Chapter 477: The Gathering of Outsiders

On the road, Li Yan had noticed something off about the scholar.

His stance was extremely stable, yet he deliberately sweated a little…

His hands were always tucked behind his back—first to appear upright and imposing, second to hide the calluses on his palms with his wide sleeves…

He spoke with scholarly grace but rarely uttered more than necessary, yet always seized the initiative at critical moments…

He wore a human-skin mask,

and when entering the temple, he suppressed all his aura.

He was acting so convincingly that he was likely a swindler from the Dark Eight Gates, specifically one of the "Bee, Hemp, Swallow, Sparrow" quartet, using a group of naive scholars as a front.

During the day, the crowd was too thick—he probably couldn't find him; he'd come back at night…

Li Yan shook his head slightly, preparing to leave.

But just then, a voice rang out from behind: "Brother, greetings."

Li Yan frowned slightly and turned slowly.

There came Zhu Chen, flanked by several scholars, striding forward with a slight bow: "Your bearing is extraordinary, and you carry weapons—you must be a martial hero. Would you be willing to assist us in uncovering this matter?"

His demeanor was refined, his smile utterly innocent.

The other scholars looked wary and confused.

Zhu Chen was a famed scholar from Yiling Commandery, even selected by He Shan Academy, so upon arriving in Chengdu, everyone immediately gathered around him.

In scholarly circles, reputation mattered, and mutual flattery was unavoidable.

For instance, if one of them traveled to a distant place and had even one or two friends organize a banquet or poetry gathering, inviting local literati, that was considered honorable.

If no one paid attention, it would be a grave loss of face.

Wealthy merchants and officials were also happy to sponsor such events, to bask in literary prestige and adorn their families' names.

Thus, it was an unspoken rule beneficial to all.

Scholarly reputation was built up bit by bit like this.

What puzzled them was why Zhu Chen was so reckless.

He knew the man was from the martial world, had no idea of his background, yet still dared to approach and invite him—was he not afraid he was a villain?

Besides, the man might not even agree.

But to their astonishment, Li Yan merely brushed his mustache and nodded without hesitation: "Zhuge Liang, the Sage Strategist, is revered by all. To cause chaos here is intolerable—I must investigate thoroughly."

Li Yan knew the man was sharp—he had recognized Li Yan wasn't ordinary, perhaps drawn by the "Qin Worm," and was testing him.

"Brother, you truly are a man of righteousness!"

"You've worked hard too."

"I am Zhu Chen. May I ask your esteemed name?"

"I am Li Kenan."

"That's an uncommon name. Is it your real one?"

"In the martial world, nothing is ever truly real…"

"True enough. When a man is dead, truth or falsehood no longer matters."

The two exchanged words, leaving the others bewildered, unable to grasp the subtext.

It was actually simple.

To greet someone with "you've worked hard" was a martial world custom.

Li Yan saying the other had worked hard was a direct hint at his true identity.

Zhu Chen, though unaware of Li Yan's background, relied on his own martial skill and techniques and didn't care—he assumed Li Yan was a spy from some faction and wanted to keep him close.

He was confident, even dared to issue a veiled threat.

He didn't know Li Yan wore the "Dragon-Snake Token," which concealed his entire aura, causing his misjudgment.

Seeing Li Yan no longer spoke, "Zhu Chen" nodded in satisfaction, then turned to the surrounding scholars and continued to sway them: "Gentlemen, if we unite to uncover this matter, it will become a tale worth telling…"

His words stirred interest in the scholars.

One hesitated: "But none of us are skilled in criminal investigations. Where do we even begin?"

"It's simple."

"Zhu Chen" said with proud confidence: "I have some knowledge of such matters, but first I must question the temple keeper about the details—though I fear he may be uncooperative."

Another spoke up: "Brother Zhu, don't worry. My Liu family has donated generously to the Wuhou Temple. He'll grant us this favor."

With that, he led the group straight to the temple keeper.

Li Yan sensed that "Zhu Chen," though speaking to others, kept his attention fixed entirely on him.

Li Yan didn't mind—he followed quietly behind.

He himself was confused about the matter—he had assumed it was about the "Qin Worm," but now it seemed more complicated.

If he could gather some information, all the better.

These scholars might be naive and blind to human malice, but their family backgrounds were all superior; together, they'd ensure the temple keeper treated them with caution.

The temple keeper was a fire-dwelling Daoist past fifty, with the Dao name Lingyun. Though he presented himself with grandeur and an ethereal aura, he was in truth only at the First Level.

His cultivation was low, and he excelled only in flattery and cultivating ties with the powerful.

"Young Master Liu, how is your father's health?"

"Young Master Wang, come year's end, I'll surely pay you a visit…"

After the pleasantries, the scholars couldn't help but ask about the matter.

"Master Lingyun, what exactly happened at the Wuhou Temple?"

"Yes, why hasn't the yamen sent anyone to seal off the place? Is there something hidden here?"

"I heard it was demonic activity?"

Master Lingyun flinched and quickly waved his hands: "Gentlemen, don't speak rashly. The Wuhou Temple is a sacred place of sages—how could demons exist here? It's merely wild beasts attacking people."

"The imperial censor sent by the court is currently in Chengdu. If someone exploits this incident, it could become a serious problem…"

At this, everyone understood.

Earlier, Chongqing had been embroiled in scandal, and the Prince of Shu had been rebuked by the Emperor, ordered to confine himself, and even had an imperial censor dispatched.

Officially, he was sent to inspect Chengdu, but everyone knew he was there to spy on the Prince of Shu—and chosen by a high-ranking court minister, likely gathering evidence against him.

This was a warning from the Emperor.

These scholars' families all had some connection to the Shu Prince's court and understood the danger.

"Zhu Chen" frowned deeply: "If so, why delay? We must investigate quickly to eliminate the damage."

"Young Master, you don't understand."

Master Lingyun shook his head: "The matter has been reported to the Chenghuang Temple. The Enforcement Hall sent someone, but found nothing, so they summoned a demon hunter to lie in wait."

"The past two days were quiet, but last night even the demon hunter died. I sent someone to the Chenghuang Temple again, but Huangling Sect is in chaos—something's happened, and they're utterly unresponsive."

Li Yan immediately understood the reason.

The ancient Wu Xian kingdom's stone coffin had been stolen—Huangling Sect would take it seriously, especially since it involved a fellow sect member.

Like Qingcheng Mountain, they were avoiding involvement in the matter between the Shu Prince and the court, so they didn't prioritize it.

One scholar caught the implication, his expression shifting: "Could it truly be some evil entity?"

Master Lingyun firmly denied: "The Wuhou Temple thrives with incense. Even if an elite Daoist from Qingcheng came, he wouldn't dare cast spells freely. It's definitely wild beasts."

"Zhu Chen" paused, then said: "Master, please recount the events in full. Perhaps we can find clues."

You're looking for nothing but nonsense!

The Daoist thought bitterly, but he wouldn't say anything offensive—he rose, closed the door, and whispered: "This matter is indeed peculiar."

"A few days ago, a group of merchants from Huizhou arrived, spending lavishly and conversing pleasantly with me. They wished to stay in the temple and discuss late into the night."

"I couldn't refuse, so I agreed—but they had ulterior motives: they intended to rob the imperial tomb."

"When the tomb guards discovered them, they had already dug a hole near the tomb—but they'd unearthed something, and all died, leaving only empty skins…"

"It was the Wuhou traps!"

One scholar immediately grew excited: "Legend says that when Wuhou buried Emperor Zhao Lie, he set traps. Though wars raged, the tomb beneath has never been opened."

"These fools must have died from Wuhou's hidden mechanisms!"

Master Lingyun hesitated: "I… I'm not certain. After those tomb robbers died, three more deaths occurred—each victim in the same condition."

!.

"Only one survivor claimed he heard someone playing a qin late at night—the music was beautiful, making him want to leave the temple—but he'd eaten something bad and was too ill with vomiting and diarrhea to rise."

"His companions also heard the qin, but when they left, they never returned. I led a search at night and found them too—only empty skins."

He added, urging: "Gentlemen, demons won't enter the temple. It's likely some strange beast. I've already hired another demon hunter—please leave while you still can."

The old Daoist spoke honestly, hoping to drive them away.

But hearing it wasn't a villain or demon, the scholars grew curious—they wanted to stay in the temple and wait for the demon hunter to catch the beast, to see what monstrous creature was so fierce.

"Gentlemen, you…"

The old Daoist was furious.

Just then, a young acolyte rushed in: "Master! The Enforcement Hall's hired man has arrived."

The Daoist ignored them and hurried outside.

A tall man strode into the courtyard—his frame imposing, eyes sharp as an eagle's, clad in hardened leather armor, carrying a silver spear and a bundle on his back—the classic look of a demon hunter.

The difference: he also carried a divine fire gun.

Seeing him, Li Yan felt a flicker of interest.

A demon hunter using new-style firearms—he'd never seen one before.

The old Taoist Lingyun also wore a delighted expression and quickly bowed his hands. "Are you Tang Ling of the Meishan Sect?"

"Indeed, this one greets the Taoist."

The man's expression was calm as he gave a slight bow.

He's from the Meishan Sect…

Li Yan, upon seeing this, grew even more interested.

Since the new firearms appeared, the Daoist sects have been studying them, but until now, only the hunters of the Meishan Sect have developed the ritual firegun technique, said to greatly enhance power and range—utterly mysterious.

Precisely because of this, the Meishan Fa Sect's prestige has risen sharply.

Within the Meishan Fa Sect, there are many factions, scattered across the southern lands, and numerous lineages pass down their arts privately from master to disciple.

During the policy of replacing native chieftains with imperial officials, many from the Meishan Fa Sect chose to side with the tusi, angering the court and drawing its ire.

But because of this, the court changed its strategy, sending envoys to Meishan to soothe tensions; Meishan, in turn, took the opportunity to issue orders forbidding alliance with the Yang family of Bozhou—any violator would be expelled from the sect.

It was a narrow escape from disaster.

Could this man also know it?

But what drew Li Yan's greater attention was the old woman trailing behind the man, dressed plainly, like a servant.

She was the master of the qin from last night's Wang Fu.

Well, this is getting lively…

Li Yan, somewhat speechless, stood behind the scholar.

He carried the "Dragon-Snake Token," concealing all his aura, indistinguishable from an ordinary man.

Yet Zhu Chen and the old woman, upon seeing each other, locked eyes with intense suspicion.

Tang Ling, the Meishan Fa Sect's demon hunter, also sensed something amiss, but kept his composure and said to Lingyun in a low voice: "Taoist, I now understand what that beast is. I will capture it tonight."

"It does not appear by day. At dusk, Taoist, simply clear away the onlookers."

A nearby scholar, hearing this, grew displeased and bowed. "Sir, are you also planning to drive us away?"

Tang Ling glanced at him coolly. "If you wish to stay, stay—but don't regret it later."

He then turned to Lingyun. "Taoist, please arrange a quiet room for me. We'll act tonight."

"Of course, of course. Follow me."

Lingyun hurried to arrange it.

After they left, the scholars began whispering among themselves.

"This looks dangerous."

"What's to fear? We'll stay in the Wuhou Temple and wait—when they catch it, we'll see what it is."

"That's true."

In truth, two of them already regretted coming and were afraid, but feared being mocked by others, so they gritted their teeth and stayed.

They found a young acolyte to assign rooms for everyone; though cramped, the crowd brought a sense of safety.

"Rest assured, if you hear the qin music, don't go out."

Zhu Chen soothed the others while glancing at Li Yan, a faint sneer on his lips…

On the other side, the demon hunter Tang Ling entered his room. Once the Taoist left, he immediately shut the door and turned, speaking low: "Qin Mo Pei Yufang, we agreed: I help you catch the 'Qin Chong,' you help me find my younger sister."

"Agreed."

The old woman said coolly: "Did you see that lead scholar? He used disguise—fools may be fooled, but not this old woman."

"That man is 'Wuxiang Young Master,' a top rogue of Chengdu's underworld, responsible for many major crimes. Tonight, I'll take the chance to capture him."

"He's famed in Chengdu's underworld—no matter who took your sister, he'll lead us to clues."

Tang Ling's eyes flashed with menace. "Master Pei has allied with the Wang Fu. He's a wanted criminal—why hasn't the court sent more men to surround him?"

The old woman glanced at him. "I don't want too many to know about the 'Qin Chong.' Chengdu hides many hidden masters. Too many come, and that thing won't be mine."

"Only I can help you save your sister."

"I hope you keep your word!"

Tang Ling studied the old woman deeply before speaking: "According to the temple keeper, the 'Qin Chong' has likely been ritualistically refined."

The old woman frowned. "What makes you say that?"

Tang Ling said gravely: "According to the Shanhaijing, the 'Qin Chong' originates from Buqian Mountain—today's Changbai Mountain beyond the pass."

"During Emperor Shun's reign, the Suqin people offered it as tribute. In the Han dynasty, when the Fangxian Dao flourished, Zhuge Liang likely found this creature and had Daoists arrange it within the imperial tomb as a tomb guardian."

"The tomb robbers probably triggered a mechanism, awakening it. The 'Qin Chong' can bewitch with qin music—and is itself drawn to it."

"To capture it, you'll need your ritual qin."

The old woman nodded in satisfaction. "Truly the foremost demon hunter of Hunan. Tonight, I rely on you…"

(End of Chapter)