"Unfortunately, the Heavenly Saint Sect mbers realized things were amiss and intended to use themselves as bait, igniting the gunpowder they had buried beforehand, aiming to perish together with the Wudang Daoists."
"Regrettably, these Daoists were all Xuann Practitioners with various Divine Skills for detection. They easily saw through the ploy."
"The one carrying a severed head, was none other than Gu Jiaozi of the Five Dragon Sons. His expression was cold as he suddenly perford a hand seal and struck the eaves with his palm."
"The leader on the eaves felt the palm emit a black aura and enlarge suddenly, then everything went dark, and he fell dizzily from the roof, quickly bound tightly by the soldiers who had rushed over."
"Wudang Soul Absorption Palm!"
"With the experience and understanding of the ancient Five Qi Dragon Lord, even these Martial Arts could be perford by the Five Dragon Sons to an unimaginable extent."
"Next, a piece of Phoebe was dug up and piled on top of peach wood. Surrounded by the chanting of the Daoists, it smoked heavily and gradually turned into charcoal."
"This was not the only location where such events occurred."
"Experts from Zhenwu Palace descended the mountain and, like thunder sweeping through dens, pulled out the covert operatives of the Ghost Sect and Heavenly Saint Sect..."
"...
"We’ve arrived, just ahead!"
"Not long after passing Xian Mountain, Captain Cheng imdiately ordered the boat to dock."
"Li Yan looked up and saw, from afar, the mountains were vast and the woods lush, bathed in the hues of the sunset, a charm to behold."
"It was indeed the so-called sacred land of hermits, Lu n Mountain."
"The ti was nearing dusk, and the sounds of a temple bell echoed in the mountains."
"The temple bell tolls as the day fades, at Yuliang pier the ferry noises fight. Follow the sandy shores to the river village, I too take a boat back to Lu n. Moonlight bathes Lu n, unveiling the smoky trees, suddenly reaching the hermit Pang Gong’s dwelling..."
"This was ng Haoran’s ’Song of Returning to Lu n Mountain at Night.’ Their journey matched perfectly with the poem."
"Of course, none of them felt at ease."
"Lv San called out, and hawks instantly fluttered above."
"There are hidden guards in the woods!"
"Lv San muttered, pointing at two directions."
"Captain Cheng glanced at his subordinate, ’Keep it down.’"
"’Yes, sir!’"
"Several spies from the Captain Bureau imdiately rushed into the dense forest."
"They crouched low, moving lightly, using the trees for cover like swift specters, suddenly leaping into the air, launching sleeve arrows."
"Two muffled groans were heard, and then two n dressed as woodcutters fell from the tree, their Dantians pierced, dragged out by their hair by the operatives."
"Seeing the fearso sight of the Captain Bureau n, the two were already trembling all over, and without the need for torture, they spilled everything."
"’Sir, we are wronged. We’re from the Xiangyang Liu family martial arts school, took a job to watch over a house, didn’t do any harm...’"
"’Bullshit, why the surveillance here?’
"’The master only told us to watch this area, and imdiately report anything unusual...’"
"’Sneaking around, who employed you?’"
"’It’s, it’s Young Master Lu from Taohua House.’"
"’How co it’s that scoundrel?’
Hearing this, Captain Cheng imdiately frowned."
"Li Yan asked, ’Who exactly is this Young Master Lu?’"
"Captain Cheng’s face turned sour, but he didn’t hide the truth, spitting, ’This Young Master Lu is the son of Magistrate Lu.’"
"’The Lu family is a prominent clan in Xiangyang City, wielding considerable influence. Yet, this Young Master Lu is incompetent, having established a Taohua House on Lu n Mountain, claiming it to be a place of gathering for scholars but in reality, it’s a haven for debauchery.’"
"’The rich young masters of Xiangyang City often mingle there, and next door, there’s a nunnery involved with them in immoral acts...’"
"’Well, they do know how to enjoy themselves.’"
"Li Yan couldn’t help but laugh silently, shaking his head slightly."
"He began to understand that Taohua House was the largest and most secretive club in Xiangyang City, open only to the elite."
"Sha Lifei also shook his head, ’Lu n hermits despise nobility, who would have thought it had co to this.’"
"’Sothing’s off, this is common knowledge yet they fear being discovered? Placing two covert operatives here surely isn’t that simple!’"
"’You two scoundrels, mixing truth with lies, seems your skins are itching for a scratch...’"
"With his extensive experience in the pugilistic world, Sha Lifei instantly recognized sothing fishy."
"Without needing Captain Cheng’s order, several Captain Bureau n drew small knives from their belts and stabbed them into their thighs."
"’Ah!’"
"The two n imdiately scread in pain, hurriedly crying out:"
"’Stop, I’ll talk!’"
"Master Lu and the others, for so reason, got their hands on so Five Stone Powder. They’ve been gathering these past days indulging in debauchery, fearing discovery by their family elders..."
Li Yan shook his head, "This is such a ss."
"Let’s get to shore and find the person first!"
After knocking out two n and keeping them on the boat, the group continued onward, quickly entering a path through a bamboo forest.
The environnt on Deer Gate Mountain was tranquil. The bamboo forest, planted countless years ago, covered the entire mountain, its dense growth reaching tall heights. With dusk setting in, the path amidst the forest seed rather dim.
Being a secluded haven appreciated by recluses, Deer Gate Mountain was evidently large, housing several Taoist temples and wealthy estates apart from nurous secret spots.
This was why Wu Degui had asked for their help.
To find the person quickly, spells were indispensable.
Without needing any prompt from Li Yan, Lv San stepped forward, manipulating a spell, and emitted a series of whistles of varying lengths.
The whistles floated around the dark bamboo forest, drifting in all directions.
Rustle, rustle, rustle!
Before long, various poisonous snakes slithered out from the decaying branches and leaves of the bamboo forest, including viper and green bamboo snakes.
However, other small animals were nowhere in sight.
Seeing this, Li Yan squinted his eyes and asked in a low voice, "Are there often incidents of snakebites here in Deer Gate Mountain?"
Cheng Hundred Households shook his head, "I’ve never heard of such incidents."
While they spoke, Lv San had begun to quietly speak to the snakes in an esoteric tongue, standing up afterward, "Indeed, there are several peculiar places on Deer Gate Mountain."
"There is a cave, often used by soone who frequently captures snakes; they say soone is imprisoned there."
Cheng Hundred Households imdiately rejoiced, "That must be it, your mastery of secret techniques is truly exceptional!"
Lv San, not used to being flattered, simply shook his head, "It’s a trivial matter, let these little creatures lead us."
With that, he whistled twice more.
The snakes on the ground swiftly slithered away, leading the way ahead.
Before long, the group veered off the bamboo path and entered an overgrown forest.
The forest contained traces of ancient roads, evidently constructed by ancients but partly overtaken by the bamboo forest, rendered discontinuous.
Ascending continuously up the slope, more ancient graves appeared alongside decrepit stilted houses, clearly once the abodes of hermits.
Li Yan ordinarily wouldn’t have cared, but as they passed a grave, he suddenly heard a voice:
"Tsk tsk, another one deceived..."
"What a pity! Once there, not even souls can escape, or else I’d have more companions..."
"Wait!"
Li Yan waved his hand, halting everyone.
Under the puzzled gazes of Cheng Hundred Households and others, Li Yan looked around, approached a crumbled old tomb, scooped up so earth for a makeshift incense burner, lit three sticks of incense, and then squatted in front of the old tomb, murmuring quietly.
The Captain Bureau’s n exchanged glances.
They had indeed gained so insight on their journey, having witnessed Lv San speaking with animals, and now, Li Yan murmuring at a grave.
Could he be speaking to wandering ghosts?
The sight caused everyone to feel uneasy, yet they dared not approach.
Before long, Li Yan returned and signaled the group to continue following the snakes, whispering covertly, "There is indeed a cave ahead, but it’s a trap. The cave is filled with miasma, and all who enter et their untily end without a burial."
"Lv San, these snakes are tad by soone who also excels in beast taming and understands animal language."
Cheng Hundred Households frowned, "Young Hero Li, what should we do?"
Li Yan spoke gravely, "Stick to the original plan. First, find the snake handler and don’t act rashly; we are already surrounded."
Cheng Hundred Households was startled and quickly looked around.
They saw that in the dense bamboo forest, unnoticed, the number of poisonous snakes had increased. Not only on the ground, but even in the higher reaches of the bamboo, snakes were climbing the branches.
Countless cold snake eyes stared fixedly at them...
...
As the sun set, the light within the bamboo forest grew darker, a faint yin fog arose, and under the moonlight, the mist thickened, completely obscuring the path.
Suddenly, an old song echoed through the bamboo forest:
"All worldly appearances are like mist, I keep a tranquil dream. Mountains and cranes for companions, on a secluded path I leisurely stroll. Watching the ever-changing clouds, this life in seclusion in the forest’s embrace..."
With the song, a figure erged in the mist.
"Must this be Young Master Li? Soone asked to kill you, are you satisfied to be buried here?"
Li Yan glanced around, "Yes, satisfied."
"This place is full of malevolent energy, fitting for an old ghost like you!"
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