The Blade-Wielding Legend

Chapter 1436 739: Sect Leader Arrives (Part 2)

He slowly recited each name, each word like a heavy hammer striking the hearts of the crowd, coldly saying: "They are flying the banner of 'Protecting the True Monarch,' but in reality, they want to usurp divine powers and counterbalance the court."

Having said that, he slightly turned his head, his eyes cold in the shadows: "Issue orders to all provincial offices—"

"From today, set up checkpoints along the river routes, and for any Mystical Sect Cultivator crossing the border, conduct strict inspections under the pretense of 'investigating the Jianmu Demon'!"

"Cao Yun Yamen, Inspection Bureau, Navy posts must cooperate. If any sect inquires, say the Japanese demons have infiltrated the Central Plains, using the waterways for stealth, hence the court must be vigilant."

A Thousand Households dared to look up: "Mr. Zhao, if the Mystical Sect forcibly tries to break through…"

Zhao Wujiong sneered: "Then let them try to break through."

He slipped a Mystic Iron Token out of his sleeve and pressed it on the desk with a snap, making everyone tremble.

"Issue secret orders, have troops stationed along the routes secretly on alert. Anyone from the Mystical Sect who forcibly breaks through will be judged for 'colluding with demons' and killed on the spot!"

"Remember—"

His fingertips lightly tapped the token, calmly saying: "Wudang's Yu Chanzi, this person is the most prudent, and Wudang is favored by the court, the officials along the way must 'warmly welcome' him, ensure he drinks several more cups of tea."

"Dragon and Tiger's Heavenly Master Zhang, this person is cunning, and his temper was explosive back then, he's the biggest trouble; checkpoints along the way should 'occasionally have lapses', let him pass first."

"As for the others... Qingcheng's Chen Kongzi has just ascended, first obstruct him to test the waters, Emei's Wang Miaoyin is proud, so insult her, Zhongnan's old Daoist is suspicious, so deceive him."

"By any means necessary, stall them."

Saying this, he slowly straightened up, that withered face in the shadows was ghostly and ominous: "Within three days, only one 'Heavenly Master' should be in Capital."

"And that will be—the Sui Lun True Monarch at the National Ancestral Altar!"

"Yes, Lord!"

...

Clop~clop~

The mountain wind swept through fallen leaves across the official road.

Wudang's Yu Chanzi's green donkey walked leisurely.

The Daoist leaned sideways against the donkey's back, holding a book, humming a vulgar tune: "Don't say the Mystical Sect is peacefully quiet, better to see the True Monarch with drunken eyes…"

"Master!"

The accompanying elder stomped anxiously, "I heard Heavenly Master Zhang crossed the Yellow River last night!"

"Why worry?"

Yu Chanzi squinted at the distant cooking smoke, his gaze indifferent, "The Heavenly Court hasn't interfered in the Human World for many years, isn't their urgency this time suspicious?"

No sooner had he spoken, the official road ahead was suddenly blocked, several Government Officials commanded laborers to dig ditches and fill soil, seeing them approach, hurriedly bowed: "Apologies, Daoist, there are orders from the County Lord, this road has been in disrepair for years and must be closed for three days."

Yu Chanzi stroked his beard with a smile: "No matter, I'll take a detour."

The elder fumed indignantly: "Clearly intentional obstruction!"

The Daoist shook his head, looking towards the far sky, his gaze deep, as if piercing through layers of space to see the Capital.

"The court doesn't want us to enter the Capital too quickly; why force our way in…"

......

Zhongnan's Qiu Changchun was currently blocked at Si Shui Pass.

On the foggy river, seven or eight broken fishing boats formed a peculiar formation. The old fisherman at the bow grinned, showing black teeth: "Forgive us, Heavenly Master, recently the River God is getting married, the crossing is closed for three days."

"Nonsense!"

The accompanying disciple shouted angrily, "How is there a River God wedding in May?"

Thick fog surrounded them, the boats obscured and visible.

Qiu Changchun narrowed his eyes, suddenly flicking his sleeve to throw out three Five Thunder Talismans.

Crack!

With the explosion of thunder, the fishing boats splintered into wood chips.

Those "fishermen" turned into a paperman, drifting away, shaking centipedes onto the ground from their sleeves.

"Maoshan Paper Cutting Shape-shifting Technique, and Southwest Gu Technique…"

Qiu Changchun laughed: "To try and stop me, these methods aren't enough."

...…

Emei's Wang Miaoyin came alone.

She is over forty, considered a rising master of the Mystical Sect, already having stepped into the Innate.

Everyone else has their own agendas, she does too.

Emei is currently plagued by internal conflicts among sects, its power and prestige constantly declining, often ridiculed in the pugilistic world, the biggest root cause being the passing of the previous Master without a convincing successor.

Wang Miaoyin saw an opportunity.

If she could use this event to make a name for herself in the Mystical Sect and become one of the next Ten Grandmasters, she could suppress opposing forces and bring Emei to rise once again.

Just like Cheng Jianxin, the Sword Immortal of Shu did back then.

Thus, she came alone this time, without any disciples, only wearing a moon-colored Taoist robe, holding an ancient sword in her arms.

As the bamboo raft reached the heart of the river, she suddenly saw the beacon fires on both banks.

"Master, halt!"

The Constables on shore shouted, "River defense drills, all boats must dock for inspection!"

Wang Miaoyin glanced around, flicking a finger on the sword blade.

Ding!

The sword's sound was like a wave; everyone's gaze instantly scattered.

When the government officials opened their eyes again, the river was already deserted...

...

Chen Kongzi from Qingcheng traveled from Shu, crossing the Qinhuai River by boat.

At night, halfway through the journey, he suddenly saw a blood-stained wedding dress floating downstream.

His brows furrowed slightly, and suddenly he drew his sword.

Clang!

The sword emitted a dragon's roar as the wedding dress split apart.

The poison fog quickly spread, startling the willow trees on both banks into withering.

"Southwest Thousand Mechanisms Poison."

Chen Kongzi's brows furrowed, "When did the court learn these heretical spells? What can this semblance bring?"

With that, he shook his head slightly and said to the wide-eyed boatman, "Please pass the word, next time remember to use Ba Shu's boat, Jiangnan's black awning boats are too easily recognized."

"Let's go, tell Mr. Zhao, Qingcheng won't be the first to arrive..."

......

On the other side, the news continuously gathered towards the Captain Bureau.

Zhao Wujiong checked them one by one, expressionless.

"Lord, I have failed in my duties."

Recently promoted Tian Qianhu lowered his head with an ugly expression.

Being familiar with the south, he was responsible for sending people to intercept Heavenly Master Zhang, but the dispatched individuals all failed to find him, as if he had disappeared into thin air.

"No matter."

Zhao Wujiong looked at the intelligence, his expression calm, "These methods, of course, won't stop those Mystic Sect Leaders. They don't intend to turn against us. Our intention is merely to gauge their attitude."

The Thousand Households below suddenly understood.

Among those here, there wasn't a single person who wasn't shrewd.

One of them cupped his hands and said, "Lord, it seems this time Heavenly Master Zhang and Wang Miaoyin are the most active. Since things have reached this stage, why not simply order them to be kept outside the city? Do they dare to rebel?"

"Rebellion is unlikely..."

Zhao Wujiong looked towards the sky outside the hall, a hint of helplessness flashing in his eyes, "Some things you don't understand, the real trouble this time is not these Sect Leaders."

"They are merely being directed by someone else."

"And what the court can do is seize the moment at all costs."

This statement left many Thousand Households looking at each other.

Outside the grand hall, there were still many waiting for orders.

Among the crowd, Kong Shangzhao lowered his head, looking exhausted.

He didn't expect that just after formulating a plan, trouble would arise again from the Captain Bureau.

Zhao Wujiong, who had long resigned from the Captain Bureau, suddenly reappeared as the leader, while Luo Mingzi, who was deeply trusted by the Emperor, was excluded and ordered to recuperate at home, not allowed to approach the Captain Bureau.

The Law Enforcement Hall, full of Mystic Sect Disciples, was also ordered by Pei Zongti to temporarily rest.

Everyone understood that the court's outward coldness was actually to protect them from getting involved in the sudden chaos.

However, many matters thus came to a halt.

For example, the task of investigating Jianmu, from the Japanese Magician side, already had some intelligence extracted, but suddenly stopped.

Luo Mingzi was also angry, often getting drunk at home.

Thinking of all this, Kong Shangzhao's desire to leave the Captain Bureau grew stronger...

......

At the fifth hour, on the official road outside the Capital.

Hoo~

Fierce winds swept up dust and dispersed, revealing the figure of an elderly Daoist in purple robes with white hair, calmly removing two pieces of Armored Horse bound to his legs.

The yellow Armored Horse hadn't yet touched the ground, dissolving into flames and blue smoke.

The visitor was none other than Heavenly Master Zhang.

Gazing at the distant outline of the Capital, his eyes were deep and brooding.

In a flash, he disappeared.

But the closer he got to the city gate, the more peculiar the surroundings seemed.

The usual long lines of carriages and horses had all vanished.

Only an elderly man in a black robe stood leaning on a cane.

"Heavenly Master, you've traveled far and hard."

The elderly man's voice was hoarse, "I am here under Mr. Zhao's orders to welcome you — please rest at the inn and wait for all the sects to gather, then we shall discuss the major matter together."

With that, he sidestepped to let the way pass.

On the distant tower, the dense Gun Team's cold gleam was faintly visible in the dawn.

"What a 'joint discussion'..."

Heavenly Master Zhang glanced at the Gun Team above, his eyes calm as a deep well, "Zhao Wujiong... Is he trying to pressure the Mystic Sect into submission?"

"Or is he attempting to defy the heavens!"