Chapter 641: Traces of the Ghost Emperor

Once the tiger-crouching cannon appeared, the scene was instantly silent.

The Taoists of Shangqing Palace were somewhat dumbfounded.

Of course, they knew this was a fire cannon, and could even tell it wasn't an ordinary toy.

After all, in this era, everyone was seeking change.

The Meishan Dharma Sect created the fire gun method, and almost all the Mystic Sects of the Shenzhou ran to exchange ideas. They also spent a lot of money to buy quite a few, and specifically invited people from the yamen to practice marksmanship.

The problem was, using guns for martial world disputes was one thing.

What was the point of taking out a fire cannon?!

For a time, those Taoists holding guns were also somewhat at a loss.

Looking at Li Yan's side, everyone had cold expressions, killing intent surging.

They had been roaming the martial world since Guanzhong, and they didn't know how many battles they had fought, and the number of lives in their hands was almost uncountable.

According to the martial world's saying, those who licked blood on the edge of a blade would have to kneel and call them grandpa when they saw them.

If they couldn't speak properly, then they would fight first.

Seeing their appearance, the few old Taoists leading Shangqing Palace also felt a chill in their hearts.

The old Taoists were experienced and knew they had run into a tough nut.

But if there wasn't an explanation, if today's matter spread, Shangqing Palace would definitely be ridiculed.

The old Taoist leading in the middle, with thunder patterns embroidered on his Taoist robe, was precisely Danqingzi, the supervisor of Shangqing Palace.

Looking at the tiger-crouching cannon in Wu Ba's hand, his triangular eyes glanced, and he suddenly sneered: "Still saying it has nothing to do with you, using such firearms to blow up the mausoleum, looking at you, you are also people of the Mystic Sect, could it be you dare to do it but dare not admit it?"

Elder Yin Jiuge on the side couldn't stand it anymore and said sharply: "Shangqing Palace can also be considered a Mystic Sect orthodoxy, how can you be so indiscriminate? Where is the old Taoist Guanglingzi? Call him out, the old man wants to ask, what kind of disciples did he teach!"

Danqingzi narrowed his eyes, "Master has long since ascended to immortality, who are you..."

Elder Yin Jiuge said coldly: "The old man is Elder Yin Jiuge."

Danqingzi shook his head lightly, "Never heard Master mention it."

Elder Yin Jiuge laughed in anger, "Good... good Shangqing Palace."

He was a senior Mystic Sect expert, even older than the Six Leisurely Ones of the Bamboo Forest. Although he kept a low profile, many old people in the martial world knew him. He didn't expect that the disciple of an old friend wouldn't recognize him, and even had a look of disgust, not wanting to climb the relationship.

Just then, "Golden Eye Feng" hurriedly stood out, arching his hands anxiously: "Misunderstanding, it's all a misunderstanding."

"Daoist Danqingzi, I am 'Golden Eye Feng' from Luoyang. Last year on the fifteenth of the first lunar month, I spoke with you at the Wang Mansion banquet. I can testify that this matter was indeed done by demonic people..."

"Shut up!"

Danqingzi's face changed suddenly, "I know you, you are involved in the Luoyang paper doll case and escaped from prison privately."

Saying this, he looked at everyone with gloomy eyes, "In my opinion, you are the demonic people!"

"Golden Eye Feng" was taken aback after hearing this.

In his impression, this Danqingzi was usually gentle and elegant, a person of the Tao.

How could he be so unreasonable now?

What he didn't know was that because of the Mangshan earth vein vibration, Shangqing Palace had ruined a furnace of treasure pills.

Not to mention that spirit materials were hard to get, even the time couldn't be caught up.

Danqingzi was holding a belly of evil fire, so naturally, it was difficult to reason with.

"Truly a muddled egg!"

Li Yan lost his patience and said coldly: "Luoyangcheng is about to face a great calamity. If you can't help, get out of the way. If you make noise again, the old man will send you to see the Three Pure Ones first!"

"Hahaha..."

Danqingzi also sneered, "The old man also wants to see if you demonic people can leave Yuzhou!"

"Stop! Everyone stop!"

Just as both sides were at daggers drawn, a sound of horse hooves came from the mountain road.

Seeing more than ten riders galloping over, the woman in the front wearing a big red robe was precisely Pei Niangzi Pei of the Longmen Inn.

Before the horse hooves stopped, she had already leaped up, stepped on the horse's head, landed with a beautiful swallow-skimming-water, and arched her hands loudly: "Everyone, stop! Daoist Danqingzi, there is another hidden story to this matter!"

Danqingzi frowned: "Shopkeeper Pei, does the Heluo Chamber of Commerce also want to intervene in the grievances of the Mystic Sect?"

Facing this Mystic Sect senior, Pei Niangzi Pei didn't dare to use her rhetoric, and arched her hands righteously: "Senior, these few are the Twelve Yuan Chen, I think you have also heard of them."

"They came to Yuzhou to rescue their own brothers, and secretly investigated the paper doll case. Going up Mangshan was also for this matter. Also, the 'Soul-Collecting Ship' appeared on the Yi River, originating from an ancient evil sect, the Yin-Fu Sect. This matter must be related to them. If Shangqing Palace fights internally at this time, wouldn't it let the evil spirits sit back and reap the benefits?"

"Yin-Fu Sect?"

Hearing these three words, Danqingzi felt a thud in his heart.

While speaking, the others of the Heluo Chamber of Commerce had also arrived.

"Earth-Listening String" Yue San'er was also among them. Seeing Li Yan, he naturally arched his hands to meet him.

And he actually knew Elder Yin Jiuge, full of surprise, and knelt down to worship as a junior.

The Nether Sect rarely appeared in the Mystic Sect martial world, but among those sorcerers who made a living by weddings and funerals, they were famous.

Yue San'er could also be considered a senior, but Elder Yin Jiuge was his idol.

Listening to everyone reminiscing, Danqingzi's eyes were uncertain.

He mostly operated locally in Luoyang and preferred to associate with dignitaries, so he really didn't know Elder Yin Jiuge.

But he still knew the name of the Nether Sect.

Especially these Twelve Yuan Chen, because of the Battle of Chengdu, they were famous all over the world.

He was devoted to refining alchemy and didn't expect that so many over-the-river dragons had come to Luoyang.

Thinking of this, he glanced at the collapsed Jing Mausoleum in the distance, "What on earth is going on here?"

Li Yan was too lazy to pay attention, while Elder Yin Jiuge stepped forward and said in a deep voice: "Do you know about the Nine Cauldrons?"

Saying this, he told the whole story.

The more Danqingzi listened, the more shocked he became, and a chill rose inexplicably in his heart.

And behind him, another old Taoist said in a muffled voice: "Even if what you said is true, it is a fact that our palace's talisman alchemy furnace was destroyed by you. The 'Earth Marrow Powder' refined from three-hundred-year-old jujube wood was ruined in one night. This account... someone has to pay for it, right?"

Li Yan and the others felt a burst of disdain after hearing this.

"Shut up!"

Before Li Yan could satirize, Danqingzi gave a sharp shout to stop him, and then said with a gloomy face: "These will be settled later."

After saying this, he looked at Li Yan and the others and asked in a deep voice: "Since you broke that fake False False Yin Si, did you catch the demonic people?"

Li Yan shook his head: "Don't know where they went."

"Hmm."

Danqingzi nodded, and then looked at the red light emerging from the Jing Mausoleum, "How should this be handled?"

Li Yan frowned, shook his head and said: "The Six States' demonic army is deadlocked with the Marquis Sui Snake Pearl. Breaking the snake pearl will let the demonic army out. If left alone, the Yuzhou Cauldron will be fished out from the Dragon Vein. No matter which one it is, it is a heaven-shaking calamity. I still want to ask you what to do."

Listening to his words, the Taoists of Shangqing Palace also looked at each other, their faces pale.

They didn't expect that the matter would be so serious.

Especially, it also involved the Nine Cauldrons.

The imperial court had just mentioned this matter. If something went wrong on their territory, I'm afraid the name of the orthodoxy would be taken back.

At this moment, no one was thinking about refining alchemy to please the emperor.

Just talking, the monks of Xiangshan Temple also went up the mountain.

Although the Buddhist and Taoist families in Luoyang fought each other, in the face of such things, no one dared to mess around anymore, and they exchanged information with each other.

"Amitabha."

Master Kuzhu, the abbot of Xiangshan Temple, performed a Buddhist salute and said to Elder Yin Jiuge: "To tell the truth, the senior's great name, the poor monk has also heard of it. You are an Earth Master and are good at turning ominous lands into auspicious ones. Can you give some guidance to avoid the commoners of Luoyang suffering?"

"Hmph!"

Elder Yin Jiuge's face was not good. Although he couldn't stand these people, he still said: "If the old man had a way, would I still need to talk nonsense with you?"

Li Yan on the side felt a move in his heart and said: "Senior, Xu Fu left three volumes of bamboo slips. The path to immortality doesn't need to be bothered with, but the Luoyang slip was left behind, indicating that the fake False False Yin Si and these arrangements are inseparable from Luoyang, perhaps the answer is in it."

Elder Yin Jiuge shook his head: "The problem is, who knows where that Luoyang slip went?"

Master Kuzhu, the abbot of Xiangshan Temple, was thoughtful and said: "The Mangshan earth vein vibrates, and the Lushena Great Buddha of Longmen Grottoes also has anomalies, perhaps it is one of them."

A little Taoist from Shangqing Palace also approached Danqingzi and whispered: "Master, inside the Three Pure Ones Hall..."

Before he finished speaking, he was forced back by Danqingzi's sharp eyes.

But everyone was not a fool, so how could they not see that something was wrong.

Pei Niangzi Pei didn't stand on ceremony anymore and sneered: "Daoist Danqingzi, although my Heluo Chamber of Commerce is not a person of the Mystic Sect, it is not without contact with the imperial court. Before, we didn't interfere with each other, but you caused such a big trouble and still want to hide it, we will definitely report it to the Golden Throne!"

Danqingzi's face turned blue and white. Only then did he grit his teeth and say: "It's the 'Capital Five Thunders Talisman'."

"That was left by the ancestor Zhang Daoling, enshrined in front of the Laozi statue in the Three Pure Ones Hall, and is also the treasure of my Shangqing Palace."

Li Yan frowned: "It must also be related to the Mangshan Dragon Vein, why did the old Taoist hide it?"

Danqingzi obviously didn't want to say, but under everyone's gaze, he had to sigh, "This matter is actually a secret of my Taoist temple."

"Back then, ancestor Zhang Daoling left this treasure and once said that it was to suppress the evil spirits of Mangshan and must not be uncovered under any circumstances."

"But during the Northern Song Dynasty, because of the chaos at the end of the Tang and Five Dynasties, the Three Pure Ones Hall was burned down by a fire, so they invited a painting master of that time to repair it."

"Another time was a few years ago, the Taoist on night watch fell asleep, and the candle fire ignited the curtains..."

Before he finished speaking, Li Yan suddenly felt a move in his heart and said in a deep voice: "After the Three Pure Ones Hall was repaired, did Mangshan have any strange things?"

Danqingzi was stunned for a moment, "The poor Taoist doesn't know, but the records of the temple are still there."

Saying this, he hurriedly let his disciple take a thick ancient book, checked it carefully, and nodded: "Indeed, it is written on it that in the early Northern Song Dynasty, after the Three Pure Ones Hall was built, Mangshan once had the anomaly of 'Ghost Soldiers Borrowing the Way,' then heavy rain poured down, the mountain slid, and a stone tablet rolled out..."

Golden Eye Feng interrupted: "The four characters 'Xuanmo returns to Mang' were carved on the tablet!"

Danqingzi was surprised, "How do you know?"

Golden Eye Feng smiled bitterly: "This matter is also recorded in a rare edition of 'Records of Strange Monsters in the River North.' We made a scene in the Ghost Market just to get this book, thinking that someone had already seen it back then and left a record, but we didn't know it."

Li Yan nodded: "The craftsmen back then definitely had problems."

"Impossible!"

The old Taoist Danqingzi hurriedly shook his head: "That was one of the Ten Great Masters of the Northern Song Dynasty, and also a person from the Kong family of Qufu. Although time is long, everyone should have heard of the name 'Rotten Bamboo Mr. Kong Hui', right?"

"Kong Hui?"

Elder Yin Jiuge was also surprised after hearing this. Seeing Li Yan didn't understand, he said: "This is a master of the Northern Song Dynasty. He read the scriptures in the Kong family's library from a young age, and the scriptures were all turned rotten by him, so he was called 'Rotten Bamboo Mr.', and later he even entered the palace to be the emperor's teacher."

"Hmph!"

Li Yan said coldly: "A big name doesn't mean he has no problems. Besides, a master running here to help you repair the palace, don't you think it's strange?"

The people of Shangqing Palace were speechless after hearing this.

"Forget it."

Li Yan shook his head: "The years are too long, this matter will be discussed later. Who is the other one?"

Danqingzi replied: "The other one is still there, it is the famous painting master in Luoyangcheng, Master Lu, Master Lu."

"What?!"

Master Kuzhu, the abbot of Xiangshan Temple beside him, exclaimed in shock.

Seeing everyone's gaze, sweat broke out on his forehead, and he trembled: "The poor monk also invited him to renovate the Lushena Great Buddha..."

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 642 =====

The lamps inside the hall flickered on and off, making the faces of the Thunder Department generals in the murals appear twisted in rage.

Luo Feng took out his compass to check, then suddenly looked up after walking a few steps, "This is indeed one of the nodes!"

Li Yan looked up upon hearing this and immediately understood the reason.

He saw that the caisson ceiling above the Three Pure Ones Hall was painted with the "Twenty-Eight Mansions of Ziwei Doushu," exactly the same as in the fake Yin Office.

At this moment, the vermilion lacquer on the Tianchu and Tianxuan star positions had long since peeled off, revealing the talismans beneath.

The cinnabar within the carvings of those talismans had all been scraped away, and someone had also scratched them messily with nine horizontal and nine vertical lines.

Holding the compass, Luo Feng looked at the alchemy furnace in the hall's plaza and said in a deep voice, "The Three Pure Ones Hall, along with the alchemy furnace outside, were all arranged back then. They were originally connected to the Qin Palace and the dragon vein, and were later suppressed by Patriarch Zhang Daoling with divine talismans."

"The divine talismans have been removed, and someone has tampered with this place... do you know who performed the repairs?"

Dan Qingzi knew the gravity of the situation and dared not hide anything, saying, "This Three Pure Ones Hall has been repaired twice."

"The first time was in the early Northern Song Dynasty. Because of the chaos at the end of the Tang and the Five Dynasties, the Three Pure Ones Hall was burned down by a great fire, so a master painter of that time was invited to restore it."

"The other time was just a few years ago, when the night-watch Daoist fell asleep and the candle flame ignited the curtains..."

Before he could finish, Li Yan suddenly felt a stir in his heart and said in a deep voice, "After the Three Pure Ones Hall was repaired back then, did any strange events occur on Mount Mang?"

Dan Qingzi was stunned for a moment, "This poor Daoist does not know, but the records from that time still remain."

As he spoke, he hurriedly had his disciple bring over a thick ancient book. After carefully checking it, he nodded and said, "Indeed, it is written above that in the early Northern Song Dynasty, after the Three Pure Ones Hall was built, Mount Mang manifested the strange phenomenon of 'Yin soldiers borrowing the path,' followed by a torrential downpour, a landslide, and a stone tablet rolling out..."

Jin Yanfeng chimed in, "Four characters were carved on the tablet: Xuanmo returns to Mang!"

Dan Qingzi was surprised, "How do you know?"

Jin Yanfeng smiled bitterly, "This matter is also recorded in a rare copy of 'Records of Strange Monsters in Heishuo.' We caused a scene at the Ghost Market precisely to obtain this book. Presumably, someone had already seen through it back then and left a record, but we were unaware of it."

Li Yan nodded and said, "The craftsmen back then definitely had problems."

"Impossible!"

The old Daoist Dan Qingzi hurriedly shook his head, "That person was one of the top ten masters of the Northern Song Dynasty and also a member of the Kong family of Qufu. Although much time has passed, you all should have heard of the reputation of 'Master Kong Hui of the Rotten Books,' right?"

"Kong Hui?"

Luo Feng was also somewhat surprised upon hearing this. Seeing Li Yan's confusion, he said, "He was a master during the Northern Song Dynasty who had been well-versed in classics since childhood. The scrolls in the Kong family's library were all flipped until they were rotten by him, hence he was called 'Master of Rotten Books.' Later, he even entered the palace to become the Emperor's tutor."

"Hmph!"

Li Yan said coldly, "A big reputation doesn't mean the person has no problems. Besides, a master coming all the way here to help you repair a palace—don't you all find it strange?"

The people of Shangqing Palace were speechless upon hearing this.

"Forget it."

Li Yan shook his head, "Too much time has passed; we'll discuss this later. Who is the other one?"

Dan Qingzi replied, "The other one is still around; he is the famous painting master in Luoyangcheng, Master Lu Mo."

"What?!"

The abbot of Xiangshan Temple nearby, Ku Zhu, exclaimed in shock.

Seeing everyone's gaze, sweat broke out on his forehead, and he said tremblingly, "This poor monk also invited him to repair the Great Vairocana Buddha..."

(End of chapter)