Knife splashing

Chapter 756 Night Visit to Mount Tai
"Mount Tai is haunted?!"

Wang Daoxuan stroked his beard and chuckled, "How could that be? This news is too outrageous. What kind of place is Mount Tai? It's the foremost of the Five Sacred Mountains, the territory of the Eastern Peak Emperor!"

"A sacred site of the Xuanmen sect haunted? That's utterly absurd! If something were truly causing trouble, the Yin soldiers and generals under the command of the Lord of Mount Tai would have torn it apart long ago."

Fatty Lin chimed in, "Yeah, Brother Sha, did you overhear some idle chatter in a teahouse? These days, rumors are flying everywhere. We just went through all that trouble in Jinan, so we can't just jump on the bandwagon."

Only Li Yan frowned slightly, seemingly lost in thought.

His trip was originally for the "change of position of the Lord of Mount Tai".

Could it be because of this?
Seeing that no one believed him, Shalifei stamped his foot in frustration and shouted, "Hey, this isn't made up! Ordinary people can spread rumors, but if those who listen to rumors spread them, their reputation will be ruined in a couple of days."

He cleared his throat, pulled a crumpled piece of paper from his pocket, and began to explain in detail: "First of all, the ghost stories didn't come out of thin air."

“Since last month, every night around midnight, there have been ‘wailing ghosts’ sounds coming from near the Dai Temple. The sound is so shrill that it’s like a knife scraping iron. Even more eerie, some people have seen human-shaped ‘ghost fire’ floating around in the ruins of the Bixia Temple.”

Shalifei paused, seeing Wang Daoxuan's solemn expression, and continued, "The second case is a disappearance. Students from the Taishan Academy in the city spread the word that several old Taoist priests from the Shangqing Palace on Mount Tai have suddenly vanished."

“There was a Taoist priest named Zhang Mingzhen who usually guarded the incense at Jade Emperor Peak. Three days ago, he disappeared into thin air while on night duty. His fellow disciples found his peach wood sword on the stone steps, broken in two and stained with black blood!”

"The last incident was a local constable who spilled the truth after drinking. Yesterday, the officers from the Commandery were patrolling the foot of Mount Tai on horseback at night when they encountered a group of 'paper figures carrying a sedan chair.' The paper figures had red cheeks and black eyes and were carrying a black sedan chair. When the curtain of the sedan chair was lifted, a pale white face was revealed."

"They tried to give chase, but a gust of cold wind swept them all away. With so many strange things happening at once, and the government even deploying troops to seal off the mountain, it's clearly to suppress evil spirits!"

Seeing Shalifei's serious expression, the others exchanged bewildered glances.

Just then, Li Yan finally spoke up: "This matter may be true, I cannot say, but something serious has indeed happened at Mount Tai."

Having said that, he pointed to the sky.

Wang Daoxuan, Sha Lifeng, and the others immediately understood.

This means that heavenly secrets cannot be revealed.

Lin Pangzi, Kuai Dayou, and the other two looked on with puzzled expressions.

Shalifei glanced at Li Yan, and seeing no objection, he smiled mysteriously, "We're all on the same side, so I won't hide anything from you. Brother Yan isn't just a living underworld official, he also has a celestial official identity, so you know..."

"The Heavenly Official?"

All three of them looked completely bewildered.

Few people even know about the living underworld messengers, let alone celestial officials.

Even within the Xuanmen (Taoist sect), only a few people understand it.

Shalifei gave a brief explanation, and the three immediately understood why Li Yan couldn't say more about the matter.

"Tsk tsk, there are indeed many secrets in this world."

Kuai Dayou chuckled softly, his eyes full of interest.

He tried to join the Twelve Zodiacs for two reasons: first, because of Li Yan and his group's reputation and the exciting encounters they had on the road; and second, because he wanted to keep Kong Shangzhao company, whom he found compatible.

To put it bluntly, it's just joining in the fun.

But as they traveled, they increasingly realized that Li Yan and his team were hiding their true intentions.

Wang Daoxuan's expression also became solemn. He said thoughtfully, "It seems that there is indeed a problem with this matter. Mount Tai is the place where Yin and Yang meet. If Yin and Yang are out of balance due to certain events, it is only natural that ghosts and demons can take advantage of the situation."

Then, looking at Li Yan, she asked, "Brother Yan, what do you think we should investigate?"

Li Yan said in a deep voice, "The situation is unclear, and I have no clue at the moment."

"The soldiers have closed the mountain. Tonight, the Taoist priest and I will use our escape techniques to go and investigate. Lao Sha, you guys continue to gather information. We don't know the current situation on Mount Tai yet, so it's best to be careful."

…………

Even after nightfall, Tai'an City remained bustling with activity.

This is Mount Tai, the place where emperors performed the Fengshan ceremony. Since ancient times, it has been a popular place of worship, with many people even forming incense-burning groups and coming from all over China.

These groups of people would travel for months at a time to offer incense. When the government suddenly closed the mountain, they were naturally unwilling to leave, so they stayed in the city.

The inns were fully booked, and the teahouses and taverns were brightly lit.

As you approach Mount Tai, the hustle and bustle of the city disappears completely.

The night was as thick as ink, the mountain wind carried the damp, earthy smell, the shadows of the trees swayed, and the massive silhouette of Mount Tai lay dormant in the darkness, an indescribable sense of oppression washing over you.

On the official road leading to the mountain gate, torches stretched out in a long line, and the sounds of clashing armor and shouts were exceptionally jarring in the still night.

Squads of soldiers armed with guns and knives guarded all entrances and side roads.

Their expressions were grim, and they even carried a large number of firearms. Their eyes scanned the mountains and forests under the cover of night with vigilance, as if enemies might jump out of the darkness at any moment.

After passing through the outer blockade formed by government troops and approaching the beginning of the winding road, the atmosphere suddenly changed.

The air was filled with the scents of sandalwood, the faint burnt smell of burning talismans, and a subtle mixture of various spiritual energy fluctuations.

At several key locations, groups of two or three monks patrolled in formation.

Although they belong to the Xuanmen sect, their clothing varies.

The man in the Taoist robe and tall hat, with cloud patterns embroidered on the cuffs, is a member of the Shangqing Palace.

The female cultivator, with her hair tied up with hairpins and dressed in simple, elegant clothes, came from the Bixia Yuanjun Palace.

Those dressed in dark, tight-fitting clothes, with magic swords on their backs and eyes that seemed to contain lightning, were the law enforcement disciples of the Taishan Thunder Academy.

In addition, there were also those wearing bright yellow Taoist robes, holding a ceremonial tablet in their left hand and a magic sword in their right, who were cultivators from the Jade Emperor Temple lineage.

This is the characteristic of the Taishan Orthodox Sect.

The Eighteen Bends of Mount Tai, from the foot of the mountain to the top, are dotted with countless temples and monasteries. Add to that the Buddhist temples and smaller sects within a hundred miles around, and the number of people is truly considerable.

Like Emei, it is more like a sectarian alliance.

Among them are those of different sizes, those of Buddhism and Taoism, and those of different stances.

But at this moment, these low-level cultivators, who usually had sectarian differences and even disputes, were forcibly bound by invisible pressure and orders.

They were neither too close nor too far apart, and mostly remained silent.

Even when speaking, their voices were kept extremely low, and every word conveyed caution.

"It's been seven days already, and the elders still haven't made a move?"

A middle-aged Taoist priest from Shangqing Palace looked up with a worried expression, gazing at the winding path swallowed by darkness and mist.

A female disciple from the Bixia Yuanjun Temple nearby chimed in softly, with a hint of complaint: "Who knows? They just told us to guard the area below, not to leave for a moment, and said that all outside exploration on the mountain is to be completely blocked. But this mountain..."

She paused, looking into the darkness, "I always feel like something is watching me."

"Silence!"

A disciple from the Thunder Academy warily scanned his surroundings and whispered a reprimand: "Just keep to your place. The elders must have a reason for meeting at Jade Emperor Peak. I observe that the spiritual energy in the mountain is indeed abnormally chaotic, which may lead to a great disaster, something quite unusual."

"disaster?"

The cultivator from the Jade Emperor Temple snorted, his voice rough, "I'm afraid trouble has already occurred. The other day, that night patrol disciple... Zhang Mingzhen, such good potential, gone just like that! Even his protective Five Thunder Token was shattered!"

"Our Jade Emperor Temple is located right next to the water source, and we can feel the Qi channels of heaven and earth twisting and turning as if they were being pulled out of their sockets. This is not as simple as the work of ordinary demons and evil spirits!"

“It’s precisely because it’s not simple that the elders need to gather and discuss it. Perhaps… they’re setting up some kind of extraordinary magic array.” The Taoist priest from Shangqing Palace tried to reassure him. “A magic array?” The disciple from Lei Academy sneered, his voice even lower, carrying an indescribable subtlety. “If it were a perfectly legitimate mountain-protecting magic array, would they need to avoid even the eyes and ears of their fellow disciples?”

"Only those old men's personal disciples are left to guard the top gate? I always feel..." He didn't finish his sentence, but the doubt slipped into the hearts of everyone present.

Upon hearing this, the cultivators from all factions fell into a brief silence.

"We've changed shifts, so stop gossiping!" A calm voice came from the other team that had replaced them.

The group exchanged worried glances, fell silent, and retreated into the darkness, heading back to their tents in the woods.

Just as these groups of cultivators were handing over their duties, a murky patch of water, almost blending into the damp rocks, was silently wriggling beneath a gnarled ancient pine tree in the distance.

After passing through the cultivators' defensive line, Li Yan and Wang Daoxuan's figures slowly emerged.

They were enveloped by a thin, constantly flowing layer of mysterious water energy, perfectly isolating their own aura.

With the Northern Emperor's Mysterious Water Escape technique concealing his form, Wang Daoxuan used the "Five Directions Luo Feng Flag" to perform the "Five Ghosts Moving Technique," working in perfect harmony to easily break through the defenses.

But when the two looked at each other, they both saw seriousness in each other's eyes.

The guards' brief remarks contained important information:

The abnormal situation at Mount Tai has been deteriorating for seven days.

The spiritual energy of heaven and earth in the mountains was in disarray. The sect's high-level members held a secret meeting, and these lower-level cultivators were strictly isolated outside, with only a very few trusted disciples allowed to guard the gate.

“Jade Emperor Peak…” Li Yan’s gaze pierced through the night, landing on the mountain peak above the winding path, shrouded in darkness and hazy mist, his brows furrowing slightly.

"What an impressive formation."

Wang Daoxuan also sensed something and said in a deep voice, "As expected of the Venerable One of the Five Sacred Mountains, if we go any further, my supernatural powers will probably be suppressed, and my spells will alert others."

Li Yan's gaze was firm. "I must go up and take a look. I'll use my lightness technique."

"Don't worry."

Wang Daoxuan quickly stopped him, then took out a tortoise shell compass from his bosom.

This Xuanjia compass was obtained from the Dragon Palace and Water Mansion in Sichuan. It can ignore the interference of evil energy and is a priceless treasure for geomancers.

After he took it out, he saw that the pointer on it was always pointing towards the mountain peak.

He then took out an ordinary compass from his bosom, and the needle spun wildly.

"Luckily, it still works."

Wang Daoxuan handed over the compass, saying, "There is a powerful array protecting the mountain, which suppresses supernatural powers and prevents the use of spells. This item can help you ascend the mountain."

"Alright, Taoist priest, you will wait here."

"Be careful."

Watching Li Yan disappear into the darkness with the compass in his hand, Wang Daoxuan was filled with worry.

But he knew that Li Yan's insistence was definitely not a trivial matter...

…………

Meanwhile, in Tai'an City.

Aside from the conspicuous Wu Ba and Long Yan'er, Sha Lifeng and the others, following Li Yan's instructions, split into two groups and infiltrated the city to gather information.

The city was bustling with activity, a mix of pilgrims who had lingered, merchants who had come after hearing the news, and patrolling soldiers. Tension lurked beneath the lively atmosphere.

This noise, ironically, became the best cover.

Sha Lifei, Fatty Lin, and Kong Shangzhao team up.

This is the best choice. Kong Shangzhao is from Mingde Academy. Although he is not as good as Li Yan and Lü San, his skills and abilities are not weak. Fatty Lin is full of treasures.

The more powerful Lü San and Kuai Dayou traveled together.

This is also a test: separating the three to see if they can cooperate. If they act recklessly, no matter how strong they are, they cannot be restrained.

Shalifei, a seasoned veteran of the martial world, led the other two as they traversed markets and inns, attempting to glean useful information from casual conversations in taverns and street discussions.

Unfortunately, there are conflicting accounts regarding the mountain closure.

After much searching, all I got were fragmented pieces of hearsay.

Meanwhile, in a relatively quiet alley in the northwest corner of the city, Lü San and Kuai Dayou sat by the window in a small tavern.

Lü San disliked noise by nature, so he would specifically seek out quiet corners with few people.

Kuai Dayou had figured out Lü San's personality and knew that persuasion was useless, so he simply shut his mouth and talked about some mechanical and secret structures.

He had already prepared a mechanical altar for Wang Daoxuan.

If we could also provide Lü San with a place to keep his spirit pet, then adding the Twelve Yuan Chen would probably be without any obstacles.

Lü San was also very interested and asked questions repeatedly.

The two talked for a long time, and before they knew it, it was late at night. Just as they were about to leave, the shop door creaked open.

A travel-worn and slightly tired figure walked in.

This man was lean and fit, dressed in a faded soap-colored outfit, with an inconspicuous old leather bag slung at his waist. His gait was steady and carried an understated air of competence.

After sitting down, he cautiously scanned the shop before asking the waiter for a bowl of vegetarian noodles.

Lu San frowned slightly; they had seen this person before.

It was Bai Laojiu, the "Divine Constable," inside the Jinan Prefecture government office.

The "divine constable" Bai Laojiu hurriedly finished his noodles, took out a small, neatly folded piece of paper from his pocket, dipped his finger in water, and quickly scribbled a few strokes on the table, as if recording or calculating some trajectory.

His brows were furrowed, his eyes were serious, and he frequently glanced warily out the window.

Upon seeing Lü San and his companion, his eyes lit up, and he quickly jogged over, respectfully cupping his hands and saying, "Old Bai greets the two heroes."

Lu San didn't want to pay attention, but Kuai Dayou asked with great interest, "Isn't this Senior Bai, the Divine Constable of Jinan? What brings you to Tai'an City?"

Bai Lao Jiu's voice was clearly a little nervous as he said in a low voice, "To be honest, I am also a busybody. I was ordered by the governor to investigate the murderer of the Duke Yansheng."

"Any clues?" Kuai Dayou asked.

"It's confirmed!"

Without wasting words, Bai Lao Jiu said, "Master Lu personally wrote a letter to inquire, and news came from Laoshan that it was indeed their cultivator."

"This person's Taoist name is Xuanwei. He comes from Lijia'ao and has been in seclusion in Laoshan for cultivation. He only recently came out. I used this to gather intelligence and found that he is most likely in Tai'an."

"Yo~"

Kuai Dayou scoffed, "You can confirm it just by this?"

Bai Lao Jiu paused for a moment, then said in a deep voice:
"We've found a clue: the woman forced to her death by the Kong family is their daughter, and the retainer from Kong Zhenlin's residence who was captured..."

"Also from Lijia'ao!"

(End of this chapter)