Chapter 143

Xiong Shan's expression froze, then he forced a bitter smile. "Congratulations."

Li Zhuiyuan said, "My condolences."

When they had previously found the second and third brothers, Tan Wenbin had some reservations about whether to inform Xiong Shan immediately. However, Xiong Shan possessed the knowledge of how to leave this place, so if he had found them, there would have been no need to hide it.

Lin Shuyou, Yin Meng, and the three hooligans (Tiger Brother's group), a total of five people, would have been a considerable target in the pool before it ignited, yet neither party found any of them.

While there's certainly a chance they were simply overlooked, that probability is quite low. Furthermore, before entering the water, Lin Shuyou could open his eyes, turn his head, and mouth words, showing clear self-awareness. Therefore, it's highly probable that they did come here but left again before Li Zhuiyuan's group descended.

So, where did they go?

Li Zhuiyuan turned around and looked at the broken stone gate.

Li Zhuiyuan's group was clearly the first echelon, with the two of them placed behind as the second echelon. Now, ironically, the second echelon had gotten ahead of them.

At this moment, Xiong Shan took a deep breath and began to speak:

"The second and third brothers, they must have been ambushed by the Xie and Bu families. When the Xie and Bu families made their move, there's no reason they wouldn't have allied with the Wang family. I now suspect that if Lihua hadn't left with you early and come here because of your presence, she might have met the same fate as the second and third brothers."

Li Zhuiyuan replied, "It's their own good fortune that protected the mother and son; it has little to do with me."

While he said this, the young man thought to himself:

*So, if I hadn't led the team and arrived early, would you, Xiong Shan, now be a lonely man?*

*You, who were struggling to suppress the corpse poison outbreak by the lake, suddenly saw your wife, child, and brothers being taken below by the corpse-herding team. Then you dived down alone, ready to rescue them, but just as you woke your wife and before you could undo the restraints, you witnessed your wife, child, and brothers burn, melt, and explode before your eyes.*

*You might even have been so distraught that you delayed too long, and due to the corpse poison's effect, you wouldn't have escaped the pool's range in time, directly perishing in this hellfire of the ghost's eye.*

*So, your entire group should have been annihilated in this wave?*

*It's true that I arrived early at an unfinished examination hall, but I'm not actually waiting for the next exam and new papers. Instead, everyone in the hall died at their desks, and I'm supposed to sit down, pick up their blood-stained, incomplete papers, and continue?*

"Little brother, what's wrong?"

"I was thinking..." Li Zhuiyuan reached out and pointed to where the 'ghost's eye' had been located. "Those three families are preparing to act. The earliest will be today during the day, the latest will be before midnight tonight."

Since those three families orchestrated bringing in the thunder talismans and corpse oil to destroy all the corpses here, it's impossible that they would allow the local corpse-herders another chance to retrieve people or rekindle their lamps.

"I feel the same way," Xiong Shan said, "which means I'm now in a bind. If I continue forward, seeking the opportunity to seal that general, wouldn't I be doing the work for those three families?"

Li Zhuiyuan nodded.

"There's something, little brother, I hope you'll understand. I will lead you out of here. If we happen to encounter your people along the way, I will certainly help if I can easily rescue them, but I won't deliberately seek them out or try to seal that general again. I need to get out of here alive and seek revenge on those three families. Since they dared to use my people as sacrifices, I must make them pay the price!"

In fact, Xiong Shan had previously revealed a desire to use those three families as cannon fodder.

But this is something that only truly hurts when it happens to you.

Tan Wenbin, who was beside them, rolling up paper to plug his bleeding nostrils, heard Xiong Shan's words and could only lament inwardly:

*Our Brother Yuan is still kind-hearted. He either doesn't act, or when he does, he goes straight for complete eradication, resolutely ensuring immediate retribution for grievances.*

Li Zhuiyuan, however, thought a layer deeper:

*Perhaps Xiong Shan also wants to use this method to admit defeat in his mission of 'lighting the lamp', finding a legitimate excuse, a reason sufficient to comfort his inner self.*

*He won't continue this journey. He wants to focus on avenging his brothers.*

Li Zhuiyuan said, "I understand, but I must rescue my people. You lead the way for now, and at a certain point, we'll separate."

"Alright." Xiong Shan pressed his lips together. "Little brother, I've wronged you. I owe you a favor."

Xiong Shan had said this before, but Li Zhuiyuan hadn't truly taken it to heart last time, and it was no different this time.

Xiong Shan and Lihua walked ahead, with Li Zhuiyuan, Runsheng, and Tan Wenbin following behind them.

As they ascended the steps, Li Zhuiyuan specifically observed the fist-shaped indentation in the center of the steps. Even after so many years, the imprints of the fist were still clearly visible within the indentation.

Runsheng, meanwhile, kept comparing his own fist to the indentation.

Walking through the broken stone gate, there was no corridor ahead. Instead, a wind immediately began to blow, carrying grains of sand. The sand grains were crystalline and shimmered with an eerie glow.

Li Zhuiyuan thought: *Illusion Sand, then.*

Places where malevolent energy and resentment are dense, and where large numbers of people have died, have a probability of forming a 'Phantom World Sand' configuration. This is a type of natural miasma.

"This is Illusion Sand," Xiong Shan explained. "It can stir up and amplify the strongest joys and sorrows in one's memory. Keep your mind stable, and don't get lost in it."

Li Zhuiyuan said, "Purity Talismans."

Tan Wenbin and Runsheng immediately pulled out Purity Talismans and stuck them on their foreheads.

Although they could try to endure the Illusion Sand relying on their willpower, since they had the means, there was no need to suffer unnecessarily.

Xiong Shan also took out a few Chenzhou Talismans, first sticking one on his wife and another on his son. He then turned back, about to speak, but after seeing the two Purity Talismans, his eyes first showed surprise and doubt, then he said with understanding:

"No wonder you weren't interested in my incomplete Chenzhou Talisman scrolls."

"That's because I'm naturally inept at the path of talismans."

"Little brother, you are always so humble."

Li Zhuiyuan didn't bother to explain further.

"Little brother, aren't you going to stick one on yourself?"

"I don't need to."

"Then you must be careful to control your emotions."

"I will."

Everyone walked into the Illusion Sand together. Even with the talismans helping to suppress them, the surge of inner emotions was still very noticeable.

Lihua started crying again. Xiong Shan's eyes turned red again from anger. Runsheng and Tan Wenbin both suppressed the corners of their mouths, yet their faces beamed with joy.

Li Zhuiyuan felt nothing.

The sandy area wasn't large. After walking for a while, everyone emerged from it.

Except for Li Zhuiyuan, everyone else began to breathe deeply and adjust their state of mind.

Maintaining extreme emotions for too long would greatly deplete one's spirit.

Xiong Shan turned his head and glanced at the young man beside him, who seemed completely unaffected. In his heart, his evaluation of the young man gained another layer of mystery.

The Illusion Sand was at the outermost layer. After entering, what appeared before everyone was a giant, downward-sloping pit, much like a deeply excavated mine shaft, spiraling down, layer after layer, to its deepest point.

But this was only how it appeared from the outside. In reality, the spatial displacement below was very obvious. What seemed like 'below' didn't necessarily mean going downwards. Inside this place, it was a self-contained world.

Li Zhuiyuan looked up.

*The sky in the outside world was one layer, the lake water another, and this place was yet another. Three layers of heaven, a suppression formation, specifically to bury great fiends!*

*Presumably, that general, when interred back then, was already considered a great evil entity. Burying him here was meant to ensure he would never rise again.*

*Yet even so, historically, this general almost managed to rise again.*

"Here, all directions—east, south, west, north—are displaced, harboring deadly traps and extreme dangers," Xiong Shan said. "I almost died inside before. Fortunately, I later discovered a secluded small path, which allowed me to find the exit and surface on the lake."

After a brief introduction, Xiong Shan continued to lead the way.

Everyone walked downwards along the edge. The path beneath their feet should have been a well-maintained road, but with the crumbling of nearby rocks, it was no longer a proper road. However, in the middle of the path, there were new excavation marks. It wasn't a wide carriage road, but a flat surface just wide enough for one person to pass.

For example, when a huge boulder blocked the path ahead, a hollow space appeared in the center of the boulder. Although the surroundings were blocked, one could pass through the middle fairly normally.

This was a newly constructed 'corpse-herding path', specifically for corpse-herders.

As they walked, the scenery ahead changed. It was no longer raw stone pits, but rather many dilapidated and ruined pavilions and buildings.

When they looked further into the deep pit, the pit was no longer below them. Instead, it was on the same level as them.

It was no longer a deep pit; it had clearly transformed into a palace. However, large sections of the palace's outer walls had collapsed, and the interior was also in ruins.

The general's resurrection, the historical suppression—this place had once been a battlefield.

The path before them also widened. Although it was still bumpy, it was no longer a mountain path along a cliff. Moreover, faint but increasingly closer footsteps could be heard.

Xiong Shan raised his hand, signaling everyone to stop.

Then he squatted down, placing his hands on the ground.

From his body, strands of straw extended, growing more and more as if spontaneously sprouting, forming two small piles of straw on either side of him.

Xiong Shan began to cross his hands. It didn't look like he was forming a seal, but rather weaving.

The two piles of straw slowly rose, taking the form of straw figures.

Tan Wenbin's eyes widened. He leaned closer to Li Zhuiyuan and asked, "Brother Yuan, what kind of trick is this?"

"It has elements of sorcery."

The two piles of straw transformed into two straw carrying poles, each with a straw figure seated atop it.

Xiong Shan placed two black talismans on each of the straw figures, then cut his palm with a fingernail and offered a blood sacrifice to them.

The aura of the straw figures immediately changed, emanating an air of solemn profundity.

"Come, each of our groups will take one," Xiong Shan instructed. "Carry it, and stick to the left side of the path. Do not walk in the center and collide with them."

Li Zhuiyuan said, "Do as he says."

Xiong Shan and Lihua, one in front and one behind, lifted the two straw poles.

The three on Li Zhuiyuan's side did the same. Runsheng walked at the very front, with Li Zhuiyuan holding onto Runsheng's clothes and following behind him.

This way, the straw figure that was originally sitting on top had its lower body hanging down, its feet not touching the ground.

This was an imitation self-created through sorcery. It had to be said that Xiong Shan's personal methods were indeed impressive.

Of course, Li Zhuiyuan had never doubted the other party's strength.

But once the former rogue began to harbor thoughts of retreat, his imposing aura diminished.

The two small teams continued forward, sticking to the far left side of the path.

Xiong Shan continued to lead the way. He didn't lead everyone into the palace, but instead walked around its exterior. He had said that he had been inside before and that it was very dangerous.

Everyone heard the dense sound of footsteps approaching. In the middle of the road, a group of soldiers carrying torches were shouting and running forward.

From the details of their armor, it could be discerned that these were Yuan Dynasty soldiers.

It was said that they were the first to break the tranquility here, accelerating the general's resurgence.

Immediately after, palace maids and eunuchs advanced in groups.

They even walked alongside Li Zhuiyuan's group for quite a distance, but at the next side entrance, they turned into the palace.

Xiong Shan even paused deliberately to let them pass first.

Li Zhuiyuan pondered briefly. Their clothing should be from the Han Dynasty.

But if this was a general's tomb, palace maids would be understandable, but why eunuchs as well?

The lamps on both sides of the road began to stand upright. They had long been destroyed, and what appeared now were mere phantoms, yet their illuminating effect was still clear.

"Giddy up! Giddy up!"

Another group of knights galloped through the middle of the road.

In short, although this road was "empty," it was also "remarkably lively."

Fortunately, as long as they carried the straw poles and pretended to be corpse-herders, "no one" paid them any mind.

Li Zhuiyuan looked up several times, gazing at the straw figure on his side.

*This one, with feet not touching the ground, could be looked at; but the one carried by the real corpse-herding team could not.*

*The young man still didn't know who exactly had endowed "it" with such power.*

*Initially, both he and Xiong Shan believed they were the general's patrol teams, and that "it" in each corpse-herding team represented the general's "gaze."*

*But if the general still possessed such immense power, and could project his influence over such long distances, then why would he remain trapped here? Couldn't he just leave?*

*But if it wasn't the general's power, then whose could it be?*

Under Xiong Shan's lead, everyone walked almost three-quarters of the way around the palace's exterior, until an upward branching path appeared ahead. Above this path was a relatively well-preserved building.

Compared to the palace, it appeared very simple and unadorned.

"I don't know what it was called in ancient times," Xiong Shan said, "but the interior layout resembles a banquet hall. Behind the hall is a small waterfall that cascades down into an 'underworld river'. I jumped from there and resurfaced on the lake."

Everyone began to ascend along the branching path.

Li Zhuiyuan was not in a hurry to leave. He still needed to find Lin Shuyou and Yin Meng. However, it was necessary to go and see that place, at least to watch Xiong Shan and Lihua jump down the waterfall, to ensure it was a correct exit path.

However, the higher they ascended, the more the atmosphere gradually changed.

On the ground, a red carpet appeared. The stone lamps lining both sides of the path were no longer mere phantoms; they were real, with actual lamp oil burning within them.

"Something's not right," Xiong Shan exclaimed. "When I explored this place yesterday, these furnishings weren't here. These are new additions. Let's head back first!"

When encountering unusual situations, it's better to observe and explore the periphery more.

But as they tried to descend, a group of palace maids and eunuchs appeared on the path they had just ascended. They were numerous and arranged neatly.

The eunuchs carried lanterns, while the palace maids held lotus lamps.

They were phantoms, but this time, they were densely packed, completely blocking the path downwards.

As Li Zhuiyuan, Xiong Shan, and the others approached them, white smoke billowed from the straw figures above both groups. The straw poles, after all, were not as sturdy as bamboo poles, and cracking sounds were heard, as if they were about to break apart.

The palace maids and eunuchs advanced in unison, step by step, forcing Li Zhuiyuan and the others to retreat.

"Little brother, I don't know what's going on," Xiong Shan said, "but the more they pressure us like this, the less we should yield to their will. Get ready to fight!"

Li Zhuiyuan agreed with Xiong Shan's assessment.

But behind the palace maids and eunuchs, eight corpse-herding teams appeared. All were in the standard three-person configuration: two carrying the pole, and one in the middle with feet not touching the ground.

How could they fight now?

With those eight teams standing there, even a glance would cause a backlash to one's mind. How could they fight?

"When under someone else's roof, one must bow one's head," Xiong Shan said. "For now, let's just go along with them."

The two makeshift corpse-herding teams began to turn around and continued to ascend.

Perhaps because their previous "reverse" movement had blocked the path, once they turned back upwards, the palace maids and eunuchs moved past them.

Unfortunately, the eight corpse-herding teams behind them seemed to genuinely consider their two groups as "colleagues," with four teams on each side, treating them as the leaders.

Now, not only was turning around out of the question, but even slowing their pace was impossible.

The higher they ascended, the closer they got to the "banquet hall," and the stronger the hazy glow of its brilliant lights became.

The banquet hall's main doors were wide open. Some palace maids and eunuchs stood waiting outside, while others had already entered.

Now a new problem arose: As "leaders," should they go inside or remain outside?

Fortunately, the palace maids and eunuchs outside provided the answer: they all bowed and made a "please enter" gesture.

It seemed they were expected to go inside.

Upon entering, the interior was indeed laid out like a banquet hall, just as Xiong Shan had described. Furthermore, the banquet format was very ancient.

In the center was a half-height square platform, which should have been the main seating area. Curtains hung above it, obscuring the view.

Below, around the platform, were rows upon rows of tables. Some tables were intact, while others were already broken.

For now, the place still seemed empty, except for four tables in one corner where people were seated.

Li Zhuiyuan saw familiar faces. First were the three hooligans from Tiger Brother's group, all kneeling there with their eyes closed, unmoving.

Sitting right next to the three hooligans was Lin Shuyou.

Lin Shuyou had been sitting quietly, but now he seemed to sense something again. He opened his eyes and began looking around, searching. He was mouthing words, but no sound could be heard. However, his mouth shape was still:

"Brother Yuan?"

Last time by the lake, Lin Shuyou's perception was blocked while he was within the corpse-herding team. Furthermore, Li Zhuiyuan and the others were inside the "Yinyang Road Inn" barrier. So, he had sensed people but couldn't see them.

This time, Li Zhuiyuan's group was carrying counterfeit equipment, which didn't have strong concealment abilities. Lin Shuyou first sensed something, then determined the approximate direction, and finally, his eyes fixed on Li Zhuiyuan's location.

Just then, a chilling wind blew, pushing aside the curtains on the main platform and revealing the scene within.

On the platform, there was a main seat. To its left and right were two accompanying seats each. The host would naturally occupy the main seat, but those able to sit on the platform with the host would undoubtedly be the four most distinguished individuals present.

On the main seat, a set of armor was placed. The armor was heavily scarred and exuded a strong sense of ancientness, likely representing the general.

To the lower right of the main seat, a sculpture was placed. The sculpture depicted a man in red robes. Although the sculpture was mottled and damaged, one could still feel the former grandeur of the person it depicted.

The clothing on the sculpture was similar to what Uncle Qin had worn during Li Zhuiyuan's initiation ceremony.

Li Zhuiyuan himself also owned such garments, specially custom-made for him by the old lady. There were two sets: one predominantly red, and one predominantly green. After all, he was affiliated with two schools, so he needed a set of ceremonial robes from each.

This sculpture should represent the Qin family's Dragon King, who once suppressed the general. Although the general was suppressed by him, he still erected his statue and placed it beside his own seat, signifying a form of acknowledgment and respect.

Across from the red-robed sculpture, specifically to the lower left of the main seat, sat... Yin Meng.

Upon seeing this, Tan Wenbin and Runsheng both looked astonished: Why was Yin Meng able to sit in that position?

Even Xiong Shan cast a surprised and questioning glance at the young man: *Who exactly is your subordinate? Or rather, between you and him, who is truly the subordinate?*

Only Li Zhuiyuan, who had seen the complete Yin family genealogy, knew that this was not surprising.

Because,

*This was the Yin family's traditional practice of freeloading on their travels.*

This chapter makes up for yesterday's word count.

There will be today's chapter tonight.