Chapter 421: The Strange Girl

"It's definitely the Salt Water Tribe!"

Beside him, "Fast Boat Zhang" swallowed hard, "I've seen the Ba people's salt pools—they're nothing like this. That 'Mist Guest' must be the vengeful spirit of a dead Salt Water Tribe member…"

His voice trembled; the thought of having unknowingly transported goods along this secret tunnel filled him with dread.

As he spoke, he glanced idly aside—and his eyes widened in shock. He stepped forward three paces to a corpse, whispering, "Isn't that Yang Heigou? How did he end up like this?"

The corpses in the salt pool ruins had all been subdued and slain.

Corpses come in many forms, born of yin-sha qi; they can arise from wax sealing, corpse-nourishing grounds, gu insects, cat or dog cries—many conditions can trigger their creation.

Though salt-cured corpses were rare, Li Yan paid them no mind—until he realized this one was known to "Fast Boat Zhang."

"Do you know him, Elder?"

"Mm."

"Fast Boat Zhang" nodded. "His name is Yang Heigou. He was from the Sichuan salt guild, often active near the Sichuan-Hubei border. I knew him well—he was the one who hired me to transport goods through this tunnel."

He sighed. "He was an old hand on the rivers and lakes, sharp and capable. Never thought he'd die here."

Sha Lifei shook his head with a tsk-tsk. "Walk too many night roads, you're bound to meet ghosts. Transporting goods through here? You're asking for misfortune."

But Li Yan spoke gravely: "It's probably not that simple."

Then, before everyone's astonished eyes, he walked to the cliff near the altar, tore aside thick vines, and revealed a cave.

Everyone hurried forward to look.

The cave was small. Sha Lifei held up his torch—and gasped. "How come there are two little girls lying here?"

On the cave floor lay two girls, about seven or eight years old, dressed in embroidered robes, blue headscarves tied over their hair—classic Yi ethnic attire.

Their skin was pale, their hair jet-black, beautiful as porcelain dolls—and they were twins, utterly charming.

But both were bound with hemp ropes, their lips pale, barely clinging to life.

"Master, save them quickly!"

Li Yan's expression turned grim.

On the girls' garments, golden phoenixes were embroidered in circular patterns—abstract, ancient.

Identical to the phoenix ornament he had once found!

…………

"Master, a small token of our gratitude…"

"No need, no need."

"We're poor country folk—don't you dare refuse."

"Master, this is fresh cured pork from this year…"

The Zhang family mansion was crowded with villagers from Jin Yang Ping.

Thanks to Li Yan's timely rescue, though the villagers had been exposed to evil qi, none were mortally harmed—only rest was needed.

The villagers were simple-hearted, each offering their finest household goods.

But they were shrewd too, all hinting subtly for feng shui advice.

Even Sha Lifei struggled to handle them.

Inside the Zhang mansion, however, the scene was grim: Zhang Linsheng had not been saved—his soul had been devoured, so the funeral proceeded as planned.

"Tao Laogong" Xie Chengzu was relatively lucky: though struck by stroke, he only suffered facial paralysis and drooling—his legs still worked.

But under these conditions, he could never again perform rituals.

The Zhang family paid a large sum in silver; after the troupe's incident, they had no heart to stay and left Jin Yang Ping outright.

"Have you decided?"

In the main hall, "Fast Boat Zhang" asked gravely.

Zhang Sibei nodded. "I have. Father never passed down the art of hidden treasure hunting. Staying here is pointless. I plan to sell our property and head to Xiangyang to run a small business…"

Though he said that, the real reason was sheer terror.

Folk tales are fine for idle chatter—but when you actually face them, few can remain calm.

Xiangyang is a major city, protected by the City God Temple—such incidents are rarer there.

"Good."

"Fast Boat Zhang" said gravely, "I know some people in Xiangyang. I'll introduce you, help you rent a shop…"

While Zhang's uncle and nephew discussed their future in the front hall, Li Yan and the others waited in the back courtyard.

Lu San had regained consciousness, but his soul was wounded—his face still pale, his voice weak: "Young Master Li, are you certain?"

"Probably correct."

Li Yan pulled out the phoenix ornament from his robe, thinking deeply: "This is a Chu Witch's command token—the emblem of the Chu Witch organization 'Si Ming Hui.' I checked carefully—it's identical."

"These two girls were kidnapped. The culprits are likely from the salt guild. I don't know what they're up to, but these girls weren't harmed by the 'Mist Guest'—their identity must be significant."

"Long Linzi said there's a Chu Witch lineage within Wushan—they rarely show themselves to outsiders. These girls might be the key."

"If we find them, perhaps your inheritance can be completed—and I can resolve some of my own questions…"

He meant the Divine Gang.

This unique Gang can enhance the Soul-Grabbing Chain; a stable channel for it is completing Yin Si's demon-qi capture missions.

But this same energy also appears on the Chu Witch token.

Yet it has never been seen in orthodox Daoist lineages.

Li Yan had a feeling this mattered deeply to him…

Creak~

At that moment, the wooden door opened. Wang Daoxuan stepped out carrying his medicine chest, smiling: "They're fine. Have the kitchen prepare some porridge."

Soon, the Zhang family cooked two bowls of thin porridge.

The girls had been starving for days—they couldn't handle rich food. Only thin porridge could slowly restore their stomach qi.

Lying on the bed, though ravenous, they drank the porridge quietly, without crying or fussing.

Two porcelain doll girls—everyone adored them. Even Zhang Sibei's wife personally fed them; after, tears filled her eyes as she stepped outside, cursing: "Monsters! Even children they kidnap…"

After drinking the porridge, the girls regained some strength.

Sha Lifei leaned his massive face close, grinning: "Little ones, where are you from?"

Seeing his fearsome face, the girls instantly filled with terror.

"Get away, get away… let the Master ask."

Li Yan shoved Sha Lifei aside.

This kind of thing required Wang Daoxuan—he looked like a celestial immortal, spoke gently and elegantly, clearly a good man to anyone.

Finally, the girls whispered timidly:

"I'm Wu Chaoyun."

"I'm Wu Xingyu."

"We live with our grandmother in Dachang County."

"Good children, rest now. We'll take you home to find your grandmother soon…"

After comforting them, the girls fell into deep sleep. The group quietly left the side room.

"I know Dachang City."

As soon as they stepped into the courtyard, "Fast Boat Zhang" spoke: "It's near Wushan County—just a half-day's journey through the Little Three Gorges."

Li Yan said gravely: "Perfect. We'll go there next."

He turned to Wang Daoxuan, who had been frowning.

"Master, is something wrong?"

Wang Daoxuan shook his head, stroking his beard: "The girls' names… are interesting."

"Long ago, King Xiang of Chu and Song Yu strolled the Yunmeng Terrace. In Song Yu's 'Gao Tang Fu,' a woman says she dwells on the sunny side of Wushan, beyond the high ridge—morning she is Chaoyun, evening she is Xingyu…"

"Chaoyun and Xingyu—they refer to the Goddess of Wushan!"

………… The river surged, towering cliffs on either side.

Along the ancient, steep mountain path, shrouded in mist, two men carried heavy stone blocks, trudging along the perilous trail.

As they walked, they chanted a labor chant:

"Yo~ Ye~ Yo He~ Hai~

Comrade, don't panic~ Ah~

Comrade, what's the word~

Chant the rhythm, yo yo~

Comrades, lift the stone~

Plant your feet firm, yo yo…"

The ancient, resonant tune echoed through the mountains; wrapped in mist, it reached the river below as a faint murmur.

Macaques in the hills cried out, scampering everywhere.

Below, the river churned, boats drifting slowly.

On one painted pleasure boat, Li Yan stood watching.

Beside him, "Fast Boat Zhang" said: "Young Master Li, look—over there is the Goddess Peak."

!.

"Where? Where?"

Hearing this, Sha Lifei and the others rushed out from the cabin.

Li Yan also looked up, but unfortunately, the sky was overcast, and the mountains were shrouded in thick fog, visible only as blurred shadows.

"We can't see a damn thing!"

Sha LiFei shook his head. "Old Brother Zhang, are you kidding us?"

"Hahaha…"

"Fast Boat Zhang" tugged at his sweat-stained shirt. "The weather's been awful these days. We'll probably need to wait for a heavy rain to pass, then for the sun to come out before we can see clearly."

"If you folks don't mind, the Goddess veils her face only in the deepest clouds—that's when the Goddess Peak is truly the Goddess Peak. If the sun comes out and you see it too clearly, what's the difference from any ordinary mountain?"

"Oh!"

Sha LiFei raised an eyebrow. "Old Brother Zhang, you're a man who braves wind and rain, who walks with white blades in and red blades out—how come you've started talking like some scholarly fool?"

"Sigh~"

"Fast Boat Zhang" sighed. "Maybe I'm just getting old. Back then, traveling this waterway, I only cared about speed—rushing back and forth, missing so much."

"Now, suddenly, I want to slow down, find a place to drink tea, and live at ease. It's time to retire from the Jianghu."

"Master!"

His apprentice beside him panicked, face filled with disbelief.

"What's all the yelling for…"

"Fast Boat Zhang" glared. "I'm already this old—do you think I'll keep following you forever?"

"I've made my decision. After delivering Li Shaoxia to Shu, I'll return to Xiangyang to settle down. As for who'll be called 'Fast Boat Li' or 'Fast Boat Zhao' in the Jianghu from now on—that's up to you!"

"Yes, Master."

The disciples clenched their teeth and dared not speak further.

Sha LiFei rubbed his bald head and smiled. "The Jianghu's stormy chronicles always have their quiet moments. Old Brother Zhang, if it's time to retire, then retire—there's nothing to hold onto."

"That's right."

"Fast Boat Zhang" nodded in agreement, then suddenly pointed ahead and whispered, "Gentlemen, that's Lingyun Temple up ahead—shall we…?"

He knew the "Fog Guest" had escaped from Lingyun Temple and was now imprisoned in a jar aboard their boat, under Li Yan's control.

Li Yan narrowed his eyes. "Lingyun Temple is already destroyed. We don't know who did it. There are many hidden experts on Wushan—no need to stir up trouble. Let's find another place to contain it."

"Alright."

"Fast Boat Zhang" asked no more, instead pointing ahead. "Past this fork, across the river is Wushan County."

"Northward, up the Daning River, through the Small Three Gorges, lies Dachang City. Will you rest there, or press on?"

"Press on."

Li Yan glanced back at the cabin. "The sooner we arrive, the less worried the children's families will be."

Inside the cabin, the twin girls sat quietly, their large eyes flickering back and forth, never fidgeting.

The little white fox Chu Qi, the falcon Li Dong, even the rats Da Er and Er Er all favored the girls, gathering nearby, rolling on their backs, trying to amuse them.

Li Yan's eye twitched. He glanced at Lu San and whispered, "These two girls… they might be even more gifted than you."

Along the way, they'd already noticed something strange.

The two girls were exceptionally intelligent and well-behaved, and they naturally drew affection from animals. Even on their way down the mountain, a fierce tiger had secretly followed and watched over them.

Lu San's expression turned grave. "Chu Qi says she loves these two girls and wants to stay near them."

"Little Brother Li, don't you think it might be…?"

Li Yan fell silent for a moment. "Hard to say."

Lu San's implication was that these two girls might be reincarnations of something—after all, they knew enough to suspect even Yun Zhongjun was scheming for reincarnation and ascension.

And these girls had astonishing talent, their names carried hidden meaning, and they were tied to Chu Witchcraft—it was too much of a coincidence…

…………

After passing Wushan County, it was already noon.

The painted pleasure boat did not dock but turned north, entering the Daning River and continuing onward.

They did not notice that on the dock, several shadowy figures watched them furtively, then quickly departed, sending word via homing pigeon…

Entering the Daning River, after passing Longmen Gorge, the waterway narrowed sharply. Towering cliffs rose on both sides, shrouded in mist, blotting out the sky.

"The Three Gorges of Badong, Wuxia's length—three monkey cries, tears soak the robe."

The scenery before them did not stir homesickness, but it was undeniably eerie and sinister.

Amid the mist, cliffs revealed Ba people's cliffside hanging coffins, and even a few small boat-shaped coffins flickered in and out of view.

The monkeys' cries were piercing, as if something might leap out at any moment.

"Tsk tsk."

Sha LiFei shook his head. "I don't get it—why go through all this trouble? Hanging coffins up there, exposed to wind, sun, and rain…"

Wang Daoxuan smiled. "One reason is to harness the dragon qi of the Yangtze's water veins. The other? There's a saying that it brings promotion, wealth, high rank, and rich rewards."

"Gentlemen, stop talking."

"Fast Boat Zhang" suddenly spoke, glancing around and whispering. "Something's off. Two boats have been following us since we left Wushan County."

Sha LiFei remained calm, glancing back. "Old Brother Zhang, I don't know much about water travel—how'd you spot them?"

"Fast Boat Zhang" said gravely, "Those two are fast boats, yet they're deliberately slowing down. At this distance, they can either escape or pursue."

"And all the other boats have vanished—someone's probably blocking the way ahead. Stay alert."

"Zhu Zi, stay sharp."

"Yes, Master."

After "Fast Boat Zhang" gave his warnings, tension spread across the boat. His disciples quietly drew their bows.

Li Yan gave a signal. Lu San whistled softly. The falcon Li Dong spread its wings and soared into the sky, circling above.

"There's a boat blocking the way ahead!" Lu San whispered.

Sha LiFei chuckled. "Could we have stumbled upon some clueless water bandits? First time on this route."

Li Yan narrowed his eyes. "Not water bandits."

He said no more, but after the bend, Sha LiFei immediately understood why.

Before them, a large boat lay anchored, clearly waiting. Two iron chains, thick as a man's arm, were driven into the cliffs on either side.

Sha LiFei's eyelid twitched. "Iron chains across the river—bold move."

"Fast Boat Zhang," staring at the sail across the water, grew grim. "Gentlemen, we're in deep trouble—it's the Sichuan Salt Guild!"

(End of Chapter)