"Taishan is haunted?!"
Wang Daoxuan stroked his beard and smiled dryly, saying, "How is that possible? This news is too absurd. What kind of place is Taishan? The head of the Five Peaks, the domain of the Emperor East Mountain!"
"Haunting at a sacred ground of the Mystical Sect? It's simply a great absurdity! If there really was sothing causing trouble, the Ghost Soldiers and Gods under the command of the Taishan Lord would have torn it apart long ago."
Fatty Lin chid in, "Yeah, Brother Sha, did you hear so idle chatter at a tea house? Rumors are flying all over these days. We just experienced those troubles at Jinan Prefecture, we shouldn't create a fuss for no reason."
Only Li Yan frowned slightly, seemingly deep in thought.
His purpose for coming was the "position change of the Taishan Lord."
Could it be due to this matter?
Seeing that no one believed him, Sha Lifei stomped his foot in urgency, exclaiming, "Hey, this is not a fabrication! The common people might spread false information, but if those who listen to the wind speak nonsense, their reputation will be ruined within two days."
He cleared his throat and took a crumpled piece of paper from his pocket, starting to narrate in detail, "First, the haunting rumors did not co out of nowhere."
"Since last month, every midnight at the third watch, the vicinity of Dai Temple has been echoing with the 'wailing ghost cries,' the sound sharp like blades scraping iron. What's even more sinister is that people have seen humanoid 'ghost fire' floating chaotically in the ruins of Bixia Temple."
Sha Lifei paused, noticing Wang Daoxuan's solemn expression, and continued, "The second case is about a disappearance. The scholars of 'Taishan Academy' in town have sold information, that several old Taoists from Taishan Shangqing Palace suddenly vanished."
"A Taoist nad Zhang Mingzhen, who usually guarded the incense at Jade Emperor Peak, disappeared without a trace while on duty three nights ago; his fellow disciples found his Peach Wood Sword in two pieces on the stone steps, still stained with black blood!"
"The last case is about local constables speaking the truth after drinking. Yesterday, the people from the Captain Bureau were night patrolling at the foot of Taishan on horseback when they encountered a troupe of 'Papern carrying a sedan,' those papern painted with red cheeks and black eyes, carrying a black sedan with one corner of the curtain lifted, revealing a ghastly pale human face."
"They attempted to chase after them but were knocked over by a gust of Yin Wind. With so many strange incidents happening together, the governnt deploying troops to seal the mountain clearly indicates suppressing Evil Spirits!"
Seeing Sha Lifei's serious expression, the others exchanged glances.
At that mont, Li Yan finally spoke, "This matter might be true, I cannot say, but Taishan indeed has a major issue."
After speaking, he pointed to the sky.
Wang Daoxuan and Sha Lifei and the others suddenly understood.
This indicated the Heavenly chanism should not be revealed.
Fatty Lin and Kuai Dayou, on the other hand, were full of confusion.
Seeing no objection from Li Yan, Sha Lifei grinned mystically and said, "We're all friends here, so there's sothing I won't hide from you. Brother Yan is not only a living Yin ssenger but also has an identity as a Heavenly Official, so you understand..."
"Heavenly Official?"
The three of them were all puzzled.
Few people knew about living Yin ssengers, let alone Heavenly Officials.
Even within the Mystical Sect, only a few people were aware.
Sha Lifei explained simply, and the three of them imdiately guessed why Li Yan could not speak more about the matter.
"Indeed, there are many secrets in this world,"
Kuai Dayou chuckled lowly, his eyes filled with interest.
His attempt to join the Twelve Primordial Spirits was partly because of Li Yan and their reputation, and partly to accompany Kong Shangzhao who seed to share his taste.
In essence, it was for the excitent.
But as the journey progressed, he increasingly felt that Li Yan and his group hid profound secrets.
Wang Daoxuan's expression also beca solemn, thinking aloud, "It seems that there truly is an issue. Taishan, being a junction of Yin and Yang, if certain events disrupt the balance, it is only natural for specters to exploit the opportunity."
Speaking so, he looked towards Li Yan, "Brother Yan, what do you think we should investigate?"
Li Yan replied gravely, "The situation is unclear; I'm also at a loss for now."
"Currently, with the troops sealing the mountain, tonight the Daoist and I will use the Escape Technique to investigate. Old Sha, you continue gathering information. As for the situation on Taishan, it is not yet clear, caution is advisable."
......
As night fell, Taian City remained bustling with activity.
This is Taishan, the land for the emperor's sacrificial rites, thriving with incense since ancient tis. Many even ford Incense Burning Teams, journeying from all over the Divine State.
These Incense Burning Teams travel for months at a ti, and with the sudden mountain sealing by the governnt, they are naturally unwilling to leave, thus staying in the city.
Inns are at capacity, and the tea houses and bars are brightly lit.
Yet near Taishan, the city noise completely vanished.
The night is thick like ink, the mountain wind carrying a moist earthy scent, shadows dance in the forest, and the massive silhouette of Taishan lies dormant in the darkness, an indescribable pressure coming forth.
On the official road leading to the mountain gate, torches form a long line, and the sound of armor clashing and shouting becos piercingly sharp in the quiet night.
Teams of governnt soldiers fully ard with guns and knives guard every entrance and fork in the road.
They are stern and even carry firearms, their eyes vigilantly scanning the dark woods as if enemies might leap out at any mont from the shadows.
Passing through this periter lockdown by governnt forces and approaching the start of the winding path, the atmosphere suddenly shifts.
The air is filled with the faint burnt sll of sandalwood and talisman paper, as well as the subtle mingled scent of diverse Spiritual Energy fluctuations.
At several key points, small groups of cultivators patrol in ranks.
Though from the Mystical Sect, they are dressed variably.
Those with tall Daoist caps and cloud-pattern embroidered sleeve edges are from Shangqing Palace.
Female cultivators with hair tied in pins and elegantly dressed in plain clothes are from Bixia Monarch Mansion.
Those in dark robust attire, swords sheathed on their backs, eyes sharp seemingly containing lighting, are Law Enforcent Disciples from Taishan Thunder Institute.
Additionally, those wearing bright yellow Daoist robes, left hand holding a Heavenly Gaze, and right hand wielding a Magic Sword are cultivators from Jade Emperor Temple.
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