Chapter 293: Breaking the Treasure Scripture

Hearing the man speak, Li Yan immediately frowned.

He had no good impression of the Jiangxiang Sect to begin with, so he didn't even glance at them, too lazy to respond.

But Master Lin clearly took interest: "Master Yu, the Baotong Chan Temple has already disrupted the demon's arrangement—could there still be complications?"

"Hmph!"

The double-pupiled elder, haughty in expression, stroked his beard and said: "I've examined the site. Though a master once arranged it as a formation of Tortoise and Snake guarding the gate, the arranger failed to notice Bai Hu and Vermilion Bird."

"Thus, though Qingchuan Tower and Huanghe Tower face each other across the gap, they are both significantly lower and inherently deficient. Only the Tortoise and Snake arrays remain intact, but in the grand scheme, Xuanwu is unoccupied."

"Now, the tomb of the Barbarian King stands high, while the ancient Western Zhou mine buries Vermilion Bird deep—creating a great ominous formation: Xuanwu absent, Vermilion Bird blocked, Bai Hu rising."

"The arrangements on the Tortoise and Snake mountains are merely the trigger. The formation is now complete—destroying them would be useless!"

As he spoke, a glint of excitement flashed in his eyes: "This person's mind is secretive, their layout profound, leveraging ancient and modern formations to forge momentum. It bears the shadow of the Star Sect's methods."

"Hmph, they say my Jiangxiang Sect has gone astray—this time, I'll break this formation, capture the mastermind behind it, and see what the Star Sect has to say!"

Hearing this, Li Yan's heart tightened.

Though he didn't understand the man's words, he had already sensed something amiss: Baotong Chan Temple and the imperial court had clashed, yet the demon behind it had gone silent, making no move at all.

After planning so long, just as victory slipped from their grasp, to sit idle—this was indeed strange.

The slender elder beside him was none other than the academy's head, Liu Huai Cheng.

Though this old man was rigid and looked down on the Jiangxiang Sect's fengshui sorcerers for their arrogance, he knew the matter was urgent, and upon hearing this, he frowned: "Then don't waste any more time."

"Master Yu, please come with me to the Wang Fu to explain this matter."

"Hehe, why the rush?"

The double-pupiled elder lifted his wine cup, sipped slowly, and said coolly: "I require the Baotong Chan Temple and the Near Wuchang Wang Fu to come and personally invite me—and announce this matter to the world."

Upon hearing this, Head Liu's expression darkened: "This concerns the lives and deaths of the people on both banks—why cling to such empty honors, Master Yu?"

"Empty honors?"

The double-pupiled elder toyed with his wine cup and said gravely: "You Confucians, with your thousand-year orthodoxy, naturally look down on such things."

"But to me, they matter deeply."

Qin Qin Zhangsi, the other academy official beside him, also a follower of the Xuanmen Confucian tradition, immediately understood: "Master Yu intends to establish his own school?"

The double-pupiled elder sighed then: "Buddhas compete for a stick of incense; men compete for a breath of pride. I was born into the Jiangxiang Sect, wandered the rivers and lakes, and was repeatedly belittled—so I vowed to change the Jiangxiang Sect."

"But as I traveled south and north, I realized my master was right: human nature is hard to change; one must carve out a new path."

"The demon behind this formation is unfathomably deep. I've come here now to risk my old life—can't they even summon the courage to invite me?"

Qin Qin Zhangsi quickly said: "The Baotong Chan Temple and Wang Fu are both occupied now—they'll surely send someone soon."

"Hahahaha…"

The double-pupiled elder paid no mind: "I've already sent word. Whether they come or not is their affair. Gentlemen, please continue drinking."

With that, he drank on alone.

Seeing this, Li Yan silently shook his head.

The impact of this matter had clearly spread.

When a demon seeks to throw the empire into chaos, orthodox sects will act—and others, sensing great winds and waves, will strive to make their names known across the land.

With things said this far, no one could persuade him further; the banquet's atmosphere grew awkward.

Seeing this, Master Lin swiftly changed the subject, turning to Li Yan and patting his forehead with a smile: "So caught up in talk, we've neglected our guest. Tian Wei, bring a few more chairs."

Tian Wei stepped forward at once, bowing: "Master, no need for this—I brought Li Li Shaoxia here late at night because we have urgent matters to ask."

"Oh?"

Master Lin, ever perceptive, rose at once: "You two keep Master Yu company—I'll be right back."

Saying this, he led Li Yan and the others out of the garden.

In a small courtyard study at the rear of the house, Master Lin sat down and stroked his beard: "What urgent matter brings you here?"

Li Yan bowed immediately: "I've heard you are learned, Master, and have come to ask two questions. First, about the 'Siming Hui'; second, to learn 'Zhiyingli' from you."

"Oh?"

Master Lin's interest stirred: "Both are obscure topics—how did you even hear of them?"

Li Yan took the phoenix gold ornament from his bosom and respectfully handed it over: "I pursue the Siming Hui for the sake of my cultivation path. As for Zhiyingli—it is my brother's inheritance; he must master this script to cultivate."

Master Lin took the phoenix ornament, glanced at it once, and said: "This is a Chu Witch Token."

"When Qin Shi Huang unified Shenzhou, the Zhou dynasty lost its ding cauldrons, and sacrifices and beliefs varied across regions, as did languages. To prevent Shenzhou from fracturing again, he standardized writing and cart tracks, summoning shamans from all lands to Xianyang for joint rituals—this was called the Qin Palace Secret Invocations."

"Alas, the project was only half-complete when Qin collapsed. In Han times, they tried to continue it, but as Confucianism and Daoism rose, shamanism gradually faded from orthodoxy."

"According to my research, Chu shamanism split into two branches: one entered Chang'an and later scattered across the land; the other remained rooted in Chu territory. After the Han witch-cult uprisings, to evade imperial persecution, they passed down their teachings secretly among the people—this is the Siming Hui."

"'Siming' is a Chu deity, also an ancient official title overseeing sacrifices. Using 'Siming' as a name signifies legitimate lineage."

"To be frank, I once met a Siming Hui cultivator—an old village woman."

"She said the Siming Hui was scattered across Chu, secretly transmitted; at certain times, they entered the mountains to secretly worship the Ten Gods of Chu. During the Northern and Southern Dynasties, they even held sway over Junshan Island in Dongtinghu."

"That was the altar for the Xiang Jun. As for the deities Donghuang Donghuang Taiyi, Dongjun, Yunzhongjun, Shangui, and Hebo—their altars are now unknown."

"By the time of the Great Song, another event occurred—the Siming Hui's transmission nearly broke entirely."

Li Yan pondered: "The Great Song Ghost Sect?"

"Yes."

Master Lin's expression turned grave as he nodded: "In Jingchu, shamanic traditions ran deep. At that time, the Great Song Ghost Sect ran rampant. Some corrupt members of the Siming Hui, seeing its power, joined them and killed people to offer to ghosts."

"Worse still, they used the Ghost Sect's strength to hunt down orthodox Siming Hui sorcerers, destroy their altars, and the imperial court, unable to distinguish between the two, also slaughtered them under the charge of witchcraft."

"Today, the Siming Hui has been completely severed. The old woman I knew could only perform basic soul-summoning and fright-removal rituals. She passed away years ago. Now, few even know of the Siming Hui."

He lifted the phoenix ornament: "This object is the Siming Hui's token. These are all I know—if you can find the altars of the Ten Gods of Chu, perhaps you'll find something…"

Hearing this, Li Yan harbored a quiet suspicion.

When they encountered the white fox in the mountains, that ancient Chu altar was likely the Shangui altar—but all that remained were broken ruins, yielding nothing.

The "Yunzhongjun Divine Palace" they saw in Yunmeng Marsh may have escaped destruction due to its uniqueness, yet it was strange, difficult to enter.

The only altar known now is the Xiang Jun altar.

He could only resolve to visit it someday, to see if he could find anything. He felt deep inside that the special divine aura within the phoenix ornament was the source of many hidden truths in heaven and earth.

Thinking of this, Li Yan bowed again: "Master, you are truly learned—what of 'Zhiyingli'…"

Master Lin's eyes brightened with curiosity: "Zhiyingli was used in pre-Qin Xuanmen scriptures. Could you show me your book?"

Seeing Li Yan's hesitation, Master Lin smiled and stroked his beard: "Don't worry—I'm no Xuanmen sorcerer, nor am I interested in magical lineages. I merely wish to recover fragments of Chu's origins."

"My family must revise our genealogy. Though Shenzhou is now unified, the people of Chu must still know where we came from—and where we're going…"

"If no one does this, a thousand years from now, our descendants won't know who we were or where we came from…"

Lu San, beside him, nodded directly: "I trust you. I'll let you see it."

Saying this, he unslung his pack.

Seeing this, Li Yan said no more.

This was Lu San's inheritance—he must handle it himself.

!.

Master Lin, seeing the bundles of bamboo slips Lu San produced, became as excited as a child: "These are Chu slips—preserved so completely!"

He hurriedly lit several candles, filling the room with bright light, then carefully wiped his hands and slowly unrolled the bamboo slips.

"The Classic of Mountain and Sea Divine Response?"

Seeing the title, Master Lin froze, then read carefully, his eyes filled with disbelief: "This… is a covenant!"

"A covenant?"

Li Yan and the others exchanged glances.

Master Lin's expression turned complex: "Legend says Zhang Sai Tian Shi entered Shu and received the Tai Ping Dong Ji Jing, the Zheng Yi Meng Wei Twenty-Four Grades of Talisman Scrolls, the Three-Five Gong Yu Seal, and the Male-Female Demon-Slaying Swords."

"He defeated the Five Directions, Eight Divisions, and Six Heavenly Demons, and swore a covenant beneath the Yellow Emperor's altar on Mount Qingcheng: humans dwell in the yang world, ghosts in the yin underworld—neither shall disturb the balance of yin and yang. That was a covenant."

Disturbing the balance of yin and yang?

Li Yan's heart stirred: "Then what is this one?"

Master Lin said gravely: "This bamboo slip is also a covenant. The ancient shamans walked among mountains and seas, making covenants with mountain gods, river lords, and various spirits."

"The Classic of Mountains and Seas states that every mountain has a mountain god—some with human heads and beast bodies, others with beast heads and human bodies. According to it, both sides agreed not to harass human tribes, and shamans could draw upon these spirits' power to perform magic."

Tian Wei asked doubtfully: "Master, aren't those mountain gods recorded in the Classic of Mountains and Seas long forgotten now?"

"Of course."

Master Lin sighed: "As human society evolves, state sacrifices change. City gods now guard each region, and even mountain gods have been replaced by local heroes. These ancient deities and spirits, even if they still exist, have long turned to dust."

Hearing this, Li Yan's heart sank.

He knew Master Lin's guess was correct.

Whether in Heaven or the Underworld, transformations depend on human worship. These ancient mountain gods had been forgotten even by name—no one worshipped them anymore.

Master Lin, seeing his expression, quickly reassured him: "Though this covenant is now void, it still records many transmission techniques—the secret arts of Shangui and Hebo. But the cultivation conditions are harsh: one must understand the speech of ghosts, gods, birds, or beasts."

Tian Wei exclaimed excitedly: "Master, this Brother Lu is precisely the rare person who understands bird and beast speech!"

Master Lin's eyes lit up: "Young man, your surname is Lu? You're probably not your birth name—you come from an illustrious lineage."

"During Emperor Shun's time, there was Dong Fu, the Dragon Breeder; during the Xia dynasty, Liu Lei, the Dragon Tamer—both descended from ancient shamanic bloodlines. Later, many surnames emerged from them, but none were Lu."

Lu San muttered: "I'm an orphan. I don't know my origins."

"I see."

Master Lin, understanding, wisely dropped the subject and smiled: "It seems this inheritance is destined for you. Tonight, I'll translate it all for you. Rest assured—I'll keep this secret."

"Thank you, Master."

Lu San bowed respectfully with hands clasped.

Master Lin said nothing further, immediately fetched several books, and under the candlelight studied the bamboo slips, frowning in thought as he carefully wrote.

In the garden, the elderly man with dual pupils was already drunk, carried into a room by others, snoring deeply in sleep.

Li Yan and Lu San stood guard outside the door.

This "Zhiyingli" script was no simple matter—the bottom was grass, the top was flower, with countless variations, mixed with ancient Chu dialect tones.

Even Master Lin found it headachingly difficult, exhausting his mental strength.

Unaware, the sky gradually brightened.

When the sun rose high, Master Lin called the others in, his eyes weary, handing over a thick volume: "This 'Classic of Mountain and Sea Divine Responses' is obscure and hard to comprehend. I could only translate it word-for-word as written—I suspect only by understanding the speech of birds and beasts could one grasp its meaning."

"Moreover, it contains many absurd claims—that mountain spirits, river gods, and deities were all cultivated from ancient shamans. Do not believe them entirely."

"Thank you, Master."

Lu San carefully received the bamboo slips and the manual.

Li Yan was secretly astonished—could this also be a method of ascending to godhood?

Though stunned inside, his face remained calm; he bowed respectfully: "You've worked hard, Master. How may we repay you?"

If this truly were a method of ascending to godhood, the karmic debt would be immense.

Master Lin waved his hand, intending to refuse, but then paused and spoke: "This young brother Lu—since you understand the speech of birds and beasts—could you inquire for me whether the 'Man Yan' still exists?"

"Man Yan?"

Li Yan frowned: "What is that?"

"An ancient monstrous beast."

Tian Wei added: "Sima Sima Xiangru's 'Zixu Fu' mentions it—it existed only in the Yunmeng Great Marsh."

"Legend says its flesh, when eaten, cures congenital stupidity. Master Lin's two sons fell ill as children; after fevers, they developed delusions. No master could heal them—perhaps only this legendary beast could."

Master Lin sighed: "I am old. My eldest died on the border, leaving only this son. Even with colleagues caring for him, he may not survive. For years, wandering through Chu lands, I've sought this beast."

Upon hearing this, Lu San immediately bowed: "I'll take this task."

Master Lin smiled: "I only mentioned it in passing—perhaps the birds and beasts of the mountains might know…"

Before he finished speaking, a commotion erupted outside the courtyard.

Tian Wei rushed out to investigate, then returned, incredulous: "Master, the Prince himself has come to summon that Master!"

(End of Chapter)