Chapter 7 Passing the torch from generation to generation
Author: Wu Seding
Chapter 7 Passing the torch from generation to generation
"Is the Mani Pearl in here?"
Mr. Wu carefully looked at the black jade box in his hand and tried to open it, but in vain.
"Is there a seal imposed on it?" Mr. Wu asked a scholar in white next to him.
This scholar in white clothes has a handsome face and looks very young, but his demeanor is mature. He took the black jade box and said: "This is the six-character Great Ming Mantra. It is powerful and indestructible. All demons and their relatives are not allowed to get close.
It’s just that... this mantra is not written with ordinary gold paint. From my point of view, it may be that many monks recited the mantra together and gave it heavy blessings."
"Can't even Mr. Wu open it?" Mr. Wu asked bluntly.
The scholar in white shook his head, and the cloth in his bun also swayed: "Such seals cannot be broken easily. It is best to set up an altar in the famous mountains and rivers, and take advantage of the endless flow of heaven and earth's true energy, bit by bit.
Gradually it wears away... Hehe, Buddhist monks claim that all kinds of secret mantras have the power of indestructibility, but they are just sitting in a well and looking at the sky, and they are looking down on the world's masters."
Faced with the proud words of the scholar in white, Mr. Wu didn't bother to ask any more questions, and then looked at the man in front of him who had half of his face wrapped in a wound cloth: "Xu Yan, was your face injured by Cheng Sanwu?"
"That's him!" Xu Yan was filled with anger and resentment in his heart, but he didn't dare to speak loudly for fear of tearing the wound and bursting: "Cheng Sanwu is extremely ferocious. We spent a lot of trouble and used tricks to lure him away before we could grab Mani.
beads.”
Mr. Wu played with the black jade box: "You brought so many people to Hongsha Town, can't you kill him?"
"It's very difficult." Xu Yan explained: "Before I was taken in by the young master, I fought against Cheng Sanwu and learned his skills. This man once faced more than 80 horse thieves from the Golden Eagle Department alone, and he missed the target.
Two pots of arrows chopped down seven knives, broke more than a dozen spears, and finally killed all these horse thieves."
Mr. Wu did not speak, but the scholar in white sneered contemptuously: "Such flattery is too much, isn't it? Even if there are more than 80 sheep, it is not easy to kill them all with one knife and one gun. What's more, horse thieves in the Western Regions come and go like the wind, and it's hard to kill them all alone."
If they just scattered and fled, how could Cheng Sanwu have the ability to kill them all?"
Xu Yan looked at the scholar in white, and his tone became calmer: "The people from the Golden Eagle Tribe did escape, but Cheng Sanwu pursued them all the way, and after more than ten days and nights, they finally cut off all their heads and built them into a temple.
"
"Even if you rob a trading company's goods, you won't kill them all like this, right?" The scholar in white questioned. He even thought that this was because warriors in the martial arts world were used to complimenting each other, so that even their opponents would praise them, so as to appear chivalrous.
"It has nothing to do with business." Mr. Wu next to him explained: "I have also heard about this. The Golden Eagle Department did rob Baochang Society's goods, and then killed people for fun and raped women when they stopped in a village. Cheng Sanwu
According to the usual practice, it would be enough to drive away the horse thieves and bring back the goods, but he still pursued them all the way, and finally blocked Jingguan outside the uninhabited village."
"He's just a brave and fierce man." The scholar in white still didn't change his true character.
"To deal with people like Cheng Sanwu, if we can't kill him completely, there will only be endless hidden dangers." While Mr. Wu was thinking, someone came to report in a low voice.
"What?! Cheng Sanwu returned to Quzhi City?" After hearing what his subordinates reported, Mr. Wu was shocked.
"The men sent to search for Su Wangting found Cheng Sanwu, but he is currently hiding in the old city to the north and has disappeared for a while." His subordinates replied.
Mr. Wu raised his eyes and looked at Xu Yan: "He came back with you."
Xu Yan couldn't help but become frightened after hearing this. The fierce god Cheng Sanwu was secretly following him but did not take any action along the way. This was even more terrifying than walking at night in the desert and being surrounded by wolves.
"Cheng Sanwu came here just for the Mani Pearl. The first priority is to send the Mani Pearl to Chang'an first." Mr. Wu thought over and over again. As long as he could deliver the Mani Pearl to his father, he would surely be favored.
, thereby changing the current situation.
When Xu Yan heard this, he was worried that he would leave, and tried to dissuade him: "Sir, the situation in Quzhi City is uncertain now. Although we have taken over most of Baochang Society's industries, most people just do not dare to resist due to the situation.
Once the situation changes, they will still turn to Baochang Society."
"But..." Mr. Wu looked at the black jade box in his hand: "Right now, all parties are fighting openly and secretly for the Mani Pearl. If it cannot be sent to Chang'an as soon as possible, I am afraid there will be more troubles."
After all, Xu Yan is just a martial artist, and he doesn't have many clever plans. At this time, both of them turned their attention to the scholar in white, and saw that he was confident and calm, and said:
"Mr. Wu, the Western Region is currently in turmoil. If we abandon the fortified city, even if we have guards accompanying us, the journey of thousands of miles will undoubtedly be dangerous. Since the majority of the guardians of the four towns are your old subordinates, we might as well stay in Quzhi City temporarily to ensure peace. Go at the same time.
I wish you to send a message to Your Majesty, and send troops to welcome Mani Zhu, so you can rest easy."
"This is also a good idea." Mr. Wu made up his mind: "Then I will repair the book now and send additional manpower to search out Su Wangting and Cheng Sanwu."
Xu Yan asked: "What happens after you find it?"
"What else can we do? Encircle and attack!" Mr. Wu knew very well that his Maocai Society was able to suppress Baochang Society in one fell swoop purely because of his relationship with the Duhufu. If Su Wangting and Su Wangting cannot be eliminated as soon as possible,
If Cheng Sanwu, the two key figures, is eliminated, even the Protectorate will not be able to help him all the time.
The Baochang Society's business can be so big, and there are nobles from the court and middle school behind them. If they really wait for the backers on both sides to intervene one after another, then the change of the situation will not be decided by Mr. Wu. Maybe his father will despise him for not doing things well and will cause chaos.
The elephant climbed to the middle of the court.
After all, Xu Yan knew better about the situation in the Western Region and Quzhi City, and hesitated: "The fact that Su Wangting and the two were able to hide in Quzhi City shows that they also have people secretly helping them in Quzhi City. With the manpower of Maocai Society, they cannot be found easily."
Mr. Wu understood what he said: "Do you want me to ask the Protectorate to come forward and directly send troops to search the city?"
"With the government coming forward, Su Wangting and Cheng Sanwu, no matter how powerful they are, would not dare to confront the officers and soldiers." Xu Yan thought and said: "If the Duhufu is unwilling to take action directly, they can force them out of Quzhi City, and we will
The Maocai Society will resolve the matter privately outside the city, so as not to involve the Duhufu, and this way we can also explain the matter to the past."
The scholar in white also spoke: "I would like to learn from Cheng Sanwu and see if he really has such ability."
"I had Mr. Chang Qing to bless me with the Five Weapons Killing Technique before, but Su Wangting's thunder-headed iron palm really has no merit at all." Mr. Wu took the initiative to bow down and thank him: "If there is a gentleman who can help me, then Cheng Sanwu will definitely be able to capture him!"
The scholar in white put his hands behind his back and smiled: "These ignorant and reckless men, even if they have the courage of a hundred people, are just like ants and mustard in front of "Yinfu Tianji Lun". They can be broken with a flick of their sleeves."
Xu Yan didn't believe it, but he didn't dare to say it clearly. Master Wu noticed the concerns of his capable men, so he suggested: "This Mr. Changqing is a disciple of Taguan Zhenren in Fu Zang Palace of Songyue. He is not only good at Yin and Yang."
He has a profound knowledge of the Five Elements and the art of defeating strong soldiers. If he has any arrangements, you must follow them."
"I obey," Xu Yan quickly crossed his hands and saluted.
…
In Quzhi City, outside the Zoroastrian Fire Worship Temple, many vendors set up stalls here. In addition to selling various wines and food, there were also orchids playing music and dancing, or performing magic tricks such as swallowing nails and disembowelment, which attracted bursts of exclamations and applause from the onlookers.
.
"It seems that this Zoroastrian festival is similar to the temple fair in the Central Plains?" Cheng Sanwu changed into a white linen robe of a Zoroastrian believer at this moment, with his face covered and his head wrapped, only a pair of eyes exposed, and he said to Su Wangting, who was also dressed next to him
Said: "It's also about eating, drinking, and playing around."
"The Fire Worship Temple in Quzhi City is the largest in the Western Region. During the fire ceremony, believers from all over the country will come to request the sacred fire. It is also an opportunity to communicate with each other and exchange news." Su Wangting led Cheng Sanwu through the crowd, and at the same time left and right
Watch and see.
Cheng Sanwu has been in the Western Regions for many years, so he naturally knows that Zoroastrianism worships fire as a gift to the gods and attaches great importance to flames.
It is rumored that the holy fire enshrined in every fire worship temple in Zoroastrianism comes from the ancestral court of Persia. The immortality of the holy fire symbolizes the endless protection of the gods. Many believers also worship the holy fire at home. Of course, they worship from all over the world.
Please ask at the Fire Temple.
"Okay, Buddhist believers go to Buddhist temples to ask for Buddha statues, and believers go to Taoist temples to ask for talisman water. It's all the same." Cheng Sanwu couldn't help but chuckle.
Su Wangting turned around and reminded: "You'd better not say this in front of others."
"I know, don't worry."
Su Wangting led Cheng Sanwu to a small house near the Fire Worship Temple, knocked on the door, and was greeted by an old Hu man.
"Elder, do you recognize this thing?" Su Wangting uttered nonsense and took out a token from his sleeve. On it was a Zoroastrian heraldry of an eagle spreading its wings and holding up a flame.
The old Hu man raised his hand and groped for a while. His eyes were cloudy and he looked like he was about to go blind. But when he heard Su Wangting's voice, he was quite pleasantly surprised. He couldn't restrain his excitement and said: "I knew you were not dead after all. There are rumors outside.
are all lies!"
"Although he is not dead, he is still very embarrassed. I came here for this adventure just to ask the elders for help." Su Wangting put his hand on his chest and bowed slightly.
"Okay, okay, okay, come in quickly!" The old Hu man agreed repeatedly, and then said: "My eyesight is bad, can you see if anyone is following me?"
Su Wangting glanced back. Cheng Sanwu could understand nonsense, shook his head and said: "No one is following, I have been on guard."
The two of them entered the hut, and the old man brought them two bowls of cheese physalis, with dried apricots and preserved fruits on the side, which can be said to be a treat for well-off families in the Western Regions.
Cheng Sanwu was not polite, he sat down with the bowl and raised his head to drink. The old Hu man couldn't help but said worriedly: "Although I don't wander around on weekdays, these days I heard that Baochang Society has undergone drastic changes. People outside are worried.
According to rumors, your boss, Su, was killed by the Maocai Society, and all your property was wiped out."
"Actually, it's almost the same." Su Wangting didn't hide it at all: "The Western Region has been uneasy recently, and the Duhufu transferred most of the Baochang Society's manpower with an official document, which allowed the Maocai Society to take advantage of the situation."
"Then what kind of help does Mr. Su want from me?" The old man Hu said simply, "It's just that unlike the two of you, I don't have any martial arts skills. I'm just a blind, poor, and uncared-for old man."
Su Wangting and Cheng Sanwu looked at each other. Cheng Sanwu laughed silently and picked up a handful of dried apricots and put them in his mouth.
This old Hu man is not an ordinary person. His Han name is Mu Xide. He is the Dharma-bearing Sasana at the Fire Worship Temple in Quzhi City. His identity can be roughly compared to that of a temple abbot in the Han region. It is just that among the Hu people in Quzhi City,
In the middle, the Dharma-Sa Bao has a very high authority, and can be regarded as a wise elder of the village, able to mediate disputes and conflicts, and notarize transactions.
Cheng Sanwu had little contact with Zoroastrian believers. When he first came to Quzhi City, he helped Su Wangting rescue a group of Zoroastrian believers who were kidnapped and enslaved by horse thieves. It is said that they fled from further west, and then this group
The people were entrusted to Mushid to settle down.
It can be said that Mu Xide and the local Zoroastrian Church have received a lot of favors from the Baochang Society, so Su Wangting chose to pay a visit at this juncture with the intention of asking for help.
"I would like to ask Elder Mu, what major actions has your sect taken in the Western Regions recently?" Su Wangting carefully probed.
"A major move?" Mu Xide was slightly silent: "What Director Su said, shouldn't it be about passing the fire ceremony?"
"no."
"I understand, it's about the recent turmoil in the Western Region, right?" Mushid's tone became serious.
"really."
Mushid thought for a moment: "I have indeed heard some rumors recently that some people in the church are meeting in secret to discuss important matters."
"What's the big deal?" Su Wangting asked.
"I don't know much about it. They deliberately avoided me." Mu Xide said in a disappointed tone: "Mr. Su, if you think about it clearly, your Emperor of Great Xia banned Zoroastrianism and destroyed temples more than ten years ago."
"I know. Could it be that the recent turmoil is related to this?"
"I can't say for sure, maybe it's because of long-standing grudges, or maybe it's because of the instigation of traitors." Mushid said: "You also know that Persia was destroyed by a great food in the early years, and Zoroastrianism gradually declined in the west.
As a result, many believers fled eastward and came to the territory of Daxia, so some people became interested in opening up a situation in the east."
Hearing this, Cheng Sanwu also stopped eating and drinking. Su Wangting's expression became slightly solemn. Mu Xide noticed something strange: "It seems that I was mostly right. The current trouble is really related to my Zoroastrianism."
"I have also received news here. I can't confirm whether it is true or false." Su Wangting said cautiously: "It is said that there is a caravan in the west escorting the holy relics of your religion, causing all parties to fight for it."
"Holy object? What holy object?" Mushid slightly narrowed his cloudy eyes, as if he could penetrate the chaos of reality.
"It seems to be called... Mani Zhu?"
Cheng Sanwu could tell that Su Wangting was deliberately testing the Zoroastrian elder, but he didn't say anything and stared at the old man secretly.
"Elder?" Su Wangting saw the other party and was silent for a long time.
"This is not a sacred object of our religion." Mushid said straightforwardly: "The sacred objects of our religion are clearly recorded in the Sahih of Suruzhi, and there is no Mani bead in it."
Even Su Wangting was stunned at this time. Obviously, this news was very different from what he had learned before.
"Master Su, is the experience of Baochang Society related to this Mani Pearl?" Mu Xid asked.
"Absolutely." Su Wangting changed his mind and added: "And I heard that the Mani Pearl is currently in the hands of the Maocai Society. Considering that this may involve the affairs of your religion, I took the risk to come to ask the elders for advice."