Beginning with the Ubume Bird-Chapter 385 - 22 The Human Head Speaks of Dragons and
Chapter 385: Chapter 22: The Human Head Speaks of Dragons and Tigers
Chapter 385: Chapter 22: The Human Head Speaks of Dragons and Tigers
“Is that so…”
Zhang Shouhan gently picked up Supervisor Guo’s head and faced Li Yan, “Governor Li, our Heavenly Master Tao of Dragon Tiger Mountain has supported the state, and we are neither overbearing nor unreasonable. However, we are not weaklings who meekly endure insults. If all of you team up against us, believing Dragon Tiger Mountain has no one to stand forth, this old farmer won’t easily relent or give up.”
Li Yan wanted to retort with “Try it if you dare,” but he held back, merely smiling, “If the situation is indeed as I’ve described, it shall be so. But what if I’m telling the truth?”
New novel chapt𝒆rs are published on ƒгeewebnovёl.com.
“Then we shall willingly surrender ourselves,”
Zhang Shouhan said softly.
“Good, then, Taoist elder, use whatever methods you have at your disposal!”
“Then, please, County Magistrate Li, return Supervisor Guo’s body to me.”
Li Wuyi stealthily glanced at Li Yan, but receiving no response from him, had to agree to the old Taoist’s request and ordered his men to carry Supervisor Guo’s headless corpse over.
Soon, the body with a bloody, red-stained neck cavity was carried in.
“Please step back, Governor Li,”
Zhang Shouhan gestured with an open hand.
Li Yan glanced at the red sword box behind him and asked Zhang Shouchen, “How far back?”
“A mere trivial trick this is, twenty steps will suffice.”
Li Yan did as he was told.
Zhang Shouhan looked down at the head that died with its eyes open, tossed it into mid-air, bit his middle finger, hooked his ring finger around his middle finger, and extended his pinkie and index finger to form a Guanyin hand position. As the head was falling midway, he gently pointed forward!
The headless body suddenly leaped up, catching the falling head!
The old Taoist’s finger touched the forehead of Supervisor Guo’s head, and from the nose bridge of the head, numerous winding blood streams formed tadpole-shaped characters.
Dragon Tiger Qi Skill: Nanying Soul-Returning Illusory Light Talisman.
Li Yan licked his lips, feeling something indescribable within him, as if some part of his body was telling him he could do something too, yet Yan Fu offered no clues.
He suddenly remembered that he had previously ignited a fourth-grade gene called “Freelancer,” which had a secret enhancement effect that allowed the position switch with his Gu Huo Bird to break free from distance limitations. However, the ability of “Freelancer” itself to separate the soul from the body seemed to have not been acquired.
Or perhaps, it had been acquired, but he did not know how to use it…
Zhang Shouhan’s voice thundered like spring thunder: “Return to thy Fetal Light, to rectify fate and purity!”
As the head opened its mouth, a beam of light shot out, representing countless figures and sceneries that began to unfold, though blurred, as if on an etched disc.
“Return to thy Refreshing Spirit, to rectify wealth and fortune!”
No sooner had Zhang Shouhan finished speaking than the images became clear, motionless, and distorted like in a house of mirrors.
“Return to thy Hidden Essence, to rectify heavenly wisdom!”
“Return to thy Corpse Dog, to rectify the five senses!”
“Return…”
With each statement the old Taoist made, the light and shadow became clearer and gradually began to move.
Li Yan was not afraid. To put it bluntly, even if the trick he pulled was exposed, the fact that Supervisor Guo drunkenly charged at the National Instrument remained true. If that were proven, his killing of Supervisor Guo could not be contested by anyone.
However, Li Yan felt a warmth spreading through his body, and the sensation that he could do something wouldn’t dissipate. Finally, Zhang Shouchen uttered the last sentence.
“Return to thy Gu Huo Shade, to rectify divine perception!”
Li Yan distinctly felt something brush past him. A thought crossed his mind, and with the white-feathered arm of the Goddess Gu Huo extended outward, it seemed to grasp something.
Under a fleeting glimpse, nobody saw it clearly.
That’s it! Yan Fu’s movements are unlike ordinary people, and the projection of the Goddess is my soul.
Zhang Shouhan exclaimed, his forehead furrowing, but at that moment, he had no time to consider much else.
Under the power of the talisman, the light and shadow came to life before everyone’s eyes, only there was no sound to be heard.
The images began to move.
It wouldn’t have been a problem if they hadn’t moved, but their motion nearly enraged Zhang Shouhan to death!
The light and shadow could record the deceased’s experience from the day before, and the first thing that appeared was Guo Zhengtao breaking his fasting vows and indulging in food and drink.
There were also a pair of dice on the table, and across from him sat a flirtatious woman with her chest bared, casting coquettish glances while rolling the dice. The scene was so vivid that all the judicial assistants were staring intently.
Within the light and shadow, the indulgence was heart-rending and varied, and General Zheng who had come to assist couldn’t help but click his tongue.
Wow, I’ve never even tried playing strip dice, eh? The leather cup! The leather cup!
Zhang Shouhan’s face turned a shade of purple, and with a flick of his robe, the movement within the light and shadow sped up, and the scene became even more indecent. As night fell, the government officials came to invite people, and Zhang Shouhan’s expression grew even more solemn upon seeing the Wordless Iron Plaque. The subsequent events accorded precisely with what Li Wuyi had reported—the disgraceful drunken state of Guo Zhengtao was laid bare for all to see, and although Li Yan’s words at the banquet were inaudible, his expression remained calm, even decorous.
Afterwards, how Guo Zhengtao shoved and accidentally opened the Sword Box, Li Yan’s furious expression as he beheaded a man were all vividly portrayed.
“Ah!”
Zhang Shouhan let out a sigh, noting that there were still some unresolved issues.
For instance, exactly what Li Yan had said, why Guo would actively reach for the Sword Box, and with Li Yan’s capabilities, even if Guo Zhengtao died on the spot, he shouldn’t have been able to touch the Sword Box, let alone take it into his hands. And why would the Sword Box open upon contact? However, these questions were not important; this segment of light and shadow, no matter where it was taken, provided sufficient reason for Guo Zhengtao’s death. Dragon Tiger Mountain, could claim no justice.
“It was our mistake. Governor, you did right to kill him. Guo Zhengtao was such a scum, he got what he deserved. We, as his subordinates, inevitably face association with his crime. Whether to lock us up or take some other action lies entirely at the discretion of the Governor.”
“Is Dragon Tiger Mountain truly the foundation supporting the stability of the realm and not a place that overbearingly oppresses people?”
Zhang Shouhan spoke firmly, “There is not a shred of falsehood in that, Guo Zhengtao was a scourge but only a rare anomaly.”
“Humph, whether you are implicated in the crime is temporarily set aside. I have a matter of utmost importance. Initially, it was to be assigned to Taoist Guo to not neglect his duty. Now, given the current situation, if you are able to solve the murder case of Madam Zhen and bring the real culprit to justice according to the law, I will wipe the slate clean of this incident.”
The Taoist priest showed no expression on his face, only bowing slightly, “I dare not shirk my duty for the Governor.”
Suddenly, Li Yan’s eyelid twitched; as a fellow wanderer who had signed the notarized contract, he could sense others using their abilities if the consumption was too great.
Just then, Cha Xiaodao had used his “Divine Bone” ability, a life-saving skill that could only be used once during each event in Yan Fu.
He vaulted onto his horse, shouted to the Taoist priest and officers, “A demon is attacking the post station at night, follow me!”
Dust stirred, the sounds of horses hooves and soldiers’ boots disorderly clattered, as Li Yan, riding Flying Thunder, burst through the desolate gates of the post station. Underneath the snow, lay the bodies of a few wild beasts, and Cha Xiaodao emerged from the kitchen, cursing as he carried a basket.
“Just damn potatoes, no oil, no salt, no garlic, what the hell can I make?”
General Zheng and County Magistrate Li exchanged glances as they hurriedly arrived.
“My lord?”
Li Yan dismounted, furrowing his brow as he surveyed the surroundings and asked, “What happened?”
“The bastard ordered his men to clear the bodies and left. I’m not badly hurt, but you need to be careful,”
Cha Xiaodao picked up a round potato and said to Li Yan:
“There’s a black-robed snake spirit inside with fierce venom. If it weren’t for my Culinary Skill and God Bone, I might have been done for.”
“The flag is with me, taking such a risk in this battle was pointless.”
Li Yan frowned.
Cha Xiaodao laughed heartily but said nothing.
Cao Yongchang crouched behind the door, peering out for a long while. His shoulders and legs had gone numb, but he paid no mind, just murmuring to himself with a fervent expression.
…
The hero’s valor pierces the heavens, as his twin blades dance like a roaming dragon; effortlessly defeating hundreds, Xuanyuan arises once again, a martial sage!
— “The Chronicles of Dragon and Tiger Volume 32: Xia Cha’s Nocturnal Sweep of the Python Immortal”
