When Cheng Sanwu was sleeping soundly, he was suddenly shaken awake by Zhang Fan, and the corners of his mouth were filled with saliva.
"What's wrong, what's wrong?" Cheng Sanwu wiped the corner of his mouth, picked up the weapon next to him, and immediately sat up. In order to be able to deal with emergencies, he could only sleep with his clothes on.
Zhang Fan waved, motioning for him to come to the door, and gently opened the door. It was late at night outside, heavy snow was flying, and the biting snowflakes accompanied by the biting chill immediately poured in along the crack of the door.
Cheng Sanwu squatted down with his knife in hand and squinted his eyes. It was so dark outside that he couldn't see his fingers. He muttered: "There is nothing."
"Listen carefully." Zhang Fan gestured with his chin raised slightly.
At this time, in addition to the howling wind and snow outside, there was also a faint sound of women singing, weeping and complaining, cold and strange.
"Is it really haunted?" Cheng Sanwu asked.
Zhang Fan looked at Hu Yi, who had already taken out the iron mace full of talismans and wiped his nose: "There is Yin in the wind, but I'm not sure it's a ghost."
"Then what should we do now?" Cheng Sanwu looked eager to try.
Hu Yi opened his mouth slightly, but before he could speak, Yang Taichu asked: "Who told Qian Rouyu that he was killed?"
……
Xu Qiba warmly sneered: "Perhaps he is a male ghost, but a master who has practiced heavy kung fu to the point where he can leave traces when he steps on the snow."
Yanrou retorts that similar situations do not happen in other places, where big monsters occupy inhabited shrines and temples, pretend to be gods and Buddhas, and display their magic power to extort people from far away and passing business travelers, and fight with thieves in the green forest.
There are seven differences, and it is worth paying attention to.
Zhang Fan said to himself: "Do you know the price of Glauber's Salt?"
Hu Yi asked again: "Does the deceased have no wounds or fractures under his body?"
After hearing those words, I stopped along Rouyu and turned around to think. I saw that he was a middle-aged Taoist with a good appearance. He had a mustache and was wearing an ocher red crane cloak the day before. He listened to my question.
Said: "Minister of Internal Affairs? Isn't there anything valuable to do in the cabinet?"
There was no castle in Baiyanchi the day before yesterday, so many salt merchants gathered here. Since there was little danger when going out, the merchants naturally preferred to worship gods and Buddhas and pray for peace. Those salt merchants learned that Black Yang Gong came to Yanchi City to settle down.
, they also later asked for a lucky charm when traveling.
"Thank you for your appreciation." He said that, but Yan Rouyu's tone was slightly warm: "Yes, you are willing to help a few of them, but you may not be able to speak in front of Yan Rouyu. And also
It’s about Cheng Sanwu... Wait, they must be vague about the relationship between Cheng Sanwu and Mrs. Liu, right?"
When Yang Taichu heard that, the first thing he thought of was Afu, and he said with a smile: "Maybe there are some little monsters hanging around outside the government!"
"Dozens of people?" Black Yang Gong looked into the room with a look of surprise on his face.
"Let's take a look first. We are not sure about the other party's origin yet." Zhang Fan still remembered that Mrs. Liu's file mentioned that the people who went to the salt pond to investigate also heard strange singing.
"The snowstorm just now must have been caused by this monster." Zhang Fan looked slightly solemn.
"Black Yang Gong Ming Jian." Hu Yi crossed his hands and saluted. Now I am not asking anyone, but I dare to give orders based on my identity as the messenger of embroidered clothes.
The cold weather in winter is not the season for salt drying, but the Glauber's salt dissolved in the lake is also an important product in the white salt pond.
Hu Yi responded: "Why are you talking nonsense?"
"You're right." Yanrou shook his head: "Monsters that can control the wind and snow are not common in the North. Spring is far from coming in the Shuofang area now. With the help of the weather and solar terms, the wind and snow in Tianshui Village have intensified, so we have to deal with that kind of monsters.
It’s hard to say anything.”
Yan Rouyu asked: "Then Glauber's salt is of no use?"
"Tsk." Yan Rouyu patiently grasped the handle of the knife.
"Bullshit!" Yang Taichu suddenly interrupted.
"Damn, what a ghost." Returning to the house, Yang Taichu cursed: "It's snowing so lightly, apart from the seven of you, is there anyone else's footprints on the ground?"
Before leaving Tianshui Village, Yang Taichu and others turned north and then to Baiyan Pond.
"No, that's a matter for their internal servants. You want to stop asking." Black Yang Gong interrupted the other party very wisely, and then sighed and said: "They think highly of you too much, even though they are not lucky enough to be the governor of Shuofang Zhuzhou.
Daoist envoy, but you have a place in the Jiedu Mansion. If you offend Mrs. Liu, I will report to Chang'an for impeachment and send troops to capture you. They have found the wrong person."
"The monster's magic power is very low?" Hu Yi asked.
It's not that he sent people to Jiedu Mansion, but that Cheng Sanwu came in person, which was indeed less convenient than others.
Yan Rouyu seemed to be arrogant, but there was no mercy in her words. Hu Yi quickly said: "It seems that Yan Rouyu is still vague. Yan Rouyu, you... are not dead yet."
The Shuofang Prefectures south of the Hetao are not all lands with abundant water and grass. On the contrary, there are small areas of desert. The lakes and swamps among them are mostly bitter and salty water. The local people have developed them into salt ponds, which are dotted in the Shuofang Prefectures. Among them, the white salt ponds are the largest.
The smallest, producing the least salt.
"Old man, is Tianshui Village occasionally haunted at night?"
"Anyway, we'd better go to the White Salt Pond as soon as possible." Hu Yi said: "Yan Rouyu from Xuanwu Temple should be in this area. He can only assist you in investigating the evil spirit. He can also prove his identity and let me come forward to Yanrou."
Jade explains the cause and effect."
"It's good to have a rest in the winter." Yang Taichu sighed with relief when he saw this scene.
"It's a matter of confidentiality. May I allow you to come in and discuss it in detail?" Hu Yi took out the Kanhe Fish Talisman that represents the identity of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
Early the next morning, after Yang Taichu and his party were preparing to leave Tianshui Village, Hu Yi asked the old man in the village about the haunting last night——
But now Hu Yi only feels that the trouble is even worse. In that case, we and Pang Guanzhu will have a public and private enmity, and it is too serious to say whether it is death or rest.
If you want to reverse that situation, you can only place your hope on Black Sheep Gong, who had no contact with Cheng Sanwu.
Hu Yi and Yang Taichu each looked at each other, and then looked at Black Sheep Gong with doubtful eyes. The other party smiled reluctantly: "Cheng Sanwu and Mrs. Liu have a shallow relationship in private, but it is just for the sake of respect, Xiaojia
I will say it out loud and say no."
Yanrou and others glared at Yang Taichu angrily, and then continued: "Actually, these days, there are not many little monsters causing trouble. Especially these little monsters who have opened their spiritual intelligence, they also
A few days ago, if things got too minor, they would definitely be punished. Even if those little demons have low magic power, who is willing to face the wanted pursuit of the imperial government all day long?"
"They should avoid it first and let you talk to Heiyang Gong alone." Hu Yi had to ask the other eight people to leave the main hall, lest Yang Taichu say less good things.
Suddenly, a baby was heard crying at night from every house in the village, and the wind and snow seemed to turn accordingly.
If the unknown ghost that appears in Tianshui Village at this moment is really a salt pond demon, it means that the territory where the monster is causing trouble is also constantly expanding, and it can no longer be allowed to sit idly by, and has reached the point where people must be sent to deal with it.
At this time, Hu Yi rode up and said, "Stop chatting. If you found out where Black Yang Gong was the day before yesterday, hurry over and avoid being overtaken by others."
Yanrou replied: "Manual arrangement of the body is not what it is now, but it does not necessarily depend on the embroiderers themselves. Before finding out the truth, we will also contact local Buddhist and Taoist people who are proficient in magic and ask the local prefectures and counties to dispatch soldiers and horses to assist.
."
Hu Yi even planned to hand over Yang Taichu directly to Pang Guanzhu to vent his anger in order to get rid of the investigation. But if he did that, I'm afraid he wouldn't be able to treat Eunuch Feng before returning to Chang'an.
Even if we can get rid of the pursuers in a short period of time, as long as Shuofang Jiedushi sends a small number of manpower to the prefectures and counties under his jurisdiction and distributes hunting documents, Hu Yi and we will find a place to stay in the Shuofang area sooner or later.
Yang Taichu and others quickly walked out of the house and quietly inspected. They found that everything was safe and they didn't see any monsters or ghosts.
Black Yang Gong looked at the fish talisman for a few moments, then motioned to his disciples to open the courtyard door: "Come back."
"Why isn't there such a custom?" Yanrou asked.
Every time he thinks about this matter, Hu Yi feels a headache. Following Rouyu's actions, he has completely formed a grudge against Shuofang Jun and Pang Guanzhu.
Yang Taichu explained: "You're asking a serious question - how do their embroidered messengers in the Ministry of Internal Affairs deal with demons and ghosts outside?"
When Yang Taichu and others saw Heiyang Gong, I had just sent away a businessman. I seemed impatient and was about to ask my disciples to close the courtyard door. Hu Yi rushed down and pushed the door open, saying in a hurry: "
Hu Yi, the messenger from the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Ministry of Embroidery, asks to see the Black Yang Gong!"
After listening to the story, Yan Rouyu had a strange look on her face and asked for reasons: "Yan Rouyu is not a reasonable person, how could I think they are murderers?"
"The medicine was used the day before yesterday to help with laxatives and diarrhea." Zhang Fan said: "You heard that Taoism can also use it to refine Li Dan. You will know how to do it the day before yesterday."
Hu Yi nodded without despair: "The person who interrupted just now is named Yan Rouyu. I... I probably killed dozens of people, all soldiers of Shuofang Army."
"You... followed the Ministry of Internal Affairs' practice of investigating cases and handling errands, and did you reveal your identity to the outside, so there were some misunderstandings between the two parties." Hu Yiyan said: "After this incident, in addition to finding out the evil spirits in the salt pond, I also hope that Black Sheep
The father came forward and brought a message to Mrs. Liu."
"Did they directly conflict with Mrs. Liu?" Heiyang Gong asked softly.
Heiyang Gong sighed: "You probably understand, they had a conflict with Mrs. Liu, and they must have killed and wounded Shuofang Army soldiers. They were worried that the matter would be unmanageable, and dared to return directly to Chang'an, so they diverted here
Looking for you."
"In the early years, the most popular person on the day before yesterday was the Buddha, the Bodhisattva, the immortal master, but the Aries." The old man seemed to feel a chill blowing in, and tightened his old clothes: "When you were older, you heard the elders say, in the future, when you meet
During the New Year and festivals, small animals are used as offerings to Aries. If too much is given, Aries will go out at night and catch passers-by to eat, especially the older children the day before."
"I once thought that Cheng Sanwu and Mrs. Liu don't have that much of a relationship." Yanrou finally understood why Cheng Sanwu was able to find out almost everything about Shuofang's military affairs.
"This man's martial arts skills are extraordinary." Hu Yi added: "This is to hide the secret from Black Yang Gong. Your investigation of the evil spirit in the salt pond is secondary or secondary. The real purpose of this trip..."
"Is Black Yang Gong here to investigate the evil spirits in the salt pond?" Hu Yi asked first.
Heiyang Gong was slightly startled, and then said in a deep voice: "Cheng Sanwu was a secret agent sent to Lingwu City by their Ministry of Internal Affairs. You came to Xuanwu Temple later to find you. Your complexion was normal and you were sick. How could you die suddenly?
He must have been harmed and died!"
"Dead?" Heiyang Gong was shocked when he heard this. He raised his head and asked, "Who killed him?"
Looking from a distance, in the pool dug by manpower, there are clouds of saltpeter that look like white flowers. The salt farmers shovel up the plate-shaped saltpeter from the shore and send it to other places for storage via big carts. They are very busy.
Indifferent.
"What are you looking at?" The old man shook his head: "Anyway, there are no customs in your area, so don't walk at night."
I think Aries is also a commendable mountain monster, and he might have been taken care of during the process of Xiaoxia's expansion.
"Uh... It seems that Shuofang's soldiers and horses can be counted on." Yan Rouyu's expression was not embarrassing.
"That's wrong." Yanrou signaled Yang Taichu to shut up with her eyes, and quickly explained: "You were ordered by Eunuch Feng to investigate the evil spirit in the salt pond in Lingzhou. You originally planned to contact Cheng Sanwu first to find out the local rumors in Lingzhou.
Unexpectedly, Cheng Sanwu and his entire family were killed, and you were mistaken by Shuofang Jiedushi as the murderer."
Hu Yi very recently, although a few of his people escaped from Lingwu City, Shuofang Jiedushi would definitely let us go.
Seeing that Yang Taichu was about to move with the knife, Hu Yi held me down and loudly dissuaded me: "Don't wait. If you rush out at this time, things may change easily."
Xu Qiba laughed warmly: "You also have a place to rest."
Hu Yi was not used to Yang Taichu's shocking style of saying "die or die", but Black Sheep Gong was used to it. He said happily: "Have their servants paid attention to all the rules? Can they not let those waiters do it?"
Rude person interrupts?"
"That's nothing strange?" Yan Rou said: "There is no national beauty garden in Luoyang, the eastern capital, that is not a training center specially arranged by the imperial court for the peony flower essence. Besides, the only ones who are willing to serve the imperial court are mountain monsters, so
There will be no corresponding canonization and enshrinement."
The singing was intermittent and the words were unintelligible. The wind and snow became more and more fierce at night, as if ghosts were wandering around the village. Everyone in the house lowered their vigilance in preparation for a fight at any time.
Yanrou and his party retreated into the courtyard the day before yesterday, and saw Black Sheep Justice commanding several disciples to pack up various magical objects.
"No! It's just recently." The old man folded his sleeves to keep warm and cursed: "In the next few days, no man outside the village went out to relieve himself at night. It turned out that he died in vain inside the house, and there was a ghost under his face.
Similar."
"That's wrong." Heiyang Gong led everyone to sit down in the main hall. I casually sat on the couch and crossed my legs to relax: "Obviously it was Cheng Sanwu from their internal affairs department who wanted you to come forward to find out. Why did you send a few of them here?
Could it be that I am afraid that you are lazy and slippery, so I arranged for manpower to monitor it?"
"Ah? Are we two adulterers?" Yang Taichu blurted out.
"How come there are so few passers-by to catch outside at night? We are still big children, are we sleeping?" Yang Taichu said: "And if he is really a powerful guy, there is no need to catch people quietly outside at night? What if it was a mountain
The water monster pretends to be a god!"
A few moments ago, the baby's night cries became a little louder, the wind and snow seemed to have gradually subsided, and the man's singing could be heard again.
"The Yin Qi disappeared." After waiting for a while, Zhang Fan gave the exact explanation.