"Stop!"
Ten miles from the burial mound, the three were halted.
A squad of soldiers had set up a checkpoint at the road's mouth, while in the distant plains and grasslands, cavalry patrolled with mastiffs in tow.
Sha Lifei hurriedly dismounted, grinning and clasping his fists. "Honest soldier, we're invited by Daoist Luo of the City God Temple's Enforcement Hall to attend a ceremony. Please grant us passage."
"City God Temple…"
The soldier blocking the way eyed them suspiciously. "Do you have a travel permit?"
Sha Lifei froze, glancing back. Li Yan shook his head.
Daoist Luo had only extended a verbal invitation, and upon their return, he'd been swamped with duties. When Li Yan visited the City God Temple to inquire about Master You of the Cold Altar, no one was available. What permit could they have?
"None?"
The lead soldier's face darkened instantly, barking, "Captain Fan of the Martial Cavalry has ordered a lockdown of the burial mound today to prevent any riffraff from the martial world sneaking in to cause trouble."
"You lot don't look like honest folk. If you know what's good for you, leave now!"
It was the Double Ninth Festival, and he'd begged his superior to visit his aging father, only for this last-minute assignment to ruin his plans. His mood was sour, and his words were sharp.
Sha Lifei kept his smile, discreetly pulling out a string of copper coins and lowering his voice. "Kind soldier, do us a favor. If you doubt us, send someone to verify…"
"Shut your filthy mouth!"
The lead soldier's expression shifted, raising his spear. "All of you, dismount! Stop them—they're clearly bandits from the martial world!"
Before his words settled, a troop of cavalry galloped from afar, drawing bows and aiming sharp arrows at the trio.
Li Yan's brow furrowed at the sight.
These soldiers hailed from the Xianyang local garrison, under the jurisdiction of the Chang'an Commandery. Though rigorously trained, they couldn't match battle-hardened veterans.
Take this petty officer before him—barely at the threshold of Hidden Strength. Even with his comrades' support, he couldn't stop Li Yan.
But clashing with the army? There'd be no escaping the consequences.
Worse, these soldiers were already riled up. If they were captured, a whipping was certain, and if they met a crooked one, their possessions would be confiscated.
Just as Li Yan was about to speak, his heart stirred, and he glanced back.
"Stand down!"
The sound of hooves thundered as a group of riders swept in.
Seven in total, all clad in black brocade robes, their chests and backs embroidered with silver-threaded Yazi and Bi'an dragons, each exuding a deep aura and masterful horsemanship.
The Commandery Office?
Li Yan's eyes narrowed, recognizing the attire.
The Commandery Office was akin to the Embroidered Uniform Guard—ruthless and unrestrained, with a notorious reputation in the martial world, dubbed "eagles and hounds" or "black dogs" in the Spring Chronicles.
What shocked him more was the leader: none other than Guan Wanche.
Wasn't he the Xianyang constable? Since when did he join the Commandery Office?
Li Yan suddenly recalled that Guan Wanche had uncovered evidence of Zhou Pan framing his father but stayed silent, leaving it to Li Yan to expose.
His behavior was odd. This man was far more complex than he seemed…
As Li Yan pondered, Guan Wanche rode forward, flashing his badge before speaking coldly. "What's the matter?"
The lead soldier hurriedly clasped his fists. "Sir Banner Leader, these three were acting suspicious. We were about to apprehend them!"
Sha Lifei, spotting Guan Wanche, breathed a sigh of relief and grinned, clasping his fists. "Congratulations on your promotion, Lord Guan! We're here at Daoist Luo's invitation to attend the ceremony."
"Ceremony?"
Guan Wanche gave a cold snort, about to say something but holding back. He said sternly, "These men are indeed tied to the City God Temple. I'll take them to verify. If they're lying, I'll personally bring them to you."
"Yes, sir!"
The soldier, though reluctant, ordered the barricades moved.
Once the path was clear, Guan Wanche ignored them, leading his men ahead on horseback.
Li Yan and his two companions exchanged glances, shook their reins, and followed.
Ten miles was no great distance.
After a short ride, they reached the foot of the burial mound.
The area was originally a vast clearing, surrounded by scattered woods.
Now, the surrounding trees had been cleared, and a three-tiered ritual altar stood at the center, square-shaped with redwood pillars. Banners, pennants, and flags were neatly arranged, adorned with the Eight Trigrams, Taiji, the Big Dipper, and even massive yellow talismans hanging down.
It looked gaudy, but both Li Yan and Wang Daoxuan held their breath.
Wang Daoxuan, an insider, mentally cross-referenced it with his knowledge.
Li Yan, an outsider, felt something different through his divine senses.
At the altar's location, a thick scent of incense lingered, connecting the earth's veins below and the heavens above, as if a grand temple had appeared out of nowhere, its solemn and oppressive aura washing over them.
Merely standing there, Li Yan found breathing difficult.
Of the three, Sha Lifei was the most at ease.
Ignorance bred fearlessness. To him, the air here felt unusually fresh, and with the Double Ninth Festival in full swing, he toyed with a dogwood branch, genuinely feeling like he was on an outing.
Li Yan took a deep breath. "This is the altar?"
"Yes."
Wang Daoxuan said gravely, "The altar I use only creates a minor 'form,' but the Tai Xuan Orthodox Sect's altar has formed a 'situation.' With centuries-old ritual implements enshrined, this altar alone represents generations of accumulated power from other sects."
"And this is just the City God Temple of Xianyang…"
Wang Daoxuan shook his head, eyes full of envy.
Li Yan's expression remained calm, unsurprised.
The Tai Xuan Orthodox Sect's lineage, passed down since the Han dynasty, had endured countless trials through dynastic changes but never lost its incense.
Every dynasty crowned it the state religion—hardly an ordinary feat.
Around the altar, tents were set up in the Eight Trigrams formation. Daoists bustled about—some burning incense, others sweeping, and some chanting scriptures by the altar, all busy with preparations.
These were novice acolytes, clearly making ready.
As the two spoke, a Daoist emerged from a tent on the left, clad in a black robe and eight-sided cap, a long sword on his back—it was Luo Mingzi.
He hurried over, smiling wryly. "These past days have been chaotic. I didn't expect the imperial troops to block the roads. Sorry for the trouble."
"Important matters come first. Thank you for allowing us to observe," Li Yan said, clasping his hands politely.
Beside Luo Mingzi stood a Commandery Office officer, who clasped his fists and said gravely, "Daoist, since it's a misunderstanding, I'll report back."
It was someone Guan Wanche had sent to verify.
As he turned to leave, Li Yan's heart stirred. He pulled Sha Lifei aside, whispered a few words, and sent him to follow.
In the bandit stronghold, Li Yan had learned of the Gu Shui Village massacre and promised Commander Zhao's dying wish. He wouldn't break his word.
But troubles had piled up since his return, leaving no chance to report it.
Guan Wanche had helped him multiple times and had just joined the Commandery Office. This news could repay the favor.
Luo Mingzi paid no mind, raising his hand with a smile. "Let's go. I've spoken to Master Qingyangzi about your matter. He's intrigued and may have a solution."
Li Yan's eyes lit up. "Thank you, senior."
With that, he followed Luo Mingzi toward a large tent.
…
"Slow down, officer…"
Sha Lifei trailed the Commandery Office lieutenant.
"What is it?"
The lieutenant turned, his gaze grim.
One of the Commandery Office's duties was to monitor the martial world.
Officials and bandits walked different paths. Though Sha Lifei wasn't a bandit, the lieutenant clearly had little fondness for martial world folk.
Sha Lifei didn't mind, grinning. "No need to be so cross, officer. I've got a major merit to offer Lord Guan."
The lieutenant's eyes narrowed, and he snorted. "Follow me, then."
He turned and strode off.
Sha Lifei hurried after him, soon reaching a small hill.
Atop it, several men stood with horses, tossing meat to massive falcons that swooped down, snatching it before soaring away.
Guan Wanche was among them.
Sha Lifei's eyes gleamed with envy.
He'd heard of these—the Great Xuan Dynasty, since its founding, had gathered extraordinary talents, including falcon trainers who passed their skills to the Commandery Office.
With the dynasty's vast resources, the Commandery Office refined falconry to perfection, raising golden eagles to kill beasts and swift peregrines for scouting, alongside a variety of hunting dogs.
Thus, the martial world called them "eagles and hounds."
But such fierce birds held undeniable allure for men.
Sha Lifei's mind raced, tempted to trade the news for a falcon, but recalling Li Yan's instructions and the Commandery Office's fearsome reputation, he abandoned the idea.
"What's your business?"
Guan Wanche glanced at him faintly.
He and Li Hu were once brothers, so he knew this useless junior brother well and held no regard for him, let alone any bond.
Sha Lifei grinned. "Sir, better to speak privately."
Guan Wanche's face soured, especially seeing the one-eyed man nearby. "I act openly. What can't be said in public?"
New to the Commandery Office, he wouldn't risk giving anyone leverage.
Sha Lifei meant well but felt scolded for no reason, irritation rising. Fine, don't blame me if someone else claims the credit.
The debt's repaid as long as the message is delivered.
With that, he held nothing back, recounting the Gu Shui Village incident, the bandit stronghold, the cockscomb snake, and the mysterious sorcerer.
At his words, the Commandery Office men's faces shifted.
The one-eyed man slowly turned his horse, saying darkly, "Any lies?"
"Every word is true!"
Sha Lifei clasped his fists. "I wouldn't dare lie about this. I meant to avoid trouble, but I'm here to repay Lord Guan's favor."
In truth, he regretted speaking publicly, as Guan Wanche had risen in rank and might be useful later. He added that to smooth things over.
The one-eyed man nodded. "Reward him!"
At his command, a subordinate tossed a bag from his waist. It landed at Sha Lifei's feet, splitting open to reveal gleaming silver.
Sha Lifei's brows shot up. "Honor and duty aren't for sale!"
The one-eyed man nodded approvingly. "Good man. A word of advice: forget this matter, lest it brings death."
Sha Lifei clasped his fists and left.
Halfway, he clutched his chest, face mournful, muttering, "Damn, playing the hero's too costly. Never again…"
After he left, the one-eyed man's gaze calmed.
"Wanche, your thoughts?"
Guan Wanche clasped his fists. "These people are likely Maitreya remnants!"
The one-eyed man nodded. "As I thought. The one controlling the cockscomb snake is Dugu Qian, known as Tomb Snake, one of Maitreya's sixty-four incense masters. He escaped a purge years ago and has clearly grown stronger."
"Maitreya remnants have been suppressed for generations, yet they always resurface, like weeds in spring, unkillable. They're scattered across the land, but no major threat."
He sighed. "The real trouble lies in the capital!"
*(End of Chapter)*