Lao Wu’s winery is a low two-story wooden building.
In front of the door, there were several stoves built with green bricks and yellow mud, with a shed on top to protect them from wind and rain. There was also some unburned dry firewood piled next to the stoves.
On ordinary mornings, the fire here is burning brightly and the aroma of wine is in the air. The familiar old man has already opened the door, hunched over, and carried out the tables, chairs and benches in the house. Those who arrived early have already sat down.
Old Wu didn't set up his stall yesterday, and his regular customers didn't think much of it. It has been snowing heavily recently, and the weather is freezing cold. Most people can't stand it so early in the morning. After all, he is old, and it is normal for him to take a day off.
But today, a night watchman with his hands curled up in his thick cotton coat noticed that the snow at the door had accumulated to more than half a foot thick and no one had cleaned it up, and he felt worried.
"The snow at the door hasn't moved. Try to find a way to get inside and take a look."
"He is old, maybe he is sick, and Old Wu has no children."
"Look for it!"
Everyone knew that the old man had no children, and they were afraid that when he got old and got sick, there would be no one to take care of him and he would die in the house.
Several night watchmen and coolies were all lower-class people. They often came to this tavern to have a morning drink to dispel a night's fatigue or prepare for the day. They had developed feelings for this place and immediately became agitated.
"hurry up!"
Some of them leaned on the windows and shouted towards the inside of the building.
Some of them were nimble enough to climb up to the second floor and enter through the skylight.
"Old Wu"
"Old Wu"
"."
It didn't take long for everyone to discover it.
No one is in the house!
But it’s icy and snowy here, and the mountains are blocked by snow. Where can an old man go?
"Or, let's report to the police!" Someone was worried.
"Row!"
So not long after, several enthusiastic drinkers came to the Qingshan County Yamen and reported to the authorities.
"Deng deng deng"
In the backyard of Qingshan County Government Office, hurried footsteps could be heard in the corridor leading straight to the county magistrate's residence.
Soon, a yamen runner in a green and black robe came with quick steps, one hand on his knife, and saw the county magistrate Zhang Cheng who was getting dressed.
"Sir, I have an urgent matter to report. Someone has reported to the police that Old Wu, who sells wine at Shuangliu Corner, Jiazi Lane in the east of the city, has disappeared."
"Then quickly take people to investigate the case, no need to notify me specifically." Zhang Cheng was tidying up the wrinkles on his red flying bird official robe, flicking his sleeves, and said halfway, when he suddenly turned his head, his eyebrows jumped, staring at the officer who came to report,
"What did you say?"
"Who's missing?"
The yamen runner knew where the master's reaction came from, and his face became serious. This time he changed his words,
"That's the old man who guards the courtyard for General Chen Zhonglang!"
Zhang Cheng, the magistrate of Qingshan County, finally confirmed the incident. His face immediately turned red and he could not help but scold: "What are you waiting for? Send someone to investigate immediately."
"Hurry up and prepare the horses. I have to go and see it myself."
Zhang Cheng wanted to go and see for himself. He had seen Old Wu before. The old man had come to the county government office with the order of Chen Yuan, who was then the mountain patrol captain.
He remembered that time, he had taken the initiative to bring people from the government office to support Chen Yuan.
Zhang Cheng knew that if the old man went missing, the consequences could be serious.
Anyway, I'm going crazy now.
"Don't be impatient, sir!"
"I have already sent someone there."
The yamen runner quickly stopped the adult who was rushing out, and then expressed his thoughts.
"Sir, the people who came to report to the police were some casual customers who often ate and drank at the old man's stall. They said that the old man had not been at the stall for two days. They thought he was sick, so they went into the house to see that no one was there. They were worried and came to report to the police. They didn't know the old man's identity."
"I was thinking, isn't the old man guarding the courtyard for Chen Zhonglang? Maybe this guy caused a misunderstanding in the courtyard where Chen Zhonglang lived in Jiazi Lane."
"So I think we should go to that yard first."
Zhang Cheng felt that it made some sense and calmed down a little, but then he frowned.
"That yard is restricted. You can't get close to it."
"Go inform Captain Lian. She should be able to find a solution."
The Captain Lian that Zhang Cheng mentioned was Lian Nishang, who later took over from Chen Yuan as the local mountain patrol captain. It was rumored that the two had a good relationship.
But Captain Lian did not live in Qingshan County.
Instead, he lived in the 800-li Langdang Mountain.
Not long after, a large maroon horse rushed out from the back door of the county government office.
"drive"
"drive"
"drive"
The yamen runner who had just reported was sitting on his horse, pedaling his horse towards the outside of the city.
But soon after leaving the city, I heard the commotion outside the city.
In the "outer city", many people came out, looked towards the northwest and exclaimed.
I saw that from the nearest snow-capped mountain in the northwest, snowflakes were flying down like a landslide, and among the flying snowflakes, there were ferocious beasts pulling canopied carriages, walking straight down the snow, heading towards Qingshan County, their hooves shaking and making deafening noises.
As the distance got closer, the people in the outer city could see clearly, and sounds of panic and gasps were heard at the same time.
"what is that?"
"It looks like a demon!"
"Oh, how scary, a demon is pulling a cart."
"Who is in that car?"
“They flew into the city.”
In the sky, there were strange beasts with scales that looked like tigers and leopards, pulling eight horse-drawn carriages. They flew over the heads of the people of Qingshan County in front of them, and flew directly into Qingshan County with astonishing momentum.
Then we stopped directly in front of the most impressive-looking inn in Qingshan County.
In fact, it is just a six-story inn!
The beasts were so frightening that the people nearby on the street fled in panic.
"Ah, demon."
"Ouch"
Some were so frightened that they ran so fast that they slipped and fell to the ground.
Fortunately, it was still cold in the morning and there were not many people on the street.
There was an unlucky passerby who was so frightened that he stood still. As a result, a tiger-leopard beast happened to stop in front of him. The tiger-leopard beast, which was as tall as ten feet, lowered its head and stared at the unlucky passerby with its pale yellow eyes. The corners of its ferocious mouth opened, revealing two fangs that were more than two feet long and as sharp as blades.
"Roar"
A roar and a foul stench frightened the passers-by so much that they collapsed to the ground and then fled in a panic.
And from the carriage pulled by the strange beast came a shrill sneer.
At this time, a waiter with a white cloth on his shoulder in the Qingshan Inn probably heard the noise outside and came out to see what was happening. As soon as he stepped out, he saw the scene outside and was startled. He quickly stumbled back and slammed the door shut.
In front of the door, a man got off the Fang family's carriage.
Then, the man shook his body, kicked open the door of Qingshan Inn, and walked in.
This man looked at the shopkeeper and the clerk who were hiding behind the counter with arrogance and contempt, and said coldly:
"We've got this covered!"
"My ancestors like peace and quiet, and don't allow anyone else to come. Do you understand?"
"Understood, understood." Although the shopkeeper was a bit of a figure in Qingshan County, he was only a peak martial artist of the second realm. He felt a frightened aura in front of the newcomer and dared not say no. Not long after, the Qingshan Inn was cleared out. The guests who saw the amazing sedan chair outside also cooperated very well. From then on, the Fang family moved into Qingshan County in a high-profile manner.
This commotion brought some liveliness to this small county town covered in snow and ice, with people discussing where these people came from and what they were doing here.
In the limited world of knowledge of the people of Qingshan County, they only know that these are big figures who are out of their reach.
Qingshan Inn, third floor, a room.
A woman in white opened the window, letting the cold wind in, then took a deep breath.
Returning to the old place, Fang Qingzhu felt somewhat complicated.
The Fang family entered Qingshan County without any scruples and in a domineering manner. She couldn't understand why the ancestor of the Fang family, who came for the night ship, was so ostentatious. Was he used to the Fang family's style, or was he not afraid of being found out?
At this time, Fang Qingzhu's sleeves rolled up, and a furry fox head popped out from the wide sleeves.
Then, something bulged up on its beautiful chest and came out from its arms. A squirrel squeaked and then jumped to the window. Its obsidian eyes flashed and it cried excitedly, as if it had returned to a familiar place.
Then, the little squirrel inhaled through its nose, and its belly became round at a speed visible to the naked eye. Its whole body became light and was about to fly out of the window.
But the next second, a bare hand grabbed its neck and dragged it back.
"No running around."
Fang Qingzhu flicked the little squirrel on the forehead, then rubbed its belly with both hands like a stuffed toy, rubbing the air out of its stomach.
"chirp"
The little fox on the window made a fox sound, leaned back, and covered its belly with its two paws, as if making fun of the little squirrel.
At this moment, there was a knock on the door, followed by the cautious voice of the innkeeper.
"Sir, it's freezing cold. The kitchen has prepared some freshly brewed tea and snacks to keep you warm!"
Fang Qingzhu didn't turn around, but just lightly flicked the door behind him.
The door opens without wind.
The waiter from the inn outside came into the room with tea and placed exquisite teacups and snacks on the table in the room.
"Sir, please use it slowly!"
Having said that, he retreated and closed the door, not daring to even look at it for fear of something going wrong.
As the door closed,
"whoosh"
"whoosh"
Two afterimages rushed directly to the table in the room, and the two little demons who were originally playing tricks by the window came to the table. Then two pairs of eyes looked at Fang Qingzhu and made sounds, as if asking for her opinion.
"Eat, eat!"
Fang Qingzhu smiled when he saw the two little guys, then walked up and sat down.
The two little demons received the order and started eating and taking things.
"What are you doing?"
"squeak"
"You said you brought it for your friends here?" Fang Qingzhu's beautiful eyes showed some surprise.
"chirp"
"So it's that little guy. I'll take you there later." Fang Qingzhu suddenly realized, and then smiled helplessly.
Then she poured a cup of hot tea that was brought to her.
The tea soup is clear and steaming. Although it is not a rare delicacy, it brings a sense of warmth in this cold weather.
But at this moment, there was a "bang" sound from upstairs, and then there was a crisp sound of a cup falling.
Then, Fang Qingzhu heard the gloomy voice of the Fang family's ancestor.
"Don't drink this tea!"
Fang Qingzhu frowned suddenly, looked at the tea still swirling in the cup, then raised one hand, pinched his fingers, and shot a silver light towards the tea.
The silver light sank into the tea, and after a few breaths there was no change.
She was a little surprised why the ancestor of the Fang family suddenly said this.
But at this moment, a scream was heard from upstairs.
Fang Qingzhu's eyes changed immediately.
After a while, in a room on the fourth floor, the owner of Qingshan Inn was kneeling on the ground. Next to him, the boy who had just served tea fell to the ground, bleeding from all seven orifices and dead.
The shopkeeper seemed to be frightened and kept begging for mercy.
"Please spare me, sir. This tea is made with water from our own well. We drink it this way all the time. How could there be any problem? And how dare I have any bad intentions towards you, my distinguished guests?"
"If you don't believe me, please take a look."
As he said that, the shopkeeper held the teapot on the table in his arms and poured it into the man's mouth. The scalding hot tea went directly into his throat, but the man drank it up forcefully.
At this moment, a cough was heard behind a screen in the room.
"cough cough"
"Let him go, it has nothing to do with him!"
The middle-aged man sitting at the table, Fang Qingzhu's father, looked indifferently at the shopkeeper whose face was red from the burn.
"Go away, take the people away."
"Don't tell anyone what happened here."
The shopkeeper just felt dazed and frightened. He had no idea why these people wanted to kill people.
Just because I sent a pot of tea!
The servant under his command was beaten to death on the spot.
He left in a daze, carrying the servant's body on his back. He was seen by Fang Qingzhu who had rushed to the door. The other party could not help but frown.
At this time, other people also heard the noise and came over from other rooms.
"Dad, what happened?"
Fang Qingzhu's sister, Fang Mingyue, stepped in first and asked.
"Come in, everyone."
At this time, the voice of the Fang family's ancestor sounded.
The Fang family was a little curious for a moment, not knowing what had happened, and they all went in.
"cough cough"
Soon, an old man with a haggard face walked out from behind the screen in the room.
This man was holding a dragon-headed cane in his hand. He was thin, with deep eye sockets and wrinkled skin like old tree bark. There were many age spots on his face and his eyelids drooped. He looked very old and frail.
But as soon as the old man came out, the Fang family members all bowed obediently.
"Ancestor!"
After the ancestor of the Fang family appeared, he reached out his hand to grab the tea that had spilled on the floor of the room.
A fist-sized ball of tea condensed out.
Then, the old man flicked his five fingers and a thread of blood thinner than a hair came out of the tea.
The blood threads are still moving, as if they are alive.
When the Fang family saw this scene, their faces changed slightly, "This tea is poisonous."
But the old man narrowed his eyes and said, "It's not poison."
"It's a magic poison."
"And it's not an ordinary Gu. You can't even find it, let alone the people here."
"I just checked it out. If I'm not mistaken, the water source of this county should be polluted."
"And as far as I know, this is the method used by the demons!" (End of this chapter)
