The Blade-Wielding Legend
Chapter 399 - 244 Full Moon Celebration_2

Chapter 399: Chapter 244 Full Moon Celebration_2

Speaking, he bowed deeply again with his hands clasped, expressing great respect, his eyes slightly reddened, "I must also thank Young Hero Li, if it weren’t for your timely help, my parents might have already met with disaster."

"Brother Yan, please, no need for such formalities."

Li Yan quickly intervened, smiling as he said, "I share a bond with Brother Jiu Ling, and such minor matters are not worth mentioning."

"Since it’s a joyous occasion, naturally we should go round and ask for a cup of drink."

With that, Sha Lifei, Wang Daoxuan, and Lv San were all called upon to join, seizing the chance to indulge in a feast before leaving.

On the way, Li Yan couldn’t help but ask, "Weren’t Brother Yan’s family all in Han Port? Why have you come back?"

Yan Wuyue shook his head and sighed, "Originally, I thought my father was being overly cautious, but I didn’t expect those people to really take action. As soon as we heard the news, we immediately rushed back."

"This time, we will not leave, no matter what; we must face it together as a family, even if it means dying together."

"Besides, Han Port was not necessarily safe; it’s probable that the entire Miaojiang area might be in turmoil."

Li Yan furrowed his brows, "Trouble at Han Port too?"

Yan Wuyue nodded, "Zigui County was attacked, and the main force of the Ezhou army is stationed in Yunyang Prefecture. The court’s army has not yet arrived, so they had to pull troops from Han Port and Xiangyang."

"To delay the military, some chieftains in Miaojiang hired large numbers of pugilistic outlaws and nefarious magicians, causing mayhem at Han Port and Dongting, while the pugilistic community in Ezhou took retaliatory actions."

"Right now, over there, the days are still relatively peaceful, but once night falls, bizarre incidents frequently occur, and deaths abound..."

"Not only that, but I also heard some news that due to the court’s troops being mainly stationed along the Yangtze River, the inland defenses are inevitably a bit empty, which some green forest bandits are using to their advantage to create chaos, blocking roads to rob and attacking nearby villages, in an attempt to disperse the court’s forces."

"Currently, the various land routes and mountain paths in Ezhou are hardly peaceful..."

"I see."

Li Yan nodded, exchanging a glance with Sha Lifei.

They were next headed to the territory of Dangyang County, to the Cave Heaven Blessed Land and Purple Gables Mountain cave, to investigate the odd occurrences at the Taixuan Orthodox Sect’s Taoist temple there.

This was a case they had promised to Gu Hanzi at the Yunyang City God Temple, and due to the situation in Zigui County, it had already been delayed for several days, and could not be put off any longer.

They would have to travel through many mountain paths on this trip.

It seems they had to be extra cautious on this journey...

...

Upon arriving at the Yan residence, the place was already abuzz with activity.

Due to the "Ten Strategies of National Defense" being recognized by the Emperor, the Yan family had essentially become a banner for the Confucian community in Ezhou.

There was even news that the court was considering posthumously conferring the title of Great Scholar of the Hanlin Academy to the late Yan Jiuling’s grandfather.

Originally, Hanlin Academy scholars only helped the Emperor draft edicts, but after the position of Prime Minister was abolished during the Great Xuan Dynasty, the Great Scholars of the Hanlin Academy gradually began participating in political decision-making.

By now, many ministers in the Cabinet came from the Hanlin Academy.

The Emperor’s move was clearly intended to firmly establish opening the seas and reverting the land allotments as national policies, stifling the opposition.

Regardless of whether the Yan family wanted it or not, they had been thrust into this position, and increasingly more scholars and officials from the Confucian community came to visit.

Additionally, the pugilistic world’s notable figure in Ezhou, Lei Zhen, was also often at the Yan residence.

He had forcefully taken control of the Yichang Divine Fist Association, and nearly all local Jianghu sects were at his command, coordinating with the court’s offensive.

Therefore, peace was no longer something the Yan residence could claim.

When Li Yan and others arrived, the seats inside were already filled with distinguished guests.

Their arrival drew many curious glances, and some Confucian scholars frowned slightly, unable to hide the surprise in their eyes.

Yan Wuyue had just left unexpectedly, and they thought he might have gone to invite some important figure, but instead, he had brought back several people from the pugilistic world.

Given the current status of the Yan family, this move was perhaps imprudent.

However, what surprised them even more occurred next.

The head of the Yan family, Yan Bonian, and his wife personally came out to greet them, their words full of warmth.

"Greetings, Uncle Yan, Aunt Yan."

"No need for such formalities; we heard about Zigui County, and also, you child, why didn’t you come by for a meal when you arrived?"

"Only arrived yesterday."

No sooner had the conversation ended than two more people came out to greet them.

One was Yu Lingzi, the temple priest of the Yichang City God Temple.

Everyone knew that although the Yichang City God Temple had slightly fallen into decline, having even had its courtyard walls smashed by rioters the last time, its importance was gradually increasing again with the military garrison of the court.

The other was a former Captain of the Thousand Households from the Captain Bureau.

This former Captain was becoming quite the notable person in Yichang recently; he suddenly took action, unearthed several traitors within the Thousand Household units, recovered a lot of important intelligence, and even destroyed a covert operation of the Longxiang Army in Yichang.

The authorities in Yunyang Prefecture were furious, stripping the Yichang Captain of the Seal of his position, and along with a group of traitors, they were escorted to Yunyang for a trial.

Subsequently, the former Captain took control of the major powers of Yichang’s Captain Bureau.

Right after taking office, he drastically reorganized the Yichang garrison, dismissing those who loafed on the job and promoting the lower ranks of capable soldiers.

The atmosphere in Yichang changed as a result, and efficiency also improved, almost completely clearing the nearby insurgent strongholds with Lei Zhen’s cooperation.

Everyone knew that this former Captain had an immeasurable future; following a significant contribution in the battle in the Southwest, he would definitely be transferred to serve in the Capital.

So many important people coming to greet them.

They were surely no ordinary figures of the pugilistic world!

Under the watchful eyes of everyone, Li Yan and his companions felt somewhat uncomfortable; they were not fond of such attention-attracting situations.

Fortunately, whether it was Uncle Yan, Yu Lingzi, or the former Captain, all were astute individuals; after exchanging a few casual pleasantries, they led the group to the backyard for an exclusive seating.

Once they left, many started whispering among themselves.

Those present were all prominent figures in Yichang Prefecture, with many well-informed about various matters, and gradually many pieces of information were put together.

Coming from Guanzhong, a hero who keeps his word, delivering medicine thousands of miles, annihilating the elite of the Longxiang Army, and outwitting the Ghost Sect of Zigui...