The Blade-Wielding Legend
Chapter 394 - 242 Chaos in the Southwest

Chapter 394: Chapter 242 Chaos in the Southwest

Boom!

The gate of North City slowly opened, and a large troop of soldiers rushed out; not long after, they returned, carrying bodies.

By now, it was already light outside; many onlookers along the streets exchanged wary glances and whispered among themselves.

The people of Ezhou loved spectacles.

But the recent succession of incidents had instilled widespread panic; no one was in the mood for entertainment, fearing calamity might fall upon them.

"Who were those people?"

"I heard they were demons from the Ghost Sect."

"That pack of animals from the Ghost Sect should have died long ago, but where did they get the courage to rebel?"

"I heard something; don’t go spreading it around."

"I heard they killed people for rituals, took their heads and livers; haven’t you seen those scholars’ families holding funerals?"

"You must be making this up."

"Why would I lie? My uncle is a leatherworker; he said they’ve made quite a few fake human heads in the past few days."

"Why are you silent all of a sudden?"

"I think I remember my grandfather mentioning something like this..."

With many eyes in the city, some news simply couldn’t be kept secret.

The tradition of killing for rituals originated from Hubei and Hunan, only having been completely abolished during the Da Xing Period, but some legends still persisted.

These ancient, dark histories circulated among the people once more, sparking even greater panic.

In the ritual sacrifices, scholars and officials’ livers counted as three, priests and Taoists’ as two, and women and children’s just one...

The most direct manifestation was Danyang Academy.

Now the academy was sealed off with no one inside; ordinarily, such a thing would have incited outrage among the scholars.

However, now they all stayed at home, shivering in fear...

Even minor officials in Zigui County were terrified, frightened to go out on duty without several companions...

As for ordinary folks, they hid their children securely at home, and women dared not show their faces...

The sight of the bandits’ corpses was one thing, but when the headless monks’ bodies appeared, the streets fell utterly silent.

The faces of the townsfolk paled, a chill rising in their hearts.

At an inn on the second floor, a window was left half-open.

The eyes peeking through the door crack were full of suspicion.

It was the female swordsman Liu Mei, who had previously escaped from Li Yan.

Last night’s operation, aimed at Li Yan, had prompted her to feign illness, avoiding the confrontation by staying in the inn.

Sure enough, she had escaped disaster.

Considering that even a mistress skilled as "Red Lady" had not escaped, Liu Mei hesitated no longer and hurriedly packed her belongings.

Offending either side was beyond her, better to flee to the ends of the earth.

At that moment, a commotion erupted in the streets.

"The waterway is open! The waterway is open!"

"The court’s reinforcements have arrived!"

"They’ve captured the river monster too, come see!"

Many townsfolk, upon hearing this, rushed towards the docks.

This news shone like a beam of sunlight, somewhat alleviating the gloomy atmosphere in Zigui County.

Without a second word, the female swordsman Liu Mei grabbed her parcel and headed downstairs...

...

Meanwhile, in the main hall of the county government.

"Phoenix Vein of Chu Territory?"

Prefect Zhou Kai, holding the Blood Jade Cong in his hand, his eyes flickering uncertainly, bit his lip and solemnly said, "Ghost Sect demons, daring to sabotage our Divine State’s Qi Fortune!"

After speaking, he quickly stood up, deeply bowed to Li Yan, and thanked him, "Many thanks, Young Hero Li, if Ghost Sect had succeeded under our watch, I couldn’t have shirked the blame."

"It’s the least I could do."

Li Yan’s expression remained calm, unfazed.

He had no intention of hiding this affair.

Not only would he not conceal it, but he would also make sure it was known by all.

After all, conspiracies dread nothing more than being exposed in public.

Zhao Changsheng, a formidable demon, was likely beyond his capabilities, but the Mystical Sect had more hidden experts.

This kind of situation would have many people worried.

Not to mention, the court would certainly send a Fengshui master to thwart the plot and redo the configuration.

Such a large Fengshui formation involving the Qi Fortune of Divine State was beyond his understanding, probably even beyond Wang Daoxuan’s comprehension.

This troublesome matter was better off being tossed aside; no need to shoulder it alone.

"Report!"

Just then, a soldier strode into the county government hall, bowed with both fists, and said, "Reporting, sir, the reinforcements from Yichang have arrived!"

"Good!"

Prefect Zhou Kai clenched his fist tightly, his eyes filled with excitement.

The situation in Zigui County had been unclear, with potentially hidden demons among the garrison; he had stayed awake all night, armed and alongside a few trusted subordinates in the hall, ready to fight at any moment.

With the arrival of the court’s reinforcements, they gained much more leeway...

...

Everyone quickly gathered at the dock, straining their eyes to look.

In the river, warships large and small approached in formation, drums thundering, flags fluttering, and the decks densely packed with soldiers, their weapons gleaming, radiating a fierce aura.

Although the Great Xuan Dynasty was currently swirling with undercurrents, it was still at its zenith; these were the garrison troops from Xiangyang and Yichang, which had assembled a few days ago.

Once the waterway was clear, they immediately rushed to support Zigui.

Especially notable was the leading ship, Fuchuan, large as a fortress, from which hung a huge creature, the very river monster that had troubled them before!

Li Yan nodded slightly upon seeing this.

The court’s actions were clearly meant to stabilize the people’s morale.

Indeed, upon seeing the giant river monster, the people of Zigui County exclaimed in shock and then burst into loud cheers.

On the deck, numerous elders in green robes, their garbs resembling Han robes and wearing tall hats, all had grim expressions.

Li Yan recognized them as members of the Zhushan Sect.

The Zhushan Sect, originating from Zhushan County in Hubei, had simple spell origins but stemmed from the ancient Han Palace, blending with local witchcraft.

During the Han Dynasty, the court performed the "Sacrificial Altar."

The "Han Shu · Ritual Music Records" mention that Emperor Wu of Han conducted a worship at Ganquan Palace in honor of the Supreme Emperor star, performed in the Qian Position, sacrificing to the Earth God at Fengyin, Zezhong Fangqiu...