Chapter 488

"You've got some spirit…"

Li Yan chuckled softly and patted the donkey's head.

Animals have simpler minds than humans, yet their spiritual perception is naturally stronger—they can sense or even see things ordinary people cannot.

This donkey was especially exceptional, somewhat dull-witted, yet able to detect the anomaly inside the crate—no surprise there.

After giving the foolish donkey a handful of beans, Li Yan stared at the lock on the crate, hesitated, then called for the steward, Luo An.

"What's inside?"

"Young Master Li, is something amiss inside?!"

The old man Luo An was startled, his heart brimming with unease.

"Relax."

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

"Oh, oh, that's good then."

Luo An exhaled in relief and quickly pulled a copper key from his waist, unlocking it as he spoke: "These are items from that old merchant shop. The Luo family has built its legacy over centuries—our storerooms have accumulated a few ancient relics…"

The wooden crate opened, releasing a stench of decay and mildew.

Inside were indeed nothing but old relics.

From the ancient kings of Shu—Cong and Yufu—the land had long raised silkworms. The brocade produced in Chengdu was uniquely called "Shu Brocade," always a precious commodity.

The Luo family operated many shops across Shu; these shopkeepers naturally held considerable wealth and often acquired curious artifacts.

Thus, most of the contents were porcelain, calligraphy, paintings, and jade pieces.

Perhaps due to rough travel and poor preservation, some precious porcelain had shattered and was coated in dust.

Li Yan again formed a hand seal and listened closely.

Indeed, the woman's song sounded again.

Li Yan frowned slightly and pulled out a cloth sack from the corner of the crate.

It looked utterly ordinary, yet swirled with yin-sha energy, cold to the touch.

More importantly, Li Yan smelled a scent.

Similar to a yin spirit, yet alive with vitality.

A flicker of surprise passed through Li Yan's eyes.

He recognized this scent well.

Like Lu San's demon gourd.

This was a spirit-entity on the verge of formation!

Li Yan grew interested and quickly opened it.

Inside was a piece of Shu Brocade—thick and heavy, with several straps; though aged, its colors remained vivid.

Square patterns, cloud motifs—vibrant yet substantial.

Embroidered upon it were eight characters.

"Heaven and earth intermingle; all things transform into purity."

"Young Master Li is interested in this brocade armguard?"

Luo An, watching his expression, hurriedly asked.

"This is called a brocade armguard?"

Li Yan asked, intrigued.

Luo An nodded. "It's worn to bind the arm during archery, protecting it—common among Han-era military nobility."

"I happen to know this item—it was found by Lady Luo. Though Han in design, it was made during the Tang dynasty. To understand its craftsmanship, she paid a fortune to acquire it…"

"This object, this old man happens to recognize, was found by the Lady on occasion; though of Han design, it was likely made during the Tang era. To study its craftsmanship, the Lady spent a great sum to acquire it…"

Li Yan nodded slightly, then a sudden insight flashed through his mind.

He'd felt the object was familiar—he now remembered: in his past life, there was a national treasure, also a brocade armguard, but inscribed with:

"Five Stars Appear in the East, Favoring China."

Thinking of this, Li Yan grew even more excited.

Such items were rare—especially when not yet fully transformed into a spirit-entity. With proper refinement, it could become a potent artifact, like Lu San's demon gourd.

He gazed again at the inscription, murmuring: "Heaven and earth intermingle; all things transform into purity…"

"That's a line from the Zhou Yi."

Luo An spoke up. "Lady Luo told me—it means the yin and yang energies of heaven and earth interact, harmonizing all transformations."

"This brocade armguard was made by a seamstress for her beloved, quite famous in its time—but her husband died of a sudden illness before he could even depart for battle."

"This item was made by a Tang-end embroiderer for her beloved; it was quite famous in its day, but her husband never got to go to war—he died of a sudden illness."

Yin-yang energy interaction—was this made for a cultivator?

The silk threads used in this armguard were extraordinary: colored silkworm silk, smooth and fine, woven with fibers from an unknown plant—unusually resilient.

And as the inscription stated—"Heaven and earth intermingle; all things transform into purity"—the armguard simultaneously held both gang and sha qi in perfect balance, making it nearly undetectable.

Realizing this, Li Yan no longer hesitated. "I wish to purchase this. What is the price?"

"Young Master Li, you jest."

Old Luo An waved his hand hastily. "If you like it, take it. If I can help Lady Luo escape this calamity, I'll give you even greater gifts."

Li Yan's expression remained calm. "This item is extremely valuable."

He disliked hiding his intentions—he preferred to speak plainly.

Luo An shook his head, smiling wryly. "I've lived many years—I understand a few truths. The world holds no shortage of treasures, yet most lie buried in dust."

"Even people follow the same rule: a thousand-li horse is easy to find, but a Bo Le is rare. Whoever claims any treasure, Young Master Li, does so by their own merit."

"Then I'll accept it without further modesty."

With words like these, Li Yan no longer refused.

Moreover, the old steward Luo An rummaged through chests and drawers, finding his lady's personal notes on the item.

Li Yan sat on the prow of the boat, studying them carefully.

The seamstress who made this was no ordinary woman—she was a "Chushi."

In the Xuan sect, artisans skilled in crafting specific artifacts, or in alchemy and pill-making, were called "Chushi."

Originally, the term referred to virtuous, talented men who chose seclusion over official service.

The Xunzi said: "The ancient Chushi were those of great virtue."

The Shang Jun Shu's "Calculation of Land" said: "The Chushi's worth lies in their intent."

Bestowing the title "Chushi" reflected the Xuan sect's respect for these master artisans.

For example, southern sects had "Danqing Chushi," skilled in crafting talisman ink and brushes; those who forged weapons were called "Honglu Chushi."

Even in Journey to the West, Tang Sanzang encountered three demons in Gongzhou: Te Chushi, Xiong Shan Jun, and Yin General.

Chushi implies virtue; Shan Jun means mountain lord; General refers to one who venerates ancestral spirits—these titles were carefully chosen, a form of self-glorification.

Te Chushi must have mastered a specific craft.

This seamstress was named Lin Mei, a "Jinxiu Chushi," and both she and her husband were Xuan sect cultivators.

During the chaos of late Tang, various Xuan armies roamed.

The Former Shu king Jian's "Qinji Army" numbered over four hundred, all fierce warriors bearing purple banners, each with a title.

Those selected joined out of necessity, yet also with ambition to achieve glory.

The brocade armguard inscribed with "Heaven and earth intermingle; all things transform into purity" was exquisitely crafted—clearly, Lin Mei poured immense heart and effort into making it for her husband, soon to depart for battle.

The brocade armguard inscribed with "Heaven and Earth in Mist, All Things Perfected" was exquisitely crafted; one can imagine how much heart and effort the embroiderer Lin Mei poured into it for her husband, soon to march to battle.

What exactly happened remains unknown.

But Lin Mei, too, met an untimely end—her blood and resentful spirit stained the armguard, and after years, it became a spirit-entity.

At that moment, the singing voice sounded again.

"One stitch, one thread, love endures long; a thousand threads, countless ties, hard to forget. Day and night, labor never ceases; in fingertips flows the years…"

Li Yan fell silent, then bound it around his left arm.

Designed for archery, it served no practical use for him—he was no archer—and became merely an ornament.

But since the spirit-entity had not yet fully formed, no mystical power manifested.

The Luo family lady was both a cultivator and from a great Shu brocade clan—how to refine it would require her guidance…

…………The river flowed gently, waves churning.

The Tuojiang River rises from Jiuding Mountain and flows into the Yangtze at Luzhou, a vital waterway in Sichuan.

Its current alternated between calm and rapids, with shoals and pools winding through its course.

The painted pleasure boat had barely glided across the tranquil stretch when it entered treacherous waters—swift currents, steep cliffs on either side.

On the bow deck, Li Yan sat cross-legged, eyes closed.

Between the sheer cliffs and dense trees on both banks, two straw-paper effigies crept low and swift, hidden and silent.

Suddenly, Li Yan frowned and opened his eyes.

This was an ideal spot for an ambush—he must be cautious.

Yet before he detected anything above, danger came from ahead.

"Watch out—stop the boat!"

Li Yan shouted low, drawing his blade.

Li Yan let out a low cry and drew his blade.

!.

Besides the wounded and the embroiderers, there were five or six clerks from the Luo family on the boat—not elite fighters, but they knew some fist and foot techniques.

They had already received orders from the old steward, Luo An.

Upon hearing Li Yan's command, they immediately dropped the anchor; some grabbed their broadswords, others seized their longbows.

But the current here was too swift.

The massive anchor sank to the riverbed, dragging up broken stones and mud, then violently snagged on a huge reef.

Splash!

The thick iron chain instantly tightened.

But the pleasure barge was heavy, the current fierce; even with the anchor, it could not stop. When the chain stretched to its limit, it snapped with a crack.

Everyone on the boat, except Li Yan and Lu An, was thrown off balance, nearly tumbling into the river.

Around the bend ahead, two fast boats appeared.

These were flat-bottomed cargo boats, unremarkable in appearance, but on their bows stood two crossbow carts.

Both boats were packed with men.

Each looked ferocious, wielding weapons, radiating murderous intent.

The old steward Luo An had also reached the bow; upon seeing them, he gasped: "It's the Du family—they've called in the Black Fish Gang!"

"Just these people?"

Li Yan frowned slightly upon seeing them.

He had been wary of the Shu Prince's mansion—that was the real threat—yet these riffraff had shown up to cause trouble.

Seeing his expression, Luo An hurriedly said: "Young Master Li, do not underestimate them. The Black Fish Gang are notorious river bandits of Shu; every member is an expert swimmer, able to hold their breath underwater for half an hour."

"They also have water devil nets—iron nets with barbs. Once someone falls in, no matter how skilled, they'll be dragged under and drowned. Many martial heroes have fallen victim to them."

"Do not fight them in the water—we must reach shore quickly…"

Whir! Whir!

No sooner had he spoken than the opposing crossbows fired.

Two iron spears hissed toward them, their chains rattling behind.

Li Yan planted his left foot and surged forward, catching the iron spear directly with his bare hand.

The spear was about five feet long, as thick as an infant's arm; the Black Fish Gang used these to hook the barge and drag it down so they could surface and kill from beneath.

Fired by siege crossbows, its force was like a thousand jin.

A common martial artist would barely have time to dodge—how could he dare catch it?

But Li Yan showed no fear.

Thanks to his Sense of Smell and Sense of Hearing, he precisely sensed the spear's trajectory, sidestepped slightly, twisted his right wrist, and used the Red Fist Grasping Silk Hand technique to seize it.

Immense force surged in; the Death Seal Method activated instinctively, redirecting the force through his tendons and membranes, then adding a reverse-reeling wheel force to hurl the spear back.

All of this happened in the blink of an eye.

Those who had not reached the Hua Jing level could not even comprehend the changes in force.

To the others on the boat, it looked as if Li Yan simply reached out, grabbed, and threw—the iron spear returned with even greater ferocity, his feet never leaving the deck.

Two river bandits on the opposite boat had no time to react; they were pierced through and dragged under by the heavy chain, screaming into the water.

The other iron spear did not strike the deck but slammed into the bow of the pleasure barge.

"Quickly, cut the chain!"

Luo An hurried forward with the clerks.

"No rush."

Li Yan raised his hand to stop them, shaking his head: "Leave it. Don't let them escape."

Escape?

Luo An was startled.

He knew Li Yan was powerful—he had come seeking help only because the Luo family's mistress had ordered it before falling into a coma—but Li Yan's display had surpassed even his expectations.

On the other boat, the Black Fish Gang bandits were equally stunned.

The gang's leader was a short, stout man with pitch-black skin; due to his water cultivation, he constantly coated himself in oil, making his entire body slick and glossy, nicknamed "Black Serpent."

His eyelid twitched as he glanced sideways: "Brother Du, this wasn't part of the deal—who the hell is this expert?"

A middle-aged man in fine robes replied gravely: "If he were easy to kill, would we have bothered calling the Black Fish Gang?"

"So, you're afraid?"

"Afraid? Pfft!"

"Black Serpent" sneered: "I mean, double the price!"

"Agreed."

The middle-aged man's expression didn't change.

"Good!"

"Black Serpent" laughed loudly: "Brothers, turn the river upside down—go!"

Plop! Plop!

At his command, splash after splash echoed as the Black Fish Gang men leapt into the water, holding their breath, kicking their legs, moving with the agility of fish even through the raging current.

Like boiling dumplings, the men of the Black Fish Gang leapt into the water, holding their breath, kicking their legs, and moving with the agility of fish even through the turbulent current.

On the other side, Li Yan spoke calmly, removed his flintlock pistol, handed it to Luo An for safekeeping, then stepped the Nine Stars Formation and chanted: "Nuo Gao! Heavenly Primordial Simplicity, essence of Ren and Gui. Inner correspondence to the Kidney, outer correspondence to the Water Star…"

On the other side, Li Yan spoke calmly, removed the flintlock pistol, and handed it to Luo An for safekeeping, then stepped the Nine Stars and traced talismans: "Nuogao! Heavenly Purity, Primordial Simplicity, essence of Ren and Gui. Inner correspondence to the Kidney, upper correspondence to the Water Star…"

A cold wind stirred; everyone felt the mist before them churn violently.

When they opened their eyes again, he was gone.

Underwater, the Black Fish Gang members sped closer.

Many pulled out drills.

They were thoroughly familiar with this routine.

Within ten breaths, they could drill the boat to sink.

Their boss, "Black Serpent," personally led a few men, unfurling the iron net with barbs, ready to slaughter any skilled fighter who fell in.

But they met their nightmare.

Yet they were met with a nightmare.

Just seven or eight meters from the barge, the head of the lead man suddenly severed, blood spraying everywhere.

A figure slowly surfaced through the blood—Li Yan.

Since his cultivation had advanced, his Northern Emperor's Dark Water Escape had grown even more formidable; with the Jiachi of the "Dragon-Snake Talisman" to enhance water Dun, it now appeared even more miraculous.

Though all Dun techniques revealed their form upon use, his silhouette remained blurred, like a water demon or ghost.

Though Dunshu always reveals its user after activation, his figure remained blurred, like a water spirit or ghost.

The Black Fish Gang members were shocked.

They had seen many strange things underwater, but they had never seen anything like this.

Only their boss, "Black Serpent," widened his eyes, turned, and fled.

But it was too late.

If the Black Fish Gang were underwater demons, then Li Yan now was the River God—no matter how many demons, they were easily subdued.

Those on the deck stared wide-eyed.

The river churned, waves of blood surging upward, staining the entire surface red…

The river churned, waves of blood surging upward, staining the entire surface red…

(End of chapter)