Chapter 329: Infiltrating Jiangxia

The so-called "Manyan" is a legendary beast unique to the Yunmeng Great Swamp.

Previously, at the Wuhan Jianghan Academy, Master Lin from Wenjin Academy translated the *Classic of Mountain and Sea Spiritual Responses* for them free of charge, merely requesting they help locate this beast.

Master Lin's second son was congenitally foolish; rumors claimed the beast's flesh and blood could cure him, so he traveled throughout Ezhou seeking clues.

Unfortunately, he found nothing.

This Master Lin was highly learned and exceedingly kind; both Lu San and Li Yan held him in great respect, so they agreed.

Master Lin handed them all relevant materials.

Sima Sima Xiangru's *Zixu Fu* once mentioned: "Beneath it lie the white tiger and black leopard, manyan, chu, and an."

Guo Pu once annotated: "Manyan is a great beast, resembling a civet, one hundred xun in length."

According to Master Lin's guess, this ancient beast resembles a marten, is sizable, and has an extremely long body.

Li Yan found it hard to believe such an animal could exist.

Originally, they planned to travel with Lu San to question mountain spirits and wild beasts, but now that they knew the Tu Shi, they asked for her help.

"Where?"

Hearing there was news, Li Yan immediately asked.

But Lu San did not answer right away; he shook his head and whispered, "Not here. Let's talk when we return."

Li Yan instantly understood and said no more.

They murmured quietly; the several military officers nearby paid no heed, instead ordering a return to the Yingwu Island dock while exchanging commands.

The Tu Shi's intelligence came at a timely moment.

Earlier, due to rash advances, the imperial forces suffered heavy losses.

Later, Governor Yuan Qun of Yunyang took charge, and the imperial commander sent by court was also a master of strategy, instantly stabilizing the situation.

Now, imperial troops have entered the mountains, adopting a steady advance strategy, eliminating rebel mountain strongholds one by one, while implementing conciliatory policies: distributing land and farming tools, and establishing numerous villages near Yunyang Prefecture.

To be honest, life for mountain folk was never easy.

At first they could live in peace, but as more strongholds arose, exploitation followed—and it was harsher than the government's.

There was no law in the mountains; only strength decided who ruled.

Added to this, river pirates and demonic cultivators ran rampant; the Jing-Chu mountains were no longer a paradise.

The only stable strongholds were controlled by the Heavenly Saint Sect, but they demanded worship of Heavenly Saint Gong, brainwashing people with all manner of methods—making life equally unbearable.

Since the court established Yunyang Prefecture and granted generous treatment, many mountain folk have gradually moved out, bringing Yunyang Prefecture its current prosperity.

The Heavenly Saint Sect, sensing threat, repeatedly obstructed them, even spreading rumors in the mountains and ambushing mountain folk trying to leave.

Now that imperial troops have entered the mountains, vast numbers of refugees have surrendered and relocated; the Heavenly Saint Sect is retreating step by step, its power contracting.

Suppressing the rebellion will likely end within one or two months.

But if the Jing-Chu rebels cut off grain transport and win several major victories, the war could easily stall.

Thus, ensuring the grain supply along the Yangtze and Han Rivers became paramount.

With the Tu Shi's cooperation, they could turn the tables and ambush the rebel demons…

………

Not long after, the warship returned to Yingwu Island dock.

After bidding farewell to the several military officers, Li Yan and the others disembarked; Lu San then spoke: "The Tu Shi says that just a few days ago, a group of tu dragons tunneled underground and were attacked by the manyan—only one escaped."

"She originally planned revenge, but the place is troublesome; she refuses to approach it, lest she cause misunderstanding."

"Oh?"

Li Yan grew interested. "Where?"

Lu San replied: "Near Longquan Mountain."

Li Yan frowned. "That's indeed troublesome."

Longquan Mountain lies in Jiangxia, not far from Wuhan; according to the Tu Shi, this area is the domain of the great demon Donghu Donghu Laozu.

Of course, the Tu Shi had no fear of Donghu Donghu Laozu—only because Longquan Mountain held something special: it was the burial site of two generations of Chu Kings.

The reason for "two generations" has a backstory.

When the Great Da Xuan Emperor rose in rebellion, he received aid from many; one particularly troublesome ally was Chen Chen Youliang.

Unlike previous dynasties, Chen Chen Youliang's power was overwhelming; the Great Da Xuan Emperor Xiao Xiao Chengyou deeply feared him and, after prolonged struggles, finally secured his loyalty.

After the Great Da Xuan founding, Chen Chen Youliang was enfeoffed as King of Chu.

Though an outsider, the court always distrusted him: first stripping his military command, then imprisoning his entire family in Wuhan, forbidding them to leave the Chu Prince's Mansion.

Chen Chen Youliang, powerless and depressed, died in sorrow; his body was then given a grand imperial funeral at Longquan Mountain.

Chen Chen Youliang also held another title: leader of the Maitreya Sect.

After his death, his son Chen Li inherited the Maitreya Sect leadership, rebelled, and was crushed and executed by the court.

Though also enfeoffed as King of Chu and buried in Longquan Mountain, the Chen family's bloodline was extinguished; the Maitreya Sect retreated entirely underground, becoming enemies of the Great Da Xuan court.

The second generation of Chu King was replaced by a member of the Xiao imperial clan.

Yet the court still distrusted these feudal lords and implemented early imperial clan reforms.

First, they changed titles: King of Chu became King of Wuhan; similarly, the King of Chang'an in Shanzhou.

Second, they reduced fiefdoms to the city alone; the princes' expenses were funded by local tax revenues, and annual imperial clan evaluations were conducted—those who failed lost their titles.

After several rounds, the feudal lords' power could no longer threaten the center.

On Longquan Mountain lie only three successive Chu Kings; if the current King of Wuhan were buried there, it would merely be called the Wuhan King's Mausoleum.

Imperial tombs naturally required tomb-guarding troops.

The Tu Shi sought the Han River Water God's position and needed the King of Wuhan's aid; naturally, she avoided the area to prevent misunderstanding.

Hearing it was there, Li Yan also felt a headache. "It's troublesome, but we can't avoid it."

"Let's find an excuse to go, stay there, then investigate secretly—the manyan probably isn't on Longquan Mountain; we'll just avoid the tomb guards."

As they spoke, they had returned to the Tian family mansion.

They had originally planned to rest in Wuhan, but now that they had news of the manyan, they must change plans.

"Master Li is leaving?"

In the main hall, Master Tian clearly seemed reluctant.

Li Yan smiled and bowed. "The Tian family's affairs are settled; staying longer would be inappropriate. Besides, we eat the Daoist's rice—we must take jobs to sustain ourselves."

Master Tian laughed bitterly. "Master Li, you jest. With your abilities, where aren't you treated as an honored guest?"

"To be honest, our family's affair has spread through all three districts of Wuhan. Combined with your growing fame, many have secretly approached me, wanting to meet you and hire you for their troubles."

"Oh?"

Li Yan feigned surprise. "Really?"

"Business that comes to the door must be taken. Please, Master Tian, introduce us—we'll see if we should accept."

"Good! I'll arrange it at once!"

Master Tian was enthusiastic and immediately stepped out.

As he said, Li Yan's team now had considerable fame across Wuhan's three districts.

As soon as word spread, people began arriving.

Most were wealthy citizens with varied requests: some wanted land selection and fengshui for graves—but locating tombs was time-consuming labor; even though Wang Wang Daoxuan's fengshui skills had improved greatly, they politely declined…

Others had sick relatives, already beyond cure; having heard Li Yan saved Madame Yan, they came begging for help.

Unfortunately, Li Yan knew nothing of medicine; he could only truthfully say so and recommend they seek a Daoist physician…

Some even asked them to curse someone to death.

Such requests were flatly refused.

Finally, at dusk, a young man arrived.

He wore mourning clothes, a hemp belt, was refined and gentle, his face etched with sorrow; upon entering, he bowed deeply to Master Tian. "Greetings, Uncle Tian."

Master Tian clearly knew him; he looked surprised. "Shen Jinghong, what brings you here? Where's Brother Shen?"

The young man's face turned pale; his voice trembled. "My father is gone."

Master Tian was stunned. "What happened? I saw him at the merchant guild just days ago—did he fall suddenly ill?"

!.

"It was a sudden calamity!"

The young man wept bitterly. "Our kiln yard was attacked by demons; my father and elder brother were killed. Our servants fought to recover their bodies."

"I was delivering goods to Yingwu Island and escaped. Now I'm returning to Jiangxia to handle the funeral."

Li Yan and Sha Sha Li Fei were present; upon hearing this, they instantly understood.

This time, the Ghost Sect, allied with several factions, manipulated the Jiangxia Miao people to wreak havoc, killing and offering blood sacrifices to revive the barbarian king's corpse.

Villages near the Miao strongholds and the barbarian king's tomb in Jiangxia were all struck; some were even massacred.

This young man was clearly an innocent victim.

Master Tian sighed heavily. "We've just survived our own ordeal—never expected Brother Shen to suffer this."

"Shen Jinghong, you came to deliver the news? I will certainly attend the mourning."

The young man, Shen Shen Jinghong, shook his head. "I came for another reason—I beg Master Li to help with the funeral."

"Normally, I wouldn't dare trouble Master Li. But our servants reported: my father died with eyes open; after being placed in the coffin, his body sat upright, rigid—no matter how hard we pressed, it wouldn't lie down."

"My mother summoned a shaman, who said my father's unfulfilled wish left a bitter resentment; even if buried, he would become a corpse demon—only cremation can prevent it."

"My mother wishes him to rest in peace, so I came to Wuhan to find a high Daoist—then I heard of Uncle Tian's news and came to beg."

"The corpse died with eyes open?"

Tian Squire blinked, turning to look at Li Yan.

Li Yan had never heard of such a thing, so he asked Sha Li Fei to bring Wang Wang Daoxuan, who was reading inside the room.

After listening, Wang Wang Daoxuan asked further questions, then nodded: "It does seem like an unfulfilled wish and lingering attachment. I can perform a ritual to try, but whether it succeeds is uncertain."

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

…………

The river water surged endlessly as Yingwu Island Dock faded into the distance.

Tian Squire's entire family, who had come to see them off, was already out of sight.

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

When they arrived, they had come via Dangyang, passed through Jingmen, followed the Han River, and taken a boat directly to Hanyang and Near Wuchang—never traveling along the Yangtze.

The reason was simple: if they took the Yangtze, they would have to sail downstream into Xiangzhou, pass through Yueyang, and make a huge detour.

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

"Tsk tsk, what are you so scared of, big guy?"

On the deck, Sha Li Fei was joking.

On his other side, the wild man Wu Ba was crouched on the planks, gripping the ship's edge tightly, staring at the river with both curiosity and fear, too terrified to stand.

Wu Ba had grown up in Inside Shennongjia; yesterday on the stable imperial warship, he had stood firm, but today on this small boat, it rocked violently, and he dared not rise.

Sensing Sha Li Fei's mockery, Wu Ba pointed at the river and babbled loudly: "De wu lei wei…"

Sha Li Fei snorted with laughter. "It's not 'De wu lei wei,' it's water!"

The wild man only spoke the mountain tongue; these past two days, both Lu San and Sha Li Fei had been teaching him to speak.

Unfortunately, Wu Ba was accustomed to trilled sounds; everything he tried to say came out as if his mouth held springs—he couldn't even produce basic syllables.

Learning the official language wouldn't happen overnight.

Fortunately, after these two days together, Sha Li Fei's prejudice had lessened considerably. The reason was simple: the wild man had taken on much of his work.

Despite eating a lot, the wild man possessed astonishing strength.

Their luggage, after crafting the talismans, had shrunk considerably, yet still remained substantial—without mules or horses, they couldn't move it.

But Wu Ba carried it all effortlessly on his back.

And he showed no sign of strain.

As long as he was fed, he was quite obedient.

Sha Li Fei was more than happy—just this one thing saved them considerable effort.

Of course, Li Yan had not lowered his guard.

After all, the man was a renxiao, had awakened his body's spiritual power, and possessed a physique as formidable as a monster—only why the demon folk had spared him.

Whether he would lose control and go berserk still needed time to test.

Besides them, the boat carried Master Shen Shen Jinghong and several servants and guards from the Shen family, all of whom feared Wu Ba and kept their distance.

Li Yan didn't mind; after all, their mission required discretion, and they still needed to search for the Man Yan in secret—quiet was better.

Less than half an hour later, they reached Jiangxia Dock.

Compared to Yingwu Island Dock, this one was clearly much smaller.

But Jiangxia was ancient, one of the cultural cradles of Chu territory, frequently mentioned in historical texts, known as the "First County of Chu Heaven," and still an important dock.

The dock was ancient, built entirely of massive green stones, weathered and moss-covered, with many boats of all sizes.

Before they even docked, chaos erupted on the shore.

A large group of men wielding blades surrounded a small eatery, forcing nearby civilians to scatter.

Their leader had half his face covered in tattoos, stood tall, wore only a vest, and his corded muscles were crisscrossed with scars.

He gripped two knives, glaring fiercely at the eatery.

"It's here—don't let the target escape!"

With a shout, the men charged inside.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

But several had barely entered when they were flung backward with a series of dull thuds, rolling on the ground and groaning in pain.

Then, several men emerged from the inn.

Their leader was a middle-aged man who scanned the scene and said coldly: "I haven't even gotten angry yet, and 'Wei Wei Laoba' dares to provoke me—has he grown tired of life?"

When Li Yan saw him, a flicker of surprise crossed his eyes.

The man who stepped out was Han Kun, elder of the Cao Gang…

The second chapter will be up around one.

(End of chapter)