The Blade-Wielding Legend

Chapter 1412 727: New Era (Part 2)

Yu Yiyuan, attendant of the Moon Coffin, was the last to board the carriage, moving so nimbly that he didn't make a single sound.

Before slipping into the sack of grain, his cold gaze swept over those porters as if it had substance.

But these people merely set down the oilcloth indifferently, as if nothing had happened.

"Dharma Master, it's opium..."

A ronin whispered a reminder.

Yu Yiyuan, attendant of the Moon Coffin, instantly understood, and his curiosity grew even stronger.

These people were clearly Zhao Qingxu's hidden line.

According to intelligence, Zhao Qingxu had severed all clues, yet there was still one hidden away.

The space within the sack of grain was cramped, suffocating, mixed with the scent of dust and grains.

Rumble!

From afar, the vibration of hooves hitting the ground could be heard on the official road.

It was none other than the elite scouts of the Captain Bureau and Law Enforcement Hall.

Judging by the sound, they were heading to the Chaotic Burial Mound.

Yu Yiyuan, attendant of the Moon Coffin, also breathed a sigh of relief.

He considered himself fortunate; had he killed Yu Er earlier, facing wave after wave of experts from the Law Enforcement Hall, even with his formidable skills, survival would be difficult. For now, he could only take one step at a time.

After an indeterminate amount of bumping, the vehicle's speed slowed.

Outside, the noise was deafening, yet unbeknownst, it was already dawn, and they had arrived outside the city gate.

The team seemed quite familiar with the gate guards, as they entered the city with little inspection.

After an unknown amount of time, the carriage finally stopped.

The oilcloth was lifted once more, and the same, expressionless porters indicated they should disembark.

Everyone emerged from the sack of grain, patting away the straw and dust from their bodies.

Surveying their surroundings, they found themselves in a surprisingly spacious courtyard.

The ground was laid with blue bricks, and around them were gray tile and whitewashed walls showcasing the Southern water town charm.

However, the structure at the end of the courtyard seemed entirely out of place.

It was clearly a chapel with a Western style.

Yu Yiyuan, attendant of the Moon Coffin, furrowed his brow slightly and snorted coldly, "A chapel of the Red-haired Barbarians?"

He was not unfamiliar with chapels.

In the past few decades, many Red-haired Barbarians had come to Japan to preach, primarily focused around Jiuzhou Island, Fenghou Country, and the domains of daimyos like Feiqian Country, who, by allowing preaching, exchanged for goods like silks and firearms.

These daimyos even dedicated Nagasaki to foreign church management.

Thus, in a short period, followers expanded to include samurai, merchants, farmers, reaching nearly three hundred thousand.

With a large number of people, chaos ensued, and due to the preaching, they faced opposition from Buddhism and the Divine Path.

Later, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, after conquering in Jiuzhou, issued a decree forbidding missionaries from entering the country, demanding departure within twenty days due to their agitation. Both sides had previously dueled by the seaside, killing many followers and priests.

It's fair to say they were old adversaries.

"Rest assured, Dharma Master."

"Yu Er" quickly explained upon seeing, "This chapel was once overseen by Matteo Ricci for construction; he contributed to the Great Xuan Court, and since it's a gathering place for Red-haired merchants, it was recently investigated and is now quite safe."

"Okay, let's go."

Yu Yiyuan, attendant of the Moon Coffin, nodded slightly, hinting for his subordinates to stay alert.

They entered through the side door of the back courtyard.

As soon as they crossed the wooden door and entered the chapel, Yu Yiyuan, attendant of the Moon Coffin, sensed something was amiss.

His familiarity with the style of these chapels was notable.

On the Romanesque façade where stained glass windows should be embedded, they were now crudely sealed with thick boards and oiled paper, exuding gloom, with a few grass rope-bound wooden racks piled nearby.

The interior space of the hall was lofty, indeed designed in a Latin cross layout typical of Catholic chapels, yet there was an eerie aura about it.

On the coarse wooden pillars supporting the dome, faded paint was vaguely discernible, seemingly depicting Bible stories—Noah's Ark, The Last Supper... yet the faces of figures were mostly deliberately carved away with tools.

Inside, many people wearing priest robes could be seen.

Some were foreign, but mostly they were local men, all with empty, vacant gazes.

Even with Yu Er and them present, there was no reaction.

Within the chapel, it was extremely dim, the only source of light being the towering copper candlesticks flanking the altar.

Yet the candlelight was so dim, seemingly suppressed by some unseen force.

As Yu Er gestured, a figure dressed in peculiar attire slowly emerged from the shadows, approaching them.

This person was slender, wearing a long robe of a strange style, washed to a somewhat faded state.

The robe was a common Confucian straight robe but cinched tighter at the waist, with a tied collar rather than a button. Most notably, a faded black velvet short vest covered the long robe, a Western priest's garment.

Such an odd mix, yet it's not unusual in the Divine State.

Back in the day, Matteo Ricci and other priests began preaching and, to reduce hostility, stressed the importance of adapting to local customs.

Even their attire changed accordingly, gradually integrating into the gentry.

This style became a common appearance for priests in the Divine State.

The visitor was a middle-aged Red-haired Barbarian, haggard in appearance, with sunken eyes and prominent cheekbones.

He bowed slightly to Yu Yiyuan, Attendant of the Coffin, and others, speaking dryly, "I am Rolle, sent by the Lord... and his loyal servant... Father Zhao... to welcome you... esteemed guests. May the dwelling of God... shelter you."

Western priests preaching in the Divine State usually give themselves a Divine State surname.

Looking at this man, Yu Yiyuan, Attendant of the Coffin, suddenly felt eerie and abruptly looked upwards.

Behind the sacrificial altar wall, a huge carved stone crucifix remained, but the face of the Divine Statue was roughly shaved flat, replaced by a layer of red cloth, with peculiar black Runes painted on it.

Buzz buzz buzz~

Yu Yiyuan, Attendant of the Coffin's Ancient Sword trembled slightly, and he quickly pressed it down.

This was his family's heritage, the Ancient Sword "Moon Coffin," sealing Yu Yiyuan's Demon Soul, capable of performing the sinister secret technique "Frost Descent Child," also the reason they were called "Seat of a Hundred Ghosts."

And now, the Yu Yiyuan Demon Soul inside was actually afraid!

Yu Yiyuan, Attendant of the Coffin, felt a chill down his spine and said coldly, "What happened here?"

"Dharma Master..."

You Er's voice carried a slight tremor, seemingly excited, yet mixed with fear.

"Immortal Master Zhao's power is beyond your imagination."

"Be wise, don't ask anything, you'll naturally be rewarded afterward."

The Japanese Samurai exchanged glances, feeling chilled in their hearts, but given the situation, they could only follow the strange priest into the chapel's underground chamber.

This was where wine was stored, barrels stacked like a maze.

The good thing was that the priest had already prepared a hearty feast.

There was even a wooden basket covered with a floral cloth, faintly emanating a child's humming sound.

These Japanese Samurai and Swordsmen were long starving, their stomachs sticking to their backs, and promptly began feasting.

Having eaten and drunk to their fill, their worries surfaced again.

"Dharma Master."

The swordsman named Shinada spoke with a face full of concern, "This place feels very wrong."

"Hmm."

Yu Yiyuan, Attendant of the Coffin, slowly rose, blood smeared at the corners of his mouth, casually discarded the basket in his hand, instinctively pressed his Ancient Sword 'Moon Coffin' at his waist, and looked upward, red light flickering in his eyes.

"That Zhao Qingxu is probably a formidable demon, don't act rashly..."

......

Thanks to You Er's support, Yu Yiyuan, Attendant of the Coffin, and others managed to escape.

The Captain Bureau and Law Enforcement Hall lost track of them, and Luo Mingzi and others got severely scolded.

But many things wouldn't halt because of these lurking demons.

After various contestations, the list was finally determined, and the Academy finally welcomed enrollment time.

Two days later, as dawn broke, thin fog enveloped the surroundings.

On the central square built in the "Heavenly Circle and Earthly Square" layout of Qiankun Academy, the place was already bustling with noise.

Today marked the auspicious day for the Academy's official opening.

The first batch of selected disciples from the "Observing Things Department" and "Mystical Craft Department" gathered here.

These disciples, though dressed in uniformly issued indigo coarse cloth tunics, stood noticeably distinct.

Some bore expressionless faces, with wide palms, inexplicably nervous.

These were disciples from various craftsmen selections, all extraordinary talents who had traveled from afar to the Capital, and arrived at this renowned Academy, naturally feeling apprehensive.

Others carried an undeniable aura of nobility in their gait and demeanor.

They were the children born of concubines sent by the nobility, here to fight for a future.

Most disciples were no more than fifteen or sixteen, gathered in twos and threes, whispering among themselves.

Their gazes towards each other carried scrutiny and assessment.

On the distant platform, the weary-eyed Yan Jiuling looked at the scene below, his eyes full of excitement.

"Mr. Li, may I guess what I've seen?"

Standing beside him was Li Yan, who was temporarily pulled in.

Li Yan's gaze was equally complicated.

He hadn't expected that his unintended actions would eventually lead to such a spectacle.

Hearing Yan Jiuling's inquiry and recalling the Mystical Sect's Steam Engine he had seen earlier, he pursed his lips.

"A new era..."