[{"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-606":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},2262911,4415,"Chapter 606: Divide Forces into Three Paths","the-cursed-blade-s-walk-chapter-606",606,"\u003Cp>In the thick fog, footprints surged like raindrops.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even more startling was the barking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At first it was distant, but before anyone could react, it appeared densely all around, as if surrounded by a pack of dogs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This sound could be heard even by ordinary people.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sha Li-fei felt his scalp prickling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Damn it, who kicked over the dog kennel?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yue San’er of the “Earth Listening String” possessed the ear divine power; he barely formed a hand seal to probe, and immediately felt dizzy and nauseous, nearly collapsing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old man’s forehead was sweating as he trembled, “Hurry, go!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What hadn’t he seen along the Yellow River?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ghost cats, yin dogs—any animal with a touch of spirit, shaped by unusual environments, could become malevolent entities; he had dealt with many.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But something this fierce was rare in his lifetime.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To him, it didn’t even feel like ordinary ghostly spirits.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Rest assured, everyone.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yan quickly explained, “A senior has arrived—he’s far more accomplished than I am.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, everyone finally relaxed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Si Tu Bo, the “Ghost Face,” stared at the footprints around them, his eyes gleaming with suspicion: “This isn’t just a ghost—it’s infused with temple incense qi… Could it be… yin soldiers?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even as he spoke, he found it hard to believe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There are many kinds of yin soldiers in the world.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The weaker ones are wandering lone ghosts in the wilds, yin soldiers from battlefields, residual spirits of mountain demons and monsters…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The mid-tier are the Wu Chang troops.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The fiercer ones are the ancient Five Barbarian Armies left over from bygone eras.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Above them are Li Yan’s own yin soldiers—the Xuan Men Lu soldiers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But no matter the type, most take human form.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why are all these summoning dogs?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn’t know that Yang Chenghua had long wandered the wilds, and under the influence of Er Lang Zhen Jun’s spiritual aura, he had a special fondness for canines.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His incense qi was virtually limitless, so he lavishly forged a legion of spirit dogs…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yan paid no attention, gazing ahead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He and Yang Chenghua had agreed to meet at the teahouse west of Qingyang Palace, but with this much chaos, the other must already be searching for him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For Yang Chenghua, finding someone was simple.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Release the spirit dogs—they could scour a hundred li in every direction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sure enough, firelight flickered in the distance soon after.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dots of light, numerous indeed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As they drew closer, he saw not only Yang Chenghua, but also people from Qingcheng Mountain and the Cheng family, even hundreds of garrison soldiers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Greetings, Master Ming Shanzi.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After exchanging pleasantries with familiar faces, Li Yan turned to Cheng Jianxin, now even older, his expression complex, and bowed:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Senior, we meet again.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm, truly a talented youth.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheng Jianxin smiled, stroking his beard, saying no more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not every senior saw Li Yan as a prize.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This Sword Immortal of Shu had roamed the land his whole life, personally slain countless geniuses; now his lamp was nearly out, he only wished to protect his disciples one last time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No matter how many opportunities lay behind Li Yan, he had no interest in scheming.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Besides, their lineages and paths were entirely different.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yan nodded to Chang Tianque, then exchanged information with Ming Shanzi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Dujiangyan had indeed suffered an incident…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Sheng had originally intended to lure the Dragon Palace into Chengdu!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yan pondered, then turned to Yang Chenghua, his face grave: “Senior, they truly got the mask—do you still remember?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His words were vague.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Yang Chenghua understood Li Yan’s meaning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he awakened further, inheriting all of Er Lang Zhen Jun’s incense and spiritual aura, memories of the past grew ever clearer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The River Lord had suppressed Shu for millennia, with countless offerings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He knew countless secrets.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Some memory remains.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Chenghua nodded: “Back then, the Great River Lord ravaged Shu’s rivers, accompanied by many powerful malevolent entities.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“One was a water demon born from ancient Shu shamanic rites—it cast curses that left victims with eye-shaped scars. Later, a fangshi somehow obtained a mask, which Li Bing carried, using the might of the Great Qin to suppress the demon in the Dragon Palace’s water palace…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Later, the mask should have been returned…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With this, many things connected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Qiang were defeated and fled south, nearly wiped out by ancient Shu; after a desperate battle barely won, they feared the memory and buried the nu masks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their shamans used demons as metaphors for ancient Shu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Naturally, they refused to return this national treasure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Later, when the Great River Lord ravaged again, the Qiang had long since integrated into Shu and willingly lent the treasure to suppress the demon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The demon’s true form was an ancient Shu shaman—so one thing subdued another.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And Lang Wu had used the lingering demonic qi of the demon to transform the bronze nu mask into a demonic artifact.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thinking of this, Li Yan said solemnly: “Senior, be extremely cautious.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Chenghua gave a slight nod: “Don’t worry—I’ll keep my distance from that thing.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their words were cryptic; some Qingcheng disciples, unaware of the context, frowned, feeling discontent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They had met Li Yan for the first time and had heard his reputation, but at such a critical moment, he was still being evasive—it was hardly honorable…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, they said nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for Ming Shanzi, he watched the two silently, occasionally glancing at Yang Chenghua’s waist, his eyes filled with suspicion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Along the way, he had subtly probed for Yang Chenghua’s origins, but each time the man deflected him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet some things had slipped out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The techniques Yang used were powered by incense qi, driving Xuan Men secret arts—he’d never even heard of them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The spirit dogs, the silver bow and golden bullets at his waist…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even his appearance resembled that of the statue in the temple.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Could it be…?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ming Shanzi shook his head—he thought it absurd.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pushing aside the thought, he turned to Li Yan: “Li Shaoxia, you say you have a way to break the array?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yan lifted the bronze flower basket in his hand: “Inside, the spirit of the Qin-era Dragon Goddess is coalescing. She is a benevolent deity; once her spirit fully forms, the Great River Lord will vanish utterly from heaven and earth.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Breaking the curse isn’t difficult for her, but I lack the power now. Once she takes form and assumes control of the Dragon Palace’s water palace, Chengdu’s peace will be restored…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yan said no more, but Ming Shanzi instantly understood, nodding: “If she’s benevolent, then it’s simple—after this is over, Qingcheng will build her a temple and shrine, and promote her worship.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In a short time, they had reached an agreement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Dragon Goddess’s matter was settled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Li Yan said, once the Dragon Goddess successfully took form, the mysterious Dragon Palace water palace would be easily hers to command.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only by entering dreams could they hope to enter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But she could directly control it and make it depart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The thick fog over Chengdu would also clear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Good!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A cold, stern voice rang out from behind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A Commandant of the Battalion Commander stepped forward, bowing respectfully: “Zhao Xian-da, Commandant of Chongqing Garrison, greets Li Shaoxia.” “You?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sha Li-fei, hearing this, widened his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He knew Zhao Xian-da’s name—he was a rising star, solving major cases one after another, and in a short time had become as famed as Wan Baoquan, the “Number One Detective of the Southwest” in Chongqing’s yamen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>More importantly, he was the one who first leaked the name of the Twelve Yuan—though it brought them fame, it also stirred up trouble.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Commander Zhao, a pleasure to meet you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yan stopped Sha Li-fei from pressing further, dismissing the trivialities.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Xian-da pretended ignorance, bowing respectfully: “I heard Chengdu was in crisis, so I came with troops from Beijing’s Bagua Gate, led by Dong Cunshan.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Several elders from Lushan Sect were also coming, but the Yang family of Bozhou was being transported to the capital; I received word that remnants were attempting a rescue, so I asked Lushan Sect to escort them away.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Now we have nearly ten thousand garrison troops trapped in the array—we encountered civilians attacking us, many were wounded and show signs of the curse, already unconscious. Please, Li Shaoxia, lend your aid.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ten thousand people? Easy!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yan’s eyes lit up at once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Facing Lu Sheng, their greatest problem was his forces—nearly thirty thousand men, plus vast quantities of firearms; even if they formed their most skilled array, they could hardly resist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, the Shu Prince’s mansion still possessed large stocks of firearms.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With these nearly ten thousand troops, they could at least hold back the enemy army.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He dared not delay; under the others’ guidance, he immediately headed for Chengdu Prefecture, only learning upon passing through the city gate that the two sides had just missed each other.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Chongqing forces were stationed in the southern city.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This area had once been a gathering place for high officials and nobles, housing not only the City God Temple but also five Commandery Prince mansions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But now, with chaos gripping the city, these wealthy families could not escape misfortune—they had gone mad and rushed onto the streets.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Chongqing troops, numerous and overwhelming, seized the place outright, even toppling several walls to establish temporary strongholds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As they passed the Five Commandery Prince’s mansion, Li Yan glanced back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The mansion’s gates were tightly shut, sealed with official paper strips.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ming Shanzi sighed: “I’ve learned that the Five Commandery Prince and the other Commandery Princes, along with the Huangling Sect members from the City God Temple, have all been captured by that demon and imprisoned in the Shu Prince’s mansion.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Now, they’re likely beyond saving…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ve broken my promise.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yan shook his head slightly, helplessly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was their first mission failure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The events had unfolded too suddenly; he had been running nonstop and had no time to rescue the Five Commandery Prince’s family.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s not your fault.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ming Shanzi offered comfort, then continued onward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not long after, they reached the Chongqing reinforcements’ encampment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Indeed, many soldiers had already fainted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their bodies bore claw marks; around the wounds, veins bulged like vertical forks, turning into black patterns that spread outward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was unmistakably the sign of a curse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yan did not hesitate; he raised the bronze flower basket in his hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huh~\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he communed with his intent, a violent wind surged again around them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Snow and wind twisted into a spiraling vortex above the basket, then gentle rain descended, carrying a cool, incense-scented aura.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the raindrops fell, the soldiers’ grim expressions softened; the unnatural marks on their wounds gradually faded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This Dragon Girl is truly extraordinary!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ming Shanzi’s eyes lit up upon seeing it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had originally agreed to help Li Yan out of goodwill, without taking it seriously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, the Shu region’s Xuanmen had a long history; even Qingyang Palace housed the mortal deity of Laozi—adding one more Dragon Girl meant little.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet, it proved astonishingly effective.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Heavenly dew descended, dispelling calamity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was no feat achievable by ordinary mortal deities; with sincere worship, it might even summon storms and quell floods along the river.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ignoring Ming Shanzi’s thoughts, after lifting the curses from the soldiers while they remained unconscious, Li Yan gathered the group.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The entity possessing the Shu Prince is the Qin-era Daoist alchemist Lu Sheng…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this point, Li Yan no longer concealed the truth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had originally wished to withhold knowledge of the Nine Tripods, for the matter was of immense consequence and could incite boundless greed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Zhao Changsheng and his kind had already moved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From all signs, many hidden demons walked among mortals, backed by the power of the Great Luo Dharma Realm, seeking to extract all Nine Tripods.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Sheng was merely one of them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Nine Tripods were bound to the land’s veins; if Lu Sheng used the Dragon Palace’s water palace to fish them out, Shu would suffer a cataclysmic earthquake unlike any before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Countless would die, followed by years of natural disasters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If all Nine Tripods were removed, all of Shenzhou would tremble; the Da Xuan Dynasty would collapse, and foreign nations beyond the seas might seize the chance to invade.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thus, when the Nine Tripods emerge, Shenzhou sinks…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yan laid out his suspicions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, he dared not speak of the Great Luo Dharma Realm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thud!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sima Bo slammed the table hard, leapt to his feet, and growled: “These demons seek to destroy our Shenzhou’s destiny—I’d rather die than let them succeed!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though the Bamboo Grove Six Idlers were heterodox, all were righteous heroes bound by shared ideals; upon hearing this, each burned with fury.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even the usually silent Fan Tieguai’s eyes brimmed with murderous intent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Qingcheng Sect members, too, wore grim expressions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They had never imagined that, right under their noses, demons dared such audacity—it was madness…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Xianda’s face had turned pale.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had merely come to earn merit, never expecting such a grave matter; he clenched his fists, suppressing his trembling body: “We cannot let them succeed—I’ll mobilize the troops at once.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Not yet.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yan said gravely: “The demon knows we’re coming—he’s surely prepared. We must strike with one decisive blow.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I plan to divide into three squads.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The first squad will feint attack, led by Captain Zhao, storming the front lines to draw enemy forces, while spreading word of this to disrupt their morale. My brother Wu Ba possesses a Tiger Lord Cannon, using new-style firearms—he should temporarily suppress the enemy…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We’ve scouted a tunnel leading to the Shu Prince’s mansion, but they have sorcerers and spirit hounds listening—any attempt would be discovered.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The second squad will be led by Lu San; he knows the secret passages, and Old Sha excels with explosives. I ask several elders to assign guards to plant explosives beneath the palace gates and blow them open…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The third squad, led by me, will destroy the demon’s altar; once the gates are breached, Qingcheng’s members will assist me in activating the altar…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A female Daoist from Qingcheng frowned: “Assisting the altar is fine—we all know how. But why so many for one altar?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those who came here were Qingcheng’s elite.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fierce in battle, proficient in sorcery.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why should so many not attack, but merely aid him? Wasn’t Li Yan skilled in martial arts and close combat?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yan said nothing; he pulled a bronze talisman from his robe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was ancient, one side inscribed with twenty-four characters: “Ten Thousand Eons Heavenly Scripture,” the other with sixteen: “Pursue Demons, Summon Spirits.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment he drew it out, a fierce, menacing aura struck the faces of all present.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Bing-Ding Spirit Summoning Talisman?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The female Daoist gasped, suddenly remembering something: “Did Master Juechen pass this to you too?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yan nodded gravely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I summon Lord Wen, the Spirit Guardian, to cleanse Chengdu of demonic miasma!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",2498,"2026-06-19T18:28:35.913Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","a4109fe636cae379ede32b4f5f6efc1d8e459500d576f4302ed33b78e52d617d","the-cursed-blade-s-walk-chapter-607","the-cursed-blade-s-walk-chapter-605",801,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-cursed-blade-s-walk-cover.jpg"]