At the pass of Yuhun Mountain, next to the deep pool, a simple square earthen platform temporarily built with loess was built. The earthen platform is about 1.5 meters high, and the length and width are about two meters square. The earthen platform faces the direction of Fenghua Village.
A yellow mud ladder leads to the top.
Next to the earth platform, there is a fence surrounded by wooden bars. It seems to be a temporary building. There are two cows, a donkey and three fat pigs locked inside.
On the earth platform, stood three decent-looking Taoist priests. They were wearing black cloth shoes and a blue lace gown. The middle one had a long hair on his head, and the other two wore earth-blue tops.
A square hat with two long colorful ribbons hanging from the back.
In front of them, there was a long old black wooden altar table. On top of the altar table, there was an incense burner as big as a washbasin. The incense burner was filled with burning incense.
The incense clouds were lingering and rising into the sky. Next to the incense burner, there were some freshly slaughtered chickens, ducks and other meat tributes. Under the altar table, there were countless yellow symbols painted with random symbols.
Amidst the sound of gongs, drums and firecrackers, they were waving whisks and spells. It seemed that they were very professional, and they didn't know where they invited Lao Mai back from.
Hundreds of villagers from Fenghua Village were crowded beside the earth platform, and the earth platform was completely surrounded. Men, women, old and young, all raised their necks and looked at the three people on the platform who were doing the ritual with various eyes and expressions.
Taoist priest.
When Principal Lang and Liao Mu arrived with their people, the villagers saw Liao Mu with a sullen face and a group of armed policemen with submachine guns in their hands. They immediately caused quite a commotion. The three were on the earth platform, talking loudly.
The Taoist priests, who were humming and dancing and performing the Dharma diligently, just looked at Liao Mu and his group casually, and then continued their performance.
"Please stop your foolish and useless actions immediately!" Liao Mu shouted loudly.
"Director Liao, you can't do this! You can't do this! You don't know that if you interrupt midway, you will definitely be punished by the Taoist Snake Fairy! Then our Fenghua Village will be cursed for life! Director Liao, you don't want to
I saw something like this happening!" Lao Mai was very smart now, and he immediately imposed the consequences of disturbing the scene on the entire Fenghua Village.
Sure enough, as soon as Lao Mai said this, many old men in the crowd immediately began to besiege Liao Mu. They pointed fingers, burst into tears, and asked the aggressive and upright Director Liao in front of him to raise his noble hand and not to interrupt the three masters' work, otherwise
Once the snake fairy is punished, the consequences will be disastrous, and it will cost lives!
Faced with the siege of dozens of old men who were poisoned by superstition, Director Liao couldn't resist. Some overly excited old men even started pushing and shoving Liao Mu.
At this time, Armed Police Captain Du Tiantie saw that the situation was not good, and immediately led people to squeeze into the crowd, protecting Liao Mu in the middle, and shouted loudly: "Fellow folks, I can understand your mood! But please calm down.
Point, your actions just now are already suspected of assaulting the police, everything can be discussed, please respect yourself!"
Du Tiantie's words, coupled with the six armed policemen with loaded weapons and serious faces, brought the situation under some control, but the emotions of the old men were still very excited.
At this time, Professor Chen did not know when he ran to the earth platform and shouted loudly, regardless of the white eyes of the three Taoist priests: "Fathers and brothers, listen to me! Please listen to me! Isn't that just a python?" ..."
His actions made everyone stunned. Two strong men from Fenghua Village looked at it and thought, this is not bad. This old man who is as skinny as a chicken actually dares to destroy the masters' practices. This is even more disgusting than Director Liao. They rolled up their sleeves and shouted that they would go forward and beat Professor Chen. Behind them, there were seven or eight men who wanted to go up and beat Professor Chen.
Principal Lang who was with Professor Chen was startled when he saw it. He rushed to the platform, blocked Professor Chen tightly behind him and said: "Two brothers, slow down, slow down, you have something to say, don't move. thick!"
Seeing that it was Principal Wolf standing in front of them, the attitude of the two strong men obviously improved a lot: "Principal Wolf, you are a good and educated person. It is not easy for you to come to us. Everyone respects you, and we will not embarrass you. . But that old guy behind you is really hateful. As long as he gets out of here immediately, I can say anything. If not, please step aside to avoid accidentally hurting you."
"Okay, okay, I know, I know, but Professor Chen is an animal expert from the province. I think since he came here, he must have his reasons. Do you think this is good? Give me some thin noodles and give them to him." For three to five minutes, you guys listen to what he really wants to say. After he finishes speaking, won't nothing happen if you let him come down?"
After listening to the two strong men, they discussed it and reluctantly agreed with Principal Lang's opinion. However, at this time, the three Taoist priests disagreed again. "I'm sorry, two donors, this is not the place on the altar. This is a place where you can talk nonsense, if you casually publish some blasphemous and disrespectful words that offend the gods, not only will you be punished by the Snake Fairy, but the fate of the three of us who did it will also be even more worrying."
Principal Wolf then turned around and looked at the three Taoist priests. The person who spoke was about forty years old, of medium height, with a straight nose and square mouth, a tall forehead and big ears, and a dignified appearance. He did not look like a sleazy money swindler. When you look at his eyes again, Principal Wolf seems to be unable to see through them. At first glance, there is nothing special, but as long as you meet his eyes for a few seconds, you will feel that something is wrong, because you will It feels like the eyes are like a bottomless abyss covered by clouds and mist, very ethereal. This abyss will make your heart beat inexplicably faster, making you feel a sense of fear and escape quickly.
The two people next to the Taoist priest who spoke are about the same age and build as him, but their looks are extremely weird. He has a long squirrel eyebrow and a squirrel eye. It is not a sin that his eyes are small in the first place. What is interesting is that his black pupil is like a green bean. The ground wanders in the white eye mask in the eyes, which reminds people of the feeling of a small black bead rolling flour in white dough. The other one is also very interesting, because this guy's face is very big, and the big one is completely the same as his forehead. Out of proportion, a bit like a funny character in a comic book, with a forehead like a pot lid and a face like the pot body, which is a very rare appearance. When Principal Wolf saw these two people, he couldn't help but secretly marvel: These bastards, this is Where did this living treasure appear from?
"I'm not talking nonsense, but I suspect that the three of you are talking nonsense here! What, are you afraid that I will tell the truth and expose your background? Are you afraid to let me say it?" Professor Chen came up with a provocation. .
"Hmph. The three of my senior fellow apprentices have traveled all over the world, visited famous mountains and ancient mountains, and traveled all over the country. What they have seen and heard is not what a frog in the well like you can show off here. I advise this person who considers himself an expert to be knowledgeable. Donor, hurry down and don’t interfere with our practice!” said the mung-eyed Taoist priest with small eyes.
"Hmph, you are a group of shameless people who don't know the bounds of heaven and earth. In addition to talking nonsense, deceiving the people, and defrauding money, what else can you do? Just you glib rubbish scum dare to talk nonsense in front of experts. Isn't that right? Is it just a python? You are talking about a snake fairy, it is really stupid and ridiculous!" Professor Chen retorted without fear.
"Okay, great expert, since you said this is an ordinary python, what proof do you have?" the big-faced Taoist priest asked next to him.
"Certificate? Do you need a certificate? So many people have seen the python, that's the certificate! You pretenders, you say this python is a snake fairy, I want to ask? What's your certificate? Where is it? Take it out and see?"
"Hahaha. How can our certificates be understood by a stupid ordinary person like you? It doesn't hurt to tell you today! Through the pious burning of incense, practices, and prayers by our three brothers just now, we have already communicated with the almighty snake fairy. , today, for those who sincerely kneel down, the Snake Immortal will bless them and protect their descendants, so that they can enjoy prosperity and wealth from generation to generation. In addition, the Snake Immortal will also come at midnight to enjoy everyone's tributes. .However, everyone who participated in throwing fire to burn the snake fairy's body last night will definitely suffer retribution within ten days, not only themselves, but also their family members. In the mild case, they will be seriously ill for three years, and in the serious case, they will become snakes. Not only will the sacrifice of the immortal be unable to be reincarnated after death, but it will also be thrown into the eighteenth level of hell, causing it to suffer the torture of hell forever." Mung Beanyan said loudly.
Mung Douyan’s words immediately made everyone in the audience excited. Those who did not participate in the snake burning and their families were naturally very happy and shouted: Amitabha Buddha! And those young men who participated in the snake beating last night, There was not much fear on their faces, but some of their family members began to feel frightened.
"Asshole, don't spread rumors here to cause trouble! If you talk nonsense again, I'll ask you to go to the police station immediately!" At this time, Liao Mu, who was rushing away from the siege, heard the mung bean-eyed scream on the platform and couldn't hold it back. , rushed up angrily. When the mung bean eyes heard this, they did not panic, but stared at Liao Mu with a pair of small eyes.
"Police officer, don't show off your official authority at all times. What we did today was requested by the mayor of Mai, your village. Since it was Mai's benefactor who made the appointment sincerely, it means that we complied with the request. Since it is a matter of courtesy, we are not wrong. My younger brother may have said something a bit scary, but what he said is the truth. Please police officer not to interfere too much, otherwise, although you are a public servant, you will be a snake fairy. It doesn’t care about your status, it will punish you just the same! You know? Calm down, being so irritable will not do you any good!” The dignified-looking Taoist priest who spoke first stopped the impulse with mung bean eyes, and then continued Liao Mu continued what he said tepidly.
This guy's words finally made Liao Mu unable to bear it any longer. He took out the handcuffs from his waist and wanted to cuff this handsome guy in front of him who was so bold and in vain.
Professor Chen took a look and quickly stopped the angry Liao Mu. He knew that this was not the fundamental way to solve the problem.
"I just heard that this Taoist priest kept saying that this was in compliance with the law. What he meant was that you all agreed. So, I would like to ask everyone present, if you agree with this statement, please raise your hands?" Professor Chen suddenly said loudly.
In the audience, everyone hesitated for a while. About half of the people raised their hands, but there were also a lot of people who did not raise their hands.
"This shows that what this Taoist priest said about conforming to human nature is not what it means! Let me ask again, the two cows, three pigs, and a donkey here should be sacrifices! Here, let me ask everyone, you Are you willing to use them as sacrifices?"
From the audience, there were shouts: "I don't want to! But we can't help it. We follow the method of drawing lots. Whoever we catch will be unlucky. We will bring out the cows and donkeys and carry the fat." Pigs come to pay tribute!”
These villagers speak from their hearts. In rural areas, the value of a cow is equivalent to the most important property of a farmer's family. Such an important property is equivalent to what you will earn after spending several years frugally and earning one million. , it feels like suddenly one day you have to take out this money and donate it to charity. Is this your original intention?
Facing these villagers who were noisily donating livestock, the big-faced Taoist priest shouted: "Donors, calm down! Listen to me! If you don't do this, not only will you be punished, but you will also be implicated. The whole village! Don’t listen to the nonsense of these people on the stage. Don’t worry, the Snake Fairy has said that anyone who has offended him will definitely not let them go!"
"Asshole, you bastard! Captain Du, call your men and take them away immediately!" Liao Mu was furious and shouted to Du Tian, who was maintaining order in the audience.
"Wait, wait!" Professor Chen shouted loudly. Because when he saw Captain Du was about to go on stage, he was blocked by a large group of people. If he had to rush forward, there might be some big trouble! After all, people from the countryside , no more knowledgeable about the law than the citizens in the city.
"Taoist priest, you just said that anyone who offends the Snake Immortal will be punished by the Snake Immortal. Then I ask you, if the person who didn't offend him would not be punished?" Professor Chen asked that person Big-faced Taoist priest.
"Of course! If you didn't harm the Snake Fairy, why would it punish you? If you pay tribute to him with food piously, it will protect you!" the big-faced Taoist priest replied loudly.
"Okay! If that's the case, I have an idea. Didn't you say that the snake fairy will come out to eat tonight? In this case, we believe that your words are right for the time being! I think what I mean is this. I will return those cows and pigs to you, and you will stay in this cowshed all night. If the boa constrictor comes, but only greets you and tells you to do something, but does not come to devour you, then Prove that your words are right! Then it will be easy to talk about the worship in the future. Maybe I will also buy a few cows to pay tribute to the Snake Fairy. What do you think?"
Professor Chen's words immediately silenced the scene. The big-faced Taoist priest was even dumbfounded. He turned to the dignified-looking Taoist priest for help.
After a while, people on and off the stage burst into shouts: "Okay! Okay! It's like this, it's like this, otherwise our fat cows and pigs will be eaten by him in vain..."
The handsome Taoist priest frowned and suddenly said loudly: "Okay, what's there to be afraid of? But I also have a condition!"
"Tell me, if you fart, hurry up!" Liao Mu held the handcuffs and said disgustingly.
"Dear donors, my condition is very simple. We three brothers, sincerely worship the gods, and of course we will not be afraid. My original intention and my two junior brothers will stay in the cattle pen tonight to continue the practice, in order to protect this place. However, since the other party is deliberately making things difficult and sabotaging us to test our sincerity, we have to let them learn a lesson! Therefore, I also suggest that they send four people to stay with us in Niu Wait for the judgment of the Snake Immortal in the pen! I want to see how this Snake Immortal swallows them in his stomach!" The Taoist priest with a dignified appearance said loudly.
"Okay, okay! You have the guts! I really don't believe in such evil today! I, Liao Mu, am one!" Without waiting for the people below to boo, Director Liao signed up first!
"Okay, I'm one of them! I know that the python will definitely pick the bad guys to eat first, and it will never come to eat me first." Professor Chen said with a smile. This was the first time Principal Wolf showed a smile after seeing him.
After Professor Chen and Liao Mu signed up, no one signed up again.
The big-faced Taoist priest laughed proudly when he saw this and said: 'Hahahaha, don't be afraid, as long as you don't believe there is a snake fairy in this world, come up, I will show some kindness and inform the snake fairy not to eat you!"
"Afraid, I'm afraid of you! Old Wang, I am one too!" Village Chief Wang, who has been comforting everyone in the audience, also jumped on the platform. "However, I have one thing. I don't understand why there are only three of you. , and we’re going to have four people? That’s not fair!”
"Well, the donor is on point! The reason why I asked you to have four people here is because I have to invite one person to be a witness, and this witness must be a devout worshiper of the snake fairy. Because only in this way, he will definitely not be eaten by the snake fairy. In case you are swallowed by the snake fairy, don't think that we are doing something secretly! Therefore, the witness I want to invite is not someone else.