[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-cursed-blade-s-walk":3,"chapter-the-cursed-blade-s-walk-the-cursed-blade-s-walk-chapter-54":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","The Cursed Blade's Walk",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2262359,4415,"Chapter 54: Red-Haired, Blood-Stained Face","the-cursed-blade-s-walk-chapter-54",54,"\u003Cp>“Red-haired, blood-stained face?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At these words, Sha Lifei laughed, “Isn’t that just a story to scare children?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even Li Yan, upon hearing it, furrowed his brows slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In every village and countryside across Shenzhou, there are always strange tales—shadows behind you at night, hands in the latrine, faces at the window, Tiger Auntie…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The red-haired, blood-stained face is one of them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Legend says this thing wears a large green robe, has fiery red hair, and a face caked in blood; it often appears at dusk, and if children are still playing then, it snatches them away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It commonly appears beside ancient trees, and elders swear that children from a nearby village once went up the mountain to play and encountered the red-haired, blood-stained face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The other children fled in terror, turned back to look, and still saw the terrifying green-robed, red-faced shadow beneath the twilight tree, coldly staring at them; after returning home, they all fell violently ill, some even lost their souls to fright.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some elders say that one child never came back—he vanished—and later, a master from Chang’an performed rites beneath the tree, digging three feet down to find the child’s bones.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alongside the bones, a coffin was discovered, but the master forbade opening it, instead burning it to ash under the blazing sun.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In short, the tale is told with vivid detail.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After learning of the Xuanmen’s existence, Li Yan believed in jiangshi and chimei wangling, yet he still felt this thing was merely an old man’s invented tale, meant to scare children into returning home for dinner.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now hearing it again, he found it utterly absurd.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet Wang Daoxuan’s expression turned grave. “When did this happen?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The shopkeeper hurriedly replied, “These past few years, some masters have been summoned to investigate the mountain, but found nothing. Oh, and those who go up to gather herbs often encounter it in the woods—after that, no one dares climb the mountain anymore…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leaving the carriage inn, Wang Daoxuan still looked puzzled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing his expression, Sha Lifei felt a chill. “Master Dao, could the red-haired, blood-stained face truly exist?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Daoxuan shook his head slightly. “Let’s talk outside. This thing—Zhao Brother knows more about it than I do.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…………\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The treasure-seeker Zhao Lüzi had not entered the city but waited below the mountain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No one found this strange; he had already explained the reason on the road.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The treasure-seeker trade had an unspoken rule:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Heaven as blanket, earth as bed, revere the gods and spirits. Three incense sticks before entering mountains or waters; a lamp lit before entering tombs or caves; never enter a yang dwelling.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Lüzi even explained the reasons to them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Heaven one stroke, earth one stroke, the middle is human—that forms the character ‘wu,’ showing treasure-seekers never forget their roots, and also tied to the time when the Fangxian Dao was crushed and hunted by the imperial court.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu worshipped the spirit in all things, so they must revere gods and spirits; the Ganshan and Tanhai lineages always offered three incense sticks before entering mountains or waters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Xinyou lineage, which delved into ancient tombs and caves, lit a single lamp to guide the way—both for illumination and as an omen; if the master within stirred in anger, they must leave immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for never entering yang dwellings, there were two reasons.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>First, they spent years in wild tombs and ancient ruins, inevitably attracting ill fortune; if they casually entered another’s home, disaster would follow, especially if the household venerated a powerful folk deity, which could trigger direct conflict.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Second, it was still tied to the Fangxian Dao; legend says the treasure-seekers once sacrificed themselves for the First Emperor, seeking immortality elixirs in mountains and seas, only to be purged alongside the Fangxian Dao—hence this ancestral decree.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Red-haired, blood-stained face?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Lüzi scratched his head. “I’ve heard of this thing.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My father once said it was a method of the old Fangxian Dao—used near imperial tombs, finding places where yin-sha energy gathered, sealing the crucified dead inside coffins, then planting trees above.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Over time, this formed a ghost wall, hiding ancient tombs in the mountains. It was popular during the Qin and Han dynasties, but banned for being cruel and violating heavenly harmony—yet secretly, powerful clans still hired men to perform it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“As time passed, the coffin’s seal broke, and the vengeful soul of the crucified dead transformed into the red-haired, blood-stained face—but now fused with the ancient tree, it could only remain trapped in place.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wherever the red-haired, blood-stained face appears, a great tomb must lie nearby. The Xinyou lineage used this as a clue to locate Qin and Han imperial tombs. In Guanzhong, there are countless Qin and Han noble tombs, so the legend endured.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sha Lifei’s eyes lit up. “There’s a noble tomb in the mountain?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Lüzi shook his head. “Even if there is, my Ganshan lineage would never enter a tomb. Besides, when I came before, I never saw the red-haired, blood-stained face.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But as to why it’s appeared these past two years, I’ve guessed the reason.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A few years ago, a band of bandits hid on the mountain to evade imperial pursuit—they must have been faking the spirit to keep villagers away and prevent them from discovering their hideout. These men are dangerous; I can’t fight them, so I need help.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yan frowned. “Bandits? Do they have a name?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Lüzi thought a moment. “I once overheard them talking—their leader is called Yan Laojiu.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Skin-Flayer Yanwang?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sha Lifei’s scalp prickled. “Why didn’t you say this sooner? If that bastard’s up there, we’re walking into death! And any treasure? Probably already dug up by him!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yan, upon hearing this, shook his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Guanzhong had many bandits; any who earned a name in the green woods were no easy foes. Yan Laojiu was once a butcher in Chang’an, skilled with a blade, famous on the streets, and married a beautiful wife—so despite his lowly trade, he lived in splendor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Later, his wife had an affair with a nobleman’s son. Yan Laojiu bided his time, then one night, when the son’s guards were away, he captured them both, flayed them alive, and hung their skins on the city’s main street.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even that alone wouldn’t have been enough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But after fleeing Chang’an and becoming a bandit, whenever he raided down the mountain and captured a young couple, he’d flay them for sport, regardless of guilt or innocence—gradually earning the infamous nickname “Skin-Flayer Yanwang.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Yan Laojiu was truly hiding on the mountain, this would be very hard to handle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“They won’t find us!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Lüzi flushed red, hurriedly saying, “The thunder-struck jujube tree has gained spirit—it only appears at specific times, and only I know its location.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The bandits’ lair is on the eastern cliffs; the thunder-struck jujube tree is in the western Leopard Gully. If we cut the tree at night, drop it into the river, we can leave the mountain and retrieve it downstream in Xianyang.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He then pulled out a sheepskin map for them to examine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yan studied it carefully and nodded. “There’s still a chance. What other dangers are in Leopard Gully? Tell us now.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Lüzi said, “The thunder-struck jujube tree wards off evil; ordinary yin creatures dare not approach. But Leopard Gully has several fierce leopards—I can’t handle them alone.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>!.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yan thought a moment, then said firmly, “Then we climb the mountain!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Also, Uncle Sha, go back to Chunhua County and make some meat caltrops.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…………\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Caltrop spines can wound, sharp and swift—hence the name “caltrop.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Chuci called caltrops “evil trees,” used as metaphors for villains. The fruit’s shape was the origin of the Jianghuanqi  “caltrop seed.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for meat caltrops, they’re a sinister hunting method: caltrop seeds wrapped in small meat chunks, soaked in pig’s blood to mask the scent. Tigers and leopards can’t tear them apart, so they swallow them whole—inside the stomach, as the intestines contract, the seeds slice through the abdominal cavity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Making them isn’t difficult; Sha Lifei quickly prepared a large sack, tied the sheepskin bag shut, and rejoined the group as they headed up the mountain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yetai Mountain wasn’t towering, but its area was vast; stretching before them were layered peaks and winding, tortuous paths.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They entered the mountain in the afternoon; soon, darkness fell. The bright moon lit the black mountains, and distant howls of wolves and roars of tigers echoed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sha Lifei shuddered, complaining, “Why didn’t we come in daylight? At night, we can’t see a thing.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Lüzi muttered, “The thunder-struck jujube tree has absorbed the mountain’s Gangqi  and formed a small formation—it’s invisible by day. Only at midnight, under moonlight, can you see it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Saying this, he rose and pushed aside dead vines and grass beneath a rock wall, revealing a small shrine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside stood an ancient stone statue, its features blurred, barely recognizable as a man in Confucian robes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A cracked earthen pot served as an incense burner; though traces of burned incense and candles remained, it was clear no one had worshipped there in a long time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yan had already formed the Yang Seal to activate his spiritual senses.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He smelled a faint incense scent, heavy and profound—though thin, it blended seamlessly with the mountain’s overall aura.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Lüzi muttered, “In the past, herb gatherers and hunters would come to worship here. The bandits disrupted it, and the incense offerings stopped.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He took incense, candles, fruits, and steamed buns from his pack, lit the incense, and made offerings—every movement carried solemn grace, his eyes filled with reverence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing this, Li Yan and Wang Daoxuan also stepped forward to light incense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sha Lifei bowed deeply, striking his head on the ground several times. “Mountain God, protect us! If this mission succeeds, we’ll report to the authorities after leaving and have these bandits wiped out for you!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the worship, the group continued up the mountain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, Zhao Lüzi repeated the mountain taboos: never speak the true names of wild beasts, avoid certain places, and follow his lead entirely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yan gripped his Guanshan Dao tightly, guarding Zhao Lüzi’s side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The treasure-seeker Zhao Lüzi had awakened the Eye of Insight—not the Yin-Yang Eye, but the ability to see qi; at night, his vision was as clear as day.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yan’s Nose of Insight could detect abnormal scents within hundreds of meters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their partnership was perfectly complementary.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon, they reached a fork in the mountain path.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Lüzi pointed east. “The bandits’ lair is over there. Ahead are their sentries—we’ll avoid them.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sha Lifei whispered, “Then let’s move quickly, before they spot us.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wait!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Li Yan sniffed sharply, his expression grim as he stared eastward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The stench of corpses is overwhelming!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Happy Children’s Day! In this bustling mortal world, we are all children. Worry one day, lose one day; be happy one day, gain one day—so eat when you must, drink when you can, and never let troubles linger in your heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1836,"2026-06-19T18:28:32.159Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","186ab271d8b4e57f836d7d6decac21600bad48e16e41413771af67d9423cc378","the-cursed-blade-s-walk-chapter-55","the-cursed-blade-s-walk-chapter-53",801,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-cursed-blade-s-walk-cover.jpg"]