Chapter 615: An Old Friend from Chang

"Night-Crying Lang?"

Upon hearing this, the old Daoist's white eyebrows immediately bunched into a ball.

The young boy beside him saw this and hurriedly asked carefully: "Master, could it be that this Night-Crying Lang has a problem?"

The old Daoist rubbed his temples, "Do you know the Ming Sect?"

"Disciple knows."

The young boy hurriedly replied: "They originate from the secret prayers of the Qin Palace, later hiding in the Qin Ling Mountains to avoid disaster, rarely having contact with outsiders; I heard they know the ancient 'Five Directions Yin Sacrifice,' so their successors mostly engage in funeral affairs, hiding in the marketplace."

"Hmm."

Hearing his disciple recite it fluently, the old Daoist nodded with satisfaction, saying: "This Night-Crying Lang, named Shen Sanyou, was originally a person of the Yin Sect, later taken into the Ming Sect; his aptitude is quite high, but later he encountered some things, wandering in Chang'an, and his friendship with this master is quite good."

The young boy asked suspiciously: "Master, since the friendship is quite good, why are you frowning, and why aren't we going to help?" 【

Upon hearing this, the old Daoist's face twisted in bitterness, "Although our friendship is decent, that man is a complete scoundrel, and incredibly troublesome..."

As he spoke, he gritted his teeth and said, "Forget it, let's go take a look. If he finds out I pretended not to see him, who knows what kind of mischief he'll stir up."

Having made up his mind, the old Daoist urged the group to pick up the pace.

Before long, after turning around a mountain ridge, they indeed saw a large crowd gathered on a mountain terrace ahead, consisting of both monks and Daoists; by the looks of it, they were all people from various Dharma lineages, all wearing expressions of those watching a spectacle.

The old Daoist stood on tiptoe, peering into the crowd to look inside.

He saw that on the mountain terrace, a person was squatting on a rock to the left, dressed in green robes with a gaunt frame, carrying a soul-summoning banner used for funeral processions on his shoulder.

His features could be considered handsome, but he was hunched over, his face pale, and the corners of his eyes were dark, giving him the appearance of someone exhausted from excessive indulgence in wine and women.

It was none other than the "Night-Crying Lang" of Chang'an, Shen Sanyou.

Opposite him stood an old man in black robes, wearing a red square headscarf, with several bronze talismans hanging from a wide leather belt at his waist, and he held a long iron ruler in his hand.

This old man's face was full of the weariness of the world, yet he was quite fashionable; tucked into a leather holster at his waist was a flintlock pistol, crafted from ivory and looking quite exquisite.

Seeing this situation, the old man from the Kunlun Sect furrowed his brows slightly, bowed slightly toward a man beside him, and whispered, "May I ask, fellow Daoist, what has happened?"

The person he asked was dressed in red Dharma robes, looking like someone from the Southern Dharma Sect; upon hearing this, he chuckled in a low voice, "I don't know what happened either; they just started fighting suddenly. This Shen Sanyou is notoriously difficult to deal with, but this time, I'm afraid he's hit a hard wall..."

"Oh, many thanks."

The old Daoist nodded and said nothing more, his expression somewhat solemn.

The person beside him was right.

That person from the Tongtian Sect on the right was also no pushover.

The Tongtian Sect mainly spread through the three provinces of Sichuan, Chongqing, and Guizhou, and their techniques were extremely vicious, specifically targeting the soul.

This old man before them went by the Dharma name "Elder Di Longzi."

He was originally a descendant of the Luoyang tomb-raiding family, the "Earth-Dragon Zhangs," but later fled to join the Tongtian Sect after being hunted down for privately excavating the Mangshan royal tombs, bringing with him a remnant scroll of the *Shaking Dragon Classic*.

His cultivation was profound, and he was considered an elder in the sect, though his reputation was quite poor.

But Shen Sanyou wasn't one to meddle in other people's business, so why provoke him?

The one who shared the same question was Elder Di Longzi himself.

He said coldly, "Night-Crying Lang, you aren't staying properly in Chang'an, so why come here to bring me bad luck? Are you tired of living?"

Shen Sanyou tilted his head and chuckled, "Yo, it's been a few years, why is your tone so arrogant?"

Having said that, he stood up while carrying the soul-summoning banner, yawned, and said, "I'm not doing this because I have nothing better to do; I just want to beat you up to give someone a greeting gift."

"Hahaha..."

Elder Di Longzi was so angry he laughed, "I've walked the martial world for years and have many enemies. No matter who I've offended, it's not your place to interfere."

As he spoke, he looked around, seemingly feeling that being pressured like this in front of others was a loss of face, so he immediately took seven flower coins from his bosom, placed them in his mouth to whisper a curse, and then flung them out violently.

*Pa! Pa! Pa! *

The flower coins scattered in the air, and as if magnets had sprouted from the ground, they plummeted, arranging themselves into the shape of a Seven-Star Ladle between the two.

*Whoosh~*

In an instant, a cold wind howled, and the surrounding dust and sand swirled, forming seven small whirlwinds around the seven copper coins.

After doing this, the black-robed old man Elder Di Longzi said coldly, "I can't be bothered to argue with you, and it's not appropriate to see blood at the foot of Mount Qingcheng. If you have the ability, come over here and talk."

"Copper Coins Locking the Big Dipper?"

Someone present who knew their stuff let out a low exclamation.

The young man from the Kunlun Sect hurriedly asked in a low voice, "Master, what is 'Copper Coins Locking the Big Dipper'?"

The old Daoist narrowed his eyes slightly and explained, "Those seven flower coins are a unique Dharma artifact of the Tongtian Sect called 'Yin Virtue Guangzheng Tongbao.' They are cast by melting down ancient coins, and their marvelous uses are extraordinary."

"It fixes the earth's energy and can deploy an illusionary array at any time. If Shen Sanyou enters the array and triggers it, then there's no need to fight; he won't have a chance at all..."

As they spoke, they saw Shen Sanyou spit and laugh, "You dare to show off with this little trick?"

*Swish! *

Before the words had even faded, he had already leaped out.

But strangely, while he was originally in mid-air facing Elder Di Longzi, he did a somersault, looking like a bat hanging upside down in the air.

After landing, he was already facing away from Elder Di Longzi.

"Good!"

The old Daoist from the Kunlun Sect couldn't help but cheer.

Others didn't know, but he had a decent relationship with Shen Sanyou and knew this was the other party's technique, the "Bat Hanging Upside Down Stake," which mimicked bats and required one to practice listening for positions while blindfolded in a pitch-black cave.

His movement technique was eerie, like a ghost in night combat.

This was also one of the origins of his title, "Night-Crying Lang."

Shen Sanyou landed, carrying the soul-summoning banner, and stepped on the "Gang" steps in reverse; as his toes touched the copper coins, they chimed, the whirlwinds vanished, and the copper coins emitted a foul stench, with black blood even seeping out from the surrounding ground.

"Shameless!"

Seeing this, the Kunlun Sect old Daoist's expression turned gloomy.

Some of the onlookers also showed expressions of disdain on their faces.

Setting up an array is one thing, but to actually put corpse blood and Yin curses into the Yin Virtue Guangzheng Tongbao—if Shen Sanyou hadn't stepped on the Gang steps to break the evil, he might have suffered a disaster.

Seeing Shen Sanyou break the array by stepping on the Gang steps in reverse, Elder Di Longzi frowned, and without panic, he took a black pill from his pouch and stuffed it into his mouth.

*Whoosh~*

Just as Shen Sanyou stepped over the last copper coin, he suddenly opened his mouth and spat out a fireball, while his left hand formed a seal and his right palm slapped out in a backhand motion.

*Boom! *

A muffled sound of thunder rang out, and the fireball roared, heading straight for Shen Sanyou's back.

"Yin Fire Thunder!"

The Kunlun Sect old Daoist's expression was gloomy, and a yellow talisman suddenly appeared in his hand, as he prepared to step forward to save him.

One of the famous techniques of the Tongtian Dharma Sect was the Five Thunder Palm.

This move used the Yin Thunder Palm, combined with Yin fire, making it even more vicious and malicious; his Kunlun Snow Mountain Talisman could alleviate fire poison and provide treatment.

However, it was beyond his expectations.

Shen Sanyou was not in the least bit panicked; he stepped forward, twisted his body in an eerie way, and hung upside down again, barely dodging it.

The Yin Fire Thunder landed in the forest opposite, exploding with a roar, and eerie green phosphorus fire rose up, igniting the soaked bushes and sending thick smoke billowing.

As for Shen Sanyou, while in mid-air, he already had a mouth harp carved from lightning-struck wood in his mouth, playing the funeral dirge used during processions.

It was like weeping and complaining, and all who heard it were filled with sorrow.

Elder Di Longzi's eyes were dazed for a moment, then he suddenly woke up and pulled the flintlock pistol from his waist.

"Stop!"

Just at this moment, an angry shout rang out.

Several figures were seen coming from afar; they were none other than Ling Yunzi of the Qingcheng Sect, along with Li Yan and the others.

That night, after Li Yan and the others retrieved the treasure from the Dragon Palace, they returned to Chengdu and met up with the father and son of the Yu family, the treasure-seekers of Shu, to receive the spirit tea they had refined for them.

Afterward, they hired an escort agency from the Huang Ling Sect, as they had too many items, including a heavy iron rhinoceros statue.

After wandering around, it took several days to reach Qingcheng.

They still stayed at Zhaoyang Cave, and after settling down, they followed Ling Yunzi down the mountain to visit Lady Bai and Master Xiaoyue to ask when Long Yaner would come out of seclusion.

In short, it was a busy time.

They had only just returned to the mountain, and they didn't expect to run into this.

Ling Yunzi flashed forward, blocking the space between the two, cupped his hands, and said in a low, solemn voice, "You two, it was stated when the invitations were sent out that no fighting is allowed on Mount Qingcheng. Those who violate the order will be disqualified. I ask that you please give me some face."

His words were both soft and hard, and very well-measured.

Clearly, he had also grown since the battle at the Shu King's Palace.

"Hmph!"

Elder Di Longzi opposite him let out a cold snort and sneered, "It was that lunatic opposite who started it first. Do you expect me to keep my eyes open and take a beating?"

"Is this your way of treating guests on Mount Qingcheng?"

His words were hard with a touch of softness.

The Tongtian Sect had a fierce reputation, but after all, it was only a Dharma lineage, its foundation was insufficient, and it didn't have any cellar treasures.

He had other important matters to attend to on this trip up the mountain.

If he couldn't get up the mountain, that would be a huge problem.

Hearing this, Ling Yunzi turned his head to look at the indifferent Shen Sanyou, and anger flared in his heart.

But just at this moment, Li Yan beside him suddenly spoke up.

"Brother, long time no see."

Seeing Shen Sanyou, an old acquaintance from Chang'an, Li Yan felt happy, but also felt a headache coming on.

This Shen Sanyou could truly stir up trouble at times, but he couldn't just ignore him.

"Oh, you know each other?"

Hearing this, Ling Yunzi also suppressed his anger.

"I wouldn't dare."

Before Li Yan could speak, Shen Sanyou chuckled, "He is famous in all directions now; how could he still remember me?"

Li Yan was speechless, "Brother, don't joke around at a time like this."

"I'm not joking."

Shen Sanyou blinked and looked at Elder Di Longzi, "I was afraid you'd forgotten an old friend, so I beat him up to send you a greeting gift before going up the mountain."

Li Yan was stunned, turned his head to look at Elder Di Longzi, and frowned, "I have never met him before, so why beat him up?"

Shen Sanyou maintained his usual devil-may-care attitude and curled his lips, "Do you remember Zhao the Donkey? Your brother was in Yuzhou and was almost tricked to death by him; he's still missing and his fate is unknown..."

"What?"

Li Yan's heart tightened, and he turned his head violently.

Hearing the name Zhao the Donkey, Elder Di Longzi's brow twitched, his heart raised in defense, and he pressed down on the flintlock pistol.

Although the imperial court had covered up the events at the Shu King's Palace and forbidden the common people from discussing them, people in the Mystic Sect had learned quite a bit through various channels.

Li Yan's reputation had also spread throughout the Divine Land.

The Lord Tian Sheng Sect, the Wushan Immortals, Lu Sheng, the Four Demons of the Southwest... one resounding name after another had almost all fallen into his hands.

Not to mention, there was an even fiercer Zhao Changsheng.

Even if he was a Living Yin Messenger, this battle record was enough for everyone to take him seriously, and he had fallen into the sights of quite a few people.

The Tongtian Sect was a mix of dragons and snakes, and several people had participated in the Shu King's rebellion and died at the hands of Li Yan and his group.

Elder Di Longzi had other important matters on the mountain and had no feelings for those disciples, so one of the people he least wanted to run into was Li Yan.

He didn't expect to run into him after all.

*Swish! *

Before he could speak, his vision blurred suddenly.

So fast!

Elder Di Longzi was shocked and raised his gun directly.

Although he was old, he was not rigid; since the appearance of new-style firearms, he had taken an interest, tried every means to obtain a gun license, and spent a fortune to have this item forged.

Not to mention, it was truly convenient to use, and he had already killed two enemies with it, so he subconsciously wanted to open fire as a threat.

But just as his hand was raised, he saw Li Yan shift his body, his right palm raised slightly, and he slapped toward his face with a gust of wind.

Elder Di Longzi subconsciously stared at the palm and retreated.

Unexpectedly, Li Yan's left hand had already used a "Hidden Flower Under the Leaf" technique, probing out from his blind spot, followed immediately by a "Coiling Silk Hand."

*Crack! *

The sound of bone cracking rang out.

Before Elder Di Longzi's right hand holding the gun could even be raised, it was pressed down by him, and then with a twist of coiling silk force, the gun fell and the bone cracked.

This old man had only been using firearms for a few days; how could he compare to Li Yan's proficiency? He couldn't even raise the gun.

"Ugh~"

Elder Di Longzi was also a ruthless man; the intense pain only made him let out a muffled groan, and then he rolled away like a lazy donkey, using his intact left hand to clasp the bronze plaque at his waist.

But just at this moment, Ling Yunzi beside him moved.

His body followed the momentum to probe forward, his right-hand sword finger stabbing out violently, landing exactly on Elder Di Longzi's wrist.

With a *crack*, the wrist bone of his left hand also shattered, and the bronze plaque in his hand fell to the ground, Yin evil energy overflowing and emitting black smoke, forming a distorted skull before gradually shrinking back.

"Master!"

Several Tongtian Sect disciples nearby saw this, their eyes filled with anger, and they prepared to rush up.

"Don't move!"

Elder Di Longzi gritted his teeth, snorted to stop them, and then looked at Ling Yunzi with gloomy eyes, "Is your Mount Qingcheng trying to break its own rules?"

"Don't talk nonsense!"

In the distance, Sha Lifei toyed with the flintlock pistol in his hand and chuckled, "The rule is that you can't fight on the mountain; isn't this still at the foot of the mountain?"

Hearing this, Shen Sanyou beside him was also amused, gave Sha Lifei a thumbs up, and clicked his tongue, "Well said, it's still at the foot of the mountain; it wouldn't matter if Little Brother Li beat you to death!"

Elder Di Longzi ignored these two clowns and looked at Ling Yunzi instead.

He wanted to see how Mount Qingcheng would handle this matter under the watchful eyes of everyone.

Who would have thought that Ling Yunzi would just shake his head slightly, turn around, and cup his hands toward Li Yan, "Young Hero Li, it seems you have matters to attend to. After you go up the mountain later, you can go find the Sect Leader yourself."

"Alright, Daoist, you go ahead."

After giving instructions, Ling Yunzi didn't even look at Elder Di Longzi, turned around, and headed up the mountain.

The surrounding people saw this and were shocked to the core.

The Tongtian Dharma Sect naturally couldn't compare to Qingcheng, and they were both active in Shu; their relationship on ordinary days wasn't that good either.

But this was the Cellar Opening Assembly, and the rules were set by Mount Qingcheng itself.

To be willing to damage their reputation just to openly favor him...

Where did this Li Yan get such great face?

Everyone was curious, while Li Yan's expression was gloomy as he looked at Elder Di Longzi and those few Tongtian Sect disciples.

Sha Lifei also raised his flintlock pistol to aim, Lu San and Wang Daoxuan blocked the other end, and what made everyone's scalp tingle even more was that Wu Ba had actually picked up a small cannon...

"Twelve Yuan Chen!"

Everyone finally remembered that Li Yan was not alone.

Elder Di Longzi's eyelids twitched, and he hurriedly said, "I admit defeat; your brother Zhao the Donkey is not dead!"

"He ran away and even tricked me with a woman..."

(End of chapter)