Chapter 430

The river water surged, and the cargo boat moved forward slowly.

This was a shallow water area, and coupled with the obstruction of the mountains, there was no wind at all. For the cargo boat to move forward was difficult indeed.

Fortunately, a group of trackers guarded this place year-round. Seeing the cargo boat arrive, they rushed up without a word, "Boatman, three taels of silver, shall we pull?"

"Fast Boat Zhang" bowed directly, "Thank you all for your hard work."

Three taels of silver was, to be honest, a bit expensive, but divided among more than twenty trackers, it wasn't much. They earned their money through hard labor, so "Fast Boat Zhang" couldn't be bothered to haggle.

"Generous! I guarantee you a steady trip!"

The tracker leader gave an honest smile and quickly called his companions to set up the tow ropes, all pulling the boat together with their combined strength.

Their muscles were taut, exerting force with their whole bodies, the tow ropes leaving deep marks on their shoulders. Stepping on the reefs along the shore, they shouted a work chant in unison:

"Three feet of white cloth, four taels of hemp, hands on the rocks, feet pushing the sand.

Walking barefoot up the slope, there's no other way but to pull the tow rope.

What is this for? It's for a better life.

Hey-zuo! Hey-zuo! Hey-zuo hey-zuo..."

At the window of the boat cabin, Li Yan withdrew his gaze with a solemn expression and looked at Battalion Commander Tian opposite him, saying in a deep voice, "Lord Battalion Commander, has Zhao Changsheng come to Shu?"

"There are only clues."

Battalion Commander Tian shook his head, "When we were in Ezhou, we received intelligence that two years ago, Zhao Changsheng had briefly appeared in Shu, stayed in Wanzhou, and finally went to Chengdu."

"Two years ago..."

Upon hearing this, Li Yan became lost in thought.

He had heard this timeframe more than once.

Two years ago, there were strange movements near Dujiangyan. Within the Daba Mountains, the dragon energy of the General's army showed strange movements. The Dragon Maiden guarding outside Shennongjia also sensed the abnormality and tried to leave, only to be suppressed...

Outside Dujiangyan, the struggle between the righteous and evil paths of the Southwest also began at this time, and the two sides fought fiercely, which was very likely related to Erlang Shen...

And there was that Emei disciple he caught in Shennongjia.

The other party was named Wu Faluo, who apprenticed at the Green Ox Temple. As a result, he went to Chengdu once, his master went missing, he himself was framed, and upon returning to the temple, he found his fellow disciples had changed as if they were different people...

These things almost all happened two years ago.

If it were anyone else, he wouldn't have had so many associations, but Zhao Changsheng was different. The other party had lived for a long time, returned to life several times, stirred up trouble, and had laid out too many secret hands.

Who knew if there was another scheme?

"Have you found any clues?"

Li Yan continued to ask.

Battalion Commander Tian looked around and whispered, "We didn't find anything in Wanzhou, but we found the place where Zhao Changsheng last appeared."

"Where?"

"The Prince of Shu's Mansion."

"The Prince of Shu's Mansion?!"

Upon hearing this, Li Yan's heart suddenly tightened.

Shu is the land of abundance, and the Prince of Shu here is also very special; he is the biological brother of the current Emperor.

Because he made great contributions to the Emperor's ascension and the stabilization of the court, he was highly favored.

Unlike other princes, he is directly titled the Prince of Shu.

It can be said that his strength is extraordinary.

Thinking of this, Li Yan felt even stranger and asked, "Could it be that the Prince of Shu has developed ulterior motives?"

Battalion Commander Tian's face stiffened, and he quickly waved his hand, "It's better for Li Shaoxia to say less of such things. The Prince of Shu is deeply trusted by His Majesty; it's not something we can speculate about."

Li Yan frowned slightly, "Battalion Commander Tian, this matter concerns Zhao Changsheng; one cannot be too cautious. Why must you use this official jargon with me?"

This guy must also have suspicions; otherwise, why would he still be here investigating? It's just that there are some things he doesn't dare to say.

"Li Shaoxia, please forgive me."

Battalion Commander Tian sighed, "The Jianghu and the officialdom are both involuntary. Some things can only be done, but things outside my duty, I cannot touch. If I touch them, I will die."

"I only care about sending the intelligence up; how to decide is His Majesty's business."

Officialdom is just this troublesome.

Li Yan didn't want to dwell on this anymore and continued to ask, "What did you find out?"

"The Sichuan-Shu Salt Gang!"

A fierce light flashed in Battalion Commander Tian's eyes, "There are some things you don't know until you investigate; once you investigate, you'll be shocked."

"The Sichuan-Shu Salt Gang has expanded rapidly over these years. Not only have they recruited experts from all walks of life, but many officials in Shu have already been coerced by them, and they have close dealings with the Prince's Mansion."

"I sent several capable subordinates to infiltrate the Prince's Mansion and the Salt Gang respectively, while I myself mixed into the Gelao Society that opposes them to find out what they are actually trying to do."

"The matter of Bai Di City is actually very simple."

"Originally, Gongsun Shu of the late Han Dynasty occupied Shu and built a city on the mountain. Because a well in the city often emitted white gas like a white dragon, he titled himself the Bai Di. After his death, the locals built the Bai Di Temple to worship him."

"When the Great Xuan Dynasty was founded, this was designated as an illicit sacrifice. The temple was demolished, and the 'Three Merits Shrine' was built instead to worship the River God, the Earth God, and Ma Yuan."

"In the Wuxi area, there is the Daning Salt Field, but it is controlled by the local Tujia noble clans, and the Salt Gang has been unable to infiltrate it for many years."

"In recent years, the Sichuan-Shu Merchant Association has made a fortune by opening up the sea, and they have had many conflicts with the Salt Gang. Thus, they united with the Gelao Society and the Cao Gang to gradually control the eastern Sichuan area."

"The newly appointed Prefect of Kuizhou toured Bai Di City and believed that the story of the Bai Di City entrusting the orphan was famous throughout the world, so the 'Three Merits Shrine' should be demolished and the 'Righteousness Shrine' built to worship Liu, Guan, Zhang, and the Martial Marquis."

"The Sichuan-Shu Merchant Association catered to his wishes and set about rebuilding it, but the Salt Gang saw an opportunity and went to lobby the Tujia noble clans of Wuxi, saying that Bai Di City should be worshipped as the Bai Di Heavenly King, that is, the 'Lin Jun'."

"Those Tujia noble clans were moved, and knowing they were no match for the Sichuan-Shu Merchant Association, the Salt Gang thus inserted their hand into it."

As he spoke, Battalion Commander Tian frowned, "I originally thought it was an ordinary Jianghu struggle, but after arriving here, I found it strange."

"In selling private salt, what is lacking is not salt, but trade routes and connections. The place where the Sichuan-Shu Salt Gang's main altar is located has many salt pools and is not lacking at all. Why go to such trouble to enter Wuxi..."

"For the Elixir of Immortality!"

Li Yan said coldly, "They want to find the Elixir of Immortality of the ancient Wuxian Kingdom. We are the reason we fought with them."

"So the one who really wants to make a move is the Prince of Shu. If I remember correctly, this Prince of Shu is not young anymore."

"So that's how it is..."

Battalion Commander Tian frowned, a flash of disgust in his eyes, "Because of this matter, quite a few people have died. I didn't expect it to be for this absurd thing."

After speaking, he was silent for a moment, "The Prince of Shu suddenly wants to find the Elixir of Immortality; it might be related to Zhao Changsheng. I will continue to investigate this matter. Li Shaoxia, be careful on the road."

"This is a token. I have a secret agent in the Salt Gang. If someone holds this order to find you, as long as you can match it, there will be no problem."

After handing him a semicircular copper buckle, Battalion Commander Tian leaped up, jumped onto a small boat, and left quickly.

Watching the figure of the other party go away, Li Yan shook his head slightly.

He suddenly remembered the words of the Wudang Sect Leader, Yuchanzi.

"'Humanitarian reform' is coming; do not be careless."

"Senior, what is 'humanitarian reform'? Did it appear because of opening the sea and firearms?"

"All things in heaven and earth have birth and death, have a beginning and an end. 'Humanitarian reform' is both a calamity and a beginning."

"At that time, people's hearts will change, dragons and snakes will rise, and gods and ghosts will all appear..."

Not long after Battalion Commander Tian left, their cargo boat also passed through the shallow water area and continued along the river.

After the delay at Bai Di City, time was clearly wasted. When they were about to approach Wanzhou, it was already near dusk.

But seeing the corner of the riverbank, a city stood tall.

This city is not big, high in the north and low in the south, wide in the south and narrow in the north, built against the mountain, facing the river in the south.

In the area near the city, the shore is all rock, connected into one piece, uneven, and there are springs bubbling with water. Seeing this, Wang Daoxuan couldn't help but stroke his beard and say, "Carrying the yin and embracing the yang, wrapped by a jade belt, the earth gushing with golden springs—good feng shui!"

This is Wanzhou City, taking the meaning of "the great river reaches here, ten thousand rivers gather." Although the city is not big, it has always been an important Yangtze River wharf in Shu.

Feng shui naturally goes without saying.

Li Yan and the others, however, were concerned with other things.

The wharf here is a typical Shu style.

Built with bluestone, hundreds of long steps lead to the city gate. Under the ancient city wall, the common people built houses against the mountain, with dots of candlelight, and it was somewhat messy.

And at the wharf, a large number of boats were docked.

Dense and crowded, almost reaching the end.

Fishing lights like stars, people moving, the sound of Shu dialect was noisy.

"Something is not right..."

"Fast Boat Zhang" frowned tightly when he saw it, saying in a deep voice, "I have been to this Wanzhou wharf. Hmm, although it is prosperous, it shouldn't be like this. Something must have happened."

!.

"Xiao Si, go and inquire."

"Yes, Master."

A disciple bowed and left, first using a bamboo pole to support himself, jumping onto the reef along the shore, and then running to the wharf, merging into the crowd.

Not long after, he returned and bowed, "Master, something happened on the river ahead. I heard that river bandits robbed, and several large cargo merchant boats were chiseled and overturned, just docked on the shallow beach."

"All the boats are blocked here, and they won't be able to pass for a while."

"Such a coincidence..."

"Fast Boat Zhang" gave a cold snort, "Robbery is one thing, but chiseling and overturning cargo boats is clearly intentional obstruction of the shipping lane."

"Li Shaoxia, it's mostly the Salt Gang's handiwork."

Li Yan pondered for a moment, turned his head to look at the setting sun that was about to go down in the west, and a flash of murderous intent flickered in his eyes, "The sun is about to set. If they dare to make a move, they are looking for death themselves."

"You stay here, Old Sha, come ashore with me. Senior Zhang, what supplies do you need? I'll buy them all on the way."

"Fast Boat Zhang" didn't quite understand what the darkness and the enemy looking for death had to do with each other, but he didn't ask any more questions and quickly wrote out a list.

He had long seen that Li Yan and the others were experienced in the Jianghu and were also people of the Mystic Sect. Even if they encountered something, they would be far better at dealing with it than himself.

Taking the note from "Fast Boat Zhang", Li Yan turned his head to look at the boat cabin again, seeing a female disciple come out and make a gesture, only then did he feel relieved to leave.

He had to leave, and as the old woman Bai Huan with the highest cultivation on the boat, she naturally took over the responsibility of defense.

"Steamed buns, steamed buns!"

"Roasted crispy fish, want a portion?"

"Ge-ge, ge-ge..."

Before they even got close, the noisy sounds rushed toward them.

Li Yan gave a wink, and the eloquent Sha Lifei went ahead to inquire about the news, while he followed behind, keeping an eye on the movements around him at all times.

If it was really the Salt Gang's handiwork, they would definitely send people to sneak attack.

He pinched the Yang formula and took a deep breath.

In an instant, all kinds of smells poured into his nasal cavity.

In this place where guests come and go from the north and south, traveling by boat all year round, the sour and foul smell on their bodies goes without saying, mixed with the smell of charcoal fire and roasted fish on the wharf, almost making Li Yan stumble.

But he still keenly distinguished some things.

Several boats, as well as a group of old guests squatting on the steps of the wharf smoking dry tobacco, all had the aura of yin evil.

This is the trace left by frequently using sorcery.

True sorcerers are far from common, especially in a small city like Wanzhou, at most there are one or two, usually taking jobs to look at things.

Such density must be a problem.

But the so-called true people don't show their true colors. The smell on these people couldn't be hidden from an expert; at most, they were ordinary sorcerers who had just built a building.

Finding these people is not enough to look at...

And Sha Lifei's inquiry in front also found out the reason.

It was because a large number of boats were stranded here. Wanzhou City is not big and couldn't accommodate them at all, and the county government was also afraid of trouble, so they forbade them from entering the city.

But the common people under the city found an opportunity.

They made food at home and carried it directly to the wharf to sell. Even if they could only earn a few copper coins, it was still an income.

Not being able to enter the city was a trouble. Sha Lifei held the note and inquired about several families before buying supplies and hiring several porters to send them to the boat along the riverbank.

The wharf is a place where many things happen. With so many people gathered together, there are naturally many people walking the Jianghu. Immediately, some people also lit lanterns, set up stalls, and sold arts.

They are all Jianghu people. Those who sell fake medicine or set up gambling games to cheat people naturally wouldn't come out to make a fool of themselves.

Basically, they are all Jianghu artists.

Li Yan originally intended to leave, but among the crowd, there was a roar of applause, and then many people gathered, which immediately attracted his attention.

Just seeing a young man standing on the edge of the wharf, his appearance could be considered handsome, but his eyebrows were drawn inward, giving a feeling of a punching bag.

He covered his face and wailed, "Junior Sister Liu, I am sincere. If you agree, we will get married tonight!"

"Pah!"

A girl stood opposite him, her face flushed red, "Cui, you are shameless. I have heard you say this to several people."

"Really, I am sincere."

The young man was suddenly anxious, raised his hand and pointed to the sky and swore, "With the Ancestor Master above, I, Cui Cong, am willing to marry Junior Sister Liu as my wife. If there is half a lie..."

"Hahaha!"

The people next to him suddenly laughed and booed, "Brother Cui, in Wanzhou City, your name stinks. People from the Jinlan Society all say that you are only one step away from being a flower-picking thief."

"We don't think you are in a hurry to get married, but in a hurry to enter the bridal chamber... Hahaha!"

"Pah pah pah!"

The girl's face flushed red, she kicked the young man hard, turned around and jumped onto the boat, disappearing without a trace.

Seeing this, Li Yan narrowed his eyes.

This woman seemed to be just a kick of hatred, but she used the snake-shaped step. Between one kick and one retraction, it was like a snake's tongue spitting, agile and flexible.

It is the Emei snake-shaped fist.

Sure enough, after entering Shu, there were many Emei disciples.

"Ouch~"

The young man Cui Cong was kicked, and he was grinning, making the people around him laugh.

He was not angry either, and said with a bitter smile and bowed, "Fellow travelers, don't ruin my business anymore. If I don't find a wife this year, sigh~"

"What's difficult about finding a wife?"

A man who looked like a rich merchant in the crowd laughed, "Brother Cui is from the Dianyi Sect and can be considered a disciple of a famous sect. Come to Chengdu with me, there are plenty of girls who like you."

"But there is one thing I want to inquire about. I heard you have seen the 'Grey-Robed Mad Monk'?"

Li Yan originally intended to leave, but upon hearing this name, his body stiffened again, and he immediately stopped.

There are strange people in Shu, and one of them is this "Grey-Robed Mad Monk," and he has another identity, which is the senior of the living yin messenger, Xing Hepu's disciple...

(End of chapter)