Born Saints: Starting from Liaozhai

Chapter 113 Strange Phenomena in the State of Qi?!

"A giant blue snake?"

"The God of Mist Mountain?"

Upon hearing what Zhongfu said, Duke Huan of Qi was slightly taken aback.

In particular, the story of King You of Zhou and the God of Wushan that Zhongfu told him, and the various supernatural phenomena that the God of Wushan displayed in the story, all surprised him.

Duke Huan of Qi was deeply troubled.

Thunder rumbled outside the hall.

Dark clouds loom over the city.

Occasionally, a flash of lightning streaks across the sky, casting an flickering light within the hall.

After a moment of emotional turmoil, Duke Huan of Qi looked up at the sky again.

However, the fleeting blue figure could no longer be seen amidst the churning dark clouds.

For a moment, a sense of doubt arose in his mind.

Do gods really exist?

Does the God of Fog Mountain truly possess all the legendary abilities?

As a ruler, he instinctively harbored some suspicion and vigilance towards such matters.

However, at the same time, what he had just witnessed made him somewhat believe that the story of King Zhou You and the God of Mist Mountain might actually be true!

Thinking about this, he felt an urgency and couldn't help but come up with an idea.

Duke Huan of Qi suddenly spoke up, "Uncle Zhong, I wish to send someone to investigate Wushan—"

He stopped mid-sentence, his mind drifting back to what his father had just said.

In the past, King You of Zhou personally went to Wushan to worship the God of Wushan.

Even the Zhou emperor himself came; if the God of Mist Mountain truly exists, merely sending troops to investigate would be rather impolite and rash.

And most likely, nothing will be found!

Thinking of this, Duke Huan of Qi hesitated for a moment, then said in a deep voice, "Uncle Zhong, I am prepared to personally go to Wushan to offer sacrifices to the God of Wushan—"

These words were spoken.

A slight silence fell over the hall.

Upon hearing this, Guan Zhong's face showed a hint of surprise, and he looked at the emperor.

He never expected that the emperor would actually have the idea of ​​personally going to Wushan to perform the sacrifice.

However, after a moment's hesitation, Guan Zhong did not offer any words of dissuasion.

It's not unusual for the ruler of Qi to personally offer sacrifices to a deity that even the Zhou emperor worshipped.

It might not be a bad thing for the monarch to offer sacrifices!

Moreover, if this could bring the State of Qi the blessing of a deity, it would be a great thing for Qi!

So Guan Zhong bowed slightly and echoed, "If Your Majesty has such intentions, I will certainly follow!"

Duke Huan of Qi nodded.

The matter was settled.

soon.

As soon as Duke Huan of Qi gave his orders, news spread that he was preparing to personally go to the legendary Wushan Mountain to offer sacrifices to the Wushan deity.

It first circulated in the royal palace, and then quickly spread throughout the entire capital of Qi.

For a moment, the people of the capital were abuzz with discussion, and many showed surprise on their faces.

In the streets and alleys, in taverns, and even among ordinary people, the matter began to be discussed.

"Have you heard?"

"Your Majesty is going to Mount Wu to offer sacrifices to the God of Mount Wu!"

"Fog Mountain? What's that? And who is the God of Fog Mountain?"

Some people were surprised, and some were puzzled.

Unlike Prime Minister Guan Zhong, who was well-versed in numerous books and had extensive knowledge, they couldn't help but have various doubts in their hearts.

In the capital of Qi, many people began to investigate matters concerning Wushan and the Wushan God.

Historians in the royal palace, retainers in noble mansions, and scholars traveling between countries all pored over old bamboo slips, attempting to find records about the God of Mist Mountain.

After King You of Zhou, the Zhou royal family became somewhat secretive about this matter, which resulted in the story of the God of Wushan being largely forgotten for a long time.

However, the bamboo slips that recorded the events still exist and have not been destroyed.

The capital of the Kingdom of Qi.

Inside a noble mansion.

The study was spacious and quiet, with rows of wooden shelves placed around it.

On the wooden shelf, rolls of bamboo slips were neatly stacked.

The dim light of the oil lamp flickered, illuminating the room in a warm, quiet atmosphere.

A nobleman from the State of Qi, who was about thirty years old, dressed in a deep robe and with a jade pendant at his waist, with a calm and dignified expression, was kneeling in front of the table. He was a descendant of an old family in the State of Qi and usually enjoyed reading bamboo slips. Ever since he heard the news that the king was going to Wushan to worship the so-called Wushan God, he had been filled with curiosity.

So they came here and ordered people to take out many ancient bamboo slips from the family's old collection.

At this moment, hundreds of ancient bamboo slips are piled on the table.

Gao Sui reached out and untied the silk cord on a bamboo scroll. The scroll slowly unfurled, revealing fine, dense ink characters line by line.

He read quietly.

He opened the ancient bamboo slips one by one.

The room was completely silent, save for the faint sound of bamboo slips being gently rubbed together.

Soon, when he turned to one of the bamboo slips that was clearly from a very old time, he couldn't help but pause slightly in surprise.

The bamboo slips clearly record a story from the past, about King You of Zhou!

Gao Sui's gaze froze, and he slowly looked down.

The bamboo slips contain a record of an event.

Back then, Marquis Shen raised an army and joined forces with the Quanrong to attack Haojing. Even King You of Zhou was pursued to Mount Li and killed by them.

However, it contains a different version of the story.

At that time, King You of Zhou did not die at the hands of the Quanrong and the soldiers of Marquis Shen. Instead, during his escape, he entered a mountain range shrouded in mist all year round, which is called Wushan!

The bamboo slips also record that there is indeed a deity in the Misty Mountain.

As he continued reading, he suddenly froze.

The bamboo slips contain several short but startling passages.

The Zhou emperor entered the misty mountains and was protected by a divine lord, thus escaping death!

The Quanrong cavalry and Shenhou soldiers pursued them, but they could do nothing to the Zhou emperor!

Hundreds of Quanrong soldiers perished without a trace, only Shenhou's soldiers were spared by the God of Mist Mountain and fled in disarray.

"this----"

Gao Sui stopped using his right hand, a look of obvious shock appearing on his face, his eyes filled with disbelief.

If the events recorded on these bamboo slips are true, then wouldn't that mean that neither the Quanrong nor the Shenhou army of that time could do anything to Wushan Shenjun?

The bamboo slips also subtly suggest that King You of Zhou never died and lived to old age under the protection of the God of Wushan!

Gao Sui's breathing quickened, and he hurriedly checked the bamboo slips behind him.

Unfortunately, there wasn't much more to be recorded, and the bamboo slips soon came to an end.

The study was quiet.

The oil lamp flickered gently, but Gao Sui's expression remained unsettled for a long time.

"Lord of the Mist Mountain—" he murmured.

In a short time.

A thought involuntarily surfaced in his mind.

If the God of Wushan truly exists.

What will happen when Duke Huan of Qi personally goes to Wushan to offer sacrifices this time?

at the same time.

As Duke Huan of Qi prepared to go to Wushan to offer sacrifices to the god of Wushan, news continued to spread.

This matter quickly spread to the various vassal states.

In a short time.

The reactions of the rulers of different countries varied.

Far away in Luoyi, the location of the Zhou royal family.

King Xiang of Zhou, who was nominally the ruler of all under heaven, also heard of this news.

King Xiang of Zhou had a somewhat complicated expression.

There are some taboo records about the God of Mist Mountain within the royal family, but these matters are rarely mentioned to the outside world.

Why would Duke Huan of Qi suddenly decide to go to Wushan to offer sacrifices?

Could something have happened?

King Xiang of Zhou couldn't help but feel a mix of emotions that were hard to describe.

This moment.

Whether it was the rulers of the various vassal states or King Xiang of Zhou, they all couldn't help but pay attention to the situation of Duke Huan of Qi's sacrificial ceremony and what might happen next.

Soon, all the major vassal states, as well as the nominal ruler of the world, King Xiang of Zhou, instructed their people in Qi to pay attention to the situation of Duke Huan of Qi.

These people included envoys from the State of Qi, wandering scholars and retainers, and spies hiding their identities.

All eyes were fixed on the Qi royal palace and on Duke Huan of Qi's every move.

Was Duke Huan of Qi's sacrifice this time truly intended to be a sacrifice, or did he have ulterior motives?

Soon after.

Outside the capital of Qi.

A large procession slowly set off from the city gate.

-

With banners fluttering and chariots standing in rows, it was Duke Huan of Qi's sacrificial procession heading to Wushan.

Hundreds of armored soldiers and guards, armed with spears and shields and clad in bronze armor, marched in unison with solemn expressions, clearing the way ahead and surrounding the area for protection.

Among them were dozens of carriages, high-ranking officials, and nobles.

The cart also carried cattle and sheep, wine vessels, bronze sacrificial vessels, and bamboo slips containing sacrificial texts.

A solemnly decorated chariot moved slowly through it.

Seated in the carriage was none other than Duke Huan of Qi, the hegemon of the State of Qi. He was dressed in dark robes and had a dignified expression.

Standing beside him was Guan Zhong, the prime minister of the State of Qi.

Guan Zhong remained calm, observing the group and the surroundings from time to time.

The procession also included officials such as priests, shamans, historians, and musicians.

The entire team was large and impressive, numbering over a thousand people.

They marched westward with unstoppable momentum.

More than twenty days later.

The large group finally arrived at the foot of the misty mountain.

Looking from afar.

The misty mountains were shrouded in a thin fog, and the deep forests seemed to be isolated from the outside world.

Duke Huan of Qi's army camped at the foot of the mountain.

Several days later.

The day of the sacrifice finally arrived.

early morning.

An altar had already been erected at the foot of the mountain.

The altar was constructed of wood and stone, with bronze sacrificial vessels placed on top. Cattle and sheep were led aside, and wine vessels were neatly arranged.

Around the altar, Qi soldiers stood in formation.

Within the ranks, some seemingly normal people were secretly observing everything; they were none other than spies and agents from various vassal states.

All eyes were fixed on the area around the altar.

Soon, the sacrificial ceremony began.

The first to step forward was the ritual official from the State of Qi. Dressed in sacrificial robes and holding bamboo slips, he walked to the altar and began to loudly recite the sacrificial text.

"Lord Qi, with fine wine and sacrificial animals, respectfully informs the God of Mist Mountain—"

"—Having heard that the deity resides here, we have come here to offer sacrifices and express our respect—"

The sound of the eulogy echoed among the misty mountains.

Afterwards, the officiant withdrew, and Duke Huan of Qi slowly walked onto the altar.

The surroundings fell silent instantly, and everyone's eyes were fixed on this scene.

Duke Huan of Qi took the bronze wine cup from his attendant and then slowly poured the wine onto the altar.

After a set of sacrificial rituals.

On the altar.

Duke Huan of Qi pondered for a moment, then suddenly spoke, his voice echoing around him.

"If Your Majesty were here, I would like to ask you a question!"

These words were spoken.

The expressions of those around them changed slightly, and doubts and curiosity arose in their hearts.

What were the rulers and the Marquis of Qi preparing to ask?

Under their questioning gazes, Duke Huan of Qi continued, "Some time ago, a blue shadow appeared in the sky above Qi, hovering among the thunderclouds. I wonder if it was a divine being descending?"

The words fell.

A sudden silence fell over the surroundings.

The people of Qi and the spies from other countries almost simultaneously widened their eyes, their expressions of astonishment and shock.

Strange phenomena have appeared in the skies above the State of Qi?

Qingying?

Thunderclouds?

among the crowd.

A scout from the state of Jin immediately turned pale.

He was tall and thin, and his complexion was somewhat sallow from years of traveling between countries.

At this moment, Xun Li's face was very gloomy.

What kind of thing happened in the State of Qi recently?

Damn it, I didn't even notice!

If it's true—

Doesn't that mean there really is a God of Mist Mountain?

Did the God of Mist Mountain also descend upon the State of Qi?

Is the Mandate of Heaven perhaps in Qi?

Xun Li couldn't help but think this way.

Not only him, but at this moment, spies from various countries all had this thought to varying degrees, and a sense of resentment arose in their hearts.

It dawned on me.

No wonder the State of Qi became the strongest of the vassal states; it was because it was favored by the gods.

For a moment, looking at the Marquis of Qi protected by armored soldiers on the altar, Xun Li and the others couldn't help but feel jealous and grit their teeth.

This Marquis of Qi is truly both lucky and treacherous!

They only found out about this now!

Meanwhile, around the altar.

The people of Qi were equally shocked and bewildered, as this was the first time they had heard of such a thing.

A cacophony of voices arose.

Seeing their murmurs, Zhu Guan immediately stepped forward and shouted, "Silence!"

After he finished speaking, everyone fell silent, and the foot of Fog Mountain gradually quieted down.

All eyes were fixed on Duke Huan of Qi on the altar.

The mountains and forests were silent, with only the whistling of the wind.

Everyone held their breath and waited quietly.

However, as time passed, the area around Wushan remained quiet.

There were no unusual phenomena, no response, and nothing happened.

The spies from the various vassal states, including Xun Li, couldn't help but reveal subtle expressions on their faces.

"It seems—"

"These are merely the Duke of Qi's delusions—"

Xun Li sneered inwardly.

If the Duke of Qi were to hold a sacrifice in full view of the people, asking the gods questions, but receive no response from them, then—

Xun Li and the others were somewhat gloating.

At this moment, on the altar.

Duke Huan of Qi also became nervous.

Standing on the altar, gazing towards the depths of the misty mountains, he felt a sense of panic and loss.

Just then.

Deep in the misty mountains, atop the mountain peak.

Amidst the clouds and mist.

Su Chen, who had already returned to Misty Mountain, was quietly watching all of this, looking down at the grand sacrificial ceremony being held at the foot of the mountain.

-

Upon hearing Duke Huan of Qi's question, a look of surprise appeared on his face.

He was somewhat surprised that Duke Huan of Qi would happen to see him; it seemed they were destined to meet.

Hearing Duke Huan of Qi's question, Su Chen pondered for a moment.

Just as Duke Huan of Qi and others were disappointed, and spies from other states were gloating.

A mysterious voice echoed in everyone's ears.

"yes.

""

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