Chapter 677

Flat Peach?!

Li Yan heard this, and his heart suddenly jumped.

He had secretly snuck into the capital to destroy the plan of the Jianmu demon Zhao Qingxu in advance, but the other party's identity was secret, and the only clue was the "Flat Peach Meeting."

Li Yan didn't know what kind of organization this was.

Getting close to Prince Ying's Mansion was also to investigate this matter.

He didn't expect that there would be a result here.

He had a premonition that the two had a great connection!

Although he was anxious in his heart, Li Yan revealed a trace of mockery on his face, "Fellow Daoist is joking; this thing is just a mythological legend, mostly fabricated by people. Using this illusory thing as a reward, are you treating me like a fool?"

"Young Master Li, don't be anxious."

Hu Yuanyuan's face was full of sincerity, "This matter sounds absurd, but if I didn't have certainty, how would I dare to speak to you? Listen to the cause and effect, I believe you will have your own judgment."

"Oh? Let's hear it..."

Li Yan was secretly happy in his heart, but he had an indifferent expression.

Hu Yuanyuan said in a deep voice: "This matter is also something I accidentally learned."

"The position of Incense Master in the capital was not passed to me by my master before he went to the Pure Land, but to my senior brother. He was good at forbearance, handled things without leaking a drop, and was more suitable for this position."

"But things in the world are just like this; less than a year later, he became seriously ill. He invited a famous doctor from the Mystic Sect to use a tiger-wolf method, and although he was barely cured, his foundation was damaged, his cultivation fell, and he became old and decrepit."

"After this incident, my senior brother was dispirited, so he passed the position of Incense Master to me, preparing to travel around the mountains and rivers to spend his remaining years."

"But half a year later, my senior brother suddenly appeared again! Not only was his cultivation restored, but he had even become younger!"

"He was very excited at the time, saying that there really were Flat Peach immortal fruits in the world, right here in the capital, and even some powerful officials were secretly taking them."

"Afterward, he said he had something to do and was going to Jiangnan, and if an immortal official came to the door, I must not miss the opportunity."

"I didn't believe this matter originally either, until the other party came to the door."

Li Yan's eyes narrowed, "What happened?"

Hu Yuanyuan's eyes were full of disbelief, "The one who came was a young girl, her escape technique was mysterious, and she suddenly appeared in front of me, saying that because of my senior brother, she was gifting me a Flat Peach."

"Although she didn't say her identity, I had seen her when I was young; she was exactly the famous courtesan Liu Xiangru, known for her zither and book skills in the Eight Great Hutongs of the capital."

"Calculating the time, she was already over fifty."

Hearing this, Li Yan was even more suspicious, "Can I take a look at that 'Flat Peach'?"

Hu Yuanyuan hesitated for a moment, then nodded: "The reputation of Young Master Li's keeping his word has long spread in the martial world; I naturally believe you."

Having said that, she turned and entered the secret room, opened a hidden compartment, tore off all the talismans that were masking the aura, and only then walked over holding a wooden box, slowly opening it.

Seeing the thing inside, Li Yan's pupils suddenly shrank.

Inside the wooden box lay a huge peach, about the size of a longevity peach steamed from flour, and it was fresh and dripping, as if it would have juice flowing out if it were touched and broken.

The fragrant scent rushed to his nose.

One look and it was the appearance of a heavenly treasure.

Hu Yuanyuan looked at this thing, her eyes also full of infatuation, "To tell the truth, I have also seen spiritual fruits, but they are far from being as mysterious as this immortal peach; it has been placed for three months, and it is still fresh."

"According to that Liu Xiangru, this peach can keep from rotting for ten years. Although it cannot make one live forever as in the legend, it can make one return to youth. I am still young, so I am holding back, preparing to take it in a few years."

Li Yan glanced indifferently, "You are willing to give me such a good thing."

"I'm not willing, but I have no choice."

Hu Yuanyuan said in a deep voice: "Prince Ying's Mansion is a powerful military clan. By controlling the Tianjin wharf through the Jinghai Gang, many people in the military have benefited from it. The Emperor took away the power of military equipment and grain and pay, and he also turned a blind eye to this."

"But something happened at the Tianjin wharf, and the local faction seized the opportunity to attack wantonly. Even if the Emperor doesn't take action, some people in the military will also be restless, falling into the well and snatching the power of Prince Ying's Mansion."

"By then, Wuleji will have no protection and will inevitably flee far away."

"And tonight's matter, I'm afraid it has already startled the snake, and it's inconvenient for me to show my face again."

"Good, deal!"

Li Yan nodded and agreed directly.

He could now be certain that this "Flat Peach" absolutely had a connection with Jianmu.

Moreover, even without Hu Yuanyuan's commission, he had already accepted the False False Yin Si mission and couldn't let Wuleji go.

"I believe Young Master Li."

Hu Yuanyuan, although full of reluctance, still covered the box and handed it to Li Yan.

Seeing Li Yan put away the box, she shook her head and said: "There is one more thing I want to remind the young master."

"I also invited a 'living Yin-runner'. The original plan was to use that fool Xiao Chenghai to lure Wuleji out of the capital and have the 'living Yin-runner' take action."

"But before at the Piaoxiang Pavilion, I just received news that this person committed a crime, was thrown into prison, and died by hanging in a strange way."

"Oh?"

Li Yan furrowed his brows, "Do you know what happened?"

Feng Shaoqing cupped his hands: "I came to the Piaoxiang Pavilion just to say this matter."

"That person was originally a small official in the Ministry of Rites, and it wasn't until recently that his identity was exposed. I had someone secretly investigate, and he was reported for practicing witchcraft; he died in an unclear way, and that night his home was robbed, and his hook-credential was stolen."

"I received news that in the Mystic Sect martial world, many living Yin-runners' identities have been exposed and they have died miserably one after another; Young Master Li, please be more careful."

"Many thanks."

Li Yan nodded, "What about you? Many people saw tonight's matter; aren't you afraid your identity will be exposed and you'll be thrown into the Commandant's Office prison?"

Feng Shaoqing was silent for a moment, then shook his head: "My godfather knows my identity."

Although he didn't say it clearly, Li Yan instantly understood what was going on.

Although the Maitreya Sect was strictly prohibited, the imperial court also knew that its doctrine was too easy to delude people; as long as there was injustice in the world, this sect would die and revive again and again.

Battalion Commander Tian had also mentioned this matter to him.

Nowadays, the world is changing; not only the Tianjin wharf, but many coastal ports are filled with workshops.

On the surface, it's the common people wanting to earn money to make a living, but there's also the reason for local powerful clans occupying land; the common people lost their land, lost their foundation, and that's why they left their homes.

If it were in previous years, these common people would either become long-term laborers or sell themselves as slaves.

But now there are a large number of workshops, and the common people will naturally find another way out.

This is one of the fundamental contradictions between the local faction and the Open Seas faction.

Some local powerful clans even collude with officials to forbid the common people from leaving.

But the workshops are also not that worry-free.

The greed of merchants is no less than that of local powerful clans.

Li Yan had seen the places where those workers and weavers lived; they were all patches of rotten shacks, sewage flowing, and there were also city gangs bullying them, opening gambling dens and brothels.

Under these circumstances, it had become a breeding ground for the Maitreya Sect.

The Maitreya Sect in the capital just gathered to do business and had no intention of rebelling; rather than forcing them into the dark, it was better to keep them under their eyelids.

Both sides likely had a tacit understanding of this matter.

After figuring this out, Li Yan didn't ask any more questions, put away the box, and nodded: "Gentlemen, rest assured, that Wuleji won't be able to run, but he is hiding in Prince Ying's Mansion; is there any way to lure him out?"

Hu Yuanyuan pondered for a moment and opened her mouth: "There are City God altars in the capital, and Wuleji doesn't dare to leave the Prince's Mansion easily. The one who came to grab Xiao Chenghai earlier was Prince Ying's second younger brother, who assists Prince Ying in managing the Prince's Mansion's industries; the incident at the Piaoxiang Pavilion will inevitably arouse vigilance." "But I heard that in a few days, it will be the old Princess's eightieth birthday, and there will inevitably be a grand banquet for guests to stabilize people's hearts. I will think of a way to see if I can borrow a theater troupe to let Young Master Li sneak in."

"Good, notify me when there is news."

Li Yan nodded, put away the box, and turned to leave.

Not long after he left, Hu Yuanyuan suddenly trembled, her head shaking unnaturally, and then her eyes rolled back, a spin, and she sat on the chair with her legs crossed.

Widow Wang beside her saw this and hurriedly respectfully lit the soil tobacco pipe and handed it over.

Hu Yuanyuan puffed twice, and only then said in a sharp voice: "Rest assured, the person has already left; this kid can also be considered a strange number. I also looked away years ago; I didn't expect that he not only survived but also had his current cultivation."

As she spoke, she changed her tone again, "Grandmother, why do you trust him so much?"

If Li Yan were here, he would find that this was the manifestation of an immortal family possession.

However, there were levels to immortal hall possession, similar to inviting gods; those with low cultivation would lose consciousness, while Hu Yuanyuan could still maintain her own consciousness and even ask questions, which was the manifestation of this method being successfully practiced.

"You don't understand this."

Hu Yuanyuan changed back to that sharp voice again, puffed on her cigarette, and shook her head: "That Night-Wandering God was forced away; this kid is not only a living Yin-runner but also a Celestial Official, and Prince Ying's Mansion is the only place he can enter."

Feng Shaoqing hesitated, "That Flat Peach..."

"Don't think about that!"

Hu Yuanyuan suddenly shouted sharply, "Although I don't understand, I know that there is a fixed number between heaven and earth, and the price will inevitably be not small. Several divinations were all big ominous, and that thing cannot be touched."

As she spoke, she looked out the window, "The capital is somewhat wrong; the Celestial Official has come, and the Night-Wandering God has been controlled by others; it is going to cause a great chaos."

"Prepare a way out in advance; after killing Wuleji, take his head back to the northern frontier. With this thing, I will have the face to take you to pay respects to Hu San-grandmother..."

…………

On the other side, Li Yan flashed out from the dark alley.

He turned his head to glance at the cargo warehouse, then quickly left.

He had originally wanted to use the escape technique to stay and listen to what these people were saying, but he smelled a fox-rank smell, knowing that the immortal family they worshipped had long been prepared.

Of course, the main reason was this Flat Peach!

When he saw the Flat Peach, the hook-credential in his bosom began to heat up.

"You go, go and look over there!"

In the distant street alley, there was still firelight flickering and horse hoof sounds.

Piaoxiang Pavilion was an industry of the Tiger Might Hall and had a connection with the Commandant's Office; plus so many people died, it couldn't be suppressed, and the patrolling soldiers naturally had to search everywhere.

Without the slightest hesitation, Li Yan immediately turned and rushed into the small alley.

In this area of the front gate, there were many merchants, and there were both shops and cargo warehouses, as well as many inns, but they all faced the street, clearly not suitable for hiding.

Because it was close to the Imperial City, to strengthen public security management, the imperial court ordered the establishment of wooden fences in the streets and alleys, which were closed at night and guarded by soldiers. This area, because the merchants were financially strong, built fences on a larger and stronger scale, which were called "Big Fence."

The high fence naturally couldn't stop Li Yan.

Avoiding the soldiers patrolling below, he stepped on the wooden fence and soared into the air, silently hiding in the darkness.

Behind him were all crisscrossing residential small alleys.

Most were miscellaneous courtyards, the houses old and dilapidated, but there were quite a few people living there.

Li Yan turned around a few times and finally discovered a Wang Family Ancestral Hall.

This place was quiet, with only an old man who was drunk, sleeping soundly in the wing room.

Whoosh~

Li Yan had just climbed into the courtyard when a gust of wind blew up on the ground outside the ancestral hall.

"Borrowing this treasure land for use."

Li Yan held the hook-credential, cupped his hands slightly, and the Yin wind stopped instantly.

This was his greatest reliance for daring to sneak into the capital.

Relying on the City God altars, various temples and ancestral halls, and land shrines, the capital had already built a huge defensive network; ordinary people couldn't perceive it, but Mystic Sect figures had to be careful.

But since he had the Dragon-Snake Tablet and the Celestial Official status, it was much more convenient.

Arriving at the wing room on the other side of the ancestral hall, Li Yan sat cross-legged on the bed and immediately opened the box containing the "Flat Peach," then sank his consciousness inward.

It was still the same appearance as in the past; pushing aside the thick fog, a water well appeared before his eyes.

The black well wall was covered with blood-colored sewage, slowly rotating.

It was the escaped demonic energy!

This Flat Peach really had a problem!

Li Yan hurriedly stepped forward and placed his hands on the well rim.

This time there was no accident; the yellow silk appeared above the blood water.

Just as he touched it, a hallucination instantly appeared before Li Yan's eyes:

That was a dark space, with ancient stone coffins floating.

Li Yan knew that these were the ancient demon gods suppressed in the Battle of the Gods.

His vision moved rapidly to one of them.

The thing lying inside was very strange, a bit like a fetus kneaded from mud, and it was constantly changing, with only two steel needles left on its body.

One was inserted in the dantian, and one was inserted in the forehead.

At the same time, the information of this demon god also appeared in his mind.

The demon god Liu Yuanheng, although having a human name, was actually an ancient spirit.

Its age was even more ancient, very likely refined from breathing soil, and later worshipped by people to become a spirit.

This demon god was best at changing, able to drill into the mud bodies of other gods, plunder incense, and pretend to be a god, which was extremely difficult to distinguish and very effective.

If someone worshipped it, they would often get what they wished, but it would also bring terrible disaster.

This "Flat Peach" contained its aura.

But the origin and how it was made were not investigated by the False False Yin Si.

Li Yan saw this, and a flash of inspiration suddenly appeared in his mind.

In Shu, he had once obtained an ancient Wang Mu statue from the Dragon Palace Water Mansion, which was still in the appearance recorded in the "Classic of Mountains and Seas": disheveled hair, wearing a sheng, in charge of heavenly disasters and five remnants.

Wang Mu had long since become a virtuous god, but the statue had incense power.

If this demon god Liu Yuanheng was causing trouble, then everything had an explanation.

The Flat Peach should also be its means.

And what made him shocked was that demon gods usually had seven seals, suppressing seven strands of demonic energy, but the other party had already run out five, and with two more, the demon god would break free.

By then, I'm afraid only the descent of immortals and gods could suppress it.

And that "Night-Wandering God"!

I'm afraid it was also related to this demon god, which was why it was controlled.

Thinking of this, Li Yan hurriedly left the wing room and jumped onto the roof of the ancestral hall.

He knew that there must be demonic energy that had occupied the City God mud body.

But there was more than one City God Temple in the capital; which temple was it hiding in...

(End of chapter)