Knife splashing

Chapter 784 The Sound of Oars and Lanterns, the Elegance of the Qinhuai River

Li Yan frowned, his mood heavy.

The imprisonment of Lin Pangzi and his two companions, and the mysterious death of Tian Qianhu, weighed heavily on his heart, not to mention the matter of the Yangzhou Cauldron.

"rest assured."

Seeing this, Wang Daoxuan comforted him, saying, "There's always a solution to everything. Besides, with such a big incident, the imperial court will surely send someone."

Li Yan nodded, his sharp gaze sweeping over the empty, desolate hall with few incense sticks. A thought struck him, and he asked directly, "Senior Zhang, please forgive my bluntness, but Jinling is an important town in Jiangnan, and the City God Temple is a hub for communicating between the yin and yang and managing local affairs. Now, with Japanese pirates lurking and demons causing trouble, and undercurrents surging within the city, why is this place... so deserted?"

"Your temple seems to be short-staffed?"

Zhang Jingqing's face froze slightly, then turned into a bitter expression.

He didn't answer immediately, but slowly picked up the teapot that was warming on the small stove and poured some tea for Li Yan and the others, which had already cooled down.

"Young Master Li has such discerning eyes..."

The old Taoist priest smiled bitterly and said, "To be honest, this is because my Celestial Master's Mansion on Longhu Mountain is unlucky and has been attacked from all sides. As a result, such a large city god temple in the capital of Jiangnan has fallen into the predicament of having no one to use."

He paused, seemingly organizing his thoughts, before speaking: "To be frank with you all, firstly, Jiangzhe and Jiangsu are the cradles of Taoist magic, and it is not just Longhu Mountain that is dominant. The Maoshan sect has a deep foundation, and its talismans and rituals are unparalleled in the world. Lushan has a wide influence among the people, especially skilled in exorcising evil spirits and dispelling malevolent forces. The Humenling sect is known for its thunder magic and summoning generals, and the Jade Emperor sect and other lineages also produce many talented individuals and enjoy great prosperity."

“Each lineage has cultivated its own power base for many years, with deep roots and its own territory. The imperial court has appointed Longhu Mountain to manage the Jinling City God Temple, but…”

Zhang Jingqing gave a wry smile: "Are local tyrants so easily subdued?"

"Nominally, they're under our jurisdiction, but in reality, everyone has their own agenda, and most are outwardly compliant but inwardly defiant. The truly obedient and capable core disciples are scattered in various places, so manpower is already scarce. Secondly..."

He lowered his voice, his tone tinged with obvious helplessness and a hint of resentment, "It was just a while ago that the current Celestial Master of my Celestial Master's Mansion did something 'big' in the capital."

Upon hearing this, everyone immediately understood.

When the True Lord of the Flint Wheel entered the Temple of the God of Earth and Grain, the Heavenly Court simultaneously issued an edict ordering the leaders of various sects to enter the capital. Zhang Tianshi was at the forefront and even fought Huo Yin at the Qiankun Academy. They were all witnesses to this event.

Although an agreement was eventually reached, the royal family, having backed down, was still furious.
"As you all know, this action... will have extremely serious consequences."

Zhang Jingqing sighed and said, "The Emperor is displeased, and the court is in turmoil. All the forces that were originally on good terms with our Celestial Master's Mansion, or at least maintained a superficial harmony, are now avoiding us, for fear of getting tainted by our 'uncooperative' bad luck."

"The attitude of the Nanjing government has also become ambiguous. Many of the support that was originally given to the City God Temple because of the imperial decree and the Celestial Master's Mansion has now been reduced or even cut off. Some small lineages and folk sorcerers who are attached to the City God system are also restless and have begun to seek other patrons."

"This last little bit..."

A hint of apprehension flashed in his eyes. "Even Ganzhou isn't safe. The Meishan Fa Sect has created several sharp 'secret firearm techniques,' and is enjoying unparalleled fame. The main headquarters is under immense pressure and has had to draw elite personnel from various places to provide support. As for Nanjing... sigh, almost all the elite troops that could be transferred have been sent back."

Zhang Jingqing spread his hands, pointed to a few young Taoist priests outside the hall who were sweeping fallen leaves and whose spirits were far inferior to those of cultivators, and then pointed to two middle-aged Taoist priests standing with their hands at their sides and their breaths flat: "Now, in this huge Jinling City God Temple, apart from this old body of mine, there are only these mortal disciples and a few disciples whose cultivation is still shallow and who are not of great use."

"Let alone defending the city and investigating evil spirits, even the most basic tasks such as registration, handling daily lawsuits, and maintaining temple affairs are already stretched thin, and we are struggling to keep up with everything. The influx of refugees into the city in the past few days, the people who have come to plead for help out of panic, and the registration of various forces operating in the shadows have already given us a huge headache."

He looked at Li Yan with a complex expression, a mixture of hope and probing: "Young Master Li, the names of the Twelve Zodiacs are renowned. I have also heard of your deeds in Yangzhou, Sichuan, and Ezhou, all of which were heroic acts of upholding righteousness and eliminating evil."

"Jinling is currently in turmoil, beset by internal and external troubles, and is far beyond our capabilities to deal with. I, on behalf of the Jinling City God Temple, earnestly request the Twelve Earthly Branches to lend a helping hand and assist us! To maintain the balance of Yin and Yang in this city and ensure the peace and tranquility of the people!"

"I will do my best to provide all the necessary talismans, ritual implements, and divine decrees and permissions!"

Li Yan paused for a moment, then calmly said, "Senior Zhang, you flatter me."

"We are newcomers and unfamiliar with the situation, and we are also on important business. The affairs of the City God Temple involve the regulations of the imperial court and local customs, and are of great importance, which is beyond the reach of us wandering martial artists. This matter... allow us some time to consider it before we reply."

This old Taoist priest has quite a few cunning ideas.

What kind of "upholding the righteous path" is this? The Jinling government dares to ignore Longhu Mountain, so naturally other lineages have taken action. They clearly can't bear to part with the City God Temple and want to recruit them as laborers.

A flash of disappointment crossed Zhang Jingqing's eyes, but she did not show any dissatisfaction. She even forced a smile: "Young Master Li is quite right. I was being presumptuous. This matter is of great importance and must be handled with care. You have all come a long way and must rest."

"If there is anything I can do to help you, or if you need to consult some non-confidential files, please feel free to send someone to let me know."

As he spoke, he stood up and politely escorted Li Yan and the others to the temple gate.

As Li Yan and his group disappeared around the corner of the long street, Zhang Jingqing's smile slowly faded, turning into a deep and unfathomable expression.

The Taoist disciple who had just registered behind him couldn't help but lean forward and whisper, "Master, they refused. What should we do?"

Zhang Jingqing gazed at the majestic Jinling city wall in the distance and snorted softly, "What do you know? It's better to refuse."

The apprentice was taken aback: "Huh? Why?"

"A tall tree catches the wind."

Zhang Jingqing stroked his beard and said in a calm voice, "The Twelve Yuan Chen are too famous, their fame has spread to the Jiangnan region. Those old foxes from Maoshan, Lushan, and Humen are all wary of them."

He paused, a glint of shrewdness flashing in his eyes: "Moreover, they're too closely tied to the Lin family. There are plenty of forces in Jiangnan that want the Lin family to fall so they can grab a slice of this lucrative prize!"

"When a wall falls, everyone pushes it down. The Lin family has run into a knife this time. Those people have been waiting for this opportunity for so long, how can they allow others to easily interfere and disrupt things?"

The apprentice suddenly realized: "So, Master, you are..."

"Not urgent."

"They'll need the 'legitimate' nameplate from the City God Temple..."

.........

It was already afternoon when we left the City God Temple.

Leaden clouds hung low in the sky, and an autumn wind brushed against my face, carrying the damp chill unique to Nanjing.

Most of the shops on both sides of the long street had their doors and windows closed. The few pedestrians who passed by were hurrying along with anxious expressions. Only the patrolling soldiers walked by, and the sound of armor and weapons clashing was particularly jarring in the silence.

"Tsk tsk, we can't count on the City God Temple."

Shalifei rubbed his hands together and chuckled in a low voice, "That temple keeper is being polite, but he really wants to use us as pawns without giving us any real benefits."

“As expected.” Li Yan said calmly, “Longhu Mountain is too busy to take care of itself. It’s good enough that Zhang Jingqing can keep the temple gate from collapsing. It’s unrealistic to expect him to help us rescue Fatty Lin. The most urgent thing is to find a safe place to stay and sort things out.”

"Should we go to the Jinzhou Chamber of Commerce?" Long Yan'er suggested. "We've cooperated with Jin merchants quite a bit on salt and medicinal herbs, and we have a decent relationship with them. Their businesses are all over the north and south, and they're well-informed."

She was a clean person, and of all the places she had traveled to, the Chamber of Commerce was the most comfortable place to stay. With the Lin family in trouble and unable to go to Jiangsu or Zhejiang, the Jinzhou Chamber of Commerce became the best option. "Hmm," Li Yan nodded, "Alright, we'll go to the Jinzhou Chamber of Commerce."

The Jinling branch of the Jinzhou Chamber of Commerce is located near the canal wharf in the south of the city. Its grand gate and spacious courtyard highlight the wealth of Shanxi merchants.

Upon hearing that Li Yan, one of the Twelve Zodiac Stars, had arrived in person, Manager Wang of the Chamber of Commerce personally came out to greet them with a beaming smile and great enthusiasm. He invited them into the elegant back room, served them fragrant tea and snacks, and inquired about their well-being with utmost courtesy.

"Oh my! Young Master Li, it's an honor to have such distinguished guests at our humble abode! Please, have a seat! You must be tired from your journey. We've all heard about what happened in Yangzhou. Young Master Li, you've rid the people of a scourge, which is truly gratifying!" Manager Wang said with a beaming smile, his words coming out in rapid succession.

"Shopkeeper Wang, you're too kind..."

Once they reached a secluded spot, Li Yan immediately inquired about the inside story of the Lin family's misfortune, hoping to find out some recent developments in Jinling City and see if he could get the person out of trouble.

Upon hearing this, Manager Wang's smile froze for a moment, then became smooth and indistinct. "This... Oh dear, Chief Li, you've stumped this old man."

Shopkeeper Wang slapped his thigh, looking troubled. "We businessmen are law-abiding citizens, only concerned with mundane matters like firewood, rice, oil, salt, and the transport of goods from the south to the north. The ever-changing political landscape and those violent cases... we are completely clueless about them, dare not inquire, and cannot find out! Matters of the imperial court are governed by its own laws, how dare we small merchants presume to comment?"

He sighed again and added, "As for the Lin family... sigh, what a bolt from the blue! We just heard about it and we're shocked! The Lin family has always been reputable businessmen, how could they... sigh, it must be a misunderstanding!"

"But rest assured, Young Master Li, the imperial court will make a fair judgment! All we in the chamber of commerce can do is quickly check whether our financial dealings with the Lin family are clear, so as not to be implicated. We really can't help you, we really can't help you!"

He repeatedly cupped his hands in greeting, his words leaving no room for misunderstanding.

Li Yan narrowed his eyes slightly, but did not ask any further questions.

Shanxi merchants were known for their shrewdness, pragmatism, and self-preservation. Although they cooperated with each other, they would never dare to get involved in such a vortex involving multiple forces.

Seeing that they were no longer asking questions, Manager Wang breathed a sigh of relief and warmly arranged several spacious and clean superior rooms. He also instructed the kitchen to prepare an exquisite banquet, providing impeccable service.

But beneath this thoughtfulness lies a clear sense of boundaries.

"So cowardly."

Shalifei stood by the window, watching the torchlight flickering outside, and muttered, "Neither the City God Temple nor the Jinzhou Chamber of Commerce dare to provoke them. It seems the person behind this has considerable power."

Boom boom boom!
Just then, there was a light knock on the door.

A clerk from the Chamber of Commerce respectfully carried in a brocade box: "Young Master Li, someone left this outside the door, specifically asking you to give it to them."

Shalifei stepped forward, took the brocade box, opened it, and found only a dark purple visiting card with a subtle golden swallow pattern inside.

The post was written in a vigorous, forceful style:

"Golden swallows spread their wings and perch on Zhongfu Mountain, old friends and new tea await your tasting."

At 3:45 PM, at Qiyanlou on the banks of the Qinhuai River, we await your arrival with a prepared feast.

—Respectfully presented by Murong Yan, Master of the Jinling Branch of the Golden Swallow Sect.

Below the post was a small, exquisite golden swallow token, the highest-level invitation token of the Golden Swallow Sect.

Everyone turned to look at Li Yan.

After the waiter left, Shalifei said with delight, "Jin Yanmen's nose is indeed sharp. We have only been in Jinling for two hours, and they have already sent us a visiting card."

Wang Daoxuan said with a solemn expression, "It's hard to tell friend from foe in Jinling City, and the person behind it is very powerful. We can't trust the Golden Swallow Sect easily. We must be careful."

Li Yan nodded, looked out the window, and said coldly:
"It's alright, I'll go to the appointment, you guys wait for me outside."

"No matter what, let's get Fatty Lin and the others out first. After all, this is our reputation. If we really push them too far, then no one will get away with it!"

…………

At 7:45 PM, the Qinhuai River was immersed in the sticky night.

The famous Qinhuai River is divided into inner and outer sections.

The outer Qinhuai River served as the city moat, flowing around the outer wall of Jinling City and serving defensive and flood control functions, but it did not directly pass through the city.

The Inner Qinhuai River flows from east to west through the southern part of Nanjing.

The riverbanks are lined with "river houses," a unique architectural style found only in Nanjing.

These houses are mostly two stories high. The lower level has a "water gate" facing the water, allowing for direct access to boats via gangplanks. The upper level has an arched railing called a "beauty's rest," providing a place for people to lean on and enjoy the view of the river.

The river houses are decorated with "ram's horn lanterns," which are lanterns with transparent sheets made from boiled ram's horns as covers. They are more moisture-resistant and more transparent than paper lanterns. They are either hung under carved window frames or on vermilion railings overlooking the water.

One by one, the lamps spread out along the riverbank, like a string of elongated stars.

Li Yan stood with his hands behind his back at the bow of the awning boat, listening to the sound of the boatman's wooden oars paddling the water, gazing at the lights on both banks like stars, and the soft, melodious songs of Wu dialect drifting into his ears from time to time, and he couldn't help but shake his head slightly.

No wonder so many literati and scholars were captivated by the romantic atmosphere of the Qinhuai River.

But now, with the shadow of war looming, the Qinhuai River continues its relentless singing and dancing, which is truly speechless. If things go wrong, all the current prosperity will be reduced to rubble.

"Sir, Qiyan Tower is just ahead."

The old boatman pointed to the left ahead, interrupting Li Yan's thoughts.

Looking up, one can see a two-story embroidered building standing by the water in the reflection of the lights on the Qinhuai River. It is quite large, with a vermilion gate and a golden plaque hanging high. The flames of the Kizil stone lanterns on both sides flicker and elongate the shadows of the guests coming and going.

Inside the gate, the sounds of music and laughter mingled with the warm fragrance of perfume, while lanterns under the eaves swayed in the night breeze.

Compared to the surrounding brothels, it was clearly more upscale.

Li Yan didn't care. The Golden Swallow Clan was known for its circle of high-ranking officials and nobles. If the place was not good, those gentry would not bother to set foot there.

But as they drew closer, Li Yan frowned.

The document suddenly started to heat up!
His eyes were slightly cold. He closed them and then quickly opened them again, his face showing surprise.

There are indeed criminals hiding here, but their identities are somewhat unexpected.

It was Zhou Yinyao, the immortal who mysteriously disappeared in Yangzhou...

(End of this chapter)