Chapter 485

"You actually have some spirituality..."

Li Yan laughs dumbly and touches the donkey's head.

Animals have simpler minds than humans, their spiritual perception is naturally strong, and they can even perceive or see things that ordinary people cannot.

This donkey is even more of a rare specimen, somewhat dull and foolish; it is not surprising that it can detect the abnormality in the crate.

After feeding the clumsy donkey a handful of beans, Li Yan looks at the lock on the crate, hesitates for a moment, but still calls Butler Luo An over.

"What's inside?"

"Li Li Shaoxia, is there something wrong inside?!"

Old man Luo An is taken aback, his heart full of anxiety.

"Don't worry."

Li Yan shakes his head: "I'm just curious about what's inside."

"Oh, oh, that's fine."

Luo An breathes a sigh of relief, hurriedly takes out a copper key from his waist, and says while opening it: "These are things from the old shop over there; the Luo family has a foundation of hundreds of years, and we have accumulated some old objects in the warehouse..."

As the wooden crate opens, the smell of decay and mold rushes toward him.

Inside are indeed some old objects.

Can Cong and Yu Fu, the founding kings, how vast and indistinct.

Since the ancient kings of Shu, the people of Shu have begun sericulture. And the brocade produced in Chengdu is specifically called "Shu brocade," which has always been a precious item.

The Luo family has many shops in Shu, and these shopkeepers naturally have considerable wealth, so it is inevitable that they would collect some things.

Therefore, most of the items inside are porcelain, calligraphy, paintings, and jade pieces.

Perhaps due to the bumpy journey and poor preservation, some precious porcelain is already broken and covered in dust.

Li Yan forms a seal again and listens carefully.

Sure enough, the woman's singing starts again.

Li Yan frowns slightly and pulls a cloth bag from the corner of the crate.

It looks unremarkable, but it is surrounded by Yin Sha Qi, and it feels ice-cold to the touch.

More importantly, Li Yan smells a scent.

It is similar to a ghost, but carries a sense of agility.

A flash of surprise crosses Li Yan's eyes.

He is very familiar with this scent.

It is the same as Lu San's demon gourd.

This is a spirit essence about to take shape!

Li Yan becomes interested and hurriedly opens it.

Inside is a piece of Shu brocade, very thick, with several straps; although it looks quite old, the colors are still vivid.

Square patterns, cloud patterns, gorgeous and thick.

Eight characters are also embroidered on it.

"Heaven and earth are misty, all things become pure."

"Is Li Li Shaoxia interested in this brocade arm guard?"

Luo An, who is beside him, sees his appearance and hurriedly asks.

"This is called a brocade arm guard?"

Li Yan asks with interest.

Luo An nods: "This item is tied tightly when shooting arrows to protect the arm; it was commonly used by nobles in the Han army."

"I happen to know this item; it was found by the mistress occasionally. Although it is of Han manufacture, it should have been made in the Tang Dynasty. In order to comprehend the craftsmanship within, the mistress spent a large sum of money to buy it..."

"So that's how it is."

Li Yan nods slightly, a flash of inspiration suddenly crossing his mind.

He felt this item looked familiar just now, and only now does he remember that there is a national treasure from his previous life, which is also this brocade arm guard, but what is written on it is:

Five stars appear in the east, benefiting China.

Thinking of this, Li Yan becomes even more excited.

This kind of thing is rare, especially since it hasn't completely turned into a spirit essence; as long as it is refined properly, it can become a handy magic tool just like the demon gourd.

He looks at the words written on it again and mutters: "Heaven and earth are misty, all things become pure..."

"This is a hexagram statement from the *Book of Changes*."

Luo An, who is beside him, says: "I heard the mistress say that it means the interaction of heaven and earth's Yin and Yang Qi, and the harmony of all things."

"This item was made by an embroiderer at the end of the Tang Dynasty for her lover; it was quite famous at the time, but her young man died of a malignant disease before he could go on an expedition."

Li Yan is thoughtful after hearing this.

The interaction of Yin and Yang Qi, could it be made for a sorcerer?

The silk threads used in this brocade arm guard are all extraordinary; the silk is colorful, smooth, and delicate, and it is woven with fibers of unknown plants as warp and weft, making it exceptionally tough.

And just as the words written on it say, heaven and earth are misty, all things become pure; the brocade arm guard actually has both Gang and Sha Qi deposited on it, forming a perfect balance, which is why very few people can perceive it.

Thinking of this, Li Yan does not hesitate anymore and says: "I want to buy this item; I wonder what the price is?"

"Li Li Shaoxia is joking."

Old man Luo An hurriedly waves his hand, "If you like this item, just take it. If I can help the mistress escape this disaster, there will be a generous gift."

Li Yan says calmly: "This thing is extremely precious."

He doesn't like to hide things; some things need to be stated clearly in advance.

Luo An shakes his head and smiles bitterly: "I have lived for so many years and understand some principles. There are many treasures in this world, but most are covered in dust."

"Even for people, it's the same principle, so a thousand-mile horse is easy to find, but a Bole is hard to come by. No matter what treasure it is, if Li Li Shaoxia can obtain it, it is your ability."

"Since that's the case, then I will shamelessly accept it."

Since it has been said like this, Li Yan no longer declines.

Not only that, Old Butler Luo An also rummages through boxes and cabinets to find his mistress's notes about this item.

Li Yan sits at the bow of the boat and examines it carefully.

The embroiderer who made this item was indeed not an ordinary person, but a "Te Te Chushi."

Among the craftsmen of the Mystic Sect, those who are proficient in the production of a certain magic tool, or arts such as alchemy and medicine, are all called "Te Te Chushi."

This term originally referred to people with virtue and talent who lived in seclusion and were unwilling to become officials.

*Xunzi*: "The so-called Te Te Chushi in ancient times are those with great virtue."

*Book of Lord Shang*: "The assets of a Te Te Chushi lie in his intentions."

Giving the title of "Te Te Chushi" also represents the Mystic Sect's respect for these formidable craftsmen.

For example, the Southern Dharma lineage has "Danqing Te Te Chushi," who are skilled in making talisman cinnabar pens and ink, and those skilled in making weapons are called "Red Furnace Te Te Chushi."

There is also *Journey to the West*, where Tang Seng encounters the three monsters of Gongzhou City: Te Te Te Chushi, Bear Mountain Lord, and Tiger General.

Te Te Chushi has virtue, Mountain Lord is the master of the mountain, and General is the title for those who sacrifice to humans and ghosts; calling them these names all has significance, which is gilding their own faces.

Te Te Te Chushi must also be proficient in a certain skill.

And this embroiderer is named Lin Mei, a "Brocade Te Te Chushi," and both she and her husband were people of the Mystic Sect.

In the chaotic world at the end of the Tang Dynasty, there were Mystic soldiers running rampant.

Wang Jian of the Former Shu had a "Personal Cavalry Army" of over four hundred people, all brave fighters, holding purple flags, each with a name.

Those who could be selected had both helplessness and the desire to make contributions.

This "Heaven and earth are misty, all things become pure" brocade arm guard was made with great refinement; one can imagine how much effort embroiderer Lin Mei spent for her husband who was about to go to the battlefield.

It's a pity that before it could be used, the person had already died suddenly.

What happened, no one knows.

But embroiderer Lin Mei clearly also met with misfortune; a bit of essence blood and resentment infected the brocade arm guard, and after many years, it turned into a spirit essence.

Just at this moment, the singing starts again in his ears.

"One needle and one thread, the feelings are long, thousands of threads and strands, the intentions are unforgettable. Working day and night, never idle, what flows between the fingers is the prime of life..."

Li Yan is silent for a moment and ties it to his left arm.

This thing is used for protection when shooting arrows; he is not good at archery, so it has become an ornament instead.

But the spirit essence has not yet taken shape, so it doesn't show any mystery.

Since the Luo family mistress is a sorcerer and a great family of Shu brocade, he probably still needs to ask her how to refine it...

…………The river water flows leisurely, and the waves churn.

The Tuo River rises from Mount Jiuding and merges into the Yangtze River at Luzhou, which can be considered a major waterway within Sichuan-Shu.

Its current alternates between slow and fast, with shoals and pools, winding and tortuous.

Not long after the pleasure boat sails on the gentle river surface, it enters a dangerous stretch of water, where the current is swift and the mountains on both sides become steep.

On the deck at the bow, Li Yan sits cross-legged with his eyes closed.

Between the trees on the steep mountain peaks on both sides, two paper dolls are moving along the ground, secret and swift.

Just at this moment, Li Yan frowns slightly and suddenly opens his eyes.

This is a good place for an ambush, so he naturally has to be careful.

Unexpectedly, before discovering anything above, murderous intent already comes from ahead.

"Careful, stop the boat!"

Li Yan gives a low shout and draws his blade to stand up.

!.

Besides those injured and the embroiderers, there are five or six Luo family staff on the boat, who cannot be considered experts, but they know some martial arts.

They have long since received instructions from Old Butler Luo An.

Hearing Li Yan's order, they immediately drop the anchor, some picking up broadswords, others picking up longbows.

However, the water here is too swift.

The huge anchor sinks to the bottom of the river, stirring up gravel and mud along the way, and hooks fiercely onto a huge reef.

Clatter!

The thick iron chain suddenly tightens.

But the pleasure boat is heavy, the current is swift, and relying on the anchor alone cannot stop it; after the chain is stretched to the limit, it actually snaps with a crack.

Everyone on the boat, except Li Yan and Butler Lu, is thrown off balance, almost falling into the river.

And at the corner ahead, two speedboats appear.

These are two flat-bottomed boats often used for cargo, looking unremarkable, but at the bow, two crossbow carts are set up.

Both boats are full of people.

Each one is fierce and vicious, holding weapons, full of murderous intent.

Old Butler Luo An also comes to the bow, and upon seeing this, he loses his voice: "It's the Du family's people, and they even called the Black Fish Gang."

"Just these people?"

Li Yan frowns slightly upon seeing this.

He has been guarding against the Shu Prince's Mansion, which is the real danger; he didn't expect this bunch of small fry to come and make trouble.

Seeing his appearance, Luo An hurriedly says urgently: "Li Li Shaoxia, don't underestimate them. This Black Fish Gang is a fierce water bandit group in Shu; all members are proficient in water, and they don't need to breathe for half an hour after entering the water."

"They also have water ghost nets, which are iron nets with barbs; once you fall into the water, no matter how good your skills are, you will be dragged to the bottom of the water and drowned; many Jianghu experts have fallen for this."

"We cannot fight them in the water; let's go ashore quickly..."

Hum! Hum!

Just as he finishes speaking, the crossbow carts opposite have already fired.

Two iron spears whistle over, the chains behind them clattering.

Li Yan steps on the ground with his left foot, suddenly moves forward, and actually grabs the iron spear directly with his hand.

This iron spear is about five feet long, as thick as a baby's arm; the Black Fish Gang uses this thing merely to drag the pleasure boat so they can break the boat from underwater and kill people.

This item is fired by a siege crossbow cart, with the force of a thousand jun.

Ordinary martial artists would be too late to dodge upon seeing it, let alone grab it?

And Li Yan is not afraid at all.

Relying on his olfactory and auditory supernatural powers, he keenly detects the position of the iron spear, turns his body to the side, flips his right wrist, uses a Red Fist grappling technique, and directly grips the iron spear.

A tyrannical force suddenly surges, the Undying Seal Technique moves with his heart, conducting and deflecting this force on his fascia, and adding a counter-pulling force, he flings the iron spear back.

All of this happens in the blink of an eye.

Those who haven't reached the Hua Jin realm cannot even understand the control of force changes.

In the eyes of others on the boat, it is just Li Yan reaching out to catch and fling, without his feet even leaving the ground, and the iron spear flies back with even more ferocious force.

Two water bandits on the opposite boat don't even have time to react before they are pierced by the iron spear, dragged by the heavy chain, and fall into the water screaming.

The other iron spear does not fly toward the deck but pierces fiercely into the hull at the front of the pleasure boat.

"Quick, cut the chain!"

Luo An hurriedly leads the staff forward.

"No rush."

Li Yan raises his hand to stop them, shaking his head: "Just leave this thing; don't let them run."

Run?

Luo An is surprised in his heart.

He only knows Li Yan is formidable and came to seek help, which was ordered by the Luo family mistress before she fell unconscious, but Li Yan's performance is clearly beyond his expectations.

On the other boat, the Black Fish Gang water bandits are also taken aback.

The leader of the Black Fish Gang is a short and sturdy man, his skin dark, and because he practices water skills, he smears grease on his body all year round, making him oily and shiny, nicknamed "Black Dragon."

His eyelids twitch, and he looks to the side, "Brother Du, this is different from what we agreed; where did such an expert pop out from?"

A middle-aged man in gorgeous clothes says in a deep voice: "If he were easy to kill, would I need to trouble your Black Fish Gang?"

"What, are you afraid?"

"Afraid my ass!"

"Black Dragon" sneers, "I'm saying, double the price!"

"Fine."

The middle-aged man's expression remains unchanged.

"Good!"

"Black Dragon" laughs, "Brothers, overturn the river, let's go!"

Splash! Splash!

At the order, the sound of falling into the water is constant.

Like boiling dumplings, the men of the Black Fish Gang jump into the water one after another, holding their breath, kicking their legs, and even in this turbulent river, they are as flexible as swimming fish.

"Just wait on the boat."

On the other side, Li Yan also says calmly, taking down the flintlock musket and handing it to Luo An for safekeeping, while forming a seal: "Nuo Gao! Heaven's true supreme element, the essence of Ren and Gui. Internally corresponding to the kidney, externally corresponding to the Water Star..."

Whoosh~

Yin wind rises, and everyone feels the water mist surging before their eyes.

When they open their eyes again, the person has disappeared.

Underwater, the Black Fish Gang people approach at high speed.

Many people take out chisels.

They are very familiar with this routine.

Within ten breaths, they can sink the boat.

The leader "Black Dragon" even brings a few people himself, unfolding iron nets and hooks, preparing to kill the experts who fall into the water.

However, they meet a nightmare.

Pop!

When they are seven or eight meters away from the pleasure boat, the head of the person in the front suddenly breaks, and blood scatters.

A figure slowly emerges in the bloody water; it is Li Yan.

After his cultivation improved, his "North Emperor Dark Xuan Xuan Shui Dun" is now even more formidable, and with the "Dragon Snake Token" that enhances water escape, it appears even more miraculous.

Although his figure will be revealed after using the escape technique, his figure is still blurry, like a demon ghost in the water.

What kind of thing is this?

The Black Fish Gang people are all taken aback.

They consider themselves well-informed and have seen many strange things underwater, but they have truly never seen this before.

Only the leader "Black Dragon" stares, turns his head, and runs.

But everything is too late.

If the Black Fish Gang are ghosts in the water, then Li Yan at this moment is the River God; no matter how many water ghosts there are, they are easily suppressed.

Everyone on the deck stares wide-eyed.

But they see the river water churning, and streams of bloody water surge up, staining the entire river surface red...

(End of chapter)