Chapter 263: Lord Pan and the Fox in the Courtyard

Several people sat in the main hall of the small courtyard. Outside the door was rain, and the rainwater flowed down the rain chain, making a crisp sound.

But in fact, this is winter rain, not as warm as spring rain, and not as soft as autumn rain, just feeling cold. If you can roast a charcoal fire, maybe you can have a few points of comfort. However, Lin Jue hasn't bought charcoal yet, and the money on him is not enough to buy charcoal. He has to wait for Luo Gong to come back to buy it.

However, the fox that had just finished raining walked back to the corridor, but just shook its body, and sprayed a mist of water. Then, like the lid of a pot being suddenly opened when cooking, a burst of white gas rose, and its body was immediately dry and comfortable.

The other Lord Pan, although dripping with water, seemed not to care at all, just sitting and explaining to Lin Jue:

"Although I was the Wei Shui God before, the Wei Shui seems to be a big river and flows through the capital, but how many generals really hold military power beside the emperor?

"The Wei Shui's mistake is that it flows past the capital.

"I have never had the ability to make decisions.

"Later, the world was about to change, and I couldn't make decisions even more.

"The world scolded me for being useless, but I was just a river god sealed by heaven. What could I do?

"Later, a Long Wang came to the Wei Shui. It didn't seem to have anything special, but it had a background. The reason why it didn't show any extraordinary was just waiting for the opportunity in silence.

"As time went on, maybe it was getting closer to the opportunity it was waiting for, maybe it couldn't help its greed, its courage became bigger and bigger, and it did more and more chaos on the Wei Shui, and it coveted this Wei Shui more and more.

"Finally...

"Alas, a moment of carelessness, I was designed and harmed by it and the old turtle named Green Water Daoist under its command.

"..."

Lord Pan didn't explain in detail how he was harmed to death by the Long Wang and the Green Water Immortal. Perhaps he couldn't bear to say it, just sighed alone.

At this time, he couldn't see his bad temper.

Lin Jue also sat on the side and listened silently.

I don't know how much of what he said is true or false, but thinking carefully, it makes some sense.

Not to mention these, he is also quite pitiful.

As a god of a big river, it is one thing to be harmed by yaoguai, but how many people want to harm him and plot against him, more than just one Long Wang?

That Western Mountain Mansion Lord has a higher status than the Wei Shui God. At this time when the world is about to change, he married his most capable adopted daughter to him. Isn't it also plotting the authority of this Wei Shui?

That night, I didn't feel it, but now thinking carefully, that Qin woman chased the Third Senior Brother all over the world. How could she be as weak and pitiful as she showed that night?

The Western Mountain Mansion Lord let her go to the Wei Shui, just to seize power.

The Daoist pondered.

The fox sat quietly on the side.

Lin Jue quickly shook his head, threw away distracting thoughts, didn't want to think about these, just asked again: "Then why did you turn into this Lord Pan and come here?"

"To tell you the truth, this Lord Pan was originally a fisherman by the river. He lived in poverty and loved to drink. He often exchanged fish for wine money. I have heard some strange stories in the world. Often there are dragon kings, water gods, and even water ghosts under the water who make friends with Daoists who love to drink. It happened that I also had bitterness, so I imitated the things in the stories, went ashore to make friends with him, and poured out my worries to each other.

"He bought wine to drink with me, and I used a little divine power to help him catch more fish.

"As time went on, there was some friendship."

The fox lowered its head and licked its protective fur. Hearing such stories, it also raised its head and stared at Lord Pan.

Heavenly Master Fan on the side had been sitting without saying a word, like a living immortal, silently listening to them, but hearing this, a hint of hidden yearning flashed in his eyes.

This "god" is imitating the things in the strange stories of gods and ghosts in the world, but he did it. Isn't this another strange story of gods and ghosts that happened by the Wei Shui?

This kind of immortal thing, "Heavenly Master" also yearns for it.

Only hearing Lord Pan pause, sighed and said:

"However, when the Long Wang plotted against me, it caused the water level of the Wei Shui to rise and the tide to be turbulent. This Lord Pan also died under the hands of this yaoguai like me. We both had the same unwillingness, and more importantly, he still had an old mother to take care of at home. We agreed that he would go through reincarnation, and I would borrow his body to go ashore to find an opportunity for revenge, and also take care of his old mother.

"So I borrowed his body and name, turned into this Lord Pan, and entered the Ju Xian Fu.

"This is also good. Originally, I had the name of the Wei Shui God, but I couldn't do anything, and I didn't dare to say anything. Now that I have died once and gone ashore, I finally have a little bit of the original magic power, and I can inform the people by the shore about the water level and the tide. It is better than before."

"So that's it." Lin Jue nodded and said, "Then how did Lord Pan know that the Long Wang was indeed eliminated by me?"

"The Zhenren's house has his smell."

"..."

Lin Jue thought about it a little, it should be the reason for the dragon horn.

However, at this time, Lord Pan had already stood up.

Before, when Lin Jue welcomed him into the house, he bowed to Lin Jue in the heavy rain. Now that he talked about this, his expression became excited again, and he wanted to kneel and worship Lin Jue.

Lin Jue naturally stopped him.

But he stopped his knees, but didn't block his mouth.

"The Zhenren avenged me. It is a great kindness. From now on, in this life in the world, if the Zhenren has anything to do, just open your mouth. I will go through fire and water, and I will not resign even if I die!"

"..."

Lin Jue listened and just smiled, changing the subject: "Your nose is quite sensitive."

"The nose was not sensitive, thanks to the water vapor in the rain."

"So that's it." Lin Jue nodded, "I really have one thing I want to ask you."

"Don't dare, don't dare, Zhenren, just open your mouth."

"I have a junior sister. Although she practices yin-yang spiritual arts like me, her talent is in the five elements. I have always wanted to find an orthodox five elements spiritual art for her. I don't know where I can find it?"

"This... although I have been a god for hundreds of years, I have never practiced the Dao like the Daoists of the Lingfa Sect, but I have heard the words 'five elements spiritual art', but I don't know the truth," Lord Pan was embarrassed and ashamed, "There are several loose cultivator Daoists in the Ju Xian Fu. I know they practice five elements spiritual arts, but I don't know where they came from, and I don't know if they are orthodox. They have always been unwilling to pass them on to others."

"Hmm..."

Lin Jue also thought about it.

It doesn't matter if you don't know if it's orthodox. As long as it is a five elements spiritual art, if you look at it,

However, since others were unwilling, he could not force them.

Seeing this, Pan Gong felt even more ashamed.

This was his benefactor who had avenged his death, and just a moment ago, he had told him to speak up if he needed anything. Now that the other party had truly asked, he was unable to help...

If he could not repay this kindness, he might as well die again!

"Right! Although the Five Elements Spiritual Method is an orthodox cultivation technique, it is not considered extremely rare. The Ju Xian Fu scripture library must contain relevant ancient books, but I don't know which pavilion they are in!" Pan Gong thought of this and spoke up hurriedly, "The Zhenren has just affiliated with Ju Xian Fu, so perhaps he cannot enter yet, but I have managed to get a gold nameplate. I will go find them for the Zhenren."

"Can they be borrowed?"

"I will bring them out word for word!" Pan Gong said without hesitation.

Fan Tian Shi, who was sitting cross-legged upright nearby like a living immortal, had been silently listening to them speak with indifference, but at this moment, he could not help himself—

At first, seeing this bad-tempered Pan Gong be so respectful to Lin Jue, he was somewhat surprised but felt it was reasonable, and he even gained a bit more respect for Pan Gong's character. However, seeing him be so enthusiastic toward Lin Jue, for some reason, he suddenly began to feel flustered.

He didn't want the two of them to isolate him instead.

"Although I do not cultivate the Five Elements Spiritual Method, I can also help you, fellow Daoist!" Fan said.

"Many thanks to you both." Lin Jue smiled and refused, "This clumsy method, let's forget it."

Looking at the current state of Ju Xian Fu, if both of them could obtain a gold plate so quickly, how much time could he possibly spend?

Perhaps it would be faster than them memorizing it.

He didn't want them to memorize it wrong and get him involved as well.

Afterward, they chatted here for a few more sentences.

The water on Pan Gong's body finally dripped dry, flowing all over the main room; the floor would likely be ruined by the soaking.

Lin Jue pinched a dharma seal and waved his hand, and the accumulated water on the ground immediately condensed into a stream, flying into the curtain of rain outside. It accidentally brushed against the rain chain, causing it to shake incessantly, resulting in another round of crisp clanging sounds.

"It is getting late. I am a newcomer here and am penniless, with nothing to host guests with, so you two should go back and rest."

"Farewell."

"Taking my leave."

"Right, I have a little ghost here that has a habit of asking for directions by entering people's dreams at night. I intended to advise it not to do so, but it could not understand me, so I had to mention it to you two." Lin Jue exhorted them, "If you encounter it, do not make things difficult for it."

"Rest assured, fellow Daoist."

"Right, Zhenren—"

Pan Gong, who had already stood up, suddenly remembered and said to him:

"This residence has been uninhabited for a long time, and two foxes have caused trouble here. They are likely hiding in the courtyard where the Zhenren lives, often coming out to scribble and draw, or manifesting and wandering about at dawn and dusk, which is very annoying. On my way back just now, I saw them writing two lines on the outer wall again. Shall I find these two foxes and get rid of them for the Zhenren? To avoid disturbing the Zhenren's quiet cultivation!"

Hearing this, Fan Tian Shi also looked at Lin Jue.

"Oh?" Lin Jue asked curiously, "What did they write?"

"Something like 'Watching mountains and water, sitting alone... listening to wind and rain, sleeping peacefully'... They often write these kinds of things..."

"Eh?"

Lin Jue was somewhat surprised—

Weren't these the sentences he recited this afternoon?

He then shook his head and smiled.

"Forget it. Since these foxes haven't harmed anyone, ordinary families wouldn't easily drive them away, so why should we get rid of them?"

"Humans and yaoguai are different after all."

"Although they are different, there is a distinction between good and evil, and they all possess a human heart. Not all yaoguai are like that Long Wang." Lin Jue said, then asked another question, "Did you two arrive first, or did they?"

"They were already here when I arrived," Pan Gong said.

"They were already here when I arrived as well, but they have become more active in the last year," Fan said.

"See, they were here first. If we get rid of them because of this small matter, then who is the yaoguai?" Lin Jue waved his hand, "Let's wait until they cause trouble before deciding."

"I think so too." Fan Tian Shi chimed in at the right time, "Although these two are a bit unruly, they are also free-spirited. Besides, they have been here for so long and have never harmed anyone. Thinking about it, their writing and drawing also have a certain elegance."

Pan Gong had nothing more to say and had to leave.

The rain happened to stop.

Lin Jue went out during twilight to take a look and truly saw these two lines on a wall—

Watching mountains and water, sitting alone; listening to wind and rain, sleeping high.

They must have heard them when he was reciting them, and on a whim, they wrote them on the wall.

"Heh..."

It really did have a bit of the flavor of those fox yaoguai in stories.

Lin Jue smiled and walked back to the small courtyard.

After thinking for a moment, he stopped in the courtyard and said to the foxes in the courtyard:

"I do not know where you are, but since you were here first, I will not drive you away. From now on, the second floor of this pavilion will be your residence. We shall imitate ordinary families and split the first floor between us.

"However, we must agree on three rules:

"The Daoist also needs to sleep peacefully; I will not disturb you easily, and you must not disturb me at night;

"The Daoist has cultivation matters to attend to; you must not enter or peek into our bedroom and quiet room;

"Both humans and yaoguai have privacy; I will not pry into your affairs, and you must not eavesdrop on our conversations. If you happen to hear something, you must not spread it outside.

"I am Lin Jue, and I offer my greetings first."

Only then did Lin Jue return to his room and close the door.

He did not expect that after his earlier remark about being "a newcomer and penniless," Fan Tian Shi would send him charcoal, wine, food, and dried oranges, and Pan Gong would also bring him a few strips of salted meat.

Even more unexpectedly, the foxes also had gratitude—

At this time, Lin Jue was poor and had no spare money. He had only bought a little over a jin of rice from an old farmer who came to the door early in the morning, but after eating it for several days, it had not decreased at all.

In a few days, it would be the day the Crown Prince would visit Ju Xian Fu, as mentioned by Wu Ling Shi.

The Ju Xian Fu government office next door clearly became lively.

It was feared that many high-level jianghu experts and eccentric people wanted to show off their magical skills before the Crown Prince. Lin Jue naturally also wanted to bask in the Crown Prince's glory and go to see for himself.