[{"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-595":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},2262900,4415,"Chapter 595: What Is Sought?","the-cursed-blade-s-walk-chapter-595",595,"\u003Cp>“Is this the place?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Chenghua gazed at the distant temple, his expression oddly distant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yan quickly asked, “Senior, is something amiss?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qingyang Palace is the foremost Daoist monastery in the southwest, ancient in age; in terms of status within the Daoist sects, it is no weaker than Mount Qingcheng.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yan had tried before—even using a concealment technique—and still, the temple’s incense spirits faintly sensed him; to sneak in secretly, he could only seek Yang Chenghua’s help.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing Li Yan’s question, Yang Chenghua gave a slight shake of his head, a flicker of nostalgia in his eyes. “Last time I came here, I stayed three years. I wonder if any of those people are still around…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yan was surprised. “Senior, did you also study here?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Chenghua’s identity was sensitive—he dared not reveal himself, and no one guided him; after leaving Guankou, he relied entirely on his astonishing talent to learn alone or by stealth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had once said he secretly infiltrated many Daoist lineages to steal their arts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He hadn’t missed Qingyang Palace either.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mm.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Chenghua smiled. “Qingyang Palace is too much trouble—three years to study, three years to be tested, then you must memorize the Daoist scriptures and master the rituals before they’ll even teach you their secret arts.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I didn’t have that kind of time, so I disguised myself as a firewood boy, slipped in, and stole two years of learning before leaving.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I see.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yan nodded with a smile. “Qingyang Palace is now heavily guarded. Senior, you know the place well and have secret methods—I truly found the right person.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Chenghua shook his head slightly. “Getting into Qingyang Palace doesn’t require all that fuss. Just follow me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Saying this, he turned and walked away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Senior, where are we going?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’ll know when we get there.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Chenghua was enjoying his mystery.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yan could only laugh and follow closely behind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As if recalling something amusing, Yang Chenghua’s face showed a rare smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Around Qingyang Palace was not desolate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was outside the city, where gates closed at dusk; Qingyang Palace had limited rooms, so to accommodate pilgrims, inns and teahouses had been built nearby, gradually forming a small street.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When they spotted the street from afar, Yang Chenghua smiled and spoke: “Back then, I pretended to be a Daoist acolyte and met a little fat boy at Qingyang Palace—greedy and foolish, always trailing after me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Pity—he had no talent. When I left, I left him some silver to settle down. That’s where I found the hidden passage.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he spoke, the two arrived at the edge of the street.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With Chengdu’s city gates closed, business was dead—the street was empty, most shops shut.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Yang Chenghua brought Li Yan to a teahouse called “Sanhua Pavilion,” he looked up, clearly startled, murmuring: “Not bad… Did that fool lose his business?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without hesitation, he stepped forward and knocked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The door was locked, but someone was inside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a creak, the elderly shopkeeper opened a narrow crack, eyeing them warily. “We’re closed, sorry, gentlemen.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bam!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the old man moved to shut the door, Yang Chenghua seized it with one hand and growled, “Who are you? Where’s Wu Fat?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old man froze, staring at Yang Chenghua for a long moment, eyes wide with shock and joy. “Are you… Master Yang? Yang Ergou?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Ergou?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What kind of name is that?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yan nearly laughed out loud.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Yang Chenghua nod, the old man beamed and flung the door open. “Master, I’ve waited for you for years—finally, you’ve come! I’ve been ill, feared I wouldn’t live to see you…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old man chattered on, ushering them into the hall, and only then did Li Yan understand why the man recognized Yang Chenghua.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the left wall of the hall hung a painting: a boy with a dogtail grass stem between his teeth, lounging lazily on a hillside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though young, his eyebrows, features, and even his expression were nearly identical to Yang Chenghua’s.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Where’s Wu Fat?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Chenghua frowned, displeased.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was extremely careful about hiding his identity, living as a detached observer for years—only in his youth had he been careless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This teahouse drew so many people, and it was near Qingyang Palace—wasn’t this inviting trouble?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old man sighed. “The proprietor passed away three years ago…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Chenghua stiffened slightly. “What happened?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old man sighed again. “Over the years, his business grew, but his health declined. When the Wu family moved their operations to Jinmen, he handed the business to his son and stayed here alone.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Chenghua frowned. “Why?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old man shook his head. “The proprietor said you’d return. He asked me to pass on one message.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“To buy osmanthus and carry wine—yet never again the joy of youth. His whole life, through ups and downs, the happiest days were those when he stole wine behind you…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Chenghua fell silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the old man, as if fearing he’d vanish, hurried on: “The proprietor left you a room—no one else may enter. He left fine wine and tea, saying his greatest wish was to treat you to one last meal.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Saying this, he led them to a corner room on the first floor, unlocked the copper lock, and gestured them inside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yan glanced around—it was a windowless room, simple in layout: a soft bed, a square table with two chairs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the table sat a teacup and a jar of wine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the opposite wall hung another painting: a little fat boy in Daoist robes, hugging a wine jar, grinning broadly—as if watching them…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old man hurriedly said, “I’ll go prepare some dishes for you…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No need.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Chenghua didn’t turn, waving his hand. “Let us be alone for a while. And after we leave, don’t ask questions.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Master, rest assured.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old man smiled. “Do whatever you wish. This teahouse was left for you—I’ve fulfilled my master’s final wish.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Good, good… finally, you’ve come…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Saying this, he lit a candle, turned, and shut the door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yan activated his spiritual senses and immediately located the hidden passage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Yang Chenghua didn’t move immediately. He stared silently at the painting for a long while, then spoke: “Back then, Wu Fat wanted to come with me—but I was just as lost as he was. How could I drag along a burden?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“People are strange. Some seek fame, some seek wealth. I merely helped him by chance—but Wu Fat never forgot.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Lately, the voices in my ears grow louder—always the same: tormenting me with things I can’t have.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Life is fleeting—a hundred years. Whether king or beggar, all end as dust. All is illusion. Why cling?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yan thought for a moment. “Sweet, sour, bitter, spicy—all are life. The Buddhist say letting go brings freedom—but to seek freedom is still a seeking.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“One lives only once—there must be something one seeks.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Only the object differs.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Chenghua fell into thought, then shook his head. “Enough. No use thinking. Let it be.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He broke the seal on the wine jar, poured two bowls, lifted one, and drank it down in one gulp, facing the painting. “This bowl—I drink it with you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he lifted the second bowl and poured it onto the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The wine seeped through the brick cracks—some spots absorbed it instantly, others flowed outward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boom!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Chenghua stamped his foot and rubbed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A whole iron plate, fused with bricks, lifted up, revealing a dark opening below.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Chenghua leapt in; Li Yan followed close behind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The tunnel was deep. At first unremarkable, but after descending over ten meters and walking farther, they saw underground rock and a dark river. A man-made path ran along the steep cliff beside the river, heading toward Qingyang Palace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The chisel marks were ancient—far older than this era.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This is a Warring States-era tunnel…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Chenghua walked as he explained. “When Qin invaded Shu, the Qingyang monks dug it for refuge. Later abandoned, forgotten—until I found it by chance. I often took Wu Fat through it to sneak out and drink.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They moved swiftly, soon reaching the tunnel’s end—a vertical shaft with a thick hemp rope hanging down, rotted with age.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They had no need for it. Leaping up, they pressed hands against the walls, feet braced left and right, and ascended quickly to the top.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Chenghua listened with his ears, then gently pushed upward. Above, a pile of firewood shifted with a rumble.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They emerged inside Qingyang Palace’s side courtyard—right in the woodshed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yan had passed this area before when fleeing; beyond the high walls lay vast medicinal herb fields.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Chenghua pinched his fingers into a seal, and immediately a faint breeze circled around them, concealing their qi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Chenghua formed a hand seal with two fingers; a faint breeze swirled around them, masking their aura.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This reincarnation of Erlang Shen was extremely cautious—he concealed his aura before activating his invisibility technique.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the wind passed, their figures vanished entirely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They chose to sneak in at dusk; after passing through the tunnel, night had fallen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Faint candlelight flickered, but no chanting echoed from the Daoists’ evening rites. Instead, groups of three or five patrolled the temple, blades in hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yan had seen Qingyang Palace’s power before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>First, their sword formation—though not as potent as Qingcheng’s, still formidable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Second, their skill in channeling incense energy to perform arts—exceptionally refined.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A common concealment technique would surely be detected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But at this moment, Yang Chenghua was continuously absorbing the incense offerings of Erlang Zhenjun, merging with the technique and becoming exceedingly strange.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was more adept at dealing with such incense power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two walked along the pebble path inside the temple, occasionally encountering patrols; they stepped aside, and even when the patrols passed within arm’s reach, they failed to notice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile, Li Yan also noticed something odd.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These Daoists were highly alert, clearly guarding against—or even fearing—something, yet their attention was not outside the temple, but fixed on the various main halls.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All the main halls were tightly chained shut.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pitch black inside, as if something monstrous lurked within…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon, they arrived before the Doumu Hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yan frowned and stopped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There, on the blue stone square before the Doumu Hall, stood a towering altar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had seen many altars before; each Daoist lineage had its own unique form, tailored to its secret techniques.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But this one was clearly wrong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The altar rose over fifteen feet high, its logs driven through with thick iron nails and bound with red silk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These logs formed eighty-one steps leading straight to the altar’s summit, upon which were carved dense, intricate characters:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Once in the Primordial Azure Heaven, the Blue Void sang its song, over the Great Floating Li Soil. Receiving the Primordial One’s salvation, the boundless supreme teachings, the Primordial Heavenly Venerable spoke this scripture…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was the “Scripture of Deliverance,” common in the Xuan Gate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But these scriptures were written upside-down, exuding a chilling coldness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the other three sides of the altar hung massive scrolls of immortals, depicting surging river waters, where an ancient dragon tore at a young dragon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, Yang Chenghua suddenly gripped his shoulder and pointed toward the seven giant lotus lamps enshrined atop the altar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Look at the Dipper’s handle.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Chenghua warned in a cold tone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yan examined closely and realized the Big Dipper’s positions had been reversed, and the lamp flames glowed an eerie ink-green.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crackling!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Each time\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>the lamp at the Tanlang position burst into flame, the doors of the surrounding halls rattled violently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So that’s it…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yan instantly understood the Daoists’ plan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The great dragon and the young dragon symbolized the River God and the Dragon Maiden.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Daoists of Qingyang Palace were performing this ritual to help the River God reclaim the divine essence absorbed by the Dragon Maiden…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Chenghua gave another signal and led him to the Sanqing Hall, glanced around to confirm no one was near, then pulled Li Yan up onto the hall’s bracket arm, tore open the carved window, and leapt inside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Darkness surrounded them, yet both could see clearly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Above, the statues of the Three Pure Ones and their guardian generals were all wrapped in yellow talisman cloth, covered entirely in cinnabar charms.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sealing the divine orifices, severing the incense offerings.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Chenghua frowned slightly, instinctively recoiling in disgust.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He pondered, his fingertip brushing the talisman cloth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rustle!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The fabric suddenly shuddered violently, oozing dark red blood droplets.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“These Daoist bastards are mad!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Chenghua said coldly: “They’re using a secret technique to blind the divine orifices and siphon off incense-derived divine power to feed the altar outside.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If they succeed, Qingyang Palace will be severed from its roots…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Master, is there a way to break it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yan asked quickly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Simple.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Chenghua looked up at the statues, his tone serious: “This is a forbidden technique. I haven’t learned it, but I know some of its workings.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“To siphon incense-derived divine power, they must use a soul-distorting method. The cost is great. To break it, simply tear off all these talismans at once—the Daoists will suffer immediate backlash.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Remember, it must be simultaneous. Even if our cultivation is high, we’re only two people—we need more help.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Not yet.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yan pondered, “Acting now might alarm them. Now that we know their weakness, we’ll strike them off-guard during the Qingyang Palace Flower Festival on the fifteenth.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After uncovering the reason, the two left through the secret passage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You go ahead.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As soon as they exited the secret passage beneath the Sanhua Tower teahouse, Yang Chenghua suddenly said: “I’ll stay here at the teahouse. If anything happens, come find me here.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“As you wish, Master.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yan said nothing more, bowed, and turned to leave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he stepped outside, he casually glanced back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There, Yang Chenghua sat at the table, pouring wine for himself before a portrait, looking profoundly lonely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, Li Yan suddenly ceased to envy him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though Yang Chenghua was the reincarnation of Erlang Zhenjun, destined to ascend to godhood, he had spent his youth detached from the mortal world, missing too much.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone in life seeks something.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What one seeks is always what one has never had…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…………\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dujiangyan, night as dark as ink.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The bright moon shone down, and thousands of crimson lanterns floated upon the river’s surface.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Over thirty cargo boats were moored crosswise at the main fork of the Minjiang River, their masts forming a rolling ridge; the pine-torch fires hanging from their prows burned golden scales into the water.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Figures moved on the decks, shouts of laborers hauling cargo drifted intermittently on the river wind—a scene of bustling activity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From the high mountains afar, shadows emerged from the trees, mostly clad in Daoist robes, swords strapped to their backs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The people of Qingcheng Mountain had finally arrived at Dujiangyan…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",2489,"2026-06-19T18:28:35.339Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","0f4f2695bc6caf2cdd795a28762dfac77867777fc2522592eb5886bfa60ae957","the-cursed-blade-s-walk-chapter-596","the-cursed-blade-s-walk-chapter-594",801,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-cursed-blade-s-walk-cover.jpg"]