Embers of Sword

Chapter 106: Dao Master: Yes, I did it (two in one)

In Lingqu City, Dachunan County, the streets were crowded with people in the early morning, and the sounds of hawking were endless.

Steamed buns shop on the corner.

There was a young man wearing a bamboo hat, who attracted a lot of attention.

It is not uncommon to see young wanderers.

The young man was pushing a wheelchair, and the girl in red sitting on the chair was petite and cute, with rosy cheeks. She would definitely be considered a beauty in Nanjun...but she did attract a lot of attention, but that was not the most important eye-catching feature.

In front of the two of them, there were more than ten trays of buns.

It was a thick stack, more than several grown men could eat.

"As for it?"

Xie Xuanyi certainly noticed these looks. He had no choice but to lower his bamboo hat and whispered, "It's like a starving ghost reincarnated."

"As for, why not?"

Jiang Huang said angrily, "After I went to Southern Xinjiang with you, I went hungry for nine meals in three days... After today's meal, I don't know how long I will have to starve again."

"..."

With just these words, Xie Xuanyi was speechless.

He waved his hand to call the waiter, paid the full amount of silver, and added ten more trays. After Jiang Huang had a full meal, he packed up some more.

The little guy is brainless and gets angry quickly and loses his temper just as quickly.

In fact, from beginning to end, Jiang Huang was not angry with Xie Xuanyi. Although the days of eating Yin Ya in southern Xinjiang were a bit hard, she rarely complained.

Pushing the wheelchair back to the inn.

After eating and drinking his fill, Jiang Huang soon fell asleep.

Xie Xuanyi, as usual, set up the talisman formation, then closed the door and left.

Lingqu City is close to Southern Xinjiang. Although it is remote, it is protected by the royal family of Da Chu. The evil cultivators of Southern Xinjiang cannot cross the border, so the weather is good all year round. This is much better than Northern County... In fact, ten years ago, when the vitality had not yet been exhausted, Northern County also ushered in prosperity.

One hundred and eight garrison commanders were stationed in the northern border, outside the Great Wall. Except for wind and snow, all natural disasters and demons had retreated.

It’s a pity that things and people have changed.

After a while, Xie Xuanyi stopped in front of a teahouse. A big flag was fluttering with the words "Fangyuan" written on it.

"We are finally here, Fangyuanfang."

The reason why I chose Lingqu City to settle down and rest.

It’s not just because Lingqu City is close to southern Xinjiang and travel is convenient.

It’s even more because…

Many years ago, Xie Xuanyi came here.

The Da Chu Dynasty was a land of vastness and rich resources, but except for barren places like Yuzhu Town, no one was interested in it.

Most of the territories have "owners".

The so-called "master"... is not an official position such as the Lord of Tai'an City, which is decreed by the Great Chu Emperor.

Take Qingzhou as an example.

The three major forces in Qingzhou, the Chu family, the Jiang family, and the Baihua Valley, each of which dominates one side...

Although the imperial power is great, it cannot cover every inch of red land. The princes, aristocratic families, and immortal sects that depend on the imperial power control the cultivation resources and the city population.

They are the real masters of the vast territory of Da Chu.

In Dachu, more than 90% of the places are populated.

There is "Fangyuanfang". Almost no one knows who the owner behind Fangyuanfang is, but almost everyone knows it.

Fangyuanfang is a place for doing business.

Fangyuanfang, doing business for everyone.

Xie Xuanyi pulled down his bamboo hat and quickly stepped into the teahouse. Perhaps it was because it was noon, but the teahouse was not busy and was deserted. Most of the seats were separated by screens, and almost all the tea drinkers were wearing bamboo hats or veils like Xie Xuanyi to cover their faces.

He paid two pieces of silver and a piece of talisman paper containing the righteous spirit of Taoism at the counter, then chose a seat by the window and waited silently.

Not long after.

A waiter came over with tea and bowed politely: "Dear guest, the shopkeeper invites you to meet on the second floor."

A moment later, Xie Xuanyi came to the private room on the second floor.

"Are you the Dao Sect's 'Array Master'?"

Although it was daytime, the private room was dim.

Across the long table, a dim light flickered. The shopkeeper of Fangyuanfang in Lingqu City was different from the one he had been ten years ago. He was now a shrewd-looking middle-aged man. He stroked the talisman paper with his slender fingers and said softly, "This Dao Zong Haoran talisman is of good quality... The ink stains are brand new. Did you just draw it?"

The shopkeeper looked at the young man in front of him.

"I found it by chance."

Xie Xuanyi said calmly: "How much is it worth?"

The shopkeeper smiled when he heard this.

"Only one copy has limited value."

The shopkeeper said seriously: "What a pity, if you were a formation master, the price would be even higher."

Xie Xuanyi raised his head slightly, and looked at the middle-aged man in front of him through his hat.

he knows.

The reason why he was invited to the second floor to meet the owner of Fangyuanfang was naturally because of the Taoist talisman he had auctioned earlier.

However... Fang Yuanfang's intention to test him is too obvious.

"Have the rules for doing business in Fangyuanfang changed?"

Xie Xuanyi said expressionlessly: "If I were not a formation master, would you not do business with me?"

"That's not the case. Your Excellency, please calm down."

The shopkeeper apologized quickly, "It's just that there was a big business in the past few days... A big shot with a lot of money wants to draw a complete 'Sword Qi Bell Ringing Formation Diagram'. He has very high requirements for quality and is willing to pay a huge price. Fangyuanfang in various states and counties have heard the news and are stepping up preparations. Many formation artists want to give it a try, but unfortunately, the talismans they drew did not meet the taste of that big shot."

"..."

Xie Xuanyi narrowed his eyes and slapped the table coldly: "Let's talk about my talisman first."

The shopkeeper sat upright and asked seriously, "What do you want?"

"I want a complete map of Da Chu, a map of Da Li, and an inventory list of all the major sects, families, and princes."

Xie Xuanyi said quietly, "All disciples who are qualified to be included in the Tianjiao Ranking must be on the list. The more complete this information is, the better."

The shopkeeper was a little surprised when he heard this, but the surprise only lasted for a moment and then quickly disappeared.

Fangyuanfang is a place for doing business.

As long as you can afford the price.

Of course, any business...can be done.

The most important thing in doing business is to ask less questions.

What era is this now? Don’t people who know Fangyuanfang have a complete map?
The shopkeeper was a little amused, but still said respectfully: "Sir, the Chuli map is not worth much, not even two taels of silver... But for the list at the back, how detailed do you want it to be?"

Xie Xuanyi was silent for a moment.

Been away from the world for ten years.

A lot has happened in the past ten years...

Fangyuanfang is a good place where he can recover his "ten years" of memory and at least make himself look like a person who has truly lived for ten years.

"Be as detailed as possible."

Xie Xuanyi said calmly: "If possible, take a good inventory of those people in the Great Chu Imperial City."

"If it involves those people in the imperial city... a Taoist talisman is far from enough."

The shopkeeper spoke seriously and raised two fingers.

Not two.

It's twenty.

"I'm lucky. I picked up a lot of Taoist talismans."

Xie Xuanyi looked calm as he took out twenty talismans from his waist bag, exactly the right amount, and placed them on the table.

"Wait a moment."

The shopkeeper of Fangyuanfang silently accepted it, bowed, and turned to leave.

Not long after, the shopkeeper came back.

He placed the Chu Li map and two thick stacks of files, one large and one small, in front of Xie Xuanyi.

"Sir, this thin stack of case files is the sect inventory you requested."

The shopkeeper said softly, "The new generation of Tianjiao list will soon begin ranking... This file records most of the 'genius disciples' in the sect, as well as some of the independent cultivators who have shown their strength in the mountains."

"This thick stack of case files was given to me by Fangyuanfang."

The shopkeeper paused and said, "The official history of Da Chu and Da Li in the past sixty years, as well as the anecdotes from the streets, are all in the case files."

"Oh?"

Xie Xuanyi raised his eyebrows.

The thick case files given as a gift were beyond his expectations. Xie Xuanyi did not even look at the two files. He simply waved his hand to take them and put them into the waist bag with a built-in "space array pattern".

From the skillful movements of the shopkeeper of Fangyuanfang, it is not difficult to infer that there are quite a few people who buy this information, and he is definitely not the only one.

“Buy one, get one free, no cheating.”

The shopkeeper spoke in a gentle voice, "If you have any extra Taoist talismans, the transaction can still continue."

He saw it too.

Xie Xuanyi's so-called "picking up a talisman" was just an excuse to cover up his identity.

Being able to take out twenty brand new talismans in one breath... If he is not a formation master, then could he be a swordsman?
The Taoist sect has been closed for ten years, and the top-quality talismans are becoming less and less used, so their value is naturally getting higher and higher.

Xie Xuanyi's talisman-making skills naturally could not be compared with his sword skills.

But he is Xie Xuanyi after all.

With just a little effort, he is far superior to ordinary formation masters.

"I want to get some information."

Xie Xuanyi was silent for a moment, then slowly said, "I heard that Dasui Sword Palace is about to open. Is that true? Does Fangyuanfang have any clear information?"

"This information might have been top secret half a month ago, but it is worthless now."

The shopkeeper smiled helplessly: "My dear guest, the news has spread all over the streets these days... Dasui Sword Palace will open the mountain to recruit disciples tomorrow, and it will last for a whole month. By then, all the sword masters in the world will come. Huang Su, the master of Lotus Peak, invites heroes from all over the world to watch the wonders of Xuanshui Cave Heaven."

Xie Xuanyi naturally knew this news.

He smiled slightly and asked again: "Lotus Peak Master, when did you become Huang Su? How is the old Sword Palace Master's health?"

This exchange didn't seem like business, but rather like a casual chat.

The shopkeeper of Fangyuanfang is quite open-minded.

He did not mention the talisman at all, and replied politely: "Rumor has it that after Xie Xuanyi died, Lotus Peak was taken over by 'Huang Su', but the mountain has been closed for ten years, and the Dasui Sword Palace is shrouded in mist. Even Fangyuanfang does not know the specific details."

"As for the one in the Sword Palace, I heard that he is still in the life and death retreat..."

The shopkeeper of Fangyuanfang showed awe and said sincerely, "Even if we give him more talismans, Fangyuanfang cannot find out the details of this person. We are just doing small business. If we provoke such a person, we will lose everything."

Xie Xuanyi smiled silently.

flavin.

This name is somewhat familiar...

If I remember correctly, when I went down the mountain for the first time, I picked up a little girl with good talent in swordsmanship. I brought her back to the Sword Palace, and my master liked her very much.

Later, that little girl became the youngest junior sister in Lotus Peak.

Every time I left the Sword Palace, Huang Su would see me off.

Ten years have passed.

The junior sister took over his position and became the leader of Lotus Peak.

This taste is very wonderful.

The little girl who grew up in my eyes has grown to this point in the blink of an eye.

Xie Xuanyi was quite relieved.

He suppressed his emotions, slapped out a talisman, and said, "How are the three major sects in Southern Xinjiang doing recently?"

The shopkeeper did not accept it, but slowly said: "The three major sects were forced to close the mountain by the Paper Man Dao. The Hehuan Sect and the Tiangui Sect have not taken any action for the time being. But I heard that Yinshan..."

Having said this, the shopkeeper stopped.

Obviously, for the following message, one talisman is not enough.

What Xie Xuanyi wanted was the follow-up news.

After the three Haoran talismans, the shopkeeper of Fangyuanfang said, "Just yesterday, there was a rumor that the Taoist Jinyuan and Taoist Chihun of Yinshan died, and the entire Yinshan sub-clan was uprooted."

"Oh, who did it?" Xie Xuanyi asked.

"Paperman Road."

The shopkeeper of Fangyuanfang hesitated for a moment and spoke slowly. This time he did not ask Xie Xuanyi for the talisman.

According to the rules of Fangyuanfang, accepting the three Haoran talismans is equivalent to taking charge of the entire internal and external sorting of the information.

"Yinshan is still under the blockade of the main sect, but the Three Saints of Yinshan have already declared war on the Paper Man Sect."

The shopkeeper of Fangyuanfang said, "The royal family of Dachu has strictly guarded the entrance to the mountains in Nanjun. Since yesterday, many great monks have come to Lingqu City one after another. However, the Paper Man Dao has not yet responded to Yinshan's declaration of war... The disaster of vitality exhaustion is 'slowly' spreading inside the Hundred Thousand Mountains. Perhaps it is to fight for territory, or perhaps there is another conspiracy. This is all the information Fangyuanfang has received so far."

The amount of information in these words is worthy of three talismans.

Xie Xuanyi's expression under his bamboo hat became solemn.

The news of killing Jin Yuan and Chi Hun has spread.

Fangyuanfang already knows about it, which means that all major forces across the country will know about it soon.

However, at present, there was nothing missed in my on-site handling, and the basin of dirty water was successfully poured on the paper man's head.

However, the declaration of war by the Three Saints of Yinshan was unexpected.

Taoist Chi Hun, although he has reached the perfection of the Cave Heaven Realm, is expected to be promoted to the "upper combat power" of the Yinshen Venerable.

But his death would never have facilitated this declaration of war.

"…Is there any other support behind Yinshan?"

Xie Xuanyi murmured softly.

Naturally, there is no answer to this question.

Fangyuanfang is only responsible for responding to objective factual information and will not make any subjective speculations or intelligence inferences.

"I want to know the information about 'Paper Dominion'."

Xie Xuanyi raised the last and most important question of his trip.

The shopkeeper of Fangyuanfang was stunned.

"Do you have any information about the 'Tao Master'? How many talismans do you need?"

Xie Xuanyi took out his waist bag.

However, the answer I got was——

"Feel sorry."

The shopkeeper of Fangyuanfang said with regret, "Fangyuanfang can't do anything about this matter. Several shop owners are also very curious about the information about the 'Taoist Master'... So far, he seems to have only the title of 'Taoist Master'. He has been wandering around. No one has seen his true appearance, and no one has seen him take action. We only know that the followers of the Paper Man Dao respect him very much and admire him very much. In the past ten years, he has grown at an incredible speed and even surpassed the three major sects in the southern border."

Xie Xuanyi was a little disappointed.

Taoist master.

Master Lu.

Such a famous person seems to have never existed...

If you think about it carefully, what's even more ridiculous is that you seem to be the one who knows the most information.

At least, Lu Yuzhen told him his real name.

"My lord, I am so sorry."

The shopkeeper of Fangyuanfang was also helpless. He pointed to his waist bag and asked carefully, "How about you reconsider drawing the 'Sword Qi Bell-Knocking Formation Diagram'?"

"Who is that big shot?"

Xie Xuanyi suddenly became interested.

"grown ups……"

The shopkeeper said honestly: "You know the rules of Fangyuanfang."

In the whole Da Chu, the price is high.

Anyone with such strength must be a powerful person.

“It’s not impossible to draw a talisman.”

Xie Xuanyi narrowed his eyes and said slowly: "I am familiar with the Sword Qi Bell-Knocking Formation Diagram. How much does that gentleman want?"

"A ninth-grade treasure, the 'Xuanzhen Sword', and a purple Yuandan."

The shopkeeper of Fangyuanfang raised a finger and said seriously: "And a chance to see Xuanshui Dongtian up close."

The news of the opening of Dashui Sword Palace has spread to everyone.

The Xuanshui Cave, which opens once every sixty years, is about to open.

The so-called inviting people to view the scenery actually has a saying... The only people who can really see the wonders of Xuanshui Cave Heaven up close are a very small number of distinguished guests in the Sword Palace.

Most people can only stand outside the cave and appreciate it through the "array patterns".

"interesting."

Xie Xuanyi smiled: "It's not easy to see Xuanshui Cave Heaven... Is that big shot in the Sword Palace?"

"I don't know about that."

The shopkeeper smiled and said, "Since the mission of that great man can be spread among the people, it means that he has the ability to fulfill it. Even if he breaks the contract, the shop owner will pay him."

Fangyuanfang is only responsible for issuing rewards, collecting rewards... and verifying the authenticity of the tasks.

In other words.

In order to ensure the integrity of its reputation, Fangyuanfang will naturally examine the strength of its employers in advance.

Once the transaction is completed, the rules must be followed.

Neither party needs to worry about breach of contract.

"My dear guest, this sword energy bell-ringing formation diagram is already halfway completed. Perhaps after some time, that important person will withdraw from the mission."

The shopkeeper of Fangyuanfang took out a token that looked like a copper coin and handed it to Xie Xuanyi. He said respectfully, "If you change your mind, you can contact Fangyuanfang at any time through this token."

Xie Xuanyi said nothing, took the token and left the teahouse.

……

……

The sky is filled with rosy clouds over the Yin Mountains in southern Xinjiang.

The main sect was still in a closed-off state, but at this moment, Yinshan Mountain had a hint of a precarious fighting spirit.

Within a radius of a hundred miles, murderous intent is floating in the air.

After the death of Chihun Taoist, Yinshan declared war on Zhiren Dao——

This news caused a huge uproar.

But in fact.

There is peace in southern Xinjiang, and the so-called "declaration of war" has happened more than once in the past ten years.

But what is ridiculous is that

War had been declared for many years, but no major war had ever broken out.

In addition, the Paper Man Dao never responded, so the issue of "declaring war" was raised more than once and was shelved more than once.

A whole decade.

The entire southern Xinjiang is in such a depressing and dull environment.

There has never been a major war, why did the three major sects retreat to "close the mountains"?
It is because the monks under the Paper Man Sect act strangely and do not follow the rules, so there is no such thing as a "mountain gate" at all.

several times.

The three major sects gathered their forces and prepared to attack the "Paper Man Dao" stronghold.

After arriving, I found out that it was a fake.

The so-called mountain gate and stronghold were all fake… The attacking forces of the three major sects were met by the well-prepared Paper Man Taoist disciples and the shocking killing formation set up in advance by the Taoist master.

The white ghost sat on the top of the hall, with soul tokens floating in front of him.

After leaving customs.

He reached out to every force he could.

This time he "declared war", he was serious and solemn.

For a full ten years, Yinshan was oppressed by the paper man and could not breathe.

To the point that he himself was covered in dust and dirt.

How could a person of his level have ever received such humiliation? After the battle in Beihai, after going through untold hardships and forcing Xie Xuanyi to death, he thought Yinshan would become the largest sect in Southern Xinjiang. But if this continues, Yinshan might be directly overthrown by the Paper Man Dao!
It was precisely because of this decade of "suppression" that he chose to compromise.

Special Envoy Qingshun has just left from Southern Xinjiang.

Bai Gui was even willing to give up his dignity in exchange for the support of the man in the Da Chu Imperial City...

The one in the imperial city is the one who gives him the confidence to start a war!

"So, you have already identified the mountain gate of 'Paper Man Dao' before starting this battle?"

Outside the hall, a streak of light swept over.

Countless turbid shadows enveloped the visitor and landed on the hall. He sat directly next to the white ghost and spoke in a deep voice.

It was none other than the “Green Owl” who was also one of the Three Saints of Yinshan Mountain.

"Since the Imperial City has accepted my gift, it should give a gift in return."

Bai Gui spoke faintly, "Isn't Chen Jingxuan good at fortune-telling? As long as he asks, the bookstore should help out... As long as Da Chu is willing to step forward, what does a mere Taoist master count for?"

"The evil cultivators in Southern Xinjiang have always been low-class people who only do evil things."

Qing Xiao sneered, "Even if you cultivate to your level, it's still the same. You should know... Even if the Imperial City agrees to cooperate, they won't step into the cesspool."

"It doesn't matter."

Bai Gui sneered and said, "The heads of the two venerables from the Paper Man Sect have been sent to the Imperial City. Isn't that Taoist the most vindictive? He will not only settle this account with Yinshan, but also with the Imperial City. Sooner or later... they will know about this Taoist's troubles."

"So, have you found out the cause of Taoist Chihun's death?"

Qing Xiao frowned and said, "I just went to the vice sect's mountain gate. The murderer was a sword cultivator... Is there such a person in the Paper Man Sect?"

"what do you mean?"

The white ghost said gloomily, "Who else could have killed Chi Hun except the paper man?"

The voice just fell.

The great array of rosy clouds trembled.

Not far away, there seemed to be a loud explosion.

Soon, a streak of light shattered the Yinshan main sect and burned in the air.

The light from the driving device fell on the hall, and the person who came was none other than the thin man who brought the information about Jin Yuan's death in battle a few days ago.

The twelfth disciple under Bai Gui, Ye Zhong.

Ye Zhong dispersed the protective light, his face was covered in blood, and he knelt on one knee on the ground.

"Master, my disciple was attacked by someone..."

He coughed up a mouthful of blood and spoke hoarsely, "The Paper Man Daoists were lying in ambush outside the main sect. When they encountered the disciples, they exploded directly. That person also asked the disciples to convey a message..."

The white ghost was shocked and angry and stood up.

He lost his patience and stretched out his hand, pressing it on Ye Zhong's forehead.

The turbid heart lake is churning.

The scene before the self-explosion came into view.

Amidst the countless flames, the paper Taoist priest spoke loudly.

"I am here to bring a message to you on behalf of the Taoist Master..."

After a scream.

The voice of this Paper Taoist became extremely calm, and his entire aura became gloomy, as if his soul was being controlled by someone.

Only a few casual words were heard in the air.

"Yes, I did it."

These few words made Bai Gui's body tremble. They had been dealing with each other for ten years. Although they had never met each other, Paper Man often conveyed messages for the Taoist master in this way.

He was so familiar with this voice.

It’s the Taoist Master!

Only the Taoist Master!
That’s all I have to say.

The paper Taoist tore off his clothes, and his entire body burst into flames, turning into a burst of fleeting fireworks, and exploded!

……

……

(PS: Let me explain why it was posted at this time. First, the plot has been processed to a certain point, and I don’t want to suppress the manuscripts in reserve, so I posted what I wrote last night, so there were three updates last night. But today’s plot needs a lot of time to process, so I said last night that it might be posted at six o’clock, but in fact I underestimated the complexity of the following plot, and in order to "say something meaningful", I can only extend the length of the chapter, so there is this chapter now. After it was put on the shelves, the plot time is indeed not so punctual, but you can look at the catalog. The daily update is not less than 6,000, and sometimes 10,000. This is fair. In fact, according to the normal progress, this chapter should have been only half processed, but I saw that there were many people in the background urging, even scolding, so I could only send it out in a hurry. I am an author who can’t write well when I have manuscripts in reserve. I hope you can understand more. If you are really anxious, define the update time as "12 o'clock in the evening.")
(End of this chapter)