The Blade-Wielding Legend

Chapter 1448 745: Spring City, Jinan Prefecture

The fine rain was like silk, draping a thin veil over the river's surface.

On both banks, the ink-green and tranquil fields and villages were shrouded in rain and mist, making it seem like they were in Mist Rain in Jiangnan.

However, this was actually the Xiaoqing River route outside Jinan City.

Li Yan and the others left the Tongzhou Pier. If they took the land route, they would need to disembark at Cangzhou, climbing mountains and ridges along the way, which would be time-consuming.

Fortunately, from Tongzhou to Jinan Prefecture, the entire journey could be made via the Cao Yun waterway, traveling along the Beijing-Hangzhou Canal through Linqing, Dongchang, Dongping Lake, and Jining to reach Jinan City directly.

Although it was a detour, it at least saved seven days of travel.

The only discomfort was that it kept raining along the way, but these abnormal summer rains of late hadn't brought much coolness; instead, they added a stifling heaviness, and the water dripping from the ship's rails never seemed to stop.

The treasure ship "Yunfan" that Fatty Lin found had its sails seemingly soaked up with moisture at this moment, with a jet-black sheen and a heavy bulging, making it difficult for the ship workers.

"Coward, this rain, it's making my bones mold."

Sha Lifei leaned against the cabin door, complaining as he gazed at the rain curtain.

His short jacket was half open, exposing a tuft of chest hair, and he kept shaking his clothing, trying to catch the only hint of coolness from outside the cabin, while his body was damp and filled with the smell of sweat.

As for Wang Daoxuan, he sat cross-legged in a corner of the cabin with his eyes closed, and not a speck of dust could be seen on his blue cloth Daoist robe.

He sat cross-legged, holding a Daoist Scripture, reading without a single bead of sweat on his forehead.

"Mr. Wang is really something, able to keep so refreshed in this stifling weather," Fatty Lin couldn't help but admire.

Wang Daoxuan slightly lifted his eyelids, as if his gaze penetrated the ship's deck, looking toward the south and sighed, "The circulation of heaven and earth's Qi follows its own rules. This continuous overcast rain doesn't seem like the phenomenon of the North's summer heat; instead, it exudes a southern moisture. In the Qi and Lu region, with Taishan as the anchor and spring water as the source, this kind of scene might not be a good omen."

"Jinan Prefecture City is known as the 'City of Springs,' with hundreds of springs interspersing the city, and underground rivers densely distributed beneath it. In this weather, the accumulation of water vapor is even more severe, and with the slightest carelessness, a change might occur..."

If someone else were to say this, perhaps it would just be a guess.

But ever since Wang Daoxuan practiced the "Five-Headed Divine Technique," completing his inheritance, all the miscellaneous skills he had learned before had come together, allowing him to observe mountains and watch the moon along the journey, predicting encounters accurately, which had earned much belief from the people.

Kuai Dayou was carving a wooden component with a chisel, and upon hearing this, he looked up disdainfully and said, "What's there to fear? You all are the Twelve Primordial Spirits. If any evil beings cause mischief, wouldn't it be a great opportunity for you to make a name for yourselves?"

"We don't have time for that..."

Sha Lifei shook his head, leaning over to tease, "But as for you, you talk about these things so mystically; when will it be done? Don't embarrass us when the time comes."

"Just you wait, don't go back on your word!"

Kuai Dayou crooked his mouth without a word, looking out the cabin silently.

Outside on the deck, two people were still sitting.

With the constant rain and heat, the cabin smell was really unpleasant. Long Yan'er, who practiced Gu Technique, couldn't tolerate the dirty and strange odors, so she set up a cool canopy outside, while reading and concocting some strange powders with a medicinal pot.

On the other hand, Li Yan stood alone at the bow, with the fine rain soaking the edge of his bamboo hat, dripping off.

His nose was too sensitive and couldn't stand the smell either.

He naturally heard Kuai Dayou's words.

Luo Mingzi entrusted him to investigate the situation in Jiangnan, asking Kong Shangzhao to accompany him, and he understood the intention, which was to take the opportunity to have Kong Shangzhao join the Twelve Primordial Spirits.

Kuai Dayou, who liked to stir up trouble, made a demand and bet with Sha Lifei.

He noticed that when Lv San and others helped Wang Daoxuan set up a temporary magic platform that day, it was quite troublesome, so he claimed he could make a Mechanical Altar. On ordinary days, it could act as a backpack; when needed, a simple turn would transform it into an altar.

If successful, it would allow both him and Kong Shangzhao to join the Twelve Primordial Spirits.

As for these two, Sha Lifei had been interested for a long time.

One was well-read, skilled in reasoning and analysis, capable of piecing together clues from scattered books and documents.

The other was a genius from a Northern Craftsmen family, whose hands could work wonders.

Although their martial skills were ordinary and they couldn't handle everything on their own, they were invaluable support talents.

So, with Li Yan's tacit approval, Sha Lifei went along with the bet.

To be honest, the only thing to do was to observe the character of the two along the way.

The Twelve Primordial Spirits were comrades with mutual trust; there were plenty of people wanting to join them now. If they really couldn't get along, no matter how talented they were, they wouldn't be included.

What really concerned Li Yan were Wang Daoxuan's previous words.

In his past life, there was also a Little Ice Age around this time.

According to deduction, the North should still be cool after entering summer, yet it had turned into a hot and humid situation only the South would have.

All signs indicated that this atmospheric change was also somewhat different from his previous life.

Additionally, the transformation of the Human Dao had already started, with the unheard-of Gang Sha Qi Steam Engine emerging.

What would the future hold?

Even Li Yan couldn't make a judgment now.

And Taishan, what exactly happened there?

While Li Yan was pondering, the treasure ship reached the Banqiao Pier area, and the sound of voices penetrated the rain curtain.

"Young Master Lin, we're almost at Banqiao Pier!"

The ship master wiped the rain off his face, loudly shouting a reminder.

Upon hearing this, everyone stepped onto the deck.

But the sight of ships coming and going at the pier hadn't stopped despite the rain; instead, it seemed even busier.

Large and small wooden sailboats, awning boats, and cargo ships were crowding the water way, with sails soaked and either rolled up or half-drooping.

The sounds of laborers pulling and shouting, the dull thud of ships colliding, mixed with the vendors' cries wrapped in oilcloth on the shore, formed a symphony amid the rain and mist.