Lu Wang had no idea that Huo Jun was cursing him behind his back and even planning to burn down his mansion. After hanging up the communication with Huo Jun, Lu Wang began to devise ways to intercept Ji Xiang.
His origins were unknown, but the demons and ghosts of Jiaxiang County had already been alerted. Once any news surfaced, they would report back to him.
In Mi Long's wish, it was clearly stated that the other party came from the north and seemed to be a superior of the Daoist Association. The root of the Yellow Heaven Cult was Emperor Jiajing, which made Lu Wang unable to avoid thinking that Huo Jun's father had resurrected and was causing chaos everywhere.
Master Huyan was a disciple of Emperor Jiajing, and it was problematic for him to be working for his teacher?
Of course, there was no problem.
As for his own daughter, she had almost burned down the Forbidden City, possibly disrupting some of Emperor Jiajing's plans. Therefore, opposing his daughter, was there a problem?
Of course, there was no problem either.
The entire line of reasoning was perfectly logical.
After all, there were many resurrection spells in Taoism, and with the Tai Xuan Sheng Talisman and the Golden Elixir from the Nine Revolutions of Immortality, even if one had been dead for hundreds or thousands of years, with no soul or lingering wish, they could still be brought back to life, completely reversing the state of life and death, and disregarding all reason.
"Investigate the recent movements within the vicinity of Jiaxiang County. I need to know everything that happens in the neighboring counties!"
"Also, the Grand Canal must not be neglected..."
Compared to land routes, Lu Wang believed that Huo Jun's father had come via the Grand Canal. After all, the canal connected north and south and facilitated the transport of grain. It was much faster than walking. This incident arose from Mi Long's greed, indicating that Huo Jun's father was not initially heading to Jiaxiang County, but rather a major conflict occurred midway.
Lu Wang took out a map of the Grand Canal, marked several points on it, and began to transmit messages using his Golden Wheel.
His subordinates were stationed in various places, and they all received Lu Wang's summons. The Hell Talismans on their bodies responded to Lu Wang's commands.
Along the Grand Canal, they were to pose as boatmen or infiltrate the canal to cause trouble, thereby identifying any spellcasters on the canal, and then carefully select and screen those individuals.
The opponent's attire was clearly a Daoist's black robe, so they would focus on this clue and search for them. There were very few Daoists who dared to wear black robes!
As Lu Wang was making arrangements, a subordinate sent him a message through the talisman.
"You're having your thirty-third grand wedding?"
Lu Wang narrowed his eyes: "Have you found the thirty-third woman born in a Yang year, Yang month, Yang day, and Yang hour?"
"Such women are hard to find. Women are inherently Yin. It's already unlikely for them to be born in four Yang hours. A woman with an extremely Yin constitution is easier to find than one with an extremely Yang constitution. I used so many means to find thirty-two for you to marry, and you found the thirty-third one yourself?"
"Where did you find her...?"
"Ah, that's good. I can't make it there to join the celebration for now, so I'll offer my congratulations from afar... By the way, even though you're getting married, I have something here that you still need someone to handle..."
"Hmm... that's a good idea. Let everyone on the Grand Canal know that King Zhenjiang is getting married, and all beings, gods, demons, and ghosts, are invited to celebrate. This will also be a good way to screen them... Excellent, then I'll await your good news."
Lu Wang proactively hung up the communication.
"Hmph, you won't say where you found her. It seems this King Zhenjiang has his own plans. I want to see what new tricks you can come up with. You've eaten my Rou Cong Rong, and your five labor and seven injuries are all under my control. Do you think you can break free and act alone?"
.........
The ship's progress was too slow. After cultivating for a few days, Ji Xiang was not satisfied with the speed.
Although they had been traveling south, the boatmen had barely stopped anywhere. After all, the events in Jiaxiang County were too shocking. Everyone in the county was either a follower of the Fragrant Teachings or a gambler like Mi Long. The boatmen even expressed to each other that they would never dock at that ferry crossing again.
"You're right. Since we're going south, we need to hurry."
To leave smoothly, Ji Xiang used a wind-summoning spell!
"Wind come!"
The talisman burned in the sky, and a strong wind suddenly blew from north to south on the Grand Canal. This fierce wind propelled all the ships forward. Ships traveling from south to north were temporarily stopped by the strong wind, while the ship Ji Xiang and his companions were on was pushed southward at high speed by the wind. This strong wind only accompanied Ji Xiang's ship.
Whoosh—
The laborers transporting grain on the canal lowered their heads as they were blown by the strong wind.
Women with powdered faces and painted eyebrows, migrating north with their families, hid in the cabins and covered their skirts.
Disappointed and dejected scholars, who had failed the imperial examinations and were standing at the bow of the ship preparing to jump into the river, were blown back into the cabins by the strong wind.
"Evil wind! Sorcery!"
Someone who was standing at the bow of the ship, about to recite a poem, was met by a gust of wind that stirred up a large amount of water, drenching him. He then began to curse loudly. However, he lost his footing and almost fell into the canal.
"Hmm, it seems someone is cursing?"
Ji Xiang's small boat, riding the wind and breaking the waves, sailed south. The whistling wind was constant, giving the feeling of returning from Jiangling in a thousand miles within a day. However, there was no cheering from the boatmen around...
Instead, there was a chorus of wails!
"My lord, my lord, please stop your divine powers!"
"This boat can't take it anymore!"
"My hat, my hat flew away! Ah... it's gone."
The boatmen were swaying precariously, clinging to their boats, unable to adjust their direction!
Seeing this, Ji Xiang sighed helplessly, flicked another talisman, and the strong wind finally stopped. The boatmen's faces were pale, and some were even dizzy.
As for the righteous scholar on the side, he had already started to lean over the side of the boat and vomit.
Ahead, countless ships were gathered and blocked, seemingly obstructed by something. Ji Xiang's ship sailed forward and discovered a group of water mansion sprites blocking the way, a vast expanse of them, cutting off the Grand Canal.
All ships coming from the north were stopped here by them.
"Monsters!"
Feng Menglong's face paled in shock. In broad daylight, monsters dared to appear in groups on the Grand Canal?
Did they not know this was an imperial waterway? Where did these minor demons get so arrogant?
Ji Xiang looked ahead and raised his eyebrows:
"This is not a bad thing. Those are not monsters, but water mansion divine soldiers, enlightened by the water god from the fish and shrimp in the river. Moreover, there are decorations everywhere ahead, clearly indicating a joyous occasion."
The canal was a central route connecting many water systems, so the inlets of other water systems also connected to the Grand Canal, allowing the grain transport route to be extensive.
As expected, as the ships moved forward, water mansion divine soldiers came forward to block the way, inviting everyone to the water mansion to participate in their king's wedding ceremony, and to trouble the boatmen for a few days. They promised to bestow treasures after the ceremony.
"What water mansion is this?"
Ji Xiang asked.
The few fish and shrimp divine soldiers responded with laughter:
"This place is the water mansion beneath Jinshan."