Chapter 31: Shadow Puppet Spring Breeze Troupe

"Ah this... why?"

Seeing Wang Daoxuan's flat refusal, Sha Lifei looked puzzled.

Even Li Yan looked at the Daoist.

During this period, he had learned a lot of Mystic Sect knowledge from Wang Daoxuan.

"Installing organs" originally came from the Buddhist sect. Whenever a Buddha statue is completed, it must be installed with symbolic internal organs, plus various rituals, to make the Buddha statue more spiritual.

There are many methods for installing organs, each sect has strict inheritance, and the process is complex.

For example, the purification method before installing organs: the inside of the Buddha statue needs to be cleaned and then fumigated with incense, then painted with safflower water, and finally fumigated with pine resin and frankincense.

For example, the selection of materials for the central vein, the combination of five-colored gemstones, and even strict regulations for the monks who perform the installation.

After Buddhism and Taoism took root in the Divine Land, building Buddha statues inevitably involved hiring skilled craftsmen who understood the Mystic Sect, and this method gradually spread and became popular.

Because if this method is used properly, it is easier to gather divine Gang.

I don't know why Wang Daoxuan is so wary.

Looking at the gazes of the two, Wang Daoxuan stroked his beard and shook his head: "Installing organs and inviting gods is nothing special. Almost every troupe will do it, some even have a hundred-year inheritance, the incense and divine Gang are prosperous, and there is no taboo about singing for ghosts and gods during the Mid-Yuan Festival."

"But this newly arrived shadow puppet troupe definitely has something strange."

"Xianyang City is not big, not small, and there are more than a dozen troupes. If they want to gain a foothold, they inevitably have to use some means."

"Inviting gods? I'm afraid they want to invite something else..."

"Besides, the shadow puppet troupe is different. Other troupes worship the Old Lang God, while shadow puppetry worships the great alchemist of the Han Dynasty, Shao Weng."

"Legend has it that during the Han Dynasty, Han Wu Di missed his deceased concubine, Lady Li. Li Shao Weng made a shadow puppet of Lady Li, painted it with colors, and installed wooden poles on its hands and feet. At night, he surrounded it with square curtains and lit candles. Han Wu Di was overjoyed after seeing it, so Shao Weng, this Mystic Sect expert, became the ancestor of the shadow puppet line."

"All dramas originate from entertaining gods, especially this shadow puppetry, which mostly performs vow-fulfilling plays, rain-seeking plays, sacrificial plays, and evil-dispelling plays. They perform during festivals, temple fairs, and weddings and funerals, with many rules and taboos. If he invited something else, I'm afraid the trouble will be even greater."

"If something goes wrong, people will definitely die!"

After the explanation, the two suddenly realized.

Sha Lifei scratched his head and cursed: "Treacherous coward, no wonder as soon as I mentioned it, that old dough-face took the initiative to come up. I guess other families didn't dare to take it."

This guy's skin was thick. Even if he let something slip, he didn't care at all. His eyes rolled, and he laughed: "Daoist, look, anyway, they are the ones inviting gods. We just need to get things done. As for what will happen in the future, it has nothing to do with us..."

"No."

Wang Daoxuan shook his head directly, "I can't get past this hurdle. If people really die, it will be too late to regret."

Li Yan also spoke: "Let's do as the Daoist says."

From the moment they met, he could see what kind of person Wang Daoxuan was.

The Daoist has a sincere heart. Even if he wants to make money, he must take the right path.

As a person of the Mystic Sect, it is not without reason that he has become so down-and-out.

Knock, knock, knock!

Just then, the sound of knocking on the door sounded outside the courtyard.

The three looked up and saw an old man in black with white hair standing outside the courtyard gate, looking at them with his hands knocking on the door. Under the oil-paper umbrella was a miserable face.

"May I ask, is this Daoist Wang?"

"Zhou Banzhu Zhou?"

Sha Lifei was puzzled first, then his face turned bad: "This 'Old White Face' is really fast. Zhou Banzhu Zhou, I'm afraid I was targeted by you as soon as I went out, right?"

"Following all the way, I didn't even notice. Good skills..."

"Old White Face" is an acquaintance of Sha Lifei and also the suona player of this troupe.

Sha Lifei didn't expect that he had just mentioned it, and before the matter was settled, the troupe leader had come to the door.

What made him feel even more embarrassed was that he could also be considered an old Jianghu hand, and he didn't even know when he was targeted. Wouldn't he lose face in front of Li Yan and the other?

Wang Daoxuan waved his hand to interrupt his words and said sincerely to the Zhou Banzhu Zhou: "This lay Buddhist, the Daoist knows what you want to do, but your line walks the Jianghu, relying on real skills. Borrowing the power of ghosts and gods will inevitably lead to harm..."

"The old man knows."

Zhou Banzhu Zhou sighed, his face even more bitter, "Please let the Daoist finish."

"The old man is Zhou Kangnian, the troupe is called the Spring Breeze Troupe. It was a hundred-year-old brand in Huayin. I saved some family wealth, thinking of making a name for myself in Xianyang first, and then going to Chang'an."

"This matter is all to blame on my rebellious son, who didn't know the dangers of the Jianghu. Just after arriving in Xianyang, he was designed by others to gamble, owed a large sum of money, and after returning, he had no face to see anyone, so he secretly hanged himself in the middle of the night."

"The old man spoiled him on weekdays, and it is my own fault that the white-haired person sends the black-haired person, but the old and young in the troupe are innocent, and they were forced to the door by the Iron Knife Society. If the debt is not paid off, none of them can leave."

"The old man knows this matter is dangerous, and is willing to bear the consequences alone. If something really happens, dying alone is fine, I just ask to resolve the current disaster..."

Li Yan, who was on the side, heard this, and sharp light flashed in his eyes.

That old monkey Zhou Pan has many disciples, good and bad.

Among them, two were originally ruffians on the street. After learning the true teachings of boxing, they gathered the ruffians and city foxes and social rats of Xianyang City, and each established two gangs, the Iron Tie Tie Dao Bang and the White Ape Gang.

With the support of the Shenquan Society, their power continued to expand, and they became the leaders of the black road in Xianyang City, each occupying the east and west cities, all doing business of bullying the market. The path is not right, and the money comes fast.

The purpose of the Shenquan Society after its establishment originally included protecting the neighbors, but these two disciples kept offering tributes, so the old monkey Zhou Pan turned a blind eye.

Sometimes when they offended Jianghu fellows, he would even come forward to settle it himself.

Therefore, these two gangs became increasingly rampant.

The Spring Breeze Troupe entered Xianyang for the first time and was naturally targeted by these people.

On the other side, seeing Wang Daoxuan still hesitating, Zhou Banzhu Zhou suddenly knelt on the ground with a thud, tears streaming down his face: "Daoist, please help."

"I know a method that can gather all the bad luck on me. As long as the old and young in the troupe can escape this disaster, the old man will have no regrets even if he dies!"

This Zhou Banzhu Zhou could follow Sha Lifei without being discovered, his skills were naturally good, and he had practiced internal strength. Although he was old and his Qi and blood were declining, he could still be considered a good hand.

Unexpectedly, he was forced to this point.

"Old Zhou Banzhu is benevolent."

Wang Daoxuan sighed, "I understand what you mean. Circumstances force people, and one cannot help oneself, but you must think clearly. If something really happens, it won't be as simple as the soul flying away and scattering..."

!.

Zhou Banzhu Zhou was overjoyed and gritted his teeth: "Please Daoist, take action."

"No rush."

Wang Daoxuan didn't rush to agree, and said calmly: "Go to your troupe first. Zhou Banzhu Zhou can wait outside. We will tidy up and go."

"Good, good!"

Zhou Banzhu Zhou was also used to human hearts and knew that Wang Daoxuan intended to send him away, but that someone was willing to agree was already a great gratitude, so how could he dare to say more.

As soon as he went out, Sha Lifei's face turned bitter, and he whispered: "Oh, Daoist, the taboo of ghosts and gods is still far away, but this villain is right in front of us."

"You didn't agree before, why did you agree now?"

Wang Daoxuan shook his head awkwardly, "This... the poor Daoist's heart softened."

Sha Lifei was about to continue persuading, but Li Yan on the side spoke: "Since we want to make a name for ourselves, why be afraid? This job can be done!"

When Sha Lifei heard this, he knew that Li Yan was probably trying to find a breakthrough from this Iron Tie Tie Dao Bang to deal with Zhou Pan, and couldn't help but sigh in his heart.

One is stubborn, one is crazy, he really had bad luck.

He had the heart to leave, but thinking of his own life of wind and rain, and still having a pile of debts, how could he be willing to go back and be that wheat harvester leader.

"Fine, do it!"

Thinking of this, he also gritted his teeth and became ruthless.

"No rush."

Wang Daoxuan waved his hand and said in a deep voice: "I once heard that there is a type of evil path in the shadow puppet gate, which uses human skin as a tool. When people are forced to the end, Buddha and demons are in one thought."

"Young Brother Yan, keep an eye on it. If they have already performed evil methods, then we will turn around and leave, and report to the officials directly!"

"Okay."

After making up his mind, the three of them packed their things and went out.

Zhou Banzhu Zhou was naturally pleasantly surprised and led the way in front...

…………

After going out, under the leadership of Zhou Banzhu Zhou, they walked through streets and alleys and unknowingly came to the northwest corner of Xianyang City.

Here, they were already near the Ma Wangmiao.

The Ma Wangmiao is dedicated to Lord Ma Wang, one of the Great Marshals of the Mystic Sect's Spirit Officials. They are found in many places, and the incense offerings are always flourishing.

Of course, this is also where the horse certificates are handled and where the Xianyang mule and horse market is located. It rained, the ground was muddy, and coupled with the smell of livestock, it was really unpleasant.

Wealthy families in Xianyang City naturally couldn't stand this smell.

So most of the people living here are poor people.

The Spring Breeze Troupe stationed here, one can imagine how down-and-out they were.

Under the leadership of Zhou Banzhu Zhou, the three turned into an old alley. The houses on both sides were all tattered, sewage flowed horizontally, and the ancient bluestone slabs were covered with mud.

Not long after walking, a large courtyard appeared in front.

It looked like it used to be a carriage shop, but it was already tattered.

Outside, there were more than a dozen people standing scattered, all with fierce faces, and their clothes were not worn properly. Some were bare-chested with tattoos, and some had flowers pinned next to their small hats.

Each of them carried sharp weapons, and their language was filthy.

And Li Yan, at this time, stopped, and his eyes showed a playful look.

The leader of this group of ruffians was actually an acquaintance.

It was Meng Haicheng, who had suffered a loss at his hands!

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 32 =====