The outskirts of Dongsheng City are dotted with manors and villas, most of which belong to wealthy and aristocratic families.
Different from the well-organized mansions in the capital, aristocratic families occupy mountains, forests and lakes, and build manors near mountains and rivers. Most of them follow the example of Chongxuan Hall in building palaces and palaces in the mountains. They do not seek to be luxurious and exquisite, but they are more suitable.
The artistic conception of quiet mountains and rivers makes you feel as if you are far away from the hustle and bustle of Dongsheng City when you step inside.
Zhao Shu and the others drove to Zheng's country manor and stopped outside a simple bamboo fence. The low-rise houses nearby looked more like rural farmers. However, upon closer inspection, the courtyards were paved with stone slabs and swept clean.
You can tell by looking at it that it is the decoration of a wealthy family.
I saw more than a dozen people standing and waiting in the courtyard. In addition to Zheng Tunan and a group of servants, the leader was an old man with pale hair and beard, holding a dove stick. When he saw Zhao Shu getting off the car, he hurriedly stepped forward to bow:
"I am Zheng Yulou, and Deacon Zhao has taken the time to come here. It is a great honor for the Zheng family!"
"Old sir, you're welcome." Zhao Shui knew something about it before he came here. Now the head of the Zheng family, Zheng Yulou, is over a hundred years old. In terms of seniority, he is Zheng Tunan's great-grandfather. He not only experienced the period of the Five Kingdoms War, but also
When he was born, the Tianxia Dynasty had not yet been destroyed.
Although Zheng Yulou's beard and hair are white, his complexion is rosy and plump, and his body is strong and has no rickets. He is obviously successful in cultivation, but he does not care about his appearance. He is not like Liang Tao's true appearance, with black eyebrows and youthful appearance.
On the side, Zheng Tunan also saluted: "Greetings to Deacon Zhao. I have offended you many times before, and I would like to apologize today!"
Zhao Shu glanced at the other party. Perhaps because the elders of the family were here, Zheng Tunan seemed very respectful and polite. Even his tone of voice and demeanor were completely different. Zhao Shu was not easy to criticize, so he nodded and said:
"Young Master Zheng doesn't need to take it to heart because of the misunderstanding in the past."
"Deacon Zhao has a broad mind and can accommodate all things. His achievements in the future will definitely be extraordinary!" Zheng Yulou first stroked his beard and praised, then turned to look at Zheng Tunan and said seriously: "You made a big mistake before, I should have punished you severely
Punishment, now that Deacon Zhao is lenient, I will give you a chance to change your ways. When you see Deacon Zhao in the future, you must behave like a student, and you are not allowed to say or do any disobedient words or deeds, remember!"
"Remember, my grandson will not dare to do it again." Zheng Tunan replied respectfully.
Zheng Yulou breathed a sigh of relief, then turned to Zhao Mi and said: "I'm ashamed, I'm ashamed that my upbringing was lax and I gave birth to such a mediocre descendant. Not only did I laugh at my magnanimity, but I even offended Deacon Zhao. I'm heartbroken and I really don't know what to do."
Apologize."
Zhao Shu originally thought that with Jiujiang Zheng's immortal blood, even if he apologized and apologized, he might still have to put on airs and let Zheng Tunan say a few soft words to expose the matter.
But who would have expected that Zheng Yulou, the head of the family, would be unusually humble, even if it was just a pretense. But Zhao Shui had He Dangguan and Zheng Siyuan behind him, so wasn't he worried about how others would view him?
However, when I thought about it, Zhao Miao's current identity was no longer "a talisman official". Even if he didn't feel anything about it, the position of deacon Jindingsi was quite important, and it was not surprising that he was taken seriously by others.
If it had been the past, Zhao Mi would have been better off not to be invited by the Zheng family to hold a banquet in the private manor, and not to have been troubled by a dandy like Zheng Tunan.
Thinking about it this way, what Anyang Hou said is indeed reasonable. In a place like Dongshengdu, everyone is accustomed to measuring a person by his power and status. Zhao Shu's own ability may not be very great, but he can be treated with such respect, which makes him feel dazed.
false.
"Don't chat here anymore. The banquet has been prepared and is waiting for Deacon Zhao." Zheng Yulou led Zhao Shu through the bamboo fence courtyard, behind which was a clear river.
A few people boarded the boat and went down the winding river. The green hills on both sides were undulating, gulls were soaring, and from a distance they saw the boat lady holding a pole and singing songs, which made people unknowingly intoxicated and relaxed.
The ship came to the edge of a shoal, and when it looked up, it could be seen a quiet courtyard with dense ancient trees. Zhao Shu sensed that the flow of energy here was very mysterious, and immediately activated Yingxuan's illuminating technique, and saw that the courtyard was shrouded in a formation.
With Zhao Shu's current eyesight, he can more clearly discern the aura of qi. The purpose of this formation is not to kill, but to use the ancient trees to adjust the vitality and phenology, condense the pure qi into it, and form a blessed place for cultivation.
Zhao Shu secretly admired, he could see that this blessed land was not entirely created by nature, but was arranged with uncanny craftsmanship, so that every plant, tree, brick and tile could fit in with the wonderful movement of the heaven and earth's energy.
, causing the fresh air to naturally gather here.
Zhao Shui had also seen the arrangement of blessed land by manpower in the Xuanpu Jade Book. He knew very well that this kind of thing could not be created out of thin air, and it must conform to the original mountain and river weather pattern.
If Zhao Shu arranges a mandala and connects the qi, it is the first glimpse of this way, then Kanyu mountains and rivers, searching for dragons and tapping acupuncture points is to enter the palace. Kanyu masters inherited from the Tianxia Dynasty to this day build palaces and install auspicious soil for emperors and nobles.
Among them, the wise ones can also nourish the body and soul and prolong life by arranging the pattern.
But these are still too far away from the real blessed places. From what Zhao Shu understands, blessed places are almost all traces of the immortal family's ascendance to the real world. They are formed by the intertwining and transporting of the energy of heaven and earth, and are not deliberately done by human beings.
"How's it going? Does Mr. Zhao think this place is worth seeing?" Zheng Yulou asked, stroking his beard when he saw Zhao Mi's focused gaze.
Zhao Shu nodded heavily: "It is indeed extraordinary. It uses the power of mountains, rivers, vegetation and materials to create a blessed place for cultivation and refining Qi. The old gentleman has a superb state, and Zhao admires it."
Zheng Yulou waved his hand and said: "No, when Hongxue Ke visited Huaxu Kingdom decades ago, he once enjoyed the scenery in the outskirts of Dongshengdu. When he walked here, he looked up at the mountains and rivers and suddenly had an enlightenment. So he cut the mountains with his sword and dredged the rivers.
Open up the earth veins and solidify the spiritual orifices, make the place clear and flowing, and in a few years it will become a blessed place. I just set up a magic circle and give it a little protection."
Zhao Shui was amazed in his heart. The name of Donghai Sword Immortal Hongxueke was as loud as thunder and everyone knew it. Especially after experiencing the battle of slaying the dragon in the imperial capital, Hongxueke personally killed the Lord of Xuanming Kingdom and was regarded as the number one in Kunlun.
people.
It's just that Hongxueke doesn't care about fame and fortune, rarely involves himself in secular affairs, and lives overseas all year round. Compared with monks like Liang Guoshi who are obsessed with power and status, Hongxueke is closer to the immortal master in the eyes of the world.
"Can you build a blessed land with sword skills?" Zhao Shu asked Lingxiao secretly.
"This is not a swordsmanship, but a work of creation made by the laws of heaven and earth. Outsiders cannot understand the inner meaning and cannot see the mysterious true meaning." Lingxiao said: "If Hongxueke can do such a thing, he must have attained the immortal way."
Zhao Shu was stunned: "Hongxueke has achieved immortality? But I heard that he is still in the East China Sea and has not ascended to the heaven."
Lingxiao said: "Becoming an immortal does not necessarily mean ascending. Tiegong ascended because he was guided by the upper world and directly ascended and left. Hongxueke may be like me and does not want to live under the fence of others, and he does not have the immortal magic power to open up the cave.
So stay in the world."
"I see."
Zheng Yulou was obviously very proud that he could build a manor in the blessed land built by Hongxueke. He invited Zhao Shui to enter it and also asked Zhao Shui to review the pavilions and courtyards along the way.
Zhao Shu quickly recovered from the initial shock. After all, he had seen the Immortal Family ascend, so he would not be frightened by this blessed land. He then took out the contents of the Xuanpu Jade Album about the repair of the blessed land, and paid great attention to this manor.
Appreciate.
However, Zhao Shu felt that it was too extravagant and wasteful to use such blessed land to build a manor. It would be enough to build a bamboo hall and thatched cottage, and turn the surrounding open space into a spiritual nursery for cultivating Zhicao, and then install a furnace and cook it in his spare time.
Spending time with flowers and plants, reading scriptures and meditating carefully, this is the life a cultivator should live. I wallow in places like Dongshengdu every day, my mind is full of all kinds of human calculations, and I feel bad.
Zhao Shu even believed that Jiujiang Zheng's treatment of this blessed land was a complete waste of natural resources. However, due to the respectful and courteous treatment of the other party, he could not refute it.
The banquet was held under the trees in the courtyard, with the canopy of trees above and the gurgling stream below. There was a woman playing the harp on the side, and the lacquered wine glasses of the boat flowed down the stream. The host and guest sat across the stream, reaching out to get the wine.
That’s it, quite elegant.
As for the delicacies in the banquet, most of them are delicacies from the mountains, exquisite and delicious, and there is no big fish or meat to ruin the enjoyment of the mountains and forests.
After drinking for three rounds, Zheng Yulou put down his cup and said to Zhao Shui: "If Deacon Zhao likes it, he can come here more often to practice. Siyuan is working in the Jinding Division, and he can also pass the message on his behalf."
Zhao Shu looked around: "The scenery here is elegant and beautiful, and it is a good place for self-cultivation. It's a pity that I am busy with official duties and really can't get away."
"Oh? I wonder what Deacon Zhao is busy with on weekdays?" Zheng Yulou asked.
Zhao Shu knew that the other party was pretending to be confused, so he didn't point it out: "Recently, the imperial court is planning to build a new army, and it is necessary to distribute talisman arrows to the soldiers. I am so busy that I have lost a lot of hair. There are also various talisman pills used in the army.
Medicine, the monks in the department almost have to alternate day and night, and many people are complaining."
Zheng Yulou said with emotion: "Deacon Zhao has worked tirelessly for the country, and I sincerely admire him. But for the preparation of the new army, why do we need so many talisman soldiers?"
"What the old gentleman doesn't know is that during the Xingluo County bandit suppression battle, the gangsters and monsters were mixed among the thieves and bandits. It was no longer like in the past, when the enemy and our monks fought alone." Zhao Shu explained: "General Wei changed his strategy and divided all the taverns.
The monks scattered among the army, coordinated with the army on foot, mounted with bows and crossbows, and controlled the attack and defense. Only in this way could the enemy be defeated.
Afterwards, General Wei wrote to the king that the new army would not only change its training regulations, but also its weapons and equipment. In the future, when the new army faced enemy monks, ordinary soldiers would be able to fight with the help of talismans, weapons, magic and objects.
Power."
Zheng Yulou kept nodding his head: "What about the monks accompanying the army? How should we arrange it?"
Zhao Shu replied: "It depends on what kind of skills the monk is good at. If he is proficient in swordsmanship and martial arts, it would not be surprising to serve as an elite knight. Of course, the monks in Guanshi are precious and are the pillars of the country. Many of them are in the new army."
He is to serve as a school captain and an official."
Zhao Shu knew Zheng Yulou's intention and helped him to bring up the topic. The other party immediately said: "Deacon Zhao, I have a cruel request. This kid Tunan has a naughty temperament, but he has also studied martial arts and has the heart to serve the country.
As I thought, now that I know that the new army is being built, if I can join it as a horse archer, I will be satisfied. I wonder if Deacon Zhao can help me?"
"But you shouldn't come to me for this matter." Zhao Shu said.
"Deacon Zhao does not need to be humble." Zheng Yulou said: "Jinding Division has close contacts with the New Army. Deacon Zhao may be able to say something nice in front of General Wei."
Zhao Miao smiled without saying a word, held up the wine cup, saluted briefly, and then raised his head to drink.
Zheng Yulou didn't understand, so he immediately said: "Deacon Zhao is working in the capital, and it is indispensable for people to interact with each other. I will send someone to send gold, silk, pearls and jade later."
Zhao Shu immediately shook his head: "It's all yellow and white vulgar things. Zhao is not that poor yet."
Zheng Yulou asked: "I wonder what Deacon Zhao wants?"
Zhao Mo shook the wine cup in his hand and raised the corner of his mouth: "Zhao once heard that the Zheng family in Jiujiang had a treasure called 'Jieyoujue', which is a three-legged wine prince. It is said that he recited a curse on this treasure, and then
The source of energy keeps pouring out fairy wine. Zhao wants to take a look at this treasure, but I wonder what the old man’s intention is?”
Hearing this, Zheng Yulou was not angry, but just pondered for a moment. On the other hand, Zheng Tunan's face changed slightly, and he unconsciously looked at He Dangguan, who was sitting upright behind Zhao Shu. But in this situation, he could not help but get angry.
"I wonder where Deacon Zhao learned that I, Mrs. Zheng, have this treasure?" Zheng Yulou asked.
"It is inconvenient for Zhao to tell me about this." Zhao Shu discovered that Zheng Yulou did not know the origin of He Dangguan. It is estimated that Zheng Tunan did not tell his elders clearly about what happened in Longzangpu.
Zhao Shu could also guess that exchanging Zheng Tunan for a job in the New Army with Jie Youjue's high status was not worth it. But who said that the other party was asking for something from him now? He had the power in his hand, so if he didn't use it, he wouldn't use it in vain.
"It's not that I don't want to, it's just that Jieyoujue is not at hand right now, and I can't take it out for a while." Zheng Yulou thought about it for a while: "And I'm sorry to say it bluntly, Jieyoujue is a treasure of the immortal family, and the burden is extremely heavy. I'm afraid
It cannot be re-gifted at will.”
Zhao Shu was not surprised, as the Zheng family would not give away the Jieyou Lord obediently. He originally wanted to involve He Dangguan in the matter, but He Dangguan's family background was declining, which was not enough to force the Zheng family to return the Jieyou Lord.
The trouble is that Jieyoujue was not ignored by the Zheng family like the Xuanpu jade album. Zheng Yulou knew that it was a treasure of the Xian family, and its value was naturally not the same.
Zhao Shu was still thinking when Zheng Tunan suddenly spoke: "If Deacon Zhao wants magic weapons and spiritual materials, I have a good place to go."
"Oh?" Zhao Miao responded calmly.
Zheng Tunan said: "There is a Jibao Pavilion along the Longzangpu. Monks from all walks of life in Dongsheng City come here to appreciate magic weapons and exchange spiritual materials. It is even said that there are magic weapons from the Immortal family in the collection. If Deacon Zhao is interested, I can
Take you there."
Hearing this, Zheng Yulou immediately picked up the conversation: "Yes! If Deacon Zhao takes a fancy to any magic weapon, I, the Zheng family of Jiujiang, will buy it and give it to me as a gift. Tunan, you will personally take Deacon Zhao there later!"
"yes."
Seeing the grandson and grandson singing together, Zhao Shu understood that this time it was all in vain. He was still not as sophisticated as Marquis Anyang, and could not let the Zheng family give up the title of Jieyou Jue.
"Forget it, since the old gentleman said so, I can't ask for more." Zhao Shui didn't want to waste time with them, so he stood up and said, "It's getting late, so Zhao won't delay the old gentleman's rest."