Knife splashing

Chapter 703 The Craftsmen of the Capital
Before dawn, the Hall of Mental Cultivation was already brightly lit.

"Bastard thing!"

With a furious shout, the jade paperweight on the imperial desk was swept to the ground and smashed to pieces.

Emperor Xiao Qixuan looked down, his voice as cold as ice, "You say that my sacred dragon vein has become a place where wandering sorcerers come and go as they please?!"

Pei Zongti, Vice Minister of Rites; Prince Shunyang, Director of the Imperial Clan Court; Jiao Wanbao, General of the Golden Guard…

All three were powerful figures in the capital, but at this moment they dared not even breathe loudly.

Prince Shunyang, the head of the Imperial Clan Court, felt even more aggrieved at this moment.

The highest position in the Imperial Clan Court of the Great Xuan Dynasty was held by five princes, all of whom were of the first rank.

The Left and Right Imperial Clan Officials were in charge of the imperial clan's genealogy and discipline, the wedding and funeral rites of the imperial family, and daily affairs such as stipends.

The Left and Right Clan members were primarily responsible for royal family sacrifices, including royal family sorcerers and the maintenance of the dragon vein.

As for him, the head of the Imperial Clan Court, he was in charge of all affairs.

Normally, these things are handled by others; he is more of an overseer.

Just now, I was summoned to the palace while I was still asleep, and I only found out about this on the way.

So, though he was furious, he still tried to smooth things over, saying, "Your Majesty, please calm down. The unusual movement of the earth's veins was merely an invasion of external evil. The Imperial Clan Court arrived upon hearing the news and has already eliminated all the demons. There's no serious problem now..."

"What a powerful external evil!"

Before he could finish speaking, Emperor Xiao Qixuan flew into a rage, frightening the Prince of Shunyang into silence.

Xiao Qixuan's eyes were sinister. "This is a crucial place in the capital, and it also involves the dragon vein. You are all so negligent and careless. You cannot escape your punishment."

"Pass down the order: have the Prince of Pingyang and the Prince of Luchuan relinquish their positions as members of the Imperial Clan, deduct three years' salary, and confine them to their residences to reflect on their mistakes!"

By this time, Prince Shunyang had calmed down.

On his way here, he was puzzled. No outsiders knew about the incident at the "Nine Gates Yin Ruins". The people who went to deal with it were very tight-lipped. The only flaw was that the Jinwu Guards had not caught anyone and had only found a courtyard that had been burned down.

This matter could have been easily covered up, so why did the Emperor know about it even earlier than him?
When he heard that the Prince of Pingyang and the Prince of Luchuan had been stripped of their positions, he finally understood the reason.

Emperor Xiao Qixuan is taking this opportunity to launch an attack.

The Imperial Clan Court oversees matters concerning the imperial family. Although it does not participate in court politics, its words carry considerable weight.

The emperor's recent reduction of the power of the princes has caused dissatisfaction among many people.

Before the new year, the emperor fainted while handling state affairs, and they took the opportunity to offer their advice, thus setting the agenda for establishing an heir.

He knew Emperor Xiao Qixuan's temperament best; he wanted everything under control.

The Imperial Clan Court's mistake has now come to light.

Once the Left and Right Clan members are removed, they will inevitably be replaced by obedient members of the royal family.

His position as a member of the clan has also led to his complete isolation; no one listens to him anymore.

Although he knew the reason, the matter had already come to this point, and the Prince of Shunyang could only bitterly bow and say, "Your subject obeys the decree."

Xiao Qixuan glanced at him indifferently, ignoring him completely, and instead turned his gaze to General Jiao Wanbao of the Imperial Guard, "What did you find out?"

Jiao Wanbao was his confidant, whom he trusted implicitly, so Xiao Qixuan spoke much more amiably.

"Return to Your Majesty."

Jiao Wanbao clasped his hands and said in a deep voice, "That courtyard was purchased by a merchant from Guangdong. Because he was not in the capital for many years, he handed it over to a servant to rent out. The person who rented it out was experienced and did not show his face. Instead, he found a tenant through the servant and left no trace."

"big eater!"

Xiao Qixuan said coldly, "The Peach Banquet is a mafia-like affair, causing panic in the capital. What are you all doing?"

"By imperial decree, a curfew will be imposed in the capital starting today, until the rebels are apprehended!"

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

Jiao Wanbao quickly bowed and clasped his hands in greeting.

"You two may leave. Pei Qing, please stay."

Xiao Qixuan gave a casual instruction, and Prince Shunyang and Jiao Wanbao quickly took their leave.

After the two of them left, Xiao Qixuan turned to Pei Zongti and asked, "Pei Qing, what do you think?"

Pei Zongti paused for a moment, then said, "Your Majesty, this matter is of utmost importance; I am not qualified..."

"Nonsense!"

Xiao Qixuan retorted directly, "You're in charge of all the Xuanmen sects in the world. If you lack responsibility, what use are you?"

"I have failed in my duty, and I beg Your Majesty to punish me."

Pei Zongti quickly apologized, but did not offer his own opinion.

He has served as an official for many years; he must have been a fool to have reached this position.

Moreover, this emperor has a peculiar characteristic: if he gives someone a good scolding, it means everything is fine.

If they really wanted to get rid of you, they wouldn't even bother to see you.

But the fact that he was spared suggests that he was also involved in the matter.

Seeing that he remained silent, Xiao Qixuan let out a cold snort and waved his hand.

An old eunuch standing nearby immediately spoke up: "At Rouyuan Post Station, all twelve Yuan Chen left last night, using magic to fool the post station manager."

The speaker was hunched over, with white hair, icy eyes, and a vermilion mark between his brows; he was none other than Zhao Wujiu, the Grand Master of Ceremonies.

Upon hearing this, Pei Zongti broke out in a cold sweat.

These lawless bastards!
Despite cursing inwardly, he still spoke with a bitter expression: "Your Majesty, I know them, and they should not have any ill intentions."

"Of course I know."

Xiao Qixuan said in a deep voice, "When you entered the palace before, you requested to investigate the Nine Gates Yin Ruins. When something happened there, I immediately guessed it was them!"

"As expected of someone from the martial arts world, they have no manners whatsoever!"

Pei Zongti hurriedly replied, "Your Majesty is right. These people from the martial arts world have acted improperly, and I will certainly deal with them severely."

"But Your Majesty, please heed my words. Their investigation into the Jianmu tree has resulted in a series of major cases, demonstrating their deep concern for the fate of the nation..."

"There's no point in talking nonsense!"

Xiao Qixuan said in a solemn voice, "Ask them what they found out, and report back to me immediately."

"According to the order!"

Pei Zongti dared not delay and hurriedly left the palace.

Not long after, he led Luo Mingzi and the others to Rouyuan Post Station.

Li Yan and his group had already returned, pretending nothing had happened, and were sleeping in their rooms.

"Stop pretending! You've all caused a huge disaster!"

Pei Zongti summoned everyone out, his face as black as the bottom of a pot.

Luo Mingzi kept giving him meaningful glances, but Li Yan, being the shrewd person he was, still feigned ignorance with a puzzled expression, "Sir, I don't understand what you're saying..."

"Come on this!"

Pei Zongti didn't bother with pleasantries and said with a solemn expression, "We'll talk about this later. What did you find in the Nine Gates Yin Ruins? Did Jianmu tamper with the dragon vein? Tell me quickly, His Majesty is still waiting in the palace."

Seeing that he couldn't hide it any longer, Li Yan still tried to deceive him, saying, "I just had a dream..."

Then, he recounted what he had seen and heard in the "Nine Gates Yin Ruins".

"Zhao Qingxu was hiding there, probably not only to conceal the evil goddess Queen Mother and demonic energy, but I have no idea what methods he used."

Upon hearing this, Pei Zongti was secretly alarmed and instructed, "Remember to keep this a secret. I will return to the palace immediately to report to His Majesty."

After taking a few steps, he turned back and said in a deep voice, "Things have come to this point, there's no need to hide anything. Those demons have been alerted. You can investigate whatever clues you have. Master Luo, stay and cooperate. This concerns the fate of the Central Plains. If there are any problems, I will take responsibility for you!"

After saying that, he turned and left in a hurry.

“This Lord Pei does have some sense of responsibility…” Sha Lifeng clicked his tongue and shook his head. Luo Mingzi sighed, “You guys are really bold. If anything goes wrong, no one can protect you.”

Li Yan sneered, "Then the Great Xuan Dynasty will also be unable to hold onto its throne!"

"Now I understand why Jianmu has been able to grow stronger step by step, despite the many obstacles in the court. What can it accomplish?"

Luo Mingzi said helplessly, "It has always been like this, it's not something you or I can decide."

"Let's leave that aside for now. Do you have any other leads?"

Li Yan pondered for a moment, "The capital city is indeed full of hidden talents."

"The method to enter the 'Nine Gates Yin Ruins' was told by a master known as 'Old Ghost of the Capital,' whose identity is probably not simple."

"Furthermore, I encountered the Rabbit God among them, with 'hairy monkey' ghost soldiers guarding him. It seems someone is helping the Rabbit God. Does the Taoist know of any masters in the capital who are skilled in this art?"

Luo Mingzi's eyes lit up immediately. "I guessed who you're talking about. Let's go now."

"One more thing."

Li Yan said in a deep voice, "When I fought Zhao Qingxu, the magic he used was strange and I had never seen it before. He used money to control ghosts and used 'Jiaozi' (paper money) as talismans. The talismans were inscribed with 'Yizhou Jiaozi Bureau' and 'Maritime Trade Office'. If we investigate this matter, we may be able to find out about his background."

Luo Mingzi immediately turned around and said to Kong Shangzhao, who had followed him, "The Xuanji Temple has records of the Xuanmen sect left by past generations in its archives. We will have to trouble Mr. Kong with this matter."

"It is only right that we should perform our duties."

Kong Shangzhao cupped his hands slightly, his eyes filled with excitement.

He agreed to assist Luo Mingzi for two reasons: first, the latter could protect his family; and second, he coveted the historical records of the Xuanji Master.

These things were all kept secret; I never expected the opportunity to come so quickly.

Once the plan was set, everyone immediately split up and took action.

Kong Shangzhao, accompanied by several experts from the Enforcement Hall, returned to the Xuan Priest's office to check the records.

As for Luo Mingzi, he led Li Yan and the others towards the west of the city.

"That man is named Kuai Dayou, a descendant of Master Kuai Xiang."

Luo Mingzi explained as he walked.

"A descendant of Master Kuai?"

Upon hearing this, everyone became immediately interested.

This Master Kuai Xiang is no ordinary person.

He came from a family of craftsmen; his father, Kuai Fu, was the "chief carpenter" in Nanjing and a master craftsman.

Master Kuai Xiang also learned his craft from a young age and was proficient in the five crafts of wood, stone, lacquer, bamboo and mud. He showed his talent as a teenager and could draw dragons with both hands at the same time, with the patterns fitting perfectly. More importantly, he was a master craftsman of the Xuanmen school and a master geomancer.

Regardless of combat prowess, his status is no less than that of the Ten Great Masters of China.

At the age of eighteen, he presided over the design of Chengtianmen, which was the Tiananmen Gate in the previous life. He completed the model in just one month and finished the construction in three years. He was known as "Kuai Luban".

During his lifetime, he served as the Vice Minister of Works, and his descendants were granted the hereditary title of craftsman by imperial decree.

The renowned craftsmanship of the "Xiangshan Gang" has always been carried on by descendants of the Kuai family.

Li Yan also became interested, "Is this 'Kuai Dayou' very capable?"

"It's more than just impressive."

Luo Mingzi exclaimed, "This talented man's talent is no less than that of Master Kuai, and may even be more remarkable. He showed amazing talent from a young age. At the age of five, he learned the method of making puppets for the Kuai family palace, and learned the wood-frame and paper-skin method to make puppets. He performed in the palace on the Lantern Festival."

"His Majesty greatly admires him, calling him 'Kuai the Ghost Hand,' and saying that he will inherit his grandfather's position as Vice Minister of Works in the future..."

"and many more!"

Shalifei looked on incredulously. "You mean this Master Kuai is still a child?"

Luo Mingzi said, "He just turned seventeen, what a pity..."

"What's a pity?" Li Yan asked quickly.

Luo Mingzi shook his head and said, "This Kuai Dayou is also a very audacious person. He actually secretly became a disciple of 'Anige's' descendant."

Li Yan frowned and said, "The Golden Horde has long been destroyed, so there shouldn't be any problem, right?"

This "Anige" was also a remarkable figure.

His original name was Balub, a descendant of the royal family of Nepal (present-day Nepal), and a master craftsman of the Golden Horde.

When Phagpa was ordered to build the Golden Pagoda in Tibet, Nepal selected eighty craftsmen, and Anige volunteered to lead the team. The project was completed in just one year. Later, he also restored the "Acupuncture Bronze Statue," a treasure left by the Southern Song Dynasty. He built countless Buddhist statues and temples, which still influence the style of Buddhist architecture today.

The White Pagoda of Miaoying Temple was built by him. After his death, he was posthumously awarded the titles of Grand Master of the Palace, Grand Tutor, and Duke of Liang, and was given the posthumous name "Minhui".

"Things aren't that simple."

Luo Mingzi shook his head and said, "Back then, the Golden Horde Wolf Kingdom was in a standoff between the north and south of the Great Xing Dynasty. The 'Anige' and the 'Kuai Family' were known as the 'Northern Master Craftsmen' and the 'Southern Master Lu Ban'. The stories of their several battles of skill among craftsmen are still circulating in the Xuanmen sect, and they have accumulated a lot of grudges."

"Although the disciples of 'Anige' were also Han Chinese and had submitted to the Great Xuan, there were still conflicts between the two sides."

"The leader of the 'Xiangshan Society' should have been from the Kuai family, but because of this incident, someone interfered and the Kuai family lost their position as chairman. Everyone blamed Kuai Dayou, who was young and impetuous. In a fit of anger, he left the Kuai family and opened a coffin shop near Xilangfang Hutong. He also refused to take up a government post."

"When Qiankun Academy was established, Yan Jiuling went to invite him several times, but he refused each time."

"As far as I know, he is probably the only one who has mastered the 'monkey-hair' technique to such a level..."

As they were talking, they arrived at Xilangfang Hutong.

This place is not far from the former Dashilan, a hub of various shops, and the alleyways are home to artisans.

As Li Yan passed the street corner, he glanced to his left.

That was the secret stronghold of Hu Yuanyuan and others from the Five Immortals Sect.

"Please wait a moment, everyone."

Li Yan sniffed, his brows furrowed slightly, and he strode to the warehouse.

However, the wooden door to the warehouse had been replaced, and there was very little energy inside.

Boom boom boom!
Li Yan knocked a few times, and an impatient voice immediately rang out, "Who is it? It's not even dawn yet and you're already knocking on the door like a ghost..."

As they were talking, a man opened the door and came out.

He was wearing a tattered single garment, and his body reeked of sweat and sawdust.

Upon seeing who it was, he was startled and stammered, "My lords..."

"Don't be afraid."

Li Yan asked in a deep voice, "Where are the people who used to live here?"

The man swallowed hard and quickly replied, "I'm a carpenter here to do some work. I heard the previous owner sold all the property at a low price and left the capital. I'm here for the new owner to do repairs; the floor inside has collapsed..."

Although it was long-winded, Li Yan understood the meaning.

That old fox was still the same as before, leaving without saying goodbye.

It's estimated that he already had plans to leave when he was informed of the Nine Gates Yin Ruins.

Perhaps they are already on their way to northern Xinjiang...

These people probably have some secrets!
Li Yan shook his head slightly and continued walking with Luo Mingzi.

After reaching the middle of the street and passing through an alley, a coffin shop suddenly appeared ahead.

Inside the coffin shop, it was pitch black.

"Something's wrong."

Lü San twitched his ears and suddenly whispered, "There's something inside casting a spell."

His hearing was even stronger. When Li Yan didn't hear it, he immediately made a hand seal and took a deep sniff.

A familiar scent filled his nostrils, and Li Yan's expression changed slightly:
"Kong Hui has been here!"

(End of this chapter)