Knife splashing

Chapter 721 Aftermath of the Grand Ceremony
"Reporting to the Dharma Master, there is no news."

Hearing the stiff Mandarin coming from the shadows, the short man quickly responded in the same Mandarin.

Seemingly fearing the other party's anger, he hurriedly added, "The 'Peach Banquet' was destroyed a few days ago, then the Immortal Kong Hui died and his cultivation vanished, the steward of the Prince of Yan's mansion was silenced, and even Luo Gongsheng was beheaded at the Meridian Gate yesterday... Zhao Qingxu has lost all his connections in the capital!"

"The situation in the city is currently chaotic, and I am incompetent; I truly cannot find out anything..."

Snapped!
Before he could finish speaking, Inoue's head was suddenly slapped to the side.

It was as if he had been struck by a heavy blow out of nowhere, and a clear handprint appeared on his face.

Strangely, the palm print clearly had six fingers, and as the palm print appeared, frost instantly formed on the skin.

Inoue felt his head buzzing and his vision blurring. A sweet taste rose in his throat, and he couldn't help but vomit a mouthful of blood. He didn't dare to delay for a moment, enduring the excruciating pain, and banged his head against the ground repeatedly, not daring to utter another word of explanation.

Footsteps could be heard approaching from afar in the darkness.

A figure slowly walked out.

The newcomer was about thirty or forty years old, thin, with sharp features that exuded a sinister aura. Most striking was half of his face, which looked as if it had been severely burned by fire, covered with hideous scars.

This man had two peculiar Japanese swords slung diagonally across his waist:

The scabbard is exquisite and beautiful, inlaid with silver lotus flower patterns.

The other one, however, was covered in rust, exuding an ancient and weathered aura. It was tightly wrapped in layers of white cloth stained with blood and runes, and also tightly bound with straw ropes, clearly some kind of powerful seal.

"Inoue..."

The newcomer's voice was icy, and his gaze swept over Inoue like a knife. "I've heard you're from the Koga clan, and that your talent and quick wit led to your selection to infiltrate the Central Plains. It seems that over the years, this sharp blade of yours has been dulled by the splendor and prosperity of the capital... or perhaps your very bones have softened in this gentle embrace?"

"Excuse me, my lord!"

The short boy trembled all over; fear had rendered him speechless.

As the visitor said, he was a spy from Japan who had infiltrated China. After sneaking into the capital with a merchant caravan, he spent several years constantly changing his identity, and his speech and behavior became no different from those of the common people in the capital. He even got married.

Some things, once changed, are hard to go back to.

He usually pretends to be a child, relying on his smooth talk and habitually shirking responsibility, forgetting the identity of the person in front of him.

The person before me is named "Yu Yiyuan, the Coffin Attendant".

Despite his strange name, he was of high status, being an Onmyoji from a branch of the Abe clan, a member of the Xuanmen lineage, and a core member of the "Hyakki-za" (Hyakki-za) in Japan.

Legend has it that she was sacrificed to the evil god "Yu Yiyuan" when she was young, and her body and soul were eroded by freezing rain and frost. Her right half of her body was frozen and deformed, and her right hand turned into a six-fingered ice claw. She learned the sinister secret technique of "Frostfall Child Control" to manipulate children's souls.

The ancient sword "Moon Coffin" at her waist seals Yu Yiyuan's demonic soul, making it extremely terrifying.

Moreover, the other party was a famous swordsman from Japan.

This kind of person isn't even qualified to kneel down and lick someone's toes.

Yu Yiyuan, who was serving at the coffin, snorted coldly, her fierce glint slightly diminished.

With Zhao Qingxu's connection severed, many places really have to rely on this spy who has been rooted in the capital for many years.

Thinking of this, the stern look on his face softened slightly. He stepped forward and offered a helping hand, saying in a cold tone, "You've had a hard time. That slap... was a reminder that you shouldn't forget who you belong to. Get up."

"Thank you... thank you, sir! Inoue... will never forget his place!"

The scout felt as if he had been granted a pardon, but he still dared not stand up straight, only trembling as he pressed his head against the cold ground.

Yu Yiyuan, holding the coffin, swept her gaze across the crowd with a sinister look, and lowered her voice even further: "Zhao Qingxu, Zhao Changsheng... Hmph, these demons of Shenzhou are indeed unreliable! His Highness has long predicted that it is their business to stir up trouble in Shenzhou, and we should just watch from the sidelines."

"My purpose in coming here is simply to investigate the true state of the Central Plains on behalf of Your Highness, to see what their so-called 'chaos' really looks like, and to also find out about the war on the Korean Peninsula and the attitude of the Great Xuan..."

He paused, a cruel and greedy smile curving his lips. "Enough. Since Zhao Qingxu's side is already a lost cause, there's no point in continuing. Our goal... is now only one!"

The method of crafting "divine artifacts" in Qiankun Academy!

Upon hearing this, the scout secretly breathed a sigh of relief and quickly replied, "Sir, this matter... now has a chance!"

"Oh?" Yu Yiyuan raised an eyebrow as she served the coffin.

Inoue quickly explained, "Judging from the direction of the Great Xuan Dynasty, this 'divine artifact' is definitely not something kept hidden in the deep palace. It seems to be being promoted on a large scale! Right now, all the major merchant guilds and forces in China are racking their brains and using every means to stuff silver into the academy and send their children, all in order to get a share of the pie and glimpse the divine secrets!"

“Even the Oirat and the missions from Southeast Asia…”

He emphasized, "They're also secretly throwing money around, bribing influential people, trying to get this blueprint back!"

"Just keep a close eye on these people, and wait until they actually get their hands on the blueprints..."

Inoue's eyes were fierce as he made a clean and swift chop gesture.

"it is good!"

A glint flashed in Yu Yiyuan's eyes as she attended to the coffin, and for the first time, a look of satisfaction appeared on her face. "Go and do it."

Having received the order, the scout dared not linger any longer. He bowed low and almost backed away, disappearing into the dark tunnel he had come from.

Soon, the cave became quiet again.

"Dharma Master."

A bearded swordsman cupped his hands and said, "He lives in the capital year-round; I'm afraid he can't be trusted."

"It doesn't matter."

Yu Yiyuan, who was serving the coffin, said calmly, "I just placed a divine curse on him, so I can kill him at any time."

As he spoke, he looked up at the cave and couldn't help but sigh, "China truly lives up to its reputation as a land of abundant resources. The entire capital city is enveloped by an array. We cannot use magic at will, or we will be trapped."

"Get the blueprints and leave immediately. Don't cause any trouble..."

…………

"Father, what happened to your face?!"

The scout, clutching his stinging, swollen cheek, had just returned home when he was spotted by a sharp-eyed child.

"No...it's nothing," Inoue forced a smile that looked more like a grimace, and hugged the child tightly. "Daddy...I just fell by accident."

His gaze passed over the child's head and landed on his wife's thin back as she busied herself in the cramped kitchen. His eyes struggled violently and flickered... In the end, all his complex emotions were completely swallowed up by a cold and resolute determination, leaving only naked indifference.

After hastily bandaging the six-finger handprint on his face, which carried an eerie frost, the scout changed his clothes and walked into the bustling teahouse in the south of the city as usual.

"Hey, You Er? What happened to your face?" the familiar broker teased.

"Hey! Don't even mention it," the scout mumbled, rubbing his cheek. "I have a terrible toothache, it hurts like hell!"

He waved his hand and skillfully blended into the surrounding noise.

What seemed like casual conversation was actually a recurring theme in their conversation about the "miracle device" that had become the talk of the town.

Under normal circumstances, this might have given them away.

But now, the whole capital is talking about this, so asking a few more questions won't attract attention.

Soon, a lot of information was obtained.

"The kiln workers around the capital heard rumors that the 'iron monster' was worth a hundred or so laborers! Many gathered together and whispered among themselves, afraid of losing their ancestral livelihood..."

"There's even talk in the teahouse that a strange red light appeared at the entrance of the academy, and the air was freezing cold. It must be a 'demonic artifact that sucks away people's yang energy'!"

"The court was in an uproar this morning. The old censor was shouting for the 'abolition of the demonic weapon and the restoration of the sea ban'! And guess what? He was stripped of his official robes on the spot!"

"...On the black market, the bounty for the 'divine artifact' blueprints is already terrifyingly high!"

……

Listening to these rumors, some true, some false, some filled with worry and fear, even Inoue, who had been lying low for many years, couldn't hide his bewilderment at this moment.

He personally felt that this vast capital city was violently agitated and boiling from the inside out because of that creation called "Divine Artifact," like a giant powder keg that had been ignited. As a secret agent deeply embedded in Japan, he naturally knew the heavy burden that "Yu Yiyuan, the attendant of the coffin" was under on this mission.

After Toyotomi Hideyoshi unified Japan, he set his sights on Korea. The Bunroku and Keicho wars had already put Korea in a precarious situation.

Meanwhile, the Da Xuan Dynasty was busy with many affairs and its relationship with Goryeo was not good, so it ignored Goryeo's request for help.

The situation looks good, but there are also hidden worries within Japan.

Toyotomi Hideyoshi originally designated his nephew and adopted son, Toyotomi Hidetsugu, as his successor.

But this year, she gave birth to another son, named Toyotomi Hideyori.

Toyotomi Hidetsugu became a stumbling block, but the "Five Elders" all sided with him.

Everyone knows that a storm is brewing in Kyoto.

If not handled properly, it might trigger another war.

Yu Yiyuan, who served at the coffin, was a retainer of Toyotomi Hidetsugu's lineage.

If we can retrieve the blueprints this time, there will still be hope for inheritance...

With this thought in mind, the scout rose without making a sound and quietly left the teahouse amidst the noisy discussions. Like a drop of water merging into a stream, he headed towards the more chaotic and secluded south of the city, where he could better conceal his tracks.

This was the last hiding place for foreign merchants when the imperial court issued strict orders to investigate and crack down on them.

With his thorough knowledge of all walks of life, both the legitimate and the illegitimate, You Er's sharp eyes quickly picked up a lot of information:
A Persian merchant, his turban wrapped around his head, pretended to be picky about the patterns in the porcelain shop, while his slender fingers, dipped in the tea in his cup, swiftly traced a map of the academy in an inconspicuous corner...

A man dressed in the colors of a servant from the Oirat tribe deliberately shouted loudly to buy meat in front of the noisy butcher shop. While the butcher was chopping bones, he quickly whispered in the ear of a local ruffian who seemed to be a hanger-on, promising an astronomical reward that could drive anyone crazy...

…………

Just as the Japanese spies had suspected, the capital was already rife with undercurrents.

In the imperial court, Emperor Xiao Qixuan confiscated the official robes of several veteran officials. When the court session ended, he rode away in his roaring, billowing dragon carriage, thus setting the tone for the entire affair.

There are no "demonic artifacts," only auspicious "divine artifacts."

The Kaihai faction is fine, since their interests are overseas and they were originally supporters of Qiankun Academy. Now that they know the "divine artifact" can drive large ships to sail far away, they are even more supportive.

Everyone knows what this means.

The most unfortunate are the local faction.

The Jinzhou Chamber of Commerce has already spread the word that it intends to build a highway to alleviate the burden on the imperial court.

Although it may seem like they are at a disadvantage, they will have exclusive control over all the inns, teahouses, and taverns along the way.

More importantly, the route of the imperial road could be greatly influenced by where it was built and where it passed through.

Unbeknownst to many, numerous temples dedicated to the Five Generals were also being built at the same time.

The Jinzhou Chamber of Commerce was involved in the money exchange business, with funds flowing throughout the country; its strength was undeniable.

Inspired by this, many businessmen are flocking to the academy.

Many of these people are locals.

This force, which was originally at odds with the Open Sea Faction, is showing signs of splitting...

……

Amidst the chaos, Li Yan and his group found a rare moment of peace.

The academy held its opening ceremony, but the student body was not yet full, and the steam engine had been secretly transported away, making it difficult for outsiders to enter. The entire academy was quiet.

Li Yan and the others also took this opportunity to get busy with their own tasks.

"These arm guards are quite exquisite..."

Inside the Baigonglou building, a middle-aged woman is carefully examining the "Qiannian" arm guard.

"It must be the craftsmanship of the Luo family in Chengdu."

The woman said calmly, "Using latitude and longitude lines to weave the heavens and the earth is a good idea, but the technique is still lacking."

The words were blunt, but no one present objected.

The reason is simple: this person is the famous "Wan Baiqiao".

He became a brocade weaver in Suzhou at a young age and was also a successor of Yun brocade. Even the emperor's robes had to be made by this "Wan Baiqiao" himself before he would feel at ease.

"Is there a solution?" Li Yan asked hurriedly.

Wan Baiqiao pondered for a moment, then instead of responding directly, asked, "I've heard that Young Hero Li is skilled in thunder magic?"

"Understood."

Li Yan said modestly.

Wan Baiqiao is right. He not only knows the methods of Yang Thunder and Yin Thunder, but he can also activate the Dust-Cutting Blade in his hand with thunder magic. Moreover, he has the strongest move, "Thunder God Transformation," which can enhance his combat power when he enters the world.

"Young Master Li is joking."

"Wan Baiqiao" only made a polite remark before speaking with a serious expression: "I have a way to deal with this arm guard."

"I have created the 'Kesi Thunder Pattern' technique, which can weave gold threads into this arm guard. This will not only enhance the magic weapon, but also increase its power when you use thunder magic."

"We will follow your advice, senior."

Li Yan nodded and took out five chess pieces from his pocket.

These are spoils of war left behind by Xuanmo, the Five-Directional Extermination Ghost Emperor.

The treasure of the Yin Fu Sect was crafted by the renowned Zhang Jiao.

This item has quite a history; it was originally crafted by Zhang Jiao and eventually fell into the hands of the Yin Fu Sect.

Li Yan had witnessed the power of this flag and intended to use it as the carrier of the "Five Directions Luofeng Flag".

"You actually have this?"

Wan Baiqiao's eyes lit up, and she said, "Those who crafted this treasure are all experts. I can barely repair it, but you'll have to find Tao Fengchun to repair the flagpole again..."

……

Wang Daoxuan and Long Yan'er consulted Ge Pusheng at the Hundred Herbs Garden.

One of them was a Taoist priest, and the other was a witch.

Being able to observe a master alchemist refine a complete pill is a great opportunity for them.

But what attracted them even more were the many exotic flowers and plants around them that they couldn't name.

Needless to say, Lü San remained the same as before when he arrived at the academy. He would close the small door, create his own world, and stay in his room all day, too lazy to interact with outsiders.

The busiest one was undoubtedly Shalifei.

"Nurturing the gun with one's own blood and sweat, biting the tip of one's tongue at dawn each day and spitting blood onto the talisman wheel, is equivalent to a sword cultivator's 'blood refinement'..."

Master craftsmen Zhao Huogong and Zhou Baixiao, looking at Sha Lifeng's annotations in the "Meishan Firearms Compendium," exchanged disdainful glances that turned to surprise: "You came up with this?"

“Of course.” Shalifei also looked smug.

"It's a little difficult."

Zhao Huogong said directly, "The thing can be made, but whether it will be successful depends on yourself. At least I have never heard of anyone trying to train a gun as a flying sword."

"If it really succeeds, you might become an ancestor of a lineage..."

(End of this chapter)