Regardless if it’s Dragon and Phoenix Ancient Town or Sui Ning County, the inns are basically all fully booked. As soon as Li Yan and his companions left, their room was instantly booked by soone else.
On approaching the dock, the crowd thickened even more.
There were dragon and lion dances, troops performing opera, donkey carriages on the move, waving brocade flags, and boxes piled high. People greeted each other warmly in the continuous Sichuan dialect.
"Good heavens."
Sha Lifei couldn’t help but click his tongue and said, "The incense at Guangde Temple is really flourishing, even more lively than the Wudang Mountain Temple Fair."
"I have also inquired about this,"
Wang Daoxuan stroked his beard and said, "There is an ancient legend in this area, saying that Sui Ning was once the West Sea, with a small nation nad Bai Jue Country. The king, Miao Zhuang, and queen, Bó Yá, had three daughters nad Miao Qing, Miao Yin, and Miao Shan, known as the three Guanyin sisters."
"They attained enlightennt simultaneously and beca the Bodhisattva Guanyin, but each practiced in different places. Hence, there is a local folk rhy:
The three Guanyin sisters ate from the sa pot but practiced separately. The eldest practiced at Guangde Temple, the second at Lingquan Temple, and only the youngest practiced far away at the South Sea Puduo Temple."
"Within the borders of Sui Ning, the inclination towards Buddhism is even stronger, with countless temples, and Guangde Temple being the ’first Zen forest in the west,’ housing over a thousand monks, overseeing more than three hundred Buddhist temples in Sichuan, Guizhou, and Yunnan provinces."
"Even though Ei and Qingcheng are more famous, in the eyes of Buddhist disciples, Guangde Temple is the real Holy Land."
Li Yan mused, "They don’t seem to be very ostentatious?"
Wang Daoxuan nodded, "During the Tang Dynasty, Guangde Temple had a high monk by the na of Master Ke-yo, who was from the Imperial Family, as his father was Dai Zong, thus the Imperial Family has always posthumously honored him."
"This place is also considered an ancestral temple of the Imperial Family. With its status, it lacks nothing, and they can practice peacefully without inviting trouble, thus they act very low-key."
"Even the Sui Ning Law Enforcent Hall and the City God Temple are managed by people of the Iron Buddha Sect."
"Quite smart indeed..."
While the group chatted leisurely, they soon found a ferryboat, which slowly carried them away from the dock toward the opposite shore.
After they departed, two figures appeared at the dock, hiding under the shade of trees, watching from afar.
"It seems it’s confird. This Twelve Primordial Spirits squad is indeed Li Yan’s team, being chased by the Prince Mansion yet still so flamboyant, their daring is off the charts!"
"Should we..."
"Don’t act rashly, an official from the Prince Mansion might have been asked to handle this matter; the situation could change significantly."
"This ti, the Prince Mansion truly lost face; do you think they’ll back down?"
"I’m not really sure either..."
...
After Li Yan and his group disembarked, they followed Lian Peng into the eastern mountains.
Now their team was intact, and they had replenished their Astral Order. To be honest, they really weren’t afraid of any enemies.
Therefore, they didn’t go out of their way to hide their tracks.
This area was still within the Chuanshu Basin, with relatively gentle terrain, no high mountains, just hills eroded by rivers.
Looking around, the mountains were all covered with bamboo forests, and the snow had yet to lt. As they walked through the mountain paths, the ground was also covered with withered yellow bamboo leaves.
Soon after entering the mountains, Lv San raised his hand and signaled the group to stop.
In the bamboo forest erged two n; one short and thin, the other tall and sturdy. They cupped their hands and said simultaneously:
"Are you Daoist Youji and Young Hero Li?"
Li Yan narrowed his eyes, "That’s right."
To know of Wang Daoxuan isn’t unusual, but being able to call out his na directly suggests these people aren’t isolated and are well-inford.
The short, thin man promptly cupped his hands, "A pleasure to et you, I’ve heard of your great na. I am Feng Delu. The clan leader has set a banquet in the village and sent the two of us here to welco you."
"Thank you."
Li Yan respectfully cupped his fist and hand in salute.
To be t ten miles out, according to pugilistic world customs, is already a significant etiquette, usually reserved for welcoming distinguished guests.
Indeed, at five miles, three miles, and even the final mile, there were people waiting to welco them, escorting them to Baixi Town.
The location of Baixi Town is indeed very secluded, nestled between three mountains, with a muddy white creek winding down from the mountains, flowing near the village.
This water cannot be drunk, it’s used as material for making saline brine.
Under the big tree at the village entrance, a group of people was already waiting.
The leader was an elderly man, hunched over, with white hair, wearing a red headband, and leaning on a Dragon Head Walking Stick.
Seeing Li Yan and his group, the old man smiled slightly and cupped his hands, saying, "I am Feng Lao Hai of the Salt Gang, greetings to Young Hero Li and Daoist Youji."
"Greetings, elder."
Li Yan’s expression remained unchanged, as he returned the salute with cupped hands.
In fact, while on the road, he had already noticed sothing was amiss.
In this world, where are there so many secret forces? Moreover, even a petty thief knows about Baixi Village in the upper echelons of the Sui Ning pugilistic world.
There must be a reason for being left unchecked.
Specializing in salt trade, it’s likely related to the Salt Gang.
Thinking of this, Li Yan did not hesitate, directly speaking in a deep voice: "Our relations with the Salt Gang are usual, the great hospitality from the senior puzzled greatly."
"What exactly is the intent, please make it clear!"
"Why is Young Hero Li in such a hurry?"
The elder surnad Feng smiled slightly, "Since we receive you with courtesy, we had no intention of maligning you."
"How about we enter the village first, and chat over a drink?"
"Alright!"
At this point, asking further would only make them seem timid, so Li Yan readily agreed.
Besides, all in front of them were just ordinary practitioners.
If they wanted to leave, they surely couldn’t be stopped.
"Please!"
The elder imdiately raised his hand, inviting them into the village.
The village was small, all around were strong n, won and children were few; even if there were any, they were all hiding in the rooms.
However, it was different from what Li Yan imagined.
Logically, the Salt Gang, wealthy, even if boiling salt here, wouldn’t live too miserably.
Yet this village showed a sign of decay.
Several hos even had white couplets, indicating soone had recently died.
In the center of the village was an ancestral hall, its gates tightly shut.
After the elder invited them into his ho, the inside was already set with a feast.
On a cold day, dishes were still steaming, indicating soone was waiting, timing it right to serve before their entry.
Such arrangents could not be said to be careless.
Unsolicited kindness must have a motive.
Li Yan already understood in his heart, after a sip of the wine, directly said: "If the senior has so matter, it would be better to speak candidly, otherwise, we drink this wine with unease."
Feng Lao Hai set down his wine cup, speaking in a deep voice: "In that case, I shall not beat around the bush."
"To be frank, I was originally an elder in the Salt Gang; the Chuanshu Salt Gang is not a single entity, it’s just that since ancient tis, everyone hugged together for warmth."
"Years ago, they wanted to join the Chu Royal Mansion, I strongly opposed; we wander the pugilistic world, neither black nor white, once so matters are mixed in, there’s no way to extricate."
"Unfortunately, those people were blinded by power and didn’t heed my advice, and I was driven from Zigong to this place."
"Luckily, I still had so reputation in the pugilistic world and they didn’t go too far, relying on old connections, life was still manageable."
Li Yan glanced faintly, "This seems to have little relevance to us."
"Hahaha."
Feng Lao Hai stroked his beard and let out a hoarse laugh, "Originally unrelated, we too did not wish to stir trouble or entangle you."
"But since you sent people here, isn’t there a connection now?"
With that, he clapped his hands.
Imdiately, two n left, shortly after supporting a person into the main hall.
The person who entered was cleanly dressed, but their eyes were vacant, drooling, staring fixedly in one direction, mumbling continuously: "Night Dragon King, Night Dragon King..."
"This is the person you’re looking for."
Feng Lao Hai sighed, shaking his head, "To be truthful, he was originally our skipper for smuggling salt, knew several paths that could avoid the patrols, and deliver salt to Chongqing."
"The last shipnt, we don’t know what he encountered, only he returned, and had gone mad, running around recklessly."
"No, that’s not right?"
Li Yan said coldly: "The Dragon and Phoenix Ancient Town isn’t far from here, he was begging on the streets there, how could you not know?"
Feng Lao Hai shook his head: "He was deliberately released."
"We intended to lure those people out, but didn’t expect to attract the Daoist of Youji."
As he spoke, his face was already full of bitterness, "After hearing what those Demon Hunters said, I realized what a huge trouble we stirred."
"The Dragon Worship Sect, we really cannot afford to offend them..."
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