Great Zhou Martial Immortal

Chapter 49: The Third in the Strategies, the Four Deadly Bone Demons (Please continue reading!)

This Noga is no ordinary person.

Lu Chenyuan watched him from the outside as he deduced and unlocked the puzzle step by step. He didn't solve it quickly, but each step was very steady. Occasionally, he would take out bronze counting rods to set up and deduce the formation, and step by step he solved the White Tiger Carrying Corpse Formation.

Just like the previous Jiangnan Taoist Qimen master Shen Candeng.

Everyone stared at the newly formed array plate, their hearts pounding in their chests. Could it be that the "Heavenly Craft Scroll" had appeared in the world today?
Unexpectedly, at the moment when the White Tiger Carrying Corpse formation revealed all its changes, Nuoga's well-defined hand hovered three inches above the mechanism, unable to fall for a long time.

His brows were furrowed, and fine beads of sweat appeared on his forehead, a stark contrast to his previous ease and confidence when he solved the puzzle.

"Something's wrong..."

He muttered to himself, "The Heavenly Stem's position is unusual, and the 72 Earthly Fiends clash with the Eight Gates... How could this be?"

Lu Chenyuan nodded and said, "That's the difficulty. Ordinary Qimen formations emphasize 'good and bad fortune having separate paths,' but this formation is 'good and bad fortune sharing the same path'—the Life Gate and Death Gate overlap, and the Chief Talisman and White Tiger are in the same position. I have no solution. Do you have any brilliant ideas?"

Noga immediately dropped the counting rods and shook his head: "According to the 'Dunjia' theory, the Heavenly Plate should be in a Yang Dun favorable formation at this moment, but in reality, the Earthly Plate shows signs of a Yin Dun unfavorable formation. What's even stranger is that the Eight Gates of the Human Plate are evolving on their own, completely unrestrained by the Heavenly and Earthly Plates..."

He strode out of the array and simply gave up: "This is no longer a simple Qimen formation, but a forced combination of Taiyi, Liuren, and Qimen. Every step of the solution must simultaneously satisfy the deduction rules of the three numerology methods. The slightest deviation will lead to utter ruin. I'm sorry, I can't help you."

Noga reached out and stroked his non-existent beard, as if he had become a different person: "I have roamed the martial world for thirty years and have broken seventy-six top-grade Qimen formations, but I have never seen such an exquisite killing formation. With my life at stake, I know that there is no hope of breaking it, and I admit defeat!"

"..."

Everyone looked at him, who had the appearance of someone in his early thirties, and said he had been a wanderer in the martial arts world for thirty years. They looked at each other in bewilderment.

Did this person start wandering the world as soon as they were born?

Lu Chenyuan looked him up and down, his lips twitching: "The Madman of Escape Techniques?"

Nuoga was startled, then seemed to suddenly wake up, regaining his honest and dull expression. He looked down at his hands, was blank for a moment, and then walked back behind Song Zhenyue.

Lu Chenyuan stared at him, then suddenly said, "If I may ask, the *Gu Jing* records that the Foolish Silkworm forgets a love for every skill it acquires. What did you forget when you 'ate' Wu Jiuhuan?"

Noga was silent for a moment: "...Anger."

The people present all had some medical knowledge, so they were not surprised by this answer.

The Suwen states that the liver corresponds to anger, the heart to joy, the spleen to pensiveness, the lungs to worry, and the kidneys to fear. The waxing and waning of the essence and qi of the five viscera, the coordination of their storage and release, and the smooth flow of qi and blood play a fundamental role in the generation and changes of emotions.

If the essence, qi, yin and yang of the five internal organs undergo changes of deficiency or excess and functional disorders, and the circulation of qi and blood becomes imbalanced, abnormal emotional changes may occur, which in turn can have a huge impact.

Noga's face was as pale as paper, and his body was so thin that he seemed to be able to fall over with a gust of wind. This was very much in line with the characteristics of liver dysfunction. The liver corresponds to anger, and anger weakens the liver. If the liver cannot store blood, the face will not be nourished and will turn pale.

The liver governs the tendons; when anger is absent, the tendons lose their nourishment, which is why his movements become somewhat stiff.

The liver's essence manifests in the nails, which is why his nails show longitudinal cracks and his fingers appear withered.

These are all characteristics.

As Lu Chenyuan read more and more books, his mental computing power and scope expanded, and he began to see these things.

He also realized that this person was not as honest as he seemed, and that he was hiding something—his pale face was not just a matter of fear, but possibly also joy—joy corresponds to the heart, the heart governs the blood vessels, and its radiance is reflected in the face. If the heart's energy is insufficient, the complexion will be dull; if the heart's yang energy is weak, the qi and blood will be weak, and the body will be thin.

The worms on his body have most likely consumed a second, or even a third, top-tier expert!
"interesting."

If you want something for nothing and abandon all your emotions and desires, what's the point of living like that?
However, in other words, paying such a price for power is definitely not just for serving as a guest minister to a wealthy princess!
Lu Chenyuan was wary, but said nothing.

Since he awakened his innate wisdom, memories of his past lives have constituted a large proportion of his life.

Having experienced modern society, he had no interest in risking his life for a feudal dynasty. All he wanted were cultivation resources, divine skills and techniques, self-protection, and protection for his family. Now, he also needed Li Lingyue.

He felt absolutely nothing for Wu Zetian.

This old woman is ruthless in killing her own son, and even less so in killing her ministers. It's better to help Li Lingyue ascend the throne than to be her dog!

In this situation, the more the four opposing forces make a fuss, the more likely he is to gain an opportunity.

As the saying goes, the bigger the storm, the more expensive the fish.

Li Lingyue is not in charge yet, and there are many core secrets and treasures that she is unaware of.

Just like on the day of the assassination attempt on the emperor on the first day of the tenth lunar month, when Wu Zetian was hit by the Yuanrong Divine Crossbow [Three Calamity Divine Arrow], Li Lingyue was unaware that she was wearing protective armor of the same level. Therefore, she was furious and slashed Ashina Bolu four times, turning him into a human stick and almost killing him directly. It was only because Wu Zetian stopped her that he was spared and his life was used for interrogation.

Wu Zetian didn't trust her sons, and she probably didn't trust her daughters much either.

She has already become the emperor, and who knows how many real treasures and trump cards she holds.

The reclusive immortal Gu Yunsheng was indifferent to others and disappeared without a trace after his travels. However, he had a confidante, Princess Pingyang Zhao, with whom he exchanged letters. It is possible that Gu Yunsheng revealed what he had left behind, and he may even have given her some treasures comparable to the "Secret Records of the Reclusive Immortal".

Where are these letters and items now?

Princess Pingyang never married. If she left it to her closest brother, her second brother, then after Emperor Gaozong's death, who would have gotten it?
If no remains were kept, but instead buried with the deceased, the grave could be secretly dug up...

Wu Zetian even pried open the property deeds of the Li Tang dynasty, so why would she care about robbing a tomb?

In any case, whether she kept it or not, whether it was stolen or not, Princess Pingyang's things most likely ended up in Wu Zetian's hands, just like that precious armor...

Therefore, there's no need to let the danger vanish without a trace—Li Lingyue needs merit to maintain favor, and he also needs merit to be promoted and rewarded. This family is just that outrageous.

Now that Li Lingyue is his girlfriend, he will no longer use the same methods he used on rich women. He can only handle business matters officially and private matters privately. She can give him whatever she wants, or she won't ask for anything if she doesn't want to. But there's no need for that with Wu Zetian. Even if he treats her like his mother-in-law, she won't treat him like her son-in-law. So why be polite to her?
Furthermore, this at most constitutes failing to report a crime, and doesn't even qualify as a violation of the law.

Lu Chenyuan felt perfectly at ease, watching the drama unfold.

Another expert was stopped at the White Tiger Carrying Corpse Formation. The others were helpless. At this level, it was beyond their ability to intervene. They sat there for a long time, powerless to do anything, and could only go back to their own homes once again.

Fortunately, the difficulty of the Rubik's Cube has been confirmed, making it even more difficult for amateurs to solve. Since there is no dead end and a narrow path has been left, the situation is under control, so there is no need to rush.

Yan Bingning dismissed everyone again, agreeing to meet again the next day, and then posted the notice she had prepared in advance at the outer entrance.

-

Disciples:

I, by the grace of Heaven, rule over the eight directions, my civil and military achievements benefiting all people. Now, a wondrous art, the *Celestial Craftsmanship Scroll*, has appeared in the world. It is the legacy of the Celestial Master who protects the nation, containing profound mysteries of creation and extraordinary skills crafted by the supernatural. However, this divine object cannot be lightly bestowed; only the wise and courageous may inherit it. Therefore, I hereby issue this decree to all the heroes of the land:
Those chivalrous heroes and extraordinary individuals who wish to obtain this scroll must solve the "Myriad Forms Rubik's Cube." This is a test personally set by me, containing heavenly secrets and harmonizing yin and yang; only those of great wisdom and courage can solve it.

Those who can solve the puzzle can enter the Mechanized City to learn about the divine craftsmanship and receive the blessings of the Wu Zhou dynasty.

This is it.

In the first year of the Great Zhou Dynasty, an imperial edict was issued.

-

The moment this notice was posted, the entire area was in an uproar.

Spy agents from various factions sprang into action, and in an instant, all sorts of exotic spirit birds took to the skies to deliver messages. Black eagles, blue-scaled falcons, and red-eyed Rakshasa birds, among others, sent more than a dozen flying figures hurtling off in all directions in a matter of moments.

"Quite a few eyeliners..."

Lu Chenyuan withdrew his gaze and walked out of the courtyard. The guards around him were still there, but Gao Jian was no longer there.

It is estimated that it was sent back to the Prince of Wei's residence.

Lu Chenyuan ignored him and, as usual, strode back to Zhengpingfang towards the direction of the Iris Terrace.

At noon, the banks of the Luo River were bustling with people.

A peddler carrying a load on his shoulder hawked his newly brewed apricot blossom wine, while the urgent strings of a pipa drifted from the Hu Ji Tavern, and several mischievous children chased after a rolling iron hoop, laughing and frolicking past.

Lu Chenyuan listened to the surrounding noise as his black boots trod on the bluestone slabs.

Just then, a sudden change occurred!
With that step, he couldn't even hear the sound of his own footsteps!

next moment.

Everything around was frozen in place, and all was silent!
The peddler's leg froze in mid-air, the Hu woman's hand rested on the strings of her zither, the iron hoop tossed by the child hung under the sun, edged with an eerie gold, and a falling locust leaf stopped three inches in front of the nose, its veins gleaming with golden lines.

"Oh?"

Lu Chenyuan raised an eyebrow, feeling as if the surrounding天地元气 (heaven and earth energy) was being stirred by an invisible hand. Suddenly, nineteen golden lines appeared on the bluestone bridge surface, and the 元气 from all directions converged like a tide, transforming into a huge chessboard that occupied a radius of ten zhang!

"Yin-Yang Technique Array..."

Lu Chenyuan stared ahead and said loudly, "You dare to touch me in the capital, you have quite the nerve." He himself didn't know how many people were protecting him in the shadows.

"I only asked you to play chess."

A cold female voice came from outside the formation: "You don't dare?"

"hehe."

Lu Chenyuan laughed and said, "If I said I wouldn't dare, would you be willing to withdraw your formation? Judging from this posture, it seems that a lot of effort was put into the layout... Of course, you have to be willing to withdraw. You asked, so you don't dare to attack directly, do you? You are from the Zongheng Peak lineage? Who is Gao Jian to you?"

The female voice said coldly, "Lan Xiuyi, the third disciple of Lord Yunzhe, requests to learn from Lord Lu's skills!"

Lu Chenyuan said, "What? Stand up for him? I didn't lay a finger on him."

Lan Xiuyi's voice grew even colder: "...Dare, or don't you dare!"

Lu Chenyuan's face darkened: "Gao Jian is at the third realm, and you are also at the third realm, yet you flaunt your power with a magic chessboard. Yun Zhejun is also considered a master of the martial world, so how come your disciples are all so... useless!"

"you--"

Lan Xiuyi gritted her teeth: "Do you dare or not!"

Lu Chenyuan said calmly, "Since you dare not, and I also 'dare not,' wouldn't it be a waste of your arrangements? I have long heard that the techniques of Zongheng Peak are renowned throughout the world, and today is the perfect opportunity to learn from them. Everyone, please do not stop me; I will do it myself!"

Across from Luoqiao Bridge, on the second floor of the inn.

Lan Xiuyi sat upright, with four dark figures standing beside her.

The first man silently pressed against her back, his cold sword blade against the back of her neck, the edge digging half an inch into her skin, blood beads winding down the snow-white blade; the second man slid down from the beam, his withered fingers forming claws, gripping her right wrist that held the chess piece, his finger strength penetrating to the bone, the wrist bones emitting a faint cracking sound as they could not bear the weight.

A third person rose from the crack in the floor, a poisoned short blade pressed against her waist, the tip piercing her clothes, the chill seeping into her bones; a fourth person condensed in front of her like smoke, two fingers pressed together towards her brow, the fingertips swirling with Yin Sha death energy, just half an inch more and it would shatter her sea of ​​consciousness.

The four moved with an almost eerie speed, without a sound of wind, without any murderous intent, and even their breathing was extinguished in the darkness, as if they were part of the shadows themselves.

The moment Lan Xiuyi activated the formation and Lu Chenyuan entered, four people appeared—she had no doubt that if she moved even slightly, she would become a corpse torn apart by four different streams of true energy.

Until Lu Chenyuan spoke.

The four figures then turned into black smoke and dissipated.

"The Four Deadly Bone Demons..."

Lan Xiuyi swallowed hard, thinking to herself, "The four most ruthless assassins of the Dry Bone Sect... disappeared for three years, and actually joined the Kite Guard... and were even ordered to protect a male favorite... This Lu Chenyuan is really something!"

Fortunately, he was arrogant and dared to agree, which taught him a lesson and avenged his senior brother!
Lan Xiuyi said, "Lord Lu, I won't stand on ceremony. 'The first sound at the beginning of chaos'!"

Lan Xiuyi picked up a piece and placed it at the center!

despair!
With a soft sound, the world within the chess formation underwent a dramatic change!

Lightning bolts from the heavens struck down like dragons and snakes, each bolt transforming into a black and white chess piece that crashed down upon Lu Chenyuan.

Lu Chenyuan retreated rapidly, only to see the chess lines on the ground suddenly contract, cutting towards him like a blade!

Within the chessboard: once a move is made, there's no going back; every step is a potential trap!
Lu Chenyuan was a little surprised: "Is this Yin-Yang magic? It's quite impressive..."

He had read about Yin-Yang techniques and knew some of their principles.

Legend has it that Yin-Yang Arts originated from the ancient Yin-Yang School of the pre-Qin period. Like Taoist arts, Yin-Yang Arts are derived from the Nine True Words and the Six Jia Secret Incantations: Lin, Bing, Dou, Zhe, Jie, Zhen, Lie, Qian, Xing. With the corresponding hand seals, one can arrange the formation with one's own consciousness and true energy, drawing upon the natural power of heaven and earth. It is extremely powerful and is a major category of martial arts, requiring a very high level of consciousness.

Those with weak spiritual consciousness cannot master magic or become sorcerers.

Generally, martial artists can only open their divine sense after reaching the third realm, but this is just the normal situation.

There are also some exceptionally talented individuals with great opportunities who are fortunate enough to have their "heavenly eyes" opened or be enlightened by a master. At the beginning of their martial arts training, they can develop their divine sense to study techniques. Some of these outstanding individuals may even be proficient in both martial arts and techniques, truly deserving to be called the chosen ones of heaven.

Logically speaking, even if Lan Xiuyi, with her third-level cultivation, had diligently cultivated her divine sense since childhood, she shouldn't have been able to create such a spectacle.

But she possessed a magical artifact, the radiance of which Lu Chenyuan could clearly see even while he was within the formation.

"Idly tapping chess pieces as the lamplight flickers and wicks sway!"

Lu Chenyuan had just taken three steps back when Lan Xiuyi made her second move, placing a white piece on the "third or fourth line".

"Om-"

The clouds within the formation surged and instantly condensed into a jade wall several meters high, trapping him in the "corner".

On the jade wall, countless chess puzzles and incomplete games appear, interfering with the six senses. If one is not careful, one will be crushed by the game.

Lu Chenyuan sneered, crimson flames flickering at his fingertips, and he boldly pointed out the "Suiren Knocks on the Gate" technique with the Taiyi Beacon Cloud Finger!
　Tuesday is crucial for next week's recommendations, so I'm posting this chapter early. Please click to follow and read it.

(End of this chapter)