In Anbao County, Niutouji reported the fish monster. In less than half a day, more than a dozen villages and towns near the county knew about it. However, the monster had been eliminated by a master, so the master could not see it, but it was a feast for the eyes to see the dead fish monster.
Nowadays, a wild boar that grows as tall as a man's waist is enough for people with nothing to do to talk about dozens of times, let alone a big fish as big as a house.
It is said that the county magistrate of Anbao County personally came to see it, and ordered people to go all the way from Niutou Market to the county town, and patrol several streets one by one. The patrol was continued the next day, attracting many people from outside to stop and watch. For a while, not only were the few inns in the city full, but the teahouses and restaurants also flourished. Looking at the street from the second floor of the restaurant, one could just see the entire corpse of the fish monster.
"I said that Niutouji could run away with dead people for no reason, there must be a demon, look, it really came true."
"It's really scary. If he's still alive, how many people would it take to catch him?"
"People? Usually, constables only catch thieves. For this matter, you need to meet a hermit master."
"Speaking of the hermit masters, has anyone sent any information about the man who killed the fish monster? What does he look like, what does he wear, and where is he from?"
"… I know this, I know this! I heard from a constable I know that the expert was staying at an old man's house in Niutou Village, and he also heard that the innkeeper's wife had turned into a corpse, and he followed the clues to find the fish monster."
"Oh, so that means the master came here specially?"
"I think so. From what the old man said, he was not very old. He was leading a hairless old donkey, and there was a slovenly Taoist priest beside him."
"You're not that old? Can you trust the constable you know?!"
"Why is it unbelievable? He was in Niutouji at the time, personally guarding the fish monster's corpse."
The incident of the fish monster's corpse caused a stir in the local area. Not long after, the county town also sent an envoy. The Lord of Anbao County specially ordered oil paper to wrap the corpse, and escorted it to the big city with the soldiers of the county town.
In addition to pleasing his boss, he also put the matter of sending the fish monster's corpse to Chang'an on the agenda. Soon, golden sunlight shone over the escort team as they went away to the west.
To the north, there are many mountains, and among the steep mountain winds, the master that everyone talks about, holding a Yuelong sword, wearing a white robe with green and apricot patterns, leads an old donkey and a Taoist priest across the ridge, and they take a rest under a pine tree, overlooking the rolling mountains.
A small fire started, and the Taoist priest skewered two white flour buns with a stick and roasted them on the side, while he heard the sound of reading coming from the side.
"After crossing the two mountains ahead, we should reach Heling Prefecture along the official road."
Lu Liangsheng, who was leaning against an old pine tree, raised his head while holding a book.
"If we take the official road, with checkpoints everywhere, our pace will be much slower. Now that we are going faster, I am a little worried whether Yan Chixia and Zuo Qianwei can get to Ziling Mountain on time."
"Those two are not slow. They are alone, so they must be fast."
The Taoist tore off a piece of steamed bun and put it in his mouth to chew. When he felt it was enough, he threw a piece to Lu Liangsheng. Then he stood up, put it to his lips, and looked out towards the mountain to the east.
"They say this place is close to the sea, but how come there's no sound of waves?"
"It's probably still a long way to the sea. We still have at least a hundred miles to go."
Lu Liangsheng joked, and after finishing his meal, he turned a page of the book with his fingertips and continued to read the words softly. The little green snake in his sleeve crawled out its long body and listened quietly to the sounds of wind, birds, and reading around him.
Every time a paragraph of words was read out, although she did not understand the meaning, the coldness in the green snake's eyes melted away as the scholar read. A strange thing appeared in her body, and she became somewhat emotional. She listened with great interest, spitting out her tongue and keeping her wrist hanging upside down without moving.
Over there, the Taoist withdrew his gaze from outside the mountain, and seeing the green shadow hanging upside down on Lu Liangsheng's wrist, he laughed.
"Let this green snake listen to you read and be nourished by the great spirit. Don't be afraid that it will become a demon snake in the future."
"hehe."
The sound of reading stopped, Lu Liangsheng closed the book and started laughing, then reached out and held the little snake in his palm.
“If it is really nurtured by the great energy, then there will be one less demon snake in this world. This little snake has already awakened its spiritual consciousness. Even without me, it will start practicing sooner or later.”
With a gentle gaze, he looked at the green shadow with its upper body raised in his hand and asked softly.
"You say yes or no?"
hiss~~~
The little green snake coiled in the scholar's palm, spitting out its tongue. It seemed to understand what people were saying and actually nodded at Lu Liangsheng.
“Hehehe.”
This time Lu Liangsheng laughed out loud, tapped the snake's head with his fingertips, and then rubbed it, "It's fate that we met, and you're not an ignorant scale insect, so why not give you a name."
The little green snake excitedly swam around in the palm of my hand, with the tip of its tail shaking constantly.
"Then wait a moment, you must have a surname before you can name yourself..."
Lu Liangsheng stood up holding it, walked to the edge of the ridge, and looked at the undulating foothills in the mist, the steep cliffs with birds circling, and the isolated rocky peaks.
Looking at the scene, he pondered for a moment: "The mountain is steep and rugged, and you are a mountain creature, so I took Cen as my surname. The mountain is small but high, reflecting your small stature, and your future achievements may not be small. You are green all over, so it is a good name. Cen Biqing, I will call you Xiaoqing, how about it?"
The little snake in his palm suddenly raised its upper body and imitated a human. Although it had no hands, its head and small body bowed three times to Lu Liangsheng.
Human words have power, and many wild beasts that are about to attain enlightenment even run to the villages to ask for advice so that they can begin their practice. What's more, the names are given by those who are already practicing, which cannot be obtained by begging.
"You're pretending again." The Taoist squatted by the fire and took a look, then put out the fire, packed up and walked to the bookshelf, knocking on the door of the small compartment.
"Come out quickly, your disciple is about to become a saint."
With a creaking sound.
The door was pushed open, and Toad Taoist poked his head out to look around. He said, "Don't disturb me unless necessary. I'm in seclusion lately!" Then, he slammed the small door shut, and after a moment, a slight snoring sound was heard.
"Just go to sleep, and you say you are in seclusion..."
Under the old pine tree, Lu Liangsheng flipped through the book for a while, put Xiaoqing into his sleeve pocket, and the old donkey came over with the reins and handed it to its owner. The donkey grunted a few times, then followed behind him, carrying the bookshelf, and walked down the mountain.
The sunlight slanted from the top of his head and went to the top of the mountain. The woods on the hillside rustled softly in the wind, casting mottled shadows through the gaps between the trees. Lu Liangsheng spread out his palms, and the small green snake crawled out of his sleeve pocket and was released by the scholar onto a large rock not far away.
"I have to go to Heling Prefecture to do something that is too dangerous for you. After you go down the mountain, you can roam freely in the mountains and find your own way. It's up to you whether you stay here or find another way. I hope we can meet again in the future."
Lu Liangsheng pushed it with his finger, driving it off the rock and into the grass. Fearing that it would follow, he waved his sleeves and moved it, along with the Taoist behind him, more than ten feet to the front.
But speaking of it, the feeling of enlightening a person or a demon is quite happy. In the future, under his influence, he can become a good demon or devote himself to seeking the truth and cultivating immortality. Speaking of it, it is also a wonderful fate.
“The road is never lonely.”
Lu Liangsheng said this with a smile, as if talking to himself, causing the Taoist behind him to roll his eyes.
Going down to the foot of the mountain, there are more and more pedestrians and merchants on the official road. It is not uncommon to see a scholar and a Taoist priest leading an old donkey. After walking along this official road for dozens of miles, you will reach the territory of Linghe Prefecture.
"Herbal tea! I'm selling herbal tea. Dear guests passing by, please don't miss it. Come in and rest your feet. Drink some herbal tea to cool off."
Outside the pass at the end of the official road, the waiter at the tea stall was shouting loudly, and pedestrians carrying loads or carts passed by. A one-armed man wearing a bamboo hat took a sip from the teacup, then closed his eyes and rested.
Next to the table leg, there was a brand new long knife leaning against it, as if waiting for someone.