[{"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-750":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},2263055,4415,"Chapter 750: Three Yin Soul-Returning Altar","the-cursed-blade-s-walk-chapter-750",750,"\u003Cp>As Lu Xiaowu finished speaking, someone at the banquet let out a cold, resentful snort.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Nonsense!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kong Zhenyuan of the Kong family suddenly rose to his feet, pointing at Lu Xiaowu and rebuking: “That Li Yan is a reckless ruffian—he broke into prison, seized a prisoner, drew his blade in broad daylight, and defied the law; he is nothing short of a rebel! We must immediately mobilize troops to crush him and restore order!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your Highness, you…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mid-sentence, he realized something was wrong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His passionate voice echoed through the hall, but the expected chorus of agreement never came.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The grand banquet hall of the Wang Fu was so silent that a pin could be heard dropping.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The officials from Jinan Prefecture kept their eyes down, their thoughts inward; several gentry allied with the Kong family lowered their heads in silence; even the usually boastful disciples of Mingde Academy now held their tongues.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kong Zhenyuan’s impassioned final words hung abruptly in the air as he glanced around—and his heart sank.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He sensed trouble and stole a glance at the main seat where the Prince of De sat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Prince Xiao Hong slowly set down his wine cup, his expression calm. He first glanced at the visibly uneasy Kong Zhenyuan, then turned to the others, his voice low but clear as it carried through the hall: “I have heard of this Li Yan.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He paused, then continued: “He is no ordinary rogue of the martial world. He brought order to Chengdu, averted crisis in Luoyang, and even saved the Imperial Academy from disaster. The court has acknowledged his achievements and treated him with respect—there must be a reason behind it. We must not act hastily.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His words were like a bucket of ice water, chilling Kong Zhenyuan to the bone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His face turned from red to pale; he opened his mouth, but dared not speak further, and slunk back to his seat in embarrassment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Kong family was now in decline, and the title of Duke of Yan Sheng remained undecided—who would dare offend the Prince of De?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Prince of De ignored him and turned to Lu Xiaowu, his well-fed eyes holding a trace of curiosity: “Master Lu, since you are willing to go, you must have a plan.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What assurance do you have that you can speak with Li Yan and convince him to… calm down for now?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Xiaowu knew the critical moment had arrived. He stepped forward, straightening his posture, and declared loudly: “Your Highness, I… I am from the same hometown as Li Yan!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this, even Kong Zhenyuan looked up in shock, let alone everyone else in the hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Xiaowu’s face remained calm, as if it were unquestionably true: “Though not from the same village, we are neighbors.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Since childhood, I have heard his name. Though we later went our separate ways, we still shared a bond of hometown kinship. If I go to explain the stakes, appeal to his emotions and reason, I believe Li Yan will grant me at least some face.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh? You share hometown ties?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Prince of De’s eyes brightened slightly, and a faint smile touched his lips.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Good! Since Master Lu understands the greater good and is willing to take on this responsibility, I entrust this matter to you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Carry my token and order the surrounding prefectural troops to withdraw one arrow’s distance—do not press further or cause more chaos!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, Your Highness!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A heavy stone lifted from Lu Xiaowu’s heart. He respectfully accepted the golden token personally bestowed by the Prince, then turned and strode out with purpose.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Jiang-Zhe Merchants’ Guild’s gates were tightly shut.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmph!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Master Zhao, though reluctant, could only let out a cold snort as he examined Lu Xiaowu’s token.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The prefectural soldiers, who had never wanted to get involved, gladly withdrew at once upon seeing the Prince’s token.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for Lu Xiaowu, he walked alone to the sealed gates.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He took a deep breath, adjusted his attire, and gently knocked:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I am Lu Xiaowu, bearing the Prince of De’s imperial decree, here to meet with Li Shaoxia for a discussion!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moments later, the heavy gate creaked open from within.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sha Lifei poked his head out, recognized Lu Xiaowu, and exclaimed in surprise: “What are you doing here?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Master Sha.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Xiaowu smiled. “I’ve come at the Prince’s command to speak with you all.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then come in!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu San and the others had failed to acquire the spirit materials; Sha Lifei, sensing a shift, saw no need to press further.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He stepped inside, and the gate slammed shut behind him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The courtyard’s atmosphere was heavy; Kong Shangzhao paced anxiously nearby.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yan and the others sat in the front hall, their eyes cold and fixed on Lu Xiaowu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Xiaowu’s heart tightened; he dared not show the slightest disrespect. He bowed deeply from afar, his tone earnest: “Brother Li Yan, long time no see. I, Lu Xiaowu, come under the Prince of De’s orders—my intentions are pure.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yan gave a slight nod, signaling him to continue, his gaze still sharp as a blade.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Xiaowu straightened, his voice more sincere: “To be honest, the Prince was greatly startled to learn you were here.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He holds you in high regard and believes this matter must have deeper causes—thus he sent me to inquire.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was his plan: exploit the misunderstanding to weave connections and earn goodwill from both sides.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had been closely monitoring Li Yan’s movements—he knew Li Yan wouldn’t stay long in Jinan. When the time came, he could spin the story however he wished, as long as he seized the opportunity to rise with the tide.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yan’s eyes narrowed slightly. “It’s just a misunderstanding—the Kong family acted too tyrannically.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re absolutely right, Brother Li…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Xiaowu sighed. “The Kong family has declined generation after generation. To be honest, the Prince has no desire to get entangled in their internal affairs—so long as the ‘witness’ remains unharmed and the truth behind the Duke of Yan Sheng’s sudden death is uncovered.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He deliberately emphasized “witness,” hinting that the shopkeeper’s value lay in the truth, not the Kong family’s private grudges.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He paused, observing Li Yan’s expression. Seeing no sign of displeasure, he cautiously stepped forward, lowering his voice: “The Prince sent me not merely to inquire—he wishes to ask you directly: how do you propose resolving this stalemate? If a mutually satisfactory solution can be found, the Prince will do his utmost to mediate and quell the unrest.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yan remained skeptical. “Is the Prince of De truly so benevolent?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Xiaowu’s eyes flickered, as if making a decisive choice; his voice dropped even lower: “To be honest, the Prince learned you are a scholar-official of the Academy—and has long regretted missing the chance to ally with you. If this ends well…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was shrewd to the core, skilled at reading expressions—he knew dealing with men like Li Yan required no courtly or commercial cunning; blunt honesty won trust.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Indeed, after hearing this, Li Yan and the others believed him far more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, the steam engine had already stirred great interest across Shenzhou; no faction wished to miss out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fair enough!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With time pressing, Li Yan no longer hesitated, speaking with finality:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Conditions are simple. One: no one may disturb this place before midnight. Two: I need these items!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He raised his hand; Sha Lifei handed Lu Xiaowu a yellow scroll covered in writing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It listed the rare spirit materials, incense, candles, and ritual implements required for the “Three Yin Soul-Returning Altar.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Xiaowu took the list. Though he didn’t understand the value of the items, he immediately pledged: “With the Prince’s token in hand, the Wang Fu and Jinan’s treasury may lend a few items—if they exist within Jinan, we will gather them all. Brother Li, rest assured—your ritual will not be delayed!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He then swiftly departed, heading for the Wang Fu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Prince of De, upon seeing the list, was even more pleased.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>People are like this: things easily obtained are distrusted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The more precious Li Yan’s demands, the more the Prince trusted Lu Xiaowu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Wang Fu’s resources, of course, were beyond question.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under Lu Xiaowu’s supervision, less than half an hour passed before all items were delivered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They even brought back several rare soul-stabilizing incenses from the Wang Fu’s private reserves!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Daoxuan inspected each item carefully and gave a slight nod.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yan finally spoke gravely: “Thank you. Please convey my gratitude to the Prince—I will send a letter to the Academy shortly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thank you, Brother Li!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Xiaowu’s heart swelled with joy; he suppressed his excitement and bowed again: “I shall leave at once. Rest assured—with the Prince’s token, no one will disturb you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He then hurried away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Tsk tsk.”\u003C\u002Fp>",1466,"2026-06-19T18:28:35.913Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","681bf7eb22666e1af862369a5e263740451e7c950d0e5319e7b7bb7d4020088f","the-cursed-blade-s-walk-chapter-751","the-cursed-blade-s-walk-chapter-749",801,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-cursed-blade-s-walk-cover.jpg"]