[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-cursed-blade-s-walk":3,"chapter-the-cursed-blade-s-walk-the-cursed-blade-s-walk-chapter-110":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","The Cursed Blade's Walk",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2262415,4415,"Chapter 110: Urgent Drumming of the Ghost Night","the-cursed-blade-s-walk-chapter-110",110,"\u003Cp>“Dao Master, excellent craftsmanship!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside the old village ancestral hall, Sha Lifei praised endlessly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The bearers beside him also murmured in admiration.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sha Lifei set out early, made several round trips, and brought back many bamboo sticks and paper; Wang Daoxuan boiled a pot of paste and worked nonstop from morning till night, finally completing all the paper offerings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, he alone could not accomplish much.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But whether the finely crafted, towering soul-recalling banner, the golden bridge, or the paper flower wreaths, everything was fully prepared and no less refined than what you’d find in a shop.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s just a superficial skill…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Daoxuan looked visibly tired and shook his head slightly: “Compared to true paper-artisans, this of mine amounts to nothing.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Daoist, you’re too modest.” Li Yan glanced at the prepared items and said: “Everyone, eat your meal and rest early—tomorrow we rise early.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Li Yan is right.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The bearers had handled countless funeral rites; though this one was unusual, they were familiar with the procedures.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Besides, they’d hauled loads of mud, sand, and stones up East Mountain today, driven stakes, and tied ropes—each of them was utterly exhausted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After hastily eating some dried rations, they all went to sleep early.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Night fell, and faint firelight glowed at the village center.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ten li away, beside the woods on a hillside, Zhao Kui hid over forty men, all dressed as constables, wielding sharp blades.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under Qiao Sanhu’s command, they were long accustomed to such operations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wearing these official robes meant representing the law!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even Jianghu gangs would avoid them on sight; though not armor, sometimes these robes were more useful than armor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Any news from the city?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching the distant village firelight, Zhao Kui asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A one-eyed man whispered: “Our men haven’t spotted any movement from Lu San; as for the Wind-Watching Pavilion’s people, they know nothing.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmph!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Kui sneered: “These Jianghu types never know their place—someday I’ll drive them all out of Fengyang City.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He then turned and bowed respectfully to the man beside him, smiling ingratiatingly: “Master Lu, the magistrate is heading to Shangluo tonight and says we’re to follow your orders completely.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mm.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Master Lu” stared at the village and said gravely: “Once you move out, halt one li from the village—don’t get any closer. Wait until I perform my ritual and clash with whoever’s inside.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“As soon as I give the signal, storm in—kill anyone still alive, no matter who they are!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, Master.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Kui bowed respectfully, but a flicker of suspicion crossed his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He hadn’t even confirmed whether Lu San was inside, yet this “Master Lu” seemed to know exactly who was there—and was ready to duel.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This man is hiding something!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though he suspected, Zhao Kui wisely kept silent; if he angered this corpse-faced man, even if he killed Zhao, the county commandant wouldn’t care.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus, the men waited hidden in the woods.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unconsciously, some began yawning, looking bored, their eyes filled with discontent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These men, paid by Qiao Sanhu, lived in comfort, spending their days bullying others, their nights drinking, gambling, and bedding women—life was easy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They’d thought it would be simple—just kill one man—but never expected to wait so long.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still, no one dared complain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A while longer passed, and the woods grew colder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only then did they notice a thin layer of frost had formed on the ground, and faintly in the distance, several sickly green ghostly flames drifted up and down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“C-Captain, something’s wrong…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One constable swallowed hard, his voice trembling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Kui’s own skin prickled; he turned to look behind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There, “Master Lu” was untying a black cloth bundle from his back; inside were row upon row of funeral staffs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Willow-wood shafts, wrapped in white paper tassels.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing the startled, wary glances around him, “Master Lu” sneered: “Today is the Ghosts’ Cold Clothes Day—friends naturally come in greater numbers.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Go now—remember, hold every intersection!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Kui drew his blade at once and barked: “Move out! Follow the plan—anyone who flinches, I’ll flay him alive!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’ll see, Captain!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Not a single rat will escape!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a shout, the men surged out of the woods.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These were thugs and riffraff, a disorganized mob, but many had blood on their hands and carried real menace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whoosh!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instantly, birds scattered from the trees in panic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fools!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Behind them, “Master Lu” cursed under his breath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He’d kept them far away precisely to avoid alerting those in the village—sorcerers had countless methods; they might sense something.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And now, just as they left, they gave him this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But there was no time to scold them; “Master Lu” glanced at the sky, his eyes darkening with malice, bordering on madness, whispering: “Brother Wu, after all these years, it’s time to settle the score…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He planted each funeral staff into the ground, forming a perfect circle—twelve staffs, representing the Twelve Earthly Branches.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the center of the circle, a three-foot-deep pit had been dug beforehand, holding a coffin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Begin!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Master Lu” gave the order and lay down inside the coffin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A few constables remained to assist; seeing this eerie scene, their hair stood on end, yet they dared not disobey.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Trembling, they sealed the coffin lid, then shoveled loose earth over it, quickly burying it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hhhhh~\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instantly, cold winds howled from all directions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The ghostly flames gathered thicker, swirling above the coffin, then drifted toward Wujiagou Village…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…………\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On East Mountain, Lu San lay sleeping beneath a tree.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whoosh!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A flock of birds flew across the night sky, landing on the tree trunk, chirping briefly, then more night birds rose from the woods.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu San snapped awake and sprang up swiftly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To master the speech of beasts and birds did not mean conversing with them—it meant hearing, through ear-spirit, the messages passed between them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The birds’ message just now:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Across the mountain, many people, yin entities, danger!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu San stared into the distance, eyes filled with doubt; suddenly he realized something and slammed his own head hard, then without a word, sprinted down the mountain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had a hunch—he’d been tricked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Normally, with his caution, he wouldn’t make such a mistake; but the rage he felt seeing Wujiagou’s ancestral graves desecrated had made him careless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those villagers were good people—they couldn’t die because of him…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu San ran faster and faster, crawling on hands and feet like a beast, leaping, while holding a bone whistle in his mouth, blowing a haunting, ancient melody.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beast-taming arts were not simple.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This world had no Qi, no bloodline pacts; commanding animals to obey was nearly impossible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Generally, there were only two ways: brute force and subtle art.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Brute force meant whips and drugs—like monkey trainers or the Beggar Sect’s snake handlers and dog drivers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The downside: easy backlash. As in the mass grave battle, when Li Yan and others used sorcery to disturb them, several beggars died in the snake formation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The other way was subtle art.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Slowly cultivating affection, or using sorcery to convey goodwill; ancient shamans once slept in the wild, guarded by hundreds of beasts—that was beast-taming.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu San chose the second way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His master was the village guardian, the simpleton.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No one knew what the simpleton’s true identity was, where he’d learned sorcery or martial arts, or even if he’d ever revealed his skills to outsiders.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He’d passed it all only to Lu San. Raised by the erratic, half-mad village guardian, Lu San had awakened his spirit-senses, learned beast and bird speech, mastered this art—and his nature became unlike ordinary men’s.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Daoxuan was right.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu San was like an old dog; though Wujiagou was small, everything here—like scent—brought him peace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He gathered the bones not out of deep affection for the villagers, but because his home was destroyed, leaving him lost and aimless—he needed to do something.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even fighting Qiao Sanhu stemmed from this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the dark, the whistle’s tune was ancient and strange.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The mountains and rivers seemed to awaken; wherever Lu San passed, venomous snakes slithered from crevices, badgers and foxes poked their heads out like moonlit spirits…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…………\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the darkness, Li Yan suddenly opened his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wake up—something’s happened!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>!.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He let out a sharp cry, and everyone sleeping in the ancestral hall woke up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What’s wrong?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wolves got into the village?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The others were still dazed, but they quickly sensed something was amiss.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though it was the first day of winter and the midnight air was freezing, the bonfire should have been enough to keep them warm—but for some reason, the cold was growing stronger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Outside the door, darkness stretched thick and silent, unnervingly so.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“There are many unclean things out there!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yan stared fixedly outside and said in a low voice: “Master Dao, find a way to protect everyone. All of you, close your eyes. No matter what you hear or see, don’t be afraid.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His words made them even more frightened, but there was no choice now—they obeyed, closing their eyes one by one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Daoxuan hurried to the altar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There, pre-prepared five grains were stored in a wooden box.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Originally meant for a funeral, Sha Lifei, unaware of their true purpose, had bought several jin extra—now they were perfectly useful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rice (white), millet (yellow), sorghum (red), mung beans (green), black beans (black)—symbolizing the Five Elements, known as the Five Grains.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rustle-rustle!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Daoxuan silently recited the incantation, stepped the Gangbu , and scattered the Five Grains toward the northeast and southwest corners of the ancestral hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These two sides were called the Outer Ghost Gate and the Inner Ghost Gate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This technique was the Five Grains Exorcism Spell.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After scattering the grains, Wang Daoxuan still wasn’t satisfied—he took out the two talismans given by Luo Mingzi: the House-Protecting Talisman and the Evil-Repelling Talisman, chanted the spell, and stuck them onto the two pillars of the hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He knew Li Yan’s vigilance wasn’t simple.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yan didn’t idle either—he pulled out the Cloud Thunder Divine Drum, placed it on the drum stand, assumed a horse stance, and prepared his posture.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the same time, strange phenomena appeared outside:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One by one, green ghostly flames appeared outside the ancestral hall’s door, drifting aimlessly, flickering uncertainly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Someone is summoning ghosts to cause trouble!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Daoxuan’s face darkened at once: “Today is Cold Clothes Ghost Day—the yin and malevolent energies are at their peak. Temples and monasteries perform rituals to pacify the dead, but evil cultivators take advantage of this chaos.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Who’s targeting us?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I don’t know.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yan shook his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Along this journey, he’d made many enemies—remnants of the Maitreya Sect from the mass graves, the Jiangzuo sorcerer You Laosi—no telling if their allies were behind this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Daoxuan had no time to ponder further—he called out to Sha Lifei and ordered him to assist in quickly setting up the ritual altar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His yin soldiers and minor demons had been destroyed; he couldn’t send them out to scout, so he could only cast simple spells to aid Li Yan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That’s right—Li Yan was the main force against these things.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hoo~\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Outside, the yin wind began howling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Master, quick—look!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sha Lifei’s eyes widened as he pointed southeast.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the ground, frost began spreading; some of the scattered grains turned black and charred, others cracked and popped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So many…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Daoxuan sucked in a sharp breath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His ability could only discern information by tasting—he couldn’t sense the number of ghostly entities.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But now it was clear: the quantity far exceeded his expectations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dong!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, Li Yan struck the drum and chanted the true mantra “Hong,” focusing his spirit to activate the Divine Drum.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The drumbeat echoed like thunder, shaking the night sky.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shhh!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The ghostly flames outside instantly scattered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The scattered grains on the ground ceased changing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Young Master Li is mighty!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though Sha Lifei was an outsider, he’d picked up quite a bit from Li Yan and Wang Daoxuan—he cheered at once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Keep your eyes closed, don’t speak…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Daoxuan quickly whispered a warning: “Living beings’ seven emotions shift, and their vital energy changes with them—this is what attracts yin entities most. They find openings in these fluctuations to possess you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sha Lifei immediately clamped his mouth shut.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But curiosity burned inside him—he squinted and peeked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sure enough, the yin entities outside began gathering again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The drifting ghostly flames were merely a facade; Li Yan could clearly smell thick clusters of rotting, icy stench and bloody, vicious odors swirling outside, growing denser by the moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing this, Li Yan no longer held back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dong! Dong! Dong!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He channeled hidden force, focusing his spirit to activate the Cloud Thunder Divine Drum.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>First slow, then rapid—the drumbeats thundered, shaking the surroundings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Dadaxiaoxiao  yin entities outside scattered like startled rabbits—but as if driven by some unseen force, they didn’t flee the village; instead, they darted wildly, stirring up yin winds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hoo~\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To those inside the ancestral hall, the wind howled outside, faintly carrying the sounds of weeping and wailing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Daoxuan’s face darkened: “It’s a Soul-Calling Spell. No matter whose voice you hear, don’t answer!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>True enough—the wind entering their ears instantly transformed into the desperate cries of their closest loved ones.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fortunately, Wang Daoxuan had warned them, and all were seasoned veterans—especially the coffin bearers, who knew many taboos—and they all kept their mouths tightly shut.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even so, they were terrified.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Refusing to show respect…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yan’s temper flared—he pulled out the Three Talismans Devil-Sealing Coin-Sword Tassel and hung it on the dragon’s mouth of the drum’s copper nail.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This time, focusing his spirit to activate it was extraordinarily difficult.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two artifacts worked in tandem—one brimming with icy killing intent, the other embodying yin-yang transformation, and the drum’s sound amplified the spell’s range.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The effect was far more than simple addition.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Master Wan had forged the drum, he’d warned Li Yan: with his current cultivation, he couldn’t use this combination—even forcing it would damage his spirit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he didn’t know that for Li Yan, this wasn’t an issue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Focusing his spirit, the drum immediately changed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Three Talismans Devil-Sealing Coin-Sword Tassel swayed gently, releasing icy killing intent that enveloped the drum; within the thunder-wood drum body, the thunder Gang ’s killing energy was likewise awakened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dong!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A thunderclap shook heaven and earth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The drum’s echo swept through—weak yin entities instantly scattered into oblivion…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Recommend a friend’s book.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Title: 【I Log Into Honghuang in the Cultivation World】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Synopsis: Su Ze, a senior student at a cultivation academy, is diligently training to pass the entrance exam for a higher cultivation institute—his greatest dream in life was to achieve Foundation Establishment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Until he discovered he could log into the ancient Honghuang realm—then his dream changed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",2442,"2026-06-19T18:28:32.159Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","fe6d59fc108c54ba861087b4b2e60d5a7fe0e4f02f998dc4954c4148452dac3d","the-cursed-blade-s-walk-chapter-111","the-cursed-blade-s-walk-chapter-109",801,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-cursed-blade-s-walk-cover.jpg"]