Chapter 414: Mountain Village Ritual

"Ba people's salt boiling site?"

Li Yan frowned after hearing this.

"That's right."

"Fast Boat Zhang" nodded, "There are quite a few such places. Along the Yangtze River in Badong and Wushan, especially near Wuxi, they can be seen everywhere, and you can even see the ancient Ba people's hanging coffins."

"There's nothing strange inside. Occasionally, you can find some broken pottery and ironware, none of which are valuable, so no one cares."

"This matter is not strange."

Wang Wang Daoxuan looked at the surroundings and stroked his beard, "This place is where the ancient Ba State was located. Near Wuxi, it is very likely to be the Wuxian State rumored in the Classic of Mountains and Seas."

"The Ba State obtained its salt, without weaving or spinning, and had clothes; without farming or harvesting, and had food. They relied on selling salt to have no worries about food and drink, so salt is called 'Yanba' (salt), and they were eventually destroyed because of this."

"The nest of the 'Guest in the Fog' is in the salt field. I think its roots are mostly related to the ancient Ba State..."

As he spoke, he looked at Li Yan.

There was no need to say it explicitly, Li Yan immediately understood what he meant.

The most terrifying thing in this world is time. If one does not ascend to divinity, it is ultimately a void, even for those monsters and ghosts.

From the prehistoric era to the present, still able to survive...

It's definitely not an ordinary ghost or monster!

"This matter cannot be taken lightly."

Li Yan pondered slightly, then said, "First, help the Zhang family survive this disaster. After we figure out the roots of that thing, we'll make plans."

Zhang Zhang Sibei was a bit disappointed. According to his idea, since they were experts, they should just directly destroy the evil spirit. Why be so cautious?

But seeing "Fast Boat Zhang" follow Li Yan's lead, he couldn't say anything more. He had people re-bury the grave and turned back.

As for the snake spirit, it seemed to have been scared out of its wits and didn't dare to enter the village, drilling into the grass and running away without a trace.

Returning to Jinyangping, it was already afternoon.

Seeing the knife mountain already set up outside the door, Li Yan pondered for a while, then approached Xie Chengzhu and cupped his hands, "Senior, we discovered some things..."

This Xie Chengzhu was a local sorcerer. Being able to insist on staying, although there was an element of fighting spirit, was also out of kindness.

To prevent accidents, Li Yan didn't hide anything.

"Old salt field?"

Xie Chengzhu frowned even tighter after hearing this, "What the 'Guest in the Fog' is, I don't know either. The only thing I can do is communicate with it tonight and try to find out its roots."

"If something happens again tonight, you should still persuade the Zhang family to move away early. Whether it's Qingcheng or Mount Wudang, as long as they live at the foot of the mountain, that thing shouldn't go to disturb them."

"Senior is right."

Li Yan smiled slightly and tried to ask, "Senior, I think your cloth for covering the god is not bad. I wonder if you can part with it?"

Xie Chengzhu raised his eyebrows, full of suspicion, "That thing, I also found it by accident, and it's very handy to use."

"If you really want it, then... then give me two thousand taels!"

Buying and selling magic artifacts wasn't anything, he gritted his teeth and quoted a not-so-small number, thinking he would have to bargain.

Who knew, Li Yan reached out directly, "Deal!"

"Old Sha, give him the money!"

"Ah?"

Xie Chengzhu was a bit stunned. He hesitated and nodded, "Good, that thing belongs to you. And that 'Duhuo divine coffin,' it's not a good thing. It's useless once taken out, it's better to destroy it early."

Li Yan was so generous that he felt he had suffered a loss.

But he couldn't understand this thing either, and it wasn't very useful in his hands. It was better to exchange it for some silver to renovate the ancestral altar...

Returning to the Zhang family, everyone immediately started getting busy.

Wang Wang Daoxuan took the compass and wandered around the house, occasionally inserting a few red sticks, wrapping them with red rope, and tying on evil-warding coins.

Lu San pulled out the increasingly fat Mouse Da and Mouse Er. With an order, all the house mice in Jinyangping began to stir, running in all directions to monitor.

Sha Sha Li Fei and Wu Ba prepared their weapons respectively.

As for Li Yan, he came to the box containing the "Duhuo divine coffin" and, without a word, grabbed the dirty red cloth.

Instantly, a force poured into the Great Luo Dharma Body.

Li Yan closed his eyes slightly, observing internally.

He saw that the texture on the Great Luo Dharma Body had changed again.

Originally, this treasure was of broken bluestone quality, later it became ceramic-like after repairs and enhancements.

And now, pale golden patterns appeared on it, outlining on the lotus platform below, seemingly wanting to outline the outline.

It's a pity that the fortune contained in the cloth for covering the god was too little, only outlining two lotus petals, and it had no effect.

It was still increasing strength!

Li Yan felt inexplicably disappointed in his heart.

It wasn't that it wasn't good, but there was no new change.

The Great Luo Dharma Body now had three changes.

One is repair, two is enhancement, and three is absorbing divine gang energy to increase the power and length of the soul-hooking thunder rope.

Perhaps, only by further improving the Great Luo Dharma Body could new changes appear...

The cloth for covering the god had no effect, and the aura of the "Duhuo" was revealed again. This time, the feeling was clearer. It seemed to have a fragrant medicinal scent, but it carried a coldness that made people uncomfortable.

Li Yan was thoughtful and put his hand on it again.

This kind of precious medicine also belongs to heavenly treasures.

But precious medicine is more suitable for curing diseases and refining medicine. For example, the precious medicine Wang Yanling Grass they found was refined into pills by Wang Wang Jingxiu, and once taken, it could immediately stop bleeding and heal wounds.

At critical moments, it could save lives.

He had the Great Luo Dharma Body, but other companions could use it.

It would be a pity to destroy it directly.

This was the first time Li Yan had absorbed precious medicine. According to his deduction, this kind of thing with strong vitality is usually used to repair the Dharma Body.

Sure enough, a wave of fortune poured in, and the Great Luo Dharma Body, which was already perfect, had no change at all.

Li Yan frowned slightly, stopped immediately, took out a broken soul flying knife, and cut open the coffin-shaped Duhuo directly.

Accompanied by the cold stench, a stream of black water flowed out.

Flowing out with the black water was a strange insect, a bit like a cicada, but with a centipede's body, stiff all over, and already dead.

Others also ran over to watch.

Seeing this, they all shook their heads, and no one recognized this thing.

And Li Yan, looking at this insect, inexplicably thought of Liu Gang and his wife, who had prepared an Earth Immortal body for him.

This thing was a body prepared by a ghost-god for itself.

Could it be the same path...

Although this strange insect was already dead, it was stinking all over, emitting an unsettling smell, clearly not a good thing.

"Wait."

Li Yan was about to use thunder magic to destroy it, but Wang Wang Daoxuan suddenly spoke, shaking his head, "I have gained some insights recently. I can use the 'Seven Arrows Secret Curse' to turn this thing into a trap. Even if it doesn't curse the evil thing to death, it can find where the other party is."

Sha Sha Li Fei on the side laughed, "Daoist, you have such talent for curse magic, why hide it? Why not just change your profession..."

Wang Wang Daoxuan shook his head bitterly, not knowing what to say.

Jokes aside, the Daoist was not sloppy at all. He quickly found a straw man, pinched a magic formula while reciting, wrote talismans, and finally stuffed the insect into the straw man, tied it with red thread.

The Wang Wang Daoxuan altar was set up in the back courtyard, and the front courtyard was for the Hall Play. Li Yan went out of the courtyard again, and after inserting all the Five Directions Luo Feng Flags, everything was ready.

He glanced into the distance, killing intent appearing in his eyes.

With so many preparations, even if the other party was a mountain god, they would have to peel off a layer of skin if they came.

Their strength was no longer what it used to be...

…………

Dang! Dang! Dang!

Night fell, and the gongs and drums sounded.

The entire Zhang family mansion was brightly lit, while the other common people in Jinyangping closed their doors and windows, and even hung peach branches and charcoal at the door to ward off evil.

The village was remote. In the past, when someone came to perform a play, even the worst theater troupe would have people running to join the fun.

But now, no one dared to get close.

Having walked in the mountains for many years, they were even more taboo about these things.

The Zhang family was rich, so they naturally wouldn't be stingy with the funeral, but many servants had run away, and even the chef they invited had left early.

!.

Therefore, the food was really not good.

Meatballs, tofu, winter melon, cabbage, and cured meat were all stewed in a large pot, soaked with unleavened cakes, which could fill their stomachs.

Li Yan, Sha Sha Li Fei, and Wu Ba each took a large bowl, crouched on the steps of the front courtyard, and watched the play while eating.

The "Yellow Baby" came to hook souls, mostly at the hour of the Rat (11 PM - 1 AM).

It was still early, and they had already made preparations, so naturally, they were in the mood to watch the play.

This theater troupe was quite particular. Even though there were only a few of them, they still performed the play properly.

Dang dang dang!

A burst of urgent gongs and drums served as the opening music.

Soon, a girl dressed as a young maid appeared, her steps light, holding four characters in her hand, singing while hanging them in the four directions of east, west, north, and south.

They were written respectively: Fortune, Prosperity, Longevity, Happiness.

Soon, a clown appeared with clappers, shaking his head and singing: "In the first month of the new year, firecrackers sound for the new year. The spring breeze in the second month is like scissors, cutting out willow leaves that are thin and clever..."

This is "Twelve Months," which is found almost everywhere in the country. Coupled with the previous sending of characters, in some theater troupes, it is called "Setting the Stage."

After "Setting the Stage," the main play began.

They used the local dialect, and the singing style was similar to folk songs, with a mountain flavor, completely different from Qin opera or Chu opera.

To tell the truth, it was hard to be elegant, but it was quite interesting.

Li Yan and the others couldn't understand much, but they could vaguely tell that they were singing "Recommending Ge at Zoumaling," and added many folk slang dialogues. The civil and military officials blew their beards and stared, making several people laugh.

And that Xie Chengzhu sat in another room, holding a wooden board made of ox horn, praying, shaking it with a clatter.

From the moment night fell, he had been divining, once every half hour, and his face was getting uglier.

Finally, after his disciples finished a play, Xie Chengzhu walked out directly and shouted, "Stop singing, set up the altar, start directly!"

"Women, the elderly, and those in poor health, all leave the Zhang family. No matter what you see, don't come over."

"You few, prepare with me!"

Zhang Zhang Sibei also asked him for help to prevent accidents.

As for Li Yan and the others, they politely declined. They were here to help, and if they took money, they would lose their status.

Two groups of people took action at the same time. Originally, it was a taboo, but the situation was complicated, so both sides used their own methods to help the Zhang family survive the disaster.

Soon, a magic altar was set up outside.

The appearance of the magic altar was similar to that of the Daoist Mystic Sect, but the statue worshipped was a majestic White Tiger.

The Tujia people believe that everything has a spirit.

Some worship ancestral gods, such as the ancient Earth King, the Eight Great Gods, etc., and some worship the Meishan God.

Worshipping the White Tiger is because they call themselves "descendants of the White Tiger."

Xie Chengzhu was also ready. He wore a red magic robe, his head wrapped in black cloth, and his face wore a ferocious Nuo mask.

The incense smoke curled up from the altar. Amidst the sound of gongs, drums, and suona, Xie Chengzhu wore the Nuo mask, dancing and reciting spells, holding a handful of incense to pay respects to the gods of the four directions and heaven and earth.

Although it was different from the Daoist Mystic Sect, Li Yan could still smell a vast power gathering from the mountain forest.

This is the mountain gang evil, carrying a trace of ferocity and solemnity.

White Tiger God...

Li Yan vaguely guessed the identity.

These vulgar gods cannot be separated from incense.

The identity of the White Tiger God is the ancient Linjun, the founder of the Ba State, worshipped by the Tujia people for generations, stretching for thousands of years, naturally a powerful vulgar god.

This place is where the ancient Ba State was located, and its power is even stronger.

And Xie Chengzhu also entered a wonderful state. He held salt, sprinkled it everywhere, held an ox horn, recited spells, and took off his shoes.

Beside the magic altar, there were three young men. They were shirtless, their heads wrapped in black cloth, and they also knelt and worshipped the god altar with bare feet.

Whoosh~

A gust of wild wind blew, the salt on the ground rolled, gathering under the feet of the young man in the middle, getting more and more.

And that young man also instantly rolled his eyes, kept trembling, and stood up in a strange posture.

Xie Chengzhu immediately stepped forward, carried the young man on his back, waved the ox horn, and walked step by step toward the knife mountain while reciting spells.

This knife mountain was divided into two parts, one part lying horizontally on the ground, and the other part forming a ladder, hanging high.

Seeing everyone watching intently, "Fast Boat Zhang" whispered, "I've heard of this thing. There are seventy-two knives on the ground, called 'Treading Earth Knives,' and thirty-six knives on the ladder, called 'Treading Heaven Knives'."

Wang Wang Daoxuan said thoughtfully: "It has some methods of a spirit medium, and also the ways of the Heavenly Gang and Earthly Sha. It seems that the fusion of the local and Han people is changing the arts as well..."

"Roar!"

Arriving in front of the earth knives, the disciple who was originally trembling suddenly changed like a different person, suddenly raised his head, let out a tiger roar, and jumped out, stepping directly on the blade.

"Hiss——!"

Sha Sha Li Fei saw this and gasped.

Not out of fear, but an instinctive chill down his spine.

The blade was sharp and peerless, flashing with cold light under the torch, and the disciple fell heavily, but was unharmed.

While walking, he danced.

Xie Chengzhu was also on the side, waving the ox horn and reciting spells, dancing the Nuo dance, seemingly cheering him on.

Whoosh~

Just after taking twelve steps, suddenly a cold wind blew.

"It's coming!"

Li Yan frowned and looked into the distance.

At this moment, the bright moon was high in the night, so everyone could see clearly that in the dark mountain forest in the distance, white fog surged like a tide, and soon submerged the entire village.

"Something's wrong!"

Li Yan suddenly felt a chill down his spine, and a smell that made people uncomfortable surged into his nasal cavity, and it was vaguely familiar.

Guanzhong, cave, Japanese monk...

Wang Wang Daoxuan on the side also jumped his eyebrows, his face ugly, "What 'Guest in the Fog,' it's clearly a 'Sheng' (evil) god, the evil energy of heaven and earth. No wonder Lingyunguan could only suppress it."

"Quick, make them stop the ritual!"

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 415 =====