Blade - Unbound

Chapter 86: Establishing the Altar and Enfeoffing the Mountain God

“The capital?” A dark glint flashed through Guan Wanche's eyes, but he lowered his head and cupped his fists. “I am too dull-witted to understand what you mean, Lord Chang.”

The one-eyed man was named Chang Xuan, a captain of the Chang'an garrison of the Military Surveillance Department.

The Xuan Dynasty's Military Surveillance Department was massive. Besides the headquarters in the capital, garrisons were established throughout every prefecture and province. Each garrison had three commanders, with each one overseeing ten captains. Each captain then commanded two Banner Officers. A Banner Officer supervised five squad leaders, and each squad leader commanded ten men.

Guan Wanche had been appointed directly as a Banner Officer, showing just how highly Chang Xuan regarded him.

Faced with Guan Wanche's question, Chang Xuan glanced at him indifferently. “Do you truly not understand, or are you pretending to be confused?”

Guan Wanche's eyelid twitched, and cold sweat immediately formed on his forehead.

Unexpectedly, Chang Xuan was not angry. Instead, he nodded and sighed. “Pretending to be confused is good. If you were some hot-headed fool, I wouldn't dare keep you by my side. Everyone sees the prestige of the Military Surveillance Department, but you'll understand the reality soon enough.

“The imperial court is a dangerous place. Advancing even one step is extraordinarily difficult. One wrong move, and you'll be crushed to pieces. When Prince Pingyang rebelled, his entire clan was exterminated. Princess Fu'an was merely a sheltered woman, and Eunuch Lu was an idiot. It would have been an utter joke if those two managed to escape the capital without anyone helping them.

“A single order from the capital deployed bandits from two provinces to the Guanzhong Plains to seize something, massacre a village, and silence witnesses. They even evaded our intelligence network. Who was arranging all of this? Moreover, Minister Li presented the formula for the new gunpowder, and His Majesty ordered absolute secrecy. Yet the Maitreya Sect still learned of it and even infiltrated the government offices to steal it. The Chang'an garrison is riddled with holes!”

Listening to the analysis, Guan Wanche felt a chill spread through his entire body. He gulped once and asked, “Lord Chang, what should we do?”

“What should we do?” Chang Xuan smiled. His lone eye was filled with cold malice. “I was wondering why everyone was racing each other in running from this case. Looks like they all dumped it onto me. If not for this information, I would have remained in the dark and unknowingly become the scapegoat. But now that I know the truth, there are plenty of ways to deal with it.

“Wealth and advancement are right before our eyes. To retreat now would be a dead end. All of you, are you willing to make this gamble with me?”

“We await your orders, Lord Chang!”

***

“Martial Uncle, this is Little Brother Li.”

“Greetings, Senior Qing.”

Inside the main tent, Luo Mingzi introduced both sides. Wang Daoxuan was already familiar with Qing Yangzi, since he often visited the latter for guidance.

Qing Yangzi admired Wang Daoxuan greatly for his unwavering determination toward the Dao. Although he had no destiny with the Taixuan Orthodox Sect, Qing Yangzi still took care in instructing him.

Still, this was Li Yan’s first time meeting the temple master of Xianyang. The man's forehead was broad and full, and his expression was kind and benevolent, with long white eyebrows and a flowing beard.

Li Yan could not help but praise him inwardly, What an immortal-like bearing.

Qing Yangzi stroked his beard and smiled. “Oh? You're quite handsome, Little Brother Li."

Taken aback, Li Yan choked, “Surely you jest, Senior.”

Still smiling, Qing Yangzi shook his head. “May I take a look at that Summoning Writ mark?”

Li Yan immediately stepped forward and extended his left palm. He had learned from Wang Daoxuan that Qing Yangzi was a highly accomplished Daoist master. Had Qing Yangzi not spoken on Wang Daoxuan's behalf, the latter would never have received the opportunity to build a Daoist temple on Mount Taibai.

Qing Yangzi examined the mark carefully before nodding. “It is indeed a Summoning Writ of the Underworld. You possess remarkable fortune, Fellow Daoist.”

Li Yan smiled wryly and shook his head. “You must be joking, Senior. I am not a yin emissary. Receiving this assignment means that if I fail, my life is forfeit. How can that be considered fortune?”

“When fate arrives, blessing and calamity differ only by a single thought.” Qing Yangzi stroked his beard and smiled once more. “Yin emissaries are skilled at communicating with souls. Thus, most people who receive the opportunity of a Summoning Writ are yin emissaries.

“Still, once one possesses this item, the dangers encountered when entering the underworld decrease greatly. One may even perform rituals to summon the soldiers of the Underworld, which is an ability that should not be underestimated.

“Practitioners of the mystic path pursue truth and enlightenment. We burn incense and recite scriptures every morning and evening without the slightest negligence. Yet those capable of communicating with the divine are exceedingly rare. As for raising spirit troops, that requires tremendous time and effort. If this is not fortune, what is?

“Becoming a yin emissary is not your only possible path. During the Jin Dynasty, one man received a Summoning Writ and entered a blessed celestial land in a dream, witnessing the splendor of Peach Blossom Spring. Then, during the Tang Dynasty, a prime minister received a Summoning Writ and slew a demon dragon. Again, during the Song Dynasty, a renowned minister received a Summoning Writ and judged disputes between yin and yang. Sooner or later, you will discover your own path, Daoist Li.”

Li Yan nodded thoughtfully. “I recently encountered another matter...”

He then recounted everything concerning the Cold Altar Wandering Master.

Qing Yangzi then considered the matter briefly before smiling. “It is nothing to worry about. Since the one you encountered was a Wandering Master who was also connected to the Summoning Writ, simply let nature take its course. The Taixuan Orthodox Sect has strict rules against interfering in the affairs of the Underworld. Our understanding of such matters is limited. If you follow their guidance, you may very well uncover a new opportunity.”

Li Yan bowed respectfully as he thanked Qing Yangzi, “Thank you for your guidance, Senior.”

Hearing even Qing Yangzi say so strengthened Li Yan's resolve to get to the bottom of the matter. After chatting for some time, Qing Yangzi took his leave, along with a few of his disciples.

The moment he left, Luo Mingzi entered with several Daoists carrying trays of fruits and pastries.

He nodded at the trays and said, “You must be hungry. Come, eat. There won't be any vegetarian meals today.”

Sha Lifei looked bewildered. “Wait, aren't these offerings?”

“Hahaha!” A young Daoist with a round face immediately picked up a chilled pastry and tossed it into his mouth. “Go ahead and eat! Grandmaster isn't that stingy. At worst, I'll establish an altar and report to the heavens that I was hungry.”

Luo Mingzi also laughed. “It's fine. For some things, being sincere is enough. There's no need to be overly rigid about the rules. However, some remote mountain temples and local yin deities aren't nearly as generous. Don't go eating their offerings at random.”

Since the hosts had spoken, Li Yan and the others naturally stopped holding back. The Taixuan Orthodox Sect’s offerings were exquisitely prepared.

One particular delicacy was a five-colored fruit pastry, a culinary art passed down since the Tang Dynasty that very few people were still capable of making. It consisted of a semi-transparent dough in five different colors, each wrapped around a different filling representing one of the Five Elements. The taste aside, the craftsmanship alone was quite rare.

Sha Lifei wolfed down several pieces before anyone could react.

Seeing how approachable the Daoists of the Enforcement Hall were, he grinned. “Daoist masters, I am treating everyone once this is all over. Let's go to Qingfeng Pavilion and join the Yang Festival. How can we not drink chrysanthemum wine and eat crabs?”

The Taixuan Orthodox Sect imposed no restrictions on alcohol, meat, or other types of food. Other than beef, black carp, wild geese, and dog meat, they ate virtually everything. Since these were members of the Enforcement Hall and future dealings with the mystic path would likely involve them, Sha Lifei wanted to establish good relations.

Luo Mingzi shook his head. “Another day. The ceremony for enfeoffing the Mountain God begins at the hour of the snake and won't conclude until after noon. Once the ritual ends, the Mountain God of the mass graves will officially take office.

“A temple will then be constructed, and incense offerings established. Finally, all the wandering ghosts and spirits throughout these mountains will finally have stability. After that, we'll still need to conduct continuous rites to deliver the souls of the dead. We'll be busy for quite some time.”

Wang Daoxuan cupped his fists solemnly. “This is a deed of immeasurable merit.”

Luo Mingzi replied calmly, “Balancing yin and yang, and protecting the people of a region are the responsibilities of the Taixuan Orthodox Sect. There’s no need for such high praise.”

Then his expression grew serious. “However, our actions today have also deprived certain extraordinary individuals of an opportunity. Although Cavalry Officer Fan has already driven away the Western Beggar Gang and established checkpoints around the area, those people will undoubtedly try every means possible to infiltrate the mountain and seize the treasure.

“Captain Chang of the Military Surveillance Department has brought a hundred men, and my Enforcement Hall has thirty senior brothers. Our task is to drive them all away while the ritual is underway. To avoid misunderstandings, the three of you should remain here and not wander around." He paused, then added, “Oh, right, weren't you planning to escort a deceased man back to his homeland?”

Sha Lifei spoke between mouthfuls, “That's right. It was the final wish of that yin emissary...”

The group chatted while eating. Daoists continuously rotated in and out as shifts changed. Before they realized it, the hour of the snake was approaching.

Suddenly, several signal arrows shot into the sky in the distance.

A round-faced Daoist immediately stood up and formed a yang hand seal. His ears twitched. “Someone has entered the mountain. The Military Surveillance Department is pursuing them.”

Luo Mingzi frowned slightly. “So they still refuse to give up. Let’s move out!”

He led his fellow disciples out. Inside the tent, Li Yan, Wang Daoxuan, and Sha Lifei exchanged glances.

“Should we go help?”

“Forget it.”

“With that many experts around, anyone who manages to break through would be a monster.”

After a brief discussion, they left the tent as well and headed toward the ritual altar.

The hour of the snake had now arrived, and the ceremony had officially begun. Junior Daoists burned incense and recited scriptures, while a ceremonial ensemble beat drums and stone chimes, played the sheng, and struck wooden fish.

The atmosphere was lively yet solemn.

Qing Yangzi and several senior Daoists had changed into formal ritual robes. Holding ceremonial tablets in their hands, they slowly ascended the altar as though entering an imperial court audience.

A massive bronze Demon-Revealing Mirror hung above the altar, while twelve disciples of the Enforcement Hall stood with drawn swords around the perimeter. After Luo Mingzi departed, they would serve as the altar's protectors.

Standing nearby, Wang Daoxuan quietly explained, “I don't know much about the Taixuan Orthodox Sect’s rituals, but I know a little. They have thirty True Altars and sixty True Sanctuaries. An altar is a place for conducting rituals, and a sanctuary is a place for cultivation. Either one can form its own self-contained spirit field. Other lineages have similar systems, but judging by this arrangement, this should be the True Edict Communion Altar, specifically used for enfeoffing earth spirits.”

Li Yan gained a measure of understanding from his explanation. This world did not possess spiritual qi; instead, it had astral qi and killing qi. One was used for rituals, the other for cultivation.

If he successfully established an inner temple and obtained an inheritance, he would likely acquire corresponding methods as well. Just as Li Yan was pondering these matters, his nose suddenly twitched. A suspicious look appeared on his face as he scanned the surroundings.

The smell of gunpowder had appeared out of nowhere!