The Blade-Wielding Legend-Chapter 1385 - 716: The Missing Temple Priest

"What do you mean?"

Upon hearing the old man address him, Li Yan furrowed his brows.

"This... wasn't it you who called me over?"

The old man, in a rush, gestured with his hands, recounting the events.

It was quite interesting, actually.

The old man, named Sun Datong, was originally a handyman and fire-stoker, serving diligently in the temple for years. With the old temple priest's help, he joined the religious registry, which ensured some security for the future.

He was honest and worked quickly, his only hobby being indulging in drinks.

A few days ago, the old temple priest left and never returned. Reporting to the government yielded no news, and with no one to host rituals, the already sparsely visited Divine Temple became even more desolate.

Sun Datong was both worried about the old temple priest and afraid the temple might be seized by others. He was so anxious, he scratched his head a lot but had no solution, so he drank a bit more.

Li Yan had just happened to save him, and the old man stumbled over confused and dazed, later dreaming of the Five Dao General who told him to guard the temple entrance and settle incoming travelers.

Half-believing it, the old man saw the ground was covered in ice that hadn't melted, with the clay Divine Statue inside the temple half shattered, unsure and uneasy, waiting outside the temple.

Soon after, a wild storm arose around, and the wind stopped when Li Yan appeared outside the temple.

"I see..."

Li Yan nodded, his expression somewhat grim.

Summoning a soul and transporting the physical body were serious taboos.

Even though the other party was a deity, he felt discontent.

This kind of matter requires caution in the future.

Though he had various protective artifacts, dealing with such gods from the Daluo Law Realm, he would need to think of other plans.

Of course, that's for later discussions.

The Five Dao General had exploited an opening this time, using the capture of Demonic Qi to create a situation for their meeting.

It seems with the reform of the Human Dao, the Daluo Law Realm is shaking, and the "Heavenly Rules" will undoubtedly loosen.

The people behind Jianmu are bold and reckless, so others naturally wouldn't just sit idly by...

During this meeting, the Five Dao General had two requests.

One is to help him stabilize the incense offerings.

This could be difficult yet simple. Li Yan had connections with influential figures in the Taixuan Orthodox Sect and could ask them to deal with the slanderous debauched Taoist temples against the Five Dao General.

But if one wanted to truly prosper its incense offerings, some strategic thinking was needed.

Immortal Master Erlang, the Five Dao General, might be Li Yan's support in the Daluo Law Realm future. In these turbulent times, having no one above often means being passive.

The other request is concerning Taishan.

The Five Dao General hurriedly left, some matters still unclear.

Li Yan only knew that Taishan was significant to the Five Dao General and Immortal Master Erlang.

It seems he will have to find an opportunity to visit Taishan...

Thinking about this, Li Yan looked at the anxious Sun Datong across from him, and solemnly said, "Secrets of the Heavenly Mechanism should not be revealed. Some things are best kept to oneself; speaking carelessly will undoubtedly bring disaster!"

"Yes, yes!"

Sun Datong's legs went weak from fear, directly kneeling on the ground, trembling like a sieve.

Li Yan stood up, helping him up, his voice softened, "You need not be afraid, as long as you don't speak recklessly, good days will come naturally. I ask you, did the old temple priest mention anything when he left?"

Zhao Qingxu, this demon, had long-term plans. During the Great Song Period, he had even used bills to stir national unrest.

Unlike others behind Jianmu, this guy liked staying hidden behind the scenes.

Using Demonic Qi to infest the Five Dao General's Divine Statue was definitely not coincidental.

"Well..."

Sun Datong furrowed his brow, quickly recalling, "I remember a few days ago, the temple priest went out saying he was meeting an old friend. After returning, he was acting odd, sometimes talking to himself, other times laughing out loud, but would say nothing when asked about it."

"Two evenings ago, a beggar delivered a letter, and upon receiving it, the temple priest hurriedly left, never to be heard from again."

"Oh?"

Li Yan squinted his eyes slightly, asking, "Do you know who that friend of his is?"

Sun Datong shook his head, "The incense offerings at the Five Dao Generals Temple were not prosperous, and the temple priest had few friends in the Capital. I only know a certain Lu Xun, Lord of the Ministry of Industry; they often drank tea together." 𝚏𝐫𝚎𝗲𝕨𝐞𝐛𝕟𝚘𝐯𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝗺

"The Ministry of Industry..."

Li Yan pondered, remembering the name.

He thought for a moment, then pulled out a silver note worth a hundred taels from his coat, and said solemnly, "This place is watched by evil entities; it might be unstable for some time. Take this money, close the temple, and seek refuge in the countryside. Return upon notification."

After speaking, he quickly got up and left.

Watching the distant back, Sun Datong looked again at the silver note in his hand, feeling as if in a dream...

.....

The next morning, Xuan Sacrificial Officer.

"That's how things happened..."

Li Yan narrated the events of the previous night.

The Capital's defense system is no joke; apart from military patrols, all major temples, Taoist temples, local estates, and the City God Temple jointly supervise it.

If there's any abnormal movement of Astra Bane Qi, the City God Temple can detect it.

Last night's commotion, although concealed by the Five Dao General, still alarmed the Law Enforcement Hall.

In matters concerning Zhao Qingxu and Demonic Qi, Li Yan naturally had to explain.

However, he dared not disclose the Five Dao General's situation to anyone.

"Was Zhao Qingxu not present?"

Luo Mingzi's gaze showed clear disappointment.

"No."

Li Yan pondered deeply and said, "Currently, with the Qiankun Academy incident creating an uproar, him sneaking in seems impossible; he must have another plan. If we follow this line, perhaps we can track it down."

Luo Mingzi didn't waste words and stood up, saying, "Come, let's go to the Ministry of Industry!"

....

Rain-washed cobblestones in the Capital glistened with a wet sheen, as Li Yan and his group bypassed bustling streets, arriving at the southeast area outside Chengtian Gate, the Central Government Office region.

This was where the Three Provinces and Six Ministries were located, referred to by the Capital's people as "Heavenly Street" or "Thousand-step Corridor."