Knife splashing

Chapter 745 Leaving the Capital and Entering the Martial World

beep--!
At the third quarter of the hour of Yin (3:45 AM), a low horn sounded from the corner tower of the Forbidden City.

The Vermilion Bird Gate burst open with a roar amidst the sound of gears and winches.

Five hundred Xuanjia Jinwu Guards, each holding a vermilion plaque with copper studs bearing the words "Silence" and "Avoidance," lined both sides of the imperial road, with officials from the Court of Imperial Sacrifices carrying nine-tasseled black banners behind them.

The statue of the True Lord of the Flint Wheel was over twelve feet tall, making the surrounding crowd appear exceptionally small. It was carried by three hundred and twenty strongmen from the army on a black iron palanquin, moving slowly forward.

This is the main hall for the national sacrifice. The ceremony was solemn and the music was respectful. All the officials, regardless of rank, were present, but no one dared to make a sound. They simply followed the procession.

At the beginning of Chenshi (7-9 AM), the Jingyang Bell rang in the palace.

Emperor Xiao Qixuan, wearing a twelve-chapter imperial robe, ascended the imperial carriage, followed by Zhang Tianshi of Longhu Mountain, Qiu Changchun of Zhongnan Mountain, and other solemn-looking leaders of the Xuanmen sect.

Beneath the steps of the Altar of the State, the musketeers of the Commandery formed a human wall, their flintlock muskets resting on the ground, their barrels gleaming a cold blue in the morning light.

As the statue of the deity was slowly moved into the main hall by strongmen, the Minister of Works recited the "Kaogongji: Yuren Chapter" and twelve white-haired Taizhu from the Imperial Clan Court shook the "Mountain and River Banner" adorned with copper bells.

Then came the complicated consecration ceremony.

The simultaneous presiding over by several leaders of the Xuanmen sect was an unprecedented event in the past century, a scene that had only occurred during the founding of the Great Xuan Dynasty.

However, Emperor Xiao Qixuan remained with a gloomy face.

It's not ideal to fall short at the last minute and have to compromise.

Just then, a commotion arose outside the hall. Four giant oxen, dyed black, were driven to the steps, their ears adorned with bronze plaques bearing the inscription "Official Herdsman of Shuntian Prefecture".

The Vice Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices pierced the neck of an ox with a jade dagger, and the ox's blood flowed into a bronze dew-collecting plate. Each step of the process strictly adhered to ancient rituals.

The court officials guarding outside the temple looked at the scene with varying expressions.

If they had some doubts before about the emperor's grand-scale creation of a statue, the appearance of the leaders of the various sects of Xuanmen has made them fully understand the importance of this object.

Of course, they were unaware of the details.

Most people are still thinking about how to stay ahead of the curve in this transformation…

……

Inside and outside the nine gates, in the streets and markets, it was just as lively and bustling.

The streets of Zhuque were teeming with people. Along the imperial road cleared by the Jinwu Guards, thick human walls were piled up on both sides, all standing on tiptoe and craning their necks to look toward the palace gate.

The windows of teahouses and taverns on the second floor facing the street were packed full, and even some daring children were crammed into the window frames, their little heads squeezed together.

In the crowd, the vendors were as agile as fish, weaving through the gaps and calling out: "Protective peach charms—to share in the True Lord's blessings!"

"Mint water and plum juice, so refreshing and thirst-quenching!"

The sound of the peddler's copper bell, mixed with the crying of the baby in the woman's arms and the rough talk of the men, buzzed together into a noisy cacophony.

The air was filled with the aroma of steamed buns and sesame cakes, the fumes of freshly fried dough sticks, and the sweat of the crowd, creating a strange smell.

In addition, folk music bands in the streets and alleys also added to the festivities, with their gongs, drums, and cymbals resounding, carrying the unique high-pitched and festive spirit of the North.

Several acrobatic troupes temporarily fenced off an open space, and the leaping and agile movements of the lion dancers drew cheers. Some restless children even imitated them, draped in colorful strips of cloth and twisting and turning, weaving in and out of the crowd...

……

Wangjianglou, located in the southern part of the city, is the tallest restaurant in the south.

From the four-story pavilion, one can see the sails dotting the Tonghui River and hear the drums and music coming from the distant imperial city.

The air was thick with the smell of alcohol, and the table was a mess of cups and plates.

Kuai Dayou picked his teeth, while Lin Pangzi, with a smile plastered on his round face, diligently poured Luo Mingzi a full cup of wine. "Daoist Master, drink this cup to the brim and don't think about those unpleasant things."

On the other side, the young scholar Kong Shangzhao lowered his head, his fingertips unconsciously stroking the edge of the rough porcelain wine cup.

Seeing that the time was right, Kuai Dayou gave a wink, and Fatty Lin coughed lightly, then earnestly said to Luo Mingzi, "Master Luo, we really can't go south to find the legendary 'Bohai Dragon Wood' without Brother Shang Zhao!"

"The ancient books and maps in his belly are more complete than the ship materials in my warehouse, Fatty Lin! Do you think you could make an exception for him...?"

The Commandery was once again taken over by the Grand Eunuch Zhao Wujiu.

This guy is ruthless. They didn't dare to use the plan they had prepared before. Hearing that Luo Mingzi was recuperating at home, they were annoyed and asked him to come out and plead for them.

Luo Mingzi did not answer, but continued to lean against the window, gazing at the bustling dock, letting out a short chuckle, as if mocking himself.

He didn't turn around, his rough fingers gripping the wine glass, his knuckles turning white: "Young Master Lin, even you dare to try and fool me..."

As he spoke, he slowly turned his head, his face covered with stubble and showing signs of fatigue. He looked at Kong Shangzhao and said calmly, "If you want to go and roam the world with Brother Li and the others, then go ahead. I won't stop you."

Upon hearing this, Kong Shangzhao was initially overjoyed, but quickly stood up, cupped his hands, and said with a face full of guilt, "This junior promised the Daoist Master that I would join the Commandery, but now I have broken my promise..."

"No need to say anything more."

Luo Mingzi waved to stop him, tilted his head back and drank the wine in one gulp, then slammed the glass down, his eyes turning cold and hard.

"The spectacle that the capital has set up this time..."

His voice lowered, carrying a hint of barely perceptible melancholy. "Regarding the Qiankun Academy incident, even the Enforcement Hall and I were sidelined. Although the arrival of the leaders of various sects in the capital forced His Majesty to compromise, the suppression of the Xuanmen sects will inevitably increase in the future."

"I have heard that His Majesty has ordered Zhao Wujiu to investigate the matter of the Jianmu tree. At present, I am left with no one to take charge, and I will probably have to obey orders from others in the future."

"I, Luo Mingzi, am not a person who covets wealth and status. It's just that the Jianmu demon has not yet been killed, and the situation in the capital is complicated. I don't know if there is any hope for the future."

He let out a sigh of relief, as if a heavy burden had been lifted from his shoulders:

“Let’s go. You are exceptionally intelligent, and you have already become a thorn in the side of some people in the Commandery. Given the current situation in the capital, I can’t protect you anymore. It’s better to leave sooner rather than later.”

Kong Shangzhao nodded vigorously, his eyes slightly red, unsure of what to say.

Luo Mingzi not only helped him solve his troubles, but also showed him great kindness.

He was considered a madman by his clan since childhood. Although he was tired these days, it was Luo Mingzi's unconditional trust that allowed him to unleash his full potential.

But before he could speak, Luo Mingzi changed the subject, his expression becoming serious. "However, since you're going south with the Twelve Yuan Chen, you'll have to do something for me along the way."

"Easy to say!"

"Don't just say one, a hundred will do!"

Fatty Lin and Kuai Da were amused and quickly patted their chests in agreement.

Luo Mingzi nodded slightly and glanced at everyone. "The Japanese pirates are causing great trouble along the southern coast. Many disciples of the Xuanmen sect have been hired overseas at great expense, leaving the sect vulnerable. Demons and monsters are rampant, and evil paths are rising again."

“Especially recently, there’s been a ‘ghost troupe’ that has committed several major crimes in a row, and their methods are extremely sinister! When they were in Sichuan, they colluded with the ‘Jianmu’ sorcerer.”

As he spoke, Luo Mingzi leaned forward and whispered, "I will ask Brother Li for help to investigate this matter later. Kong boy, you're quick-witted. Go south with Li Yan and the others, and make sure to help me find out if this is part of the Jianmu Demon's plan."

“I will remain in the capital to prevent this matter from going unnoticed.”

Fatty Lin patted his chest first and said, "Don't worry, Lord Luo! I know the ins and outs of the waterways and docks! If there really are evil spirits causing trouble, I'll dig three feet into the ground to find clues for you!"

Kuai Da nodded vigorously: "Yes, yes! What kind of sorcerer? Leave it to us!"

Although Kuai Dayou was a skilled craftsman, he was still young and had a youthful spirit. He had also clashed with the older craftsmen and had long wanted to leave the capital to travel far away.

But walking alone, I can't bear the loneliness.

I was very happy to have made this happen. As for the sorcerer, I didn't care about him at all.

Meanwhile, Fatty Lin was in a hurry to find spirit wood to build a ship for his family.

Only Kong Shangzhao took a deep breath, picked up the wine pot, solemnly stood up, poured the last sip of wine into Luo Mingzi's cup, and then raised his own wine cup with both hands to clink heavily with his.

Ding!
The wine sloshed, everything was understood without words…

……

A light drizzle fell, and a humid, hot river breeze swept across Tongzhou Wharf.

The fog had not yet dissipated, and the outlines of several huge cargo ships could be seen faintly on the river.

Next to the dock stands a two-story inn called "Yunlai Inn," where the brightly lit private rooms by the window isolate the noise of the outside world.

Li Yan sat at the table with Wang Daoxuan, Sha Lifei, and others. Opposite them were two guests with special identities: Crown Prince Xiao Jingyan, dressed in a plain python robe with a calm face, and two stunningly beautiful women sitting to his side, namely Zhao Wanfang and Yan Clan Elder Su Yu.

The dishes were plentiful, but the atmosphere was somewhat somber.

With the matter in the capital settled, the relationship between the emperor and the Xuanmen sect became tense. Even Yu Chanzi, the leader of Wudang, did not want to cause any more trouble and left early.

Adding to the issue of the steam engine, the environment in the capital was indeed complex.

Under these circumstances, Li Yan originally intended to leave quietly, but unexpectedly, as soon as he arrived in Tongzhou, he was stopped by Su Yu and Zhao Wanfang, who brought him here.

To everyone's surprise, the Crown Prince himself came to see them off.

"Your Highness, you are too kind."

Li Yan, unaware of his meaning, could only get up, drink the wine, and express his gratitude.

"It should."

Crown Prince Xiao Jingyan dismissed his attendants and personally poured Li Yan a cup of wine. In his usual refined and gentle tone, he said, "I am aware of the matter at the academy. It is thanks to Young Hero Li that a great calamity was averted."

"If the demons succeed in possessing the True Lord, the consequences will be unimaginable. However, the situation in the capital is complicated right now, and this matter cannot be publicized, so Father has not issued an edict to reward you. But the academy has already recorded a great merit for you, young hero."

"It's your job."

Li Yan nodded slightly, seemingly unconcerned.

He already knew about the academy's achievements, but he had just finished refining everyone's magical artifacts and wouldn't need them for a while.

The biggest benefit, however, is the reward from the Heavenly Official's mission.

Five Paths of Divine Power, five Paths of Divine Power, more rewarding than any previous mission.

Moreover, the Crown Prince's personal visit suggests he may have other business to attend to.

As expected, Crown Prince Xiao Jingyan continued, "I didn't intend to disturb Young Hero Li's journey south, but there's something I need to discuss..."

Before he could finish speaking, Li Yan shook his head and said, "Your Highness, I'm afraid we won't be able to get there in time."

Crown Prince Xiao Jingyan brought up this matter during their first meeting at Su Garden.

Previously, when the royal fleet sank, a treasure fell into a strange sea area, and they wanted to ask him for help in salvaging it.

Originally, it wouldn't have been a big deal, but Li Yan had already promised Erlang Zhenjun to go to Mount Tai to investigate the situation there. This was a matter of utmost importance, so he couldn't care less about going to sea.

"Things have changed again."

Interrupted, Crown Prince Xiao Jingyan was not annoyed. He shook his head helplessly and said, "To be honest, since our meeting that night, I have ordered people to search the outer perimeter, but it was too late. The item has already been retrieved."

"Oh?"

Li Yan asked, "Who retrieved it? What kind of treasure was it?"

“It is a jade tablet used to suppress the sea.”

Crown Prince Xiao Jingyan said in a deep voice, "This item is an ancient treasure. It is said to have been a sacrificial vessel used by the ancient people along the coast of Jiangsu and Zhejiang. Placing it on a ship can calm the wind and waves."

"This item was once owned by King Qian Liu of Wu, and later fell into the hands of the imperial court. I want to rebuild the royal fleet, and this item is the key."

"There are rumors that the culprits are pirates from Jiangsu and Zhejiang, but no one knows who is behind it. If you go there, please keep an eye out for me."

Li Yan cupped his hands in agreement, "If there's no rush, that makes things easier. I'll keep this in mind. If I find any clues, I'll definitely keep an eye out."

The Crown Prince nodded slightly and raised his cup again to bid farewell.

After several rounds of drinks, the Crown Prince, not wanting to linger any longer, quietly left with his entourage.

Zhao Wanfang then stepped forward, holding a wine cup, and said, "Brother Li asked me to inquire about information near Mount Tai. People have already been dispatched, but Mount Tai is, after all, a crucial place for the Xuanmen sect. No matter what we do, we must be careful in everything we do."

Su Yuze, who was standing to the side, laughed and said, "Look at what you're saying. Are you underestimating Young Hero Li? The reputation of the Twelve Zodiacs has already spread throughout the north and south."

"Young Master Li, as agreed before, once we arrive in Jiangnan, my Yanmen will help you find great jobs with generous rewards. Please don't keep refusing."

"Elder Su is joking..."

After seeing the two off, Li Yan and the others left the inn and were about to board the carriage when they saw two people emerge from the shadows in the corner. They were Luo Mingzi and Yan Jiuling.

"Brother Li, are you sneaking away like this?"

Yan Jiuling strode over, his face full of displeasure.

Looking at the other person's tired face, Li Yan said helplessly, "Why should we do this? The academy is in dire need of rebuilding right now. I only sent a message because I was afraid of troubling you."

"No matter how busy I am, I can always find time to give someone a gift!"

Yan Jiuling's eyes were a little red. "The capital is a whirlpool, but if I want to fulfill my grandfather's last wish, I can only wallow in this mud. I really want to go with you."

"It's likely that we won't see each other again for several years after this parting."

"A bosom friend afar brings a distant land near."

Li Yan smiled slightly, "Humanity has undergone a transformation, and the academy is the core of it. Brother Yan will surely be remembered in history."

Luo Mingzi, standing to the side, also had a complicated expression. He patted Li Yan's shoulder forcefully, then quickly glanced around before lowering his voice and saying, "Brother Li, enough of the nonsense. The Jianmu demons are wreaking havoc on the land and must not be let off the hook. I will also try to push this matter forward while I am in the capital."

"And that 'ghost opera troupe' is most likely a sinister force that Jianmu is extending into China. They must have ulterior motives. If we find any clues, we must investigate thoroughly!"

Li Yan also said solemnly, "Rest assured, Daoist Master."

Yan Jiuling waved his hand, and his men brought him farewell wine.

"Brother, the journey is long and arduous, so please be extremely cautious in everything you do!"

"Take care, both of you. Please also be mindful of the weather in the capital."

After bidding farewell to Luo and Yan, Li Yan and his group strode towards the berth.

A beautifully crafted two-masted sand barge flying the Lin family flag was already waiting quietly. The hull was brand new, made entirely of the finest wood, and it was the "treasure ship" that Fatty Lin had painstakingly prepared.

Fatty Lin and Kong Shangzhao were already waving from the deck.

After boarding the ship, the river breeze blew, billowing the sails and dispelling the last trace of sorrow at the dock.

Li Yan took one last look at the mist-shrouded Tongzhou Wharf, then turned and stepped onto the gangway. The Lin family's treasure ship slowly departed from the shore and sailed into the vast expanse of misty water...

(End of this chapter)