Chapter 326

The so-called "Tanyan" is a legendary exotic beast unique to the Yunmeng Great Marsh.

Before at the Near Wuchang Jianghan Academy, Master Lin from the Wenjin Academy helped them translate the "Classic of Mountains and Seas and Spiritual Response" without taking a penny, only making a request for them to help find this beast.

Master Lin's second son was born with a mental disability, and it was rumored that the flesh of this beast could cure it, so he had traveled all over Ezhou looking for clues.

Unfortunately, he had found nothing.

This Master Lin was knowledgeable and extremely gentle; both Lu San and Li Yan respected him very much, so they agreed.

Master Lin had handed over all the relevant materials to them.

In Sima Sima Xiangru's "Zixu Fu," it was once mentioned: "Below it are white tigers and black leopards, Tanyan and Zou-Yu."

Guo Pu once annotated: "Tanyan, a large beast, resembling a civet, a hundred fathoms long."

According to Master Lin's speculation, this kind of ancient exotic beast was somewhat like a marten, not small, and its body was extremely long.

Li Yan found it hard to imagine that such an animal could exist in the world.

Originally, he planned to go out with Lu San later to ask various mountain spirits and wild beasts, but since he knew the Tuo Master, he asked her to help find it.

"Where is it?"

Hearing there was news, Li Yan hurriedly asked.

However, Lu San didn't rush to answer, shaking his head and whispering: "It's not easy to say here, let's talk when we get back."

Li Yan understood immediately and didn't ask any more questions.

The two of them whispered, and the several high-ranking military officers beside them didn't care, instead ordering the return to the Parrot Island wharf while exchanging information and issuing orders one after another.

The Tuo Master's intelligence was very timely.

Because of their rash advance before, the imperial army had suffered heavy losses.

Later, Yunyang Provincial Governor Yuan Jun came out to preside over the overall situation, and the Marshal sent by the imperial court was also a person proficient in strategy, immediately stabilizing the situation.

Now the imperial army had entered the mountain forest, adopting a strategy of steady progress, pulling out the refugee strongholds one by one, and at the same time implementing a policy of conciliation, distributing fields and farm tools, and building many villages near Yunyang Prefecture.

To tell the truth, the life of mountain people wasn't that easy.

At first, they could live and work in peace, but as one stronghold after another was built, there would also be people exploiting them, and even more ruthlessly than the government.

Moreover, there was no law in the mountains, only who had the bigger fist.

Coupled with the rampant behavior of river bandits and evil cultivators hiding in the mountain forests, the Jingchu mountain forests were no longer a paradise.

The only strongholds that could be stable were those controlled by the Heavenly Saint Sect, but they had to worship the Heavenly Saint Duke, using various means to brainwash them, and they also didn't live comfortably.

Since the imperial court established Yunyang Prefecture, the imperial court had given generous treatment, and many mountain people had moved out one after another, which was why Yunyang Prefecture was prosperous today.

The Heavenly Saint Sect also felt the threat, so they obstructed it many times, and even spread rumors in the mountain forests, intercepting and killing mountain people who wanted to leave.

Now the imperial army has entered the mountain forest, a large number of refugees have surrendered and moved out, and the Heavenly Saint Sect is retreating steadily, its influence shrinking.

Suppressing the rebellion would probably end in a month or two.

But if the Jingchu rebels cut off the grain transport and won a few more victories, the war would likely fall into a stalemate.

Therefore, ensuring the grain transport on the Yangtze and Han Rivers became the top priority.

With the Tuo Master's cooperation, they could counter-layout to suppress the rebel evil people...

Not long after, the warship returned to the Parrot Island wharf.

After saying goodbye to the several high-ranking military officers, Li Yan and his group got off the boat, and Lu San whispered to him: "The Tuo Master said that just a few days ago, a group of Tuo Dragons were digging an underground waterway and were attacked by a 'Tanyan', and only one escaped."

"She originally planned to retaliate, but that place is a bit troublesome, and she doesn't want to get close, to avoid causing misunderstandings."

"Oh?"

Li Yan became interested. "What place?"

Lu San replied: "Near Longquan Mountain."

Li Yan frowned upon hearing this. "It is indeed a bit troublesome."

Longquan Mountain is in Jiangxia, not far from Near Wuchang; according to the Tuo Master, this area is the territory of a great demon, the East Lake Ancestor.

Of course, the Tuo Master naturally wouldn't fear the East Lake Ancestor, only because Longquan Mountain was also somewhat special, being the burial place of two generations of Chu Princes.

The reason for saying two generations was because there was another reason.

When the Great Da Xuan Emperor rose to power, he was helped by many people, one of whom was very difficult to deal with: Chen Chen Youliang.

Different from the history of the previous life, Chen Chen Youliang's influence was quite large; the Great Da Xuan Gaozu Emperor Xiao Xiao Chengyou at the time was very wary of him, and after several entanglements, he finally let Chen Chen Youliang surrender.

After the Great Da Xuan was founded, Chen Chen Youliang was enfeoffed as the Prince of Chu.

Although he was a prince of a different surname, the Great Da Xuan imperial court was always on guard against him, first stripping him of his military power, and then placing his family under house arrest in Near Wuchang City, forbidding them from leaving the Prince of Chu's mansion.

Chen Chen Youliang couldn't move and died of depression; after his death, he was grandly buried in Longquan Mountain by the imperial court.

And Chen Chen Youliang also had another identity: he was the Maitreya Sect Leader at the time.

After Chen Chen Youliang died, his son Chen Li inherited the position of Maitreya Sect Leader, raised an army to rebel, and was suppressed and executed by the imperial court.

Although he was also enfeoffed as the Prince of Chu and buried in Longquan Mountain, the Chen family's bloodline was cut off because of this, and the Maitreya Sect turned completely into the shadows, becoming hostile to the Great Da Xuan imperial court.

This second-generation Prince of Chu was replaced by the Xiao family imperial clan.

However, the imperial court was also wary of these vassal kings and had carried out clan reforms early on.

One was changing the title, for example, Prince of Chu was changed to Near Wuchang Prince; similar ones included the Chang'an Prince of Shanzhou.

The second was the reduction of the fief, which was only the city where they were located. The Prince's mansion's expenses also depended on the tax revenue of the fief where they were located, and there were annual clan assessments; those who failed would be stripped of their princely titles.

After several rounds, the vassal kings' power could no longer threaten the central government.

And on Longquan Mountain, only three successive Princes of Chu were buried; if the current Near Wuchang Prince were to be buried there, it could only be called the Near Wuchang Prince's Mausoleum.

Imperial mausoleums naturally had guards.

The Tuo Master wanted to obtain the position of Water God of the Han River, which couldn't be separated from the Near Wuchang Prince's help, so naturally, she didn't want to get close and cause misunderstandings.

Hearing it was in that place, Li Yan also had a headache. "It is indeed a bit troublesome, but we can't not go."

"How about this, we find an excuse to go over, and after settling down, we investigate secretly; the 'Tanyan' shouldn't be on Longquan Mountain, so we'll just avoid the mausoleum guards when the time comes."

While speaking, they had returned to the Tian family mansion.

They originally planned to rest in Near Wuchang City, but since there was news of the "Tanyan," they naturally had to change their plans.

"Little Brother Li is leaving?"

In the main hall, Squire Tian was clearly reluctant.

Li Yan smiled and bowed: "The Tian family's matter is settled, and it wouldn't be appropriate for us to continue staying. Besides, we eat the Mystic Sect's rice, so we have to take some jobs to maintain our livelihood."

Squire Tian laughed dumbly. "Little Brother Li is joking; with your abilities, where would you not be a guest of honor?"

"To tell the truth, the matter of my family has already spread throughout the three cities of Near Wuchang, and coupled with Little Brother Li's current reputation, quite a few people have secretly sent word to me, wanting to get to know you and ask for your help in handling matters."

"Oh?"

Li Yan pretended to be surprised. "There is such a thing?"

"Business delivered to the door, naturally we must do it. Please introduce them to us, Squire Tian, and we will see whether to take them."

"Good, I will arrange it immediately!"

Squire Tian was very enthusiastic and went out immediately.

Just as he said, their team had already gained quite a reputation in the three cities of Near Wuchang.

As soon as the news was released, people came to the door one after another.

Most of the people who came were wealthy families in the city, and the things they wanted to entrust were also varied. Some wanted to choose land and look at Feng Shui, but searching for tomb sites was a time-consuming and laborious effort, so even though Wang Wang Daoxuan's Feng Shui skills had improved quite a bit, they politely declined...

Some had relatives at home who were sick, already terminally ill, and having heard from somewhere about Li Yan saving Lady Yan, they came to beg for help.

Unfortunately, Li Yan knew nothing about medicine and could only tell the truth, recommending them to find a Daoist physician...

Even worse, some wanted to ask them to cast spells to harm others.

Such things were naturally refused directly.

Finally, at dusk, another young man came.

He was wearing mourning clothes, with a hemp rope around his waist, refined and scholarly, with a bitter expression on his face; after entering, he bowed deeply to Squire Tian. "Greetings, Uncle Tian."

Squire Tian clearly knew this person, and seeing this, he was somewhat surprised. "Shen Jinghong, why are you here? Where is Brother Shen?"

The young man's face turned pale, and he said tremblingly: "My father has passed away."

Squire Tian was shocked. "What happened? I saw him at the Chamber of Commerce just a few days ago; did he catch a sudden illness?"

!.

"It was a disaster from Heaven!"

The young man said, already bursting into tears. "The kiln at home was attacked by evil people; my father and brother were both killed by them, and the servants risked their lives to retrieve the bodies."

"I went to Parrot Island to deliver goods, which is why I escaped, and now I am preparing to return to Jiangxia to handle the funeral."

Li Yan and Sha Sha Li Fei were both there, and upon hearing this, they understood immediately.

This time the Ghost Sect united several forces to layout, and also bewitched the Jiangxia Miao people to cause trouble, killing people everywhere for blood sacrifice to revive the zombie in the Barbarian King's Tomb.

The Miao villages around Jiangxia and the Han villages near the Barbarian King's Tomb had all suffered, some even being slaughtered.

This young man was clearly caught in the crossfire.

Squire Tian sighed upon hearing this. "I just went through a disaster myself, but I didn't expect Brother Shen to have such an incident."

"Shen Jinghong came here, could it be to report the funeral? I will definitely go to pay my respects when the time comes."

Young Master Shen Shen Jinghong shook his head and said: "I came here for another matter, wanting to ask Little Brother Li for help in handling the funeral."

"Originally, I wouldn't dare to trouble Little Brother Li with such a matter. But the servants at home sent news that my father died with his eyes wide open, and after being put into the coffin, the body actually sat up, stiff all over, and couldn't be pressed down."

"My mother invited a Duan Gong, who said my father had unfulfilled wishes and a breath of resentment stuck in his heart; even if buried, he would turn into a zombie, so only cremation could be used."

"My mother wants my father to be buried in peace, so she let me invite a high-ranking Mystic Sect Daoist in Near Wuchang; I just happened to hear the news about Uncle Tian, so I came to beg for help."

"The body died with eyes wide open?"

Squire Tian was stunned and looked at Li Yan.

Li Yan had never heard of such a thing either, so he could only ask Sha Sha Li Fei to invite Wang Wang Daoxuan, who was reading in the room.

Wang Wang Daoxuan listened, inquired carefully, and nodded. "It does look like unfulfilled wishes and lingering obsession; this poor Daoist can perform a Dharma ritual to try, but whether it will succeed is another matter."

Li Yan stood up immediately. "Good, we'll take this job."

The Yangtze River surged, and the Parrot Island wharf gradually moved away.

Squire Tian's family, who were seeing them off, could no longer be seen.

Li Yan stood on the deck, looking at the distant river.

When they came, they went from Dangyang through Jingmen to the Han River, and took a boat from the Han River directly to Hanyang and Near Wuchang, not taking the Yangtze River waterway.

The reason was simple: if they took the Yangtze, they would have to go down into the Xiangzhou territory, pass through Yueyang, and take a big detour.

Longquan Mountain, where Jiangxia was located, could also be reached by land, but the fastest route was undoubtedly by boat along the Yangtze.

"Tsk tsk, what are you afraid of, you big guy?"

On the deck, Sha Sha Li Fei was joking.

On his other side, the savage Wuba was lying on the wooden board, clutching the side of the boat and looking at the river, full of curiosity but not daring to stand up.

Wuba grew up in Inside Shennongjia; yesterday on the imperial court's stable warship, he could stand firm, but today on a small boat, he was swaying left and right, scared not to stand up.

Seeming to notice Sha Sha Li Fei's mockery, Wuba pointed at the river surface and shouted in a garbled way: "De-wu-lei-wei..."

Sha Sha Li Fei laughed. "It's not De-wu-lei-wei, it's water!"

The savage only knew the Upper Language; for the past two days, whether it was Lu San or Sha Sha Li Fei, they had been teaching him to speak.

Unfortunately, the savage Wuba was used to tongue-popping sounds, and whatever he said, it sounded like his mouth was full of springs, unable to make even basic syllables.

Learning the official language wouldn't happen overnight.

Fortunately, after two days of getting along, Sha Sha Li Fei's prejudice had lessened a lot. The reason was simple: the savage shared quite a bit of work for him.

Don't look at how much this savage ate; his strength was also astonishing.

Their luggage had been reduced a lot after making Dharma artifacts, but there was still quite a bit, and it wouldn't work without mules and horses.

But the savage Wuba carried it on his back easily.

And he didn't feel tired at all.

As long as he could eat his fill, he was quite obedient.

Sha Sha Li Fei was naturally very happy; just this point alone could save them a lot of trouble.

Of course, Li Yan didn't relax his vigilance.

The other party was a Renxiao after all, and had awakened body supernatural powers, with a physical strength as strong as a monster, which was why he was valued and kept by the evil people.

Whether he would go crazy and lose control would still need to be tested by time.

Besides them, there were also Young Master Shen Shen Jinghong and some servants and guards of the Shen family on the boat, all of whom were afraid of the savage Wuba and avoided him from afar.

Li Yan didn't care; they were going to handle business, mainly to cover their tracks, and secretly searching for the Tanyan, so being quiet was also fine.

In less than half an hour, they arrived at the Jiangxia wharf.

Compared to the Parrot Island wharf, this one was much smaller.

But Jiangxia was also ancient, being one of the birthplaces of Chu culture, often seen in history books, known as the "First County of Chu Heaven," and could also be considered an important wharf.

The wharf was ancient, all built of huge blue stones, mottled with age, covered in moss, with many ships of all sizes.

Before they even docked, there was a commotion on the wharf.

Only to see a large group of men holding sharp blades, surrounding a small restaurant on the wharf, scaring the surrounding people to avoid them.

The leader had half his face covered in tattoos, a tall body, wearing only a vest, and his bulging muscles were full of scars.

He held a blade in both hands, staring fiercely at the restaurant.

"It's here, don't let the target run away!"

At the order, the men rushed in with blades.

Boom, boom, boom!

But as soon as a few people entered, they were sent flying backward accompanied by a series of muffled sounds, rolling a few times on the ground, groaning in pain.

Afterward, several men walked out of the inn.

The leader was a middle-aged man who scanned the circle and said coldly: "I haven't gotten angry yet, and 'Wei Wei Laoba' is taking the initiative to pick a fight; is he tired of living?"

When Li Yan saw this, a look of surprise flashed in his eyes.

The one who came out was actually the Elder of the Cao Gang, Han Kun...

Second update around one o'clock

(End of chapter)