The Blade-Wielding Legend
Chapter 570 - 324: The Monster Alliance on the River_2

Chapter 570: Chapter 324: The Monster Alliance on the River_2

From the city to the shore, along the way, the common people lined the streets to see us off, hands clasping incense as an offering, some even following along with us.

This is called "carrying the Bodhisattva," and in some places, it’s also known as "parading the deity."

The most popular figure was naturally General Yang Si.

Although there had been an incident during the Dragon Boat Race, the court’s soothing measures prevented too much panic, and temple fairs were still being held in various places along the river.

After a whole day of festivities, the ritual came to an end.

According to the customs of Ezhou, the celebration doesn’t officially conclude until the "last of the Dragon Boat Festival," on the twenty-fifth of May, but once the Dragon Boat Race ended and the Bodhisattva was carried, the streets were no longer as lively.

Even the troupes and performance artists from across the pugilistic world had begun to leave.

With the end of the Dragon Boat Festival in Ezhou, other places in the Divine State still had various celebrations to attend, and they had to leave quickly to make their next performances.

This is the true pugilistic lifestyle.

Hurry and bustle, wandering everywhere, all to earn some silver to make ends meet...

...

Thud, thud, thud!

Early in the morning of the sixteenth of May, there was a knock at the Tian Family’s large house.

Several soldiers in armor, each with a solemn expression, had arrived, with two of them carrying fire guns, exuding a fierce aura.

The leader spoke in a deep voice, "I am Hundred Households Liu Teng from the Wuchang garrison, here to summon Mr. Lv San."

The Tian Family’s servants, already instructed, dared not delay and led the group into the main hall, presenting them with tea.

Soon, Li Yan and his companions came out to meet them.

Seeing the large group, Hundred Households Liu Teng was clearly surprised, "Are all of you going?"

Sha Lifei chuckled and said, "Lord, we always advance and retreat together, and besides, Brother Lv San doesn’t like speaking with outsiders."

"Very well."

Hundred Households Liu Teng didn’t say much more.

His orders were to fully cooperate, so as long as they could communicate adeptly with the Tuo Dragon, this group would no longer be of use.

The group arrived at the Parrot Island Pier, where an enormous warship was docked, its military flags fluttering and cannons arrayed in neat rows.

It had an imposing presence.

"A Jiujiang patrol ship?"

Upon seeing it, Sha Lifei’s eyes lit up instantly.

Hundred Households Liu, his face expressionless, nodded, "We’ve received intelligence that a demon is attempting to sabotage the transport of grain and provisions on the Yangtze River, so we will be strengthening patrols on the water henceforth."

Having said this, he led everyone aboard.

For Li Yan and others, it was their first time aboard a battleship, and they couldn’t help but look around curiously.

Particularly Wu Ba, strong and sturdy, was assigned by Lv San to take the responsibility of carrying the luggage for the team, much to Sha Lifei’s satisfaction.

This Wild Man, who came from the mountains, was clearly fearful of the formidable vessel and stayed close behind Lv San.

The court’s military was evidently very concerned about this matter; as soon as Li Yan and his companions boarded the ship, four people came to greet them.

Leading the way was none other than Landlord Tian’s son-in-law, Thousand Households Liu Yizhong of the Wuchang garrison.

He was already familiar with Li Yan and others, and with a smile, he introduced, "Young Hero Li, let me introduce you."

"This is Deputy General Han Peng of the Wuchang Navy, this is Commander Cheng Xuanming of the Wuchang garrison, and this is Seal Holder Thousand Households Qiu Huang of the Captain Bureau..."

Li Yan and his companions felt a chill and quickly clasped their fists.

"We pay our respects to the lords."

These were all high-ranking officers in the Wuchang court’s military.

They hadn’t anticipated such a big turnout.

"There’s no need for formalities," began Commander Cheng Xuan, the highest-ranking official, "This matter has been ordered directly by the Prince, so naturally, we will give it our full attention."

Seal Holder Thousand Households Qiu Huang smiled and said, "I heard about this affair and wanted to join in on the fun as well."

To be honest, among all present, his interest was the greatest.

Commander Cheng Xuan did not mince words and asked directly, "Gentlemen, where shall we begin?"

Sha Lifei had already discussed it with Lv San and replied with a fist clasped and a smile, "Please be patient, lords. This place is crowded with onlookers. Let’s find a secluded waterway to avoid alarming the people."

"Oh?"

Hearing that the matter was significant, Cheng Xuan became interested and asked, "Would the waterways near Jiangxia be wide enough?"

"No,"

Sha Lifei shook his head at once, "Among the Yangtze River Waters, there are a few Great Demons, and that is their territory. The Tuo Master does not wish to provoke trouble; his domain only exists within this section of the Han River."

"You also cannot get too close to Xiangyang."

"This is new information?"

Commander Cheng Xuan was evidently surprised, "Whether it be the Han River or the Yangtze River Waters, we come and go with no sign of a Great Demon causing trouble."

Sha Lifei was taken aback and looked towards Lv San.

He genuinely did not understand such matters.

Lv San replied in a subdued voice, "Those Great Demons have established their Water Mansion, and they are very cunning. They will not clash with the court and will even avoid being discovered by the Proper Xuan Sect."

"Even if they cause trouble, it’s just some lesser demons. But if the Tuo Master intrudes on their territory, it will inevitably lead to a fight."

Hearing this, Hundred Households Qiu Huang of the Captain Bureau’s eyes suddenly brightened, "I wonder if it’s possible for the Tuo Master to act as a mediator and help the court cut off the rebel army’s water transport in the southwest?"

Lv San shook his head, "I don’t know, but I can ask."

"Excellent!"

Commander Cheng Xuan immediately gave the order, "Change course, pass through the Han River, and order the troops along the way to temporarily blockade the river!"

"Yes, my lord!"

At the command, a hawk took to the sky.

The huge sails flapped in the wind, and the Jiujiang patrol boat slowly left the pier, heading for the Han River.

The warship moved forward with an extraordinary momentum.

It was not only fast and stable but also caused the merchant ships along the way to scatter in avoidance.

Soon after entering the Han River, they found the river blocked, as the Navy had already received orders to seal off the waterway, forbidding merchant ships to proceed.

Once the Navy took action, all pugilistic factions had to give way.

Quickly, the vast warship arrived at a broad expanse of water with no merchant ships in sight, making it exceptionally secluded.

Lv San didn’t waste words; he set up an altar on the deck, performed a ritual dance, and chanted ancient incantations.

Woosh~

The Yin wind howled, gradually shrouding the river with dense fog.

Several military leaders widened their eyes.

In the midst of the thick fog above the river, the immense figure of the Tuo Master broke through the water, surrounded by a dense group of Tuo Dragons, large and small, gathering in increasing numbers.

Before long, they occupied the entire river surface.

"So many?"

Commander Cheng Xuan was taken aback.

Lv San turned his head and said, "The Tuo Dragons in this water area are all disciples and grand-disciples of the Tuo Master. They are also expressing their sincerity. Once an agreement with the court is reached, at least in this water area, the river will be peaceful."

After speaking, he began to converse in the language above with the Tuo Master.

The two exchanged words back and forth for a while.

Lv San’s expression suddenly became grave.

"What’s happened?"

Hundred Households Qiu Huang of the Captain Bureau sensed something amiss and quickly inquired.

Lv San immediately turned around and said in a grave tone, "Indeed, there’s an issue."

"The Tuo Master mentioned a piece of intelligence, some Cultivator has poisoned the river and killed several of her disciples. She went for revenge and nearly fell into an ambush."

"Other Tuo Dragons from different areas have sent messages; the Demon King, Nanmu King from Xiangyang, and the old ghost in the water of the Yangtze River have been restless of late, influenced by someone’s Gu to attack the grain transport ships."

Commander Cheng Xuan’s eyes widened, "Where do these demons get such audacity?"

Hundred Households Qiu Huang of the Captain Bureau said in a grave tone, "My Captain Bureau’s spies have received information that after Wuchang’s plan failed, the demon of the Heavenly Saint Sect still plans to attack the grain ships, intending to use the power of demons."

At that moment, the Tuo Master slowly swam over.

Seeing its massive body, the soldiers on the ship suddenly became tense, and some couldn’t help but set up the ship’s crossbows.

"Don’t move rashly!"

Commander Cheng Xuan reprimanded loudly at the sight.

He saw the Tuo Master suddenly open its fanged mouth and spouted a stream of water.

Splash!

A water buffalo horn mixed with the water rolled onto the deck.

This object was ancient, and it was shrouded with Yin Evil Qi, clearly a Magic Artifact.

Lv San picked it up and handed it to Commander Cheng Xuan.

"Blow this horn, and the Tuo Master will appear to meet you. It does not speak human language but can understand it. From now on, the general can communicate directly."

"Furthermore, the Tuo Master said that to deal with those Great Demons, the Proper Xuan Sect will have to take action, and when the time comes, she would also be willing to assist..."

Everyone on the ship was astute and understood the implication.

This Tuo Master also wanted to use the court’s power to eliminate a powerful enemy.

It wanted to be the Han River’s Water God and could only gain the incense offerings from the civilians by protecting the region—these Great Demons were troublesome.

Commander Cheng Xuan slightly smiled, took the horn, and bowed to the Tuo Master, "Rest assured, Your Excellency, I will certainly report this matter to the Prince."

He was not the one to make the decision, but it was mostly likely not a problem.

After establishing the alliance, the Tuo Master turned and dived back into the water, and the Tuo Dragons dispersed.

Li Yan looked towards the distant water surface, shaking his head slightly.

It seemed the waters of the Yangtze River would witness strife in the future.

At that moment, Lv San whispered to him, "There’s another matter; Mr. Lin’s sought-after ’Wanyan,’ the Tuo Master has helped us find some information..."