The Blade-Wielding Legend-Chapter 1318 - 684: The Secret of the Flat Peach

Looking at the panicked old man in front of him, Li Yan couldn't help but sigh in his heart.

This Capital is indeed magical; it appears peaceful, but beneath it, dragons and snakes are hidden.

Yin criminals openly residing in a Prince Mansion, a living Yin messenger down and out in Ghost Market, and high officials of the Captain Bureau acknowledging Maitreya Sect followers as godsons...

Such things are rarely seen elsewhere.

He had no malice, but the old man, like a frightened beast, quickly reached into his arms, pulled out a copper pipe, and shouted, "Take this!"

Netherworld Fire Pistol?

Li Yan's pupils contracted, somewhat surprised.

It wasn't the Netherworld Fire Pistol that surprised him.

This item, crafted ingeniously and born in the chaotic late Tang Dynasty, is considered a mystic killing weapon. Though rare, some have been passed down.

What surprised him was the old man's tattered robe, which looked greasy and mottled but could conceal one's aura—a Heavenly Spirit Earth Treasure, capable of isolating Divine Skills probing, hence he didn't smell the Netherworld Fire Pistol.

Of course, this item posed no threat to the current Li Yan.

Swish! 𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢

Li Yan sidestepped with lightning speed.

From the old man's perspective, Li Yan disappeared into thin air.

Before he could react, his wrist went numb, and the Netherworld Fire Pistol was snatched away.

Li Yan didn't hurt him; firstly, he wanted to inquire for information, and secondly, this old man adhered to pugilistic etiquette, shouting "Take this" before using a lethal Hidden Weapon, a rarity in these times.

Holding the Netherworld Fire Pistol, Li Yan, before the old man could exclaim, took out a Hook Paper from his arms, "Senior, I'm one of us."

Seeing the Hook Paper, the old man trembled all over.

He stopped running but still looked at Li Yan with wary eyes.

"Old Wu, what are you doing!"

The foul-mouthed one hurried forward, grinning cheekily, "We're all on the same side, no need to be afraid, this hero isn't a government officer, he's here for a big deal with you, lucky for you it's me..."

He rambled, spouting pugilistic talk.

Old Man Wu ignored him, staring intently at Li Yan, his voice hoarse as if being cut by a blade, "How do I know you didn't take this thing?"

Li Yan raised an eyebrow, "Could it be that senior can't sense it?"

Hook Paper holders have mutual senses.

Li Yan initially thought it was the Dragon and Snake Card concealing him, but having revealed it, the other party shouldn't be doubtful.

The old man fell silent, then took out a Hook Paper from his arms.

It was full of cracks and missing a corner, apparently cut off with a sharp blade.

Seeing this, Li Yan's expression became solemn.

He no longer wasted words, forming a hand seal to activate the Hook Paper.

Whoosh~

Instantly, a Yin Wind arose in the dark alley, the temperature dropping considerably.

Outside the alley, a few stall owners were burning paper.

The Yin Wind blew out, and the paper ashes in the fire pit spiraled away with the gust, scaring the people into hurriedly kowtowing.

"Enough."

Old Man Wu finally spoke, his voice hoarse, "We've alerted the City God's Door Gods, let's leave first and talk later."

After saying this, he led the two deeper into the alley.

Just after they left, the scent of incense wafted over the alley.

Li Yan, holding the Hook Paper, turned his head to look, and the incense scent immediately dispersed.

Of course, the two in front were unaware.

Just as the foul-mouthed one said, Old Man Wu seemed somewhat mentally unstable.

Even while walking in the dark alley, he resembled a frightened rat, constantly glancing around as if evading something, combined with not having bathed for a long time and wearing that filthy robe, leaving a stench along the way.

Li Yan held his breath and calmed his aura, yet wasn't disdainful, but rather somewhat amazed.

The foul odor blended with the alley, masking the scents of the three entirely.

It was a special skill, not a spell, yet exceptionally effective.

What exactly was Old Man Wu avoiding?

Li Yan grew increasingly curious.

The three twisted and turned, the alley growing narrower, with even the surrounding houses disappearing, replaced by tall and thick mud walls; the narrowest part was no more than three feet wide, with some piled-up rotten wood and broken ceramic jars blocking the way.

The foul-mouthed one looked around, unable to hold back from asking, "Old Man Wu, isn't this the gap between the warehouses? Ahead is all dead ends, why bring us here?"

But Old Man Wu didn't respond, just kept walking with his head down.

Finally, after several turns, they reached a dead end.

Old Man Wu lifted a rotten, tattered straw mat, carefully moved the wooden railing inside, revealing a hole, and after the two entered, looked around before blocking it back up with the railing.

"Wow, there's a Grotto Heaven here!"

The foul-mouthed one curiously surveyed the surroundings, unable to stop himself from exclaiming.

It turned out to be an abandoned warehouse's secret room, transformed into a dwelling by Old Man Wu digging a hole through the wall from outside.

The foul-mouthed one still had the temperament of a youth, looking around and sighing, had he found this place, he wouldn't have to endure the cold, nor be extorted and beaten by those local ruffians, sleeping peacefully every night.

But Li Yan took a few looks, his expression turning grave.

The place was simple, appearing to have been built no more than a few months ago.

Though Old Man Wu was down and out, he was a cultist, a member of the Mystical Sect, how could he be so destitute?

"Senior, what on earth happened?"

Li Yan couldn't help but ask.

Old Man Wu remained silent for a moment, suddenly flicked his wrist, scattering powdery smoke.

The foul-mouthed one, eavesdropping with pricked ears, was hit by the smoke and collapsed onto the ground, snoring.

"Ignorant fool..."

Old Man Wu glanced down at the ground before finally speaking, "Are you called Li Yan?"

Li Yan's eyes narrowed slightly, "Senior, do you recognize me?"

Old Man Wu sighed, "Last winter, some old comrades returned from Fengdu, they talked about you with regret, saying they shouldn't have hesitated back then, even if it meant falling out with those people, they should have brought you into the organization."