[{"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-609":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},2262914,4415,"Chapter 609: The Second Son Returns","the-cursed-blade-s-walk-chapter-609",609,"\u003Cp>BOOM!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The explosion deafened the ears, shards of stone spraying everywhere.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sha Li Fei was always prone to exaggeration in speech, and with gunpowder he was no different—he claimed it was just a little, yet always feared it wasn’t enough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This time, he used up every last bit of his stock.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yue San’er of the “Earth Listening String” was unquestionably an old-school earth master; though he might not qualify as a feng shui grandmaster, his positioning was extraordinarily precise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The explosion occurred precisely beneath the city gate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once, this spot had held a buried pile of enemy heads—a mark of merit—and when the Shu Prince’s palace was built, no taboos were observed; large vats were even buried here to monitor underground movements.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus, the ground here still held many fissures.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The new gunpowder detonated, lifting the entire stretch of earth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After flying debris, a massive crater appeared; the Shu Prince’s palace gate, painted vermilion with bronze nails, collapsed with a thunderous crash amid the flames.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even the surrounding walls cracked and caved in, leaving gaps.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Shu Prince’s troops, gathered before the gate plaza, were struck by falling debris, many of them bleeding from head wounds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The carefully formed battle formation thus developed breaches.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Worse still, several nearby battle flags were toppled by giant rocks; the large white funeral lanterns fell and were ignited by candle flames.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Soul-Guiding Lantern Array thus lost its effect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Almost instantly, howling winds and snowflakes surged in with thick fog, like a breached dam, swallowing the Shu Prince’s army whole.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even distant funeral lanterns burst and ignited in succession.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This thick fog stemmed from the Dragon Palace Water Realm’s secret domain—its malevolent energy was slight, but its moisture was heavy; beyond triggering blizzards, its power was modest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chengdu’s current chaos stemmed from three things: the “Joy God Coins,” the implications of those red lanterns, and the Dragon Palace Water Realm’s fog—only together did they create such a commotion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Shu Prince’s soldiers were startled but found themselves unharmed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet the howling fog and snowflakes blinded them; their vision turned white, revealing nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hold your ground!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hold your ground!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Black Feather Guard galloped on horseback, brandishing spears and shouting loudly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They snapped out of their shock and tried to stabilize their formation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the Chongqing forces would not miss this opportunity—they raised their firearms and fired.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their firearms were numerous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some fired bamboo thunder arrows, which exploded upon landing in enemy ranks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Others released entire ranks of wind-fire crows.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These were kite-like devices with bamboo-wood frames and leather-paper bodies, carrying thick flammable oil.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With the wind at their backs, this was the perfect moment to release them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A dense swarm of wind-fire crows soared into the air, carried by fog and snow, crossing the high walls and landing within the Shu Prince’s palace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Several grand halls were instantly set ablaze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And all this was merely an appetizer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Make way!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Ba roared like a wrathful Jingang  descending from heaven, his massive frame shouldering the Tiger Zun  Cannon, swatting aside soldiers in his path, then igniting the fuse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a thunderous boom, the heavy weapon spat a three-foot flame tongue; countless scattered shrapnel shrieked as they flew into the fog.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Its terrible lethality became instantly clear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Shu Prince’s soldiers had already formed battle lines, with giant shields blocking the front and firearms firing from behind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Tiger Zun  Cannon roared—the front shields shattered outright, and the soldiers behind were riddled with holes, blood and flesh spraying everywhere.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And Wu Ba himself was extraordinarily formidable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His body was immensely strong; after repeated use, he was accustomed to the cannon’s recoil, channeling his full strength to stagger backward several steps, cracking the bricks beneath his feet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though disheveled, he remained standing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>THUD!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He set down the heavy Tiger Zun  Cannon; three soldiers rushed forward, swiftly cleaning the barrel, replacing the shot, and packing in gunpowder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the past, Wu Ba alone, no matter how fast, was always flustered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With help, it took only a few breaths.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He gripped the Tiger Zun  Cannon and ignited the fuse again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>BOOM!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another thunderous blast turned the distant fog and snow crimson…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After repeated strikes, the Shu Prince’s forces suffered heavy losses; combined with prior suspicions, morale plummeted to rock bottom.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Go!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A sharp-minded platoon leader grabbed his comrade and fled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With the fog obscuring vision, the Black Feather Guard assigned to monitor the troops couldn’t even spot them, let alone stop them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Where there was one, there was a second.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As more and more fled, the formation collapsed entirely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Kill!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Xian Da leapt up, swinging his long saber and roaring.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Several battalion commanders from the Chongqing garrison simultaneously shouted orders.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Kill!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Countless soldiers burst from hidden alleys, surging like a tide, shattering the enemy formation and pouring through the breach into the prince’s palace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In any other war, victory would have been decided by now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But this battle involved more than mere mortals.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under the Shu Prince’s command were numerous southwestern heretical cultivators and elite fighters who had defected from the Salt Guild—all gathered atop the walls before Chengyun Gate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unlike those at Dujiangyan, they had come only for profit and had no intention of truly dying for the Shu Prince; seeing the ruined inner walls and Duanli Gate, their scalps prickled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet they dared not flee.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For beside them stood two monstrous figures.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One was a Blood Nuo Master.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The other was the Black Sect Lama, Duoji Zaxi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though inferior to Zhao Jie, both were trusted confidants of the Shu Prince, privy to the plan to seize the Nine Cauldrons.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were elderly; the Nine Cauldrons were their final chance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching the tide of soldiers surging below, the Blood Nuo Master gritted his teeth and pulled the bamboo tube in his hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>SHHH—BOOM!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A firework shot upward and exploded in midair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The square before Chengyun Hall was the largest within the palace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It had previously hosted the Kitchen God Nuo Dance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The ritual altars of Situ Qian and Zhao Jie also stood here.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment, Situ Qian wore a Zhong Kui opera costume.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beside him stood the Netherworld Opera Stage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, the troupe’s treasured stage hung with countless small red lanterns; black mist churned, and tiny human shadows flickered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yinyuezhong ， Sihuyuquanchengdenglongxingchenglianxi 。\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was his task.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Sheng had tasked him to preside over the altar, using the “Joy God Coins” as a medium and the “Netherworld Opera Stage” as the core, to perform this grand opera during the Dragon Palace Water Realm’s descent, when yin and yang were inverted and dreams and reality were in chaos.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Situ Qian had naturally seen the distant firework.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was the signal for him to join the defense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To be honest, he was exhausted—but seeing the Shu Prince’s cold gaze below, his heart trembled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Waaahhh~”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Situ Qian gritted his teeth, his red beard fluttering.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Around him were several hastily recruited spirit mediums, now dressed as little demons, backs plastered with talismans, eyes glazed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At his operatic cry, they rolled forward, gathering on either side of Situ Qian, as if stepping up, leaping upward together.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Situ Qian followed their rhythm, swinging his Eight Trigrams umbrella and leaping into the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Netherworld fire, illuminating the night stage, paper horses and incense carts emerge from the wilds, the Judge’s pen marks debts of life and death, the Ghost King’s sister comes to the mortal world…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Situ Qian belted out “Zhong Kui Marries His Sister.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he sang, he coordinated with the little demons’ steps—three forward, four back, five left, six right—mirroring the numbers of the Luoshu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, he sprayed flames mixed with tung oil and sulfur; beneath the crimson glow of the Netherworld Opera Stage, they appeared eerily unnatural.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All the red lanterns across Chengdu flickered in response.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The townsfolk grew more frenzied. Situ Qian was wrapped in black mist, only his two blood-red eyes visible; with the little demons, he descended from the altar, enveloped in thick darkness, heading toward Chengyun Gate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Gale wind tears robes, sweeps the sea of sin, blue face unchanged, the scholar’s cap shattered before the hall, blood stains the vermilion steps, taints the ghost-child…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His singing was manic yet mournful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the square before Chengyun Gate, gales howled, black mist churned, visibility vanished; the invading soldiers now seemed blind, faces filled with panic, staring wildly in all directions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some even began fighting those beside them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This technique resembles the one Bai Qihong used to summon the Blood Basin Holy Mother—afterward, one’s primordial energy is inevitably severely damaged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Situ Qian didn’t want to, but he knew he had already boarded the pirate ship and could only fight desperately—there was no other choice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Blood Nuo Master on the city wall saw this and sneered softly: “This Situ Qian still dares to covet the Nine Cauldrons—truly ignorant of his own death.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Black Sect lama, Duoji Zaxi, wore a grave expression: “We’ve reached the critical moment—don’t let our guard down.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Relax, just watch.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Blood Nuo Master pointed toward the eastern and western sides.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was the troops guarding the city gates on both sides—after the Soul-Guiding Lantern Array was shattered and the main gate fell—they had entered the city to reinforce.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Altogether, their numbers had already exceeded ten thousand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As long as they could hold back the troops below, reinforcements would arrive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The southwestern heretical cultivators beside them also noticed this and rejoiced inwardly, each unleashing their signature techniques to attack the soldiers below.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a moment, malevolent spirits ran rampant, and ghostly flames drifted through the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing this, the Black Sect lama Duoji Zaxi prepared to act—but the Blood Nuo Master stopped him: “You and I guard the array—prevent their experts from breaking through. Situ Qian cannot die yet…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Among the troops below, reinforcements’ experts had already gathered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even Sha Lifi and others had arrived via hidden tunnels nearby.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s the Sichuan Nuo Twelve Altars!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Golden Granny, as the inheritor of this lineage, instantly sensed something amiss.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though she had been injured and her cultivation had declined, her insight remained sharp; she said gravely: “He’s chanting the Middle Four Altars: ‘Zhong Kui Marries His Sister.’ Originally, this symbolized ‘using joy to dispel calamity’—even the Ghost King values human bonds.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But when this ‘joy’ becomes ‘calamity,’ it becomes Yin Nuo Opera—must enter the mist and slay it to break the array.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll go!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ghost Face” Situ Bo stared at the black mist ahead, his eyes filled with resolve: “I was too soft back then—I never trained this beast properly. Today, even if I die, I’ll cleanse the household!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Situ Qian had learned under him, but had long surpassed him—and with this Yin Nuo Opera and the Netherworld Stage, he had no confidence at all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment, Wu Ba arrived, shouldering the Tiger Lord Cannon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing the black mist blocking the way, he prepared to light the fuse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t act rashly!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Daoxuan hurried to stop him, shaking his head: “Inside are all Chongqing Garrison soldiers—Situ Qian will surely use them as human shields…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Far away, atop the Zhuangyuan Tower.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Qingcheng Sect had various divination arts; everything happening inside the Shu King’s Palace was perfectly clear to them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With the situation dire, all their gazes turned to the center of the Jingyang Altar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There, Li Yan was forming hand seals, his body trembling slightly, yet his feet rooted firmly—he only looked up at the sky.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Above, thick mist churned; each time lightning flashed, a massive black shadow could be seen gliding through it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was not a living thing, but the most concentrated primordial Gangsha  energy, swirling in the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yan was only one step away from summoning Wen Lingguan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he held the seals without releasing them—like drawing an arrow but not letting it fly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Li Shaoxia…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ming Shanzi could no longer hold back and spoke up to warn him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t rush—they can handle it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yan stared fixedly at the Shu King’s Palace, veins bulging on his forehead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Summoning Wen Lingguan—even with everyone’s aid and the sect’s sacred artifacts—was still extremely difficult for him now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the technique succeeded, it wouldn’t last long.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In other words, he had only one strike.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And now, neither Lu Sheng nor Zhao Jie, nor the Dragon Worship Sect Lord nor the descending immortal Li Wenyuan, had moved—they must still be holding back their trump cards.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He couldn’t waste his strength on Situ Qian.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And he was certain: this man was not the real problem.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Indeed, below, another disturbance arose.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Right after Wang Daoxuan finished speaking, Yang Chenghua shook his head slightly and handed the bronze flower basket to him: “Give this to that boy.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he walked forward alone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What is he doing?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Situ Bo froze, rushing forward to stop him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Cheng Jianxin grabbed his arm, calmly saying: “Just watch. You’ll probably never see anything like this in your life.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The others exchanged glances.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before they could think further, Yang Chenghua had reached the edge of the black mist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On his back, an enormous black cloth bundle had appeared—without warning, he tore it open, and a massive weapon rolled upward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Three-pronged, double-edged—it was the divine weapon lost from Guanjiangkou.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>PAM!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Chenghua seized it, closed his eyes, and took a deep breath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instantly, fierce winds howled, nearly scattering the black mist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Others also sensed the thick scent of incense and worship.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, Yang Chenghua opened his eyes—his gaze had turned utterly cold, and he chanted: “Gale splits robes, treads snow waves; heavenly eye between brows illuminates demons…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No sooner had he spoken than blazing white Gang energy appeared around him, converging toward his forehead—as if a third eye had materialized.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s Er Lang Searching the Mountains!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Golden Granny exclaimed in surprise: “This is the authentic Sichuan Nuo Twelve Altars—how does he know it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sha Lifi quickly changed the subject: “Can it break the array?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Golden Granny affirmed: “With righteousness overpowering evil, naturally—it can. With someone to lead it, even this old woman can lend a hand.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Saying this, she lifted her dragon-headed cane.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her old wounds hadn’t healed; alone, she couldn’t perform the opera—but with someone to lead, she could assist from the side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But before she finished speaking, her eyes widened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Chenghua swung his three-pronged, double-edged blade sideways, then reversed it in a sweeping motion—instantly, a furious gale erupted, like an invisible blade cleaving the black mist apart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, his feet exploded with power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>BOOM!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The ground’s stone tiles shattered violently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Chenghua’s figure vanished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The broken black mist reformed—but within it, an invisible colossal blade churned up and down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The entire array, saturated with the city’s evil energy, was nearly collapsing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the Netherworld Stage cracked with sharp, snapping sounds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You… who are you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Situ Qian spat blood, his face filled with horror.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But before he finished speaking, a flash of light passed before his eyes—then his vision spun through the air: his head had been severed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>BOOM!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The wind howled, the black mist exploded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A clear voice rang through the gale:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A thousand years of incense cannot contain me—I am the Lord of Guankou!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone heard it clearly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He—he…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even Ming Shanzi stammered, turning to Li Yan, his face filled with disbelief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And Li Yan, gazing into the distance, let out a faint sigh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Chenghua had finally inherited all the incense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From now on, only Er Lang remained…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",2564,"2026-06-19T18:28:35.913Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","16a83358cd6a3ffffd1b80a8cab6e1d46f69f15112a21d749b0b9b49eeef79d9","the-cursed-blade-s-walk-chapter-610","the-cursed-blade-s-walk-chapter-608",801,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-cursed-blade-s-walk-cover.jpg"]