Knife splashing

Chapter 785 The Method of Throwing Dragons
It was this guy...

A sense of doubt arose in Li Yan's heart.

The other party was recorded in ancient books such as "Biographies of Immortals", so he wasn't curious. After all, he had seen too many of them, and even had a relationship with Erlang Shen.

What puzzled him was, what was this guy doing in Nanjing?
According to the previous robbers' statements, this Earth Immortal was clearly either being held hostage or fearful of the Jianmu Organization, which is why he informed them of the news and left in a hurry.

Logically speaking, they should have fled immediately to this perilous place, Jinling…

Looking at the distant Qiyan Tower, a glint of light flashed in Li Yan's eyes.

He had a feeling that things might take a turn for the better.

Since he'd already accepted the mission, there was no rush. With his increased authority in the underworld, he wouldn't be punished for taking action. He could wait and see what the other party wanted to do…

Thinking of this, he strode towards Qiyan Tower, while making a gesture with his palm.

Hundreds of meters away, Wang Daoxuan stood on the roof, his hands forming the Yang Mudra, circulating his supernatural power. With his extraordinary eyesight, he could clearly see Li Yan's gestures.

"There's something unusual in the building, but don't make any rash moves."

He turned to look at the side, where Shalifei, who was holding a musket, nodded slightly.

Jinling City is now fraught with danger, so they naturally didn't feel comfortable letting Li Yan venture into danger alone. Therefore, they split into two teams to provide support outside.

Meanwhile, Li Yan had already arrived at the gate.

Upon seeing this, the pimp outside immediately bowed and ran over.

"Young master, you..."

Before he could finish speaking, a woman walked out of the door and interrupted him coldly:
"You go down first!"

"Yes, Miss Wang."

The pimp looked surprised and, without saying a word, avoided the two men.

Li Yan then sized up the woman in front of him.

He was not dressed like a brothel girl, but rather in a black, close-fitting outfit, with a bamboo vest over his upper body. Each bamboo strip emitted a metallic luster and was covered with densely packed blood runes.

She wasn't exactly beautiful, but she had a heroic air about her, and although she wasn't tall, she had a very upright posture.

Li Yan was very familiar with this style of dress.

Demon Hunter!
However, compared to the ferocity of the northern demon hunters, this woman was more capable, and her weapons had been changed to a row of throwing knives, a musket, and various medicine pouches at her waist.

"My name is Wang Lu. Please come in, Young Master Li."

The woman remained expressionless, turning to the side and raising her hand.

How did a demon hunter end up working as a bodyguard?

Although Li Yan was curious, he didn't ask any questions and followed them into the building.

As soon as you step through the gate of Qiyanlou, you are greeted by a cacophony of noise and a warm, fragrant aroma.

What comes into view is an extremely spacious courtyard in the style of a "horse-riding building," which is truly luxurious on the banks of the Qinhuai River where land is extremely valuable.

Surrounded by two-story corridors, the vermilion lacquered railings are exquisitely crafted, and the beams and rafters are adorned with intricate "Suzhou-style painted decorations." The floor is paved with polished bricks and stones, so shiny they reflect light like a mirror.

In the center of the courtyard, a stage about a foot above the ground is being performed.

The performers on stage were not wearing heavy makeup to sing Kunqu Opera. Instead, it was a male and a female artist. The man was playing the clappers, while the woman was holding an erhu and singing a melodious and lively tune in the authentic Nanjing dialect.

"The clappers tinkle and the strings pluck, esteemed guests, listen to my 'Guagua'..." The female performer's voice was clear and bright, carrying a unique local flavor, "...The Japanese pirates wreak havoc, and our hearts tremble with fear; swords and spears are arrayed atop Nanjing. Do not panic, do not be afraid, for there are heroes and valiant men... Oh my, they will protect our prosperous land of the Six Dynasties, our home along the ten-mile Qinhuai River!"

This is a folk storytelling performance called "Baiju" unique to Nanjing.

The lyrics of "Baiju" were appropriate for the occasion and carried a hint of satire. The guests sitting in the audience were mostly wealthy merchants, literati, and officials. Some listened attentively, some applauded, and some frowned slightly, perhaps feeling uncomfortable with the song that so directly reflected the current situation.

The air was filled with the aromas of tea, wine, and cosmetics, along with the delicate fragrance of "Yuhua Tea." Waiters carried exquisite tea snacks from the "Eight Delicacies of Qinhuai" and moved nimbly through the crowd.

Li Yan's gaze swept over the bustling scene without lingering.

The witch hunter named Wang Lu led him through the noisy courtyard and along the corridor toward a quieter area at the back.

Along the way, we passed several elegant rooms with curtains made of Xiangfei bamboo, where we could vaguely see figures whispering.

Finally, the two stopped in front of an inconspicuous lattice door.

The door is made of "chicken wing wood," with a fine, feather-like grain.

She pushed the door open with a creak and gestured for Li Yan to enter.

Inside the door was a quiet and elegant private room, completely different from the hustle and bustle outside. A traditional Chinese ink painting of "Scenic Views of Nanjing" hung on the wall, and a few simple seasonal flowers were placed in a blue and white porcelain vase in the corner.

On a mahogany octagonal table, a sumptuous feast was laid out, steaming hot and fragrant. The oily and glossy Nanjing salted duck, the deep red and tempting braised lion's head meatballs, and the golden and crispy squirrel-shaped mandarin fish were all famous local delicacies.

However, Li Yan's gaze only swept across the table for a moment before locking onto the two people waiting quietly at the table.

On the right is a middle-aged woman of about forty years old with an elegant demeanor.

She had a beautiful face and was well-maintained. She wore a long jacket in autumn light blue, with an intricate "phoenix and peony" pattern woven on the brocade. Her black hair was styled into a "peony hairstyle," and a "golden swallow hairpin" inlaid with kingfisher feathers and rubies was inserted diagonally into her hair bun.

With a swallow's head holding a pearl and wings poised to take flight, this is the symbol of the Golden Swallow Gate.

On the left was an old Taoist priest with white hair and beard, and a thin figure. He wore a simple blue linen robe, which was almost shabby and out of place with the luxurious room and the table full of delicacies.

What's most eye-catching is the huge old gourd tied around his waist.

The gourd is dark brown and glossy, clearly aged and worn smooth. It has a thick patina from being handled so many times. The surface is engraved with an ancient character for "boil" with vigorous and powerful strokes.

Upon seeing Li Yan, his eyes were clearly filled with vigilance.

Upon seeing Li Yan enter, Murong Yan, the leader of the Jinling Jin Yan Sect, rose with a smile, her steps revealing familiarity and enthusiasm: "Young hero Li, your name resounds throughout the capital! This time, you went south and turned the tide in Yangzhou, slaying demons and evil spirits one after another. Now, who in Jinling City does not know you? I have long admired you, and it is truly an honor to meet you today. It is an honor to meet you at Qiyan Tower."

"Please take a seat, and try this Nanjing cuisine. All the dishes are freshly served hot..."

His words and demeanor were respectful yet composed.

However, Li Yan did not move an inch. His gaze was sharp as a knife, directly bypassing Murong Yan and looking at the old Taoist priest in a coarse robe with an old gourd hanging from his waist.

"Zhou Yinyao?"

Li Yan said coldly, "What do you mean by daring to show yourself in front of me?"

As he spoke, he reached out and grasped the warrant.

Judging from the other person's expression, they must know my identity. Rather than passively following their lead, it's better to ask directly and find out the reason.

The sudden question shattered the harmonious atmosphere that Murong Yan had deliberately created. "Insolence!"

The female demon hunter, Wang Lu, was already standing behind the old Taoist priest. Upon hearing this, her eyebrows furrowed, like an enraged female leopard, and she pressed down on the willow-leaf throwing knife at her waist.

"How dare you be disrespectful to my master!"

In the small, enclosed room, the air suddenly became tense, like a fully drawn bowstring.

Murong Yan's face showed a hint of panic. She quickly stepped between the two, pressing her hands together as if to make a gesture, and raised her voice, which was urgent:

"Young Master Li, please calm down! Wang Lu, do not act rashly! It's all a misunderstanding!"

She turned to Li Yan, speaking rapidly with earnest eyes: "Young Master Li, please allow me to explain! Although Master Zhou is a mortal immortal with a sinister nature, he is by no means a villain who brings harm to the world!"

"He cultivated in seclusion in Jiangnan for hundreds of years and maintained close ties with various sects, including Maoshan, Humenling, and Lushan."

"What's even more remarkable is that he was compassionate and secretly contacted like-minded people to form a team of demon hunters in various parts of Jiangnan. They were dedicated to eliminating those evil spirits and monsters that plagued the countryside and were beyond the reach of the orthodox sects, thus protecting the peace and tranquility of the people!"

"Wang Lu is a direct disciple of the master and a top demon hunter in Jiangnan!"

She took a deep breath to calm her racing heart: "Master Zhou has come to Jinling this time despite the risks, precisely because of this catastrophe that has swept across Jiangnan."

“He and I have a long-standing friendship, and he knows well your ability to act as a ‘living ghost messenger,’ which is crucial to the success or failure of this situation. Therefore, he earnestly requests my help to mediate, hoping that you will prioritize the overall situation at this moment.”

Hearing Murong Yan's hurried explanation, the frost on Li Yan's face did not melt away; instead, it solidified into an even deeper cold smile.

His gaze was sharp, still fixed on Zhou Yinyao, who remained silent and calm. He slowly sat down, his fingers lightly tapping the smooth mahogany tabletop, producing a dull and oppressive tapping sound.

"Oh? Compassionate...protecting the people?"

Li Yan's tone was tinged with sarcasm, "What a highly respected Master Zhou! Then I would like to ask, if you are so highly respected and concerned about the common people, why did you reveal the location of the Yangzhou Cauldron to that witch Leiyin in the first place?!"

As soon as these words were spoken, it was like thunder exploding!

Wang Lu's eyes widened in anger, and he was about to explode again, but Murong Yan held him down firmly.

Zhou Yinyao finally opened his eyes, which had been slightly closed. In those eyes that had witnessed many vicissitudes of life, there was no panic, only a trace of heaviness.

His withered fingers, resting on his lap, gently stroked the old-fashioned gourd at his waist, which was engraved with the character "煮" (zhǔ, meaning "to boil").

"……Ugh."

With a long sigh, the Taoist said, "Fellow Daoist Li's accusations are all reasonable, and I have no words to refute them. Revealing the secret of the Yangzhou Cauldron is indeed a sin that I can never atone for in this lifetime."

He paused slightly, a deep helplessness in his eyes. "That Leiyin... her methods are ruthless and vicious. She found out that I still have several disciples and successors in Jiangnan, and secretly ambushed and kidnapped them all, using them to blackmail me."

"This matter is also my fault. I took a chance and thought that the place where the Nine Cauldrons were suppressed was heavily guarded. Even if I told them the location, it might not work. Besides, the Yangzhou Cauldron will leave in less than two days."

"However, after I rescued my disciple, I discovered that the witch had already succeeded. The situation has spiraled out of control, and I am to blame. I could not atone for my mistake even if I died a hundred times."

After speaking, he slowly rose, bowed slightly to Li Yan, and said calmly, "It is too late to regret now. I came to Jinling this time, risking to expose my whereabouts, precisely to make amends for this mistake. I will risk my remaining old life to find a way out of this predicament."

He was humble in demeanor, yet his gaze was open and resolute.

Li Yan narrowed his eyes slightly. Although he didn't speak, the coldness emanating from him dissipated considerably.

Seeing that the atmosphere had eased a bit, Murong Yan immediately put on a smile and said, "Come, come, young hero Li, try some of the local delicacies of Jinling first. The Huai whitefish is the most delicious."

After saying that, she changed the subject again and said, "There is also good news. I know the relationship between Young Master Lin and you. Don't worry, he is not in any immediate danger."

Li Yan's heart stirred, and he asked directly, "Senior Murong, you've gone to great lengths. But I'd like to know even more: who is stirring up trouble behind the scenes, trying to destroy the Lin family? And who killed Commander Tian?"

Murong Yan put down her wine cup, sighed, and said seriously, "This matter is no longer a secret in Jiangnan. In Jinling, the real power now rests with two other giants in Jiangnan—the Lu family of Suzhou and the Xie family of Qiantang."

"These two families are aristocratic clans with a history of hundreds of years. Their disciples and former officials are spread throughout the court and the country. They also have close ties with many Xuanmen lineages in Jiangnan. Many outstanding talents in these lineages are originally disciples of these two families."

He paused, then continued to explain, "There are two reasons why they attacked the Lin family: First, the Lin family had an internal traitor like Lin Yaozu who colluded with Japanese pirates, causing heavy losses to the Jiangnan Navy and affecting many other families. The Lu and Xie families, as local powerful families, also suffered considerable losses, so naturally the Lin family had to pay the price. Second, they wanted to take advantage of the situation to completely destroy the Lin family, their trading rival, swallow their businesses, and strengthen themselves."

"Nowadays, the Lu and Xie families, along with the legal forces behind them, have effectively controlled most of the military and political power in and around Jinling City."

"but…"

Murong Yan changed the subject, emphasizing, "According to the information I have gathered, the death of Commander Tian was by no means the work of the Lu and Xie families. They only wanted to make the Lin family confess their crimes and submit to the law 'according to the rules'."

“They wouldn’t do such stupid things as murdering to cover it up or intercepting the imperial envoy’s guards on the way. Besides, Young Master Lin couldn’t provide any clues about the murder of Commander Tian. He only wanted to protect the innocent members of the Lin family, which is why he was labeled as ‘yelling in court and resisting investigation’ and thrown into the depths of death row.”

At this moment, Zhou Yinyao, who had been silent all along, spoke up: "I have been in this Jiangnan region for hundreds of years and still have some connections with those lineages."

"If you trust me, young friend Li, I can intervene and use these lineages to put pressure on the Lu and Xie families. Getting Young Master Lin out of prison as soon as possible shouldn't be difficult."

It seems these are the conditions…

Upon hearing that Lin Pangzi and the others could be saved, Li Yan's tense expression relaxed slightly. After a moment of contemplation, he looked directly at Zhou Yinyao and said, "Alright, as long as we can ensure that Lin Dongjia and the others can get out of prison safely, I can turn a blind eye to this matter."

"But you just said you wanted to 'make amends for your mistakes,' what exactly are your plans?"

Seeing Li Yan agree, Zhou Yin breathed a sigh of relief. Then, with a solemn expression, he lowered his voice and said, "This old Taoist has been racking his brains and wants to use an extraordinary method—to unite the major Taoist sects and lineages in Jiangnan to hold a 'Dragon Throwing Ceremony' in Jinling City!"

"The Dragon Throwing Technique?"

Li Yan became interested upon hearing this.

He had also heard of such mystical rituals.

Originating in the Qin and Han dynasties and continuing through the Tang and Song dynasties, it was mainly used to worship the three deities of Heaven, Earth, and Water. Bamboo slips inscribed with prayers, along with ritual objects such as gold dragons and jade discs, were sealed and placed in caves, buried in the ground, or submerged in water, corresponding to the Heavenly Official, Earthly Official, and Water Official.

"Yes."

Zhou Yinyao said in a deep voice: "This method has a long history. In the past, when a sea dragon raged, the earth shook and West Lake overflowed. King Qian threw himself into the dragon several times to prevent a great disaster."

"We only need to use the method of casting dragons to worship heaven and earth, borrow the power of the mountain and river dragon veins, and suppress the earth's energy to stabilize the earth's veins. The imperial court will then have no need to worry about breaking the chaos of the Taihu Lake demons!"

"That is indeed a solution."

A glint flashed in Li Yan's eyes. "This method isn't easy, is it?"

Zhou Yinyao replied truthfully, "Indeed, simply casting a dragon into the heavens would be somewhat difficult, even in a blessed land. However, with the help of a national treasure, the matter can be accomplished. The item is already on its way to Jinling and will arrive soon!"

I see…

Li Yan immediately understood. No wonder the Jinling government wasn't in a hurry; they already had a solution. It seemed that other lineages had also gotten involved.

"What kind of divine artifact is it?" he asked.

Zhou Yinyao replied, "The Dali Bronze Bell was personally supervised by the Taoist Grandmaster Ye Fashan during the reign of Emperor Xuanzong of Tang, and was used to suppress the national fortune, ward off disasters, and pray for blessings!"

(End of this chapter)