Chapter 8, The Grand Gathering of Qionghua, The Celestial Trail on a Moonlit Night
Zhang Kui looked at Yu Wenchang
Indeed remarkable
The "Silver Sword Young Master" Chen Wushuang was so nervous that his palms were sweaty, frequently glancing around.
Various families compete to perform, while the common people applaud and watch. Vendors take the opportunity to do business, creating an atmosphere as lively as a temple fair. In the past two years, even nearby towns have come to join in the excitement.
... ...
Jinfeng Tower, the largest brothel in Sishui Ferry
Zhang Kui chuckled softly
Furthermore, there are those scattered individuals hidden among humanity; some are extinguished as soon as they are born, while others tend to band together
He has invested heavily this time, but as long as he obtains the "Kuxin Pill," and his father can extend his life by more than ten years, suppressing both internal troubles and external threats, then everything will be worth it
Zhang Kui's lips curled into a faint smile
Zhang Kui also sat in the attic, enjoying the view while looking around left and right
The "General's Tomb" is one of the burial caves.
Master Kui, may I serve you tonight?
The woman in white suddenly appeared out of nowhere, turned around to look behind her, and asked softly:
As the song concluded, the entire venue fell into silence
Perhaps they have other intentions and look down upon us, these willows and reeds.
Lingxiang looked somewhat jealous, her eyes darting around as her delicate hand glided down her chest. Suddenly, her expression turned to one of astonishment, her gaze transforming into a swirl of spring water
Xun Wind Carving
"Master Zhang, I am willing to offer a substantial sum to have you eliminate this calamity!"
A gust of wind suddenly arose, and Chen Wushuang appeared on the high platform. Ling Yancheng smiled lightly and handed over the brocade box.
Zhang Kui felt a strong itch in his heart
At this moment, the Yu residence was in complete disarray; the front yard was filled with the chatter of various individuals from the martial world, while the family members in the back yard were filled with fear and trepidation, and several walls were on the verge of collapse
The frail Yu Wenchang wore a bitter smile
Many ignorant commoners nearby hurriedly knelt down and began to bow their heads
What a pity?
As the lament of Lingxiang came to a halt, Zhang Kui squinted his eyes, deep in thought
The third day of April, the day when the Qionghua blossoms are in full bloom
This woman seems to have a great fondness for music, so several major sects secretly agreed to first drive away the idle onlookers, and then each family would find a place to sing and dance, relying on their own fortunes, without engaging in private competition.
Zhang Kui laughed heartily and took a sip of wine
However, it is rather coincidental that both the demons and the evil spirits are simultaneously present
To be honest, he is also very curious about this mysterious woman
Zhang Kui became interested upon hearing this
Saying this, he rose, bent down, and clasped his hands together
Unfortunately, the place where I encountered this demon the day before yesterday was precisely the 'Golden Wind Tower' chosen by our Tianying Villa
Thin and pale, as if he were ill. Oh, by the way, he was sitting quite far away, and when I went over to pour the wine, I faintly caught a whiff of a foul odor
Transaction completed
The woman, strikingly beautiful, waved her hand and produced an object.
What a pity
Zhang Kui took up the gourd and took a sip of wine
Life is short, while heaven and earth endure; a hundred years is but a fleeting moment, who can claim longevity? I yearn to ascend to immortality...
I am Chen Wushuang, and I have met Daoist Zhang
It is easy to say.
In front of the windowsill of the private room on the second floor, Li Dong'er, with the heart of a child, occasionally clapped her hands in delight
He is very eager to find a peer to exchange ideas with
Although the system is impressive, one must quickly accumulate experience. Learning alchemy is certainly essential, and at that time, spending money will be as effortless as flowing water
Subsequently, he hurried back to the Yu residence and instructed Yu Gaishan to summon all those who had drunk with Yu Wenchang that evening
It bears some resemblance to the later real estate encirclement, where several of the largest local factions, including Tianying Mountain Villa, Lingxiao Temple, and Shadaomen, joined forces to clear the area, creating a scene of peaceful competition
The nearby Liu Maoer exclaimed in surprise and quickly explained to Zhang Kui: "This Xunfeng Sculpture is a treasure of the Tianying Villa, and it takes several years to produce one. Once it reaches adulthood, it can tear apart tigers and leopards."
On the second floor, behind the railing of the private room, Zhang Kui had already changed into a luxurious outfit, sitting cross-legged in a grand armchair, with the former courtesan Lianxiang from Jinfeng Tower nestled beside him, occasionally feeding him wine or grapes
He hurried back to the private room
Looking at the gazes of several people, he spoke eloquently
Thank you, Fairy Xie, for bestowing the elixir
On the stage, the courtesan Ling Yanchen suddenly discovered that she was holding a small brocade box, about the size of a palm.
This place caters to merchants from the north and south, as well as wanderers from the rivers and lakes. Compared to the elegant poetry recitals and coy flirtations of the brothels in the big cities, the style here is much more intense, emphasizing clear pricing and immediate engagement, with comings and goings in a hurry
Yu Gaishan, who was standing nearby, became anxious upon hearing this. Regardless of the origins of this evil entity, it was evident that his son had already become a target
I am very curious, since everyone else is fine, why is it that the evil spirit has specifically targeted you
What are you following me for
No matter how fragrant the meat is, he cannot taste it; come, tell me again about that night.
In this world, demons and evil spirits are generally divided into two categories
The sound of the zither is melodious, and the red lips sing softly
Although some masters of alchemy can produce superior elixirs, most are controlled by the court. This 'Heartbreak Elixir' has led to fierce competition among many in the martial world, resulting in rivers of blood
Firstly, it is organized
The martial world may have its principles of righteousness, but it places greater emphasis on whose blade is swifter
Unfortunately, Zhang Kui spent several days visiting the entire brothel and even stayed for several nights, yet he did not discover any trace of evil spirits.
There is no rush, let's find a place to discuss in detail
I had hoped to encounter a kindred spirit, but I could tell at a glance that you are not a person
Suddenly, a gentle voice emerged from the night sky
The courtesan Ling Yanchen has stepped onto the high platform outside, with flowing veils, garments whiter than snow, delicate fingers caressing the zither, singing long to the moon.
It is well known that this region is rich in Qionghua flowers. Since 8 years ago, whenever the flowers bloom, a young maiden gracefully appears and casually bestows a grain of 'Bitter Heart Pill', which can extend one's life by more than a decade
Lianxiang pouted her lips and glanced at the audience below
Haha, how can I possibly accept this...
Where has Master Zhang gone
You ask where fairness lies
However, it is indeed a grand event for the common people
Fairy Lady
In this moment and scene, the courtesan Ling Yan gradually enters a state of being, gazing at the bright moon, her eyes filled with a sense of bewilderment and sorrow
They seem to have existed since time immemorial, often residing in famous mountains and rivers or treacherous places, exuding an air of mystery everywhere, which humans cannot venture into, regarding them as forbidden lands
Since the goal had been achieved, Ling Yancheng ceased to perform. Although the common people were somewhat disappointed, it was fortunate that Chen Wushuang was in a good mood and ordered the juggling troupe to continue their performance
It is as if a fairy has descended upon the mortal realm
With a furrowed brow, she reminisces about the past
What does the scholar in the black robe look like
Zhang Kui smiled as he drank a bowl of wine
Just like ... ... just like the muck in a gutter
On a tranquil night, the bright moon illuminates the hall, a gentle breeze stirs the curtains, the tents are raised high, fine wine fills the goblets, let us not indulge in revelry
There is no way out; Zhang Kui can only complete Chen Wushuang's commission first, and will pursue further investigations after the conclusion of the "Qionghua Meeting"
Throughout his journey, he has encountered numerous wandering Taoist priests and monks, but they were either martial artists or merely practitioners of ordinary talismans and chanting scriptures, with their Taoist skills truly being unremarkable
... ...
Only then did one see a woman appearing atop the tall flagpole, her white garments billowing, a light veil covering her face, motionless under the bright moon, as if standing on level ground
Master Zhang Dao is joking
Outside the Golden Wind Pavilion, a platform has been set up, featuring acrobatics and musical performances, creating a lively atmosphere for quite some time. The common people gathered in layers, with cheers and applause rising one after another
However, it is understandable; after all, it is rare to see someone from a prominent martial arts family, who dares to go out and mock others while sporting a handsome face.
Zhang Kui was also transfixed, filled with admiration in his heart
Good song, good melody, good beauty
Unfortunately, what I have practiced is the skills of a novice
He learned by chance that Yu Wenchang had actually visited Jinfeng Tower a few days before being possessed.
The clue has been interrupted again
The "Kuxin Dan," a pill capable of prolonging life, is certainly not something that an ordinary person can refine
At this moment, in the distance, there is a residential house roof.
Oh ... ...
Unfortunately, the black-robed scholar mentioned by Lianxiang was not among them, and everyone else also stated that they had never seen this person, only assuming he was a friend of someone else
He has changed into a different outfit, speaking humbly and politely, completely devoid of the imposing aura he once had when he dominated the world.
What is the matter with it
Many people in the audience stared blankly, their eyes filled with fascination, even the waiter holding the tray stood there in a daze
Why does someone who practices immortality need to earn money
Daoist, I too am utterly perplexed and feel wronged
After accepting Chen Wushuang's invitation, he disguised himself as a chivalrous hero and plunged into Jinfeng Tower, where he ate and resided.
It is not unusual for a wealthy scholar to visit a brothel
"Master Zhang, I have an ungracious request. My father is elderly, and this time the 'Bitter Heart Pill' is crucial for Tianying Villa. To avoid any unforeseen circumstances, I kindly ask you to handle this matter discreetly. Tianying Villa is willing to offer a Xunfeng sculpture in return."
He raised his fist towards the night sky
As he spoke, a silver ingot had already slipped into the fragrant dish
What is the true state of the world of cultivation
On the stage of the front building, a woman in white is seated on the cashmere blanket, playing the zither. Her skin is whiter than snow, her long hair as dark as ink, and her features are beautiful, exuding a hint of delicate charm amidst her cold demeanor
Chen Wushuang wore a joyful expression, "The Xun wind must first meet its master, I kindly invite the Daoist to visit Tianying Villa in two months."
However, there were unexpected gains
This is what is called hype. No matter how exceptional Ling Yancheng's performing arts are, he still needs to attract that woman. With such a lively atmosphere, it is unlikely that any malevolent spirits will appear, and we would also feel embarrassed to take your precious eagle for nothing.
Zhang Kui clinked his glass and laughed heartily
At the side table, Chen Wushuang sincerely raised his cup of wine and said, "Master Zhang, your suggestion is indeed brilliant; this secures our position."
... ...
There are so many demons and monsters in the world
Did we encounter a small nest
Yu Gai Shan ordered the plump steward to handle these matters, and then found a secluded room where that "lewd and despicable young master" also entered and sat down.
The woman asked:
Surrounded by a dense crowd, each person lifts their head in fascination, fearing to disturb this breathtaking scene
After all, the demons and evil spirits are not a monolithic entity; at times, their conflicts can be quite bloody
How can the realm of humanity establish its foundation
For example, during the Great Qian Dynasty, there was a saying in the martial arts world: "Three Mountains, Four Caves, Five Water Mansions," which means that these places are not to be approached by outsiders
As the sky gradually darkens, the Sishui Ferry remains brilliantly illuminated, with the Jin Feng Tower adorned with rows of vibrant lanterns, casting a bright glow all around.
Everyone looked up
Lianxiang contentedly took out some silver and stuffed it into a small pouch, "That night, Young Master Wenchang and a few others were composing poetry. I was responsible for serving tea and pouring wine. They all dispersed as soon as night fell. However, speaking of that night, there was a rather strange scholar in a black robe..."
Zhang Kui chuckled and pulled her hand away
No wonder that "The Licentious and Cheap Young Master" Chen Wushuang is determined to win. The woman in the audience, according to him, is the courtesan Ling Yancheng, who was invited at great expense from the capital. She possesses exceptional singing and artistic skills, and it is difficult for ordinary people to even catch a glimpse of her.
Chen Wushuang discovered that someone was spying on him at night when he had just contracted the renovation of this place. He initially thought it was a rival looking for trouble, and after throwing a flying knife, the person disappeared without a trace, leaving only some mud on the knife.
Chen Wushuang hurriedly took it and placed it in her bosom, letting out a sigh of relief. When she looked up again, the flagpole was already empty.
It seems that the lingering sound is still drifting with the night breeze
Chen Wushuang revealed a bitter smile on her face
Zhang Kui stroked his chin
Hehe
Zhang Kui stroked his chin
However, at this moment, everything has changed significantly. The once chaotic scene filled with smoke and crowds of boisterous guests, drinking and playing games, has completely vanished. Instead, there are delicate gauze curtains everywhere, vibrant floral arrangements, and scholars engaging in discussions about poetry and music, indicating a clear elevation in the overall atmosphere.
At this moment, the streets of Surabaya are bustling with tourists, lively and extraordinary. Not only have the armed wanderers of the past disappeared, but even the city dwellers have hidden away.