Chapter 272: Beijing is still generous
“I said that even if those two stone horses became immortals, they would not dare to offend the Heavenly Master!”
"But it seems that the spell was not cast by Master Fan, but by another Taoist priest beside him..."
"That must be a Heavenly Master!"
"I wonder which Heavenly Master this is..."
"Master Fan is leaving! Go and see him off! My neighbor's child was touched on the head by Master Fan once, and he has already received a nod from the Man in Red this year!"
A group of egrets flew over the ancient city, taking away the last bit of dusk light. The two men and the fox then shook off the enthusiasm of the people in the capital and slowly walked towards the house.
"What's up with the red-clothed man?"
"The man in red? Oh! The capital is so lively. Besides scholars, goblins and ghosts also like him. There are many goblins and ghosts living in the capital!" Fan Tianshi said to him, "Legend has it that there is a goblin who usually wears red clothes and likes poetry and prose. Whenever there is an exam, he likes to sneak a peek at the candidates' answers. When he sees an essay he likes, he nods secretly. Then the candidate will usually pass the exam. Over time, people in the capital gradually refer to passing the exam as 'the man in red nodding'."
"So that's it."
Lin Jue found it quite interesting.
The fox beside him was also listening curiously.
"Fellow Daoist Fan is really well-informed." Lin Jue asked curiously, "Then the red-clothed man nodded this time. Does it have anything to do with you?"
"Of course not!" Tianshi Fan replied sternly, "Although I have known that man in red clothes and have had several interactions with him, I know that he simply likes poetry and articles, and he only reads them when he goes to the examination room. Except for nodding his head when he sees an exquisite article, he does not make any other reminders, and he would never dare to interfere with the imperial examination. Therefore, he would not nod to others because of my actions, and his nodding to others would not help them pass the exam."
As Master Fan said this, he felt somewhat relieved.
He has been pretending for most of his life.
Even if I tell the truth sometimes, it's actually just to pretend. Later, sometimes when I simply tell the truth, others will misunderstand and misinterpret it. Now I can't stop. But in front of this fellow Daoist Lin, it's rare that I can speak the truth candidly without letting him misunderstand or misinterpret it.
For a moment I actually felt quite comfortable.
"Fan Daoist Fellow really has a wide range of friends." Lin Jue said with a smile, and then asked, "Then what do you think of these two stone horses, Fellow Daoist Fan?"
"In my opinion..."
"how?"
"without……"
Master Fan was usually used to being flattered, but today he felt a little uncomfortable when he was affirmed by Fellow Daoist Lin, who knew him well.
After thinking for a while, he said:
“It is said that these two stone horses have become spirits in the past two years, but I have heard that more than a hundred years ago, someone saw the stone horses blinking and changing legs outside the Astronomical Observatory. It became a rumor in the capital at that time.
"I have asked the spirits who lived in the capital a long time ago, and they also said that this incident really happened. At that time, every household in the capital knew about it, and many people went to the Astronomical Observatory to see it with their own eyes.
"So according to my guess, these two stone horses did not become spirits two years ago, but have been spirits for a long time, but they were only able to move two years ago, or they ran away from the gate of the Star Observation Palace two years ago."
"That's indeed possible." Lin Jue paused, "Then Fellow Daoist Fan, why do you think it left from the gate of the Star Observation Palace, and why did it shuttle through the city?"
"How could I know this..."
"How could you not know, fellow Taoist?"
"..."
Master Fan was silent for a moment before answering:
"There are rumors in the city that this is because the morals in the capital are getting worse and worse. Shi Ma has a premonition of the end of the dynasty, so he came out to remind the world that the world will change."
Then he paused.
This time the pause was longer, and as it was far away from the hustle and bustle of the city, it became increasingly quiet around them, with only the sound of the two Taoists' footsteps remaining.
"I have also heard that among all the spirits in the world, the dumber they are, the harder it is for them to become spirits. So foxes are the most likely to become spirits, and there are also quite a few mice, cats and dogs. It is even harder for trees, flowers and plants to become spirits, but trees, flowers and plants are at least living things. It is even rarer for stone sculptures to become spirits."
"You have heard a lot, fellow Daoist." Lin Jue nodded, "But it is true. It is not easy for these two stone horses to become spirits."
“But fellow Daoist, you see, these two stone horses are not ordinary. They are in the capital and at the gate of the Star Observation Palace. They may have become spirits because of the prosperity of the capital and the spiritual energy of the Star Observation Palace.” Tianshi Fan still spoke such bold words in a calm tone. Even if someone heard it, they would think that it was not strange for Tianshi Fan to say such words. “However, now, the customs of the royal nobles and the integrity of the literati in the capital are not as good as before, and the Star Observation Palace and the Tianweng they worship don’t seem to be as good as before…”
"Fellow Daoist, what do you think?" Although Lin Jue would usually say this himself, he interrupted Master Fan and said, "Is it because of this reason that they left the capital and the Guanxing Palace?"
"My humble opinion, just my humble opinion."
"Um……"
Lin Jue thought about it carefully and felt that it made sense.
The two continued walking forward and chatting.
Just like chatting with Taoist Master Tao this afternoon, Lin Jue didn't care what kind of person Taoist Master Tao was, what his personality was like, what his hobbies were, or whether he was compatible with them. He didn't talk about those things either. He just said that both of them had considerable attainments and interests in the method of controlling objects, and if they only took pleasure in this narrow direction, they would be pure and happy.
The same is true at this time.
Lin Jue didn't care about Master Fan's character, nor did he think about right or wrong. He just talked about the customs of the capital, the Observatory and the gods based on his knowledge.
At that time in the capital, princes and nobles often gathered together with their hair loose, naked, drinking, and playing with each other's maids and concubines. If you were also a prince or noble but did not do this, it would hurt the harmony. If you criticized such behavior, because it was so widespread, you would be laughed at. Some people who cater to the secular world even felt ashamed not to participate in it.
Therefore, people of insight all say that this dynasty has come to an end.
At this time, the Guanxing Palace was mainly focused on making money. Ordinary people thought that worshipping gods was ineffective, but Fan Tianshi was not only respected by the common people, but also by the goblins and ghosts in the capital.
Sometimes there were demons and ghosts around the capital, and Juxianfu could not find anyone to help them, so they had to ask for help from Master Fan. Master Fan simply "disdained" to help, and only issued a decree, asking them to bring so many offerings, go to such and such place, and burn them according to such and such procedures, and then called so and so, asking it to help, and naturally the demons would take the offerings and go forward to eliminate the demons.
Both sides were very grateful to Master Fan.
Therefore, goblins and ghosts often complained to him that the Shintoism in Qinzhou and several surrounding states had long been out of control.
That’s why there are so many powerful monsters lurking here.
If the stone horse really has a spirit, it is not surprising that it left.
"correct--"
It was not until he walked back to the gate of the mansion that Lin Jue remembered that he had something to say before he met the stone horses, but was interrupted by the two stone horses.
"In addition to the Five Elements Spiritual Technique, I am also interested in collecting various spells. Since there are so many extraordinary people in the Juxian Mansion, and Fellow Daoist Fan has a wide range of friends, I would like to ask Fellow Daoist to help me ask if there is anyone who possesses the Five Elements Spiritual Technique and is willing to exchange one or two spells with me. I will not be stingy and I will not cheat."
Lin Jue said, and paused:
"If there is any extraordinary person whose skills suit my taste, I would also like to ask Fellow Daoist Fan to continue to help me make connections. Just like Fellow Daoist Tao did today."
"Easy to do."
"In return, if you need my help, I will not refuse easily."
"..."
When Master Fan heard this, his expression froze.
But after just a moment, he gave up, his face habitually calm, but also sincere: "Daoyou has already given me the reward."
With a creak, the old servant behind him closed the door. The two men and the fox walked into the yard.
……
The next morning.
It was indeed winter, and the breath I exhaled turned into white smoke. When I woke up, there was a thin layer of snow in the yard.
The door of the quiet room was not closed. A small stove was placed on the ground, burning with charcoal brought by Master Fan. On top of the stove was a pot of hot tea and a few chestnuts. The air was filled with a sweet fragrance.
Luo Gongzheng was practicing with his sword outside, while Lin Jue was sitting cross-legged on a cushion next to the stove, holding the spirit wood in one hand and the carving knife in the other, and concentrating on carving with his head down.
There was a rustling sound in the yard, and the ground was covered with wood flowers.
The fox lay nearby, doing nothing.
Suddenly, Lin Jue's voice came from the side: "Did you breathe out cold air in the room again last night?"
"Hmm?" The fox was surprised. "I didn't spit out cold air in the room again last night!"
"Why is it so cold then?"
"The sky is breathing cold air into the room!"
"I'll just believe you..."
"Foxes don't lie!"
"?"
"Don't lie to the Taoist priest!"
"?"
"Don't lie to Lin Jue!"
"..."
Lin Jue continued to concentrate on carving.
Before I knew it, the yard was filled with a mess of footprints.
Luo Seng sheathed the sword and threw it aside. The rope on the scabbard was firmly hung on the branch of the crabapple tree. Then he strode towards Lin Jue.
He took chestnuts out of the fire without fear of the burn. He peeled the chestnuts with two fingers, threw them into his mouth, and poured himself a cup of tea.
Lin Jue still didn't look up.
Suddenly, the fox turned his head and looked outside.
"People are coming!"
"Hmm? I'll go check it out!"
Luo Seng drank the cup of tea with his head tilted back, then put on his hat and walked out.
Not long after I went out, I heard footsteps coming in again.
Luo Seng led Wu Lingshi and two minor officials in.
“Master Lin!” Wu Lingshi could not help but change his address back to “Thank you Master Lin. I would like to thank you on behalf of the people of the capital!”
"how?"
"Those two stone horses have been breaking into the capital from time to time and rampaging on the streets for a long time. No one has been willing or able to subdue them. I didn't expect that Master Lin could subdue the two stone horses with just one move." Wu Lingshi said, and walked forward respectfully. A clerk behind him brought a plate of silver, "This is the reward silver set for the stone horses two years ago. It's for Master Lin's tea money."
That’s right——
Two years ago, the Juxian Mansion had also thought about subduing the two stone horses, but it had never succeeded. However, there was still a reward.
It's time to be short of money.
Another pillow was delivered.
Lin Jue had just finished carving this section, so he put down the wood carving and the carving knife and stood up to check.
It was a wooden plate covered with a red cloth.
Uncover the red cloth and you will find one hundred taels of silver.
Lin Juexin thought, the capital city is different.
"I'll take it." Lin Jue said to him, "It's freezing cold, if Wu Lingshi is free, you can come and warm yourself by the fire. If you have something else to do, you don't have to be polite with the Taoist."
"I dare not, and I'm not busy."
Wu Lingshi bowed and was very polite.
This morning he heard in detail what happened on the streets of the capital last night. This man did almost nothing. He just blew a breath and the two stone horses fell to the ground. After that, they were very obedient and did not even dare to gallop as recklessly as before when they left.
This is simply a work of god.
No matter where it spreads, it can be heard as a fairy tale.
Wu Lingshi was both surprised and felt that this was exactly what a deity who could get rid of the demon king should do.
In any case, his attitude was much more respectful.
"Originally there was nothing else to do. It's just that the Taoist priests of the Guanxing Palace heard about this matter and wanted to ask the real person for a small favor. Bring back the two stone horses and put them back at the entrance of the Guanxing Palace." Wu Lingshi looked at him quietly, "The Taoist priests of the Guanxing Palace said that if the real person agrees, they will definitely reward him handsomely."
But the Taoist looked very calm:
"Is it reasonable to ask for help instead of coming in person? Moreover, the two stone horses left the Star Observation Palace voluntarily. If you want them to come back, you should let them come back voluntarily."
Although it seemed that there was no direct refusal, Wu Lingshi could already tell that the real person was not willing.
So he didn't dare to say more and had to leave.
Lin Jue sat down again.
But at that time he had a hundred taels of silver with him, so he casually placed it on the floor beside him.
Lin Jue breathed a sigh of relief.
In this capital city, you really can't survive without money.
I looked up at the sky and saw another line of egrets flying by.
And I also have money to bring letters to my senior brothers.
(End of this chapter)
