Blade - Unbound

"Careful now, we're casting off!"

With a shout from the boatmaster, two deckhands worked together to plant their bamboo poles and slowly push the ferry away from the dock.

The wooden ferry was the most common type of vessel in Shanzhou. Roughly thirty zhang long, it carried cargo in the rear while transporting a dozen or so passengers in the front. For the time being, Li Yan and his companions sat at the bow. The three of them were simply too conspicuous.

After all, their trio could be described as a bald, fierce-looking man, a young blade-wielding wanderer, and a Daoist priest. No one needed a second glance to tell they were jianghu folk.

The ferry was headed along the Dan River toward Luonan, and the other passengers were mostly merchants and common travelers. Naturally, everyone kept their distance.

Growing bored, Sha Lifei struck up a conversation with the boatmaster. "Boatmaster, when we reach Luonan, will there really be another boat to take us farther north?"

The boatmaster answered vaguely, "Well... perhaps."

Sha Lifei immediately grew annoyed and barked, "Hey, that's not what you said before we boarded. What, now that we're on the boat you're telling me you were lying?"

Seeing Sha Lifei's intimidating appearance, the boatmaster cursed the ticket seller.

That fool never checked who he was tricking onto the boat.

Since every passenger counted, competition at the ferry docks was fierce. Sometimes they would make vague promises and tell people whatever they wanted to hear just to get them on board. Once the passengers reached the destination, the fare was already paid.

The deckhand must have lost his mind bringing these people on board!

The boatmaster quickly put on a flattering smile and explained, "Honored guests, it's not that I'm deceiving you. It's just that boats heading farther north are genuinely rare. I can't guarantee anything."

Then he lowered his voice mysteriously. "Besides, my advice is that once you reach Luonan, take the mountain road. It's safer. The waterway there isn't peaceful."

Li Yan frowned. "What do you mean by not peaceful?"

If they took the mountain road, it would cost them a great deal of time. They'd heard there was a northern waterway beyond Luonan. Once they reached its end, they would only need to cross a single mountain before arriving in Lantian County. If they followed the boatmaster's suggestion, there would've been no point going through Luonan in the first place.

"You guys don't know the story." The boatmaster glanced into the distance and patiently explained. "This goes all the way back to the Tang Dynasty. Back then, in order to ease grain transportation pressures, Cui Shi and others repeatedly petitioned the court. They proposed linking the Dan River and Ba River by carving a canal through the southern mountains, turning the Shang Mountain route from an overland route into a water route. Later, the court sent Cui Shi to oversee the project and conscripted tens of thousands of laborers.

"But excavation was extremely difficult. Three or four out of every ten laborers died during the project. Then, every summer, mountain floods would collapse and block the canal. Eventually it was abandoned."

He looked around cautiously before whispering, "There are some things I don't dare say on a boat. There are too many taboos, but once you reach Luonan, ask around yourself. That place truly isn't peaceful."

The three exchanged glances and no longer spoke.

***

The autumn wind blew cold and bleak around the tiny Luonan Port. Most travelers disembarked and left immediately. Very little cargo changed hands there. Only a few scattered tea stalls stood nearby.

After making inquiries, Sha Lifei returned and sat down helplessly. "Damn it, we took the wrong route. I asked around and that waterway really is troublesome.

"I had to pull a few tricks to get people to tell me the truth. According to some of the laborers, too many workers died when the canal was excavated, and the place is full of resentment. They say travelers passing by boat sometimes jump into the river for no reason. People claim water ghosts hook away their souls.

"The phenomenon is especially rampant this summer. There was also a major incident back then. When floodwaters completely blocked the canal, a group of southern grain merchants hired laborers to reopen it and save travel time. Who would've thought disaster would strike on the very first day?

"A lot of workers died, and the incident became a huge scandal. The merchants fled while the canal remains blocked to this day. No one dares use it."

Li Yan frowned. "We miscalculated. Do we have to return to the Qin-Chu Road? That'll delay us seven or eight days."

"Don't listen to that nonsense, honored guests." The tea stall owner suddenly laughed. "Those boatmasters simply think there's no profit in sailing that route. The laborers are just repeating rumors.

"The truth is that summer floods caught everyone off guard and drowned a lot of workers. The grain merchants then invented ghost stories so nobody would investigate before they fled. As a matter of fact, before dawn this very morning, I saw a boat heading that way."

Li Yan asked, "What if the canal is still blocked?"

The tea stall owner grinned. "If you're heading to Lantian County, just get off your boat halfway across and climb over the mountain. That's the lowest section of the Qinling Mountain Range. Any other route requires a long detour."

Sha Lifei shook his head. "What's the point of all that if there aren't any boats?"

The tea stall owner answered immediately, "I have one!"

***

"This is your boat?" Sha Lifei's eyelids twitched with irritation as he took in the dilapidated little wooden vessel. "Damn it. I've hunted geese my whole life and finally got pecked by one. Is everyone here trying to fool us?!"

"Honored guest, that's unfair to claim." The tea stall owner hurried forward and slapped the side of the boat. "Don't judge this old girl by her appearance. She's sturdy enough that I've spent years sailing these waters without a single accident. Besides, nobody else is willing to go."

Wang Daoxuan sighed. "Forget it, we'll take this route. If the canal becomes impassable, we'll disembark early. We'll still save some time."

At this point, they had little choice. The three boarded the boat, and the tea stall owner guided the vessel into the river with a push of his bamboo pole.

Watching the ferry dock recede into the distance, Sha Lifei chuckled. "You only care about making money. What about your tea stall?"

The owner grinned broadly, showing a mouthful of white teeth. "You don't understand, honored guest. I haven't earned a thing in days from the stall!"

Sha Lifei was speechless. Although the man was full of nonsense, one thing wasn't a lie. His boating skills were exceptional.

At first the boat moved slowly. But once it gained momentum, he darted from bow to stern, wielding his long bamboo pole. Like a master in the Jin Transformation Realm, he always found the perfect point of leverage. Working with the current rather than against it, he guided the little vessel smoothly and swiftly downstream.

Sha Lifei's attitude softened considerably. "Boss, you've got real skill."

Jianghu folk often disdained officials and wealthy elites, but they always respected true craftsmen. Whether one was a street performer, artisan, or laborer, if they possessed genuine skill, they would earn admiration.

Wang Daoxuan smiled. "With talent like this, why not buy a larger boat and make a living on the river? You’re too remote to make much money off your tea stall."

The owner sighed. "I sold my boat. Making a living on the water isn't easy. The government collects taxes, and the gangs demand their cut. Even transporting cargo requires bribes if you want work.

"My unfilial son couldn't endure the hardships. He sold the boat, took the money, and ran off to the wealthy lands in the south. It's been years without a letter, and I don't even know if he's alive."

Sha Lifei shook his head. "Don't worry so much. A real man aspires to travel far and wide. Maybe one day he'll strike it rich and come back to take care of you."

"To hell with that!" The owner snorted. "As long as he's alive and kicking, that's enough. My wife and I will make do. A person needs to know contentment, life is what it is."

They had departed in the morning. By evening, the river flowed quietly between towering mountains. The crimson glow of sunset stretched across the water, turning the river's surface into countless shimmering scales.

Unable to resist, Sha Lifei walked to the bow. "What scenery!"

He uncorked his wine flask and took several deep gulps. Opening his mouth, he attempted to recite some poetry and appear cultured. The only problem was, when the words reached his lips, his mind went completely blank.

After struggling for a long while, he finally grumbled, "The old boatmaster was right. Those other ferrymen are just lazy. How could a place this beautiful possibly be dangerous..."

Suddenly, he trailed off, staring straight ahead into the water before barking, "What the hell is that?!"

Everyone turned to look. Something was floating along in the river. As it drifted closer, they realized it was a corpse. Its skin was pale with a bluish-purple tint; it had clearly been dead for quite some time.

And yet... A bizarre smile remained frozen on its face.

The tea stall owner visibly paled as he yelled at the three of them, "D-don't touch it!"

With a powerful push of his pole, he steered the boat far away. Staring at the drifting corpse as it disappeared behind them, his expression turned uncertain.

He muttered in a soft voice, "So it really exists..."

Wang Daoxuan slowly rose to his feet, his expression also turning solemn. "Boss, that man was killed by something unclean. What exactly do you know about it?"

The owner swallowed hard. "There's a legend along this river. They call it the Smiling Face. People say that if the Smiling Face notices your boat, it’ll drown you, leaving your corpse looking just like that."

Sha Lifei frowned. "Come on, that's not very honest of you when you told us you could bring us across safely."

The owner hurriedly defended himself. "It's only a rumor. Everyone talks about it, but nobody has actually seen it. I thought it was just nonsense!"

As they spoke, another boat came into view along the riverbank. It was much larger than theirs.

It was clearly new, and solidly built. It didn’t look cheap; yet, there wasn't a single person aboard. Instead, a rope loosely tied it to a rock on the shore, while countless footprints led into the forested mountains.

"I remember now." The tea stall owner suddenly gasped. "That's the boat I saw this morning! Are those people crossing the mountains to Lantian County as well? Why leave such a fine boat behind?"

Li Yan rose and looked thoughtfully into the distance. "Can you reach Lantian County by crossing the mountains from here?"

"Yes." The owner nodded. "Cross that ridge, pass through several valleys, and you'll come down into Lantian County. It's a slight detour, but farther ahead, the river runs between cliffs and you won't be able to climb out. Please be careful, there are plenty of wolves in these mountains.

"You heroes look capable enough, but it's still worth remembering."

"Thank you." Sha Lifei casually tossed him a string of coins. Then he, Li Yan, and Wang Daoxuan leapt ashore and headed up the slope.

Watching their figures disappear into the distance, the tea stall owner's eyes suddenly lit up. He picked up a rock and smashed several holes into his own decrepit boat.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

The vessel quickly sank as he jumped aboard the abandoned luxury boat, untied the rope, and sped downriver.

***

The moment they climbed the slope, Sha Lifei asked, "Brother Yan, what did you notice?"

He had always been sharp. He noticed that ever since seeing the floating corpse, Li Yan's expression had changed. There had even been killing intent in his eyes.

Li Yan nodded. Turning toward Wang Daoxuan, he asked, "Daoist, do you remember what I told you about the Cold Altar Soldier that possessed a wolf and caused trouble at Li Clan’s Fort?"

"Of course." Wang Daoxuan's eyes widened. "The thing in the river was one too?"

Li Yan nodded. "It had already gone, but the lingering scent is similar. It’s not identical, but very close."

Wang Daoxuan thought for a moment before sighing. "Then it's probably the same kind of thing. There are many varieties of spirit soldiers. Their abilities differ depending on their origins and methods of cultivation.

"The one that entered your village was likely a Soul-Hooking spirit soldier. As for this... It probably has something to do with water."

He looked toward the distant mountains and muttered, "Do you think it's possible to do it?"

Li Yan nodded. "It's worth trying."

"Hey, hey, hey!" Sha Lifei immediately protested. "What are you two talking about? Why are you speaking in riddles?"

Wang Daoxuan laughed. "Brother Yan means that if Cold Altar Soldiers are coming from this area, then there must be a ruined Cold Altar somewhere in the mountains. There may still be remnants left behind by the old ritual masters. More importantly, there are the spirit soldiers themselves.

"My ghost soldiers are gone. If I can capture a few of these, I won't be so helpless next time we face an enemy."

Li Yan added, "Also, leaving things like this around is a disaster waiting to happen. If we can eliminate them, it'll also help the people back home."

"Now that sounds more like it!" Sha Lifei's eyes lit up. "It’s a gift delivered to our doorstep, so how can we ignore it? Let's move."

Not long afterward, they found two more corpses.

One had been stabbed straight through the heart, while the other's neck had been nearly severed. Its head now hung at an unnatural angle.

Just like the corpse in the river, a disturbing smile remained on its face.

"Tsk." Sha Lifei shook his head. "These people were really unlucky. A spirit soldier slipped into their group, and they didn't run."

Li Yan narrowed his eyes. "I think they had more important concerns."

***

"Hurry, bind him!"

Lu Xiaowu's face was twisted with tension as he held a bloodstained dagger.

He had set out secretly the previous night and avoided human pursuers, only to encounter something unclean deep in the mountains. Fortunately, he had been clever enough to identify the "ghost" among them.

Nearby, Fengping and two guards were tying another guard to a tree with a rope that had been soaked in black dog blood. They had originally brought along black dog blood as a precaution. None of them expected it would actually become necessary.

The bound guard struggled and roared, but that eerie smile remained on his face. His skin had turned pale and deathly cold. Water dripped constantly from his body. The black dog blood couldn't destroy the spirit soldier, but it was enough to trap it within the body.

Lu Xiaowu breathed heavily and signaled the others to move. "Let's go. He's beyond saving."

He knew practitioners of the mystic path. But according to his mother, the treasured burial site they sought was extraordinary. If practitioners learned of it, greed might tempt them. As such, he had brought only trusted family retainers.

The others were thoroughly frightened. They quickly pushed the wooden cart onward. Upon the cart rested none other than Lu Kang's coffin.

Fengping muttered, "Old Zhou, I'm sorry."

There was grief in his eyes as he looked back at the bound guard. They had grown up together under Lu Kang's patronage. Now the Lu family had fallen into hardship, and his old brothers were disappearing one by one.

Seeing everyone's morale sinking, Lu Xiaowu immediately spoke up, "Don't worry. Once this task is completed, the Lu Family will relocate. As long as the Lu Family survives, your future wealth is guaranteed."

"Thank you, Second Young Master!"

After reassuring everyone, Lu Xiaowu unfolded a cloth map. Detailed instructions regarding the treasured burial site and burial method were written across it.

His heart burned with anticipation. Even on his deathbed, his father had left behind this hidden arrangement. If everything proceeded according to plan, perhaps one day he himself might stand upon the Dragon Throne.

The thought alone filled him with excitement.

***

Not long afterward, Li Yan and his companions arrived upon the bound guard.

Li Yan chuckled. "Well, that saves us the trouble. Daoist, get ready."

Wang Daoxuan nodded. He spread out a sheet of yellow cloth and used a brush dipped in cinnabar ink to draw a massive talisman. When he was done, he produced a black ceramic jar.

Meanwhile, Li Yan raised his left hand, revealing the Summoning Writ mark on his palm.