Starting from the Tiger Demon Yaksha, the demon immortality

Chapter 155 Chapter 154

"The child from Beitianyuan was abducted?"

Everyone was shocked after hearing what Master Jingyue said.

The nun, who was in her thirties, had a face full of fatigue and anxiety, and her lips were pale and chapped, as if she had not had any water all night.

"This is also my fault, last night."

Last night, a family was delivering a baby and asked Master Jingyue for help.

At that time, the pregnant woman was about to give birth and her life was at stake. She gave a few instructions to the older children in the yard and hurriedly followed the other person out.

Similar things have happened more than once. It is precisely because the nun is compassionate and has saved the lives of countless mothers and children that she enjoys a high reputation in the city.

Correspondingly, in return for the kindness, the people living around Beitianyuan also took good care of this group of children. In the past four or five years, no child has been lost.

Nun Jingyue left late at night because of the curfew. The people who invited her were from the same neighborhood, and the walk was only half an hour.

Who would have thought that after just half an hour of delivering the baby, more than half of the children in Beitianyuan were gone.

The remaining people who were not taken away were all drugged and fell unconscious on the ground. When Master Jingyue came back and saw the empty Beitian Courtyard, her heart sank.

The days at Beitianyuan have actually been much better recently because of the Ullambana Festival.

When wealthy families pray for the deceased, they often donate to temples. Master Jingyue even took this opportunity to take in a dozen children.

But who could have thought that an accident happened at this moment.

As soon as it was light and the gate opened, he immediately ran to the governor's office to report to the authorities.

".Actually, the legal officer from the government office had already begun an investigation, but the remaining children were drugged and couldn't provide any clues."

"Captain Zhang, Elder Li, saving lives is like putting out a fire. I hope you can help me save these children!"

With tears in her eyes, Nun Jingyue was about to stand up and bow deeply.

Li Cunxiao saw this and quickly stepped forward to support her, "Master, what are you doing?"

The so-called elders are great bhikkhus among the monks who are old, have high Dharma experience, and are excellent in wisdom and virtue.

However, as Buddhism becomes increasingly secularized, these honorific titles are inevitably abused.

Just like the three provinces and six ministries of the central court, each of the Ministry of Personnel, Ministry of Revenue, Ministry of Rites, Ministry of War, Ministry of Punishment and Works has a Yuanwailang, which is a sixth-rank official.

But nowadays, wealthy businessmen with some strength are called Yuanwai.

Nun Jingyue was in her thirties, and she was obviously extremely anxious when she called Li Cunxiao, a man who was almost an adult, "elder."

When Zhang Lishi heard this, he actually understood that the other party was not really looking for his help, but was actually interested in Li Cunxiao's influence in Tiangu Temple.

Government affairs are inherently slow, especially matters like missing children. Unless wealthy parents spend money, use connections, and exert pressure, there will be no results at all.

Although the governor Bai Xiangshan has always had a good reputation as an official, Master Jingyue has lived half her life and is no longer at the age to be superstitious about the court.

Saving a life is like putting out a fire, and every minute and every second after a child is lost is even more precious. Naturally, she does not want to put the safety of the children entirely on the shoulders of the government.

Tiangu Temple has many believers and is well-known. If its influence can be mobilized, the possibility of finding the child will be much greater.

"You are a virtuous nun. I, Li Sanlang, am only a junior. I cannot accept your great courtesy, let alone the title of elder. But since I have encountered the matter of those children, I cannot ignore it."

"Without further delay, I will go back with you to Beitianyuan to get some clues, and then go back to the temple to find someone to help."

Li Cunxiao knew that this was not the time to delay, so he agreed immediately.

After saying something to Zhang Lishi and Madam Zhang, he immediately went out.

It was just past midnight, and the number of people in the city was increasing. If one rode a red horse, the horse's power would likely kill pedestrians on the street if they were not careful.

"Master, I'm sorry."

Li Cunxiao squatted down, carried it on his back, and with the help of his true energy, he flew like a falcon among the buildings in the state capital, causing exclamations from people on the street.

Although only the hand Jueyin pericardium meridian has been opened for the time being and the foot meridian has not been opened yet, this does not mean that the true qi cannot bless the legs.

Just like there is no road in the mountains, but it is still passable. With a road, it is faster and more convenient to travel, while without a road, it is difficult and time-consuming to travel, but it is not completely impossible to travel.

The blood-jade-like true energy was added to his feet, and Li Cunxiao even quietly activated the wind wheel.

Driven by the invisible airflow, his speed was astonishingly fast.

Nun Jingyue behind her could only hear the whistling of the wind in her ears. In the hot July day, she even felt that the wind blowing in her face was like a winter wind that cuts her face.

In less than half a minute, Li Cunxiao crossed most of the state city from the East Market and arrived at Kanglefang in the southwest.

From a distance, while still in mid-air, Li Cunxiao could see more than a dozen bad guys in black clothes guarding the gate of Beitianyuan, where he had been before.

The person at the door heard the whistling sound of the wind and turned around. Before he saw anyone, the strong airflow blew his clothes into a mess and his face began to tremble.

"Who dares to disrupt the official business of the Governor's Office? Aren't you afraid of the caning? Li Cunxiao?"

Li Cunxiao did not hide the movement, so Su Wuming, a military officer of the Law Department who was investigating the scene in the courtyard, immediately came out with his men, holding his knife, when he heard the movement.

He was about to yell at someone, but when he saw the person coming, the anger on his face suddenly froze.

At the Yulan Festival, the battle between Li Cunxiao and Puning was witnessed by the whole city.

The common people were just watching the fun, but these warriors knew in their hearts that a genius was rising.

When the internal organs are in perfect condition, one can control the magic treasure and exert such power. Breaking through the Huangting is a sure thing. The future prospects will at least be the head of Tiangu Temple.

These geniuses will be more careful without being reminded by their superiors.

Not to mention the top and second-in-command of the government office, the governor Bai Xiangshan and the chief secretary Zheng Yanchang, both made no secret of their admiration for Li Cunxiao, and the latter even looked like he was going to introduce Zheng's daughter to him in marriage.

That’s a woman from five surnames!

No matter how many high-ranking officials and nobles in the world are vying for it, they may not be chosen by the Five Surnames and Seven Noble Ancestral Families.

Li Cunxiao's future is so bright that even a blind person can see it!

"General Su, sorry to bother you."

Li Cunxiao put Master Jingyue down and turned around to see a man in a sixth-rank dark green official robe coming forward with a bow.

He keenly noticed that although the other party was not wearing wrist guards, he seemed to be wearing armor under his round-necked robe.

Did something happen?

"Li," Su Wuming opened his mouth halfway and suddenly felt troubled.

Although the other party had entered Tiangu Temple, he had not been ordained as a monk and was not considered a real monk.

Call him Master? Call him Elder?
Neither feels right.

"General Su is older than me, so I should treat him like an elder brother."

Li Cunxiao had no intention of wasting time on these matters and went straight to the point:
"Master Jingyue has been kind to my escort agency. I was also extremely worried when I heard that the child from Beitianyuan was missing. I wonder if General Su has found any clues?"

Upon hearing this, Su Wuming subconsciously glanced at Master Jingyue, but quickly looked away.

He was only at the Perfect Huangting Realm, not a deity, so investigating a case would take time. Less than an hour had passed since the report was filed when Nun Jingyue summoned people from Tiangu Temple. He felt a certain distrust, even a sense of pressure, in their presence, which made him somewhat unhappy.

Li Cunxiao was not stupid. He saw Su Wuming's subtle expression and thought to himself:
"General Su, may I have a word with you?"

After the two walked a few steps away, Su Wuming saw the other party reaching into his arms to take something out, and thought that Li Cunxiao was quite capable.

Things must be done, but gifts cannot be accepted.

No matter what, it's better to let the other party owe you a favor.

Just as he was thinking this, Li Cunxiao had already taken out the jade box and opened it. The drum flowers rolled and collided, making a sound of metal and stone. Su Wuming's eyes widened immediately.

"Mi Gu Hua?!"

"To be honest, I intend to present this Drum Flower to Master Decong, because Senior Brother Yuanhua from the Arhat Hall is a good friend of my master, and like you, he has also achieved the Perfection of the Huangting Realm."

"This is the main ingredient for refining the Heart-Setting Pill. I'm giving it to you. If General Su can meet Master Decong later, maybe..."

"I can't do it! I can't do it!"

Su Wuming was somewhat intoxicated when he first saw the jade-like flowers, but as soon as Li Cunxiao finished speaking, he broke out in a cold sweat.

"Li Cunxiao is from the Medicine King Academy and is Decong's apprentice. If I take his things, how will I be able to buy the elixirs from Tiangu Temple in the future?"

"What's more, it's a magical herb like the Migu Flower. Even that fat monk Yuanhua got involved."

"If I really take this Drum Flower, won't he hate me to death? And forget about the Calming Pill!"

Su Wuming immediately straightened his expression, closed the jade box and pushed it back, saying righteously:
"Brother Li, you misunderstood. My governor loves the people like his own children and often teaches us to be concerned about their needs."

"As a military officer in charge of criminal cases, I am responsible for apprehending criminals and thieves. It is my job."

"Master Jingyue is compassionate and helps the poor and needy, and is respected by everyone. The children of Beitianyuan are missing, and we must investigate thoroughly to punish evil and promote good."

"If I accept benefits for this matter, then am I, Su Wuming, still a human being?!"

This was said quite loudly, and people had gathered nearby, and they all cheered when they heard it.

"Brother Su is indeed a capable official who serves the people!"

Li Cunxiao guessed that the other party would have this reaction.

As long as it was mentioned that it was something for Decong, Su Wuming would not dare to accept it even if he had ten thousand guts.

But after he finished speaking, Su Wuming quietly took two steps, motioned Li Cunxiao to move closer to the eaves, and whispered:
"But Brother Li, this matter is probably related to the evil spirits of the Ming Cult. It is of great significance and we cannot act rashly."

The Ming Cult again?

Li Cunxiao couldn't help but frown. They had come all the way from Chuqiu County to Songzhou City. Everything had changed except the Ming Cult. Their presence was everywhere.

Su Wuming led Li Cunxiao into the Beitian Courtyard, where he saw that the remaining children were gathered in one room.

No matter how scared he was because his companion was missing, he had calmed down and was eating under the supervision of several neighbors.

"Look at these kids, what do they have in common?"

Upon hearing this, Li Cunxiao glanced around and couldn't help but squint his eyes.

Judging from their appearance, none of the children in the house were under the age of five, because younger children, without parents, would most likely die of starvation or disease, and would never survive until Master Jingyue arrived to save them.

Based on his recollection of the last time he came to Beitianyuan to deliver old clothes and dry food, he soon discovered that the remaining children were basically younger ones.

Those who were older but not abducted were basically disabled, either missing fingers, blind, or born with a limp.

On the other hand, the children who were abducted were older and stronger.

Most of them are boys, but there are also some girls, all of them are thirteen or fourteen years old.

“They’re all grown-up kids.”

Li Cunxiao didn't know what he was thinking about, and his face looked grim.

Su Wuming nodded.

"To be honest, Brother Li, this isn't the first time Nun Jingyue has been here this month."

“It’s just that before, they were all in nearby counties and rural areas, and on a small scale.”

"The world is in turmoil these days, so it's normal for people to go missing. The county magistrates and lieutenants either knew about it but didn't report it, or they just didn't take it seriously."

"It was because of the Yulan Festival that a large number of warriors from the surrounding areas flocked in, and our government office received the tip-off."

"It's curfew time, and the gates are closed. It's impossible for more than a dozen children to disappear quietly into thin air."

"Inspector Bai is extremely strict in his military discipline. It's unlikely that the city guards would collude with the Ming Cult to smuggle people, so these children are most likely still in the city."

"The thief was cunning and didn't leave many traces."

"The three wards of Yonghe, Yongping, and Yong'an in the south of the city are close to the city gate and are where the poor gather. The terrain is complex and they are the most likely to harbor criminals."

"Finding the child right now is secondary. The key is that after we find the child, we may have to confront the demon."

As Su Wuming spoke, he unbuttoned his round-necked robe, revealing the willow-leaf armor underneath, making him look fully armed.

Now that things have come to this, what else can Li Cunxiao do?
I originally wanted to give him a few banknotes as a bribe, but Su Wuming not only refused to accept them, but also acted as if he was willing to pay me back.

There was no other reason. Although he didn't dare to take the Mi Gu Hua, he really wanted the Tranquilizing Pill.

As a rising star in Tiangu Temple and Yaowangyuan, Li Cunxiao is a person who must be befriended.

After comforting Master Jingyue with a few words, Li Cunxiao walked out of Beitian Courtyard. Feeling the expectant gazes from all around him, he felt a little helpless.

After the divine manifestation in Lianchi, the common people in the state capital really regarded him as the incarnation of gods and Buddhas.

But he knew in his heart how much he was worth.

The matter involves the Ming Cult and happens in the state capital. If one move is not handled properly, it will affect the entire body and civilians will be affected.

The governor's office has already intervened in this matter. All he can do now is report back to Tiangu Temple.

After all, Yuan Guang had just said not long ago that there was a great feud between the Ming Cult and his own sect.

I think that as a man of integrity, if he knew about it, he would not ignore it.

With the combined efforts of the Governor's Office and Tiangu Temple, the case should be solved faster.

The more masters there are in charge, the more controllable the casualties will be.

Thinking of this, Li Cunxiao quickly returned to the escort agency, briefly said something to Zhang Lishi, and immediately rode on his red horse and galloped back to the temple.

After the Ullambana Festival, he became familiar with De Zheng's first disciple Yuan Guang and simply went to find the other person directly.

After the matter was explained, the latter also became serious. The two went to the abbot's meditation room together, but unexpectedly met Decong.

The latter walked out of De Zheng's room, as if thinking about something.

When he saw Li Cunxiao, he looked him up and down, his eyes lit up:
"Have you developed your true energy?"

(End of this chapter)