The True Lord has arrived

Chapter 291 A Fallen Leaf Breaks the Murderous Trap in a Dream (Seeking Monthly Tickets)

Langzhong is one of the major cities in Sichuan. Its city gate is towering, with two ancient characters below the gate tower. It is near the ferry crossing of the Jialing River. In the past, merchants traveled between Chang'an and Chengdu. In addition, since Chang'an's grain production could not keep up, a large amount of grain would be transported from the Land of Abundance to the capital.

In the past, this place was bustling with people coming and going, a truly lively place.

But today it is eerily silent.

Of the more than 300,000 people, over 100,000 entered the dream world. The rest saw their relatives as if they were dead and hid in fear. However, there were always some brave people who dared to go out.

Yuan Yufeng is like that. He is a native of Langzhong, strong and healthy, from a good family. He joined the army at a young age and guarded the city gate. He was the governor of Langzhong, or rather, Langzhong County during the Tianbao era. Now he is the prefect of Langzhong County, and he is extremely timid.

Upon seeing this situation, he neither reported it to the city of Chang'an and ordered the Xuanxiang Supervisor to send a Xuan official specifically responsible for resolving such matters; nor did he allow the military advisor and the garrison officer to come and rescue the people.

Yuan Yufeng was a soldier from the prefecture, yet he was still required to guard this place.

He was also filled with fear and worry, not knowing what was going on. Previously, there had been military officers who, relying on their abilities, led a group of elite troops out to try and find out what was happening, but they never returned.

Yuan Yufeng quietly calculated the time, wondering when she could step down.

In the silence, only his own breathing could be heard. Oh no, not just him, but another life was also there. He sat behind the battlements of the city wall, with an orange cat in his arms.

In this deathly silence and tranquility, the presence of another living being can give his heart a great comfort.

Yuan Yufeng discovered this little guy by chance. He shared some of his dry food with it, and it wouldn't leave. Now, he broke off some dry food and put the crumbs on the bricks. The orange cat meowed and licked the crumbs.

Yuan Yufeng let out a breath and said, "Old Liu, I've finished my investigation here."

He lit the candles along each battlement of the city wall to fight off the fog and burn away the darkness and monsters that might be there. After lighting them, he called out to Old Liu.

However, there was still no response.

Yuan Yufeng's heart skipped a beat. Gripping the knife, her palms were sweating and felt sticky. She ran towards Old Liu, her back aching, feeling her way through the bricks and stones: "Old man, old man, are you alright?"

"Hey--"

Yuan Yufeng's expression changed.

He saw the old man lying there, motionless. Ever since he became a soldier in the prefecture, he had been following Old Man Liu. Old Man Liu was a bit of a drinker and a bit cunning, and often did things that deceived his superiors and subordinates, but he also took care of him a lot and helped him avoid being scolded by his superiors.

On that occasion, Yuan Yufeng couldn't stand his superior's oppression of the people and his forced marriage. He resisted angrily and was almost stripped of his clothes. Old Liu had to beg and plead to save him and even bought him wine to drink.

Tell him that things aren't that simple in this world.

He was just like Yuan Yufeng back then, with a fiery temper, wanting to control everything he didn't like, but what happened in the end?

Old Liu patted his leg; he was lame.

“They ostracized me, put me in the most dangerous places, and in the end, I lost this leg while chasing bandits. Those colleagues who were supposed to come only showed up at the very end, all smiles. I knew it—”

"What kind of state soldiers protect a region? It's just a job. If you do little, you can get by. But if you really plan to do something, won't you be blocking other people's way?"

"Don't believe those fancy words about 'protecting one side,' they're just for fools. There's only one truth in this world: whether you have connections or not."

"If you don't have connections, you'll have no one behind you."

"The more you do, the more mistakes you make; the more you go further, the more people you hinder."

That night, Old Liu got drunk, patted him on the shoulder, and told him that he had learned this principle by risking his life. He said that he was being lenient by letting him have a meal and telling him this secret. After that, he became close to Yuan Yufeng. It was not originally the old fox's place to do such a risky guarding job.

But because of Yuan Yufeng, he still came out and said, "You kid, without your old man to guide you, you're afraid you'll be in trouble."

Unexpectedly, Yuan Yufeng, who was strong and healthy, was fine, but Old Liu collapsed first. Yuan Yufeng was anxious and threw down the knife. She went over to help the old man and called out, "Old Liu, Old Liu, wake up!"

But as soon as he turned around, his expression changed drastically. He saw that Old Liu's face was rotting and his eyes were closed. Suddenly, his eyes widened and he pounced on Yuan Yufeng like a wild beast, biting hard at his neck.

Yuan Yufeng was pinned down, and she reached out to support Old Liu's chin.

Holding on desperately: "You, you hold on..."

His gaze fell to the side, where a horizontal knife lay. If he picked it up, he could easily stab the old man through the neck. But thinking of Old Liu's past jests and curses, he felt a tightness in his chest. He didn't touch the knife, but gritted his teeth and said, "You, you need to wake up..."

But the monster's strength was too great, and he gradually could not hold on.

Just then, a streak of light suddenly exploded.

The layers of mist outside the city walls dissipated like surging waves. Then, with a sudden release, the monster resembling Old Liu crumbled away. Yuan Yufeng was stunned, then heard a snarling, angry voice beside him:

"You brat, are you going to kill me?!"

He was momentarily dazed, then realized he was choking Old Liu by the neck with both hands, turning the old man's face purple. He quickly let go, and Old Liu rolled over and kicked Yuan Yufeng in the chest, sending the kid flying.

The two people put some distance between themselves.

"Cough cough cough, you're having a nightmare, kid, calm down!"

Old Liu cursed, "You almost got me killed."

"You promised to take care of me in my old age and see me off when I die."

"Damn it, I never expected this to be how they send me off!"

Yuan Yufeng blushed with embarrassment, while Old Liu's expression softened. He said, "Don't look so pathetic. Let's see what's going on!"

Yuan Yufeng then realized what was happening, and the two looked towards the battlements of the city wall.

Old Liu lay there, staring wide-eyed, and murmured, "It's... a fallen leaf?!" Only then did Yuan Yufeng realize that the hard, three-foot-thick bluestone brick had developed fine cracks.

A leaf was embedded there.

"Handling heavy tasks with ease, a master has arrived!"

Old Liu reacted quickly, suddenly raising his head. Yuan Yufeng also turned her head, and both of them stared wide-eyed. Even the orange cat jumped up and landed on Yuan Yufeng's shoulder, staring intently.

The surging, almost tangible mist suddenly collapsed inwards.

Figures appeared and disappeared in the mist, some with the appearance of tigers, yet exuding a murderous aura, others as strong as oxen, and still others resembling humans, yet walking with twisted and contorted gaits, as if surrounded by demons.

Yuan Yufeng exclaimed in surprise, "Watch out!!!"

He then went to get his war bow.

Old Liu held his hand down: "Kid, just watch."

"Looking at what?"

"Alas, what are you still looking at? They are the true practitioners of spiritual cultivation in this world!"

The next moment, a cold light flashed, and an arc of light flashed in Yuan Yufeng's eyes. The mist was stirred by the wind and swirled together. The countless demons that had surrounded them paused for a moment, and the next one was sent flying, scattering blood mercilessly.

A Taoist priest strolled over, his temples graying, wearing a dark blue robe unlike those of the Qingcheng Mountain lineage, straw sandals on his feet, a broadsword in his hand. He walked out calmly and openly, shaking off the thick, black blood clinging to the blade. With his other hand, he pulled a carriage. The carriage creaked and groaned as it slowly moved forward.

Everyone was lying inside the carriage, separated on both sides. One side was occupied by women, and the other by Xuan Zhuzi and the others. Although Shen Cangming had a killing intent domain that was enough to protect himself, he had lost his five senses and was sitting on the carriage.

The sight of him slaying the demons and arriving with a sword filled Yuan Yufeng with envy.

Old Liu bowed and said, "Thank you for your help, Taoist priest."

"May I ask where you are from, Daoist Master, and from which famous mountain or river do you come?!"

The Taoist priest, his knife pressed against the ground, exuded a refined and dignified air, and declared in a clear voice:
"This humble Taoist priest is Zhou Yan."

"The Supreme Pavilion".

........................

Old Liu ordered Yuan Yufeng to open the gate and let the carriage in. Yuan Yufeng hesitated and said, "But the prefect said that the gate is not allowed to be opened. Aren't we disobeying orders?"

"Didn't you say before that you should stay out of the limelight?"

Old Liu's eyes lit up, and he was full of vigor. He said, "Saying 'don't stick your neck out' means when there's no one behind you. Don't stick your neck out, isn't this Taoist priest right now one of our men?!"

"At this time of year, who doesn't have relatives or friends who are starving to death?"

"Still a coward? What a coward!"

Old Liu opened the side gate, and Zhou Yan thanked him. He then pulled the carriage forward. After entering Langzhong City, the fog did not rush in, and the breathing of the companions Zhou Yan was pulling in the carriage became even more even.

He looked at Yuan Yufeng and Old Liu, asking about the news in the city. Old Liu told him everything. It was like an outbreak of plague. At first, no one took it seriously. Later, more and more people fell into a coma, and then some of them died. That's when things started to get serious.

Just like Zhou Yan knew, the last time he came, he transformed and flew straight into the fog, finding the boundary between life and death blurred. This time, however, he was unusual and honestly entered through the city gate. This place was full of too many mysteries and conspiracies, making it impossible to easily see through them.

However, he also knew that there were two strange and mysterious places here.

One of them is the Zhongtian Tower.

The other one is Ying Yinman, who claims to be the daughter of Ying Zheng.

Having just experienced what happened, Yuan Yufeng was completely disoriented and speechless. Only after Old Liu delivered a vicious elbow strike to his abdomen did he take a step back and regain his senses. Old Liu then said with a forced smile, "Daoist Master, since you have a place to go, let the two of us lead the way."

"Perfect timing, we've got our business done."

This is a cunning old fox; he plans to use Zhou Yan's power to protect himself and Yuan Yufeng.

Zhou Yan saw through it but didn't say anything, only nodding gently: "Thank you both."

Old Liu was overjoyed: "Haha, of course, of course." So the two soldiers from Langzhong, dressed in simple light armor and carrying weapons, lanterns, bells, and spears, led Zhou Yan to Ying Yinman's antique shop, one on the left and one on the right.

The streets were still deserted.

Almost everyone hid, fearing that the "Dream" would come knocking on their door.

Zhou Yan led the group step by step through the quiet, even deserted street, until they reached the antique shop. He looked up and slowly knocked on the door, which opened naturally as his fingers tapped.

squeak-

In the shadows behind the wooden door, a cool, aloof woman dressed in a black robe with gold lettering, holding a lantern, looked at the returning young Taoist priest with a hint of surprise in her eyes. She glanced at the person behind her and said, "...Come in."

Zhou Yan brought everyone in.

Old Liu and Yuan Yufeng tried to come in, but the wooden door slammed shut, blocking the two soldiers. Yuan Yufeng was furious, but Old Liu pulled him back, saying, "Alright, alright, what are you getting angry about?!"

"Such a person is extraordinary and it's normal for him to have some eccentricities. Besides, if we go in and find out things we shouldn't know, that would be bad. It's safe enough to wait outside."

Old Liu said slyly, "That Taoist priest looks kind. If we're really in danger, just shout and he'll surely come to our rescue."

"You know you need to push forward."

Yuan Yufeng was bewildered.

Inside, Ying Yinman's gaze swept over the warbow behind Shen Cangming.

They lingered for a long time on that Qin Emperor's whale-shooting bow.

He then said, “It seems that your companions have all been pulled into the dream... The one sealed here harbors a deep resentment towards you and is no longer being reasonable; if you come to me for help to unravel these dreams, I may only be able to apologize.”

Zhou Yan said, "I just want to find a quiet place here where I can cast spells and enter a dream."

Ying Yinman said calmly, "Then please."

“You possess the imperial seal of the Emperor, which, strictly speaking, makes you a marquis of my Great Qin. I will certainly help you in some ways.”

Zhou Yan nodded, reached out, and placed his hand on Shen Cangming's shoulder.

Using the Primordial Dao Foundation to resonate with the divine soul, he attempted to enter Shen Cangming's dream. However, the dream is actually the core of a person's spirit, and the manifestation of the divine soul is a very mysterious method. Although Zhou Yan was not good at this, he knew of someone who was extremely good at it.

Zhou Yan whispered to himself, "...Ba, are you listening?"

When Zhou Yan closed his eyes, everything was black, just like a normal person. But soon, a glimmer of light appeared in the darkness, and a girl with cascading black hair appeared in his 'dream'. Zhou Yan smiled and said, "Ba..."

"Hey hey hey, who is this?"

"Isn't this the busy man, Zhou Yan, the Taoist Master Zhou!"

Ba glanced at him and pursed his lips:

"When you need someone, just call them 'Little Sweetie,' and when you don't, just have those two guys take you away. Master Zhou, you really are a very busy person!"

The girl stared at her with wide eyes and said, "Why are you still looking for me?"

She quickly moved to the left, looking cheerful, gave a thumbs up, and said:

"And what else is there—White Hair is the best!"

Then it turned to the right, grew ears, and its eyes were filled with tears:
"Waaaaah, Brother Zhou, Brother Zhou!"

"Hmph, busy Taoist priest, you finally know to call me?! Hmph, let me tell you, I won't be easily fooled by you..."

Zhou Yan looked at Ba, who was playing two roles, and solemnly said:
“Ba, this is a matter of great importance, I need your strength.”

"I need you, please help me, okay?"

The girl, who had just been feeling quite sour, froze, her face flushed.
"it is good."

(End of this chapter)