The Kushan Sect disappeared.
Half a month had passed since the Chi Gou Rebellion, and people had not seen the flag of "Cure All Diseases with Medicine" again. This small sect that had been causing trouble everywhere disappeared, as if it had evaporated into thin air, and even the best spies of Yueshui Pavilion had not noticed it.
Some people said that Shi Jingzhi showed off his wealth by showing off his magic weapon that could bring the dead back to life, and was killed by the Chi Gou Cult to steal his treasure. Others said that they just lay dormant, hiding in other sects, waiting for the martial arts conference to grab the meat.
After all, the Kushan Sect was a small sect that caused a lot of trouble. People talked about it for a few days and then forgot about it.
The world of Kushan Sect is still as lively as before.
It was late spring, the evening breeze was warm, and the city was full of lush greenery. People were willing to go out for a walk, and all decent teahouses and taverns were bustling with people.
The four porters ordered a pot of good wine and asked the waiter to add water to make four pots. The group drank to their heart's content with just a dish of boiled peanuts with salt, and ordered a few side dishes, which won the waiter's favor.
The porters have traveled far and wide, and although they can read a few words, they are knowledgeable and experienced. When they sit together at a table, they have a lot to say.
"It's too bad over there in Luojiu, we don't even bother to go there." Another one said with a worried look on his face, "In previous years, if someone did business there, we could make a lot of money. It's the same now, their new king, the Jiang... the descending saint, is something very powerful."
"You're so awesome? Tell me, tell me."
"It is said that his eyes are as big as copper bells and his hands can spit fire. The Luojiu people are as strong as bulls. It's a pity that we have mortal bodies. When the kids charge in wave by wave, it's like cutting wheat. A few days ago, he could even survive at the cost of his life, but now... Tsk tsk."
He wiped his weather-beaten face with the shoe horn and sighed softly.
"Is this all right in Yidu? If the east is fine, let's go west. They say there's a gathering every day at the Great Forbidden Zone, so there's less work to do."
"Well, my cousin has been fooled by this. He scrapes sand every day and his hair has been shaved off. It's really dry here."
"They say that the Emperor protects us. Our great lord is always ready to protect us from disasters. Why do we become more and more hostile to him?"
"My uncle is a fortune teller and he said that the current emperor has lost his moral integrity..."
As soon as these words came out, the other three people's expressions changed immediately. The shoe-horn-faced man immediately opened his voice and said loudly: "If you can go east and west, then go north and south. There are not many people in the north, do you want to hold a martial arts conference in the south? There are not many people, so let's go together."
The porter who had just called out "old uncle" reacted and smacked his tongue a few times - he forgot that he was under the feet of the emperor and almost caused trouble with his mouth.
He quickly added, "Okay, okay. If we all go, we can take care of each other. Those gangsters all know how to do it, so if we run into someone who refuses to pay, we can talk to them."
Shoe-horn-face sipped his wine with relish and said proudly, "Okay, let's get rid of the loose knot and leave at night. The stables in Yidu are very expensive, so we have to stay here, stay here."
"Are you doing this for a living?"
"Is it possible?"
After drinking a lot of wine, Xiehorn Zilian bought some fresh meat and vegetables and carried them to the hilltops outside the city. This place is beautiful, and rich people like to build gardens here. He often takes on some vegetable delivery work.
This time is slightly different.
The person who came to meet him was not a cook or a servant, but a young man wearing a Nuo mask. He was dressed in a simple long gown, with long hair like fine charcoal and skin so white that it was dazzling. Judging from his figure and demeanor, he looked like a servant no matter how you looked at him.
In comparison, the wooden Nuo mask was rough and ugly, revealing a sense of ominousness.
Oh no! Shoe Horn's face turned pale with shock. This is a real fairy!
He got his delivery sign from the vegetable market. Nowadays, even monsters would go to the vegetable market to ask people to deliver vegetables... Either the order for vegetables is fake, or the order for someone to cook is real...
All the wine he had just drunk turned into hot sweat. He put down his burden without thinking and kowtowed immediately: "Grandpa, spare me, Grandpa, spare me! I am old and my bones are brittle, I can't bear it!"
The monster seemed to be amused by the shoe-horn face. When he handed the string of money to him, there was a smile in his words: "Take it."
He didn't know what kind of monster it was, but the heavy string of money was genuine. He said that the monster had a very nice voice, like the cold jade bell in the gold and jade shop.
Xie Horn's face was frozen for a long time before he recovered his breath: "Sir... Sir, you scared me to death. The vegetables and meat you want are all here, let's go first..."
"Wait." The man said leisurely, "I have work to do here. If you want to make arrangements, you can follow us to the north of Qizhou."
"You want to hold a martial arts conference? No problem, we can just call a few people over." It turned out to be a real living person, and the food in the porter's throat was finally eaten.
"Very good. Come here again today at twilight hour."
The man picked up the basket of vegetables and meat with ease, and his figure quickly disappeared among the grass and trees.
He wiped the sweat off his forehead and suppressed his complaints - these weirdos are always startled. There are no outsiders here, who are they showing off with the scary masks
Yin Ci didn't care about the porter, so he quickly returned to a mountain stream and stopped in front of a thatched house.
There was a four-wheeled wooden chair parked beside the mountain stream. The person sitting on the chair had long hair, slumped shoulders and a hunched back, looking depressed. Su Si fumbled with the small clay stove to boil medicine, while Master Bai dozed off beside him, turning into a fat, soft, white ball.
"Su Si, you feel very tired, take a rest." Yin Ci put down the basket of vegetables and meat and said casually. "I'll give you medicine later."
Shi Jingzhi sat weakly on the chair, seemingly without the strength to turn his head. It was clearly late spring, and he was covered in animal skins, with his long, dark hair covering his face, making it difficult to see his expression.
"Ah Ci." He said with a dying breath, "Before I die, I want to eat... tofu and fish soup, add some water spinach... with white rice..."
Yin Ci walked closer with an expressionless face and tapped the man's head gently: "Why are you saying that if you want to die? Are you pretending for fun?"
"It's fun." Master Shi replied immediately.
As he spoke, Jingzhi raised his head, his eyes full of joy. His movements were so big that some powder fell off his face, revealing his healthy complexion.
"… It will be boring once we get down the mountain. When we get down the mountain, I will have to stay in the wooden chair and pretend to be sick. I will only have plain porridge to eat. How can I survive?"
Shi Jingzhi pretended to cover his face and wipe away the tears of existence.
"I want to eat white rice with tofu and fish soup, and a stewed pork elbow. The vegetable and meat pie is delicious, and the beggar's chicken from the day before was also very good, Zizhu-"
Yin Ci was both angry and amused. This guy seemed to want to vomit before leaving. Fortunately, they had four grown men who could afford to eat all the vegetables and meat.
"You've already bought the things. I know you very well." He said helplessly, "You can eat fresh fish by catching them yourself."
"Okay! I think beggar's chicken is good, I'll make it for you today."
Shi Jingzhi's spirit was shaken. He stood up from the four-wheeled wooden chair, walked forward quickly, and kissed Yin Ci's cheek. Yin Ci looked at his back, feeling mixed emotions of joy and sorrow.
… The cause of the disease has been discovered, but Shi Jingzhi’s “disease” still cannot be cured.
At that time, the Kushan Sect discussed this matter for a whole night.
Half a month ago, late at night, the four people from Kushan Sect were hiding in the wasteland of Shafu, all with solemn faces.
"Wait, let me sort it out."
Su Si rubbed his head.
"The Immortal Guild spent hundreds of years erecting flesh statues in various places to absorb the essence of all living beings. They merged this essence into living people and forcibly created a gifted 'son of desire'? You vomit blood all day long just because you are about to burst because of so much essence?"
"indeed so."
Shi Jingzhi omitted the "raw material" Yin Ci and his own identity as a "prince".
Su Si exclaimed: "What's wrong with them? They have so much energy in their hands, what can they do with it? It's more cost-effective to use it to burn fire and refine medicine than to raise you, well, raising a human being!"
Yin Ci and Shi Jingzhi: “…” This kid still doesn’t seem to respect his teachers.
Yan Qing obviously noticed his friend's provocative remarks and quickly changed the subject: "I find it strange too. The situation outside is so chaotic. If something unexpected happens to the leader, won't they be left with nothing?"
"I've thought about this, but I still don't know the answer." Shi Jingzhi touched his chin. "And Su Si is not wrong. If Yinxian has this magical skill, there are too many things he can do except raising me."
But they are just a so-called "desire son" in the unknown, Yin Ci thought. Even if he is a precedent of death and extinction, the Immortal Guild is not pursuing the path to immortality.
What is the purpose of this century-long undertaking? Why does Yuzi exist? If it is said that Shi Jingzhi took away the essence, which led to the occurrence of "Heaven's Disgust", then Da Yun people can recover more easily from minor illnesses and injuries, and it is also said that it is a universal disease.
Judging the severity of the illness or injury and deciding whether it is a heavenly aversion is a delicate and complicated task. It is unclear whether the Immortal Guidance Association can do this. Shi Jingzhi cannot control the essence at all. Can he vomit back what he eats
It's not that simple.
To cure Shi Jingzhi, they had to stop his vital energy. The magic array that could guide the vital energy was placed under Shi Jingzhi's blood, so they could always bleed Shi Jingzhi. Letting this person transform his vital energy into true energy and clean up his internal energy every day could only delay his death a little.
Thinking of the flesh statues all over the mountains, Yin Ci suddenly had a vague idea.
However, considering the relationship between the two, this matter cannot be rushed. It is better to first take down Qu Duanyun and find out some inside stories of the "century-old cause".
…
Yin Ci was reminiscing about the past when he almost ran into two fat fish.
The headmaster held the cleaned fish in his hand and shook it in front of Yin Ci, with a hint of madness or fear in his smile.
"Here, the fattest fish." Shi Jingzhi snorted, "Su Si wants me to use a meat-carving knife to scrape off the scales... When are you going to tell him about his identity as 'Su Zhi'? I see that kid stabbing everywhere with a knife, and my liver and lungs are in pain."
"I'll tell him eventually. And then I'll give him a good beating, so forget it."
Master Bai turned his head and looked at Yin Ci seriously. However, he was quickly bribed by the vegetable leaves Yin Ci fed him, and his condemning look gradually turned into a hostile one.
However, Shi Jingzhi inherited its spirit and squinted at Yin Ci for a while. He cleared his throat and said meaningfully, "I am very open-minded. Zizhu has big plans. How can I bear to hide them from my master who has not yet passed on his teachings?"
Yin Ci: “…”
"It's just a small trick, since I'm not your disciple yet."
After stressing it twice, Yin Ci sighed and stuffed a vegetable and meat pie in his hand: "Sir, I'll think it over and then discuss it with you."
Shi Jingzhi then took the cake in his mouth with satisfaction and sat back on his four-wheeled wooden chair. Yin Ci touched the disaster-preventing talisman on his chest, with a complex feeling in his heart that he couldn't express.
No matter how Shi Jingzhi pretended to be calm, he could still hear the man coughing up blood in the middle of the night. He had little time to think.
I just hope that the plan of the martial arts conference can proceed smoothly - regardless of the true meaning of the century-long plan, regardless of the effect of the flesh, they all have to be squeezed out of Qu Duanyun's bones.
In the distant Yi City, inside the imperial palace.
Prince Xu Jingming's personality changed drastically since his trip to Shafu. He no longer ran around, and even ignored his own palace, and would go into the palace whenever he had time.
He was born to the current emperor and had a closer relationship with him than other princes. Xu Jingming was uneducated and idle, so the emperor was not wary of him and allowed him to stay in the palace.
The emperor liked to drink tea after meals. Today's government affairs were very important, so Xu Jingming called his younger brother and asked him to tell him some of his experiences. Although Xu Jingming was like a frightened bird, he would never offend his elder brother.
His Royal Highness Prince Rong carefully selected new clothes and forced himself to cheer up before stepping onto the corridor of the teahouse. The warm spring breeze made Xu Jingming feel particularly relaxed.
If Qu Duanyun really wants to be a member of the Immortal Guidance Society, is he destined to never see flesh
Since returning from Shafu, Xu Jingming has kept his mouth shut. He has no evidence in his hands, so he has no right to make the assumption that "Qu Duanyun murdered him". When others ask him, he says that the Kushan Sect is causing trouble in Chigou and wants to take advantage of the martial arts conference to snatch the meat.
And I just happened to run into the chaos and was dragged into it.
Anyway, he is usually a very serious person, and few people question him. As Xu Jingming talked, he almost believed it. But he remained sober and did not touch the flesh again—
No matter how bold Xu Jingming was, he was ready to face death. If he attacked with his own flesh, it was hard to say whether he could save his life.
Since Yinxianhui wanted to see the flesh, and Shi Jingzhi, the evildoer, also wanted to see the flesh, why not let them bite each other. Even if I am the oriole behind, I will not become a fish in the pond that is affected.
To be honest, my eldest brother is a believer in ghosts, and meat may not be to his liking. Even if my brother is in good health recently and has the care of the imperial physician, it is still not that bad.
Or he could collect some rare medicinal herbs and send them to his brother as soon as possible. What if he could find something as rare as the Ice-top Snake Lotus? His brother would be more happy.
He had done nothing to "ease the dispute between the emperor and the imperial teacher". The imperial teacher of the previous generation had indeed treated him badly, but Jiang Youyue of this generation was definitely not a good person.
The more Xu Jingming thought about it, the more relieved he felt. He finally let out a breath and walked briskly.
"Your Highness."
A gentle voice sounded, and Xu Jingming's scalp tingled. Speaking of the devil, the devil appeared. Prince Rong slowly turned his head and saw Jiang Youyue standing in the distance with a faint smile on his face.
Now Xu Jingming looked at Jiang Youyue, and he liked him more and more. He mumbled vaguely, just as a greeting.
Jiang Youyue didn't care about Xu Jingming's attitude. He was still elegant, bowed slightly to Xu Jingming, and continued to move forward. His sleeves fluttered, and he looked like an immortal. The two should have passed by each other like this, but Xu Jingming had a thorn in his heart. After passing Jiang Youyue, he turned his head to look at him.
Jiang Youyue was also looking at him.
It was a very brief glance. Xu Jingming knew that if he was the former Prince Rong, he would probably turn his head away. But this time, he saw it clearly.
He saw contempt.
Speaking of "contempt", Xu Jingming is perhaps more familiar with it than anyone else. His Royal Highness Prince Rong firmly believes that people have their own dignity and lives have their own honors and deities, and he has never shown any mercy to his servants. But no matter how much Xu Jingming despises his servants, he knows that they are not "human beings".
The way Jiang Youyue looked at him clearly showed contempt for an ant who didn't know what was good for him.
Birds chirped in the corridor, and green trees shaded the surroundings. The spring breeze was extremely warm, but Xu Jingming felt cold all over.