The Blade-Wielding Legend-Chapter 1246 - 651: Nuo Mask Stirs

Back in the room, Li Yan's mind was still in turmoil.

The matter Zhao Lvzi inadvertently revealed was truly shocking.

The disciple of Xu Fu must undoubtedly be from "Jianmu".

Reflecting on it, many things seem suspicious.

The old eunuch from Ancient Water Village obtained the treasure map from the Capital.

Originally, he had decided to stay away from trouble and peacefully be a rich landlord in the countryside.

Yet somehow, the news leaked, bringing death upon him.

Furthermore, the trap left behind by Great Xing from the previous dynasty is located near the Qin King Immortal Palace.

Destroying the Qinling Dragon Vein is probably false,

Testing the Qin King Immortal Palace is true!

Emperor... could he have already colluded with "Jianmu"?

But it doesn't seem so. If the Emperor truly cared about the Nine Tripod, why would he secretly throw them into the Dragon Vein for the stability of Divine State back then?

Li Yan really couldn't figure out the reason.

And then there's the Netherworld Sect, although their purpose is to guard the Nine Tripod. Shen Sanyou abandoned life and death to go to Japan, and old master Yin Jiuge was completely crippled in the battle of Luoyang, withdrawing from the pugilistic world.

But given this matter, it's still essential to be more cautious in the future.

Knock, knock, knock!

While Li Yan was deep in thought, a knock came at the door.

It was old steward Chen Fu inviting them for a meal.

Although said to be a simple meal, Chen Mansion had prepared meticulously.

Inside the Chen Family's main hall, three elm Eight Immortal tables were joined together as a long banquet table.

The men from Cao Gang carried a few jars of "Jingyang Spring", peeled off the red silk at the mouth of the coarse pottery jars, and the strong aroma of liquor instantly wafted across the threshold.

Being near Yu State, even the speech carried a Yu State accent, blending flavors from both Lu and Yu States on the banquet.

All prepared according to the old Canal rule of "Four Cold, Eight Hot".

"Honorable heroes, the food at our Chen Mansion may be rough, but it wins in its warmth!"

Steward Chen Fu clapped three times, and staff wearing indigo head wraps filed in.

In the center of the table lay a sea bowl filled with braised Weishan Lake carp, with a Copper Coin in its mouth and its tail fin pointed towards the honored guest, Li Yan.

Chen Fu wielded a silver knife to cut open the belly of the fish, amber fish roe trembled, piled into a small mountain:

"Three cups of fish head clear the Great Dao—!"

As he spoke, the old man had already raised a green porcelain bowl over his brow, "Since the master is not here, he instructed to entertain the heroes well. I shamelessly offer you all a bowl."

"Old master, you are too courteous."

Li Yan and the others quickly stood up and drank a cup together.

"You all have great tolerance for liquor!"

Old family official Chen Fu praised with flattery, and introduced the dishes.

He uncovered the steamer on the table, revealing huge, round steamed buns, wrapped in wheat aroma and white mist.

Striped meat with a jujube-red sauce danced in a coarse pottery pot, and yellow-braised lamb mixed with the fresh scent of Canal reeds.

Sha Lifei had just picked up a piece of lamb with skin, old steward Chen Fu quickly poured another cup,

"Lambs kneel to nurse showing gratitude, this cup should be drunk with lamb bone soup!"

After saying this, he had someone bring over a black lacquer wooden platter.

In the green lotus leaf, agate-colored marinated pheasant was wrapped.

Even the comb of the chicken was intentionally dyed red with Cornelian Juice.

The old family official tore off a chicken wing to offer Li Yan, "Phoenix travels on Phoenix Platform; this Liangshan wild taste is best paired with the Cao Gang's saber and horse wine!"

Li Yan laughed in surprise, "Old master, no need to be so formal."

The others were also slightly uncomfortable.

Having traveled through the pugilistic world, they had seen much of the grandeur of Guanzhong, the hospitality of Huguang, and the enthusiasm of Sichuan, but experiencing this set from Luzhou for the first time, they felt a bit out of their depth.

Of course, they could see that this old family official was indeed sincere.

"Oh, that's my mistake."

Old family official Chen Fu, being an astute person, immediately drank another cup and said: "Honorable heroes, you must be exhausted from such a distant journey, so I won't disturb you any longer. If there are any orders, feel free to ask."

Though he spoke thus, he clapped his hands once more as he left.

From the east wing, the sound of silk and bamboo music suddenly came.

It was Chen San who had invited a storytelling troupe from Linqing Pier, singing "Tiger Slayer on Jingyang Ridge".

The sound was melodious, quite fitting.

Most importantly, the woman with a pipa sang next door, and the sound of silk and bamboo music floated in. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝒆𝒘𝙚𝓫𝙣𝙤𝒗𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

It did not disturb, yet added a touch of elegance.

"Tsk tsk..."

Sha Lifei couldn't help but click his tongue and said: "I've long heard of Cao Gang's extravagance, seems like Chen San hasn't sparred on Silver either, but why give up being a good local tyrant just to mix in the court's murky waters?"

"In life, everyone seeks something."

Li Yan sipped a cup of wine and shook his head: "Always thought the pugilistic world was just that, but many things trace back to the court, or the streets. Nowadays with human Dao transformation, even ordinary people, who can truly remain untouched..."

...

After the banquet, everyone dispersed.

After days of sailing, they could finally sleep soundly on a bed.

Not long after, snores came from the next room, Sha Lifei and Wu Ba were the culprits.

Li Yan awakened ear divine power, even without using it, his hearing was exceptionally sharp. Combined with the day's events, he felt unsettled and found it hard to sleep, so he simply got up and came to the desk.

After lighting the oil lamp, he took two wooden boxes from his luggage.

Opening one of them, it was Wang Xuanmo's Five-sided Black Flag.

It was the Magic Artifact Wang Xuanmo had used to bind the heroic spirits of Mang Mountain back then.

Li Yan recognized the extraordinariness of this item, and cautiously stored it away.

He didn't recognize it, but the Netherworld Sect's old master Yin Jiuge knew much about it.

This flag is the Treasure of the Sect for Yin Talisman Sect, made by the renowned Zhang Jiao.

The flag is based on black cotton linen and silk, embroidered with Beidou thunder pattern with gold threads, Silver lines wove the "Yellow Heaven Should Be Established" Cloud Seal from Taiping Dao, and experts stitched the "Six Jia Secret Prayer" Yin Talisman from the "Taiping Sutra" into it. In that chaotic era, it had a notorious reputation before falling into the hands of Yin Talisman Sect, serving as the Treasure of the Sect.