"Difficult!"

Li Yan spoke frankly: "King Shu has been controlled by demons, plotting greatly, the Mystical Sect in Shu will not stand by, reinforcements are likely to arrive soon."

"But the numbers are ultimately limited, King Shu's troops are many and carry the might of firearms, how to break the situation, I am also unclear."

Upon hearing this, Imperial Censor Wang's expression also turned dim, he sighed: "The timing, terrain, and human support are all disadvantaged."

"Forgive my bluntness, pursuing benefit and avoiding harm is human nature, those from the pugilistic world who come are likely to sit and watch, Young Hero Li, do you want to leave Chengdu for refuge?"

Upon hearing this, Li Yan coldly responded: "Sir, you underestimate us."

"The skies are unpredictable, life's journey is never smooth, each hurdle must be overcome, each difficulty must be faced."

"People of the pugilistic world are not all those who fear death, we will surely stay."

"If you wish to leave, I can arrange contacts for you, but afterward, you'll owe favors, you might want to think it over."

After speaking, he clasped his hands in farewell and left.

He had originally connected with Imperial Censor Wang's group, intending to use their strength to take down King Shu's military power, but did not foresee such an event.

Seeing Imperial Censor Wang having a retreating intention, it seems unreliable.

After he left, the secret chamber fell into dead silence.

Dong Cunshan looked around at the surrounding senior and junior brothers, sighed inwardly, clasped his hands and said: "Sir, as long as we have green hills, there's no fear of not having firewood, we can first leave Chengdu, it's more prudent to mobilize troops from Chongqing."

To be honest, he didn't want this either.

But this time out, the disciples brought along are the future of the Trigram Sect, if all are lost here, there's no justifying it.

With a big family and business, one must act more cautiously.

"I don't see it that way."

But the leading Daoist of White Cloud Temple shook his head and said: "Listening to Young Hero Li's meaning, King Shu has been seized by the demon, along with many actions, on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, I'm afraid he'll perform some Evil Technique."

"The reinforcements may not arrive in time, if the entire city's people meet disaster, the rest of our lives would be sleepless."

Dong Cunshan smiled bitterly, didn't refute.

He too knows the seriousness of the situation.

How to act still depends on Imperial Censor Wang's decision.

"I won't leave!"

After a long silence, Imperial Censor Wang finally spoke.

He looked solemn and said: "If that demon really stirs up something that alarms the Divine State, given the Emperor's disposition, our misfortune will follow after."

"Now, there's no retreat."

"Mr. Dong, tomorrow you will set out to leave, go to Chongqing Prefecture for aid, I will stay in Chengdu Prefecture to see if there's a chance..."

"To seize military power!"

......

In the following two days, Chengdu Prefecture was peaceful.

The Shu Prince Mansion issued a proclamation to reassure the public, saying the Chengdu Government Office's gunpowder warehouse was poorly guarded, leading to an explosion and many casualties, including Imperial Censor Wang.

Honestly, no one believes this matter at all.

However, the high officials and dignitaries of Chengdu are now as frightened as cicadas in winter, all closing their doors tightly avoiding disaster, not daring to utter a single word.

As for the common people, various rumors are spreading.

But rumors are rumors, life must go on.

The Salt Gang continues to distribute benefits, the Shu Prince Mansion strictly orders the military to refrain from disturbing, the populace gradually adapts, even begins to relish watching the upper echelon's internal conflicts.

The streets gradually return to prosperity.

Li Yan also refrains from stirring trouble, after managing to send Dong Cunshan away from Chengdu, he spends daily scouting the city, finally contacting the Bamboo Forest Six Leisurely hiding in the desolate residence of South City.

On the other side, the blood shaman from King Shu's side, Black Sect Lama Duoji Zhaxi has returned, cooperating with the Black Feather Guards, secretly searching within the city, even killing several of Nameless Lord's subordinates.

The opposition is strong, Li Yan and others have no choice but to temporarily hide.

Amidst this bustling yet tense ambiance, the New Year approaches...

......

New Year's Eve, sunset and dusk.

After a few days of clear skies recently, but on the thirtieth day of the twelfth lunar month, snowfall arrived abruptly.

The stilted houses on both sides of Jinjiang seemed to be draped in three inches of plain white funeral cloth, the copper bells at the eaves corners of Qingyang Palace also froze into icicles, sounding like broken jade when wind passes.

Between the green brick lanes of Chengdu Prefecture, the images of Qin Qiong and Wei Chigong on the vermillion lacquered doors, are made even more vivid by the snow.

Crackling, firecrackers sound.

Sparrows startled from branches, wild dogs barking disorderly in the snow.

This New Year's Eve night, though the wind and snow howl, pedestrians are scarce on the streets, every household door tightly sealed, yet it's very lively.

According to Shu's customs, today is for ancestor worship and staying up late for the new year.

At noon "year meal" is consumed, clan members gather.

At night "family reunion wine" is drunk, eating preserved food platters.

Whether in the Royal Palace or in ordinary homes, people carry torches, illuminating every dark corner.

In places like the kitchen and near the well, candles must also be lit.

They burn throughout the night to prevent mice from stealing grain.

This custom is called "Shadow Watching."

During the New Year, besides the mythical beast, there is folklore of a kind of "Xu Hao Ghost" that hides in dark places in the home.

If not driven away, illness and bad luck will follow in the coming year.

Wealthier households pay special attention, using pitch made from Qingcheng Mountain to create Everlasting Lamps, with wicks mixed with natural salt crystals from Qionglai Huojing Town.

They crackle when lit, to scare off the "Xu Hao Ghost."

At the Landlord Wang's house in South City, the old steward personally carries the Everlasting Lamp, inspecting everywhere, not even sparing the space under the bed.

Finally, they reach the livestock barn.

A farming proverb in Shu says, "Without cattle and horses, spring plowing relies on nothing."

This place is of particular importance.

After a busy day, the young assistant is somewhat fatigued, and the old steward is yawning endlessly. He carries the Everlasting Lamp turning his head to say, "Stay alert, tonight we have to accompany the master for the night watch."

"Alas~ In previous years, we could hire performers to sing songs, but this year it's rather dull…"

Before he could finish his words, he saw the assistant behind him with wide-open eyes.

"What's wrong?"

The old steward asked with a frown.

The young assistant gulped, "I… I saw a human shadow, in the blink of an eye, it vanished. It must be the Xu Hao Ghost!"

"Nonsense, what are you talking about!"

The old steward cursed, but still carried the lamp to inspect inside and outside the livestock barn, cursing, "There's nothing here, it must be your eyes playing tricks on you. Don't talk nonsense later, or you'll be punished by the master."

With that, he took the assistant and turned to leave.

From behind the haystack at the livestock barn, Li Yan slowly emerged.

He carried a bag, carefully covering the secret passage entrance, before climbing over the wall and leaving.

This is an exit to the underground passage of Chengdu; he often traveled through it recently, nearly getting discovered this time.

Li Yan walked through the streets, carrying his belongings.

Perhaps due to the New Year, there were noticeably fewer guards on the streets, with only occasional Black Feather Guards passing by on horseback.

In the wind and snow, the Night Watchman was huddled under his raincoat, stomping his feet against the cold, while beating the clapper and shouting "Peace and Prosperity—!", leaving a trail of footprints behind.

Amidst citywide New Year celebrations, Li Yan donned the Armored Horse, leaped onto the city wall, and departed from South City.

Far away in the slums, fire pits burned one after another.

Also part of Chengdu's New Year customs, burning tree roots and stumps, keeping warm through the night, is called "Simmering Away Sickness."

The slum's residents also spend the cold night this way.

The fiery glow in the snowy wind makes the surroundings even darker.

Li Yan, carrying two large bags, walked through the snow, quickly reaching the intersection of the Fu River and the South River.

Here stood Hejiang Pavilion, a secluded place where wind and snow howled around it, yet within the pavilion, a candle lit up as a person sat drinking wine.

"Snow engulfs Lan Pass, the horse refuses to move—!"

A rough voice rang out, belonging to Immortal Master Erlang reincarnate.

"Senior Yang is in such high spirits!"

Li Yan laughed heartily, carrying his belongings into the pavilion, shaking off the snow from his bamboo hat, and then laid down the packages to open them.

"I brought some Spice and Juniper Wine, along with this. They made some good 'Rice Crackers,' using the brown sugar from Western Sichuan Plain…"

"Stop right there!"

Yang Chenghua waved his hand, frowning and saying, "It's the New Year, why aren't you keeping watch with those companions, why are you looking for me?"

Li Yan smiled, "I was afraid you'd be lonely."

To deal with King Shu, Immortal Master Erlang reincarnate, Yang Chenghua, is the main force, but he keeps hiding near the dock, refusing to join them.

Yang Chenghua looked into the distance; although the wind and snow were dark, he could still vaguely see the lights of Chengdu Prefecture City.

"Lonely?"

He slightly shook his head, "I'm just a passerby, how can I be lonely?"

Li Yan was dumbfounded, not knowing what to say.

"Hmm~"

Suddenly, Yang Chenghua furrowed his brows, pressing against his forehead.

"What's wrong, Senior?"

Li Yan was startled, quickly asking.

Yang Chenghua raised the wine jug, taking several gulps, looked towards the Chengdu Prefecture City wall, and groaned, "These days, my mind is filled with voices, too noisy, I can't sleep well…"

Li Yan understood instantly.

This Immortal Master Erlang reincarnate is absorbing massive amounts of Incense Fire Wish Power...

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