The True Lord has arrived

Chapter 343 Incense Transforms into a Spirit and Will Come

Shen Cangming's angry roar was like thunder, and my mind went blank.

The face before me is unmistakable, unmistakable!
That anger almost made Shen Cangming lose his mind instantly.

Every drop of blood and every muscle in his body was taut. In his unparalleled concentration, he almost forgot that his mount was not Big Black, but a warhorse that had been hastily pulled out.

Under Shen Cangming's full power, the warhorse let out a mournful cry, its bones almost completely collapsing. It raised its head and neighed towards the sky, spitting out blood. Shen Cangming's momentum faltered slightly, but then he charged forward even more fiercely.

Jia Shi looked a lot like An Lushan, but was younger. He did his best to block the fierce slash of the man in front of him with his broadsword. The immense power almost made his vision go black.

Shen Cangming also came to his senses and realized that the person in front of him was at most a young man, not An Lushan. His gaze locked onto the face, and he quickly realized what was happening. His voice was hoarse as he said, "You are An Qing'en?!"

An Qing'en was An Lushan's youngest and most favored son.

It's unbelievable that An Qing'en is here. He is no match for Shen Cangming at all. Even though he joined [Shi] because of his father and became a hostage in the hands of the agent, and was strengthened, he is still no match for him.

After exchanging several blows with Shen Cangming, he was already feeling numb and his vision was going black.

An Qing'en gritted his teeth, feeling as if his internal organs were about to explode with pain. The man in front of him had wildly bristling hair and beard, and seemed to be a full size larger than a normal person. Despite both being fifth-rank, he was completely outmatched!

An Qing'en gritted his teeth.

He can't die here!
No!

Liu Xuande managed to take another blow from Shen Cangming, but was forced to retreat in a sorry state by the force of the attack. A scroll of Bai Ze appeared in his hand, and with a flash of light, Liu Xuande appeared. He had a heroic air about him, and with both hands gripping a long sword, he charged towards Shen Cangming.

Even though Shen Cangming was a hero of his time, he had to concentrate fully to barely contend with Liu Xuande, who was now transformed into the power of the jade talisman. An Qing'en knelt on the ground, panting heavily, his face pale, and drops of blood flowed from the corner of his mouth.

Looking at the jade talisman of Emperor Liu Xuande of Han, which he was so proud of, he finally managed to suppress Shen Cangming. He then burst into hearty laughter and shouted, "You, I recognize you! You are Shen Cangming! Hahaha, Shen Cangming of Xingxiuchuan!"

"Thank you for your help. You helped my father and second brother defeat many famous generals of the Tang Dynasty, which made our progress so smooth. If it weren't for you being with us, we wouldn't have been able to succeed so quickly."

"Look, it's Shen Cangming of Xingxiuchuan!"

"You deserve credit for the burning Tang Dynasty, the burning city of Chang'an, and the corpses of the dead!"

"Stop pretending and putting on airs here!"

"You are also one of us. Even if you left later, it won't change that. It won't change, it will never change!!!" An Qing'en said sternly, staring intently at Shen Cangming as if he were staring at himself.

He also grew up under the glory of the Tang Dynasty.

However, under the coercion of his father and brothers, in the name of blood ties, he ultimately tore apart the homeland where he had grown up. Humans are not plants or trees; who can be without feelings? In this fierce shout, there was anger towards Shen Cangming, as well as anger towards himself.

Throughout his journey, Shen Cangming's mind remained steadfast and unbreakable. Even when facing the demonic transformation and the Weaver Girl who controlled the entire Zhongnan Mountain's ley lines, he still had the courage to fire the most crucial arrow. However, An Qing'en's few words were like a dagger, piercing his heart.

Shen Cangming's eyes were bloodshot, and he gripped the Mo Dao in his hand with uncontrollable force. His moves and martial arts were skills that had been honed through countless trials and tribulations, reaching a state of complete mastery.

However, any skill is definitely not something that can be mastered by simply using brute force.

Anger and murderous intent in people's hearts will not bring an increase in strength, but will only lead to a decrease in skills. At this moment, Shen Cangming is facing the Gu Ying Sword Technique of Liu Xianzhu, one of the five great sword masters of all time.

The simultaneous use of two swords, with agile moves, subtly embodies the principles of Yin and Yang.

Shen Cangming's martial arts skills were honed through countless trials, but Liu Xuande's martial arts skills were also honed through countless trials.

This descendant of the last Han dynasty had won and lost, been strong and weak, and fled throughout his life, but he had never backed down.

Even in defeat, he could still struggle and get back up. His swordsmanship was at the level of a grandmaster. Soon, Shen Cangming was completely suppressed. Seeing this change, An Qing'en was finally able to relax.

He used one hand to support himself against the wall as he climbed up, looked at Shen Cangming, and said in a low voice, "...It can't be changed, Shen Cangming. You and I are the same. Our hands are stained with the blood and flesh of innocent people. I am like that, and so are you."

"What do you mean by fighting for the soldiers on the frontier, or seeking justice for Wang Zhongsi? You're nothing but a bloodthirsty man. You rode your horse back to Chang'an to seek justice, pointing your sword and spear at those high-ranking officials."

"But you didn't look down to see the countless innocent corpses beneath your horse's hooves!"

"shut up!!!"

An Qing'en's words were like a sharp sword, piercing the deepest and most painful part of Shen Cangming's heart. His hatred for An Lushan was the same hatred he felt for himself. Even in a place like Zhongnan Mountain, he would dream of those who died under An Lushan's sword every midnight.

Those were also generals and soldiers of the Tang Dynasty, sons of someone, husbands of someone, fathers of someone, brave warriors who could face demons without fear, but what they could not face most were the faces of their comrades-in-arms who died at their hands in their dreams.

Every time I dream about it, I break out in a cold sweat, sit up, look at the bright moon in the mountains, and can no longer fall asleep.

Shen Cangming had always kept his true intentions hidden, but this time, he was provoked.

With a sudden sweep of his broadsword, a blood-red storm swirled around him, forcing Liu Xuande back. Then, like a tiger whose wounds and vital points had been aroused, he pounced on An Qing'en.

But Liu Bei would not let such an opportunity pass by, and Shen Cangming paused in his steps.

Under the moonlight, Liu Bei was almost three steps away from him.

The shadows of the two swords, from behind, viciously pierced through Shen Cangming's body, their cold gleam shimmering in the moonlight.

An Qing'en's lips curled up, his chest heaving.

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

Li Zhenyue's troops had already clashed with the Gonggong tribe, who had infiltrated Langzhong City and were attacking them. The Tang Dynasty's state troops formed a battle formation, with Li Zhenyue as the spearhead, and held off the water tribe's attack.

Shouts of battle and the sounds of swords clashing and scales tearing apart rang out continuously.

A slight ripple flashed in Wang Boze's eyes.

It was like a faint flame, making me instinctively want to get up.

But as he held his daughter's cold little hand, the flame flickered and then went out.

Inside the pharmacy next to the antique shop, small stoves were simmering medicine, the flames flickering and casting swaying shadows on the walls. Xuan Zhuzi's nose was bleeding profusely.

Di Zhizhen could tell at a glance that this was a lecherous Taoist priest.

And she's still a virgin!
Xuan Zhuzi had already fallen under the spell, which comforted Di Zhizhen somewhat. She had used her greatest skill to seduce Jin Tianwang and Zhou Yan, but one of them awoke by punching his chest in pain, while the other felt nothing at all.

Di Zhizhen felt that her spiritual cultivation had been humiliated.

Now that Xuan Zhuzi looked like this, she finally gained confidence. So the smile on her face became more and more gentle. She took a few steps forward and lay on Xuan Zhuzi's body like boneless water, her breath like mist falling on Xuan Zhuzi's ears.

"Master, this part of my body hurts."

Xuan Zhuzi shivered all over and said, "Wh-what hurts..."

Di Zhizhen smiled and grabbed Xuan Zhuzi's trembling hand with one hand, then reached inside her clothes. Although her body had been shattered by Jin Tianwang's attack, it was not difficult for her fifth-grade primordial spirit to simulate the feel of flesh and blood with her supernatural powers.

As expected, Xuan Zhuzi's face turned bright red, and he could only nod to whatever Di Zhizhen said.

This is not merely seduction, but a wonderful technique that utilizes the interplay of Yin and Yang.

However, Xuanzhuzi is more likely to be affected.

Di Zhizhen tried it, and the little Taoist priest became obedient and adorable, doing whatever she was told, almost like a dog. So, with a smile, she said, "I think we're both feeling a bit unwell. I have some good medicine here. If we add it to your prescription, it will surely work together, harmonizing yin and yang, and making it even more effective." Her words were sweet and charming, her finger pressed to her lips, her eyes sparkling, as if there was another meaning behind them.

Xuan Zhuzi, a virgin, could hardly withstand this test.

Dazed, she reached out and took the medicine. Di Zhizhen smiled, but her eyes held a cold glint.

This medicine is a transformation of a pill, possessing extremely strong addictive properties. It can cause the user to dream of the divine will of the Eternal Mother, and then become mentally excited, praying until death, which can form rituals similar to the bloodstains of a religious sect.

Unfortunately, it was only because the Golden Heavenly King's sword almost shattered his form.

If it weren't for Li Zhenyue's sudden enlightenment at this moment, grasping the true meaning of the military strategist's principle of "unmoving as a mountain," I wouldn't have needed to go through all this trouble.
Di Zhizhen felt somewhat irritated, thinking of the terrifying sword energy of the Golden Heavenly King.

The innate Geng metal energy is extremely strong, yang, and pure.

Regardless of whether a cultivator is righteous or evil, they will possess an extremely strong exclusivity, either turning evil into righteousness or righteousness into evil, which leads to a strong erosion of the soul.

Xuan Zhuzi picked up the pill and, in a daze, walked towards the medicine furnaces.

Standing in front of the alchemy furnace, the young Taoist opened the medicine bag.

They were about to pour out the medicine bag.

………………

Under the moonlight, An Qing'en looked at Shen Cangming, who had been stabbed, and a smile appeared on his lips. However, after he saw clearly, the smile disappeared, because the two swords had only pierced through the gap between Shen Cangming's arms.

An Qing'en's face froze, staring in disbelief at the man with exceptionally long arms, and said:

"You, Liu Xuande, how could you..."

Liu Bei was still only using the power of the jade talisman, but the talisman seemed to be refusing to obey. An Qing'en grabbed Bai Zeshu and shouted, "Kill him! Kill Shen Cangming!"

Shen Cangming also noticed the jade scroll, and a strong sense of ferocity flashed in his eyes. At that moment, the sound of horses' hooves came from the street, and a burly man wearing armor, riding a black horse, with a leopard's head, round eyes, swallow's jaw, and tiger's beard, galloped wildly through the black clouds.

With a thunderous roar, the eighteen-foot spear hurtled straight toward Shen Cangming.

Shen Cangming blocked the attack with his Mo Dao (a type of long-handled sword). In an instant, Liu Xuande's jade talisman was controlled, and his twin swords slashed towards Shen Cangming's Mo Dao like dragons, causing the Mo Dao to emit a violent whistling sound.

Shen Cangming's eyes sharpened.

Zhang Fei?!

He was also being manipulated... No!

Shen Cangming saw the end of the street, where there was a building from the late Three Kingdoms period.

Zhang Huanhou Temple.

After Zhang Fei died, he was buried in Langzhong, where the Huanhou Temple was built, and it has been burning incense for five hundred years!
Did he manifest because he saw his elder brother?!
Langzhong is a place where things really run deep!

Shen Cangming stared intently at An Qing'en, his killing intent chilling and his hatred raging. Even when facing Liu Bei and Zhang Fei together, he was as fierce as a tiger and did not back down. Suddenly, he slashed down with his sword, and the Mo Dao (a type of long-handled sword) broke right in front of him!

The eighteen-foot spear thrust forward fiercely.

At this moment, Zhou Yan was struggling with the raging flames, and Shen Cangming, Ao Xuantao, Xuan Zhuzi, and Li Zhenyue were all in big trouble. Yuan Yufeng, however, thought of something else. He looked at the moon in the sky and at the distant Heavenly Palace, gritted his teeth, and was about to run outside.

Old Liu was shocked when he saw this: "Are you crazy?!"

"There are countless aquatic monsters lurking in these streets and alleys. If you go out now, you'll probably get torn to pieces!"

Yuan Yufeng said, "Master Zhou and the others are in danger, I can't just stand by and do nothing..."

Old Liu said, "What can you possibly do?! Your martial arts are terrible, you're not very strong, and as for your family's feng shui knowledge, you're only half-knowledgeable!"

Yuan Yufeng was speechless for a moment, then said, "But I feel like I can still do something... Look, wasn't the Heavenly Palace Academy opened because of the legend of my ancestors? Actually, there are other things written in my family genealogy."

“There is another dragon vein surrounding Langzhong!”

"It is Panlong Mountain in Langzhong. Back then, our ancestor was ordered to sever the dragon vein, but he hesitated and only suppressed it instead of severing it. I don't know if it was because of this that Wu Zetian usurped the Tang Dynasty."

"After all, Empress Wu was born in Lizhou, which is not far from here."

“I was thinking that opening the Heavenly Palace Academy could help Master Zhou and open the dragon vein of Panlong Mountain. Could I help him as well? Although I am a dull person, I think that since my ancestor was the most powerful feng shui master in our Tang Dynasty, he must have calculated the future and would not have made meaningless preparations.”

Yuan Yufeng gripped the pendant around her neck and gritted her teeth, saying:

"I have to go!"

"At worst, I'll lose my life; if I succeed, I might be able to help a few people."

"That will be able to help Master Zhou!"

Old Liu's eyes widened, and he suddenly became excited, saying:
"Listen to me, don't be a stick-in-the-wall, okay?! Look at my leg, Lao Liu, and your pitiful job guarding the city—isn't it all because of those three words, 'sticking your neck out'?!"

"I'm begging you, please don't go, okay?!"

"Weren't you supposed to take care of me in my old age?!"

Yuan Yufeng looked at Old Liu and shook her head seriously: "I will take care of you in your old age. Besides you, I don't have any other friends. I think it's really lucky that we met and became familiar with each other."

"But this is Langzhong, and I am a native of Langzhong. If I, a native of Langzhong, am unwilling to stand up and save Langzhong, and we only rely on a few Taoist priests from outside to help, then what kind of people are we?!"

He patted Old Liu on the shoulder: "I'll be right back!"

"Wait for me to come back, then we'll have another drink. I'll definitely take care of you in your old age, don't worry."

Old Liu's expression shifted and struggled. Finally, he exhaled, tears welling in his eyes, and vigorously washed his nose before saying, "Alright!"

He gripped the knife at his waist: "I'll go with you!"

"Let's seize a horse!"

The two headed towards Panlong Mountain, which was not far away, much closer than the Heavenly Palace. They were anxious and hurried along the way. For some reason, they did not encounter any water monsters along the way, and Yuan Yufeng breathed a sigh of relief.

Seeing the pendant around his neck light up, he relaxed, widened his eyes, and said:
"Yes, yes, the pendant is shining!"

"This place really does have..."

A sharp pain pierced Yuan Yufeng's body. Yuan Yufeng stared wide-eyed in disbelief, turning to look at Old Liu, who had stabbed him. He opened his mouth, blood trickling from the corner of his lips, and said, "You..."

The dragon veins of Panlong Mountain flowed and murmured. Old Liu, the lame old man, gripped the knife and looked at him. Layers of blue scales appeared on the outer edge of his temples, and there were tears in the corners of his eyes, but they were like pearls and did not fall.

Old Liu's voice choked with sorrow and despair, yet it was also ruthless:
"...I am a merman."

"The aquatic monster in your eyes."

(End of this chapter)