Chapter 487

"Du family patriarch... what evidence do you have?"

Li Yan sits up straight, his expression becoming solemn.

He originally thought it was just a Yin criminal, but suddenly it is linked to the Ghost Sect, so he naturally has to be careful.

If it is true,

then it is not surprising that the Du family set a trap to harm him.

"I discovered this by accident."

Wu Yuqing's face is pale, and she says: "The clue my master found at the time is related to a local rural strange tale."

"A book *Strange Tales of Shu* records: The depths of Shu, in a corner of the Zhong River, there is a village hidden among the mountains, its name not passed down to the world. In the village, there is an ancient stage, long in disrepair, mottled and variegated, but the villagers fear it like a tiger, calling it the midnight ghost play, where headless people run rampant."

"My master said this is a Ghost Sect evil sacrifice, but he never returned after going there. My sect also sent people to look for it, but they didn't find anyone."

"Later, I investigated secretly and found that the Du family often transported goods near this abandoned village, and I also found an old man who said that the Du family left this village that year, and only then did it become abandoned."

Li Yan says in a deep voice: "Mistress is also a person of the Mystic Sect; since you have suspicions, why not inform the sect, or report it to the Chenghuangmiao?"

Wu Yuqing shakes her head slightly, "I said it, but it was useless."

"I come from the outer sect and am not a direct inner-disciple. If it weren't for this Luo family identity, I wouldn't even be able to speak. The elders in the sect heard it was related to the Ghost Sect and told me not to meddle in other people's business and invite trouble..."

"I also told the Chenghuangmiao, but a few Daoists came, drank themselves into a stupor at the Du family's, and went back saying it was a rumor, just because the Luo family and the Du family were at odds, so they framed them..."

Li Yan is thoughtful after hearing this.

These messages from Wu Yuqing are all groundless guesses and associations; let alone the Chenghuangmiao, if anyone else came, they wouldn't believe it either.

But the Du family's move against him completely exposed them.

If they are not people of the Ghost Sect, they are also hidden peripheral members.

Thinking of this, Li Yan asks again: "Mistress can tell me the location of that village; I happen to be passing by to take a look."

The Zhong River mentioned by Wu Yuqing is the Neijiang River.

In that place, the northern section of the Tuo River is called the Niu Pi Water, which is the North River. The southern section is the Zhi River, called the South River. The middle is naturally the Zhong River.

In the early Sui Dynasty, to avoid the taboo of Emperor Taizu Yang Zhong, it was changed to Neijiang.

But what makes him strange is this point.

*Strange Tales of Shu* says Zhong River, indicating that this story is at least from the Sui and Tang Dynasties, but the Ghost Sect flourished in the Great Song Dynasty, so the time doesn't match.

Of course, there may be many secrets within it.

It just so happens that he is going to transfer from Neijiang to leave, so he can go and check it out.

Subsequently, Li Yan takes out the brocade arm guard and asks about the other thing he cares about most, "Mistress, do you know this item?"

"Luo An has already told me..."

Wu Yuqing shakes her head slightly, "I don't fear Li Li Shaoxia laughing at me; I have mediocre aptitude, and I haven't seen anything unusual about this item for a long time. Whatever is in it is the Li Li Shaoxia's fate."

"Thank you."

Li Yan doesn't hide it either, tells her that this item is about to turn into a spirit essence, and says: "If I'm not mistaken, Mistress is a 'Chu Shi'; I wonder if you can give me some pointers on how to refine this item?"

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

After hearing Li Yan's account, Wu Yuqing is also somewhat surprised, and her tone even becomes a bit excited, "The legend is true, that senior actually succeeded!"

Seeing Li Yan's confusion, she hurriedly explains: "My cultivation is insufficient, and although I cannot perceive the changes in Qi within it, I do know about this matter."

"Li Li Shaoxia, have you ever heard that in folk stories, there are treasure paintings and treasure scrolls that can collect evil and eliminate monsters just by hanging them in the house, and can even spontaneously create illusion arrays to trap people?"

"I've heard of it."

Li Yan nods.

There are many such stories, the most famous being the *Investiture of the Gods* story where Yang Jian borrows the Map of Shanhe to trap Yuan Hong in it.

Wu Yuqing sighs: "Shu brocade has two types: warp brocade and weft brocade; multi-colored warp-patterned is warp brocade, and multi-colored weft-patterned is weft brocade. Warp brocade craftsmanship is unique to Shu brocade."

"Books have classics and apocrypha; when praising people, it is also said that they have the talent to manage the world. It is rumored that there was an immortal of the Mystic Sect in ancient times who used Gang as warp and Sha as weft to make magic tool Shu brocade; although it cannot compare to the Map of Shanhe, it also has many mysteries."

"It's just a pity that this method has long been lost, and countless predecessors wanted to restore it, but it was difficult to succeed."

Li Yan hesitates, "Forgive me for being blunt, but this thing doesn't feel that powerful."

Since obtaining this item, he has been wearing it on his body, thinking of using his own aura to infect it and make it show its mystery.

However, apart from the singing that comes from time to time, there is no abnormality at all.

If it's just a portable player, what's the use of taking it?

"Li Li Shaoxia doesn't know."

Wu Yuqing shakes her head: "This thing is only half-refined."

"Gang and Sha as warp and weft is simulating famous mountains and great rivers, caves and blessed lands; without apertures, how can it be agile? That senior has been dead for many years, and a bit of essence blood can still turn into a spirit essence, which is the reason."

Li Yan suddenly realizes, "This item still needs a treasure to match!"

"Exactly."

Wu Yuqing smiles: "This item is equivalent to a small cave heaven, where Gang and Sha Qi gather, and it is a dragon vein itself; what kind of treasure it can nurture depends on what kind of treasure you inlay into it."

Li Yan frowns and asks: "What suggestions does Mistress have?"

Wu Yuqing ponders for a moment, "This item is worn on the outside and must be able to withstand wind and sun. Either jade or lucky coins are fine."

Li Yan immediately understands and takes out the Three Talents Demon-Suppressing Coin tassel from his bosom.

He has collected dozens of Demon-Suppressing Coins so far; calling it a tassel is no longer appropriate, it's more like a copper coin whip.

The power of this treasure is also extraordinary.

Just think, back then, a single Three Talents Demon-Suppressing Coin could suppress the Cold Altar soldiers so they couldn't enter the door, let alone so many gathered together.

"Three Talents Demon-Suppressing Coin?"

Wu Yuqing is also somewhat surprised and ponders: "The Three Talents Demon-Suppressing Coin has a great reputation and is indeed suitable; just embroider it at the intersection of the warp and weft."

"The treasure is naturally formed and doesn't need sorcery; there are the most outstanding embroiderers of my Luo family on the boat, so Li Li Shaoxia can rest assured..."

After finishing these, it is natural to talk about the next plan.

Wu Yuqing also agrees with Li Yan's approach.

Using that Du Ping as an inside agent, when they reach Ziyang County, find the hidden Du family members, kill them, and then have Wu Yuqing's sect escort her back to Yibin as soon as possible.

The conspiracy against the Luo family there has already begun, and not a moment can be delayed.

……

The river water flows leisurely, and the night gradually falls.

Perhaps because the Black Fish Gang was eliminated, these people of the Luo family are clearly much more relaxed; the clever embroiderers even found rice on the boat, lit a small stove, and boiled a pot of fish porridge.

Paired with some small pickles, it is refreshing and comfortable.

After Li Yan ate some casually, he came to the deck.

He lifts his left arm to check, but sees that the original brocade arm guard has changed drastically.

The embroiderers are indeed clever; when they heard Li Yan say that there were 108 Three Talents Demon-Suppressing Coins in total, they specially used the fish-scale method, with the gold coins layered on top of each other, like a fish-scale arm guard.

It is both beautiful and leaves sufficient space.

Li Yan can perceive that the brocade arm guard and the Three Talents Demon-Suppressing Coins have now become a whole, the power of the Demon-Suppressing Coins gathers, and a trace of murderous intent is gestating within it.

After inlaying the Demon-Suppressing Coins, the singing also disappears.

It was originally a remnant thought from that time, condensed because of the treasure, with insufficient endowment, so even if it turned into a spirit essence, it was muddled.

Speaking of which, it is more like the lingering charm left by refining the treasure.

After the Demon-Suppressing Coins took charge, the other party naturally disappeared.

"One needle and one thread, the feelings are long, thousands of threads and strands, the intentions are unforgettable..."

Li Yan remembers the song sung by the spirit essence and mutters: "Thousands of thoughts, never forgotten to this day, let's call this treasure 'Thousand Thoughts'."

He is also full of anticipation for what kind of power this treasure can nurture.

"Woof~ woof~" Just at this moment, a donkey head leans over.

One eye left, one eye right, and he doesn't know what it's looking at.

Li Yan laughs dumbly, "People find it hard to escape the suffering of the seven emotions and six desires; this silly donkey doesn't have these troubles, but is born to be driven and whipped by people; truly, no one can escape..."

Before he could finish speaking, the smile on his face had already disappeared.

But on the river surface, faint Yin mist suddenly rises.

Late autumn cold river mist is a common occurrence.

But these mists are gathered from Yin Sha Qi.

Can't wait anymore?

Li Yan's eyes are cold, and he grips the Dust-Severing Blade.

Just a few hours ago, he already felt he was being spied on, but he pretended not to see it, while actually being relaxed on the outside but tense on the inside, always on guard.

Although the Ghost Sect's whereabouts are appearing and disappearing, this is clearly not the main force; he guesses they were ordered by someone to cause him trouble.

They don't dare to intercept and kill him head-on, only daring to use some small tricks.

！.

The real trouble is still the Shu Prince's Mansion.

It's best to make a clean break here!

Thinking of this, Li Yan turns to Luo An and says: "My trouble has come; to avoid implicating you, I will leave first later and meet up in Ziyang City."

Old Butler Luo An swallows a mouthful of saliva, "Li Li Shaoxia, be careful."

"Hmm."

Li Yan nods and says in a low voice: "Don't tell anyone about this; later I will pretend to abandon you and flee, and you immediately order to head to Ziyang County."

"This old man understands."

Old Butler Luo An understands.

Just as they are speaking, the mist on the river gets thicker and thicker.

This movement immediately attracts everyone.

"Why did the mist suddenly rise?"

"It's a bit cold; could it be that it's going to rain ice..."

Just as they are puzzled, they suddenly hear a mournful and poignant singing voice.

"Autumn water is full, looking until the intestines break, sitting alone in the empty boudoir, tears staining the clothes. Thinking of the gentleman but not seeing where he is, the moon shines on the flowers, and the shadows are in pairs..."

Now, everyone realizes something is wrong.

"Not good, something is making mischief!"

"Li Li Shaoxia, did we encounter something unclean..."

Looking at everyone's gazes, Li Yan pretends to have a gloomy expression, holds his blade and looks left and right, and says nothing.

Seeing this, the others feel a thud in their hearts.

Although it is a disguise, Li Yan is also very alert in his heart.

Compared to others, he feels more things.

The river mist is vast, gongs and drums are sounding; not only is there the mournful opera singing of a woman, but there is also accompaniment by various musical instruments, as if a theater troupe is floating in the air.

The sound is sometimes near and sometimes far, sometimes left and sometimes right, making it difficult to distinguish the direction.

It is estimated to be the means of that "Ghost Painted Face"!

Li Yan has already made a judgment in his heart.

This guy can be considered his senior; the "Ghost Theater Troupe" was also famous back then.

Although it was wiped out by the righteous sect, the means are clearly not ordinary.

This is a means of inducing illusions through sound, drawing on the Yin Sha Qi in the water, treating the entire river surface as a stage; he has never seen this before.

If he guessed correctly, the real attack is still to come.

Whoosh~

Just at this moment, a gale suddenly rises all around.

Shadows appear in the thick mist, flying up and down, wearing various opera costumes, and babbling in their mouths.

At the same time, gongs and drums sound, as if a great play is opening.

"Looking from afar, the Golden Crow falls to the west, birds return to the forest, and the Jade Rabbit urges. Father and son, eight people, return to Song..."

This is *Meeting the Brother at Wutai*, Yang Yande's lyrics.

"The colors of heaven and earth are hazy, in the blink of an eye, the bright moon is in the sky. I don't envy Chang'e running to the Moon Palace, the cold and clear Guanghan Palace..."

This is *The Imperial Concubine Gets Drunk*.

People in Sichuan-Shu like to drink tea and listen to operas, and the Luo family is a great clan; they have a stage in their own mansion and often invite people to sing hall operas.

These lyrics, almost everyone in the Luo family on the boat can recite them.

However, the lyrics that were interesting in the past now sound a bit strange and hollow.

Especially those shadows flying in the air, which are even more hair-raising.

Li Yan doesn't hesitate, picks up the Dust-Severing Blade, leaps up, and slashes in the gale, splitting those figures apart.

It turns out they are all shadow puppets, made into kite shapes, but the bamboo sticks used for support are stained with filthy blood, and he doesn't know what evil technique this is.

Li Yan slashes left and right, but the shadow puppet kites gather more and more.

He pretends to be flustered, but his eyes are getting calmer.

Swish!

Just as he splits another shadow puppet, the shadow puppets that fell on the deck suddenly fly and gather.

A black shadow rushes out from within, holding flying claws in both hands, attacking his back directly.

Escape technique!

Li Yan is shocked in his heart.

This kind of escape technique is also very strange; he couldn't see its origin, and even less did he detect when the other party arrived behind him.

Although surprised, he is not flustered; while turning his body and changing his shoulders, he performs a Tyrant Carrying the Sword, the Dust-Severing Blade drawing a circle diagonally, deflecting both flying claws.

At the same time, the Soul-Hooking Lock also whistles out.

Clang! Clang!

Two crisp sounds, and the flying claws are directly split.

And Li Yan also sees the appearance of the person who attacked him.

Wearing a black robe, the face is a painted face mask, with black as the base and white lines, clearly the "Robe-Belt Painted Face" Bao Gong.

But just as Li Yan sees the "Ghost Painted Face," the head shakes, and it becomes a colorful "Armor-Painted Face" martial general appearance.

At the moment of this change, Li Yan's brain suddenly feels dazed.

The other party actually integrated the soul-absorbing technique into the "face-changing" stunt.

Only for a brief moment, Li Yan recovers, two Soul-Severing Flying Blades whistle out, piercing directly toward the other party's forehead.

But this "Ghost Painted Face" is also a Hua Jin expert; taking advantage of this brief moment, his right hand is like a sharp blade, wiping across his throat.

Li Yan retreats in time to dodge this strike, but his skin is scratched by the other party's fingernails, and the hand blade also cuts off a few strands of broken hair.

Swish!

Just as the Soul-Severing Duanhun Feidao pierces toward him, the "Ghost Painted Face" shakes his black robe, as if being pulled by something, and flies backward, disappearing into the thick mist.

So that's the plan!

Li Yan suddenly understands the strategy of these people.

All the previous actions were to obtain his blood and hair.

Someone must be waiting to cast a curse on him!

"Where are you running!"

Thinking of this, Li Yan pretends to be flustered, forms a seal and chants a curse, uses the Dark Water Escape, and jumps into the water.

Not long after, the mist on the river dissipates, leaving only the people on the pleasure boat looking at each other...

(End of chapter)