[{"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-664":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},2262969,4415,"Chapter 664: Abacus City at the Lower Reaches of the Nine Rivers","the-cursed-blade-s-walk-chapter-664",664,"\u003Cp>Three men burst into the teahouse, which didn’t sell tea water but “tea broth.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was a kind of millet porridge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was made by grinding sorghum or millet into fine powder, pouring warm osmanthus-sweetened water to form a paste, then adding boiling water from a large copper kettle to thicken it into a paste, finally sprinkling red and white sugar on top and scooping it slowly with a small spatula.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was sweet, fragrant, and rich in flavor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The kettle used to pour the water was specially made—a large copper pot with a dragon’s head spout, resembling a hotpot, its iron-wire dragon whiskers adorned with bright red tassels curving upward from either side of the dragon’s head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the top of the kettle sat a copper whistle that whistled mournfully the moment the water boiled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t expensive, and when paired with steamed buns or baked buns filled with red bean paste, it could fill your belly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, they also sold tea water, but it was low-grade tea, barely even colored.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus, along the docks, such small stalls were everywhere.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The teahouse itself was crude: rough wooden poles propped up a few tarps, inside sat a few wobbly wooden tables, long blackened by the sweat and grease of dock laborers’ meals.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the three men staggered in, the owner’s copper kettle trembled in his hands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“All of you get the hell out!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The scar-faced leader kicked over a bench, pulled up his shirt, and revealed a green-scaled waist token at his waist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The token bore finely carved scales—the emblem of the Jinghai Gang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The few dockworkers inside dropped their bowls and fled in panic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The owner’s legs went weak; he wanted to run but couldn’t bear to let go of his copper kettle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This kettle had been passed down three generations; his entire family depended on it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But that slight hesitation angered the scar-faced leader—he stepped forward and kicked hard, “Fuck you, can’t you hear?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a clang, the owner toppled to the ground with the kettle, screaming as scalding water burned him; he crawled away, limping and sobbing, yet stayed nearby, enduring the pain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These Jinghai Gang men would at most beat him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But if he ran, the kettle might be stolen by thieves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After driving everyone away, the leader ripped off the tarp with a hiss, pulled out an iron box and a large pipe from his coat, scooped out some sticky black paste, and lit it over the stove.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the smell, the addicted man lunged forward, snatched the pipe, and sucked deeply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amid the foul smoke, his tense muscles relaxed, his face glowing with euphoria.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hey! Give me a puff too!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The other two men couldn’t resist—they snatched it and took a few drags.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon, the three passed it back and forth, their faces lit with pleasure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The torn tarp leaked wind everywhere, and the commotion quickly drew a crowd.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kindhearted dockworkers helped the owner up, comforting him while whispering among themselves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the old man selling steamed buns merely shook his head, unfazed:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Third time this month. Last time, Liu Er from the Water Gate, high on it, bit his own tongue clean off.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yan and the others were among the onlookers, their eyes cold.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They had seen the horror of this thing—it could turn men into ghosts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They’d thought it was only a private vice, never imagining it had become so widespread in Jinmen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Old man, what are they doing?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yan’s mind stirred; he asked the old bun seller.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why ask?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old man sneered, “It ain’t no good thing…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before he finished, hoofbeats sounded in the distance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A squad of soldiers in crimson armor approached from near the docks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their flag officer dismounted, his goose-feather saber gleaming like a mirror; he scanned the crowd with a cold glare, then fixed his eyes on the teahouse and barked, “Where did these filth come from? Arrest them all!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At his command, the soldiers surged in like wolves and dragged the three men away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Surprisingly, the three showed no fear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They slumped like mud, grinning and winking at the soldiers, and the flag officer seemed not to notice—his gaze merely swept the crowd, lingered on Li Yan’s group, narrowed slightly, then turned and walked off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With the spectacle gone, the crowd dispersed quickly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old bun seller had no intention of speaking further, but after Li Yan slipped him some silver scraps, he led them to a quiet spot and muttered: “That stuff is called Fushou Paste.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“They say it came from the Southern Seas. The Jinghai Gang sells it in their gambling dens and brothels—it’s cheap, but once you start, you can’t stop. Thanks to this, their business has boomed these past two years.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But the doctors say it’s highly toxic. I’ve seen several die from it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yan’s eyes narrowed. “Who was that flag officer?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Him? He’s from the Water Army’s grain transport escort. No one on the Sancha River dares touch him…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the old man left, the group exchanged glances.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Tsk tsk.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sha Lifei sneered, “Judging by how he acted, the Water Army’s probably in on it too.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the same time, Long Yan raised her hand; with a hum, a venomous insect bit off a piece of Fushou Paste and landed in her palm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Long Yan mused, “Different from what we saw before. The paste used by Yang Laohai and his disciples was richer, infused with herbs—even cultivators couldn’t withstand it. These are just common-grade stuff.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yan gazed toward the city gate and said gravely, “Though different, they share the same origin.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Jianmu Organization’s people are probably in the city. We must be cautious. First, find a place to stay, then track down the killer of Brother Wu!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With that, he led the group toward the city gate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The people of Jinmen say: “Before Tianjinwei, there was Dazhigu.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhigu was the old name of the Haihe River; during the Song and Jin dynasties, the Jin established Zhigu Zhai here and stationed troops.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jinmen has many place names ending in “gu”—Sanchagu, Donggu, Xigu, Dagu—hence the sayings “Lower Reaches of Nine Rivers” and “Seventy-Two Gus.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thanks to canal and maritime transport, Jinmen developed rapidly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>During the Daxing era of the previous dynasty, this land was held by the Jinzhang Wolf Kingdom, which renamed Zhigu to Haizhou and established the Dazhigu Salt Transport Office to manage salt shipments. When the Great Xuan Dynasty rose, it built garrisons to guard the capital and constructed the city.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because the city was long from east to west but short from north to south, shaped like an abacus, the people called it “Abacus City.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The city walls were rammed earth faced with brick, with four gates: Zhen Dong, An Xi, Ding Nan, and Gong Bei.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yan and the others entered through Ding Nan Gate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Far off, they saw the incense-wreathed, vermilion-walled, golden-roofed Tianhou Palace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside the Tianhou Palace, the revered Mazu was enshrined.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But everyone’s gaze was drawn to something else.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Along the Southern Canal, shipyards and workshops stretched densely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On thirty-zhang-long wooden slipways, overseers swung iron rulers to scold lazy artisans; bare-chested men coated canal boats’ keels with tung oil; rows of blacksmith shops belched smoke, their hammering ringing endlessly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Farther out, the salty stench of salt-boiling hearths drifted; salt workers, barefoot, trampled blackened salt crystals, their ankles ulcerated, yet they gritted their teeth and kept working.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There were also porcelain, textile, and bamboo-basket workshops.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Near the workshops lay vast shantytowns.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Stretching as far as the eye could see, the place radiated a chaotic, feverish energy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Damn, so many!” Sha Lifei gaped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The others were equally stunned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only Li Yan glanced calmly, expression unreadable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since understanding the current situation, he knew such a scene was inevitable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>More people would flood in; someday, it might grow even larger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They paused to watch a moment, then joined the flow into the city.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside the gate lay Nanmen Street.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The crowds were thicker; along both sides, brick-and-wood shops displayed signs: “Changlu Salt Certificates,” “Min-Guang Sugar Frost,” “Chengdu Silk”… nearly every regional specialty gathered here.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fresh rhinoceros paste from Siam!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A shopboy outside a herbalist’s shop clanged a copper bowl, then rushed over to hawk his wares.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, food stalls and teahouses were countless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amid the clamor, Sha Lifei bellowed: “Brother, let me ask someone.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He turned and ducked into a nearby teahouse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon, he returned with a young man in blue robes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A local lad, he bowed low before Li Yan’s group, sensing their stature; when he heard they sought an inn, his face lit up: “I’m Liang Biaozi. You’ve come to the right man—there’s not a single corner of Jinmen I don’t know. I could walk it blindfolded. Whatever you want—food, drink, lodging—I can get it for you…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Stop!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing the man babbling nonstop, Li Yan raised his hand. “We have luggage. First, find us a place to stay. Where are the inns in the city?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“There are plenty!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liang Biaozi bowed deeply. “Inside the city, inns are numerous—around Sancha River Mouth and Beidaguan, over thirty carriage inns, all for boatmen and merchants. Crude, but cheap.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Near the yamen and Beimen’s Hubu Street, silver houses and gold shops abound; the inns there are higher-class, catering to wealthy merchants and officials. Nearby brothels and theaters are lively at night. There are also many near Tianhou Palace and Chenghuang Temple—mostly scholars and pilgrims…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You all look like wealthy folk. The yamen area suits you best.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yan frowned. “Any quiet places?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Logically, the high-end inns near the yamen were better—but they came with more trouble.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their identities won’t stay hidden for long, and trouble is inevitable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At least until we find the killer, we have no time to deal with other matters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liang Biaozi’s eyes rolled, and he patted his chest with a grin: “If you’re looking for a quiet, clean place, the city’s guild halls are unquestionably the best—but getting in isn’t easy. If you trust me, I’ll help you smooth things over.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Guild halls?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yan’s heart stirred. “No need. Take us to the Jinzhou Guild Hall.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He’d almost forgotten—he still carried the token given to him by the Jinzhou Merchants’ Association.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As long as he showed the badge, every Jinzhou Guild Hall would go out of its way to accommodate him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though he didn’t want to owe too many favors, this was clearly the best option now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh… alright!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liang Biaozi paused in surprise but said nothing more, leading the group toward the northern part of the city.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Jinzhou Guild Hall was located just three streets from the yamen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It still bore the same style: high walls, large courtyards, narrow gates—like a fortress.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Compared to the ones in Shu, this guild hall was relatively lively; even before they approached, they saw four or five merchants with servants coming and going, their speech thick with the Jinzhou accent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Where are you guests from?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing them arrive, the gatekeeper hurried forward to greet them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though his face was full of polite smiles, the refusal was already on his tongue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yan’s group radiated an unmistakable aura—they were clearly martial artists—and guild halls were primarily for merchants from the same province to rest and conduct business; they avoided excessive contact with martial artists.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Excuse me, take a look at this.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yan didn’t waste words—he pulled out his badge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The gatekeeper’s expression instantly turned serious; he bowed deeply with utmost respect: “I’ll inform the shopkeeper at once. Please wait here, esteemed guests.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Saying this, he hurried into the guild hall with the badge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liang Biaozi’s eyes flickered with surprise, and he awkwardly bowed: “You’re truly esteemed guests—if I spoke out of turn earlier, please forgive me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He’d just offered to arrange lodging, clearly hoping to extort a hefty fee.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the sight of the Jinzhou Guild Hall made him uneasy—he’d never seen anything like it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He no longer planned to ask for a reward; he just wanted to leave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wait.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yan’s mind stirred. He pulled a ten-tael silver ingot from his robe and waved it before the middleman’s eyes. “You know Tianjin well—I need your help with something.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing the gleaming silver, Liang Biaozi’s eyes lit up, but he dared not reach for it. “I’m a man of limited ability—please tell me what you need first.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Simple.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yan shoved the silver into his hand and whispered: “Walk the city. Find households with elders over eighty, or people who died one or two days ago but suddenly came back to life. Check their doorways for this symbol.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He drew a lotus-patterned “ Wan ” symbol on the ground with his foot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was the mark of the Huangquan Organization.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their “Living Yin Official” lineage was tied to Buddhist teachings and the Six Realms of Rebirth, hence this symbol.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unlike Li Yan, who stumbled blindly, these people actively sought out tasks—but since they couldn’t challenge powerful targets, they only targeted ordinary folk who inexplicably returned from death.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>First, a Guardian would confirm the target and carve the mark, then at midnight they’d take the person.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Huangquan Organization has collapsed, but this habit may still persist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Th-this is easy!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liang Biaozi gritted his teeth, bowed, and turned to leave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing Li Yan’s strange request, he knew it wasn’t anything good—but he hadn’t made a single deal in days, spending his time loitering in teahouses, too poor even to order tea by name. How could he miss this chance?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Worst case, he’d spend a day or two, wear out a pair of shoes, and circle the entire Tianjin city.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My apologies for the delay, Young Master Li!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No sooner had Liang Biaozi left than an old man stepped out of the Jinzhou Guild Hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wore the robe of a squire, a square cap, his white hair combed perfectly in place. Seeing them, he bowed repeatedly in apology, then gestured: “Please, come inside at once.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His warmth didn’t surprise Li Yan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The tokens issued by the Jinzhou Guild Hall bore names and numbers—anyone could trace his identity with a simple check.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Like the Jinzhou Guild Halls he’d seen before, this one was a three-court mansion, even featuring a stage where a plump woman was performing a drum ballad.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ve prepared quiet rooms for you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The shopkeeper beamed: “Just recently, during the Tianhou Temple fair, we ran out of rooms—but now several have freed up. Please, don’t hesitate to ask for anything.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re too kind, shopkeeper…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yan smiled faintly, then suddenly froze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Gou Die, long dormant, now warmed slightly…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",2434,"2026-06-19T18:28:35.913Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","ccc6e80d684c9ed1e2aacdd6e7bf1b5a01fee66bda0b31a15df592d4c7258bff","the-cursed-blade-s-walk-chapter-665","the-cursed-blade-s-walk-chapter-663",801,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-cursed-blade-s-walk-cover.jpg"]