Knife splashing

Chapter 633: Beimang He Lei

Rumble!
The spring thunder rumbles, and the drizzle falls, slanting like silver threads.

"drive!"

Sharifei leaned over to control the reins and waved the whip, his wet thin cotton jacket clinging to his back.

The mane of the yellow horse under his crotch was covered with water droplets, and the horseshoe splashed mud on it.

It was a chilly spring day, and the cold wind was like a steel spike, penetrating through their wet clothes, making Shalifei and Wang Daoxuan shiver with cold.

That’s right, there were only two of them going to Shaolin.

Li Yan's plan still had some omissions.

The problem lies with Wuba.

This time when we go to Shaolin for help, the key is speed, we cannot delay on the road.

Therefore, the local veteran "Golden Eye Feng" planned the best route for them.

Starting from the south of Luoyang City, head southeast along the Yi River, first go to Longmen Inn to change horses, and then take the Yique Ancient Road.

This ancient road passes through the Longmen Grottoes, then turns northeast along the Yi River to reach Pengpo Town.

This is a strategic point on the southern foot of Mang Mountain, where the remnants of Mang Mountain and Funiu Mountain meet.

In order to prevent night attacks by bandits from Funiushan, they had to pass through Pengpo Town but not enter, and go through Baishayi and along the old land of Luhun directly to Dajindian Town on the western border of Dengfeng.

Once you reach Dajindian Town, you will be safe and continue on to Guodian Village, where there is a military road from the imperial court that leads directly to the gate of Shaolin Temple, thus avoiding the dangerous main peak of Songshan Mountain.

If we ride fast along the way, we can reach Shaolin Temple in less than two days.

But Wu Ba was so huge that his horse couldn't run fast enough.

Therefore, only Sharifei and Wang Daoxuan went on this trip.

The situation in Mangshan is unknown, and we cannot do without Lu San's investigation and Long Yaner's witchcraft help, so this is the only arrangement.

Fortunately, Sharifei has now successfully built a building, and his swordsmanship and gun skills have improved significantly.

Wang Daoxuan practiced the "Five Heads Divine Art", which allowed him to warm his chest with a breath of innate energy and to do two things at once. He was no longer afraid of the enemy getting close to him.

Combined with their experience in the martial arts world, they are able to handle most situations.

"Master, you have traveled all over the world, have you ever been to Shaolin?"

Sharifei galloped on his horse and suddenly turned around to ask.

Wang Daoxuan was shivering from the cold and shook his head, saying, "I will not go to the temple again."

“I’ve been to…”

A trace of nostalgia flashed in Sharifei's eyes. "When I first entered the martial arts world, I followed a big brother. He said there would be a martial arts conference at the foot of Shaoshi Mountain, where all the heroes would meet. He wanted to take me there to broaden my horizons and make a name for myself in the martial arts world."

Wang Daoxuan asked curiously: "What was the result?"

Sharifei laughed at himself and said, "Of course I was cheated."

"He said he needed money for travel expenses and bribes, so I tried my best to collect the money and even kept it for myself. But when I got to the foot of Shaoshi Mountain, I couldn't even get in the door. The brother even stole my money in the middle of the night and ran away."

"In the end, I just squatted on the tree and watched for a long time, and finally begged along the way back to Chang'an."

"Hahaha, don't worry, this kind of thing won't happen again in the future."

"We are the Twelve Yuanchen..."

…………

There was slanting wind and drizzle, and the sky was covered with dark clouds.

In the woods, raindrops hit the fallen leaves, making crackling sounds.

Li Yan lightly held up his hat and looked up.

But in the distance, the mountains were rising and falling in the dark clouds, like solidified ink waves.

Mangshan is not tall, nor is it a blessed place. It doesn't even look beautiful. It is just a barren hill with many gullies. Even if you stand at the foot of the mountain, you can see the holes dug by robbers and broken tombs everywhere. It looks very dilapidated.

However, even without using his magical powers, Li Yan could still feel a strong aura coming towards him.

"There are so many mountains in the north, and there are four or five high tombs. I asked whose tombs they belonged to, and they all said they belonged to the rulers of the Han Dynasty."

"Golden Eye Feng" also looked into the distance with a complicated look in his eyes, and said in a trembling voice: "Since ancient times, the people of the Central Plains have all been proud to be buried in Mangshan after death. There are many imperial tombs, and countless famous ministers and generals. How could they be buried here and watch the evil monsters wreak havoc?"

"After death, you don't care about what happened before you died."

Li Yan's face was solemn and he replied casually.

In fact, he knew what was going on, but he couldn't say anything.

There are laws between heaven and earth. After death, the soul goes to the underworld.

No matter whether it is the eighteen levels of hell or the six realms of reincarnation, they have nothing to do with the worldly world.

Those ancestral tombs with excellent feng shui are just relying on the power of bloodline with the help of the evil energy of the earth veins, and their blessings will only last for three generations.

Anyone who can still be in charge after this must have a problem.

They are either wandering ghosts or evil spirits, or they are the living dead or those who have returned to the living.

If these emperors really dare to act recklessly, Mangshan will be struck by thunder.

Of course, these are just his guesses.

The specific situation still needs to be secretly informed by the deified Erlang Zhenjun.

Unfortunately, there has been no movement on the bronze Nuo mask so far...

Throwing away all the thoughts in his mind, Li Yan asked in a deep voice: "Senior, this Mang Mountain is very large. Do you have any clues about where the Ghost Emperor is hiding?"

Golden Eyes Feng stroked his beard and shook his head, saying, "There is no record of this in the Beimang Ghost Records. There may be one in another book, Luoyang Monastery Records, but this book has been lost many years ago. There may be a single copy, but it is also treasured by the wealthy and powerful and never shown to others."

Upon hearing this, Li Yan frowned slightly.

Long Yan'er, who was standing by, only needed to glance at Golden Eyes Feng and said, "Senior, you didn't say anything on the way here, but you must have a plan in mind. We can't afford to keep you in suspense right now."

"Yes Yes."

Golden Eyes Feng was embarrassed and smiled bitterly: "It's a habit I've developed over the years, and I didn't even notice it. Don't blame me, young man."

As he spoke, he took out a piece of old, yellowed silk from his bosom.

After opening it, it turned out to be a landscape map.

He pointed to the distance and said, "Please look, everyone. This Mang Mountain is vast, but it is not without pattern. There are 33 peaks, including Pingfeng Mountain, Gucheng Mountain, Shouyang Mountain, etc., sitting in the north of Luoyang, from west to east, lined up in a row."

"This place has thick soil and low water, which is suitable for burials. According to those tomb robbers, there are at least eight tombs of the Eastern Zhou Dynasty, five tombs of the Eastern Han Dynasty, two tombs of the Cao Wei Dynasty, five tombs of the Western Jin Dynasty, and six tombs of the Northern Wei Dynasty... all over Mangshan. Now there is no place for cows to lie down."

"The Qin tripod that Zhao Luzi found came from a Northern Wei tomb. A strange thing happened a while ago. An old man guarding the tomb heard the sound of Nuo opera in the Mangshan Tomb in the middle of the night. This is most likely where the Ghost Emperor is hiding."

"But we can't go up the mountain like this. We will definitely be discovered. We must find some cover..."

"What cover-up?"

Li Yan asked.

Golden-Eyed Feng didn't say anything either, but took out a bundle from behind him.

The bundle contained things like paper money, earthen paper, and cakes.

Li Yan understood immediately and looked around, "It's Qingming Festival..."

"Yes."

Golden Eyes Feng nodded and said, "In two days it will be Qingming Festival. It is an old custom to visit graves before Qingming Festival. Even if it is raining, there will definitely be a lot of people going to Mangshan today. We should be inconspicuous if we blend in with them."

As he spoke, he also gave instructions to everyone on how to dress up.

"Miss Long, wrap a white scarf on your head and act like a filial daughter..."

"Wu Zhuangshi, you are big, so find a shoulder pole to carry goods and pretend to be a servant..."

"Young Master Li is very noble. Young Master Lu and I will follow behind you..."

After his guidance, everyone dressed up a little and looked really like the real thing.

Just then, some people came to the foot of the mountain one after another, all of them were families, and Li Yan and others immediately walked out of the dense forest and followed them from a distance. Not long after walking, Li Yan discovered something strange.

All the tombs we saw along the way had bowl-shaped pieces of soil on top.

Li Yan knew that this was called a "grave hat."

When visiting graves during the Qingming Festival in the Central Plains, people remove the weeds and add soil, and find a bowl-shaped piece of soil with grass roots and place it on the grave, which is called a "grave cap."

This custom exists in many places and is nothing serious.

What's strange is that some of the graves are covered with red paper, which was soaked by rain and oozing red water, as if the graves were bleeding, which looked very creepy.

"This is the custom in the Central Plains."

Golden Eyes Feng explained: "The newly married daughter-in-law must also go to the grave with her family and put a piece of red paper on the grave to show that there is a new person in the family and to announce the good news to the ancestors. This is probably a new daughter-in-law."

"I see…"

Li Yan looked at the Mang Mountain getting closer and closer, and a chill rose in his heart for no reason. He said in a deep voice: "This Mang Mountain is located in the middle dragon vein, and there are countless burial sites. Apart from what happened a few days ago, have you heard of any strange things happening?"

Golden Eyes Feng shook his head and said, "There is a City God Temple in Luoyang City. The community commanders and soldiers regularly inspect it every Shangsi Festival. The people have long been accustomed to it. When they go to bed that night, they put their shoes upside down to make the little ghosts mistakenly think that no one is there."

"Not only are the people not afraid, some even go to the wild in the middle of the night to watch the 'ghost fire', commonly known as 'watching the lanterns'."

Li Yan was speechless after hearing this. "Well, you are really brave."

Golden Eyes Feng smiled bitterly and said, "It is precisely because nothing has happened in these years that I have not thought about it. However, this Mang Mountain has had many strange things since ancient times."

"It is said that Laozi once made elixirs on Mount Mang, so in the second year of Longshuo in the Tang Dynasty, Emperor Gaozong ordered the construction of Shangqing Palace on Mount Mang to suppress ghosts and worship the ancestors. Legend has it that after the Shangqing Palace was built, Emperor Gaozong ordered the establishment of an altar to worship the gods. A mirage appeared above Mount Mang under the white sun. Emperor Gaozong was very pleased to hear about it and called it a good omen."

"If it was just once, it would be fine. Most likely, it was Luoyang officials flattering, but it happened more than once."

"In the fourth year of Yifeng, Emperor Gaozong brought Wu Hou to Mangshan to offer sacrifices. A mirage also appeared, and Laojun descended..."

Li Yan narrowed his eyes slightly, "Did the Shangqing Palace do something?"

"Maybe so."

Golden Eyes Feng shook his head and said, "Anyway, after this incident, Shangqing Palace became the royal Taoist temple of the Tang Dynasty, and Taoism overshadowed Buddhism."

"During the Tianbao period, a giant snake appeared in Mount Mang, more than ten feet high and a hundred feet long. The eminent monk Shan Wuwei sighed and said, 'It wants to break the water and pour it into Luocheng.' He cursed the snake to death with a secret method from India. When Emperor Xuanzong heard about it, he personally saw it, and Buddhism became popular again."

"Mirages and giant snakes are the famous wonders of Mangshan, but few people know about Xu Fu's story."

Li Yan lost interest immediately after hearing this. "It's probably about Buddhism and Taoism competing for the top magic."

At that time, Luoyang was the sacred capital of the Tang Dynasty, where all the great masters of Taoism gathered and stories of various battles were passed down through the ages.

At that time, the three great patriarchs of Tantric Buddhism, Shanwuwei, Vajrabodhi and Amoghavajra, gathered together.

Master Yixing, Master Huiri of the Pure Land Sect, the high priest of the Mingjiao of Tocharian Kingdom, the Grandma of Mount Li, Xing Hepu, Lan Caihe, Luo Gongyuan, Ye Fashan, Zhai Qianyou... Pick any name, they are all existences that can shock the Xuanmen.

Not to mention some extraordinary people who have lived in seclusion, such as the "Gray Monk" who has not been seen in Shu to this day, and Wu Youxu who secretly created the prototype of the steam engine with Mo Jiajuzi.

That was a glorious and prosperous era for the Xuanmen, but it still could not stop the surging trend.

Just like the current humanitarian changes, the Xuanmen orthodox sect is also worried.

Thinking of this, Li Yan no longer had the desire to inquire about old news.

Before they knew it, they followed the crowd who were paying homage to their ancestors and arrived at Mount Mang.

There were holes made by robbers everywhere on the mountainside, and soaked paper money was scattered among the newly turned loess.

"God damn thief!"

When the people who were visiting the graves saw this, they couldn't help but curse.

Although Li Yan and his group were disguised, their temperament was difficult to conceal and they were still recognized by the nearby people. They all looked at them with vigilance and disgust, and obviously regarded them as tomb robbers.

Everyone didn't want to make trouble and quickened their pace up the mountain.

The mountain is home to the tombs of dignitaries, emperors, and celebrities, and there are fewer people offering sacrifices there.

Li Yan gave a look and Lu San immediately made hand gestures and muttered something.

rustling...

There was an immediate rustling sound in the wet grass.

Those were the wild rats and wild snakes summoned by Lu San, gathering from all directions.

Various "squeaking" and "hissing" sounds also rang out.

Lu San listened attentively, then shook his head to indicate that there was nothing unusual nearby.

Li Yan also activated his supernatural powers, but he didn't hear the ghosts' language either.

"It should be fine here."

Golden Eyes Feng pointed to the mountain on the left and said, "That is the Jingling Mausoleum of the Northern Wei Dynasty, where the strange noise was heard. I heard that Shangqing Palace even sent people to guard it for a while. Maybe it's still there. Everyone, be careful."

"Well, Senior is right."

Li Yan made a gesture and everyone continued to move forward.

Lu San released the falcon to fly high in the sky, and the little white fox, carrying the rats and two mice in a leather bag on its chest, ran around wildly.

With their current means and it being daytime, there is really no ambush that can escape their eyes.

Half an hour later, they finally arrived at their destination.

But on the hillside, the mottled head of the tomb guardian beast was half buried in the soil, and the broken stele was hidden in the weeds.

A huge underground palace exit had been dug open and half of it had collapsed.

“It shouldn’t be here.”

Feng with golden eyes looked around and said with a wry smile, "The brave ones have already searched and left safely. The people from Shangqing Palace have also withdrawn. This is not the location of the Ghost Emperor's underground palace."

Li Yan looked at the vast mountains around him and felt overwhelmed. "Senior, do you have any clues?"

Golden Eyes Feng sighed, "There are too many tombs in Mangshan. If you don't have a target, you won't be able to find them at all."

Call ~
As they were talking, a strange wind suddenly blew from the mountains.

Li Yan sniffed and his expression immediately became serious, "Be careful, there is a smell of snake."

Before he finished speaking, thick fog was seen rolling up from the top of the mountain and quickly spreading in all directions.

In just a few breaths, everyone was surrounded by mist.

Li Yan's hair stood on end and he looked around in disbelief.

“Such a strong smell of snake…”

Lu San muttered something, frowned and called the little white fox to come closer.

And Long Yan'er was also surprised, "This... This is a snake mirage!"

"I've seen a well-trained snake in southern Xinjiang that could spit out clouds and mist in the mountains, confusing its prey and making them run to its mouth to feed. But this..."

Everyone knew what she meant.

The thick fog covers such a wide area, so how big should the snake monster be?

"Is it the giant snake from Mount Mang?"

Jinyan Feng's face was filled with regret, and he slapped himself directly, "What nonsense are you talking about, you idiot."

"I'm not afraid of a big snake, Wuba, get ready!"

Li Yan drew out the Dust-Breaking Sword and looked around with murderous intent on his face.

Upon hearing this, Wu Ba immediately removed the Tiger Crouching Cannon from behind him.

They may not be as powerful as Shan Wuwei, but their artillery power is definitely enough.

At this moment, an old voice came from the thick fog:

"Ouch, be careful, don't use that thing..."

(End of this chapter)