The Blade-Wielding Legend-Chapter 1254 - 655: Xu Fu’s Letter

Xu Fu's Lost Scroll!

Upon seeing this record, everyone's heart stirred with excitement.

In the Fake Yin Bureau at the Qin Palace in Luoyang, Li Yan obtained a Qin Bamboo Scroll from an old zombie. After identification by "Golden Eye Feng" at the Ghost Market, it was confirmed to be written by Xu Fu before he ventured overseas in search of immortality, using ancient "Golden Sparrow Book" script.

He left behind three bamboo scrolls, recording respectively the quest for immortality, the secrets of the Fake Yin Bureau, and the restrictions in Luoyang.

They have already deciphered the "Fake Yin Bureau" and "Luoyang Restrictions", but they are of no use.

Only the "quest for immortality", Li Yan has been gathering information on.

The so-called "quest for immortality," they already know what it's about, and the immortal mountains overseas are merely illusions.

But Xu Fu possibly belonged to the same organization as Zhao Changsheng.

The "quest for immortality" he left behind is evidently not that simple.

Now with clues and the tiger demon stealing, how could they not be on high alert?

"What is the background of this 'Bao Hua Bookstore'?"

Wang Daoxuan hurriedly inquired the clerk beside him.

The clerk, already greased by the Chen Family, knowing these people were of notable backgrounds, dared not delay and responded respectfully, "Daoist, the Bao Hua Bookstore is right here in Zhangqiu Town, specializing in printing and selling books…"

Listening to his explanation, everyone understood the reason. 𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞

Though Zhangqiu Town is a canal hub with thriving commerce, it is situated in Luzhou and close to the Kong Mansion, naturally rich in literary atmosphere.

The town not only has a Confucius Temple and Anping Academy, but also the Bao Hua Bookstore specializing in books.

This "Bao Hua Bookstore" has been around since the founding of Great Xuan, over a hundred years ago.

The patron behind the bookstore is also a local prominent Confucian scholar, closely associated with the Kong Family.

They not only sell books but also produce and export woodblock New Year paintings along the canal, reaching far to Jingjin and various places in the Northern Border.

Nobility and literati passing along the canal often stop to attend literary gatherings.

They are considered local gentry and elite.

"Can you help with an introduction, Uncle Fu? I want to ask him something?"

Wang Daoxuan looked towards the old steward Chen Fu beside him.

"Well…"

Chen Fu hesitated, "Daoist, should we discuss this further when we return?"

Seeing his demeanor, Wang Daoxuan understood, "Alright."

...

"The owner of the Bao Hua Bookstore is named Meng Yicheng."

Back at the mansion, the old steward Chen Fu immediately explained the reason.

"To be honest, there's some history between my Chen Family and the Meng Family."

"The master's father was once a long-term worker at the Meng Family. Later, the master succeeded in martial arts and established this family business, which the Meng Family looked down upon. Their descendants even make mocking remarks when discussing. The master also doesn't want to associate with them."

"Though there's no direct conflict, we don't interact…"

"I see."

Wang Daoxuan's brows furrowed upon hearing this, yet he wasn't surprised.

Just as the poor might envy the successful, the wealthy might resent the rise of the poor.

Given this, it's not appropriate for the Chen Mansion to get involved.

Who should we approach then…

As he pondered this, a member of the Cao Gang rushed in from outside, panting, "Uncle Fu, something big has happened!"

"There was a fire at the Bao Hua Bookstore, and many from the Meng Family reportedly died!"

...

"Fire! Fire!"

The night watchman banged his broken gong and cried out loudly.

It was broad daylight, thick smoke billowed, and chaos reigned.

The Bao Hua Bookstore was located on Danqing Street, surrounded by shops selling various paintings, calligraphy supplies, and stationery, all built with warehouses for storage due to the canal hub.

The shopkeepers around were anxious but mostly directing staff to block the fire to prevent it from spreading and burning away their entire assets.

Some citizens helped to extinguish the fire under the direction of the Government Official, but the crowded and chaotic streets made the water poured into the fire resemble pouring oil, intensifying the flames.

The carved wooden windows crackled in the raging flames.

The century-old pine beams were charred and twisted by the licking flames.

"Let me go!"

The elderly engraving master cried and tried to rush into the fire, held back firmly by five young men.

The thousands of woodblocks engraved by Three Generations were turning into charred debris in the fire...

When Wang Daoxuan and the others arrived, this was the scene before them.

"Uncle Fu, what do we do?"

The disciple of the Cao Gang quickly inquired.

The conflict between the Chen and Meng Families was known to everyone in Zhangqiu Town.

"They may have lost the Confucian principle of kindness, but we cannot abandon the pugilistic world's righteousness."

Without hesitation, Uncle Fu ordered, "Fight the fire!"

At his command, signal fireworks shot into the sky and numerous Cao Gang men rushed from the docks, stripped to their waists.

The Cao Gang, well-organized, maneuvered the boats emblazoned with the word "Righteousness" directly across the river, forming a long chain of dozens of buckets along the riverbank.

Bucket after bucket of water was poured continuously onto the bookstore.

The government people finally brought out the water pump truck as well.

With both forces combined, the fire was eventually brought under control.

But strangely, the fire seemed like a stubborn plaster, always reigniting in the wind just as it was about to be extinguished, emitting a nauseating burnt stench.

"It's stone fire oil!"

Sha Lifei, upon smelling it, his complexion changed drastically and shouted, "Quick, cover it with dirt!"

Following Chen San's previous orders, the Cao Gang brothers obeyed seamlessly.

Large amounts of dirt and sand were cast into the fire.

Soon, the fire was finally extinguished.

The Bao Hua Bookstore, with its century of glory, was left only as smoldering ruins.

"Daoist, something's amiss with this fire; it was deliberately set!"

Sha Lifei whispered to Wang Daoxuan.

With a heavy expression, Wang Daoxuan nodded and whispered a few words to Uncle Fu beside him.

Uncle Fu immediately liaised with the Government Official and took the bookstore's staff to the Meng Family.

The Chen Family, having let go of grudges to help fight the fire, naturally, the Meng Family couldn't pretend not to see.

Moreover, they couldn't afford to bicker over these matters anymore.