Chapter 317: Knife-Grinding Rain

Bestowing a secular god title is not that simple.

Since ancient times, there have been Yin souls, monsters, and spirits that speak in dreams, asking the common people for incense offerings, and their methods are all different.

Some are still decent, protecting one side, and even giving some benefits, such as driving away insect and rat disasters, or like the Yellow Demon God of the Three Gorges, saving people in distress on the river...

Some deliberately cause disasters, let the common people offer incense, and then eliminate them, cheating for incense...

Still others are direct, either making waves or asking the common people to offer blood sacrifices, offering boys and girls, which is also the origin of many monster legends...

In those ancient and turbulent periods, this kind of method could succeed, but now, all sacrificial rites have regulations from the imperial court and orthodox Mystic Sects.

All such things are considered licentious sacrifices.

Whether it is the orthodox sect or the Dharma lineage, they can all cut down mountains and destroy temples.

So wanting to obtain the position of a secular god is not as simple as just saying it. It cannot be separated from the support of the imperial court.

For example, the Yellow Demon God saved many common people in the local area and met high-ranking imperial officials passing by, and even appeared to meet them.

Li Jifu in the Tang Dynasty and Kou Zhun in the Song Dynasty encountered storms when passing through the Three Gorges, and this god came out to save them, even consuming power to appear before mortals and beg.

In short, the era has changed.

There are two difficulties for Alligator Master to obtain the position of a secular god.

First, as a different kind, she will naturally be excluded unless she establishes merit and is widely praised by people.

Second, it cannot be separated from the cooperation of the Mystic Sect and the imperial court.

East of Ezhou is the sphere of influence of the Zen Sect, and to the west, the Zhenwu Palace has the final say. Alligator Master's area of activity happens to be sandwiched between the two, so I fear she has to say good things to both sides.

Also, there must be someone in the court to support her.

If this matter is done, it will definitely be of great benefit.

It might be difficult on weekdays, but now Li Yan has thought of a good entry point, which is the war in the southwest!

Thinking of this, Li Yan checked the map carefully again.

There are quite a few old monsters hidden in the mountains and forests of Ezhou. They are a bit like wild beasts, each having their own territory, and the relationships between them are good and bad.

For example, on the Xiangyang side of the Han River, there is an old spirit called the Nanmu Great King, which is a heavenly treasure Nanmu wood sunk in the river, which has become a demon after absorbing the Yin energy of the water vein for a long time...

And for example, on the water channel to Dongting Xiangjiang, there is another old demon lurking, receiving sacrifices from the Tusi City, whose strength is even more powerful, and even East Lake Ancestor is suppressed and cannot move south.

And major events like wars in the human world often involve monsters, the most famous being Dayu controlling the floods and Wuzhiqi.

With careful planning, Alligator Master can also make contributions in the great war.

If this matter succeeds, the team will have a strong reinforcement.

Alligator Master becoming a water god will definitely restrain and subdue many aquatic tribes. Within her sphere of influence, they will have a water army.

Taking action against people is definitely not okay.

But if they encounter some powerful water monsters and spirits, Lv San can set up a Dharma altar, and Alligator Master will come to beat the other side.

And for some heavenly treasures, they can also ask her for help in searching.

In short, there are many benefits.

As for the other two of the Three Treasures.

Xirang is too mysterious, and even Alligator Master hasn't heard of it.

But there is news about the Wang Chan Ancestor's Scripture Forest, which is in the Xiangyang area, and some mysterious people are secretly searching for it.

They captured and enslaved some alligator monsters that had just developed spiritual intelligence, and Alligator Master once took action to rescue them, only then did she learn about this...

Of course, this matter still needs to be carefully planned.

Just at this moment, Lv San in the other room pushed the door and came out, already dressed, looking like he was about to leave.

Li Yan also went out, "Leaving now, not eating breakfast?"

Lv San said in a muffled voice: "Eat when I get back."

Li Yan saw it and knew what was going on.

Lv San left in a hurry yesterday, only bringing the demon gourd and the falcon, while the little fox and the two mice remained in the Chamber of Commerce.

The threat from the Tian family has not been eliminated, so Lv San is not at ease.

Li Yan didn't say much, nodded and said: "Okay, then be careful on the road. I will provide protection here, you take care of things over there, and after the 'Knife-Grinding Rain' passes, we can reunite."

There are only two days left until the Dharma artifact is refined.

Even if there is defense from the Jinzhou Chamber of Commerce here, he is not at ease and must stay behind, waiting for the Dharma artifact to be successfully refined.

And the Chamber of Commerce has many experts and is in Near Wuchang City, so as long as Lv San can warn in advance, he is not afraid of evil people sneaking in.

After sending Lv San away, Li Yan ran to the backyard to check.

Master Lu's movements were indeed fast. Various Dharma artifacts had already taken shape, and now only some finishing work remained.

Just waiting for the thirteenth day of the fifth lunar month to perform the consecration ceremony.

And Sha Sha Li Fei, under Master Lu's guidance, had already mastered the preparation method of new-style gunpowder, and some firearms could also be improved.

"Brother Yan, here, take it for self-defense!"

Sha Sha Li Fei was full of exhaustion, but his eyes were full of excitement, and he proudly took out two fire caltrops and handed them to Li Yan.

These two fire caltrops were only the size of a fist, the shell was completely made of iron, and scales were outlined, like a pineapple, already having the prototype of a hand grenade.

The only trouble is that it needs to be lit manually.

Li Yan understood, knowing that it must have used the new-style gunpowder, took it carefully, and stuck it in the leather bag at his waist.

Sha Sha Li Fei didn't talk nonsense and turned to get busy again.

Although he was careless on weekdays, he was very clear about many things in his heart.

In the team, the strength of Li Yan and the three of them was improving rapidly. Although he was mainly responsible for communication, the power he came into contact with and the enemies he faced would become stronger and stronger.

Even if Li Yan was not the kind of heartless person, he would eventually become a burden and be targeted by others.

And the appearance of new-style firearms was his reliance!

Seeing everyone busy, Li Yan didn't disturb them either, returned to his room, cast aside distracting thoughts, and practiced meditation.

These two days, he didn't plan to run around.

For one thing, planning the secular god title for Alligator Master is not urgent. Now Baotong Zen Temple is in a mess, so it is not easy to mention it too much.

For another, the stick-shout in the Heart-Refining Hall the day before yesterday gave him many insights, so he just happened to take this opportunity to retreat and absorb them.

Not long after, the sound of thunder roared in the room...

…………

Unknowingly, two days passed, and it was the twelfth day of the fifth lunar month.

At night, the Daxiong Treasure Hall was brightly lit with candles.

"The Tyrant Well water is clear?"

Abbot Abbot Mingzhu was a bit surprised.

"Hmm."

Master Chengjue replied: "It started to change yesterday, the fishy smell disappeared, the sewage settled, and by this evening, it had become completely clear, and many common people nearby are burning incense."

"We asked the accompanying yamen runners, they didn't say at first, but later confessed that someone was possessed by something, and Lv San also came from the Chamber of Commerce, not knowing what he did..."

Abbot Abbot Mingzhu was thoughtful, "It seems it should be some mountain spirit or water monster making trouble. Why didn't Li Yan tell us clearly? Could there be hidden secrets?"

"This matter is not important."

Zen Master Master Tongxuan on the side said: "Although they have a martial world style, they also uphold the righteous path. We can ask clearly later. Tomorrow's matter is the focus."

As he spoke, he turned his head and said: "Junior Brother Master Tonghai, how are things on your side?"

Zen Master Master Tonghai is the person in Baotong Zen Temple most skilled in feng shui. Hearing this, he said: "These few days, people have been secretly spying near the Turtle and Snake Mountains, and we will send more experts to guard them tomorrow. However, the Parrot Island side will be under martial law tomorrow. The evil people will definitely know that this is the key point of the earth position. Not only will there be garrison soldiers blocking the periphery, but the Prince's Mansion will also send experts. If something happens, people on Turtle Mountain can also come to support..."

"Tomorrow is the birthday of the Protector Bright King Buddha. A grand sacrifice will be held at Guanling. All dragon boats here will enshrine the Protector Bright King Buddha statue. No matter who reaches the Parrot Island wharf, they can attract Buddha power and dredge the Yangtze River water vein."

"Several masters from the Shaolin Zen Sect have already hidden outside the Barbarian King's Tomb, just waiting for the White Tiger Evil to dissipate, and then they will enter the mountain to suppress and kill the evil people..."

"Hmm."

Zen Master Master Tongxuan nodded solemnly, "This calamity concerns the reputation of our Zen Sect, everyone must not be slack..."

……

Near Wuchang Prince's Mansion, the pavilion in the garden was brightly lit with candles.

Maidservants walked around, carrying wine and dishes, music played constantly, and numerous guards were hidden in the dark, looking at the surroundings vigilantly.

The person invited by the Prince's Mansion was Yu Lanshan.

This double-pupil feng shui master no longer had the down-and-out appearance from before. He was in a white shirt, black beard and white temples, and the double pupils in his eyes were sharp.

!.

The Prince of Near Wuchang smiled and raised his wine glass, "It is true that people nourish qi, and qi nourishes people. Master Yu's words are indeed correct."

"I must thank the Prince for his help."

Yu Lanshan raised his glass and said in a deep voice: "I was born humble and always had demons in my heart. During this time, I have had the Prince's authority to fully display what I have learned, and I have already dispelled the demons. After this matter, my cultivation can go a step further."

"I toast the Prince a cup!"

After saying that, he drank the wine in the cup in one gulp.

"Hahaha..."

The Prince of Near Wuchang had a smile in his eyes and also drank the wine, "Standing high, one naturally sees further."

After saying that, he was silent for a moment, "I wonder what high opinion Master Yu has on that Nine-Headed Phoenix Vein?"

Yu Lanshan's heart trembled, but his face remained unchanged, and he said in a deep voice: "The so-called Nine-Headed Phoenix Vein is just ancient terrain. There is also the Snake Vein of Bashu that is the same."

"Duke of Zhou Dan carefully planned and cut it off, and I suspect that the First Emperor already knew about this and added fire to it. Since then, even if the Divine Land splits and merges, it will always be unified."

"Oh?"

The Prince of Near Wuchang became interested, "What fire is that?"

Yu Lanshan said in a deep voice: "In ancient times, there were major feng shui veins. Since Dayu controlled the floods and the nine tripods were cast with the destiny of the nine states, the firewood was already formed."

"Shang Tang drove away Hong Jie of Xia, the nine tripods moved to his capital, Pan Geng moved to Yin, and they were always enshrined in the imperial city. Later, the Duke of Zhou Dan moved them to Luoyi."

"King Zhuang of Chu asked about the tripods, the Zhou lost the tripods and the world was in chaos. After Qin destroyed Zhou, the First Emperor moved the nine tripods to Xianyang, and then they disappeared, and since then the world has been unified."

"The nine tripods might be that fire!"

"Of course, these are my guesses. No matter what happened at the beginning, the general trend is now set. The evil people of the Ghost Sect are acting against the heavens just to cause chaos in the Divine Land situation."

"They want to steal the country, it is all a delusion!"

After saying this, Yu Lanshan breathed a sigh of relief and fell into silence.

He is a human spirit, how could he not guess the meaning of the Prince of Near Wuchang asking him? If it were in the past, he would definitely do anything to get ahead.

But after his character improved a step further these days, he indeed had a kind of realization.

There are more people who stand higher and see further than him.

They have the opportunity of the universe in their chests, and how many people will mess around for the sake of worldly fame and fortune? So even if they see something, they remain silent.

These words were also a warning.

If the Prince of Near Wuchang is obsessed, then after he finishes this matter, he must find a way to escape...

"Hahaha."

The Prince of Near Wuchang laughed, but his face showed a smile, "Good, I didn't misjudge you. Master Yu, just wait with peace of mind."

Yu Lanshan was first puzzled, and then cold sweat seeped out of his back.

Feng shui arts concern destiny. Ordinary families just want wealth, but in the royal family, there are many taboos.

If this Prince of Near Wuchang had rebellious intentions, he would only secretly take him in, how could he be so ostentatious.

If he had catered to him with the heart of a petty person before, I fear that after this matter, his life would be lost.

The Prince of Near Wuchang smiled slightly and stopped talking about this matter, but asked about the Dharma ritual tomorrow...

……

At the same time, in the mountains and forests outside Near Wuchang City.

In a dilapidated old tomb, there were also roaring torches.

This old tomb is an imperial tomb of the Great Song Dynasty, which had long been looted, and it was quite large inside.

Protector Wang of the Heavenly Saint Sect stood with his hands behind his back, looking at a dragon boat before him. Several craftsmen were carefully covering it with a layer of leather and carefully drawing dragon scale patterns...

He frowned and said: "Can this thing really work?"

An old man with a lame leg nearby bowed and said: "Reporting to the Protector, this thing is the skin of a mountain python in Inside Shennongjia. Its greatest ability is to isolate supernatural investigation."

"If it weren't for the help of the Longxiang Army, we wouldn't have been able to catch this demon. We just need to cover it with leather, and the people of Baotong Zen Temple won't be able to detect the gunpowder inside."

"Good!"

Protector Wang nodded and asked in a deep voice: "How is the situation over there?"

The lame old man sneered: "Humph, the imperial court thinks they have the upper hand, but they don't know that we have captured monsters and refined them into a demon army. Coupled with new-style firearms, we will definitely make them taste bitterness."

"The leader said, as long as we succeed here and cut off the imperial court's army's food and grass, the demon army will be launched immediately. By then, the Heavenly Saint Duke will also be resurrected."

"Those wall-grasses in Tusi City will only fall with the wind. As long as we win a great victory, Tangya Tusi City will send troops with all their strength, and we will attack from both sides to pull out the nail of the Zigui garrison!"

"Good! Hahaha..."

Protector Wang was overjoyed, and the others in the cave were also full of excitement.

"How are the Fu siblings?"

"Shi Chen has been controlled. Halfway through the dragon boat race tomorrow, it will be replaced by us and head to Parrot Island to detonate."

"Hmm."

Protector Wang looked at everyone, his eyes full of ferocity, "Let's make preparations tomorrow. No matter if we succeed or not, we will directly attack Lianxi Temple and snatch the Red Red Mohe!"

"Yes, Protector!"

In the dark mountain cave, everyone bowed in unison...

…………

A night passed.

Before dawn, Li Yan got up early, practiced the Hong Quan disk technique for a while, and then pushed the door out.

He looked at the sky, and at some point, it was already covered with dark clouds, blocking the sky, and he couldn't even see the morning light.

This is the "Knife-Grinding Rain."

Just like the Qingming Festival, every year on the birthday of Captain Guan Sheng Di Jun, Ezhou always rains, sometimes big, sometimes small, and it never stops.

And today is also the birthday of Captain Guan Sheng Di Jun. The common people everywhere burn incense and pray, and temple fairs are constant.

Rumble!

Suddenly, a thunderclap resounded through the sky.

Li Yan turned his hand and drew the Duanchen Saber, slashing lightly in the rain.

Hum!

The sound of a dragon's roar rang out, as if grinding a knife...

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 318 =====