Chapter 587: Joy God Coins, Commandery Prince

Rustle-rustle!

Copper coins scattered like raindrops.

In an instant, they were snatched away along with the snow.

Surrounding civilians, eyes red with greed, fought and brawled over the coins; some, seeing the eunuchs still tossing money, rushed home to summon more people.

Four hands can hold more than two.

This "Joy God coin" was certainly not currency.

The fall of the previous dynasty, Daxing, was due not only to the corruption and complacency of its elite, but also to the reckless minting of currency.

At the time, local gentry and officials privately cast copper coins, sharing the profits; even the emperor turned a blind eye, causing prices to soar and the people to suffer.

"Ten thousand strings for a single cake" was recorded in the annals.

Thus, since the founding of Great Xuan, the minting right was reclaimed; anyone in the populace caught privately casting coins faced execution of nine clans, while informants were granted immunity—even if a vassal prince broke this law, he was ordered to take his own life.

So this "Joy God coin" was a spending coin.

Though it could not circulate, it was forged from fine, well-refined copper, suitable for festival gifts, warding off evil, personal protection, or even collecting and display.

At worst, selling it for copper still fetched several cash.

Moreover, in Shu, there was a custom: on the first day of the New Year, children receiving blessings from elders got "hanging coins"—copper strings tied with red cord to suppress misfortune.

This "Joy God coin" arrived at just the right moment.

Among the thronging crowd, beggars were naturally present.

Several beggars, faces swollen with frostbite, snatched up many coins, and, seeing no one watching, slipped stealthily into a dark alley.

After passing several alleys, a dilapidated mansion loomed ahead, its surroundings desolate and ruined; behind broken walls, a fire blazed, boiling a thick porridge.

Various beggars, big and small, trembled as they hovered nearby, their eyes gleaming green with hunger, saliva dripping from their mouths.

This was clearly the Western Chengdu Beggar Gang.

On the steps sat an old beggar, layers of tattered rags wrapped around him, his old cotton-padded jacket gleaming with grease like armor.

His white hair, wild and disheveled, concealed his gaunt face.

It was Lu Sanshui, leader of Chengdu's Western Beggar Gang.

"Water Master."

Several beggars offered the coins like treasures, sniffling as they grinned: "You told us to watch the Shu Prince's procession—and sure enough, there was profit! They've started tossing coins! Let's get more people to rush in!"

The beggar leader paid no heed; he extended his dry, blackened fingers, picked up a coin, and examined it closely.

The "Joy God coin" was round with a square hole, hollow-cast, its main relief depicting the Joy God riding a crane, with regular script inscription: "Heavenly Official Grants Blessing."

Holding the coin to the sunlight, it faintly shimmered gold.

"Good heavens!"

"Did the Shu Prince add gold to these spending coins?"

The beggars erupted in exclamations.

In an instant, all beggars' eyes turned red; forgetting their hunger, they rose at once to rush out and snatch more.

"What's all the hurry?"

The old beggar's low shout silenced them all.

Lu Sanshui had long controlled the Western Chengdu Beggar Gang: letting small matters slide, seizing major ones, balancing mercy and authority—no one dared defy him.

"Water Master, is something amiss with this?"

An elderly beggar bowed and asked.

"I cannot tell."

The old beggar turned the coin over, muttered a spell, held it beneath his nose to sniff, then frowned: "The casting of this coin is far finer than ordinary—certainly crafted by a master artisan, requiring great time and effort."

"Though I cannot discern its nature, I know one thing…"

"No wealthy clan or powerful noble would be so generous!"

"Send word: not a single coin is to be picked up!"

"And deliver these coins to Wu Fatty of Qingfeng Pavilion…"

"Yes, Water Master."

At the old beggar's order, strong, vicious beggars wrapped all the coins in rags and hurried out.

On the first day of the New Year, the populace had gathered again at the Shu Prince's side, leaving the streets nearly empty.

The disheveled thug, clutching the rag-wrapped bundle, threaded through alleys until he reached the old eastern street and saw the sign of Qingfeng Pavilion.

By Shenzhou custom, merchants did not open until after the Fifth Day; the doors were shut tight, the ground littered with shattered firecracker debris.

Thud-thud-thud!

The thug pounded on the door, muttered a few words through the crack, then shoved the bundle inside.

The shopboy passed it to the fat shopkeeper, who hurried to a nearby alley and handed it to a simple-looking man…

After many detours, it finally reached the Yuwang Temple.

This was how the No-Form Young Master survived.

Any single thread traced could be severed.

Inside the Yuwang Temple's main hall, the atmosphere was heavy.

Some had already been dispatched to ambush along the road to the Wuhou Shrine—not to kill, but to harass.

The remaining experts debated how to assault the Commandery Prince's Mansion.

"This is the 'Joy God coin'?"

The No-Form Young Master had heard reports, but this was his first time laying eyes on the actual object.

He was extremely cautious, ordering the coins piled on the table; with chopsticks, he flicked a single coin upward, examining it closely.

Others gathered around, each casting spells to probe the coins.

"Forgive this old man's dull eyes—I cannot tell."

"There's likely no trick."

"Nonsense! Look at the precision of this coin—no better than the treasure coins from Mount Tai! If there were no issue, why go through such trouble?"

Li Yan also cast a spell, examining it carefully.

Again, he smelled no odd odor.

In that sense, nothing seemed wrong.

But not every spending coin can become a magical artifact; after forging, it must be enshrined for years in a sacred mountain, blessed valley, or a temple with strong incense to awaken its spirit.

Yet this object looked brand-new…

Click-click! Click-click!

At that moment, an odd sound reached his ears.

Li Yan frowned slightly, glancing around; the others showed no reaction—they clearly heard nothing.

He pondered, leaned closer, and listened intently.

Indeed, the sound came from the pile of coins—hollow and cold, like someone clicking their tongue, or bones twisting…

"This object is suspicious!"

Li Yan's face darkened; he spoke without hesitation: "I don't know what it is, but it's been concealed by some special method."

The others exchanged glances.

Though Li Yan was famous, those present included veteran Daoist masters, and the No-Form Young Master himself was no fool—none had detected anything unusual.

Moreover, his claim seemed far-fetched…

"It must be suspicious!"

The No-Form Young Master picked up the thread, nodding: "Li Shaoxia is undoubtedly right—but we have more urgent matters. Whatever the Shu Prince is plotting, if we seize military command today, we can immediately proclaim ourselves generals!"

"Rest assured, keep these items. I know several master artifact-crafters; after today's affair, I'll have them examine them."

Li Yan gave a slight nod and dropped the matter.

The group continued deliberating; reports kept arriving.

"The Shu Prince's procession has passed Yudai Bridge…"

"From Mule Market: the procession has passed; the Cao Gang brothers were spotted by the 'Yinshan Kite,' and shot dead with arrows…"

Crack!

The Cao Gang elder, face flushed with rage, smashed his chair with one palm; others offered comfort, all grim-faced.

Li Yan and Sha Lifei exchanged a glance, then shook their heads slightly.

"Yinshan Kite" was no beast, but the most formidable archer in western Sichuan—typically clad in white hemp snow-capes, arrowheads soaked in "Bone-Rot Paste," bows strung with demonic sinew, drawn silently.

Before the advent of modern firearms, he was the most feared assassin on the western Sichuan Daoist path.

Clearly, the Shu Prince had recruited many sorcerers.

"Passed Wenshu Temple…"

"Passed Sima Bridge…"

"Monks of Anfu Temple opened their gates to welcome…"

Reports came rapidly, yet the group remained calm.

The Wuhou Shrine lay outside Chengdu; when the Shu Prince and his elite departed, that would be their best chance…

Outside Anfu Temple, the eunuchs still tossed coins.

Their pace had slowed compared to before, but news had drawn crowds from all directions.

Children scrambled to pick them up; elders smiled broadly.

Snow lay white and pure, yet the scene was wildly frenzied.

The monks of Anfu Temple had already opened their gates to welcome him.

"Your Highness, Shu Wang."

The elderly monks bowed their heads in unison.

Not all Daoists or monks were of the Xuan Men.

Anfu Temple was originally built during the Later Shu and was never a famous temple; it gained notice because during the Song Dynasty, commoners would light lanterns at the Black Pagoda on New Year's Day to remember it, calling it "Gazing West from Jin City."

!

And this custom has endured to this day.

The temple's incense offerings were never abundant, and most of the monks were lay practitioners who did not train in martial arts or spellcraft, and dared not offend the Wang Fu.

The splendid brocade curtain slowly parted.

A man stepped down from the sedan, clad in a bright yellow python robe, wearing a crown, with a jade sword hanging at his waist, his hair white and his face gaunt.

He was none other than the current Emperor's younger brother, Shu Wang Xiao Qipan.

Though aged, his gaze was sharp and menacing, his two white eyebrows swept horizontally, his lips downturned, radiating authority.

"Rise."

Shu Wang did not so much as glance at the elderly monks; he climbed the frozen snow-covered steps on his own, heading straight for the distant Black Pagoda.

To welcome Shu Wang, the path had been cleared.

Snow weighed down the branches; Shu Wang soon entered the Black Pagoda and reached its top floor.

The Wang Fu attendants lit the Qiongzhou eternal lamps, illuminating the interior; the eaves' bronze bells outside were coated in ice crystals, chiming like tearing silk when the wind passed.

Shu Wang Xiao Qipan ascended high and gazed far to the west.

The sky was clear today; the commoners outside Anfu Temple, scrambling for coins, saw the bright yellow figure atop the Black Pagoda and immediately cried out "Long live!"

Shu Wang was already renowned throughout Shu; many commoners knew only Shu Wang, not the court.

Today they had received coins, so naturally they were delighted.

Hearing the voices below, Shu Wang's eyes suddenly shifted—losing all previous aura of dominance, they grew distant and quiet as he whispered:

"Beautiful and majestic, truly called Chengdu… what a pity…"

With that, he turned and descended the pagoda, leaving Anfu Temple.

The grand procession, now followed by ever-growing crowds of commoners, headed toward the southern gate of Chengdu Prefecture, scattering coins along the way, noise unceasing, truly like the arrival of a god of fortune.

Of course, hidden watchers were never absent.

As the procession passed through the Mule and Horse Market, an aged storyteller, half-dead with age, played with his wooden clapper on the second floor of a carriage inn, drinking murky wine…

At the herbal shop's entrance, the apprentice pretended to sweep snow while watching…

In Chengdu Prefecture, the three teachings and nine streams, regardless of their trade, typically maintained a facade, moving between black and white, upholding Jianghu righteousness, never submitting to court authority.

Observing movements was something they did daily.

In the gaze of these people, Shu Wang's procession passed through Chengdu Prefecture's southern city gate…

…………

"Shu Wang has left the city!"

Inside Yu Wang Fu, everyone sprang to their feet.

"Follow me!"

Wu Xiang Young Master said nothing; he went to the back courtyard's woodshed, lifted the straw and loose soil, revealing a hidden door.

He opened it and led everyone inside.

Li Yan was among them.

Wang Daoxuan was unsuited for close combat, Wu Ba was too tall to crawl through tunnels, and to prevent accidents, they remained at Yu Wang Temple.

This hidden tunnel was the first time Wu Xiang Young Master had revealed it.

Li Yan had a hunch this tunnel likely connected to the Shu Wang Fu, so he stayed silent, carefully memorizing the route.

In darkness, firelight flickered, footsteps never ceased.

The tunnel was already foul with stale air; with so many people, the atmosphere grew heavier.

After walking a long while, Wu Xiang Young Master suddenly stopped.

He looked around and said gravely: "Outside is an inn, not far from the Commandery Wang Fu. I used a trick to make them close their doors and leave Chengdu Prefecture."

"Still, caution is best—could any of you fellow Daoists scout ahead?"

"I'll go…"

A withered voice spoke.

An old blind man, supported by his disciple, stepped forward.

The old man leaned on a cane, trembling, having slowed them down repeatedly, yet no one complained.

The reason was simple: he was a true Yuan Guang sorcerer of the Jin Men.

His disciple was tall and broad, with a round, babyish face, a topknot, and rouged cheeks, looking cheerful.

Hearing the old man's words, the disciple grinned foolishly, sat cross-legged on the ground, pulled out a handful of white powder from his robe, and swallowed it in large mouthfuls, turning his face pale.

Li Yan narrowed his eyes and stepped back several paces.

He had witnessed Yuan Guang sorcerers at work; they always required a spirit medium, and the powder contained poisonous mushrooms—he had no wish to inhale any more.

Indeed, after swallowing the white fungal powder, the spirit medium immediately contorted his mouth and eyes, saliva and snot streaming down his face.

The blind old man chanted a incantation, pressed his hand onto the spirit medium's eyes, and thick black smoke surged upward instantly.

"Did you see it?"

"I… I saw."

"Is the Grand Commandery Wang inside?"

"I don't recognize him, but a man in yellow robes sits in the main hall; everyone in the mansion is kowtowing and handing out coins…"

"Are there any ambushes inside?"

"No one—only a few guards…"

After questioning, the old man raised his hand.

The spirit medium's face was already pale; his eyes rolled back and he collapsed into unconsciousness.

"Thank you, Elder Wu."

Wu Xiang Young Master smiled and bowed; others smiled too.

Among all the world's surveillance methods, each had its strengths and flaws, but for absolute secrecy, only Yuan Guang magic could confirm the absence of ambushes.

"Go!"

Wu Xiang Young Master no longer hesitated; he leapt up and shoved open the hidden door above; others followed.

They emerged into a cellar of the inn, doors and windows tightly shut, empty.

Wu Xiang Young Master dashed up the stairs to the second floor, cracked open a window slit, and peered out.

Others imitated him.

In the distance stood the Grand Commandery Wang Fu.

Compared to the Fifth Commandery Wang Xiao Jinghong, the Grand Commandery Wang was more flamboyant.

Though court etiquette dictated otherwise, he directly purchased the houses on both sides and connected them into a spacious estate.

Now, smoke curled from the mansion's kitchens—clearly preparing for the noon banquet; the guards at the gate yawned, likely sleep-deprived from New Year's vigil.

Wu Xiang Young Master's facial features began to twist.

"Everyone, follow the plan—act!"

At his command, the Cao Bang elder moved first.

He removed his ritual flag from his back, placed it on a square table as a temporary altar, muttered incantations, lifted the wine his disciple offered, and continuously sprayed mist from the wine onto the ritual object.

Soon, white mist rose over the street outside.

As soon as the mist appeared, Tang Jiu Niang, leader of the Swallow Gate, flung open the window and flung her hands.

Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh!

A dozen flying shuttles, tied with ropes, shot straight toward the Commandery Wang Fu.

Wu Xiang Young Master led the way; over a dozen figures leapt up, stepping on the ropes behind the shuttles, gliding soundlessly into the Commandery Wang Fu.

These methods were always used cautiously within the city.

But since Shu Wang sealed the Chenghuangmiao…

Now, Chengdu Prefecture had no taboos…

(End of Chapter)