Qi Xuansu and Zhang Yuelu came to Yong'an Palace, showed their ultimatums, went through the relevant procedures, and checked in smoothly.
There are naturally clear grades inside the Taoist gate. Zhang Yuelu lives in the upper room of the fourth-grade Taoist priest. Although it is not a separate courtyard, it has a living room, study room, and bedrooms. Qi Xuansu can only enjoy the treatment of a seventh-grade Taoist priest, and there is only one
The bedroom is equipped with a table and a chair, which can be used for writing.
Qi Xuansu saw that it was still early, so he went to Zhang Yuelu's residence. The Taoist priests in Yong'an Palace knew that the two were traveling together. Although the specifications arranged for them were different, their residences were not far apart.
Zhang Yuelu was still awake and was reading in the study. When he heard Qi Xuansu knocking on the door, he stood up and opened the door to let him in.
In the early days, that is, before going to the Western Regions, Qi Xuansu still felt that it was not good for a man and a woman to live together in the same room at night, but now it is very casual.
Qi Xuansu sat down on the chair opposite the desk in a grand manner and glanced at the cover of the book that was upside down on the desk: "Is the Demon...Tao...Jianzong, the latest storybook?"
"It's not a recent storybook, it's an old book from last year." Zhang Yuelu said, "I bought it for a long time, but I never had time to read it, so I left it in the Xumiwu to gather dust. It probably talked about a sword cultivator.
The story of a great master who fell into the devil’s path because of a witch.”
Qi Xuansu asked: "What is sword cultivation?"
"Probably a kind of person who only uses a sword and can always fight across borders. The day after tomorrow kills the innate, the innate kills the heavenly beings, and the heavenly beings kill the immortals." Zhang Yuelu explained.
Qi Xuansu asked again: "Are there any swordsmen, spears, or firecrackers?"
"No." Zhang Yuelu rolled her eyes at him.
Qi Xuansu said: "If there is, I will become a fire gun cultivator. A gun can burn for dozens of miles, which is more domineering than a flying sword that can kill people's heads thousands of miles away."
"Just be your Sanren with peace of mind." Zhang Yuelu said with a smile.
Qi Xuansu stopped joking and suggested: "Since I have nothing to do and I won't sleep for the time being, let's play two cards."
Zhang Yuelu put away the script, took out the Xuansheng tablet from the Xumi object, placed it on the desk, and spread it into a fan shape: "Do you want a lottery ticket?"
"A peace coin." Qi Xuansu now feels quite wealthy.
"Okay." Zhang Yuelu drew out a set of Ancient Immortal Cards.
For the sake of safety, Qi Xuansu chose the Taoist card.
The two of them had just played three games, and Qi Xuansu was making a small fortune by relying on the door signs, when he heard someone knocking on the door outside.
Qi Xuansu stood up and went to open the door. The person outside was the director of Yong'an Palace who arranged for the two to move in. When he saw Qi Xuansu, he was startled for a moment. After seeing the Xuansheng card on the table, he immediately understood: "You two also like it."
Xuansheng card,
The long nights are indeed a good way to pass the time."
Xuansheng tiles are almost only popular within Taoist sects. Outside Taoist sects, they are still popular in Go, Xiangqi and Yezi tiles.
Qi Xuansu asked: "Master Tang, is there something wrong?"
This Tang chief official was named Tang Yongde, and he was from the Tang family in central Sichuan.
Tang Yongde slapped his forehead: "There is something, of course there is something. Since Deacon Qi is here, that would be great. There is something that requires the help of Deputy Hall Master Zhang and Deacon Qi."
"What's going on?" Zhang Yuelu asked as he stood up.
Tang Yongde said: "A murder case just happened. I suspect that it was a demon from a secret society who committed the crime. It just so happens that both of you are from Tiangang Hall. You should be very experienced in dealing with these demons, so I take the liberty to ask you to help solve the case."
Zhang Yuelu's face looked a little solemn, he put away the Xuansheng cards on the table and said directly: "Take us to the scene."
Tang Yongde responded and walked in front. Zhang Yuelu and Qi Xuansu each picked up their cloaks and followed behind.
The place where the murder occurred was not in Yong'an Palace. No wonder Zhang Yuelu didn't notice anything unusual. The three of them left Yong'an Palace and boarded a carriage.
On the way to the crime scene, Zhang Yuelu asked about the case: "When did this case happen?"
Tang Yongde replied: "It happened to be Youshizheng when the body was found."
There are twelve hours in a day: Zi, Chou, Yin, Mao, Chen, Si, Wu, Wei, Shen, You, Xu, Hai.
According to the timekeeping method of the Western Continent, two hours constitute one hour, Zi hour corresponds to twenty-three to one o'clock, Chou hour corresponds to one to three o'clock, and so on, and Unitary hour corresponds to seventeen to nineteen o'clock.
In the past, twelve hours were divided into hundreds of quarters, and each hour was divided into eight quarters, for a total of ninety-six quarters, leaving four quarters. These four quarters were divided into two hundred and forty points, and each hour was divided into eight quarters.
Score twenty points for small moments.
Therefore, there are eight major moments and two small moments in an hour, which are: the four major moments in the first half: the first, first, second and third day of the lunar month, and the small moment: the fourth moment. The four major moments in the second half of the hour: Zheng, Zhengyi, Zheng2,
Positive three, small engraving: positive four.
According to Western Continent timing, each quarter is fourteen minutes and twenty-four seconds.
However, because the one-hundred-quarter timing is too cumbersome, Taoism has now been simplified to ninety-six quarters, each quarter is fifteen minutes, minus the small quarters, and each hour is eight quarters, that is, the first, first, second, third, and right
, positive one, positive two, last
.
Youshizheng is exactly eighteen o'clock.
Zhang Yuelu opened his pocket watch and took a look. Tianjitang's pocket watch was naturally the Eastern style of twelve hours and ninety-six quarters, not the Western style of twenty-four hours.
It is now the end of Youshi, and nearly half an hour has passed. However, it only took less than half an hour from discovering the deceased to asking for help from the two of them, which cannot be said to be a delay.
Zhang Yuelu asked again: "What is the identity of the deceased?"
"His name is Mason. He is not a member of our Taoist sect, but a merchant who has been traveling to Baidi City for many years. He has a close relationship with the Taoist sect." Tang Yongde said after considering it.
Qi Xuansu patted his forehead and said softly: "Shibotang, merchant, is it related to Taiping money or some kind of bulk goods?"
Tang Yongde smiled bitterly, but did not refute. Obviously he also had such a guess. After all, when money was involved, there were too many motives for killing.
Zhang Yuelu asked again: "Who are the people involved in this matter?"
Tang Yongde replied: "In addition to our two deacons from Yong'an Palace, there are some other merchants, including Mason's fellow villagers and some old friends."
Speaking of this, Tang Yongde became hesitant: "Deputy Hall Master Zhang should know that these businessmen are not from our Taoist sect and do not have so many rules and regulations, so they want to have some fun at night, and there happens to be a courtyard in the city..."
The so-called brothel is a place of romance, but it is different from ordinary brothel hooks and other fireworks places. The brothel generally occupies a large area, almost the same as the mansions of officials and wealthy businessmen. It has a special cave inside, with deep courtyards, quiet and elegant, women
Most of them are beautiful, there are many oiran figures, and there are also courtesans who are proficient in writing and music. In addition to a group of prostitutes and women, there are also musicians, tailors, craftsmen, and servants, making people stay at home without leaving the house.
It has everything you need, so many wealthy young men linger there and even lose all their family property.
The interior of the hotel is divided into countless small independent courtyards. Many powerful people will comb their hair here and rent a small independent courtyard. This is not entirely for the enjoyment of women, but as a way to get quiet and escape from the world.
Zhang Yuelu, who was born in Beichen Hall, subconsciously asked: "Since we are going to the academy to have fun, what are the two Taoist deacons doing?"
Tang Yongde hesitated and didn't speak for a long time.
Seeing this situation, Zhang Yuelu didn't understand anything, but this was not the time to pursue this matter, so he said: "If a person died in the courtyard, how can he determine that he died at the hands of a demon?"
Tang Yongde was a little embarrassed and swallowed
He hesitated and said: "Because, because, this wealthy businessman was... when he did that thing."
Before Zhang Yuelu could react, Qi Xuansu blurted out: "Is it going to be windy soon?"
Tang Yongde nodded.
The so-called "immediate wind" is also called "sudden death during sexual intercourse" and "abortion syndrome".
"Fangzhongshu" said: "Things in the room can prolong life, and can also kill people. For example, water and fire, if you know its use, you can maintain your health, but if you don't know its use, you will die. When a woman is menstruating,
The most common disease is the joy of walking in water. Both men and women can get it, but it is more common in men. The wind is blowing when the horse is riding, and the wind is blowing when the horse is riding down. The wind and wind can kill people."
Zhang Yuelu's face was a little stiff.
Tang Yongde said: "This disease is mostly caused by sexual intercourse, excessive sexual indulgence, Qi and Yang deficiency, and death if not treated in time. However, this wealthy businessman has been busy with business recently and has not been with women for more than a month. He is also physically strong and has acquired talents.
My Baodan cultivation level cannot be said to have sexual intercourse without restraint, excessive sexual indulgence, and Qi and Yang deficiency, so it seems strange."
Qi Xuansu nodded and fell into deep thought.
The carriage slowly stopped. The courtyard that Tang Yongde mentioned was not far or near from Yong'an Palace. It was located in the southwest corner of Baidi City. Although it was impossible to see the whole picture in the night, it was illuminated by a continuous swath of red lights.
After half of the night sky, Qi Xuansu was surprised. No wonder it was called "Xingyuan". Sure enough, it was not comparable to an ordinary brothel with only one main building. It was basically a converted mansion.
Under the guidance of Tang Yongde, the three of them did not go through the main entrance, but entered the courtyard through a side door - firstly, in order not to attract attention, and secondly, this door was closest to the crime scene.
The three of them walked through the corridor and passed the hall, and after many twists and turns, they came to a single-family courtyard.
As soon as I walked in, I was greeted by sparse flowers and trees, green grass and trees, and a quiet atmosphere. There was no trace of fireworks at all, and it was more like a remote residence of a celebrity.
This was Qi Xuansu's first time here, and he couldn't help but secretly wonder, how could this be a fireworks venue?
However, at this time, there were already many spiritual officials standing in the courtyard, all wearing armor and armed with weapons, sealing the place. No one was allowed to enter or exit at will without Tang Yongde's permission.
Seeing the three people coming in, the spiritual officials saluted one after another.
Tang Yongde explained: "Baidi City is not under the jurisdiction of the imperial court, so there are no Qingluan guards, only the spiritual officials of our Taoist sect."
Zhang Yuelu nodded and walked towards the main hall.
The main hall was brightly lit and warm as spring. Qi Xuansu saw at a glance that in addition to a few Taoist priests wearing crane cloaks, there were more than a dozen men dressed as wealthy businessmen.