The Blade-Wielding Legend
Chapter 86 Setting the Altar to Sealing God

Chapter 86: Chapter 86 Setting the Altar to Sealing God

"Capital?"

Guan Wanche’s eyes flashed with a dark glint, but he bowed with a fist clasped, "I am too dull to understand Master Chang’s meaning."

The one-eyed man named Chang Xuan was a Hundred Households of the Captain Bureau of the Chang’an Guard Station.

The Captain Bureau of the Great Xuan Dynasty was vast in scale, with headquarters in the Capital and garrisons in each state and county, with three Thousand Households in each guard station and every Thousand Households commanding ten Hundred Households.

Under each Hundred Households were two Chief Flags; one Chief Flag managed five Lesser Flags each, and a Lesser Flag commanded ten subordinates.

Guan Wanche was directly appointed as a Chief Flag, clearly showing Chang Xuan’s high regard for him.

Faced with Guan Wanche’s question, Chang Xuan glanced coolly, "Do you not understand, or are you playing dumb?"

Guan Wanche’s eyelid twitched, and suddenly, cold sweat beaded his forehead.

Who knew that Chang Xuan would not get angry but instead nodded in approval, "Playing dumb is good. If you were a hothead, I wouldn’t dare have you by my side."

"Everyone sees the might of our Captain Bureau, but only you will understand what it truly feels like later on. The court is treacherous, with each step harder than the last, one wrong move, and it’s utter destruction!"

"The former Prince of Pingyang conspired in a rebellion, and his entire family was executed. Princess Fu’an was just a girl, and Eunuch Lu was a fool to have escaped the Capital safely. Without help, it would be a joke even to mention it!"

"With one order from the Capital, bandits from two provinces could be mobilized to raid, looting villages and silencing them in Guanzhong, all while evading our surveillance. Who is making these arrangements?"

"Lord Li offered a new formula for gunpowder, and the Emperor strictly ordered it to be kept secret, but the Maitreya Sect managed to get wind of it and even infiltrated the government office to steal it..."

"The Chang’an Guard Station is full of holes!"

Listening to the analysis, Guan Wanche felt a chill enveloping him and couldn’t help swallowing saliva, "Master, what should we do then?"

"What should we do?"

Chang Xuan laughed, with a frosty look in his one eye, "I was wondering, such a big case, and everyone is running faster than the next, dumping everything on me."

"Without this information, I would have been kept in the dark, foolishly taking the fall, but now that I am aware, there are plenty of measures to take."

"Wealth and rank are within reach, retreating means a dead end."

"Gentlemen, dare you gamble with me?"

"We are ready to follow your orders!"

...

"Master, this is Mister Li."

"Greetings to the senior Qingyangzi."

Inside the tent, Luo Mingzi introduced the two.

Wang Daoxuan and Qingyangzi were already acquainted, with Wang Daoxuan frequently visiting for advice.

Qingyangzi saw his steadfast heart toward Dao, and although he had no ties with the Taixuan Orthodox Sect, he greatly admired and diligently guided him.

Li Yan, on the other hand, was meeting this temple priest from Xianyang for the first time.

He saw a man with a full forehead, a kindly face, long white beard and eyebrows, and Li Yan couldn’t help but inwardly praise him: indeed, he had the appearance of a profoundly Daoist figure.

"Ah, Mister has a good appearance."

Qingyangzi looked at Li Yan, stroked his beard, smiled, and nodded.

Li Yan was startled, "Senior jests."

Qingyangzi shook his head with a smile, then asked, "Could I take a look at the Hook Seal?"

Li Yan quickly stepped forward, presenting his left palm.

He had learned from Wang Daoxuan that Qingyangzi was a high Daoist practitioner. If not for his intercession, Wang Daoxuan would not have had the opportunity to construct buildings on Taibai Mountain.

Qingyangzi carefully examined it, stroked his beard, and nodded, "No mistake, this is indeed a Hook Paper from the Yin Bureau. You have good fortune, my friend."

Li Yan was silent, shaking his head, "Senior jests again. I am not a spirit medium; having this task and failing to complete it means my life is in jeopardy. What fortune is there to speak of?"

"Fate arrives, and fortune or misfortune is but a single thought away."

Qingyangzi stroked his beard and smiled, "Spirit mediums are adept at communicating with yin souls, hence those who obtain such an opportunity with the Hook Paper are many. Once possessing it, dangers during spirit operations are greatly reduced, it can also be used to invoke Yin Department Army, with immense power."

"Devotees of the Mystical Sect practice true understanding of Dao, reciting scriptures and burning incense every dawn and dusk, not daring the slightest negligence, yet few indeed communicate with gods; recruiting troops is even more time consuming and exhausting."

"If this is not fortune, what is?"

"As for the path, spirit mediums are not the only ones. In the Jin Dynasty, someone had the Hook Paper and dreamed their way into Grotto Heaven, wandering the idyllic landscapes of the Peach Blossom Spring. In the Tang Dynasty, a chancellor received the Hook Paper and slew an evil dragon. In the Song Dynasty, a famous minister gained the Hook Paper and judged the Yin and Yang. Mister will sooner or later find your own way."

Li Yan pondered, "Recently, I have encountered another matter..."

He then recounted the incident at the Cold Altar and his encounter with the wandering master.

After listening, Qingyangzi thought for a moment, then laughed, "No harm, since it involves a wandering master and is related to the Hook Paper, just let it be natural."

"My Taixuan Orthodox Sect has an edict not to interfere in the affairs of the Yin Department and Netherworld; my understanding is not deep. Follow the guidance, and perhaps it will unveil an opportunity."

"Thank you for your guidance, Senior."

With Qingyangzi saying so, Li Yan was even more resolute in his own plans.

After a brief conversation, Qingyangzi led his people away from the tent.

No sooner had he left than Luo Mingzi, accompanied by several Daoists, entered the tent, carrying several platters of fruits and pastries. He nodded and said, "You must be hungry, have some snacks to tide you over, as there won’t be a vegetarian meal today."

Sha Lifei was somewhat bewildered, "This... These are offerings, right?"

"Hahaha!"

A young Daoist with a round face, picked up a piece of cold cake and tossed it into his mouth, muttering, "Eat without worry, our patriarch is not that stingy. At worst, I’ll set up an altar and report that the disciples are hungry."

Luo Mingzi also laughed, "No problem, sincerity is what matters in some matters, there’s no need to stick to the rules. But with some small mountain temples or ancestral yin gods, don’t just eat their offerings recklessly."

Since he had been reassured, Li Yan and the others didn’t hold back.

The offerings from the Taixuan Orthodox Sect were very exquisite, especially a kind of five-colored fruit, a skill handed down from the Tang Dynasty and seldom seen nowadays.

This translucent pastry came in five colors, each wrapping a different filling, symbolizing the Five Elements.

Not to mention the taste, the craftsmanship itself was rare.

Sha Lifei gobbled down a few and, finding the Law Enforcement Hall Daoists amiable, immediately suggested with a smile, "Daoist brothers, once this is over, Old Sha will treat you, let’s go to Qingfeng Building."

"Today is Double Ninth Festival, how can we not have chrysanthemum wine and crabs!"

The Taixuan Orthodox Sect did not abstain from alcohol and meat, except for "beef, blackfish, swans, and dog meat," they could eat anything.

After all, they are from the Law Enforcement Hall of the Mystical Sect, and in the future, they will be taking on missions related to the Mystical Sect, so Sha Lifei wanted to take the opportunity to build a good relationship.

"Let’s talk about it some other time."

Luo Mingzi shook his head, "The ritual for consecrating the Mountain God starts from the hour of si (9 a.m. to 11 a.m.) and will not finish until after the hour of wu (11 a.m. to 1 p.m.)."

"Once the ritual is over, the Mountain God of Chaotic Burial Mound will return to its place. Then, when the temple is built and incense offered, all the wandering ghosts will be able to rest in peace. Next, we must continuously perform rituals to help the yin souls ascend, which will likely keep us busy for a long time."

Wang Daoxuan solemnly clasped his hands, "This act is of immeasurable merit."

Luo Mingzi calmly replied, "Balancing Yin and Yang, protecting the region, is precisely the duty of our Taixuan Orthodox Sect, Daoist friend, you flatter me."

As he spoke, his expression grew serious, "However, our actions have caused some rogues in the pugilistic world to lose out on opportunities, including no small number of remarkable individuals."

"Although Captain Fan has already dispatched troops to drive away the westbound beggars and set up checkpoints outside, these people will undoubtedly try to sneak into the mountains to seize treasures."

"Chang Baihu from the Captain Bureau has brought a hundred men, plus the thirty brothers from our Law Enforcement Hall. Our task is to drive these people out while the ritual is in progress."

"To avoid any misunderstandings, you should stay put and not wander off."

"Right, are you here to return the deceased to their hometown?"

"Yes, it is the last wish of that senior who passed..."

The few chatted while snacking, as Daoists came and went to swap shifts.

Before they knew it, it was nearly the hour of si (9 a.m. to 11 a.m.).

Whiz!

In the distance, several signal arrows suddenly shot into the sky.

A round-faced Daoist immediately stood up, practiced the Yang Jue with his fingers, and his ears twitched, "Someone is breaking through the mountain, the Captain Bureau is in pursuit!"

Luo Mingzi frowned slightly, "It seems they are still not giving up, let’s go!"

With that, he quickly left with his fellow disciples.

Inside the tent, Li Yan and his two companions looked at each other.

"Should we offer a hand?"

"Forget it, with so many experts, it would be surprising if anyone could break through..."

After discussing for a bit, they too left the tent and headed towards the magic platform.

It was now the hour of si, and the ritual had officially begun.

The young practitioners burned incense and recited scriptures. There was also a team of musicians, playing drums and chimes, blowing reeds and striking woodblocks - the atmosphere was lively yet tinged with solemnity.

Several elder Daoists, headed by Qingyangzi, had changed into solemn magic robes, holding Hu Bans as if making a tribute to the court, and they slowly ascended the magic platform.

Above the platform hung a bronze mirror for illuminating demons.

Around the perimeter, twelve disciples from the Law Enforcement Hall stood with swords, ready to protect the magic platform after Luo Mingzi had left.

Wang Daoxuan explained quietly at the side, "I am not very familiar with the rituals of Taixuan Orthodox Sect, but I roughly understand that they have Thirteen True Platforms and Sixty True Calmings."

"’Platform’ is where the rituals take place, and ’Calming’ is for cultivation. Both can form their own circumstances, and other Magic Veins are the same."

"Looking at this setup, it should be the Imperial Truth Communication Platform, which is used specifically for consecrating Earth Spirits..."

After listening, Li Yan also gained some understanding.

In this world without Spiritual Energy, there is Astral Bane and Sha, both seem to involve using arrays of Astral Bane and Sha, one for conducting rituals, the other for cultivation.

If they successfully built a pavilion or obtained a heritage, maybe they would also have corresponding Magic Methods...

As Li Yan was contemplating, he suddenly sniffed and looked around with a perplexed expression.

He seemed... to smell gunpowder!