The Blade-Wielding Legend
Chapter 201 - 145 Paper Man_2

Chapter 201: Chapter 145 Paper Man_2

Having said that, he pinched the spell and used the "Northern Emperor Grass Spirit Technique." His little finger gently hooked.

Whoosh!

A swarm of Grass Spirit Paper Men flew out from the skin pouch around his waist, dancing in the wind, circling around him, ascending and descending.

Li Yan pinched two fingers together, coated a Grass Spirit Paper Man with Landlord Du’s blood, and then manipulated the spell, making the small paper figure enter the large one through a seam in its back.

Grass Spirit was also divine.

Purely in terms of acquiring divinity, what could be more suitable than a Grass Spirit?

Hu~

As the paper figure was completed, a chilly breeze suddenly rose in the hall.

The candlelight flickered, creating an eerie atmosphere.

Li Yan could smell it—the paper figure now bore Landlord Du’s aura. Although it was faint, it was an exact match!

"Quick... Look!"

Butler Wang’s voice trembled as he shakily pointed at the paper figure.

He saw the paper figure’s neck slowly twisting, and feeling so many eyes on it, it seemed frightened and quickly returned to its original position.

Such a scene chilled the spines of many onlookers.

"It’s done!"

Wang Daoxuan, however, clapped his hands in joy, "Who would have thought it could be done like this? Compared to those created by the Mystical Sect’s Paper Mache Masters, it’s just as good."

"With this technique, many things will become much easier to do in the future."

Li Yan was also pleasantly surprised. He had not expected the Grass Spirit Technique could be used in this manner. He and Wang Daoxuan exchanged knowing smiles; they both understood the usefulness of this Magic Method.

Not only could it be used to ward off disasters, but it could also enhance the power of Wang Daoxuan’s magic spells.

Luo Faqing was also taken aback for a moment, then nodded and said, "Congratulations to you both."

He could naturally see the finesse of this item.

With the experiment a success, their pace quickened.

The reason Wang Daoxuan had originally allotted a full day was in case the final touch failed, requiring back and forth adjustments.

However, with Li Yan’s assistance, they had completed the task before noon.

The Du Family’s great hall was densely filled with paper figures.

Each family member had two of their own.

All the paper figures were veiled with red cloth.

Wang Daoxuan solemnly addressed Landlord Du, "Remember, every night before midnight, everyone in the Du Mansion must leave, including chickens, ducks, dogs, and livestock such as donkeys and horses."

"Return home after midnight when the sky is beginning to lighten."

"These paper figures have gained some spirituality and will take on disasters meant for you. They may harbor resentment, so burn incense and offer prayers at dawn, and then at noon when the sun is at its strongest, burn them using willow wood."

"Remember not to miss a single one. We don’t want the trouble of the paper figures starting to haunt us when we haven’t even resolved the current issue."

"On the second night, if we have not returned, proceed to set up the second paper figure and lift the red veil according to plan."

"Additionally, Landlord Du should immediately send someone to Chang’an to seek the assistance of the City God Temple. If they fail to return, don’t wait; head to the City God Temple in Xianyang City. The temple priest there, elder Qingyangzi, has old ties with us."

Landlord Du listened intently, his expression grave as he said, "I’ve taken note and there will be no mistakes."

Wang Daoxuan nodded and said, "As the saying goes, there is a first and a second time, but not a third. This method can only protect for two nights; therefore, we must not delay. We depart now."

"Someone, prepare the horses!"

Landlord Du had already had his horses fed and ready.

Li Yan and his two companions packed their belongings and left the Du Mansion. Luo Faqing hesitated for a moment then said, "Master Wang, perhaps I should come with you?"

"That’s not possible."

Wang Daoxuan shook his head with a serious expression, "The matter of breaking the tomb is actually easier to handle. My temporary ritual can suppress it until the Taixuan Orthodox Sect arrives."

"The real issue is here. Two people have already died tragically, the old woman’s brain marrow and lungs consumed, and with the numerology of the brain harboring the spirit and the Five Elements, along with the missing grandchild, we have two victims."

"If it is indeed the work of an evil practitioner, then with three more victims, the evil spirit will truly manifest."

"Daoist Luo, your spells are powerful, so if that evil practitioner tries to interfere, you must hold them off until we succeed!"

"Rest assured, Daoist Luo!"

Luo Faqing bowed solemnly.

He too felt a sense of urgency. While he had been subdued by Wang Daoxuan, losing face this time as well, if he allowed the evil practitioner to succeed, it would be better to just leave the pugilistic world.

"Take care!"

After bidding farewell, Li Yan and his two companions mounted their horses and left.

Unnoticed, a heavy snow began to fall from the sky...

Night fell, and a wild wind whipped up the snow.

"Master Dao, we’ve arrived!"

Sha Lifei shouted while holding down his bamboo hat amidst the wind and snow.

Fate can bring unpredictable weather, as it began to snow again around noon when they set out. Then the north wind howled, growing stronger as time passed.

The snow concealed the ditches along the road, making horseback riding a poor choice in such conditions; hence, the three men led their horses, trudging through the blizzard.

Fortunately, the ruins of Ancient Haojing were not far, and they had now arrived.

"Over there is the old site of E Pang Palace, and there lies Ancient Haojing. This whole area used to be Shanglin Garden, I know a place where we can get out of the wind!"

Sha Lifei pointed ahead and led the two men another mile to a corner of an earth wall.

The wind was noticeably less fierce there. Li Yan lit a torch, and by its flickering light, he quickly made a discovery.

The surrounding earth walls had been severely eroded by the wind and were covered with thick snow, but it was still possible to discern that they were remnants of an ancient city.

Haojing, E Pang Palace, Shanglin Garden...

These glittering names from history books, after countless years of wars, were now barely recognizable mounds of earth.

Li Yan laughed, "Uncle Sha seems quite familiar with this place."

"I used to come here often."

Sha Lifei chuckled, "It’s almost December after all, the time for night fox hunting. I remember a few years ago, the wealthy in Chang’an were fond of fox fur clothing, especially during the night hunts. Visiting with a fox could earn you a handsome reward, so we came over here to hunt foxes for money..."

"Night fox hunting," also known as "night fox."

It was rumored that Tang Jingzong was obsessed with magic and the Immortality Elixir, indulged in extravagance, and initiated grandiose construction projects. The classic work "E Pang Palace" was written to admonish him.

Of course, no matter how well it was written, it was to no avail.

Besides, Tang Jingzong had another peculiar hobby, enjoying nocturnal fox hunting.

Somehow, this activity evolved into a folk custom. Every December, beggars and the destitute of the city would dress up as Ghost Gods, banging drums and gongs, knocking on doors for money, claiming it was to expel the plague demon.

To seek auspiciousness, most people would give something.

Quite similar to the "trick-or-treat" concept of Halloween.

Li Yan was puzzled, "Giving away real foxes during night hunts? That’s something I’ve never heard of."

"Eh, just a fad among the city folk."

Sha Lifei scoffed, "That’s how the people of Chang’an are, imitating whatever the wealthy families do. They say the fox pelts obtained on that day possess Evil Exorcism powers, but later it was banned."

"Why?"

"Trouble arose. Rumors had it that the night fox hunt led to ghostly fox fires around E Pang Palace, and a Fox Ghost appeared, causing the death of many from the pugilistic world; hence, the government issued a ban."

"But I never participated, so I don’t know if the rumors were true or not..."

After chatting for a bit, Li Yan took out a scroll.

The scroll was beautifully made, folding out like a fan with bamboo ridges and fine silk for the surface, revealing dense text and maps when spread out.

This item was called a "mourning book."

Originally belonging to the Imperial Family, it was used to praise the virtues and deeds of emperors and empresses during their lifetimes, and to write eulogies, which were then buried with them in tombs.

Later, the custom spread among the common folk, and some prominent families, due to their isolated and secret burial sites, also made these to ensure that their descendants knew where the ancestral graves were, serving as a family secret.

This particular one had been provided by Landlord Du, detailing the location they were headed for.

By the light of the torch, Sha Lifei’s eyes lit up, "Ah, I know this place, it’s not far, a walk of two sticks of incense should get us there."

Master Wang also looked at the mourning book, pondering, "Indeed, the Du Family must have unearthed the Zhou dynasty tombs and then re-concealed them."

"By the looks of it, the inside is quite spacious; let’s go now, we can attend to our business and also take shelter from the snowstorm."

Once they made up their minds, the three men set off at once.

Before long, they arrived at a plain. Upon the plain, hillocks rose and fell, covered in heavy snow, appearing like steamed buns, and also like ancient tombs.

Of course, many of them were the tombs of nobles and officials, large and small, from different eras, and many had been ravaged by gravediggers, riddled with holes.

"Look over there!"

Arriving at the base of a hillock, Sha Lifei suddenly pointed to the right.

There, halfway up the hillside, a huge crack appeared out of nowhere, with large bricks and stones scattered around...