Chapter 431: The River of Ghosts

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, even more difficult.

Fortunately, a group of trackers guarded this place all 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, to be honest, was a bit expensive, but divided among more than twenty trackers, it wasn't much. They were earning hard-earned money, so "Fast Boat Zhang" couldn't be bothered to haggle.

"Generous! I guarantee you a steady trip!"

The tracker leader smiled honestly and hurriedly greeted his partners, set up the tow ropes, and together they exerted force to pull the boat.

Their muscles were taut, they exerted force with their whole bodies, the tow ropes left deep marks on their shoulders, and they stepped on the reefs on the shore while shouting work chants:

"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."

"Why do this? For a better life."

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

In front of the boat cabin window, Li Yan withdrew his gaze with a solemn expression and looked at Battalion Commander Tian opposite him, saying in a deep voice, "Battalion Commander, has Zhao Changsheng come to the land of 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 the land of Shu, stayed in Wanzhou, and finally went to Chengdu."

"Two years ago..."

Hearing this, Li Yan was lost in thought.

He had heard this time point more than once.

Two years ago, there was an anomaly near Dujiangyan. Within the Daba Mountains, the dragon energy of the General's divine army showed an anomaly. The Dragon Lady guarding outside Shennongjia also sensed the abnormality at the same time and tried to leave, only to be suppressed...

Outside Dujiangyan, the struggle between the righteous and evil paths in the southwest also started from this time. Both sides were fighting fiercely, and it 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 disappeared, he himself was framed, and when he returned to the temple, he found that his fellow disciples were like different people...

These things almost all happened two years ago.

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

Who knew if there was another plot?

"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?!"

Hearing this, Li Yan's heart suddenly tightened.

The land of Shu was the Land of Abundance, and the vassal prince here was also very special—he was the biological brother of the current Emperor.

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

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

It could be said that his strength was 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 hurriedly 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, "Battalion Commander Tian, this matter concerns Zhao Changsheng; one cannot be too cautious. Why bother with this official jargon with me?"

This guy must also have suspicions; otherwise, why would he still be here investigating? It was nothing more than that there were some things he didn'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 of my duty, I cannot touch. If I touch them, I will die."

"I only take care of sending the intelligence up. How to decide is His Majesty's business."

The officialdom is just that 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, and you're shocked once you do."

"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 really trying to do."

"The Bai Di Cheng matter 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, resembling a white dragon, he styled himself the White Emperor. After his death, the locals built the White Emperor Temple to worship him."

"When the Great Xuan Dynasty was founded, this was designated as an illicit sacrifice. The temple was torn down, 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."

"Over these years, the Sichuan-Shu Merchant Association has made a fortune by opening up the sea, and has had many conflicts with the Salt Gang, so 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 Cheng and believed that the story of the White Emperor entrusting his son was famous throughout the world, so the 'Three Merits Shrine' should be torn down 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. They went to lobby the Tujia noble clans of Wuxi, saying that Bai Di Cheng should be worshipped as the White Emperor 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 inserted their hands into it from then on."

Speaking of this, Battalion Commander Tian frowned, "I originally thought it was an ordinary Jianghu struggle, but after arriving here, I found it strange."

"Selling private salt doesn't lack salt; it lacks trade routes and connections. The place where the Sichuan-Shu Salt Gang's main altar is located has many salt pools and doesn't lack it at all. Why go to such trouble to enter Wuxi..."

"For the immortality medicine!"

Li Yan said coldly, "They want to find the immortality medicine of the ancient Shaman Kingdom. We are the reason we clashed with them."

"So the one who really wants to take action 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 trace of disgust flashing in his eyes, "Because of this matter, quite a few people have already 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 immortality medicine; 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 and jumped onto a small boat, leaving quickly.

Watching the figure of the other party going 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."

"'Feng Feng Shixiong, what is meant by 'humanitarian reform'? Did it appear because of the opening of 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, Li Yan and their cargo boat also passed through the shallow water area and continued to move along the river.

After being delayed at Bai Di Cheng, time was clearly wasted. When they were about to approach Wanzhou, it was already approaching dusk.

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

This city was not large, high in the north and low in the south, wide in the south and narrow in the north, built against the mountain, with the river in the south.

In the area near the city, the shore was all rocks, connected into one piece, uneven, and there were springs bubbling with water. Seeing this, Wang Daoxuan couldn't help but stroke his beard and say, "Negative yin and embracing yang, jade belt winding, golden springs gushing from the ground—good feng shui!"

This was Wanzhou City, taking the meaning of "The great river reaches here, and ten thousand rivers gather." Although the city was not large, it had always been an important Yangtze River wharf in the land of Shu.

The feng shui naturally went without saying.

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

The wharf here was of typical Shu style.

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

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

Densely packed, almost out of sight.

Fishing lights were like stars, people were bustling, and the sounds of the land of Shu were noisy.

"Something's not right..."

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

!.

"Xiao Si, go and find out."

"Yes, Master."

A disciple bowed and left. First, he used a bamboo pole to support himself, jumped onto the reef along the shore, and then ran toward the wharf, merging into the crowd.

Before long, 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 capsized, just docked on the shallows."

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

"What a coincidence..."

"Fast Boat Zhang" snorted coldly, "Robbery is one thing, but chiseling and capsizing cargo boats is clearly intentionally blocking 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 sink in the west, and a trace of murderous intent flashed in his eyes, "The sun is about to set. If they dare to take action, they are looking for death themselves."

"You all stay here. Old Sha, come ashore with me. Feng Feng Shixiong 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, saw a female disciple come out and make a gesture, and 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 clamor rushed toward them.

Li Yan gave a wink. Sha Lifei, who was eloquent, 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 playing tricks, 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 rushed into his nasal cavity.

In this place where people came and went from north and south, sailing all year round, the sour and foul smell on their bodies went without saying, mixed with the smell of charcoal fire and roasted fish on the wharf, almost making Li Yan dizzy.

But he still keenly distinguished some things.

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

This was the trace left by frequently using magic techniques.

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

Such density definitely meant there was a problem.

But the so-called true masters didn't reveal 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 was not enough to look at...

And Sha Lifei's inquiry ahead also revealed the reason.

It was that a large number of boats were stranded here. Wanzhou City was not large 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 the supplies and hiring several porters to send them to the boat along the riverbank.

The wharf was originally a place of many troubles. With so many people gathered together, there were naturally quite a few people walking the Jianghu. Immediately, some people also lit lanterns, set up stalls, and sold arts.

They were all Jianghu people. Those selling fake medicine or setting up gambling games to cheat people naturally wouldn't come out to make a fool of themselves.

Basically, they were all Jianghu artists.

Li Yan originally intended to leave, but among the crowd, there was a sudden shout of approval, and then quite a few people gathered, which immediately attracted his attention.

Just then, on the side of the wharf, stood a young man. His appearance could be considered handsome, but his eyebrows were drawn inward, giving him the 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've heard you say this to several people."

"Really, I am sincere."

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

"Hahaha!"

The people beside him were suddenly amused and booed, "Feng Feng Shixiong Cui, in Wanzhou City, your name already 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're in a hurry to get married; you're in a hurry to enter the bridal chamber... Hahaha!"

"Pah, pah, pah!"

The girl's face flushed red with anger. She gave the young man a fierce kick, turned, 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-form step. Between one kick and one retraction, it was like a snake tongue flicking, agile and nimble.

It was the Emei snake-form fist.

Sure enough, after entering Shu, there were quite a few Emei disciples.

"Ouch~"

That young man, Cui Cong, was kicked and was immediately grimacing, making the people around him laugh out loud.