The Blade-Wielding Legend
Chapter 415 - 252: The Cave of Zigaishan

Chapter 415: Chapter 252: The Cave of Zigaishan

Rejuvenator!

Upon hearing this, Li Yan knew what had transpired.

This Mrs. Fan appeared in two different eras.

First, during the Late Han Dynasty, she had ties with Ge Xianweng and was recorded in the "Immortal Chronicles." In the end, she ascended to immortality with her husband.

Second, during the Tang Zhenyuan Period, disguised as "Xiang Ao," she saved people at Dongting Lake. Later she took in many disciples and created the "Earth Immortal Cave."

It all sounded very much in line with the characteristics of a "Rejuvenator."

The matter of her ascension, I’m afraid, had issues.

Concealing her identity was clearly a way to avoid the Yin Bureau’s pursuit.

Moreover, both the husband and wife ascended, but after the rejuvenation, only one remained.

There must have been something that happened!

At this point, Li Yan also sorted out some context.

The "Earth Immortal Cave" on the ancient Nylang path of Dangyang always existed, related to Mrs. Fan, and perhaps there were still disciples secretly cultivating, unknown to outsiders...

Near Guan Ling, a deeply practiced tiger demon had been hiding for many years, yet it hadn’t caused major harm or chaos, making one wonder what it was plotting...

The Heavenly Saint Sect surely knew some inside information and had conflicts with both these parties. they set restrictions outside the tiger demon’s Divine Temple, and stole the "Tomb Blood Beam" from the "Earth Immortal Cave."

Both parties had been on a killing spree against the Heavenly Saint Sect.

At the same time, the Heavenly Saint Sect also unleashed the Headless Knight, tarnishing Emperor Guan’s reputation and causing widespread fear.

What was their goal, after all?

Could it be as the rice witch had said, to break open the great formation, as the legend in Dangyang County goes, and release the suppressed demons?

Li Yan’s mind stirred and he asked, "There’s someone, I don’t know if you’ve ever seen him? Dressed in coarse clothing, like a lumberjack..."

He described the murderer who killed the Zen Master Miao Shan.

"No, I’ve never heard of this person on the road."

The Ground-drilling Wolf directly denied, then said, "Gentlemen, if you wish to go to the Earth Immortal Cave, you’ll need someone to lead the way. Just let me out..."

"Dream on!"

Arrest Officer Yang cursed and said, "Tomb raiding, murder, robbery, you still want to go out? Just wait for your death!"

"Tch~"

The Ground-drilling Wolf spat and crouched down with his body full of sores. He sneered and said, "Fine, wait until more of you die in the Earth Immortal Cave, then naturally you’ll come begging me."

"Ha ha ha..."

...

Coming out of the jail, it was deep into the night.

The Guan Family, being a local aristocratic family, naturally had a residence in the town. Li Yan and his companions didn’t go to an inn and stayed in the Guan Family’s property instead.

The night passed without incident, as light rain fell intermittently.

The next day, the weather finally cleared, and the sun began to rise.

Thud thud thud!

As Li Yan and the others were having their meal, a hasty knocking on the door rang out.

Upon opening the door, they saw Arrest Officer Yang, followed by a white-robed monk with fair skin and a serene gaze.

"Young Hero Li."

Arrest Officer Yang hurriedly introduced, "This is Master Wunian from Yuquan Temple. He came today to claim Zen Master Miao Shan’s body, and said he has some matters he wishes to inquire about."

"Oh?"

Li Yan glanced at the monk. "Please come in, both of you."

His expression didn’t change, but he was on guard within.

This Monk Wunian was not simple.

A sandalwood incense scent lingered around him, steady and unchanging, as if it were a shielding barrier, blocking his divine skills from probing.

It was either a Magic Artifact protecting him or his spells were special.

"Amitabha."

After the Monk Wunian entered and sat down, he put his palms together and said, "Many thanks to benefactor Li for taking care of Zen Master Miao Shan’s body. If it weren’t for your intervention, I fear the other disciples could not have survived."

"You’re welcome; I did what I could."

Li Yan replied without any expression.

Monk Wunian continued to ask, "I heard that Zen Master Miao Shan discovered something, which is why he was killed. The county government couldn’t provide clear details, can Benefactor Li inform us?"

"Of course..."

Li Yan went on to relay the discoveries from the day before.

Many people were aware of these issues, so there was no need to conceal it.

"Mrs. Fan..."

After listening, Monk Wunian seemed thoughtful.

Seeing this, Li Yan frowned slightly and couldn’t help but say, "Master, the Buddhist is also a part of the Proper Xuan Sect, maintaining peace for all."

"Now that Dangyang County is haunted by evil spirits and demon roam, why hasn’t the Buddhist sent masters to deal with it?"

Monk Wunian fell silent for a moment, then said, "Benefactor, you do not know our difficulties. It is truly hard to support alone."

"Our Yuquan Temple is also a Buddhist Tao field of the Protector King Buddha, where monks devote themselves devoutly, daring not a moment’s neglect."

"To be frank, before these events occurred, a demon infiltrated our temple, attempting to use gunpowder to destroy the Iron Pagoda of the Buddha’s tooth relic."

"This pagoda is the foundation of our temple’s stability. If destroyed, a great disaster would befall us. The demon using the Headless Knight to tarnish the Protector King Buddha’s name is very likely a decoy tactic, designed to lure us away for destruction."

Li Yan spoke coldly, "The Buddhist is so vast; you can’t send other masters?"

Monk Wunian didn’t take offense and put his palms together, saying, "Benefactor only sees the surface; everything has its reasons."

"The court wants Yuquan Temple to preside over the worship at Guan Ling because we have a deep connection with the Protector King Buddha, having been among the first to honor him. Furthermore, we are the most suitable for it."

"The situation in Hubei’s Xuanzheng Sect is complicated. The north is dominated by the Taixuan Orthodox Sect, the south follows the Magic Veins, the west adheres to Dao, and the east to Buddhism."

"Our Yuquan Temple is one of the Ancestor Courts of the Tiantai Sect, emphasizing the practice of scriptures, precepts, and meditation. This requires a threshold of practice, which is far less popular than the Zen and Pure Land Sects that prospered during the Sui and Tang Dynasties. Our influence has long declined."

"The eastern part of Hubei is mostly inhabited by Zen sect monks..."

The monk spoke implicitly, but Li Yan could read between the lines.

The Guan Ling worship was coveted by the three teachings of Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism, but being Emperor’s tomb, whoever was given charge represented the Royal attitude.

Although the Proper Xuan Sect was the state religion, with the highest status, Great Xuan Emperor was adept at balancing and would also support Buddhist Tao to constrain it.