Chapter 680

P Pantao?!

Upon hearing this, Li Yan's heart lurched sharply.

He had secretly infiltrated the capital to sabotage Zhao Qingxu's plan involving the Jianmu demon, but the man's identity was hidden; the only clue was the "P Pantao Assembly."

Li Yan did not know what kind of organization this was.

Approaching the Wang Fu was also to investigate this matter.

Unexpectedly, he had found a lead here.

He had a premonition that these two were deeply connected!

Though his heart raced, Li Yan's face showed a faint sneer. "Friend, you jest. This thing is merely myth and legend—mostly fabricated. To offer such an ethereal phantom as payment, do you take me for a fool?"

"Li Shaoxia, don't rush."

Hu Yuanyuan's face was full of sincerity. "This does sound absurd, but if I had no certainty, how would I dare approach you? Let me explain the full story—you'll judge for yourself."

"Oh? Do tell me then…"

Li Yan secretly rejoiced, yet kept an indifferent expression.

Hu Yuanyuan spoke in a low tone. "I learned of this by chance."

"Before my master passed to the Pure Land, he did not pass the position of incense master to me, but to my senior brother—he is patient, meticulous, and better suited for this role."

"But fate is cruel: less than a year later, he fell gravely ill. The famed Daoist physicians of the Xuanmen used harsh methods to barely cure him, yet his foundation was shattered, his cultivation plummeted, and he grew old and frail."

"After this, my brother lost his will, passed the incense master position to me, and planned to wander mountains and rivers, spending his remaining days in peace."

"But half a year later, on a rainy night, he suddenly reappeared—not only had his cultivation fully recovered, but he had even grown younger!"

"He was ecstatic, saying that the P Pantao immortal fruit truly existed—in this very capital—and that some high officials and nobles secretly consumed it."

"Then he said he had business in the Jiangnan region, and if any celestial officials came calling, I must not miss the opportunity."

"I didn't believe it at first—until they came to my door."

Li Yan narrowed his eyes. "What happened?"

Hu Yuanyuan's eyes were filled with disbelief. "A young girl appeared—her cultivation technique was mysterious, materializing right before me. She said that, due to my senior brother's connection, she brought me a P Pantao as a gift."

"She didn't reveal her identity, but I recognized her from childhood—she was Liu Xiangru, the famed courtesan of the Eight Alleys, renowned for her lute and calligraphy."

"By now, she should be over fifty."

Hearing this, Li Yan grew even more suspicious. "Could I see this 'P Pantao '?"

Hu Yuanyuan hesitated, then nodded. "Li Shaoxia, your word is worth a thousand gold—this is known throughout the Jianghu. I naturally trust you."

Saying this, she turned and entered the secret chamber, tore off all the talismans concealing the aura, then carried a wooden box forward and slowly opened it.

Seeing what was inside, Li Yan's pupils shrank sharply.

Inside the wooden box lay a large peach, about the size of a steamed birthday peach, fresh and dewy, as if it would burst into juice at the slightest touch.

A fragrant scent filled the air.

It clearly bore the appearance of a celestial treasure.

Hu Yuanyuan gazed at it, her eyes filled with obsession. "To be honest, I've seen immortal fruits before—but none compare to this P Pantao. It's been stored for three months and remains perfectly fresh."

"According to Liu Xiangru, this peach can remain unspoiled for ten years. Though it doesn't grant immortality as legend claims, it can reverse aging. I'm still young, so I've held off, planning to consume it years from now."

Li Yan glanced at it coolly. "You're willing to give me such a treasure?"

"I have no choice."

Hu Yuanyuan spoke gravely. "The Wang Fu is a military power, controlling the Jinmen docks through the Jinghai Gang. Many in the military profit from this. The Emperor has seized control of weapons and rations, yet turns a blind eye."

"Now that the Jinghai Gang is in trouble, the local faction is launching a full-scale attack. Even if the Emperor does nothing, some in the military will stir, seeking to exploit the chaos and seize the Wang Fu's power."

"When that happens, Wu Leji will have no protection—he will flee."

"And tonight's events have surely alarmed them. I can no longer show my face."

"Fine, deal!"

Li Yan nodded and accepted immediately.

He was now certain: this P Pantao was absolutely connected to the Jianmu.

Moreover, even without Hu's request, he had accepted a Yin Bureau mission—he could not let Wu Leji slip away.

"I trust Li Shaoxia."

Though her face was filled with reluctance, Hu Yuanyuan closed the box and handed it to Li Yan.

Seeing Li Yan put the box away, she shook her head. "There's one more thing I must warn you about."

"I also hired a 'Living Yin Officer.' My original plan was to use Xiao Chenghai's incompetence to lure Wu Leji out of the capital, then let the Living Yin Officer strike."

"But just now, at Piaoxiang Lou, I received word: he was arrested for wrongdoing, then mysteriously hanged himself in prison."

"Oh?"

Li Yan frowned. "Do you know what happened?"

Feng Shaoqing bowed. "I came to Piaoxiang Lou specifically to report this."

"He was a minor clerk in the Ministry of Rites. Only recently was his true identity exposed. I had someone secretly investigate—he was reported for practicing witchcraft, died under mysterious circumstances, and that same night, his home was burgled; his soul ledger was stolen."

"I've heard that recently, many Living Yin Officers in the Daoist Jianghu have had their identities exposed and met gruesome deaths. Li Shaoxia, please be cautious."

"Thank you."

Li Yan nodded. "But you—tonight's events were witnessed by many. Aren't you afraid your identity will be exposed and the Commandant Office will throw you in prison?"

Feng Shaoqing fell silent, then shook his head. "My adoptive father knows my identity."

He didn't say more, but Li Yan immediately understood.

Though the Miler Jiao was strictly banned, the court knew its teachings were dangerously persuasive—so long as injustice existed, the sect would rise again and again.

Tian Battalion Commander had mentioned this to him.

Now, as society changes, it's not just Jinmen docks—many coastal ports are lined with workshops.

On the surface, common folk seek to earn a living, but behind it lies land-grabbing by local magnates. Peasants lose their fields, their foundation, and are forced to abandon their homes.

In past years, these peasants became hired laborers or slaves.

But now, with so many workshops, they find other paths.

This is one of the core conflicts between the local faction and the sea-opening faction.

Some local clans even collude with officials to forbid peasants from leaving.

But the workshops aren't any cleaner.

Merchants' greed matches that of the local magnates.

Li Yan had seen where the workers and weavers lived—rows of filthy shacks, sewage everywhere, preyed upon by city gangs that ran gambling dens and brothels.

Under such conditions, the Miler Jiao finds fertile ground.

The Miler Jiao in the capital merely gathers to trade; they have no intent to rebel. It's better to keep them under watch than drive them underground.

Both sides likely have tacit understanding.

Realizing this, Li Yan asked no further questions. He tucked the box away and nodded. "Rest assured—I won't let Wu Leji escape. But he hides in the Wang Fu. Can you find a way to lure him out?"

Hu Yuanyuan thought a moment, then spoke. "Within the capital, there are the City God and the Soil God altars—Wu Leji dares not leave the Wang Fu lightly. The one who came to arrest Xiao Chenghai was the Wang's second brother, who manages the Wang Fu's affairs. The incident at Piaoxiang Lou will have raised their guard. But I heard that in a few days, it's the old Wang Fu's eightieth birthday—there will be a grand banquet to stabilize morale. Let me see if I can arrange for a theater troupe to bring you inside."

"Good. Notify me when you have news."

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

Soon after he departed, Hu Yuanyuan suddenly shuddered, her head jerking unnaturally, then her eyes rolled back. She spun around, crossed her legs, and sat upright in the chair.

The widow Wang rushed forward, respectfully lighting her clay pipe and offering it.

Hu Yuanyuan took two deep puffs, then spoke in a shrill voice: "Don't worry—he's gone. This boy is an anomaly. I misjudged him back then. I never thought he'd survive, let alone reach his current cultivation."

Then she shifted tone. "Great Grandma, why do you trust him so much?"

If Li Yan were present, he'd recognize this as a celestial possession.

But celestial possession has levels, like spirit invocation: those with low cultivation lose consciousness; Hu Yuanyuan retains her awareness and can even ask questions—that's proof of mastery.

"You don't understand."

Hu Yuanyuan returned to her shrill voice, took another puff, and shook her head. "That Night Walker was driven away. This boy isn't just a Living Yin Officer—he's a Tian Guan. Only he can enter the Wang Fu."

Feng Shaoqing hesitated. "What about the P Pantao …?"

"Don't even think of it!"

Hu Yuanyuan snapped sharply. "I may not understand it, but I know: Heaven and Earth have fixed decrees. The cost must be immense. Every divination showed great misfortune. That thing is forbidden."

She turned to gaze out the window. "Something's wrong in this capital. A Tian Guan has arrived, and even the Night Walkers are controlled. Great chaos is coming."

"Prepare an escape route. After killing Wu Leji, bring his head back to the Northern Frontier. With this, I'll have the face to lead you to pay respects to Hu San Nainai…"

…………

Elsewhere, Li Yan slipped out from a dark alley.

He glanced back at the warehouse, then swiftly departed.

He had intended to use his cultivation technique to linger and eavesdrop, but caught a strong fox stench—knowing the immortal patrons they worshipped were already on guard.

But the main reason was the P Pantao!

The moment he saw it, his soul ledger grew hot in his chest.

"Go check over there!"

Far down the street, flames still flickered, hooves clattered.

Piaoxiang Lou was owned by the Huwei Tang, linked to the Commandant Office. With so many dead, the incident couldn't be suppressed—the patrolling soldiers naturally swept the area.

Without hesitation, Li Yan turned and dashed into the alley.

This front area was full of merchants—shops, warehouses, inns—but all faced the street, clearly unsuitable for hiding.

Near the Imperial City, to strengthen security, the court ordered wooden barriers erected along alleys, closed and guarded at night. This district, due to the merchants' wealth, had larger, sturdier barriers—known as the "Great Barrier."

The tall fence naturally couldn't stop Li Yan.

Avoiding the patrolling soldiers below, he leapt from the wooden railing into the air, vanishing soundlessly into the darkness.

Behind him lay a labyrinth of intersecting alleyways.

Most were communal courtyards, with old, dilapidated houses, yet they housed many people.

After circling several times, Li Yan finally spotted a Wang ancestral shrine.

It was quiet here—only an old man, drunk, snored loudly in a side room.

Huh~

The moment Li Yan leapt into the courtyard, a gust of wind sprang up from the ground outside the shrine.

"Borrow this ground for a moment."

Li Yan gripped the soul warrant, bowed slightly, and the dark wind instantly ceased.

This was his greatest advantage in daring to sneak into the capital.

Leveraging the City God, the Earth God, and the various temples and ancestral halls, the capital had formed a vast defensive network—ordinary people could not sense it, but Daoist practitioners had to tread carefully.

But since he possessed the Dragon-Snake Token and held the title of Celestial Official, matters became far easier.

Arriving at the other side room of the shrine, Li Yan sat cross-legged on the bed, opened the box containing the "Peach of Immortality," and immediately sank his spirit inward.

As always, he parted the thick mist, and before him appeared a well.

Its black walls were coated with bloody sludge, slowly swirling.

It was the escaped demonic qi!

This Peach of Immortality truly had problems!

Li Yan hurried forward and placed both hands on the well's rim.

This time, no surprise—the yellow silk appeared above the bloodwater.

The instant he touched it, Li Yan was flooded with a vision:

A dark space, filled with ancient stone coffins floating in midair.

Li Yan knew these were the ancient demonic gods sealed during the Divine War.

His gaze swiftly settled on one of them.

Inside lay something bizarre—like a clay doll shaped into a fetus, constantly shifting, its body reduced to only two steel spikes.

One pierced his dantian, the other his forehead.

Simultaneously, information about this demonic god surfaced in his mind.

The demonic god Liu Yuanheng—though bearing a human name, he was in truth an ancient spirit.

His origins were even older, likely forged from Xi Rang, later worshipped and transformed into a spirit.

This demonic god excelled in transformation: he could infiltrate the clay bodies of other deities, steal incense offerings, impersonate gods, and was nearly impossible to detect—yet his blessings were uncannily effective.

Those who worshipped him often had their wishes granted, but inevitably drew down terrible calamities.

The "Peach of Immortality" contained his aura.

But its origin and method of creation remained uninvestigated by the Netherworld.

Seeing this, Li Yan suddenly had a flash of insight.

In Shu, he had once obtained from the Dragon Palace's Water Mansion an ancient statue of the Queen Mother of the West, exactly as described in the Classic of Mountains and Seas: disheveled hair, wearing a headdress, governing heavenly calamities and the Five Calamities.

The Queen Mother had long since become a Virtuous Earth God, yet her statue still generated incense power.

If this demonic god Liu Yuanheng was behind it, everything now made sense.

The Peach of Immortality was likely another of his tricks.

What startled him was that demonic gods typically bore seven seals, restraining seven streams of demonic qi—yet five had already escaped; only two remained, and once those broke, the demonic god would be free.

At that point, only celestial deities descending from heaven could suppress him.

And the Night Walker!

He too was likely connected to this demonic god, and thus controlled.

Realizing this, Li Yan quickly left the side room, leapt up, and landed on the shrine's roof.

He knew that some demonic qi must have already possessed the City God's clay idol.

But the capital had more than one City God temple—so which one hid it…

(End of Chapter)