Chapter 243: Turmoil in the Southwest

*Rumble! *

The North City Gate opened slowly, and a large group of soldiers rushed out; not long after, they returned carrying corpses one by one.

By this time, the sky had brightened, and many commoners along the street were peeking out, suspicious and uncertain, whispering to each other.

The people of Ezhou loved to watch the excitement.

But with incidents happening one after another these days, they were already filled with panic, having no interest in being spectators, fearing that disaster would fall upon their own heads.

"Who are those people?"

"I heard they are demons of the Chaoshan Society."

"Those animals of the Chaoshan Society should have died long ago, but where did they get the guts to rebel?"

"I heard one thing, don't spread it around."

"I heard they kill people to sacrifice to ghosts, cutting off people's heads and livers. Haven't you seen that the scholars' families in the city are all holding funerals?"

"You're talking nonsense."

"Why would I lie to you? My old aunt's husband is a leatherworker; I heard that in the last few days, he's made quite a few fake heads."

"Why did you stop talking?"

"This kind of thing, I seem to have heard my grandfather mention it..."

With so many people and eyes in the city, some news simply couldn't be hidden.

The custom of killing people to sacrifice to ghosts originated earliest in the two states of E and Xiang, and it wasn't until the Daxiang years that it was completely eradicated, so some legends and stories naturally remained.

Those ancient and dark past events were once again circulating among the commoners, triggering even more panic.

For the harvesting of victims for killing people to sacrifice to ghosts, scholars or officials—one liver is worth three; monks and Daoists—one liver is worth two; women and children—one liver is worth one...

The most direct manifestation was the Danyang Academy.

At this moment, the Danyang Academy was already sealed, empty of people. In normal times, such a thing would inevitably lead to the indignation of the Confucian scholars.

However, now, the scholars were all staying at home, trembling and not daring to run around...

The officials of Zigui County, even the minor clerks, were all terrified, needing several people to accompany them just to handle a task...

As for the commoners, they hid their children securely, and the women in the families didn't dare to show their faces...

The corpses of those thieves were one thing, but when they saw the headless monk corpses, the street was already deathly silent.

The commoners were pale, a chill rising in their hearts.

On the second floor of an inn, the window was opened a crack.

The eyes in the door crack were suspicious and uncertain.

It was the female knight Liu Mei, who had escaped from Li Yan's hands earlier.

During the operation last night, hearing it was to deal with Li Yan, she immediately feigned illness to decline and hid in the inn without going.

Sure enough, she had escaped a disaster.

Thinking that even an expert like the 'Red Woman' hadn't escaped, Liu Mei didn't hesitate any longer, hurriedly packing her things.

She couldn't afford to offend either side, so she might as well flee to the ends of the earth.

Just at this moment, a clamor came from the street.

"The waterway is open! The waterway is open!"

"The imperial court's reinforcements have arrived!"

"The river monster has also been caught, go take a look quickly!"

Many commoners, hearing this, ran toward the ferry one after another.

This news was like a beam of sunlight, slightly easing the gloomy atmosphere of Zigui County.

The female knight Liu Mei didn't say a word, picked up her luggage, and walked downstairs...

…………

At the same time, in the main hall of the county magistrate's office.

"Phoenix Vein of the Chu lands?"

Assistant Prefect Zhou Kai looked at the blood-red Jade Cong in his hand, his eyes flickering, and gritted his teeth, saying in a low voice, "Ghost Sect demons, actually daring to damage the fortune of our Shenzhou!"

After saying this, he hurriedly stood up, bowed deeply to Li Yan, and cupped his hands. "Many thanks, Little Brother Li. If the Ghost Sect had succeeded in this under our very noses, this official would be hard-pressed to shirk the blame."

"It was what should be done."

Li Yan's expression was calm, not caring.

He wouldn't hide this kind of thing.

Not only would he not hide it, but he would make it known to everyone.

After all, what conspiracies fear most is being exposed to the world.

He was likely no match for a terrifying demon like Zhao Changsheng, but there were even more hidden experts in the Mystic Sect.

Creating such a situation, there would be plenty of people anxious.

If nothing else, the imperial court would definitely send Feng Shui masters to destroy their conspiracy and rearrange the layout.

For such a large-scale Feng Shui layout involving the fortune of the Shenzhou, let alone him, he estimated that even Wang Daoxuan wouldn't understand it at all.

Such troublesome matters, just throwing them out was enough; there was no need to carry them on his own shoulders.

"Report!"

Just at this moment, a soldier walked into the main hall of the county magistrate's office with large strides, cupping his hands. "Reporting to the Magistrate, the reinforcements from Unlike Yichang have arrived!"

"Good!"

Assistant Prefect Zhou Kai clenched his fist fiercely, his eyes full of excitement.

The situation in Zigui County was unclear, and in the garrison, there might be hidden demons. He hadn't slept all night last night, waiting in the main hall with several trusted subordinates, holding blades and ready to fight for his life at any time.

Once the imperial court's reinforcements arrived, there would be more room for maneuver...

…………

Everyone hurriedly came to the ferry to look out.

They saw war vessels of all sizes lined up on the river, drums roaring, banners fluttering, the ships densely packed with soldiers, blades and halberds like a forest, the killing intent soaring to the sky.

Although the Great Xuan Dynasty was currently experiencing undercurrents, it was still at its peak, and these were the garrison troops from Xiangyang and Unlike Yichang, who had gathered two days ago.

Once the river channel was open, they immediately rushed to Zigui to support.

Especially at the front of the formation, the treasure ship was as tall as a city tower, with a massive giant creature hanging from the deck—it was exactly the fish monster that had been causing trouble that day!

Seeing this, Li Yan nodded slightly.

The imperial court's move was clearly to stabilize the hearts of the people.

Sure enough, seeing that giant fish monster, the commoners of Zigui County exclaimed repeatedly, followed by loud cheers.

And on the deck, there were many old men wearing green robes, their Dharma robes resembling Han clothing, and wearing high crowns, each with a gloomy expression.

Li Yan knew at a glance that these were people from the Zhushan Sect.

Although the Zhushan Sect originated from Zhushan County in Ezhou, the source of their spells was not simple, coming from the ancient Han palace and combined with local witchcraft.

During the Han Dynasty, the palace had the "Sacrifice to Heaven Divine Tower."

The "Book of Han: Records of Rites and Music" records that Emperor Wu of Han worshipped the Taiyi Emperor Star, sacrificing in the Ganquan Palace outside the suburbs, following the Qian position, and sacrificed to the Earth Queen at Fenyin, the square mound in the marsh.

The method of sacrifice was the "Sacrifice to Heaven Divine Tower," using purple mud for the altar in the Bamboo Palace, with the heavenly gods descending like flowing fire.

After the collapse of the Great Han, this method also spread to the common people.

Zhushan County was the location of the ancient Shangyong State. In the Western Wei Dynasty, Emperor Fei Yuan Qin changed the name to "Zhushan" because of the lush bamboo and beautiful mountains and rivers within its borders.

There was a lot of spiritual bamboo here, so the secret methods of the Han palace were preserved, combined with the original "spiritual reeds and holy rushes" witchcraft of the Chu lands, giving the Zhushan Sect a place in Ezhou.

Now that their lair had been destroyed, they were holding back a belly full of fire.

Dealing with this river monster, they had plenty of ways.

"Magistrate Zhou."

Seeing that the reinforcements had arrived, Li Yan didn't waste words, directly cupping his hands to Zhou Kai. "Once matters here are settled, we will leave first; there are other things to attend to."

Zhou Kai was stunned, clearly somewhat reluctant. "Little Brother Li, Zigui County is full of crises, why not stay..."

Li Yan shook his head directly. "Magistrate, once the war begins, it's not something we can control, and besides, there are tasks in other places."

"Very well."

Zhou Kai's eyes were clearly somewhat helpless.

Li Yan took a look at the arriving treasure ship. "However, there is one thing I must ask the Magistrate to assist with."

…………

On the river surface, water soldiers surfaced from time to time.

Huge iron chains were connected to the treasure ship, and soldiers proficient in water dived into the bottom of the river carrying them.

Soon, someone poked their head out. "Magistrate, there really is something below!"

On the deck, a row of people stood densely, including those wearing scarlet official robes and generals in golden armor.

These were high-ranking officials sent by the imperial court, as well as the Xiangyang Regional Military Commissioner; with Zhou Kai's official rank, he could only stand to the side.

Of course, several elders of the Zhushan Sect were also there.

Hearing the soldier's shout, their expressions were somewhat ugly.

After all, Zigui County was also an area they were responsible for, but the Ghost Sect had developed secretly, and there were people practicing evil arts under their noses, harming the Three Gorges Water God—it was truly a dereliction of duty.

Of course, this matter couldn't be blamed on them.

After all, the Ghost Sect was hidden extremely deep, and the layout to harm the Three Gorges Water God had been carried out since the Daxiang years, a long time ago, with very few people knowing about it.

And those who could communicate with the gods were even rarer.

The Xiangyang Regional Military Commissioner also had some curiosity in his eyes, looking at Li Yan standing on a small boat below, and raised his hand to order:

"Set sail!"

With the order, the huge treasure ship immediately hoisted its sails.

!.

*Clatter, clatter! *

On the river surface, the bronze chains pulled taut instantly.

Rolling mud and sand surged up, soon dyeing the river surface black.

Seeing this, Li Yan revealed a smile at the corner of his mouth.

The evil thing that possessed the old scholar Liu Danqiu had truly extraordinary means, burying its true body deep in the bottom of the river, with a wisp of Yin soul causing trouble everywhere.

If it encountered danger, it could immediately abandon its physical body and flee far away; this was the difficulty of the Water God Immortality Method.

But Li Yan wasn't a pedantic person; only a fool would look for someone everywhere—it was better to use the power of the imperial court to directly destroy its true body.

*Clatter, clatter! *

On the river surface, the huge chains pulled tighter and tighter.

Amidst everyone's exclamations, a massive stone coffin was pulled out of the river surface, covered in sludge and shells, looking ancient in age.

*Swish, swish, swish! *

Li Yan didn't need to exert any effort at all; the water soldiers threw iron hooks one after another—these were items used for climbing and boarding ships in combat.

Iron hooks grabbed the coffin lid, instantly prying it open.

*Whoosh~*

Yin winds rose suddenly all around, and densely packed black hair surged out, spreading in the water.

And Li Yan had already leaped up, holding the Hooking Order in mid-air and shouting, "Heaven has discipline, Earth has guidelines; the Yin Office detains souls, mortals keep away!"

*Whoosh~*

Yin winds rose suddenly all around, and the water mist on the river surface surged.

And Li Yan had already landed, holding the Hooking Order and slamming it fiercely onto the head of the bloated corpse.

And that corpse immediately began to tremble and twist...

Beside a huge lake dozens of miles away, the old scholar Liu Danqiu was busy in the river with a group of people.

Suddenly, his eyes were full of terror as he looked to the north.

"No!"

With a scream, he fell to the ground and stopped breathing.

At the same time, outside the West Gate of Zigui County, at the Yellow Demon God Temple, the old man cleaning the temple was dumbfounded, watching the deity statue crack from the middle with a *snap*...

On the river surface, feeling another Gang Order in the Hooking Order, Li Yan revealed a smile at the corner of his mouth.

And the bloated corpse below stopped moving, with a large amount of foul-smelling black water seeping from its surface, and those twisted black hairs drying out and turning yellow rapidly.

Li Yan hurriedly covered his nose, leaped up, jumped back onto the ship, and cupped his hands toward the tall treasure ship in the distance.

Sha Lifei had already stood at the bow with his luggage on his back, and seeing this, he hurriedly nodded to the boatman. "Set sail, go to the other side!"

"Yes, Magistrate."

The boatman had been found with Zhou Kai's help, and seeing this, how could he not know that the two people before him were strange people of the martial world, so he hurriedly nodded and set sail.

Looking at the small boat in the distance, the official wearing a red robe stroked his beard and said, "Truly a knight. Assistant Prefect Zhou, why not keep them?"

Before Zhou Kai could speak, Old Daoist Feng beside him smiled. "These few are on good terms with my Tai Xuan Orthodox Sect. The Southwest is in chaos, full of demons and evil, and they still have to rush to other places to subdue demons and catch monsters."

"Oh, that's a pity."

The scarlet-robed official shook his head slightly upon hearing this.

And the several elders of the Zhushan Sect had even uglier expressions.

The Southwest was full of demons and evil—wasn't that just a roundabout way of scolding them for dereliction of duty?

This old Daoist really knew how to kick someone when they were down.

Thinking of this, they didn't want to be outdone, cupping their hands and saying in a low voice, "Magistrate Lu, don't blame us. The situation in the Southwest is complex, far from just a Ghost Sect."

"There are three sources of the disaster: Wushan, Shennongjia, and the Miao Frontier. With the strength of my sect alone, it is truly difficult to suppress."

"This old man will send a letter immediately, inviting friends from the southern Dharma lineages to come and assist!"

"Good!"

The scarlet-robed official revealed a smile on his face upon hearing this.

How could he not know the friction between the Orthodox Sect and the Dharma lineages?

These words were said deliberately.

The situation in the Southwest was complex, and the assistance of the Mystic Sect was indispensable. If they could gather the masters of the southern Dharma lineages, many things would become easier.

Old Daoist Feng wore a smile, not caring at all.

He knew that the Dharma lineages were trying to seize the leading role, and for this, the Zhushan Sect didn't hesitate to lose face to invite people to help.

But if they still couldn't handle the matter, the Tai Xuan Orthodox Sect would officially take action, and by then, this area would no longer be under the control of the Dharma lineages.

Even if the southern Dharma lineages could suppress this matter, by the time Wushan was open, Wudang Mountain and Qingcheng Mountain would reflect each other, acting as mutual support, and the influence of the Tai Xuan Orthodox Sect would also spread.

No matter how you looked at it, it was a total win.

And with this, he could also be transferred back to Wudang Mountain to enjoy a peaceful life.

Thinking of this, Old Daoist Feng felt joy in his heart...

…………

The place where the demons hid the coffin was still upstream of Zigui County.

Li Yan and the others sailed downstream, soon arriving at the south bank downstream of Guizhou City, slowly approaching the riverbank.

Sha Lifei's expression was somewhat solemn. "Little Brother Yan, since yesterday, Brother Lu hasn't contacted us. Nothing happened to them, right?"

Li Yan furrowed his brow. "Go up and take a look first."

Just at this moment, an eagle shrieked in the sky, and the two hurriedly looked up, seeing the falcon flying up and down, drawing several figure-eights.

Li Yan's expression changed slightly. "Quick, they've encountered a strong enemy!"

Hearing this, the boatman hurriedly increased speed.

Before they even approached the shore, Li Yan and Sha Lifei leaped up, and after landing on the shore, they followed the falcon and ran rapidly toward the mountain forest.

After running for less than two miles in the mountain forest, they saw the figures of Lu San and Wang Daoxuan, who were running while dodging, with a rain of arrows behind them.

Vaguely, they could see many people in the dense forest wearing leather armor, their heads wrapped in black cloth, their faces painted with oil paint, shouting and yelling, bending bows and shooting arrows.

Among them were several people shaking long red banners, their mouths chanting non-stop, while the swarm of poisonous bees released by the Demon Gourd circled up and down, yet they were unable to get close.

"It's the army from the Tusi City!"

Seeing this, Sha Lifei's expression changed instantly.

Li Yan didn't say a word, immediately stepping out the Gang Steps, forming a seal and chanting a spell, "Nogao! Heavenly Truth Supreme Purity, the essence of Ren and Gui. Internally corresponding to the kidney storage, externally corresponding to the Water Star... act as quickly as the law!"

This was the "Northern Emperor Profound Water Escape."

At this moment, the sky was still drizzling, the water vapor in the forest was thick, and combined with his full-force execution, white fog surged instantly, spreading rapidly and obscuring their vision.

Seeing this, Lu San and Wang Daoxuan hurriedly rushed into the fog.

Those Tusi City soldiers just wanted to pursue, but saw a rough voice ring out from the thick fog, "Eat a move from your grandfather!"

Immediately, a fire-caltrop was thrown from far away.

*Boom! *

Accompanied by the sound of a violent explosion, iron and porcelain fragments splattered, surrounding tree branches and leaves broke and fell, and many native soldiers also screamed and rolled on the ground, not daring to continue the pursuit.

And Li Yan and the others had already taken advantage of the thick fog to run rapidly to the riverbank.

"Quick, quick, quick, set sail!"

Sha Lifei shouted, urging them repeatedly.

Hearing the sound of the explosion just now, the boatman was suspicious and uncertain. "Magistrate, what... what happened?"

Wang Daoxuan said in a low voice, "The troops of the Tusi City have gathered."

"Over here, there's going to be a war..."

(End of Chapter) ===== CHAPTER 244 =====