Chapter 1085 - 576: The Peril at the Government Office (Part 2)

"He’s not wrong."

"If the King Shu doesn’t make a move, even if he reveals the matter, few would believe him, and it might alert Lu Sheng to be on guard early."

The Imperial Censor didn’t say much about it, pausing, "Regardless of whether the King Shu is possessed by a demon or not, we cannot sit idly by. Young Hero Li, do you have a plan?"

"There is a plan."

Li Yan said in a deep voice, "To be frank, I once infiltrated the Shu Prince Mansion and saw that the Great Prince was being controlled by a spell from the demon members of the Ghost Theater Troupe. Most of the garrison generals are likely under the same control."

"As long as we find the opportunity to gather these people and break the Enchantment Spell, we can regain control over the military."

He looked around with a furrowed brow and said, "I initially intended to use the official’s influence to lure those generals here, but it seems we’ll have to think of another way."

The Imperial Censor’s expression darkened slightly, and he pondered, "There might still be a chance. On the thirtieth of the twelfth lunar month, there will be a grand ceremony in the military. Even if these generals are confused, they must attend the ceremony to stabilize the army’s morale."

"Let’s discuss this later."

Li Yan glanced around and said in a low voice, "I’ve received news that the Shu Prince Mansion will make a move tonight. We should act quickly and break through now."

The Imperial Censor’s hand trembled slightly holding the wine cup. He shook his head and said, "Young Hero Li, your information might not be accurate. I’m stationed here, and if the King Shu dares to act, the entire gunpowder warehouse will explode..."

"This won’t protect you!"

Li Yan said resolutely, "The King Shu has several masters under his command. If they set up an Array, you won’t even have a chance to ignite the fire."

The Imperial Censor was somewhat displeased and looked to the side.

He saw the opposite door slowly open, and an old Daoist walked out, wearing a dark blue Daoist robe, with a white beard reaching his chest, exuding an extraordinary aura.

Seeing this, Li Yan wasn’t surprised.

As soon as he entered the yard, he had already noticed this person, likely a Magician by the Imperial Censor’s side, hiding in the dark to offer protection.

Next to him, Dong Cunshan quickly introduced, "Young Hero Li, this is Daoist Liu Yun from the Beijing White Cloud Temple, whose Dao is profound. Like me, he’s been sent here upon someone’s request."

The Imperial Censor looked towards the old Daoist, "Daoist Liu Yun, what do you think?"

Yet, the old Daoist didn’t make any promises. Instead, he looked at Li Yan, "Young friend, do you know any demons that are returning?"

Li Yan replied, "King Shu has hired experts from the Ghost Theater Troupe and has several demons from the Southwest Evil Dao under his command, including Nie Sanggu, the Blood Ñu Master Ba Dazha, and the Black Sect Lama Duoji Zhaxi."

"Oh?"

Hearing this, the old Daoist laughed silently, "Those old fellows are still alive? Back in the day, they were chased by Cheng Jianxian until they had no place to go on heaven or earth, yet they’ve come to cause trouble again now."

The Imperial Censor quickly asked, "Do you have confidence, Daoist?"

The old Daoist stroked his beard, "With their skills, they can’t get in."

Li Yan, hearing this, furrowed his brows, "It’s still better to be cautious."

"Young Hero Li, say no more."

The Imperial Censor shook his head, "Chengdu Prefecture is now controlled by the King Shu’s army. Even if we escape, where would we hide?"

"Besides, without this gunpowder, once the Black Feather Army opens fire, we wouldn’t escape death!"

What he said wasn’t wrong.

Li Yan furrowed his brows but said no more.

The White Cloud Temple is a renowned temple in the Capital, linked to the Royal, possibly capable of holding off the adversaries.

Leaving abruptly would be more dangerous.

But he still couldn’t shake off a sense of unease.

The Imperial Censor noticed this and, stroking his beard, said, "I have my decision. There are only three days left until the thirtieth of the twelfth lunar month. If we hold out until then, there will be a turn of events."

"To be honest, I also have people placed in the garrison. By then, I can arrange for them to enter. It’s just whether the spell can be broken is uncertain."

Li Yan recalled the white-bead bracelet of Sha Lifei and nodded, "As long as we gain some time, it should be fine."

"That’s good!"

The Imperial Censor smiled, "The King Shu now relies only on those garrison soldiers. Regaining control of the military will allow us to quickly suppress the rebellion, storm the Shu Prince Mansion, and kill the demons."

"Someone, prepare some food and wine."

"Young Hero Li, let’s discuss this further..."

Though the Imperial Censor spoke of a discussion, it was clear he intended to keep Li Yan here to deal with the night’s situation.

Li Yan was well aware and had no objections.

For him, this was also an opportunity.

The Shu Prince Mansion was full of masters and had military support, elsewhere he would have to endure the embarrassment of fleeing.

But here, there were many capable people under the Imperial Censor, and with the military’s hesitation, it created favorable conditions.

If he could kill a few key figures tonight, it would weaken the King Shu considerably...

.........

Meanwhile, in the palace of the Shu Prince Mansion.

Inside a side hall of the Eastern Six Palaces.

The sandalwood incense swirled, and the candlelight was dim.

Ghost Zhong Kui, Situ Qian, sat in front of the altar table, biting a wooden stick, veins bulging on his forehead as cold sweat dripped, his body trembling.

In front of him, the mourning artist Bai Qihong was holding a wooden prosthetic leg, stitching it to the severed limb with red thread.

Blood dripped, but Bai Qihong’s eyes were full of excitement, even licking his lips unnaturally.

Meanwhile, Granny Tangyuan, Nie Sanggu, was on the other side.

She also sat cross-legged, a copper basin beside her, incense burning inside, producing multicolored smoke.

This old lady chanted spells, took out a copper box from her bosom, and opened it to reveal twisted insects, slender and dark, shining with a metallic luster, resembling iron wire worms.

They writhed densely, constantly surging.

As Nie Sanggu chanted, the thick smoke of the incense in the copper basin rose and was absorbed by the insects.

Seeing the time was right, Nie Sanggu brought the copper box to the severed leg and poured them all out.

The dense black insects immediately burrowed into the flesh.

"Mmm~"

Even though Situ Qian had a strong mind, he couldn’t help but groan softly.

Nie Sanggu ignored him, continuing to chant. When Bai Qihong finished stitching the prosthetic leg, the insects had all burrowed inside.

"It’s done, try it."

Having completed the task, Nie Sanggu slowly stood up.

Ghost Zhong Kui tried out his new prosthetic leg, finding that as he contracted his thigh muscles, the prosthetic leg lifted and lowered.

Although not as convenient as a real leg, he could move freely.

"Thank you, senior."

Situ Qian slightly clasped his hands, "Senior’s Mechanical Techniques are renowned in the world, truly extraordinary."

He had already used a prosthetic leg, but after Nie Sanggu returned, she claimed to have a better solution, persuading him to reinstall a new one.

"Hehe~"

Nie Sanggu seemed very pleased, staring at the prosthetic leg and grinning, "This Insect Gu Disconnection Technique, it’s the first time I’ve used it since I learned it on my own. These insects can connect dead flesh, but they need to be fed with a Five-step Snake at the hour of the tiger each day, or they will burrow into your heart, never forget."

"I’ve heard your Ghost Theater Troupe also has a Mechanical Techniques master. If you let him make a bronze mechanical leg, it could hide a weapon, catching people off guard."

"Thank you for the advice, senior."

Situ Qian could see that this old demon was purposely inquiring about the Ghost Theater Troupe, so he changed the subject, "Senior, weren’t you going to intercept the remnants of the Yang Family? Why have you returned early?"

"Don’t mention it."

Nie Sanggu’s face turned gloomy, "Just halfway, we received news of Tian Qi’s death, and the Prince urgently summoned us back. Anyway, it has already begun; the Yang Family people are insignificant now."

"More importantly, we encountered someone."

"Who?"

Situ Qian frowned and quickly asked.

Nie Sanggu took a deep breath and gritted her teeth,

"Qingcheng, Cheng Jianxin!"

"Cheng Jianxian?!"

Upon hearing this, Situ Qian felt a chill down his spine.

"Hahaha, what are you afraid of?"

Nie Sanggu looked out the window, eyes full of schadenfreude, "Time doesn’t spare anyone, it’s the same for everyone."

"You wouldn’t believe it, the once peerless Cheng Jianxian is now a shabby blind old Daoist, his Dao fallen, only at the Third Level, and he’s with a burden."

"I returned ahead, and the Blood Ñu Master is hunting them. It shouldn’t be long before we hear good news."

"It’s a shame I can’t personally take revenge."

Then she turned her head to look at Situ Qian and said in a deep voice, "These things we’ll discuss later. Your leg is fixed, can you move tonight?"

"Certainly!"

Situ Qian slowly stood, limping over to the left side of the hall, lifting a tattered oilcloth, revealing a bronze stage.

An eerie wind blew around, and from the stage came faint sounds of weeping.

Nie Sanggu’s breathing grew rapid:

"Is this... the Netherworld Stage?"