The Blade-Wielding Legend

Chapter 1588 - 807: Tianmu Mountain

Already dead?

Or was he sent into the Netherworld by the living Yin messenger?

Li Yan immediately understood why Zhou Yinyao had such a peculiar expression.

He asked somewhat helplessly, "Then has this lineage been completely severed?"

"Not entirely."

Zhou Yinyao paused, seeming to gather his thoughts: "As I know, about a century ago, a branch of descendants, in order to escape the chaos of war, migrated and hid in a village near a Cave Heaven Blessed Land in Jiangnan."

"Cave Heaven Blessed Land? Where is it?" Li Yan’s heart instantly rose.

"Tianmu Mountain."

Zhou Yinyao uttered these three words nonchalantly: "The Grotto Heaven of Tianmu Mountain ranks thirty-fourth among the Thirty-six Grotto Heavens, named ’Heavenly Covering Purifying Profound Sky’. The area is rich in Wood Qi, an auspicious land particularly suited for nurturing the Divine Soul and harmonizing Yin and Yang."

"That lineage of tattoo masters is said to have hidden near the main peak of Tianmu Mountain, in a village called ’Qingxi Village’ at the foot of the mountain. The current inheritor is reportedly a very elderly woman who seldom leaves her home, making it difficult for outsiders to see her. Those who are aware of her powers respectably call her ’Granny Qing’."

Tianmu Mountain! Qingxi Village! Granny Qing!

Li Yan nodded slightly, remembering these names.

"But there’s something that needs to be clarified."

Zhou Yinyao shook his head: "After their ancestor was sent into the Netherworld by a living Yin messenger, the clan lost its protector. Others coveted their heritage, vying openly and secretly, causing them serious casualties, which forced them to retreat to Tianmu Mountain."

"If you wish to seek their help, it’s best not to mention your identity as a living Yin messenger."

"Thank you, Elder Zhou, for pointing me in the right direction! I will remember this kindness!" Li Yan earnestly clasped his fists in thanks.

Zhou Yinyao waved his hand: "A mere trifle. Also, that Granny Qing has a quirky nature, and her tattooing technique is extremely dangerous, requiring almost stringent demands on materials, timing, and even the seeker’s temperament. If what you seek involves a high level, you must proceed with caution and avoid coercion, lest you suffer instead."

"I will remember!" Li Yan responded solemnly.

Having received this clear information, Li Yan didn’t hesitate and immediately took his leave, returning to the Jinzhou Chamber of Commerce.

At this time, after two days of rest and treatment with precious herbal soups, although Wang Daoxuan’s Primordial Energy had not fully recovered, the injuries to his Divine Soul were mostly stabilized, and he could move without hindrance. Hearing that a clue to the tattoo master had been found, he was greatly invigorated, expressing that there was no time to lose.

Thus, everyone packed up and prepared to leave Jinling.

But just as they were about to set off, an unexpected guest arrived.

The Shopkeeper of the Chamber of Commerce came hurriedly and whispered, "The Chief Historian of the Crown Prince Mansion, Lord Chen Wenxian, is visiting."

Li Yan heard this and his brows slightly furrowed.

Someone from the Crown Prince’s Mansion?

Their sudden visit must mean something.

Soon, a middle-aged scholar with an elegant demeanor, dressed in a blue brocade robe, came smilingly to the backyard.

It was none other than Chen Wenxian, the Chief Historian of the Crown Prince Mansion, whom they had briefly met in the Capital.

He was accompanied by two attendants, holding several exquisite brocade boxes.

"Young Hero Li, esteemed heroes, pardon my intrusion."

Chen Wenxian clasped his hands in greeting, with a warm and appropriate smile, "During the battle in Jinling, you all turned the tide and exterminated the evil, and your prestige shook Jiangnan. His Highness the Crown Prince heard of this in Lingnan and was very pleased. He specifically ordered me to come, first to congratulate you on your success, and second, knowing the peril of the battle, fearing you might have exhaustions, he prepared some token gifts to express his intentions."

"They are all rare herbs for nourishing Primordial Energy and healing internal and external injuries, as well as some silver coin supplies. I hope you will accept them."

With that, he signaled the attendants to present the brocade boxes.

Li Yan stepped forward, also clasping his hands in return, with an appropriately cordial expression: "You are too kind, Chen Changshi. His Highness the Crown Prince, busy as he is, still keeping us pugilistic world wanderers in mind, truly overwhelms us. Our minor efforts are nothing worth mentioning. We are unworthy of such a generous gift from His Highness."

He signaled Kuai Dayou to take the brocade boxes while his gaze calmly rested on Chen Wenxian’s face, carrying a hint of probing.

Chen Wenxian’s smile remained unchanged, but a hint of unease flashed deep in his eyes.

He exchanged a few pleasantries about the sights of Jinling and the impact of the battle, but his words continued to revolve around Li Yan and the others, with no intention of leaving immediately.

Li Yan understood. There was definitely more to the Chief Historian of the Crown Prince’s Mansion’s personal visit than just delivering some comfort goods.

Considering his current duties as a living Yin messenger and having just experienced a major battle, if the Crown Prince’s Mansion was only offering ceremonial condolences, there was no need for such an effort.

Recalling the Crown Prince’s previous request regarding the recovery of treasures from a sunken ship...

"Chief Historian Chen, having come from such a distance, surely you’re not just here to deliver these herbs, are you?"

Li Yan got straight to the point, his tone calm yet insightful, "Does His Highness have any instructions?"

Chen Wenxian’s smile stiffened for a moment and then turned into a wry smile, with a trace of anxiety finally replacing the carefully maintained composure: "Young Hero Li, you’re quick and straightforward. To be honest, I do have one matter that’s been causing me anxiety, and I’m compelled to bring it up shamelessly."

He glanced around, lowered his voice, and his face showed even more worry: "It’s about the treasures from the sunken ship that His Highness previously entrusted you with! Originally, His Highness understood your busy errands and said there was no rush, but recently, in that sea area... something happened!"

"Oh?"

Li Yan’s eyes narrowed, "What happened?"

"This matter is unclear to us as well."

Chen Wenxian’s speech accelerated, speaking in a deep voice: "We also recruited many experts here in Jiangnan, but the reports from the small fast boats sent to investigate say that the fog which has covered that sea area for years not only hasn’t dispersed but has become even thicker and denser, eerily like a living entity, defying sunlight penetration."

"Ships entering it easily lose their way. More frighteningly, many of the marked positions of reefs on the clear sea map seem to have changed position!"