Blade - Unbound

"Peerless Yuan is dead?"

"Isn't he? The bounty notices in Puxian and Shanyin have both been taken down. They say someone already brought in his head and collected the reward."

"Good heavens, which faction pulled that off?"

"It wasn't someone from our side. It's someone from another province."

As the most talked-about bladesman over the past two years, Peerless Yuan's death immediately became the subject of countless discussions throughout the jianghu.

When word spread that three infamous unorthodox mystic path cultivators had also been killed alongside him, many people quietly reconsidered and stopped coveting the bounty.

After all, if there was still a chance of stealing the bounty, people might try even if they had to risk their lives. But if there wasn't even a chance, that wasn't greed. They would simply be courting death.

Meanwhile, Li Yan and his companions had already arrived at the foot of Mount Hua.

"Mount Hua has been a sacred mountain since ancient times." Wearing a bamboo hat and carrying a wooden staff, Wang Daoxuan wiped the sweat from his brow as he said, "The Classic of Mountains and Seas records: Mount Taihua rises sheer on all four sides, five thousand ren in height and ten li across. No birds or beasts dwell there. A serpent lives upon it called the Feiyi, with six legs and four wings. Whenever it appears, great drought befalls the world.'

"The Tribute of Yu also states that Mount Hua was where the Yellow Emperor Xuanyuan gathered the immortals..."

As he spoke, the towering mountain already stood before them. Its majestic peaks rose steeply into the heavens, imposing beyond compare.

The first lunar month had not yet ended, and although the snow upon the mountain had begun to melt, vast stretches of black and white still blanketed the landscape. Clouds and mist coiled around the peaks, making the sacred mountain appear even more awe-inspiring.

Li Yan felt its presence even more deeply. He could smell the innate astral qi and killing qi fused seamlessly into one vast and majestic whole, like an enormous bronze cauldron standing between heaven and earth. Its overwhelming aura washed over him, pressing against his chest until even breathing became slightly difficult.

"Mount Hua truly lives up to its reputation." Li Yan couldn't help sighing in admiration. "I've heard that Mount Hua is formed from a single colossal slab of stone. I never imagined its innate astral qi would also exist as one unified whole, perfectly harmonizing with the Metal element. Truly a marvel of heaven and earth."

Standing before such a divine mountain only heightened everyone's anticipation for their journey and they immediately quickened their pace. After all, the perilous paths of Mount Hua were famous throughout the realm. The climb would be anything but easy.

Since ancient times, Mount Hua had been one of the empire's most important sites for worship. Thus, large and small shrines dotted its foothills. Some had been built during the Tang Dynasty. The oldest dated all the way back to the Qin and Han Dynasties, though only crumbling walls remained.

It was considered a sacred land. Even when the Wolf Kingdom invaded from the south, they had not dared damage it in the slightest. As a result, much of it remained remarkably well preserved.

There were already many travelers along the road. By the time they reached the foot of the mountain, the place was positively bustling with people. Beside the temples at the mountain entrance, villagers were holding the annual Shehuo festivities.

Some sturdy men carried iron frames upon their shoulders. Standing on them were children dressed in elaborate opera costumes with painted faces, portraying all manner of immortals and deities.

Elsewhere, villagers had erected towering wooden structures four or five stories high in every imaginable shape. Some rose straight into the air; some hung upside down; and others jutted outward horizontally. Every design emphasized dizzying heights and precarious balance, looking as though they might collapse at any moment.

Performers in opera costumes stood atop these towering frames as well. Some remained perfectly still. Others walked gracefully up and down the structures, like immortals strolling among the clouds.

Elsewhere, actors reenacted historical tales. Without exception, every performance involved ghosts or gods. Some even used stage props to recreate gruesome scenes of impalement, decapitation, severed limbs, and other bloody spectacles. As for performances like the Running Dry Boat and the like, there were simply too many to count.

Street vendors also busied themselves preparing all kinds of local delicacies. Some visitors wandered about cheering and applauding the festivities. Many more, however, devoutly burned incense, filling the air with drifting smoke.

Amid the noisy crowd, an elderly man suddenly approached them. "Young Hero Li!"

Recognizing him, Li Yan immediately cupped his fists with a smile. "Master Zuo, what a coincidence. What's being celebrated here?"

The newcomer was none other than the leader of the Zuo Opera Troupe.

"This is one of Huayin's traditional customs." Master Zuo smiled as he explained, "From the Lantern Festival until the second day of the second lunar month every year, villages throughout Huayin come here to perform Shehuo celebrations.

"Those are Heavenly Core Performances; those are the Blood Celebrations. These customs originated from the rain-praying sacrifices of the ancient kings, and have continued unbroken to this very day.

"You're all heading up the mountain, I presume? Manager Wan and the others arrived several days ago. You're probably the last ones to get here.

"The mountain paths are still covered with snow. You must be careful."

Li Yan bowed slightly in response. "Thank you for the reminder, Senior, we'll head up the mountain now."

After bidding Master Zuo farewell, the group immediately quickened their pace.

As they passed the Shehuo procession, a scholarly-looking young man in the crowd happened to glance their way.

His eyes instantly lit up. "Hero Li, Hero Li!"

He waved vigorously while running toward them.

Li Yan turned around and looked him over before saying with some surprise, "You're Yan... Scholar Yan?"

The scholar respectfully cupped his fists and bowed. "My name is Yan Jiuling."

He was the very scholar whom Li Yan had accidentally rescued back at Tianzhu Mountain.

Li Yan looked rather surprised and his brows furrowed slightly. "You're supposed to be heading to the capital for the imperial examinations. Why are you still in Shanzhou?"

Yan Jiuling hurriedly replied, "During the New Year, I visited some relatives in Chang'an, and stayed there for several days. Since I was leaving anyway, I thought it would be a pity to miss the scenery of Mount Hua, so I came here on the way."

Li Yan casually acknowledged him before turning to leave. "Oh. Travel safely."

Just as Yan Jiuling was about to continue the conversation, his servant squeezed through the crowd and tugged at his sleeve. "Young Master! Young Master!"

"Young Master," he whispered, "these are all jianghu people. They kill without batting an eye. Let's wait a while before going up the mountain."

"My conscience is clear. What is there to fear?" Yan Jiuling smiled with complete ease. "Zhu Mo, those gentlemen all possess the bearing of true heroes. Since fate has allowed us to meet again, it's only proper that I become acquainted with them."

With that, he brushed off the servant's hand and quickly hurried after the group.

The servant, Zhu Mo, stamped his foot in frustration. "Oh, Young Master..."

But there was nothing he could do. He could only chase after him.

Yan Jiuling finally caught up to Li Yan, breathing heavily but wearing a warm smile. "Hero Li, please wait a moment. As it happens, I'm heading up the mountain as well. Why don't we travel together?"

Li Yan looked at him somewhat speechlessly. "If I remember correctly... You're a candidate for the Imperial Exams, aren't you? One day you'll become an official. You and people like us may walk the same road, but we do not follow the same path. Why insist on traveling together?"

Naturally, there was another meaning behind his words. Officialdom was complicated, while the jianghu was equally treacherous. The ways in which people conducted themselves in the two worlds were completely different.

Moreover, they carried far too many secrets. A chance meeting was enough. Growing too familiar would only invite trouble.

Yan Jiuling revealed an awkward expression. For a moment, he didn't know how to respond.

Beside them, however, Sha Lifei's eyes rolled thoughtfully. "Brother Yan, since fate brought us together and happen to be traveling the same way, there's no harm in climbing the mountain together."

Turning toward the scholar, he smiled and cupped his fists. "My name is Sha Lifei."

One look was enough for Li Yan to realize Sha Lifei was trying to build connections again. Since the baldy knew what he was doing, Li Yan no longer objected.

"Very well. The mountain paths are slippery. We can look after one another."

With that, Li Yan continued walking briskly ahead. Before long, Sha Lifei and Yan Jiuling had fallen into lively conversation.

"Sir is so young, yet you've already became a candidate for the Imperial Exams. Impressive, truly impressive. You're certain to succeed in the metropolitan examinations one day."

"You flatter me, Hero Sha. I merely enjoyed a bit of good fortune."

"Good fortune alone won't earn anyone a spot there! May I ask where Young Master Yan's family is from?"

"Ezhou."

"Oh! Ezhou is a fine place indeed!”

Sha Lifei was a gifted conversationalist. His compliments flowed one after another without pause. It wasn't long before he and Yan Jiuling were chatting as though they had known each other for years.

His purpose was quite simple. Anyone who had managed to become a candidate for the Imperial Exams that had been in place since the founding of the Great Xuan Dynasty was certainly no ordinary person. At the very least, his family would be one of the wealthy and influential households in the area.

Perhaps he could gather useful information simply by chatting. Who knew? It might even lead to work or perhaps a profitable business opportunity. After all, they had caused far too great a stir in Chang'an. The Guanzhong Plains was unlikely to remain a place where they could safely stay. Once their business on Mount Hua was concluded, they would be leaving.

Although Lu San had already grown familiar with the other three, the addition of a stranger to the group still made him uncomfortable.

Speaking softly, he said, "I'll go on ahead and scout the path."

Receiving Li Yan's nod of approval, he immediately increased his pace and departed ahead of the others.

"Hey!" The moment Sha Lifei saw Lu San running off again, he grew anxious. "What's with that fellow always running off on his own? Mount Hua is huge. What if we get separated?"

"Hahaha..." Beside him, Yan Jiuling laughed. "Don't worry, Hero Sha. You're from the Guanzhong Plains. Haven't you ever heard the saying: Since ancient times, there has only been one path up Mount Hua?"

"And what's the story behind that?"

"It isn't exactly a story. Although Mount Hua has been a site of worship throughout the ages, its towering, perilous terrain meant that ceremonies were generally held at the foot of the mountain. It wasn't until the Tang Dynasty, when more and more people secluded themselves here to cultivate the Dao, that dangerous mountain paths were gradually carved out. That's why there's only a single route to the summit."

"Hm... That doesn't sound right."

"How so?"

"Didn't the Daoist just say that the Yellow Emperor Xuanyuan gathered the immortals here? Don't tell me they all flew up the mountain?"

"Well... perhaps they did. But people did reach the summit in ancient times."

"Who?"

"During the reign of King Zhaoxiang of Qin, craftsmen were ordered to climb the mountain using hooked ladders to perform sacrifices. Unfortunately, it wasn't for any noble purpose. It was merely out of spite, so no proper road was ever built."

"Spite? Against whom?"

"King Wuling of Zhao had previously ordered craftsmen to scale Mount Bowu using hooked ladders and carve a gigantic footprint into the mountain. Beside it, they engraved the words: The Lord Father of Zhao once visited this place.

"When King Zhaoxiang heard that, he wondered how anyone could brag like that? So he also sent craftsmen up the mountain. There, they fashioned a gigantic chessboard from the heartwood of pine and cypress trees and engraved upon it: King Zhaoxiang once played chess with the Heavenly Gods here."

"Hahaha! Those two old fellows were hilarious."

"To be honest, I've made a grand vow of my own. One day I'll travel across the Three Sacred Mountains and Five Great Peaks, and at every summit I'll carve the words: Jiuling of Ezhou was here."

Yan Jiuling truly was both learned and talented. All along the journey, he quoted classics freely and spoke eloquently on countless subjects. Even Wang Daoxuan listened with great interest, making the arduous climb far less monotonous.

But as they continued climbing, even he gradually fell silent. There was no other reason other than the fact that the mountain was bitterly cold. The snow had yet to melt completely, and the stone paths were often covered with thick sheets of ice. After slipping and falling several times, Yan Jiuling could only rub his aching backside and obediently keep his mouth shut.

By the time they reached, they were the only travelers left on the mountain. Towering cliffs rose on both sides of the narrow path and the surroundings were utterly desolate. Only the occasional cries of mountain apes echoed through the valleys, sounding eerily like the mournful wailing of wandering ghosts.

Just then, the sound of an argument suddenly drifted from ahead.

Li Yan said suddenly, "It's Lu San!"

He immediately rushed ahead. He had been matching everyone else's pace all this time. Now, with his full strength unleashed, hidden force erupted through his body as he bounded from rock to rock. In the blink of an eye, he vanished from sight.

The others quickly hurried after him.

Li Yan soon reached the source of the commotion. Beside the mountain path lay a deep pool where an icy waterfall cascaded down from above. Jagged boulders protruded from the water, creating a scene of striking natural beauty. Lu San stood at the edge of the pool, gripping his firearm with a guarded expression.

He was surrounded by four Daoists. All wore the black robes commonly seen among the Taixuan Orthodox Sect. Their swords were already drawn as they completely encircled Lu San.

"So there are accomplices as well!"

Before Li Yan had even figured out what was happening, the Daoist in the lead glared at him and barked angrily, "You're carrying spiritual artifacts! So you're all unorthodox cultivators.

"As expected, your intentions are wicked. How dare you come to Mount Hua looking for trouble?!

"Seize them!"

At his command, two Daoists immediately charged forward with drawn swords.

Seeing Lu San about to raise his firearm and shoot someone, Li Yan quickly shook his head, signaling him not to act rashly. At the same time, he stepped back and addressed the Daoist.

"What's the hurry? At least explain yourselves first!"

To his surprise, the leading Daoist showed no courtesy whatsoever.

"Enough nonsense! Surrender first, then we'll talk!"

Shing! Shing!

Two flashes of sword light streaked toward him.

Watching them, Li Yan's temper finally flared. Every Daoist of the Taixuan Orthodox Sect he had met before had possessed different personalities, yet nearly all conducted themselves with reason and restraint. It was the first time he had encountered one so overbearing and tyrannical.

He no longer intended to be polite.

The two Daoists who attacked were still quite young. Although they had only reached the peak of the Light Jin Realm and had yet to step into the Dark Jin Realm, their swordsmanship was truly remarkable. Their footwork drifted gracefully like birds soaring through the mountains. Rather than blocking or parrying, they merely flicked their swords lightly and the blades shot directly toward vital points.

Li Yan had heard Luo Mingzi speak of the famed Mount Hua Sword Art. The practitioners belonged to the Pure Yang Courtyard lineage of the Taixuan Orthodox Sect. Their cultivation methods descended from the traditions of Lu Dongbin and Chen Tuan. Theirs was a lineage that emphasized martial arts first and mystic arts second. They also made up a large portion of the Enforcement Hall.

Their principal arts were Pure Yang Fist and the Pure Yang Sword Art. They were simple names, yet they represented profoundly sophisticated Daoist martial arts.

An old poem once described their swordsmanship: Turning the heavens, they startle flying birds. Sweeping the earth, they leave not a speck of dust. Once unleashed, every inch of the body becomes a hand. One sees only flashes of sword light, never the swordsman himself.

Their reputation was well deserved.

Those two appeared to be nothing more than novice Daoists, yet their swordsmanship was truly exceptional. Working together, their techniques perfectly complemented one another, leaving no openings whatsoever.

Of course, their cultivation was still far inferior. Li Yan merely took a single step backward. The instant their momentum began to decline, hidden force suddenly exploded from his body.

He stepped forward with his right foot, flanking them in an instant. To everyone watching, it seemed as though he had shrunk the earth beneath his feet. Several chi disappeared in a single stride!

That was a trick Li Yan had secretly learned. During the year-end gathering of the Chang'an Divine Fist Association, Zhang Shitong had been toyed with by an old master from Ezhou.

Although he appeared to be walking normally, each step covered impossible distances, as though he truly possessed the legendary art of shrinking the earth. The secret was actually quite ingenious. While executing one's footwork, the trailing ankle secretly released hidden force, while the upper body remained perfectly straight.

When performed correctly, it created a convincing visual illusion, just like the legendary art of Shrinking the Earth.

Red Fist emphasized: transforming the body through unpredictability.

One shifted the shoulders sideways and when facing a different direction, the left was no longer truly left and the right was no longer truly right. Retreat concealed advance while advancing concealed retreat. Its transformations were astonishingly swift.

The technique fit the Red Fist perfectly. Ever since witnessing it, Li Yan had quietly practiced it in secret, integrating it into his own movement technique, making the strange even stranger.

Seeing his strange technique, the two Daoist were greatly alarmed. Unfortunately, Li Yan was not going to give them extra time to react. With a slight twist of his body, he slipped directly between them. His hands seized both of their wrists and with a quick shove powered by hidden force, the two spun through the air before crashing heavily onto the ground.

The Daoist leading them possessed sharp, stern features. His eyes blazed with anger as he immediately charged forward with sword in hand.

"How dare you!"

His swordsmanship was clearly on an entirely different level.

Left with no choice, Li Yan finally drew his blade to meet him. His blade emphasized only one thing, speed. Combined with the military techniques handed down by his grandfather and empowered by hidden force, every strike came even faster than the Daoist's sword.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

A dazzling series of collisions between saber and sword erupted. The rapid exchanges left the spectators' eyes unable to keep up.

Even so, Li Yan was deeply shocked. Every one of his strikes was infused with hidden force. Moreover, his fierce attacks flowed without interruption, intended to batter the opponent's sword aside. Yet every single strike felt as though it landed on empty space.

It wasn't solely because of the Daoist's swordsmanship. It was also due to an exceptionally profound technique for dissipating force.

No wonder this fellow is so overbearing...

Just like me, he's reached the peak of the Dark Jin Realm and touched on the edge of the Jin Transformation Realm.

The Daoist was somewhat surprised himself, but he showed no concern. With a cold sneer, he continued holding his sword in his right hand while his left hand rapidly formed a series of seals.

Lightning Art!

Li Yan immediately sensed something was wrong. His left hand also formed a hand seal. Taking advantage of the brief opening created as their weapons were pushed away from each other, the two men thrust out their left palms at exactly the same moment.

Their palms collided with a dull thud. Li Yan instantly felt an overwhelmingly fierce current of astral qi surging toward him as the qi throughout his body became unstable. He staggered backward several steps before narrowing his eyes.

"Palm Lightning?"

The Daoist fared no better. His vision swam as he stumbled backward. Every hair on his body stood on end. Electric arcs crackled through his beard with loud snaps.

After retreating several paces, he stared at Li Yan in utter disbelief.

"Yin Lightning Palm?"

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