The Blade-Wielding Legend

Chapter 1580 - 804: The Demon Woman’s Whereabouts

Tai Lake, one of the brightest pearls of Jiangnan.

In ancient times, it was known as Zhenze, vast with misty waves, stretching over thirty-six thousand hectares, embracing Wu and Yue.

Dongting West Mountain is the largest island in the lake, renowned since ancient times.

Legend has it Yu the Great once paused here during his flood control efforts, and the Battle of Fuqiao between Wu and Yue occurred near these waters. During the Spring and Autumn Period, after Fan Li helped Gou Jian defeat Wu, he sailed the Five Lakes with Xi Shi and hid among the landscapes of Tai Lake, leaving behind the tale of "Li Garden". Eastern Jin’s Ge Hong also practiced alchemy on West Mountain, with relics still present...

During the Southern Song dynasty, Tai Lake became an important defensive line of Lin’an.

It can be said that these landscapes are the cultural vein of Jiangnan and a crucial hub of water transport.

However, nowadays, what meets the eye is a scene of devastation.

West Mountain, once occupied by the Silk Cocoon Sect, has long been engulfed in ominous miasma. The originally serene ancient temples and elegant gardens have either been transformed into strange altars inscribed with distorted runes or turned into bandit nests, piled high with looted treasures and grain.

Vegetation withers and decays, rocks are stained with eerie colors.

All this, covered by the blanket fire of the navy.

Broken walls and remnants emit blue smoke, charred trees continue to burn; what used to be historical sites and scenic spots now lay in ruins, littered with rubble, pockmarked with craters, a wasteland of scorched earth.

Bang!

The artillery fire gradually diminished.

Smoke lingered like a heavy curtain, sagging over the vast expanse of Tai Lake.

Mixed with water vapor and the pungent smell of sulfur and blood, it completely engulfed the area around Dongting West Mountain. The surface of the water was littered with charred wood debris, shattered planks, and some unrecognizable remains, the turbid waters stained various shades of dark red.

The air was pervaded by the stench of death and destruction.

This time, the court struck with anger, sparing no expense with new gunpowder artillery shells.

On the altar, Zhang Jingxuan retracted the imitation "Three Five Evil-Slaying Yin Yang Swords" in his hand and exhaled a mouthful of turbid air from his chest.

Just now, invoking the Five Thunders, altering heaven and earth, even with many people, still took its toll.

The surrounding Daoists’ faces were filled with exhaustion, but the thunderlight in Zhang Jingxuan’s eyes had not yet dispersed.

Bang!

With the final explosion, the bombing finally ceased.

Gazed at the devastation before him, Zhang Jingxuan said in a deep voice, "The navy’s sweeping operation has dealt a heavy blow to the Silk Cocoon Demon Army, the remaining are not a concern."

His voice penetrated the smoke, clearly reaching the ears of the surrounding sect leaders and elders, "However, the Lai Yin Demon Woman and the Yangzhou Cauldron she stole remain untraceable."

"All disciples, heed my command!"

"Yes!"

"Search Dongting West Mountain and its surrounding waters and islands separately, leave no stone unturned! Be sure to find the demon woman and the treasure cauldron!"

At the command, the cultivators from Jinling and various sects of Jiangnan, already poised, shot out like arrows from strings and swiftly dispersed.

Some used Armored Horse techniques, skimming across the shattered lake surface like dragonflies touching water.

Some used Water Escape to dive into the murky waters.

Most were carefully searching the scorched ruins, amidst the broken walls and rubble.

They used various divine skills, combing every inch of land and every body of water.

However, as time ticked away, the reports back were disheartening.

No trace of Lai Yin was found, nor could they locate the Yangzhou Cauldron.

Both seemed to have vanished into thin air. Only a few low-level rebels and Silk Cocoon Sect followers, who had survived the artillery and spell bombardment by pure luck yet were scared witless, were captured.

Zhang Jingxuan’s face remained calm, but a trace of an indistinct shadow crossed deep in his eyes. Personally interrogating several captives who seemed like minor leaders.

"Speak! Where is the Lai Yin Demon Woman hiding? Where is the Yangzhou Cauldron?"

The voice wasn’t loud, yet it carried an intimidation that pierced the divine soul.

The captive shook like a sieve, eyes unfocused, "The Sect Leader... she... she was gravely injured and was healing in the secret cave at the center of the island... guarded by the most elite sacred guards... we... we only know how to guard the perimeter..."

"When the court... the Heavenly Master... attacked, we tried to notify the Sect Leader in the secret cave... but... but when we rushed in... it was empty! The people... and that cauldron... all vanished! Truly vanished!"

Another captive cried out, full of terror.

They were previously water bandits near Tai Lake, once rampant and merciless killers, but after joining the rebel army, they had grown even more brazen for half a month.

But under the Daoist Thunder Technique and navy artillery fire, they had been scared out of their wits.

"Empty?" Zhang Jingxuan frowned deeply.

The intelligence about her being gravely injured and healing was known early on, but to disappear without a trace with the immensely heavy and powerful Yangzhou Cauldron under the eyes of the Taoist leaders in such a short time? It seemed truly inconceivable.

As the search bore no results, the atmosphere grew increasingly heavy.

"Heavenly Master!"

At this moment, City God Temple Priest Zhang Jingqing bowed in salute, "The Dragon Sacrifice Ceremony is complete, the earth energy of Jiangnan slightly stabilized, but as long as the Yangzhou Cauldron is not returned, the hidden danger remains. Should the demon woman flee far with the cauldron or it falls into even more sinister hands, the consequences are unimaginable!"

"Young Hero Li is the living Yin messenger, perhaps he has a way."

Zhang Jingxuan’s gaze flickered, and he nodded slightly:

"Very well. Quickly invite Li Yan here."

What one sees varies from their position.

Unlike the local Mystical Sect cultivators in Jinling, he didn’t harbor feelings of exclusivity or concern over being overshadowed; achieving results was paramount.

Receiving the order, Zhang Jingqing immediately used his escape technique towards Li Yan and others.

Soon, Li Yan, Kong Shangzhao, Wang Daoxuan, Lv San, and others arrived at the scorched ruins with Zhang Jingqing.

After hearing Zhang Jingqing’s account, everyone exchanged looks.

"Disappear into thin air? With the Yangzhou Cauldron?"

Kong Shangzhao stroked his faint beard on his chin, shaking his head, saying:

"This is absolutely impossible!"

"The Yangzhou Cauldron is such a divine object! Its power is vast and majestic, like a torch in the night among cultivators’ divine skills! How could it be moved forcefully without a sound?"