The Blade-Wielding Legend

Chapter 1555 - 792: The Coming Crisis (Part 2)

"Let’s discuss it if it gets done."

Hundred Bone Master neither agreed nor denied, then turned his head to look at Lin Zhongweng, and said in a deep voice: "Lai Yin is recuperating and is incapable of doing anything, so we will take over Jinling. Tell me, what is the current situation?"

Lin Zhongweng, as if he had been granted amnesty, kept his waist respectfully bent: "Yes, Master!"

He dared not conceal anything, and quickly shared all the information he had:

"To report to the three venerable ones, Jinling has now become the center of a vortex! The various branches of the Jiangnan Taoist sects have reacted swiftly, with the Maoshan Qingwei Old Taoist already leading elite disciples to the outskirts of Tai Lake. Although they were unable to penetrate deep into the Demon Army’s camp, the news of Lady Lai Yin’s serious injury and seclusion is probably already spreading back..."

"Experts from Tiger Gate Order, Lushan, and the Jade Emperor Sect are continuously gathering at the Qixia Mountain Taoist Temple to fully arrange the ’Nine Dragon Lock Abyss Formation’ node and protect the Copper Bell. What’s more troubling is..."

He paused, his voice carrying a hint of gravity: "There is definite news that Zhang Jingxuan, the current Heavenly Master of the ’Southern Heavenly Master Dao’ from the Jiangnan Mysterious Sect, has already left the headquarters of Dragon and Tiger Mountain and is rushing here day and night!"

"Several high-level mages under his command from the ’Five Thunders Department’ have also gone ahead. Additionally, the Master of Minzhong’s ’Heavenly Heart Righteous Law Sect’ is also on the way!"

"Both of them are coming with their sect’s treasures..."

"The time left for us is probably no more than three days!"

Upon hearing the name "Zhang Jingxuan", the atmosphere instantly became heavy.

During the Northern and Southern Dynasties, Kou Qianzhi from the Northern Wei reformed the Heavenly Master Dao, establishing a new Heavenly Master Dao field in Ping City, now known as Jinzhou Datong, historically referred to as the "Northern Heavenly Master Dao". Later, due to Buddhism becoming the state religion in Northern Qi, Taoism was banned by order of Emperor Wenxuan, and thus there were no Taoists within the Qi Territory, leading to the disbandment of the Northern Heavenly Master Daoist Group.

In the Southern Dynasty Song era, Lu Xiuqing from Lushan founded the "Southern Heavenly Master Dao", and later on, the Northern and Southern Heavenly Master Dao merged, taking Dragon and Tiger Mountain as the Ancestor Court.

Originally, there was no longer a "Southern Heavenly Master Dao", but there’s a little story within this.

Lu Xiuqing had ties with the Heavenly Master Dao, Shangqing Sect, and Lingbao Sect, but there were no direct master-disciple relationships, calling himself a "Three Caves Disciple".

During the Great Xing Period of the former dynasty, Dragon and Tiger Mountain was strong, and the court sought to divide its power, thus reviving the matter of the Northern and Southern Heavenly Master Dao, which was quite unpleasant at the time.

This was also why Dragon and Tiger Mountain abandoned the Great Xing and supported the Great Xuan Dynasty at that time.

But no matter what, things were eventually set in place.

Coincidentally, there were ambitious individuals in Maoshan’s Shangqing and Gezao Mountain’s Lingbao Sect, so they united, using Lu Jingxiu’s "Three Caves Disciple" name to re-establish the "Southern Heavenly Master Dao".

One could say, this new "Southern Heavenly Master Dao" was unorthodox from its inception.

Initially, after the establishment of the Great Xuan Dynasty, the "Southern Heavenly Master Dao" had no more intent for turmoil and gradually mended its relationship with Dragon and Tiger Mountain, preparing to reintegrate.

But just at this moment, Zhang Jingxuan, an extraordinary figure, emerged.

He was endowed with extraordinary talent and profound Dao, not only ensuring the stability of the "Southern Heavenly Master Dao" but gradually becoming the leader of the Jiangnan Mysterious Sect.

It could be said that his combat strength was by no means inferior to that of a Grandmaster.

The same goes for the master of Minzhong’s "Heavenly Heart Righteous Law Sect", who is equally a strong figure in the Magic Veins.

Learning of the arrival of these two people, everyone present naturally felt alarmed.

"Zhang Jingxuan... Hmph!"

Hundred Bone Master’s ghastly green eyes flashed with a fierce light, his White Bone Staff paused, "Not dead in Black Water City back then, now he’s in a hurry to die!"

Though his tone was harsh, it also revealed a trace of apprehension.

Zhang Jingxuan not only revitalized the "Southern Heavenly Master Dao" but also maintained a good relationship with Dragon and Tiger Mountain, holding the Heavenly Master Seal from Dragon and Tiger Mountain, with Thunder Technique that communicates with God, he is no easy opponent.

Corpse Robe Grandmother then fixed her gaze on Lin Zhongweng and hissed: "Three days... enough for this old woman to chew out a few holes in Jinling’s Earth Vein! Dragon Energy? Hmph, just right to feed my ’Ten Thousand Corpses Jar’!"

The tattered clay pot at her waist wriggled continuously, emitting a "gurgling" sound again.

"Time is tight, but the advantage is with us!"

Hundred Bone Master said sullenly, "Counting Lai Yin, we have five Earth Immortals gathered here in Jinling! No matter how strong Zhang Jingxuan is, can he still fight against five?"

"Breaking their Great Array and destroying their Copper Bell is a piece of cake."

"Those so-called Magic Veins experts in the city, nothing but clay chickens and pottery dogs!"

Lin Zhongweng nodded hurriedly but hesitated to add: "Master, be aware! The power of five Earth Immortals is indeed invincible. However..."

"There is indeed a rather troublesome person in the city right now,"

"Oh?" Hundred Bone Master’s skull-like eye sockets turned toward him.

Corpse Robe Grandmother’s gurgling sounds also paused for a moment.

Even the always calm Class Leader slightly lifted his eyelids.

Lin Zhongweng took a deep breath: "The leader of the Twelve Primordial Spirits, Li Yan!"

"This person is a living Yin messenger, holding the ’Hook Paper’, capable of capturing souls and locking spirits. Despite his young age, his Dao is exceptionally high, his methods ruthless, and the people around him each have unique skills, coordinating seamlessly."

"The incident at Locust Tree Village was uncovered by him, and he also unraveled the line related to Tian Qianhu... more importantly, as a living Yin messenger, he is our nemesis."

"To be honest, I haven’t dared to step into Jinling City for days."

"A living Yin messenger?"

Corpse Robe Grandmother emitted a screeching laugh reminiscent of a night owl, "I’ve heard of this Li Yan, he even troubled Zhao Changsheng, and the Holy Sect has issued a kill order against him, this time we’ll settle it once and for all!"

But despite her words, a trace of seriousness flashed in her murky eyes.

The identity of a living Yin messenger is special, connecting Yin and Yang, indeed making them wary.

Hundred Bone Master seemed contemplative, his ghastly green gaze sweeping past Lin Zhongweng, finally landing on the always silent Class Leader.

"Living Yin messenger..."

Hundred Bone Master’s voice was hoarse: "He indeed poses a problem. With him present, we cannot act freely. Class Leader, your ’Ghost Theater Troupe’ is full of experts, this person is left to you."

"Make sure to remove this stumbling block before the ’Dragon Offering Ceremony’ begins!"

The scholarly class leader in blue remained poised, his gentle demeanor unchanged, and calmly said: "Entrusted by Brother Hundred Bone, how dare I disobey?"

Clattering~

Yin wind rose, and night owls fluttered wildly over the Chaotic Burial Mound...

......

"This should ensure success..."

In a side room of the back hall of Jinling Captain’s Office, Li Yan was listening to the intelligence brought by Qiu Mingyuan.

Upon learning that Zhang Jingxuan, the current Heavenly Master of the "Southern Heavenly Master Dao", was hurrying to Jinling with the sect’s treasure day and night, everyone’s tense nerves finally relaxed a little.

They had heard of Zhang Jingxuan’s reputation both in Wudang and Qingcheng.

Even Yu Chanzi, the Wudang Sect Leader, held him in high regard.

His Thunder Technique communicates with God, and with high prestige, he is the leader of the Jiangnan Mysterious Sect.

Wang Daoxuan stroked his beard and said: "With Heavenly Master Zhang personally coming, the Jiangnan Mysterious Sect has found its backbone, and the ’Nine Dragon Lock Abyss Formation’ at Qixia Mountain should be safe."

Li Yan also felt somewhat reassured and was about to continue the discussion when a junior officer from the Captain’s Bureau respectfully reported from outside the door:

"Young Hero Li, an invitation has been delivered, specifically requesting for you to open it."

Sha Lifei curiously received the invitation, seeing it was made of hard paper with dark gold patterns, printed with auspicious cloud and auspicious beast patterns, exuding an air of opulence.

He unfolded it and read aloud: "We sincerely invite Mr. Li Yan: We are delighted to hear of your presence in Jinling, coinciding with the joyous birthday celebration of His Highness the King of Jinling. A modest banquet is specially set up in the garden of the Prince Mansion, sincerely inviting you to join us and share in the grand occasion, comforting His Highness’ eager anticipation for worthy individuals. The event is set for tonight at 7 p.m. Jinling Prince Mansion cordially invites you."

"Prince Mansion of Jinling? Birthday banquet?"

Sha Lifei furrowed his brows, "At this critical moment, the Prince Mansion suddenly sends an invitation? Young Brother Yan, we have no relationship with the King of Jinling."

Li Yan took the invitation, feeling somewhat puzzled.

"Mr. Qiu."

Li Yan turned to Xuan Sacrificial Officer and Chief of Criminal Punishment Qiu Mingyuan, "What kind of relationship does His Highness the King of Jinling have with the Lu family of Gusu and the Xie family of Qiantang?"

Qiu Mingyuan pondered for a moment, then whispered: "Though the King does not directly intervene in mundane matters, the main persons in charge from both the Lu and Xie families are frequent guests at the Prince Mansion, having close interactions."

After all, as it concerned the Imperial Family, he spoke cautiously and did not elaborate further.

Wang Daoxuan stroked his beard, a gleam flashing in his eyes: "No feast is a good feast!"

"Young Brother Yan, at this critical juncture, I fear that those two families intend to cause trouble for us..."

Qiu Mingyuan smiled: "I actually think they want to make peace. If we can use the Prince Mansion to temporarily placate them, it may prevent them from causing trouble at this critical time."

Li Yan pondered and said: "Very well, let’s go and see what’s going on..."