[{"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-673":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},2262978,4415,"Chapter 673: The Bloodbath at Three Forks River Mouth","the-cursed-blade-s-walk-chapter-673",673,"\u003Cp>At dusk, the Three Forks River mouth was drenched in blood-red light, the large ships on the river resembling crouching beasts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Tulip, a typical Western vessel, had a towering stern castle inlaid with a Virgin Mary statue, and dried Southeast Asian spices hung between the slanted masts and rigging; though the sailors maintained it carefully, the weathered stains from years at sea remained clearly visible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To be fair, this ship stood out sharply at the dock.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, the Three Forks River dock was mostly filled with grain barges, salt barges, and merchant ships from north and south; even foreign vessels that appeared were never large.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But this Tulip was different.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It had originally arrived with the tribute envoys of various Southeast Asian nations, passing through Dagou Port and entering Jinmen Dock via the Hai River.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon arrival, it drew crowds of onlookers—its design was utterly unlike any Shenzhou vessel—and even some Jinmen nobles, hearing rumors that the red-haired barbarians used gold and silver spoons, sneaked aboard under cover of night hoping to steal something.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But every one of them had their limbs broken and thrown into the Three Forks River.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A foreigner daring such arrogance stirred all the local ruffians and gangsters of Jinmen to action, eager to make a scene.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But no one expected the Naval Camp to suddenly intervene with a stern warning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not long after, the Jinghai Gang also publicly declared that anyone who targeted this ship was challenging them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From then on, the ship remained undisturbed, and the people gradually grew accustomed to it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It even became a sight at the dock, admired from afar by scholars and merchants.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And now, this seemingly docile giant had finally bared its fangs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The previously closed windows opened one by one—each was a disguised cannon port.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Twenty-four black cannon barrels slowly extended from the gunports.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Scatter!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yan sensed something wrong from afar and immediately ordered his companions to disperse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet the Three Forks River dock held far more than just them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sun had half-set, leaving only a crimson glow spread across the water—it was mealtime.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The scent of fried dough balls drifted from the sheds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Laborers hauling heavy loads squatted on stone steps, chewing on steamed buns stuffed with fermented tofu, chatting idly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, someone pointed at the river, eyes wide, voice trembling: “W-what are they doing?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Bolas de cadena!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the Tulip’s hold, the fat red-bearded gunner roared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The bare-chested Black slave sailors immediately began loading.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their cannonballs consisted of two solid iron spheres connected by an iron chain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This device was originally used to destroy enemy masts or sails.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But now aimed at the dock, it clearly sought maximum carnage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing a Black slave move too slowly, the red-bearded gunner kicked him, then grabbed a bottle of rum, gulped it down with a grunt, the liquor dripping through his thick beard, his eyes bloodshot and wild with cruel madness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fuego!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At his roar, the cannons fired in a continuous barrage of bangs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thick smoke rolled as iron-shot chains whistled out of the barrels.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The first to suffer were several grain barge vessels of the Cao Gang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The “Flying Tiger” grain flag instantly fell; masts snapped, sails torn, wooden splinters flew everywhere.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Boom—!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The chain shot swept across the dock’s tea shed, smashing sturdy wooden tables and cutting four or five laborers in half.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My mother! The red-haired barbarians are shelling!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Grain worker Sun Erleng scrambled to the ground, but a flying notice board from the grain transport office severed his topknot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The wooden door of the dock warehouse exploded; stacks of Suzhou silk crates burst open, lake-blue satin and severed fingers swirling through the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Several laborers who had been gambling with dice behind the cargo piles were instantly buried under collapsing roofs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aunt Cui, who sold fried river shrimp on the shore, collapsed in terror—then the hot oil pot exploded, igniting the clay stove beneath it and spreading fire instantly; several laborers who couldn’t escape turned into human torches, screaming as they jumped into the river.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The fire spread rapidly, igniting nearby sheds and wooden houses.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In recent years, Jinmen’s Three Forks River dock had grown too fast; countless people flooded in, building haphazard shacks everywhere.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The dock’s yamen couldn’t control it—and now it became a disaster, fueling the fire’s rapid spread.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Duuu—!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, there were soldiers on duty at the dock; as the alarm horn sounded, they rushed out with rifles.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the Tulip had now fully revealed its monstrous form.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beneath the gilded tulip motif on the figurehead, a hidden hatch rolled out six more Folangji rapid-fire cannons.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The cannon fire continued in a relentless drumbeat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the dock, earth and stone sprayed everywhere; many soldiers and civilians were reduced to pulp.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Naval Camp had a watchtower on the dock, offering a view of the river.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A fat, bearded man sat slumped inside, puffing smoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His armor hung open; two women fed him wine and grapes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even his opium pipe was inlaid with jade.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was Zhou Kang, Regional Commander of Grain Transport for the Jinmen Naval Camp.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was satisfied with his post, living like a god.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whenever idle, he loved to sit in the watchtower, smoking opium and admiring the view.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In his hazy euphoria, gazing at the Three Forks River dock, he always felt the sweet illusion of being a local emperor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boom!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The cannon blast knocked the jade-inlaid opium pipe from his hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Regional Commander Zhou Kang stared blankly for a long moment before scrambling to the watchtower’s edge to look out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing the dock’s devastation, his face turned deathly pale, voice trembling: “It’s over…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By regulation, merchant fleet firearms must be reported; upon entering key Shenzhou docks, they must be sealed with wooden plugs and gunpowder surrendered, returned only upon departure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially for foreign ships, the rules were even stricter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon entering Dagou Port, all firearms were to be dismantled; patrols by the Maritime Commander patrolled the Hai River.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the Three Forks River dock, he had inspected it several times as usual.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But after the red-haired merchant frequently offered bribes, he gradually grew lax, even ordering his men not to approach or harass.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How had cannons suddenly appeared?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They must have smuggled them aboard under the cover of his orders.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My lord, the red-haired barbarians have gone mad!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His subordinate burst through the door, face pale with panic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My lord, what do we do? Give the order!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This subordinate was full of scheming ideas—he knew the Naval Camp had committed a grave error, with dire consequences.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But if he goaded Zhou Kang into giving an order, he could dump all blame onto his superior.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet Zhou Kang was now utterly lost.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Addicted to opium, his mind was foggy; his buttocks loosened, and he soiled himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boom!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another massive explosion shattered the official salt warehouse nearby.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Salt grains scattered like snowfall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The grain transport yamen’s plaque reading “Heaven’s Proper Tribute” spun and plunged into the river…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>……\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Damn it!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yan cursed and quickened his pace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn’t know why this foreign ship carried so many cannons.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Jinmen Naval Camp was rotten to the core.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But now wasn’t the time to ponder it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cannon fire roared in his ears; earth and stones sprayed; severed limbs flew through the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The enemy’s twenty-four cannons fired nonstop, interspersed with six Folangji cannons—like a burning porcupine, the river and the Three Forks River dock were now a wasteland, a battlefield.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No matter how skilled Li Yan was, he was still flesh and blood; one cannon hit would kill him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the Chengdu battle, he had already extinguished one soul flame, leaving only two lives.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He hadn’t yet found the celestial treasures to restore them—if he died here, it would be a disaster.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crack!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yan dodged the chain shot as it shattered a tea shed’s wooden pillar, then peered ahead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was still a hundred meters from the riverbank; the Tulip was moored a hundred meters from shore.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With the Divine Step technique, he could board the ship in a few breaths.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But that short distance felt like a heavenly chasm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Six Folangji cannons covered the area, and countless muskets fired randomly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even with concealment techniques, he couldn’t get close.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, Li Yan glanced sideways and saw Wu Ba.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man crouched behind the Dragon-Hanging Stone Pier, rapidly reloading the tiger squat cannon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When he left the Jinzhou Guildhouse, he had carried this thing with him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wu Ba, cover me!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yan roared, simultaneously forming a hand seal, and a straw puppet flew from his waist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Ba said nothing; his knotted muscles rose through the smoke as he lifted the tiger squat cannon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This device had been modified into a handheld cannon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But only Wu Ba’s astonishing strength and physique could wield it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After lighting the fuse, Wu Ba spun around, left the stone pier, and aimed at the Tulip.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Boom!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A massive roar erupted, drowning out even the Tulip’s cannon fire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though these red-haired barbarians fired fiercely, their gunpowder was ordinary.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Ba’s tiger squat cannon was clearly more powerful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The cannon blast sent shockwaves flying; Wu Ba was thrown over ten meters back by the recoil, his feet carving deep grooves in the ground, nearly tumbling into the fire—he rolled aside without pausing to gather himself, dodging the incoming cannonball.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though he looked disheveled, the Tulip fared worse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A hole the size of a dining table caved inward at the ship’s center.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside, flesh and blood were shredded; one could even see through to the other side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Ba’s shot had pierced the enemy vessel clean through.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The cabin erupted into chaos.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The crew inside revealed their true identities.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though dressed neatly, their thick-haired, muscular bodies were covered in scars and knife wounds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A black skull flag spilled from a shattered crate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were, in fact, an experienced band of pirates.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The horrific sight did not frighten them—it only stoked their ferocity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some screamed and fired wildly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Others teamed up with the slaves to rapidly reload ammunition.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But in that brief moment, Li Yan had already leapt forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He used Xuan Water Escape, abandoning stealth entirely, channeling all his power to transform into a cloud of black mist, arriving at the riverbank in an instant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bang! Bang! Bang!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A hail of gunfire erupted, but Li Yan’s black mist had already vanished into the water.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xuan Water Escape was even more potent underwater, especially with the Dragon-Snake Talisman enhancing him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The murky river water meant nothing to him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In fact, he moved faster here than on land.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In an instant, he reached the underside of the Tulip.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yan’s plan was simple.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The way they were acting, they clearly had no intention of escaping.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, to reach the sea, they’d have to pass through the He River and Dagou Port.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Along the way lay several naval camps and coastal artillery checkpoints.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They’d never make it to the ocean—they’d be sunk long before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though he didn’t know why these men had suddenly gone mad, the density of their artillery meant they must have stockpiled vast quantities of gunpowder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Breaking in from below and igniting the powder magazine would be an easy victory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet just as Li Yan gripped the Duan Chen Blade, he felt a chill on his back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He spun around—and saw a circular hole had opened in the ship’s side, unknown when.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Figures leapt out, plopping into the water one after another.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These figures moved swiftly underwater, each clutching sharp knives and tridents.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As they drew near, they revealed themselves as bizarre monsters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They had human outlines with full limbs, but their entire bodies were covered in scales, their mouths bristling with fangs, eyes bloodshot, raving with bloodlust.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Demon Serpent Longevity Technique!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yan recognized their origin at a glance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The true form of the Demon God Gui Long was a hornless serpent-dragon, inherently cruel, with no human shape.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This demon had once dwelled in the ancient Yellow River, worshipped by nearby fishing tribes; it survived Yu the Great’s flood control, then absorbed vast quantities of demonic qi, growing even more ferocious, turning ancient humans into monstrous servants.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus, the Demon Serpent Longevity Technique contained a transformation spell to become a serpent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though inferior to the method cultivated by Lu Jinghai, it excelled in mass production.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yan could already imagine how these serpent-transformed creatures, controlled by others, launched night raids on enemy ships—truly hard to defend against.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But to him, they were utterly insignificant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yan ignored them entirely, raised the Duan Chen Blade, and drove it straight into the ship’s hull.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Behind him, two Duan Hun Flying Daggers whirred above and below, slicing every approaching “serpent-man” to pieces.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Plop~\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wood splinters scattered in the water as the Duan Chen Blade carved a half-circle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a mere push of his palm, he could pierce the thick hull.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But at that moment, an anomaly erupted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From within the Tulip’s cabin came a series of tremors.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The fish near the Sancha River mouth went mad, instantly gathering into a swarm and surging upward toward Li Yan—among them were several venomous water snakes and a small, black, hairy creature the size of a baby.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Water Monkey?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Such evil spirits were not uncommon, with many origins.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sometimes they arose from drowned children’s corpses; sometimes from vengeful water ghosts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yan was not afraid of these things.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What startled him was their ability to control animals over a wide area.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aside from Lu San, he had never seen this before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile, on shore, Lu San frowned slightly, then whistled into the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From the darkness, the hawk Liding, clutching the demonic gourd, swooped down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hum!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A dense swarm of venomous bees surged forth with a roar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ahh~”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The red-haired sailor-gunners on deck screamed as they were stung.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Far away, Long Yan waved her water sleeves, releasing countless tiny, sesame-sized insect parasites.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These were sesame-sized insect parasites—capable of flight and lethally poisonous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With the bees and sesame-sized insect parasites working together, the deck erupted into chaos; sailors collapsed, lifeless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sha Li Fei and Wu Ba seized the moment to rush toward the riverbank.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They lacked Li Yan’s escape arts, but they coordinated perfectly to create an opening.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for the water, Li Yan ignored the fish swarm entirely, lifting his left hand upward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boom!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wood splinters flew as he burst into the cabin with the river’s current.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This red-haired barbarian warship had a ballast layer beneath, filled with all manner of miscellaneous items.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yan said nothing, swung his blade again, and shattered the hull.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finally, he reached the central cabin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside, chaos reigned—the pirate crew, frenzied, were manning the cannons.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yan cast one glance and abandoned his original plan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The black powder they’d acquired was clearly limited; after repeated cannon volleys, little remained.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Surprised by Li Yan’s sudden breach, the pirate sailors pulled out their flintlock pistols.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A continuous barrage of gunfire erupted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wood splinters flew through the cabin as Li Yan reversed his steps, smashing through another compartment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside, countless candles burned brightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The red-haired merchant Mendes, whom Li Yan had seen before, knelt on the floor, wearing a wide-brimmed green hat and a gray cloak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Around him, besides a strange triangular ritual circle painted in white, lay numerous candles, incense, and burning ancient texts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Li Yan burst in, Mendes panicked, raising his hands and shouting repeatedly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Baalbathos! Baalbathos!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",2573,"2026-06-19T18:28:35.913Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","b668b959be33ce44a3681777034ac881d90c3eef6ed1bbc48e9e397cc4e3b954","the-cursed-blade-s-walk-chapter-674","the-cursed-blade-s-walk-chapter-672",801,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-cursed-blade-s-walk-cover.jpg"]