Blade - Unbound

Chapter 89: The Spiritual Node Within the Mountain

Li Yan yelled suddenly, “Who’s there?!”

Then, the illusion before his eyes instantly vanished. Luo Mingzi quickly gestured, and the Daoist beside him immediately tilted his head and listened carefully, while the other Daoist with the divine ability of sight surveyed the surroundings before slowly shaking his head.

Only after they ensured there was no ambush did Luo Mingzi ask, “What happened?”

Li Yan was still somewhat unsettled and quickly recounted what he had seen. With the Three Talents Demon Suppressing Coins protecting him, ordinary illusion techniques should have had no effect. Moreover, in their current situation, concealing anything could prove fatal.

The elderly Daoist beside him suddenly gasped in shock, “Could it be? Did his Mind Root open?”

One of the younger Daoists exclaimed in astonishment, “How is that possible? Only after constructing the third story of one’s inner temple can one potentially awaken a second Spiritual Root. He hasn’t even constructed his inner temple yet!”

Luo Mingzi glanced at Li Yan’s left palm and pondered for a moment. “Perhaps it’s the effect of the Summoning Writ. This isn’t a Mind Root, it’s Spirit Communion.”

It was Li Yan’s first time hearing the term. He couldn’t help repeating it in confusion, “Spirit Communion?”

Luo Mingzi nodded. “That’s right. Spirit Communion. Earth deities, spirits, demons, monsters, and beings like that possess physical bodies. There is no such thing as transformation into human form unlike what everyone believes.

“After all, the body is the vessel. To freely change one’s form would already place one beyond the rules of the mortal world. Thus, when they communicate with humans, they usually project themselves through divine thoughts. Those with awakened Mind Roots may occasionally dream of humanoid forms of nonhuman beings and converse with them.

“Some are even seduced by fox spirits and demonesses, believing they have encountered beautiful women and enjoyed romantic encounters. In truth, their primordial yang would be drained away, and when they awaken, they discover they have been sleeping in a grave.

“This is likely an effect of the Summoning Writ. After you build your inner temple, you can try mastering it. Being able to communicate with ghosts and gods is an extraordinary ability.”

The young Daoist beside them looked envious as he muttered, “Exactly. Take treasure-hunting, for example. Treasure-hunters spend years learning their craft. But if you can negotiate directly with ghosts and gods, they might reveal hidden secrets to you.”

Another Daoist mumbled softly, “The Summoning Writ can do that? Why can’t I have such luck?”

“What nonsense are you talking about?!” Luo Mingzi immediately scolded him. “The teachings forbid interference with the affairs of the underworld. Once you join the Taixuan Orthodox Sect, you can never obtain a Summoning Writ. Likewise, those who possess a Summoning Writ cannot summon heavenly soldiers through registered talismans.

“Each path has its strengths. Do not let greed consume you.”

When he was done with his lecture, he turned toward Li Yan. “If my guess is correct, the Mountain God of the mass grave recognized that you possess a Summoning Writ and is asking for your help. Try communicating with it again.”

Li Yan was speechless. He eventually sighed, “How would I even do that?”

The young Daoist, Gu Chenzi, rolled his eyes and suggested, “You must have done something unintentionally. Think carefully about what happened.”

Li Yan pondered for a moment and recalled his actions. “I didn't really do anything. I just followed everyone inside and took a look at that shrine...”

The moment he looked at the shrine again, his vision blurred and the previous scene reappeared. The old man now sat within a pit, facing him directly. His mouth opened and closed repeatedly, but no sound came out.

This time, Li Yan steadied himself and examined him carefully. The old man was definitely not human. Branches and leaves grew from the bark garment he wore, and his beard was covered in moss. His skin looked strange as well, like swollen flesh soaked in water. It was pale, tender, and grayish.

Most striking of all was his lower body that resembled a great tree. Fleshy tendrils like roots extended from him and burrowed into the surrounding earth.

Good heavens, this is the Mountain God?

Li Yan was astonished. Soon, however, he noticed something unusual. The hat on the old man's head looked completely out of place. No matter how he looked at it, it resembled a tattered cloth sack piled atop his head. It seemed both greasy and foul-smelling.

So that's it!

Li Yan immediately remembered the information he had gathered earlier. Every heavenly treasure had something that could suppress it. The item that suppressed the Mountain Tai Sui was the Beggar Gang's ancestral cloth satchel. That was why Mountain Lord had remained at the mass grave, waiting for the opportunity to seize the treasure.

The moment his thoughts wandered, the vision disappeared once more.

Li Yan said gravely, “We need to hurry. They've already succeeded.”

He then described everything he had seen.

“This is an omen.” The elderly Daoist thought for a moment and mumbled, “A deity hidden within a cave is called the Divine Concealment, and another name for it is the Shencang Point. The Mountain God is revealing the location of its true body by communicating with Little Brother Li.”

Gu Chenzi looked bewildered. “But the Shengcang Point is a human acupuncture point. What does that have to do with a heavenly treasure?”

The old Daoist shot him a glance and scolded him. “This is what happens when you refuse to study. The Compiled Examination of Meridian Acupoints states: ‘The Shencang Point lies two inches beside the Purple Palace. The Purple Palace is also known as the Purple Enclosure, whose position lies in the north.’”

As he spoke, he withdrew a compass from his robes. After examining it briefly, he pointed toward the tunnel on the right. “It’s over there.”

Li Yan sniffed the air. “The scent is spreading toward the left; something feels wrong. Heh, they did it on purpose, and we nearly fell for it!”

Before he could finish speaking, another vision appeared. The Wandering Master with chains piercing his body, clad in mourning garments stained with blood, appeared before him once more.

He pointed south.

Li Yan sighed helplessly, “Can you all take turns and come one at a time?”

When Luo Mingzi looked over, he shook his head. “The Cold Altar Wandering Master appeared again.”

Luo Mingzi nodded thoughtfully. “It’s likely being stimulated by the Summoning Writ. When you eventually search for the Cold Altar, perhaps you can use this method to make him appear and guide you. In any case, let's move. Everyone, stay alert.”

With that, he led the group toward the tunnel on the right.

Since their enemies had already gained control of the Mountain God, everyone increased their pace. Sure enough, after advancing another ten or so zhang, the ears of the Daoist with the hearing divine ability suddenly twitched.

He whispered, “There are crossbowmen lying in ambush ahead, about a dozen of them.”

The group immediately became cautious and advanced carefully. Soon, a bend appeared ahead, completely blocking their line of sight. With a signal from Luo Mingzi, the Daoist with the divine ability of sight stepped forward. He withdrew two black spheres from his waist, ignited them, and tossed them around the corner.

Puff! Puff! Puff!

The spheres were not explosives. Instead, they burned fiercely, releasing large amounts of pungent smoke while flashing with blinding white light.

Li Yan immediately shut his eyes and clicked his tongue. Wang Daoxuan had once told him that the earlier version of Daoism had flourished during the Qin and Han eras. Its practitioners had sought immortality through external alchemy.

Though generations of experimentation had proven the path impossible, they had nevertheless discovered many strange techniques. For example, the Crimson Hair Bloody Face used to guard tombs, or various substances discovered accidentally through alchemical experiments.

These black spheres resembled flashbangs, likely mixed with large quantities of white phosphorus. The fact that the Enforcement Hall had adapted them for combat was truly fascinating.

The tunnel was pitch-black, and those lying in ambush were immediately blinded. The pungent smoke irritated their eyes and lungs, throwing them into panic.

They began firing arrows wildly, hitting nothing in particular.

Thump! Thump! Thump!

Arrows rained through the air, repeatedly striking the stone walls. Some were fired with tremendous force, causing the arrows to embed themselves into cracks in the stone, their fletchings vibrating loudly.

However, even the fastest archers required time to reload. The moment the first volley ended, Luo Mingzi and two Daoists charged forward with swords in hand.

All three had opened their Body Root. Though their sensory perception could not match the rest, their control over their physical bodies was extraordinary. Furthermore, they were all experts in the Dark Jin Realm.

Fwoosh!

Using the walls as footholds, all three rushed forward while jumping from side to side. Their movements were as swift as thunder. Hidden amidst the flashes and smoke, they crossed the distance in mere breaths and plunged directly into the enemy ranks.

Their coordination was flawless. Sword light flashed continuously as they slashed left and right, showing off their graceful but deadly Daoist swordsmanship. Screams echoed one after another as the sounds of blades slicing through flesh followed in rapid succession.

“These opponents are formidable! Quickly—”

Pffft!

The only survivor had only just begun to flee when Luo Mingzi's sword pierced his throat. The entire ambush was wiped out in only a few breaths, and only then did Li Yan and the others move in.

Just as the captured prisoners had claimed earlier, the two groups that had infiltrated the mass grave had joined forces. There were both fierce-looking martial artists as well as ragged, vicious beggars among the dead.

Several of them were experts in the Dark Jin Realm as well, yet before the skills and methods employed by the Enforcement Hall, they were completely powerless.

Looking at Luo Mingzi, a thought occurred to Li Yan. The Taixuan Orthodox Sect had accumulated thousands of years of resources, allowing the Enforcement Hall to possess some useful tools.

The yarrow grass used for concealment techniques and the blinding spheres might appear insignificant, but used properly, they could determine victory or defeat. He would definitely need to find a way to get his hands on some before venturing on his own adventures.

Putting aside his private thoughts, the group continued onward. The deeper they ventured, the stranger the atmosphere became. Cold air filled the tunnels as dense yin mist shrouded the surroundings. A layer of white frost covered the ground.

No living figures could be seen, yet countless footprints appeared everywhere.

Even with the protection of the Three Talents Demon Suppressing Coins, Li Yan could smell clusters of decayed yin with killing qi all around him. It felt as though countless unseen eyes were staring at them.

He even had the constant sensation that something was breathing cold air down his neck.

Luo Mingzi was correct. At noon on the Yang Festival, all the wandering ghosts inhabiting the mass grave had retreated underground. If the soldiers of the Military Surveillance Department had followed them inside, they would have easily been possessed by those spirits.

Given the soldiers' martial prowess, that would have created an even greater problem. The cavern was packed with restless souls, and the Daoists preferred not to provoke them. One after another, they activated concealment techniques and passed through the frigid tunnels.

Fortunately, the section crowded with ghosts was not very long. Soon, they reached another fork. Two almost identical passages opened before them as ancient stone incense burners and sacrificial altars stood against the walls on both sides.

The lively young Daoist frowned. “Another one?!”

The elderly Daoist shook his head. “Both paths are real.”

After speaking, he pointed between the two tunnels. Li Yan quickly spotted a smooth circular stone protrusion. It appeared naturally formed, but even more remarkable was the faint flow of astral qi and killing qi within it.

“This is the spiritual node of the mass grave's earth vein.” The elderly Daoist explained. “This place can also be regarded as the central Purple Palace. The Shencang Point lies two inches beside the Purple Palace. That means both tunnels are the correct path.”

Li Yan formed a hand seal and sniffed carefully. “There's a scent coming from both sides.”

Luo Mingzi thought for a moment and frowned. “We don't understand the methods of treasure-hunters, but if there are two points, they likely need to act on both sides simultaneously to suppress the Mountain God.

“We split up. Gu Chenzi, Gu Yuanzi, and Senior Brother Luo Fengzi will take the left passage. The rest of you follow me to the right!”

Li Yan could tell that Luo Fengzi was the elderly Daoist. He clearly possessed extensive experience. From the way Luo Mingzi split them up, both groups also contained fighters who had opened their Body Roots and scouts skilled in detection.

Although dividing forces in unfamiliar terrain was usually foolish, they had little choice. This was the most reasonable arrangement under the circumstances. Thus, the group split apart and entered the separate tunnels.

Sure enough, after only a short distance, the passage suddenly widened to reveal a naturally formed stone chamber. Torches burned within, making the situation immediately clear.

Members of the Western Beggar Gang stood within the chamber. However, the government's purge had thinned their numbers greatly. Most ordinary disciples had fled, only leaving behind the most vicious of them all along with Mountain Lord. Thus, fewer than four strong beggars remained in the chamber. Each was powerfully built and armed with blades.

The second the Daoists burst into the chamber, they were met with hostile gazes.

At the very center of the chamber sat Mountain Lord himself. He was sitting on a patch of ground that was unlike the surrounding stone. The surface looked partially petrified, and only when it shifted did writhing pale flesh become visible beneath the cracks.

The obese Mountain Lord sat directly atop the moss covered ground. Beneath his enormous backside lay the Beggar Gang's ancestral cloth satchel, greasy and blackened with age.

Of course, there were several venomous snakes in the chamber as well. The moment the beggars saw the intruders, they immediately blew snake whistles and hurled throwing knives from their waists.

This time, it was Li Yan's group that had been caught off guard. The chamber possessed a strange property of completely concealing scent and aura. Only upon entering did they discover the snakes and beggars.

Just as before, any location containing a heavenly spiritual treasure naturally formed its own spirit field, concealing itself from detection.

Even so, their reactions were swift. Luo Mingzi and another Daoist stepped forward immediately, shielding Li Yan and the others behind them. Both specialized in fighting and possessed exceptional swordsmanship.

Li Yan couldn't identify the exact lineage of their martial arts, but the Taixuan Orthodox Sect employed Daoist sword techniques. Their style emphasized multiple uses for a single movement.

Change emerged through motion. Like a dragon in flight, the beginning and end responded to each other while hardness and softness complemented one another. The two men swept left and right, drawing invisible circles in the air, deflecting every throwing knife flying at the group with ease.

Meanwhile, the Daoist beside Li Yan drew out his Profound Bamboo Envoy Talisman. Forming a hand seal, he recited the Six Invocations. “Soldiers and divine forces, form ranks before me and advance!”

In a situation like this, the Baopu Mountain-Climbing Technique was a perfect aid.

However, the four beggars had also prepared thoroughly. They danced and gestured wildly while blowing snake whistles. At the same time, they scattered black powder from their robes.

Both sides entered a stalemate. The snakes slithered back and forth, growing increasingly agitated.

In response, Li Yan immediately drew his Guanshan blade. Focusing his spirit, he activated the Three Talents Demon Suppressing Coin tassel. A cold killing intent spread outward, completely shattering the balance. The snakes immediately turned around and charged toward the beggars.

“Ahhh!”

Two men were bitten instantly. They screamed while desperately tearing snakes from their bodies.

At that moment, Mountain Lord suddenly opened his eyes. Forming a lotus hand seal, his chest and abdomen swelled as he roared, “GET LOST!”

The shout exploded like thunder within the cavern. The snakes scattered in terror and even Li Yan and the others felt their minds ring violently. Dizziness washed over them, and they nearly lost their footing.

Luo Mingzi staggered before quickly regaining his balance. “The Maitreya Brahma Roar!”

His eyes filled with caution as he muttered, “So you're a member of the Maitreya Sect.”

Mountain Lord slowly rose to his feet, his mountain-like mass of flesh trembling. A cold gleam flashed within his tiny eyes as he looked at the subordinates who had been bitten to death.

“A bunch of useless trash!”

He casually picked up a spiked club lying nearby. Most spiked clubs consisted of wooden shafts studded with iron spikes. The one in his hand, however, was forged entirely from iron. It was pitch-black and covered with dried bloodstains. One glance was enough to tell that it weighed an astonishing amount. Yet in the hands of the mountain-like Mountain Lord, it looked no heavier than a child's stick.

Even Li Yan was surprised. He had never expected the leader of the Western Beggar Gang to secretly be a member of the Maitreya Sect. Concealing his identity for so many years required remarkable patience.

Mountain Lord clearly had no interest in bandying words. He swung the massive club in a full arc and swept upward, shattering a giant boulder before him. Broken stones shot toward the group with just as much force as artillery shells. Attempting to block them with swords would only destroy the weapons.

In the end, Luo Mingzi and the Daoist beside him chose to intercept them with their fists and legs. Both were experts at the peak of the Dark Jin Realm; every movement carried tremendous power.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

The incoming rocks shattered under their strikes. Of course, some still slipped through. One fist-sized stone shot past the two of them, and the Daoist currently maintaining the Baopu Mountain-Climbing Technique couldn't evade in time.

The rock struck his head, knocking him out before he even had a chance to make a sound. Li Yan's sense of smell was exceptionally sharp. He sidestepped another stone and picked up a throwing knife from the ground. With a flick of his arm, he launched it.

Hidden force exploded through the throw, allowing the knife to contain mighty power. As it flew at Mountain Lord, the beggar chief’s enormous body made dodging impossible.

Thunk!

The knife embedded itself directly into his stomach, and what happened next stunned everyone.

The layers of fat across his body rippled violently, allowing the knife to barely penetrate his skin before stopping. Less than half the blade was buried in his fat.

It could go no deeper, only bringing about a thin trickle of blood.

The massive beggar leader smiled coldly, as if he felt no pain whatsoever.