Chapter 49

Returning to the Ask-Dao Hall, Li Yan immediately opened his eyes and stood up.

"Are you... alright?"

Sha Lifei knew Li Yan was faking the faint, but he was still worried.

There was no helping it; Li Yan's appearance, covered in blood like a gourd, was truly ghastly.

"I'm fine, it's all just skin wounds."

Li Yan brushed it off casually, then with a few tearing sounds, ripped apart his clothes. Those wounds were no longer bleeding and didn't look serious at all.

Of course, this was the result of the "injury exchange."

The blows he took—some of which Zhou Bai had used hidden force for, causing his tendons and fascia to twist and snap, and even injuring his internal organs—would have left him bedridden for half a year if not for the Great Luo Dharma Body.

Eliminating the internal injuries while keeping some skin wounds was just to protect his secret and prevent the two from becoming suspicious.

Wang Dao-xuan breathed a sigh of relief and hurriedly took out medicine for knife wounds to bandage him.

Li Yan let him do as he pleased, then said to Sha Lifei in a low voice, "Old Uncle Sha, go out now. First, go to the gambling den to collect the silver, then spread the news that I am severely injured, and finally, buy some medicinal herbs at random."

"Remember, act worried."

Sha Lifei asked curiously, "Why?"

Winning easily in a ring match versus fighting to a mutual stalemate—the reputation gained from these two is completely different.

"It's very simple..."

Recalling the scene after the match where Zhang Yuanshang and the others all appeared to confront the Eight Vajras, Li Yan shook his head and said, "I only wanted to light a fire, but they wanted to use me as a chess piece. I reckon both sides were already prepared to turn on each other; I just happened to be there at the right time."

"Those people from the Zhou family are unscrupulous and will definitely seek revenge afterward. If nothing unexpected happens, the other side is also waiting for them to make a move so they can seize a handle to launch their own."

"But if the news of my severe injury spreads, the Zhou family won't be so impatient; they will only send people to monitor us to prevent us from leaving the city."

"And Zhang Yuanshang and his group won't be able to wait too long either; they will just find another opportunity. When the water gets muddy, we will be safe."

"Oh, I get it!"

Once it was put this way, Sha Lifei understood immediately. He walked quickly out the door, put on a worried expression, and headed toward the Jin Bao Gambling Den...

……

"Daoist, Zhou Bai played some tricks..."

As soon as Sha Lifei left, Li Yan told Wang Dao-xuan about his suspicions.

"The aura of an ape?"

After listening, Wang Dao-xuan stroked his beard and pondered, "From what you say, it sounds like a type of puppet technique."

"Ancient witchcraft believed that all things have spirits and worshipped ghosts and gods, often summoning them to possess the body, which is called 'Descending Gods.' Later, it was passed down to the Immortality Sect, and together with the Forbidden Art of Immortality, they are listed as the two arts of the Immortality Sect."

"With the rise of the orthodox Mystic Sect, the sealing of righteous gods, and the suppression of illicit sacrifices, the imperial court slaughtered the Immortality Sect. Some secret methods flowed into the folk, each with its own derivations. For example, the Round Light and Spirit-Writing mediums in the Jin Sect are evolutions of the Descending God technique."

"Puppet techniques are the same, only they use the aura of a living person combined with Yin-Sha Qi to perform. Straw effigies, paper figures for spirit-seeking, wooden puppets—there are many types, and many masters of the Dharma lineage are skilled in this art."

"The Zhou family must have hired a Dharma lineage sorcerer!"

Li Yan frowned slightly, "Not a folk shaman?"

Wang Dao-xuan shook his head slightly, "These types of techniques are all secret transmissions of various families. Although folk shamans often borrow the power of ghosts and gods to act, they are not skilled in this path."

After listening, Li Yan narrowed his eyes, "It seems I miscalculated. If the news of my severe injury spreads, the Zhou family, constrained by Zhang Yuanshang and the others, won't make a move openly, but they will very likely hire a sorcerer to act in the shadows."

"That is nothing to worry about."

Wang Dao-xuan stroked his beard and sighed, "You underestimate the Mystic Sect of Guanzhong."

"In the Guanzhong region, since the Qin Han dynasties, the Mystic Sect has been extremely prosperous. In the capitals of several dynasties, wherever Feng Shui dragon veins converge, emperors, generals, and ministers are buried, and there are countless Daoist temples and monasteries."

"With large trends and small patterns nested together, the divine Qi is so vigorous that ordinary evil spirits dare not even approach. Ordinary people might not see a ghost or evil spirit in their entire lives."

"The greatest danger in the Guanzhong region is the ancient Qin and Han tombs. At that time, the Immortality Sect was prevalent, and some people, seeking immortality, often set up traps and evil arts in their tombs."

"During times of war and chaos, apart from those tomb robbers, there were also armies digging for hills. One careless move would lead to zombies running rampant and ghost soldiers passing through. Therefore, the orthodox Mystic Sect has set up Dharma altars in Chang'an, Mount Zhongnan, and Mount Huashan to support large-scale armies of spirit soldiers."

"Every year during the God's Birthday festivals, they either perform rituals to offer food and transcend or appease the wandering souls, or the spirit soldiers patrol to suppress mountains and destroy temples, searching for evil spirits."

"Xianyang is the same. The one worshipped in the City God Temple is the Great General Meng Chong from the Qin dynasty. In his lifetime, he was a grandmaster of the military school, and after death, he was a hero among ghosts. He has been canonized as the City God to this day, his divine power is unfathomable, and he has numerous spirit soldiers."

"To use sorcery to harm people within Xianyang City, at most one can cause some curses or accidents. Daring to drive spirit soldiers is no different from taking a knife to one's own throat."

"Just like that Zhou family, they only dared to play some small tricks. Once scared by your hidden force and true incantations, the puppet technique was easily broken."

"When you sleep, hang the Three Talents Demon-Suppressing Coins at the end of your bed. Ordinary puppet-harming methods won't be able to get near you at all."

"That's good then."

Li Yan nodded slightly, "During this time, we will stay at home and wait to watch the show."

Wang Dao-xuan naturally knew what he wanted to do and said with some worry, "Being in Xianyang with the Three Talents Demon-Suppressing Coins for protection, there is no need to worry about Mystic Sect methods, but that Zhou Pan has already entered the Hua Jin Layer; he is not someone you can deal with."

Li Yan looked out the window, his expression calm as he said:

"I'm not stupid enough to fight him head-on. I'm just waiting for an opportunity to force him to reveal the truth of that year..."

…………

On the other side, Sha Lifei discovered something wrong after leaving the house.

It was already near dusk, and smoke from cooking fires was rising from every household in the old alley, but the house opposite the Ask-Dao Hall had its gate tightly shut.

Half a head poked out from above, then quickly retracted after seeing him. "Thieving coward!"

Sha Lifei cursed under his breath and quickened his pace.

He was an old hand at navigating the Jianghu, full of hot air, and his mind was sharp. After Li Yan's explanation, he understood their current situation.

It was nothing more than faking illness and acting.

Conceal one's sharpness for now, watch the fire from the other side of the river, and don't get used as a firecracker by others.

With a plan in mind, he no longer paid attention to the watchers along the way, even pretending to be flustered and specifically walking through the crowded main streets.

Before long, he arrived at the Jin Bao Gambling Den.

"Yo, isn't this Hero Sha?"

"You've really shown your face today!"

"If I'd known, I would have followed your bet..."

!.

As soon as he entered the gambling den, a crowd swarmed up.

They weren't being enthusiastic; in fact, most of them didn't even know Sha Lifei. They were just joining in the fun, striking up a conversation, and getting a familiar face.

In the future, when talking about this with others, they could directly say that Sha Lifei was an old friend, and that Li Yan, who fought in the ring, would have to call them "uncle" when they met.

Just like some people Li Yan knew in his previous life, who would crowd around rich people at events, take photos, say a few words, and then go out and claim they were sworn brothers to scam money.

Sha Lifei naturally knew the ropes. He cupped his hands with a worried look, "Everyone, I have urgent business today. Let's chat another day. I hope you'll forgive me."

"That's fine, that's fine, Hero Sha, go ahead with your business."

Seeing his demeanor, the crowd already had their guesses.

Although they wouldn't say it to his face, they would definitely discuss it behind his back. The news of Li Yan's severe injury would likely spread throughout the entire Xianyang City by tonight.

Sha Lifei no longer paid attention to these people. He took his betting ticket to the wooden counter at the back. Just as he was about to exchange it, he saw the gambling den's attendant bow respectfully, "Hero Sha, please step this way. Our manager would like to see you."

"Oh?"

Hearing this, Sha Lifei's heart skipped a beat.

He had thought about encountering trouble from the Iron Blade and White Ape gangs on the road, but he hadn't expected Manager Wu of the Jin Bao Gambling Den to seek him out first.

The Jin Bao Gambling Den had a powerful background.

But they had no connection; why would they seek him out?

Sha Lifei felt uneasy as he followed the attendant into a private room on the second floor.

Inside, there was Manager Wu with a kind face. On the large round table, a spread of wine and food was laid out—chicken, duck, fish, and meat—very sumptuous.

"Hahaha..."

Seeing Sha Lifei enter, Manager Wu immediately stood up and laughed, "I guessed that Hero Sha would come at this time, so I specially prepared wine and food to wait for you."

Sha Lifei was somewhat puzzled, "Manager Wu, what is this..."

"Hero Sha, no need to worry."

Manager Wu shook his head, "You saw it that day too. I have some grievances with that Yuan Qu, but the situation forced me, and I couldn't make a move to turn against him."

"Today, you showed your might in the ring. Seeing the look on that Yuan fellow's face, I felt a sense of satisfaction, so I specially invited Hero Sha to have a few drinks..."

How could Sha Lifei believe this nonsense?

Those who run gambling dens are more black-hearted than the next. Offering favors for no reason—there must be a ghost involved.

Although he didn't know the reason, Sha Lifei still shook his head, "This... many thanks for Manager Wu's kindness, but I have other urgent business. Once I get the money, I have to go to the pharmacy."

"Oh?"

Manager Wu frowned, "Is Young Master Li's injury not light?"

Sha Lifei said with a bitter face, "I'm afraid he'll need to recuperate for a few months."

Manager Wu nodded slightly and sighed, "Since that's the case, I won't force you. Wang Cheng, take another hundred taels of silver; consider it a small token of my sincerity."

"This... how can I accept this."

Sha Lifei looked embarrassed, but when he took the money, he didn't hesitate at all.

Finally, just as he was about to say goodbye and leave, he turned his head to look at the wine and food on the table, scratched his head and said, "This, I still have to order food for them. Since Manager Wu has invited me, why don't I pack some up to take back, so as not to waste time on the road?"

Manager Wu: "......"

…………

Before long, Sha Lifei left the gambling den carrying large and small bags.

The moment he left, Manager Wu hurriedly closed the door.

Clatter, clatter...

Accompanied by the sound of gears, the bookshelf in the room slowly moved aside.

It turned out there were interlayers and secret passages in this gambling den room.

A woman in white slowly walked out, her appearance elegant and refined.

If Sha Lifei were here, he would discover that this woman was exactly the white-clad concubine beside Squire Lu!

(End of Chapter)