Blade - Unbound

"A yin infested land?" Wang Daoxuan stroked his beard thoughtfully. "Although Chang'an has the City God Temple's garrison stationed here under imperial mandate, and the dragon vein's qi converges upon the city, there are indeed still quite a few yin infested lands, most of them connected to burials.

"There are burial grounds in every direction surrounding Chang'an. The people of Chang'an County are generally buried to the west after death, while those from Wannian County are buried east of the city.

"The imperial court also enforces strict regulations over burials. Every burial requires an officially approved death register, and must be recorded with the courthouse. Violent deaths are relatively few, and with both the Buddhist and Daoist sects holding annual rituals to release hungry ghosts, it's difficult for true yin infested lands to form.

"So your options are limited to two places.

"The first is north of the city, beyond Longshou Plateau, stretching toward Wuling Plateau. That area contains both Qin and Han imperial palaces as well as countless ancient tombs. Back then, the Fangxian Daoists laid out many formations there, making the tombs extremely dangerous. Not only are they filled with traps, but yin soldiers were buried alongside the dead.

“Countless tomb robbers have perished within them. During times of war, armies often broke open the tombs in search of treasure, repeatedly stirring up disasters. As a result, many yin infested lands have taken shape there...

"The second is south of the city. Through generations of warfare, several massive mass graves have formed there, far larger than the one outside Xianyang. Moreover, they're still in use today.

"I've heard that the Taixuan Orthodox Sect frequently conducts great sacrificial rituals there to suppress disasters and evil spirits. But killing qi is born of heaven and earth itself and opposes astral qi. The innate astral qi of holy hands can be contained for tens of thousands of years. Naturally, killing qi cannot be eliminated so easily. It can only be suppressed to prevent calamities from arising..."

After listening to Wang Daoxuan's explanation, Li Yan pondered for a moment before responding, "I'll choose the mass graves south of the city. The northern tombs are too dangerous. Better to take things one step at a time. Daoist, I'll need to prepare a few things..."

As he spoke, Li Yan handed over the list he had already prepared.

After glancing over it a few times, Wang Daoxuan said, "I still have plenty of incense, candles, joss paper, and spirit money on hand. But we'll have to purchase lotus lanterns and Soul-Guiding Incense from the City God Temple. Alright. I'll take care of it today."

Li Yan nodded, his brows slightly furrowed. Everything on the list was required for the Northern Emperor Yin Mountain Rite. None of it was especially precious magical equipment.

However, what truly concerned him was Luo Mingzi's situation. He had gone to see him several times over the past few weeks, but Luo Mingzi was never there. In fact, most of the Daoists from Chang'an's Enforcement Hall had also been dispatched elsewhere. Whenever he asked why, the Daoists left behind refused to say.

If the Taixuan Orthodox Sect had mobilized nearly all its forces, it definitely wasn't a trivial matter. Even so, not a single rumor had been leaked. That, in itself, was rather strange.

Some things could only be learned after entering the Daoist world. The Taixuan Orthodox Sect's enemies weren't limited to the evil paths of the jianghu. Their responsibilities ran the gauntlet from protecting the dragon veins and stabilizing the nation's fortune to conducting the grand rituals to dispel calamities and suppress evil

Some things could not be solved even with their lightning arts.

For example, there was the Yellow River Stone Dragon Coffin they had once heard about. Not only had the Taixuan Orthodox Sect been mobilized, but even the capital's finest Daoist coffin bearers had all been dispatched to transport it safely to Mount Wangwu, where it could be suppressed using the power of a holy land.

No one had dared to open the coffin. No matter what method of divination was used, the result was always the same: an omen of catastrophic disaster.

Perhaps Luo Mingzi and the others had gone to deal with something similar.

***

Knock! Knock! Knock!

Not long after breakfast, someone knocked on the courtyard gate.

Li Yan was still inside when Sha Lifei, who had been preparing to head out, went to answer it. Soon afterward, the sound of an argument erupted.

"Why are you like a damn ghost? You're impossible to get rid of..."

"Heh, what a coincidence. Running into an unlucky bastard like you first thing in the morning."

"Your mouth's still as foul as ever!"

"Likewise!"

Hearing the exchange, Li Yan merely shook his head. He had already guessed who had come. Sure enough, when he stepped outside, he found Sha Lifei blocking the entrance, arguing with a short man sporting dead fish eyes.

The two traded sarcastic barbs and filthy insults, yet neither showed the slightest intention of actually fighting. As it turned out, Zhang Shitong from the Zhang Family Martial Arts Hall in Xianyang had arrived.

Li Yan smiled as he cupped his fists, putting an end to their quarrel. "Senior Brother Zhang, it's been a long time."

"It has." Zhang Shitong glared at him with his dead fish eyes and said in his usual sarcastic tone, "Now that you've made names for yourselves in Chang'an, you've already forgotten your old friends, have you? My father sent me to deliver your New Year's gifts, and instead I get blocked at the gate. What an impressive display of hospitality!"

Li Yan laughed helplessly. "How could that be? Senior Brother Zhang, please come in."

There was nothing wrong with Zhang Shitong except for his foul mouth. In fact, he took pride in it, delighting in arguing with anyone he met. Honestly, the only reason he was still alive was because his equally foul-mouthed yet incredibly formidable father happened to be the President of the Xianyang Divine Fist Association.

Seeing that Li Yan was refusing to take the bait, Sha Lifei merely snorted and walked away. Feeling rather bored, Zhang Shitong waved his hand, and several disciples from the martial arts hall immediately carried baskets upon baskets of goods.

"Just some steamed buns... and a little meat and wine..." Zhang Shitong said listlessly. "The old man figured all the restaurants would close during the New Year, and you three rough brutes would need something to serve guests.

"Though I doubt he knows you've become even more popular in the brothels than your father ever was. Heh, who would care about this stuff anymore?"

"That's all just rumors!" Li Yan denied it instantly, though he couldn't help feeling rather exasperated.

All he had done was drink and sing. How had his reputation turned into that? After thinking it over, he arrived at only one conclusion.

Stay around a crow long enough, and you'll end up black yourself.

Night Crier! It's all that shameless old rogue's fault. He definitely did something!

He hurriedly changed the subject. "Has Elder Zhang come to Chang'an as well?"

At the mention of serious matters, Zhang Shitong immediately became much more earnest. He shook his head and sighed. "Being President of the Divine Fist Association really isn't an easy job. Two martial arts halls in Xianyang have started butting heads over escort agency business. They're practically ready to draw blades. The old man tried to mediate and got so angry his veins nearly burst.

"He keeps saying Zhou Pan never should've died. If he had stayed in the position, he would be the one suffering instead."

By the end, Zhang Shitong wore an unmistakably smug grin.

In response, Li Yan shook his head helplessly. "Tell Elder Zhang not to overthink it. They'll do whatever they're going to do. Once they're tired of fighting, things will naturally settle down."

Zhang Shitong rolled his eyes. "If only it were that simple. If he can't stop them, they'll just turn around and curse my father instead. They'll say he's occupying the position without doing anything useful. They'll even claim Zhou Pan was better than him."

Li Yan chuckled. "Well... They aren't entirely wrong."

The corners of Zhang Shitong's eye twitched and he waved his hand. "Forget about that. This time I came to Chang'an for the Divine Fist Association's final gathering before the New Year. It's going to be a little different this year.

"My father said that although you've entered the mystic path, because of your father, you're still considered part of the jianghu. He wants to take you along so you can broaden your horizons. That way, if you ever run into a truly dangerous expert in the future, you won't fail to recognize them and end up getting yourself beaten to death."

You're the one who's going to get beaten to death...

Li Yan grumbled to himself, though his curiosity had been piqued. He couldn't help but ask, "So what's different this time?"

Zhang Shitong waved impatiently and started walking away. "I'll explain on the way."

After thinking it over, Li Yan nodded. "Alright."

The Shanzhou Divine Fist Association headquarters was located in Banzheng Street, not far from Guangde Street where the City God Temple stood. Conveniently, he could purchase the ritual implements he needed along the way.

Leaving Pingkang Street, the two headed west. To the right of the street stood what had once been the Tang imperial palace. Now, only a stretch of the city wall remained. Just beyond it was a bustling mule and horse market through which northern goods entered Chang'an, making the street rather crowded.

Li Yan and Zhang Shitong sat in a carriage, slowly moving along with the flow of traffic.

"This time I'll help you widen your horizons!" Excitement gleamed in Zhang Shitong's eyes as he quickly continued, "You know about the Gao Family from Xianyang, right?"

Li Yan nodded. "Of course."

The Gao Family of Xianyang had once enjoyed immense prestige throughout Shanzhou. They had produced several Core Jin Realm masters in succession. Their reputation had been well known across the jianghu of the Divine Continent.

In other words, they had been a true martial aristocratic family. Unfortunately, they had acted far too arrogantly. No one knew which mysterious force they had offended, but the entire family had been exterminated overnight. To this day, it remained an unsolved mystery.

What did the Core Jin Realm represent? Simply put, the Jin Transformation Realm was the state achieved after refining hidden force to its absolute limit, allowing the martial artist to manipulate it perfectly at will. If they encountered a mighty obstacle, they would use hidden force to force their way through it. If they encountered a tricky blow, they would use hidden force to nullify the power behind it.

Against ordinary martial artists who still used hidden force, victory came effortlessly. Even so, extended combat would still exhaust them.

When one reached the Core Jin Realm, they could gather their qi and blood within the dantian. Normally, such a practitioner appeared no different from an ordinary person. Yet once battle began, they could unleash explosive power at any moment. Not only was their strength vastly superior to those who still used hidden force, they could also fight for prolonged periods.

The great generals of ancient armies, who wielded spears weighing dozens of jin and carved paths through enemy formations, were at the very least, practitioners of that level.

Beyond that came the Astral Jin Realm, which entered far more mysterious territory. Such practitioners condensed the intent of their fists. Their very presence created a spiritual field.

Some stood as immovable as mountains while others radiated murderous intent. A single roar or even a glare could frighten a timid person to death. Ordinary ghosts wouldn't even dare approach someone like that.

Above even that lay the Xiantian Realm. That was the level of a true grandmaster! They represented the pinnacle of human strength.

Take his Three Talent Demon-Suppressing Coins, for example. It had been refined by Yang Yi, the famed Demon Blade General of the previous Great Xing Dynasty. That man had been an Xiantian Realm grandmaster. He was virtually invincible!

Zhang Shitong clicked his tongue. "The Gao Family incident really served to wake up everyone in the martial world. A Core Jin Realm expert possesses talent, opportunity, and fortune. If a sect produces even one, that person becomes its pillar, enough to protect its prosperity for over a decade. But despite the Gao Family’s strength, not a single one of them survived.

"Have you noticed? The presidents of the Shanzhou Divine Fist Association are practically all Jin Transformation Realm martial artists. You never see a single Core Jin Realm master."

Li Yan's expression turned solemn as he asked, "They've all gone into hiding?"

"Not exactly." Zhang Shitong shook his head. "Once someone reaches the Core Jin Realm, they generally stop concerning themselves with mundane affairs. If they're still young, most travel throughout the Divine Continent searching for opportunities to advance further. If they're already old and have little hope of breaking through again, they remain within their sects teaching disciples. They're the true foundation of every martial school.

"Don't be fooled by Zhou Pan's prestige in Xianyang. That was only because the Gao Family had been exterminated. After that, Xianyang simply had no one capable of holding up the martial world.

"If any family there had possessed even a single Core Jin Realm expert, the position of Divine Fist Association President would've never fallen to Zhou Pan. And another thing. Why do you think he tried so desperately to curry favor with Lu Kang? That's because advancing through official channels was his only chance."

At that point, Li Yan finally understood and his eyes lit up. "So Core Jin Realm experts will appear this time?"

"Mhm." Zhang Shitong nodded. "It's all because of the Drum King Assembly. This year's Drum King Assembly is a major Daoist event, with experts from other provinces arriving. Naturally, the Shanzhou Divine Fist Association has to receive them.

"My father wanted you to come along, meet a few people, and remember their faces. Core Jin Realm experts are masters at concealing themselves. Otherwise, someday you'll unknowingly provoke someone truly dangerous.

"Also, you had better keep a low profile during the Drum King Assembly. Don't stir up trouble. If some Core Jin Realm expert beats you to death, we certainly won't dare stand up for you."

Li Yan laughed helplessly. "Don't worry. Why would I go looking for trouble with people like that?"

As they spoke, they arrived near Guangde Street.

Li Yan said quickly, "Senior Brother Zhang, I need to take care of something. You go on ahead. I'll meet you there shortly."

He lifted the carriage curtain and stepped off.

Zhang Shitong rolled his eyes. "What a hassle. I'll wait for you outside the Divine Fist Association. Otherwise, you won't even be allowed through the gate."

Li Yan smiled as he cupped his fists before heading toward the City God Temple.

With the New Year approaching, the City God Temple was even livelier than usual. Avoiding the front hall, Li Yan headed toward the side entrance of the rear hall. He had visited several times already, and the junior Daoist who stood at the gate recognized him immediately.

Without even waiting to be asked, the junior disciple shook his head. "Martial Uncle Luo Mingzi still hasn't returned. Brother Li, please don't ask anymore. We don't know anything either."

Li Yan sighed helplessly. "Mhm. I actually came today to purchase a few ritual items."

After informing the junior Daoist, Li Yan strode into the courtyard. Just inside stood the Mystic Office. The elderly Daoist who had registered him that day was present, busily working alongside several others.

The Mystic Office oversaw Daoist affairs. Ever since the imperial court tightened its regulations, not only did every practitioner have to register, but all major rituals had to be reported in advance. Otherwise, the Enforcement Hall would come knocking.

With the New Year approaching and rituals being held everywhere, they were naturally swamped with work. Li Yan merely glanced over before moving on without disturbing them.

As he entered the rear courtyard, he immediately deactivated his divine ability. The most powerful spirit troops in Shanzhou were enshrined within the main hall of the rear courtyard, and the ritual altar was guarded by formidable Daoist experts. Any reckless attempt to spy on them would immediately be detected.

At that moment, the hall was thick with incense smoke. The sounds of knocking on wooden fish, Dharma conches, and scripture chanting echoed continuously. Daoists stepped through celestial patterns, performing ritual ceremonies.

The sight caused Li Yan's heart to skip a beat. Those were preparations for deploying the spirit troops. The Taixuan Orthodox Sect was definitely preparing for a major operation!

As he glanced at the Enforcement Hall on the other side, it remained completely deserted. Even its gates had been locked shut.

Outside the rear hall, two sword-bearing Daoists cast cold glances in his direction the second he turned to look at the Enforcement Hall.

Not wanting to stir up trouble, Li Yan withdrew his gaze and entered the side hall opposite them. The atmosphere there was noticeably more relaxed.

A massive tiered ritual altar stood in the center. It was covered in layer upon layer of every imaginable ritual tool. From incense, candles, and talisman paper to Soul-Calming Bells, Soul-Guiding Lanterns, and copper mirrors for protecting homes, there was an astonishing variety.

The hall was thick with the fragrance of incense. It was where the City God Temple sold ritual tools. Everything had been crafted by Daoist artisans before being enshrined upon the altar, tempered by incense offerings day and night.

The higher an item was placed, the longer it had been enshrined. Naturally, the higher the item, the more expensive it became. Of course, these were merely basic ritual tools. Most were disposable. Anyone seeking something truly exceptional would have to negotiate directly with the Daoists guarding the hall.

The most valuable items were heavenly spiritual treasures, but unless someone desperately needed one, only a fool would buy them from the City God Temple.

With the New Year approaching, demand for ritual tools had become quite high. There were seven or eight itinerant practitioners inside the hall, haggling with the temple Daoist over prices.

Pressed for time, Li Yan skipped the small talk. He quickly purchased the Soul-Guiding Incense, lotus lanterns, and the other required items before hurrying away. Watching his departing figure, several practitioners quietly whispered among themselves.

"That's Li Yan, isn't it?"

"Mhm."

"Right, he's someone who travels with Wang Daoxuan. Hmph, they've really been in the spotlight lately. They've been going in and out of wealthy merchants' estates and even stole one of my jobs..."

"What are you so anxious about, fellow Daoist? Let them strut around while they still can. With no backing and no strong roots here, sooner or later, they'll suffer for it. They have no idea how deep the waters of Chang'an truly are."

The temple Daoist remained expressionless, yet a trace of ridicule flashed through his eyes.

After leaving the temple, Li Yan hailed a carriage to save time and headed north toward Banzheng Street.

The headquarters of the Divine Fist Association was impossible to miss. The vast compound’s front gate faced the main street, flanked by a pair of stone lions, while towering pines and cypresses filled the courtyard beyond.

Standing outside the entrance, Zhang Shitong was already cursing loudly as he confronted someone.