The Blade-Wielding Legend
Chapter 193 - 141 Discussion on Tao in the Brothel

Chapter 193: Chapter 141 Discussion on Tao in the Brothel

"Use spells for performance?"

Li Yan glanced at Shen Sanyou.

Shen Sanyou laughed, "Just watch, why the rush?"

"In the past, they wouldn’t use these things. Now, they’re just appetizers."

Sure enough, after the Yang Family’s man won applause, the Wu’s Troupe also sent out their own performer.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

With heavy footsteps, a figure walked onto the stage.

It was a giant of a man.

He stood a head taller than the average person, perhaps due to development issues, his figure appeared slightly deformed.

Muscles covered his body, resembling a mountain beast.

This giant man seemed a bit dim-witted, with a dull expression, and said in a muffled voice, "I’ll perform a Wu Huo lifting the cauldron for everyone."

Another traditional strength technique.

In the Warring States period, lifting cauldrons was a craze, especially in the Qin State, and Wu Huo was a rumored powerful warrior, favored for his ability to lift cauldrons.

Though the big fellow seemed guileless, not adept at banter to liven up the atmosphere, he was even more exaggerated than the previous performer.

He actually lifted the green stone table of the Huawei Building and invited seven or eight guests to stand on top of it.

For a moment, thunderous applause erupted around.

Many present were experts, and though the Wu Huo lifting the cauldron wasn’t as visually appealing as the knife tricks before, it was all about the swagger.

The giant’s appearance was bizarre enough, and with such strength, he was akin to the Dharma Protector from the plays, naturally garnering everyone’s cheers.

Li Yan, however, rubbed his chin in contemplation.

This giant man also used the servant body technique.

But unlike the opposing side, he exuded a faint beastly stench, likely possessed by some wild spirit.

Though the performance was impressive, Li Yan shook his head slightly, "These are all insidious methods. While they may earn momentary applause, over time, they inevitably harm the body, leading to numerous illnesses and a poor end."

Be it yin souls or wild spirits, possession was never pleasant, let alone using it to unleash potential.

"That’s why it’s rarely seen." Shen Sanyou yawned, "Even for them, this technique is reserved for critical moments."

Subsequently, the two sides engaged in another bout.

In the skills showcase, one side performed juggling and swordplay.

This acrobatics act, known globally, involved tossing numerous colorful balls or knives in the air.

This time, possession wasn’t involved, but they relied on Divine Skills for the performance.

One side utilized superior Spirit Root control to throw a dense array of knives and balls simultaneously into the air.

Knives and balls whirled around, leaving the audience dazzled.

In the final act, the performer launched knives with swishes, piercing all the colorful balls before landing with a bang on the ground...

Meanwhile, the other side showcased the Divine Whip Skill.

He likely had mastered a nasal Divine Skill and entered the Hidden Energy stage.

Blindfolded with a black cloth, the whip danced, extinguishing candles from all directions while the candles below remained untouched.

Finally, he whipped a spinning top into motion, wrapped the whip around a pillar, and the top bounced and spun left and right on a string.

These spinning tops were all made of iron, each weighing ten pounds.

Li Yan discerned that the techniques weren’t merely acrobatic skills compared, but a form of weaponry sparring.

One was a master of Hidden Weapons.

The soft whip and top might also be some kind of arcane weapon.

In the final showdown, both used Illusion Techniques in Ancient Colorful Magic.

One played with rice turning into goldfish. On the table, a ceramic basin with grains spun rapidly at a chant, splashing water as countless goldfish darted...

Li Yan saw through it as a Blinding Technique.

In reality, the basin was filled with water from the start, but a quick sleight of hand combined with illusion made it seem as if rice became goldfish.

The Wu’s Troupe left him astonished.

Someone lit a brazier, and with seductive powder, thick smoke rose, while someone at the back guided yin souls to swirl the smoke beneath the beams.

Above the beams, someone unfurled a massive scroll.

With fleeting light and shadow effects, it seemed as though clouds churned above the Huawei Building, revealing a Heavenly Palace.

Several nimble Children, dressed in crane robes, leaped and danced, suspended by fine threads, with smoke underfoot, ascending into the Heavenly Palace in transcendence, vanishing into thin air...

An elder exclaimed, "This... this is the long-lost Immortal Ascension Platform!"

It is said that during the prosperous Tang, the Huaye Shining Pavilion once showcased this technique, earning continuous praise from the emperor and imperial concubine. The Wu’s Troupe’s restoration of this art was unexpected.

Even Li Yan couldn’t help but applaud.

Outsiders watched for excitement, insiders for the craft.

Though he noticed these techniques utilized Mystical Sect methods, such a grand performance required countless participants.

In any era, it was always the highlight of the show.

This technique left no suspense.

The Yang Family’s elder on the opposite side wore an unpleasant expression, conceding defeat before taking his apprentices and leaving the Huawei Building.

Truth be told, the capabilities of both sides were fairly matched.

But the Wu’s Troupe leader was more innovative, willing to research extensively and bring forth new things, while the Yang Family relied on old acts, leading to their defeat.

"How’s that?"

Shen Sanyou drank a mouthful of wine and asked.

Li Yan nodded with a smile, "The senior was right, it was indeed a great show, opening the eyes of this junior."

Shen Sanyou nodded, then mentioned to the woman beside him, "Hua Niang, I’m going to chat with Brother Li, make sure we’re not disturbed."

"Hmm."

The woman’s face remained calm as she stood up.

She adjusted the position of the surrounding screens, blocking the two of them, then hung Yellow Talismans and peach wood pendants on the screens, forming a spell with her hands.

The atmosphere around them changed instantly, the noise of the hall fading away.

Quite impressive!

Li Yan was startled.

This was Qimen Dunjia mixed with Yang dwelling Fengshui.

This woman was also a Mystical Sect member, adept at Array techniques; he had no idea what methods she used to conceal herself, even fooling his senses.

The city was indeed full of extraordinary people...

Li Yan sighed internally.

The Huawei Building was expensive, but just seeing these things tonight was worth the price.

The atmosphere here was now concealed, and with interference from the Array, not even Divine Skills could eavesdrop on their conversation.

Shen Sanyou finally spoke, "You wish to inquire about the Mystical Sect?"

"Indeed." Li Yan nodded, answering honestly.

Inviting Shen Sanyou for a banquet today was naturally to learn more.

After all, from what he had seen and heard during his travels, he realized he had only encountered the very outskirts of the Mystical Sect.

Wang Daoxuan was unaware, Luo Mingzi wouldn’t speak, so he could only seek answers from Shen Sanyou.

Shen Sanyou asked, "To you, what is the Mystical Sect?"

Li Yan frowned, "I do not quite understand, senior."

Shen Sanyou gestured below.

On the stage, the Wu’s Troupe leader continued to crack jokes to entertain the crowd.

Shen Sanyou took a sip of wine and smirked, "To outsiders, the Mystical Sect seems profound and unfathomable, but to them, it’s merely a means of livelihood, no different from ordinary pugilistic methods."

"To those of the Shang Mountain Magic Veins, it is still spells, used to gain personal benefits and manifest the glory of their Magic Veins!"

"And to you, what is it?"

Li Yan was speechless, unsure how to reply.

Shen Sanyou continued, "The Mystical Sect is never lacking in prodigies; people like me don’t count for much."

"Within the Mystical Sect, there’s always been a division, the extreme limit ordinary people can reach is the three-story."

"Even if one’s aptitude is average, if they unlock Divine Skills, diligently practice for a dozen years, plus have no issues with the Cultivation Technique, they can reach the three-story."

"On this Chang’an path, achieving the Daoist Triple Building provides a secure livelihood and an easy meal. Serving high officials can even secure a fortune for one’s descendants..."

"So I ask you, what do you seek?"

"If you only seek these, it’s enough now; knowing too much can be a burden."

Li Yan paused for a moment, then respectfully clasped his hands and said,

"I seek the law!"

"The law, huh..."

Shen Sanyou said leisurely, "There are many laws."

"For instance, the Taixuan Orthodox Sect ties their fate with that of the Divine State, protecting the land, dispelling evil and preventing disasters, hence becoming the state religion through court tribute."

"As long as the Divine State stands, the Taixuan Orthodox Sect endures!"

"The Shang Mountain sect also seeks this law, yet they took a crooked path."

"Others also seek the law."

"Like Doumu Palace on Taibai Mountain, seeking to study the mysteries of stars and comprehend the workings of the Dao..."

"Like some Daoist Doctor sects, seeking to heal the world, excelling in medical skill and virtue, others in the Buddhist sect, seeking to save all beings..."

"This, is the law!"

"With the law, the Dao is in one’s heart!"

"Life is like morning dew, transient, even the strongest spells are just protection, without the Dao in one’s heart, it’s like a blind man feeling an elephant, forever unable to enter this realm."

Li Yan was silent for a moment, reflecting on his experiences over these days, then suddenly looked up and said, "I wish, to go further."

"Further?"

Shen Sanyou sneered, "Longevity? Ascension?"

Li Yan couldn’t help but ask, "Is it really just a fantasy?"

Shen Sanyou took several sips from his cup, looking at Li Yan with eyes full of pity, "Once this thought arises, your life will never be comfortable, countless have perished on this path."

"Ascension, longevity, are terms for outsiders. If you can break past the mortal limits, step onto the fourth story, you might glimpse something."

"Then, you may inquire..."

"What it means to be an Ascender!"

...

Morning light streamed through the paper windows.

Outside, after a night of snow, everything seemed to have halted; distant birds could be heard in the courtyard.

Li Yan had long awakened but lay in bed, not wanting to get up, gazing at the beams and murmuring to himself.

"Ascender..."

This was the second time he heard this term.

The first was from his cheap master, frenziedly leading him to the Qinling, just because he didn’t want him to overlook the Ascension Path he’d found.

Back then, he thought it was merely a metaphor.

Now it seemed far more complex.

Furthermore, according to Shen Sanyou, Ascension seemed distinct from becoming a deity or achieving longevity.

Was it to make a man a deity?

Like those ancestral figures of the Magic Veins...

Unfortunately, when he tried to ask further, Shen Sanyou refused to elaborate, merely drinking with him madly.

Thinking of this, Li Yan stretched lazily and prepared to get out of bed.

Last night was somewhat wild, but he gained much, not just the secrets, learning also why the Huawei Building held its status.

To outsiders, people coming here seemed merely to seek a night of carnal pleasure, but what it offered was much more.

Shen Sanyou knew many people at the Huawei Building.

Li Yan only remembered that from time to time, women came and went around them, mostly just cuddling, the rest was ease.

Together, they drank freely in the hall, listening to women sing ancient Tang melodies, sing Jiangnan tunes, sing of life’s hundreds of states, sing ’The Great River Flows Eastward’...

Last night was his first time getting drunk in this life.

He only remembered leaving the building unsteadily with Shen Sanyou.

After escorting him back to the Prince Mansion’s courtyard, Shen Sanyou grabbed a woman and went to another courtyard to play ghost and scare people...

At this moment, Li Yan understood Shen Sanyou’s choice.

He no longer wished to seek the law, nor to use it to amass wealth, merely indulging in temporary pleasures, forgetting pain, living this ragged life...

Li Yan, of course, would not follow suit.

But that wild night loosened his tense nerves, feeling a sense of thoroughness throughout his body.

Perhaps this brothel discourse was something he should partake in more often...

Just then, the courtyard door burst open, Sha Lifei’s loud voice echoed, "Brother Yan, Daoist, hurry and pack, Old Sha has scored a big contract!"