the way will suffer."

"To be honest, I have suppressed three disturbances today. Fortunately, the garrison troops were transferred into the city in advance. If things continue like this, something bad will happen sooner or later."

"I'm afraid something has happened..."

An old voice came, it was the old man who had dissuaded the crowd before.

Captain Zhou said quickly, "Young Master Li, let me introduce you. This is Master Lu from Longzhong Academy. He is highly respected in Xiangyang City."

"Hello, Master Lu." Li Yan nodded slightly.

He had heard long ago that Xiangyang was a place with a prosperous cultural heritage and many outstanding people since ancient times, with four major academies: Lumen, Xiangyang, Longzhong and Ziyang.

Among them, Lumen Academy is on the north side, Xiangyang Academy is the tribute academy, and Longzhong and Ziyang Academies are not in Xiangyang City.

After a brief introduction, Captain Zhou asked again: "Master Lu, when you said something has happened, what do you mean?"

Master Lu had messy white hair and tired eyes. He shook his head and said, "Xiangyang has guards, government offices, and the Duwei Division to suppress it. There is also enough food. We only need to use some tricks to stabilize it."

"The real trouble lies in the surrounding towns and villages."

Captain Zhou said in a deep voice: "Master Lu is worrying too much. We have sent people to block the main roads around Xiangyang. Not even a fly can get out."

"That's the trouble!"

Master Lu shook his head and said, "How many people are there in Xiangyang City?"

"The plague has spread to those villages in the countryside. I'm afraid they have already been lost. On my way here, I heard that some villages have already rioted..."

"There are many Miao natives in the mountains of Xiangyang. Even the government office doesn't know how many villages they have. If a plague breaks out and someone misleads us, the consequences will be disastrous..."

These words made Captain Zhou's forehead sweat.

What Master Lu said was correct. He didn't believe that these people dared to gather together to attack Xiangyang City.

But it is easy to break through the checkpoints and cause the epidemic to get out of control.

Thinking of this, Captain Zhou hurriedly bowed and said, "I wonder what ingenious plan Master Lu has?"

Master Lu pondered for a moment and said, "On Lumen Mountain, there is a hermit named An Fade. He is both a Confucian and a Taoist monk. He often goes deep into the Xiangyang Mountains to collect herbs and has a good relationship with the Miao and Man villages."

"You can go and invite them to enter the mountains to communicate with the Miao and Man villages and stabilize the situation."

"Anfade..."

Captain Zhou seemed to be thinking about something, then he bowed and said, "Thank you for your reminder, Master. Come, send the Master home and bring some rice, grain and firewood."

After sending the old man away, Captain Zhou's eyes quickly turned cold, and he said to Li Yan in a deep voice: "Master Lu is highly respected in Xiangyang, I believe it, but this An Fade, I think there is something wrong with him. Young Master Li is from the Xuanmen, have you heard of this person?"

Li Yan shook his head and said, "I've never heard of it."

Captain Zhou nodded and said, "I will send someone to investigate this matter. The key is to find the source of the plague as soon as possible."

"Young Master Li, don't blame me for asking so many questions. He is imprisoned in the Duwei Division, and so much information has been released. Anyone can tell that it is a trap. Will those monsters really come to silence him?"

Li Yan said in a cold voice: "In the government office, in broad daylight, the Medicine Saint Li family's people disappeared out of thin air. These monsters are very daring. If they succeed once, they will definitely succeed a second time."

"And those who come may not necessarily be human..."

Captain Zhou felt a little headache after listening to this. He shook his head and said, "I really don't understand these things. Young Master Li, what do you need me to do?"

The mission that Li Yan and his team received this time was jointly issued by the Yunyang government office and the Zhenwu Palace, and the Ministry of War also participated in it. So as soon as he entered the city, the forces in Xiangyang immediately came to him, one to grab the credit, and the other to pass on the blame in the future.

Of course, Li Yan was not qualified to take full command. His task was to find out the source of the plague.

After all, there is some relationship, so Captain Zhou is willing to cooperate more.

Li Yan pondered for a moment and whispered, "If Captain Zhou really wants to help, he can secretly dispatch new artillery. Remember, it must be kept secret..."

…………

Xiangyang Duweisi is located in the west of the city.

Like most other cities, the place where the Duweisi is located is usually not lively, and people stay away from it. The Duweisi also does not want too much traffic around it.

The busiest place nearby is the Xiangyang Mule and Horse Market, but it has been closed and is now empty.

In a warm room in the side yard, Wu Degui, the captain of the Xiangyang Commandery, picked up his teacup, skimmed the tea foam, and said with a smile, "Young Master Li, do you really think those people will come?"

Li Yan laughed dumbly, "The plan was proposed by the adults, why are you asking me to do it?"

Wu Degui was not embarrassed, and shook his head and said: "I don't understand magic, I just make plans according to people's hearts."

"We can't stand the current situation in the city. Those monsters are not much better. If we don't use thunder and lightning to deal with the traitors, people's hearts will be scattered, so we will definitely take action."

"The only thing I don't understand is that both the county government and the Duwei Division have talismans set up. How did the other party use magic to sneak in?"

Li Yan shook his head and said, "Your Excellency, there is no need to worry. We just need to wait. Sooner or later, the other party will reveal their true colors."

After that, he changed the subject and asked about the situation in Zigui.

"The former Qianhu of Yichang is really amazing..."

Wu Degui briefly described the situation over there, and then sighed: "The brothers over there are brave and capable, and have made many contributions. I'm afraid that after the battle in the southwest, they will soar to the sky."

"Tsk tsk, ah~ It's a pity that I injured my lungs while practicing martial arts. I don't have any other ideas. I just want to defend Xiangyang and not lose my job..."

Squeak!

As he was speaking, the sound of a rat was suddenly heard from the beam. It was Rat Da, whose fat body was climbing on the beam with extraordinary agility.

Lu San said in a deep voice: "Someone tampered with the formation and placed a curse on the tree in the yard to the left of the gate..."

Li Yan nodded slightly and said, "It's just like what I guessed. There must be collusion between the inside and outside to accomplish this. Most of the people from the Medicine Saint Li family were abducted in this way."

When Wu Degui heard this, his expression immediately turned ugly, "I'm sorry to have embarrassed you, Young Master Li."

Although he was angry, he did not rush to catch anyone. Instead, he said, "The thief broke through the formation. There must be a demon outside setting up an altar to perform a ritual. Can Young Master Li catch anyone?"

Li Yan said in a deep voice: "As long as he does this, he will find it!"

After that, he came to the courtyard and pinched the magic formula, "Nuo Gao! Taiwei Chu Ling, create weapons and armor, exorcise evil and assist righteousness, spread the yang and the body, the Northern Yin Emperor's order, deter the swords and weapons..."

Swish swish!
Three paper figurines flew out from the waist.

As his cultivation entered the third level, although he had not yet learned any new techniques, the power of his existing techniques increased accordingly.

For example, this Chu Ling technique is not only more flexible, but can also use the evil energy to make itself tougher, like paper turning into iron sheets.

In other words, it already has the ability to attack.

The three paper figures of Chu Ling flew into the air, tumbling with the help of the wind. After landing on the roof, they suddenly straightened up, ran along the eaves with their legs, and quickly disappeared into the darkness...

Afterwards, Li Yan pinched his fingers and took a deep breath.

All the air within 500 meters rushed into his nostrils.

With the help of Chu Ling paper man's vision, he immediately saw the traitor's actions.

He was an old man with white hair and triangular eyes, who looked like a small flag and was secretly placing a Bagua mirror on a tree stump.

Li Yan ignored him and just remembered the man's appearance.

The other party's destruction of the formation was exactly what he wanted. Now the entire Duwei Division was under his control, and with the cooperation of Lu San's animals, he believed that he would not be able to find the trace of those monsters!

However, after waiting for a while, there was still no movement.

Just when Li Yan was in doubt, he suddenly smelled some earthy odors coming rapidly from the northwest, but they did not rush to approach, but kept circling around the Duwei Division.

What is this?
Li Yan frowned, feeling a little strange.

The smell on the other person was not that of a ghost or evil spirit, but rather the smell of an object, like wood placed in the soil and becoming rotten.

Moreover, there is a faint smell of incense...

Is it a spirit?
Not quite like...

When Li Yan was wondering, he suddenly heard a voice in his ears.

"Here! Here! Here!"

“Hehehe, kill kill kill, die die die!”

The voice was crazy and chaotic, like a mad child.

Then, several breaths of air quickly sank into the ground.

"No, help people quickly!"

Li Yan gave a low shout and immediately jumped up. After jumping onto the beam, the hidden power under his feet burst out and he broke through the air with a whoosh.

Wu Degui and Lu San were shocked and hurried to follow.

The prison where the Holy Church man was imprisoned that day was in a nearby yard. Li Yan jumped down and immediately scared all the guards from the Duwei Division.

"Mr. Li..."

Before they could ask, Li Yan rushed in and said, "Quick, seal off the entire Duwei Division and don't let anyone escape!"

At the same time, Wu Degui and Lu San also rushed over.

Everyone rushed into the prison and was shocked.

Two captain guards had fallen to the ground, unconscious, while the man in the cell was floating in the air, strangling his own neck and struggling frantically.

And around it, cold wind kept swirling.

"roll!"

Li Yan shouted angrily, and the soul-breaking flying knife flew out.

puff!
Just like a balloon was punctured, with a loud bang, the cold wind disappeared instantly, and the man fell to the ground, his eyes full of fear and coughing continuously.

Everyone saw with their own eyes that straw was flying all over the ground and there seemed to be several black shadows drilling into the ground and quickly disappearing.

"What...what is this?"

Wu Degui was stunned.

"It's the wild god!"

Li Yan didn't have time to explain, he immediately pulled out his vest, and while tying it, he said, "Brother Lu San, send the falcon to follow, and Captain Wu will gather troops for support. I'll go first."

After that, he stepped on the steps and chanted the magic formula, "Nuo Gao! Six Jia and nine chapters, the sky is round and the earth is square. Four seasons and five elements, the sun and the moon are the light..."

Call ~
The wind was blowing hard and the man had disappeared.

Wu Degui immediately realized something and said with surprise, "Quick, gather the troops and ask the guards to send troops to support us. We have found the enemy's lair..."

"Also, catch that bastard just now!"

As for Lu San, he had already released the falcon and followed Li Yan.

The entire Duwei Division was suddenly ablaze with flames, people were shouting, and war horses were neighing...

　Second update at 3:30

　　
　
(End of this chapter)