Sha Lifei's heart skipped a beat. "What's the matter?"
He knew better than anyone that the young man before him was no pushover.
Years ago, when he first visited, he thought to himself: an old cripple and a half-grown kid—how much trouble could they be? Dropping by to say hello was already giving them face.
Word would spread, and no one could say a thing.
So, that time, he swaggered in, loud and brash. Not only was he lacking in courtesy, but he also threw his weight around as a senior, demanding that Li Yan prepare a spread of food and wine, hoping to mooch a meal.
Li Yan was young back then, but he wasn't one to take a slight lying down.
The food and wine were prepared—quite a feast, in fact—but laced with just enough croton powder to have Sha Lifei purging uncontrollably after he left the village.
It had infuriated Sha Lifei at the time.
But with hired harvesters in tow and the urgent task of reaping grain during the busy season, he had no choice but to press on, vowing to teach the kid a lesson the next year.
He hadn't meant to kill him.
Dealing with a greenhorn like that? He had plenty of ways.
For instance, under the guise of a friendly spar, he could give him a solid thrashing.
What he hadn't expected was that Li Yan, drawing on the power of a divine statue, trained like a man possessed. By the next year, he had already made noticeable progress.
Though still lacking in experience, he wasn't such an easy mark anymore.
From then on, Sha Lifei became much more polite.
Now, being suddenly called out like this, was the kid looking for trouble? Or perhaps trying to reclaim his position as leader of the harvesters?
At this thought, Sha Lifei forced a smile, though his heart grew wary.
These young wolves new to the rivers and lakes were the most ruthless, acting without restraint, willing to do anything to make a name for themselves.
He couldn't afford to stumble here today…
As his mind churned with unease, Li Yan spoke up. "I've heard Uncle Sha has connections with the Mysterious Sect. Could you introduce me?"
Sha Lifei blinked, then let out a breath of relief. Curiosity piqued, he asked, "What's that? You run into some trouble?"
"Haunted by spirits, or is your feng shui off?"
Li Yan didn't answer directly. "Nothing much, just curious. Uncle Sha, level with me—do you actually have those connections?"
"Of course I do!"
Sha Lifei thumped his chest, laughing heartily. "Go ask around! I'm Sha Lifei, with friends all over the world."
"There's nothing I can't handle on these Guanzhong roads!"
Seeing Li Yan's expression remain blank, he widened his eyes. "What, you don't believe me? I really do know someone from the Mysterious Sect."
"A lay Taoist, skilled in the arts of Qimen Dunjia, fortune-telling, reading feng shui for homes and graves, exorcising ghosts, and subduing demons. He's a master of all trades. The wealthy in Chang'an City are all clamoring to invite him…"
Sha Lifei spoke with such enthusiasm that spit flew from his mouth. But the more Li Yan listened, the less reliable it sounded.
Though an outsider to these matters, he had some knowledge of folklore from his previous life.
Just in the realm of divination, there were countless schools—Eight Characters, Six Lines, Plum Blossom Numerics, Six Ren, Qimen Dunjia, Taiyi Divine Numbers, ZIwei Star Charts… Each required immense effort to master.
Those without talent couldn't even cross the threshold.
As for ghost-catching and demon-subduing? That sounded like the work of a grand charlatan.
Unaware of Li Yan's skepticism, Sha Lifei continued boasting. "His name's Wang Daoxuan. Word is, he's tied to the Tai Xuan True Sect in Chang'an. He's even drafted death registers in Xianyang…"
Li Yan's eyes lit up at this.
The Tai Xuan True Sect was a genuine pillar of the Mysterious Sect.
And drafting death registers? Not just anyone could do that.
A death register was a document used in funerals, detailing the deceased's birth and death dates, cremation, and burial times.
Only with a death register would the authorities permit burial.
Du Big Tooth had once mentioned that those who drafted death registers were typically from the Mysterious Sect.
Li Yan suspected they also served as coroners of sorts.
For cases of unclear causes of death or suspected poisoning, yin-yang masters had the authority to withhold approval, report to the officials, or even investigate suspicious corpses.
Whatever the case, this Wang Daoxuan was likely an insider.
At the very least, he could offer guidance on how to enter the Tai Xuan True Sect for cultivation.
At this thought, Li Yan's face broke into a smile, his tone growing more courteous. "Then I'll trouble Uncle Sha. I'll make sure to show my gratitude afterward."
"No problem!"
Sha Lifei laughed, then shook his head. "But there's a catch. You'll need to come with me. Tomorrow, you can join the group."
Li Yan frowned slightly. "Why's that?"
Sha Lifei clicked his tongue. "That Master Wang is a busy man, particular about rules and etiquette. You can't expect him to come to you, can you?"
"We're heading to Xianyang anyway. Might as well get it done on the way!"
"Oh."
Li Yan thought for a moment. "Fine."
Sha Lifei's words were a mix of truth and bluster, but Li Yan could tell he likely only knew this Wang Daoxuan in passing, with no deep connection.
Still, it was a lead. Meeting the man might yield something useful.
Joining the Mysterious Sect was urgent.
Having opened his Yang Six Roots, if something sinister took notice of him again, he had no shaman to guide him in warding off evil.
Xianyang wasn't too far—a five or six-day round trip.
He could ask a neighbor to look after his grandfather. The journey wouldn't hurt.
Seeing Li Yan agree, a glint of satisfaction flashed in Sha Lifei's eyes. He waved a hand. "Alright, it's settled. We leave at dawn tomorrow!"
With that, he hurriedly took his leave.
Watching Sha Lifei's retreating figure, Li Yan shook his head slightly, then turned back to the house to pack for the trip.
…
The next day, before dawn, the sound of hooves approached from a distance.
"Brother Yan, let's go!"
Sha Lifei's booming voice rang out.
Li Yan was already prepared.
It was nearing the Grain in Ear season, and the weather was hot. He wore a simple black cloth outfit, a straw hat for shade, a pack on his back, and his Guanshan knife strapped across his waist.
He stopped at his grandfather Li Gui's door and knocked. "Grandpa, I'm heading out."
No answer came from within.
Li Yan sighed, unsurprised.
He'd mentioned the trip yesterday, and his grandfather, predictably, wasn't pleased.
But this matter concerned his future survival. He had to go.
Just as he turned to leave, an aged voice came from inside. "The rivers and lakes are treacherous. Keep your wits about you."
"Aye!"
Li Yan grinned and strode off.
*Creak~*
As soon as he left, Li Gui pushed open the door, gazing at the boy's receding figure. He let out a quiet sigh, his thoughts drifting to Li Hu from years past.
"Father, what are the rivers and lakes?"
"The rivers and lakes?"
"Step out that door, and that's the rivers and lakes…"
…
Li Yan had thought that, with two lifetimes of experience, nothing could stir excitement in him anymore.
After all, he'd seen the dazzling lights and towering wonders of his past life. Even the grandest capital of this world held only a quaint charm in his eyes.
But the moment he left the village, he realized he was wrong.
As the shadow of the Li Family Fort faded, the rugged yellow earth, golden wheat fields, verdant forests, and blue skies with white clouds—the raw majesty of the Guanzhong plains hit him full force.
This was an unspoiled world.
Everything in nature seemed extraordinarily clear.
Coupled with the unknown of the Mysterious Sect, Li Yan felt, in a fleeting moment, like he was that young boy again, filled with curiosity and yearning for the world beyond.
"Brother Yan, why are you heading out too?"
Black Egg sidled up, breaking his thoughts.
The dark-skinned boy was just as excited.
Unlike Li Yan, aside from temple fairs in Lantian County, this was his first time traveling so far. Gone was his usual composure—he chattered nonstop.
"Xianyang, they say it's far…"
"I wonder if we'll see Chang'an City on the way…"
Soon, though, he felt the hardships of the road.
They traveled the official road under a scorching sun, dust swirling on the path, golden wheat fields rippling like waves in the hot summer breeze.
His coarse black clothes soaked up the heat, roasting him under the sun. Before long, his face was flushed, sweat dripping steadily.
Sha Lifei had gathered about fifty harvesters from nearby villages, each carrying a pack, with sickles and whetstones at their waists.
They'd started out looking neat enough.
But now, most had loosened their clothes. Some stripped off their tops entirely, their bronze skin gleaming in the sunlight.
Sha Lifei, though on horseback, was also suffering in the heat.
He occasionally sipped from his water flask, stealing glances at Li Yan.
But Li Yan merely trudged on in silence, occasionally taking in the scenery.
The group had set out at dawn, walking without pause until noon.
By then, Black Egg was drenched in sweat, eyes dim, feet aching, and legs wobbly, each step like treading on cotton.
Li Yan was sweaty too, but his expression remained calm.
Years of martial training had given him stamina far beyond the average person.
Finally, Sha Lifei glanced at the sky, saw the sun at its peak, and called out, "Find a spot to rest. We'll move again after the worst of the heat."
They had two more days of travel ahead.
Walking in the midday heat was too taxing, especially for the older men in the group. Better to save strength and cover more ground in the cooler evening.
As for staying at an inn? Sha Lifei didn't even consider it.
Even if he was willing, these poor souls wouldn't part with their coin.
A resting spot was easy to find. Just off the road were a few large locust trees, their shade ample enough for everyone.
At Sha Lifei's command, the group hurried over, found a place to settle, and pulled out hard, coarse grain buns, washing them down with cold water.
Li Yan leaned against a tree, eating his dry rations.
His resolve was strong; this journey was just another form of training.
On the way back, he might visit the Xianyang mule and horse market to see if his money could buy a good steed.
*Clop, clop, clop…*
As he mulled this over, a series of hoofbeats sounded in the distance.
Li Yan squinted, looking up, and instantly grew alert.
A group of over twenty riders approached, all on swift horses, wearing bamboo hats. Some carried long blades, others short swords—clearly men of the rivers and lakes.
Suddenly, Li Yan's expression shifted. He gripped his knife's hilt.
From these men, he caught the faint scent of blood…
*(End of this chapter)*