The Blade-Wielding Legend-Chapter 998 - 534: Bing Ding Ghost Talisman

"To perform the Fengdu Technique, one must share the same position as the recorded office. As a living Yin messenger, you naturally have an advantage and can combine the Nine Netherworld Order, commanding the two tables of officials to summon the Nine Manchus and Eight Shas in battle..."

"The generals of Fengdu are divided into eight internal and external generals, known as the Eight Shas, a total of sixteen generals, aligning with the positions of the Nine Palace and Eight Trigrams, with the judge sitting in the Central Palace, initiating, stepping the Astral, the spirit flying and the emperor resting, exercising the Six Palace Mantra..."

"After capture, you will establish a trial in accordance with the Jade Green Heavenly Laws and imprison them in Fengdu. Generals and commanders must not be misused, or they will surely suffer harm..."

...

Unknowingly, night began to fall.

"Thank you, senior."

Li Yan solemnly cupped his hands in salute to the elder Daoist Juechenzi.

Throughout his journey of cultivation, he often relied on his own exploration. Now, with the meticulous guidance of the elder Daoist, not only did he complete his legacy, but he also gained a deeper understanding of enforcing Fengdu law.

Previously, it was like walking an unorthodox path.

Now, it’s like systematically receiving formal training.

Having spoken for most of the day, the elder Daoist Juechenzi showed clear signs of exhaustion, and said, "A transformation of the Human Dao is imminent. Being a living Yin messenger and holding a position as a Heavenly Official, you are likely someone who will face calamities."

"Remember, even if you hold a position in the Dharma Realm, you cannot leave behind the human character. In choosing the path of the Human Dao and the Heavenly Dao, you must maintain your own balance..."

After saying this, he waved his hand, "The old Daoist is tired, you may leave."

Li Yan bowed respectfully once again, then turned and left.

As he left the small courtyard, he turned his head for another glance.

He saw the elder Daoist under the divine statue, drinking tea with lowered head, eyes dazed, as if reminiscing about past events.

Li Yan knew that this senior didn’t have much time left.

Elder Juechenzi had told him many things.

Long ago, the other party was also a prodigy with astonishing aptitude, secretly acquiring the position of a Heavenly Official, and once even met with the True Immortal Sanfeng, who held him in high regard.

Unfortunately, fate was unkind.

The elder Daoist spent a lifetime cultivating. He had the opportunity to complete tasks, gain the Divine Astral, and walk further on this path by leveraging his Heavenly Official status.

Perhaps there was even a sliver of hope for Ascension.

Sadly, in the era the elder Daoist lived in, the transformation of the Human Dao had not yet arrived. After waiting in vain for most of his life, he finally got a chance to capture.

But unfortunately, he failed to complete it.

Unlike a living Yin messenger, the position of a Heavenly Official is limited.

Li Yan receiving the legacy from the elder Daoist also meant officially taking over his position as a Heavenly Official...

This is life. Though one may have aspirations as high as the clouds and possess dragon-slaying skills, if luck does not favor them, there is little they can do.

"Young Hero Li, let’s go."

Just as Li Yan was deep in thought, Ling Yun walked over, glanced sideways inside, and wisely refrained from asking anything further.

"Sorry to keep you waiting, Daoist."

Li Yan cupped his hands and followed the other down the mountain.

By now the sky was dark, the mountain path slippery, but for the two of them, it was not an issue at all, moving swiftly like a gust of wind.

"Young Hero Li, the matter of constructing the building has been discussed."

Ling Yun smiled and said, "You arrived at the perfect time. The Cave Heaven Blessed Lands at Zhao Gong Mountain have all been vacated, and I’ve arranged one for you. It’s the legendary place of seclusion for Zhao Lingguan."

He deliberately brought up this matter.

Originally, for Li Yan, he was merely fulfilling his duties out of instinct, but what he saw in the past two days led him to a different judgment.

The importance of Li Yan was perhaps far greater than he imagined.

Even the Master may have underestimated it.

Zhao Gongming’s secluded cave is the best Cave Heaven Blessed Land in Qingcheng Mountain, and even Ning Fengzi cultivated here. It’s generally not open to outsiders.

He went through some effort and even invoked the Master’s name to secure it.

Li Yan understood and quickly cupped his hands, "Thank you, Daoist. If there is any need in the future, you can contact me."

Everyone raises the flowered sedan chair, and Li Yan is no fool.

This Ling Yun not only has high Dao but also became a Guest Officer at a young age, and is now a close confidant to the Master of Qingcheng, naturally, he must build a good relationship.

Even the Heavenly Court cannot escape societal intricacies, not to mention the human world?

Thus, those who follow the Dao have many supporters, while those who lose the Dao have few.

Societal intricacies, are they not also part of the Dao?

After returning to Chaoyang Cave, it was already late at night. Li Yan and Wang Daoxuan casually discussed today’s experiences, ate some food, and then returned to his room.

By candlelight, he took out the "Bing Ding Ghost Talisman," holding it in his hand for a careful examination.

This treasure was an unexpected surprise.

Marshal Wen governs life and death and wards off epidemics, so this magic treasure inherently restrains Gu poison.

Most critically, the treasure used for the Fengdu Technique, combined with the Five Directions Luo Feng Flag, can summon Marshals from the Well Platform, which isn’t impossible.

Of course, this is also the Altar Field Method, somewhat like an upgraded version of his Fengdu Examination Summoning Technique, enhanced with Dao enhancement, allowing for borrowing the power of the Yin Bureau.

By that time, the entire Astral Order can be deployed for the troops.

Besides, one’s own "Luo Feng Scripture" also needs to be completed.

New spells will also be practiced.

This retreat will likely last for a long time.

The Cave Heaven Blessed Land at Zhao Gong Mountain is still a distance away from Qingcheng’s main mountain, but it is closer to Guan County.

Once the building is completed, travel there will be straightforward.

Thinking of this, Li Yan couldn’t help but look out the window.

Qingcheng Mountain is a Cave Heaven Blessed Land, rich with Innate Astra Bane Qi; when Eagle Falcon Lidong arrives, they will be suppressed, hence why there has been no news from them these past two days.

Not knowing Sha Lifei and the others,

what situation they are currently in...

...

Outside Guan County, near the River Dam, lies a village.

"We’re here, right here!"

Wang Tianzuo dressed in black, whispered lowly.

His face still a bit pale, logically after being possessed, he should have rested for a while, but with a friend’s murder, he must get to the bottom of it.

Pointing to the village ahead, Wang Tianzuo said solemnly: "This village is called Black Water Village, Brother Lu is the Divine Han here, highly respected, even among the Mystical Sect cultivators near Guan County, he holds significant prestige."

Sha Lifei also hid in the grass, rubbing his chin and said: "Looks quite ordinary, no idea why he would choose to live here."

Lv San, upon hearing this, turned his head to look to the side.

Under the shadow of a large tree nearby, the old yellow weasel was gnawing on a fruit, wearing a tattered garment, standing on two legs, already starting to walk like a human.

"Squeak, cackle..."

This old yellow weasel’s Dao is average, but its spirituality is exceptional, understanding human speech, using Upper Language to explain to Lv San for quite a while.

After listening, Lv San pondered, then turned back and said: "The Plum Mountain Brotherhood has been around for years, originally had many members, offering tributes to Immortal Master Erlang, they normally searched mountains and demolished temples, dispersing Yin Ghosts, gathering lesser beings, protecting the peace of an area, which is considered helping Immortal Master Erlang manifest miracles."

"Every spring, they summon small spirits and check the River Dam for leaks, organizing people for annual maintenance, then hold sacrifices on Qingming day."

"They started in the Eastern Han period, but during the Song Dynasty, since the Royal deemed Immortal Master Erlang as an improper spirit worship, some took advantage of the chaos, many Brotherhood members were indignant, joining in, suffering severe losses."

"Eventually, they went into hiding. So the ’Plum Mountain Brotherhood’ gradually came to be known as ’Mei Mountain Seven Brothers.’"

"These lesser beings are spirit monsters from nearby mountains, working cooperatively with the Brotherhood, safeguarding the sacrificial offerings to Immortal Master Erlang."

"As for why Brother Lu was harmed? They also don’t know."

"I see..."

Sha Lifei raised an eyebrow, signaling with his eyes: "Brother Lv San, ask again whether they have ever seen Immortal Master Erlang?"

The group’s purpose in coming to Guan County is to find traces of Immortal Master Erlang’s reincarnation, these small spirits, and the Mei Mountain Brotherhood, are naturally key focus.

Nearby Wang Tianzuo heard this, immediately stunned.

He finally realized Sha Lifei and the others’ purpose.

But this matter sounds indeed somewhat unbelievable.

Could it be, there really is an Immortal Master Erlang?

Lv San nodded, continued asking, however, after speaking with the old yellow weasel for a long time, directly shook his head, "They only believe in Immortal Master Erlang, but have not seen his true form."

"Strange, could it not be here..."

Sha Lifei heard this, furrowed his brow slightly.

Wang Tianzuo suppressed the shock in his heart and said solemnly, "Let’s first go to Brother Lu’s house and take a look, maybe we’ll find some clues."

"There are quite a few dogs in this village, we must rely on everyone’s skills."

"No problem."

Lv San stood up, pinched a spell, and whistled several times, the village dogs immediately retreated into their houses quivering, not daring to bark.

Only then did they get up, creeping into the village under cover of darkness.

"That’s the house!"

After not walking far, Wang Tianzuo pointed towards a small courtyard in the distance.

The courtyard gate was tightly closed, completely dark.

"Hold on!"

Sha Lifei was just about to approach but was stopped by Lv San in one swift move as he stared intently at the small courtyard, his expression serious, "There’s something strange inside."

"I hear a woman crying..."