Chapter 440: Plotting Entry into Chengdu

The sky was overcast, drizzling fine rain.

"Get out of the way, all of you!"

"What's there to look at?"

On the dock, yamen runners from Fengdou County shouted as they pushed through the crowd, then carried out one corpse after another from the boat.

All the corpses were covered with straw mats.

"My husband!"

"Brother! Move aside—he's my brother!"

Among the crowd, grieving relatives jostled forward to get closer.

Some were women with children, others ragged men—all frantic, faces pale.

Onlookers offered sympathetic glances and stepped aside.

"Hey, don't move like that!"

Seeing the woman reach for the straw mat, the yamen runner blocked her.

"That's my husband! That's my husband!"

The woman screamed and struggled, her child wailing loudly.

Those around her urged her:

"The grieving family is identifying the body—why are you stopping them?"

"Exactly, are you afraid to let them see?"

"You don't understand anything!"

The head yamen runner glared fiercely.

At that moment, the ragged man suddenly stepped forward and yanked off the straw mat.

Everyone gasped in shock.

"My god!"

Some stumbled backward and fell hard onto the ground.

Now they understood why the yamen runners had forbidden viewing.

The corpses looked like smoked, dried pork—blackened, curled into tight balls, faces twisted in agony, mouths gaping wide.

A chill rose in every onlooker's heart.

"This… this was done by a demon!"

Someone screamed, and fear spread through the crowd.

The woman's eyes rolled back and she fainted, leaving behind her helpless child, wailing uncontrollably.

"I told you not to look!"

The head yamen runner was furious—he shoved the man aside and ordered his men to hurry the corpses toward the city gate.

"Why are you bringing them into the city?!"

A bystander cried out in protest: "These are violent deaths—don't move them, or you'll invite disaster!"

"We've already summoned a Daoist from Qingniu Temple!"

The head yamen runner waved his hand impatiently and snapped: "The County Magistrate says anyone spreading rumors or speaking nonsense will be thrown in jail!"

With that, he and his men hurried off.

Among the crowd, Li Yan turned and walked into the city.

Hearing the child's cries behind him, his face darkened as he looked up at the sky—the joy of obtaining the treasure on Mount Ming had vanished.

Not because he regretted it.

At the time, they had no choice but to flee.

Besides, he'd assumed the Terracotta Army formation would contain the evil thing, especially since it was sealed deep within the Wushan cave, so far away—how could it possibly have followed them?

Li Yan was filled with questions.

Beyond that, another matter had caught his attention.

Qingniu Temple's people were coming.

If he remembered correctly, back in Shennongjia, that Sichuan sorcerer named Wu Faluo had said Qingniu Temple's people seemed… off…

……

As soon as he returned to the inn, he saw Sha Lifei boasting to someone in the main hall.

"Hey, you alright?"

Seeing Li Yan return, he hurried over.

"We'll talk later."

Li Yan glanced around casually.

The two strange jade stones he'd obtained had indeed changed the Gou Die—he could now sense nearby Gou Dies, but only within a limited area, and the location shifted as he moved.

Li Yan knew this likely indicated the enemy's position.

Boom!

As he climbed the stairs, a man flew out and crashed down from the second floor, smashing tables and chairs in the hall.

Wu Ba poked his head out, grinning foolishly.

Li Yan immediately understood why.

They'd brought many people—the entire second floor of the inn had been booked, and with so many women, all veiled in white gauze but with graceful figures, they'd naturally drawn the attention of local ruffians.

These fools had no sense—they rushed over, eager to intrude.

Li Yan didn't bother with them and walked straight upstairs.

Back on the second floor, everyone gathered around him.

Li Yan found a room, drank several cups of tea in large gulps, then gave a general account of what had happened on the mountain.

Since Yin Changsheng was involved, he only said they'd passed through successfully.

More crucial was what he'd seen at the dock.

"So this happened too?"

Wang Daoxuan tugged his beard, eyes wide with disbelief. "Yao-sheng energy usually stays fixed in one area."

"Like the 'Mist Traveler'—it only haunts Bashan, and even when suppressed, it always returns."

"I've never seen anything like this."

Beside him, Bai Wan shook her head: "The 'Water Tigers' were all exterminated. Judging by how those victims looked, they were drained of essence and yang qi—this Yao-sheng must have changed again."

She sighed. "Because of our affairs, many innocents have suffered along the way. Young friend, let me handle this. It may take some time…"

As they spoke, noise erupted outside.

"Ouch~"

Downstairs, the ruffians who'd been causing trouble finally staggered to their feet, clutching their waists, stumbling toward the exit—and as they left, one turned back to shout:

"You little bastards wait—I'm gonna go get…"

Boom!

Before he finished, a palm struck him mid-sentence, sending him flying.

The man was unlucky—he crashed into a wine jar, slicing his back open, grimacing in pain.

He opened his mouth to curse—but when he saw who it was, he trembled violently, curled into a ball, feigned death, and dared not make a sound.

At the doorway stood three men from the Commandant Office—their leader a Battalion Commander, skin charred black, with triangular eyes and a goatee.

His gaze, sharp as a hawk's, swept the hall; the previously noisy atmosphere instantly turned icy.

Li Yan and the others had sensed it too—they stepped out of their rooms and stood on the second floor, watching below.

The Commandant Office men looked up, expressionless. "I am Liu Gan, Battalion Commander of Chongqing's Commandant Office. You look unfamiliar—where are you from, and where are you headed?"

Li Yan instantly disliked the man and refused to answer.

Sha Lifei smiled and bowed. "Sir, we're from Ezhou, headed for Qingcheng Mountain."

"Qingcheng Mountain?"

Liu the Battalion Commander glanced sideways, coldly: "A murder occurred at the dock. I'm ordered to investigate. No one leaves until I'm done—anyone who tries is fleeing in guilt!"

With that, he turned and left.

"Hey, hey, hey!"

Sha Lifei hurried after him, calling out.

They had Dao Dies and Ministry of War documents—how could they be treated as suspects? And they knew what was behind the killings. But the Battalion Commander ignored them completely and walked off.

"Cowardly bastard, this guy…"

Sha Lifei cursed, then rubbed his chin, squinting. "Li Yan, this guy's suspicious."

"Indeed."

Li Yan was thoughtful. "We'll talk later."

"He's setting a trap!"

Back in their room, Li Yan spoke directly: "If the Commandant Office were investigating, they'd at least ask about our background—but he didn't ask a thing."

Sha Lifei instantly understood. "He knows who we are. If we produce our Dao Dies and Ministry documents, he won't be able to do what he wants."

"And if we're suspects, why isn't anyone watching us? Clearly he's playing games."

"If we leave, tomorrow's wanted posters will be out."

Sha Lifei grew even more suspicious. "We just arrived in Fengdou and were blocked immediately. Right after you came down from the mountain, a murder happened—too convenient…"

!.

Of all those present, he understood the ways of the Jianghu best.

"Looks like a hitching post, but it's brute force—if I'm not mistaken, there's a sharper blade coming behind it!"

Before he finished speaking, Li Yan raised his hand, signaling him to be silent.

Thud! Thud! Thud!

A sound came from the window.

Sha Li Fei immediately pressed down on his firearm, while Li Yan shook his head slightly, stepped forward, and pulled open the window—immediately, a figure leapt inside.

He wore the uniform of a constable—clearly the head constable from the dock earlier.

"Greetings, Elder."

Li Yan directly bowed in greeting.

This man was precisely the black-robed figure who had spoken to him last night.

Who could have imagined that someone from the Huangquan organization was a constable?

But this identity was perfectly suited.

He could move freely and remained inconspicuous.

"My name is Meng Changgui."

This head constable showed no surprise whatsoever.

He was skilled in both martial arts and Daoist techniques, which is why he remained in Fengdou County as Huangquan's liaison.

He had already sensed Li Yan's gaze at the dock.

After sitting down, he did not look at the others, only nodded to Li Yan and said: "Congratulations, Daoist friend. Though it took some time, you've barely passed."

Li Yan's expression remained unchanged. "Just luck."

Meng Changgui did not know that last night Li Yan had triggered the thousand-year legacy left by Yin Changsheng; he merely paused, then nodded: "Since you've passed the trial, regardless of how, you are now a brother of Huangquan, under the organization's protection."

"Especially regarding those Wushan hermits—someone will warn them. No need to worry further. But formal membership must wait until the twelfth lunar month."

"Thank you."

Li Yan slightly bowed his fists.

Huangquan was extremely mysterious. This Meng Changgui was a skilled expert, yet only served as a liaison. The organization's depth was profound, its history ancient, with many Shenzhou experts secretly joining.

Even Wei Zheng and Bao Zheng had once been members—this was precisely what drew Li Yan.

No matter what the future held, at least it was a true organization of Living Yin Officers; entering it might reveal many secrets.

As Meng Changgui spoke, his expression turned serious. "I've come here in person for another matter—have you offended the Salt Guild?"

"Correct."

Li Yan did not conceal anything, briefly recounting the events in Wushan.

"Hmph!"

Meng Changgui sneered: "No wonder someone deliberately leaked this affair in Fengdou County, so we'd find out."

"And Liu Gan—he was bought by the Salt Guild long ago. He arrived in Fengdou yesterday, likely sent specifically for you."

"So the dock murder is also connected to them…"

"Elder, you're mistaken."

Before he finished, Li Yan interrupted him, explaining how he had encountered the yao sheng "Water Tiger" in Wushan, and how it had inexplicably followed him here.

Of course, some key details were still withheld.

"Yao sheng?"

After listening, Meng Changgui fell silent for a moment, then shook his head: "Some within the organization disapprove of you—they think your actions are too showy and that you've meddled too deeply in mortal affairs. Disaster is inevitable."

"Last night's trial was their insistence. Otherwise, we're all Living Yin Officers—why make it so complicated?"

"Now they'll have even more to say…"

"But rest assured—though Huangquan primarily acts on Heaven's behalf and avoids mortal affairs, we are not soft targets."

"The Salt Guild's plan is simply to drag you into conflict and use imperial law to crush you. If you leave, the Commandant's Office will surely pursue you. In the chaos, if a few of you die, the matter becomes unclear."

"The Salt Guild has won over many officials in Shu, and after gaining the support of the Wang Fu, their power has exploded. Do not confront them directly."

"Leave this to us. The Qingniu Temple's people have already arrived—we'll inform them of the yao sheng matter. Once resolved, you may depart."

"There's another matter—the Qingniu Temple may have problems too."

Li Yan recounted the Qingniu Temple incident.

"Oh!"

Upon hearing this, Meng Changgui suddenly rose, his face grave. "If true, this is troublesome."

"We'll investigate thoroughly. Stay in the inn—don't wander off!"

Saying this, he gave a slight bow, then turned and leapt out the window and vanished.

"The Salt Guild won't let this go, will they…"

After he left, Sha Li Fei complained: "With the Wang Fu backing them, they're acting without restraint. We're bound to face trouble on this journey."

As he spoke, his eyes rolled. "Young Master Li, for this trip to Chengdu, we'd better change our approach."

"Chongqing Dock is crowded, with all sects and factions mingling—demons and dragons mixed together. Why not use the Golden Cicada Strategy? Conceal our identities and travel overland to Chengdu."

"Brilliant idea!"

Wang Daoxuan also stroked his beard in agreement, but then frowned: "Still, it's not easy—we're too many, men and women alike, too conspicuous. Blending in won't be simple…"

"I have a solution."

At that moment, the old woman Bai Huan spoke up: "The people of Shu value tradition. Every year Chengdu holds a grand lantern festival, passed down since Tang times—along with Flower Festival, Sky Lanterns, Street Pavilions, Burning Dragon Lanterns… very lively."

"It's already late autumn. All the traveling opera troupes from across Bashu are heading to Chengdu. We can get costumes and pose as an opera troupe, leaving overland."

Sha Li Fei grinned. "Old Elder, that's a good idea—but we don't know how to perform! What if they ask us to sing? We'd be exposed!"

"That's not hard."

The old woman Bai Huan smiled. "Have you heard of Yang Xi?"

Li Yan was curious. "I've heard of Yin Xi and Ghost Xi performed for the dead—but Yang Xi is new to me."

Bai Huan explained: "Yang Xi is also called 'Wu Yang Shen Xi.' It originated from Nu Xi and is popular among the Tujia people."

"This 'Wu Yang Shen Xi' has inner and outer altars—the inner altar performs rituals, the outer altar performs opera. The key is everyone must wear Nu masks, and the more mysterious, the better."

"In Bashu, with few commoners and many Daoists, Wu Yang Shen Xi is extremely popular. If you always wear the masks, not only will you not attract suspicion, you'll be respected—no one dares to provoke you. Perfect for hiding your identity."

"To be honest, we've performed Yang Xi in Dachang City. When the Daoist performs rituals inside the altar, my disciples perform opera outside—it'll be indistinguishable from a real Yang Xi troupe."

"Perfect!"

Li Yan nodded in agreement, then thought for a moment and turned to "Fast Boat Zhang": "When we reach Chongqing Dock, Elder, sell the boat outright, disguise yourself, and leave. We'll depart overland."

"Easy."

"Fast Boat Zhang" smiled: "I still have many connections along this waterway. Returning to Ezhou will be effortless…"

After much discussion, they settled on the plan.

But Fengdou's affairs remain unresolved—they could only wait in the inn.

When Li Yan returned to his room, he finally had the chance to take out the gou die containing the jade accessory and examine it carefully…

The second watch comes at night.

(End of Chapter)