Yan Shouyi quickly bid farewell to Changshan after ensuring he was safe outside his residence at Hanshan Temple.
He had to deliver the evidence to Zhang Shanli as soon as possible, to make everyone understand Zhang Wuma’s true identity.
By then, the light rain on Longhu Mountain had turned into a steady downpour. Muffled thunder rumbled within the dark clouds, creating an unsettling atmosphere.
Yan Shouyi had a premonition that if the Xuanshan Sect had any plans, they were likely to commence soon.
There wasn’t much time left for preparation.
He took out his phone and called Lin Zitong.
“Hello? Where have you been? Why aren’t you back yet?” Lin Zitong couldn't help but ask as soon as the call connected.
“Something came up midway. I need to see my granduncle. Tell everyone to gather at our courtyard tonight. I have something to tell them.”
Hearing the seriousness in Yan Shouyi’s tone, Lin Zitong seemed to grasp the gravity of the situation.
After hanging up, Yan Shouyi quickened his pace.
On the way, he encountered the young Taoist priest Zhu Feifeng. Led by Zhu Feifeng, Yan Shouyi finally met Zhang Shanli in the Hall of Discipline.
Seeing Yan Shouyi rushing in with a sense of urgency, even bearing bloodstains, Zhang Shanli sensed that something was amiss and quickly locked the door.
“Did you find anything?” Zhang Shanli asked.
Yan Shouyi directly produced the coffin-lifting pole and a Taoist talisman bearing Zhang Wuma’s inscription.
The answer was self-evident.
Zhang Shanli’s expression turned grim as he received the evidence.
“I never expected this, I truly never expected it!” Zhang Shanli said in a deep voice. “Zhang Wuma grew up in Longhu Mountain. He should have been the most loyal disciple, yet I never imagined he would actually betray Longhu Mountain!”
Yan Shouyi sighed, “I also didn’t want to believe it, but the evidence is irrefutable… Granduncle, what are your plans now?”
“I’ve already dispatched people to keep an eye on Zhang Wuma. As for apprehending him, let me consult the Old Heavenly Master first,” Zhang Shanli said. “The Old Heavenly Master possesses incredible foresight and has already made arrangements for what’s to come. If I act rashly, I might disrupt his plan.”
“Shouyi, you go back first and make preparations.”
Yan Shouyi’s eyes sharpened, “Granduncle, you have a premonition too, don’t you?”
Zhang Shanli nodded slightly, “The storm is brewing, filling the tower.”
“I understand.”
Yan Shouyi bid farewell to Zhang Shanli and walked out of the Hall of Discipline.
Zhu Feifeng, who was waiting outside, saw Yan Shouyi’s somber expression and couldn’t help but ask, “Mr. Yan, what happened?”
“Nothing.”
Yan Shouyi initially didn’t want to say more, but thinking that Zhu Feifeng was a decent person, he couldn’t bear to keep him in the dark. He said, “Daoist Zhu, if you’re free tonight, why don’t you come to my courtyard for a few drinks?”
If Longhu Mountain were to face unrest tonight, perhaps having Zhu Feifeng stay in their courtyard could ensure his safety.
Zhu Feifeng looked troubled and replied, “Isn’t that inappropriate, Mr. Yan? You have a competition with Senior Brother Yu tomorrow.”
“I’ll be descending the mountain after tomorrow, and I don’t know when we’ll meet again. So, I must insist you grace us with your presence, Daoist Zhu.”
Yan Shouyi deliberately made his words sound more serious, and Zhu Feifeng indeed couldn’t refuse. He immediately agreed to come.
After parting ways with Zhu Feifeng, Yan Shouyi hurried back to his courtyard.
His courtyard was already packed with people. Aside from his own group, there were also disciples from Mount Emei led by Abbess Guan Yun and the Lüshan Sect from Lüjing. Dozens of people were gathered, chattering noisily.
Seeing Yan Shouyi return, everyone swarmed around him, “What happened? Why did everyone need to gather here?”
Yan Shouyi said solemnly, “Something big is happening tonight. Unless absolutely necessary, no one should leave this courtyard.”
Zhang Shantong stroked his chin, “Is it related to you, or to my Longhu Mountain?”
“Longhu Mountain,” Yan Shouyi sighed. “That’s all I can say. From now on, no one leaves until dawn.”
The crowd realized the situation seemed serious and all became quiet. Although curious, they didn’t ask further questions.
“Grandfather, Little Aunt, Sect Leader Lüjing…”
Yan Shouyi called out a few names, and then gathered his companions from the folk sects, calling everyone into the inner room.
After closing the door, Yan Shouyi revealed the truth:
“I have a premonition that the demons from the New Xuanshan Sect will attack Longhu Mountain tonight, and an unavoidable fierce battle will ensue.”
The other companions were already aware of this, so they didn’t react much. Abbess Guan Yun, however, looked incredulously, “No way, Longhu Mountain is the leading Taoist lineage, with the Old Heavenly Master presiding. How could this New Xuanshan Sect you speak of be so reckless as to provoke Longhu Mountain?”
To make everyone realize the seriousness of the situation, Yan Shouyi had to suppress his impatience and explain the matter in general terms.
After listening to Yan Shouyi’s explanation, Lüjing asked, “You mean the leader of the New Xuanshan Sect used killing the Old Heavenly Master as an excuse to deceive his followers into attacking the mountain, but his actual target is the one in the dungeon?”
“That’s right.”
“But why? Why does he want to kill the person in the dungeon?” Long Feicheng asked, puzzled.
“The reason is simple,” Lin Zitong said. “The Actor claims that by killing the channel-connecting inheritor, one can escape a predestined calamity. Everyone believes him because he survived. But if people discover that there is another Nuo Ghost Play inheritor in the Longhu Mountain dungeon, the Actor’s lie would be exposed.”
Wang Jiwang’s expression grew solemn, “So he’s willing to let his own followers die just to break into Longhu Mountain. The existence of that Nuo Ghost Play inheritor in the dungeon directly impacts his status within the Xuanshan Sect!”
Zhang Shantong asked, “What is the Heavenly Master’s reaction to this?”
Yan Shouyi shook his head, “No reaction so far.”
“How can he have no reaction? Those demons are coming to kill him!” Abbess Guan Yun said, a little anxious.
Yan Shouyi replied, “According to our speculation, the Old Heavenly Master likely foresaw the Actor’s intentions. By feigning ignorance, he is deliberately luring them up the mountain to trap them in a net.”
“That’s the only explanation,” Zhang Shantong sighed.
Based on his understanding of the Old Heavenly Master, this action was entirely in character.
Zhang Yin had always adopted a policy of eradicating evil Taoists completely, showing no mercy.
This was the first time in many years that an evil Taoist had set their sights on Longhu Mountain.
Since the opponents were so audaciously courageous, the Old Heavenly Master would grant their wish and take them all down, thus bringing peace to the world.
Upon learning the situation, everyone began to make their preparations.
There might be a major battle tonight.
After everyone emerged from the room, Lin Zitong gently took Yan Shouyi’s hand.
“This is ultimately Longhu Mountain’s affair. The Old Heavenly Master isn’t worried, so you shouldn’t be too tense.”
She could sense Yan Shouyi’s anxiety.
Yan Shouyi could have easily stayed out of this, but he didn’t. Lin Zitong understood; he wasn’t that kind of person.
Lin Zitong poured him a cup of tea.
Yan Shouyi took a sip of the tea but still frowned and sighed, “The Xuanshan Sect was founded by my father, after all. If anything were to happen to the Old Heavenly Master, our folk sects would inevitably become targets. We’ve worked hard to gain fame at the Luotian Grand Ceremony, and I don’t want that reputation to be ruined like this.”