Chapter 105

"Fengxian, no sword practice today."

When Xiao Yu arrived at the "Yihong Academy," which was Jin Lian's residence, with Zi Ying, Jin Lian was standing in front of a large bronze mirror, changing clothes and jewelry under the service of a maid.

"But you don't need to leave; in a while, I'm going to the Guan Chenghuang Temple to worship the Guan Chenghuang, you come along too."

Xiao Yu looked her up and down; her face had exquisite makeup, fine powder applied, two faint red blushes rubbed on, curved willow eyebrows drawn, thick red lips pursed, and a tiny phoenix outlined with gold powder on her forehead. The pearls, emeralds, and gold hairpins on her head combined to have the momentum of a green peak facing the sun.

And the pink dress on her body, with light gauze wide sleeves hanging below her knees, the hem dragging on the ground; if she danced, she would definitely be as elegant and beautiful as a fairy walking on waves.

But she wasn't going on stage to perform; she was going to the Guan Chenghuang Temple to worship God.

This is definitely a "Buddha-beauty" (a modern internet term for women who dress up to take photos at temples)!

"Sister, have you heard about the Guan Chenghuang night-trying the fake silver case?" Xiao Yu asked.

"You've heard of it too!" Before Jin Lian could open her mouth, Chun'er on the side shouted with excitement: "Worthy of being the Guan Chenghuang; the cases of the underworld that the government of the living world cannot manage, he can manage; the injustices and wrong cases that the officials can manage but are unwilling to manage, the Guan Chenghuang is also selfless and must return a bright and clear universe to the human world!

Sigh, if you ask me, our Yingxiang Mansion doesn't need to set up any Lingjun or Prefect.

Just let the Guan Chenghuang try the living by day and the dead by night; wouldn't world peace be right around the corner?"

"Trying the living by day and the dead by night, can the Guan Chenghuang manage it?" Zi Ying laughed.

"The Guan Chenghuang has great miraculous powers; you cannot treat him as a mortal official," Chun'er said very seriously.

Xiao Yu glanced at them and said: "Even if Sister Jin Lian wants to go to the Guan Chenghuang Temple, it's best to wait a few days.

The Guan Chenghuang night-trying the fake silver case has spread to every street and alley, and everyone knows it.

When I was eating breakfast, I heard Aunt Zhang and Li Daye from Soy Sauce Alley discussing going to the temple to offer a stick of incense to the Guan Chenghuang after finishing their chores at home.

So, the Guan Chenghuang Temple will definitely be overcrowded today, and Sister won't be able to squeeze in.

This outfit is also not suitable for squeezing into the Guan Chenghuang Temple."

This type of martial art can be used on any enemy and can also improve her strength and realm.

Young Master Wen and I already made an appointment last night; today we are not only going to Yingxiang Mansion but also having a gathering with several young masters of the Guan family!

The gathering place is at 'Zuixiang Tower' opposite the Prefecture Guan Chenghuang Temple; first worship the Guan Chenghuang, then drink wine."

Young Master Wen is the "Wen Ruyu" of the Wen family encountered at the "Tea Tasting Meeting" a few days ago.

It's not that Jin Lian just got together with Young Master Wen recently.

Calling him "Young Master Wen" (Wen Lang) in every sentence is something that only started not long ago.

After spending some time with Jin Lian, some things don't need to be said explicitly; Xiao Yu can also understand.

For example, earlier Jin Lian sighed about cultivating the Nine Flower Charm to marry herself off.

She is not simply looking for a husband's family.

She wants a desirable husband.

To satisfy Jin Lian's wishes, at least three conditions must be met: the "looks of Pan An," the "wealth of Deng Tong" from the Pan-Lu-Deng-Xiao-Xian (a classic list of requirements for a lover), plus the martial power of a peerless hero.

The previous life was a material world, so there were no requirements for martial power.

This life is a world of gods, Buddhas, immortals, and demons; martial power is an important condition for guaranteeing status, wealth, and safety.

Conversely, it is the same; the courtesan of the previous life achieved "both talent and beauty," and whether she could find a desirable husband depended on her vision and luck.

In this life, a woman's martial arts cultivation and talent are more important than "literary talent."

For example, Lady Huo, who comprehended the Xiao Xiao Mudan Charm at fifteen, was considered a heaven-sent talent and entered the General's mansion as a legal wife with the status of a "pure courtesan."

Although the old General and the old lady couldn't withstand their son threatening his life and reluctantly agreed to a courtesan being their daughter-in-law, looking at the current results, the General's mansion really didn't lose out at all.

General Pingnan and his two sons died in the Thirty-Six Nations Rebellion last year, leaving only a young son and several daughters, but with Lady Huo, the General's mansion's prestige has not fallen at all.

After returning from Busigui, Xiao Yu comprehended the "Wild Sword Intent" from the "Plum-Orchid Cracking Sword Style."

Later, according to Jin Lian's characteristics, Xiao Yu customized the "Little Xiao Xiao Mudan Sword"—which is actually the "Apricot Blossom Sword," also known as the "Red Apricot Sword Intent"—for her based on the "Wild Sword Intent."

Plum and orchid are high-minded, elegant, and proud in the frost; the Red Apricot Sword Intent is wild and unrestrained... not lewd.

This Jin Lian is ultimately not the Jin Lian from "Jin Ping Mei."

And Xiao Yu herself cannot achieve and does not approve of Pan Jinlian's "lewdness and unrestraint."

The Red Apricot Sword Intent created by Xiao Yu is at most "unbound by old rituals" like modern women.

In short, the customized "Nine Flowers of Little Xiao Xiao Mudan" is very good, and Jin Lian already has a bit of "Red Apricot Charm." Thus, her relationship with Young Master Wen warmed up suddenly.

Uh, the name "Red Apricot Sword Intent" is only known to Xiao Yu and Jin Lian.

"Red Apricot" looks good but doesn't sound very good; like Zi Ying's "Lücao Sword Technique" being renamed "Lü Xiao Huang," they are all claimed to be "Little Xiao Xiao Mudan Charm" to the outside world.

Don't even mention it, modern women's confidence and publicity are a kind of "nobility" in ancient times.

Jin Lian herself, who knows the truth, feels that Xiao Yu deliberately used "Red Apricot Sword Intent" to mock her, but in fact, she is practicing "Little Modified Xiao Xiao Mudan Sword."

"Young Master Wen is a relative of the Guan family; does he know the inside story of the Guan Guan Chenghuang night-trying the fake silver case?" Xiao Yu asked.

"The Guan Chenghuang is not trying a case for the first time; what inside story is needed?" Jin Lian said absent-mindedly while fixing her makeup in the mirror.

"Well, I mean, the details of the trial, just like Zhu Yitao trying the case, Aunt Zhang described the process vividly," Xiao Yu explained.

This time Jin Lian smiled and said: "Actually, others really don't know as much as I do.

The temple keeper of the Tianmen Town Guan Chenghuang Temple is also surnamed Wen, and he is Young Master Wen's own uncle.

Uncle Wen watched the whole process of the trial that night.

Just like Aunt Zhang watching Zhu Yitao try the case at the entrance of the government office."

"Good Miss, you knew the inside story and didn't say it earlier!" Chun'er was even more anxious than Xiao Yu, urging repeatedly: "Quick, quick, tell me, was the mastermind of the fake silver case Shopkeeper Hu, and why was Shopkeeper Hu beaten with boards?"

Jin Lian laughed: "Actually, the process is not complicated, just a bit strange.

You have all seen Xu Niangzi, right?

Sigh, she is dead, but the resentment in her heart hasn't subsided.

Or rather, her attachment to her daughter is hard to let go.

Her corpse was put into a coffin, but her soul ran outside the Guan Chenghuang Temple to cry injustice.

It seems she also asked an old ghost to write a petition and submit it to Officer Cai—not the criminal room in our county government, but the criminal room division under the Guan Chenghuang.

Zhu Yitao and the useless people in the government office couldn't find the swindler using fake silver, but Xu Niangzi knew the person.

Besides, if a ghost or god wants to investigate, who can hide it?

After listening to Xu Niangzi's grievance, the Guan Chenghuang was furious, immediately threw out a sign order, and sent the green-faced ghost envoy Ageli to 'Mao'er Village' 50 li outside the city to lock up the soul of the suspect Jia Yintong and bring him to the Guan Chenghuang government office.

At that time, Jia Yintong knelt under the Danchi, and the Guan Chenghuang platform shouted sternly—Jia Yintong, you are truly a shameless scoundrel, forging silver treasures and copper coins all day to deceive and harm good people, your sins are heinous and deserve death!"

Chun'er clapped her hands and shouted: "Well said, the Guan Chenghuang is bright and clear, selfless and impartial; he is truly the protector of us common people!"

Xiao Yu felt strange in her heart.

Green-faced ghost envoy Ageli...

So detailed, even the ghost envoy's name and appearance were clear, and there was the Guan Chenghuang's stern shouting... Aunt Zhang, Li Daye, and the others didn't say it in such detail, but the two major elements of "sending a ghost envoy" and "Guan Chenghuang's angry shout" were complete.

Surrounded by Xiao Yu and several maids listening carefully, Jin Lian also got excited and continued: "Xu Niangzi also scolded Jia Yintong on the side, saying that she died with grievances and couldn't close her eyes even in death; if he could enjoy blessings and peace, Heaven would not tolerate it.

At first, Jia Yintong was intimidated by the majestic atmosphere of the Guan Chenghuang's mansion and was trembling, not daring to speak.

Once he saw Xu Niangzi, his courage actually grew, and he even dared to cry injustice to the Guan Chenghuang, saying that using fake silver was indeed a crime, but Xu Niangzi was forced to death by people in the gambling house, which had nothing to do with him.

He was willing to return the money, but not willing to carry the human life case."

Zi Ying frowned and said: "Gambling houses indeed do great harm."

Jin Lian laughed: "The Guan Chenghuang directly ordered Ageli ghost envoy to drag the 'Tiger Descending the Mountain' (a nickname for a gambler) of Busigui over.

Hmm, there was a small episode in the middle!

It turned out that Busigui gambled day and night, and the Tiger Descending the Mountain hadn't slept for a long time; the Guan Chenghuang waited until almost the fifth watch, and seeing that Ageli ghost envoy hadn't returned, he took out the 'Book of Life and Death' and personally knocked down the Tiger Descending the Mountain.

Hahahaha, at that time, everyone in the gambling house thought the Tiger Descending the Mountain had died suddenly and were howling while preparing a coffin for him! It laughed me to death, hahahaha~~~"

"Hahahaha!" Chun'er and Zi Ying followed with laughter.

Xiao Yu was also laughing, but she quietly became more vigilant in her heart: The Guan Chenghuang hooking souls requires the person involved to fall asleep first, and if he can't hook the person, he cheats with the "Book of Life and Death"...

Hooking souls is one thing, but the Guan Chenghuang actually has a "Book of Life and Death"!

After laughing, Jin Lian said again: "The Tiger Descending the Mountain is also a knowledgeable person; before the Guan Chenghuang could shout to beat him, he first started crying injustice.

He said he saw Xu Niangzi using fake silver to fool him; he was originally furious, but he was able to calm down and listen to Xu Niangzi's explanation, and later even gave Xu Niangzi three days to find the swindler who used the fake silver. As a result, before the three days were up, Xu Niangzi couldn't think straight and jumped into the river...

After he finished speaking, he shouted excitedly at Xu Niangzi—When everyone was raising money to buy you a coffin, I, Wang Xiaohu, also threw in two coins of silver; you don't act like a human, but now that you've become a ghost, you still have to have a conscience!

The Guan Chenghuang scolded him, saying that Xu Niangzi's family falling into a desperate situation was all because of the gambling house setting traps to harm people.

Not only did he beat the Man-Eating Tiger into a dead tiger, but he also opened the Book of Life and Death on the spot and reduced his lifespan by thirty years.

Thirty years!"

"Hiss~~~" Chun'er gasped, her face turning pale, and she shouted: "Does that mean this lawsuit directly made the 'Man-Eating Tiger' live thirty years less? How many years does he have left to live?"

"I don't know how many years he can live, but reducing his lifespan by thirty years is already written in the Book of Life and Death," Jin Lian said.

"How did Shopkeeper Hu get involved?" Zi Ying asked.

"Hehe, seeing that the 'Man-Eating Tiger,' this 'accomplice,' had his lifespan reduced by thirty years, Jia Yintong was scared to tears and directly exposed Shopkeeper Hu.

It turned out that although they weren't in the same gang, they knew each other.

Before Shopkeeper Hu made his fortune, he had also forged fake silver.

Or rather, Shopkeeper Hu was able to make his fortune by forging fake silver.

That day, Xu Niangzi went out with the jade pendant, and he originally intended to chase after her.

As a result, as soon as he looked up, he saw Jia Yintong passing by the entrance; he had a vicious plan, letting Jia Yintong be the mantis while he himself was the oriole.

Hmm, Jia Yintong often looked for fat sheep outside various shops; Shopkeeper Hu knew his methods.

Sure enough, Jia Yintong set his sights on Xu Niangzi, stepped forward to ask a little, and learned that the jade pendant hadn't been sold yet, so he immediately had crooked thoughts.

After he got the jade pendant, Shopkeeper Hu jumped out from behind, smiling and saying he would send him to the official.

Jia Yintong knelt and begged for mercy, and sold the jade pendant to Shopkeeper Hu for five taels of silver."

"Shopkeeper Hu has such a large family business, is it worth it to earn a few dozen taels of conscience-less money?" Zi Ying muttered.

"If he didn't earn money with a black conscience, how could he accumulate such a large family business in just a few decades?" Jin Lian said.

After speaking, she smiled mockingly again and said: "Unfortunately, the family business earned with a black conscience cannot be kept!

The Guan Chenghuang not only hooked ten years of his lifespan but also sentenced him to cold without clothes, hunger without food, begging along the street, and dying of tuberculosis, without a coffin after death, his corpse thrown into the wilderness, crows eating and magpies pecking, his white bones exposed in the wild, and wild dogs coming to gnaw."

Xiao Yu kicked the ground with both legs, her body moved horizontally backward for more than ten meters, completely exiting the battlefield.

She heard from Aunt Zhang that Shopkeeper Hu was terminally ill, his mind was confused, and lying on the bed, he only knew how to shout in pain.

Jin Lian laughed: "It's not a disease, but a heavy cangue."

"Heavy cangue?" Xiao Yu asked in surprise: "What kind of heavy cangue?"

Jin Lian said: "Haven't you seen a prisoner wearing a cangue in the government office? Two thick wooden boards clamp the hands and neck, and the waist is bent."

The government office of the living world has heavy cangues and the crime of wearing a cangue for public display; the Guan Chenghuang of the underworld also has them.

If you don't wear a cangue for public display, how can you warn others and alert the world?"