Knife splashing

Chapter 716 Five Generals, Chang'an Ghost Market

"Still want to escape?"

A cold glint flashed in Li Yan's eyes, and his figure shot out like an arrow.

With no one to hinder them, the underworld troops descended smoothly!
The surroundings were instantly swallowed by thick darkness. The damp ground, which had just been wet from the rain, was frozen in an instant by the chilling aura emanating from the netherworld, solidifying into a sheet of crystalline ice.

The howling demonic energy moved with astonishing speed, mysteriously disappearing into the curtain of night.

Behind them, the dark area filled with the soldiers of the underworld also expanded rapidly.

Li Yan gripped the hook tightly, his fingers rapidly changing hand seals to maintain the spell, while simultaneously exerting force with his feet.

"Boom!" The ground exploded, and he was launched into the air like a cannonball, instantly leaping onto the opposite courtyard wall. His movements were faster than lightning, and he used the "Eight Steps to Catch the Cicada" technique to keep up with him.

The demonic energy has been locked in; escape is hopeless.

But Li Yan's ambitions extend far beyond that.

With the "Nine Gates Yin Ruins" stronghold destroyed, Zhao Qingxu, carrying five streams of demonic energy, has hidden in the capital city, and may be lurking nearby!

As long as the opponent uses the "Earth Official's Pardon of Sins" edict, he can seize the opportunity to strike again.

Previously in Tianjin, I captured a demonic aura from another region and obtained a divine energy and a divine token.

Re-forging the Five Directions Luo Feng Banner not only requires a good vessel, but also the collection of the five Gang Tokens. Therefore, he dared not use it recklessly, but if he could kill Zhao Qingxu, it would be worth it!

The capital city was shrouded in a deathly silence late at night.

Li Yan sped between the undulating rooftops, the only sound the whistling wind in his ears.

Although he was as fast as a shooting star, he was still a fraction slower than the ghostly soldiers who flew through the air.

Looking up, the dark sky swept across the night, swallowing up all the scattered starlight, and the lanterns hanging along the way went out one by one.

And that demonic energy is already approaching Xuanwu Gate!
Nine Gates of Yin Ruins!

Li Yan instantly understood the demonic energy's intentions.

"Nine Gates of Yin Ruins" is a spatial interlayer where the scenery changes unpredictably, mixed with projections of different dynasties. One can easily get lost if one is not careful. The nine gates of the capital city are its entrance.

It is midnight, the time when all doors and windows are wide open!

It is difficult for outsiders to enter, but it is unobstructed for invisible demonic energy.

Thinking of this, Li Yan felt anxious.

If he wants to enter the "Nine Gates of Yin Ruins", he must prepare in advance by having the spirits of the dead roam around.

Once the demonic energy enters, there's nothing left to do but wait helplessly.

If Zhao Qingxu were to cast the "Earth Official's Edict of Pardon" inside, even the ghostly soldiers would have to retreat!
Wow~
In a flash, Li Yan shook his left arm without hesitation!
The copper coins on the "Thousand Thoughts" arm guard suddenly hummed, and a cold wind howled around them, with malevolent energy gathering like a tornado.

"I am no ordinary being, but the true form of the Northern Emperor. My head is like a black cloud, my hair like scattered stars. I reach the Yang Realm above and the Netherworld below. The ten directions of the world are filled with malevolent energy..." Li Yan made a hand seal, and the vast malevolent energy condensed by "Thousand Thoughts" instantly enveloped him layer by layer.

As the evil energy swirled, his body rapidly expanded and twisted within the black mist, transforming into a tall, blurry humanoid phantom.

It is the "Northern Emperor's Divine Transformation Scripture": Yin God Transformation!
Call ~
After transforming into the body of a Yin spirit, Li Yan suddenly felt as light as a feather, and his speed increased dramatically.

Like a black lightning bolt tearing through the night sky, it rushed straight towards Xuanwu Gate!

All of this happened in the blink of an eye.

In his Yin Spirit state, the distance between Li Yan and the demonic energy drastically decreased.

Even faster was the army of underworld soldiers, who arrived at Xuanwu Gate almost simultaneously with the demonic energy.

It's done! Li Yan felt a little relieved.

He could clearly hear the chilling sounds of the armor of the ghostly soldiers rubbing together and the chains rattling in the darkness.

With attacks from both inside and outside, and encirclement from all sides, that demonic energy had no chance to escape!

But at that moment, an extremely powerful yet strangely hidden chilling aura suddenly appeared.

He was familiar with this aura.
It was General Wudao!

It's only natural that the demonic energy would alarm the underworld generals in charge of apprehending the culprits.

However, the aura this time was far more profound and powerful than ever before! He couldn't even fathom its depth…

Could it be... the true form descending?!
No sooner had Li Yan felt a sense of surprise and doubt than an unexpected change occurred.

The powerful aura of the Five Generals suddenly expanded.

All the Yin soldiers who were about to pounce on the demonic energy stopped abruptly!

In that critical moment of hesitation, the demonic energy "whooshed" into the thick shadows of Xuanwu Gate and disappeared completely.

Varied……?!

Li Yan's pupils constricted sharply, his eyebrows furrowed, and he looked incredulous.

Before I could think further, the street in my field of vision suddenly twisted and stretched strangely! As if the space had been compressed by an invisible hand, Xuanwu Gate suddenly magnified in front of me, and then abruptly turned into a bottomless blackness.

When I opened my eyes again, the scenery around me had been completely transformed.

The sky was dim and the sun and moon were nowhere to be seen.

Only ruins and decaying houses were faintly visible in the thick fog...

It is indeed the "Nine Gates Yin Ruins"!
The spirit was forcibly captured?
A bone-chilling cold shot up my spine and straight to the top of my head.

Li Yan instantly drew his sword, its cold blade pointing directly at the churning fog around him as he warily scanned the surroundings.

It's General Wudao!
He directly summoned his soul and pulled him into this densely packed grotto.

What exactly is this guy trying to do...?

A terrifying thought exploded in Li Yan's mind, sending chills down his spine.

Could it be... that the Five Paths Generals are also deities in the Great Luo Dharma Realm who support the "Jianmu"?

Wow~
Suddenly, a clamor like a tidal wave arose from the depths of the thick fog in the distance!

In the hazy mist, the outline of an army appeared—tattered, ancient banners drooped, and bizarre figures were clad in various rusty armor: ferocious beast-headed human-bodied figures, deathly pale faces, and grotesque creatures with blood dripping from their heads…

Though they resembled demons, they were strictly disciplined, with neat rows and a chilling, menacing presence!

They are soldiers from the underworld!
Li Yan understood instantly.

In this secluded realm, situated between the Great Luo Dharma Realm and the human world, these beings, who could not clearly manifest in the human world, finally revealed their blurry forms.

Wow!
The dark, imposing army simultaneously raised their hands, and in an instant, countless heavy, black chains, like venomous snakes, lashed out with a chilling wind, tearing through the thick fog as if nailing themselves into nothingness.

Connected horizontally and vertically, sealing off the sky and locking the earth, it resembles a vast net.

Could this be a net that can trap you from heaven and earth?

The Soul-Snatching Rope Technique has such a wondrous use...

"Roar--!"

Before Li Yan could determine friend from foe, a mournful roar, neither human nor beast, pierced through the thick fog, shaking everyone to their core.

The demonic energy is blocked?

Li Yan frowned slightly, his doubts growing.

If the Five Generals had no intention of protecting anyone, then why did they obstruct the Yin soldiers from capturing the prisoners in front of Xuanwu Gate?

Why did you forcibly bring your soul into this dangerous place?
Call ~
Amidst growing doubts, the majestic figure clad in golden armor reappeared from the thick fog.

The face was unclear, but the body shape was very familiar.

It was General Wudao.

The two sides were only a few feet apart. Before Li Yan could even ask a question, he saw the five generals gently wave their hands in his direction...

In an instant, the "solid" road beneath their feet twisted and stretched wildly once more.

Even though Li Yan was standing still, the surrounding scenery seemed to be rapidly receding as if a scroll was being pushed by an invisible giant hand!
Almost in the blink of an eye, the imposing army of ghostly soldiers, along with the howling demonic energy, was completely swallowed up by the churning thick fog.

Meanwhile, in the sky, the phantom of an ancient city gate, towering majestically with the three huge characters "Chongwen Gate" engraved on its plaque, was rushing toward him at an incredible speed!

Swish!
There was no way to dodge it! Li Yan's figure instantly passed through that cold, massive door.

Behind the door, the lingering shadows of those ancient merchants trapped in the streets remained, enacting a recurring cycle of despair. A sudden realization dawned on Li Yan; he knew what had happened.

Although the Five Generals' incense offerings have gradually declined and some people have even distorted folk beliefs by claiming that they were five great thieves who were deified after their deaths, their true identity is not simple.

It is a deity who symbolizes and protects the road, and also a great god of the underworld.

In some supernatural tales, there are "road ghosts" that cause people to get lost, and there are also incarnations of the Five Paths Generals who guide people away from dangerous situations. Therefore, in places where roads are complicated and problematic, temples are usually built to worship the Five Paths Generals.

He didn't move just now because the road was twisted.

This is probably the mysterious supernatural power of the Five Paths General.

At the same time, Li Yan's vision suddenly shifted to the left.

The thick fog on the left side of the street suddenly dissipated, revealing a tall archway with four ancient seal characters that emitted a faint phosphorescent glow in the dim light: Chang'an Ghost Market!
……

Behind the archway, the thick fog had not completely dissipated, but had only become thinner and more viscous.

Like a damp, cold veil, it enveloped the entire area.

What lay before us was not bustling activity, but rather a scene of utter decay.

The ground is a hard, ochre-colored soil, with several winding "streets" that appear to be main trunks but are actually intertwined with each other.

Along both sides of the "street" stand various types of walls and architectural remnants.

The pointed roofs of the Persian mansions with their strong foreign influence and the double-eaved pavilions in the style of the Tang Dynasty are all dilapidated and decayed.

Here, it feels as if time has forgotten us for a thousand years.

The so-called "market" stalls are scattered among these frozen ruins.

Sellers and pedestrians are all illusions.

They were dressed in various styles of clothing: Tang porters in coarse linen and short tunics, Sogdian merchants with turned-down collars and narrow sleeves, clerks in black robes and turbans, officials in brocade robes and jade belts, and Kunlun slaves with bare arms...

There were also many more indistinct figures moving silently, their movements stiff and repetitive.

Time, here and now, also cycles endlessly:
A hunchbacked old man carried a bamboo charcoal basket, the glowing embers illuminating his listless, lifeless profile…

Several figures dressed as foreign merchants stood around a stall, gesturing stiffly as if arguing…

On the half-collapsed wall of the tavern, several figures of Hu women leaned against each other.

They wore exaggerated makeup, adorned their hair with silk flowers, and maintained the posture of pouring and urging others to drink.

However, their smiling faces were as stiff as stone sculptures…

Is this the ghost market of Chang'an?

Li Yan's expression was complex. He then turned to look at the person opposite him, clasped his hands in a fist salute, and said:
"You brought me here, sir. What important matter brings you here?"

He was sitting in a dilapidated tea stall in the ghost market at that moment.

Across the square table stood General Wudao, his figure had shrunk, but his face remained blurry.

Li Yan already had a vague idea in his mind.

The other party deliberately released demonic energy to escape into the Nine Gates Yin Ruins!

This action clearly indicates a ulterior motive: to evade detection by the Heavenly Court and the Underworld.

However, the five generals opposite did not speak.

He pointed to the sky, then shook his head slightly, and then stretched out his finger to draw on the table.

As the dust settled, a human face was revealed, complete with three eyes.

Master Erlang!

Li Yan felt a chill and quickly looked at the other person.

Since that last time, Erlang Zhenjun has not contacted him again.

I initially thought the other person was just busy, but now it seems something has happened!

Given Erlang Shen's popularity among mortals, could he possibly be in trouble?
Judging from General Wudao's appearance, he also cannot speak out and reveal heavenly secrets, thus violating the "Heavenly Laws".

Li Yan wasn't sure how many restrictions the Heavenly Laws placed on these deities, but there were definitely loopholes.

For example, through the Gou Divine Jade, he heard many secrets of the Great Luo Dharma Realm.

This does not constitute a violation of the "Heavenly Laws".

General Wudao did not write any words, but only drew a picture.

It seems that letting him guess the answer himself through information is also a way to avoid this.

No wonder, since ancient times divine revelations have always been unclear and ambiguous, and divination is no exception.

Seeing that he seemed to have grasped the concept, the five generals opposite him nodded and continued drawing.

This time, I drew a line that was wide at both ends and narrow in the middle, with a three-eyed face in the center, a hook-shaped symbol on one side, and a bolt of lightning on the other...

Li Yan frowned and pondered, then whispered, "Gou Die... Thunder Department? Is the True Lord being sent to guard it?"

If he hadn't seen the Great Luo Dharma Realm with his own eyes, he really wouldn't have been able to guess.

The so-called Heavenly Court, Underworld, and Buddhist Realm are all within the Great Luo Dharma Realm. From the outside, they appear as tree-branch-shaped spots of light. All three spots are connected within the Divine Land.

Li Yan recalled that during a previous mission, Lei Bu had communicated with Judge Cui.

It's likely that Heaven and the Underworld are connected, and Erlang Shen, being in the middle, might be guarding the gate.

The five generals opposite were clearly surprised that Li Yan had guessed so quickly.

He nodded, and his fingers drew faster and faster.

The cross-shaped mark represents the Five Paths General himself, encountering the three-eyed human-faced being…

More large hands appeared above, collectively grasping a tree…

Li Yan half guessed and half asked, and finally figured out what it meant.

The Five Generals have already met with Erlang Zhenjun.

Judging from their appearance, they have already formed an alliance and both know him.

He had previously sought help in a dream, and then his true form appeared, summoning my soul to the Ghost Market in the Underworld...

All of this was done by General Wudao, who took advantage of the situation to try and see him!
The reason, of course, lies with those powerful figures who manipulate the Jianmu tree!
Thinking of this, Li Yan felt conflicted. "What does Your Excellency want me to do?"

General Wudao pointed to himself, then drew three incense sticks, then pointed to his own and Erlang Zhenjun's marks, drew a mountain to envelop the two of them, and then drew winding curves on the mountain.

"Do you want me to help you stabilize your incense offerings?"

The first one was easy for Li Yan to guess.

But for the second one, he thought for a long time before a flash of inspiration came to him.

"The Eighteen Bends of Mount Tai?"

General Wu nodded emphatically, seemingly pleased.

But as he was about to continue drawing, he suddenly turned his head to look at the sky and quickly waved his hand.

Suddenly, a fierce wind arose, and Li Yan's vision went black...

…………

In a daze, Li Yan slowly opened his eyes.

He looked around and found that he had returned to his physical body at some point, lying on an old bed. Opposite him, the candlelight was dim, and an old Taoist priest, reeking of alcohol, was leaning over the table, nodding his head.

Taking a deep breath, Li Yan immediately realized that he was at the Temple of the Five Generals.

The old Taoist priest was the temple caretaker he had just saved.

Startled awake by his voice, the old Taoist priest quickly stood up, bowed deeply, and clasped his hands in greeting.
"This humble Taoist priest, Sun Datong, thanks you for saving my life!"

Having said that, he slowly raised his head, his eyes filled with longing and fervor.
"Are you one of the Five Supreme Gods descended from Heaven?"

(End of this chapter)