Uncle Nine: Scattering beans to create soldiers? I'm using plants and trees to create soldiers.

The woman's body was brought to justice, and the backyard returned to peace.

Zhang Nan, accompanied by the steward and a few servants who were still able to stand, approached. The fear on their faces had not yet faded, but their gazes toward Lin Xuan were now filled with awe.

"I will never forget Master Lin's kindness!"

Zhang Nan bowed deeply, then gave the butler a wink.

The steward understood and quickly took out a neatly folded silver note from his pocket and handed it over with both hands.

Zhang Nan accepted the silver note and respectfully presented it to Lin Xuan: "A mere hundred taels is nothing but a token of my respect. If it weren't for Master Lin's intervention tonight, my entire Zhang family would likely be dead..."

Lin Xuan glanced at the amount on the banknote out of the corner of his eye and silently calculated it in his mind.

One hundred taels.

In those days, an ordinary person could earn five or six silver dollars a month, or one hundred taels of silver notes, which was equivalent to a year and a half's income for an average person.

Moreover, Lin Xuan had performed rituals for other wealthy businessmen before, but the most he ever received was only thirty silver dollars!

One hundred taels, that's three times what the other side paid!

Zhang Nan is indeed very generous.

but--

Lin Xuan did not reach out to take it.

He tilted his head slightly, glancing towards the backyard, and said calmly, "Boss Zhang, how about using that sandalwood ornament in your study as payment for this?"

Zhang Nan was taken aback.

"Agarwood?" He paused, then said, "That's just an ordinary ornament I acquired years ago, not worth much... If Master Lin likes it, please take it!"

As he spoke, Zhang Nan pushed the silver note forward again, his attitude extremely sincere: "But you must accept this reward. Tonight, you not only dealt with the corpse demon in the dark river, but also saved my entire family's lives. I dare not and cannot forget this kindness."

Lin Xuan looked at Zhang Nan's sincere expression and fell silent for a moment.

Thinking that they would need to "do business" with the other party in the future, they did not refuse.

He nodded slightly and reached out to take the silver note.

"Thank you very much, Boss Zhang!"

Seeing that he accepted the gift, Zhang Nan felt relieved and waved her hands repeatedly, saying, "I should be thanking Master Lin!"

After putting away the silver notes, Lin Xuan changed the subject: "Boss Zhang, I have a question... From whom did you purchase this residence?"

Zhang Nan thought for a moment and answered truthfully, "I bought it from an agent. The agent said that it used to be the house of a wealthy family in the town, but later that family lost money in business and fell into poverty, so they sold the house. It was vacant for a long time before I took it over."

"Is that family still in Aoki Town?"

"They moved away." Zhang Nan shook his head. "After selling the house, the whole family moved away. As for where they went, I don't really know."

Zhang Nan discerned Lin Xuan's thoughts, his expression shifting slightly. He cautiously inquired, "It seems that Young Daoist Lin is interested in the history of this house. How about I have someone inquire around? If there's any news, I'll send someone to Renjia Town to inform you. What do you think?"

"Then I'll have to trouble you, Boss Zhang."

Lin Xuan smiled and nodded.

At the same time, he thought to himself, "Zhang Nan is indeed a shrewd person. He does things perfectly. No wonder he has been able to accumulate such a large fortune!"

not simple!

As for this residence, a female corpse, consecrated with evil magic, is hidden in the underground river. The original owner suddenly "fell from grace" and hastily sold it off and moved away...

The connection between them is intriguing.

However, there are not enough clues at the moment, so we will leave it at that for now.

"Boss Zhang~" Lin Xuan raised his head and looked at Zhang Nan: "I still need to borrow your backyard for a while. This female corpse died unjustly and violently. Although I have suppressed her resentment, if she is not given a proper rite of passage, her soul will not be at peace and may cause trouble in the future."

Zhang Nan nodded repeatedly: "Master Lin, please feel free to do as you please. Just let me know if you need anything!"

"No need, you can take your men back to the front yard to rest first."

Lin Xuan waved his hand, signaling everyone to step back.

Zhang Nan tactfully led the servants back to the front yard, and before leaving, he made sure to have the steward bring the sandalwood to the back yard.

......

The backyard fell silent again.

Lin Xuan used his magic to control four grass-armored soldiers, who then smoothly moved the female corpse to the front of the altar. The stone statue taken from the female corpse's abdomen was also placed beside it.

He first took three sticks of incense and inserted them into the stove, then placed glutinous rice and fresh fruit as offerings.

Then, with hands clasped together, the lineage soldiers were respectfully sent back to their positions in accordance with the standard ritual for sending off the deities.

hum-

Before the altar, the glistening glutinous rice and plump fruits shimmered with a faint light before quickly losing their luster.

A surge of energy was infused into the grass-armored soldiers, causing a series of yellow flashes of light.

quickly,

The yellow light on the four grass-armored soldiers slowly faded, and the grass armor pieces fell off, turning them back into four ordinary grass figures, quietly lying down beside the altar.

Lin Xuan stepped forward to examine it and found that the straw figure's body surface had turned charred black.

If you sniff it lightly, you can still smell a faint stench of decay.

Although these four straw figures are still usable after this battle, their power is greatly diminished!

However, besides these four, Lin Xuan still has six straw figures that he hasn't used yet, and the materials are still sufficient.

After putting away the straw figure, Lin Xuan sat cross-legged in front of the altar and began to recite the "Supreme Heavenly Venerable of the Mysterious Cave and Spiritual Treasure Speaks of the Wonderful Scripture of Saving from Suffering and Removing Sins".

The smoke from the incense on the altar spread out with the sound of the scriptures, brushing over the body of the female corpse.

The gray-black aura dissipated bit by bit, and the resentment and malevolent energy clinging to the body were peeled away layer by layer by the scriptures.

The blood-stained stone statue next to it was also changing.

The sinister array patterns on the surface of the statue, drawn with blood essence, crumbled and shattered one by one.

With each layer of array patterns disappearing, the statue becomes one step more transparent.

The scripture was recited repeatedly.

The last trace of resentment on the woman's body completely dissipated, and the withered and emaciated corpse, no longer supported by resentment, became a silent, empty shell.

Lin Xuan got up, covered the woman's body with a yellow cloth, and asked Zhang Nan to find a clean place for her burial the next day.

His gaze shifted to the statue.

After the evil magic was completely purified, a faint aquatic spiritual energy seeped out from the depths of the stone carving, cool and pure, completely different from the previous evil and yin energy.

Lin Xuan reached out and put the statue into his system inventory.

The panel then popped up—

[Water Palace Turtle Statue (White Quality)]

[Type: Deity statue (Well God)]

[Special trait: Affinity with water veins – When placed near a water source, it can slowly purify the water, gather aquatic spiritual energy, and slightly improve the growth rate and quality of surrounding aquatic plants.]

[Note: This statue was once subjected to evil rituals. Its spiritual essence has been restored after purification, but its quality has been compromised. With long-term offerings of incense and warmth, its quality can still be improved.]

Lin Xuan's eyes brightened slightly.

Water veins are compatible.

If this thing were placed next to the water vat in the backyard of the mortuary, along with two plants of Yinshui grass, the growth rate of the Blood Lotus would be...

He noted the thought down and then reviewed all his gains from the evening.

One hundred taels of silver.

A piece of agarwood ornament.

Five drops of Yin Water Essence.

A statue of a water turtle.

In addition, 20 points of proficiency in "Grassroots Soldiers".

They came out and returned with a full load.

After tidying up the altar equipment and storing it in the system space, Lin Xuan found a clean corner in the backyard to meditate and regulate his breathing to restore his spiritual energy.

......

at the same time.

Downstream of the Beiqing River, at a remote ferry crossing.

The night wind blew across the water, rustling the reeds.

Several lanterns hanging on wooden stakes swayed from side to side in the wind, their dim yellow light falling on the riverbank and illuminating busy figures.

"Hurry up and get moving!"

Boss Wang stood on the shore, wearing a long black coat, his face grim as he urged, "This shipment must be delivered before dawn. Anyone who's late, don't blame me for turning against you!"

Several men quickly bowed their heads in response, and in pairs, they carried wooden crates onto the ship.

The boxes were wrapped with hemp rope and sealed with a layer of yellow mud in the gaps, making them look no different from ordinary cargo boxes.

But whenever someone lifts the box, they always feel a chill coming from it.

However, his men were already used to this, and they quickly carried the boxes into the cargo ship.

When the box arrived, the chill that had been emanating from it disappeared.

slam-la-

As the crew members went in and out, the yellow talismans pasted on the wooden planks of the cabin rattled incessantly.

These yellow talismans were purchased by Boss Wang from that Taoist priest Chen. They were pasted in the cabin for two reasons: first, to suppress this funerary object; and second, to ward off "ghosts."

Besides these yellow talismans, a pair of open-end scissors hung from the crossbeam of the cabin, with the tips pointing downwards, directly towards the cabin door.

A peach wood sword was hanging on the inner wooden wall!

The hilt of the sword is wrapped with red thread, and the blade is painted with several talismans to ward off evil. When the lamp flickers, a layer of dark yellow light can be faintly seen.

Soon, with a dull thud, the last wooden crate was safely delivered into the cargo hold.

"Boss, everyone's here!" the subordinate reported.

"Weigh anchor!"

The boatman untied the thick rope, and with a strong push, he braced the bamboo pole against the muddy bank.

wow-

The massive ship swayed gently, slowly pushing aside the waves, and left the ferry dock.

Boss Wang stepped onto the wet deck, walked a few steps to the bow of the ship, put his hands on the gunwale, and squinted at the dark waters ahead.

Tonight, the moonlight was mostly obscured by thick, thin clouds, leaving only scattered patches of light on the vast river surface.

In the distance, the endless reeds blended into a huge black shadow, and the night wind blew along the water's surface, making a rustling sound.

A light flashed on the back of Boss Wang's neck, and he felt a sudden chill run down his spine for no apparent reason.

Subconsciously, Boss Wang raised his hand and touched his chest.

At the very inside of her clothes, she wore a jade pendant tied with a red string.

The jade pendant was engraved with intricate patterns of amulets for protection and safety; it was a peace charm that he had obtained at great expense from a master in the provincial capital.

As his fingertips touched the warm, smooth surface of the jade pendant, Boss Wang felt a little more at ease.

"Set sail, take full throttle, and go at full speed!"

Without turning his head, Boss Wang gave the order.

"Alright!"

The boatman responded softly and began rowing.

The sound of water splashing could be heard intermittently.

The boat broke through the river and slowly glided downstream.

At first, everything was calm.

Apart from the occasional splashing of water from the bottom of the boat, there were no other sounds around.

But after the boat had traveled some distance from the ferry crossing, a circle of fine ripples suddenly appeared on the river surface.

The ripples were so light that they were almost invisible in the dark water.

The next moment, a white skull covered in green moss slowly emerged from the water.

A thin wisp of cloud parted, and pale moonlight shone down, illuminating the empty eye sockets of the white skeletal skull.

There were no eyeballs there, only two dark, empty voids.

Its empty gaze was fixed on the hull of the ship in front of it, and a wisp of black smoke flashed by.

Gollum—

A gentle ripple spread across the water, and a bubble rose from the bottom.

The skeletal figure sank rapidly, then, skimming below the surface, it silently swam towards the ship.