Chapter 635

"Wang Xuanmo returned to Mangshan?"

Sha Li-fei, confused, saw how excited Jin Yanfeng was and couldn't help complaining, "Old Qianbei, we're not well-read—can you please explain more clearly?"

"My apologies, I was remiss."

Jin Yanfeng suppressed his excitement and explained, "I'm excited because this confirms my suspicion."

"Wang Xuanmo was born into the Taiyuan Wang clan, a renowned great family. His grandfather, Wang Lao, served as Governor of Shanggu in Southern Yan; his father died early, and he grew up aloof and proud, later joining Liu Yu."

"Historical records offer mixed opinions on this man."

"In the twenty-seventh year of Yuanjia, Emperor Wen of Song launched a northern campaign; Wang Xuanmo was appointed General of Pacifying the North. He commanded poorly, made strategic blunders, and fled the battlefield. The Zizhi Tongjian criticized him as 'a regional general of the south, not deemed talented,' yet in his later years he 'sacrificed himself for his country,' upholding his integrity."

"But now it seems something else is amiss. He is the patriarch of the Yin Fu Sect of the Northern Court's Xuanmen, and a descendant of the Taiyuan Wang clan, yet he disguised himself as a mediocrity and infiltrated the Southern Court—not for wealth or glory."

"When the First Emperor suppressed the resentment spirits of the Six States, Xu Fu oversaw it—not only killing countless experts of the Six Dynasties, but also undertaking massive construction on Mangshan, surely leaving behind some arrangement inaccessible to outsiders."

"Only in his later years did Wang Xuanmo arrive at Mangshan—clearly he obtained the key to enter it. The 'Northern Mang Ghost Register' even claims he retreated into Mangshan to cultivate Yin Soldier Arts, earning the folk title 'Ghost General of Mangshan,' but after the Southern Song, he vanished completely…"

Li Yan's eyes flashed with sharp light: "The Great Song Ghost Sect!"

"Exactly!"

Jin Yanfeng nodded repeatedly, beads of sweat forming on his forehead: "Wang Xuanmo acquired the ancient Qin legacy, and his cultivation method aligns with it. He secretly cultivated for decades, yet as soon as he emerged into the spotlight, he vanished again—something must have frightened him."

"During the Southern Song, the Ghost Sect flourished; numerous Daoist sects united to form the Tai Xuan Zhengjiao, directly reversing heaven and earth to establish the Da Xing Dynasty, hunting down and killing every remnant of the Ghost Sect, forcing those demons to flee to the steppes and join the Golden Yurt Wolf State."

"Wang Xuanmo was likely one of them. Seeing the timing turn against him, he hid again—but perhaps something recently happened, prompting him to surface once more…"

Li Yan's mind rang like a bell—he suddenly remembered something, leapt to his feet, and said grimly: "There may be great trouble!"

Sha Li-fei and the others wore equally grim expressions.

They all thought of the same thing.

The Yu Province Ding!

Li Yan had said that Zhao Changsheng's group sought to fish up the nine wandering Dings from deep within the Divine Dragon Veins; Lu Sheng, stirring chaos in Shu, was merely one of them.

So at least nine people are involved.

Previously, they'd been distracted by Xu Fu, who was contemporary with Lu Sheng and far more famous—but now, after Jin Yanfeng's analysis, Wang Xuanmo seems more like the mastermind behind the plan.

The Luoyang paper-man case is likely connected to him.

So too were Zhao the Donkey and his wife, dragged into it.

No wonder Shen Sanyou, who was investigating the Ding trail, came here too—looking like he was preparing for death, meaning he'd uncovered something, and faced an enemy of terrifying power.

Jin Yanfeng, seeing their expressions, asked puzzled: "Gentlemen, what have you realized? Could you inform this old man?"

Li Yan hesitated briefly, then laid out his suspicions.

After all, though few knew the truth about the Nine Dings, the matter had spread across the land; the Xuan Sacrificer had issued rewards, urging all cultivators to provide clues.

A conspiracy is terrifying because it lurks in darkness, unguarded.

Once exposed, the danger diminishes greatly.

"The Yu Province Ding?!"

Jin Yanfeng nearly pulled out his beard, his face darkening: "No wonder this happened so suddenly—the paper-man technique is devastating, never before seen in the world!"

"Yu Province has suffered famine for years; now with celestial signs shifting, if the Yu Province Ding is pulled out…"

The old man clenched his teeth, rose, and bowed deeply: "Young masters, I've spent half my life in the Jianghu, done many unjust deeds—but I won't stand idly by while my homeland is destroyed. I beg your aid."

"Even if I must sacrifice my life, I won't let these demons succeed!"

Before he finished speaking, he knelt straight to the ground.

"Old Qianbei, no need for this."

Li Yan quickly pulled him up and said firmly: "Rest assured, we've already made enemies with these demons—enmity beyond reconciliation. Even without Zhao the Donkey's case, we wouldn't stand aside."

As they spoke, a moan suddenly came from the side.

It was the monk they'd captured earlier.

He'd been knocked unconscious by Lu San's poison bees; after Long Yan's simple medicine, his facial swelling had eased slightly, and he was now slowly regaining consciousness.

Sha Li-fei sneered, stepped forward, and slapped him twice—crack! crack! then barked: "You bald monk, you dare do anything? Confess honestly, or I'll flay you alive!"

The monk's eyes were swollen; he feigned panic and said: "Namo Amitabha Buddha, this humble monk Jueqing—when did I offend you all…?"

His speech carried a distinct accent.

Jin Yanfeng frowned: "A Japanese monk?"

Li Yan, startled, turned: "Old Qianbei, do you recognize him?"

Jin Yanfeng said firmly: "I don't know him personally, but I can identify his accent. These Japanese monks trained for years at Baima Temple; though they learned Central Plains Mandarin, some bad habits remain."

"They drag out their endings, mix classical phrases with vernacular—it's obvious."

"Japanese…"

Li Yan stared at the monk on the ground, a flicker of killing intent in his eyes, and asked thoughtfully: "Monk, after years away from home—don't you miss the cherry blossoms of your home temple?"

At these words, the monk's face changed slightly.

Without needing his reply, Li Yan confirmed his suspicion.

After Zhao Changsheng's exposure, the court took intelligence gathering seriously; the Commandant's Office and the Xuan Sacrificer both dispatched personnel specifically to investigate and hunt him.

Intelligence on Japan had been gathered since the opening of the seas.

The hidden Japanese monk at Xiangji Temple belonged to the Ichinen-shu.

This sect is Japan's Jōdo Shinshū—and equally restless.

During Japan's Warring States period, they controlled vast shrines and lands, maintained their own military forces, even fought against powerful daimyō, clashing fiercely with Oda Nobunaga.

After Toyotomi Hideyoshi unified Japan, he adopted a soft policy: using land surveys and sword hunts to strip them of land and weapons, yet simultaneously co-opting them with support.

Most Ichinen-shu monks had submitted.

Some still resisted, but the tide had turned; they were no match, so they joined rōnin bands or fled overseas.

Li Yan had assumed the demon monk at Xiangji Temple was one of them—or merely revived and controlled by Zhao Changsheng.

But now it seemed otherwise.

Such a large-scale scheme wasn't Zhao Changsheng's alone.

He had support within Japan!

Thinking of this, Li Yan's eyes flashed with lethal intent: "Dragon-sis, give him something harsh."

After Toyotomi Hideyoshi unified Japan, he adopted a soft-bun policy toward them, stripping their land and arms through land surveys and the sword hunt edict, while simultaneously offering support to bring them under control.

They'd traveled the Jianghu, carried out missions, and performed interrogations often.

Ordinary ones, Sha Li-fei could handle alone.

But having Long Yan act meant using poison Gu —making the target beg for death.

They'd never seen Li Yan like this before.

Though puzzled, no one asked.

Long Yan said nothing, slowly turned her right hand, then stepped toward the monk.

Thinking of this, Li Yan's eyes flashed with menace. "Dragon Sister, give him a real beating."

A centipede, a palm-length long, shot out from her sleeve, gleaming with metallic luster; its countless joints moved with a rough, grinding sound.

Just looking at it sent chills down the spine.

The monk's eyes filled with terror, yet he clenched his teeth, feigning calm, clasped his hands, closed his eyes, and chanted: "If one hears my name, believes with sincere joy, even ten recitations—if one is not reborn, I shall not attain enlightenment—except for those who commit the five grave sins or slander the true Dharma—"

Mid-chant, he screamed in agony.

The black centipede had climbed onto his scalp, its pincers bit down hard, and its countless sharp legs tightened like steel needles, piercing his skin; the blood that flowed turned black instantly.

This centipede Gu carried poison even on its legs.

So potent—the monk's entire scalp turned instantly black-blue; his already swollen face swelled further, turning a deep maroon, unrecognizable as human.

"I'll talk! I'll talk!"

He collapsed to his knees, begging in agony.

"Tch!"

Seeing this, the monk's eyes filled with fear, yet he clenched his teeth and feigned calmness, pressing his palms together, closing his eyes, and chanting: "If one hears my name with sincere faith and joy, even with just ten recitations, yet fails to be reborn, may I not attain perfect enlightenment—except those who commit the five grave sins or slander the true Dharma…"

The monk, ignoring the mockery, spoke once Long Yan halted the Gu: "I was merely obeying orders. I beg you to spare my life."

Li Yan asked coldly: "Do you know Zhao Changsheng?"

The monk shook his head frantically: "No."

Afraid Li Yan would doubt him, he added quickly: "I swear, not a word of falsehood—I truly don't know him."

"Oh?"

Li Yan was surprised: "Then who ordered you?"

The monk hesitated, but seeing Long Yan raise her arm again, he panicked, and confessed everything: "We were sent by the Dharma Master."

"The Dharma Master is the sect leader?" Wang Daoxuan frowned.

The monk, ignoring his mockery, spoke after Long Yan'er ceased controlling the centipede Gu: "I am merely carrying out orders; I beg you all to spare my life."

Li Yan asked coldly, "Do you know Zhao Changsheng?"

The monk shook his head hastily: "I don't know him."

Fearing Li Yan might misunderstand, he added quickly: "I dare not speak a single lie—I truly don't know him."

"Oh?"

Li Yan frowned slightly. "Then who sent you?"

Upon hearing this, the monk hesitated, but when Long Yan'er raised her arm again, he was terrified into confessing everything: "We were sent by the Fa Zhu."

"Is the Fa Zhu the Jiao Zhu?" Wang Daoxuan asked, frowning.

The monk nodded and said, "You could say that. The Dharma Master is the abbot of the Benyuan Temple, married into many prominent families, and even leaders of other temples must obey his orders."

"I was originally from the Iga family of the Eastern Sea Road, later entering the Benyuan Temple to cultivate."

"Twenty-five years ago, the Dharma Master suddenly summoned us, saying we were the chosen ones, destined to become the Buddha's children when the Buddha-land descends. Then he came to the Divine Capital and ordered us to follow the commands of the Mangshan Ghost Emperor."

Li Yan narrowed his eyes. "The Mangshan Ghost Emperor… is that Wang Xuanmo?"

The monk, now having given up all pretense, nodded directly. "Yes, he once went by that name. But no one knows what he looks like now—each time, he appears as a wandering ascetic monk to meet us."

Wang Xuanmo—sure enough, he is one of the nine!

Li Yan continued, "What is his plan exactly?"

The monk shook his head. "I don't know. The Ghost Emperor never reveals his full plan to anyone."

"Luoyang has declined these past years, its people impoverished. Our task is to impersonate the Maitreya Sect, secretly spreading teachings in the countryside, waiting for the right moment to incite mobs to storm Luoyang and destroy it…"

"Does the White Horse Temple know of this?"

"No. We've been lying low for years, operating in secret. The monks assigned to monitor us have all been swayed by the Ghost Emperor's schemes. Even the City God Temple and the Regional Military Commissioner's office have many men under his control."

"When the time comes, they will assist us."

Li Yan said coldly, "Was there a treasure-seeker named Zhao Luzi captured by you?"

"And what about the paper-man case in Luoyang? What really happened?"

"Zhao Luzi…"

The monk thought carefully, then shook his head. "I don't know any Zhao Luzi. But yes, a treasure-seeker was captured by those from Mangshan—I don't know why."

"The Luoyang paper-man case was an accident."

"Mangshan demanded three thousand paper figures. The materials had already been refined, but there weren't enough skilled artisans, so they sent someone posing as a wealthy merchant to distribute them among the city's paper-funeral shops."

"It was supposed to go unnoticed, but one shop owner knew a little of Daoist magic. He noticed something odd about the paper figures, and out of curiosity, dabbed cinnabar on their eyes—then he died, and the paper figures came to life prematurely."

"We came to the Ghost Market on orders. Jin Yanfeng spread rumors to probe the Ghost Emperor's origins, so we simply locked him in prison. We were ordered to lie in wait and eliminate everyone involved."

As Li Yan listened to the monk's account, he pieced together the sequence of events and said gravely, "When will they strike?"

The monk bowed his head. "We don't know. Our orders were to launch the uprising when the Yellow River floods back into Luoyang—to storm the city, destroy all Daoist temples and Buddhist monasteries, and raze several grand halls of the Wang Fu."

"The Yellow River floods back…"

Li Yan's mind stirred. "The He Luo Merchant Guild is offering sacrifices to the River Lord—perhaps it's connected."

Sha Li Fei rubbed his temples. "So many threads, and the enemy is powerful. We don't even know how many are hiding among us. This won't be easy…"

"Harder than Chengdu?"

Li Yan shook his head. "Wang Xuanmo calls himself the Ghost Emperor—he's likely gathered countless fierce ghosts and shadow troops. Yet he still hides his face, meaning he fears something. In the heartland of Yu Province, there are many who could crush him."

"Shaolin!"

Jin Yanfeng immediately nodded. "Correct. Shaolin isn't far—three days by fast horse round trip. But I've lived among commoners and have no ties to those high monks."

"It doesn't matter."

Li Yan said gravely, "Because of the Chengdu affair, the Divine Realm's Daoist sects are now on alert. Old Sha, you, the Daoist, and Wu Ba—go to Shaolin at once. Find Chan Master Zhi Tong—he spoke with me about this at the Qingcheng Conference."

"They'll contact the Yu Province garrison. Even if Luoyang falls into chaos, they can quell it."

He looked toward the distance. "We'll go scout Mangshan—first, rescue Zhao Luzi…"

(End of Chapter)