The Blade-Wielding Legend
Chapter 168 - 128 Palace Ruins Overgrown with Wild Grass

Chapter 168: Chapter 128 Palace Ruins Overgrown with Wild Grass

"Haojing?"

Crimson Yaksha heard this, but there was not a hint of curiosity on her face; instead, her brow furrowed slightly, "Are you still in contact with that bunch of land rats?"

"Ha ha ha..."

Seeing her concerned expression, Boss Feng felt a warmth in his heart and, covering her mouth, chuckled, "Sister Hong, rest assured, I’m not some ignorant fledgling. Having been fooled once, I wouldn’t provoke those people again."

Saying so, he added meaningfully, "This message, it’s related to you."

Crimson Yaksha was indifferent, shaking her head, "I don’t participate in the conflicts of the pugilistic world, nor do I have any more aspirations on the path of seeking the Dao. I just take on jobs to feed my children. Even if some great treasure were unearthed, what does it have to do with me?"

Boss Feng calmly said, "I heard it’s a tomb of an Ancient Zhou Fangshi. The Xun You lineage was the first to find it, but an accident occurred, and everyone who went in died, with only one person escaping."

"Soon after hearing the news, many from our circle went there under the cover of night. Some used explosives, and they actually managed to open the tomb, looting all the funerary objects inside and even fighting over them."

"These objects, a good number have already made it to Chang’an, and although most could be dealt with, it’s said that someone obtained the Demon-slaying Sword of Midnight and Noon..."

"What?"

Crimson Yaksha suddenly stood up, her face filled with shock, then slowly sat back down and, as if thinking of something, muttered, "Master..."

---

The City God Temple in Chang’an City is the Great Xuan Dynasty’s supreme City God Temple.

Such a supreme temple is the central temple governing all the City God Temples in the Divine State area, considered the highest tier and supported by the royal family.

The original supreme City God Temple in Chang’an had already been completely burnt down during the war between the Grand Flourishing Dynasty and the Golden Tent Wolf Country.

At the beginning of the Great Xuan Dynasty, the founding emperor Xiao Chengyou decreed the reconstruction and repair of the City God Temples everywhere and that Taixuan Orthodox Sect be the state religion.

Therefore, the Chang’an City God Temple was just a hundred years old.

It was located on the original site of Guangde Square, the site of the Jingzhao Prefecture during the Tang Dynasty, with an enormous scale, enshrining the first-ranked City God of Divine State.

Just like the City God Temple in Xianyang City, the layout of Chang’an City God Temple was also divided into two parts.

The front City God Divine Hall was open day and night, and all who came to offer incense could enter and worship. On the eighth day of the second month each year, a temple fair would also be regularly held.

However, the palace area behind was off-limits to casual entry.

Inside, not only did the Taixuan Orthodox Sect supply an extensive array of community soldiers and horses for worship, but there were also various institutions such as the Magic Veins, the Law Enforcement Hall, and the priestly authority overseeing the Mystical Sect.

Nowadays, the visitors were coming and going in front of the temple, a never-ending stream.

Even the side door, where entry to the inner hall was allowed, had a long queue of people.

These individuals looked somewhat peculiar—there were old women in black robes with blind eyes, elderly men carrying lutes with grey hair, and even monks wearing kasayas.

They waited quietly in the snow, occasionally conversing in whispers.

Naturally, all of these were people from the Taoist world.

Although the Great Xuan Dynasty primarily followed Taoism, they did not reject Buddhism. The orthodox also included Buddhists among them, who were all issued Buddhist certificates.

Witches and wizards, on the other hand, were uniformly given Taoist certificates.

Li Yan and Wang Daoxuan were also in the queue.

Because they couldn’t grasp the situation of the supreme City God Temple in Chang’an, with so many people waiting, it wouldn’t be right for them to expect any special treatment, lest they make it difficult for Luo Mingzi. So they honestly lined up.

Those in the Taoist world might possess unpredictable Divine Skills.

Perhaps out of fear of blowing their cover, each one was very silent; even when they conversed, it was only in low voices, without discussing anything of importance.

It was at this moment a grey-clothed Daoist with a long sword strapped to his back came out from inside, looking very unhappy.

"Wu Daoist friend, what’s wrong?"

Someone couldn’t help but ask.

"Hmph!"

The grey-clothed Daoist let out a cold snort, expressing dissatisfaction, "The court wants to regulate the Mystical Sect, and I can understand that, but why inspect a person’s Daoist practice and discriminate between ranks?"

Saying so, he raised the Taoist certificate in his hand, "See this? Orthodox is dark blue, Magic Veins are red, side doors are all white, just like funeral scrolls!"

The people around him looked at each other, then an elderly man shook his head and advised, "Daoist friend, calm down. There have always been different levels within the Mystical Sect. We’re just trying to avoid trouble, and we’re not after the court’s silver, so why bother with what they do."

"That’s true but, sigh~"

The grey-clothed Daoist wanted to argue back, but seeing that everyone seemed unwilling to cause trouble, he felt despondent and shook his head, "Forget it, my cultivation is for the sake of finding freedom. I didn’t expect that even within the Mystical Sect, I wouldn’t escape being manipulated."

"What kind of natural Daoist magic, free from the world... Bullshit!"

He said this as he shook his head, gradually disappearing into the snowstorm...

Li Yan’s expression remained calm, as he had anticipated this.

The court’s new policies were bound to cause dissatisfaction.

But the might of the Great Xuan Dynasty was overwhelming, the laws strictly enforced; what could a few complaints really change?

Before he knew it, it was finally his turn.

The Priest wasn’t too overbearing, as each person entered alone, making sure no one else saw their foundation, which is why the queue was so long.

The registration area was located in a side hall near the side door.

In the snowstorm, the main door of the side hall was wide open. An elderly Daoist was going through the roster inside, while another official in a green robe was copying records.

With the cold weather, the two of them occasionally breathed on their hands to warm them.

Seeing Li Yan enter, the elderly Daoist was very amicable, "Daoist friend, please have a seat, no need for formalities. Are you here to register?"

Li Yan slightly bowed, "I’m here to collect the Daoist certificate; Senior Luo Mingzi said it was ready."

"Oh?"

The elderly Daoist seemed to recall something, looked up at Li Yan, "Are you the gentleman known as Li Yan from Lantian, who comes from Xianyang?"

Li Yan nodded, "Yes."

Without wasting any words, the elderly Daoist got up and took out a dark blue Taoist certificate from the shelf, "It’s already been processed. Would you like to check?"

"Dark blue Taoist certificate?"

Li Yan was a bit surprised as he took it.

The elderly Daoist smiled, "Your identity is special. The so-called orthodox designation is just an official endorsement from the court, which is far inferior compared to yours."