Knife splashing

Chapter 410: The Jianghu People Leave

"what?"

Li Yan's heart skipped a beat when he heard this, and he quickly asked, "Senior, Zhao Changsheng also came to Ezhou. When did it happen?"

In this Ezhou war, except for the Xiangyang plague incident, they took the leading role, and the rest were just roaming around the periphery, taking on tasks such as espionage.

When did Zhao Changsheng come to Ezhou?
What happened behind the scenes?
Yu Chanzi sat on the chair, flicked his whisk, and said calmly: "Thanks to my friend, Zhao Changsheng's identity has been leaked. Such a dangerous person will naturally be taken seriously by the Xuanmen Orthodox Church."

"His background is now clear. He is from the Zhu family of Jiangzuo in the late Han Dynasty. He has some talent, but he has no chance of becoming a god. That's why he practices evil methods and tries to live forever."

"Then something strange happened. Originally, with this person's ability, it was impossible for him to return to life. However, since the Song Dynasty, this person suddenly rose to power and became the leader of the Ghost Cult, causing chaos in the world."

"Something must have happened."

Li Yan pondered and said, "Indeed, I learned from Liu Gang that this person was not well-known before, and he returned to the world during the Song Dynasty and found them, and gave them the secret method and set up a trap to harm them."

"For an unknown person to suddenly have the power to stir up trouble, there must be something strange going on. Senior, do you have any clues?"

Yu Chanzi shook his head and said, "No one knows about this. I'm afraid we can only find out after we catch Zhao Changsheng."

"The Song Dynasty was destroyed by the Ghost Cult, and the Daxing Dynasty was established by the Ghost Cult. He is also related to the Golden Horde Wolf Kingdom and is trying to disrupt Shenzhou. Neither the Xuanmen Orthodox Church nor the imperial court can tolerate him."

"But this person is extremely cunning. He has planted countless spies in Shenzhou. His supernatural powers have reached a mysterious level. He is also good at deduction. Once he senses that something is wrong, he will flee thousands of miles away."

"Before, Xuanmen had set up a trap to kill him, but he had many accomplices in Xuanmen, and the news leaked out, allowing him to escape."

"During the Ezhou crisis, Zhao Changsheng set up a trap behind the scenes, hoping to lure away the Wudang Mountain's power and steal the Blood Jade Cong. I used his trick to set up a trap, but he still managed to escape."

"At this moment, I'm afraid he has already fled thousands of miles away..."

After hearing this, Li Yan secretly said it was a pity, and then doubts arose in his heart. He bowed and said, "Senior, do you have any instructions for me after you told me this?"

Yu Chanzi is the head of Wudang, a person who can serve as the imperial teacher and his Taoism is unfathomable.

He just sat there, and Li Yan could not detect anything unusual at all. His aura was the same as that of an ordinary person, and he had reached the state of returning to nature.

It must be no simple matter for such a person to come to him personally.

Yu Chanzi nodded and said, "Indeed, there is something."

"Although Zhao Changsheng's whereabouts are treacherous, there are traces that can be followed. The chaos in the southwest this time must have been instigated by him. He will either go to Xiangxi or Shuzhong next."

"If you encounter it, you must kill it."

Li Yan was stunned for a moment, then smiled bitterly and said, "Senior, you think too highly of me. Although I have an irreconcilable hatred with Zhao Changsheng, I also know myself well and I am no match for him at all."

Yu Chanzi said calmly: "My friend, if you expose Zhao Changsheng's whereabouts, the remnants of the Ghost Cult will definitely attack you, and sooner or later they will force Zhao Changsheng to show up in person."

"My friend, just remember that once you have the chance, no matter what the cost, you must kill this man. I will take care of any trouble you cause, so don't worry about it."

These words are confusing.

Li Yan's mind was full of questions, but seeing that Yu Chanzi refused to say more, he could only bow and say, "Don't worry, senior. If there is a chance, I will kill this thief with my own hands!"

After saying goodbye and leaving the hall, Wang Jingxiu came running over and said with a smile, "It's done. Let's go. I heard that you found other precious medicines. Tell me in detail."

Behind them, Yu Longzi, who was guarding outside, turned back to the main hall, closed the door, frowned, and said, "Master, can this boy really kill Zhao Changsheng?"

Yu Chanzi was silent for a moment, then said, "Before in the Thunder Fire Refining Hall, when this boy was practicing, some kind of force interfered..."

"You set up an altar to catch the dragon, but it was tampered with. If nothing unexpected happens, this boy will kill the dragon in his dream..."

"Killing a dragon in a dream?!"

After hearing this, Yu Longzi was also a little bit unbelievable.

He just secretly told Yu Chanzi about the situation at that time, but he never thought that it was Li Yan who killed the dragon in his dream, and thought that the other party was lucky.

Yu Chanzi shook his head and said, "Killing a dragon in a dream is a punishment on behalf of heaven. Li Yan is just like Wei Zheng back then, a living ghost messenger."

"Wei Zheng is only slightly better than an ordinary person. If he can do it, then this kid can do it easily."

"There are still many strange things about Zhao Changsheng. He was able to bring people back to life so many times. This is something that no human power can do..."

These two things are totally unrelated.

But Yu Longzi understood the master's intention, and a chill rose in his heart, "Someone is dropping a piece, and someone wants to pull it out?"

Yu Chanzi nodded slightly, looked at the sky outside, and his expression became solemn. "It is the law of heaven not to interfere with the human world, but there is a force that seems unwilling to be lonely."

"I'm afraid this humanitarian change will exceed expectations..."

…………

At the same time, in another quiet room.

"Hahaha…"

Wang Jingxiu personally made a pot of tea, "Come, try this 'Purple Bamboo Tea', it has been famous since the Tang Dynasty because of the Tea Saint, and is listed as a tribute tea. It was sent by a friend of ours."

Li Yan immediately understood, "Elder Yuan of Mo Sect?"

Wang Jingxiu said with a smile: "It was that fellow who not only tricked me into going to Qiankun Academy, but also pulled me there. We will be colleagues in the future."

Li Yan also nodded and smiled: "Senior, you are joking. You have amazing knowledge, and I am just a errand boy. When will you leave for the capital?"

Wang Jingxiu replied, "I will go after the New Year. Qiankun Academy will be officially established in the middle of the year. The court will allocate some money. I will go there in advance to find Momen to refine some things."

"That's just right."

Li Yan bowed and said, "Qiankun Academy has been established. I am afraid I will not be able to go there. I found the corpse of the white-haired god in Shennongjia before. It is well preserved. Please send it to Qiankun Academy."

"The corpse of the white-haired god?"

Wang Jingxiu became interested. "You guys have made quite a harvest this time. I heard that Taoist Wang and his team have returned to Shennongjia. Do you have any precious medicines?"

“I made a friend.”

Li Yan briefly recounted the events of Shennongjia, and then curiously asked, "Senior, the dragon horn was sent to Qingcheng Mountain. I wonder which master is going to refine it."

"That man is called Huo Tou Tuo."

Wang Jingxiu said: "He was originally a master of the craftsmen sect. Later, he practiced in Mount Emei and became a Buddhist. He had a hot temper. Two years ago, he got into a fight with someone and left Emei in anger. He settled in Mount Qingcheng."

"When it comes to refining magical instruments, this person is second to none in Shu. Even the flying sword of the Sword Immortal Cheng Jianxin was refined by him."

"It's just right. You can give the mold of the magic weapon you are going to refine to the old Taoist priest and have someone take it away."

Li Yan pondered for a moment and took out the Dust-Breaking Knife. "Based on the appearance of this knife, it was also practiced by a senior master. This junior uses it very smoothly."

"it is good!"

Wang Jingxiu didn't waste any words and ordered his disciples to get a plaster mold, press out the mold with the Duanchen Knife, and record the weight of the blade and other numbers.

After finishing all this, Wang Jingxiu said, "The precious medicine 'Tyrrhiza uralensis' you sent me is very effective in treating internal and external injuries. Even if the internal organs are injured, taking one pill will stop the bleeding immediately."

"I will hurry up and make the medicine these days. On the Double Ninth Festival, you can come to Wudang Mountain to participate in the temple fair. You can watch the excitement and then take the medicine away."

Li Yan was a little surprised. "The Wudang Mountain Temple Fair is on the ninth day of the ninth lunar month. Isn't that the Double Ninth Festival?"

Wang Jingxiu was amused. "You are a member of the Xuanmen sect, but you don't even know this."

"There are several temple fairs in Wudang Mountain every year, and the two most grand ones are on March 3rd and September 9th."

"The Double Ninth Festival is the birthday of Dou Mu Yuanjun and the birthday of the Nine Emperors. Ezhou has had the custom of worshipping the stars since ancient times, so we naturally cannot be careless."

"In addition, September 9th is the day when Emperor Chongyang and Emperor Guansheng ascend to heaven, and the birthday of the God of Fire. It is also the birthday of the Emperor Fengdu. Since you are a living ghost messenger, how can you not go and offer sacrifices?"

Li Yan felt a little embarrassed after hearing this, "I really don't know much about these things."

"It doesn't matter."

Wang Jingxiu shook his head slightly and said, "Yunyang is now in a state of disrepair. Although the war in the southwest has not yet ended, the former governor also intends to make a big fuss about it to calm the people's hearts."

"It will definitely be very lively then..."…………

After leaving Chenghuang Temple, Li Yan returned to the Jiangsu and Zhejiang Chamber of Commerce.

Ever since he rejected the Chen father and son, they never came to disturb him again. Li Yan was able to calm down and practice hard every day.

During this period, reports from the southwest war continued to arrive.

On August 29, a thick fog fell from the sky. The imperial army suddenly set out, crossed the river and fought, winning victory after victory, killing countless enemies...

On the third day of September, the Ezhou Tusi coalition was defeated, and two Tusi were captured. Many people who were sitting on the fence and watching the situation presented letters of surrender, willing to resign from their positions as Tusi and accept the imperial court's policy of changing Tusi into Han people...

On the sixth day of September, the imperial army besieged Tangya Tusi City. Masters from both sides fought each other in the mountains. Xiao Tianxiong and Wang Hufa, who had escaped before, showed up to help.

Unfortunately, this time not only did many masters from Wudang Mountain come out, but even Wuchang Baotong Temple and Longhu Mountain sent reinforcements.

On the eighth day of September, the Tangya Tusi City was broken, the ambitious Tan family was destroyed, and most people surrendered.

Some experts, such as several high priests of Tangya Tusi City, and Xiao Tianxiong and others, continued to flee southward, deep into Miao territory, and took refuge with the Yang family in Bozhou...

The chaos in Ezhou that had lasted for several months finally came to an end.

In this war, the most eye-catching thing was not those who had outstanding military achievements, nor the masters of Taoism, but firearms.

After the imperial army got used to it, the new firearms finally showed their fangs.

The military and the Duwei Division have trained a group of sharpshooters who, combined with the magical powers of Taoism and various secret mechanisms, are elusive in the mountains and forests, killing evil monsters one after another.

Even the Xuanmen Law Enforcement Hall's control of troops is not as efficient as theirs.

Firearms have completely entered the Chinese stage.

Not to mention the martial arts sects, even the Xuanmen sect has begun to study this thing.

However, the first ones to achieve results were not the Xuanmen Orthodox Sect, but the hunters from Meishan.

An old monk created the Thunder and Fire Gun Curse, and with the help of Zhang Wulang, the power of the firearm was increased to a new level.

For a time, many forces were unable to react and all went to Meishan to study and exchange experiences.

Even the Meishan lineage was surprised. They were not prepared in advance. If they wanted to get some new gunpowder, they had to pray to Buddha for help.

In short, Dongting Lake is very lively now.

The whole day was filled with footsteps and fighting, and the sound of gunfire continued...

Naturally, these things have nothing to do with Li Yan.

The techniques taught by Meishan Fa are special and completely different from what he has learned. He would not be able to learn them even if he was taught.

We can only wait for the Xuanmen Orthodox Sect to figure out the truth and then find a solution.

In the midst of all this chaos, Sha Lifei and his companions finally returned from Shennongjia. After some preparation, they boarded a boat to Wudang Mountain...

…………

September 9th is the Double Ninth Festival.

The sky is high and the clouds are light, and there is a huge crowd of people at the foot of Wudang Mountain.

The gates of Wudang Mountain were wide open. Except for the Golden Summit on the mountain, all other palaces were open to the public, allowing people to enter the mountain and worship.

Even the Five Dragon Palace and the Purple Sky Palace simply closed their mysterious realms and allowed the common people to enter and exit as they pleased.

Many masters on Mount Wudang have followed the imperial army deep into the heartland of Miao to quell the rebellion, so the pressure is naturally not small.

In addition to large and small sacrificial ceremonies and all-night rituals, Taoist priests from city god temples across the country were even called in to deal with the emergency.

Under such circumstances, there was naturally no time to entertain Li Yan and others.

Li Yan and his companions did not hesitate to take the elixirs from Taoist master Wang Jingxiu and then wandered around the mountain.

At the foot of the mountain, the affiliated underworld forces of Zhangjia Village came out one after another and set up a 20-mile-long street temple fair out of thin air.

Merchants and peddlers from all over Ezhou, as well as those who traveled around to perform, all received the news and rushed to make arrangements in advance.

At the foot of Wudang Mountain, all kinds of people gather.

Here we have Ezhou drums, holding drumsticks and singing passionately...

There are drum books over there, telling stories of Liu Hai fishing for the golden toad, the Cowherd and the Weaver Girl, Dong Yong and the Seven Fairies, etc.

There were three Chu Opera troupes alone, and they would set up a stage to perform every once in a while, showing off their unique skills, as if they were competing with each other...

The most lively one is naturally the Wudang magic drama.

This is a unique drama at the Wudang Mountain Temple Fair. It was originally created by wealthy merchants nearby who invited a troupe of Yuzhou Opera to combine it with the local Bacha Opera. Taoists from Wudang Mountain also participated in the creation.

The plays performed are all related to Taoist stories, such as "Han Xiangzi's Begging for Food" and "Yin Yang Mistake".

Diaozi Opera has nine tunes and eighteen tunes, with a hundred twists and turns. Bachazi Opera has five tunes, with people singing in front of and behind the scenes, and the people in the audience cheering loudly.

At night, the excitement continued.

Some latecomers held torches and went up the mountain to burn incense. Together with the altars, under the bright moon, Wudang Mountain was dotted with sparks and filled with blue smoke.

"Brother Yan, let's go. We can't walk around any more."

After a day of playing, even Sharifei, who loved to join in the fun, felt exhausted. He scratched his head and said, "I heard that the temple fair will last for several days. I'm afraid I won't be able to sleep well on the mountain. It's better to just take a boat and leave."

"Alright."

Li Yan smiled and said, "I have already told Master Wang, let's go directly."

After that, they left the temple fair and came to the river bank, where they saw a large pleasure boat quietly docked under the moon.

The boatman was none other than the "Fast Boat Zhang" who had taken them to Yichang.

"Brother Zhang, I have to trouble you again this time."

"Where is it."

"Quick Boat Zhang" laughed, and after everyone got on board, he took out a New Year picture from the cabin, "Young Master Li, look at what this is?"

Li Yan looked down and saw that the New Year picture was full of turbulent waves. A young man in black clothes, holding a long sword, was fighting with a vicious dragon.

Li Yan was stunned. "Where did this come from?"

"Clipper Zhang" smiled and said, "I bought it at the temple fair just now. It looks like Li Shaoxia. It's just right to put it in my home during the New Year."

Li Yan turned his head and looked at it with some confusion.

He didn't tell anyone about the dream of slaying the dragon. Who leaked the news?
Thinking of this, he shook his head slightly and said, "They just look alike, Brother Zhang, let's go."

"okay!"

Under the moonlight, the pleasure boat gradually disappeared on the river.

At a stall at the temple fair, an old man was shouting: "Come and see, come and see, the young hero slays a dragon."

The person selling New Year pictures was the old woodblock painting craftsman whom Li Yan had rescued when he passed by Baokang County before.

"Father, what's the story behind this?"

Someone nearby couldn't help but ask.

"Why do you care so much?"

The old man glared at her and said, "There are so many stories in this world, how many do you know..."

(End of this chapter)