Chapter 561: Kitchen God Sacrifice Day, Demonic Wind is Heavy

North suburb mass grave.

It was considered a taboo among the people of Chengdu Prefecture.

During the Daxing era of the previous dynasty, there was a north-south standoff with the Golden Tent Wolf Kingdom.

Shu was also a focal point of contention. The Great Xing court relied on the dangerous terrain of the Yangtze, Jialing, Min, and Tuo river basins to establish a series of mountain city fortresses, historically known as the "Four Carriages" and the "Eight Pillars" of East Sichuan.

Bai Di City at Kuimen, Diaoyu City in Hechuan, Shenbi City in Luzhou, and Lord Tian Sheng City in Wanzhou were the famous ones among them.

Chengdu Prefecture was close to Diaoyu City, and together with Yunding City and Huaian Military City, they formed a solid defense line.

Unfortunately, there was no impregnable fortress in the world.

In the final years of the Daxing era, the Golden Tent Wolf Kingdom had already annexed the high-altitude snow region and dispatched troops to threaten the border, causing the imperial court's military forces at the time to surge toward the western defense.

However, one Golden Tent Wolf Kingdom army, with the help of a Shaman sacrificial group, pierced through the Shu Road and pressed directly toward Chengdu from the north.

In the face of danger, the people of the Southwest, the Shenquan Society composed of the Jianghu of Shu, and Emei and Qingcheng cooperated with the court army, fighting for seven days and seven nights, finally defending Chengdu Prefecture.

Outside the city in the north suburb, it had become a mountain of corpses and a sea of blood.

Ownerless corpses could be seen everywhere, which were concentrated and processed, buried in the mountains of the north suburb, and Buddhist and Daoist families held a hundred-day ritual to appease them.

Later, when the Mile Sect rebelled and the plague raged in Shu, many corpses were also buried here, and the mountains in the north suburb became a mass grave.

The strange tales about this place were countless.

Of course, more than half of them were rumors spread by the common people, scaring themselves. After all, the City God Temple would send social order troops to sweep and clear the Yin Sha evil Qi of the mass grave at fixed times every year.

So the appearance of this mansion was even more bizarre.

Ordinary people would never build a mansion here, and it even hung a sign of "House of Accumulated Goodness"...

Nie Sangu was clearly very familiar with this place; her face was ugly as she walked straight toward the mansion.

Bang!

Before she even got close, the mansion's main gate opened with a bang.

Inside were many men in black, all Jianghu men with gloomy faces; some were moving things back and forth, others were concentrating on preparing gunpowder. Seeing Nie Sangu, they all bowed respectfully.

This was precisely the location where the Prince of Shu's Wang Fu prepared gunpowder.

Nie Sangu ignored them and strode into the main hall.

But he saw a few fluorescent stones in the hall, emitting a gloomy blue dim light; clearly, for safety, they could only use this item for lighting.

On both sides of the chairs in the main hall, three people sat on the left, and two sat on the right, looking at each other coldly, clearly divided.

The three on the left were an old Tujia man, a man from Shu dressed as a boatman, and a black-robed white-crowned Lama.

The two on the right were both dressed in opera costumes.

One was tall, with red hair and a green face, dressed as Zhong Kui.

The other was a woman, dressed in mourning clothes, looking pitiful.

Seeing Nie Sangu's disheveled appearance, the man dressed as a boatman's expression sank. "Senior Nie, failed?"

"This old woman underestimated that brat."

Nie Sangu sat straight on the left, took out a Tang Yuan full of medicinal fragrance from her bosom, and swallowed it in one bite; her skin instantly turned red.

"Woo woo~"

The flower-faced woman in mourning clothes covered her face with her sleeves, sobbing, "Poor Senior Flower Face and several fellow Daoists, the great feud is hard to avenge..."

"Little girl, stop pretending!"

Seeing this, Nie Sangu's expression turned gloomy, and the scars burned by fire also became distorted. "If it weren't for you all acting recklessly, how could this trouble have been drawn out!"

She was also in a very bad mood.

These few people on the left were all giants of the heretical path in the Southwest.

That old Tujia man, named Ba Daiza, had the nickname "Blood Nuo Master." Because he was obsessed with forbidden arts, he had successively destroyed several Tujia villages and was regarded as a demon by the Tujia sacrificial priests...

The man dressed as a boatman, nicknamed Water Ghost Craftsman Tian Qi, came from a little-known magic lineage, the "Hanging Coffin Sect," and often rampaged on the Yangtze River, having been wanted by the orthodox Mystic Sects and the imperial court for many years...

That black-robed Lama, named Duoji Zha Xi, came from the "Blood Eagle Hidden Treasure" branch of the Black Sect and was known as the reincarnation of the Demon King in the snow region...

Added to her, they were the four great experts gathered by the Prince of Shu.

The status of "Ghost Flower Face" and "Pei Yufang" was slightly lower, and as for the magic lineages and Jianghu people who went to hunt down Li Yan due to the temptation of benefits, they were just superficial cover-ups.

The four of them had too cruel a reputation, so they only acted in secret under the Prince of Shu's orders to avoid attracting the attention of the orthodox sects.

And the two opposite were from the "Ghost Opera Troupe."

The one dressed as Zhong Kui was named Situ Qian, a left-path heritage of the Pear Garden, precisely the person Li Yan was entrusted to hunt down...

And that flower-faced woman in mourning clothes was called Bai Qihong, hailing from the Northern Sichuan Yin Opera Troupe, specializing in the "Eighteen Beats of the Night Stage," and even Nie Sangu felt this woman was a lunatic...

The two sides looked at each other with displeasure, which naturally had its reasons.

These old fellows of the Southwest heretical path had always been protected by the Prince of Shu, and over the years, they had also gained quite a few benefits in private, already becoming powerful.

"Ghost Flower Face" was the same, borrowing the big tree of the Prince of Shu's Wang Fu to help the "Ghost Opera Troupe" raise resources in private.

After his identity was exposed, Nie Sangu and the others originally thought the Prince of Shu would be furious, but they didn't expect the Prince of Shu to send someone to contact them, paying a high price to hire the "Ghost Opera Troupe" to come to Chengdu to help.

Nie Sangu and the four knew that this was nominally saying there were not enough hands, but in reality, it also held the intention of checking and balancing them.

Just like this incident.

Originally, Xu Yongqing was Nie Sangu's responsibility; she was to set up a layout to use him as bait, and finally find a scapegoat to cover for the Prince of Shu.

Who would have thought that Situ Qian and Bai Qihong would persuade the Prince of Shu to let Xu Yongqing help them enter the secret hall of the Cheng family's gold and silver shop, and then strike fiercely, killing everyone without leaving a single one.

Hearing Nie Sangu's questioning, Situ Qian, dressed as Zhong Kui, stared, and said coldly, "Ghost Granny, don't talk nonsense!"

Nie Sangu was an old senior of the heretical path; how could she swallow her anger? Her hoarse voice was like a night owl. "Don't think we don't know."

"This old woman has already investigated that the Cheng family's old ghost has a feud with you, and this time you came to Chengdu smelling the scent. The Prince only let you investigate, not act!"

"Now it's good, the Cheng family has been alarmed, and this old woman's bait has also slipped the hook, leaving a butt full of shit for us to wipe..."

Nie Sangu had escaped a disaster tonight but had lost a lot of face, and several protective artifacts had all been destroyed; the more she spoke, the angrier she became.

At this moment, she was already ferocious like a demon, with black Qi lingering all over her body.

The two from the "Ghost Opera Troupe" were also not to be trifled with.

Situ Qian became gloomy, and rustling sounds came from around him, and small footprints appeared on the ground...

And the flower-faced woman in mourning clothes, Bai Qihong, giggled gloomily, the skin on her face turning deathly pale, as if coated with a layer of powder, and blood tears flowed from her eyes...

"What are you all doing?"

Just then, the "Blood Nuo Master" Ba Daiza, who had been silent and smoking, suddenly spoke, knocked off the cigarette ash, and said indifferently, "If you want to fight, why not decide life and death now? Anyway, if this continues, none of us will end well."

As soon as these words came out, everyone fell silent.

Even the two from the "Ghost Opera Troupe" restrained their Qi.

Among the four heretical path experts of the Southwest, there were differences in cultivation.

Nie Sangu was infamous, but she was worse than the other three; the most terrifying one recognized by all was this "Blood Nuo Master" Ba Daiza, followed by Water Ghost Craftsman Tian Qi and Duoji Zha Xi.

Seeing everyone silent, Ba Daiza nodded slightly and looked at Situ Qian. "Your troupe leader, when will he come to Chengdu?"

Facing this expressionless old man, Situ Qian also felt a chill in his heart and cupped his hands slightly. "The troupe leader sent a letter saying that when the Yang family fell, they had already headed to Jiangzhe for other important matters."

"Chengdu is mainly the responsibility of the two of us. If the matter cannot be done, the remaining silver will be fully refunded."

"Left?"

Ba Daiza narrowed his eyes, not surprised.

From the information he obtained, the newly born "Ghost Opera Troupe" was not small in scale, acting for profit; whoever gave the higher reward, they would help them do things.

Over in Jiangzhe, someone must have given better conditions.

As for being untrustworthy, these people didn't care at all.

Of course, they were also happy to see this.

Thinking of this, the old man Ba Daiza said in a deep voice, "This commotion is not small, I'm afraid the orthodox sects have already been alarmed. The top priority is to complete the Prince's major event."

"On the fifteenth of the first lunar month, there must be no mistakes. Tomorrow is the Kitchen God sacrifice, the Wang Fu will have a big banquet, the Prince is not convenient to appear, and those Commandery Princes are probably already eager to try. The two of you are new faces, so enter the Wang Fu to protect the Prince..."

"Tian Qi, Master Duoji Zha Xi, those two from the Dragon Worship Sect have left, I'm afraid they have already developed dissent; find a way to find them and get rid of them as soon as possible!" Water Ghost Craftsman Tian Qi narrowed his eyes. "Those two, this old man can't deal with them; this matter cannot be done."

The old man Ba Daiza laughed hoarsely. "Brother Tian is joking. I also know a little about your layout in 'Yellow Springs.' Isn't it just right to lure those two out and let them lose both ways?"

Water Ghost Craftsman Tian Qi heard this and stopped speaking.

The old man Ba Daiza looked at Nie Sangu again. "Sangu, you have already appeared in Chengdu Prefecture, you need to avoid the limelight, come with this old man."

Nie Sangu still wanted to pull people to take revenge and slaughter Li Yan; hearing this, she was somewhat unhappy. "Go to do what?"

The old man Ba Daiza lit his dry tobacco again and took two puffs.

"The Yang family is destroyed, the Kaihai Sect is exerting force, and the remnants have been escorted to Chengdu. Once they arrive in Chengdu, it will be the time for them to make trouble."

"We have been able to be stable all these years, all because of the Wang Fu's cover. Those remnants must not arrive in Chengdu alive!"

………………

Crackle!

(Note: Repetitive error in source.)

Before the sky was bright, there was already the sound of firecrackers.

In the wing room, Li Yan got up early as usual and practiced the Ten Great Plate Exercises of Red Fist.

His ability to advance bravely was inseparable from his daily hard practice, and by relying on the Great Luo Dala Dala Fa Shen, he explored the edge of danger.

Just like now, pushing Mount Tai, thousand-handle grip, sparrow-ground dragon, swallow-holding mud... they were still those postures, already having reached perfection.

But what was different was that Li Yan's whole body muscles were trembling at this moment, and from the fascia outward, a roar sounded, as if thunder was striking in his body.

His whole body skin turned red, and sweat turned into white mist and rose.

At this moment, he had completely mastered the Great Cloud Thunder Sound and combined it with the Ten Great Plate Exercises, embarking on a path that even his master, Madam Li, had never thought of.

Practicing like this, ordinary people would probably be shocked.

It was simply risking one's life; one careless move, and one would be crippled.

The fact was exactly so.

Every time the plate exercises reached the limit, a heart-piercing pain would come from the body; that was the manifestation of the fascia being torn.

Fortunately, the Great Luo Dala Dala Fa Shen repaired it in time.

This state of walking on the edge of the limit was the most effective for increasing cultivation.

The damage to the Great Luo Dala Dala Fa Shen today was mostly caused by practicing exercises.

In the courtyard next door, the Bagua Sect disciples were also practicing, mud-treading steps, Bagua walking around the pillars, hitting the iron man... practicing in full swing.

But soon, they stopped one after another and tilted their heads to listen.

Rumble~

"Senior Brother, is it thundering?"

"It seems to be in that Li fellow's room..."

Li Yan's reputation in the Shu Jianghu had not been small during this period.

Although they followed Censor Wang from the capital, they had also heard of his name, and looking at his age again last night, it was hard for them to be unconvinced.

The more unconvinced they were, the more curious they became.

"What are you all doing!"

A reprimand came, and the two Bagua Sect experts from last night walked over with their hands behind their backs, their eyes sharp and their expressions gloomy.

The young disciples lowered their heads in a hurry and continued to practice.

And these two experts tilted their heads to listen, looked at each other, and their expressions grew increasingly solemn.

They were knowledgeable and naturally knew what this represented.

But given Li Yan's age, it was truly unbelievable...

In the wing room, Li Yan couldn't care about these people, and after finishing his practice, he sat cross-legged facing east to collect his mind.

The way of cultivation was nothing more than following the sky and the law of the earth.

Having movement and stillness, having release and collection was the right path.

After doing all this, the dark night faded completely, and Li Yan packed his things and pushed the door out.

The Bagua Sect disciples had already left.

Only one middle-aged man from last night was guarding a key position.

Seeing Li Yan, he hesitated for a moment before saying, "This brother, today is the Kitchen God sacrifice, the kitchen stoves have all been extinguished, if you are hungry, we have some pastries and tea here."

Since someone was showing goodwill, Li Yan naturally wouldn't pretend to be cold, smiling and cupping his hands. "That's just right, thank

"There, you are too polite."

"I am Li Yan, may I ask..."

"Dong Cunshan of the Capital's Bagua Sect."

"I have long heard of you, long heard of you. So you are a disciple of a renowned family. I have heard the name of the elder Dong like thunder piercing the ears..."

"My ancestor is elderly and has long since ceased to concern himself with worldly affairs..."

The two drank tea and ate breakfast, soon striking up a conversation.

Li Yan was indeed quite surprised.

No wonder these Bagua Sect disciples had a bit of arrogance; they truly had the capital for pride, as they hailed from the Dong family of the Bagua Sect.

Their grandmaster, Dong Changxing, was one of the ten great masters of the Divine Land.

That Wang Yushi was able to invite these people to guard him was mostly due to the great effort exerted by the Open Sea Sect behind him.

Both had the intention to befriend one another, so they chatted quite happily.

"Is Lord Wang present? I have come to bid farewell."

"The Lord is tied up with official business and has already left."

After Dong Cunshan explained this, his expression grew solemn as he said: "Little brother, we are outsiders. Although we came to provide protection, being in a place like the capital, many things are beyond our control. Therefore, we only protect the safety of the Censor, and it is inconvenient for us to intervene in other matters."

"The demonic atmosphere in this Chengdu Prefecture is heavy; you must be careful."

"No matter how strong the demonic wind, evil will ultimately not prevail over righteousness!"

"Good! Take care!"

After bidding farewell to Dong Cunshan, Li Yan left immediately.

Upon exiting the Chengdu Prefecture Yamen, the festive atmosphere rushed toward him.

In the distance, stove-sugar vendors had already set up their stalls, and the steaming heat, wrapped in sweet fragrance, permeated the entire street...

Opposite, in front of a restaurant, stalls were filled with incense and candles, burning together with yellowed Kitchen God portraits written in gold characters on red paper, "Speaking Good Words to Heaven," and straw chickens and horses...

Amidst the simultaneous ringing of firecrackers, the shopkeeper knelt and bowed with his assistants.

The twenty-third day of the twelfth lunar month, the day of the Kitchen God sacrifice.

Chengdu Prefecture also had a custom: on this day, one must bring homemade yuanxiao to give to others as gifts.

Women on the street carried food boxes to visit neighbors, and even through the boxes, Li Yan could smell the sweet fragrance of the yuanxiao.

In his mind, he couldn't help but think of that old hag from last night.

Red firecracker paper was scattered on the white accumulated snow, creating a strong festive atmosphere. Walking past a teahouse, a broker inside was bragging.

"Do you know? The Wang Fu Chief Clerk's house caught fire last night?"

"What exactly happened?"

"I heard it was because they did too many wicked deeds, provoking the Kitchen God to anger, burning the Xu family clean, with no survivors."

"Good! It would be best if all the wicked people in this world died out!"

Li Yan shook his head slightly and looked toward Chengdu Prefecture in the cold mist.

"This year is not going to be easy to get through..."

(End of chapter)