[{"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-86":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},2262391,4415,"Chapter 86: Setting the Altar to Enshrine the Gods","the-cursed-blade-s-walk-chapter-86",86,"\u003Cp>“The capital?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Guan Wanchè’s eyes flickered with a dark glint, but he bowed his head and clasped his fists. “This humble officer is dull-witted and fails to understand Senior Constable Chang’s meaning.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The one-eyed man was named Chang Xuan, a Battalion Commander of the Capital Garrison under the Provincial Military Command.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Provincial Military Command of the Great Xuan Dynasty was vast, with regional garrisons established in every prefecture and state beyond its capital headquarters; each garrison housed three Battalion Commanders, and each Battalion Commander commanded ten Company Commanders.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Each Company Commander led two Platoon Leaders; one Platoon Leader oversaw five Squad Leaders, and each Squad Leader directed ten men.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Guan Wanchè had risen directly to Platoon Leader, a clear sign of Chang Xuan’s high regard for him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Facing Guan Wanchè’s question, Chang Xuan cast him a cool glance. “Do you not understand—or are you pretending not to?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Guan Wanchè’s eyelid twitched; sweat immediately beaded on his forehead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet Chang Xuan did not grow angry; instead, he nodded and sighed. “Pretending ignorance is good. If you were a reckless fool, I wouldn’t dare keep you near me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Others see the Provincial Military Command as powerful, but you’ll come to understand its true taste—court politics are treacherous; every step forward is harder than the last, and one misstep means shattered bones and a broken body!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“When the Prince of Pingyang rebelled, his entire family was executed. Princess Fu’an was merely a sheltered woman, and the eunuch Lu was a fool—yet they escaped the capital alive. If no one aided them, it would be a laughingstock!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A single order from the capital mobilized two provinces’ bandits to raid the Guanzhong region, plunder villages, and silence witnesses—all while evading our spies. Who is orchestrating this?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Senior Li presented a new gunpowder formula; His Majesty ordered strict secrecy, yet the Maitreya Sect obtained the information and infiltrated the prefectural office to steal it…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Capital Garrison is riddled with holes!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Guan Wanchè listened to Chang Xuan’s analysis, a chill ran through him; he swallowed hard. “Senior, what should we do?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What should we do?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chang Xuan smiled, his one eye filled with coldness. “I knew it—such a massive case, and everyone’s fleeing faster than anyone else, dumping it all on me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Without this tip, I might have remained blind, stumbling into becoming a scapegoat. But now that I know, I have plenty of ways to respond.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fortune lies right before us; retreat leads only to ruin.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Gentlemen, dare you gamble with me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We are ready to follow your orders!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…………\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Master, this is Master Li.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I pay my respects to Elder Qingyangzi.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside the tent, Luo Mingzi introduced the two parties.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Daoxuan was already familiar with Qingyangzi and frequently visited him for guidance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qingyangzi, impressed by Wang Daoxuan’s steadfast devotion to the Dao, though he had no connection to the Grand Mystery Orthodox Sect, held great admiration for him and offered careful instruction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yan, however, was meeting this magistrate of Xianyang Temple for the first time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He saw a man with a full forehead, a benevolent face, long white whiskers, and white eyebrows; Li Yan couldn’t help but silently admire: what an immortal’s bearing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh, your facial features are remarkable.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qingyangzi studied Li Yan, stroked his beard, and nodded with a smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yan blinked. “Elder, you jest.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qingyangzi chuckled and shook his head. “May I see the Yin Bureau’s warrant seal?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yan stepped forward and extended his left palm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had learned from Wang Daoxuan that Qingyangzi was a high Daoist; without his intercession, Wang Daoxuan would never have secured permission to build the Tower of Contemplation on Mount Taibai.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qingyangzi examined it closely, stroked his beard, and nodded. “Correct—it is indeed the Yin Bureau’s warrant seal. You have excellent fortune, Daoist.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yan fell silent, shaking his head. “Elder, you jest. I am no Yin Traveler. I received this duty—if I fail, I’ll lose my life. How is this fortune?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“When fate arrives, fortune and misfortune lie within a single thought.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qingyangzi smiled, stroking his beard. “Yin Travelers excel at communicating with spirits; thus, those who gain the warrant seal are common. Once possessed, the dangers of Yin Traveling diminish greatly, and one may even summon Yin Bureau troops—its power is formidable.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Daoist practitioners cultivate truth and awaken to the Dao, reciting scriptures and burning incense morning and night without slack. Yet few ever commune with the divine; summoning and nurturing troops is especially time-consuming and arduous.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What else could this be but fortune?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“As for paths, Yin Travelers are not the only ones. During the Jin Dynasty, a man received the warrant seal and dreamed into a celestial grotto, beholding the splendor of Peach Blossom Spring. In the Tang Dynasty, a chancellor received the warrant seal and slew a demon dragon. In the Song Dynasty, a renowned minister received the warrant seal and judged the realms of yin and yang. You too will eventually find your own path.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yan mused, “Recently, I encountered another matter…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He recounted the tale of the wandering master of the cold altar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qingyangzi listened, pondered, then smiled. “No matter. Since he is a wandering master and connected to the warrant seal, let nature take its course.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Grand Mystery Orthodox Sect forbids interference in Yin Bureau affairs. I know little of this, but following the guidance may open the opportunity.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thank you for your insight, Elder.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If even Qingyangzi said so, Li Yan grew even more certain of his plan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After their conversation, Qingyangzi and his disciples left the tent. No sooner had he departed than Luo Mingzi entered with several Daoists, carrying trays of fruits and pastries. He nodded. “You must be hungry. Eat something to fill your stomach—there’s no vegetarian meal today.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sha Lifei looked bewildered. “This… this is sacrificial offering, isn’t it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hahaha!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A round-faced young Daoist plucked a cold pastry and tossed it into his mouth, mumbling, “Eat without worry—our Grandmaster isn’t that stingy. If you’re truly hungry, I’ll set up an altar and petition the heavens: ‘Disciples are starving!’”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Luo Mingzi also smiled. “No harm. Some things require sincerity, not rigid adherence to rules. But in mountain shrines and ancestral altars, the local spirits aren’t so generous—don’t eat their offerings lightly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since they had given permission, Li Yan and the others had no reason to refuse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Grand Mystery Orthodox Sect’s offerings were exquisitely crafted, especially a certain five-colored fruit—its technique had been passed down since Tang times, and few could still produce it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a semi-translucent pastry, colored in five hues, each enclosing a different filling, symbolizing the Five Elements.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The taste aside, the craftsmanship alone was rare to behold.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sha Lifei wolfed down several pieces, seeing the Enforcement Hall Daoists were approachable, and grinned. “Gentlemen Daoists, when this is over, Old Sha treats you to a feast at Qingfeng Pavilion.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How can we miss chrysanthemum wine and crab on Double Ninth?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>!.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Grand Mystery Orthodox Sect did not forbid alcohol, meat, or Hunxing ; except for beef, black fish, wild geese, and dog meat, they ate everything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, they were the Enforcement Hall of the Daoist sect; they would later handle Daoist-related tasks, so Sha Lifei sought to build rapport.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Change it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Luo Mingzi shook his head. “The ritual to enshrine the mountain spirit begins at the hour of Si and ends only after noon.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Once the ritual concludes, the mountain spirit will take his seat. Then, a temple will be built for incense offerings, and the countless wandering ghosts upon the mountain will find peace. Afterward, we must perform continuous rites to guide the spirits—this will keep us busy for a long time.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Daoxuan bowed solemnly. “This act brings boundless merit.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Luo Mingzi replied calmly. “Balancing yin and yang, protecting this region—it is our duty as the Grand Mystery Orthodox Sect. You overpraise us.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His expression turned grave. “Yet our actions have deprived certain Jianghufeilei  of their opportunity—some of them are extraordinary individuals.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Although Captain Fan of the Cavalry Captain rank has already driven away the wandering beggars and stationed guards at the perimeter, these people will surely find ways to sneak into the mountain and seize the treasure.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Chang’s Battalion Commander has brought a hundred men; together with thirty of my Enforcement Hall brothers, our task is to drive them all away during the ritual.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“To avoid misunderstandings, stay here and don’t wander.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“By the way—do you intend to return the deceased to their homeland?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes—it was the final wish of that Yin Traveler…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As they ate and chatted, Daoists came and went to relieve watch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unaware, the hour of Si (9 to 11 a.m.) approached.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shh!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the distance, several signal arrows shot skyward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A round-faced Daoist immediately rose, formed the Yang Seal, and listened intently. “Someone has breached the mountain—the Provincial Military Command is pursuing them!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Luo Mingzi frowned. “They still won’t give up. Let’s go!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Saying this, he led his disciples away swiftly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside the tent, Li Yan and the others exchanged glances.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Should we lend a hand?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No—so many experts are here; if someone could break in, it’d be a miracle…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After brief discussion, the three left the tent and headed toward the ritual altar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was now the hour of Si; the ritual had officially begun.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Daoist acolytes burned incense and chanted scriptures, while a troupe of musicians beat drums, tolled bronze bells, blew flutes, and tapped wooden fish—the scene was lively yet solemn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Led by Qingyangzi, several elder Daoists had donned solemn ritual robes, held ceremonial tablets, and slowly ascended the altar as if entering the imperial court.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Above the altar hung a bronze mirror for exposing demons.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Around the altar’s perimeter, twelve Enforcement Hall disciples stood with swords drawn; after Luo Mingzi departed, they would guard the altar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Daoxuan whispered beside him: “I’m not familiar with the Grand Mystery Orthodox Sect’s rituals, but I know they have thirty True Altars and sixty True Purification Sites.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“An ‘Altar’ is where rites are performed; a ‘Purification Site’ is where cultivation occurs. Both can form independent formations—other Daoist lineages are the same.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Judging by this, it must be the True Altar of the Penetrating Marvel—used exclusively for enshrining earth deities…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yan listened and gained a faint insight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This world had no spiritual energy, only Gang  and  Sha —both resembled arrays that harness these forces, one for ritual, the other for cultivation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If the Tower of Contemplation is successfully built and the lineage transmitted, perhaps I too will gain a corresponding method…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Li Yan pondered, he suddenly sniffed the air, his face filled with suspicion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He thought he… smelled gunpowder!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1782,"2026-06-19T18:28:32.159Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","c3ca0f306c7cb90f65e3def2d406fbd7bbe39f341814f4325d3c5ff62a134896","the-cursed-blade-s-walk-chapter-87","the-cursed-blade-s-walk-chapter-85",801,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-cursed-blade-s-walk-cover.jpg"]