The Blade-Wielding Legend-Chapter 1340 - 694: Night Assassin’s Intent (Part 2)

In the deep of night, West City has shed the hustle and bustle of the day.

Moonlight pours like water, spilling onto the checkerboard streets and alleys.

West Straight Gate and Fucheng Gate have long been shut, with only the flickering torches on the city walls illuminating the stern faces of the night guard soldiers.

The streets are deserted, with only an occasional night watchman tapping his clapper as he passes through the lanes, his hoarse voice echoing in the silence.

"The night is dry, beware of fire——"

In the area around West Four Pagoda, bustling by day, the city seems particularly chilling by night.

A few wooden stakes with hanging heads stand quietly, as if the scent of blood can still be tasted.

This is a place where the court flaunts its might; a chilling site that the pugilistic world shuns.

Many strange tales from the Capital are linked to this place.

Wang She tightened his cloak, moving swiftly across the official road outside West Straight Gate.

The night wind skimmed across the river, stirring a faint sound of water, and under the moonlight, his shadow stretched long and thin.

The slender figure of Kong Hui behind him seemed to meld into the night, even his footsteps were silent.

"What are you looking at?"

Kong Hui's voice was indifferent, but it sent a chill down Wang She's spine.

"To be cautious, making sure we're not being followed."

Wang She forced a reluctant smile, his heart uneasy.

This Kong Hui walks with such silence, without even stirring the wind, almost making him feel like a ghost was trailing him if not for the shadow in the moonlight.

Knowing this, the feeling was no less unsettling.

The two hurried towards Gaoliang Bridge, night wind skimming across the river, stirring faint sounds of water.

This was indeed Haidian, named for the nearby shallow lakes and marshes.

With many rivers and lakes in the vicinity, it was also home to Royal Gardens and numerous estates.

"Immortal, ahead lies Shao Garden."

Wang She whispered in introduction, "Originally built by the Mi family, it fell into disuse when the family lost power."

Entering, they found ruins and darkness everywhere.

The winding gardens, now overgrown with wild grass, were overrun by roaming foxes.

Rock formations and artificial hills were covered in creepers, and the sound of insects was continuous.

Only a lakeside pavilion showed a flickering of candlelight.

"Immortal, just ahead."

Wang She bowed respectfully, daring not to approach closer.

Kong Hui said nothing, striding boldly forward.

He performed a mantra with his hand, bloodlines in his eyes snaking like serpents, arriving at the pavilion in the blink of an eye.

This was an investigation technique for spell traps; he was clearly wary of Zhao Qingxu.

Light curtains swayed around the pavilion with the night wind.

On a low table inside sat meals and drinks, and serving tea was a puppet draped in white, surrounded by black smoke.

Yin Soul Patrol?!

"Daoist Zhao, do you presume me easily deceived?" Murderous intent flashed in Kong Hui's eyes.

Since arriving in the Capital, Zhao Qingxu had always avoided him, now even meeting in the guise of a puppet, refusing to reveal his true form.

The puppet slowly raised its head, issuing a hoarse sound: "Pardon me, Daoist, I am practicing a Secret Technique, having just exchanged bodies, it is inconvenient to appear."

Kong Hui sneered, eyes narrowing.

Though he had joined the Jianmu Organization, many interactions were through Zhao Changsheng.

The members of Jianmu were scattered across the Divine State, each executing plans, rarely crossing paths.

Yet regardless, those within Jianmu could not be underestimated.

Like himself, once one of the Ten Grandmasters during the Northern Song Dynasty, vanished during Great Xing's campaign against the Ghost Sect.

This Zhao Qingxu, able to preside over Capital affairs, held a rank even above his own, certainly no trivial figure.

Thinking of this calms his anger, he asked in a deep voice: "Zhao Changsheng sent word, asking me to aid you in acquiring something from Qiankun Academy, with the 'Pantao Conference' now ruined, the losses are indeed substantial, what precisely is this item?"

The puppet creaked out a strange laugh: "A Mo Sect Mechanism, fueled by coal, a hundredfold stronger than human strength."

"That's all?"

Kong Hui slightly furrowed his brow, "Both the 'Jizhou Tripod' and 'Pantao Conference' are forfeited, for mere mechanisms?"

The puppet suddenly smirked mysteriously:

"What if the mechanism... has invoked a deity?"

Kong Hui's pupils narrowed sharply at the words.

The Mortal God of a Taoist Temple, even crafted by Mystical Sect artisans, needing numerous enlightenment ceremonies with abundant incense, yet to cultivate a Mortal God took decades.

How can an inanimate object engage in communication with God?

In that flash, he abruptly realized—

"Is it the Qi Fortune item for human reform?!"

The night wind suddenly intensified, the pavilion's curtains danced wildly, and from afar came the mournful cries of wild foxes.

......

The lamps in Rouyuan Post Station were bright, none had yet retired for the night.

Wang Daoxuan and Long Yan'er lit lamps, playing a game of strategy under the Bodhi Tree...

Lv San teased the Little White Fox, lightly tapping its ears with his fingertips, making the little creature softly whimper...

Wu Ba carried the Tiger-Squat Cannon, standing in a horse stance, his towering body motionless as sweat rolled down his knotted muscles.

Wu Qu's vengeance was not yet exacted, and he still harbored a simmering rage within.

Sha Lifei was constantly revising the firearms blueprint.

He deduced a concept from the diagrams gifted by the Mei Mountain Taoist to refine firearms into a Magic Artifact. This idea had gradually taken shape throughout their journey, waiting only to be completed at Qiankun Academy with the help of a few masters.

Only Li Yan was gently rubbing the edge of the Duan Chen Blade with his thumb, his gaze fixed on the door.

"Brother Yan, don't worry."

Sha Lifei looked up and advised, "Since the court already knows, they are bound to take action."

"I hope so..."

Li Yan shook his head slightly, a sense of unease already creeping into his heart.

They were talking about the "Nine Gates Yin Ruins."

The place tainted by Demonic Qi, where the "Night Patrol Deity" and "Flat Peach" were made, and even Zhao Qingxu might be hiding there.

He had witnessed the methods of those from Jianmu.

Able to evade the Yin Bureau Heavenly Court's Investigation Technique, able to hide in the river of history, they were cunning old demons.

Yu Wenhai was dead, and the "Nine Gates Yin Ruins" was the only clue.

If the enemy escaped, finding them again would be like searching for a needle in a haystack.

Just then, hurried footsteps approached, and it was Luo Mingzi who rushed in.

Li Yan quickly stepped forward, "How is it?"

Luo Mingzi looked a bit helpless, shaking his head slightly.

"What?!"

Sha Lifei was stunned, slamming the table, "The demon is hiding right under your nose, and the court just stands by and does nothing?"

"It's not that simple."

Luo Mingzi smiled bitterly, "His Majesty cannot make the decision; the temple priest of the Ancestral Affairs Office prohibits anyone from approaching under penalty of death. They will find a way to investigate, and we are not allowed to intervene."

He sighed as he said, "Lord Pei asked me to convey that this Four-nine City is nailed down every three steps and slotted every five steps, welded by rules, and many times, we're powerless, with too many eyes watching."

"Oh."

Li Yan fell silent, his knuckles gently tapping the scabbard.

If those over there don't agree, he rather loses hope.

At worst, he'll sneak in to investigate himself.

Luo Mingzi saw through him and hurriedly advised, "Don't do anything reckless. To enter the 'Nine Gates Yin Ruins,' you can only use the Yin Soul Patrol. At night, there's the City God parading the streets, and Mortal Gods suppress all over the Imperial City. It's impossible, too dangerous."

Just then, Li Yan's ears twitched, and he swiftly stood up.

"Someone's fighting on the street outside!"

Before the words were out, he had already leaped out.

With power in his feet, he jumped a few steps, flew into the air, and landed on the wall.

The others also grabbed their weapons and followed.

Staying at the post station here, with garrison soldiers guarding, it was relatively safe but not without danger.

Everyone looked up and saw in the distant dark alley the flash of blades.

A burly man was carrying an injured person, fending off dozens of Blade Hitmen while retreating.

Crossbow Arrows pierced the air from behind, and iron chains swung across.

Though the man fought fiercely, with each strike sounding like bones cracking, he was ultimately outnumbered.

Thud!

An arrow pierced his calf, and the man crashed to his knees.

But at this moment, he had already rushed out of the dark alley, his ferocious features clearly visible in the moonlight.

"Zhang Tiankui?"

Sha Lifei was astonished, "Why is this bastard in the Capital too?"

"Rescue him first!"

Before the words were finished, Li Yan's figure had disappeared with a whoosh.

Zhang Tiankui was now drenched in blood, his energy fading, despair filling his heart as he saw the blades coming down.

Clang, clang, clang!

At that moment, a series of sounds rang out.

Li Yan had arrived first, lifting the Duan Chen Blade horizontally, slicing through all the weapons.

Seeing his face, Zhang Tiankui hurriedly shouted, "Don't let them go! These bastards... are in league with Yu Wenhai's master!"

At these words, killing intent surged in Li Yan's eyes.

Swish, swish!

Two Soul-breaking Flying Blades whistled out, flying up and down.

The blade lights danced like silver snakes, and screams echoed in the dark alley.

In an instant, the pursuers were all cut in their tendons, rolling and howling.

Just as Li Yan was about to inquire, he suddenly felt a chill on his back, quickly raised his head, and looked towards the distant inn rooftop.

Under the moonlight, a lean figure descended from the air, lightly swinging an iron fan, with a hidden blood light in his eyes.

Kong Hui!

Li Yan immediately guessed the identity of this person.