"Zhao Shu, let me advise you, even if you are favored by the king, but you attack and kill local officials without any scruples, have you ever thought about what will happen?"
Chu Mengchun was slightly startled at first, but then he thought that Zhao Shui had not planned to kill him, so he guessed that he was still afraid, and his tone turned to warning:
"In remote places, there may occasionally be evil spirits who live in the altar and confuse the people. You are young and energetic, and you can't see the sand in your eyes. This is a good thing. But you must know how to be flexible in your dealings, and you cannot rely on your magic power to kill indiscriminately!
Even if you, Wu Kuijun, succeeded Gao Pinggong and commanded the military affairs, how could you be so arbitrary when it comes to government affairs involving the people's livelihood? If you can't trust the Xinglong County Magistrate, can't you discuss it with me in advance?"
"At this time, you are still talking about officialdom?" Zhao Shu said with a cold expression: "Xinglong County is still like this, Qingyan County worships ghosts and gods, and the evil spirits may be all over the city and countryside. Since I have been ordered to hunt down evil spirits,
The first thing is to eliminate these evil spirits one by one to prevent them from colluding with Jiuli Kingdom."
"What are you talking about?" Chu Mengchun looked in disbelief: "The local shrines are all dedicated to the righteous gods, but if they have efficacious effects, they are all inspected and verified by our Chongxuan Hall. You actually want to slander these righteous gods and treason.
?"
"Whether it is yes or no, I will know after I conduct a detailed inspection." Zhao Shu said.
"It's reversed, it's reversed!" Chu Mengchun struggled repeatedly, and when he was about to raise his luck, he felt a stabbing pain in his chest, and at some point a restraining spell wrapped around his throat.
"Golden Guan Jade Lock Firm Curse, don't struggle." Zhao Shu said: "This is the magic spell used by Tianxia Dynasty to restrain evil Qi cultivation. If you forcefully raise the Qi, be careful that the Qi mechanism is in the meridians.
You will injure yourself during the counterattack."
Among the monks and magicians trained by the Tianxia imperial court, Cursed Bansheng was the best at using restraints and exorcising evil spirits. The ancestors of the Zhao family had contacts and exchanges with Cursed Bansheng, so several restraining techniques were handed down.
But the method of restraint is far from rare. People who are successful in Qi refining can also use Qi to restrain. Zhao Shu supplemented it with spells, which is like putting a complex lock on the restraint, making it difficult to crack.
It's just that this kind of restraining spell can suppress Chu Mengchun, but it has no effect on experts like Liang Tao. Even the restraint on the woman in the curtain hat next to him is slowly weakening.
"Taoist friends are good at cultivation." Zhao Shuochao raised his hands and praised the woman in the curtain hat: "I saw that my Taoist friends used the piano as a musical instrument to play music and set up formations. Could it be that they were from Fengming Valley in the West? I vaguely remember that Fengming Valley was unwilling to help the Yaochi Kingdom flourish.
As a result, the swordsmen were attacked by King Baixiang and entered the sect's dojo. The disciples had no choice but to flee the Yaochi Kingdom. They never expected to see a descendant of Fengming Valley here."
The woman in the curtain hat sat side by side with her legs crossed. She did not reveal her true appearance. She held down the strings with her ten fingers and whispered: "Marquis Zhenming is well versed in the various sects of immortality. It is true that he is extraordinary. I don't dare to call myself Fengming."
Disciple Gu is now just a wandering cultivator, taking shelter under the guard of Chu County."
Zhao Shu understood as soon as he heard that the Fengming Valley sect had long since dispersed, and Lu Wangji went to the east all alone. In order to settle down and improve his cultivation, it was normal for him to join the Chongxuan Hall.
"The disciples of Fengming Valley are all elegant and distinguished scholars. The sound of Taoist Lu Wangji's piano is far away from the world. I guess I don't want to sink into the world of mortals." Zhao Shui did not express contempt, but persuaded him kindly: "I and Chu
The county governor is a secular person, and if there is any quarrel, it is just for the power, status, gold, silver, and silk, which is really against the true meaning of Xuanmen's purity. Daoist friends do not need to get involved and harm the Taoism."
"Does Marquis Zhenming also know Qin music?" Lu Wangji was silent for a while and then asked.
Zhao Shu felt a little confused in his heart, so he could only bite the bullet and answer: "I'm sorry that Zhao's deaf ears don't understand fairy music. I only have a few rough understandings. Please be honest - Taoist friend, the string sound is high and far away, like a colorful phoenix fluttering its wings into the clouds, but
It lacks the meaning of looking back. It should be noted that even though the colorful phoenix is not comparable to other birds, it still needs to eat solid food, drink sweet wine from the spring, and have a startling glimpse in the world. This is the wonderful purpose of the immortal family."
Zhao Miao was a master of these words and copied them mechanically and rambled here and there. His understanding of music was at best the various kinds of playing, playing, singing, and ringing bells and chimes used in rituals and rituals.
However, Lu Wangji seemed to have really listened. He sat there without trying to break away from the restraint, lowering his head and stroking the strings, looking attentive.
"Hey! Why are you so dazed! Why don't you come and save me from trouble?" Chu Mengchun next to him said angrily: "Didn't you say that you are very capable? You usually play the piano and play music all day long without caring about secular affairs, but now it's your turn to take action, but
Who are you pretending to look like a little lady who feels aggrieved?!"
Zhao Shu smiled secretly when he heard the words. He had to see that, as his name suggests, this Lu Wangji man devoted himself wholeheartedly to cultivating immortality and enlightenment, and had no intention of being cunning or deceitful at all. Zhao Shu's words made her realize something, and she ignored the disturbances from the outside world.
, he even forgot about being responsible for rescuing Chu Mengchun.
Zhao Shu's previous words were somewhat out of self-effacement, but seeing Lu Wangji's state of not being disturbed by outsiders and cultivating as he pleased, he couldn't help but feel a little ashamed of himself. He was the real cultivator of immortality, and he didn't have much time for surgery.
He has no legal means, but he only wants to live in the world.
"Chief Chu, please don't disturb this Taoist fellow Lu Wangji." Zhao Shui lifted Chu Mengchun onto the shaft of the carriage and signaled He Dangguan to disperse the soldiers who had gathered around him.
Chu Mengchun refused to give in and scolded: "There has been a rumor in the court that you, Zhao Shu, are a mad dog raised by the king. If you are short of money, you will be released to bite people. I thought it was an exaggeration at first, but today I
You’ve finally seen it!”
"Yes, we are indeed short of money now." Zhao Shu scolded: "But what we lack is the money and food for the frontline military! It is not for the material enjoyment of a few dignitaries!"
Chu Mengchun was extremely angry and laughed back: "I understand, you don't dare to attack Gao Pinggong and bite our Yi'an Chu family in turn? I think you don't want to die fast enough!"
Zhao Mingze said: "Chief Chu, after you left the county office, General Wei sent people to take over the county government office and your mansion. Do you think this kind of thing is really my own will?"
"
Chu Mengchun tried several times to boost his luck, but was restrained by the restraint on his neck, which made his face turn red and purple: "Do you think you can do whatever you want just because someone is protecting you?"
Zhao Shu asked back: "Am I really the one who acts recklessly because of the protection of others? Sheriff Chu, you are also a local official and have a lot of cultivation. You should be aware of the situation of evil spirits being worshiped with incense in Xinglong County, but you are right
Turning a blind eye to this is not something that can be excused by a single sentence of negligence."
After Zhao Shui decided to do 3,000 yuan for the rat demon, he wrote to General Wei and asked how to deal with the Xinglong County Magistrate.
Now that General Wei has succeeded Gao Pinggong, he has the power to appoint and remove the military commanders of Jianjia Pass and several counties in the south. The king of the country sent General Wei to guard Jianjia Pass. In addition to dealing with the Jiuli Kingdom, another arrangement is to clean up the Chongxuan Pavilion in the southern county.
The power of the county.
But this matter was not easy. Although Chongxuan Guan could not control Jianjia Pass, most of the counties and counties within the Pass that provided military supplies to the front were headed by children of the four surnames of Chongxuan Guan.
For example, in Qingyan County, after so many years of operation, Chongxuan Hall has deep roots in the local area, and they have manpower overtly and covertly. It cannot be dealt with without some extraordinary means.
In fact, Zhao Shu's original idea was to capture the Xinglong County Magistrate on the charge of privately taking bribes from the treasury and the bank. As a result, General Wei planned to go one step further and simply used the Xinglong County Magistrate as bait to lure Chu Mengchun away from the county seat. He directly sent troops
Seize it and let Zhao Shu go ahead and do it.
Chu Mengchun was somewhat prepared and brought hundreds of private soldiers with him. He originally thought that even if he could not capture Zhao Shu, he could force him back and regain control of Xinglong County.
But he never expected that Wu Kuijun had been eyeing the entire Qingyan County from the beginning and had no intention of letting him go back and regain power.
"Has the king tasted the sweetness?" Chu Mengchun was filled with anger and resentment: "It's not enough to overthrow the Jiujiang Zheng family, are you planning to liquidate our Yi'an Chu family as well? Do you really think that the leader will be indifferent?!
"
Zhao Shu did not answer. Perhaps the king thought that Liang Tao's initiative to give in was a sign that Chongxuan Hall was powerless, so he planned to take advantage of the situation to pursue and eliminate Chongxuan Hall's power step by step.
After all, if General Wei was able to take action against a county guard, he must have received the instruction from the lord of the country.
However, Zhao Shu, who had met Liang Tao himself, knew very well how ambitious Liang Tao was. If the Imperial Master gave in a little, he was destined to gain a lot in the future.
"Let's go." Zhao Shu put his hand on Chu Mengchun's shoulder: "I don't know if Commander Chu has enough weight. Please lower your head and take a look at this mortal world."
…
The sea of clouds stirs, mist flows, and among the vast clouds and mist, three or five strange peaks occasionally appear.
In a trance, a red sun rose, breaking through the clouds and swinging into the sky. The sun's rays spread outwards, making the clouds and clouds glow red.
If there is anyone with extraordinary eyesight, they will definitely be able to see that in the sea of clouds, there are true texts refined by fire and bent into seals, forming a huge net to protect the high mountains.
After a while, the fire-refined text gradually faded away in the sea of clouds, and under the red sun, a tall man with red beard and eyebrows appeared. He was dressed in ocher red and short brown, with patches on the hem and cuffs, and a pair of bare feet covered with calluses.
, with dark skin and hairless legs and shins, he looks like a poor old farmer from the countryside, not like an expert with profound magical skills.
But this man's eyes were like an everlasting lamp, shining brightly, and ordinary people would not dare to look at him.
"Mr. Huaiming, Yu Peizuo arrived at Baimaochang and said there was urgent news." A bow-back warrior came forward and said.
"Urgent report? Could it be that the imperial army is planning to attack a certain village?" Mr. Huaiming asked.
"Yu Pezuo didn't go into details, but it seems to be related to Shi, a commander of the Wu Kui Army."
Mr. Huaiming nodded, and then looked up as if he was feeling something. He happened to see a bolide shooting straight down from the top of the mountain.
"Mr. Jingming has come out of seclusion?" The bow warrior said in surprise: "Huh? That direction is Baimaochang. But we didn't send anyone to disturb Mr. Jingming's retreat."
"I guess he sensed something." Mr. Huaiming jumped into the air and said, "You continue patrolling the mountain, and I'll go find out what happened."
After saying this, Mr. Huaiming stepped on the fire cloud and flew away.
After a while, the clouds opened and the fog dispersed, and a countryside wilderness appeared in front of us, with vast thatch swaying in the wind and white catkins flying like waves.
However, this seemingly warm wilderness scenery actually hides murderous intent. If there is an attack from a foreign enemy, thousands of darts and arrows will fly out immediately. The army of the Huaxu Kingdom was defeated here.
"Mr. Huaiming, are you here too?"
When Brother Yu saw the fire cloud falling, he immediately stood up and saluted. In front of him was an old man in a linen robe, his eyes were wrapped with a cloth, and the burn scars on his face were vaguely visible.
Mr. Huai Ming nodded slightly, and then said to the blindfolded old man: "Jing Ming, why did you leave the quarantine early?"
"I sensed that someone outside the mountain was exerting extraordinary magic power, instigating the yin and yang energy of heaven and earth to rain down evil-killing thunder." Although Mr. Jing Ming was blinded, he seemed to have an unusual sense: "Yu Pezuo came here this time to report this matter.
,right?"
"Yes." Brother Yu said nothing, but in his heart he admired Mr. Jing Ming's foresight and foresight.
"Exactly what happened, please tell me clearly." As the three elders of Chiyun, Huai Ming and Jing Ming did not have the airs of elders, so they casually motioned to the second brother Yu to sit down.
Mr. Huaiming simply sat on the ground, raised his hand to take a picture of a large handful of thatch from the air, rubbed his fingers together, sparks loomed on his fingertips, and then began to weave.
Brother Yu was not surprised by this, and began to tell what he saw along the way from Qiaozhang Village to Xinglong County, especially Zhao Shu's method of opening the altar and summoning Lei to attack the temple.
"Zhao Mian? Deacon of Jinding Division?" Mr. Huaiming made a movement with his hands.
Brother Yu nodded and said, "Yes, according to what Lieutenant Zhang Cunli said, this Zhao Shui is also the minister of Huaiying Palace and the commander of Wu Kui Army. But his most important identity should be the Marquis Zhenming of Huaxu Kingdom."
"I have heard about this person." Mr. Huaiming showed a solemn expression at first, and then continued to weave thatch: "It is said that the Jiujiang Zheng family in the Xueyin family of Chongxuan Hall suddenly fell into decline a few years ago. This is why
People speak in front of the Lord of Huaxu."
Mr. Jing Ming said: "The decline of the Zheng family in Jiujiang was not entirely due to Zhao Miao's manipulation."
"Of course!" Mr. Huaiming snorted coldly: "Now the leader of Huaxu Kingdom seems to be gentle and kind, but in fact he is the most sinister and vicious! Zhanming went to the meeting alone, but what was the result?"
After hearing this, Brother Yu was a little angry. Mr. Jing Ming said: "Don't be angry and continue talking."
"According to Lieutenant Zhang Cunli, the rat demon Lao Sanqian has been completely killed by Zhao Shu using his method to summon thunder, and the remaining demon pill has also been taken away by Zhao Shu." Brother Yu said: "In addition, Lao Sanqian was also taken away by Zhao Shu.
A group of demons led by Qian Xun were all killed under Zhao Shu's formation."
"He came well prepared." Mr. Huaiming kept holding on: "Back then, I gave you a flying fire evil-burning talisman. Although it could turn the obscene sacrifice of Zhenjun Xuri into ruins, the rat could not be found.
This is where the demon's lair is, but I didn't expect it to hide underground in Xinglong County!"
Mr. Jing Ming raised his hand and stroked the blindfold, and there was a faint firelight at the position of his eyes: "The breath of people outside the city blocked the senses. It seems that my candlelight skills are still insufficient."
"Now that Lao Sanqian has been executed, it saves us one thing to worry about." Mr. Huaiming said: "But Zhao Shu's cultivation and magic power are beyond expectation. Even with the help of rituals and rituals, he can defeat the temple and punish evil spirits in one fell swoop.