Worry breeds fear.
Because of the fear of "drought," rumors about various droughts emerge yearly, like tales of the Drought Demon appearing or the Dragon King becoming angry... there are plenty.
Such matters can easily disturb the hearts of the people, and some miscreants use this to accumulate wealth. Some even try to attribute the issue to the Emperorâs lack of virtue.
Therefore, the government takes this matter seriously and whenever such issues arise, they send people to investigate and issue notices to dispel rumors.
Cui Songâs face turned red upon hearing this, "The officials in the government only care about celebrating the governorâs birthday. The temple priest at the City God Temple is also half-hearted. How can we trust them?"
Someone then asked: "Did you find it?"
Cui Song, embarrassed, said, "Didnât find it."
"Then why say anything?"
The crowd lost interest and scattered.
Li Yan, feeling a surge of thought, stepped forward and clasped his hands, saying: "Greetings, Daoist friend."
Upon seeing this, Cui Songâs expression immediately became serious.
The act of clasping hands bears significance.
Ordinary people clasp hands with both palms slightly raised, similar to a bow, symbolizing humility and respect, without much particularity.
In the pugilistic world, the left palm must be open, symbolizing the five virtues, with the right fist symbolizing martial courage, the left palm covering the right fist, indicating pacifying aggression with virtue.
If accompanied by the words "Daoist friend," it usually signifies someone from the Mystical Sect.
"Greetings, Daoist friend."
Cui Song returned the gesture, asking: "I hear your accent is from Guanzhong. May I know which mountain you worship and what incense you burn?"
His words were courteous, yet his back was tense.
Li Yan was even younger than him, but while standing in the crowd earlier, he hadnât perceived him at all until he spoke, which inexplicably made him uneasy.
A martial artist or magician possesses far superior Spiritual Sense.
This is indicative of a deeper Dao than his.
"Guanzhong, Li Yan, traveling immortal..."
Li Yan didnât bother to conceal his identity, directly revealing it.
Cui Song was initially stunned, then thoughtfully said: "I heard from my master that there is an impressive rising star named Li on the road of Ezhou. Could it be you?"
"Just making a living."
Li Yan waved his hand slightly, then spoke: "Earlier, I heard you mention the âGrey Monk.â Could you tell me exactly where you saw him?"
Cui Song hesitated upon hearing this.
For ordinary people hearing this as a story, itâs fine, but for someone from the Mystical Sect, especially someone who has made a name for themselves asking about it, he must be cautious.
After all, in this world, loyalty and treachery are hard to distinguish...
Thinking of this, Cui Song felt a stir in his heart and cautiously asked: "Daoist friend, I know you are well renowned in Ezhou and proficient in spells. I can tell you, and even more, but I would ask for your help in return."
Li Yan immediately understood, "Looking for the Drought Demon?"
Cui Song nodded, saying: "Exactly, I have been unsaid about this matter. If the âGrey Monkâs warning is true, the emergence of the Drought Demon will leave me unsettled for life."
Recalling the scene when the Taixuan Orthodox Sect suppressed the Drought Demon, Li Yan shook his head and said: "That thing is not easy to deal with. Once found, it can only be suppressed, not killed â we canât do it."
"We just need to find the place."
Cui Song quickly said: "Others donât believe me, but as long as the place is found, my sect will certainly come to suppress it."
Beside him, Sha Lifei raised his eyebrows and smirked: "This young hero, you sure are asking a lot, seeking information and inviting us to risk danger. Moreover, we have important matters to attend to; weâll leave once the passage opens."
"Then you must wait."
Cui Song shook his head and said: "The matter ahead is significant. The cargo ship overturned by water bandits is heavy. Wanzhouâs government has already requested for assistance, and it will probably take two or three more days."
He pointed to the opposite side, "Li brother, do you see it? The mountain across the river is the place Iâm talking about; it wonât take more than an hour to go back and forth."
"I possess Body Divine Power, and the junior sister I invited for assistance has rather ordinary Dao; we truly have no other way."
"Will you accompany me? If we canât find it, then Iâll give up completely, and all matters will be informed as is!"
At that moment, another voice emerged beside them:
"Could you take me along?"
It was the wealthy merchant from Chengdu, who had not left all along, listening to their conversation attentively.
Cui Song quickly shook his head and frowned: "This, old brother, is not something ordinary people can meddle in. Why join the excitement?"
The wealthy merchant laughed heartily, "Young Master Cui, rest assured, Iâm just curious, and I understand some martial arts, so I wonât be a burden to you all."
Li Yan glanced expressionlessly.
Earlier, he had noticed something odd about this Chengdu merchant.
Although the man was dressed in finery, he was burly with calloused hands, clearly a practitioner.
Especially, there was a strong smell of sheep on him.
He might well be part of the Salt Gang...
Thinking of this, he smiled and nodded, "Daoist Cui has a chivalrous heart, why not let me accompany you on this journey? You two wait here, Iâll be back shortly."
With that, he led Sha Lifei away.
Leaving the dock, they arrived at a deserted place on the shore. Sha Lifei finally couldnât bear it and said, "Brother Yan, isnât this too coincidental, perhaps itâs a trap for us?"
"I donât think so."
Li Yan said in a deep voice, "Very few know about the âGrey Robe Mad Monkâ, besides, we only had conflict with the Salt Gang today, and Cui Song came to look for the Drought Demon two days ago, the timing doesnât match."
"But that Chengdu merchant is suspicious, he might be a spy from the Salt Gang."
"What should we do then?"
"Use the situation to our advantage, give them a harsh lesson!"
As they spoke, the two returned to the ship.
Li Yan recounted what happened at the dock, then said, "The Salt Gang is quite powerful, they must have tracked down our background, knowing that sending ordinary martial artists or magicians is futile, they will certainly make their experts move."
"You all stay put, if itâs an ordinary person, Senior Bai Huan can easily deal with them."
"I will leave some backup, if an Earth Immortal appears, weâll take direct action and send them to the Netherworld."
With that, he left the cabin again with Wang Daoxuan, handing him the Five Directions Luo Feng Flag.
He still had an Astral Order, with the positioning of the Five Directions Luo Feng Flag, even on the mountain, yin soldiers could be summoned to return.
Once fully prepared, Li Yan headed back to the dock.
"Daoist Li, letâs hurry."
Seeing only him return, Cui Song did not ask much, and took him aboard the ship.
As for the Chengdu wealthy merchant, there seemed no oddity.
Cui Songâs vessel was a small boat, he was obviously skilled in water, used Hidden Energy with a push of the bamboo pole, and the boat quickly left the dock, heading towards the mountain opposite.
Inside the cabin, the young lady, though agitated, came out to greet, cupping her hands, "Young Master Li of Guanzhong, my master mentioned you before, my brother Cui is somewhat unreliable, causing you trouble."
"Oh?"
Li Yan was slightly surprised, "Iâm just a junior, though Iâve done some things, it shouldnât be talked about in Emei."
The woman hastily cupped her hands, "Senior Yu Longzi of Zhenwu Palace is an old acquaintance of my master, currently a guest at Dianyi Sect, he spoke of your matters."
"I see..."
Li Yan understood immediately.
Over at the River Dam, martial skills from both orthodox and unorthodox factions had clashed, now a result was already formed, Yu Longzi is likely returning to Hubei.
While speaking, the small boat had crossed the river.
Cui Song jumped off the boat, tied the mooring rope to a rock, turned and said, "Sister, weâll go up the mountain, you rest on the boat."
"Alright, brother, be careful."
The young woman quickly nodded.
Li Yan saw this and chuckled to himself.
This pair of siblings seems to have some pugilistic world experience, they know to leave a retreat. If Cui Song gets into trouble, Dianyi Sect will come looking for him.
"Daoist Li, letâs head up the mountain."
Cui Song was clearly eager and repeatedly urged.
The terrain was steep, naturally no problem for the twoâs skills, but that Chengdu wealthy merchant could also move skillfully and followed closely, instantly making Li Yan more suspicious.
At night, the mountain forest was dark, but Li Yanâs Evil Qi was so intense, even wandering ghosts would smell it and avoid from afar.
Quickly, they reached the mountain.
On the mountaintop, ruins were scattered, hidden among the wild grasses and trees, mist blurred the night, moonlight wove around, insects chirping continuously.
In some places, there were even exposed bones and rusty arrowheads...