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Chapter 478 Abyss
The man dismounted from his Flame War Steed, greeted Miss Jinxi, and affectionately patted her head.

Miss Jinxi appeared even more petite and adorable in his presence.

This guy is at least fifteen feet tall!
Lang Xiaoba and Ji Shuangqiu looked at his magnificent figure with envy.

In the minds of martial arts practitioners, big means good and strong.

Moreover, Xu Yuan looked at the protrusion in the center of the man's forehead and whispered, "He has already cultivated an extraordinary phenomenon!"

Only those martial arts practitioners of the highest level can cultivate extraordinary abilities!
Since Master Miaoyan began recuperating in Champa, Xu Yuan had secretly inquired about the talents under the supervision of the Grand Supervisor.

Considering that Miss Jinxi just addressed him as "Senior Brother Zang," then this person is the first person of the third generation under the Jianzheng Sect.

Zang Tianlan!
Third-rate martial arts practitioner.

He is the number one martial arts practitioner among the younger generation in both the North and South capitals.

His teacher was Chen Chui, the chief disciple of the Imperial Academy.

When the Imperial Censor decided to have a son, Chen Chui found three-year-old Zang Tianlan in a tiger's den on the outskirts of Beidu.

The pair of tigers were also brought back by Chen Chui and have been living with Zang Tianlan ever since.

Ten years ago, both the male and female tigers passed away.

Zang Tianlan buried them and built a hut in front of the tiger's tomb to observe mourning for three years.

Then he broke through the third level of martial arts cultivation and opened the horizontal eye between his forehead.

But his teacher, Chen Chui, was a divine cultivator.

Even the Grand Master of the Imperial Censorship probably doesn't know how a divine cultivator could teach a third-rate martial artist.

Zang Tianlan is three years older than Miss Jinxi's father. Although he is her "senior brother" in terms of seniority, he is actually Miss Jinxi's uncle.

He was aloof by nature, and even his relationship with his teacher, Chen Chui, could not be described as "close".

He especially loved Miss Jinxi.

Miss Jinxi had already brought Zang Tianlan to Xu Yuan's side: "Lord Xu, let me introduce you, this is my most amazing senior brother, Zang Tianlan!"

Xu Yuan thought for a moment, smiled wryly, and then greeted him with the courtesy due to an equal: "Senior Brother Zang. So the person Senior Feng was talking about was you."

Zang Tianlan's expression turned cold upon seeing his manners.

He glanced at Miss Jinxi casually.

Xu Yuan quickly explained, "Mr. Feng Si and my stepmother are close friends, so in terms of seniority, you are indeed at a disadvantage."

However, as the Emperor, I prioritize filial piety, and I cannot lower the status of my stepmother through my actions.

If I were to greet her with the respect due to a junior, my stepmother would suddenly be a generation below Mr. Feng.

Although in every respect you, Zang Tianlan, are indeed a senior.

Zang Tianlan's expression softened somewhat.

So it turns out this little thief wasn't plotting against my little flower.

Then it doesn't matter.

Zang Tianlan said, "I arrived a long time ago. I didn't come out because I wanted to see your abilities and whether you could deal with that strange guardian."

He always speaks frankly, which fits the stereotype of martial arts practitioners.

"If you can't handle it, then this case can be sidelined."

Xu Yuan was both amused and exasperated.

Zang Tianlan praised him again, saying, "However, you handled it well. I will listen to your suggestions in this case."

Clearly, they only intend to "listen" to the discussion, and whether they agree or disagree is debatable.

Miss Jinxi spoke up, "Senior brother, Lord Xu is truly outstanding. He's far superior to those empty-headed, good-for-nothings in Beidu."

Wei Jinyuan, who was standing next to him, thought: This "embroidered pillow" should not be referring specifically to this young master.

...But I, this young master, am certainly one of them.

Upon hearing Miss Jinxi praise Xu Yuan in this way, Zang Tianlan immediately became wary again.

Looking at Xu Yuan again, I feel that his hair is a bit yellowish.
Xu Yuan quickly told Zang Tianlan the whole story of the evil spirits in the fake village.

After listening, Zang Tianlan picked up Xu Yuan and said to Miss Jinxi, "Come with me, let's talk alone."

Miss Jinxi followed, but Dong Daiyun at the back of the line objected: "This case was first discovered in Lucheng. Whatever you're discussing, you can't do it behind Lucheng's back..."

The two captains behind her were terrified and hurriedly reached out to grab her... but it was too late.

Zang Tianlan's tiger-like eyes were already glaring at him with murderous intent.

The two captains complained repeatedly: How can you not see it?
That young lady's identity is extraordinary!
The newcomer is an even greater expert!

You've already seriously offended that lady. Since she's not going to hold it against you, let's just quietly pretend we didn't exist, okay?

You still insist on jumping out!
Lord Chen Tong is just a sixth-rate law enforcement officer, not the second-best supervisor in the world!
Upon seeing this, Zang Tianlan felt the aura of the third-rate martial artist surge towards Dong Daiyun like a river bursting its banks.

Dong Daiyun was indeed ignorant and foolish, but under such imposing pressure, he suddenly felt short of breath, his pointed face turned red, and he couldn't say a word.

However, Zang Tianlan did not act recklessly. After glaring at Dong Daiyun, he turned to Xu Yuan and asked, "Who is this?"

Xu Yuan revealed Dong Daiyun's identity, and then whispered in Zang Tianlan's ear his suspicions about Chen Tong's collusion with the Pingtian Society.

Xu Yuan wasn't spreading rumors; rather, he was sharing all the information he had with Zang Tianlan in order to ensure a more sincere cooperation in the future.

Zang Tianlan replied without hesitation, "He'll be detained for now."

Xu Yuan hadn't expected Zang Tianlan to be so decisive and efficient.

Zang Tianlan added, "This matter is of utmost importance and cannot be taken lightly! After dealing with the fake village, you and I will immediately head to Lucheng to investigate Chen Tong's matter thoroughly."

"Okay." Xu Yuan responded and instructed Di Youzhi, "Keep these three under guard for now."

"Yes!" Di Youzhi accepted the order, his voice booming like thunder.

The entire Champa government had long disliked Dong Daiyun.

Lang Xiaoba and Ji Shuangqiu, with their four large, bell-like eyes, followed behind Di Youzhi like two iron towers.

They pushed Zhou Leizi aside.

These two henchmen seemed to be hoping that Dong Daiyun would rebel.

When Di Youzhi approached Dong Daiyun and the other two, he said with a forced smile, "Inspector Dong, we're all on the same side, don't make things difficult for your brothers. My master also said that it's just temporary detention. As long as the investigation is clear and there are no problems, you'll be free soon..."

Dong Daiyun gritted her teeth, completely oblivious to the concept of pragmatism. She angrily pointed at Zang Tianlan: "What right does he have to order the arrest of this inspector?"

"I'm the inspector of the Purification Department. So what if he's highly skilled? Since when has it become an outsider's place to interfere in the Purification Department's affairs?"

Zang Tianlan revealed his badge: "I am from the Exorcism Bureau, the Grand Inspector of the Entire Realm!"

Dong Daiyun stared in astonishment, though her narrow eyes, no matter how wide she stared, wouldn't get very big.

The position of "Chief Inspector of the Realm" is very famous in the Department of Purification.

He could be described as a complete loner.

He had no soldiers under his command.

It was set up a few years ago by order of the Chief Supervisor, specifically for a certain person.

The so-called "inspection" means that the Department of Purification can investigate anything involving illegal or irregular activities.

And this "Chief Inspector of the Nation" has indeed handled several major cases in recent years.

He investigated and punished many cases of cover-ups without any mercy.

Moreover, they were extremely ruthless.

Many corrupt officials in charge of the Exorcism Bureau, upon hearing the name of the "General Inspector of the Nation," instinctively wanted to abandon their posts and flee for their lives.

Dong Daiyun finally learned the true identities of the person in front of her and Miss Jinxi!
After showing his waist token, Zang Tianlan ignored Dong Daiyun and, carrying Xu Yuan and leading Miss Jinxi, walked away into the distance.

Even Chen Tong was nothing more than “mere nobody” in Zang Tianlan’s mind.

Di Youzhi grinned maliciously and waved his hand, and his men rushed forward and captured Dong Daiyun and the other two.

They were put in shackles and bound in iron chains.

These are all instruments of torture used by the Exorcism Bureau, standardized items issued by the imperial court and crafted by the Craftsmen's Office of the Ministry of Works.

That wasn't all. Di Youzhi added, "We can't let them eavesdrop and leak secrets."

Then Wenxiu stepped forward and slapped calligraphy stickers onto the ears and eyes of the three men.

Dong Daiyun is now in a terrible state, just like a zombie suppressed by a yellow talisman.

It was quite lively here. All of Xu Yuan's subordinates from the Champa Bureau were gathered around the three of them.

Because on the other side, Lord Xu was indeed being held by Zang Tianlan!
My family is in a really mess right now!
We didn't see anything...

If you see it, adults aren't very forgiving; they'll make things difficult for you later!
Have you not seen the plight of the gatekeeper, Old Man Qin?

Xu Yuan was in low spirits—he reasonably suspected that Zang Tianlan was deliberately targeting him, but unfortunately, even with evidence, he couldn't do anything about Zang Tianlan.

Zang Tianlan was far too large; Xu Yuan was already considered tall among normal men of the Ming Dynasty.

But standing next to Zang Tianlan, she felt no different from Miss Jinxi, equally petite and delicate.

Zang Tianlan led the two away, and when they were several dozen feet away, he blew a breath, and a whirlwind surrounded the three of them, lingering for a long time.

This effectively isolated the inside from the outside, preventing their conversation from being overheard.

“Several years ago, our master noticed that the fate of the Southern Jiaozhi region was somewhat amiss,” Zang Tianlan said. “Therefore, he paid more attention to this area.”

"Three months ago, our master discovered that the fortune here was fluctuating wildly. So he began to make arrangements in secret."

Miss Jinxi blinked. "It seems like it was about three months ago that I had this idea of ​​going out to play."

Zang Tianlan waved his hand at Miss Jinxi: "Grandmaster didn't include you in the calculations."

You just happened to be there at the right time.

Otherwise, I would be the only one who came to Southern Jiaozhi; my Fourth Martial Uncle and Junior Martial Aunt wouldn't have come.

Miss Jinxi smiled.

Grandpa really loves me.

The Superintendent believes in going with the flow and will not go against it.

Miss Jinxi wants to go out and have fun. If we forcibly stop her because of the matter of Nanjiaozhi, then we are going against the tide.

Xu Yuan nodded.

Zang Tianlan continued, "Back then, the City God of Lucheng hid in Diqiu, and even my master couldn't capture it directly."

"Diqiu is the gateway to the old year's land; whatever happens there will involve the old year's land."

Xu Yuan couldn't help but ask, "What exactly is the Old Year Soil? Senior Feng said that my senior brother can answer my question."

Zang Tianlan replied, "The soil of last year was the former land of the Ming Dynasty."

Xu Yuan frowned slightly, but did not ask any questions immediately. Instead, he patiently waited for Zang Tianlan to continue.

"Two hundred years ago, the Jurchen invaded the border from the outside and Gao Chuang rebelled from within. Emperor Zhongzong asked the Dragon King of the Grand Canal for help, and overnight, hundreds of thousands of elite troops from the south were transported by water to the northern capital."

Break through Gao Chuang and defeat Jian Nu.

Our Ming Dynasty has been able to extend its lifespan by several hundred years.

But have you heard anything about the whereabouts of those hundreds of thousands of elite troops, as well as the remnants of Gao Chuang and the Jurchens?

Xu Yuan's expression turned serious.

Miss Jinxi quietly covered her ears with her hands. She knew what would happen to these people, but she couldn't bear to hear it again.

Zang Tianlan's voice remained icy; it seemed that those raised by tigers were hard-hearted: "At that time, the Ming Dynasty was in dire straits, and all its elite troops were stationed in the Nine Garrisons and Liaodong. Where would hundreds of thousands of elite troops come from in the south?"

This isn't the era of Yu Long and Qi Hu anymore.

Xu Yuan felt as if his heart was being gripped tightly by an invisible hand.

Indeed, two hundred years ago, the Ming Dynasty was so corrupt that it could hardly muster hundreds of thousands of elite soldiers.
Gao Chuang's old camp consisted of battle-hardened soldiers.

The Jurchen cavalry swept across Liaodong and conquered Goryeo.

Where in the South can you find hundreds of thousands of elite soldiers capable of fighting against this kind of army?

Xu Yuan couldn't help but ask in a trembling voice, "Are they... evil spirits?"

Zang Tianlan did not answer directly: "Back then, Emperor Zhongzong went to see the Dragon King of the Grand Canal alone. No one knows what they talked about."

In this mortal world, there is no written record of anyone.

Even our grandmaster didn't know.

But after those two major victories, the Ming Dynasty's 300,000 elite troops; Gao Chuang's old camp of tens of thousands and his followers numbering over a million; the Jurchen cavalry of 80,000, the Han troops of over 20,000, and their ethnic minorities of 200,000; and... the 20,000 elite troops under Wu Xiao, the former garrison commander of Shanhaiguan, vanished from history without a trace.

Xu Yuan asked in confusion, "Shanhaiguan?"

Zang Tianlan nodded: "We, the people of later generations, have never heard of the name 'Shanhaiguan'. The name we are more familiar with is 'Yuanxu'."

The name Yuanxu was known to every member of the Ming Dynasty.

To the northeast of Beidu lies the most dangerous, uncivilized area of ​​Huangming Zhengzhou.

It is said that even the Dragon King of the canal dared not venture there easily.

Even the canal had to give way.

For example, the canal cannot be opened to Guiwu Mountain because of the existence of "Lord Ruan Tian".

But the canal also winds around Guiwu Mountain.

Given the opportunity, the Grand Canal will join forces with the Ming Dynasty to venture deep into Ghost Mountain.

However, this "Yuanxu" is located hundreds of miles away from the canal.

We took a long detour, heading north from Mongolia.

The imperial court initially used Mongolia as a route to wage war against Xue Sha Gui.

Zang Tianlan said, "The Abyss is a void, because that piece of land is the soil of the old year."

Along with the people I just mentioned, they fell into some place in the turbid realm.

They have been in the mortal realm for two hundred years, and no one knows what they have become, but they have never given up their efforts to return to the mortal world.

However, there is a restriction left by the Dragon King of the Grand Canal on the land from last year, and to this day they still have not found a way to break through this restriction.

However, every few years, a few of them manage to sneak out, and once they enter the mortal realm, they can cause us enormous losses.

Xu Yuan finally understood.

But this also raises more questions.

This era of evil spirits in the mortal world was started by those two great wars two hundred years ago.

It appears that the project was initiated jointly by Emperor Zhongzong and the Dragon King of the Grand Canal.

So……

Was it the beginning of an era of evil spirits that led to the collapse of the Heavenly Court, leaving the world devoid of divine miracles except for the door gods? Or was the collapse of the Heavenly Court a timely event that gave Emperor Zhongzong and the Grand Canal Dragon King the opportunity to usher in this era of rampant evil spirits?

If it's the former, did Emperor Zhongzong and the Grand Canal Dragon King have such great abilities?
Aside from this major issue, let's focus on the case I'm currently handling.

Why did the City God of Lucheng go to the gate of the old year's earth and occupy the Diqiu?

What exactly does it want to do?
Should those people buried in the old year's soil be released?

What good would it do to do that?

Zang Tianlan proactively addressed Xu Yuan's question: "Grandmaster studied materials from two hundred years ago."

Some strange things have been discovered.

The fate of that era was forcibly reversed by some unknown force.

First, there's Gao Chuang. Judging from his birth chart and destiny, he should have died long ago.

Among the rebels, a general surnamed Li should have succeeded to the title of "King Chuang".

It is unknown who extended his life, but the general surnamed Li was always the rebel general, not the rebel king.

Secondly, there was the chieftain of the Jurchen tribe, whose fate was originally destined to face a life-or-death calamity, but it is unknown who used certain means to help him survive it.

"This time, our master discovered that the fortune of South Jiaozhi was fluctuating abnormally, but the key was not in the mortal world."

"Our master guessed that the City God of Lucheng refused to retreat to the underworld back then—it must have been plotting for a position in the underworld since then."

Xu Yuan asked in surprise, "You mean... the City God of Lucheng wants to rebel in the underworld?"

Zang Tianlan nodded: "The underworld has undergone tremendous changes in the past two hundred years."

Many of the underworld deities we were once familiar with are no longer in their original positions.

The City God of Lucheng has grand ambitions!

Xu Yuan looked at the fake village not far away and asked, "So what was its purpose in staging this charade in Pingquan Village?"

Zang Tianlan shook his head: "I don't know."

Don't ask martial arts practitioners about things that require thinking.

Everything I know was told to me by my teacher and my grandmaster.

I do whatever they tell me to do.

Because of his ruthless nature, Zang Tianlan is an excellent executor.

The policy will not be affected or changed due to any unforeseen circumstances encountered along the way.

Zang Tianlan only knows what the teacher tells him to do, and no matter what changes occur, he will steadfastly continue to push forward until the task assigned by the teacher is completed.

Xu Yuan could only think for himself: "The key to the arrangement of the Lucheng City God in the mortal world is not in Pingquan Village."

The key remains the guardians of the three cities.

It wants to drag the three cities into the turbid realm…

Zang Tianlan interjected: "Our master also gave instructions on this point: If all the hundreds of thousands of people in the three cities were sunk into the turbid realm, they would only be a large amount of blood food, which would greatly increase the strength of the evil spirits in the turbid realm."

But if these people, along with the land of the three cities, were to sink into the turbid realm, then the situation would be similar to what happened back then.

Xu Yuan exclaimed in astonishment, "Even the land and cities have sunk into the turbid realm? It wants to relive the events of the past? This..."

Xu Yuan's mind raced: "If the Dragon King of the Grand Canal could be made, then the City God of Lucheng might just be able to be made."

If so, could these three cities be directly incorporated into the old land?!

Zang Tianlan blinked, unable to answer.

Miss Jinxi said with a straight face, "If that's the case, then the restrictions that the Canal Dragon King placed on the old year's soil back then have been diluted."

Xu Yuan: "Those people buried in the soil last year may very well break out!"

If it were to enter the mortal realm, it would cause a catastrophe; if it were to fall into the underworld, it could help the City God of Lucheng rebuild the underworld!

Zang Tianlan's two large eyes rolled slightly, but he didn't say anything.

Looks like this kid's pretty smart.

Let's hear what he has to say about what to do next.

Zang Tianlan's goal was clear: the task his teacher and grandmaster had given him this time was to prevent a major upheaval in southern Jiaozhi.

As long as the task can be completed, there's nothing wrong with following the instructions of this younger generation.

But this guy... seems to harbor ill intentions towards our little princess under the supervision of the Imperial Censor!
Fine, once this is over, I'll find an excuse to beat him up and teach him a lesson for being a toad trying to eat swan meat!
When the best cabbages in the family grow up, the older fathers often feel a surge of anxiety.

Everyone looks like a pig trying to steal her cabbage.

Xu Yuan glanced at the fake village again and said, "Now that Senior Brother is here, everything here will naturally be under your control. Senior Brother, please give the order, what should we do next?"

Zang Tianlan glanced at Xu Yuan, his dislike for the kid growing even stronger:
How would Lao Tzu know what to do next?
Miss Jinxi chuckled to herself, then said in a serious tone, "Lord Xu, you are more familiar with the situation here. Do you have any suggestions for my senior brother?"

Xu Yuan then said, "We were wary of this evil spirit before, so we were hesitant to deal with it. But Senior Brother is so powerful, you can just storm into the village and drag the evil spirit out."

Zang Tianlan nodded: "That makes sense."

He pointed at Xu Yuan: "You, come with me."

"Alright," Xu Yuan could only agree.

Zang Tianlan and the other two returned.

"Enter the village!" Zang Tianlan shouted, leaping onto his Flame War Steed.

Xu Yuan followed behind the horse.

Anyway, whether or not to go forward.

Given Zang Tianlan's stature, it was natural for him to be at the front.

……

Mr. Feng seemed somewhat absent-minded today.

In discussions with Lin Wanmo, I always came out on the losing end.

Suddenly, the "harmonious ringing" sounded, and Mr. Feng immediately hid back inside the house to answer it.

After a while, he came out and complained to Lin Wanmo, "Your son found me a job, do you want to come along?"

Lin Wanmo waved his hand: "No, we criminals from Hegong Lane cannot make a move outside."

When Mr. Feng heard the words "criminals of Hegong Lane", his brows furrowed almost imperceptibly.

He didn't insist, and took Xu Haoran in casual clothes, heading towards the south of the city.

Upon arriving at the South City Patrol Office, the two entered through the back door, and a moment later, Fu Jingyu led two squads of officers out quickly.

With their guidance, we quickly found the "Fourth Alley" in the southern part of the city.

The people living here are all porters who make a living at the canal docks.

Mr. Feng gestured with his eyes.

Xu Haoran then took out a bronze mirror.

The Exorcism Bureau's men sealed off the entire alley.

They began searching house to house.

He knocked on the door, gathered everyone inside, and looked at them in the mirror.

When they reached the sixth room, they found their target.

A pale-faced but robust middle-aged man appeared in the mirror as a zombie with scarlet eyes and fangs protruding from his lips.

Xu Haoran pointed and said, "This is the person. Take him."

The middle-aged man looked bewildered: "I...I...Your Excellencies, what did I do wrong...I've always been very honest."

The other laborers living nearby secretly felt indignant. This fellow laborer was really honest and simple. They usually worked together, and sometimes when they were really tired, he would lend a hand.

But everyone was from the lower class, and no one dared to say much in front of the officials from the Purification Bureau.

Xu Haoran felt some sympathy and sighed, "You really don't know what you've done. Fine, don't resist, come with us."

(End of this chapter)