[{"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-696":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},2263001,4415,"Chapter 696: The Old Ghost Knows the Way","the-cursed-blade-s-walk-chapter-696",696,"\u003Cp>Prince of Yan…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yan hadn’t expected to meet a prince so soon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every intelligence source he’d consulted mentioned two major troubles in the capital.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One was the conflict between the Open-Sea Faction and the Native Faction, involving the survival of countless families and determining the future of Shenzhou.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The other was the struggle for the crown prince position—historically the root of all turmoil.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There were three princes eligible to inherit the throne.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>First was Crown Prince Xiao Jingheng, titled Zhaode, benevolent, refined, and brilliant in literature.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He treated others with generosity and was deeply favored by Confucian scholars, seen as the ideal benevolent ruler—but he had a grave flaw.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When this prince was born, Emperor Xiao Qixuan was plotting a palace coup to purge the empress’s maternal clan; the empress, terrified, went into premature labor, leaving the prince weak and sickly from childhood, saved only by the efforts of numerous physicians who pulled him back from the gates of death several times.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even now, his health remained poor, and his character was somewhat frail.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the saying goes: position determines perspective.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The current emperor is a formidable ruler who keeps his ministers cowed, desperately hoping for a more pliable successor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet Emperor Xiao Qixuan fears that if the crown prince ascends, he’ll be manipulated by his ministers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That’s why the succession issue has been left unresolved until last year, when the emperor fell seriously ill.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But even now, naming a crown prince remains far from settled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Prince of Lingshou, Xiao Jingming, displayed astonishing wisdom from childhood, handling both major and minor affairs with precision and balancing all factions—clearly embodying the image of a wise ruler, and the emperor’s favorite.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But his mother was from the former dynasty’s Daxing imperial clan; if he inherited the throne, other imperial clans would refuse to accept it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then there was this prince, titled Prince of Jinghai—the Prince of Yan—who since childhood displayed extraordinary martial prowess, his maternal clan having helped the emperor ascend the throne; he was unbound by petty formalities, ambitious, and if he took power, both the Native and Open-Sea Factions could accept him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But his weakness was his temper—he was disliked by civil officials.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In short, this matter had become taboo.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yan fell silent for a moment, then set down his teacup. “Has no one warned this Prince of Yan?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Su Yu smiled faintly and replied, “Why warn him?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ordinary people don’t know, but Li Shaoxia should be aware—the presence of Earth Immortals within the Xuan Gate is no secret.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Seclusion in the mountains may seem detached from the world, but it’s merely self-imposed imprisonment; they crave the splendor of mortal affairs yet seek a way out—the best path is to enter the halls of nobles and ministers, relying on human incense and the dynasty’s momentum for protection.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He added with a teasing tone, “Isn’t that nobleman in the Ying Wangfu  the very one you captured?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You know quite a bit, Elder.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yan gave him a long look and dropped the subject.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In truth, he had already sensed it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With the transformation of human affairs, the Dalaofajie is in turmoil—many Earth Immortals will surely emerge from their retreats.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the tide of fate is overwhelming, life and death uncertain; all must pay the price for their choices.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Right now, the most urgent matter is finding a way into the “Nine Gates Yin Xu.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thinking of this, Li Yan lifted his teacup and took a quiet sip. “Cooperation is acceptable—but we choose our people.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Naturally.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Su Yu’s eyes brightened; he leaned forward. “The Twelve Yuan Chen’s reputation is already established; our Jin Yan Men won’t tarnish your name. We’ll screen every mission and every contact—though the final decision rests with you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He chuckled. “To be honest, the more selective you are, the better it is for us.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yan nodded. “Our enemies are dangerous—if anyone betrays us…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is it ‘Jianmu’?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Su Yu’s expression remained calm. “Those demons are terrifying, but attempting to overthrow Shenzhou means opposing everyone. Jin Yan Men is, after all, just a group of weak women—we understand the principle: better to be a dog of peace than a person of chaos. Rest assured, Young Master.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yan heard this without surprise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since the battle in Chengdu, some things were no longer secrets.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With Jin Yan Men’s intelligence network in the capital, discovering Jianmu wasn’t surprising.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“There’s more.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yan set down his teacup and fixed his gaze on the man’s eyes. “I have a task—I need your intelligence.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Su Yu raised a hand. “Young Master, speak.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yan said gravely, “Do you know the ‘Nine Gates Yin Xu’?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Su Yu froze, his elegant brows knitting slightly. “Young Master, that’s no place for the faint-hearted—it invites great trouble.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yan stared into his eyes. “If you feared trouble, the Twelve Yuan Chen wouldn’t have reached this day.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Su Yu fell silent, then removed a jade pendant from his waist. His face was calm. “At midnight tomorrow, bring this pendant to the alley behind the Tu’erye Temple. Someone will meet you there—a fellow ally of ours.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But I must warn you: it’s under the jurisdiction of the Zongren Fu. One misstep means confiscation of property and extermination of the clan. Neither Jin Yan Men nor that ally knows anything about this.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t worry—I understand the rules.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yan smiled, took the pendant, bowed, and left.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Let me see you out, Young Master.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Su Yu rose and escorted him out of Su Yuan. When he returned, someone else was in the room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a little girl, no more than four or five years old, dressed in palace attire, seated cross-legged sipping tea. Though her skin was porcelain-smooth, like a doll, she showed no childlike innocence—her face was stern, her back straight, radiating an air of authority.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is he gone?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, Grand Ancestor—he’s gone.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At Su Yu’s answer, the girl exhaled softly. “He’s truly extraordinary. I’ve been in the capital long enough to meet several living yin officials—but he’s the first to sense my aura. This boy has secrets.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Su Yu fell silent. “Grand Ancestor, this man is dangerous—he’s made enemies of Jianmu. Why ally with him?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What do you know?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The girl spoke gravely. “A hundred years ago, such a calamity-bringer would be avoided. But now is different. When the great tide comes, will we be safe standing on the shore?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Su Yu shook his head. “Walking by the river, one gets wet. Is he any different?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The girl paused. “He’s not just a living yin official—he holds the title of Tian Guan. His Dalaofa is unlike ordinary mortals. Only those within the Fa Jie could manipulate such things. The Chengdu report also mentioned he knows Er Lang Zhen Jun.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Perhaps… he’s the one who steers the boat…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…………\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Li Yan returned to Rouyuan Inn, it was already midnight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What he’d seen at Su Yuan was not kept secret from the others.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Daoxuan listened, his eyes filled with concern. “This mission is still dangerous.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Young Master Li, your cultivation is at the fourth level—you can barely let your soul wander with the aid of a talisman array. But your spirit is still unstable; without your body’s protection, you’re like a wandering ghost, unable to withstand the Gangfeng  or endure the talisman arrays, yet you plan to enter that perilous place…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Maybe we should just give up!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sha Lifei added, “Damn it—this mess was created by the court, and they’re still hiding it. If there’s disaster, let them bear it. Why should Young Master Li risk himself?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s not that simple.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yan fell silent. “The dangers ahead won’t lessen—we can’t retreat.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In truth, he’d already felt the danger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The transformation of human affairs is fierce; more Earth Immortals will emerge. Summoning yin troops won’t be reliable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Take Kong Hui—he moved with overwhelming speed, his cultivation and techniques undoubtedly formidable. Worse, he must possess the “Earth Official’s Scripture of Pardon and Absolution,” which can block one yin soldier’s arrest—giving him just enough time to kill you.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Last night, he openly appeared—he clearly intended to kill you, planning to lure you away and ambush you, but was driven off by the gunfire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And in the capital, there’s still the far more mysterious Zhao Qingxu, who hasn’t shown himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The best course is to strike first.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing their worried expressions, Li Yan said gravely, “My decision is final. Don’t try to dissuade me. But I need your help.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll investigate the Nine Gates Yin Xu—I must avoid detection by the Zongren Fu. You must help me conceal my movements…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The guide tomorrow night must be watched. San’er will monitor him. Daozhang, set up a talisman altar nearby. You guard my body. If anything goes wrong, use the soul-summoning spell to recall me…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The rest of you provide backup, just in case…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kong Shangzhao had already left with Luo Mingzi, but Zhao Lüzi, though not of the Twelve Yuan Chen, had overheard. He immediately growled, “Young Master Li, my wife and I will go tomorrow night too. If anyone touches your body, they’ll have to walk over my corpse.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No. More people means less safety.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yan shook his head slightly. “But there’s one thing I need you to do.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That Lin Fatty is also a treasure-seeker. Now he’s with Jiuling, handling preparations for the Qiankun Academy. They’ve gathered plenty of data on heavenly treasures and earthly gems from across the land. Go tomorrow and find Lin Fatty—help me locate a specific treasure.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What kind?” Zhao Lüzi didn’t waste words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yan said gravely, “Find something rich with potent life force. No matter the cost—buy it all and hold it!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the battle in Chengdu, he had extinguished the Soul Lamp Flame.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Along this journey, through cultivation and combat, his Dalaofa body is now riddled with damage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He must quickly find a suitable heavenly treasure or earth gem to repair it…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…………\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next day, the sky was overcast, and light rain fell.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just past Guyu, nearing Lixia, the faint heat had been doused by the rain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The changing climate gave the day an autumnal chill.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fine raindrops wove densely across the long streets.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In past years, willow fluff would have blanketed the city like snow; now, due to the lingering chill of a late spring, the new green on the branches curled tightly, washed bright by the cold rain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At dawn, Zhao Lüzi donned his straw cape and left the city.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Qiankun Academy’s location wasn’t in the capital—it was in the eastern suburbs, like the newly built Shenji Camp.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There, heavy troops guarded it, Xuan Gate masters stood watch, the area sealed tight, and inspections were strict.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even with a pass, Zhao Luizi requires two days to come and go.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for everyone else, they must remain quietly inside Rouyuan Inn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The destruction of the Yingwang’s “Peach Banquet” and the raid on the Iron Anchor Society’s hall stirred rampant rumors among the city’s common folk, while court officials lived in constant fear; combined with patrols by the Five Camps and the Imperial Guard, all city rats and temple mice fell silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for Kong Hui, he vanished again after that night.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Luo Mingzi was busy interrogating suspects and investigating the case, and no one disturbed him all day.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unaware of the passage of time, night once again descended.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yan and the others prepared themselves, and when the night grew deep and still, they scaled the walls one after another.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Rabbit God Temple stood beside the Dongyue Temple, on the northern side outside Zhaoyang Gate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The group dodged patrolling soldiers, and as soon as they passed Zhaoyang Gate, they scattered in all directions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Daoxuan arrived at the courtyard he had rented earlier in the day, and with Long Yan and Wu Ba, he set up an altar and arrayed the formation…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sha Li Fei found a high vantage point nearby, mounted his Divine Fire Gun, and draped himself in the Heavenly Spirit Earth Treasure robe that concealed his aura…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for Lu San, he summoned the falcon Lidong to circle the night sky, and called forth a horde of rats to disperse in all directions…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once all were ready, Li Yan strode confidently to the alley behind the Rabbit God Temple.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was not yet midnight; the Rabbit God Temple stood empty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yan did not rush; he closed his eyes, holding Duan Chen Dao, and waited.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bang~ bang-bang~\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Midnight hour—watch for fire, guard against thieves.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From afar came the voice of the night watchman, and immediately after, Li Yan smelled a foul stench.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He opened his eyes and saw a figure slowly emerging from the depths of the dark alley.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was an old beggar, his face covered in sores, clad in tattered rags.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His hair hung loose, his face etched with grime like ravines; he opened his mouth to reveal a mouthful of yellow teeth, “Token!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without a word, Li Yan pulled a jade pendant from his robe and threw it over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The beggar hooked it with his bamboo cane, examined it closely, then glanced sideways at Li Yan, “The ‘Nine Gates Yin Xu’ is no place for the faint-hearted—what are you going in for?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yan frowned slightly, “You talk too much.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His cultivation was inferior to his own—only Third Story—likely a fringe practitioner, yet a peculiar figure of the dust world.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But no matter his status, Su Yu must have paid him sufficiently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Take the money, do the job, never pry—that was the basic rule.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Pfft!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old beggar spat dismissively, “Boy, it’s not that I’m meddling—I’ve wandered half my life, seen both villains and heroes. Whether you kill or rob, or act as a righteous hero, it’s none of my concern. But that place is no ordinary one—it has many taboos.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If you’re going in to probe the imperial dragon vein, you’re asking for death—I’ll say it plainly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If you merely wish to explore and snatch some gains, then tell me your purpose and I’ll lay out the taboos and methods.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yan narrowed his eyes, “Investigating a case. Looking for a person.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Looking for a person?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The beggar let out a bitter laugh, “Inside, there are demons, monsters, gods, and ghosts—but no living souls.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fine, I’ll take a loss today and tell you the details.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His expression turned grave. “Entering the Nine Gates Yin Xu has three taboos.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It is an esoteric forbidden zone decreed by the court. Ordinary people cannot see it, but every three watches, the City God patrols the streets. If a wandering spirit is spotted, he is slain on the spot—the Nine Gates City Gods are linked to the State Altar Array; even immortals descending from heaven cannot escape the ‘True Martial Sword of Annihilation’ atop the Jianshen Hall. So never be late…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“To enter the Nine Gates Yin Xu, you must follow the Oil-Stealing Rat Spirit, who trails behind the night watchman, circling the Nine Gates. If you fail to find the Oil-Stealing Rat Spirit, do not answer to any voice calling you…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Once inside the Nine Gates Yin Xu, you must follow only the Rabbit God’s divine palanquin—it is the only benevolent deity there, and will not trouble you. But the rest? Who knows. If you remain trapped past midnight…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“At dawn, you’ll never get out!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s all I’ll say—mind your own business!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He bowed slightly, then turned and walked away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching the old man’s limping figure, Li Yan narrowed his eyes, “Master, might I ask your name? I may need to seek your counsel again.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He felt this beggar’s identity was far from ordinary.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even the Esoteric Clerics avoided the Nine Gates Yin Xu—but this man seemed to enter it often.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My old name is forgotten.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The beggar did not turn back, “Call me ‘Old Ghost of the Capital.’”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he spoke, he vanished—as if dissolved into the darkness…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",2649,"2026-06-19T18:28:35.913Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","1acff56a3d5f53719bbd739246d92ee5b249de9a5104664d4273c2f2258991e5","the-cursed-blade-s-walk-chapter-697","the-cursed-blade-s-walk-chapter-695",801,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-cursed-blade-s-walk-cover.jpg"]