Chapter 422: The Women's Mountain Pilgrimage

The sky was dark, and thunderclouds hung low.

In the entire Dachang City, every household kept their doors tightly shut.

Toot—!

The deep, resonant sound of a horn echoed between the mountains and waters.

Creak~

A household door opened, and a woman wearing a bamboo hat and straw raincoat walked out, her face full of piety, holding offerings in her hands.

Following that, door after door opened.

Women dressed in the same attire walked out from their homes, all carrying various offerings, gathering in the direction of the pier.

Those who came out were all married women of the households.

Unmarried women and the men stayed at home.

At the same time, the Bai family residence also opened its doors.

The women of the Fate-Commanding Society were all dressed in white, wearing bamboo hats and white veils, holding offerings of incense and candles in their hands, with several holding gourds.

Li Yan and his group were dressed the same, wearing white robes and bamboo hats, their faces covered by white veils.

The white robes were loose, so they didn't look out of place.

Only the tall and sturdy Sha Hearing Sha Lifei and the wild Wu Ba looked a bit too conspicuous, even in the same attire.

All the women of the Fate-Commanding Society had gathered here.

They belonged to the outer sect, all orphaned girls adopted by the Bai family from various places, numbering over thirty.

Although there were few of them, they were all practitioners of mystical arts, and they practiced shamanic and Gu arts, making them far stronger than those small sects with only a few people left.

In the procession, only the old woman Bai Zhu Huan showed her true face. She wore white robes, covered with a straw garment, a feathered crown on her head, holding a staff, her face painted with oil colors—a typical shamanic attire.

Arriving at the pier, the women of the entire city had already gathered.

Seeing the Bai family arrive, they raised their offerings high, chanting prayers for the Goddess's protection.

Among the offerings, the most eye-catching was a gourd.

Seeing this, Li Yan didn't feel surprised in his heart.

The Bai family's move was equivalent to breaking away from the Fate-Commanding Society and setting up their own sect, so they no longer cared about some sect taboos, and even agreed to Wang Wang Daoxuan's request to open some of the sect's classics.

Of course, it was only about various secret histories of the Mystic Sects.

The so-called Fate-Commanding Society originated in Xingshan County and now belonged to Unlike Yichang, falling under the category of folk sects.

Later, the Chu State perished, and the Qin and Han dynasties recruited shamanic sects from all over to the capital. After the chaos of the Fangxian Dao, the Mystic Sects rose, and the Chu shamans declined.

The Fate-Commanding Society inherited the Chu shamanic orthodoxy, but in reality, their origins were even more ancient—they were primitive mother-yin worship.

Mother-yin worship was a remnant of ancient times.

For example, the "Touching the Melon to Send a Child" custom they saw in Longtan Village was a form of mother-yin worship.

And the gourd before them was the same.

Nüwa, the Queen Mother of the West, and Tushan were likely all from matrilineal clans, where the leaders and shamans were all women, which was why the Fate-Commanding Society was also composed entirely of women.

Great Yu was helped by the Wushan Goddess to control the floods, and Great Yu married into the Tushan clan, which might have had a connection.

Old woman Bai Zhu Huan followed the custom, using the gourd to scoop water and pour it over the heads of the surrounding women, chanting words of blessing.

The women of the Fate-Commanding Society played flutes.

Incense smoke curled, and the flute music was melodious.

After finishing this, old woman Bai Zhu Huan looked at the surrounding women again, tears suddenly welling up in her eyes, and she sang in a hoarse voice:

"Three years rolling in mother's embrace, temples turned white with a few strands of hair.

Green cloth for a skirt, white for a waist, carrying mountains and rivers on the back.

The skirt grows short as time flows, mountains turn, but the mountains never rest.

Who knows the hunger and cold of a daughter, heart broken preparing the dowry..."

This was the "Crying Marriage Song," which existed in many places, including songs to persuade daughters, songs to cry for brothers and sisters-in-law, songs to cry for parents, and songs to scold matchmakers—a wide variety.

Many of these women had been watched by Bai Zhu Huan as they grew up. Parting today, they feared they would never see each other again.

Although the surrounding women didn't understand what had happened, hearing this song reminded them of the blessings they received from the old woman when they got married, and they couldn't help but tear up.

"Grandmother."

Wu Wu Chaoyun and Wu Wu Xingyu tugged at her clothes.

Bai Zhu Huan took one last look and led the people forward, her eyes filled with determination.

She must protect these two granddaughters!

At the pier, a large boat had long been docked, decorated with fresh flowers and colorful ribbons, looking very eye-catching.

As for the other side, Li Yan's pleasure boat was docked, but it was completely empty, and all their luggage had vanished.

Fast-Boat Zhang and his apprentices had already secretly set off on a small boat under the arrangements of the Fate-Commanding Society to switch to another boat.

They would be responsible for meeting up and sending everyone away.

This pleasure boat would be left in Dachang City to serve as a cover.

The Fate-Commanding Society gave a large sum of reward money, and after the matter was over, they would also gift the fine boat.

Although there were risks, Fast-Boat Zhang naturally wouldn't refuse such a good deal.

Clatter!

The group boarded the flower boat, which immediately set sail, gradually disappearing into the river mist in the sight of the women at the pier.

With the Bai family gone, a vacancy would immediately appear. Li Yan had secretly sent a message, and the Law Enforcement Hall in Unlike Yichang would send people to build a City God Temple.

This position was very important, and not directly entering Wushan, it could be considered a nail driven by the Mystic Sects...

…………

The flower boat was exceptionally eye-catching. Passing through the Lesser Three Gorges, boats along the way all retreated, and some even respectfully burned incense.

The Fate-Commanding Society was secretive, but the Bai family's reputation in Wushan County was not small. The nearby commoners all recognized them and knew they were going up the mountain to worship the Wushan Goddess.

This custom had not changed for thousands of years.

And when passing through Wushan County, many women also came to the pier. Although they were not as pious as the Dachang women, they also carried offerings and scattered flower petals as blessings.

Legend had it that the Wushan Goddess would protect these women, ensuring no accidents during childbirth.

There were also many men at the pier, also praying with hands pressed together, praying for the Wushan Goddess to bless them with favorable weather this year.

And in a tea shop near the pier, all outsiders had been driven away, and fierce-looking men guarded the door.

At the square table by the window sat Lu Jiu of the Salt Gang, his face gloomy, staring fixedly at the flower boat on the river.

"Master Lu, what should we do?"

A man beside him looked anxious and bowed. "My subordinates have already checked. On the salt field side, the 'Guest in the Mist' has disappeared. I'm afraid this line is broken."

"These women are going up the mountain, surely to bow their heads. With someone protecting them, I'm afraid Mr. Wang won't be willing to make a move..."

"Hmph!"

Lu Jiu let out a cold snort. "Since they've boarded this boat, there's no easy way off. This matter is not up to him!"

"Go, follow me up the mountain. As long as this matter can be accomplished, wealth and glory are right before our eyes!"

"Yes, Master Lu!"

The group bowed in unison.

Rumble!

At this moment, thunder flashed and lightning roared in the sky, billions of silver threads connecting heaven and earth, falling onto the river and creating ripples.

Soon, the rain grew heavier, falling between the mountains and rivers, raising thick water mist. The mountains were wrapped in white gauze, appearing even more charming and mysterious...

After the flower boat left Wushan County, the Salt Gang group immediately set off, drove their boat to the vicinity of Wenfeng, and then climbed the mountain.

On the mountain was the destroyed Master Lingyun Temple, which had already become ruins.

They did not walk toward the summit, but took a detour halfway up the mountain, passing through a remote mountain path and arriving at a valley.

Outside the valley, bamboo was everywhere, and the rain and mist were continuous, obscuring the entrance so that outsiders couldn't see the scene inside at all.

Lu Jiu knew that this place was laid out with Qimen Qimen Dunjia, and there were countless traps and mechanisms. Once one broke in, life and death would be unpredictable.

Standing before the bamboo forest, he bowed respectfully. "Lu Jiu of the Salt Gang, requests an audience with Mr. Wang."

Clatter!

The wild wind howled, the bamboo forest swayed, and the mist rose. The group felt dizzy, feeling as if the entire bamboo forest was moving.

Their heads spun, and they quickly lowered their heads. Soon, an elderly scholar walked out of the bamboo forest, wearing Confucian robes and a bamboo hat, his features refined, his eyes cold.

Seeing the group, he frowned. "The matter I promised you has already been done. Why come knocking again?"

His voice was weathered; it was the same person who played the zither in the Salt Gang's cabin that day.

Lu Jiu quickly put on a fawning smile. "We wish to request an audience with Mr. Wang. Please, pass the message for us."

The old scholar in Confucian robes let out a cold snort, but just as he was about to speak, a hoarse, aged voice came from the valley: "Yu Mo, let them in."

"Follow me."

The old scholar in Confucian robes gave Lu Jiu a cold look and led the way.

Passing through the bamboo forest, the view suddenly opened up.

In the valley, there was a small pond surrounded by flowers and plants, and two thatched huts. On the cliff wall to the side, there was a cave.

Above the cave entrance, the three characters "Jing Huang Cave" were written.

!.

Inside the cave, there were several stone chambers, all filled with golden-thread nanmu bookshelves, stacked with various classics—both ancient paper books and bamboo slips.

In the stone chamber at the cave entrance, there was a desk and the four treasures of the study. An old scholar in Confucian robes sat on a meditation cushion, flipping through bamboo slips.

His face was domineering, with a white beard and curly whiskers, and his skin was an abnormal purple. It was the old man who performed rituals on Wushan that day, causing changes in the celestial phenomena and making the dragon-walk happen early.

"Greetings, Mr. Wang."

Seeing this, Lu Jiu quickly prostrated himself on the ground and kowtowed.

There was no trace of the fierce look he had before.

Lu Jiu was naturally very sensible. This person was not simple.

His name was Wang Wang Mengsheng, a wandering cultivator of Wushan with profound cultivation. Back then, he only needed a monk to cooperate to confront the Dharma altar of the Zhenwu Palace.

Although Master Yulongzi was distracted and simultaneously attacked by Huang Huang Liushi and Lord Tian Sheng Gong, leading to his failure in the duel, it was enough to show his ability.

"The matter is done. Why come looking for me again..."

The purple-faced old man looked at the bamboo slips and asked without raising his head.

Lu Jiu smiled fawningly. "Mr. Wang, it wasn't done. The women of the Fate-Commanding Society have gone up the mountain. If they bow their heads and submit, things won't be easy for us in the future."

"That is your business."

The old man remained unmoved. "My rules are like this: I only take action; whether it succeeds or not is not important."

Lu Jiu's eyes flickered. He gritted his teeth and bowed. "Sir, you also know that my Salt Gang is well-informed, and we have heard some things."

"A few days ago, you secretly incited chaotic troops to destroy Master Lingyun Temple. Although it was to help the Wushan cultivators, you also killed those Taoist priests from Zhenwu Palace..."

"That's one thing, but before that, you were entrusted by the Ghost Sect to duel with Zhenwu Palace, which not only made Zhenwu Palace lose face but also almost ruined the Imperial Court's major affairs..."

Before he could finish, the old man glanced at him coldly.

Just by making eye contact, Lu Jiu felt as if he had been struck by lightning. His brain roared, and his chest and abdomen twisted in pain.

He wanted to struggle, but his whole body couldn't move.

The others he brought were the same; some couldn't even breathe, opening their mouths like dead fish, but unable to inhale any air.

Yu Mo, the old man who brought them in, watched coldly from the sidelines.

This was called "Nightmare Art," similar to hypnosis. If not lifted in time, these Salt Gang members would suffocate to death.

Fortunately, the purple-faced old man did not intend to kill them. With a cold snort, he lifted the art.

Lu Jiu's face was blue and purple, and he and the others collapsed on the ground, gasping for air, their eyes filled with horror.

This old man was someone their leader had asked him to contact; he hadn't expected him to be so terrifying.

"I wouldn't dare, I wouldn't dare!"

Lu Jiu quickly knelt on the ground and said urgently, "I am also thinking of you, Sir. We have heard some wind."

"Zhenwu Palace hasn't retaliated for two reasons: one is that they are following the army to suppress the rebellion, and the other is that they are searching everywhere for the whereabouts of the Ghost Sect Leader, but they have sent others."

"The duel at Dujiangyan has already ended. Mount Qingcheng has temporarily gained the upper hand. Master Yulongzi is leaving Shu, and when he returns, he is bringing two experts from Wushan."

"Our leader told me to tell you: this place is not suitable for a long stay. In today's world, only that noble person can protect you!"

"Qingcheng won?"

The purple-faced old man seemed to have expected this. He shook his head and stroked his beard. "Cheng Cheng Jianxin has disappeared. Relying on those people from Qingcheng, they can't suppress the demons of the Southwest. I estimate they are just avoiding the edge of the Imperial Court's victory..."

As he spoke, he was silent for a moment, looking at the surrounding caves, and sighed. "This Jing Huang Cave was where Emperor Wu of Liang once stored books, and Emperor Ming of Tang also stayed here to avoid the An Lushan Rebellion. It can be considered a blessed land."

"Those old things have long been coveting it. If I leave, I'm afraid it will be cheap for them..."

"Master!"

The old scholar in Confucian robes beside him was anxious.

Before he could speak, the purple-faced old man raised his hand. "Say no more. My divination these past few days has all been ominous. The orthodox Mystic Sects' fortune is flourishing; Wushan will sooner or later be taken by them."

"Sir is wise!"

Lu Jiu quickly flattered him. "Please, Sir, take action and snatch the person over. When we go to Shu, we can have an explanation."

The purple-faced old man glanced at him indifferently. "You want me to die?"

Lu Jiu was shocked. "This... how would I dare?"

"Fool!"

The old scholar in Confucian robes beside him scolded. "The kid you offended is a Living Yin Constable. If there are no accidents, he has definitely followed up the mountain."

"Let alone my Master, even others on the mountain would hide if they knew. This matter can only be handled by you yourselves!"

Lu Jiu was incredulous upon hearing this. "A Living Yin Constable... is he that powerful?"

He was only delivering messages and knew nothing about the secrets of the Mystic Sects. It was precisely because of his ignorance that he was so fearless.

"Hmph!"

The old scholar in Confucian robes let out a cold snort. "What's powerful is not him, but the things behind them. At the very least, we will not take action."

"Then... what should we do?"

Lu Jiu was anxious.

The purple-faced old man's eyes flickered with ghostly light. "I do have an idea, but it depends on whether you dare to do it..."

…………

Clatter!

The rain was continuous, and the mist rose in the forest.

The group from the Fate-Commanding Society moved through the forest. Although there were ancient mountain paths, they had long been washed away by mountain torrents and mud, making the journey extremely difficult.

Li Yan stepped into the mud and looked up at the summit. The clouds and mist rolled, obscuring the entire peak. In just a moment, it changed into another scene.

The clouds and rain of Wushan changed in a thousand ways, truly magnificent.

But traveling in such conditions, no one was in a good mood.

Sha Hearing Sha Lifei wore a white robe on the outside, but to prevent his firearms from getting wet, he wore oilcloth on the inside, and he was already covered in sweat. He couldn't help but whisper, "How much further is it?"

"Hee hee hee..."

Before he could finish, the sound of children's laughter came from the dense forest in the distance, as if they were chasing and playing.

But looking carefully, he couldn't see anything.

"Don't panic!"

Old woman Bai Zhu Huan's expression remained unchanged. She said in a low voice, "They are Mountain Infants, transformed from children who drowned in the Wu Gorge. Don't mess with them."

As she spoke, she shook the bell on her staff.

Ding ding ding!

The bell was crisp, echoing through the mountain forest.

Bai Zhu Huan bowed respectfully and said to the distance, "Is it Master Master Lian? This junior is going up the mountain to worship the Goddess. I hope you will clear the way."

A faint phantom appeared in the forest mist. It looked like a nun, and a drifting voice came: "Amitabha, benefactors, turn back before it's too late."

At the same time, the warrant in Li Yan's bosom began to heat up...

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 423 =====

(End of chapter)