The Blade-Wielding Legend-Chapter 1245 - 650: Zhangqiu Ancient Town (2)

Therefore, we maintained a subordinate stance all the way.

As they spoke, the ships ahead finally dispersed.

Once the large ship docked, the people within the cabin walked out one by one.

Besides Li Yan and his companions, Zhao Lvzi and his wife were among them.

On the dock, where a mix of characters from all walks of life were gathered, their imposing presence immediately drew attention from many.

But upon seeing Squad Leader Chen San of the Cao Gang personally leading the way, the sensible ones quickly averted their gaze.

Chen San did not bother to respond, as the Cao Gang disciples cleared the path, leading the group directly into the city, arriving at a three-entry courtyard in East City. The courtyard was grand, with blue bricks, gray tiles, carved beams, jade columns, along with artificial hills and streams.

"Young Hero Li, this is the old residence of my Chen family."

Chen San smiled and said, "You all seek tranquility, yet inns inevitably have crowds and prying eyes. After much consideration, this seems the most suitable. Rest assured, anything you need, just instruct the steward."

He then spoke softly, "The imperial decree came suddenly, I still have some arrangements to make. Should those Japanese flee..."

Li Yan nodded, "Lord Chen, please attend to your duties."

"I shall host a welcoming banquet for you all tomorrow."

Chen San solemnly cupped his hands and then hurried away with his entourage.

This is the advantage of collaborating with the court.

Though Chen San and his people stand no chance against those old demons from "Jianmu" in terms of martial power, they are spread all across the Divine State. With a single command from the court, they can form a net that encompasses the heavens and the earth.

Especially regarding intelligence, if Li Yan were to investigate on his own, who knows how much time it would take.

In the past, they were at others' beck and call, but now they can leverage various forces.

"Everyone, I am Chen Fu."

Just as Chen San left, the old steward quickly came forward, "The guest rooms have been tidied and the food and wine are ready. You may dine after freshening up."

"Much appreciated."

The Chen Mansion staff had evidently been instructed beforehand, aware that the visitors were esteemed guests and did not dare show any neglect.

Once settled, Li Yan then went to Zhao Lvzi and his wife's room.

These two had been tortured in the Fake Yin Bureau Underground Palace, and were already weakened. They did not participate in the battle at Luoyang, drifting in and out of consciousness while recuperating on the way here. It was only yesterday that they somewhat recovered, able to walk on their own, but their faces remained pale and their vitality was drained.

Upon seeing Li Yan come in, Zhao Lvzi hastily stood up, yet his gaze was somewhat evasive.

"Why the distance, Brother Zhao?"

Li Yan chuckled softly, pulling Zhao Lvzi to sit down.

Zhao Lvzi's face turned slightly red. After a moment of silence, he finally spoke, "Back in Guanzhong, you asked me to accompany, I didn't want to break my vow, but now with all the taboos of the sect broken, it made me a laughingstock."

Li Yan shook his head slightly, "What nonsense are you saying?"

"In these changing times, while adhering to tradition is commendable, it is also important to assess the situation. I haven't asked yet, given your character, Brother Zhao, you wouldn't break a vow without reason, would you?"

As he spoke, he discreetly glanced at Feng Feiyan.

Feng Feiyan's face turned pale as she lowered her head.

"It has nothing to do with my wife."

Seeing this, Zhao Lvzi hurriedly held Feng Feiyan's hand and explained, "We had planned to inform you, Brother Li, to join us for a drink at our wedding, but we received news that you were opposing the Heavenly Saint Sect in Hubei."

"I was worried, so I decided to go help, but as I passed through Qinling, I narrowly escaped death."

"Oh?"

Li Yan raised an eyebrow, "What happened?"

Zhao Lvzi and Feng Feiyan exchanged glances, a trace of fear crossing their eyes.

He took a sip from the tea cup on the table before slowly speaking, "You know, my Mountain Rushing Lineage mostly camps in the wilderness, avoiding the official road even when traveling, preferring the mountain paths."

He continued, his eyes slightly red, "When my father entered Qinling years ago, he never returned. Before he left, he made me swear never to leave Guanzhong in my lifetime. Since the vow was broken, I thought of looking for his traces."

"In our lineage, we leave secret markings when entering the mountains, to avoid getting trapped in dangerous areas and unable to leave. I did find a mark, still clearly visible even after many years."

"Following the marks, we discovered the treasure trove of the previous dynasty, Great Xing, already destroyed, with suppression runes left by the Taixuan Orthodox Sect..."

"That was a trap?"

Li Yan was astonished and quickly inquired.

Back in Guanzhong, the masters of the Maitreya Sect had massacred Ancient Water Village and obtained a map from the eunuch who fled the Capital, leading many Qinling bandits into the mountains to dig for treasures.

In the end, the supposed treasure was merely a trap left by Great Xing, suppressing a powerful Drought Demon which almost triggered a disturbance in the Qinling Dragon Vein. Fortunately, the Taixuan Orthodox Sect intervened, dragging the coffin out and suppressing it at Hua Mountain.

Li Yan had unexpectedly gained an opportunity on Hua Mountain because of this incident.

Unexpectedly, Zhao Lvzi also found that place.

"Was Uncle harmed by the Drought Demon?" Li Yan asked.

"No."

Zhao Lvzi shook his head, "That fake treasure trove was just a Blinding Technique. I used a Mountain Rushing Secret Technique to scout and discovered another code left by my father on the back mountain, continuing my search led me to witness something unusual..."

"That night, under the bright moonlight, I saw a white-robed Daoist meditating on the mountain, surprisingly inhaling and exhaling clouds like a mythical beast, refining an elixir, absorbing the essence of the moon..."

"My wife and I were frightened, intending to leave, but then yin soldiers suddenly appeared through the mountains, though we evaded them using a Secret Technique, I sustained serious injuries, and it was my wife who carried me out of Qinling alone..."

"After reaching the official road, I realized something was wrong. We had been cursed and locked onto. At midnight, there seemed to be something clawing at our door, forcing us to quickly leave to avoid mishap."

"So we ended up in Yu State. From the strain of resisting the yin soldiers, I was mentally exhausted, and Yan'er had to take on some dirty work to gather Silver Coin for my treatment. Eventually, she was abducted."

"I see."

Li Yan suddenly understood, cupping his fists toward Feng Feiyan, "My thanks."

He realized his misunderstanding of the woman.

Unexpectedly, this Feng Shopkeeper was indeed a person of sentiment and righteousness.

Looking at the couple, Li Yan asked, "What do you plan for the future?"

Zhao Lvzi appeared a little lost, "Yan'er is an ordinary person, and I am injured, my Dao shall see no further advancement, continued treasure hunting is too dangerous, perhaps we should find a place to start a small business..."

Li Yan pondered for a moment, "I do have a suggestion."

"Brother, it would be a pity to bury your talents, not to mention, with the impending Human Dao transformation in the Divine State, the wilderness will become increasingly perilous, we are heading to the Capital to visit Qiankun Academy."

"They teach a variety of Mystical Sect sciences there, I could help you seek a teaching position, imparting knowledge on identifying spirit wood, would that interest you?"

"Ah?"

Zhao Lvzi was stunned, "I... I could teach at an Academy?"

"Of course."

Li Yan smiled, "Qiankun Academy is no ordinary place. If you are concerned about divulging your hereditary techniques, you could teach skills in outdoor survival, I'm sure they would be very interested."

Li Yan had witnessed Zhao Lvzi's skills firsthand.

Leaving aside treasure hunting, just the accumulated knowledge of his forefathers from traversing the lands was enough to captivate many.

Following them was far too dangerous, with the protection of Qiankun Academy, life would be much more secure.

After explaining the origins of Qiankun Academy, Feng Feiyan quickly signaled with her eyes, and Zhao Lvzi agreed.

"Oh, that's right!"

Just as Li Yan prepared to leave, Zhao Lvzi recalled something, "I just remembered another thing."

"That night when yin soldiers passed, I vaguely saw their uniforms resembled those of Qin soldiers."

"Also, I heard that Daoist loudly proclaim half a sentence..."

"What sentence?"

"Your Majesty, my master, Xu Fu..."

"What?!"

Li Yan abruptly stood up, eyes filled with disbelief.

......

Back in his room, Li Yan's expression remained grim.

Qin army yin soldiers, Your Majesty...

It's hard not to think of that Qinling legend:

Qin King Immortal Palace!

For others, it might just be a legend, but he knew that place truly existed and bore a deep connection with the Netherworld Sect.

Could the Emperor still be hiding there?

Furthermore, Xu Fu's relationship with the "Jianmu" organization, he might even be there as well.

His disciples, naturally, too.

The Emperor harbors deep resentment towards him.

What is Xu Fu's disciple doing in Qinling?