Chapter 573: Tianfu Shock

"Master, speak slowly—what exactly is amiss?"

Li Yan feigned confusion as he secretly activated the Dragon-Snake Talisman.

There is no doubt something is amiss at Qingyang Palace.

But he dared not trust the Daoist before him either.

Whether it was the suppression of the Dragon Maiden, the connection between Qingyang Palace and the Shu Prince, or the anomalies he'd discovered since entering—each warranted suspicion.

The Daoist before him had a good reputation in Longtan Village.

Yet in this world, there were far too many who wore the mask of virtue…

"Do you suspect me, Young Master Li?"

Sensing Li Yan's demeanor, Yun Lingzi seemed unsurprised; he gritted his teeth and spoke low: "Your suspicion is not unfounded, but there is more to this matter—please let me explain."

"Oh?"

Li Yan's expression remained calm. "Master, speak."

Yun Lingzi nodded. "When the events in Longtan Village occurred, I immediately sensed something wrong. My sect issued a secret order: if the Dragon Maiden escaped, we were to suppress her with the Divine Sealing Method—but that spirit was clearly a benevolent deity!"

"After returning, I lied about it and secretly investigated. I discovered this assignment had been altered by my uncle, who accepted bribes from outsiders."

"I confronted him—he promised to give me an explanation—but then he vanished. That same night, someone sent me a secret message threatening me to drop the investigation…"

"The opponent's cultivation far surpasses mine. I could only pause for now. Soon after, strange events plagued the palace, but orders kept coming to cover them up—like the statue of Laozi riding a blue ox, which had already been removed."

Li Yan's eyes narrowed. "If you found something amiss, why not report it to the abbot?"

Yun Lingzi hesitated, then gritted his teeth: "Because the one ordering the cover-up… is the abbot himself."

"He said the Chengdu Lantern Festival is imminent; if this causes a scandal, it will damage Qingyang Palace's reputation. He said we should wait until after the festival."

"Also, I discovered the palace's array had been tampered with—but I cannot understand how."

He spoke quickly, his voice trembling with fear: "There is a force within Qingyang Palace suppressing all voices—they're preparing something huge!"

These words sent a chill down Li Yan's spine.

Though Qingyang Palace paled beside Mount Qingcheng, it was still the "First Grove of the Southwest," home to many experts.

Even with its close ties to the Shu Prince, it shouldn't have sunk so far into darkness…

At that moment, both men turned toward the wooden door.

Outside the courtyard, hurried footsteps approached—many people rushing in, surrounding the small yard.

Then, a voice rang out from beyond the door.

"Brother, come out quickly! That man is a royal criminal!"

Yun Lingzi gasped. "Young Master Li, let me explain—"

"No."

Li Yan's expression turned cold. He pushed open the door and stepped out.

Outside the courtyard stood over a dozen Daoists, each holding long swords, arranged in the Two-Instrument Sword Array, sealing off every exit.

Behind them stood several soldiers from the garrison, crouching with firelocks raised and aimed.

Li Yan glanced calmly. "Who says I, Li Yan, am a royal criminal?"

"I do!"

From behind the soldiers, a general clad in armor spoke in a deep voice: "The demon Li Yan infiltrated Chengdu with ill intent. He committed a bloody massacre at a silver and gold shop in the eastern district, then broke into the Prince's mansion, raped and murdered a servant, and stole its most precious treasure."

"The Prince has ordered his capture. Resistance will be met with immediate execution!"

The Shu Prince had fully turned against him!

Li Yan instantly understood.

Because of the "Ruyi Treasure Pearl," he'd already been hunted by the Shu Prince's elite—but out of caution for the Censorate, the pursuit had remained covert.

Now that he'd reached Chengdu and hidden within the Five Prefectures Mansion, his whereabouts had surely been exposed.

Nie Sangu had been defeated by him; last night, Tian Qi had personally ambushed him—only to be killed by Yang Chenghua. The Shu Prince had clearly lost patience.

So now, he resorted to brute authority: framing him outright.

"Attack!"

The garrison general gave him no chance to speak. Eyes blazing with murder, he gave the order.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Gunfire flashed; smoke filled the air.

Li Yan was no fool. As the guns fired, he pushed off his ankles and lunged backward into the side chamber.

"Don't let him escape!"

One of the Qingyang Daoists shouted at the same time.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

Sword cries rang out. The Daoists chanted incantations, their footwork shifting as they circled the side chamber.

Though their blades swept through empty air, torrents of demonic and wrathful energy gathered, converging at the tips of their magical swords to form the Two-Instrument Sword Array.

Puff!

Inside the side chamber, Li Yan tilted his head slightly.

Behind him, the antique bookshelf shattered, wood splinters flying.

Yun Lingzi lowered his head, spun, and kicked the heavy desk with his foot, sending it crashing into the doorway. "Young Master Li, flee quickly! This is the Two-Instrument Sword Array—they're drawing the divine temple's divine energy to suppress this place!"

"Understood. You be careful too."

Li Yan wasted no words. He looked up at the ceiling, leapt upward, landed on the beam, then pushed off with both legs, curling his body and leaping violently upward.

Boom! The ceiling shattered into a gaping hole.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

The gunners below fired without pause.

Worse still, five Qingyang swordsmen hurled their long swords through the air, shrieking as they sealed off every escape route.

But Li Yan had anticipated this.

His body twisted, his steps shifted—he moved like a dragon, narrowly dodging lead bullets, flying tiles, and swordlight.

This was the "Dragon Dances with Phoenix" body technique.

Ordinary martial artists used it to evade close combat—but he could evade this deadly assault thanks to his formidable physique and divine perception.

Swish!

Li Yan leapt from the roof of the side chamber onto the thatched roof of the woodshed, kicked off hard, sending tiles flying, then soared upward again, clearing a high wall.

He was close to the Hunyuan Hall. Just one more wall to cross, and he'd escape Qingyang Palace.

"Where do you think you're going!"

The garrison general's face turned ashen as he led the chase.

But the garrison soldiers lacked such aerial prowess—they had to detour around two walls.

The dozen Qingyang swordsmen, however, leapt into the air, robes flapping, swords held behind their backs, clearing the walls in pursuit.

Only the middle-aged swordmaster remained standing where he was.

"Brother, this may be a misunderstanding."

Yun Lingzi could no longer hold back—he stepped out from the side chamber.

The middle-aged swordmaster glanced at him coldly. "What misunderstanding? The Shu Mansion's wanted notice is clear."

"This…"

Yun Lingzi's face darkened, unsure what to say.

The Shu Mansion was Qingyang Palace's largest patron, donating vast sums of incense money each year; Daoists frequently visited the mansion to pray.

He couldn't openly accuse the Prince of framing someone…

Thinking of this, Yun Lingzi grew more anxious, glancing toward the distance.

Puff!

Suddenly, a sharp pain pierced his chest.

He looked up—and saw a blade had pierced straight through his heart.

The blade pierced his heart—no mercy shown.

"Brother… you…"

Yun Lingzi turned his head, eyes wide with disbelief.

He and this brother had entered the sect together; their bond was unbreakable. If anyone in Qingyang Palace was trustworthy, it was this man—so he'd let his guard down.

With a face full of unyielding resentment, Yun Lingzi collapsed to the ground.

The Daoists behind him fell silent for a moment, sighed, then shouted loudly: "Master! The demon killed Brother Yun! Don't let him escape!"

Li Yan, still sprinting, froze—his heart lurched, his face darkened.

Without a doubt, Yun Lingzi was dead.

The blame now rested squarely on his own head.

Anger burned in his chest—but he did not turn back.

The final high wall leading out of Qingyang Palace lay just ahead. Returning now would be walking straight into a trap.

This was their territory—who knew what ancient elders lurked within? No matter how high his cultivation, if trapped, he'd be doomed.

Hoo~

Suddenly, a fierce wind surged ahead. Thick incense Qixi spread everywhere. Li Yan could smell it—the incense power mixed with Gangqi, forming towering spectral shadows that blocked his path.

On the roof of the distant hall stood two old Daoists, holding talismans, chanting incantations, their dust whisks sweeping the air.

"Heavenly Official on duty—no taboos! Stand down!"

Li Yan did not hesitate and immediately pulled out the summoning warrant.

The gale howled again, and several qi signatures instantly scattered.

On the rooftops afar, two old Daoists groaned, staggered backward, clutching their chests, exchanging stunned glances.

"It's a Heavenly Official!"

Fear flickered in both their eyes.

But Li Yan paid them no mind; he leapt forward, stepped on the wall for leverage, soared into the air, and landed atop the palace wall.

His eyes brimmed with murderous intent as he turned and said:

"Today, the Jade Emperor tours to judge good and evil—you shall face your retribution!"

Not a single word, not a single line, not a single detail is wrong!

With that, he vanished from the wall's edge.

"After him!"

The garrison commander was a step too slow; furious, he led his men swiftly detouring toward the outer gates of Qingyang Palace.

The Daoists of Qingyang Palace also climbed onto the walls, preparing to pursue.

"Stop!"

The middle-aged Daoist leader strode forward, his face grim. "Don't chase. The demon might turn back and destroy the temple."

With that, he turned and hurried away.

The Daoists exchanged bewildered glances, utterly confused.

Just moments ago, they had been shouting to kill, leaving no room for doubt.

Now why suddenly give up…?

Leaving their confusion aside, the middle-aged Daoist hurried to the back courtyard, entered a side chamber, and bowed respectfully: "Master, I've ordered them to stand down."

Inside the chamber, besides the two old Daoists, several others were present—all clad in ornate ritual robes, clearly high-ranking members of Qingyang Palace.

Each of them wore an unpleasant expression.

The atmosphere in the room was suffocating.

"Master."

The middle-aged Daoist could no longer hold back and bowed: "Why let him go? Lord Shu will surely demand an explanation."

"You may leave."

A white-haired Daoist shook his head slightly, offering no explanation.

"Yes, Master."

Though deeply reluctant, the middle-aged Daoist could only depart.

The room fell silent once more.

"So he is a Heavenly Official."

One old Daoist sighed. "Friends, we've taken the wrong path. It's my fault that I've led you all astray."

"What nonsense are you speaking!"

Another old Daoist shook his head. "We all agreed on this from the start. We've cultivated for a lifetime, accumulating merit—only to find it all lies. Better to fight for our chance than fall into the Netherworld."

Others voiced doubts.

"I fear Lu Sheng deceived us..."

"Yes, that man is a Yin Offender—what if..."

"There is no 'what if'!"

Master Yunling looked out the window and said gravely: "I've reviewed every scripture. Lu Sheng did not lie."

"To enter the Great Luo Dharma Realm, the Path to Divinity is not the only way..."

…………

Outside the Fifth Commandery Prince's mansion, south of Chengdu City.

"What are you doing!"

Du Men's Cao Yuanhuai blocked the gate, eyes blazing with fury.

Behind him, Du Men disciples had drawn their weapons.

Outside the mansion, a large force of soldiers had already gathered, shields raised and spears leveled, surrounding the entire mansion.

"This is the Commandery Prince's mansion! Are you trying to rebel?!"

Cao Yuanhuai's face darkened as he shouted angrily.

"Don't speak rashly!"

A deep voice rang out. A purple-robed eunuch pushed through the crowd, stepping forward from the ranks, holding a brocade scroll in his right hand.

"By the Prince's order, we are here to search for a demon!"

Cao Yuanhuai was about to protest further when a servant suddenly emerged from within the mansion, bowing low: "Master Cao, the Prince says: let them search. If you're innocent, you have nothing to fear."

"Hmph!"

Cao Yuanhuai understood instantly. He sneered and stepped aside.

The soldiers, like wolves and tigers, surged inside.

Inside the main hall, Fifth Commandery Prince Xiao Jinghong sat calmly, pouring himself wine and eating dishes.

He ignored the intruders entirely.

The soldiers, clearly prepared, rushed straight to the back courtyard to search the bamboo pavilion.

Too late—it was empty.

The purple-robed eunuch waited in the main hall. Hearing no trace of the target, he turned to the Prince, rose, and bowed respectfully: "My apologies, Prince. I act only under orders."

With that, he rose and led his men away.

But after taking a few steps, he suddenly turned back and said coolly: "The Prince asked me to deliver a message: blood is thicker than water. Don't let outsiders poison your father-son bond."

"Let's go!"

After delivering the threat, he swiftly departed with his men.

"Hmph!"

Only after they left did Fifth Commandery Prince Xiao Jinghong's expression turn deadly. He hurled his wine cup to the ground, shattering it.

"Your Highness, please calm yourself."

Cao Yuanhuai hurried forward to soothe him.

"Father-son bond?!"

Fifth Commandery Prince Xiao Jinghong gritted his teeth. "That demon doesn't know—I already know he murdered Father. But these scoundrels all pretend to be deaf and blind!"

Cao Yuanhuai sighed bitterly. "This matter is too strange. Who could have imagined the demon would dare such a thing?"

"Now he's dropped all pretense—he's mobilized garrison troops. Garrison units around Chengdu have all obeyed his orders and entered the city. This is no different from open rebellion."

"Even if those generals know the truth, they'll follow him to the end. I've sent men to watch—the Magistrate Wang has shut himself away. He fears the rebels will strike before reinforcements arrive."

As Li Yan left the dock, the situation in Chengdu City changed abruptly.

The long-absent Shu Prince suddenly appeared, claiming demons were causing chaos in the city and infiltrating his mansion, and mobilized nearby garrison forces.

Those garrison soldiers had been waiting—hidden in villages near Chengdu. Upon receiving orders, they entered the city, seizing key roads and fully occupying Chengdu.

Suddenly, the streets were filled with panic.

Moreover, the Shu Prince's Black Feather Guard officially appeared, splitting into squads to patrol the city on horseback.

All of them carried Divine Fire Guns.

Some martial artists sensed something was wrong and tried to flee—they were shot down instantly, their bodies reduced to ash.

The Shu Prince is rebelling!

The citizens of Chengdu dared not step outside.

The nobles and officials did the same.

They never imagined it had come to this.

Meanwhile, in an abandoned warehouse.

Sha Li-fei watched through the window as the Black Feather Guard rode away, then exhaled in relief and bowed: "Thank you, Elder Brother!"

He and Wang Daoxuan and others were all there.

Opposite them stood the long-missing leader of Chengdu's underworld—the Wuxiang Prince...

(End of Chapter)