No, gentlemen also guard against

Chapter 766: It is difficult to distinguish between the real and the fake, clues to the new Ding Sword [Happy New Year! Please vote for me~]

The interior of the Merit Tower remains the same as before.

A bright space like pure white.

Returning to the familiar and peaceful environment, Ouyang Rong let out a long breath.

The blessing bell hasn't rung for a long time, but at this moment, Ouyang Rong didn't want it to ring suddenly.

Because the merit points are not much to begin with, they are needed for the divine decree, and the current situation is critical, so they cannot be spent indiscriminately.

Ouyang Rong came to the small wooden fish and looked down.

【Merit: 5,528】

Ouyang Rong breathed a sigh of relief.

It was enough for him to use a divine command once.

Before coming to Xunyang Grottoes today, his merit value was just over 6,000.

If Ouyang Rong remembered correctly, he had previously publicly rejected the solicitation of Wei Wu, Nanny Song and others on the high platform, which earned him a wave of merit. Later, he righteously rejected Rong Zhen's arrangement and did not choose to be an accomplice and marry the beauty, which earned him another wave of merit.

Inexplicably, a wave of merits increased in the middle of the process, and the amount was not small, nearly a thousand.

Finally, when he escaped from the main cave's tight net, took back the Ding Sword, and left safely with Xiu Niang and Wang Caozhi, there was still a small surge in his value.

Ouyang Rong remembered that during the process, there were roughly four waves of significant growth in merit.

However, Ouyang Rong did not reject Rong Zhen, Wei Wu and others because of their merits. After all, before he made his choice, he had not thought that this mysterious little wooden fish would give back merits.

As for the logic behind the last increase in merit, it is not difficult to understand. It should be the merit reward he received for delaying time and allowing Wei Mi, Wang Caozhi and Xiu Niang to escape early.

As for that inexplicable wave of merit growth in the middle, combined with the time it appeared, and the subsequent bad news that Wei Wu received from Xiushuifang... If I'm not mistaken, it should have come from Xunyang Palace.

Ouyang Rong touched the skirt knife in advance, which was the signal to inform the junior sister as agreed, reminding them to go drink ice.

According to his arrangements and the news he heard from Wei Wu while he was hiding on the high platform, Prince Xunyang and his family should be safe for the time being.

The timely growth feedback of merit also indirectly illustrates this point.

This was also the reason why Ouyang Rong still had time to enter the Merit Tower to rest and count, and was not in a hurry to abandon Zhao Qingxiu, Wang Caozhi and others and rush back to Xiushuifang in a panic.

Follow the ice drinking plan he designed.

If he went back to find them too early, he would be more likely to get into trouble.

Ouyang Rong took a deep breath.

After reviewing and confirming that nothing was missed, he turned his gaze to the cyan and gold font above the small wooden fish.

Right now, it’s close to five thousand six hundred merits.

Originally, with the four waves of merit increase before, his total merit should have been more than nine thousand.

However, along the way, two significant expenditures of merit were discovered.

One time, the god descended upon Wang Caozhi, consuming three thousand merits and also using up an extra red and black talisman.

Another time, he beheaded Duan Quanwu in public, secretly used the Mirage Mask to collect his phantom fake body, which consumed more than a thousand.

But Ouyang Rong felt it was worth it.

Extraordinary times require extraordinary treatment.

Didn't we work so hard to collect merit points by "living frugally" before, just to be able to spend lavishly at the critical moment?

Indeed, the distance from the woods on the south bank to the high platform at the foot of the Buddha is not enough to require a spirit to relay the Ding Sword.

However, the reason why Wang Caozhi swallowed the red and black talisman water and ran away with the magical power of descending was not simply to fly the sword.

Rather, it was the optimal solution among the multiple backup plans he had made in his mind at that moment.

Ouyang Rong pulled himself away from his thoughts and left the Tower of Merit.

Opened his eyes.

Wang Caozhi and Zhao Qingxiu were both waiting for him quietly.

Ouyang Rong said nothing. He reached out to open the Mohist sword box on the embroiderer's lap and began to search through it skillfully.

The sword box has now become his small portable warehouse.

Ouyang Rong paused and pulled out the incomplete copy of "Zhen Gao".

But he looked again and didn't find Miao Si's spiritual ink.

Before this, Miao Si "generously" gave him three tubes of spiritual ink. Before Ouyang Rong left the palace and said goodbye to everyone this morning, he secretly gave them to Xie Lingjiang, and Miao Si also left the little ink spirit with her.

The junior sister is a Confucian Qigong practitioner, and the spiritual ink is of great help to her. Ouyang Rong only uses it to make runes.

Because he had extra red and black talismans on him at the time, he gave them all to his junior sister.

In the Xunyang King's family's ice-drinking plan, what Junior Sister was going to do was indeed risky. Ouyang Rong was naturally most worried about her, even if the possibility was only one in ten thousand.

Without spiritual ink, it is impossible to make talismans.

Ouyang Rong pondered for a moment and decided to go back to Xiushuifang first. After finding his junior sister and Miaosi, he got the Lingmo talisman and replenished it first.

Having an extra red and black talisman on you can help you avoid a lot of risks.

For example, this time, if he did not reveal the identity of the owner of Butterfly Love Flower, but followed his original plan to use the decree to descend the gods to avoid the sound of the piano, and if Wang Caozhi did not have the alternative of swallowing the red and black talismans and running away, wouldn't he be embarrassed if he failed to invite Tao Yuanming to possess him.

Later facts also proved that Tao Yuanming was not invited, and the so-called authentic painting of "Return to the Countryside" that he swallowed with the magic water was a fake.

Thinking of this again, Ouyang Rong's eyelids twitched in the carriage, although his mood had calmed down a lot.

Was it intentional or accidental?
For some reason, the Prince Xiang's Mansion always gave him a feeling of conflict, and it was in subtle conflict with him and the Prince Xunyang's Mansion.

Perhaps it was because the Xiangwang Mansion and Xunyangwang Mansion had the same positioning? In a sense, they were both the continuation of the true dragon destiny of the Liqian Dynasty? So in a metaphysical sense, it was a relationship of two dragons fighting each other?

But right now, the two dragons are both being strongly suppressed by the empress above, and there is also the "slippery snake" Wei who is eyeing them covetously, so they have to cooperate?

Ouyang Rong temporarily withdrew some of his thoughts.

He lowered his head and took out an authentic copy of Peach Blossom Spring from his sword box. This was what he got from Brother Huaimin. Logically, this authentic copy couldn't be a fake, right?

In fact, Ouyang Rong had these two authentic works of Tao Yuanming, including the already-disproven "Return to the Fields", viewed and authenticated by "Master of Tao Studies" Li Guoer, and the answer he received was that they were most likely authentic.

But handwriting can be forged.

I didn’t expect that these days, counterfeits are made to look just like the real ones, causing so much harm to people.

But the benefits are indeed huge.

Tao Yuanming was a famous scholar in the Eastern Jin Dynasty, who lived more than 300 years ago. He was so famous that his original works are naturally priceless.

The authentic product is the only one of its kind in the world.

It is not surprising that counterfeits are rampant and can even be indistinguishable from the real thing.

This is also the reason why Ouyang Rong was not sure whether the Prince Xiang's Mansion had made an accidental mistake or it was a well-designed plan.

Anyway, things like this are uncomfortable and disgusting.

Taking advantage of the dim light in the bumpy and closed carriage, Ouyang Rong opened "Peach Blossom Spring" and his eyes fell on it.

This authentic work of Tao Gong came from the secret vault of the Jingzhao Yuan family and was a collection of the Northern Wei royal family. Judging from the fact that Wu Daozi took away the bronze shaft, it is very likely that this item is authentic.

This can't be a fake, right?
Ouyang Rong frowned and put away "Peach Blossom Spring".

No matter what, let's go back first and reunite with Prince Xunyang and my junior sister.

Over at Shuangfeng Peak, after experiencing a certain degree of "betrayal", Ouyang Rong felt a little silent.

At this moment, Ouyang Rong's palm touched a round object in the sword case.

Ouyang Rong lowered his head and glanced at the night pearl in the corner of the sword case.

Just as Ouyang Rong was lost in thought, a deeply moved male voice came from the side:

"Brother-in-law, when you tore off your official uniform in the bamboo forest, did you guess that something was wrong with Sister Rong and the others?"

Ouyang Rong glanced at Wang Caozhi. Just now on the way, he briefly told Wang Caozhi what happened on the platform.

Wang Caozhi was still immersed in the shock that his brother-in-law was a sword wielder. The descendants of the Langya Wang family naturally knew what an orthodox sword wielder meant, because an orthodox sword wielder must have a tripod sword at his side. At a certain moment, Wang Caozhi even felt that the Jinling branch of the Chenjun Xie family, where his sister Xie was from, was very lucky. Compared with an orthodox sword wielder equipped with a tripod sword, the so-called identity of a poor scholar was simply not worth mentioning. However, at that moment, after Wang Caozhi learned about what happened on the high platform, he temporarily suppressed his excitement and his attention was drawn over.

Ouyang Rong pursed his lips and said, "Actually, after I learned that Qian Chen was colluding with the pirates, I only confirmed that the pirates were related to the Wei family, but I was not sure if I was in a trap. It was mainly because of Rong Zhen. But everyone has their own selfishness and cannot believe everything. Besides, there was the incident of the report letter received by the palace this morning. This letter did not seem to be written by Rong Zhen... So I want to give it a try."

"Try it?"

"That's right. If we give it a try, they will know." Ouyang Rong nodded gently. "There is actually a simple logic to the pirates. It is unlikely that the Wei family will really collude with the Tiannan Jianghu. It's not that they don't have the courage, but it's unnecessary. The risk is too great. Even if they succeed in destroying the Xunyang Palace, they will still have dirty secrets that cannot be washed away. This group of Hukou County pirates may all be their own assassins in disguise. In this way, even if the saint suspects it later, it has come to this point and may not investigate it further... If I were Wei Jisi, this would be the best way to take advantage of the opportunity created by the turmoil of the rebels in the Tiannan Jianghu and kill people in the chaos.

"But I just want to pretend that I don't know. I want to expose Wei's actions in public and accuse them of colluding with traitors. The dirtier the better. Then I'll see how people react. If the main cave is not a trap, there is irrefutable evidence. Rong Zhen and the others have no reason not to support my investigation. If it is really an elaborate trap, they will hesitate and get angry and reveal their true colors. The result of this move... has been seen. Wei Wu was tricked out and killed to silence him."

Ouyang Rong finished speaking softly.

"Brother-in-law, this is a good way to test the waters."

Wang Caozhi's face was full of admiration, his eyes were very moved, and he asked with a choked voice:
"My brother-in-law tore up my official uniform and asked me to carry it with me and run away in advance. He also asked me to swallow that strange talisman... Was my brother-in-law afraid that I would encounter danger on the way to report the news? Did he also expect that Miss Xiu Niang would be stubborn and not leave? Did he want to go over and persuade her in person?"

Ouyang Rong hesitated, and told the truth sincerely: "This is one of the reasons. I am worried that you will be intercepted and unable to escape. If this is a trap, and Qin Yin is here, I want to descend to persuade Xiu Niang to leave, but she is stubborn and only listens to me. However, after I really descended to the place and saw her crying, I understood even more that my persuasion is useless. She will definitely stay and wait for me. Because if the positions were reversed and she was in this situation, I would not leave either. I would wait for her and go to find her. I put myself in her shoes.

"There is another reason for letting you swallow a red and black talisman in advance: What if it's not a setup over there, and Rong Zhen and the others are willing to support me in returning to the city to eradicate the pirates and capture all of Wei's assassins? Then I will have to continue to hide my identity as the sword holder, but there is a thing called [Emperor Wen] Zhenyin that is quite troublesome. I am worried that the other backup plan will not be safe. At that time, I can only send down the spirit on you. You are certain, and I can let you escape in my place, but this does not count as taking the blame. It is very likely that you can escape, as long as you can get the sword box in the hands of the embroidered lady."

Wang Caozhi: ...

Seeing his cheap brother-in-law exuding the aura of a resentful woman in the boudoir, Ouyang Rong waved his hand and said, "Anyway, we have to make preparations for both situations. No matter which path you take, it's always right for you to take the red and black talisman in advance. I won't hide the things about the descending spirit, the cauldron sword, and the sword holder from you. I have known you for so long, I trust you."

Wang Caozhi was suddenly moved, his emotions alternated between sad and touching. He felt that his brother-in-law was simply a born scumbag... After Ouyang Rong finished speaking, he once again thought of the [Emperor Wen] sword technique.

In fact, there was another reason why he threatened to run away and leave the main cave by using the big Buddha. It was that he noticed that the old musician's piano playing had disappeared. According to the information revealed when Rong Zhen refused the Buddhist beads, the old musician was using Rong Zhen's Buddhist beads to preside over the great Buddhist Dharma formation, which should be extremely powerful and could also protect Rong Zhen on the high platform. This meant that the old musician had the possibility of mobilizing the formation to trap him and [Craftsman]. The piano playing stopped, which meant that the old musician was alert to the leakage of the sword tactics. If he continued to delay time, and the old musician recovered and turned around to deal with him, it would be difficult. As a fellow swordsman, Ouyang Rong certainly knew how dangerous his own kind could be.

He had been paying attention to the sound of the piano, hoping to secretly learn the sword techniques of Emperor Wen.

But I didn't expect that Elder Yu was so vigilant. Now I can only find another way.

Ouyang Rong tilted his head in silence, looked at Zhao Qingxiu, and suddenly asked: "Xiuniang, do you still remember when we met in Chengtian Temple?"

Zhao Qingxiu, who had been looking down in thought, said "hmm".

Ouyang Rong placed his hand on the sword case of the Mo family and asked, "Xiu Niang, when you were hiding in the temple that day, did you sense its presence and wake up early in the morning to look for the sword? But how did you sense it? I still remember that at that time I pretended to fall into the water and fished for the sword from the bottom of the lake, and you appeared at the right time and searched my carriage. This was too coincidental. Although we met, I was still a little confused."

Zhao Qingxiu's face was full of complex expression as she wrote stroke by stroke: [I am looking for the Ding sword in Tan Lang's hand. I have the Red Lotus Sword Seal on my body, and it can sense it.]

Ouyang Rong subconsciously asked: "Can you sense the Ding Sword? What is this thing?"

Zhao Qingxiu carefully took something out of her arms and handed it over. Ouyang Rong took a closer look and saw an ancient small seal with the word "Red Lotus" engraved on the bottom.

[Tan Lang, this item is a token of the Lotus Tower Alliance. There are only three of them in the world. You only need to inject the sword energy of the Ding Sword into it, and it will make the corresponding Ding Sword appear, provide guidance, and track the Ding Sword... But there is a restriction. This Ding Sword must be forged by the Mei Family of Longcheng's Meilu Sword Forging Technique. The new Ding Sword in Tan Lang's hand should come from Longcheng, and it uses the lost Meilu Sword Forging Technique.]

Ouyang Rong was stunned for a moment. He knew something about the Meilu Sword Forging Technique and the Lotus Tower Alliance, so he was not stunned by this.

Ouyang Rong felt vaguely that this small seal was very familiar.

He immediately turned around and rummaged through the sword case. Soon, he took out an old small seal that had been put aside for a long time. Upon closer inspection, he saw the word "Red Lotus" on it as well. It was undoubtedly the same thing.

This seal was given to him by Master Shandao before he left after he failed to activate the "Night Pearl" in the Pure Land Palace of Donglin Temple. He said it was found next to the body of Master Zhongma and was the only relic.

"As long as there is a corresponding sword energy, can the Ding Sword be made visible?"

Ouyang Rong murmured, looking at the night pearl with a thoughtful look in his eyes.

Just then, he felt Zhao Qingxiu taking his hand and writing.

Ouyang Rong felt it carefully.

[Tan Lang, I am not afraid anymore. I want to go back and look for my second senior sister.]

"Where is your second sister?"

[At Xingzi Lake, but she might also come to Huaiye Lane to look for me, because it took quite a while]

Ouyang Rong looked thoughtful and nodded:
"That's fine. You can go back to Huaiye Lane first..."

He reached into his sleeve, touched the cracked Buddhist beads that said "one chance of death", and suddenly spoke:
"Xiuniang, when you go back, go get me the string of Buddhist beads that Ms. Rongzhen gave to my aunt."

(End of this chapter)