Chapter 593: Night Hall: The Nine Tripods

"Elder, did you spot something odd?"

Li Yan frowned slightly and asked.

They had noticed something was wrong with this thing since morning—it was likely part of Shu Wang's plan, yet no one could discern it.

The Six Idlers of the Bamboo Grove came for this reason; they probably know something.

"This is a cursed artifact."

An old man in a Confucian robe, gaunt and impoverished-looking, spoke up.

Li Yan quickly bowed and said, "Please, Elder, enlighten me."

After arriving at the courtyard, they had already introduced themselves, and he had previously gathered intelligence on the Six Idlers of the Bamboo Grove.

Situ Bo, needless to say, studied the "Book of a Hundred Masks," nicknamed "Ghost Face Scholar," who uses righteous intent to subdue evil arts—considered the leader…

Liang Yu, nicknamed "Tea Demon Lady," practices both "Lingnan Tea Demon" and "Xiangxi Grass Witch" arts, skilled at healing lives—but even more adept at taking them…

The old man who played the erhu in battle was named Yue San'er, nicknamed "Earth Listening Strings"; he was a carpenter who knew Lu Ban's arts, the "Yellow River Funeral Chant," and some Earth Master techniques, helping people with funerals along the Yellow River in Yuzhou…

The first elder to arrive in support, Li Yan had already met—he was "Skin Painter" Cui Bai, one of Situ Bo's earliest companions…

Sitting on a stone bench, leaning on an iron cane, with one leg crippled, was "Yinshan Chess" Fan Tieguai—quiet in demeanor, but of considerable background.

He was originally a court alchemist of the Ministry of Works, specializing in hydrological surveys, but fell into obscurity after offending powerful nobles, thereafter turning to tomb raiding—specifically targeting aristocratic tombs to aid the poor.

And this speaker was "Yin-Yang Brush" Wen Song, once a temple attendant who enjoyed writing petitions for the poor, practicing within the system as if in a court of justice, with many disciples and students.

Wen Song wasted no time; he took the "Joyful God Coin," wrapped it carefully in cloth, and said solemnly: "A 'cursed artifact' is a vessel for spellcasting. Many rogue sects in the martial world love using such objects to harm others—after concealing them, they slip them into wealthy households; when trouble strikes, they return to 'lift the curse' and extort money…"

"Some use ancient antiques or calligraphy, others jade and gems—but no matter the form, they must be concealed so no one notices; prolonged contact and absorption of their aura allows them to set up the altar and cast the spell…"

Li Yan instantly understood what was going on.

In short, it was still a martial world trick—the kind favored by con artists in the Wind, Horses, Swallows, and Sparrows—but now disguised with Xuanmen techniques.

"I've seen this method before."

Wen Song stared at the coin, his face grim: "Ten years ago in Jinling Prefecture, I assisted the yamen in solving a case. I recognized this concealment technique and its patterns, traced it step by step, and finally caught the killer."

"His name was Zhao Jie, a disciple of the Six Ren Immortal Sect, a master of artifact forging, secretly the leader of the Taihu water bandits—hunted by the Tai Xuan Orthodox Sect and the court, vanished without a trace…"

"Looks like he's joined Lu Sheng's ranks."

Li Yan pondered, then said quietly: "We still have some time before the fifteenth of the first month. If we find and kill him…"

"It won't be that simple."

Wen Song's face turned grim: "He's undergone the Sect's Body-Enshrouding Rite, swallowed a talisman—he knows how to avoid misfortune and seek fortune, excels in water evasion, and back then, even a large force failed to capture him."

"Worse still—he's already entered the Gāngjìng realm of martial cultivation!"

Entered Gāngjìng?!

Li Yan froze, then leapt to his feet.

Earlier, when entangled by the Shu Wang's elite, he'd heard the Puan Sect's old Taoist say that Shu Wang had a Gāngjìng master—extremely mysterious.

After arriving in Chengdu and fighting his Four Demons, though each possessed deep cultivation and deadly, intricate arts, none surpassed Dānjìng in martial cultivation—the highest being the Xue Nuo Master.

He'd thought the Puan Sect old Taoist was lying…

"There are more experts?!"

Sha Li-fei gasped beside him: "How many men does this old ghost have? Why didn't they just stay and kill us earlier?"

His words weren't exaggerated.

Once martial cultivation reaches Gāngjìng, one can shield the body and break spells; every strike carries immense power—somewhat like a weakened version of Li Yan's Divine Transformation Art.

But Li Yan's Divine Transformation Art requires artifacts and divine powers to activate, drains heavily, and has a time limit.

Gāngjìng martial cultivation relies on fist intent; as long as one breathes and the spirit isn't shattered, it can be used.

Add to that his mastery of arts and divination, and he becomes even more troublesome.

Wang Daoxuan stroked his beard thoughtfully: "If such a person has joined Shu Wang's side, his ambitions must be great. His silence means he's occupied with something more important…"

"Dujiangyan!"

A flash of insight struck Li Yan—he blurted it out.

He recalled Lu Sheng's earlier movements.

Earlier this year, he dispatched large forces to Dujiangyan, even exhausting the Wang Fu's precious alchemical materials—it must be the core of the plan.

Now, at this critical moment, Shu Wang returned to Chengdu.

Stirring up chaos here—wasn't that just to mask the other side?

Instantly, Li Yan's mind formed a rough outline of Lu Sheng's plan.

This man never changed his target—all his years of planning were solely to lure the Nine Tripods.

Something must have gone wrong along the way.

For instance, Zhao Changsheng, after introducing Lu Sheng to the Shu Wang, went to Ezhou to orchestrate the Tian Sheng Sect rebellion—was exposed, dragging Lu Sheng into the mess…

The Shennü's cave in Wushan, Hou Sheng's scheme was uncovered—Li Yan and the others learned that these two alchemists had been reincarnating since the Qin Dynasty…

And that heavenly reincarnation, who seized the River God's fortune, was supposed to be allied with Lu Sheng's group—but now they were at odds…

Man's plans are no match for Heaven's.

Had these incidents not occurred, Lu Sheng's success would have shaken Sichuan's earth veins, causing countless deaths—and history would merely record: "Shu Wang rebelled; Sichuan trembled; countless died."

Precisely because of these accidents, Lu Sheng was forced to alter his plan.

He made himself the bait to conceal his true objective.

The "Joyful God Coin" might be part of the plan.

Or perhaps it was merely meant to distract us…

Thinking this, Li Yan fell into deep thought, then spoke: "Then let's play along with him."

"We stay in the city, keep him guessing, make occasional disturbances to make Shu Wang lower his guard."

"Elders, there are many rebel troops in the city—direct assault isn't wise. Find a way to leave, contact Ming Shanzi of Qingcheng, and join forces to deal with Dujiangyan."

"This plan is sound."

Situ Bo instantly understood.

Though he longed to personally confront Situ Qian, he knew that after this, such an opportunity might never come again.

Even if it did, it would likely be a trap.

Better to leave the city—without Shu Wang's army, their strength could finally be fully unleashed.

After finalizing the plan, no one spoke further; everyone rested, except Tea Demon Lady Liang Yu, who continued caring for Golden Granny.

Li Yan also found a broken hut to rest in.

Night had long fallen; the snowstorm had ceased, the bright moon hung high. He took out the yellow silk he'd acquired earlier and examined it under the frost-like moonlight.

Strictly speaking, this was a yellow silk banner-scroll, about nine inches long—matching the number of Yang's extreme—its outer layer woven with gold-threaded silk, inner lining black silkworm silk, subtly embodying the meaning of "Heaven and Earth in Harmony"; exquisitely crafted.

On the front, densely embroidered in cinnabar script:

"With sincere devotion, I take refuge and bow to the Azure Spirit of the Cave of Yang, within the Northern Capital Palace."

"Commanding forty-two bureaus, accompanied by ninety million spirits."

"Ruling the Three Realms, Ten Directions, Nine Lands; governing the Five Peaks, Eight Extremes, Four Corners…"

This was the "Precious Declaration of the Earth Official's Pardon."

Aside from that, only cloud patterns adorned the edges.

Li Yan pondered, then activated his divine power to probe.

As expected, just as before, no anomalous energy remained.

It must have exhausted all its power after use. The Earth Official's full title is "Second-Rank Earth Official of Pardon, Qingxu Great Emperor," one of the Three Officials of Daoism, governing the judgment of sin and fortune in Yin and Yang, overseeing the Five Peaks, Eight Extremes, and Four Corners.

The worship of the Three Officials has never waned—widely practiced by the court, Xuanmen, and common folk alike, with regular rituals.

If the Great Luo Dharma Realm's rules are truly as I suspect, then Qingxu Great Emperor's power must be terrifying.

Could Zhao Changsheng and the others be serving this Great Deity?

But that doesn't make sense…

Perhaps they have another way to obtain this treasure.

I'll need to pay closer attention to such rumors in the future…

At this thought, Yang Chenghua's figure surfaced in his mind.

He is the True Lord of Manifested Efficacy, second to none—if he succeeds in ascending to godhood and entering the Great Luo Dharma Realm, he'll surely be a formidable force.

With him, perhaps we can glimpse the mysteries of the Dharma Realm…

………………

Hai Hour, behind the Shu Wang's palace hall.

!

This hour is called "Ren Ding"—unless there's a special occasion, like the Lantern Festival on the fifteenth, the people have long been asleep.

Yet inside the great hall, lights still burned brightly.

Shu Wang leaned back on his throne, holding a wine cup, one foot dangling over the dragon-carved armrest; his features were aged and imposing, yet his posture was slovenly.

Servants and maids brought dishes and poured wine, all bowing their heads in silence.

They had never seen Shu Wang like this before; recalling the palace's hidden rumors, their fear deepened.

Only three remained below.

The Xue Nuo Master, the Black Sect Lama, and Situ Qian.

Situ Qian was now tense all over; seeing the Xue Nuo Master and Black Sect Lama completely unconcerned, sweat broke out on his forehead.

He knew—this "Shu Wang" was finally about to reveal his true hand.

He wasn't a fool; he had long suspected it.

The "Shu Prince" before him was not the real one.

Most likely, he had been possessed by some master.

Utterly audacious!

Remember, today's Great Xuan Dynasty is no longer the old Song, especially when targeting the current emperor's own brother.

Even the Profound Heaven Sect would be unable to escape punishment.

Outside the hall, over a hundred Black Feather Guards held divine fire guns, guarding every key passage.

If we mishandle this today, we may die here!

The "Shu Prince" sat high upon the dais, seeing clearly the scene below, yet he made no immediate move to speak to Situ Qian. Instead, he waved his hand, dismissing the maidservants, then spoke: "Have the coins been distributed?"

The Black Sect lama rose quickly, bowing: "Report, Master, all have been distributed. The scouts returned saying the townsfolk adore them—some carry them on their persons, others craft them into ornaments."

"Good."

The "Shu Prince" nodded in satisfaction. "All is prepared, only the east wind is lacking—but this east wind remains elusive…"

He turned to Situ Qian. "Situ Daoist, I have someone hidden in my palace—you've surely met him. What did he tell you?"

Situ Qian stiffened, unsure what to say.

The "Shu Prince" sipped his wine, calmly: "No need to guess—I know he told you I'm using you to dig for treasure myself…"

"And that you should join forces with him to seize it."

"Am I right?"

Situ Qian's eyelid twitched; he forced a grim smile. "That man clearly had ill intent—I would never fall for it."

The "Shu Prince" smiled faintly. "Don't you want to know what treasure I'm digging for?"

Situ Qian fell silent, unsure how to respond.

Of course he was curious—such a grand setup couldn't be for some dragon palace or water mansion—but he dared not speak plainly.

"Have you heard of the Nine Tripods?"

The "Shu Prince" held his wine cup, gazing beyond the hall.

"The Nine Tripods?!"

Situ Qian leapt to his feet, face filled with disbelief.

The "Shu Prince" nodded. "The Nine Tripods are true national talismans, wielding unimaginable power—reviving the dead, healing white bones, curing your injury with ease."

"Even granting immortality is no problem."

With matters thus, Situ Qian no longer cared for decorum. He gritted his teeth and bowed. "Forgive my boldness, but the Nine Tripods, no matter how you spin it, are merely national talismans—they can mask one's aura."

"Granting immortality? That's impossible, isn't it?"

"Hahahaha…"

The Blood Nuo Master suddenly spoke, smiling: "When first cast, the Nine Tripods were symbolic—but when Emperor Qin Shi Huang sank them into Shenzhou's earth veins, they traveled with the Three Dragon Veins."

"For thousands of years, they've absorbed countless earth spirits, becoming divine, gathering Shenzhou's fate and fortune—even immortals descending to earth would envy them."

"If not for this, why would we risk our lives?"

Situ Qian's expression shifted between doubt and resolve.

After a long pause, he finally bowed low and spoke:

"What must I do?"

He wasn't blinded by greed—he knew that if he refused today, he'd never leave this hall alive.

"Simple."

The "Shu Prince" spoke calmly. "The 'Joy God Coins' are cursed artifacts. On the fifteenth day of the first month, I want Chengdu's streets empty, filled with madmen. But the one meant to preside over the ritual has developed second thoughts."

"Tomorrow, I'll spread word that you're to use the Netherworld Stage as the array's core. When he hears it, he'll surely come to you."

Situ Qian narrowed his eyes. "I'm no match for him."

The "Shu Prince" before him no longer concealed himself—he leaked a trace of his aura, yet Situ Qian could not fathom the depth of his cultivation.

He had seen such power only in the master of the "Ghost Opera Troupe."

Whoever this "Shu Prince" was, to hide beneath such a figure's notice meant the mysterious man was equally formidable.

"Relax."

The "Shu Prince" spoke calmly. "Just agree. I'm giving you a face-saving way out—he'll understand the intent."

"At least until the treasure is unearthed, he won't turn on you."

"Fine!"

Situ Qian had no choice but to nod in agreement.

The "Shu Prince" turned to the Blood Nuo Master, eyes cold. "After several failures, with your competence, you may not even qualify to use the Nine Tripods once they're unearthed."

The Blood Nuo Master bowed deeply. "Please, Master, give me one more chance."

His face was pale—not only from today's exhaustion, but from fear.

The "Shu Prince" nodded. "Before the fifteenth day of the first month, Chengdu's outer defenses are lax, but its inner guard is tight. I want the people stirred up. Your secret searches must lure every rat inside and outside the city into Chengdu."

"Kill if you can. If not, trap them inside."

"Old man will not fail your trust."

Hearing this, the Blood Nuo Master finally exhaled in relief.

After they left, the hall stood empty. The "Shu Prince" stared into his wine cup and murmured:

"When the Nine Tripods emerge, Shenzhou will sink."

"Hmph. You blocked my path—don't blame me for overturning the table…"

(End of Chapter)