[{"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-675":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},2262980,4415,"Chapter 675: Ancient Chang","the-cursed-blade-s-walk-chapter-675",675,"\u003Cp>As the grain barge turned past the tip of the Lamp Tower, Li Yan stood at the bow, gazing toward Tongzhou City.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After leaving Jinmen, they sailed northward against the current of the Beiyunhe, passing through Wuxing, Xianghe, and other prefectures, finally arriving at Tongzhou.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The entire journey of over two hundred and forty li took exactly five days.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even this was only possible because they rode an official barge with no checkpoints blocking their way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The reason was simple: the Beiyunhe’s channel was relatively gentle, but since they were rowing upstream, they needed countless haulers to pull the boats.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Locals called them “ten thousand eight thousand wailing ghosts,” their chants ringing day and night without pause.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Regardless, they had finally reached Tongzhou.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The river was packed with grain barges flying colorful pennants.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The compacted earth of the dockside shore had been polished smooth by millions of straw sandals; porters’ backs glistened with sweat as they trudged across gangplanks, sacks on shoulders, making creaking waves; along the endless rows of green-tiled official granaries, yellow flags fluttered as far as the eye could see.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These were the Ministry of Revenue’s insignia—clear proof of Tongzhou’s vital role in the grain transport system.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Outside the granaries, tax clerks pierced sacks with iron prongs, while grain transport laborers bowed low, faces plastered with forced smiles.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Little Brother Li, look at those three iron-nosed barges.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sha Li-fei pointed to a few small boats hidden beside the larger ones, grinning: “Their draft is unnatural—there’s definitely smuggled salt under the grain sacks.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t meddle in others’ affairs.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yan shook his head slightly, his gaze sweeping past the tea stalls along the shore, then turned and asked sharply: “Who’s here to meet me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The nearby Commandant’s Platoon Leader sighed and bowed: “Young Master Li, the superior didn’t say. I truly don’t know.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Making it so mysterious,” Li Yan muttered, exasperated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon, the official barge glided into the dock, and all nearby vessels, big and small, scrambled to clear the way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The banner of the Commandant’s Office—the “Taotie”—hung from the mast; no one dared provoke it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before the barge even docked, Li Yan sniffed the air and smiled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looking up, he saw a clerk in indigo short robes seated on the second-floor balcony of a winehouse, leaning on the railing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His two mouse-like mustaches trembled faintly in the steam of hot wine; his bright eyes watched him with a half-smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Brothers below, come up and drink a cup of wine!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The “clerk” raised his cup and shouted, his voice three parts Beijing accent, seven parts Guanxi dialect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hahaha…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yan burst into laughter and, before the gangplank was even secured, leapt onto the dock.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He strode quickly to the second floor, pushed aside the beaded curtain of the private room, and grinned: “Master Daoist, long time no see!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The one come to meet him was Luo Mingzi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This Daoist was Li Yan’s friend, and in some ways, his spiritual mentor; ever since tracing the trail of Zhao Changsheng, Luo Mingzi had been reassigned to the capital, tasked specifically with hunting Zhao Changsheng.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Indeed.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Luo Mingzi rose, clapped Li Yan on the arm, and sighed: “Years have passed, and you’ve already earned great renown. Your Master wrote last month, still regretting—he should’ve pulled you into our sect no matter what.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s all the same.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yan chuckled softly, then sniffed again, turning his head toward the southeast corner of the room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There, an incense burner emitted smoke, seemingly mixed with mugwort and peach wood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It looked ordinary, but it was a one-time ritual artifact of the Tai Xuan Zheng Jiao: the “Qing Hui Incense.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Its primary function was to dispel wandering yin-sha qi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Used during altar rituals to purify the space, and daily to prevent others from using sorcery to track or curse the user.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Combined with Luo Mingzi’s attire, Li Yan immediately sensed something was wrong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What’s going on? Is someone trying to harm you, Master Daoist?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Luo Mingzi smiled: “No worry. First, let Master Wang and the others join us—we’ll sit and talk.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he spoke, Wang Daoxuan and the others arrived upstairs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Greetings, Daoist friend.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Master Daoist, long time no see.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He and Sha Li-fei both knew Luo Mingzi; naturally, they exchanged pleasantries together.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After introducing Long Yanner and the others, everyone sat down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile, the entire upper and lower floors of the winehouse had been completely cleared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The shopkeeper and waiters were all Luo Mingzi’s men in disguise; talismans had been pasted on doors and windows to block surveillance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every move flowed like water, each man appearing thoroughly trained.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sha Li-fei and the others watched in silent astonishment, saying nothing, waiting for Li Yan to speak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sigh… don’t laugh at me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Luo Mingzi sipped tea, pulled off his fake mustache, and shook his head: “I just finished a mission—failed to capture the target, and was pursued by their elite. Had to be cautious.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yan frowned slightly. “The capital, beneath the Son of Heaven’s feet—who dares be so bold?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Their audacity is immense!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Luo Mingzi said coldly: “They infiltrated the Ministry of Rites and replaced the imperial talismans granted to meritorious families.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yan was stunned, then his gaze sharpened: “Did you find out who?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Years ago, his grandfather Li Gui fought in the northern frontier and accidentally destroyed Zhao Changsheng’s immortal body, then was framed for revenge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even his father, Li Hu, died investigating the matter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only after further digging did Li Yan catch Zhao Changsheng’s trail.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Changsheng was the mastermind, but such brazenness could not happen without inside help in the court!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Luo Mingzi nodded: “After arriving in the capital, under the Emperor’s orders, we deployed elite troops to investigate secretly. Besides gathering intelligence across the realm, your family’s case was the key lead.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Unfortunately, the event is too old—those veteran soldiers from twenty years ago are all dead. The commanding officer, Yuan Xizhong, violated the law and was executed along with his entire clan. The Ministry of Rites officials involved vanished or died mysteriously; the records are gone.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Zhao Changsheng’s accomplices in the capital are flawless.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Only after you provided your recent lead did we make progress.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The name ‘Zhao Qingxu’ clearly is a Daoist alias. I first combed through the Xuanjisī archives, then ordered every Daoist temple in the capital to submit lists of all lay Daoists registered under them, with full details of their origins.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yan asked quickly: “What did you find?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Luo Mingzi grimaced: “We found three ‘Zhao Qingxu’—two frauds posing as Daoists, and a pawnshop owner—all ordinary people.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So we followed the talisman trail and discovered that during the fall of the Daxing Dynasty, imperial treasures were systematically stolen—including the ‘Three Talismans of the Demon-Sealing Coins.’ Fortunately, the Daxing treasury inventory still existed; tracing those items led us to a gang of Xuanmen thieves.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But when we moved to arrest them, a mysterious elite suddenly appeared and killed several of our own with curses.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yan found it hard to believe: “Was that man highly cultivated?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Unknown.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Luo Mingzi shook his head: “The opponent never showed himself—appeared and vanished without a trace, left no clues. Worse, these people seem to know everything. Our operations were secret—even the Emperor didn’t know—but they always stayed one step ahead.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Obviously, there’s a mole.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yan shook his head slightly, raised his tea cup, and made a few hand gestures.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In Jinmen, he had gained new information.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Jinghai, on his deathbed, mentioned the “Pantao Hui” in the capital.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This clue was vital, but Zhao Qingxu sent someone to Li Family Fortress to have Hei Dan deliver a message—both a provocation and proof that the enemy had already laid a vast net in the capital. Investigating the “Pantao Hui” could no longer be done openly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Li Yan’s gestures, Luo Mingzi understood at once, dropped the subject, and turned to discuss the current situation in the capital.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Last year, His Majesty collapsed in court. Though forbidden to speak of it, everyone in the capital knows. Under pressure, he finally named the Crown Prince—but the eldest prince is weak-willed, and the other princes are discontent…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Qiankun Academy is now under intense scrutiny, at the very heart of the storm…” As he spoke, a commotion erupted below.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone fell silent, turning toward the window.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The long street by the dock was now in chaos.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dozens of soldiers on horseback, swords drawn, surrounded several Central Asian merchants.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The men had high noses and deep-set eyes, their heads wrapped in cloth as they fled desperately, leaping hand-over-foot across uneven rooftops.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though they looked frantic, they moved with uncanny agility, dodging the soldiers below like children playing hide-and-seek.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sha Li-fei grinned: “That’s a rare lightness technique—what school is it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Those are Persians.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Luo Mingzi glanced once, unimpressed: “After the sea trade opened, a group arrived, settled in the capital, secretly built Zoroastrian altars, and conspired with the Maitreya Sect. After a warning from the Enforcement Hall, they calmed down.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Some of their warriors still flout imperial law. We used to ignore them, but after the Jinmen incident, the native faction turned on them, and the Emperor is furious—they’re about to be crushed.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Indeed, the garrison soldiers showed no surprise at the fleeing Persian warriors.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A few riders whipped their iron-chain grappling hooks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whoosh!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the Persians leapt into the air, the hooks shot out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The unlucky ones were instantly caught by the chains and dragged down from above.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before they could rise, a squad of soldiers rushed forward, pummeling them until they gasped for breath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Barbarian merchants! Daring to smuggle forbidden drugs!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The lead Captain pulled out a leather pouch, saw the opium inside, and snarled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he glanced sideways at the street corner and barked: “What are you standing there for? Get them too!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the street corner stood several ragged Northeastern ginseng gatherers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They had been caught in the sudden chaos, trapped with civilians against either side of the street, frozen in place.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A bamboo basket wrapped in coarse cloth was shoved askew, revealing seven or eight wild ginseng roots with dense, vein-like patterns, glimmering amber in the sunlight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Several soldiers, fierce as wolves and tigers, charged forward, kicking over the basket; the ginseng roots scattered like golden threads into the dust.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What a massive ginseng!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those nearby saw it and burst into startled cries.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The lead old ginseng hunter knelt immediately, pleading: “Your Excellency, this is what this humble man risked his life digging from Baishan—it’s not a banned herb!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before he finished speaking, one soldier turned to look at the leader; seeing him nod, the soldier sneered and snatched the basket away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“All foreign merchants are accomplices hiding poison! Take them away for inspection!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing this, the surrounding soldiers rushed forward, binding the ginseng hunters with chains and dragging them off together.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One ginseng hunter tried to resist, but was struck with a club, blood gushing from his head as he collapsed unconscious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon after, the street filled again with passing crowds; some whispered to each other, others muttered curses under their breath…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Luo Mingzi shook his head slightly, called over a subordinate, and said gravely: “Go to the Garrison Commander of Tongzhou and report this incident.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, my lord.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The subordinate immediately bowed and departed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looking at the crowd, Luo Mingzi sighed helplessly: “All I can do is this. The capital is no ordinary place—we’re watched closely. If we meddle carelessly, we’ll be blocked, and even our true mission will fail.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your Eminence has a benevolent heart—we admire you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone nodded in agreement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The spectacle had ruined their mood; they lost all desire to continue drinking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Luo Mingzi rose and said: “Then let’s go.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The waterway from Tongzhou to the capital is blocked again, not yet cleared—due to the foreign merchants, the city is in chaos. We’ll take the land route; it’ll take about three hours to reach the capital. Lodgings have already been arranged for you at an estate outside the city.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s perfect.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sha Li-fei grinned: “It’s true—having connections in the capital makes things easy.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t say foolish things.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Luo Mingzi chuckled silently, though inwardly he was astonished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He remembered Sha Li-fei was merely a seasoned Jianghu  rogue—mediocre in martial skill, surviving only by thick skin and slick talk. How, in just a few years, had he risen from an ordinary man to become a sorcerer? That was strange.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, what he cared about most was Li Yan’s earlier signal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leaving Tongzhou early was also to find out what had been discovered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Li Shaoxia…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, Kong Shangzhao beside him hesitated and spoke up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yan shook his head: “Kong Brother, don’t worry—we’ll find someone to notify your father’s men to come meet us.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, Luo Mingzi paused, then said: “That won’t do.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Someone has been secretly watching. This Kong Brother has likely been spotted too. To be safe, he should travel with us—we’re heading to the capital anyway. It’s safer together.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing this, Li Yan smiled without speaking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His identity had already been stated during the introduction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Luo Mingzi must have set his sights on this treasure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“In that case… very well.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kong Shangzhao nodded quickly, secretly exhaling a breath of relief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon, the people his father had arranged to meet them hurried over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Young Master, you’ve finally arrived…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man was a thin, middle-aged shopkeeper, his voice trembling with tears: “Qinglin has fallen, the Jinmen docks have fallen—now Tongzhou is no longer safe. I thought… thank heavens, thank heavens—if you’d been lost, I wouldn’t know how to face the Master.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“An Bo, it’s fine.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kong Shangzhao quickly reassured him, then explained their plan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing they were from the Commandant’s Office, the shopkeeper wasn’t foolish—he immediately agreed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Night had already fallen. Luo Mingzi led a dozen subordinates, had arranged carriages in advance, showed their tokens, ordered the city gate opened, and led them out under cover of darkness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After riding a short distance on the official road, Li Yan suddenly felt something and turned to look back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the distance, under the deep night, Tongzhou City showed only scattered specks of light.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What is it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Luo Mingzi asked at once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yan narrowed his eyes: “Someone was watching just now—but they used some sorcery. Stay alert on the road ahead.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone understood. Lu San raised his hand, ordering the falcon Lidong to soar into the sky.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the walls of Tongzhou City, several black-robed figures had appeared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Strangely, the patrolling soldiers carrying torches passed right by them—yet saw nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What do we do?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmph, traveling at night? They’re asking for death…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I say you’re the ones asking for death!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The leader of the black-robed figures rebuked his companions, cutting them off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He looked at them and sneered: “That’s the Twelve Zodiacs—and Li Yan is a Living Yin Officer. If you get close, you’ll be dragged straight into the Underworld.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“After all, we’re all castaways of this heaven and earth…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",2490,"2026-06-19T18:28:35.913Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","6501ac26bcc85d6ecc3c1650cb2df5fbd4d9008f36a4d78f12a34cf542a1e924","the-cursed-blade-s-walk-chapter-676","the-cursed-blade-s-walk-chapter-674",801,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-cursed-blade-s-walk-cover.jpg"]