Faced with Liang Tao's questioning, Zhao Shu remained silent for a moment. He secretly asked Lingxiao: "Now that the matter is here, the True Essence Lock is right in front of me, how should I answer?"
"You can handle it with just a few words, but you come to ask me." Lingxiao said bluntly: "You are not enough to test Liang Tao, and you want to test me?"
Zhao Shu was speechless when his intentions were revealed. Ever since the Yingzhou Meeting, Zhao Shu had been somewhat suspicious of the origin of the Lingxiao, but he had always refrained from mentioning it.
Now Liang Tao took out the True Essence Lock and told him a completely different origin from Lingxiao. How could Zhao Shu not be suspicious?
Either Liang Tao lied deliberately to induce Zhao Shu to correct him, which would inevitably expose him. Or Lingxiao hid it from himself from the beginning, and his words were untrue.
A worse case scenario is that both of these may exist at the same time.
"Master Imperial Master." Zhao Shu had no choice but to say, "I consider myself a cultivator of immortals, and I am interested in searching for immortals. Isn't it surprising?"
Liang Tao smiled: "In front of you is the current immortal. Apart from Chongxuan Pavilion, where else are you going to look for it?"
Zhao Shu did not hide it: "Master Imperial Master, you do have the realm of immortality, but it is not what I like to see. What's more, based on my past actions, I am destined not to go to Chongxuan Pavilion."
"Such words show that you are not a true cultivator of immortality." Liang Tao looked at the True Essence Lock: "You have been thinking about getting back this jade cong, and you have directly accepted my request. I think this thing has a lot to do with it. So.
Your character is not like you are doing it for yourself, but rather you are asking for it for others."
Zhao Shu was not surprised that Liang Tao was able to predict this. The True Essence Lock fell into his hands, so naturally he knew better than Zhao Shu how to use it.
"I just hope that the Imperial Master will keep his promise and return the jade cong after I have arranged the rituals and rituals." Zhao Shu has indeed run out of ideas. There is nothing more he can say at this point. The real essence lock is in front of him, and it is impossible to snatch it.
Grab it.
Liang Tao moved his fingers lightly and took away the wine jar on the table, and the True Essence Lock disappeared as he turned his palm.
"You should know that I once cast a talisman to set up a ban at Jianjia Pass." Liang Tao said bluntly: "Jianjia Pass is the intersection of the southern territory of Huaxu Kingdom, but the qi is sometimes stagnant, causing wells and ponds to spring up. How do you plan to deal with it?
?”
"The wells and ponds are springing up. It seems that the earth veins and water veins are intertwined. The earth veins are overflowing with Qi, which causes the water veins to erupt." Zhao Shu suddenly had a thought: "I can try to straighten the earth veins and evacuate part of the Qi.
Come out, follow the trend to enlighten the spiritual points, and then set up a mandala to stabilize the earth veins."
"Then you handle this matter." Liang Tao stood up and said.
"Wait a minute!" Zhao Shu called to the other party: "This kind of thing is not easy. The ritual of sorting out the earth's veins also requires spiritual materials. Although I am the deacon of Jinding Division, the use of spiritual materials must be recorded.
It’s impossible to do favoritism just to help you arrange rituals and rituals!”
Liang Tao raised his eyes: "What? So you can take the opportunity to ask for spiritual materials?"
"If you don't give it, I won't be able to do it." Zhao Shu said bluntly: "To sort out the earth's veins and stabilize the qi, we need at least thirty kilograms of yellow pulp, a fist-sized Danshan moon soul stone, and a Kunlun stone for formation.
Jade is also indispensable, so I’ll give you a hundred kilograms first. I’ll wait for the rest of the bits and pieces when I get to Jianjia Pass to investigate carefully, and then I’ll tell you... Oh, Jiang Ru needs to recover from her injuries, who should I call to send a message then?"
"The lion opens his mouth, but you have no scruples." Liang Tao was not angry.
"If the Imperial Master cannot be trusted, just find someone else." Zhao Shu said indifferently: "I don't have to have that jade cong. If the Imperial Master likes it, you can keep it for yourself."
Liang Tao looked at Zhao Shu, staring with sharp eyes for a moment, and then showed a subtle smile: "When you get to Jianjia Pass, someone will deliver the spiritual materials to your door. I just hope you won't let me down."
"I'm not a perfunctory person. I will naturally do what I should do and what I can do." Zhao Shu replied.
"I hope so." Liang Tao smiled and spread his hands: "One more thing, return the money that Chu Mengchun lost."
"What?" After Zhao Shu captured Chu Mengchun, he also took away his magic weapon. Unfortunately, he had no time to study and explore recently.
"You are bringing that magic weapon to your own trouble, so it would be better to give it back to me," Liang Tao said.
Zhao Shu knew that these precious magic weapons had a history of inheritance and it was really inappropriate for outsiders to take them by force, so he had no choice but to take out the square-hole coin from his arms and hand it back to the other party.
After taking back the lost money, Liang Tao walked out of the waterside pavilion with a flick of his sleeves and stepped on the water. There was a moonlight reflection in the water, and he seemed to be walking in mid-air. The light and shadow disappeared for a while.
After Liang Tao left, Zhao Shu was sitting in the waterside pavilion when he heard Lingxiao ask coldly: "You don't believe me?"
"Why did the Immortal say this?" Zhao Shu asked back, and his tone was not kind.
"You told Liang Tao that he didn't need the True Essence Lock, just to test me." Lingxiao said in a cold tone: "It's just that I didn't expect that Liang Tao could provoke you and me with just a few words. Haven't you ever thought about it?
, since Liang Tao knows that there is another immortal family behind you, he will definitely use all means to tempt and seduce you, and even divide you and me."
Zhao Ming was not polite: "Lingxiao Shangxian, Master Liang wants to use me to arrange rituals and rituals, how can he tolerate me being under the control of other immortal family masters?"
"Do you think I'm controlling you?" Lingxiao asked, "I understand, I'm hiding deep in your mind. Are you afraid that I will take your house?"
"It's always uncomfortable to have another person deep in my brain." Zhao Shu replied.
"In this case, you should get back the True Essence Lock as soon as possible." Lingxiao said in a bad tone.
Zhao Shuze said: "Zhenyuan Lock, is it really just the key to unlocking the Dongtian Immortal Mansion?"
"You doubt my identity?" Lingxiao asked.
"Shouldn't I be doubtful?" Zhao Shu smiled bitterly: "Actually, I should have thought that immortals despise dirt and filth. When I was in Bai Egong's cave, my cultivation level was still shallow. Why did you insist on living in my mind?
In the palace? You can stay in the Zhenyuan Lock and wait for the right person."
Lingxiao snorted coldly: "Do you think anyone can borrow a body to live in? If the cultivation level is higher, the soul will be on guard. If the True Essence Lock falls into the hands of people like Liang Tao, I will hide it deeply. I have already
I've been trapped in the True Essence Lock for too long, and I don't want to drag it out any longer."
"You still haven't answered my question." Zhao Miao's tone was stiff.
"I can only say that I am not Taixu Yuanjun. If it is a title given to me by future generations, it is their own decision and has nothing to do with me." Lingxiao replied.
Zhao Shu was not satisfied with this answer, but Lingxiao was unwilling to confess, so he could not press the question any further.
…
Two days later, Zhao Shu went to visit Jiang Ru again.
Regardless of whether you are a human or a demon, if you are successful in cultivation, you will not be afraid of common illnesses, but you will still be injured.
Moreover, because cultivators have strong muscles and strong internal organs, the injuries they suffer are often unusual and cannot be endured by ordinary people, and recovery requires more time and treatment.
Jiang Ru was still bedridden. When she saw Zhao Shu arriving, her expression was complicated, and she was happy but also a little sad.
"It's better to rest slowly." Zhao Shu checked Jiang Ru's pulse and said: "You will stay in Bihu Manor during this period. When you feel better and can see the light, you can go back to Difei Mountain.
Well. I have to leave for Jianjia Pass later, so I’m afraid I won’t have time to visit.”
"I..." Jiang Ru couldn't hide her disappointment. She actually hoped that Zhao Shu could accompany her, but she knew very well that Zhao Shu could not stay for her sake.
"Here is another Shenke Immortal Fruit." Zhao Shu placed a wooden box next to him: "You don't need this thing for your current treatment, but after this experience, your cultivation has been damaged. This Shenke Immortal Fruit can help you a little.
make up."
Jiang Ru shook her head slightly: "The Shenke Immortal Fruit is so rare. You have already used one for me. How can you give me the other one?"
"No matter how precious it is, it only becomes valuable when it is used by others." Zhao Shu said: "Besides, you also know the origin of this Shenke Fairy Fruit. I was able to win two of them at the Yingzhou Conference, which originally relied on Liang Guoshi and other officials.
I didn’t put much thought into planning the first one. Since it’s easy to get, it’s not hard to give it away, so you don’t have to worry about me.”
Hearing the words "Don't worry about me", Jiang Ru felt a pain in her heart and tears immediately filled her eyes.
Zhao Shu just pretended not to see it, looked away and said to him: "I have asked Lu Wangji. She will go to Jianjiaguan to help. With such a master in charge, I can save a lot of worry. But
Such a person who is dedicated to cultivating immortality and enlightenment cannot be expected to attack the city, but at least she can be used to defend against the spies and assassins of Jiuli Kingdom.
In fact, if you think about it carefully, there don't seem to be many people in the country of Huaxu who are better than me in cultivation and magic power. Liang Guoshi and several heads of palaces should be stationed in various places in the country to prevent unexpected events and not take action before the critical moment.
At my level, I have to take the initiative to shoulder my responsibilities.
When I was a child, I also imagined how heroic and majestic it would be if I became a general guarding the country through the path of being a monk. But now that I have reached this point, I only have a lot of heavy paperwork and all kinds of paperwork.
All matters, big and small, must be dealt with personally in order to be handled properly.
Properly... Well, actually it wasn't very well done. When it was my turn to do it, I felt like I couldn't stretch my arms and legs everywhere. Either I was shouting about the need to replace the armor or weapons, or there was a lack of repair materials. Just yesterday.
Some criminals stabbed the guards to death and escaped, and today there are soldiers raping civilian girls. How annoying!"
When Jiang Ru heard Zhao Mi complaining, she couldn't help but burst into laughter. She wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes and asked, "I remember that you repeatedly gave orders to your soldiers not to offend the common people, but there are still people who rape civilian girls?"
"Don't mention it. In fact, some guys in Quartz City colluded with Chu Mengchun. In order to build momentum and force Wu Kuijun to release his people, they engaged in blackmail and staged a banquet for a few of my soldiers." Zhao Shu rubbed his face and said:
"Those soldiers were not vigilant enough and did not resist the temptation. They followed a few singers and dancers upstairs. A group of servants rushed in halfway. There was a quarrel between the two sides, and a group of people gathered in front of me. I
We could only flog those soldiers in public and barely calm the situation."
"Those people don't want their lives? How dare they make a move on you?" Jiang Ru asked in surprise.
"The situation is a bit complicated now. General Wei can't keep those Chongxuan Hall disciples captive." Zhao Shu sighed and said: "In the battle by the Cangshui River, after all, it was Liang Guoshi who personally took action to kill the evil spirits. This contribution is too great.
, the king cannot forcefully pursue the case."
"Are Chu Mengchun and the others about to reinstate their official positions?" Jiang Ru asked.
"How is it possible?" Zhao Shu said: "The power that has been restored to the imperial court cannot be returned to Chongxuan Hall. Even if Chu Mengchun and others were demoted to common people, they are still monks of Chongxuan Hall and can still live.
Live a life of wealth and leisure."
Zhao Shu then thought about it and understood, with Jiang Ru's wisdom, how could he not be clear about these things? He clearly led himself to explain, so that he could stay for a while.
"Then what are you going to do now?" Jiang Ru asked again.
"The affairs of Quartz City are about to be handed over to the new county guard. I have no time to take care of it." Zhao Shu said: "There is news from Jianjia Pass that the soldiers and horses of Jiuli Kingdom have begun to make some moves. Moreover, Liang Guoshi asked me to go to Jianjia Pass.
After combing and combing the earth's veins, I also plan to set up formations around Jianjia Pass to defend against the enemy."
"Cleaning up the earth's veins?" Jiang Ru asked in surprise, "Can you do this kind of thing?"
"I once obtained the Immortal Sutra of Xuan Pu Hall by chance, which contains the method of combing the earth's veins. I have studied for some time, and in conjunction with the rituals and rituals, I think it can be done by summoning officials and soldiers." Zhao Shu said casually.
"Xuanpu Hall?!" Jiang Ru was shocked when she heard this.
"Well, what?" Zhao Shu felt that he had relaxed a little in front of Jiang Ru. He shouldn't have said anything about the Xuanpu Jade Book, but now that he had said it, he couldn't take it back, so he had to pretend to be indifferent.
thing.
"I...our ancestor of the Jiang family is the Lingrui Sky Fox in Xuanpu Cave." Jiang Ru said this with a hint of shyness.
"Xuanpu Dongtian?" This time it was Zhao Shu's turn to be surprised, so he asked: "Then what is your relationship with Xuanpu Hall?"
"Our Jiang family does not have a close relationship with Xuanpu Hall." Jiang Ru shook her head and said, "There is a jasmine grass in Xuanpu Cave that transformed into a spiritual form. It was banished to the lower world due to an accidental mortal heart. It is said that he almost wandered around in the world.
, finally seeing through the world of mortals, seeking enlightenment and cultivating immortality, and after establishing the lineage of Xuan Pu Hall in the mortal world, his merits and deeds were completed, and he ascended to the throne."
"There is such a story." Zhao Shu frowned and said: "But no matter how you say it, Xuanputang and your Jiang family have some kind of old relationship, right? Why didn't you go to Xuanputang instead?
To Chongxuan Pavilion?"
Jiang Ru thought for a long time, and finally made up her mind and said: "Who do you think is expected to become an immortal and ascend to heaven today?"
"I can't say about other countries. The Huaxu Kingdom must be the one of Liang Guoshi." Zhao Shu couldn't help but said: "But do you really think that Liang Guoshi will take you with him when he ascends? Let me put it bluntly, in case Liang Guoshi does not survive in this life
If you can achieve enlightenment and ascend, wouldn't your work be in vain?"
Jiang Ru smiled slightly: "You don't understand the thoughts of us Jiang family members. Tianhu was originally enlightened as the Prime Minister of the Immortal Family. Some things come from the inner nature and cannot be discarded at will."
"It's me who is meddling in other people's business." Zhao Shu nodded slightly.
Jiang Ru naturally didn't pay attention, and she asked again: "Why does the chief want you to help sort out the earth's veins?"
Zhao Shu lowered his head and said nothing. Liang Tao's worldly country was extraordinary, and Jiang Ru didn't seem to understand what was going on. So Zhao Shu couldn't go around talking nonsense.
"There are some things, just don't ask. It's good for you not to know."
Zhao Shu seems to understand why Lingxiao has hidden so much from him, and there are some things that should not be said. Once Liang Tao's plan for the Taoist Kingdom in the world is made public, chaos will immediately break out in Huaxu, and Zhao Shu himself will definitely be involved.
Inside, you can't extricate yourself. The more you know, the more dangerous it will be.
And when Zhao Shui's religious rituals are gradually completed and Liang Tao really takes action, it will be the moment of real chaos. At that time, can Zhao Shui himself get back the True Essence Lock safely?