Chapter 98: Guarding Heaven's Pass pt. 19

A few days later, the various sects and the Ming clan worked together to clear away the remnants of the small town. Lin Changming didn't see anyone from the Posuo Sect but overheard the heads of a few sects chatting over drinks. One person said, "Posuo Sect suffered greatly from this disaster, losing five direct disciples at once. They're severely weakened and probably won't descend from the mountain for some time. Poor Jiang Sigu, at her age, hearing such terrible news, who knows..."

Another replied, "I heard that as soon as Jiang Langjun returned to North Heron Mountain, he was reprimanded by Jiang Sigu. Not only was he stripped of his position and punished in front of all the disciples, but his sword was also confiscated. Now Jiang Sigu, despite her poor health, has come out to preside over the sect's affairs again."

The crowd sighed with regret. Lin Changming, feeling a heaviness in his heart, stood up, intending to leave. However, given his prominence, his movement drew everyone's attention.

At that moment, a wine server beside him said, "Ruyi Lang, are you going out for some fresh air? Please follow me."

Lin Changming gestured slightly to the others and followed the servant out. The servant, being very clever, led him to a quiet pavilion in the garden. Lin Changming, seeing the tranquillity around, said, "There’s nothing else here for you to do. You may leave."

The servant, however, said, "I noticed Ruyi Lang has been feeling down. Are you worried about Jiang Lang-jun?"

Lin Changming replied, "Tell me, what does my gloominess have to do with Jiang Lang-jun?"

The servant turned under the moonlight and smiled, saying, "I don't know about others, but I know Jiang Lang-jun well. I believe he would never do anything against the sect's rules, nor would he flee from a battle. Ruyi Lang, you and he are both extraordinary and outstanding gentlemen. When you met in the city, you must have appreciated each other's qualities. Now that he's being slandered, you naturally wouldn't be happy."

Lin Changming was silent for a moment at the mention of "appreciating each other's qualities." He then said, "You are not a mere wine server. Who are you?"

The servant replied, "I'm just someone who regrets what happened between you two. The so-called friendship between gentlemen is nothing more than this. But I'm curious, Ruyi Lang, since you're worried about him, why not send a message by Fly-Delivery Seal? I believe he needs a friend like you right now."

An outsider, not knowing the full story, even saw them as friends. Lin Changming gave a self-deprecating smile and asked, "Who are you really?"

The servant transformed, revealing himself as a tall man. He had a handsome appearance, with jet-black eyes that slightly turned in the moonlight as he sighed softly, "I didn't expect Ruyi Lang to be so perceptive. Who am I? Just a nobody."

Lin Changming noticed the white hawthorn pattern on his clothes and the golden crow-marked sword at his waist, and was startled, "Could it be that you are…"

The servant said, "No need to mention those empty titles. Since you recognise me, just call me Ming Han."

Lin Changming asked, "Dianxia, why are you here in disguise?"

Ming Han, though not yet ascended to the throne, was already renowned across the Six Prefectures for his beauty. Lin Changming had heard that his cultivation was average, but he had a good temperament and was well-regarded in Changcheng for his virtues.

Ming Han paced in front of the pavilion, seemingly troubled by something, "If anyone else had asked me, I wouldn't dare to tell the truth. But since Ruyi Lang is asking, it must be destiny. To be honest, I came here to investigate the case of the river god's fall in that small city."

Lin Changming was puzzled, "If it's about that river god, why not discuss it with the newly appointed Head Swordsman? Why the need for disguise?"

Ming Han replied, "Ruyi Lang, you might not know, but although our Ming clan rose from Guangzhou, we are also heavily constrained here. This matter involves a fallen god, and the officials stationed here should have been severely punished. Unfortunately, the original Head Swordsman is dead, and much evidence is missing. I had no choice but to come and investigate personally. This matter is very secretive, so please keep it confidential."

Given Ming Han's noble status and his amiable demeanour, Lin Changming could not refuse. He immediately agreed. Ming Han invited Lin Changming to sit in the pavilion and took out fine wine from his sleeve to entertain him.

Lin Changming asked, "Did Jiang Langjun not report the detailed situation of the river god's fall in Changcheng before he left? Does Dianxia still have unresolved questions?"

Ming Han pondered for a moment and said, "If you mention unresolved questions, there is indeed one. Ruyi Lang might not know, but there was no river god here initially. A few years ago, during a major flood, a deity suddenly emerged. Since the appearance of this river god, there have been frequent anomalies here. I have long suspected there was something strange about it. This time, the god's fall has caused such a commotion, and I fear it is not a coincidence."

Lin Changming asked, "Not a coincidence? Could it be man-made?"

Ming Han hesitated for a while before saying, "Indeed, I suspect this fall is man-made. Ruyi Lang, think carefully: how many deities in this world can speak human language? According to Jiang Langjun, this river god not only speaks human language but also excels at beguiling people's hearts. Isn't that far more formidable than the Sun God or Moon God?"

Lin Changming was startled, "But posing as a deity is an incredibly difficult task."

Ming Han replied, "For you and me, it is indeed difficult, but not for certain others."

Lin Changming asked, "Who?"

Ming Han looked outside the pavilion and said in a deep voice, "Naturally, it's the Hugui clan. Do you remember Jiang Lang-jun mentioned that when he went berserk and killed, the whole city was filled with paper scraps? You might not know this, but the so-called paper people and paper scraps are a type of puppet technique used by the Hugui clan! I came here because I suspect someone has colluded with the Hugui clan."

Lin Changming asked, "The Hugui clan has been reclusive for a long time. What could possibly be their motive for colluding?"

Ming Han said, "What else could it be for? Naturally, it's for the Four Mountains and the Heavenly Sea!"

Lin Changming was shocked, "Why would that be? Without the Four Mountains, the Heavenly Sea would collapse. In that case, the flood from those would ravage everything, and no one would be able to escape unscathed."

Ming Han said, "The Hugui clan does not share the same origin as us. They drive ghosts and control snakes, following an evil path, so we cannot judge them by common sense. Besides, you should also know that since the Queen expelled them from the six states, they have harboured a blood feud against our Ming clan."

Lin Changming, recalling various events from the Nightmare Sealing Array, grew even more alarmed and muttered, "Indeed... The way it pressured Jiang Linzhai inside the array was certainly strange."

"This matter should not have been revealed to outsiders, but I truly pity Jiang Lang-jun. He was targeted because of our Ming clan," Ming Han said, rising and pacing anxiously in the pavilion. "He lost his disciples, and all his cultivation was wasted because of the array. He might not be able to become the sect leader in the future. The thought of these things fills me with guilt and unease. If I do not get to the bottom of this, I will have no face to meet my friends on North Heron Mountain again."

Lin Changming, his emotions in turmoil, immediately said, "Since this matter involves me, I cannot stand by and do nothing."

Ming Han said, "Ruyi Lang is indeed a true gentleman. However, this is a significant matter with far-reaching implications, and we do not yet know what kind of conspiracy lies behind it. I cannot rashly involve you."

Lin Changming said, "It concerns the Four Mountains, so I cannot shirk this duty. How does Your Highness plan to investigate? Just give me your orders."

Ming Han said, "Since that is the case, I will not stand on ceremony with you. To investigate this matter, we must start with this small town. Any spell will leave traces after being used, and I am looking for the traces of the Hugui clan's puppet technique."

Lin Changming asked what kind of traces these were, and Ming Han explained them in detail. Lin Changming memorised everything. After returning, he found it hard to sleep, his thoughts alternating between Jiang Linzhai and the Hugui clan.

"Shifu," Lin Changming said softly, tracing the spell for a Fly-Delivery Seal in the air with his finger, "if this is indeed the work of the Hugui clan, then how we sealed the heavens doesn't count. If it doesn't count, there might still be a chance for your cultivation to be restored."

The Fly-Delivery Seal took shape, and he looked at it for a long time before finally extinguishing it.

To investigate the traces of the puppet technique, Lin Changming stayed in the small town for another half month. During this time, he continuously walked the familiar streets, searching for clues just as Jiang Linzhai had once wandered inside the array.

One day, Lin Changming re-entered the River God Temple and finally found some red paper scraps in the ashes of a large cauldron. He handed these red paper scraps to Ming Han, who carefully examined them and said, "At last, we can conclude this matter. However, the Hugui clan's movements are elusive. Finding them will require some effort."

Lin Changming said, "It's a pity this matter does not involve life and death or the yin-yang realms, or else we could go to the Heavenly and request a yin-yang coin from the Heavenly Sea Imperial Lord for guidance."

"Without concrete evidence, we should not dare to alarm the Heavenly Sea Imperial Lord. Speaking of tracing and tracking, I do have a method." Ming Han held the paper scraps in his palm and gently traced in the air with his other hand. The paper scraps stood up. "Our Ming clan has a treasured secret technique related to the Hugui clan's puppet art. It says that as long as a certain spell is cast on the opponent's puppet, it will naturally float back to its master."

The paper scraps floated into the air but quickly fell back down.

Lin Changming asked, "What's wrong?"

Ming Han smiled bitterly, "It's my lack of skill and low cultivation; I can't control these paper scraps. To perform this spell, it will have to be you."

Lin Changming said, "How can that be? Since it is a Ming clan treasure, it cannot be shown to outsiders easily. Besides, I practice the art of painting talismans. How can I..."

He initially intended to say he couldn't practice someone else's spell, but then he thought of Posuo Sect. If it was a matter of breaking rules, he had already done so.

Ming Han said, "I know this matter is difficult, but there are very few people I can trust. Ruyi Lang, you haven’t seen that secret technique yet, so you don’t know. The spell can be said to be simple; if one's cultivation is sufficient, they can learn it. But it can also be said to be difficult because the caster must also know some puppet techniques, or else it’s easy to confuse the genuine with the fake. These puppet techniques are very insidious, and I dare not hand them over lightly. After much consideration, I can only ask you."

He sighed, gently gathering the paper scraps in his fingers, and continued, "The plotter's mind is meticulous; I'm afraid there won't be any other traces left. These puppet techniques are obscure and hard to understand. I haven’t grasped much of it myself. If you are willing, I’ll show it to you..."

Lin Changming was about to speak, but Ming Han gestured to stop him, saying, "I might as well give it to you. As the saying goes, 'a precious sword for a hero,' this secret technique should have been handed over to your Kuwu clan for translation long ago."

Lin Changming finally stopped declining, "Dianxia, such a kindness, I dare not forget. Once I have mastered the spell, I will definitely write out the detailed puppet techniques for you."

Thus, Lin Changming returned to Dongzhao Mountain and began to study the secret technique of puppetry. The book was indeed as Ming Han described, difficult to understand. Lin Changming spent several years deciphering its meaning. During these years, he kept an eye on North Heron Mountain, but Jiang Linzhai, having sealed his sword, never came out again. He could only inquire about Jiang Linzhai's news during the Four Mountains gatherings.

He heard that Jiang Linzhai had secluded himself and no longer taught swordsmanship.

Lin Changming often wrote letters but never sent any. He learned to make lanterns in the shapes of birds and rabbits, but never fish. After many years, he finally translated the entire secret technique and mastered the spell within it.

Ming Han and he had become friends. When they met again, Lin Changming returned the secret technique. Ming Han seemed hesitant, and it was only upon their parting that Lin Changming learned—

Posuo Sect had a new leader; Jiang Linzhai had already passed away.

Ming Han said, "News on the road travels slowly. According to Jiang Sigu’s wishes, it is first... Changming, what’s wrong?!"

Lin Changming felt the world spinning. He groped for his waist, but the Thousand Gold Brush was nowhere to be found. The brush was gone, the golden fire fish charm was gone, and now even Jiang Linzhai was gone.

Ming Han said, "This shouldn’t have been relayed to you like this, but the news would have come out eventually. Changming... Changming!"

Lin Changming wanted to say something, but before the words could come out, blood surged up instead. He clumsily wiped at it, continually waving his hand at Ming Han. It's nothing, I'm fine. He stood up, but everything went black, and he collapsed to the ground.

The Author Has Something to Say

Fixed!

I’d like to put Zhuo-Bao (Bao as in “Precious”) and Tai Qing in here too, but there’s still a little bit of this thread left to finish ere (eyes closed).

It’s important to have it connected!

Thanks for reading.