Chapter 475: Three-Way Standoff

Night fell, and the candlelight was dim.

Inside the room, several scholars looked at each other.

These young masters were all thinking about how to perform tonight so they could show off in front of their classmates.

It looked ridiculous, but it was human nature.

Whether it was a martial world person trying to make a name for themselves or competing in the imperial court, if you wanted to shock everyone, you had to have a draft in your belly.

As the saying goes, life is like a play. If you don't prepare your lines first and just bite the bullet and go on stage, few can perform normally.

Most will only make a fool of themselves.

For those who look glorious on stage, you don't know how much effort they put in behind the scenes and how many lines they memorized.

But some things sound interesting, but when you really encounter them...

They aren't fun at all!

In classic stories and strange legends, there are often two or three scholars staying in a ruined temple at night, seeing through the tricks of ghosts and demons while chatting and laughing, righteous and awe-inspiring, scaring them away.

These young masters had also prepared their lines in their hearts, but as night fell, fear inevitably welled up in their hearts.

That Young Master Wang swallowed his saliva and squeezed out a smile, "Classmates, today's matter can be considered interesting. I once heard a story..."

"Brother Wang, stop!"

Another scholar smiled bitterly, "I also thought of a story, but it's really not suitable to tell right now. Let's all be alert later. No matter what movement we hear, don't go out."

"That makes sense!"

"A gentleman does not stand under a dangerous wall. Today was reckless..."

The other scholars nodded one after another.

Li Yan leaned against the wall, holding his sword, and almost laughed out loud.

"Zhu Chen" glanced at him and suddenly said, "This righteous hero Li, we are all unarmed people. Since you are skilled in fist and foot, why not go out and watch the fun?"

As he spoke, flying needles had already appeared in his sleeves.

He had originally thought that Li Yan was a spy for that group of people and wanted to keep him by his side to fish out the people behind him, so as not to spoil things.

Who knew that after waiting until it was dark, he didn't see Li Yan contact anyone, and he had lost his patience.

This was to force him to leave and solve it outside.

If he didn't agree, he would immediately kill him.

"That's true."

Who knew that Li Yan also nodded in agreement, opened the door directly, shook his cloak, and strode into the night.

A trace of surprise flashed in "Zhu Chen's" eyes.

The other scholars were anxious. The leading Young Master Wang hurriedly said, "Brother Zhu, you are confused. Keeping this person could still protect us. Why let him go?"

"Exactly, exactly, call him back quickly."

"We didn't bring guards when we came out this time..."

Others also spoke up one after another.

"Shut up, all of you!"

"Zhu Chen" was too lazy to act anymore. He flipped his sleeves, revealing his right hand covered in calluses, and his fingertips flicked rapidly.

Swish, swish, swish!

Small iron needles whistled out.

The heads of several young masters tilted, and they fell to the ground one after another.

Iron needles were stuck under the occipital bone behind their necks.

Fengfu acupoint; silver needles hitting the acupoint can cause a person to faint, and if it's a bit heavier, it can directly take their life.

"Zhu Chen" didn't use lethal force, not because he was soft-hearted, but because of a habit he had developed since childhood, calculating the gains and losses of interests.

These young masters had significant influence in Chengdu Prefecture. It was enough to just swindle them. If he took their lives, it would inevitably invite revenge.

It wasn't fear; it just wasn't appropriate.

Seeing that several people were completely unconscious, "Zhu Chen" put away the iron needles one by one, tore off his Confucian robe, revealing the black night-traveling clothes inside.

After closing the door, he exerted force under his feet, soared into the air by stepping on the corner of the wall, landed on the tiles, and followed Li Yan's direction like a nimble cat, silently.

However, after leaving the Wu Hou Shrine, "Zhu Chen" also stopped, his ears twitched, and he looked around with a puzzled expression.

Just a moment ago, he could still hear Li Yan's footsteps,

how did they disappear in the blink of an eye?

He became increasingly vigilant, shook a piece of black cloth from his bosom, wrapped his body in it, and turned; his figure disappeared instantly.

Only a black shadow was seen moving rapidly toward the back mountain.

What he didn't notice was that in the dark bamboo forest, faint water mist was drifting; it was Li Yan, who had used the Mystic Xuan Xuan Shui Dun.

The function of the "Dragon Snake Tablet" was, firstly, to mask his aura, and secondly, to enhance the Xuan Xuan Shui Dun. It could be said that it was perfect for Li Yan.

With this item, Li Yan could be said to be like a tiger with wings.

"Shadow Escape?"

Watching the other party leave, Li Yan was thoughtful.

The other party's Shadow Escape was clearly not authentic and was mixed with some illusion arts, a bit like the style of the Xicai Sect.

This was the characteristic of heterodox experts.

They couldn't compare to the systematic nature of the Mystic Sect and the Dharma Sect, learning all kinds of strange and weird arts, mainly favoring practicality.

Suddenly, his ears twitched, and he looked toward the Wu Hou Shrine.

Inside the silent temple, some sound seemed to be coming.

Li Yan listened carefully and immediately heard the sound of gongs, cymbals, and suonas playing, as well as an old man's vicissitudinous singing: "Seven stars hang high, illuminating the firmament; Liang sets up an altar to pray to the Heavenly Duke..."

This was "Seven Star Lamp," telling the story of Zhuge Wu Hou lighting the Seven Star Lamp at Wuzhang Plains to extend his life.

Li Yan, upon hearing this, felt doubt rise in his heart.

This kind of Dharma method did exist. The Mystic Sect spoke of "Seven Stars descending to the boy to guard his body," which was to gather the seven souls, reflect the Big Dipper, and forcibly extend life.

Its more ancient source was "Worshipping the Big Dipper."

Not to mention whether this happened in history, even if it succeeded, it would not be tolerated by the "Heavenly Law" and would become a crime against the underworld.

Unless, there was the protection of the Shu Kingdom's national sacrificial artifact.

Zhuge Wu Hou had long since died, and no one knew the inside story. The one in front of him was a folk god condensed from the incense of the common people, most likely recording the sound of the play during sacrificial performances.

But for no reason, why sing a play...

Could it be caused by something?

Li Yan's heart stirred, and he hurriedly found a nearby stream, pinched the Dharma seal, held the hook order, used the Divine Communication Art, and took a step forward.

Whoosh~

The wind whistled around him, and the light and shadow before his eyes changed drastically.

The Wu Hou Shrine remains as it was, yet it is completely empty. The blue smoke of incense rises above, vaguely forming the silhouette of a person draped in Daoist robes, wearing a scholar's headscarf, and leaning over to play the zither.

And behind him, there were vaguely three figures, precisely Liu, Guan, and Zhang.

Seeing what was before him was not strange.

The Divine Communication Art passed down from Liu Gang's secret method could see scenes in Daoist temples that ordinary people could not see.

With the addition of the jade accessory, he could also see outside the temple.

What made Li Yan strange was that Wu Hou was playing the zither, but the sound of a play appeared, and the folk gods in the shrine were all attracted.

Could it be that this was the reason why the "Zither Insect" could cause trouble?

Ding ding dong dong!

Just then, the sound of the zither rang out.

This sound was very strange. Li Yan, upon hearing it, felt a blur before his eyes and actually felt sleepy.

His heart tightened, and he hurriedly withdrew the Dharma art.

This was the drawback of the Divine Communication Art.

It was similar to the soul leaving the body, making it easy to be targeted by such arts.

Sure enough, after the soul returned to the body, that drowsy feeling disappeared instantly, but the sound of the zither in his ears still existed.

This was the sound heard by the Ear Divine Ability.

Li Yan understood instantly. The logic of the "Zither Insect" choosing targets was to find those with full spirituality.

Ordinary people couldn't hear it and slept soundly.

And those with spirituality would hear the zither music and be confused.

As long as he followed the confused person, he could find the "Zither Insect."

Swish, swish! Just then, two figures appeared. One held a silver spear and an iron net, and the other held an ancient zither. It was precisely demon hunter Tang Ling and Zither Demon Pei Yufang.

Apparently, they also sensed something strange.

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

Demon hunter Tang Ling stood on the high wall, looking at the Wu Hou Shrine below, and said in a deep voice, "There must be something else placed in the Wu Hou Shrine related to the 'Zither Insect,' so this thing can enter the temple and harm people."

The old woman Pei Yufang said calmly, "Knowing it is useless. This place collects many ancient Shu-Han artifacts, and there is no time to search carefully."

"Let's see who gets picked, and following them will naturally lead us to it."

Having said that, her eyes turned cold, "The matter of catching the 'Zither Insect' is left to you. This old woman will slaughter anyone who gets in the way first!"

As soon as the words fell, she jumped out.

She held the ancient zither and jumped off the wall, exerting force under her feet after landing.

Only a bang was heard, a dirt pit appeared on the ground, and her whole body soared into the air again, pinching the Dharma seal in the air, and plucked hard on the ancient zither.

!.

Hum!

A violent wind rose, and visible ripples, rolling fallen leaves, swept in all directions, with an extremely astonishing momentum.

What a ferocious old woman!

Li Yan narrowed his eyes and retreated rapidly.

The other party's ancient zither was a bit like his Cloud Thunder Divine Drum, but it was inducing Geng Metal Qi to attack.

Making such a commotion was clearly to break the escape art.

Sure enough, the violent wind and fallen leaves rolled past, and the sound of cloth tearing came from the air; "Zhu Chen" immediately revealed his figure.

Li Yan, upon seeing this, felt his heart tighten.

This guy was really cunning. His escape art was clearly more refined, yet he deliberately revealed flaws, and after leaving, he returned.

His own movement just now had likely been discovered by the other party.

In terms of martial world experience, he was still a notch behind.

This "Zhu Chen's" illusion art was broken, exposing his figure, but he wasn't panicked at all. He sneered, "Zither Demon Pei Yufang, what's the rush? There are still guests here; don't let others take advantage."

As soon as the words fell, he flicked his large sleeves.

Swish!

Iron needles whistled, heading straight for Li Yan.

Zither Demon Pei Yufang looked up, only to see the iron needles fly into the darkness of the woods, but they were suddenly caught by a hand.

The water mist dissipated, and Li Yan slowly revealed his figure.

"Not bad, kid."

"Zhu Chen's" eyes flickered with killing intent, but his face was full of smiles, "Where did a dragon crossing the river like you come from? Do you dare to reveal your name?"

"Easy to say, 'One Foot Inside the Gate'."

Li Yan said indifferently, "This person is also not an ordinary person, right? Why hide and cover up, not daring to see people?"

"One Foot Inside the Gate" referred to the surname "Li."

It was taken from the homophone of "one foot inside the gate, one foot outside the gate."

The other party provoked him to say his name, so naturally, he also had to force the other party to show their true face.

"His name is 'Young Master Wuxiang'."

The old woman Pei Yufang suddenly spoke, saying indifferently, "A famous swindler in Chengdu Prefecture, an 'Anzuozi' (leader) of the Bee, Hemp, Swallow, Sparrow four sects. He never has a face; forcing him is useless."

"On the contrary, Li Li Shaoxia, you arrived in Chengdu without a sound. The things you took should be returned, right?"

Hearing the old woman's mockery, "Young Master Wuxiang" didn't care, but instead looked at Li Yan with interest, "You really are a dragon crossing the river."

"What treasure did you take from this old shrew?"

"It's not this old woman's thing."

Pei Yufang said calmly, "You know the 'Wish-fulfilling Yang Baozhu' of the Prince of Shu's mansion, right? It's in this kid's hands."

"Oh, no wonder he could fool me."

Young Master Wuxiang had a sudden realization.

These two were singing in harmony, and both inside and outside were plays.

Young Master Wuxiang spoke to provoke a fight between Li Yan and Pei Yufang, and the Zither Demon immediately brought up the "Wish-fulfilling Yang Baozhu."

She wasn't doing it to help the Prince of Shu's mansion, but to use the treasure to cause a fight between Li Yan and Young Master Wuxiang.

Unfortunately, Young Master Wuxiang was equally shrewd and shook his head directly, "The 'Wish-fulfilling Yang Baozhu' is good, but it's very hot to handle. I don't have the guts to go against the Prince of Shu's mansion."

Having said that, he cupped his hands to Li Yan, "Brother Li, this old shrew is called Pei Yufang, nicknamed Zither Demon."

"I just swindle people out of things, but she kills without blinking, never leaves anyone alive, and has defected to the Prince of Shu's mansion. She's very troublesome."

"Why don't we cooperate and kill her first?"

Li Yan nodded, "Good!"

"Do it!"

"Young Master Wuxiang" gave a low shout and soared out, but after taking two steps, he stopped again, turned his head to look at Li Yan, who was motionless, frowned and said, "Little brother, why aren't you doing it?"

Li Yan glanced at him and was too lazy to pay attention.

This guy was full of plays, and not a single word could be trusted.

If he acted rashly, this guy might dare to sneak attack from behind, and then he could still righteously say you were stupid.

The so-called "Anzuozi" was the leader of swindlers. Listening to Pei Yufang's words, this guy was the leader of all swindlers in Chengdu Prefecture.

Li Yan would be a ghost if he believed him.

"Hmph!"

The old woman Pei Yufang also sneered, "'Young Master Wuxiang,' don't underestimate this Li Li Shaoxia. He made a huge name for himself in Ezhou and is also a Living Yin Messenger."

"Once the Yin Soldiers come out, we'll all die!"

"Oh."

Hearing this, "Young Master Wuxiang" finally became vigilant, retreated a few steps, and said calmly, "Little brother, it's just grabbing something; wasting a Gang Order isn't worth it."

As they spoke, the three stood in a triangle, guarding against each other.

Li Yan's Gang Order had long since been exhausted, but he wouldn't say so, otherwise, he would face the siege of two experts.

As the saying goes, speaking too much leads to mistakes. He simply stopped talking and looked at demon hunter Tang Ling, who was standing on the wall.

Tang Ling seemed not to have heard them talking at all, just staring fixedly at the courtyard, seemingly waiting for something.

I don't know what tricks the "Zither Insect" played, but with such a huge commotion from these people, the temple keeper and small Daoist boys in the temple were all sleeping soundly like dead pigs.

"It's coming!"

Demon hunter Tang Ling suddenly spoke.

Only to see the door of the room where the scholars were staying open with a creak, and a scholar walked out with dull eyes.

It was precisely that Young Master Wang.

Pei Yufang glanced at him indifferently and mocked, "The son of Wang Ding, Right Administration Commissioner. Young Master Wuxiang, you'll have to bear this karma."

"Young Master Wuxiang" sneered, "These scholars are foolish themselves; what does it have to do with me? Truly, officials have two mouths and just talk nonsense."

It could be seen that these two were already at odds.

Demon hunter Tang Ling didn't pay attention to the two arguing. Seeing that Young Master Wang confusedly opened the main gate and left the Wu Hou Shrine, he immediately followed.

Li Yan and the other two followed closely behind, but they were vigilant against each other.

Leaving the Wu Hou Shrine, Young Master Wang's speed became faster and faster, as if he were completely fascinated, stumbling toward the hills behind.

Along the way, he passed through the woods, his face covered in bloodstains from the withered branches.

Finally, he arrived in front of a dilapidated tomb mound, his eyes rolled back, and he fell straight to the ground.

The others also opened their eyes wide.

Only to see the soil on the side of the tomb mound loosen, a cold wind suddenly rose, fallen leaves flew and rolled, and a black thing drilled out.

Its body was like a snake, but it had insect armor, like a centipede, divided into sections.

And its head was a bit like a horse's face, slender and covered with red mane, and it had insect mouthparts.

Not a wild beast, but a strange insect!

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 476 =====