The Blade-Wielding Legend
Chapter 416 - 252: The Cave of Zigaishan_2

Chapter 416: Chapter 252: The Cave of Zigaishan_2

But this position was somewhat awkward.

It belonged to the Taoist sphere of influence, but the Magic Veins were strong, and giving it to either side could likely cause friction.

In comparison, Yuquan Temple was the most suitable.

Furthermore, from what the monk indicated, it seemed he harbored some grudges against his fellow Buddhists to the east.

No wonder they said Yuquan Temple was hard to sustain alone.

The court used a strategy of balance, but with internal discord within the Mystical Sect and the drain of elite forces due to the wars in the Southwest, the current situation had arisen.

Sha Lifei was amused and scoffed from the side, "Interesting, demons causing such disturbances, yet the Mystical Sect pretends to be deaf and dumb, waiting to watch the other side make a fool of itself, making us run around like idiots."

"Brother Yan, in my opinion, you shouldn’t take this job!"

"Esteemed benefactor, please calm your anger."

Despite such mockery, Monk Wunian remained unangered, his expression calm as he said, "Although I’m unsure of what those demons are plotting, Yuquan Temple is crucial. As long as we hold our ground, their schemes will not succeed."

"That’s all we can do."

Saying this, he slowly rose to his feet, his words heavy with implication, "Moreover, this matter is probably not so simple. My fellow brother, Miao Shan, was killed because he stumbled upon ’Mrs. Fan’."

"This ’Mrs. Fan’, secretly laid down the ’Earth Immortal Cave’ and openly received offerings in the Purple Gai Cave, is likely the real origin of this matter."

"Above the Purple Gai Cave, the Zhushan Sect occupies most of the spiritual acupoints, while the Taixuan Orthodox Sect holds the remaining half, both making offerings of armies."

"They do not act, nor does Yuquan Temple dare to."

With that, he brought his hands together in a Buddhist salute and took his leave.

After his departure, Li Yan thoughtfully said, "It seems like the Buddhist community isn’t so united either."

Wang Daoxuan shook his head, "The Taoist in me has also heard about it."

"The Tiantai Sect was originally a major sect, but since it requires deep study of Buddhist scriptures, and common people are mostly illiterate, it’s naturally difficult to enter."

"Whereas sects like the Pure Land Lotus Sect, as long as one sincerely recites the name of Amitabha Buddha, one can be reborn in the Pure Land. Naturally, it has a wider audience."

"After the Tang and Song dynasties, the Tiantai Sect increasingly declined, even the ancestral Jiangsu and Zhejiang Guoqing Temples converting to ’Chan’. It’s normal to feel discontent."

"Discontent should also be timely!"

Sha Lifei was still somewhat unhappy and cursed, "This monk is also sly, seemingly showing weakness, but actually pointing the finger at the Taixuan Orthodox Sect. Plus, he definitely concealed some things."

"Also, there’s something amiss with the Taoist temples on Purple Gai Mountain!"

Li Yan said gravely, "Exactly, according to the clues provided by Gu Hanzi, the Taoist temple had problems earlier, and it’s also related to ’Mrs. Fan’, perhaps these are indeed the root of the issues!"

Just then, a knock on the door sounded again.

It was Yang, the arrest officer who had left with Monk Wunian, returning with several people from the Captain Bureau.

At that moment, Yang’s look towards Li Yan was filled with respect as he bowed and said, "Young Hero Li, these gentlemen are from the Yichang Captain Bureau, and they are also looking for you."

The leading figure from the Captain Bureau, a stern-faced man, bowed and said gravely, "Young Hero Li, I am Zheng Chong from Households Commander Zheng of the Yichang Thousand Households. The Households Commander has ordered us to cooperate with your actions."

Knowing it was the Heavenly Saint Sect causing trouble, the Dangyang County Magistrate sought help from the Yichang government office immediately as Dangyang was still under Yichang’s jurisdiction.

"You arrived just in time!"

Li Yan was delighted and hastily asked, "Isn’t the Households Commander himself coming?"

Commander Zheng replied gravely, "The Miaojiang Tusi City has dispatched many spies to Zigui to cause destruction. The Households Commander needs to command the battle and respond."

"Troublesome times indeed."

Li Yan then inquired, "How many people did you bring?"

Commander Zheng replied, "Due to the shortage of manpower in Yichang, I could only bring a hundred of my men."

"That’s enough!"

Li Yan immediately rose to his feet, "There’s no time to delay, let’s head to Purple Gai Mountain at once!"

The hundred men from the Captain Bureau arrived just in time.

Despite their small number, and only Commander Zheng and two subordinates possessing Hidden Energy, their cooperation and prowess in combat, coupled with the various weapons from the Captain Bureau, were enough to eradicate a small gang.

The black riders moved out, the sound of horse hooves echoing.

The small gangs within Dangyang City and the riffraff were all trembling in fear, not daring to show their faces.

Not until the large group was far from Dangyang City did they start asking around.

This was deliberate on Li Yan’s part.

With the presence of Heavenly Saint Sect infiltrators in Dangyang City, the arrival of a large group from the Captain Bureau was perfect for deterring them, forcing them to reveal their flaws.

Of course, the primary focus was still on Mount Ziga.

Mount Ziga, being a Grotto Heaven Blessed Land, did not have many spiritual acupoints, but both the Zhushan Sect and the Taixuan Orthodox Taoist Temple had their troops stationed there.

These troops were the key to securing victory.

No matter the strength of the enemy, as long as the troops of Mount Ziga could trap them or delay them, it would allow him to calmly summon the Yin Department Army.

Unlike the previous times when he had been surrounded, unable to move.

...

Mount Ziga, located fifty li south of Dangyang City, connected to Fuchuan Mountain where Yuquan Temple was situated.

Everyone rode warhorses and, with the roads being clear, they reached the foot of Mount Ziga three hours later.

Mount Ziga was not tall, but it possessed spiritual charm, with ancient pines and green trees shading the area, and clouds and mist swirling around.

Thousands of egrets perched atop the dense canopy of trees, occasionally taking off in unison, flapping their wings as they circled the mountain.

Even before getting close, Li Yan could smell the rich Innate Astral Qi.

Seeing this magnificent holy mountain, Wang Daoxuan, too, was in high spirits, stroking his beard and saying, "Previously, I read in the county records that during the Western Jin, this place had a large scale with forty-eight major halls and seventy-two minor halls, serving as an important Daoist Field for the Mystical Sect."

"Unfortunately, around the Jin and Sui dynasty transition, the Ziga Daoist Field was destroyed in wars, no longer retaining its former glory."

Li Yan naturally had no interest in the scenery, turning his head to look at Lv San and asking in a low voice, "Have you found anything?"

Lv San looked up at the hawks in the sky and shook his head, "No."

"Could I have guessed wrong?"

Li Yan frowned slightly, thoughtful.

According to his guess, if the Taoist Temple at Mount Ziga had been infiltrated by demons, the thieves in the city would certainly pass information, with the fastest methods being carrier pigeons or hawks.

Therefore, he had asked Lv San’s hawks to keep an eye out and intercept any messages.

Despite his doubts, he could not afford to wait any longer. Leaving ten men from the Captain Bureau to watch the horses, he led the others straight up the mountain.

Mount Ziga was where Ge Xianweng performed his alchemy, and many locals often came to the mountain to burn incense, seeking peace or healing for family illnesses.

Their impressive group instantly caused a commotion.

The Captain Bureau’s notorious reputation was fierce, and the few locals sporadically appearing on the mountain trail were terrified, hastily hiding away.

Of course, this also drew the attention of the cultivators on the mountain.

"What brings you all here?"

Two young Taoists in white robes and green cloaks hurriedly blocked their path.

At a glance, they were clearly cultivators from the Zhushan Sect.

"Commissioned by the Zhenwu Palace, we’re here to investigate a case!"

Li Yan directly presented the document given by the City God Temple.

He was not particularly courteous to these people.

No matter the reason, the Zhushan Sect had taken over this Grotto Heaven Blessed Land yet kept an indifferent, detached attitude, which might suggest they had something to hide.

Sure enough, upon seeing the document, the faces of the two Taoists turned awkward, and they quickly stepped aside, "Please, go ahead."

Li Yan did not waste words, leading his men quickly up the mountain.

On Mount Ziga, the Zhushan Sect and the Taixuan Orthodox Sect each occupied separate mountain ranges, clearly demarcated.

The Zhushan Sect held the best locations, and entering their rear mountain gate revealed the famed Purple Mist Sea of Clouds.

The Taixuan Orthodox Taoist Temple, however, held important areas related to Ge Xianweng, such as the Xiao Xian Pavilion, Bixia Cave, and Alchemy Well.

Additionally, the Buddhist Vinaya Sect had a small temple occupying one spiritual acupoint, but to avoid suspicion from the Zhushan Sect, only a few ordinary disciples were stationed there.

Li Yan did not come to the mountain to enjoy the scenery, and directly arrived outside the Taoist Temple of the Taixuan Orthodox Sect.

The people of Taixuan, informed of his arrival, had already come out to welcome him.

The leader, an old Taoist with a white beard, seeing that Li Yan had come with a large group and the Captain Bureau’s troops, immediately showed a hint of displeasure in his eyes, and said indifferently, "I am Feng Huazi, and it is a pleasure to meet you, sir."

"Nice to meet you, Daoist Feng."

Li Yan was straightforward, speaking in a stern voice, "I am Li Yan, commissioned by the Yunyang City God Temple to investigate a case here, and I hope for your cooperation."

"Yunyang City God Temple?"

Feng Huazi frowned slightly, "The City God Temple is responsible for guarding the city, and our temple is directly governed by the Zhenwu Palace."

"Where do they get the authority to investigate our Taoist Temple?"