Blade - Unbound

"A huge job?"

The moment Li Yan heard that, his interest was piqued. He hastily threw on his clothes and pushed open the door.

Outside, the snowfall had left the entire courtyard blanketed in silver. Sha Lifei was equally reeking of alcohol, his bloodshot eyes standing out as he crunched through the snow toward Wang Daoxuan's room.

The moment he saw Li Yan emerge, an amused grin spread across his face. "Brother Yan, how was the scenery at Calyx Pavilion last night?"

Li Yan raised an eyebrow and nodded with a smile. "Not bad. Worth the visit."

Sha Lifei had been longing to go for quite some time. Hearing that, he looked utterly regretful and cursed, "It's all those bastards from the broker guild's fault. They drank like their lives depended on it. Otherwise, I'd have gone last night too.

"Oh right... How much did you spend?"

Li Yan instinctively patted the now-empty pouch at his waist.

"All of it."

Sha Lifei looked as though he'd been struck by lightning. "What?!

"Y-You brought a thousand taels with you, and it's all gone?"

Li Yan sighed. "Money just doesn't last."

Shen Sanyou was certainly dependable when it came time to act, and he had broadened Li Yan's horizons last night.

But when it came to having fun, the man was outrageously extravagant. To him, money simply wasn't money. Whether it was his own silver or someone else's, he refused to leave until every last coin had been spent.

"Forget it... I suppose it was worth it..." Sha Lifei rubbed his chest twice, comforting himself. "After all, that was Calyx Pavilion. You repaid your favor and finally became a real man."

His curiosity immediately returned at the mention of the last point. "So, which girl got you? I've heard Calyx Pavilion is filled with beauties from every corner. Slender Yangzhou maidens, the famed women of Mizhi, even Western Region maidens..."

Li Yan shook his head. "None. I just drank wine and listened to music. Nothing else happened."

"What?! You spent a thousand taels and didn't even make it onto a girl's bed?!" Sha Lifei practically exploded, trembling with indignation. "You were completely taken for a fool! H-how can you face your father?! Back then, he could stroll through brothels without spending a single coin!"

Li Yan laughed. "Forget that. You're in such a good mood today, Uncle Sha. What kind of big job did you land?"

By then, Wang Daoxuan had also stepped outside. Smiling, he added, "Indeed, the New Year is almost here. How is there still a major job available?"

Neither of them found it surprising to ask.

This was Chang'an, after all.

It was home to the Capital City God's Temple, as well as the largest garrison of spirit soldiers in the northeast of the Divine Continent. They regularly swept the mountains, hunted the Five Rampant Spirits, performed the Flame-Mouth Ritual, and maintained peace throughout the northwest. There were also countless mystic path lineages and independent cultivators looking for work, especially after the recent Winter Solstice.

The Taixuan Orthodox Sect had also just carried out a massive operation. Several major Blessed Grottoes had joined forces with City God Temples across the region to conduct a grand Evil-Suppressing Ritual, thoroughly sweeping everything north of the Qinling Mountain Range.

That had become an established tradition over many years. In ancient times, the New Year marked the transition of yin and yang. People performed Nuo dances to drive away evil and ward off the Nian Beast. Nowadays, however, everyone first carried out such large-scale cleansing during the Winter Solstice. As a result, the New Year itself was generally peaceful.

It was essentially a pre-holiday crackdown, which also meant that mystic path practitioners were usually rather idle during the New Year.

Sha Lifei grinned. "Remember Hall Master Bai from the broker guild? It just so happened that I learned something from him.

"If we pull this off, we'll have ourselves a prosperous New Year."

***

The vast Weihe Plain stretched southwest of Chang'an. After a heavy snowfall, the entire plain lay beneath a blanket of white. The sky was immense, the land boundless, and endless white filled the eyes wherever one looked.

Several riders galloped down the official road, spraying snow in every direction.

A disciple from the broker guild was leading the way. "Fellow travellers, the town ahead is Guodu Town."

Silver-tongued and thoroughly familiar with every corner of Chang'an, he wore a constant smile. "Guodu Town is no ordinary place. Back in the Spring and Autumn Period, this was the ancient State of Bo. It is also the burial place of King Wen, King Wu, and King Mu of Zhou.

"Later, the Guo and Du clans settled here. The Guo Clan Village lay south of town, while Du Fortress stood to the north. Together they became known as Guodu Town.

"Oh, and Xiangji Temple is also here. During the Tang Dynasty, Wang Mojie once wrote: 'Not knowing where Xiangji Temple lies, I entered cloud-wreathed peaks several miles away-'"

Sha Lifei interrupted impatiently. "Enough, enough! This whole region lacks many things, but historical figures and famous stories aren't one of them. What's the point of telling us all that?

"Did you find out how much Master Du is actually willing to pay?"

"Well..." The young man had been cut off but dared not offend them. He quickly smiled apologetically. "Master Du is immensely wealthy; he owns vast farmlands throughout Guanzhong. He also partnered with the Li Family in overseas trade and made considerable profits. Money isn't something he worries about.

"Right now, though, he's as frantic as a headless fly. If someone can solve his problem, how much he pays is entirely up to you gentlemen."

The moment Sha Lifei heard that, he immediately became anxious. "Then let's hurry, we can't let someone else beat us to it."

With a flick of his reins, he urged his horse into a faster gallop.

Soon, a sizeable town appeared before them, connected by official roads in four directions. Low hills surrounded the area, while a tributary of the Weihe River flowed nearby.

Its location was exceptionally advantageous. The town itself contained numerous inns and carriage stations that served passing merchants. Thus, the local residents had likewise prospered. It was considered one of the wealthiest towns around Chang'an.

Now that winter had arrived and heavy snow blocked many roads, only a handful of travelers remained upon the highway. After entering the town, the trio made no attempt to seek lodging. Instead, guided by the broker guild disciple, they headed directly north. Leaving the town behind, they saw a massive estate standing alone amid the vast fields.

It was several times larger than Master Lu's manor from Gushui Village. High walls surrounded spacious courtyards, giving the entire residence an imposing grandeur.

"Hiss!" Wang Daoxuan first looked toward the distant hills and river before surveying the surrounding landscape. Forming hand seals, he inhaled sharply. "This estate... An expert designed its fengshui layout."

Sha Lifei asked, "Daoist, what do you mean?"

Looking around, Wang Daoxuan explained, "Generally speaking, an isolated manor in the wilderness is unfavorable. It lacks the nourishing human vitality found in towns. But this residence cleverly borrows the surrounding mountains and rivers to form a Dripping Marrow Formation.

"Look to the west; the ancient capital should be over there. Dragon Head Ridge lies to the north. The waters of the Weihe River flow here before being cut off by the terrain of the ancient capital. The Du Family built their estate precisely at this point. It is like a jade bowl catching drops of dragon marrow. Though only a tiny amount, it is still an excellent site blessed with great fortune."

"Remarkable, Daoist!" The broker guild disciple immediately seized the opportunity to flatter him. "The Du Family used to be fairly ordinary, with their ancestral home inside the town. But ever since they built this estate, their fortunes improved year after year."

Wang Daoxuan shook his head and sighed. "Indeed. But that's bad news for us. If they're acquainted with someone capable of arranging fengshui on this level, there's a good chance we've come here for nothing."

Meanwhile, Li Yan quietly clenched his left hand, deep in thought. "Let's go take a look first."

Just moments earlier, the Summoning Writ had reacted. The sensation had been faint and fleeting, but even so, it had caught his interest.

Could there be a hidden underworld sinner here?

As they approached the estate, they immediately noticed something was wrong. With the New Year approaching, wealthy households like this were usually bustling with preparations. They would be slaughtering pigs, butchering sheep, and busily preparing for the festivities.

Instead, large white mourning lanterns hung outside the gates. Many people entering and leaving wore white mourning clothes. A heavy atmosphere of grief hung over the entire estate.

Before they even reached the entrance, servants from the Du Family blocked their path.

"Who are you people?!"

They all carried swords, spears, or clubs, their expressions distinctly unfriendly.

The broker guild disciple quickly dismounted and stepped forward with an apologetic smile. "Fellow expats, is Steward Wang here? Please inform him that Zhao Jiu from Chang'an wishes to see him."

The lead servant had already opened his mouth to curse them away. But upon hearing Steward Wang's name, he forcibly restrained himself. "Hmph. Wait here and don't wander around."

With that, he turned and headed back toward the estate. As he walked, he muttered under his breath, "Damn fools. The moment something happens, every useless bastard comes sniffing around. Not a single one of them can actually help..."

Sha Lifei cursed, "The hell did you say?!"

He was about to explode when Li Yan raised a hand to stop him, subtly shaking his head.

Sha Lifei immediately understood and asked quietly, "Little Yan... You noticed something?"

He knew Li Yan well. The youth had never been willing to suffer losses. He had only kept a low profile because he had recently entered the jianghu. Otherwise, his reputation as a living yin emissary would have become widely known long ago.

Sha Lifei only enjoyed talking tough. Li Yan, on the other hand, actually acted. If he was remaining this restrained, he had definitely discovered something.

Li Yan gently shook his head, deep in thought. "Not yet. Let's observe a little longer."

The moment he had arrived, he jad detected an unusual odor. It wasn't the scent of spirits. Rather, it resembled something spoiled and rotten.

Of course, the smell was extremely faint. Ordinary people wouldn't notice it at all. If anything, they would find the air here unusually fresh and pleasant.

Before long, an elderly man dressed like a steward hurried out. He too wore mourning clothes, but his expression was rather awkward.

Walking directly to Zhao Jiu, he immediately reprimanded him quietly, "What are you doing here? You got me scolded because of this."

Then he glanced at Li Yan's group. The moment he noticed Wang Daoxuan's Daoist robe, understanding dawned on him. His expression immediately darkened. "Take them away. It's already over."

Zhao Jiu was, after all, a broker guild disciple. "Now hold on..."

He knew exactly how to tailor his words to whoever stood before him. Whether it was his eloquence or shamelessness, he was every bit Sha Lifei's equal. There was no way he'd leave so easily.

Grabbing the steward by the arm, he whispered, "Steward Wang. That's not very fair. These gentlemen are among the finest experts in all of Chang'an. I had to work incredibly hard just to persuade them to come.

"Do you know about the Fire Bear Gang? They suffered a crushing defeat at these gentlemen's hands and still didn't dare utter a single complaint. If you send them away like this, you'll be ruining me!"

Naturally, his words were heavily exaggerated. It was standard broker guild salesmanship. If they couldn't secure the job, at the very least, they would squeeze out travel expenses or compensation for their efforts. If even that failed, they'd at least make the client owe them a favor.

This time, however, he was genuinely anxious. He had personally witnessed the duel of mystic arts that night. Although Li Yan's group had only recently made a name for themselves within the mystic path, in Zhao Jiu's eyes, they were already truly remarkable figures. There was no way he could allow them to make the trip in vain.

Seeing his expression, Steward Wang couldn't help becoming uneasy. Pulling Zhao Jiu farther away, the two whispered for quite some time.

Only afterward did the steward return to Li Yan's group, cup his fists, and apologize. "Gentlemen, I truly apologize. The matter has already concluded. In a few days, I'll personally host a banquet in Chang'an to make amends."

With things put so bluntly, there was little hope left.

Sha Lifei clicked his tongue. "Well then. Let's go. They won't even let us through the gate. What's the point of staying?"

Just then, Li Yan quietly made a hand signal behind his back.

"Wait." The moment Wang Daoxuan saw it, he immediately urged his horse forward. Looking toward the distant manor, he stroked his beard and frowned. "I'm afraid this matter hasn't ended yet.

"Steward Wang, please inform Master Du. If he truly believes everything is over, we'll leave immediately."

Steward Wang froze for a second before asking, "Daoist, what do you mean?"

Wang Daoxuan sighed softly. "I simply couldn't bear to remain silent. I've already said all I can. Whether you believe me or not, Master Du may decide for himself."

Sha Lifei immediately caught on and rolled his eyes. "Daoist, you're far too kind. They don't even want us here. Why bother involving ourselves?"

In truth, neither he nor Wang Daoxuan knew what Li Yan had discovered. It was simply a signal the three of them had agreed upon beforehand. Whenever Li Yan noticed something suspicious, he would give the sign.

The other two would immediately cooperate, setting what they jokingly called a horse-tying stake.

Seeing the three behave so confidently, Steward Wang became increasingly uneasy. His expression shifted repeatedly before he finally gritted his teeth. "Please wait here. I'll report this to the master."

With that, he hurried back into the estate.

After he left, Zhao Jiu immediately gave them a thumbs-up. "Gentlemen. That was masterfully done."

An outsider might fail to recognize the horse-tying stake trick, but there was no fooling someone from the jianghu like him.

Wang Daoxuan immediately lowered his voice. "What did you notice?"

Li Yan shook his head. "Not yet. We'll have to get inside first."

According to the information they had received, Master Du's grandson had become possessed. Several shamans and spirit mediums had been invited but none had accomplished anything. The boy had even run away.

Originally, Master Du had intended to use the Li Family's connections to request assistance from the Taixuan Orthodox Sect.

Unfortunately, the Orthodox Sect seemed occupied with another urgent matter. Their elite forces had all been dispatched, and even Luo Mingzi had departed overnight.

Left with no alternatives, Master Du had announced an enormous reward. Since Li Yan possessed the divine ability, tracking people was one of his specialties. They had hurried over immediately to investigate.

Master Du was one of Chang'an's wealthiest men. If they successfully resolved this case, not only would they earn a handsome fortune before the New Year, their reputation would also become firmly established.

Yet judging by the current situation, the matter seemed to have taken an unexpected turn. Before long, Steward Wang hurried back out. A bright red handprint had appeared across his face.

Sighing bitterly, he complained, "Gentlemen, you've truly caused me trouble. The master has agreed to see you. But please, don't end up like the previous few."

Li Yan and the others exchanged glances. Handing their horses over to the Du Family servants, they followed Steward Wang into the estate.

Li Yan led the way with his hands clasped behind his back. Wang Daoxuan and Sha Lifei walked behind him, watching carefully for any hand signals. If Li Yan discovered something, a simple gesture would prompt Wang Daoxuan to examine it closely and draw conclusions.

The two each had their shortcomings, but they had long since learned to complement one another. Yet what puzzled Wang Daoxuan was that Li Yan never gave a signal.

Looking around at the white mourning cloth wrapped around the trees and the servants dressed in funeral garments, he sighed to himself. They had probably arrived too late. The person was already dead.

Sure enough, when they reached the main courtyard, a funeral hall had already been set up. However, the memorial banner bore the name of Old Madam Du.

Sha Lifei and Wang Daoxuan exchanged confused glances. Hadn't they been told it was the grandson who was possessed? Why had the elderly matriarch died instead?

Finally, they entered the main hall and met Master Du.

The moment Sha Lifei saw him, however, his heart sank.

Something is wrong.

Seated prominently in the main hall was an elderly man dressed in mourning robes. Though his temples had turned white, he remained broad-shouldered and imposing, with an authoritative face.

It was Master Du. Several household guards stood nearby, each powerfully built and radiating murderous intent.

More importantly, seated in the place of honor to Master Du's left was a white-robed Daoist. It was Luo Faqing, the Shang Mountain disciple who had lost during the duel of mystical arts that night. He looked at them with eyes full of cold ridicule.

Master Du himself wore an equally hostile expression. His eyes were bloodshot as he spoke in a heavy voice, "You people of the jianghu... Using the horse-tying stake trick on me here is only natural.

"But if you can't explain yourselves properly today, don't blame me for showing you no mercy!"