The Blade-Wielding Legend
Chapter 411 - 250: The Killing Intent of the Imperial Tomb

Chapter 411: Chapter 250: The Killing Intent of the Imperial Tomb

"Take it slow, be careful!"

The Dangyang County government officials carefully lowered each body from the tree.

Even though they had become accustomed to seeing the dead, the dense, dark bruises on the corpses still sent shivers down their spines.

County arrest officer Yang Desheng, not a master of martial arts and not particularly shrewd or capable, had only one reason for his position—his father had been the county government arrest officer before him.

He was a portly man with a goatee and seemed somewhat pale and prone to sweat, always wiping his forehead with a handkerchief.

After glancing at the corpses, he felt a chill and hastily approached Wang Daoxuan with a forced smile, "Daoist, how do you think we should deal with these bodies?"

"Burn them."

Wang Daoxuan patiently explained, "They were harmed by evil creatures, and there’s foul energy lingering in their bodies. Get a fengshui master to help, to avoid further calamities."

"Thank you, Daoist, your kindness is great,"

Yang Desheng said with a grateful face, almost bursting into tears.

He had been experiencing a string of bad luck lately.

Because of the Headless Knight case, Shangguan had been scolding him every day, and the families of his dead subordinates kept coming to wail at his door.

Several Daoists had come down from the Purple Canopy Mountain and barely looked at him. They treated him like a lackey and couldn’t solve the problem.

Now, at last, he could provide an account.

The Headless Knight was the work of the Heavenly Saint Sect; as long as that was clear, he could justify things to the common people, the county magistrate, and the Guan Family.

As for catching the culprits?

That was none of their concern.

The court itself was having a headache over it; that they had no ability to solve this was perfectly normal.

Thinking about this, Yang Desheng grew more joyful. He beckoned his men to carry away the corpses.

As soon as their identities were verified, they would be immediately burned.

"Wait a moment, Officer Yang."

Something occurred to Li Yan, who stopped him and asked, "Is there any major tomb near Dangyang County?"

"Ah?"

The plump officer, wiping the sweat from his forehead, was a bit surprised.

"What ’ah’?"

An elderly Mr. Guan said sternly by the side, "This is Young Hero Li. Thanks to him, the case was solved. Just answer his questions."

"Yes, yes, yes."

Officer Yang was surprised that the young man before him was the lead; he hurriedly replied, "Young hero, our Dangyang has a long history, dating back to the Shang dynasty. The mountains are full of ancient tombs. Which one would you like to know about?"

Li Yan said, "The ones where strange and deadly incidents frequently happen."

Pausing, Officer Yang dabbed at his sweat, then his eyes lit up, "I really don’t know, but I can ask around for the young hero.

Just last winter, the government caught some grave robbers and locked them in the death cell. They will be executed after some time."

"These matters are best known by those who deal with them. I will go back and interrogate each one!"

"That will be helpful, thank you."

Li Yan nodded in satisfaction, having forgotten that point.

It appeared there were three forces involved now:

The Heavenly Saint Sect, the tiger demon, and the old ghost in the tomb.

And these three factions were also secretly fighting among themselves.

It was more important, for now, to determine their identities and locations.

Craftsmanship differed widely from field to field, and which ancient tomb was causing strange events—there was no doubt the tomb robbers would know the best.

After the government officials had taken the bodies away, Elder Guan then asked, "Gentlemen, it looks like it’s going to rain soon. Shall we make our way to Guan Ling earlier?"

"You can just send someone with us," Li Yan shook his head.

"Don’t worry, gentlemen."

Guan Peide gritted his teeth and said, "A demon is causing trouble and harming our ancestors’ tombs. Even if I die, I must see who’s causing this mischief!"

The person behind the disruption had already been identified as the Heavenly Saint Sect.

But the repeated lightning strikes on Guan Ling were his greatest concern.

With things at that stage, Li Yan didn’t press further. They mounted their horses, led by the Guan Family people, and headed towards Guan Ling...

...

Rumble!

The sky grew increasingly dark, with the sound of thunder rumbling in the distance.

Guan Ling was northwest of Dangyang County, barely ten miles away. The group rode quickly, and it took less than the time it takes an incense stick to burn to arrive.

But in just this short while, the sky had grown even darker.

The location of Guan Ling faced east with the high river and mountains to its west.

Perhaps due to an upstream torrential rain, the river roared and seemed a bit murky, with waves splashing several meters high, accompanied by many branches.

Li Yan mused, "What river is this?"

Guan Peide looked at Guan Ling under the dark clouds with a hint of anxiety in his eyes, but patiently explained, "This is the Ju River, and across from it is Jing Mountain.

The ’Classic of Mountains and Seas’ records it as the ’head of Jing Mountain is Jing Mountain itself, containing abundance of gold and jade, from which flows the Ju River, flowing southeast into the Yangtze River; that is this place.’"

Li Yan continued, "Does this Ju River flow into the Yangtze River?"

"Yes."

Guan Peide said, "The Ju River originates from Jing Mountain, where the He’s Jade was found. Nowadays, the mountains are occupied by the Jing Chu refugees with many hidden strongholds."

"You must be worried that they might travel downstream. Rest assured, though the Ju River flows into the Yangtze River, its channels are narrow, with many shallow banks and hidden reefs, making it unsuitable for travel. Moreover, there is Baokang County upstream.

Xiangyang has sent troops to defend there. They have practically no chance of getting through."

"Alright, that’s good."

Li Yan nodded and didn’t linger on the topic.

Soon, they arrived outside Guan Ling.

As they approached, Guan Peide explained, "Guan Ling was initially built in the late Eastern Han, originally named ’Han Loyal and Brave Peaceful King Shrine.’ Over the dynasties, there have been numerous titles bestowed, and in our current dynasty, it is at the standard of an imperial tomb."

"Our Guan Family descendants take turns guarding the tomb. Apart from us, there are monks sent by the court."

Li Yan furrowed his brows, "Monks?"

Guan Peide nodded with a smile in his eyes, filled with pride, "Our ancestor was peerlessly loyal and righteous, and admired by all three teachings of Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism.

As ’Martial Saint’ in Confucianism, ’Kalan Bodhisattva’ in Buddhism, ’Guardian King Buddha,’ and as ’Mighty Emperor of the Three Realms, Vanquisher of Demons, Tian Zun Emperor Guan’ in Taoism."