Seeking Truth with a Sword-Chapter 405 - 356 Heavy Burden

Chapter 405: Chapter 356 Heavy Burden
It was over.
Inside the veiled tent of the green hut in Furong Garden, Li Ang heaved a long sigh of relief.
The Mo Si Labyrinth, after constant consolidation and expansion, had finally trapped the Dark Filth Worm completely, preventing its escape.
At the same time, the Mo Si Clones scattered throughout the city had also gathered some Giant Tooth Whale Oil, secretly assisting the garrison in extinguishing the great fire.
This time, Chang’an City was not reduced to ashes, and the people attending the wedding did not suffer heavy casualties.
TAP. TAP. TAP.
Lian Xuanyao entered the tent, glanced at Yan Xuan who was still unconscious, and frowned. "How is Miss Yan?"
"She still hasn’t awakened, but there should be no serious issue," Li Ang said.
In the previous aberration, the Dark Filth Worm in Yan Xuan’s body had erupted suddenly only after coming into close contact with the Faith Cultivation Cardinal. Yan Xuan herself had been affected and died on the spot.
This time, however, the Dark Filth Worm had activated prematurely and failed to make contact with the Faith Cultivation Cardinal. As a result, Yan Xuan had merely fainted and was not in serious danger.
"That’s good," Lian Xuanyao nodded. "I just inquired. A maid from the Yan Mansion suddenly disappeared. If nothing unexpected occurred, the Dark Filth Worm in Yan Xuan’s body must have been implanted by that maid, unbeknownst to Yan Xuan herself.
"For caution’s sake, let her stay in the Academic Palace for now under the pretense of recovering from an illness, and we will observe her for a period. If there are no further issues, she can return to her normal life.
"As for whether the wedding will proceed, that will depend on the intentions of the Emperor, the Empress, and Prince Yue."
Yan Xuan’s deceased grandfather had been a dear friend of Lian Xuanyao’s for many years, and he did not wish to see the descendant of an old friend meet with misfortune.
Li Ang nodded. "Then these Dark Filth Worms..."
"Put them in this urn," Lian Xuanyao said, taking out an ancient, palm-sized clay urn covered in talismans from his sleeve. "Later, take them back to Dongjun Tower for further Sealing."
Li Ang took the urn, aligned its opening with the labyrinth, and by altering the labyrinth’s shape, poured the Dark Filth Worms into it.
The red sand particles, which had just been frantically whirling, instantly settled, lying still at the bottom of the urn.
Li Ang handed the urn back to the Mountain Master. He didn’t retrieve the Mo Si immediately. Instead, he transformed it into a cubic shape and held it in his hand—the properties of the Dark Filth Worm were unknown, and there might be residual dangers.
The Mountain Master glanced at the Mo Si and then used his Sound Transmission Skill, summoning several figures wearing Academic Palace uniforms and black-veiled hats.
Academic Palace Supervision Department?
Li Ang’s eyelids twitched as he watched them carefully escort the urn away, leaving two individuals behind to guard Yan Xuan.
"Come with me," Lian Xuanyao said, turning and stepping out of the tent. Li Ang followed.
The two left Furong Garden and arrived at Qinglong Square.
The streets were chaotic. Soldiers were busy with disaster relief, and Government Officials maintained public order. Chang’an City was simply too large, and there was always a risk of thieves wanting to loot amidst the conflagration.
Amidst the noisy and crowded streets, no one noticed the Mountain Master and Li Ang walking by.
The two entered an inn.
The innkeeper seemed to recognize the Mountain Master. He immediately kicked the daydreaming kitchen staff awake, hastily prepared wine and dishes, and brought them over, anxious yet respectful.
"Thank you," the Mountain Master smiled and nodded. The innkeeper, pleasantly surprised, nodded and bowed incessantly as he backed away from the main hall.
"So," the Mountain Master began, pouring himself a glass of wine. He casually activated a soundproof talisman and pointed at the block of Mo Si on the table. "What’s going on here? Can you tell me about it?"
Li Ang took a deep breath. Although he had mentally prepared himself, talking about Mo Si still made him nervous and uneasy.
"Let me start from when I first came to Chang’an..." Li Ang began, carefully choosing his words.
"It was in the third year of Zaiqian that I came to Chang’an to take the entrance examination for the Academic Palace.
"I was judged by Xi Yangyu as having severed Innate Spiritual Veins, rendering me unable to cultivate.
"Later, I was kidnapped by Jiao Cheng and accidentally entered the Sword Immortal Tomb beneath the Chang’an Ghost Market, where I was parasitized by Mo Si.
"Subsequently, I encountered Ya Jiu, who threatened me and gave me the Zhao Ming Token..."
He recounted everything in detail, including how he had acquired the Sumeru Hourglass at the Jialan Sect and how he had used it to change the outcome of this aberration.
"...That’s essentially it." After finishing his account, Li Ang took a deep breath and leaned back in his chair.
From the day he entered the Academic Palace, he had grown to love its atmosphere. However, he had always worried that if his fusion with the Alien were exposed, he would be expelled or even imprisoned.
Being able to speak about it now brought an unexpected sense of liberation.
My thoughts are all over the place,
Li Ang mused.
I saved Chang’an as the Mountain Master asked, and I have so many past merits to my name. Perhaps... just maybe... I won’t be expelled after all?
The Mountain Master, who had been listening while eating and drinking, put down his chopsticks. After a long pause, he finally said, "Years ago, a fortune-teller told my father four characters: ’towering cliffs and soaring clouds.’
"He suggested my father name his children according to these characters, saying it would bless them with long lives. I have an older brother and two older sisters, so by the time it was my turn, only ’clouds’ was left for my name."
"Uh?" Li Ang was momentarily stunned, not quite catching on.
"I’ve never told anyone else about this. Since I told you in the last cycle and had you use these four characters to gain my trust, it truly indicates that the situation had deteriorated to an extreme point. If the Faith Cultivation Cardinal had been controlled and made to self-destruct at the Purple Cloud Pavilion, it wouldn’t just have killed hundreds of important officials and halted the court; it might also have provoked a strong reaction from Taihao Mountain, potentially triggering a war we didn’t want to see."
The Mountain Master smiled and said, "You saved both Chang’an and Yu Country, and that is more important than anything else."
Ah, this...
Li Ang scratched his head, feeling somewhat sheepish.
So, does this mean my hoarding of Mutated Objects is forgiven?
As if guessing Li Ang’s thoughts, the Mountain Master chuckled. "Of course, the proper procedures must still be followed.
"These Mo Si threads are likely unknown Aliens brought back by a Sword Immortal from the Endless Sea. I will give you a document from the Supervision Department, allowing you to access information about the Sword Immortal Tomb and the Endless Sea Aliens yourself.
"Until we’ve clearly identified what they are, it’s best not to use them again."
"Understood," Li Ang sighed with relief. "And about the Zhao Ming affair..."
"Are you referring to the organization involving Jun Qianzi, Yuan Sou, and Ghost Shovel?" The Mountain Master pondered. "The Supervision Department has already picked up on some clues.
"Over the years, someone has been secretly recruiting powerful cultivators who operate outside the established nations. This time, their activities have finally come to light.
"I will have someone investigate this further." The Mountain Master paused briefly, his tone calm as he added, "No one can provoke the Academic Palace and Yu Country without paying a price."