parentshiftbook Chapter 83: Preparations and Undercurrents
Chapter 83: Preparations and Undercurrents
Late autumn in Qingliu Lane was permeated with an unprecedented sense of urgency.
Only two or three days after the council decided to go to Qixing'ao, various sounds began to emanate day and night from the newly purchased and hastily renovated courtyards deep in the alley—the dull sound of forging, the sharp sound of grinding, the slight "sizzling" sound of etching, and the hurried conversations of craftsmen in hushed voices. The air was perpetually filled with the metallic smell, the dust of mineral powder, and the indescribable odor of various herbal juices mixed together. The tranquility of the ordinary alley was completely shattered, but because Sun Wenyuan had already taken care of the neighbors and used the guise of "repairing official equipment," it did not arouse too much suspicion.
Lin Yan meticulously arranged the more than thirty craftsmen brought by Sun Wenyuan according to the previously agreed-upon "flowing" method. The First Division was responsible for materials: red iron ingots were sent into the roaring furnace to be forged into steel; various elemental spirit stones were carefully crushed and ground into powders of varying coarseness; demon beast bones and specific ores were pounded into powder in stone mortars and then mixed according to the strict proportions given by Su Qingyao. The Second Division was responsible for the rough blanks: red-hot steel billets were repeatedly forged on anvils, sparks flying, gradually taking shape into uniform shield cores, short dagger prototypes, and specially made three-edged crossbow bolt heads. The Third Division was responsible for etching: the craftsmen held their breath, using specially made copper pens dipped in etchant to carefully etch uniform, precisely oriented grooves along the thin sheepskin patterns fixed to the rough blanks onto the metal surface—the veins of the "talismanic treasure's" power. Ding Yuan was in charge of filling and initial inlaying: the prepared spiritual materials were carefully pressed into the grooves, various micro crystals and metal sheets were embedded into specific nodes, and the semi-finished product with the initial shape of "talisman treasure" was carefully placed on a tray lined with soft cloth.
The most central Wuyuan Courtyard was exclusively frequented by Su Qingyao. All semi-finished products that had undergone the first four processes were ultimately delivered here. She would meticulously inspect the basic patterns and details of each semi-finished product, and only after confirming everything was correct would she personally begin. Using a specially crafted talisman brush, mixed with various spiritual materials and her own essence, she would dip it into the prepared talisman ink and perform the final, decisive talisman inscription and overall spiritual energy harmonization at the key locations of the semi-finished product—usually the energy convergence hub or the starting point for activating runes. With each stroke, extremely subtle pale blue true essence would emanate from her fingertips, merging into the talisman ink and guiding the spiritual materials and carrier to completely fuse, awakening the dormant power within. This was the finishing touch; the slightest error could ruin everything, or even trigger an unstable explosion.
Lin Yan didn't get too involved in the specific production; he focused more on overall coordination, logistical support, and perimeter security. Inside and outside Qingliu Lane, Lu Ling, Wang Dashan, Zhou Fu, Zhao Si, and others led a group of Black Stone Guards, taking turns day and night, combining overt and covert sentries to guard these courtyards like an iron fortress. Sun Wenyuan acted as the central coordinator, responsible for communicating with Zhou Yan, allocating various scarce resources, and handling the tedious tasks of comforting the craftsmen's families. His cooperation with Lin Yan became increasingly seamless, and they almost became close friends.
With such efficient and secretive operation, the first batch of "talisman treasures" was quietly formed in just seven or eight days.
A total of twenty "Earth Protective Shields", two hundred "Armor-Piercing Sharp Metal Crossbows", and twenty "Swift Wind and Blazing Fire Daggers".
That night, the moon was dark and the wind was high. Lin Yan personally led the team, escorting sealed wooden boxes full of "talisman treasures", and quietly left the city, venturing deep into the desolate and uninhabited wild mountains outside the city, to find a secluded valley surrounded by walls on three sides to conduct the test.
The valley was filled with jagged rocks and withered grass. The mournful cries of owls echoed through the distant woods, adding to the desolation.
First, there was the shield. Three ordinary Body Tempering Realm members wielded a "Wu Earth Protective Shield" together. Once activated, a thick, solid, orange-yellow aura suddenly shone brightly. Lin Yan didn't act personally; instead, he had Lu Ling, at the peak of Body Tempering Realm, use his hunting bow to fire arrows imbued with true essence. The arrows struck the aura with a dull thud, causing it to ripple violently, yet it remained unbroken. The shield-bearers only retreated two steps before regaining their footing. It wasn't until Lu Ling fired three consecutive arrows at the same spot that the aura shattered with a mournful cry, and a crack appeared in the center of the shield. But this was enough to move everyone—it meant that three Body Tempering Realm members, with this shield, could withstand a continuous onslaught from a peak Body Tempering Realm cultivator!
Next came the crossbow bolts. Ordinary team members used standard military crossbows to fire "Armor-Piercing Sharp Metal Crossbow Bolts." The arrows left the bowstrings with a sharp whistling sound, the arrowheads tracing a faint golden path in the night before embedding themselves deeply into a half-foot-thick iron plate placed several dozen paces away. A muffled "thud" followed, not an impact, but more like a tearing sound! Everyone rushed forward to see, and there, the arrowheads were deeply embedded in the iron plate, the surrounding iron showing abnormal twisting and melting signs—its power far exceeding that of ordinary crossbow bolts!
Finally, there was the dagger. Wang Dashan held a "Swift Wind and Raging Fire Dagger," infusing it with spiritual power to activate it. A layer of interwoven blue and red light instantly rose from the dagger's surface. He let out a low shout and hurled it forcefully towards a reclining blue stone in the distance. The dagger transformed into a streak of light, moving with incredible speed, even faintly accompanied by the sounds of wind and thunder! With a deafening "boom," the blue stone shattered, and amidst the flying debris, a charred, burnt mark could be seen at its core, as if it had been burned by flames and pierced by a sharp blade!
The test results left all the Blackrock Guard members breathing heavily, their eyes blazing with excitement. They knew all too well what this meant! These seemingly ordinary shields, arrows, and daggers, after being modified, actually allowed these ordinary soldiers with low cultivation levels to unleash offensive and defensive capabilities that were almost beyond their cultivation realm! This was almost unimaginable in the past!
Only Lin Yan stood quietly in the night wind in the valley, looking at the shattered shield, the pierced iron plate, and the shattered blue stone. There was not much joy in his eyes, but rather a complex emotion that was hard for others to detect.
It was far too crude. Deep within his heart, in that hazy yet incredibly vast frame of reference rooted in distant memories, a true "magical weapon" or "talismanic treasure" should be something capable of overturning rivers and seas, plucking stars from the moon, possessing unfathomable power, and even developing sentience. These before him were merely low-grade materials and rudimentary rune arrays, solidifying a meager amount of spiritual energy of heaven and earth onto ordinary iron. Their power was limited, their durability poor, and they would be destroyed with a single blow. They were worlds apart from the "talismanic treasures" he imagined.
However, he also clearly understood that one must eat one bite at a time and walk one step at a time. In this era of waning spiritual energy and the interruption of many traditions, in Qingzhou Prefecture with limited resources and surrounded by powerful enemies, Su Qingyao's ability to lead the craftsmen to achieve such results in such a short time, based on the ideas he provided, was already an astonishing feat. This was undoubtedly lighting a faint but real flame of hope for humanity in this long, dark night. This was a historic attempt, a difficult breakthrough from zero to one.
"My lord, this...this is simply a divine weapon!" Wang Dashan stroked the dagger in his hand, its luster dimmed, and he couldn't put it down. His voice trembled slightly.
Lu Ling, Zhou Fu, and others could not hide their excitement.
Lin Yan composed himself and gave a reassuring smile: "You've all worked hard. This is the culmination of Miss Su's efforts and will be your key to victory in the future. However, this item is still in its early stages and has many shortcomings. It must be used with caution and kept strictly confidential."
"Yes!" the crowd responded in unison, their voices echoing through the valley, filled with barely suppressed excitement.
It was already past midnight when they returned to Qingliu Lane. The lights in the courtyard were still on, and Su Qingyao was still busy in the Wu Courtyard, checking the talisman drawings for the last batch of "talisman treasures". Upon hearing the news of the successful test, a relieved and accomplished smile appeared on her tired face.
Without taking a break, Lin Yan immediately summoned all the Black Stone Guard members who were about to accompany Qixing'ao to the main hall.
The hall was brightly lit by candlelight, illuminating twenty young and resolute faces. Li Tie was among them; his injuries had long since healed, and he now stood ramrod straight with a steady gaze.
Lin Yan surveyed the crowd, his voice steady and powerful: "The journey to Seven Star Pass is fraught with peril. Since we have been ordered to go, we must make thorough preparations. The 'talismanic treasures' have been initially distributed; we must practice diligently to coordinate them and become familiar with their characteristics and limits."
He paused, his gaze falling on Li Tie: "Li Tie."
"Your humble servant is here!" Li Tie stepped forward.
"On this trip to Qixing'ao, you and the other nine brothers will stay behind in Qingliu Lane," Lin Yan said solemnly.
Li Tie was slightly taken aback, clearly somewhat surprised, but he didn't say anything, just listened attentively.
"The responsibility of staying behind is of paramount importance." Lin Yan looked at him and said, word by word, "This courtyard, these workshops, and even all the craftsmen here are the fruits of our labor, and the foundation upon which many people's lives may be changed in the future. They are our very lifeline. Although Liu Xiong went to Qixing'ao with us, his henchmen have not been eliminated, and his brother-in-law, Liu Wenhuan, is still stationed in Qingzhou Prefecture. Their conspiracy is about to be exposed, and it is hard to guarantee that they will not resort to desperate measures, take a gamble, attack this place, destroy our foundation, or take hostages. You are calm, courageous, and composed; this heavy responsibility is best entrusted to you."
Upon hearing this, Li Tie's chest heaved, a resolute glint flashing in his eyes. He clasped his hands tightly and said, "Rest assured, sir! As long as Li Tie is here, the courtyard is here! We will do everything in our power to protect this place and await your triumphant return!"
"Alright." Lin Yan nodded and continued, "During your stay, consult with Mr. Sun Wenyuan on all matters. He is familiar with the situation in the manor and can allocate resources. Be sure to be vigilant, strengthen patrols and sentries, and strictly check all personnel entering and leaving. If any extraordinary events occur, act expediently, but always proceed with caution."
"Understood, Your Excellency!" Li Tie replied in a deep voice.
With assignments made, everyone accepted their tasks and went off to make final preparations before departure. Lin Yan returned to his study, where his desk was piled high with all the ancient texts and records about Qixing'ao that Sun Wenyuan had obtained from Old Zhou Yunqi.
Zhou Yunqi, who now oversees both the document room and the armory, is extremely diligent in fulfilling Lin Yan's instructions. The materials he sent are all-encompassing: there is a brief description of the treacherous terrain and miasma distribution of Qixing'ao from the official "Qingzhou Mountain and River Map and Gazetteer"; there are scattered records from the Demon Suppression Bureau over the years about the appearance of monsters in Mangcang Mountain, which occasionally mention the name Qixing'ao; there are folk tales and records of strange events passed down orally by mountain people and hunters; there are even some incomplete and dated handwritten notes from predecessors, in which they record their speculations and longings about the "Spirit Milk Cave" of Qixing'ao in messy handwriting.
By candlelight, Lin Yan carefully perused, compared, and scrutinized each document. He attempted to piece together a power map of the possible demonic beasts within Seven Star Valley from these fragments of text, some true, some false, some detailed, some brief.
Based on cross-referencing from multiple records, it can be basically determined that there are two kinds of powerful monsters that have been entrenched in Qixing'ao for many years and are the most well-known.
First, there is the "Golden Flame Demon Fox." According to a fragment of a travelogue from a previous dynasty, this fox is as large as a calf, with crimson gold fur, emerald green eyes, and lightning-fast movements. It is most adept at manipulating a golden, extremely hot demonic fire capable of melting gold and corroding iron. Furthermore, it possesses high intelligence and is cunning. The notes infer that its peak strength roughly corresponds to the "late stage of the Profound Realm" among human cultivators.
Secondly, there is the "Silverback Ape King." This information comes from several oral accounts of hunter survivors from different eras and sources. They all say that it resembles a giant ape, over two zhang tall, with long silver-gray fur all over its body, except for the snow-white fur on its back. It possesses immense strength, capable of tearing apart tigers and leopards, and its roar can shatter mountains and rocks. It is also described as having a violent temperament and an extremely strong sense of territory. Some veteran hunters speculate, based on the destruction it causes and the oppressive aura it exudes, that this ape's strength has probably reached the threshold of the "Condensing Core Realm."
Lin Yan put down the paper in his hand, rubbed his temples, and the candlelight flickered in his deep eyes.
A golden-flame fox at the late stage of the Profound Realm, a silver-backed ape king suspected to be at the Core Formation Realm… these are only the ones explicitly recorded. Deep within Seven Star Valley, miasma swirls, and the terrain is complex. Could other powerful, unknown demonic creatures be lurking nearby? Even more troubling is the fact that ancient texts repeatedly mention that, at the same cultivation level, demonic beasts, due to their powerful physiques, bizarre innate abilities, and ferocious fighting instincts, can often suppress or even kill human cultivators of higher levels. If that silver-backed ape king truly possesses Core Formation Realm strength, its actual threat likely far exceeds that of an ordinary human cultivator at the early Core Formation Realm.
In addition, Liu Xiong must have had some hidden backup plan...
This trip to Qixing'ao was truly fraught with danger at every turn, a journey with a slim chance of survival.
***
Meanwhile, in Liu Xiong's private study.
Outside the window, the night was as dark as ink, but inside the study, only a single lamp was lit, its dim, yellowish light casting a distorted shadow of Liu Xiong on the wall. A sheet of Xuelang paper lay open before him, his wolf-hair brush, its tip heavy with ink, hesitated to dip into it.
He was writing a letter to his elder brother Liu Ba, who was serving as the deputy envoy at the headquarters of the Demon Suppression Bureau in the capital city of Tianqi.
The pen finally fell, and the handwriting was initially neat, but as it went on, it became increasingly sloppy and hurried, the force penetrating the paper, as if it wanted to pour out all the anxiety, fear and ruthlessness that had accumulated in its heart onto the paper.
"...Brother Anqi: The situation in Qingzhou is deteriorating day by day. Zhao Kun has been missing for many days without any news, and he is most likely in the hands of Zhou Yan and Lin Yan. This villain knows too many secrets, and once he reveals them, our connection with Minister Zhao will be exposed to the light of day. Zhou Yan is cunning and shrewd, and Lin Yan is a treacherous and vicious scoundrel. They have been making strange moves recently, and I'm afraid they are secretly gathering evidence and plotting something sinister."
"...I have already set a trap. Taking advantage of the emergence of the 'Spiritual Milk' and the gathering of demonic beasts at Qixing'ao in the Jiazi year, I will lure Lin Yan to investigate. At that time, I will personally lead my elite guards to block his retreat at the entrance of the valley. I will also prepare 'Boiling Blood Powder' to enrage the demonic beasts, ensuring that he will be devoured by them without a trace. However, even if Lin Yan is removed, Zhou Yan is still alive. This old villain is based in Qingzhou, with deep roots and the support of stubborn figures like Zheng Tong. He is difficult to shake in a short time."
The brushstroke paused heavily here, and the ink splattered into a dark, filthy mess.
"...What's even more worrying is that my brother-in-law, Liu Wenhuan, has recently become hesitant and timid. Whenever the topic of Zhou Yan and the potential investigation by the court comes up, he becomes visibly anxious and shows signs of backing down. I have repeatedly advised him to act decisively and strike first, but he has always made excuses such as 'the time is not right' or 'it involves too many people.' Such indecisiveness may backfire!"
His breathing became heavy, a fierce glint flashed in his eyes, and his writing became even faster:
"...At this critical juncture of life and death, how can we hesitate? If Zhou Yan and Lin Yan possess solid evidence and report it to the Emperor, then we brothers, and even Minister Zhao, will all be in grave danger! Although I have laid a trap at Qixing'ao, things are unpredictable. Zhou Yan is watching us closely in Qingzhou, and we must be on guard. I earnestly hope that you, brother, will make a decision in the capital as soon as possible. Either ask Minister Zhao to exert pressure to force Zhou Yan to be transferred; or... send a trusted confidant south with swift and decisive action to eliminate the threat once and for all! The matter in Qingzhou is no longer an ordinary power struggle; it is a matter of life and death. I urge you to think carefully and make a swift decision!"
He wrote the last part almost through gritted teeth. He threw down his pen, picked up the letter, and read it again by candlelight, his eyes filled with even more ruthlessness. He carefully blew the ink dry, folded it, and put it into a specially made waterproof sealing wax envelope. He summoned his trusted aide and whispered, "Send it out tonight, through the most secretive channels. Make sure you personally deliver it to the master."
The trusted confidant obeyed the order and silently disappeared into the darkness.
Liu Xiong stood alone in the dim lamplight, gazing at the deep night outside the window. His face was devoid of its usual warm smile, replaced only by cold calculation and a desperate, ruthless glint in his eyes. The killing spree at Qixing'ao was the first step in severing Zhou Yan's arm; and this letter sent to the capital was yet another mad prelude to completely overturn the Qingzhou chessboard, even at the cost of attracting intervention from higher-level forces.
The autumn wind swept through the courtyard, whipping the iron gates under the eaves and producing a desolate, mournful clanging sound that carried far, far away in the quiet of the night.