The Blade-Wielding Legend
Chapter 70: Seeking Assistance at the City God Temple

Chapter 70: Chapter 70: Seeking Assistance at the City God Temple

"Zheng Hebei ran away?"

"Isn’t that right... The people from Taixing Carriage Company made the first move last night, striking with a Thunderous Strike!"

"I heard it happened in the blink of an eye. The Iron Blade Gang’s top fighters were maimed, losing sixty to seventy men. Their attacks were ruthless, leaving limbs shattered..."

"Zheng Hebei was likely terrified. He disappeared without a trace that night. It’s said he took all the gang’s money with him. Now, many bladesmen are searching for him, ready to turn on each other for a piece of the loot..."

"By the way, this guy really is something. Before he left, he even scammed his elder brother."

"How did he trick him?"

"He sent all those injured underlings to Wang Yao’s clinic, saying they’d be paid in full. But then he ran off. Now the clinic is full of wounded people, and they can’t throw them out."

"Ha, that’s really despicable..."

In the pugilistic world, news spread fastest.

What happened last night had already circulated throughout Xianyang City before daylight.

Those within the pugilistic world naturally didn’t mention it; everyone knew the Zhou Family’s end was near.

The citizens of Xianyang City, however, were delighted by the news. Some clapped their hands in joy, while others mocked and ridiculed. The angrier ones spat, feeling truly relieved.

"Make way, make way!"

Sha Lifei pushed through the crowd at the city gate.

Normally, with his temperament, he’d stop to boast a bit about the crucial role he played in the incident.

But now, he was in a hurry, not caring about anything else.

The gates of Xianyang City opened only at the hour of Mao. He couldn’t scale walls or walk on rooftops, nor did he have enough influence to ask the guards to lower the drawbridge, so he had to wait patiently.

It had been an hour since Li Yan left.

He didn’t want to waste time and cause any problems.

Of course, what Sha Lifei didn’t notice was that Zheng Hebei, the Iron Blade Gang Leader, also disguised himself as a merchant from the northern regions and slipped out of the city gate...

...

"I’m looking for Daoist Qingyangzi."

Outside the Xianyang City God Temple, Sha Lifei respectfully presented his card.

This City God Temple was ancient, built during the Qin and Han Dynasties. It had endured wars, been destroyed and rebuilt several times, and now covered twenty mu with nearly a hundred buildings.

Inside, it enshrined General Meng Chong of the Qin era.

Temples like this, devoted to mortal gods, thrived on people’s incense offerings. Hence, their doors were always open, allowing the public to enter and offer incense. A grand temple fair was also held on the fifteenth of May each year.

However, Sha Lifei wasn’t there to burn incense, so he had to present a visiting card. Otherwise, he wouldn’t even meet the Daoist Qingyangzi.

"Please wait a moment."

The young Taoist seeing the name Manager Wan on the card naturally didn’t refuse, saying a word before quickly running to the back hall.

Anxious at heart, Sha Lifei waited outside. Unintentionally, he glanced at the couplets on the City God Temple, which read, "The God’s eyes are like electricity, seeing every detail. The human heart is like a mirror, knowing good from evil," with the overarching inscription being "Perceive Every Detail Clearly."

In the past, he always stayed away from such places, for anyone wandering the pugilistic world had done a few guilty deeds.

But now, looking at them, Sha Lifei couldn’t help but sigh inwardly, "City God, I hope your eyes are like electricity, seeing every detail clearly. If you manage to kill the demon and rescue the Daoist, Old Sha will certainly come often to offer incense..."

Just as he was lost in his thoughts, the young Taoist returned, saluted, raised his hand, and said, "Please follow me."

Sha Lifei followed the young Taoist, passing through the Ying Gate and a grand archway, then through the side hall corridor to the back hall.

In the main hall, a divine statue was enshrined, depicting a military officer dressed in golden armor, with a white face, red beard, a sword in the right hand, and a great seal in the left. His eyes bulged fiercely, awe-inspiring.

In front of the statue, an offering table was set up in terraced fields, covered with various black clay pots, each sealed with a Yellow Talisman. Oil lamps were lit around, shrouded in incense smoke.

Beside the offering table, on a prayer mat, sat an old Daoist with white hair and a long beard, a full forehead, and a kind face. He was Qingyangzi, the Xianyang Temple priest.

He wore a nine-ridge scarf and a robe reaching the sky, black on the outside with a white lining, the highest in Taixuan Orthodox Sect, with Azure Dragon on the left, White Tiger on the right, Xuanwu on the back, and Vermilion Bird on the front, cinched with two belts of dragons and tigers.

This regal and magnificent attire was only worn for rituals.

Although Sha Lifei didn’t understand much, he was very respectful.

Wang Daoxuan had told him that City God Temples everywhere belonged to the court’s Ministry of Rites, Daoist Management. This office was responsible for assessing the Mystical Sect practitioners across the nation, issuing Daoist certificates, and held significant power.

Being a City God Temple priest naturally meant he was extraordinary.

This Qingyangzi, though only three floors high in Dao, was highly respected and had many disciples. One must not offend him.

"Oh, you found it?"

Upon hearing Sha Lifei recount the events, Qingyangzi stroked his beard and said, "I didn’t expect that Xianyang concealed a living Yin messenger. It seems Chen Fagui couldn’t escape destiny. You should go, and return to the City God Temple at the hour of Si. There will be someone to accompany you then."

"What?"

Sha Lifei became anxious, quickly cupping his fists, "Daoist, people’s lives are at stake. My little brother is guarding there, and besides, Master Wang’s soul is still in the demon’s hands. In case..."

"Do not panic."

Qingyangzi gently shook his head, "Chen Fagui stayed in the tomb because his soldiers and puppets couldn’t move in daylight, and the tomb was filled with Yin Qi which didn’t affect him. If anyone entered, they would be detected."

"Similarly, for me to command the Society Order Army to capture him, it must also be done at night. If we’re too hasty, we might alert them and make it harder to save anyone."

"Come at the hour of Si, it will not delay matters."

The elderly Daoist was in a high position yet had a gentle attitude. Sha Lifei couldn’t argue and left the City God Temple with a bitter face.

Remembering Li Yan’s instructions, he quickly returned to get an obituary notice, went to a nearby Coffin Shop to acquire a fine coffin, and took people outside the city to prepare Wu Laosi’s body, temporarily placing it in the Yizhuang.

After completing all this, it was already the hour of Si (09:00 to 11:00).

Sha Lifei hurriedly returned to the City God Temple. In the hall, beside Qingyangzi, there were now two more Daoists.

One wore a black Daoist robe with a Tai Chi Diagram on the back, carried a Seven Stars Treasure Sword, had a righteous appearance, yet a fiendish air between the brows.

The other wore a white Daoist robe, tied with a white Eight Trigrams belt, had a sun-darkened, long-bearded face, a tall and sturdy build, looked imposing yet with a hint of sorrow in the eyes.

Qingyangzi addressed Sha Lifei, "This is Master Luo Mingzi from the Law Enforcement Hall, and this is Mage Zhao Facheng from the Nine Elements Sect. They will accompany you."

"Ah, greetings to both of you."

Sha Lifei respectfully cupped his fists, but inside, he felt a jolt of concern.

He remembered that Chen Fagui was from the Nine Elements Sect. How could they be sent to capture him? If they acted unlawfully and messed things up, what would they do?

Zhao Facheng from the Nine Elements Sect slightly nodded, then respectfully bowed to Qingyangzi, "Thank you, Senior Qingyangzi."

"It’s no problem."

Qingyangzi shook his head, "Your Nine Elements Sect has guarded the Emperor’s Mausoleum for generations and contributed to the nation. This respect should be given."

Well, as expected, there was something suspicious!

Sha Lifei was quite frustrated but didn’t dare say much.

He could sense that Luo Mingzi’s aura was extraordinary, likely a Hidden Energy expert. Coupled with magical skills, he couldn’t handle them.

If he acted impulsively and ruined things, it would be troublesome.

After bidding farewell to Qingyangzi, the three immediately left the hall, entered through the City God Temple’s back door, where a young Taoist had already brought three swift horses.

Without further ado, the three mounted their horses and left Xianyang City...

...

Rumble!

In the gloomy autumn, the sky sounded a few low roars of thunder.

In the dense forest, Li Yan stared gravely at the opposite earthy hill.

He left early, riding a fast horse to where Wu Laosi had mentioned, only to be met with trouble.

There was indeed an ancient tomb here, far from the village and town, located in wild mountainous land. Rising from the flat ground, it looked like a massive turtle overlooking the Guanzhong Plain.

Although he didn’t understand Fengshui geomancy, he could tell it was a valuable spot.

The problem was, there was more than one ancient tomb above!

Just by eye, he saw three, but they were so old that even the tomb doors had been pried open, showing the marks of grave robbers.

Moreover, he didn’t know what spells Chen Fagui used to conceal himself, for despite his Divine Skills, he could only detect a faint Yin Qi in a few tombs, unable to pinpoint his location.

He dared not rush up the mountain, afraid of being discovered.

Thinking of this, Li Yan felt anxious at heart.

Facing such a situation, he found himself lacking means.

Just then, the sound of horse hooves faintly came from afar.

Reinforcements?

Li Yan’s heart lifted with joy, and he quickly approached the edge of the forest to take a look.

He saw two riders galloping on the distant dirt road, one wearing a sheepskin jacket and a dog fur hat, the other clad in coarse black clothing.

Although the two were in disguise, Li Yan saw clearly.

It was unmistakably Yuan Qu and Zheng Hebei!