Legendary Son-in-Law: The Man with Poison Talismans

People leaned against the crenellations of the city wall, looked up, pointed at the silvery-gray outlines in the sky, and stared with their mouths agape.

A chill ran through them: What kind of monster is this? Is this towering barrier really about to be broken?

Someone whispered, "What is that?"

The person next to him shook his head, but still held onto his staff, ready to raise it at any moment.

Finally, as the aircraft drew closer, the pressure on everyone's chests slowly eased.

Then someone squinted and stared for a while before suddenly shouting, "There's a flag up there! It's the Beechcraft symbol!"

The crowd on the city wall stirred. Some people squeezed to the side of the wall, some put down their weapons, and some stood on tiptoe to look up.

Lin Mu, looking down from his vantage point, saw an open space inside the city wall where he could land, but instead of directing the aircraft to land, he instructed it to continue circling above the city wall.

He looked out the cabin window at the surging figures on the open ground below. More and more people poured out from the alley entrance, under the eaves, and at the foot of the city wall, crowding together in a dense mass. Some people were looking up, some were raising their hands, and some were clutching their bundles and squeezing at the edge of the crowd.

There was no hostility on their faces, but the way they looked at the aircraft made Lin Mu's heart sink slightly.

It wasn't just a simple welcome; it was more like an instinct born of surviving a catastrophe.

He turned to the passenger and said, "You take the wheel, lower the altitude, but don't land yet. I'll go down and check."

Chapter 271 Mr. Xue

The aircraft hovered about two zhang above the city wall, and the wind stirred up by the propellers made the dust on the ground fly everywhere.

Lin Mu pushed open the hatch, descended the rope ladder to the city wall, and his boots made a solid sound as they stepped on the bricks.

As soon as he stood firm, several people on the city wall with the Bai Ri Men emblem embroidered on their chests surrounded him.

The design depicts a rising sun radiating light, with a crossed dragon sword and a silver snake at the bottom edge—the emblem of the White Sun Gate guards.

They gripped their weapons, their eyes warily scanning him up and down.

Lin Mu didn't explain further. He took out the token bestowed upon him by the Empress from his Qiankun bag and held it up in front of him. His tone was crisp and decisive: "The Flying Eagle Guard of Bichon has been ordered to come to Bai Ri Gate to check the situation."

The golden phoenix pattern on the token flashed in the morning light, and the crowd on the city wall fell silent for a moment. Several guards exchanged glances, took a half step back, and sheathed their swords. Then someone shouted down from the city wall, "Don't push! It's Bichon!"

The surging crowd below the city paused for a moment, but the momentum of the crowd did not completely dissipate. Some people were still pushing forward, while others had already begun to move towards the city wall.

Lin Mu stood on the city wall, looking at the surging crowd below, and knew in his heart that these people wanted to leave.

They didn't know how many people the flying machine could carry, or how far it could fly. All they knew was that since something from the sky could fly over the monster horde and bring people in, it could also take them away from here.

Lin Mu frowned. Instead of letting the aircraft land, he gestured to the sky, causing the aircraft that were still circling to rise higher and away from the city wall.

Surrounded by several guards from Bai Ri Men, he followed the city wall to find the stairs leading down to the city.

The crowds on the city walls and inside the city were still surging forward, but as soon as they saw the aircraft heading towards the city, many immediately turned around and squeezed after the silver-gray shadow, running and looking up, stumbling over the pebbles and steps but refusing to look down.

Someone fell down and was trampled on by the people behind them. Their health bar was almost empty. They barely managed to stand up, drank some medicine, and continued to chase after it, as if they were afraid that if they were a step slower, the aircraft would disappear into the sky and never come back.

A small group of people did not run away and remained around Lin Mu.

But the city wall was narrow to begin with, and although there were fewer people now, it was still packed full, making it difficult to even turn around.

The guards stood on either side of him. Some reached out to push away those who were too close, and some shouted "Don't push!" but their voices were mostly drowned out by the surrounding noise, and no one could hear them at all.

Just as the guards were about to give up, the crowd on the other side of the city wall suddenly quieted down. The people who were originally crowded together began to move back, making way for a narrow passage in the middle.

An old man dressed in a dark gray robe walked out from the other end of the passage, accompanied by several guards from the White Sun Gate.

As soon as the old man appeared, the commotion in the crowd subsided, and people voluntarily stepped aside, calling out "Old Xue" repeatedly.

The old man walked steadily and unhurriedly through the crowded people on the city wall, stopping directly in front of Lin Mu and giving a slight bow. His gaze first fell on Lin Mu, then swept over the silver-gray aircraft in the sky, his expression showing a mixture of scrutiny and caution, clearly that of a mature and prudent person.

Outside Bai Ri Gate, monsters abound. The sudden appearance of a stranger with something that can fly made him wary. He immediately asked, "I am Xue Gui, the head guard of Bai Ri Gate. May I ask who you are and what brings you to Bai Ri Gate?"

The noisy crowd around them quieted down and all turned to look at them, waiting for Lin Mu's reply.

Lin Mu was taken aback at first. The old man in front of him looked ordinary and dressed unremarkably, but he hadn't expected him to be the head guard of Bai Ri Men. However, his expression didn't change, and he reached out and took out two items from his pocket.

A token that had been shown before; and an official document with a clear seal, stating in black and white that Lin Mu had been appointed as the commander of the Flying Eagle Guard.

The token was flashed and the documents were displayed; the format, seal, and authorization were all flawless, making it clear that it was not fake.

Xue Gui looked down and examined him carefully for a while before his tense face relaxed a little and his doubts dissipated. He then solemnly cupped his hands to Lin Mu and said, "So it is Lord Lin. My apologies for my disrespect."

"The Celestial Venerable is bedridden, and I am now in charge of the White Sun Gate. The Celestial Venerable's residence is in the north of the city, a secluded and safe place, undisturbed. If your aircraft is to land, that is the most suitable place."

Lin Mu put away the token and documents and nodded: "I'll trouble Elder Xue to lead the way."

Without further hesitation, Old Xue turned and walked deeper into the western part of the city.

The guards on both sides automatically lined up on either side, and the crowd also consciously moved to the sides. No one dared to squeeze in to join the fun anymore, which showed that Xue Gui's prestige in Bai Ri Men was indeed high.

The group descended the city wall and walked through several winding alleys. The further they went in, the farther away the noise outside became, and the voices gradually disappeared.

The dirt road underfoot has been replaced by smooth and wide bluestone slabs, and the low earthen walls on both sides have been replaced by thick gray brick walls covered with fine moss, which looks very old. Everywhere you look, there is a quietness that only old houses have.

Finally, Xue Gui stopped in front of a heavy, black lacquered wooden door, pushed it open, and stepped aside to let it pass: "We've arrived. This is the Heavenly Venerable's residence."

Lin Mu stood at the door and glanced at it, his gaze first falling on the black plaque with gold characters above the door.

The plaque is vigorous and heavy, with the two large characters "Tian Shu" in the center written in sharp strokes.

On either side of the plaque hangs a pair of wooden couplets, the calligraphy steady and restrained, yet exuding an air of unyielding confidence:

First line: The eternal day hangs in the sky, illuminating a hundred battles.

Second line: Crimson Abyss Town locks up a thousand demons

As the wind passed over the lintel, the gold paint on the characters flickered briefly.

In just two short sentences, the author clearly explained the strange realm of Bai Ri Men, where there is no night, and what is locked within the Blood Prison deep beneath the city.

The people who live here are not reclusive hermits, but people who suppress the evil energy beneath their feet day and night.

Lin Mu withdrew his gaze and stepped inside.

The courtyard was much brighter than it appeared from the outside. The ground was paved with neat blue bricks, and two old locust trees stood on either side of the courtyard, their branches intertwined and spreading out, their dense shade covering most of the courtyard, making it cool and refreshing.

Four ancient stone pillars stand at the four corners, their surfaces covered with intricate runes. They look somewhat like the ancient formations in the Demon Sealing Hall, but are more gentle and refined.

What seems out of place in the courtyard is that there are very few things in the courtyard, just a stone table and a few stone benches, making it cold and deserted.

At this moment, Xue Gui finally couldn't help but ask, "May I ask, Commander, what is the purpose of His Majesty's sending you to Bai Ri Men this time?"

Chapter 172 The Self-Destruction of the Evil Maggot

Lin Mu didn't beat around the bush: "By order of the Empress, I have escorted the Old Celestial Venerable back to the Bichon Imperial City for recuperation."

These words, once spoken, were like a stone thrown into water.

Xue Gui suddenly stopped and stood there for a long time without moving, his expression very complicated.

He knew in his heart that the Celestial Venerable was old and had toiled at Bai Ri Men for half his life.

Now that the Crimson Moon Demon Tide has pressed down on the city and the Celestial Venerable has fallen, although the barrier set up by the Celestial Venerable means that there is no immediate danger in the city, people are still filled with fear.

If the Celestial Venerable were to be taken away again at this point...

But the imperial decree was there, and no one could disobey the Empress's orders; no matter how unwilling he was, he couldn't stop it.

Thinking of this, Xue Guicai replied in a deep voice, "Since it is a holy decree, I understand. The Heavenly Venerable resides in the east wing. The flying vehicles in the sky may land in the courtyard, but there are isolation and restrictions in the mansion, so no one will disturb them."

But when he looked at the hovering aircraft above him, he felt a mix of emotions.

Such a grand procession, just to take the Celestial Venerable back alone? Perhaps I could also get a ride?

He opened his mouth, but the words stuck in his throat and he swallowed them back down.

The Xue family has guarded Bai Ri Men for generations, standing on this city wall since his great-great-grandfather's generation.

The entire city's inhabitants, his neighbors, his brothers who fought alongside him on the city walls. If he were to leave, what would others think?

He can't get over this hurdle himself.

He thought of his sixteen-year-old grandson and his elderly wife, whose legs were not very strong, and his heart felt like it had been squeezed.

But once you've clenched your fist, you still have to let go.

He lowered his head slightly, his lips moved, as if talking to himself, or perhaps making a vow to someone, silently repeating in his heart:

"Your Majesty, rest assured, the entire Xue family, young and old, will never let you down. Even if we die, we will die guarding the city walls of Bai Ri Men."

After speaking, he straightened his back, suppressed the slight shrug on his face, and returned to his composed and dignified demeanor as the head guard.

Lin Mu, unaware of all this, raised his hand and made a gesture towards the sky.

As he made his gesture, the aircraft he had been piloting began to descend slowly, its propellers spinning rapidly, whipping up gusts of wind that sent the withered leaves in the yard flying everywhere.

The aircraft landed steadily in the center of the blue brick courtyard. The cabin door opened, and a squadron of Flying Eagle Guards jumped down nimbly and lined up in formation.

Then Lin Mu withdrew his gaze and followed Xue Gui to the east wing.

When he pushed open the door, the room was dimly lit, the window was half-closed, and only a few streaks of blood-red light leaked in through the cracks.

A person lay on the bed against the wall, white hair scattered on the pillow, cheeks sunken, skin so thin it looked like a layer of old paper, the outline of the cheekbones and the angles of the jawbone could be vaguely seen.

My lips were chapped, with several small cuts that had scabbed over with dark red scabs.

His fingers protruded from the edge of the blanket, his knuckles thick and prominent, like the handle of a knife or a staff he had held for too long. Now, however, he didn't even have the strength to curl them up, and they just lay loosely on the mattress.

My chest rose and fell very slowly, and each breath felt like it took a lot of effort.

Lin Mu walked to the bedside, stood still, and remained silent.

He had never met Bai Ri Men Tian Zun, but had only heard the name.

But the figure on the bed, barely breathing, with disheveled white hair, chapped lips, and no strength to even speak, was completely different from the legendary old man with steadfast white hair and piercing eyes who stood on the city wall.

Like two separate paths with the same name, one has already been traversed, and what remains are only the embers that have not yet dissipated.

Lin Mu stood there for a while, then turned and walked out of the side room. He said to the old man waiting in the courtyard, "I'm leaving two flying machines and two teams of people down here, along with a brocade pouch and a Qiankun bag containing the blueprints for the Black Evil Maggots and the flying machines. Bai Ri Men doesn't have any Black Evil Maggots, so I'm leaving some for you. Follow the instructions, and you can recreate them. After I send Tian Zun back to Bichon, I'll send someone to pick up the others in a while."

He took out a brocade pouch and a bag from his Qiankun bag and handed them over.

Xue Gui reached out and took it, his hands trembling slightly, his eyes instantly reddening, his lips quivering. He took a breath, forcing back his tears, and nodded solemnly: "Commander, on behalf of the entire Bai Ri Men, I thank you."

Lin Mu didn't delay any longer. He turned around and went back to the door of the side room. Two Jinwu Guards followed behind him, lifted the person off the bed, carefully moved him onto a stretcher, crossed the courtyard, and carried him onto the aircraft.

Lin Mu followed behind them, about to step into the cabin, when he suddenly heard a very soft voice, as if squeezed out from deep in a throat: "...Crimson Moon..."