Blade - Unbound

"Night Crier?"

Beside him, Xiong Baodong's expression remained unchanged. He snorted through his nostrils and cursed, "That name alone sounds inauspicious. What's his background?"

Liu Wenchen glanced at Li Yan in the distance, his face turning somewhat unpleasant. "Night Crier is a member of the Nether Sect. He was once quite famous, but later offended the Green Forest Way, and his entire sect was slaughtered.

"However, he climbed the mountain alone and used a secret technique to massacre all twelve strongholds. Every practitioner in Chang'an connected to that incident was also wiped out. It caused quite a shock in the Daoist world."

Even Xiong Baodong looked surprised. "That is quite the formidable figure. Why didn't you introduce him to me? Instead, you let the other side reap the benefit?"

"You don't know the whole story, Chief." Liu Wenchen lowered his voice and continued, "After taking his revenge, he lost all hope. He wandered through life in a daze, either drinking himself senseless all night or wasting away in the pleasure quarters. He rarely involves himself in Daoist affairs, and makes a living handling funeral rites. He had long since withdrawn from the world. I have no idea how they managed to persuade him to come out again..."

Xiong Baodong fell silent for a moment. "Then you're saying this round is hopeless?"

"Not necessarily." Liu Wenchen's voice trembled slightly. "Night Crier has slaughtered countless people, but the Shang Mountain lineage's techniques are equally vicious. They aren't inferior in the slightest.

"But I've heard that Night Crier has never gotten along with the Shang Mountain lineage. If either side goes too far and someone dies, we won't be able to explain ourselves to Mister Yue..."

Truthfully, fear had already begun to creep into his heart. Originally, he had only coveted Red Yaksha's inherited artifact. Seeing that she always acted alone, he had proposed this contest to bully her.

Who could have imagined that after the Fire Bear Gang became involved, the entire matter would spiral completely out of control? If something truly disastrous happened, how could he possibly bear the responsibility?

After hearing this, Xiong Baodong frowned. "Keep a close eye on them later. If anything seems wrong, rush in and pull them apart immediately!"

On the other side, Steward Lu was equally astonished. "Y-you... How do you know him?!"

He stared at Li Yan, his eyes filled with uncertainty.

Li Yan calmly replied, "How could this junior have such influence? Senior Shen merely drew his blade out of a sense of justice after witnessing an injustice."

Justice my ass! Steward Lu cursed to himself. A ruthless figure like him would keep drinking even if you died right in front of him.

There had to be a reason they managed to invite him. Of course, seeing that Li Yan had no intention of explaining, he refrained from asking further.

Instead, he shook his head. "Don't celebrate too soon. If neither side dies, it's manageable. But if anyone dies... There'll be serious consequences.

"When that time comes, that karma will likely fall upon your shoulders."

Li Yan narrowed his eyes. "What do you mean, Senior?"

So he really doesn't know anything.

Li Yan's question only convinced Steward Lu further that someone else had to have arranged for Shen Sanyou's appearance. However, after witnessing the potential and connections displayed by Li Yan's side, his attitude had noticeably softened.

He spoke solemnly, "These two lineages have old grievances. The Shang Mountain lineage originated from the secret ritualists of ancient Qin.

"In the Records of the Grand Historian: Treatise on Feng and Shan Sacrifices, it is recorded that secret ritual officials existed during the reign of Qin Shi Huang. Whenever calamities or omens appeared, they would perform rituals to transfer the misfortune elsewhere...

"Later, the Han Emperor summoned all the surviving Qin ritual officials. He restored the offices of Grand Ritualist and Grand Sacrificial Minister according to the old rites. He then ordered the ritual officials to establish a shrine to Chiyou in Chang'an. The Liang shamans worshipped Heaven and Earth while the Jin shamans worshipped the Five Emperors, the Lord of the East, the Lord of the Clouds, and the Director of Fate. At the same time, the Qin shamans worshipped the Lord of the Soil and the Protector Shaman, while the Jing shamans worshipped the Hall Beneath, the First Shaman, and the Director of Fate...

"In short, the status of the secret ritualists back then was no lower than today's Taixuan Orthodox Sect. In fact, they were even more influential. You already know what happened afterward. The Fangxian Dao disaster implicated many secret ritualists who had participated, while the Orthodox Daoist sects gradually rose to prominence.

"Some of the Qin Palace ritualists retreated into the mountains, becoming hidden lineages that no longer involved themselves in the struggles of either the jianghu or the Daoist world. They called themselves the Nether Sect. However, they would dispatch members to transmit their teachings throughout the Divine Continent, selecting only those with extraordinary talent to inherit their secret arts. Night Crier, Shen Sanyou, was one such chosen individual.

"As for the Shang Mountain lineage, they obtained the Qin Palace's secret scriptures and also cultivated the ritualist arts, though they mixed them with many later techniques. They likewise claimed to be the orthodox successors.

"The two sides have clashed repeatedly throughout history over the question of orthodoxy. Although the Taixuan Orthodox Sect later mediated to end the bloody conflicts between the lineages, the resentment continues to remain.

"A single spark could reignite a war throughout the Daoist world. When that happens, countless people will die. Can you bear karma of that magnitude?!"

So that's the story...

Li Yan was somewhat surprised, his brows knitting tightly together. He had thought Shen Sanyou was merely an eccentric hidden among the common folk. He had never expected such a background.

Most likely, even Luo Mingzi hadn't expected someone as despicable as Liu Wenchen to invite a disciple of the Shang Mountain lineage. It seemed that this ritual duel had already slipped beyond anyone's control.

While everyone harbored their own thoughts, murderous intent was already rising within the ruins. Shen Sanyou was also a skilled martial artist. Although his techniques belonged to an obscure school whose origins were difficult to identify, he had clearly reached the peak of the Dark Jin Realm.

Though he staggered around like he was drunk, he lightly leaped onto a broken wall with a sudden burst of strength, carrying the enormous Soul-Summoning Banner upon his shoulder.

Standing amidst the swirling snow, he leisurely looked across at his opponent before grinning. "Well, well. Aren't you Yue Fachong’s lackey? The Shang Mountain lineage really has fallen on hard times. Serving the Prince of Chang'an still gives you some status, but now even trash like the Fire Bear Gang can order you around?"

Upon recognizing Night Crier, the disciple of the Shang Mountain lineage had immediately grown extremely vigilant. After hesitating briefly, he removed his bamboo hat and tossed it aside.

Originally, it had been meant to conceal his identity. But with matters having reached this point, there was no point hiding anymore.

The handsome young man beneath the hat stood straight and proud, his chin slightly raised, with an unmistakable air of nobility.

Hearing Shen Sanyou's mockery, he sneered in return. "Likewise. You pretend to hide among commoners, yet in the end, you couldn't endure the loneliness and came back into the world."

As he spoke, he slowly lowered his head and his eyes turned icy cold. Then, bowing with clasped fists, he declared, "Shang Mountain, Luo Faqing. And another thing, I'm no one's lackey!"

Before his words had even finished, he had already leaped backward. At the same time, he drew six ritual flags from the pack on his back.

Stepping through the formation of the Big Dipper while forming hand seals, he drove the flags into the surrounding ground one after another.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

The strange thing was, they were planted upside down.

"Upside-down ritual flags?" Although the snowstorm obstructed Li Yan's vision, his nose still caught the changing scents. He asked in surprise, "What kind of technique is this?"

Steward Lu's expression turned grave as he explained, "Planting ritual flags upside down and writing talisman headers in reverse are trademarks of the Shang Mountain lineage. They represent the inversion of yin and yang. It's an extremely fierce method."

"I see. Thank you for the explanation, Senior."

Li Yan was also somewhat astonished. He hadn't expected such a technique to exist. Sure enough, the Daoist world resembled the martial world. Only by seeing more could one's knowledge truly broaden.

Just as Steward Lu had described, the Shang Mountain method inverted the yin and yang. As the ritual flags were planted, killing qi surged into the air. Dense mist rapidly rose within a radius of roughly three zhang around Luo Faqing.

Because night had already fallen, the darkness became even deeper and more oppressive.

Li Yan's divine sense was completely disrupted. He couldn't smell anything happening within the mist at all.

Wang Daoxuan's eyes widened as he exclaimed, "Linked Earth Veil, commanding Ghosts and Gods!"

Having witnessed Wang Daoxuan's earlier contest of sorcery, Steward Lu no longer underestimated him.

Nodding, he said, "As expected, Fellow Daoist, your knowledge is impressive. The Shang Mountain lineage has spent many years learning from every source. They've truly developed quite a number of formidable techniques."

Seeing Li Yan's confusion, Wang Daoxuan explained, "The Linked Earth Veil artificially alters the flow of the earth veins, temporarily creating a location where innate killing qi gathers. It forms something like a curtain woven from the earth veins, greatly empowering the ritual altar.

"Though it doesn't last long, it allows one to perform extremely powerful spells. For example, this technique summons evil ghosts and yin deities. An ordinary ritual altar simply can't suppress them!"

In truth, there was something else he didn't say. If he could obtain the Linked Earth Veil technique, his own Secret Curse of the Seven Arrows would become vastly more powerful as well.

Sure enough, the situation on the battlefield changed dramatically. The yin mist churned violently as Li Yan could smell three terrifyingly cold auras rising from within.

They possessed the same imposing presence as divine statues in Daoist temples or Buddhist monasteries, but each had its own distinct nature. The first radiated murderous intent, while the second reeked of blood. The third had a dark and sinister aura. None of them felt like anything benevolent.

Steward Lu said gravely, "I've heard that the Shang Mountain lineage suppresses heretical gods of illicit worship throughout the land. But instead of destroying them, they recruit them all. They call them the Ghost God Battalion. They're only lower-ranking altar spirits, but they possess undeniably formidable strength."

Li Yan frowned. "They've strayed from the proper path..."

Steward Lu sighed. "But it's effective. In recent years, the Shang Mountain lineage's reputation has continued to grow. Most disciples who leave the mountain go on to serve princes or high-ranking officials. With that influence behind them, their strength only increases by the day.

"To be honest, it is not just people like us from the heterodox paths, but even some orthodox lineages envy them."

On the battlefield, Shen Sanyou sensed the terrifying killing intent pouring from the opposite side. Far from showing fear, he burst into laughter. "This is the technique you've come up with? How laughable!"

Within the mist, Luo Faqing seemed thoroughly enraged. He roared, "We'll see who's laughing in a moment!"

With a sweep of his ritual flag, a violent gale instantly erupted. Unlike ordinary spirit soldiers, those illicitly worshipped ghost gods each possessed supernatural abilities.

In almost the blink of an eye, they surrounded Shen Sanyou. The three ghost gods each wielded different abilities.

The one overflowing with murderous intent condensed killing qi into an invisible Cursed Sword, thrusting directly toward Shen Sanyou's forehead in an attempt to destroy his Three Souls and Seven Spirits.

The blood-soaked one stirred ghostly winds as wails of spirits filled the air, attempting to corrupt the Soul-Summoning Banner resting upon Shen Sanyou's shoulder.

Meanwhile, the dark, sinister presence gathered yin qi until visible frost spread across the ground. It quickly covered the ruined walls, as though trying to freeze Shen Sanyou's physical body solid.

Watching the scene before him, Steward Lu's eyelids twitched violently. He knew that If he were facing this technique himself, his only fate would be death. Ordinary ritual altars and protective spells simply couldn't withstand these ghost gods.

Naturally, ordinary people couldn't see what was happening. They merely felt the wind and snow suddenly intensify, blasting straight into their faces until they could scarcely open their eyes.

Ring... Ring... Ring...

Just then... A clear bell rang out.

Shen Sanyou had formed a strange hand seal with his left hand. His middle finger supported a Soul-Calming Bell, which he continuously shook from side to side.

The crisp ringing rippled outward to block the corruption of the three ghost gods.

At the same time, Shen Sanyou slowly rose to his feet. His Soul-Summoning Banner fluttered as a mournful funeral chant echoed through the snowy night.

"First, the light of sun and moon opens. Since ancient times, prosperity has always given way to decline; where there is life, there is death. Impermanence has arrived, cast aside all worldly affairs. Second, the Yin Palace beneath the earth opens. Departed souls, long no more for your homeland. Your children need not grieve forever. No mountain bears a thousand-year-old tree, nor does the human world shelter a man who lives a thousand years."

The Soul-Summoning Banner swayed and a massive vortex formed around him. The funeral song was mournful and haunting, carrying a strange power that left all who heard it overwhelmed with indescribable sorrow.

Within the raging winds, Shen Sanyou swung the Soul-Summoning Banner. At times, he resembled a boatman rowing through towering waves. At others, he was akin to a guide leading the dead along the Yellow Springs.

His voice was bleak and grief-stricken. Gradually, an ancient cadence emerged within the song. Though no one understood its meaning, everyone could sense the echoes of a forgotten age.

Li Yan's face grew solemn as his eyelids twitched. He could smell an invisible force rising with Shen Sanyou's spell. It resembled a vast swamp, dragging the three ghost gods deeper and deeper into the earth.

This technique... It's remarkably similar to how the underworld arrests souls!

After a long while, the wind ceased and the song also came to an end.

On Luo Faqing's side, both the ritual altar and the ritual flags had shattered completely. He violently spat out a mouthful of blood before collapsing onto the ground.

His face was deathly pale, yet he still gritted his teeth and declared, "Night Crier, you weep for Heaven, Earth, ghosts, and gods.

"Your techniques truly are extraordinary, but don't get complacent. I could only command three ghost gods. My senior brother's techniques far surpass mine. My defeat was due to my own lack of cultivation, not because our methods are inferior to yours!"

"You fool." Shen Sanyou raised an eyebrow before shaking his head. "You still don't understand? You've taken the wrong path. The Shang Mountain lineage dreams of becoming part of the orthodox traditions. But you've failed to understand what truly makes the orthodox sects strong.

"They exist to avert calamities. In ancient times, ghost gods ran rampant. The Daoist schools rose to power to allow mankind to survive. They performed divination, avoided disasters, and dispelled calamities.

"Shamans, ritualists, Daoists... They earned the reverence of imperial families throughout every dynasty because of this attitude. Over time, their rites and commandments grew ever stricter.

"The age of the Qin Palace ritualists has long since passed. You seek entry into the orthodox traditions, but all you pursue are techniques that injure others.

"You possess techniques, but not Dao. Sooner or later, you'll bring disaster upon yourselves.

"Do you know why the Taixuan Orthodox Sect is so powerful? That's because the Taixuan Commandments declare that no one shall worship illicit ghost gods. No one shall use ghost gods to oppress others, and no one shall borrow the power of ghost gods to bewitch the hearts of men. Those who violate these commandments shall die.

"You people still have a long way to go. Hahaha!"

With that, he hoisted the Soul-Summoning Banner onto his shoulder. Striding out of the ruins, he casually called out, "Little Brother Li, don't forget that drink you owe me!"

Standing tall, Li Yan cupped his fists. "Once this matter is over, we shall feast in Pingkang Street’s Calyx Pavilion. We won't stop until we're dead drunk!"

"Now that's what I like to hear! Hahaha..."

Ignoring everyone else, Shen Sanyou carried the Soul-Summoning Banner upon his shoulder, laughing as he disappeared into the wind and snow.

Behind him, within the ruined battlefield, Luo Faqing was consumed by grief and fury. He coughed up three more mouthfuls of blood. Unable to endure any longer, he collapsed unconscious.

The Fire Bear Gang members hurried forward, carrying him into a tent.

"What an extraordinary man of the Dao..." Tie Shigu couldn't help but praise him. Then, curiously, he asked, "Little Brother Li... What about your second helper?"

Li Yan replied somewhat helplessly, "He hasn't arrived yet."

He looked at Steward Lu and asked, "That senior calls himself 'Shadow.' Senior Lu, have you ever heard of him?"

Li Yan had assumed that since Shen Sanyou was so well known, Shadow had to be equally famous.

Unexpectedly, Steward Lu merely frowned and shook his head. "Never heard of him. But, the greatest warriors often remain nameless. He must also be an extraordinary expert of the Daoist world."

Just then, a figure suddenly came stumbling through the snowstorm. He was covered in blood and collapsed at Xiong Baodong's feet.

His eyes were vacant as he muttered, "Ghost... There's a ghost. They're all dead, they're all dead..."

Li Yan frowned. Earlier, Shen Sanyou had mentioned that they had been ambushed, and that Shadow was currently engaged in wholesale slaughter.

Judging by the man's appearance, it seemed he hadn't intended to spare anyone at all.

What terrifying bloodlust! But then again, why hasn't he arrived yet?

After hearing the report, Xiong Baodong's expression also darkened. Turning toward the people behind him, he shouted, "Who's fighting the third round?"

Although this had originally been Liu Wenchen's affair, in order to strike at the Five Guilds, Xiong Baodong had brought numerous heterodox practitioners from his own gang. Even if they lost, they couldn't afford to lose face.

There was no way they could simply surrender. Yet, perhaps after witnessing Shen Sanyou's overwhelming strength and hearing that an even more murderous expert had arrived, every heterodox ritualist quietly turned their heads away, pretending not to hear him.

Xiong Baodong had always been overbearing and ruthless. When he saw their reaction, his temper flared. "Worthless cowards! All of you are trash!"

His eyes rolled once before he roared, "The third round is here! Hurry up, who's going?!"

Tie Shigu sneered. "What are you in such a hurry for? None of your people even dare step onto the field. So what the hell are we still fighting for?

"Why don't you just admit defeat before our guy even arrives?"