Chapter 602: The Night of the Decisive Battle

A wild wind howled, and flying snow rolled.

At this moment, night had already fallen, but the atmosphere within Chengdu Prefecture remained fanatical.

Red lanterns filled the city, emitting a scarlet halo through the mist, mixed with bone-chilling cold wind and goose-feather snow.

Muffled thunder sounds came from the air from time to time, and the feeling of oppression was suffocating.

On both sides of the street, the bamboo and wood lantern sheds should have been colorful, but now they were uniformly covered with red curtains, and various palace lanterns and revolving lanterns emitted a blurred red light in the thick fog.

The flower, bird, and immortal patterns painted on the lanterns were all reflected to look ferocious and twisted, reflecting blood-colored light and shadows on the ground where the snow had not yet melted.

The entire city seemed to have sunk into a pool of blood in the Netherworld.

All the commoners in the city had been hit by the spell; their faces were flushed, sweat seeped from their foreheads, and saliva hung from the corners of their mouths.

Holding torches, they wandered unconsciously in the thick fog.

Everyone had gone mad; fighting and brawling could be seen everywhere, and severed limbs and blood were splashed on the snow.

Even those children were screaming and lighting firecrackers to throw into the crowd; amidst the cracking sounds, more excited roars were triggered.

The rust on the "Joy God Coins" on their bodies peeled off, and where they touched their skin, blood vessels bulged like black lines spreading, resembling dark blue curse patterns.

However, they were completely unaware of the pain, only mechanically repeating broken gibberish like "burning incense to pray for blessings" and "slaying evil spirits."

Streets and alleys were a mess everywhere.

The entire Chengdu Prefecture seemed to have been dragged into a nightmare.

At this moment, reality and illusion overlapped.

Only madness and blood color became the main theme.

On the city walls, there should have been soldiers patrolling, but when the Long Gong Water Mansion secret realm was drawn in, all soldiers had already received orders to withdraw to defend outside the Shu Prince's Mansion.

At this moment, Chengdu Prefecture was no longer defended.

Above the wilderness, a red mist wrapped in wind and snow came, rushing randomly, and slammed into the city wall with a bang.

The red mist dissipated, revealing a disheveled figure.

It was none other than the Dragon-Worshipping Sect leader, "Lang Wu."

"Ah~"

His head was broken and bleeding, and he screamed as he hooked his five fingers into the edge of the bronze mask, trying hard to pry it off.

On the bronze Nuo mask, the protruding vertical eyes flickered with red light.

This thing seemed to have come alive; the red demonic Qi of the demon-specter was exceptionally viscous, like tiny roots, tightly adhering to Lang Wu's face.

As the mask loosened, the blood-colored roots were stretched longer and longer.

Snap!

Finally, the bronze Nuo mask was pried off and rolled away.

Lang Wu's face was also densely covered with blood holes, pitted and bumpy, looking very miserable.

He could not be bothered to pay attention, panting heavily, looking at the bronze Nuo mask on the ground, his eyes full of wariness.

This thing was originally an ancient Shu national artifact, mysterious and unpredictable.

He had been guided by someone to use it to absorb and carry the demonic Qi of the demon-specter trapped in the Long Gong Water Mansion, completely transforming it into demonic energy.

Its power was greater, but it was also more dangerous.

If it weren't for avoiding the Yin Underworld troops, he would never have used this object.

What was even more troublesome was that the ceremony had also failed.

That Li Yan, how could he still have a connection with the Dragon Lady...

"Lang Wu" was equally puzzled, but at this time, he had no time to think more; he flicked his hand, wrapped the Nuo mask with a rag, then stood up and stumbled toward the city.

At this moment, the city was in chaos.

Mad commoners wandered like drunks, the red light of torches and the blood shadows of lanterns wove into a net, attacking anyone who had not been hit by the curse.

However, Lang Wu ignored it completely.

The Nuo mask in his bosom emitted red light, and the commoners who had been hit by the curse and gone mad along the way were also affected, turning a blind eye to him and giving way one after another.

Finally, Lang Wu arrived outside the Shu Prince's Palace.

At this moment, the Shu Prince's Palace was a completely different scene.

Every few dozen meters outside the palace, there were three-zhang-high dharma flags standing, the flag surfaces fluttering in the wind and snow, and huge white lanterns were hanging from them.

On the white lanterns, the large character "Mourning" was written in black ink, and lotus flowers and cranes were also painted.

This object was called a "Mourning Lantern," originating from the Song Dynasty, and was also known as a "Soul-Guiding Lantern," legend saying it could illuminate the path for the deceased to the Underworld, preventing them from getting lost.

According to customs in some northern regions, white lanterns were usually hung in the courtyard on the night of the "first seven days" for the deceased to "return home to visit relatives."

Speaking of which, hanging this was somewhat ominous.

However, the 108 formation flags outside the Shu Prince's Palace, together with the 108 "Mourning Lanterns," formed a formation that blocked the thick fog and red light in the city outside.

The cold white and the fanatical red were clearly distinguished.

The garrison soldiers transferred to Chengdu were currently camping outside the palace city; nearly 30,000 soldiers, with continuous camps, wrapped the Prince's Mansion tightly.

They had not been hit by the curse, standing in the wind and snow with long spears, looking at the fanatical world on the other side, with confusion and fear in their eyes.

These soldiers, although they had come after receiving orders, their loyalty to the Shu Prince was far higher than that to the imperial power on the horizon.

But now, they were all feeling uneasy in their hearts.

This kind of scene, no matter how one looked at it, did not look like they were about to establish themselves as kings...

Of course, no one dared to ask more.

Under the high wall behind them, teams of the Shu Prince's direct Black Feather Guards, holding new-style firearms, patrolled on horseback, full of killing intent.

Previously, someone had raised a question and was executed on the spot.

The bloodied corpse was still hanging on the wall to this day.

In a dark alley in the distance, Lang Wu secretly observed; he did not break through from the front, but turned and came to a nearby civilian house, leaping into the water well.

This water well led directly to the moat outside the Shu Prince's Palace.

Although Lang Wu did not know water escape, his Qi pulse was long; he shuttled from underwater, passed through the water diversion channel in one breath, and drilled into the Shu Prince's Palace.

Popping his head out again, he appeared in the water pool of the Prince's Palace garden.

He seemed very familiar with this place, walking along the shadows, and quickly drilled into a firewood room.

Rustling sounds rang out, and when he pushed the door and walked out, he had already changed into eunuch clothes, bowing and bending his waist, heading toward the Eastern Liugong.

Along the way, soldiers stood guard occasionally, and eunuchs and palace maids wandered.

Whenever someone asked, Lang Wu would hand over his waist token without saying a word; if the other party pressed, he would simply fool them with a soul-bewitching technique.

In normal times, he would never mess around like this.

When he was about to reach the Eastern Liugong, Lang Wu looked up into the distance.

But he saw that in front of the Prince's Mansion main hall, it was brightly lit, illuminating the night sky and snow mist; although blocked by the main hall, Lang Wu knew that it was the Shu Prince leading his experts to set up an altar and perform rituals.

He gritted his teeth, not daring to stay long, and quickly came to a small courtyard next to the Eastern Liugong, flipping over the wall and leaping into it.

Although the small courtyard was in the palace, it was very simple, with only one low floor, looking unremarkable.

This kind of courtyard was where eunuchs in the palace lived, usually with at least seven or eight people, but at this time, it was very deserted.

Just after entering the courtyard, Lang Wu smelled a bloody stench, his face changed drastically, and he hurriedly rushed into the main room.

The room was pitch black, and on the large kang, a middle-aged man was sitting cross-legged, his face pale, his chest covered in bloodstains.

"God Lord!"

Lang Wu's heart was anxious, and he hurriedly stepped forward.

But just at this moment, the middle-aged man suddenly opened his eyes; in the darkness, his eyes flashed with ghostly light, indifferent and majestic.

"God Lord, forgive me; your subordinate failed to handle the matter well!"

Lang Wu was startled and hurriedly knelt on one knee.

The middle-aged man was none other than Li Wenyuan, an immortal who had borrowed the dragon soul of the Great Lord Jiang Shen to descend to the mortal world privately and reincarnate.

Seeing that the other party was fine, Lang Wu breathed a sigh of relief in his heart.

He naturally knew Li Wenyuan's identity, otherwise, why would he give up a bright future to follow him and work for him.

It was not that easy for an immortal to reincarnate and descend to the mortal world.

If it weren't for the spiritual charm of the Great Lord Jiang Shen, he would still be muddled to this day.

Could it be that that side didn't succeed either?

Lang Wu was somewhat puzzled in his heart.

Li Wenyuan, sitting cross-legged, looked at him, a trace of killing intent flashing in his eyes, but it was quickly restrained, and he said coldly, "Why did you fail?"

"Li Yan was wandering in the spirit at the Green Ram Palace..."

Lang Wu hurriedly recounted the matter.

"That was the Flower God parade." Li Wenyuan was worthy of being someone who had once ascended to godhood; his knowledge was extraordinary, and he quickly guessed the reason, saying in a deep voice, "That Dragon Lady's true body originally had origins with the Flower God; borrowing her incense, she is reconsolidating her divine soul."

"This method should have been told by the Dragon Lady."

Lang Wu gritted his teeth, "God Lord, is there any remedy?"

"Wishful thinking."

Li Wenyuan said coldly, "The Great Lord Jiang Shen is lingering on his last breath; he should have been replaced by the Dragon Lady many years ago, but he was revived by this seat using secret methods. Now that the wood is already a boat, there is no chance."

"This..."

After hearing this, Lang Wu's face became even uglier.

Suddenly, he felt a chill in his heart and turned his head to look out the window.

But he saw dense footsteps ringing out outside the courtyard, the gate opened with a creak, and a person paced into the courtyard, wearing a yellow brocade dragon robe and a crown on his head.

It was the "Shu Prince," Xiao Qipan.

!

He looked at the pitch-black room, his aged face without a trace of expression, and said indifferently, "Daoist Li, I said long ago that this method would not work. I don't know if you are still willing to cooperate with me now?"

Li Wenyuan, sitting on the large kang, heard this, his eyes flickering uncertainly; after waiting for a long time, he slowly stood up and walked out of the room.

In the wind and snow, the two confronted each other coldly.

The "Shu Prince" Xiao Qipan suddenly smiled, raised his hand slightly, "Everyone, leave a hundred paces away; anyone who dares to eavesdrop will be killed without mercy!"

Clatter!

At the order, the surrounding soldiers immediately left.

Lang Wu frowned and turned to look at Li Wenyuan.

"You leave too!"

Li Wenyuan's face was cold, and he nodded.

"Yes, God Lord."

Lang Wu carefully handed over the cloth bag before leaving.

After leaving the small courtyard, he also stayed a hundred paces away, looking at the tiger-watching soldiers around him, letting out a cold snort, his eyes full of gloom.

He knew the identities of the two people inside.

One was a famous alchemist from the Qin Dynasty, hiding in the human world, reincarnating several times, plotting something big...

One was a disciple of the mysterious Mount Jiuyi alchemist Shen Wentai from the "Biographies of Immortals," who had ascended to godhood and become an immortal, but had descended to the mortal world privately...

The two first cooperated, then turned against each other.

Among them, there must be a huge secret.

It was a pity that he had risked his life, yet it was still hard to gain trust.

Thinking of this, Lang Wu's heart was full of unwillingness...

In the courtyard, the "Shu Prince" Xiao Qipan suddenly pinched a hand seal, and the muscles and bones of his facial features twisted, actually changing his appearance, turning into a thin man, without a trace of his previous old age.

It was the true appearance of the late Qin alchemist Lu Sheng.

"With you, Daoist, it is better to be honest."

He smiled slightly, and his temperament also became elegant.

And Li Wenyuan, seeing this, also flashed a trace of jealousy in his eyes, "You obtained the Elixir of Immortality; it seems everyone was deceived by you."

Lu Sheng slowly straightened his chest, and the bones in his spine also creaked, his figure becoming tall and straight.

He smiled indifferently, "How can there be an Elixir of Immortality in this world?"

"Back then at Mount Kunlun, the Queen Mother of the West was a god, Wang Mu of Zhou was a human, and the Ten Shamans were the medium; all kinds of legends are just symbols of the path between heaven and man."

"Since Great Yu tamed the waters, the path between heaven and man has been broken; Hou Yi sought the spiritual medicine, but even he didn't get to eat it, and it was cheaper for Chang'e..."

"The Elixir of Immortality I obtained is nothing more than the lingering charm of the Great Wilderness, which can restore youth and transform one's body."

"People in the mortal world don't know, but you, Daoist, must know clearly."

Li Wenyuan said coldly, "It was agreed back then that you would give it to me after finding it. If I had eaten it, I wouldn't be in such a sorry state."

Lu Sheng laughed dumbly, "Didn't you break the contract first, Daoist?"

"Hmph!"

Li Wenyuan let out a cold snort, "What you are doing is not what was arranged back then; why do you need to quibble with me?!"

"Hahaha..."

Lu Sheng laughed wantonly, shook his head slightly, and sighed, "Daoist Li has stayed in the human world for so many years; you should have already found out that Cheng Jianxin glimpsed the path to godhood and would rather destroy his own cultivation than become an immortal."

"If this path were really good, why would he be like this?"

"According to your methods, you are just repeating the same mistakes; why not go the same way as us and replace them?"

Li Wenyuan heard this and was full of mockery, "Where did you get the guts?"

"With no way to retreat, naturally there is guts."

Lu Sheng's eyes were somewhat playful, "Daoist Li is now a fugitive from the Heavenly Court, and the Thunder Department will inevitably send people to catch you. Do you think those people will really guarantee your safety?"

"This human path revolution is our opportunity."

"Isn't it also your opportunity, Daoist?"

Li Wenyuan heard this, his eyes flickering uncertainly.

Finally, he gritted his teeth, took out the bronze Nuo mask wrapped in a rag, and said in a deep voice, "Your plan went wrong; someone will inevitably come to block it. Once the Dragon Lady replaces the Great Lord Jiang Shen, the Long Gong can be broken open."

"This object can deal with Erlang, causing his spirit to dim..."

"Also, Xiao Jinghong's wife has been cursed by me, which can infect the vulgar gods worshipped in the Shu Prince's Mansion, speeding up the progress..."

"Hahaha."

A smile appeared on Lu Sheng's face, "I knew you had a backup plan, Daoist. Today, we will take the treasure and leave, then meet up with other Daoists."

Li Wenyuan nodded, but there was still some hesitation in his eyes.

"Doing this, I'm afraid the karma is too great..."

"You are joking, Daoist."

Lu Sheng's face was indifferent, looking at the sky filled with thick fog, "Heaven and earth are unkind; all living things are ants."

"The lives of mortals are like morning dew and will eventually die; what does it have to do with us?"

Not long after, the two walked out of the small courtyard again.

Lu Sheng had changed back to the appearance of the Shu Prince, and with his soldiers and Li Wenyuan, he came to the front of the main hall.

He saw that in the square in front, two towering dharma altars had already been erected.

On one altar, the Netherworld stage was shrouded in black mist; Situ Qian had changed back to the appearance of Ghost Zhong Kui, holding a dharma sword and dharma umbrella, stepping on Gang steps and singing Yin opera...

On the other altar was Zhao Jie, who had escaped before, wearing a black dharma robe, hair disheveled, holding a compass in his hand, his eyes fixed on the sky, full of anticipation...

………………

Outside Chengdu Prefecture, Li Yan and the others arrived at the edge of the thick fog.

"Alright, you can leave from here!"

Sha Lifei pointed forward and shouted loudly.

Behind them, thousands of people followed densely; they were all Chengdu commoners who had participated in the parade.

Although their faces were pale, they had finally regained their sobriety, looking at the surroundings in horror.

Hearing Sha Lifei's words, some stepped out a few steps with suspicion, but saw the scene around them change suddenly; the night wind was slightly cold, there was no thick fog or wild wind, and even the flying snow had stopped.

Turning their heads to look, behind them was a vast expanse of white.

More and more people left, weeping with joy, and knelt on the ground.

"Immortal Master~"

In the team, an old man suddenly knelt on the ground, begging with tears on his face, "My family members are still in the city..."

"Please, Immortal Master, save our family!"

Many commoners heard this and knelt on the ground one after another.

"Everyone, don't worry, go quickly."

Li Yan's face was solemn, and he nodded slightly.

To tell the truth, with Chengdu in this state, he didn't have much confidence.

Just at this moment, his ears moved slightly, and he revealed a smile.

Woof woof woof!

In the wind and snow in the distance, countless dog barks rang out.

On the snow, dense plum blossom footprints appeared...

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 603 =====