Chapter 456: [Chapter 456: Corpse Forest]

The night was like ink, and the evening wind let out bursts of sobbing.

Splash! Splash!

The Jialing River water slapped against the shore, yet it could not mask the sound of digging in the soil beside the reef.

With a fire-starter placed to the side, borrowing its faint glow, the yamen runner swung his hoe again and again, his eyes flickering with nervousness and fear.

"Woo-woo~"

Beside his ears, it seemed as if the sound of a child crying drifted over.

His body shuddered, and coupled with the stench of corpses constantly surging into his nasal cavity, he finally couldn't help but feel his legs go weak, kneeling on the ground, pressing his palms together, and trembling as he said: "Don't blame me, don't blame me, I am also helpless..."

Having said that, he picked up the hoe and continued to dig the soil.

One stroke after another, sweat dripped down continuously.

He seemed to feel that something around him was watching him, but his whole body was trembling, and he didn't even dare to raise his head.

Crack!

With a crisp sound, he finally dug up something.

Borrowing the light of the fire-starter to look, he was instantly horrified.

He saw that in the mud, a rotting child's head was exposed, its eyes hollow and covered in maggots, as if it were looking up at him.

Even stranger was that there was a weird smile on the corners of its mouth.

"Not right, not right..."

The yamen runner was so terrified that his whole body bristled, and he muttered: "When it was buried, it was clearly head-down, how did it change?"

"Perhaps you remembered wrong?"

An indifferent voice suddenly sounded from behind him.

"Ah——!"

The yamen runner's hair stood on end immediately, and he turned around abruptly.

He saw that on the reef beside him, at some unknown time, a dark figure had already stood, looking down at him from above.

"Yuan Aqiu, it's you!"

Although the light was dim, the yamen runner still recognized the other party's identity; he was the junior martial brother of Constable Wan Baoquan, both from the Transformation Gate of Emei.

Both were constables, but their factions were different.

He was a local tyrant of Chongqing, three generations of yamen runners, well-acquainted with both the underworld and the authorities, and he didn't make little money on the side usually.

As for Wan Baoquan, he had made a name for himself and was heavily relied upon by the Chongqing Prefecture Yamen, gradually earning the title of the number one divine constable in the Southwest.

The benefits of this were self-evident.

At the very least, the number of disciples in those martial arts schools of the Transformation Gate had surged suddenly.

Wan Baoquan being able to make a name for himself was inseparable from the help of these junior martial brothers of his; the two sides usually kept to their own business.

"Damn it..."

The yamen runner cursed inwardly, then pleaded: "Junior brother, listen to a piece of advice from your elder brother, don't go poking your nose into this matter, just pretend you didn't see it."

Seeing the other party's indifferent face, not even responding to his words, the yamen runner was suddenly annoyed and ashamed, drew his blade with a clang, and stabbed forward fiercely.

"Go to hell!"

But just as the blade was thrust out, the figure was gone from before his eyes.

Wan Baoquan's lineage was not only the "Transformation Gate" among the Eight Leaves, but also had another name, called the Silkworm Closing Gate.

"Silkworm" meant that when performing boxing, it was like a silkworm spinning silk, continuous and unending; "Closing" meant sealing the opponent tightly when facing an enemy, avoiding the solid and striking the void, hence the name.

This gate valued striking, grappling, and throwing equally; just as the yamen runner's blade was thrust out, the opponent rolled in mid-air, flipped over his head, and simultaneously hooked the yamen runner's neck with his right hand.

Bang!

The yamen runner only felt the world spinning, and his whole body was slammed onto the ground.

Seeing him faint, Wan Baoquan's junior brother spat, then came to the deep pit to look down.

Seeing the rotting corpse of the child, killing intent rose in his eyes, and then he carefully checked the surroundings.

At this, he immediately discovered more suspicious points.

Many sandy areas seemed to have been disturbed by someone...

Soon, a large group of yamen runners arrived upon hearing the news; torches were burning brightly on the riverbank, and the sound of hoes and pickaxes digging the ground was constant.

One child corpse after another was dug out, one every three feet, all highly decomposed, looking up at the sky...

Wan Baoquan only felt his scalp go numb, and he muttered:

"Corpse Forest!"

…………

"Quick, you go this way!"

"You search that side!"

"Everyone search carefully for me!"

Just as dawn was breaking, the tranquility on the street was broken.

Several yamen runners and a team of garrison soldiers rushed into the old street, going door to door, breaking in to conduct searches.

Because of the plague back then, many people died in this street and alley, and later some things happened one after another, so it was regarded as an ominous place by the people of Chongqing.

Only those wandering the martial world were willing to stay here.

"Where are you from?"

"Do you have a permit to enter the city?"

"What is that!"

The yamen runners and officials were like wolves and tigers; after breaking in, they either rummaged around or took people for interrogation, scaring these wandering performers into crying for their parents.

Because of the Wu Troupe affair, many troupes had already left in advance, and those remaining were tortured and interrogated, unable to help but regret in their hearts.

Clang!

The small courtyard where Li Yan and the others were staying was also kicked open.

But just as they entered the door, they smelled a foul odor.

They saw the little white fox Chuchu standing in the courtyard, wagging its tail, its pair of large azure eyes staring fixedly at the soldiers who rushed in.

The pupils of these soldiers immediately lost focus.

Li Yan and the others were standing in the courtyard, but in the eyes of these few soldiers, the courtyard before them was overgrown with weeds and empty of people.

"Let's go, there's no one here!"

The leading soldier shouted, and took his men away.

After they left, the small courtyard door also slowly closed.

The surrounding streets were all under Lu San's surveillance; these soldiers had been discovered by them before they even arrived.

The little white fox Chuchu had finally mastered the Soul-Bewitching Art.

Although it was still immature, it was no problem to deal with these soldiers.

The soldiers searched to no avail, and after extorting some silver from the wandering performers, they left satisfied.

"Good fellow!"

After they left, Sha Lifei immediately said with dissatisfaction: "We only slaughtered a few evil beggars, was there a need for this."

Li Yan was thoughtful and looked at Lu San, "San'er, let Lidong take a look, what is it like in other places?"

Lu San nodded and raised his hand; the falcon soared into the sky, circled over Chongqing Prefecture, and after landing, chirped.

"It's a city-wide search." Lu San replied in a muffled voice.

Upon hearing this, everyone looked at each other in dismay.

A city-wide search was not commonly used; it not only required mobilizing garrison troops and blocking roads, but also allowed breaking into people's homes to search, which was very unpopular.

Especially since Chongqing Prefecture was the largest wharf in the Southwest, with complex traffic and developed trade, one didn't know how much loss it would cause.

Li Yan frowned slightly upon hearing this, "Something is not right, you stay here, I'll go investigate..."

Having said that, he pinched a magic seal and performed the Profound Xuan Xuan Shui Dun.

Today the fog in Chongqing Prefecture had dissipated a bit, but the sky was still gloomy, and the thin mist like gauze wrapped around the entire mountain city.

Once the Profound Xuan Xuan Shui Dun was used, Li Yan immediately disappeared without a trace, arrived at a nearby block, and after listening to some soldiers' idle chatter, his expression changed slightly, and he quickly returned to the large mansion.

"That group of beggars is problematic!" Looking at everyone's gaze, Li Yan said in a deep voice: "The yamen searched last night and found hundreds of child corpses on the riverbank, hidden in the soil, dense as a forest, and their eyeballs had all been dug out by someone."

Wang Daoxuan frowned, "Corpse Forest?"

Li Yan nodded and said: "It should be."

"What is a Corpse Forest?" Sha Lifei asked suspiciously.

Wang Daoxuan shook his head and said: "'Corpse Forest' originated in Shendu (ancient India), meaning 'grave field', also known as 'cold forest'."

"Later it was introduced to Fomen and became a place for cultivation, which can quickly break the obsession with the physical body. In the 'Sutra of Abandoning the Body for Practice', it advises people to divide their flesh and blood after death and give it as alms in the Corpse Forest to be eaten by birds and beasts."

"Before the Sui and Tang dynasties, there was this custom in Buddhist-revering areas in the Han lands, but later evil people borrowed it to perform evil arts, so it was banned."

"Nowadays, Tibetan Esoteric Fomen still retains it, and Fomen also has the White Bone Contemplation method passed down, which is relatively rare."

"In the 'Journey to the West' that was popular a few years ago, the book mentions that the foot of Lingshan Mountain, Lion Camel Ridge, was covered in white bones; perhaps it was talking about a 'Corpse Forest'."

Sha Lifei said speechlessly: "Cultivating in a graveyard, isn't that..."

Before he finished speaking, he hurriedly shut his mouth and looked at Li Yan.

!.

Li Yan shook his head and said: "Two different things, that method of mine is to borrow the Yin Sha Qi, while the 'Corpse Forest' method is to see through the non-existence of the flesh."

"Killing people to create a forest, most likely someone is practicing the evil arts derived from it, and they are all looking for children, digging out their eyes..."

Wang Daoxuan felt a chill in his heart, "Borrowing luck to break through the realm!"

…………

"This is an evil person borrowing luck to break through the realm!"

Inside the main hall of the Chongqing Prefecture Yamen, an old Daoist with a white beard spoke eloquently.

Unlike Wudang, he wore a white Daoist robe, held a horsetail whisk, had the appearance of a crane-haired child, and a tall and thin figure, quite possessing the charm of an immortal.

The Daoist's name was Dan Hezi, an Emei expert, and also the temple keeper of the Chongqing Prefecture Chenghuangmiao.

High in the hall, Chongqing Provincial Governor Du Ling looked at the file in his hand, the anger in his eyes already hard to suppress, and he said in a deep voice: "Daoist, the Chenghuangmiao is responsible for the Mystic Sect affairs in Chongqing Prefecture, and the Law Enforcement Hall hasn't given little silver over the years, why did this still happen?"

He was impeached by officials from Chengdu Prefecture, and although he had the help of high-ranking court officials to keep his official position, he was also reprimanded by the Emperor's decree.

Du Ling was also shrewd and knew what this meant.

He did nothing wrong; the Emperor was also guarding against the Prince of Shu, and although he wouldn't take action, he had to find a way to balance it.

Therefore, as soon as he arrived, he quickly reorganized Chongqing Prefecture to seize power.

But now the war in the Southwest was at a critical juncture, and the reprimand decree was to make him lie low and not cause trouble at this time.

He was also very honest, immediately claiming illness and rarely showing his face.

Who would have thought that such a big mess would be made again.

Hearing the Provincial Governor's reprimand, the Daoist didn't care at all, just said indifferently: "My Lord, forgive me, I have been in charge of the Chenghuangmiao for less than a year, but looking at those corpses, it must have started at least two years ago."

Provincial Governor Du Ling's eyes turned cold, and he didn't dwell on this matter anymore.

He naturally knew about the affairs of Mount Qingcheng and Emei, but although these two sides were competing, they never participated in the affairs between the Prince of Shu and the imperial court.

He didn't want to force them too much and cause any trouble.

Thinking of this, Chongqing Provincial Governor Du Ling asked again: "May I ask Daoist, what is 'borrowing luck to break through the realm'?"

Dan Hezi flicked his horsetail whisk and said in a deep voice: "Cultivators often have limited natural talent, or are advanced in age, making it difficult to break through; in the Mystic Sect, this is called insufficient opportunity and good fortune."

"Some people, in their desperation, will borrow various evil arts to devour the good fortune of children to break through the realm."

"These evil people are simply insane!"

Provincial Governor Du Ling slammed the table fiercely and looked to the side, "Constable Wan, any progress?"

Wan Baoquan hurriedly cupped his hands and said: "There are people from the yamen involved in this matter; I have already taken them down and am currently interrogating them with severe torture."

"But that person is very difficult to deal with, insisting that he was the one who directed the abduction of people and it has nothing to do with others."

"Continue asking, pry his mouth open!"

Provincial Governor Du Ling ordered coldly, then hesitated for a moment and said: "With people from the yamen involved, it concerns the face of the imperial court; Constable Wan, don't talk nonsense about things you shouldn't."

"Yes, this subordinate understands."

Wan Baoquan hurriedly cupped his hands: "Everyone has been given a gag order, just saying that wandering evil people are causing trouble, and the garrison troops are searching everywhere."

Provincial Governor Du Ling nodded with satisfaction.

"Within three days, quell this matter."

"Daoist, this matter also requires your hard work."

"My Lord, I understand."

After some instructions, Provincial Governor Du Ling turned and left.

Dan Hezi also turned and left the main hall; before he had walked two steps, Wan Baoquan followed him at a trot, his face bitter as he said: "Uncle-Master, please give me a pointer, what exactly is going on here?"

Dan Hezi glanced indifferently, "You are the number one divine constable in the Southwest, and I am not good at investigating cases, why ask me?"

"This..."

Wan Baoquan looked around and whispered: "That group of brats from the Commandant's Office have been following behind our backs from the beginning; although they didn't hinder the investigation, they are always threatening people in a hanging manner."

"And also, I know that kid; he loves money and lust, bullies the weak and fears the strong, and is definitely not someone who can shoulder the responsibility, but now he is like he's eaten a weight, refusing to open his mouth even if beaten to death; the real culprit is probably not small in background."

"Why do I feel like someone has set us up?"

He could speak official language, but once anxious, he was full of Sichuan flavor.

Dan Hezi looked at the sky and said indifferently: "The people from Mount Qingcheng have left, taking away all the Chenghuangmiao's troops and horses; the mountain is now in chaos, and I can't provide support, which really makes me, the old Daoist, embarrassed."

"In my opinion, this matter is a fight between two tigers; the people from the Commandant's Office probably know something; you should probe around and end this matter early."

"Remember, just handle it impartially; no matter what happens, our Mystic Sect must not participate in it!"

Having said that, he flicked his large sleeves and strode away.

These words were spoken in a fog.

However, when Wan Baoquan heard them, his expression changed suddenly, and he cursed in a low voice: "Damn your ancestors..."

Suddenly, he thought of something, and without a word, he ran towards the prison, simultaneously saying urgently to his junior brother beside him: "Quick, follow me, get the person out first, can't keep him in the prison anymore!"

His junior brother was confused and followed closely behind.

Arriving outside the prison, Wan Baoquan immediately asked the jailer, "Has anyone been here before?"

Hearing this, the jailer hesitated.

"Speak quickly, be careful I beat you to death!"

Wan Baoquan shouted angrily.

The jailer hurriedly replied: "Just now, Record Keeper Zhao was here..."

"You idiot!"

Wan Baoquan was furious and immediately rushed into the prison.

The yamen runner caught last night was a major criminal, locked in the deepest part of the prison, and heavy guards were deployed.

But as soon as Wan Baoquan entered the prison, he discovered something wrong.

All the jailers and yamen runners were standing in place motionless with weird smiles, their faces blue, and they had stopped breathing.

He drew his long blade with a clang and rushed directly into the deepest part of the prison.

He saw that inside the cell, the yamen runner from last night was covered in blood, his head rolling on the ground, and standing in front of him was a middle-aged official.

"Zhao, you're crazy!"

Wan Baoquan shouted angrily, finding it hard to believe.

This Record Keeper Zhao was usually a good person in the yamen, often drank with him, and when drunk, would recite poems, for which he was often mocked.

How could the other party suddenly do this.

The middle-aged official was standing with his back to them; hearing Wan Baoquan arrive, he slowly turned around, a weird smile appearing on his face.

The small knife in his hand directly cut his own throat.

Pfft!

Blood sprayed, and the light in the prison flickered uncertainly...

(End of chapter)