Blade - Unbound

"Haojing?" Despite hearing the name, Red Yaksha showed no curiosity at all. Instead, her brows furrowed slightly. "You're still associating with those tomb rats?"

"Hahaha..." Seeing her concerned expression, Boss Feng felt a warmth in her heart and covered her mouth with a laugh. "Don't worry, Sister Hong. I'm not some ignorant novice anymore. After suffering a loss once, why would I go looking for trouble with that crowd again?"

But a meaningful look flashed across her face as she continued, "This news actually concerns you."

Red Yaksha seemed unconcerned. Shaking her head, she replied, "I don't involve myself in jianghu disputes. I've long since lost any ambition on the path of cultivation. I just take on jobs to raise the children. Even if the greatest treasure in the world were unearthed, what would it have to do with me?"

Feng Feiyan calmly replied, "I heard it was the tomb of an ancient Zhou Daoist. The first to discover it were members of the hidden-seeker lineage. Something went wrong, and everyone who entered died except for one person who escaped.

"After the news spread, many people from the underworld circles secretly rushed there at night. Someone even used explosives to break into the tomb and loot all the burial treasures inside.

"Several fights broke out over the spoils. Quite a few of those artifacts have already made their way into Chang'an. The rest aren't particularly noteworthy, but I heard someone obtained the Ziwu Demon-Slaying Sword."

"What?" Red Yaksha abruptly turned to stare at her, shock written across her face. After a moment, she slowly sat back down as a complicated look filled her eyes. "Master..."

***

The Chang'an City God Temple was the Grand City God Temple of the Great Xuan Dynasty. A Grand City God Temple governed all City God temples, large and small, throughout an entire region of the empire. It represented the highest level of such institutions, and was directly supported by the imperial court.

The original Grand City God Temple of Chang'an had been completely destroyed during the wars between the former Great Xing Dynasty and the Golden Horde of the Wolf Kingdom.

After the founding of the Great Xuan Dynasty, Emperor Xiao Chengyou ordered the reconstruction and restoration of City God temples throughout the realm. At the same time, he established the Taixuan Orthodox Church as the state religion.

Thus, the current Chang'an City God Temple had only existed for a little over a century. It had been built upon what was formerly Guangde Street, where the Jingzhao Prefecture offices had once been during the Tang Dynasty.

The complex was immense, and enshrined the first City God of the Divine Continent. Like the City God Temple in Xianyang, the Chang'an temple was divided into two sections. The front shrine dedicated to the City God remained open day and night. Any worshipper could enter and offer incense. Every year on the eighth day of the second lunar month, a grand temple fair was also held.

The palace complex behind it, however, was strictly restricted. Ordinary people were forbidden from entering. Within were the vast armies of Divine Officials maintained by the Taixuan Orthodox Church, along with the Mystic Office, Enforcement Hall, and various institutions responsible for managing the Daoist world.

At present, worshippers came and went in endless streams. Even the side entrance leading to the rear palace had a long queue stretching outside.

The people standing in line were equally peculiar. There were blind old women dressed in black, white-haired elders carrying willow lutes, and even Buddhist monks wearing kasayas. They waited quietly in the wind and snow, occasionally exchanging a few whispered words.

They were naturally all members of the Daoist world.

Although the Great Xuan Dynasty favored Daoism, it did not reject Buddhism. Several Buddhist sects were recognized as orthodox traditions, and their practitioners were issued Buddhist Permits. As for wandering shamans, spirit mediums, and folk practitioners, they all received Dao Permits.

Li Yan and Wang Daoxuan stood in the queue as well. Since neither of them understood the procedures of the Grand City God Temple, and seeing so many people waiting, they chose not to seek special treatment. They didn't want to make things difficult for Luo Mingzi, so they quietly joined the line.

Practitioners often possessed all sorts of strange divine abilities. Thus, perhaps out of caution, everyone remained silent. Even when speaking, they kept their voices low and avoided discussing anything important.

At that moment, a gray-robed Daoist carrying a sword emerged from inside with an extremely unpleasant expression.

Someone couldn't help asking, "Fellow Daoist Wu, what's wrong?"

"Hmph!" The gray-robed Daoist snorted coldly. "I understand the court wanting to regulate the Daoist world, but why investigate our cultivation levels? And why divide everyone into ranks and classes?"

As he spoke, he raised the Dao Permit in his hand. "See this? Orthodox sects get black certificates. Established lineages get red certificates. As for us side-path practitioners, we're all issued white certificates. They look like funeral paper!"

The surrounding crowd exchanged uneasy glances, but chose to remain silent.

An old man eventually shook his head and advised, "Calm down, Fellow Daoist. The Daoist world has always had distinctions between high and low. We don't receive the court's salary anyway. Why bother worrying about it?"

"That's true, but..." The gray-robed Daoist wanted to argue further; yet, seeing that everyone clearly wanted to avoid trouble, his spirit suddenly deflated.

With a sigh, he shook his head. "I pursued cultivation because I wanted freedom. Who would've thought that even within the Daoist world, I'd still end up being controlled by others? Following the laws of nature? Living carefree? This is bullshit!"

Still muttering to himself, he gradually disappeared into the falling snow.

Li Yan's expression remained calm. He had already expected similar reactions. After all, any major reform from the court was bound to provoke dissatisfaction. But the Great Xuan Dynasty stood at the height of its power, and its laws were strictly enforced. A few complaints would never change anything.

Before long, it was finally Li Yan's turn.

The Mystic Office hadn't gone overboard with the process. Each person was received individually so that their personal information wouldn't be exposed to others. That was the reason the line moved so slowly.

The registration office was located in a side courtyard beyond the side gate. Despite the snowfall, the doors of the main hall stood open. An elderly Daoist sat inside reviewing records while a green-robed clerk copied information into ledgers.

The weather was bitterly cold, forcing both men to occasionally exhale into their hands and rub them together.

Seeing Li Yan enter, the elderly Daoist smiled warmly. "Please sit, Fellow Daoist. No need for formalities. Have you come to register?"

Li Yan cupped his fists and announced, "I've come to collect my Dao Permit. Senior Luo Mingzi told me it had already been prepared."

"Oh?" The old Daoist seemed to recall something. Looking up at Li Yan, he asked, "Are you Li Yan? From Lantian, currently residing in Xianyang?"

Li Yan nodded. "That's right."

Without another word, the old Daoist stood up and retrieved a black Dao Permit from a shelf. "It has already been completed. Please confirm the details."

Li Yan accepted it, somewhat surprised. "A black certificate?"

The old Daoist smiled. "Your status is special. The so-called orthodox sects merely receive recognition from the court. They are far inferior to your position."

Though he did not explain directly, Li Yan immediately understood. The old Daoist was referring to his status as a living yin emissary.

Opening the certificate, Li Yan found only his name and place of origin. Nothing detailed was written regarding his cultivation or inheritance. Curious, he asked, "What makes the black certificate different?"

The old Daoist stroked his beard and explained, "Orthodox organizations are appointed by the court, and bear responsibility for maintaining the stability of the realm. So naturally, their certificates come with certain privileges. First, personal information is not easily disclosed. Second, if you encounter major emergencies, you may request special authority from local government offices."

Li Yan instantly understood. "I see."

He was quite satisfied. At last, the ranking system made sense.

Black certificates stood at the top, marking someone as one of the court's men. Red certificates ranked below. The government maintained fewer precautions against them because established lineages had roots and fixed locations. If trouble occurred, the monk could run, but the temple could not.

White certificates, meanwhile, represented the primary targets of local oversight.

Li Yan naturally felt pleased at the notion of becoming more important and gaining a few more benefits than others. He rose and cupped his fists. "Thank you, Senior. I would also like to visit Daoist Luo. Could you notify him?"

The old Daoist shook his head. "Luo Mingzi has important business, and has already left Chang'an. No one knows when he will return."

Already assigned another mission after recovering from his injuries?

Li Yan wasn't disappointed. He understood all too well how busy they were. Nodding, he simply made another request. "In that case, I'd like to leave a letter. Please pass it to him once he returns."

Although Luo Mingzi wasn't present, obtaining the certificate had already accomplished one major objective.

When they left the City God Temple, Li Yan and Wang Daoxuan wandered through Chang'an.

Wang Daoxuan pointed toward a distant section of crumbling earthen walls and introduced. "Over there was the Western Market during the Tang Dynasty. The Western Market was famous throughout the world. There were hundreds of trades and tens of thousands of shops. Merchants from the Western Regions and the Southern Seas gathered there. It was incredibly prosperous."

"Oh?" Li Yan immediately grew interested as his eyes started to sparkle in excitement. "Let's go take a look."

In his previous life, he had often heard of the legendary Western Market of Chang'an. Since it still existed in this world, he naturally wanted to see it.

Unfortunately, Wang Daoxuan shook his head. "The Western Market is long gone. During the Tang Dynasty, the streets were sealed off; private trading was forbidden; and curfews were enforced. Commerce naturally concentrated in the Western Market.

"Today the Great Xuan Dynasty imposes no curfew and actively encourages trade. Every street is filled with shops. Besides, the Western Market was devastated by war long ago."

Li Yan couldn't help but ask, "Then what is it now?"

Wang Daoxuan snorted in response. "A polo field. When Chang'an was rebuilt, they originally planned to level the area. But the provincial governor petitioned the throne, and it was instead converted into a polo field.

"People of the Great Xuan Dynasty love polo. Every trade and profession has its own team and regularly compete against one another. During temple fairs and Lantern Festivals, the place becomes extremely lively."

In the end, Li Yan still went to see it only to be left disappointed by the sight.

The Winter Solstice had only recently passed. Snow covered the withered grass fields, and hardly anyone was present. However, a few foreigners passing nearby caught his attention.

"Those are merchants from the Western Regions." Wang Daoxuan lowered his voice. "Across the way in Liquan Street stands a Fire Temple. There’s also a Church of the East on Yining Street. Although the Tang Dynasty has long fallen, its reputation endures throughout foreign lands. Many merchants from the Western Regions still choose Chang'an as their first destination. Together with the descendants of earlier settlers, they all live within those two streets."

He suddenly chuckled, "There are even Daoist practitioners among those foreigners. I've heard that some wealthy Chang'an merchants follow their teachings. They donate incense money, and even seek their help when problems arise."

He paused and thought for a second before muttering, "Though I do wonder whether foreign spells can capture local ghosts."

Li Yan imagined the scene and couldn't help laughing as well.

The two wandered through the city, and eventually arrived at the ruins of the former Taiji Palace and Daming Palace. Unfortunately, the once-glorious imperial complexes were now nothing more than crumbling walls surrounded by wild grass.

Farmers cultivated fields among the ruins while young shepherds grazed sheep nearby. Looking across the landscape, one saw only desolation.

Wang Daoxuan shook his head. "The old palaces were destroyed during the wars. The foundations and city walls are difficult to remove, and Chang'an isn't short on land, which is why the area has remained abandoned ever since. Occasionally scholars come here to mourn the past."

Lowering his voice, he continued, "However, I've heard this is also where Chang'an's Ghost Market is held, where stolen goods from the jianghu are sold. Practitioners trade magical artifacts and heavenly treasures as well. The exact location is secret and changes frequently. Without someone to guide you, it's almost impossible to find."

Li Yan's heart stirred. "Daoist, don't you need heavenly treasures to build the third floor of your inner temple?"

Wang Daoxuan nodded. "Yes. Once we're settled, I'll see whether I can hire a treasure seeker. If that fails, I'll have no choice but to search the black market. The City God Temple sells some too, but the Taixuan Orthodox Sect charges outrageous prices."

Li Yan smiled. "You could contact Zhao Luzi. Brother Zhao works in the treasure-seeking trade. He understands all the connections."

"That kid..." Wang Daoxuan laughed. "Wasn't he saying he'd saved enough money to finally get himself a wife? I wonder whether he's found one yet."

***

Chang'an was enormous. Even after spending an entire day wandering, Li Yan and Wang Daoxuan had only seen a small portion of it. By the time they returned to the inn, night had already fallen.

Countless lights illuminated the city under the snowy evening sky, making Chang'an seem even more magnificent.

"About time you got back!" Sha Lifei was waiting in the main hall. The moment he saw them, he launched into complaints. "What's so interesting about those ruined places? I wanted to take you somewhere good to eat. Now there probably aren't any seats left!"

Wang Daoxuan immediately asked, "What place?"

"The Calyx Pavilion in Pingkang Street!" Sha Lifei's eyes shone as he drooled. "They say it's the holy land of chefs in Chang'an, where masters from north and south all gather. I've been craving it for years, but unfortunately, I was always too poor. Now that I've got money, I must fulfill this dream!"

"Oh, Calyx Pavilion..." Wang Daoxuan nodded. He was clearly familiar with the place. "No problem, we'll go another day. Just make sure we arrive early."

The three of them all shared the same flaw.

Li Yan and Wang Daoxuan devoted themselves to cultivation, and didn't care about how much money they spent. As for Sha Lifei, he loved money, but once he had money, he immediately spent it. The moment he heard of good food or entertainment, he would throw himself wholeheartedly into it.

Li Yan naturally had no objections. Glancing upstairs, he asked, "Where's Sister Hong? Still drinking with Boss Feng?"

Sha Lifei replied. "She left this afternoon, saying she had something to handle. She also told us to rest early. Tomorrow she's taking Brother Yan to find a master."

Li Yan asked, "Did you find a house?"

Sha Lifei started complaining the moment he broached the topic. "Don't even mention it. The people of Chang'an must not understand the value of money. A few shabby courtyards, and they're asking for three thousand taels. I would be crazy to buy one!"

Li Yan sighed, "If all else fails, we'll just rent a place long-term, but let's make it somewhere quiet."

"Let's wait and see. I've already asked some contacts at the brokerage houses to keep an eye out. If nothing suitable appears, we'll rent."

The three returned to their courtyard, and ordered some oil-splashed noodles and side dishes.

After dinner, Sha Lifei returned to his room and immediately fell asleep. Meanwhile, Wang Daoxuan and Li Yan each returned to their own rooms. One studied ritual manuals, while the other practiced hand seals and secret arts. At midnight, both entered meditation to cultivate.

They understood one thing clearly. If they wished to establish themselves within Chang'an's Daoist world, they needed genuine skills of their own.

The following morning, the three rose early as the snowfall finally ceased. However, it wasn't until nearly noon that Red Yaksha finally arrived.

Her face was weathered from travel, and traces of cold still lingered around her body.

Noticing her exhausted expression, Li Yan immediately asked, "Sister Hong, what happened?"

"Nothing." Red Yaksha shook her head slightly. "Just gathering some information and asking around. Are you ready? Let's go, I already made inquiries on the way. Senior Li happens to be seeing patients today."

Since she clearly didn't wish to elaborate, none of them pressed further. Yong'an Street was not far from Lanling Street. After leaving the inn, they reached Zhuque Avenue in less than the time it took to burn a stick of incense.

Zhuque Avenue was also known as Heavenly Street. The famous line: A light rain moistens Heavenly Street like crisp butter, referred to this very road.

It had already been over thirty zhang wide during the Tang Dynasty. Now, with the ward walls removed, it seemed even broader.

People flowed endlessly through the avenue. Camel caravans and horse trains delivered goods while sedan chairs carrying wealthy families passed by.

Though crowded, the traffic never felt congested. Both sides of the road were packed with wandering entertainers and street practitioners.

They included the likes of fortune tellers from the Jin Sect, medicine sellers from the Pi Sect, acrobats and illusionists from the Cai Sect, and even some random peddlers selling miracle pills and dubious remedies.

The entire spectrum of society was gathered. Since they had more important matters to attend to, they did not stop to look closely at the offerings.

Crossing Zhuque Avenue, they quickly entered Lanling Street. It faced directly onto the avenue, making it prime real estate. Everywhere they looked stood restaurants, tea houses, and inns.

Red Yaksha pointed ahead. "It's over there."

Li Yan followed her gaze. Outside a medical clinic named Hall of Benevolence, a dense crowd had already gathered.