Chapter 419: The Malevolent Salt Pool

It's the "Yellow Kid"!

Li Yan saw at a glance what had happened.

They were too focused on fighting the "Fog Traveler," letting this little thing slip in through the gap and harm people inside the house.

Looking at Zhang Sibei, a small handprint had appeared on his wrist—pitch black, like a child's or a monkey's claw.

Around his head, a foul stench radiated, like spoiled, moldy medicinal dregs.

This is yǎn magic!

"Qingjia! Heaven grants salvation, sternly suppressing Bei Feng…"

Li Yan recited the incantation again, invoking the Northern Emperor's Exorcism of Calamity, and pointed a finger at Zhang Sibei.

Thud!

Zhang Sibei collapsed on the spot; the foul stench stirred a dark wind, and faint childlike footprints appeared on the ground, fleeing toward the woods.

Whoosh!

Li Yan waved his hand, and the Soul-Grabbing Chain shot out, binding the stench tightly before wrenching it sharply.

"Ahh~ Ahh~"

A child's scream rang sharply in their ears.

Li Yan's gaze was cold, showing no mercy.

The Xuan Gate values life, and Heaven favors the preservation of life, so such brutal methods are never used lightly.

When attending funerals, one scatters paper money to beg the wandering spirits to clear the way; when encountering spirit possession, one usually first pleads gently.

But when lives are taken, the nature changes.

No matter what grievances the "Yellow Kid" held, killing several people in succession—whether by orthodox sect or esoteric lineage—demands immediate extermination.

The dark wind dispersed, and the stench vanished.

Zhang Sibei lay sprawled on the ground, trembling, face flushed yet drenched in cold sweat, eyes unable to open.

"Sibei! Sibei!"

"Fast Boat Zhang" rushed forward to support him, eyes filled with panic.

His brother had been soul-snatched—likely beyond saving. He had no sons of his own; though Zhang Sibei seemed useless, he was the last bloodline of the Zhang family—how could he not be frantic?

Wang Daoxuan lightly pressed his pulse, then nodded: "No worry. He's been struck by a spirit, damaging his yang energy. Rest well for two months, and I'll give you a prescription."

Saying this, he shook his robe and rose, gazing at the lifeless village, his eyes now brimming with murderous intent: "Bold to the extreme—no matter what it is, it must be eradicated!"

He pulled from his sleeve the straw effigy containing the insect, and said gravely: "First, we go to its lair. I'll use the Seven Arrow Secret Incantation to curse and kill it, luring it out—while you, Li Yan, seize the chance to rescue the captives!"

"Agreed!"

Li Yan answered without hesitation.

Wang Daoxuan had always been calm-tempered among the group, like an elder, caring for them all, usually easygoing and unassuming.

This time, he was clearly enraged—Li Yan naturally wouldn't oppose.

He still had one Gangling —he could afford to expend it here.

Without a moment's delay, the group set off, guided by "Fast Boat Zhang," heading toward the southeastern woods.

The bright moon hung high; firelight darted through the dense forest.

Perhaps because the demonic plague had just ravaged the area, not even beasts or spirits remained—no insects, no birds, no obstruction.

They traveled through the night, arriving at their destination just before dawn.

"Right up ahead!"

"Fast Boat Zhang" parted the undergrowth, crouching low as he pointed forward.

Before them, mountains rose and fell, gullies thick with vegetation, stretching endlessly in lush green.

On the opposite slope, a winding mountain path was clearly visible, twisting around the hills.

Farther still, ancient collapsed plank roads lay in ruins.

In the valley at the fork of the path, thick white mist blanketed everything, clinging to layers of forest.

"So remote—how's there even a road here?"

Sha Lifei, upon seeing it, looked visibly curious.

"Fast Boat Zhang" whispered: "This is a secret salt-trader path. Two years ago, I was hired to escort goods through here."

"The salt traders say this was originally the ancient Ba Kingdom's salt route; after Qin conquered Ba and Shu, it was abandoned and became a hidden path for smugglers through the ages…"

Li Yan glanced at Lu San.

Lu San shook his head, whispering: "Something fierce is inside—every bird and beast has fled. No word gets out."

Saying this, he waved his hand again.

The falcon perched on his shoulder shot skyward.

The falcon "Li Dong," after months of recovery, had fully regained its strength and even greater spiritual awareness; it circled high above, soaring and diving.

Lu San watched, then shook his head again: "The sha qi is too dense—I can't see clearly, only that the place is large."

Li Yan heard this and said gravely: "It's already dawn—yang energy is strong, yin energy recedes. The thing's power must be weakened. The abducted villagers can still be saved."

"Master, what should we do?"

Wang Daoxuan took out the effigy and said gravely: "This object was the Fog Traveler's physical vessel—perfect for direct incantation."

"I've just broken through. After three bows, I still have one left. Even if I don't kill it, I'll cripple its primordial energy."

"When it comes out to stop me, you can slip inside, destroy its source, and we'll reseal it here!"

Li Yan thought a moment, then shook his head: "This is its lair—you can't hold it alone. Lu San and Lao Sha stay here. Only Wu Ba and I go."

This arrangement had deep reasoning.

Wang Daoxuan needed guardians for his altar, but a surprise raid on a demonic lair demanded speed.

He and Wu Ba were the best pair for the strike.

Lu San didn't argue—he nodded: "Fine. But wait a moment—I can set a Wu Barrier, borrowing the mountain's spirit to block them."

He told Wu Ba to unpack his gear, then pulled out several bone-carved pendants, entering the surrounding woods to hang them on towering trees, encircling the peak.

As for Wang Daoxuan, he took Li Yan's Five Directions Luo Feng Flag and warned: "This demonic plague is black, belonging to water—it likely dwells near streams, wells, or springs. Look for statues, altars, coffins… something it clings to."

"Shatter it with Thunder Art—it will suffer grave damage…"

As he spoke, Lu San had already begun his ritual.

He blew a bone flute, dancing with wild, primal steps, swaying his head, bowing to the four directions.

The flute's mournful tune drifted on the wind; mountain gusts rose, rustling through the thick trees, making the bone pendants jingle.

This was the Mountain Ghost's secret art.

Qu Yuan's Nine Songs were adapted from ancient shamanic hymns, unconsciously revealing some lost Chu witchcraft secrets.

"Riding red leopards, followed by patterned lynxes, cinnabar chariots tied with cassia banners"—these lines subtly hint at the Mountain Ghost's abilities.

One: controlling spirit beasts. Two: using spirit wood artifacts.

Lu San's Mountain and Sea Spirit Response Scripture, besides forging covenants with mountain gods, mainly taught how to cultivate and control spirit beasts.

These bones came either from the earlier earth dragon or from beasts they had slain—able to gather scattered mountain qi into beastly forms.

Unlike commanding troops, this was form-giving.

Like some mountain or river gods, originally formless, they gradually take shape through countless worshipers.

This method, however, is temporary—the cost is that after the ritual, all bone-carved pendants become ordinary objects.

Hoo~

The mountain wind swept past; Li Yan could now faintly hear the roar of beasts.

"Wu Ba, let's go!"

Li Yan called out and dashed forward, circling the steep slope to climb the salt-trader's hidden path from the opposite side.

Wu Ba, axe in hand, followed close behind.

Though his frame was massive, he moved with startling agility in the woods—only slightly slower than Li Yan.

The two leapt like gazelles down sheer cliffs, scrambled up giant trees like monkeys, vanishing in moments.

"Fast Boat Zhang" watched, swallowing hard.

He'd wanted to join Li Yan—but seeing this, he knew he'd only be a burden. Meanwhile, Wang Daoxuan had already begun his ritual.

He pulled out four arrows, bit his fingertip, and smeared them with blood.

The Seven Arrow Secret Incantation naturally required arrows.

Back in Fengyang County, Shaanxi, when he'd slain the sorcerer who attacked the abandoned village, he'd used chopsticks instead.

Now, with ample resources, he used proper tools.

Arrow shafts of demonic bone, arrowheads of spirit bronze—crafted by the artifact masters of Zixiao Palace on Mount Wudang.

Especially, several copper coins hung from the rear.

These coins were cast in purple copper, round with square holes; one side bore the inscription "Yi Jie Mei Shou," the other "Ru Yue Zhi Heng."

"Yi Jie Mei Shou" comes from the Book of Songs, "The Seventh Month": "In the eighth month we strip the jujubes, in the tenth we harvest the rice. We brew this spring wine, to bless long life."

"Ru Yue Zhi Heng" comes from the Book of Songs, "Minor Odes of the Kingdom": "Like the moon's constancy, like the sun's ascent. Like the southern mountain's longevity, never shaken, never crumbling."

Both phrases express blessings for longevity.

!.

Such coins are called Longevity Coins.

Noble families often cast them as birthday gifts; these are known as Longevity Coins. For imperial relatives, they're called "Ten Thousand Longevity Coins."

Originally auspicious tokens, these copper coins were thickly patinated, like congealed blood, radiating a cold, icy chill.

Clearly, this object had once been used to curse and kill high-ranking officials.

These few copper coins were also obtained from the Old Ancestor of Donghu; Wang Daoxuan did not know their origin, but they were perfect for enhancing curse techniques.

Then, the Daoist painted a blood talisman on his third eye, stepped the Great Dipper, and wrapped the red cinnabar rope around the straw effigy, activating the "Tightening Circle."

The curse altar was complete; cold, yin energy rose sharply.

Wang Daoxuan's face instantly turned ashen; he felt as if he had fallen into the netherworld, and chanted while forming the hand seal: "Dark heavens, dim earth, sun and moon without light—formless black veil… seven arrows strike the crown, piercing the heart at this hour—swift as the law commands!"

With that, he flipped the blood arrow in his hand and drove it straight into the straw effigy, then shook his robe and took four steps forward, bowing deeply to the effigy.

"Squeak—!"

From the opposite forest, a piercing shriek suddenly erupted, as if countless voices screamed at once—but so shrill that together they sounded like some insect buzzing.

This cry reached straight into the soul.

Sha LiFei and "Fast Boat Zhang" were the first to break; their ears rang violently, and they grimaced, clutching their heads.

Then, fierce winds erupted across the opposite peak, thick fog churned like tidal waves, spreading toward Wang Daoxuan's hill.

Not only that—within it, a dense, buzzing hum filled the air.

As if countless insects were taking flight.

Below the valley, as the fog and insect swarm passed over, Li Yan and Wu Ba emerged from the undergrowth.

Li Yan's face was grim.

One of Xie Chengzu's disciples had said the Salt Water Goddess's symbols were thick fog and insects—yet here they truly were.

Wang Daoxuan's side must be suffering even worse.

But now that it had come to this, there was no room for regret.

"Let's move!"

Li Yan gave a low shout and charged toward the hill.

He unleashed hidden power beneath his feet, leaping up the steep slope; Wu Ba, like a wild beast, scrambled up swiftly behind him.

They reached the mountain path and plunged straight into the deep valley.

With the "Fog Guest" gone, the valley's fog had noticeably thinned, yet a cold, fishy stench still spread.

The two sprinted forward, and soon encountered something strange.

At the valley's mouth, beneath the trees and among the grass, dozens of people lay motionless—citizens of Jinyangping.

Not a single one moved; they looked like corpses.

*Shhh! *

As if sensing movement, they all rose at once.

Like Xie Chengzu the night before, every one of them bent low, emitting a pungent, salty odor—as if soaked in brine.

Many bore white salt crusts on their skin.

"Roar!"

These people had lost their minds; they let out a guttural bellow and lunged forward like shambling corpses, staggering and lurching.

"Wu Ba, clear a path!"

Li Yan did not slow his pace, shouting sharply.

"Fuck you!"

Wu Ba roared his catchphrase, muscles bulging, feet pounding the ground as he charged headlong into them.

*Boom! Boom! Boom! *

Wherever he passed, the frenzied civilians were flung aside.

Several even had bones shattered outright.

Li Yan paid no mind—he knew Wu Ba's strength would kill, but if they didn't resolve this, everyone else would die.

The two plunged into the valley—and froze in shock.

Before them lay a vast ancient ruin, layered one atop another, with brine cascading down from the mountain peak.

This was an ancient salt field—its scale was immense.

What startled Li Yan was that the ruins were far older, their shape bizarre; where the brine had flowed, a half-meter-thick salt crust had hardened.

This was surely not Ba people's ruin!

Though the Ba were called barbarians, they were not savages.

The *Huayang Guozhi* records: "In ancient times, the Ba descended from Huang and Yan; when enfeoffed in Zhou, they were kin to the royal Ji clan."

The rulers of Ba were themselves members of the Zhou royal house.

But time was urgent; Li Yan had no time to ponder—he immediately formed the hand seal, pushed his spiritual power to its limit, and drew in a deep breath.

The acrid, freezing stench, laced with a dizzying saltiness, made him reel—he nearly stumbled.

*Splash! Splash! Splash! *

Before he could locate his target, the brine pools around him exploded—out leapt a dozen grotesque corpses.

They were barely human in form, dressed in Sichuan-style garments, but every inch of their bodies was encrusted in thick salt, their skin purpled, shriveled, and turned into zombies.

In some parts of the countryside, zombies are called "old zongzi"—these things were nothing but old salted meat.

Their movements were stiff; as they walked, salt chunks clattered off their bodies, lunging toward the two.

Wu Ba roared and swung his great axe.

His strength was astonishing; the axe, a tribal artifact, possessed exorcism power—he cleaved one of the salted corpses clean in two.

Li Yan ignored them entirely; under Wu Ba's protection, he formed the hand seal, gritted his teeth against the nausea, and searched the valley…

…………

On the opposite peak, the situation was dire.

*Buzz! Buzz! Buzz! *

Hearing the insect swarm within the fog, Lu San's face darkened; he slapped his demon gourd, and a swarm of venomous bees surged out.

His Mountain Spirit Barrier was designed to repel evil spirits—against this sky-filling insect horde, the demon gourd was his only counter.

The bees from the demon gourd, nurtured over time, were ferocious; they plunged into the fog and tore through the swarm.

But their numbers were far fewer.

Just as the insect swarm surged forward, Wang Daoxuan seized his second talisman arrow and drove it deep into the straw effigy.

*Boom! *

A scream pierced the fog—the insect swarm instantly scattered.

But before anyone could rejoice, the swarm reformed, and within the fog, shadowy figures began to take shape.

Sha LiFei gasped sharply.

"How… how many are there?!"

(End of Chapter)