Knife splashing

Chapter 31 Spring Breeze Shadow Play Class

"Ah, this... why?"

Seeing Wang Daoxuan's flat refusal, Sharifei looked confused.

Even Li Yan looked at the Taoist.

During this period of time, he learned a lot of Taoist knowledge from Wang Daoxuan.

"Zhuang Zang" was originally passed down from Buddhism. Whenever a Buddha statue was completed, symbolic internal organs would be installed on it, and various rituals would be performed to make the statue more spiritual.

There are many ways to pretend to be dirty, each school has a strict inheritance, and the process is complicated.

For example, according to the method of purification before installation, the inside of the Buddha statue needs to be cleaned and fumigated with incense, then sprinkled with safflower water, and finally fumigated with rosin milk.

For example, there are strict regulations on the selection of materials for the central channel, the combination of five-colored gemstones, and even the monks who perform the internal rituals.

After Buddhism took root in China, the construction of Buddha statues inevitably required the hiring of knowledgeable craftsmen from the Taoist sect, and this method gradually became popular.

Because if this method is used properly, it is easier to gather the divine power.

But I don’t know why Wang Daoxuan is so afraid.

Looking at the two people's eyes, Wang Daoxuan stroked his beard and shook his head, saying: "Pretending to be dirty to invite gods is no big deal. Almost every opera troupe will do it. Some have even been passed down for hundreds of years. The incense and the gods are strong. There is no taboo to perform for ghosts and gods during the Zhongyuan Festival."

"But there is definitely something strange about this new shadow puppet troupe."

"Xianyang City is not big, but it is not small either. There are more than a dozen opera troupes here. If they want to gain a foothold, they will have to resort to some tricks."

"Pray to the gods? I'm afraid you want to pray for something else..."

"Besides, the shadow puppet troupes are different. Other troupes worship the old Langshen, but the shadow puppet troupes worship the great Han Taoist Shao Weng."

"It is said that Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty missed his late wife Lady Li, so Li Shaoweng made a shadow puppet of Lady Li, painted it with colors, and installed wooden poles at the hands and feet. At night, he put a square curtain around it and lit candles. Emperor Wu was very pleased when he saw it, so Shaoweng, a master of Xuanmen, became the founder of the shadow puppet industry."

"All dramas are originated from entertaining gods, especially shadow puppetry. Most of them are about making wishes, fulfilling wishes, praying for rain, worshipping, exorcising evil spirits, etc. They are performed during festivals, temple fairs, weddings and funerals. There are many rules and taboos. If he invites other things, I'm afraid he will have more trouble."

"If something goes wrong, someone will definitely die!"

After some explanation, the two suddenly understood.

Sharifei scratched his head and cursed, "What a coward! No wonder the old man came over as soon as I mentioned it. I guess the other families didn't dare to take it."

This guy was so thick-skinned that he didn't care even if he let the cat out of the bag. He rolled his eyes and said with a smile, "Master, look, it's them who are asking the gods to do this anyway. We just need to get the job done. As for what will happen in the future, it has nothing to do with us..."

"No."

Wang Daoxuan shook his head directly, "I can't get over this. If someone dies, it will be too late to regret."

Li Yan also said: "Just do as the Taoist said."

From the moment they met, he knew what kind of person Wang Daoxuan was.

Taoists are sincere in their hearts. Even if they want to make money, they must do it in a proper way.

As a member of the Xuanmen, there is a reason why he has ended up in such a miserable state.

Boom boom boom!
Just then, there was a knock on the door outside the yard.

The three of them looked up and saw an old man with white hair and black clothes standing outside the courtyard gate. He looked at them and knocked on the door. Under the oil-paper umbrella was a miserable face.

"Excuse me, is this Daoist Master Wang?"

"Boss Zhou?"

Sharifei was puzzled at first, and then his expression turned bad. "This 'Old White Noodle' is really quick to speak. Boss Zhou, I'm afraid you've been watching me as soon as I left the house, right?"

"I didn't even notice you following me all the way. You're really good at it..."

"Lao Baimian" is an acquaintance of Sha Lifei and is also the suona player of the troupe.

Sharifei didn't expect that the boss would come to his door just after he mentioned it and the matter hadn't been settled yet.

What made him feel even more embarrassed was that he was considered an old hand, but he didn't even realize he was being targeted. Wasn't this embarrassing in front of Li Yan and the others?

Wang Daoxuan waved his hand to interrupt him, and said to the boss Zhou sincerely: "My fellow layman, I know what you want to do, but in this business of yours, you still have to rely on real skills. If you borrow the power of ghosts and gods, you will suffer from it..."

"I know."

Boss Zhou sighed, his face becoming even more bitter, "Master, please listen to what I have to say."

"I'm Zhou Kangnian. My troupe is called Chunfeng Troupe. It's a century-old brand in Huayin. I've made some money and I want to make a name for myself in Xianyang first, and then go to Chang'an."

"This is all my rebellious son's fault. He didn't know how dangerous the world is. As soon as he arrived in Xianyang, he was tricked into gambling and owed a large sum of money. After returning, he was too ashamed to face anyone and secretly hanged himself in the middle of the night."

"I am usually spoiled, and it is my own fault that I have to send off the young. However, the old and young in the team are innocent, and they are forced to come to the door by the Iron Knife Society. No one can leave until they pay off their debts."

"I know this is dangerous, and I am willing to bear the consequences. If anything goes wrong, I will be the only one to die. I only hope that you can help me solve this disaster..."

When Li Yan, who was standing by, heard this, his eyes sparkled.

That old monkey Zhou Pan has many disciples, good and bad of them.

Two of them were originally street hooligans. After learning the true skills of boxing, they gathered together the hooligans and city foxes and rats in Xianyang City and established two gangs, the Iron Knife Gang and the White Ape Gang.

With the support of the Divine Fist Society, his power continued to expand, and he had become the leader of the underworld in Xianyang City, occupying the East and West cities respectively, and doing business that bullied and dominated the market.

The purpose of the Divine Fist Society after its establishment was to protect the neighbors, but since these two disciples kept offering sacrifices, old monkey Zhou Pan just turned a blind eye.

Sometimes, if he offended his fellow gang members, he would even step in personally to deal with it.

As a result, these two gangs became increasingly rampant.

When the Chunfeng Class first entered Xianyang, they were naturally targeted by these people.

On the other side, seeing that Wang Daoxuan was still hesitating, the Zhou class leader immediately fell to his knees and said with tears in his eyes, "Master, please help me."

"I know a way to bring all the bad luck to me. As long as the young and old in the team can escape this disaster, I will die without regrets!"

This week, the class leader was able to follow behind Shalifai without being discovered, so he must be quite skilled and has already developed hidden power. Although he is old and his blood is exhausted, he is still considered a good fighter.

Unexpectedly, I was forced to this point.

"The old boss is kind and righteous."

Wang Daoxuan sighed, "I understand what you mean. Things are pressing and we have no choice. But you have to think about it carefully. If something goes wrong, it won't be as simple as just dying."

Master Zhou was delighted and gritted his teeth and said, "Master, please help me."

"Not urgent."

Wang Daoxuan didn't rush to agree, and said calmly: "Let's go check on your team first. Team Leader Zhou can wait outside. We'll pack up and leave."

"well!"

Boss Zhou was used to people's hearts and knew that Wang Daoxuan intended to get rid of him, but he was already extremely grateful that others were willing to agree, so he didn't dare to say anything more.

As soon as he left the house, Sharifei's face turned bitter and he whispered, "Oh, Taoist priest, the ghosts and gods are still far away, but this evil man is right in front of us."

"You didn't agree before, why do you agree now?"

Wang Daoxuan shook his head awkwardly, "This... I am too soft-hearted."

Just as Sha Lifei was about to continue to persuade him, Li Yan on the side said, "Since you want Xiang Man'er, there is no reason to be afraid. This job can be done!"

When Sharifei heard this, he knew that Li Yan might want to find a way to deal with Zhou Pan through the Iron Knife Gang, and he couldn't help but sigh in his heart.

One is stubborn and the other is crazy. I am so unlucky.

He wanted to leave, but when he thought about the ups and downs in his life and the famine he had experienced, how could he be willing to go back and be the leader of the wheat pickers?

"Forget it, just do it!"

Thinking of this, he gritted his teeth and became ruthless.

"Not urgent."

Wang Daoxuan waved his hand and said in a deep voice: "I have heard that there is an evil way in the shadow puppet sect, which uses human skin as a tool. When a person is forced into a desperate situation, Buddha or devil will be in a matter of a thought."

"Brother Yan, keep an eye on them. If they have already done something evil, we will just turn around and leave and report to the police!"

"Row."

After making up their minds, the three of them packed up and went out.

The boss Zhou was naturally surprised and led the way...

…………

After going out, under the leadership of Master Zhou, they walked through the streets and alleys and unknowingly arrived at the northwest corner of Xianyang City.

Here we are near Ma Wang Temple.

The Mawang Temple enshrines Lord Ma, one of the great marshals of the Xuanmen spiritual officials. It can be found in many places and is very popular.

Of course, this is also where horse licenses are processed and the Xianyang Mule and Horse Market is located. After the rain, the ground is muddy, and the smell of livestock is really unpleasant.

The wealthy families in Xianyang City naturally couldn't stand this smell.

Therefore, most of the people living here are poor people.

One can imagine how destitute the Spring Breeze Class is when they are stationed here.

Led by team leader Zhou, the three of them turned into an old alley. The houses on both sides were dilapidated, sewage was flowing everywhere, and the ancient bluestone slabs were covered with mud.

After walking for a while, a large courtyard appeared in front of us.

It looks like it used to be a coach house, but it is now in disrepair.

There were a dozen or so people standing scattered outside, all of them with fat faces and shabby clothes. Some were shirtless with tattoos showing, and some had flowers pinned on the side of their caps.

Each of them was holding a sharp weapon and their words were filthy.

But Li Yan stopped at this moment, his eyes showing a playful look.

The leader of this gang of hooligans turned out to be an acquaintance.

It was Meng Haicheng who had suffered at his hands!
(End of this chapter)