The Blade-Wielding Legend

Chapter 1603 - 814: Traces of the Pirates

"What a sight..."

Even Li Yan was somewhat shocked by the scene before him.

In the flickering firelight, three humanoid Rat Demons sat atop Skeleton Mountain. Their fur shone as if oiled, and they held half a child’s arm bone as a cup. Below, thousands of rats prostrated themselves, their eyes glowing eerie green in the darkness.

Long Yan’er’s Qin Insect slowly crawled out of her sleeve, and she spoke in a deep voice, "Disgusting!"

Practitioners of Gu Poison usually had a cleanliness obsession; this sight was truly unbearable.

"Wait!"

Li Yan quickly shook his head, his nostrils flaring slightly, and said, "Too close to the water source. If Corpse Poison hits the living water, tomorrow the whole city will be drinking plague soup from the mice."

"Here’s the plan: only capture the Rat Spirits and drive the rest away!"

Long Yan’er immediately understood and retracted her Qin Insect. She spread her palm, revealing three bright red Gu Eggs.

With a slight blow, the Gu Eggs instantly turned into a blood-colored mist and dispersed into the air. She then guided them with a mantra.

Before long, the Rat Spirits on Skeleton Mountain sensed something was wrong, but just as they snarled and squeaked a few times, they all toppled over.

Lv San, meanwhile, had already untied the Bone Bell from his waist, chanting a spell and stepping in the Chu Witch Nuo Dance.

Rat One and Rat Two jumped onto his shoulders, squeaking in coordination.

The sound of the bell penetrated the underground cave, like spring thunder rolling over the winter wilderness, agitating the prostrating rat swarm.

But under Lv San’s spell and the squeaks of Rat One and Rat Two, the fierce light in their little mung bean eyes gradually faded, and they became dazed.

"Return to the mountain! Return to the mountain!"

Lv San’s throat rolled with ancient witchcraft, and the Bone Bell in his hand rang even louder.

Whoosh~

Finally, the rat swarm began to move, surging through the passage like a black tide.

"Squeak——!"

The plump Rat One immediately jumped off Lv San’s shoulder, squealing as it ran ahead to lead the way.

Rat One and Rat Two had more profound Dao than the Rat Spirits and could control the rat swarm.

Soon, the tide-like rat swarm passed by everyone, jumping into the water with a whoosh and then surged out of the Prime Minister’s Well along the passage.

"Rats!"

"Why so many?!"

In an instant, exclamations rose outside the well.

Sha Lifei drew his firearm from his waist and retreated a few steps, "Coward, eighty-thousand rat soldiers just drilled out of the well!"

Zhu Cong’s house servants swung their clubs wildly but were scattered by the rat swarm.

Fortunately, Rat One also jumped out, standing on the stone railing and squeaking madly.

Seeing this, Sha Lifei touched the vibrating Twelve Yuan Chen Copper Coins and suddenly understood, saying:

"Don’t panic! It’s the insiders exorcising evil, kill these rats, but remember not to contaminate the water source."

Strangely, after being driven out, the rat swarm did not scatter but huddled together, burrowing around crazily.

"Quickly, don’t just stand there!"

Salt Transport Envoy Zhu Cong hurriedly ordered, instructing the house servants and soldiers to fetch straw torches.

Thick smoke rolled, and the acrid stench of roasting meat spread across the entire street...

......

"Alright, let’s go."

In the underground cavern, seeing the rat swarm driven away, Li Yan and the other two continued forward.

Reaching the underground palace ruins, they saw the remains of beams and pillars engraved with the words "In the ninth year of the reign of Bao Zheng, soldiers were raised to build this hall," further confirming his suspicions.

The collapsed area was extensive, with many places already blocked, leaving only one or two half-person-high narrow paths leading backward.

The three of them lowered their bodies and advanced slowly.

Suddenly, Li Yan sniffed and slightly raised his hand in a gesture.

Lv San and Long Yan’er immediately understood; someone was ambushed ahead.

Whoosh!

Just as they prepared, a spout of white smoke erupted from deep within the passage.

It was mixed with lime and pungent poisonous mist, sinisterly positioned in the cramped space.

And on the ground where the white smoke rolled, a furrow of dirt shot straight out, followed by a blade piercing the ground.

Judging by its shape, it was a Wodao, its tip gleaming blue, clearly poisoned.

"Ninja..."

Li Yan’s eyes grew cold as he raised his left hand.

Clang!

The Soul-breaking Flying Blade whistled out from his waist, piercing the figure directly.

Meanwhile, the Arm Guard Thousand Thoughts rustled instantly, sending howling Yin Wind that reversed and blew back the poisonous white smoke.

This level of ninja was as easy for him to deal with as crushing a chick.

"It’s a sentinel."

Looking at the lifeless ninja on the ground, Li Yan looked up ahead, smirking, "This is the real rat’s nest!"

Without any hesitation, the three immediately quickened their pace.

Surprisingly, expecting more secret rooms and caves, they found the passage extending upwards.

At the exit, a wooden board blocked their way.

"Above is a mansion, and there are quite a few people."

Li Yan’s nostrils flared slightly, then he signaled and smashed the wooden board with a sudden blow.

With a crash, dirt scattered, and dog barks sounded in the distance.

The three glanced around at their surroundings, finding themselves in the backyard of a wealthy mansion. It featured Huizhou architecture, its horse-head walls towering high, surrounded by a lush bamboo grove that not only blocked the view outside the walls but also enhanced the eerie stillness.

Even more bizarrely, many straw ropes hung in the bamboo grove, filled with talismans.

The talismans were white, with sawtooth edges, the vermilion runes twisting like centipedes, with half a cherry blossom crest imprinted at the center.

"They’re Japanese talismans..."

Li Yan’s eyes filled with killing intent, "Looks like this is the traitor’s mansion; leave none alive!"

No wonder the City God’s patrols didn’t discover it; the array set here would take at least years to complete.

Otherwise, you wouldn’t detect any Japanese aura without being inside.

The commotion had alerted those in the yard.

Long Yan’er leaped out from the bamboo grove first, her white clothes fluttering as she jumped onto the roof, waving her hands.

Dense sesame gu immediately dispersed, sealing the entire courtyard.

Meanwhile, Li Yan and Lv San dashed off to the sides.

Bang bang bang!

The ground they had just stood on exploded with flying dirt, as several poisoned crossbow arrows nailed down in a pincer formation.