The Blade-Wielding Legend

Chapter 1643 - 833: Fake Yin Constables (2)

Xiao Jingheng’s voice lowered further, almost a whisper, "But humans inevitably have worldly thoughts. Coupled with the current turmoil in the Human Dao, with the Western Ocean red-haired, South Sea evil techniques, Japanese pirates, Northern Land demons, and even the court above... If we could use the ’Sea Stabilizing Night Light’ to find the location of the Immortal Mountain Secret Realm, not seeking immortality, but to gain some immortal grass and spiritual medicine for longevity and strengthening the foundation, allowing Father Emperor to maintain his health, sitting for a few more years over this vast Jiang Mountain, steering for the Great Xuan and all the people, would be... a blessing for the people."

Li Yan suddenly understood.

So that’s it!

The former Royal Fleet plunged into that Death Sea Area at all costs, actually looking for the elusive Immortal Mountain.

He raised his eyes to the Crown Prince, his gaze odd.

The Crown Prince can confide such palace secrets to him, indicating extreme trust on one hand, and also showing the contradiction in his heart.

Seemingly seeing through what Li Yan thought, the Crown Prince gave a bitter smile and said frankly, "Young Hero Li need not worry. I share this hidden matter with no other intent."

"Father Emperor, in culture and martial arts, and grand strategy, exceeds me tenfold. This Jiang Mountain, only with Father Emperor at the helm can stabilize the restless forces, and maintain the world during this transformation!"

His words were sincere and heartfelt.

Li Yan remained silent, largely in agreement.

The current Emperor, whether he’s doubtful, skilled in balance techniques, his ability to govern and control the situation is truly remarkable.

The Crown Prince Xiao Jingheng speaks truthfully; during these turbulent times, such a monarch in the center is paramount.

At the same time, a thought crossed Li Yan’s mind.

He had not disclosed the grand descent of many Immortal Gods.

He wouldn’t even inform Wudang, Dragon and Tiger Mountain, the orthodox sects, until confirming with Immortal Master Erlang.

After all, allies and enemies are hard to distinguish at this junction.

For Marshal Wen and Immortal Master Erlang to be wary, the opposing force must be considerable.

Who knows if the old ancestors of those orthodox sects are involved?

But waiting isn’t a solution, when the great calamity arrives, no one escapes.

From past experience, Secret Realm entrances differ, only locations like Taishan and the Immortal Mountain can be breakthrough points.

If we find a few in advance and figure out how to destroy them, it might reduce the calamity’s damage.

Thinking of this, Li Yan said solemnly, "Unexpected. Honestly, I’m quite interested in the Immortal Mountain, boarding the ship wouldn’t be bad, but I won’t head to open sea."

"That’s excellent!"

Upon hearing this, the Crown Prince’s eyes brightened, he smiled and said, "Don’t worry, Young Hero Li only needs to temporarily stabilize, before the fleet ventures to open sea, which would last several years..."

While speaking, Li Yan’s ears suddenly twitched and he looked outside the window.

The Crown Prince also hurriedly closed his mouth.

Then, as footsteps sounded, the Prince Mansion Guard Commander respectfully outside said, "Crown Prince, the interrogation of that Japanese demoness has revealed findings!"

His voice was grave, clearly not good news...

.........

Inside the cell, the lighting was dim.

The damp stone walls weeping drops of water, mixed with a heavy stench of blood, the air suffocating.

In the corner, an oil lamp flickered unsteadily, casting twisted human shadows on mottled walls.

The once prestigious Witchess Yakimaru, among pirates treated with honor, was tightly bound to a cold rack with fine steel chains.

Her luxurious witch’s clothes had been torn by whip marks, her skin and flesh wounds appearing particularly fierce under dim light.

Her head hung low, breath faint, clearly broken after "great torture." Her pride completely crushed.

When Crown Prince Xiao Jingheng and Li Yan entered the cell with the Guard Commander, Yakimaru’s body trembled uncontrollably.

The Guard Commander stepped forward, steadily reporting the interrogation results:

"Your Highness, Lord Li. This woman has revealed some useful information, after verification, there are roughly three critical matters."

"Firstly,"

The Commander flipped through a stained confession record beside him, "The Witch confessed, our Great Xuan Ministry of Industry’s ’Fire Wheel Divine Machine’ basic schematics have indeed, through pirate and merchant secret channels, flowed into South Sea countries and Japanese domains. Its source likely being remnants of Ghost Sect during South West chaos or some profit-driven powerful ones."

Li Yan and the Crown Prince were unfazed.

The schematics leak was expected.

The true lifeline is in the ’Gang Sha Qi Transformation Secret Technique’ and key component ’Flint Wheel Mechanism’ driving the machine.

Schematics easy to obtain, but without the Ministry’s special Flint Wheel Mechanism and matching talismanic array, all they gain is a pile of scrap iron.

More crucially, with the steam engine leaks, all places where this machine operates, mysteriously offer tribute, strengthen Great Xuan Protective Deity Flint Wheel True Monarch.

Simply put, the more replication, not only needs high price procurement of core components and materials from the Ministry, but further fuels our Great Xuan’s divine power, nourishing national destiny.

These are already planned by the court, both were long aware.

"Secondly," the Commander’s voice lowered a bit, "concerns the reason for her defection."

"According to her, in recent years, Japan’s mainland, many Shinto sects and local shrines, bizarre winds suddenly rise. They cease sincerely offering traditional deities, turning instead to worship unknown, ferocious ’Demon God’ statues. All worshippers grow increasingly violent, acting unpredictably. The Shrine where Witchess Yakimaru belonged was also corrupted by this evil wind. The shrine leaders even aimed to use her as a ’furnace’, enhancing Demon God efficacy. She fought desperately, barely escaping alive."

"She mentioned, precisely due to this force, Japan’s troops on the Goryeo battlefield are extremely fierce, Shaman priests suffering heavy losses, Goryeo showing defeat signs."

Li Yan heard this and his gaze sharpened.

How similar to the "fake Lady Bai" incident he encountered in Hangzhou.

Both secretly propelled by the "Jianmu" organization, evil technique experiments using demonic Qi to transform living beings. Zhao Changsheng’s people in Japan, evidently began widespread twisting local beliefs.

This event has long been reported, Xuan Sacrificial Officer is investigating.

"For the third thing..."

The Guard Commander’s tone abruptly turned grave, sneaking a glance at Li Yan, "also the most mysterious matter known to her."

"About a month ago, several mysterious people, holding Japan’s secret sect emblems, met with Chao Shengwan. The leader, a master from a hidden Shinto sect. Their intention to infiltrate the Divine State, using heavy rewards or secret techniques, to recruit, control a batch of reclusive ’Earth Immortal’ characters for Japan!"

These words dropped, the cell’s air seemed instantly frozen.

Crown Prince Xiao Jingheng’s brows furrowed, clearly this exceeded normal diplomacy and espionage.

And Li Yan, who had been silently listening, upon hearing "recruit Earth Immortal" initially caught a faint ridicule at his lips.

Divine State Earth Immortals, which are not monsters with millennia of cultivation, steely and resolute hearts?

Or carefree outside the world, dominating a region, treat secular power like clouds, their proud Daoist Heart, can a mere Japanese pirate move with gold, silver, tricks or charms?

However, the Guard Commander’s next sentence instantly erased Li Yan’s sneer, causing his scalp to tingle, a chill shot from the spine straight to the skull.

"The Witch heard with her own ears, the leading master showcased power to Chao Shengwan..."

"And openly stated, they, are just like Young Hero Li you— ’living Yin messengers’!"

"Living Yin messenger" three words, like thunder exploding by Li Yan’s ear.

"Impossible!"

Li Yan frowned, "Living Yin messenger is Divine State’s Yin Bureau affiliate, what’s it to do with these Japanese pirates?"

Divine State’s living Yin messengers are naturally scarce, secretive, each has inheritance, not under common control.

He himself is selected by North Yin Fengdu due to family curse and special circumstances.

But before finishing, Li Yan recalled some things.

The Jianmu organization previously mass hunted living Yin messengers, snatching many Hook Papers.

Collaborating with Daluo Law Realm forces, even "Earth Official’s Absolution of Sins Treasure Decree" they could obtain, acquiring living Yin messenger role might not be impossible...