The Blade-Wielding Legend
Chapter 237 - 166 Enemy Roots_2

Chapter 237: Chapter 166 Enemy Roots_2

"Speaking of this..." Li Yan’s expression became serious, and he said in a deep voice, "I want to know, just who is Zhao Changsheng?"

"Why are you asking about him?"

Luo Mingzi shook his head and said, "He isn’t in Guanzhong. This place is likely just a piece he casually dropped, best to stay away from him. He’s not someone you can provoke."

Naturally, people asked about the incident at Xiangji Temple.

Luo Mingzi knew it was Zhao Changsheng’s doing and wasn’t surprised.

Li Yan was silent for a moment. "My father’s death is related to him..."

With that, he recounted Lu Gongyuan’s confession and what happened at the brothel at the time.

He hadn’t told anyone about this yet.

"Your father?"

Luo Mingzi was visibly puzzled. "Your father was just a bladesman in the pugilistic world; why would he investigate Zhao Changsheng’s background?"

Li Yan said in a deep voice, "I have a suspicion, but I need to verify Zhao Changsheng’s background; is he one of your Taixuan Orthodox Sect’s people?"

Luo Mingzi was silent for a moment, took another sip of wine, and said, "This matter is taboo within the sect, but since it concerns your father’s death, I will not hide it. But you mustn’t tell anyone else."

"Zhao Changsheng was originally called Chang Kongzi, a prodigious genius of our Taixuan Orthodox Sect, but something happened later, and he defected."

Li Yan’s brow furrowed, "Was he ever responsible for issuing military Magic Artifacts plaques in the Capital?"

Luo Mingzi was stunned, "Indeed, he stayed in the Capital."

"Then it should be him."

Li Yan said gravely, "My grandfather was a veteran of the Northern Border battle. The court awarded him a ’Hundred Battle Plate,’ which could ward off evil and protect the home. But last year, I discovered it had been secretly imbued with the nightmare suppression technique."

"This nightmare suppression technique was brilliantly designed, only manifesting slowly and hard to detect, but over time it leads to the end of a bloodline."

"In the Northern Border pursuit back then, fewer than a hundred of those who returned alive. After arriving in Chang’an, I had someone find the roster of veterans from that year."

"In these years, after the veterans laid down their arms and returned to farming, their families either suffered disasters, or their descendants died inexplicably. Even the commanding officer Yuan Xizhong was riddled with illnesses in his later years, eventually convicted and executed with his whole family..."

"I think my father probably helped my grandfather contact those old comrades, and ended up discovering something suspicious, leading back to Zhao Changsheng..."

This was the process Li Yan deduced from the clues.

Luo Mingzi, after hearing this, was clearly shocked, "To tamper with the plaques the court awarded to veterans as well!"

"It should be."

Li Yan nodded, frowning, "But there’s one thing I haven’t figured out..."

As he spoke, he took out the Three Talents Demon Suppressing Coin Blade Tassel and said solemnly, "The nightmare suppression technique evaded the court entirely due to this item."

"The Three Talents Demon Suppression Coin, forged by Yang Yi’s Demon Blade, consists of one hundred and eight pieces, and while not top-notch, they are quite precious."

"My grandfather and the others were merely old farmers who became soldiers, illiterate, and had no contact with the Mystical Sect. Why go to such great lengths and expense to harm them?"

After speaking, he stared intently into Luo Mingzi’s eyes.

This question had troubled him for a long time.

"I know why."

Luo Mingzi paused, sighed, and said, "Not many people know about this; it was a ruthless move by the court."

"The Northern Border turmoil was not just the ambition of the border army Marshal; some tribes were backing them. The ones who swayed them were the remnants of the Shaman High Priest lineage of the Golden Tent Wolf Country."

"The State Preceptor, who was skilled in Fengshui and cartography, reported that those Shaman sacrifices had gathered the Dragon Veins of the Northern Border, attempting to re-establish a country."

"Thus, the court not only dispatched troops for a siege but also selected veterans with hard Eight Characters from the military, sent them into the Northern Border, destroyed the Shaman sacrificial setups, and pursued the tribal royal heirs deep into the ice plains."

"Shamanism believes in animism; their altars are often located between mountains and rivers, with carved stone idols, stone towers, wood-carved Banji pillars, and bone masks hanging on trees..."

"Destroying all these would prevent the Dragon Veins from gathering."

"I see..."

Li Yan’s eyes showed a shock, recalling his grandfather’s words.

The leading officer, Yuan Xizhong, went mad, burning down all the villages along the way, including Han people’s settlements, which led to his grandfather clashing with him...

His grandfather and the others destroyed many stone pillars, and sometimes, a sudden white wind would blow in the middle of the night. Some would go mad, claiming to see eerie women; others froze to death, waking with strange smiles on their faces...

Luo Mingzi continued, "Those soldiers were merely carrying out orders; apart from the commander, Yuan Xizhong, no one knew about it."

"Their military banners were Ancient Law Devices, capable of suppressing surrounding evil spirits. Not telling them was to prevent fear."

"With no fear in their hearts, ghosts and gods naturally couldn’t invade them, and nearby their troops, battles of sorcery took place time and again until the remnants of the Shamanism in Lang Country were utterly defeated."

"Some later escaped, sheltered by the Ice Plains Shaman. These Shaman were at odds with the Raksha Imperial Family, enemies with each other, and also one of Great Xuan’s buffer zones, so no action was taken, and they withdrew."

"Since then, the Northern Border has been completely stable. His Majesty also moved a large population beyond the pass, promoting trade, and now they have all become the citizens of Great Xuan."

"And the one who led the Taixuan Orthodox Sect back then was Chang Kongzi!"

"He was gravely injured at the time, and after returning to the Capital, stayed with the Ministry of Rites for a while before suddenly disappearing."

"When he reappeared, he was the Vice Sect Hierarch of the Maitreya Sect, calling himself Zhao Changsheng. At that time, he made an inexplicable suggestion for all the local Maitreya Sect incense halls to gather in Guanzhong to revolt; many considered him a spy, but it turned out to be a misunderstanding."

"His master went to persuade him and was killed by him..."

"I see!"

Li Yan suddenly understood, "He was a Rejuvenator!"

"When he returned from the Northern Border, he was no longer Chang Kongzi. After leaving the Ministry of Rites, he even went to Japan and made an Onmyoji there return to life!"

"No wonder, it’s the only explanation."

"It must be some Shaman expert from back then who returned to life, seized Chang Kongzi’s body, and before recovering when he returned to the Ministry of Rites, feared being discovered, and out of hatred, employed such a vicious scheme!"

"My grandfather and the others destroyed the Dragon Vein; Chang Kongzi was possessed, and naturally, the rest would face revenge!"

"Body Seizing?!"

Luo Mingzi’s complexion changed unpredictably, and he suddenly stood up, "That Zhao Changsheng appears and disappears unpredictably, appearing all over the Divine State in recent years. If he’s truly a remnant, his schemes are no small matter!"

"This is a significant matter; I must immediately return to the Capital to report!"

"And remember not to tell anyone else. If Zhao Changsheng can seize Chang Kongzi’s body, his Dao must conceal something, so just pretend you don’t know about this and don’t meddle."

"If you are noticed, no one can save you!"

With that, he was about to turn and leave.

Li Yan suddenly asked, "Is he an Ascender?"

Luo Mingzi turned, smiled bitterly, and said, "You even know that? It must be that rascal Shen Sanyou being talkative!"

"According to what you’ve said, Zhao Changsheng must be an Ascender, making him extremely dangerous, far beyond what we can handle."

"Ascenders... You are a living Yin messenger, best to stay far away from them."

"Those who tread this path are no longer human!"

With that, he quickly exited the building, swiftly descending the stairs.

When Li Yan paid the bill and left the tavern, Luo Mingzi had already emerged from the City God Temple, mounted his horse, and rapidly disappeared into the distance...

Watching the figure leave, Li Yan fell into contemplation.

There were still a host of matters in Chang’an, and for Luo Mingzi to abandon them and head immediately to the Capital demonstrated the seriousness of the situation.

Of course, Daoist Luo Mingzi also overestimated him.

Zhao Changsheng’s mystery and plots were against the entire nation, his Dao unfathomable; Li Yan would certainly not provoke him.

With countless court experts, revealing his background would naturally bring waves of trouble to him.

But for now, only temporarily.

If when he steps onto that path, the other is still alive, he would naturally find a way to deal with him personally.

Thinking of this, Li Yan also turned to leave.

Suddenly, he sniffed the air and looked off into the distance.

A moment ago, he seemed to catch a scent that felt familiar, yet he couldn’t recall whose it belonged to.

Moreover, the scent quickly dissipated.

Li Yan shook his head and strode out of Guangde Square.

In the distant street, a few people carried away an exquisite sedan chair.

This type of chair was used by women, and many women were returning to their maternal homes after the New Year, making it inconspicuous.

Inside the sedan, red ropes entwined Yellow Talismans, isolating the surrounding aura.

Seated inside was a woman in white,

The very concubine from Lu Yuan’s outer family in Ancient Water Village...