Chapter 434: Sichuan Has Extraordinary People

Sichuan has always produced extraordinary people.

In ancient Shu, there were Cancong, Yufu, and Du Yu; later came the Eight Immortals of Sichuan: Rongcheng Gong, Li Er, Zhang Daoling, Dong Zhongshu, Yan Junping, Li Baiming, Fan Changsheng, and Erzhu Dong.

But these were only a small fraction; other mysterious Daoist figures could only be glimpsed in scattered records of folk tales and unofficial histories.

For instance, the *Youyang Zazu* mentions a Sichuan oddity named "Fei Jishi," with blood-red eyes and no pupils, astonishing medical skill, and mastery in using chickens for divination and exorcism.

Then there was this "Gray Robe Mad Monk."

Xing Hepu was renowned across the land, with many disciples; someone once asked him who would inherit his legacy. Xing Hepu fell silent for a long while, then said: "The Gray Monk of Sichuan—I am not his equal. You'd best not provoke him."

Xing Hepu was one of the most formidable Living Yin Officers Li Yan had ever heard of—he had penetrated the mysteries of heaven and earth, was suspected of communicating with reincarnated immortals and gods, and could even evade the Heavenly Codes to protect certain Earth Immortals.

Li Yan found this figure intriguing and had others dig up extensive records; among them, the accounts of the "Gray Robe Mad Monk" caught his attention.

This "Gray Monk" was not well-known; he wandered endlessly through Chengdu's streets and markets, dressed in tattered robes, behaving like a madman, and was called the "Gray Robe Mad Monk."

Rumor had it that anyone who provoked him would die mysteriously.

Others might dismiss this as mere folklore, but Li Yan believed this "Gray Robe Mad Monk" likely inherited Xing Hepu's Soul Ledger—and perhaps surpassed him.

Yet this man was far too mysterious; no one knew his origins.

Li Yan had not expected to hear of him again here.

To his surprise, when others asked, the Emei disciple Cui Cong did not avoid the topic but replied enthusiastically: "Of course! May I ask, sir, how do you know of the 'Gray Robe Mad Monk'?"

At these words, everyone turned to look at the wealthy merchant.

Cui Cong was a famed young hero near Wanzhou and Fuling, but they had never heard of the "Gray Robe Mad Monk" before.

The merchant fell silent for a moment, then bowed to those around him: "I fear this tale may sound ridiculous to you all."

"My family has an old legend: our ancestors in the Tang Dynasty were a prominent clan in Chengdu. One day, the Gray Monk appeared at our gate, silent, merely standing there. Yet our clan head fell to his knees, weeping in terror, and soon after died under mysterious circumstances…"

"Since then, our family collapsed, fell into ruin, and only recently began to recover."

"I thought it was just superstition, but recently on a boat, I happened to hear this story again, and I resolved to uncover the truth—even if I hadn't met Cui Shaoxia, I would have come to seek you out."

Hearing this, Li Yan's mind was settled.

This Gray Monk was a Living Yin Officer—and still alive. If not an Earth Immortal, then a Returned Soul.

"That doesn't make sense~"

Someone nearby exclaimed: "Your ancestor lived in Tang times, yet Cui Shaoxia saw him recently—could this man be an immortal?"

At this, the crowd grew excited.

"I don't know if he's an immortal."

Cui Cong's expression turned grave. He glanced around, then spoke low and serious: "But this matter must be told to everyone."

"Brother!"

On the opposite deck, the young girl who had appeared earlier stepped out quickly from the cabin, frowning: "Master is already angry, and we've already checked—it's not there!"

"Be careful! Don't let others say we're spreading heresy and tainting our sect's reputation!"

Li Yan, hearing this, cast a silent glance.

Others had mentioned earlier that these two were from the Dianyi Sect.

Emei claims: "One tree blooms with five flowers, five flowers and eight leaves support each other."

These five flowers are: Huangling Sect in Chengdu, Qingcheng Sect in western Sichuan, Tiefo Sect in northern Sichuan, Qingniu Sect in eastern Sichuan, and Dianyi Sect.

They are now in eastern Sichuan; Qingniu Sect is in Fengdu, while Dianyi Sect is in Fuling.

Fuling's Dianyi Cave lies north of the Yangtze River, facing Fuling City across the water. In the Northern Song, Cheng Yi carved the cave and annotated the *I Ching*, composing the *Yichuan Yizhuan* in four volumes, from which Cheng's Rationalist School originated.

The Dianyi Sect is connected to this.

This sect's hallmark is the fusion of martial arts with the *I Ching*, and its magical arts are famed for divination through the *I Ching*.

It seemed these two had come to Wanzhou for another purpose.

Indeed, upon hearing the girl's warning, Cui Cong clenched his fist tightly and growled: "My sect's reputation matters, but the people's safety matters more."

"If this is just my delusion, I'll accept any punishment from my sect—but if I don't speak up, I'll never find peace."

He looked toward the boat, eyes filled with tears: "Sister, I truly care for you—if you refuse to marry me because of this…"

"You—you're talking nonsense again!"

The girl stomped her foot in anger and vanished back into the cabin.

Seeing this, Cui Cong sighed heavily, but now unimpeded, he bowed to the crowd: "My fellow townspeople, though I've joined the Dianyi Sect, my roots remain in Wanzhou—I dare not hide this."

"A few days ago, while traveling on business, I spent a thunderstorm night sleeping in a ruined temple in the mountains. In my dream, I saw a gray-robed old monk who told me: within the Tiancheng of Wanzhou lies a drought demon, born from the corpse of a great general of the Golden Yurt Khanate, who absorbed the yin and malevolent energies of the battlefield."

"This drought demon is nearly complete and about to break free. If we don't stop it, eastern Sichuan will suffer three years of drought!"

"What?!"

Someone gasped in shock.

Eastern and central Sichuan are hilly, perpetually dry and rain-starved; people are hypersensitive to the words "drought" and "rain."

Fields on the hills are called "Sky-Dependent Fields" and "Thunder God Fields"; rituals to beg for rain are countless.

In every town, the Dragon King Temple is nearly as important as the City God Temple.

Hearing of a "drought demon," who wouldn't fear?

Yet others laughed bitterly: "Cui Shaoxia, the rumor of a drought demon in the city these days—you're the source! The yamen just posted a notice: it's false."

Fear breeds anxiety.

Precisely because they dread drought, rumors of drought demons and angry Dragon Kings arise every year—endless.

Such rumors easily unsettle the people, and wicked men exploit them to extort money—or even accuse the Son of Heaven of moral failure.

Thus, the yamen takes this seriously: whenever such rumors surface, they send men to investigate and post official notices to debunk them.

Hearing this, Cui Cong flushed red: "The yamen officials are too busy celebrating the Provincial Governor's birthday, and the temple keeper at the City God Temple is a half-wit—how can you trust them?"

Someone else asked: "Did you find it?"

Cui Cong grimaced: "No."

"Then why even talk about it?"

The crowd lost interest and dispersed.

Li Yan, however, felt a stir in his chest and stepped forward, bowing: "Friend, greetings."

Cui Cong's expression instantly turned serious.

The bow carries meaning.

Ordinary people bow with slightly cupped palms, like a respectful salute—no deep significance.

In the martial world, the left palm must be open, symbolizing the Five Virtues; the right fist, martial courage. The left palm covering the right fist signifies using virtue to halt violence.

With arms curved in a circle, it means all five lakes and four seas are brothers.

Add the word "friend," and it's almost certainly a Daoist.

"Greetings, friend."

Cui Cong returned the bow and asked: "Your accent is from Guanzhong. Which mountain do you follow? What incense do you burn?"

His words were polite, but his back was already tense.

Li Yan was younger, yet when standing among the crowd, Cui Cong had sensed nothing—only when Li Yan spoke did he suddenly feel uneasy. Warriors and sorcerers possess far keener spiritual senses than ordinary people.

This was a sign of far deeper cultivation.

"Guanzhong, Li Yan, wanderer of the Immortal Path…"

Li Yan had no intention of hiding his identity.

Cui Cong blinked, then mused: "My master mentioned a rising star on the Dao path in Ezhou—a Li. Could it be you?"

"Just trying to make a living."

Li Yan waved dismissively, then asked: "You mentioned the 'Gray Robe Mad Monk' earlier—where exactly did you see him?"

Cui Cong hesitated.

Ordinary people might treat it as a tale, but if a known Daoist asked, he had to be cautious.

After all, in this world, loyalty and treachery are hard to tell…

!.

Thinking this, Cui Cong's mind shifted, and he ventured: "Friend, you're famed for your righteousness in Ezhou—I assume your magical arts are strong. I can tell you everything, even more—but I ask you to help me."

Li Yan understood at once: "Looking for the drought demon?"

Cui Cong nodded: "Exactly. I can't rest easy. If the Gray Monk's warning is true and the drought demon emerges, I'll never find peace in this life."

Recalling the scene when the Taixuan Zhengjiao suppressed a drought demon, Li Yan shook his head: "That thing is no easy foe. Once found, it must be sealed—not killed. We can't do it alone."

"Just find the location."

Cui Cong hurriedly said: "No one believes me—but if you find the place, my sect will come to seal it."

Nearby, Sha Lifei raised an eyebrow and chuckled: "Young hero, you're asking a lot—just for information, you want us to risk our lives? Besides, we have urgent business—we'll leave as soon as the river opens."

"Then you'll have to wait."

Cui Cong shook his head: "The matter ahead is serious—the cargo ships sunk by water bandits are heavy. The Wanzhou yamen has already hired people; they'll need two or three days."

He pointed across the river: "Li Brother, see that mountain opposite? That's where I mean—it's less than an hour round trip."

"I'm just a spirit-channeler, and the sister I brought for help has mediocre cultivation—I'm truly out of options."

"Come with me. If you truly can't find it, I'll give up completely—and I'll tell you everything truthfully!"

At that moment, another voice spoke up:

"Friends, could you take me along?"

It was the wealthy merchant from Chengdu—he had never left, and had heard every word.

Cui Cong immediately shook his head, frowning: "Old sir, this isn't something for ordinary folk to meddle in. Why are you getting involved?"

The wealthy merchant laughed heartily, "Young Master Cui, rest assured—I'm merely curious, and I know a bit of martial arts; I won't be a burden to you all."

Li Yan cast an unobtrusive glance.

He had already noticed something odd about this Chengdu merchant.

Though dressed lavishly, the man was broad and muscular, his hands covered in calluses—clearly a martial practitioner.

Especially noticeable was the strong smell of mutton on him.

He might well be from the Salt Guild…

Thinking this, he smiled and nodded, "Young Master Cui, your righteous heart moves me. I'll accompany you—wait here, both of you. I'll be right back."

Without another word, he grabbed Sha Li-fei and left.

Once away from the dock and into a secluded stretch of shore, Sha Li-fei could no longer hold back: "Little Brother Yan, this is too convenient—could it be a trap set for us?"

"Probably not."

Li Yan said gravely, "Few know of the 'Gray Robe Mad Monk.' Besides, we only clashed with the Salt Guild today, but this Cui Cong sought the Drought Demon two days ago—the timing doesn't match."

"But that Chengdu merchant is suspicious—likely a Salt Guild spy."

"Then what should we do?"

"Let's turn their scheme against them—give them a brutal lesson!"

As they spoke, the two had already returned to the boat.

Li Yan recounted everything that happened at the dock, then said, "The Salt Guild is powerful—they've surely traced our origins and know sending ordinary martial artists or sorcerers won't work. They'll send a true expert."

"You all stay here. If it's just a common thug, Elder Bai Huan can handle him easily."

"I've left a backup plan—if a Land Immortal shows up, we strike directly and banish him to the Netherworld."

After speaking, he left the cabin again with Wang Daoxuan and gave him the Five Directions Luo Feng Flag.

He still had one Gang Command left; with the Five Directions Luo Feng Flag to guide him, even atop the mountain, he could summon the Yin Soldiers back.

After making all preparations, Li Yan returned to the dock.

"Young Master Li, let's hurry."

Seeing only him return, Cui Cong asked no questions and immediately pulled him aboard.

As for the Chengdu wealthy merchant, he showed no unusual behavior.

Cui Cong's vessel was a small boat—he was clearly skilled on water; with a single pole push infused with hidden force, the boat swiftly left the dock and headed toward the opposite mountain.

Inside the cabin, the girl, though annoyed, stepped out to greet them, clasped her fists, and said, "Young Master Li of Guanzhong, my master has mentioned you. My brother Cui is careless—he's put you to trouble."

"Oh?"

Li Yan was surprised. "I'm but a junior, though I've done a few things, I never thought word of me had reached Emei."

The woman quickly bowed. "Senior Yu Longzi of Zhenwu Palace is an old friend of my master's—he's currently visiting the Dian Yi Sect and spoke of you."

"So that's how it is…"

Li Yan now understood.

The battle between the righteous and evil experts near Dujiangyan had ended—the Yu Longzi was likely returning to Ezhou.

As they spoke, the small boat had crossed the river.

Cui Cong leapt ashore, tied the rope to a boulder, and turned to say, "Sister, we'll climb the mountain—you stay here and rest."

"Yes, Brother, be careful."

The girl nodded quickly.

Li Yan saw this and smiled inwardly.

This brother-sister pair clearly had some martial world experience—they'd left an escape route; if Cui Cong ran into trouble, the Dian Yi Sect would come looking for him.

"Young Master Li, let's climb the mountain."

Cui Cong was clearly impatient, pressing urgently.

The mountain was steep, but with their skills, it posed no problem—yet the Chengdu wealthy merchant kept pace effortlessly, making Li Yan even more suspicious.

The night forest was dark, but Li Yan's aura of slaughter was so potent that even wandering ghosts and lost souls fled far away at the mere scent.

Soon, they reached the summit.

There, amid overgrown grass and trees, lay ruins—mist curled in the night, moonlight shimmered, and insects chirped endlessly.

Some places even exposed bleached bones and rusted arrowheads…

Second watch, afternoon

(End of Chapter)