Cursed Mountains and Seas

Chapter 42 Setting Sail! The Three Sacrificial Offerings, the Demon Head Wind
Wang Cheng was unaware that his new online persona had also become a thorn in someone's side, with one problem after another arising.

Seeing the scarecrow burned down, I finally breathed a sigh of relief.

He himself felt a sense of lingering fear, because his birth date and time had fallen into the hands of a carpenter who practiced the Lu Ban method.

If it weren't for his altered fate and heavy bones, it would be no more difficult for anyone to deal with him than what Shen Yuting just did.

He turned around and bowed deeply to Shen Yuting.

"This disciple thanks Master for solving a great problem for me."

This master is truly exceptional; he's kind to his own people and ruthless to his enemies, giving you a strong sense of security.

Shen Yuting waved his hand dismissively:
"This person is quite capable, possessing cultivation at the middle third rank. This time, the ritual only killed him and his direct descendants, failing to eliminate the Dharma descendants he taught, following fate's will. Cough cough cough"

He started coughing again before he could finish speaking; this time, opening the altar seemed to be a considerable burden for him.

"Master!"

Wang Cheng quickly helped him up.

Now, the relationship between master and apprentice is becoming increasingly close, and there is one more piece of information available that is more valuable than before:
[Plagued by chronic illness, his strength greatly diminished]

Despite his words that Wang Cheng should call for his master's help if he is in danger, his current physical condition is clearly not suitable for fighting with others.

Shen Yuting noticed Wang Cheng's worry, but simply waved his hand and said:
"It's an old ailment; I won't die anytime soon."

Tell me, who do you think hired someone to commit the murder?

This "Director of the Hall of the Year" possesses all the qualities of a big shot: he believes in using open strategies to establish himself and insidious strategies to protect himself; he is a person of morality and a man of skill in his work; he has Buddha in his heart and a knife in his hand.

We must treat our enemies with the same ruthlessness as a whirlwind sweeping away fallen leaves!
Wang Cheng didn't mince words upon hearing this:
"I have been studying in the state capital for the past few years and have only been back in Yuegang for a few days. Only the gentry and wealthy families who had the conflict that day had a motive."

But the person who carried out the Lu Ban method definitely has no connection with them, so it's impossible for you, the "Director of the Hall of the Year," to find fault with him.

only."

After a slight hesitation, feeling that the time was right after he had become familiar with his master, he recounted his previous experience of being intercepted and killed by the "Zhang Fushun" ship at the mouth of the Jiulong River.

"Actually, we captured a sea monster back then, named Pu Shoucheng!"

Shen Yuting did not react immediately.

Moreover, he silently took out three ancient bronze coins and used his signature skill, the Six Lines Coin Divination, to verify the authenticity of the information.

After a moment, his expression gradually became serious:
"I knew long ago that someone had blockaded the coastline a few days after the Prince of Jinghai sent the royal ship, but I never suspected the low-profile Pu family."

With your information, my Six Lines Coin Divination can almost confirm that Pu Shouying is indeed problematic!

You should stop worrying about this. Just in case, you should go out and hide for a while. You can go with Han Shushu to complete the ritual.

I'll tell Han Zechang that you and Shushu should leave ahead of schedule and depart from Yuegang tomorrow.

Shen Yuting, the official in charge of the year, has clearly taken a stance and is no longer bothered to maintain a facade of neutrality.

Killing is for the purpose of protecting life; cutting off karma is not the same as killing people. When goodness is achieved, there are no taboos!

Now, those gentry and powerful families who attempted to monopolize maritime trade and smuggling have become the common enemy of the thirty-six halls of the Water Rank in the eyes of this Water Rank official.

He now shoulders part of the responsibility for the thirty-six halls in Southeast Asia and East Asia, and few people are more qualified than him to represent the naval officers in saying the words "all living beings under heaven".

call--!
As the sun sets, the north wind howls, carrying the biting chill of the northern frontier, blowing all the way from Shanhaiguan, the northernmost point of the Great Zhao Dynasty, to Qiongzhou, the southernmost point.

On the thirteenth day of the twelfth month of the thirty-ninth year of the Shaozhi reign, the Zhang Fushun set sail again after being fully armed.

With a knife at his waist and a bearskin cloak sponsored by his master, Wang Cheng stood on the aft deck like a straight javelin.

"Helmsman, swivel hand, starboard upwind - sail close to the wind!"

"Yes, Captain."

Together, they turned the winch on the deck, using the sail rigging and ribs to spread the three hard sails on the foremast, mainmast, and stern, and then adjusted the angle of attack to a large degree.

"Hey, big boatman, should we put up a [Water-Gathering Talisman]?"

Zhang Wu, the vice-captain, carrying a three-eyed musket and a dagger, ran over with high spirits to ask for instructions.

"Not for now. There aren't many evil spirits around these days, so we can save ourselves some time until the New Year."

Wang Cheng held a brass telescope in his hand, his eyes shining brightly. In his vision, the land side was radiant with light, and the lights of thousands of homes turned into a river of light flowing into the sea.

The Laba porridge dispels much of the ancient, chilling coldness of the vast ocean, and the various evil spirits lurking in the sea subconsciously avoid the coast, migrating deeper into the sea. Drinking Laba porridge signifies that the end of the year is approaching, a time to bid farewell to the old and welcome the new.

Throughout the Dazhao Kingdom, wealthy gentry, merchants, and clans organized dragon and lion dances, processions of deities, and sacrificial ceremonies, gradually filling the streets and alleys along the riverbank with a festive atmosphere.

With the will of all beings filled with hope and negative emotions at their lowest, the yang energy furnaces, with cities and villages as nodes, expanded comprehensively and greatly invaded the vast ocean.

In addition, the Wangchuan ship was recently sent off along the coast, filling the East China Sea Eye with many evil spirits. This period is the safest time for most water bodies in and around China.

While farmers celebrated the festival on land, the Tanka people, fishermen, and many officials of the waterways all flocked to the sea.

Anyway, they originally lived at sea, so their home was wherever their boat went, and it didn't matter where they celebrated the New Year.

Why not take advantage of this rare safe window of opportunity to make a fortune!
"Master said that the eldest and second eldest brothers and sisters who did not return are still on official business outside and may miss the New Year this year."

The third phase of the Great Cold, "Water and Marsh Abdomen Firm," which Han Shushu needs to perform the ritual, falls on the 20th of the twelfth lunar month. I probably won't be able to get back in time.

We'll see if we have a chance to get together with our senior classmates after the New Year.

Wang Cheng turned his gaze to the lion-head plaque that had just been replaced at the bow of the boat yesterday, and the offering table placed there. He then gave Zhang Wen, the incense maker who had returned to his old trade, a wink:
"The offering of the three sacrificial animals hasn't been completed for twelve hours yet?"

Yesterday, Zhang Wen returned to the ship and immediately replaced the head lion plaque on the "Zhang Fushun" ship with a new one, and prepared three kinds of sacrificial animals to begin the offering.

In Shinto practice, sacrificial animals, fragrant fruits, and meats are commonly used. Cattle, sheep, and pigs are called the "three major sacrificial animals," while pigs, fish, and chickens are called the "three minor sacrificial animals."

Wang Cheng was worried that the quality of the sacrificial offerings would affect the quality of the lion head board after it was unsealed, and besides, he didn't care about the extra amount, so he used the larger sacrificial offerings.

Zhang Wen took out an exquisite brass pocket watch from his pocket, opened the cover, glanced at the hands, and replied:

"Big bow, still a quarter of an hour away."

After waiting silently for another quarter of an hour, everyone gathered on the deck and followed Wang Cheng, the captain of the ship, to burn incense and offer prayers.

One bow, and the wind rises.

The already howling north wind suddenly accelerated, swirling wildly around the Zhang Fushun ship.

Second bow, lion's roar.

It was as if the legendary thunderous roar of tigers and leopards exploded in everyone's hearts, and some people with weaker constitutions felt their legs begin to tremble.

After three bows, the clouds dispersed and the rain ceased.

All the strange phenomena disappeared, but the one-horned lion on the front of the sailboat became more vivid than ever before, like the finishing touch on a painting.

It makes one wonder if it would jump off the bow of the ship at the slightest call.

Wang Cheng quickly scanned the area with the [Rare Goods] tool and was pleasantly surprised to find that by offering three large sacrificial animals, he had activated two abilities of the Lion Head Board.

【Dignity】：
"The ability to solidify is such that when the enemy sees the lion's head during combat, they will be filled with fear, their combat power will be weakened, and the probability of making mistakes will greatly increase."

【Ghost Head Wind】:
"Water collectors at sea call the unpredictable whirlwind 'ghost head wind'."

Every day, it can actively summon a ghost wind that lasts for half an hour within a radius of 100 meters, and can control the wind direction at will.

The ship can only be set sail if the captain lights a lamp in his heart or if the ship god appears in prayer.

Wang Cheng was itching to try it out after seeing this, and couldn't wait to see how it worked.

Just like new ships undergo sea trials before being launched, tactical equipment and other new equipment must also be repeatedly tested before being deployed on board to ensure that they are ready for combat.

At this moment, the lookout who had been on the mainmast suddenly shouted:

"Hey, there's a ship ahead. They've given the agreed-upon signal."

Wang Cheng gazed into the night sky, where the lanterns on the opposite boat flashed several times in a sequence of three short, three long, and three short flashes, as agreed.

"Signal! Respond."

The Zhang Fushun also responded and then slowly approached.

Today they left decisively enough, and after leaving Yuegang, they were not followed. They then used a letter to arrange to meet Han Shushu, who had left the port separately, in this open sea.

As the two vehicles drew closer, Wang Cheng spotted Han Shushu, a petite woman draped in a snow-white fox fur coat, looking timid, on the rear deck.

But when she saw a young man among the crew members beside her with a monkey perched on his shoulder, her gaze sharpened slightly.

(End of this chapter)