Chapter 660: Deciphering Secret Texts, the Torrent of the World

"Oh?"

Li Yan looked at Kong Shangzhao, feeling a bit surprised.

He had naturally seen this young man's ability, but he didn't expect him to be able to decipher Xu Fu's bamboo slips.

This "Immortality Seeking Chapter" was somewhat different from the "Qin Palace Chapter" obtained earlier.

Although it also used the "Golden Magpie Script," it employed a large number of Mystic Sect secret words.

The history of Mystic Sect secret words had been long-standing, after all, the Dharma could not be passed on lightly.

In ancient times, Mystic Sect knowledge was monopolized by sacrifices, and later, for various reasons, it could not be easily shown to others, so many Mystic Sect classics would use secret words.

The "Book of Han: Records of Arts and Literature" recorded that books in the technical category like "Immortals" and "Yellow and White" "mostly have hidden words, do not pass them on to those who are not the right people." The "Taiping Scripture" fragments also mentioned "Spiritual diagrams and talismans, using cloud seals as the body, which ghosts and gods cannot peek at."

The types of secret words were also diverse.

There were "Cloud Seals" and "Dragon Chapters," which outsiders couldn't understand and were also the key to performing techniques.

There were those hidden using Mystic Sect terminology, such as "Lead and Mercury" and "Dragon and Tiger," which might refer to another completely different thing. If the person who obtained the scripture practiced it rashly, they would inevitably go into demonic deviation.

In addition to this, there were various secret incantations, and even those hidden using Mystic Sect numerology.

The changes involved were as numerous as the stars, and without the oral formula, it was like a blind man touching an elephant.

This "Immortality Seeking Chapter" was fine at the beginning, telling some things from that time, but later on, when it involved key information, it was all hidden by secret words, which even Wang Daoxuan had never seen before.

Kong Shangzhao being able to solve it really surprised Li Yan.

Being watched by everyone, Kong Shangzhao seemed a bit unaccustomed, his face turning slightly red, and he cupped his hands: "Daoist Wang is overpraising me. It's just a coincidence; I happen to know this secret word."

"No rush."

Li Yan smiled slightly and raised his hand. "Let's go in and talk."

After saying that, he led everyone into the room.

Wang Daoxuan understood and immediately took out the Wish-fulfilling Pearl from his bundle, hanging it on the roof beam, and faint silver light sprinkled down, isolating all the aura and fluctuations in the room.

Linqing was the first banknote pass of the Grand Canal, extremely prosperous.

They entered the city at dusk, and although they didn't meet any fellow travelers, there must be quite a few sorcerers in the city.

The "Immortality Seeking Chapter" was very important, so naturally, they had to be cautious.

"This is called the Hidden Text of the Great Void."

Kong Shangzhao didn't know why, but he didn't ask much either. After sitting down, he said directly: "I have a clan uncle who is crazy about books and likes to collect all kinds of strange and weird miscellaneous books. For this, he even scattered his family wealth and was often reprimanded by the elders of the clan."

"He was not liked in the clan, and his behavior was a bit crazy. Only when I was a child, I ran into his house while catching cicadas and was attracted by those miscellaneous techniques, from then on becoming a forgotten-year friend..."

As he spoke, the corners of his eyes were a bit red, as if he remembered some sad things, then he cheered himself up and continued: "Among his collection, there is a 'Seven Slips of the Cloud Satchel: Outer Chapter'."

Wang Daoxuan frowned slightly. "As far as this Daoist knows, there is no Outer Chapter in the 'Seven Slips of the Cloud Satchel'."

"The Daoist is right."

Kong Shangzhao nodded. "The book is falsely attributed to Dongfang Shuo, and we also think it was compiled by later generations, but some things mentioned on it are very interesting, such as a kind of alchemist secret word 'Great Void Text'."

"'The text of the Great Void, evolved from Zou Zi, uses stems and branches to match star fields, transforming cloud seals into pivots. When Jia Zi moves, the Room Mansion turns; when Bing Wu is still, the Ang Mansion hides. If you don't get the formula, even ghosts and gods cannot peek at it.'"

"It wrote the cracking method of the Great Void Text, complicated and redundant, but because I have the ability to never forget what I see, I have remembered it since I saw it at that time. The Daoist asked just now, and I took a look, and it happens to match."

After saying that, he took the "Immortality Seeking Chapter" from Wang Daoxuan's hand, pointed to an ancient symbol combining a tree branch and water pattern, and said: "The foundation of the Great Void Text is the combination of the ten heavenly stems and twelve earthly branches, that is, using the ten heavenly stems and twelve earthly branches as the skeleton, and the five elements generating and overcoming each other to reorganize the character shape, forming twenty-two secret symbols."

"For example, this one represents wood and water generating each other. Wood is Jia, water is Zi, so it is Jia Zi. This symbol, two fires intertwined, with a sun wheel embedded in the center, is Fire Zheng, which is Bing fire and Wu fire overlapping, so it represents Bing Wu..."

"But solving these twenty-two secret symbols is just the foundation; it also requires star position shifting encryption."

"Referring to the 'Book of Celestial Officials' in the 'Records of the Grand Historian' for the positions of the twenty-eight mansions, each symbol rotates the angle of the strokes according to the position of the main star mansion that night. If the 'Room Mansion' is in charge, all symbols tilt to the right by thirty degrees; if the 'Ang Mansion' is in charge, they fold to the left by forty-five degrees..."

"In addition to this, there is the missing character method..."

Li Yan felt his head grow big and shook his head. "Mr. Kong, just say it directly. Even if you explain these things, we won't understand."

"Hmm."

Kong Shangzhao stopped explaining the cracking method and said: "The articles in the first part of this book are all to cover people's eyes, and the secret words in the back are difficult to crack. There wasn't enough time, so I only cracked a few words, but it is also shocking."

As he spoke, he looked at the bamboo slips in his hand, pointed to a few lines of secret words, and read word by word:

"'Your subject Xu Fu bows down again: Your Majesty patrols the east to seal the Zen, bearing the mandate of Heaven to suppress the nine regions. Your subject observes the star fields, the nine lands of Dai Sect, Yishan, Prefect, Langya, Kuaiji, Yunmeng, Jiuyi, Jieshi, and Yingzhou, all correspond to the nine luminaries of Ziwei, and should establish the 'Nine Extremes Ascension Array.' Once the array is formed, the immortal gate will open, and Your Majesty can ride a dragon to ascend to Heaven and forever rule Shenzhou...'"

Hearing these words, a sharp light flashed in Li Yan's eyes.

Kong Shangzhao said it was absurd, but he could be sure that the deciphering should be correct.

This was the "Immortality Seeking Chapter." With the power Xu Fu could mobilize at the time, the things he could do were limited, so it must have been borrowing the power of the First Emperor. Finding overseas immortal mountains, perhaps all were just a smokescreen.

The immortal gate opens...

Could it be that they wanted to open the Great Luo Dharma Realm?

This thought made Li Yan also feel incredible.

Thinking of this, he continued to ask: "What's next? What else did it say?"

Kong Shangzhao felt a bit embarrassed. "Time was too tight. If I want to solve it all, I'm afraid it will take more than ten days."

"No rush."

Li Yan cupped his hands in a deep voice: "I ask Mr. to help. If this matter is accomplished, the reward this time will be returned in full, just as Mr.'s remuneration."

"Also, remember to keep this matter secret!"

"Ah?"

Kong Shangzhao was obviously surprised, his face turning red. "This... this is too much."

His father had emptied most of the family wealth to invite the Twelve Yuan Chen to take action.

He didn't expect that the things he had recorded in a mess could also be worth 30,000 taels.

"Not much, it's very worth it to us!"

Li Yan comforted him a few words, and Kong Shangzhao felt relieved and hurriedly nodded in agreement.

This young scholar returned to his room and soon lit a candle.

In the reflection of the candlelight, he was actually sitting at the table translating overnight.

Li Yan gave a wink, and everyone immediately set up defenses.

Lu San summoned a swarm of rats to monitor the nearby streets and alleys, Long Yan'er waved her hand, and Gu insects flew out, hiding in every corner of the courtyard, and even Wang Daoxuan set up talismans at several entrances to warn.

In a short time, the entire courtyard was filled with killing intent.

This Linqing City was prosperous and hidden with crouching tigers and hidden dragons. Even if it was just for a temporary stay for one night, one couldn't be careless.

After all, the black hand that killed and robbed in Zhang Qiu Town was still hidden behind the scenes.

They took away the "Immortality Seeking Chapter," and the other party would definitely not let it go...

Li Yan returned to his room, didn't take off his clothes to sleep, but sat cross-legged, placed the Dust-Breaking Blade on his legs, entered meditation to practice, and guarded by the way.

In the visualization space, Mount Luo Feng had just been reshaped and needed constant stabilization.

The good thing was that nothing happened all night.

……

The next morning, a Boatmen's Gang disciple came to greet them.

"Great heroes."

This Boatmen's Gang disciple was full of apologies. "The customs clearance procedures are a bit troublesome. Brother Liu said it will take a whole day, and we can only board the boat and leave at dusk. This Linqing City is prosperous, why don't I take you all for a stroll?"

"No need."

Li Yan shook his head directly and refused. "Time is too short, we have been rushing for days, and we are not in a hurry. Just order some food and send it over, sorry to trouble this brother."

"What are you saying, Sha Daxia Li."

This Boatmen's Gang disciple hurriedly nodded and cupped his hands to leave.

After he left, Li Yan said to everyone in a deep voice: "Earlier at the shore, I heard the people's grievances were boiling, and Zhao Wanfang also came, accompanied by a master. This Linqing City must have something going on."

"We have already delayed quite a bit of time on the road, it's better to provoke less trouble."

"Little Brother Yan is right."

Wang Daoxuan turned his head to look at Kong Shangzhao's room, his expression solemn: "This Linqing City is prosperous, nothing more than court struggles and fame and fortune killing robberies. Protecting the 'Immortality Seeking Chapter' and figuring out the plot of 'Jianmu' as soon as possible is the important matter!"

The Daoist was right, but the undercurrents of Linqing City were far more ferocious than they thought...

……

Linqing Pass, inside the Tax Supervision Yamen.

Having lived in luxury for these years, the increasingly white and fat Eunuch Ma no longer had the humble appearance he had in the palace.

Just by not smiling on his face, the people below didn't even dare to breathe.

Eunuch Ma leaned obliquely on the grand master's chair, his fingertips sliding across the edge of the celadon cup, flipping through the "Canal Tax Secret Accounts" at will, without raising his head, and said in a shrill duck voice:

"Was the daughter of Shopkeeper Wang of the Satin Shop sent to the Teaching Workshop?"

"Reporting to Eunuch, that girl bit her tongue and committed suicide..."

"Bad luck!"

He suddenly flew into a rage and threw the precious teacup in his hand.

The porcelain cup smashed against the tax official's forehead, blood beads mixed with tea foam splashing onto the "Linqing Merchant Directory."

"Add 'Fire Loss Silver' tomorrow, tell those mud-legged people, what flows in the canal is not water, but the Emperor's silver!"

As he spoke, he still didn't seem to vent his anger, cursing angrily: "People say scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants. These merchants are cunning and tricky. If you don't give them some color to see, they will really rebel!"

"And they dare to go to the capital to sue me, without looking at how much I've shared for the Emperor!"

The words were fierce, but the worry in his eyes had not decreased.

Since the Great Xuan Dynasty opened the sea, the national treasury had become increasingly full. The tax revenue of Min and Yue states last year actually exceeded that of Linqing Pass, and Su, Hang, Jin, and other places were also following closely. It was estimated that they would be equal this year.

Eunuch Ma already felt the crisis.

His wisdom for survival in the palace would be useless if he were discarded.

Therefore, he had intensified his tax exploitation in the past two years, plus the oil and water of himself and his subordinates, it was inevitable that he had offended quite a few people, and there were quite a few people suing in the court.

The one he was talking about retaliating against just now was a merchant who went to sue.

In the past, this kind of method could always make those merchants honest for a while.

But now, he felt inexplicably uneasy.

"Have those people who sent gifts to the capital returned?"

"Reporting to Eunuch, not yet."

"You go handle it, prepare some more, and send it to the palace..."

……

East of Linqing City, Jin Merchant Guild Hall.

"Can't endure it anymore!"

Jinzhou cloth merchant Zhang Mingyuan smashed the abacus heavily, the brass beads rolling into the charcoal basin, sparking sparks.

His face was ferocious. "This month's 'Goods Inspection Silver' swallowed 30% of our profit. Eunuch Ma is going to cut off the merchant route!"

"Proprietor!"

The accountant was pale and walked into the hall in a hurry, shaking open a blood-stained letter from his bosom, trembling: "Proprietor Chen of Pingyang Prefecture jumped into the Wei River last night. When he was fished out, he was still holding the tax list in his arms..."

Zhang Mingyuan's eyes instantly turned red. "Go, invite other merchant groups!"

In the shadows of the corridor outside the door, the eye of the Golden Swallow Sect lowered his head and left...

……

East of Linqing City, Hoop Alley.

Clang! Clang!

Bamboo strip craftsman Wang Zhaozuo squatted on the bluestone slab that hadn't dried from the dew, the bamboo knife scraping out a harsh sound.

"Master Wang, all the cloth of the Yuan family cloth shop was dragged away by the tax dogs..." 【660

"Old Yuan was found hanging from the tax office flagpole; they claimed it was 'suicide to resist taxes'."

The bamboo strip snapped suddenly, and Wang Chaozuo stuffed the blood-stained sweat towel into the apprentice's palm:

"Tell Old Liu at the blacksmith shop to forge thirty curved cable-cutting blades tonight."

At the alley entrance, the steamed bun stall billowed with white mist, and a lame beggar tapped his chipped bowl and hummed:

"The Grand Canal is murky, the Wei River is muddy, the God of Wealth squats in the nine heavens..."

Linqing City remained prosperous, but a storm was brewing.

Of course, Li Yan and the others knew nothing of these matters.

They stayed in the small courtyard, busy with their own affairs, and a day passed in the blink of an eye.

As dusk approached, the Cao Gang disciple finally came to notify them to board the ship.

Everyone set off immediately. By the time they reached the pier, it was nearly dusk. Large and small boxes were moved onto the ship, and after another bout of hassle, fortunately, all the customs clearance documents were ready, and they successfully left the pass...

In the city, on the second floor of the Baixiang Tower.

Zhao Wanfang stood before the window, quietly gazing at the riverbank.

Behind her, the room door creaked, and a cold-faced man walked in, placing several secret reports on the table.

"Miss, these just arrived."

Zhao Wanfang nodded, turned, and came to the table to examine them.

She saw seven secret letters laid out on the desk, in order: the Jin merchants' manifesto for a strike, the craftsmen's weapon inventory, the garrison camp's shift rotation schedule, the movements of Tax Supervisor Eunuch Ma's subordinates...

After reading them one by one, Zhao Wanfang shook her head slightly and chuckled softly:

"This Eunuch Ma, I'm afraid he won't live past the Awakening of Insects..."

"Send these things away quickly; they are still waiting in the capital."

"Yes!"

The cold-faced man collected the intelligence, cupped his hands, and left.

After he left, the round-faced maid said with a face full of gossip: "Miss, Young Master Li just left. Are you really not going to see him off?"

"See him off? What's the point..."

Zhao Wanfang shook her head indifferently, "The storm is even greater in the capital; I won't add to his troubles."

"In the torrent of this world, we are all rootless duckweed; just live your own life well..."

Having said that, she picked up the wine pot, took a few sips, and leaned against the vermilion-lacquered railing, watching the white sails of the grain ships in the distance disappear into the sunset.

The southeast wind carried the sound of strings and bamboo; below, the ballad troupe was singing a newly adapted "Jingyang Ridge":

"Talk of acting on behalf of Heaven, speak of loyalty and righteousness, but my grandfather's blade can only slay the tiger in the mountains, not the jackals and wolves in human form..."

Starting from Linqing, there are four main river sections to reach the capital via the Grand Canal.

The first is the northern section of the Huitong River from Linqing to Dezhou, the second is the Southern Canal section from Dezhou to Jinmen, the third is the Northern Canal section from Jinmen to Tongzhou, and after passing the Tonghui River section from Tongzhou, one can reach the capital.

The Cao Gang merchant ships traveled day and night, and several days later, they reached the Southern Canal section.

"Young Master Li, we've arrived at Cangzhou!"

The Cao Gang disciple on the deck shouted loudly.

Li Yan and the others walked out of the cabin, only to see a giant iron lion on the distant shore, gazing at the river...

(End of chapter)