Knife splashing

Chapter 146 Paper Man
"Digging graves..."

Mr. Du was a little confused, "Isn't the ancestral tomb destroyed?"

“It’s not that easy.” Wang Daoxuan shook his head and said, “The situation of dripping marrow has been formed, with the ancestors and the Du family’s bloodline as the inner part, and the tombs and the Du family’s yang house as the outer part.”

"The destruction of the tomb only damaged its appearance. The fundamental problem is that the poison spread and harmed the bloodline and descendants. The evil omen was the evil result of this incident."

"It uses the blood of its descendants as its nest. As long as you and the others are alive, it will not die either. If the Du family's bloodline is cut off, it will completely escape and turn into a monster, causing trouble for the people."

“But once this evil appears, it will also be a chance for the Du family to survive.”

"As long as we find the ancestor's coffin and use secret methods to contain it, Mr. Du will ask the Taixuan Orthodox Sect to take action and suppress it in the City God Temple, and the blood curse will stop."

Luo Faqing frowned when he heard this, "Can't we kill him?"

"Kill?"

Wang Daoxuan shook his head and said, "The way of heaven and earth has its own laws. If killing can solve all problems, where are the disasters and sufferings in this world?"

"It's a scorching summer day. Can you kill them all?"

"How can the severe cold be killed when the winter is covered with ice and snow?"

"Our dynasty's founder once established a cruel law that all corrupt officials would be skinned and stuffed with straw, and then put in the City God Temple. But how could this kill the greed of people?"

After hearing this, Luo Faqing was speechless.

"The same is true for this kind of monster."

Wang Daoxuan said in a deep voice: "They may be caused by natural disasters or man-made disasters. Even the Taixuan Orthodox Sect cannot kill them. They can only be suppressed in the blessed land of the cave, praying for blessings day and night, and gradually dissolving them."

"Now the curse has penetrated deeply into the Du family's bloodline. The only way to suppress this evil is to dig out the bones and remove the poison, but this will also destroy the marrow bureau."

"From now on, the Du family will no longer have good fortune. They can only rely on themselves for everything. They need to cultivate virtue and benevolence, and burn incense day and night to pray for blessings and ward off disasters."

"What to do depends on Mr. Du's decision."

"I agree!"

Before Mr. Du could say anything, his eldest son Du An, who was eavesdropping outside the door, rushed in, knelt down in front of Mr. Du, wept bitterly and kowtowed, "Father, I don't ask for wealth, I just want Wan'er and my family to be safe, even if I have to give up everything!"

Du Yuanwai showed a trace of relief in his eyes, and helped Du An up. "Although you are not as talented as Chong'er, you are kind-hearted and a blessing to our family. Your father did not make a mistake in choosing you."

As he said that, he turned his head to look at Wang Daoxuan, bowed and said: "Master, I mean the same thing. As long as my family is safe, I am willing to give up everything!"

"That'll be easy."

Wang Daoxuan nodded and said, "Although this thing is strange, it is also a kind of evil spirit. It just has a spirit and can attack people on its own. The disaster tonight is over, but it will cause trouble again tomorrow night."

"I have a method that can temporarily avoid disaster."

"Without further delay, Mr. Du, I need materials to make paper figures. All members of the Du family must be present, even the wives and concubines."

Mr. Du quickly ordered, "Quick, get ready!"

…………

"Come one by one, don't be afraid."

"It's okay, just keep your back straight and raise your arms..."

In the main hall, Sharifei was shouting and giving orders.

Butler Wang and the servants took tape measures and measured everyone's height, arm length, leg length, and even the length of their neck and head circumference.

Mr. Du took notes personally. Every time he measured a person's data, he would cut bamboo strips of equal length and place them in order.

Li Yan cooperated with Wang Daoxuan to make paper figures.

He helped and watched with great interest.

"Beidi Chulingshu" naturally also has methods for making paper people, straw people and even puppets, but the method is too ancient and focuses on spirit rather than form. It is enough to have a rough appearance.

However, Wang Daoxuan's paper figures are made with great care.

Height, size, and even face shape should be similar.

Luo Faqing didn't think much of Li Yan and Sha Lifei, but after what happened last night, he began to admire Wang Daoxuan.

Seeing this, he hesitated for a moment and asked, "Master Wang, this is a Yin sect trick, I didn't expect you to be involved in it."

"I am far from that."

Wang Daoxuan kept moving his hands and said calmly: "The method of exorcism is bound to be inadequate. If things change, we will need to remedy the situation later."

"The remedies are nothing more than the five methods of confusing the gods, punishing the gods, overcoming the gods, diverting disasters, and self-cultivation. This is the method of confusing the gods and diverting disasters."

"If you want to confuse that evil creature, you have to look like it in bones, flesh, and skin."

Li Yan also said with interest: "I didn't expect that paper figurines have such particularities."

“It also developed slowly.”

Wang Daoxuan sighed, "People who practice Yin Sect have existed since the time of Yao and Shun, but they are tabooed by others, and are not included in the orthodox religion or lineage. They have a low status and insufficient knowledge, and everything is passed down orally from master to apprentice."

"Later, Song Ci wrote "Xi Yuan Lu", and the status of the coroner industry was slightly improved. He was revered as the founder, and other side schools also respected and learned from him. For example, this paper-making craftsman's skills were greatly improved because of this."

"I have traveled all over the world and learned from a fellow Taoist, but I only learned the basics..."

As he spoke, a paper man was completed. It was exactly Du Yuanwai's stand-in. The two were similar in height, hairstyle, facial features, and even the color of their clothes.

The only thing is that there are no eyes.

Wang Daoxuan's expression became solemn. He pinched his fingers, dipped a little of the blood squeezed out by Du Yuanwai, chanted the Liujia secret spell, and lightly touched the paper man's eyes.

Everyone held their breath and watched carefully.

However, nothing happened.

"This... failed."

Wang Daoxuan was a little embarrassed and smiled bitterly: "After all, I am not a person of this sect. I can do the superficial appearance, but I can't get the spirit. I am afraid that I will be seen through at a glance."

"Let's do it again. I hope I can finish it today..."

"Wait a minute!"

Li Yan said thoughtfully: "If we only need to get God, maybe I have a way."

After saying that, he pinched the magic formula, used the "Beidi Chu Ling Shu", and lightly hooked the little finger that was pinching the magic formula.

Wow!
A piece of straw paper figurine flew out from the leather bag around his waist, dancing in the wind and circling around him.

Li Yan pinched the Chu Ling paper figure with two fingers and dipped it in Mr. Du's blood. Then he pinched the paper figure and performed a magic formula. The small paper figure then slipped into the body of the big paper figure through the gap behind it.

The spirit of grass is God.

When it comes to obtaining the divine, what could be more suitable than Chu Ling?

Call ~
As soon as the paper figure was completed, a cold wind suddenly blew in the main hall.

The candlelight flickered, and the atmosphere seemed a little weird.

Li Yan could smell Mr. Du's scent on the paper figure. Although it was a little faint, it was exactly the same!
“Hurry… look!”

Butler Wang's voice trembled as he pointed at the paper figure.

I saw the paper man's neck twisting slowly, but it seemed to be frightened by so many gazes and quickly straightened back to its original position.

Such a scene made many people feel a chill down their spine.

"It's done!"

Wang Daoxuan clapped his hands and laughed, "I didn't expect it could be like this. It's not inferior to what the Xuanmen paper craftsman made."

"With this method, many things will be easier to handle in the future."

Li Yan was also a little surprised. He didn't expect that Chu Ling could be used in this way. He and Wang Daoxuan smiled at each other, and both understood.

This method has many uses.

Not only can it be used to ward off disasters, it can also increase the power of Wang Dao Xuan's spells. Luo Faqing was also stunned for a moment, then nodded and said, "Congratulations, both of you."

He could naturally see the beauty of this thing.

The experiment was successful and their speed increased.

The reason why Wang Daoxuan set aside one day was because he was afraid that the eye-opening would fail and he would have to go through so much trouble.

With Li Yan's cooperation, the task was completed before noon.

The Du family's lobby was filled with paper figures.

Each family member has two.

All paper figures are covered with red cloth.

Wang Daoxuan said to Mr. Du in a deep voice: "Remember, before midnight every night, everyone in the Du residence must leave, including chickens, ducks, dogs, mules, horses and other livestock."

"Wait until midnight, when it's almost dawn, and then go home."

"These paper figures are somewhat spiritual. They protect you from disasters, so they are bound to have resentment. Burn incense and worship them after dawn, and then burn them with willow wood at noon when the sun is at its strongest."

"Remember not to miss any of them. Don't let the trouble here be solved before the paper figurines start causing trouble again."

"On the second night, if we haven't returned yet, place the second paper man as planned and lift the red veil."

"Also, Mr. Du, you can immediately send someone to Chang'an to ask the City God Temple for help. If they don't come back, don't wait, run to the Xianyang City God Temple. The temple priest there, Senior Qingyangzi, is an old friend of ours."

Mr. Du listened carefully and said solemnly, "I have taken note of it. There won't be any mistakes."

Wang Daoxuan nodded and said, "As the saying goes, once, twice, but never a third time. This method can only hold out for two nights. We should set off without further delay."

"Come here, prepare your horses!"

Mr. Du had already asked someone to feed the horses with fodder.

After Li Yan and the other two packed up their things and left Du's house, Luo Faqing hesitated for a moment and said, "Master Wang, how about I go with you?"

"No."

Wang Daoxuan shook his head with a solemn expression and said, "The tomb-breaking matter is actually easy to handle. I will temporarily suppress it by performing a ritual and wait for the Taixuan Orthodox Sect to arrive."

"This is the root. Two people have died tragically. The old woman's brain and lungs were eaten. The brain contains the spirit and the five elements. In addition to the lost grandson, there are already two people."

"If this is really an evil arrangement, then if three more people are killed, the evil omen will truly take shape."

"Master Luo is very skilled in magic. If that evil person comes to cause trouble, he must delay it until we succeed!"

"Master, please rest assured!"

Luo Faqing bowed solemnly.

He was also feeling angry. Although he was convinced by Wang Daoxuan, he still lost face this time. If he let the evil succeed, he would rather not survive.

"Take care of yourself!"

After saying goodbye, Li Yan and the other two rode away on horseback.

Before I knew it, it started snowing again...

…………

As night falls, strong winds blow the snow.

"Master Dao, we're here!"

Sharifei held up his hat on his head and roared in the wind and snow.

Unexpected things happen. It started snowing again when they set out at noon, and then the north wind started howling and the snow got heavier and heavier.

The snow covered the trenches on the road. Riding a horse was not a good choice in this weather. The three of them walked on horseback in the wind and snow.

Fortunately, the ruins of ancient Haojing were not far away and they had already arrived.

"That's the old site of the Afang Palace, that's the ancient capital of Haojing, and this whole area used to be the Shanglin Garden. I know a place where I can get out of the wind!"

Sharifei pointed ahead and led the two men for another mile until they came to a corner of an earth wall.

The wind here was obviously weaker. Li Yan lit a torch and looked around in the flickering light. He soon made a discovery.

Although the surrounding earth walls have been badly weathered and covered with thick snow, one can still barely see that they were once the remains of an ancient city.

Haojing, Afang Palace, Shanglinyuan…

These brilliant names in history books have gone through countless years and wars, and now only some unrecognizable earthen walls remain.

Li Yan smiled and said, "Uncle Sha is quite familiar with this place."

"I used to come here quite often."

Sharifei laughed and said, "It's almost December, the time for hunting night foxes. I remember a few years ago, fox fur coats were popular among the rich families in Chang'an. Especially when hunting night foxes, you could get a lot of rewards by bringing foxes to the door. So we come here to hunt foxes for money..."

"Da Ye Hu" is also called "Da Ye Fox".

It is said that Emperor Jingzong of Tang was obsessed with alchemy and elixirs, and was extremely licentious and engaged in large-scale construction projects. The famous poem "Fu on Afang Palace" was written to admonish him.

Of course, no matter how well it is written, it is useless.

In addition, Emperor Jingzong of Tang had a special hobby, which was to take people to hunt foxes at night.

For some reason, this thing evolved into a folk custom. Every December, beggars and paupers in the city would dress up as ghosts and gods, beat drums and gongs, and knock on doors to ask for money, saying that they were helping you drive away the plague ghosts.

For the sake of good luck, most people will give a little.

It's a bit like the "trick or treat" thing on Halloween.

Li Yan asked in confusion, "To kill a night fox, you need to give away a real fox. I've never heard of this before."

"Well, it's just city people following the trend."

Sharifei said disdainfully: "People in Chang'an are like this. When they see a rich family doing something, they follow suit, saying that the fox fur they got that day has the power to ward off evil spirits, but it was later banned."

"What?"

"Something happened. Rumor has it that someone was beating a fox, and as a result, there was fox fire in the Afang Palace, and fox ghosts were everywhere, and many jianghu people died, so the government issued an order to ban it."

"But I didn't go, and I don't know whether the rumors are true or not..."

After chatting for a few minutes, Li Yan took out a book.

The scroll is beautifully made, like a fan, with bamboo as the frame and the finest silk as the cover. When spread out, it is covered with dense handwriting and maps.

This thing is called "Mourning Book".

It was originally a royal item, used to praise the merits of emperors and concubines during their lifetime, write sacrificial texts, and be buried together in tombs.

Later, the custom spread to the people. Some large families would also make tombstones because their cemeteries were remote and hidden, so that future generations would not be unaware of the location of their ancestral tombs. This was also considered a clan secret.

This one was given by Mr. Du, and it records the purpose in detail.

After carefully checking with a torch, Sharifei's eyes suddenly lit up, "Hey, I know this place, it's not far away, and we can get there in two more sticks of incense."

Wang Daoxuan also looked at the mourning book and said thoughtfully: "Sure enough, the Du family opened up the old Zhou tomb and hid it again."

"It looks like it's quite spacious inside. Let's go now. It's a good opportunity to get some work done and avoid the snowstorm at the same time."

After making up their minds, the three of them set off immediately.

Not long after, they came to a plain. On the plain, hills rose and fell, covered with heavy snow, like steamed buns or graves.

Of course, many of them are also large tombs of dukes and marquises, with mounds of earth piled up in mountains, some large and some small, from different ages, and many of them have been visited by rats and dug full of holes.

"Look over there!"

When they reached the foot of a hill, Sharifei suddenly pointed to the right.

I saw a huge crack suddenly appeared halfway up the mountain, and some huge bricks and stones were scattered...

(End of this chapter)