CHAPTER 127: CHAPTER 109 MONARCH QIAN_2

The man in brocade clothes was killed by an illusion, and with it, he died in the real world as well.

As for the old woman in grey, whether she died of natural causes or for some other reason, she died on her own, resulting in the eruption of the Blood River.

The outbreak of the Blood River caused a disturbance in the West Market Luoyang Building in the real world. This led the Commander of the garrison, Lin Hongbo, to appear. He destroyed a corner of the Luoyang Building and used that bronze nail Mutated Object to seal the old woman’s corpse.

The garrison fetched Li Ang and two others for questioning to understand why the Blood River was inside the body of the old woman in grey. It was for this reason that the Imperial Palace Tributor Shen Tuyu and the Academic Palace Sacrificial Officer Chen Danqiu were also present.

"Before she died, this old woman in grey said, ’Still three short?’" Lin Hongbo suddenly asked.

"Yes," Li Ang nodded. "After saying this, her body shrank on its own."

Lin Hongbo, Shen Tuyu, and Chen Danqiu exchanged glances. Lin Hongbo then announced that all was well, asking Li Ang and the others to return home, and instructed his subordinates to carry the brocaded man’s corpse outside and close the door to the room. This room was specially made, with built-in Soundproofing Technique and sealing effects.

Lin Hongbo drew his Longsword from his waist, cut open the skin on the back of the old woman in grey’s neck, and revealed the black piece of paper hidden beneath.

The paper was etched with intricate and obscure patterns in golden thread, making one’s head throb just by glimpsing at them.

"A Sealing Demon Talisman that only a High Order Candle Cloud Realm Cultivator could craft," Lin Hongbo said with an icy tone. The field of talismanic magic becomes increasingly difficult to advance as one climbs higher.

All the Candle Cloud Realm Talisman Masters in the world could be counted on two hands. To create a Sealing Demon Talisman capable of sealing a Mutated Object and rendering its mutating ability ineffective was one of the highest achievements a Talisman Master could reach.

"Somebody sealed the Blood River inside a Sealing Demon Talisman. They then implanted it in the back of this old woman’s neck and had her carry the talisman to Chang’an, set to activate at a designated time."

Lin Hongbo’s icy tone was now laced with towering rage. Sealing Demon Talismans were the crystallization of the wisdom of countless Cultivators over a thousand years, serving as humanity’s last line of defense against Mutated Objects. Yet now, someone was using it as a weapon riddled with malice, threatening Chang’an.

"It’s likely not the work of Zhou Kingdom," Shen Tuyu sighed. "Using a Sealing Demon Talisman as a weapon is too complex and uncertain. Moreover, the Blood River isn’t the most dangerous, nor the most harmful, of the Mutated Objects. Besides, Zhou Kingdom fears our retaliation in kind. This is more like..."

"An act of intimidation," Chen Danqiu added gravely. "The person who drew this talisman is threatening us. They’re showing us they have the means to cause Yu Country immense loss. A High Order Candle Cloud Realm Cultivator... certainly has this capability."

The three in the room fell into silence. Although they were all Cultivators of the Candle Cloud Realm and wouldn’t necessarily fear that unknown Talisman Master in a life-and-death struggle, the battle to maintain peace and protect Yu Country’s citizens was entirely different from a one-on-one deathmatch between Cultivators.

A High Order Candle Cloud Realm Cultivator could create countless talisman papers. Using methods similar to how the old woman in grey’s body was used, these could be passed one by one into Yu Country, causing tremendous harm in various State Mansions. And the garrison and the Academic Palace would have to expend unknown resources to find him.

"If it’s not Zhou Kingdom or West Jing, then who could it be?" Shen Tuyu murmured. "All the Candle Cloud Realm Talisman Masters in the world are recorded. None have such a deep-seated hatred for our Yu Country. To directly deliver Aliens using a Sealing Demon Talisman is a blatant violation of the bottom line. Once it happens, it’s a fight to the death."

"Brother Lin, can you reveal a little more of the Sealing Demon Talisman?" Chen Danqiu spoke with a furrowed brow. "The talisman paper, pen, ink, and the techniques used by a High Order Talisman Master all bear strong personal marks. Perhaps we can discern something from the style of the talisman paper."

"Hmm." Lin Hongbo continued to cut at the corpse’s neck skin with his sword, fully revealing the entire Sealing Demon Talisman.

WHOOSH—

The flame of the Long Burning Lamp on the table flickered violently, and the pupils of Lin Hongbo, Shen Tuyu, and Chen Danqiu simultaneously constricted sharply.

The bottom left corner of the Sealing Demon Talisman was starkly imprinted with a square seal.

Within the seal was the bold and upright character "Jun."

Memories of the past simultaneously surged into the minds of the three Candle Cloud Realm Cultivators. Chen Danqiu clenched his teeth and forced out the name, "Jun Qianzi..."

Fifteen years ago, there was a Doctor of talismanic study who stole over ten Mutated Objects from the Academic Palace East Lord Tower. He murdered several people—including the Vice Commander of the Town Patrol Office, an Imperial Palace Tributor, and an Academic Palace Director—before defecting from Yu Country.

Fifteen years.

A full fifteen years had passed, and Jun Qianzi’s name had reappeared in the garrison of Chang’an City, in such a manner.

"I’ll return to Taiji Palace immediately to report to His Majesty," Imperial Palace Tributor Shen Tuyu said without hesitation.

"I will also go back to the Academic Palace to find the Mountain Master," Academic Palace Sacrificial Official Chen Danqiu said, his expression grave. Two years ago, it was Academic Palace Master Lian Xuanxiao himself who had announced Jun Qianzi’s death.

And now, that name appeared again on a Sealing Demon Talisman that only a High Order practitioner of the Candle Cloud Realm could create...

What did this imply?

Chen Danqiu’s heart was in turmoil. If this talisman paper were a forgery, it would be a relief, but if it were real...

Shen Tuyu and Chen Danqiu left with the instruction to "watch the body" and departed from the garrison headquarters.

Garrison Commander Lin Hongbo pressed his lips tightly, gazing at the black talisman paper buried in flesh and blood.

Despite his body blazing with vital energy, he couldn’t help but feel a chill.

「 」

To Li Ang’s surprise, not long after he returned to Golden City Square, an officer from the garrison visited him again. The officer repeatedly emphasized that Li Ang should not discuss the Blood River incident with anyone.

Although Li Ang found it odd, this was within the garrison’s jurisdiction, so he nodded in agreement.

The following day, he inquired about rumors in the market. He found that the damage to one corner of the Luoyang Building had apparently been covered up by Chang’an County. The official story was that the building had collapsed due to structural wear from age and erosion by wind and rain.

No one was held responsible. The only party held responsible was the Luoyang Building’s management, who had to pay a large sum in compensation to the family of a Jianyue Theater Troupe miscellaneous worker killed by falling debris.

As for the middle-aged man in brocade who died in the Blood River incident, his death caused barely a ripple. The garrison likely smoothed things over, attributing his death to an accident or some other cause.

Yang Yu and Li Wei likewise received a gag order.

When the Academic Palace started the new term, the three of them met and, by tacit understanding, did not mention the incident, as if nothing had happened.

This, too, was a brutal aspect of the Cultivation World.

Once one entered the Academic Palace and began Cultivation, one might, for various reasons, become entangled in bizarre incidents.

Whether one called it "with great power comes great responsibility," or said that Cultivators and Aliens naturally attracted each other, it didn’t change the reality. Every year in Yu Country, Cultivators died inexplicably, some even vanishing without a trace.

Without time for further reflection, Li Ang returned to the Academic Palace and once again threw himself into his studies.

The Blood River incident had served as a wake-up call. Chang’an City had a population of three million. Although protected by the garrison and the Academic Palace, abnormalities could still occur.

If Garrison Commander Lin Hongbo had arrived a bit later in that Illusion Realm, I might have had to use the Protective Talisman from my dark Jade Pendant.

An Amulet could only be used once, and Academic Palace Disciples would inevitably have to leave Chang’an and travel throughout Yu Country.

Even if only for self-preservation, I must seize the time to absorb knowledge and enhance my strength—through learning and literal "gold and silver" investment.

I wonder how things are going at the patent office.

Li Ang sat on a lakeside stone bench, flipping through books, waiting for lunchtime.

He silently clenched his fists.

In the Blood River environment, Mo Si, operating at full capacity with maxed-out Spiritual Energy output, was probably already at the level of a Postnatal Martial Artist. If I could get the patent reward sooner and invest more gold and silver, who knows what kind of improvement I’d see.

"Risheng, you’re here?" Dr. Su Feng, a Doctor of Science, spoke from the side.

Li Ang stood up, cupped his hands respectfully, and said, "Dr. Su."

"Your patent has passed the review and is set to be announced in the newspaper next month. Perfect timing, take a look at the description in this draft," Su Feng said with a smile, handing Li Ang a newspaper draft he was holding under his arm.

Li Ang browsed through it. The draft was filled with testimonials from users (namely, the families of Academic Palace Doctors and ordinary citizens) about the soap. They all essentially described it as a cleaning tool far superior to traditional cleaning bars.

If this weren’t an Academic Palace newspaper but some third-rate state tabloid, it would look suspiciously like a paid advertisement.

Li Ang nodded and handed back the draft. "It’s very fair. No issues."

Dr. Su took back the draft and said with a smile, "Good to hear. Also, a large merchant from Chang’an City is already prepared to discuss business with you. See if you have some time available soon."