Blade - Unbound

Seeing Luo Faqing's cold expression, Sha Lifei cursed silently, unease rising in his heart. "Damn it... wasn't this guy supposed to be crippled? How is he moving around so quickly?"

Now that even their bluff had been seen through, all the tricks they usually used to bluff their way out of trouble were probably useless.

More importantly, they still had no idea what had actually happened.

Hearing Master Du's question, Wang Daoxuan quickly glanced at Li Yan. To his surprise, Li Yan had lowered his head and closed his eyes, looking as though he had fallen asleep. Even with a Daoist's composure, Wang Daoxuan could not help but panic.

Stroking his beard, he frowned. "Master Du, there are still some things we need to understand before we can say anything."

"Hahaha..." Luo Faqing sneered. "You don't even understand the situation, yet you dared come knocking at the door, putting on airs and trying to bluff people with jianghu tricks. You people are the reason the reputation of the mystic path is in tatters!"

Sha Lifei refused to lose an argument, and so immediately mocked him. "Oh? Isn't this Daoist Luo from the other night? What is it? You just lost a contest to us, and you've already forgotten? So who's the one talking big here?"

"How dare you?!" Luo Faqing flew into a rage, slamming the armrest of his chair. "Who do you think you are?! You're just lowly trash! Don't think that just because Shen Sanyou is backing you that I wouldn't dare kill you!"

Provoked by the murderous intent radiating from him, Sha Lifei felt a chill run through his heart, yet he still gritted his teeth, preparing to retort.

He understood perfectly well that Luo Faqing was doing this on purpose. If they backed down out of fear today, word would spread throughout Chang'an's mystic path by dawn.

Besides, Chang'an had an Enforcement Hall. Even the Shang Mountain Lineage would never openly murder someone in broad daylight.

Just then, Li Yan suddenly opened his eyes. He held out an arm to stop Sha Lifei, and calmly looked at Luo Faqing. "Daoist Luo, there's no need to keep wagging your tongue here and stir up trouble. You couldn't solve the problem yourself, yet you're resorting to petty tricks. That is what truly makes someone lowly."

"Heh. What bold words." Luo Faqing laughed in anger. "What does a brat who just entered the mystic path know?

"Fine. Tell me, then, how should this matter be handled?"

Li Yan sighed. "It's difficult..."

He turned toward Wang Daoxuan and asked, "Daoist. You already noticed on the way here that the Dripping Marrow Formation had become corrupted. Why didn't you simply tell them?"

The moment those words left his mouth, both Luo Faqing and Master Du's expression changed. Wang Daoxuan specialized in fengshui and disaster-averting rituals. After years of studying the Dao, he also understood a little of many other branches of the mystic path.

His greatest weakness, however, was his divine ability. Whenever something truly happened, he was like a blind man feeling an elephant, often making mistakes. However, with Li Yan's reminder, combined with something he had heard previously, he immediately arrived at a conclusion.

His heart turned bitter, but his expression remained perfectly calm.

Sighing, he shook his head. "It isn't that I was trying to hide anything. Daoist Luo is right. Our abilities are insufficient, and we truly cannot handle this matter. We shall take our leave."

Those words clearly meant they intended to withdraw. Although Li Yan was puzzled, he offered no objection. If even Wang Daoxuan openly admitted he could not handle the matter, swallowing his pride in the process, then whatever was happening here was genuinely dangerous. Leaving as soon as possible was undoubtedly the wisest course.

"Please wait!" Just then, Master Du suddenly rose to his feet. He cupped his fists and bowed deeply. "Gentlemen... I failed to recognize true talent. Please forgive me and do not take offense."

Wang Daoxuan shook his head. "Master Du. We're not putting on airs. This matter truly exceeds our abilities."

"I understand." Master Du sighed. "But the lives of my family are at stake. I ask only that you stay a few more days and see whether another solution presents itself. No matter the outcome, I will present each of you with a generous gift. Your efforts will not go unrewarded.

"Steward Wang, prepare Chong'er's courtyard and have these gentlemen stay there. Be sure to treat them well."

"Yes, Master." Steward Wang, now realizing Li Yan's group genuinely possessed ability, secretly breathed a sigh of relief. With an ingratiating smile, he quickly turned to them and bowed slightly. "Gentlemen, please follow me."

As he spoke, he shot Zhao Jiu a meaningful glance.

Zhao Jiu immediately added, "Young Hero Li, it's already getting late. Why not stay the night first?"

Now that matters had reached this point, Li Yan and the others could hardly refuse. Led by Steward Wang, they left the main hall.

Luo Faqing's face had long since darkened. The moment the three departed, he immediately spoke. "Master Du. Those people really aren't that capable. They do not possess an ancestral altar of a proper lineage. They're merely practitioners of unorthodox arts.

"Their cultivation is, at best, only at the second level."

"I know." Master Du interrupted him with a sigh. "But they saw the problem at a glance. They must possess some genuine skill. I've also exhausted every other option. At this point, I can only hope for the best.

"Besides, Daoist Luo, there's no need to hide the truth. If Master Yue truly had a way to solve this, why would he avoid showing himself and send you instead?"

"W-well..." Luo Faqing's face flushed red as he found himself utterly speechless.

***

"Gentlemen, it's just ahead." Steward Wang enthusiastically led the way as he introduced, "That courtyard belongs to Second Young Master He Chong. He's away at sea most of the year, but the master misses him dearly, so this courtyard is cleaned regularly. The master truly holds you gentlemen in high regard."

He continued chattering away, but Li Yan's group paid him little attention. If they hadn't demonstrated enough ability to make Master Du believe they might help, the old man would probably have already taught them a harsh lesson.

"Gentlemen..." Zhao Jiu, the broker guild disciple who had been following behind them, suddenly spoke with an apologetic smile. "My second uncle's third aunt lives nearby. It's rare for me to come all this way, so I should pay the old lady a visit. I'll take my leave now."

After cupping his fists, he immediately turned and left. Though he had no idea what had actually happened, his talent lay in reading people. He had already sensed danger in the air. Naturally, he slipped away at the first opportunity.

Sha Lifei cursed under his breath, but paid him no further attention. It was typical of most seasoned jianghu veterans to behave this way. They seized every advantage, found powerful people to rely upon, and fled the moment danger appeared.

Meanwhile, Steward Wang pretended not to notice. He quickly brought the three into a small courtyard.

Sure enough, it was elegant and immaculately maintained.

After arranging rooms for each of them, Steward Wang bowed. "Gentlemen, you've traveled a long way. Please get some rest. I'll have people prepare hot water and a meal."

With that, he carefully closed the door behind him and departed.

The instant he left, Sha Lifei leaped to the doorway, looked around repeatedly, then gestured with his hand, asking whether it was safe to speak.

Li Yan formed a hand seal and took a deep breath. After confirming that no one nearby was eavesdropping, he finally turned around. "Daoist, what exactly is going on?"

"It's somewhat troublesome." Wang Daoxuan shook his head. But he didn't continue explaining, and instead, asked, "Did you enter a special state earlier? What did you see? Tell me everything first."

Naturally, Wang Daoxuan already knew Li Yan could see spirits.

The Mountain God of the mass grave, the Tiger Daoist at the Medicine King Temple... Li Yan had found ways to resolve both situations with the aid of the Summoning Writ.

"This estate truly is extraordinary." Li Yan slowly shook his head. "The fengshui of this residence is every bit as remarkable as you described. It has actually formed a layout similar to that of a Daoist temple.

"In fact, the Summoning Writ reacted even before entering the estate. Then, when I entered the main hall and saw the ancestral tablets. I immediately received a vision, and saw a lotus-shaped Eight Trigrams jade bowl serving as a throne.

"An old man sat inside it, wearing burial garments. His complexion was dark, and he stared directly at me.

"Those eyes... They weren't human. There was also black slime continuously dripping down onto him. His entire body had been soaked by it, and it had even stained the jade bowl was stained.

“I withdrew immediately, but remembering what you said earlier, I decided to gamble and give you that hint."

"So that's how it is." Wang Daoxuan tugged thoughtfully at his beard. "The Du Family truly dared anything in pursuit of wealth. Normally, a Dripping Marrow Formation requires time to develop. After all, it accumulates fortune drop by drop. Only after ten years does its blessing begin benefiting later generations.

"However, there exists a secret method capable of accelerating the process. If I'm not mistaken, they secretly moved their ancestors' remains and buried them beside one of the great tombs surrounding the ancient capital.

"If they were even bolder, they may have occupied an ancient Zhou noble's tomb for themselves."

Li Yan frowned. "Would that actually work?"

"Ordinarily? No." Wang Daoxuan shook his head. "But this is the Dripping Heavenly Marrow. By using their ancestors' bones, they accelerated the formation's effects."

Li Yan immediately understood. "So, something went wrong with the method?"

"Not exactly." Wang Daoxuan shook his head and explained, "The method itself is dangerous, but it can be stabilized. Every seven years, whenever a leap year occurs, a ritual must be performed to purge the evil yin energy and resentment that accumulates within the ancestral tomb.

"Ordinarily, everything would have been fine. But recently, a major incident occurred. You should both know what I'm referring to."

A flash of realization crossed Li Yan's mind, and he gasped, "The ancient Zhou tombs were robbed!"

Wang Daoxuan nodded. "Exactly. The tomb robbers used enormous quantities of explosives.

"The Du Family's ancestral tomb must have been nearby. It had to have been affected, and the tomb's yin qi leaked away. Relocating graves has always required stillness, and movement is taboo, especially with such a dangerous formation.

"Once the ancestors' resentment erupted, it naturally brought disaster upon their descendants. The youngest members would always be targeted first."

Sha Lifei sucked in a cold breath. "Damn... Couldn't they simply perform another ritual and calm the ancestors' resentment?"

Wang Daoxuan sighed. "It's difficult. What they did was effectively place their ancestors inside an ancient Zhou tomb. No ancestor would willingly accept that.

"They even relied upon the Dripping Marrow Formation to transform the ancestors into Yin Deities protecting the family. It is exactly what Brother Yan saw."

Sha Lifei cursed. "They sought wealth by tormenting their own ancestors like that. No wonder the old ancestor wants revenge."

Stroking his beard, Wang Daoxuan shook his head. "This is a bloodline curse brought about by their own actions. I don't possess the ability to undo it.

"Perhaps, once the Taixuan Orthodox Church returns, they'll have a solution."

Having understood the cause, the three no longer dwelled on it. After all, even the Shang Mountain Lineage was powerless against something like this. They had even less hope in solving it.

Before long, Steward Wang returned with hot water and food. Sha Lifei casually chatted with him, extracting information both openly and subtly.

Sure enough, everything matched Wang Daoxuan's deductions.

Not long after the ancient Zhou tombs had been blown open, Master Du's grandson had developed a high fever. He began speaking nonsense, constantly insisting that his great-grandfather had come to take him away.

Naturally, Master Du knew exactly what had happened. He even rushed to inspect the ancestral grave himself. The sight had nearly caused him to collapse from rage on the spot.

Though numerous shamans and spirit mediums had been invited, none succeeded in restoring the boy's senses. Soon afterward, his grandson suddenly vanished without a trace.

Only a day later, his granddaughter fell into the exact same condition. She too developed a fever, lost consciousness, and continually muttered incoherently.

Master Du's wife doted on the girl and stayed by her bedside every night. Two days earlier, no one knew what she had seen. She was frightened so badly that her gallbladder ruptured, killing her on the spot.

For days, the entire estate had been consumed by panic. Once Steward Wang departed, the three exchanged helpless glances before shaking their heads in silence. Soon after, each retired to bed.

They had already made up their minds. The next day, they would honestly explain the situation to Master Du. He would have to seek someone more capable.

***

Inside the mourning hall, spirit money and paper ingots burned endlessly within the brazier.

Master Du's eldest son, Du An, absentmindedly tended the vigil. His eyes were vacant, but every so often, he glanced toward the rear courtyard. Ordinarily, after such a major tragedy, he should have been the one maintaining order. At the very least, he should have spared his father additional worry.

But within such a short period, his son had vanished, his fate unknown, and his daughter had fallen victim as well. Before he could even recover, his mother had passed away.

One blow after another had nearly broken the middle-aged man. The only thing he could still manage was keeping vigil for his mother's spirit.

Suddenly, footsteps sounded behind him. Every hair on Du An's body stood on end as he whirled around like a startled rabbit. Only after recognizing the newcomer did he finally breathe easier.

"D-Daoist Luo..."

The visitor was none other than Luo Faqing.

Luo Faqing nodded. His expressionless gaze slowly swept over the surroundings before he finally spoke. "It's nothing. I merely came to take a look."

With that, he turned to leave.

Yet after taking only a few steps, he looked back at the utterly despondent Du An. For some reason, compassion stirred within him.

"Don't worry. It hasn't reached your turn yet..."

Before he could finish speaking, even he realized how awkward those words sounded. Lightly slapping his own mouth, he turned and walked away.

His pace quickened and soon, he arrived at a small courtyard behind the Du residence.

Inside one of the side rooms lay a young girl just entering adolescence.

Her face was flushed scarlet and sweat soaked her hair. Her teeth were clenched tightly together, and her eyelids trembled constantly, as though she was trapped in a nightmare.

She lay upon an exquisitely carved canopy bed, something found only in wealthy households. The bed was decorated with intricate carvings, jade inlays, tortoiseshell ornaments, and countless luxurious embellishments.

Yet, the entire bed had been wrapped in countless strands of red cord. Copper coins, copper bells, and numerous talismans hung all over it.

Master Du sat outside the room gripping a long blade. Several servants stood nearby with weapons in hand, but every one of them looked utterly terrified.

Seeing them, Luo Faqing shook his head. "Master Du, none of these things will help. A bloodline curse originates from within."

"I know." Master Du gripped the hilt so tightly his knuckles whitened. Grinding his teeth, he said, "I simply wanted to see him one more time. Back then, he nearly destroyed the Du Family.

"So many years have passed since his death and now he's causing trouble again! He wanted my life back then. If that's what he wants today, then he can have it!"

Though his words sounded resolute, his spirit had already collapsed. In that instant, he seemed to age many years.

He slowly entered the room. His trembling hand gently caressed the intricate carvings upon the canopy bed as he murmured, "I had craftsmen build this bed when Wan'er was still little... I dreamed that one day, I would personally send her off to be married..."

At that point, his lips began trembling. "Daoist Luo, do you think I truly made the wrong choice back then? Is this my retribution?"

Luo Faqing remained silent. He had no idea how to answer as his thoughts drifted back to Du An earlier. He possessed numerous powerful offensive techniques, but warding off disasters, exorcising evil, and removing calamities had never been his strengths.

At that moment, Shen Sanyou's parting words unexpectedly resurfaced in his mind.

Power without Dao... Could it be that he had truly walked the wrong path?

Just as Luo Faqing's thoughts descended into turmoil, he suddenly noticed Master Du staring past him. The old man's face had turned deathly pale. His eyes were filled with absolute terror as he gazed toward the upper corner behind Luo Faqing.

Luo Faqing's scalp instantly went numb. He spun around at once, a talisman already appearing in his hand. There, in the shadowed corner where the ceiling beam met the wall, darkness had coalesced at some unknown moment.

Its outline was vague, and it resembled an enormous bird. Beneath its black wings, a deathly pale human face could faintly be seen...