Knife splashing

Chapter 760 The Shadow of Jianmu
"Let's go, let's meet up with them first."

Seeing that the other party was surrounded by a large number of people, Li Yan and Wang Daoxuan were more concerned about the safety of the others, so they ignored them and quickly slipped into the abandoned old house at the end of the alley.

The alley outside was filled with Lu San's spies.

Therefore, the gate was already open before they even got close.

"Master Li! Taoist Priest! You've finally returned!"

Shalifei was the first to greet them, his face showing tension. "The city isn't safe, is everything alright on the mountain?"

"Let's go in first."

Li Yan glanced around, confirmed that everyone was basically unharmed, nodded slightly, and then recounted what had happened after entering the room.

"The Jade Emperor Temple was attacked by a powerful Earth Immortal named Shi Xuanming, who attempted to seize power during the rotation of the Mount Tai Prefecture Lord. Even the temple's abbot, Xuan Sangzi, was unable to subdue him, leading to suspicions that two other Earth Immortals were also involved..."

"The Lord of Mount Tai is being rotated?!"

Kuai Dayou gasped, "Good heavens, this is a big deal! No wonder there were ghost stories and the mountain was closed off, this is a deep mess!"

Shalifei and the others were also shocked, not expecting that such a big matter was involved.

Everyone's eyes unconsciously turned to Li Yan.

Mount Tai is a passage between Yin and Yang, and Li Yan, as a living Yin messenger, must be closely connected to it.

However, Fatty Lin, standing to the side, was completely distracted, his face unusually pale.

"Fat man?"

Shalifei noticed his unusual behavior and asked, "What's wrong? Are you scared out of your wits?"

Fatty Lin suddenly looked up at Li Yan and Wang Daoxuan, and said in a trembling voice, "Dao...Daoist Master, on your way back just now, you said...you saw my uncle? Sitting in a small blue sedan chair? Not far from here?"

"good."

Wang Daoxuan nodded affirmatively, "That small blue sedan chair, with strong servants guarding it, hurried past. A strong wind happened to blow up a corner of the sedan curtain, and I saw it clearly. It was your uncle who is stationed in the capital. I have met him a few times before."

Snapped!
Fatty Lin plopped down in the chair, his mind blank, his last shred of hope shattered.

He asked, distraught, "How could he be here?"

"He...should never have appeared in Jinan, let alone Tai'an!"

Under the astonished and puzzled gazes of the crowd, Fatty Lin composed himself and gritted his teeth, saying, "To be honest, my fleet was robbed by Japanese pirates and suffered heavy losses. You all know more or less about this."

"But there's more to this than meets the eye! My family has been in the shipping business for generations, with excellent connections and highly classified shipping routes. The stolen cargo was no ordinary item, so it was kept even more secret, known only to a handful of people. After the incident, the entire clan conducted a thorough investigation, only to discover..."

He took a deep breath, his nails almost digging into his flesh. "The discovery of crucial information such as the fleet's departure time, route, and escort strength is highly likely to have been leaked to those Japanese pirates in advance!"

"The operation was so precise and targeted!"

Fatty Lin's voice grew increasingly low, filled with suppressed anger and pain: "The clan has always suspected... suspected there was a mole! But this person is of high rank and acts with extreme secrecy. All leads have been cut off, and there is still no conclusive evidence. It has become an unsolved case."

"It was this crushing defeat that severely damaged my family's strength, making the reconstruction of the treasure ship seem a distant prospect! I came to seek the Bohai Dragon Wood under immense pressure, hoping to find a glimmer of hope..."

As he spoke, he suddenly looked towards the door, his face darkening. "My uncle, Lin Yaozong, used to manage all the clan's businesses in the north, including the Beijing-Tianjin area. Normally, he should be in Beijing right now, overseeing things or running around raising funds for reconstruction. Why is he here in Tai'an?"

"The two of you were just near the Prince De's residence and the government office when we were being besieged by unknown forces, and you just happened to 'see' him! This... can't be a coincidence..."

Upon hearing this, everyone in the old house looked at each other in bewilderment.

The struggle for the position of the God of Mount Tai is already fraught with intrigue, and now it has been further complicated by a hidden family feud.

Divine positions, earth immortals, unknown forces, the Lin family... a storm is brewing in Tai'an City.

"Young Master Lin, are you referring to the Japanese pirates?"

Just then, the Divine Constable Bai Lao Jiu, who was standing nearby, suddenly spoke up.

He frowned in thought, and couldn't help but take a few puffs of his pipe from his waist. Just as Sha Lifeng was getting impatient, he finally spoke up: "If I remember correctly, the village of Xuanwei, the Taoist priest of Laoshan, was also massacred by Japanese pirates."

"In the past two years, Japanese pirates have been more and more active in China. Could it be that Xuanwei's visit to Tai'an is related to this?"

His statement is purely speculative, but it is also a possibility.

"Just look it up and you'll find out."

Li Yan said in a deep voice, "These three Earth Immortals of Mount Tai dared to take action only after being told that a large number of living underworld messengers had died. This matter is very likely related to the Jianmu tree, which has close cooperation with the Japanese pirates."

"If I'm not mistaken, they also have arrangements in Tai'an City."

"It's almost dawn. Tomorrow morning we'll disguise ourselves and find out what's going on..."

…………

The city of Tai'an awakens in the early morning mist.

The haze from yesterday has not yet dissipated, but the lively atmosphere of the city is already burgeoning.

Shops along the street set up their doors, stoves spewing out billowing white steam. The aromas of fried dough, meat buns, and millet porridge mingled with the sandalwood scent from incense shops, along with the neighing of mules and livestock, creating the flavors of everyday life.

Pilgrims stranded due to the mountain closure gathered in the city's taverns and teahouses, discussing the situation anxiously.

But the shouts of the vendors in the city grew even louder:
"The efficacious Taishan Stone Guardian! It protects the home and ensures peace and safety!"

"Newly made incense paper horses, accumulating merit before the Goddess!"

Wearing a wig and covered in ash, Shalifei pretended to be a down-on-his-luck wanderer and went straight into the "Happy Forest" gambling den in the city.

The gambling den was the most chaotic place in the city, and also a place where news spread.

"Big or small, everyone, place your bets!"

"One, two, three, leopard!"

Amidst the stench of sweat and cheap tobacco, the dice cup rattled loudly.

Wearing a greasy short-sleeved shirt, Shalifei squeezed to the dice table, deliberately lost three rounds in a row, then casually put his arm around the shoulder of a gambler with sunken eyes and said with a smile, "Brother, you're having a run of bad luck. I heard a bunch of fat sheep came to the city. Haven't thought about going to make some money?"

The gambler, his eyes bloodshot from losing, spat out, "I didn't see any fat sheep, but instead encountered bad luck!"

"The other day, a few black-covered wagons came to the south gate, and seven or eight sacks came out. They looked like children... but the city guards let them pass without even checking them!"

He lowered his voice, "The strange thing is that the car vanished as soon as it entered the city. I asked Old Dog at the car dealership, and he said this is the third wave..."

Shalifei's pupils contracted, and he tossed over a piece of silver: "Which South Gate?"

The gambler initially regretted speaking out, but upon seeing the silver, he immediately took it, bit down hard, and then whispered, "Who else could it be? The one on duty, Liu the garrison commander!"

"Don't go around saying anything, we can't afford to mess with those people."

"That's right, brother..."

…………

Those who went out to gather information were mainly Li Yan, Sha Lifei, and Kuai Dayou.

After all, all three were seasoned veterans of the underworld, and with a slight disguise, they wouldn't be so conspicuous.

Kuai Dayou disguised himself as a carpenter from out of town who came to make a living, carrying a small wooden box and swaying as he arrived in the west of the city.

This area is home to various shops and can be considered a gathering place for artisans in Tai'an City.

Among them were several craftsmen skilled in crafting magical artifacts.

Kuai Dayou carried his carpenter's box and walked back and forth on the street several times before knocking on the door of an old shop with a coded sign on its plaque.

Seeing the master craftsman polishing the gilded chime bells, he deliberately clicked his tongue and shook his head: "The cloud and thunder pattern is too shallow; it won't be able to shake off the yin energy of the underground palace."

The experienced craftsman suddenly looked up: "An expert? Could it be that you also took on that urgent job?"

Kuai Da was taken aback, then deliberately evaded the question with a smile, saying, "You mean..."

"Don't play dumb!"

The experienced chef was clearly getting impatient. "If you're an expert, what kind of food do you eat?"

Kuai Dayou's eyes darted around for a moment, and he casually mentioned the name of a craftsman from the Huizhou school, Chun Dian. The old master craftsman immediately nodded and said, "Alright, since we're on the same side, I'll lend a hand."

After saying that, he led him into the backyard, pointed to the mountain of engraved bronze bells and jade chimes with kui patterns, and whispered, "A masked group of people came half a month ago and ordered more than 30 shops in the whole city to rush to make ritual and musical instruments! They ordered 64 bronze chimes alone!"

"My old bones really can't take it anymore. Don't worry, as long as you can complete the task smoothly, I won't treat you unfairly."

"so much!"

Kuai Dayou feigned surprise, "Could it be that we're going to perform the Fengshan ceremony at Mount Tai?"

"Nonsense!"

The old craftsman chuckled, "If it's something used for the Fengshan ceremony, it's all made by the Imperial Divine Crafts Battalion of the Ministry of Works. How could it be our turn?"

"Who made that decision?"

The old craftsman glanced around and whispered, "I overheard something yesterday when I was urging them to deliver the goods. They said they were going to play 'celestial music' in the Daiyin Valley!"

"Drawing celestial music?"

Kuai Dayou was startled upon hearing this.

Since ancient times, music has been used to entertain the gods and immortals, and to set up altars for magic.

The "Step to Emptiness" and "Introducing Celestial Music" are the same thing.

With so much ritual music, are we trying to communicate with the Goddess of Mount Tai?
Kuai Dayou couldn't help but ask, "With so many ritual objects, won't there be any problems?"

"What's there to be afraid of? The people at the City God Temple know, and they haven't said anything..."

………………

On the other side, across the street from the Duweisi Yamen.

Li Yan, wrapped in a gray cloak, squatted in front of the pancake stall, seemingly enjoying his mutton offal, but his peripheral vision kept glancing at the vermilion gate across the street.

He had been observing for a long time, even using his teleportation technique to climb to a high place and look into the distance, but he found nothing unusual.

But that is precisely where the flaw lies.

Despite the major events that occurred last night, the Commandery is surprisingly calm today.

I wonder who was involved in last night's events?
Or perhaps the entire Commandery of Tai'an is in trouble…

At 3:45 AM, a small blue sedan chair quietly stopped at the side gate, and a wealthy-looking merchant stepped out.

He was wearing a cloak that concealed his face, and he glanced around warily.

It was none other than Fatty Lin's cousin, Lin Yaozong!
Li Yan immediately formed a hand seal and activated his olfactory and auditory supernatural powers.

Although the formation set up by the Commandery many years ago had fallen into disrepair, Li Yan could still hear some of it.

Unfortunately, Lin Yaozong didn't say much after he went in; he was simply led to the tea room to rest.

Finally, after a quarter of an hour, Zhao Bingzhong, the commander of the Duwei Division, and Zhou Xian, the prefectural magistrate, left one after the other.

Lin Yaozong followed closely behind with two expert guards.

The three exchanged glances but did not speak, and each boarded their carriage and headed towards the west gate.

Li Yan narrowed his eyes, tossed down a few copper coins, and then, like a raccoon dog, attached them to the ground.

Soon, the group of people left the city one after another.

The wilderness outside Tai'an City was open and spacious, but Li Yan was able to use the "Northern Emperor's Profound Water Escape" without any hindrance. He transformed into a stream of water energy and followed silently behind.

Upon arriving at the Sanguan Temple on the outskirts of the city, the three suddenly slipped into the dilapidated hall overgrown with weeds.

Li Yan followed closely behind, floating up to the roof in a cloud of water vapor, and peering down through the hole.

But then Zhao Bingzhong, the Commandant of the Capital Garrison, took out a scroll of silk and said in a cold voice:
"At midnight tonight, in Laojun Valley."

Zhou Xian, the prefectural magistrate, stroked his beard and looked to the side, smiling slightly. "Have the 'blood sacrifices' for the Lin family's caravan been prepared?"

Lin Yaozong, panting heavily, wiped his sweat with a handkerchief and said:

"Ninety boys and girls have been taken to the cellar... We only ask that the adults not forget their promise."

Zhao Bingzhong put the silk book into his bosom and patted him on the shoulder.

"Don't worry, after I finish this, I won't bother you again."

"No one will ever know what you did to the Lin family."

Lin Yaozong didn't know how to reply, so he could only nod and bow.

Zhou Xian, the prefectural magistrate, stroked his beard and laughed, "Manager Lin, such subservience ultimately means you are controlled by others. You have managed the Lin family's business in the north in an orderly manner, demonstrating your exceptional talent. Are you willing to remain subservient to others forever?"

Lin Yaozong's face showed a hint of bitterness. "You jest, sir. I have no such ambition."

"Humph!"

Zhao Bingzhong sneered, "Since ancient times, the victor is king and the loser is villain. Brothers are now two families. You can still manage a business in one place, but what about your sons? They will all be branches of the Lin family in the future. Without any guarantee, once the family declines, they may even have to beg for food!"

"To tell you the truth, Immortal Zhao is already making plans for you. Someone from the Lin family will naturally take action. You just need to pretend you don't know anything, and when the time comes, you can go back and take over as the head of the family."

"what?!"

Upon hearing this, Lin Yaozong turned deathly pale. "What...what did you do?"

"No need to ask any more questions, just go back and assume the position of family head when the time comes!"

"Sect Leader Lin, please remember to repay Immortal Zhao's kindness when the time comes..."

Listening to their conversation, Lin Yaozong felt weak all over, his eyes filled with uncertain emotions.

Li Yan, on the rooftop, also had a gloomy expression.

This was indeed Zhao Changsheng's scheme...

…………

As the setting sun cast a blood-red glow, the three had already returned to the safe house to meet and exchange information.

Shalifei slammed his fist on the table and cursed, "Damn it, even the government is involved in child abduction!"

Kuai Dayou unfolded the drawn diagram of the magical artifact, scratched his head, and said:
"These ritual artifacts have been tampered with. They appear to be ritual objects for worshipping heaven and gods, but they probably have other uses."

"As expected, it was him!"

The normally mild-mannered Fatty Lin was now enraged, his eyes filled with murderous intent.

"rest assured."

Li Yan patted him on the shoulder, "No matter what the conspiracy is, killing the person will naturally calm things down."

"Everyone take a break, but tonight we won't let a single one escape!"

…………

At midnight, Laojunyu was shrouded in deathly silence, with only the mournful sound of the mountain wind whistling through the cliffs.

Not far from Tai'an City, this place is known as Laojun Valley because of a naturally formed, huge, flat, and smooth stone platform. Local legend has it that this was the place where Laozi (the founder of Taoism) refined elixirs.

Li Yan lay prone behind the jagged rocks, his aura as restrained as withered wood, his gaze piercing through the night as he stared intently at the valley floor.

Sha Lifeng, Kuai Dayou, Fatty Lin, and the others were all hidden in the shadows.

Before long, the person arrived.

But to their surprise, the number of visitors far exceeded their expectations.

Numerous torches formed a winding, coiled "fire serpent," converging from all directions...

(End of this chapter)