The Blade-Wielding Legend
Chapter 352 - 221: Bringing Disaster on Oneself_2

Chapter 352: Chapter 221: Bringing Disaster on Oneself_2

Through the window lattice, one could see the small, exquisitely arranged garden, with its artificial hills piled up and a plum blossom branch stretching over the top, resembling a landscape painting, possessing a charm all its own.

However, Li Yan had discovered something fishy.

There were many bookshelves here, but they were all empty; even the curio shelves held nothing, as though everything had been moved away.

Only on the desk, there lay a single register.

Yan Jiuling picked it up and sighed, "The root of all issues lies in this register. Young Hero Li will understand as soon as he sees it."

After Li Yan took it, he saw the title "Ten Strategies of National Defense" inscribed in bold characters. Upon flipping through, he immediately understood that it was a collection of recommendations written to the court by someone named Yan Jue.

Yan Jue seemed to be Yan Jiuling’s grandfather...

Li Yan continued to read on, becoming more and more shocked.

"The strategy regarding the maritime ban should be implemented now. However, as times change, it would be fitting to lift the ban for the benefit of the nation..."

My goodness!

The very first strategy was a suggestion to lift the maritime trade restrictions.

"The system of local officials is outdated. The governance of the nation should prioritize fairness and order. Although the system has its origins, its many disadvantages are now evident..."

The second strategy was actually a call for the abolition of hereditary offices!

Of course, these were just superficial pleasantries. Between the lines, there was an unmistakable undercurrent of a great unified state and passionate imperialist thinking.

The strategies that followed seemed somewhat radical.

But judging just by the first two alone, they had already become part of Great Xuan’s state policies.

In a daze, Li Yan seemed to see a white-haired old man with glaring eyes and a bristling beard, ranting and raving animatedly...

A hint of nostalgia flashed in Yan Jiuling’s eyes, "My father harbored a heartfelt desire to serve his country in his earlier years, yet due to his straightforward temperament, he was disliked by others. Even after becoming an Advanced Scholar, he was only appointed a scattered official, consumed with indignant frustration, he thus went on to teach at the Academy."

"In his spare time, he wrote this ’Ten Strategies of National Defense,’ which at the time was ridiculed by others, dismissing it as the ravings of a lunatic."

"Until after several military campaigns, when the state treasury was exhausted, someone presented these strategies, exploiting my father’s words for the benefit of their own faction."

"Nobody expected that the Emperor would actually appreciate them, and the policies of opening up maritime trade and abolition of hereditary offices began to be implemented, yet my father had already passed away many years before."

"This caused quite a controversy in the Confucian scholarly circles, with supporters, detractors, and even a few of my father’s students, who used it as a banner for their causes."

"While my Yan family also hails from a scholarly lineage, we truly can’t bear such a reputation, let alone act brazenly, but in the end, we still offended those local officials."

"Thinking back to three years ago, the court had not yet started to pressurize us, just sending people to advise us kindly, so they didn’t act openly but secretly employed Evil Skill on my poor wife."

"Today, they no longer conceal their actions, often with rogues of the pugilistic world lurking outside our home, plotting misdeeds."

"Realizing the imminent danger, I sent Jiuling away early to avoid interference, and then sent the rest of my children, concubines, as well as the Yan family’s book collection, all to Han Port..."

"So, it was like that."

Li Yan suddenly saw the light, and shook his head, "No wonder there are so many Protectors in the mansion."

Yan Jiuling shook his head, "These are all righteous fellows from the Divine Fist Association of Yichang, who upon learning of the matter were indignant and came over to watch over the house."

Li Yan frowned, "Yichang City is on the brink of a storm, those people must also be getting impatient. Uncle Yan, why don’t you leave sooner?"

"I can’t leave!"

Yan Jiuling’s expression turned solemn, "In my life, I have studied and read without much to show for it. If I were to leave, it would be as if I feared them, and my father’s ’Ten Strategies of National Defense’ would become a laughingstock."

"Even if Yichang City falls, I will not leave. Even if I am assassinated and die in my home, the Yan family name will not be dishonored!"

Hearing this, Li Yan rose in solemn respect, "Uncle’s sense of honor is profound!"

He did not try to persuade any further, knowing it would be futile.

"I lack the means, all I can do is this."

Yan Jiuling spoke with calm equanimity, "I am telling Young Hero Li about this in hopes that if one day you encounter Jiuling, you could explain to him the whole story."

"If I were to die, it would also be a death well met, with no need for sorrow."

Li Yan didn’t know what to say, so he could only bow respectfully, while in his heart he silently resolved to act preemptively at the slightest rumor, to eliminate some of the hidden dangers for the Yan family.

Just then, the maidservant from before rushed over in a flurried state, her voice excited, "The master’s wife is awake, the lady has awakened!"

"What?!"

Upon hearing this, Yan Jiuling immediately hastened out.

Several of them arrived at the bedroom in the side courtyard, indeed inside, Yan Jiuling’s wife had woken up and was propped up in bed, being fed water by someone.

"Madam, are you all right?"

Yan Bobian hurriedly stepped forward, taking the elderly woman’s hand.

His wife was a legitimately married lady from a prestigious family, who was also a cherished daughter of a grand household in her youth, gentle by nature, with an exemplary household management.

Yan Bobian had always held her in high regard, and learning of her three-year madness being a consequence of the Yan family’s troubles made him feel even more guilt-ridden.

"Husband."

The old lady was still somewhat weak, a forced smile on her face, "These years have been tough on you."

Upon hearing this, Yan Bobian’s heart grew even heavier, and through clenched teeth, he said, "Madam, you were harmed by someone’s use of Evil Skill. Do you remember visiting any caves back then?"

The old lady furrowed her brow, "I don’t remember much from before I fell into a coma; all I had was a very long dream."

"In that dream, I was trapped in a cave, where a yellow-clothed woman with sallow skin and an obese figure hid. She then turned into many moths that flew towards me..."

As she spoke, a hint of fear flashed in her eyes.

"Madam, let’s not think about that anymore."

Seeing her state, Yan Bobian quickly changed the subject, smiling, "Jiu Ling has done well; he has become a scholar and is now taking the imperial examination in the Capital. Perhaps in a little while, we will get the news..."

"Oh, Jiu Ling can finally study in peace."

Hearing this news brought a genuine smile to the old lady’s face. After a few more words, she appeared tired and fell asleep again.

Li Yan stepped out the door and said with a smile, "The spells are broken, and with some sedatives taken for some time, aunt should be able to recover."

"This time, I truly owe you, young friend."

Yan Bobian’s face beamed with smiles, then he said, "Oh right, Jiu Ling also asked me to pass some things on to you in his letter."

Saying this, he led Li Yan to another study in the side courtyard.

This study was noticeably smaller, likely used by Yan Jiuling, but unlike the main study, it wasn’t completely cleared out and still contained quite a few items.

Speaking, Yan Bobian declared, "He left in a hurry back then; we could only move the valuable books, so some were left behind."

He approached the antique shelf, took down a wooden box from the third shelf, blew the dust off the surface, and shook his head, "Jiu Ling has always been fond of all manner of supernatural tales, and he bought quite a few knickknacks because of it."

"For this, I’ve had my share of disagreements with him. Little did I know that these things would be of use to you, young friend..."

He placed the wooden box on the desk, and Yan Bobian said with a smile, "We have guests from afar today, and my wife’s sickness has healed, which indeed feels like double happiness."

"Young friend, please feel at home. I will have the servants prepare a feast, and you must drink a few cups with me."

Seeing the old man’s good mood, Li Yan naturally wouldn’t refuse. After Yan Bobian left, Li Yan slowly opened the box.

He had asked about the Chu Witch Order carrying it to Yan Jiuling, and to his surprise, he was quite knowledgeable and even mentioned he had collected some related ancient items.

Visiting Yan’s household this time, these were also among his objectives.

As soon as he opened the box, Li Yan’s expression immediately turned solemn.

On one side, there were books and manuscripts, and on the other, a pile of various objects, among which was a more complete Chu Witch Order.

His heart raced with excitement as he picked up the Chu Witch Order.

Sure enough, a blazing aura surged into his Dantian and entered the soul rope.

Unfortunately, this Chu Witch Order had not become a Heavenly Spirit Earth Treasure and held even less of an aura than the one given by Yuan Ba, only extending the soul rope by a span of a hand.

Of course, having it was still better than not.

A warm smile spread across Li Yan’s face.

The Daluo Dharma Body consumed good fortune and could only absorb it before it settled within the Heavenly Spirit Earth Treasure.

But now, he discovered two exceptions.

One was the coal spirit and the petrified dinosaur egg, which might be related to the era they formed in, as their good fortune settled extremely slowly.

The other was this Chu Witch Order.

The aura it contained, which Li Yan now knew to be called "Divine Evil," could also be obtained after completing Yin Bureau tasks.

There must be some unknown secret between the two.

Li Yan set the Chu Witch Order aside and continued to search through the remaining items: tokens, stone carvings, wood engravings, all related to Ba Chu Witchcraft.

Unfortunately, the rest were merely Mortal-grade.

Li Yan was slightly disappointed but turned his attention to the manuscripts on the other side. He picked them up, flipped through a few pages, and his brows slowly furrowed...