Chapter 1685 - 854: First Exploration of the Capital City

"Quick, kill that madman!"

"That’s the son from Lord Long Guang’s estate, are you out of your mind!"

"Hurry, find a rope..."

The young man in luxurious clothing clearly held a distinguished status, and the surrounding soldiers did not dare act recklessly.

A passing ronin wanted to strike, but was stopped by the people around.

Li Yan and the others naturally refrained from taking action.

"Gentlemen..."

Just as they were watching the commotion, a voice sounded from behind them.

They saw an old man, silent and dressed in traditional samurai clothes, walk over from the roadside, respectfully take out a Token, then bow and said, "I am here on orders from Lord Nagashige, and have been waiting for quite some time."

Everyone glanced at him but said no more, following him.

This was a trusted aide sent by Tanui Nagashige, who had already discussed the response plan.

Under the old man’s guidance, Li Yan and his party avoided the bustling main roads of the Capital City and traversed through labyrinthine narrow alleys. Eventually, they stopped in front of an abandoned estate surrounded by tall bamboo fences and ancient pines.

Upon pushing open the heavy gate, a scent mixed with rotting wood and moss greeted them.

The interior of the estate was far larger than it appeared from the outside.

The corridors were winding, the garden, though desolate, was distinctive.

Amidst the dry landscape of white sand, there were patches of moss and tilted stone lanterns.

It seemed this had once been the private retreat of a prominent courtier.

Soon after settling in, spies sent by Tanui began to compile intelligence.

Despite the outward prosperity, the Capital City was indeed beyond saving.

The "seeds" planted by the Jianmu Organization had already grown rampant here.

In the depths of the courtiers’ estates, there was talk of a "Curse Killing Technique" originating from the South Seas. To vie for power in court or eliminate political adversaries, they secretly worshipped an Evil God, casting spells using enemies’ hair and birthdate.

It was said several mid-level officials had already inexplicably died, their deaths as tragic as having their souls devoured by Evil Ghosts...

Some wealthy merchants, believing the words of evil mages, secretly nourished the "Poverty God."

Not to pray for distance, but to offer heavy gold and blood of close kin to drive this misfortune-bringing Evil God towards their foes’ homes.

Those cursed often found their homes in disarray, businesses plummeting, and families devastated...

Ronin warriors, having lost their masters and ended up on the streets, secretly formed what was called the "Ghost Army."

They practiced evil blade techniques that could be learned quickly, combined with basic Ghost Control skills, using their own blood or captured Life Souls to feed Little Ghosts, specializing in nighttime raids on affluent homes and merchants.

Their methods were brutal, even mimicking legendary monsters to incite panic.

Travel after dark in the city had become a matter of fear for everyone.

Fear bred madness, and madness nourished Evil Spirits. In such chaotic times, mastering Ghost Techniques was seen by many as capital for survival or even ascension.

The next day, Tanui Nagashige also arrived in the Capital City.

With a sense of urgency, he first visited Miss Ah Shi, then gravely said, "Ladies and gentlemen, our primary task is to find the cause and resolve the dangers affecting your friends and Miss Ah Shi. There’s surely a reason beneath Kyoto’s surface!"

As he spoke, he handed over a roll of an ancient map, yellowed with age, "According to reliable intelligence, beneath an ancient bridge named ’Return’ in the North Suburb of Kyoto, there lies a ’Yellow Springs Cave.’

"Legends say this cave leads directly to the edge of the Netherworld, and for the past decade has been closely guarded by the Yin Yang Hall, designated as a forbidden area. Local children have claimed to have seen ’Black-robed Men’ carrying a ’Crying Black Box’ out from under the shadows of the bridge late at night."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the thin coffin behind Li Yan.

Li Yan’s eyes narrowed, "’Return’ ancient bridge?"

Wang Daoxuan pondered, "Yellow Springs Cave..., hearing this name, it should be a place where Yin Sha converges."

"Furthermore," Tanui Nagashige added, "Kamo Tadayuki of the Yin Yang Hall has been frequently visiting the Imperial Palace lately, conducting a ’Life Extension Ceremony’ for the old monkey on the sickbed. This ceremony requires a large number of people with ’Pure Yin Life Chart’ as the guide. Already, numerous women and children meeting the criteria have inexplicably disappeared in and around Kyoto."

"We suspect Toyotomi Hideyoshi is using an Evil Technique to extend his life."

"Let’s save people first."

Li Yan’s voice was low, laced with undeniable resolve, "Tonight, we’ll explore the Return Bridge."

......

The moon hidden and stars scarce, the time was right for the Hundred Ghosts Night Parade.

A group of people stealthily infiltrated the north suburbs of Kyoto under the cover of night.

The Return Bridge spanned over what was once a river, now largely dry.

The bridge was ancient, covered with moss and vines, resembling the spine of a giant beast in the darkness.

Beneath the bridge arch, the water was reduced to a murky trickle, emitting the scent of sludge and rotten aquatic plants.

"According to the report, it’s over there."

Tanui Nagashige pointed to a depression on the west side of the bridge pier, concealed by scattered stones and dense aquatic plants.

"There’s a secret sentry."

The deep night couldn’t hide things from Wang Daoxuan’s Eye Divine Power.

"On both ends of the bridge, there are two dressed as ronin, cradling short knives and dozing off. At the cave entrance... three are guarding it! By their standing posture, their backs straight, feet rooted, these are not ordinary ronin, but experts."

"They’re not wearing Yin Yang Robes, but look like... Ninja attire..."

The place was strictly guarded, a forced entry would surely alert the Yin Yang Hall or even the guards.

Li Yan quickly made a plan: "Miss Long, deal with the two at the bridgehead. San’er, Wu Ba, prepare in the shadows on the left side of the pier, wait for my signal to handle the two on the right. I’ll suppress the cave entrance, everyone else stay on perimeter alert, in case there are secret posts or reinforcements."

"Take action!"

Long Yan’er flicked her hand, releasing a few Sleep Bugs, which silently fluttered away.

The two drowsy ronin at the bridgehead didn’t even utter a sound before collapsing on the ground in deep slumber.

As they fell, Wang Daoxuan rapidly chanted a spell, pinching a spell with his fingers, and pointed remotely towards the cave entrance! A ripple of invisible spell shockwaves instantly spread.

The three elite ninjas clad in dark outfits at the cave entrance, alerted by the guards’ collapse, raised their heads, barely able to focus their spirits before being struck by the authentic Mystical Sect Clear Heart Demon Vibration’s curse sound. Their eyes scattered, their movements slowed by a half beat.