At the Foot of the Mass Graves

"Halt!" Ten li before they reached the mass graves, the three were stopped. A squad of soldiers had set up a checkpoint at the crossroads, while out on the distant grassy plain, mounted cavalry were patrolling with mastiffs on leashes. Sha Lifei hastily dismounted, cupping his fists with a grinning smile. "Officer, sir, we've been invited by Daoist Master Luo of the City God Temple's Enforcement Hall to witness the rites. We'd appreciate it if you could let us through." "The City God Temple..." The soldier barring their way eyed them with deep suspicion. "Do you have a travel pass?" Sha Lifei was taken aback and looked back at Li Yan, who gave a slight shake of his head. Luo Mingzi had only invited them verbally, and since returning he had been overwhelmed with work. When Li Yan went to the City God Temple to ask about the cold-altar wandering master, he hadn't even been able to track the man down, let alone obtain a written pass. "None?" The lead soldier's face darkened instantly, and he barked, "Officer Fan has issued strict orders: martial law is in effect at the mass graves today to prevent jianghu scoundrels from sneaking in and stirring up trouble! None of you lot look like decent folk. If you know what's good for you, clear off at once!" Today was the Double Ninth Festival. He had originally begged his superior for leave to visit his elderly father, only for this sudden reassignment to ruin his plans. He was already in a foul mood, so his words were naturally harsh. Sha Lifei maintained his smiling demeanor, secretly slipping out a string of copper coins and murmuring, "Officer, make an exception for us. If you don't believe it, send someone to ask—" "Shut your dog's mouth!" The lead soldier's expression turned fierce as he leveled his spear. "All of you, dismount! Block them! They're definitely bandits from the jianghu!" Before his voice had even faded, a troop of cavalry galloped in from the distance, drawing their bows and nocking arrows from afar, sharp points trained on the trio. At the sight, Li Yan's brow furrowed. These soldiers hailed from the local Xianyang garrison, under the jurisdiction of the Chang'an Regional Military Commission. Even if their everyday drills were strict, they could hardly compare to battle-hardened veterans. Take this squad leader before him: from his stance, he had not even stepped into hidden jin. Even with his comrades aiding him, he would never be able to hold Li Yan back. Yet coming to blows with the military would leave them no choice but to go on the run. Worse still, these soldiers had worked themselves into a frenzy. If taken into custody, a harsh whipping was guaranteed, and if they ran into someone truly malicious, even the silver and copper in their pouches would be confiscated. Just as Li Yan was about to speak, his intuition stirred, and he glanced toward the rear. "Halt!" Thunderous hooves echoed as a troop of riders galloped in like a howling wind. There were seven riders in all, clad in black brocade robes embroidered front and back in silver thread with the likenesses of Yazi and Bi'an. Each man carried a heavy, deep aura and demonstrated superb horsemanship. The Commandant Bureau? Li Yan narrowed his eyes, recognizing the attire. The Commandant Bureau was akin to the Embroidered Uniform Guard—ruthless, brazen, and notorious in the jianghu, where the thieves' cant referred to them as "hawks and hounds" or "black hounds." What astonished him even more was that the leader was none other than Guan Wanche. Wasn't he a constable from the Xianyang yamen? When had he joined the Commandant Bureau? Li Yan suddenly recalled that back when Guan Wanche had uncovered proof of Zhou Pan framing his father, Guan had kept silent, choosing instead to pass it to Li Yan to expose. Such eccentric conduct proved that this man was by no means as simple as he appeared... While Li Yan was lost in thought, Guan Wanche had already urged his mount forward. First unclipping his waist plaque and flashing it, he then asked coldly, "What is going on here?" The lead soldier hurriedly clasped his fists. "Platoon Commander, sir! These men were acting suspicious, and we were just about to take them into custody!" At the sight of Guan Wanche, Sha Lifei let out an audible sigh of relief, offering an ingratiating grin as he clasped his hands. "Officer Guan, you've been promoted! Congratulations! We've been invited by Daoist Master Luo of the City God Temple to witness the rites." "Witness the rites?" Guan Wanche let out a cold grunt. He seemed poised to say something, but bit it back forcefully before declaring in a low voice, "These individuals are indeed connected with the City God Temple. I will escort them to see the priests myself. If they've spoken a single lie, I will personally apprehend them and hand them over to you." "Yes, sir!" Reluctant as he was, the soldier could only order his men to pull back the barricades. With the road cleared, Guan Wanche paid the trio no further mind and led his men ahead at a gallop. Li Yan and his two companions exchanged glances, flicked their reins, and followed close behind. A distance of ten li was hardly anything on horseback. After a brief ride, they arrived at the foot of the hill by the mass graves. The area had originally been a vast open clearing surrounded by scattered groves of dense woods. Now, the surrounding timber had all been cleared away, and in the center stood a three-tiered ritual altar. It was square in shape, supported by rosewood pillars, and arrayed with neatly aligned flags, pennants, and ceremonial banners bearing depictions of the Eight Trigrams, Taiji, and the Northern Dipper, alongside massive yellow talismans hanging down. Though it appeared extravagantly ornate at first glance, both Li Yan and Wang Daoxuan held their breath. Wang Daoxuan was an insider, his mind continuously cross-referencing what he saw with what he had studied. Li Yan was an outsider, yet his divine powers allowed him to sense the difference. Over the ritual arena, thick swirls of incense smoke coiled. Anchoring deep into the earth veins below and reaching up toward the heavens above, it seemed as though a grand Daoist temple had materialized out of thin air, pressing upon them with an aura of solemn, stifling gravity. Merely standing there made Li Yan feel as if his breath were catching in his throat. Among the three, the most at ease was surprisingly Sha Lifei. As the saying went, the ignorant knew no fear. He merely felt the air here was remarkably fresh. Coupled with the fact that it was the Double Ninth Festival, he twirled a sprig of cornelian cherry in his hand, feeling for all the world as if he were on a countryside outing. Li Yan took a deep breath. "This is a ritual arena?" "Indeed," Wang Daoxuan replied solemnly. "The ritual altar this poor Daoist uses merely stirs a small momentum at best. But this arena erected by the Taixuan Orthodox Sect has already formed a grand configuration. Enshrined with scores of century-old ritual implements, just this mandala complex alone represents the accumulated heritage of several generations in other lineages. "And this is merely the local City God Temple of Xianyang..." Wang Daoxuan shook his head with emotion, his eyes overflowing with envy. Li Yan's expression remained calm; he was not surprised. The lineage of the Taixuan Orthodox Sect had endured since the Han dynasty. Though it had weathered many tribulations amidst the rise and fall of mortal dynasties, its incense offerings had never ceased. Successive imperial lines had bestowed upon it the status of the state religion—how could it possibly be ordinary? Around the ritual arena, tents were pitched according to the positions of the Eight Trigrams. Numerous Daoists bustled about, some burning incense, some sweeping the ground, and others striking chiming bowls and chanting scriptures beside the altar. These were all newly initiated acolytes, evidently handling preparations. As the two men spoke, a Daoist stepped out from a tent on the left: clad in dark robes, wearing an Eight Directions Cap, with a longsword strapped to his back—none other than Luo Mingzi. He strode over in a hurry, offering a bitter smile the moment they met. "I've been so muddle-headed with work these past few days that I didn't anticipate the imperial troops would blockade the main thoroughfare. Forgive me for putting you all through that trouble." "Official business comes first. We should be thanking Senior for permitting us to observe the ceremony," Li Yan replied politely, clasping his hands. Beside Luo Mingzi walked a man from the Commandant Bureau, who cupped his fists and said in a gruff voice, "Daoist Master, since it was a misunderstanding, I shall return to report." He was an officer sent by Guan Wanche to verify their story. Seeing the man turn to leave, an idea struck Li Yan. He pulled Sha Lifei aside, whispered a few words into his ear, and had him follow the officer. Back at the bandit stronghold, Li Yan had learned the truth behind the tragedy of Gushui Village and promised Commander Zhao's dying wish; he naturally would not break his word. Yet ever since his return, trouble had followed trouble, leaving him no opportunity to report it to the authorities. Guan Wanche had lent a helping hand several times and had just entered the Commandant Bureau; this piece of news would serve nicely to repay that debt of gratitude. Luo Mingzi paid the matter no mind, raising a hand with a smile. "Let us proceed. I have already spoken to Martial Uncle Qingyangzi about your situation. He is quite interested and may have a solution." Li Yan's eyes lit up. "Many thanks, Senior." With that, he followed Luo Mingzi toward a large marquee. *** "Hey, officer, slow down a bit, would you..." Sha Lifei hurried to keep pace behind the Commandant Bureau officer. "What do you want?" The officer turned around, his gaze somber and cold. One of the Commandant Bureau's duties was to monitor the jianghu. As the saying went, the authorities and outlaws trod different paths. Though Sha Lifei was not a bandit, the officer clearly harbored no goodwill toward people of the jianghu. Sha Lifei didn't take offense, maintaining his jaunty grin. "Why so fiery, officer? I have a monumental merit here to deliver to Officer Guan." The Commandant Bureau officer narrowed his eyes and snorted coldly. "Then follow." Turning on his heel, he strode off. Following him at a brisk trot, Sha Lifei soon arrived at the base of a small knoll. A few men sat mounted on their horses atop the knoll. With a wave of their arms, enormous falcons took to the air with sharp shrieks, tearing at chunks of meat tossed to them before spreading their wings and soaring away. Guan Wanche was among them. Sha Lifei watched with covetous eyes. He had heard of such things. Since the founding of the Great Xuan Dynasty, the court had gathered eccentric masters from all across the realm, and those skilled in hawking had passed their craft down to the Commandant Bureau. Leveraging the court's vast manpower and material wealth, the Commandant Bureau had developed the art of falconry to new heights. They possessed golden eagles capable of hunting fierce beasts, as well as lightning-fast peregrine falcons skilled in reconnaissance, alongside diverse breeds of hunting hounds. Consequently, people of the jianghu often called the Commandant Bureau "hawks and hounds." Even so, the allure of these birds of prey to a man was undeniable. Sha Lifei's mind spun, tempted to trade his information for a hawk, but remembering Li Yan's instructions and the fearsome reputation of the Commandant Bureau, he swallowed the impulse. "What business do you have?" Guan Wanche cast him a detached glance. He had once been close brothers with Li Hu, so he naturally knew of this worthless junior brother of Li Hu's. He had never thought much of him, let alone shared any friendship with him. Sha Lifei grinned. "Officer, it would be best if we stepped aside to speak." Hearing this, Guan Wanche glanced at the one-eyed man beside him, and his expression instantly darkened. "I, Guan, act aboveboard. What cannot be spoken here in the open?" What kind of place was the Commandant Bureau? Having just joined, how could he afford to let anyone grasp a handle against him? Sha Lifei had intended well, only to receive an inexplicable rebuke. Annoyance flared within him. He thought to himself, *You stubborn fool, you aren't even worried someone else will snatch away your credit? Very well, don't you regret it later! In any case, delivering the word will clear the debt of gratitude.* With that in mind, he held nothing back, recounting the slaughter of Gushui Village, the bandit stronghold, the cockscomb snake, and the mysterious sorcerer in full detail. At his words, the expressions of every Commandant Bureau member present shifted drastically. The one-eyed man slowly turned his mount around, his voice grim. "Is there any falsehood in this?" "Every word is true!" Sha Lifei cupped his hands. "How would I dare speak nonsense about such matters? I had no wish to court trouble; I came purely to repay my debt of gratitude to Officer Guan." In truth, having spoken so openly, he had felt a twinge of regret. Guan Wanche had risen in rank, after all, and might prove useful in the future, so he added this remark to smooth things over. The one-eyed man nodded. "Reward him!" No sooner had the word fallen than a subordinate unhooked a pouch from his waist and tossed it with a whoosh to Sha Lifei's feet. The pouch burst open, spilling snowy-white silver ingots. Sha Lifei raised an eyebrow. "Gratitude and righteousness cannot be bought for a thousand gold!" Appreciation flickered in the one-eyed man's gaze, and he nodded. "Well said. A true man. Take my advice: once you go back, pretend you know nothing of this, lest you bring fatal disaster upon yourselves." Sha Lifei cupped his hands and turned to leave. Halfway down, he clutched his chest, wearing a face of pure misery, groaning inwardly: *My heart aches to death! Damn it all, playing the hero is far too expensive. Never doing that again...* After he left, the one-eyed man's gaze returned to calmness. "Wanche, what do you make of this?" Guan Wanche cupped his fists. "These people... I fear they are remnants of Maitreya!" The one-eyed man nodded, his voice heavy. "Just as I suspected. The man who commands the cockscomb snake is named Dugu Qian, known by the moniker 'Tomb Snake.' He is one of Maitreya's sixty-four incense masters. He slipped through the encirclement years ago, and from the sound of it, his cultivation has advanced considerably. "Generation after generation has suppressed the Maitreya remnants, yet they always rekindle from the ashes, impossible to wipe out, like weeds rising with the spring wind. Traces of them appear all across the Divine Land; they pose no true threat." With a sigh, he added, "The real trouble in this matter lies in the capital!"