Chapter 373 - 232: Dividing the Troops into Two Paths

"What did you say?"

As Li Yan spoke, murderous intent involuntarily leaked out.

The storekeeper was startled, thinking Li Yan was about to take action, and reached into his chest to grab a weapon.

Slap!

Li Yan quickly restrained him and said in a deep voice, "Senior, please don’t misunderstand, it’s just that the demon has harmed my family, and I didn’t expect to hear news of it here."

"Oh?"

Seeing that Li Yan did not appear to be lying, the storekeeper relaxed and felt a chill in his heart, surprised at the same time.

He himself was skilled, having practiced a form of martial arts known as the Thirty-six Concealed Techniques, and had reached the level of Hidden Energy, otherwise, he wouldn’t dare to engage in such tradings.

Yet, he had just been overpowered without the slightest ability to fight back.

How young this man was, and yet a Magician...

His background was definitely not simple!

Realizing this, the storekeeper smoothly withdrew his hand, "May I ask which relative of yours was harmed by this demon?"

Li Yan did not answer but diverted the topic, "Do you know where this demon is hiding?"

The storekeeper stroked his beard and shook his head, "This old man has only heard tales and never truly seen it."

"Since last winter, there have been rumors of a midnight bridal palanquin, a ghost bride, along the roads in Ezhou. But the sightings are erratic, from Yunyang to Han Port, from Xiangyang to Dongting, and many places have reported appearances."

"Few common folks know about it, after all, every place has similar ghost stories, so the tale of the ghost bride hasn’t caused much of a stir."

"But in the pugilistic world, quite a few have heard of it."

"In early October last year, a Magician from the Pai Sect in Yunyang said they encountered this demon, and several skilled members of the group were drained of their life essence..."

"In November, a family in a farm near Jun Mountain were all turned into mummified corpses overnight. Rumors say someone saw the bridal palanquin flying past in the night..."

"During the New Year, a bandit stronghold in the mountains near Xiangyang was wiped out in one night. Only one survived, and he went mad, constantly muttering about the ghost bride..."

"This time in Zigui County, the son of County Magistrate Wu, went to pray at Gratitude Light Temple outside the North Gate. On his return by night, he encountered the demon. According to the servant who ran back, it was indeed the ghost bride."

Sha Lifei was amused, "Isn’t this County Magistrate Wu fond of exploiting the locals? How come his son has taken to worshipping Buddha?"

"There are always exceptions."

The storekeeper laughed, "This Master Wu was studying at Danyang Academy and is known to be kind-hearted. Although he failed the Scholar exam, he developed an interest in Buddhism and often performs good deeds."

"I see."

Li Yan took a deep breath, suppressing the killing intent in his heart.

Midnight bridal palanquin and ghost bride, it’s the same person!

The individual named "Red Lady" was once one of the Incense Masters of the Maitreya Sect, also known as a famous Oiran in Chang’an City.

After the rebellion of the Maitreya Sect, her identity was exposed, but she still had underlings operating a brothel in Chang’an.

"Red Lady" was another identity of Zhao Changsheng’s right-hand woman.

His father Li Hu, stumbled upon the tragedy that befell the old soldiers in his family, all met with misfortune and their lineage cut short. He secretly investigated and found some clues, catching onto Zhao Changsheng’s tail.

"Red Lady" killed him to silence him.

Qingyuan Building’s Oiran Zhao Wanfang also fell victim to the same fate and once heard news that "Red Lady" had appeared in Ezhou.

Unfortunately, at that time Li Yan felt he stood no chance, so he prioritized increasing his own strength for revenge at a later time.

Now, unexpectedly, their paths crossed again.

Surely this was fate...

Seeing Li Yan’s disturbance, Sha Lifei quickly diverted the conversation, "Senior, do you know the inside story about what happened at Erbei Bay?"

"I know some."

Guessing the two before him were not ordinary, the storekeeper dared not to deceive, "The Taixuan Orthodox Sect couldn’t find the cause of the failed seedlings, and naturally, I don’t know it either."

"But the fuss was all because of the incident at Danyang Academy."

"Zigui County is the birthplace of the Three Lus Doctor, hence local students also take great interest in Chu Ci, even creating a Danyang scholarly faction, taking pride in it. When scholars from outside regions visit, they always take them to Erbei Bay to indulge in nostalgia."

"With such an event occurring now, they claim that the Three Lus Doctor has become angered and is exacting punishment, and even the villagers have been arrested. These students then point the finger squarely at County Magistrate Wu."

"Master Wu returned home from Danyang Academy as he couldn’t stay there any longer. He usually prayed and sought blessings, and was entangled by a demon..."

...

After returning to the inn, Sha Lifei recounted the information one by one.

"Danyang Academy?"

Wang Daoxuan pondered, "Although Confucianism advocates respecting ghosts and gods from a distance, they are very skilled in using the words of ghosts and gods for their own purposes. Could it be the Academy causing trouble?"

"It’s not that simple," Li Yan shook his head and spoke gravely, "The ’Red Lady’ is Zhao Changsheng’s subordinate, a person of secretive movements, laying plans throughout the Divine State, and certainly wouldn’t act without purpose."

"They must have other schemes in mind!"

"Sigh~"

Scratching his head, Sha Lifei said, "County Magistrate Wu, the private salt traders, the Tusi, ’Red Lady’, the Academy... where to start with this tangled mess?"

Li Yan said sternly, "If it’s a tangled mess, then cut it swiftly with a sharp knife!"

Looking at Wang Daoxuan, he continued, "Daoist, in the face of heresy that deludes and manipulates with deceptive talk and worship of Evil Gods, can we use the Seven Arrows Secret Spell?"

Wang Daoxuan thought for a moment and nodded, "The opponent has controlled Wood Spirits to harm people, related to the chaos in the Southwest, so naturally, it can be used."

"That’s good!"

Li Yan spoke with gravity, "The chaos in Zigui County is shrouded in thick fog, likely more than just one faction causing trouble, so let’s just startle the mountain to scare the tiger."

"From now on, we’ll act separately."

"I and Uncle Sha will reveal our identities, and attract the attention of those Chi Mei Wang Liang to us."

"Daoist, with your vast experience, you can go ahead and secretly head to Erbei Bay, clear up this matter. The Lv brothers will protect you and maintain contact with us at all times. If an enemy is encountered, we can directly use firearms..."