The Blade-Wielding Legend
Chapter 99 - 91 Back on the Road_3

Chapter 99: Chapter 91 Back on the Road_3

"No harm done."

Luo Mingzi slowly stood up, smiling as he said, "Today is suitable for moving the coffin on the road. Missing this time would mean a delay of at least another ten days, so we cannot afford to dawdle."

Speaking thus, he ushered Li Yan into the room.

On the table lay a small wooden box, similar to the kind that scholars would carry on their back when rushing to their exams, even topped with a bamboo curtain to keep out wind and rain.

"This is what you asked for, it was sent from Chang’an by express horse yesterday..." while talking, Luo Mingzi opened each small drawer of the box in turn.

"Mugwort for the Invisibility Technique, we have prepared twenty pieces..."

"Ten Thunder Fire Pills..."

"Five each of the Evil Avoidance Talisman, Evil Exorcism Talisman, and Corpse Suppressing Talisman... and this is the Exorcism Incense, which when lit, can dispel dark energy..."

In bits and pieces, the box was filled to the brim.

"This... this is too much."

Li Yan was quite astonished, "How much do I owe?"

He had seen the potency of the Thunder Fire Pills at the Law Enforcement Hall and intended to buy some before leaving. Luo Mingzi readily agreed, but Li Yan hadn’t expected that there would be so many.

Luo Mingzi gave a wry laugh and sighed, "The Law Enforcement Hall does make its judgments, after all. Killing an Incense Master of the Maitreya Sect is indeed a great achievement. You allowed your merit to go to your junior brother Gu Hezi, and his young son can now be directly admitted to the Mystical Sect."

"My brothers and I are very grateful. We gathered these items, so how could we ask you for money? If you have not yet built your own tower and cannot use the talismans, you can give them to Daoist Wang."

"Thank you!"

With the conversation reaching this point, Li Yan no longer stood on ceremony and asked, "Daoist, are your injuries not causing you trouble?"

Luo Mingzi smiled and said, "I need a few months of rest, and moreover, I’ve accumulated enough merit, so I will be transferring to a position in Chang’an."

"This year, Guanzhong’s harvest was bountiful, and with that official Mr. Li recently appointed as Governor, the Lantern Festival is bound to be very lively indeed. Timing it out, you’ll be returning just in time for the New Year, so come find me at the City God Temple in Chang’an City, and we’ll drink till we drop."

After saying this, he took a letter from his bosom, "Inside Taibai Mountain’s Doumu Institute, there is a junior brother of mine, Yu Linzi, with whom I share a particularly strong bond. If you encounter any difficulty on Taibai Mountain, you can directly seek his help."

"Thank you, Daoist!"

"Hmm, may you have a smooth journey. I’ll be waiting for you in Chang’an."

Li Yan respectfully took the items and, with the box on his back, gave a fist-and-palm salute before leaving.

Once out of the City God Temple, he spurred his horse, making his way through one street after another, until he reached the southern city gate.

The city gate was just about to open. Wang Daoxuan and Sha Lifei had already prepared their luggage and were waiting on horseback.

Behind them was a wagon with the coffin of Old Four Wu placed upon it.

The man driving the carriage was Old Man Meng, hired from the Taixing Carriage Shop. He was competent, and with him were four porters from the porter lodge.

This was the entire entourage for transporting the coffin back home.

With a rumble, the city gates began to open, and Wang Daoxuan threw a wad of paper money high into the air, chanting, "The deceased embarks on a journey, leaves returning to their roots. May the departed spirits cause no mischief, may the living be spared from fright."

As he spoke, he gave a fist-and-palm salute, looking around, "Everyone, please be understanding."

There were quite a few people waiting to leave, and though Wang Daoxuan spoke politely, the commoners all had a look of displeasure and kept their distance.

"Move along quickly!"

A young soldier guarding the city showed visible disgust, but as he began to admonish them, an older soldier pulled him aside.

The veteran, with an ingratiating expression, clasped his hands and said, "Young Hero Li, you go ahead. This young lad doesn’t know any better, please don’t take it to heart."

Li Yan did not quite understand the reason for their attitude, but he still clasped his hands in return, "Thank you."

With that, he took the lead, and the procession slowly left the city.

Watching them leave, the older soldier scolded, "You fool, do you lack situational awareness? That’s Li Yan!"

"Li Yan?"

The young soldier inhaled sharply, "The Li Yan who killed Zhou Bai with a single punch and brought down the Zhou Family?"

"It’s not as exaggerated as that; such exaggerated tales come from the common folk," the veteran shook his head and sighed, "But that man has connections with the Zhang Family, City God Temple, and even the Captain Bureau. He’s not someone we can afford to provoke."

The young soldier, his face filled with envy, said, "I heard that when he entered the city, he snuck in, and in no time at all, made a name for himself in the pugilistic world, why don’t I have such luck..."

"Made a name in the pugilistic world?"

The older soldier chuckled, shaking his head, "Ignorant fool, Xianyang City is just a small place, even that dead monkey Zhou hardly dare claim he was anything special."

"This pugilistic world is vast..."