There are thousands of stories in the world, some bizarre and scary, some funny. However, it was coveted by many princes and generals

The story of "The Art of Immortality" happened in a small mountain village called Yushugou.

Many years ago, a stocky man came to Elm Gully. He said that his name was Zhang Baoshan, and his ancestors were "running mountains", he didn't know how to plant rice and farm, and he was good at hunting and collecting medicine. The village saw that he was a good hand at "drilling ravines", so they left him behind. He has lived in the village for more than ten years, and has a son named Zhang Li.

Twenty years ago, an old man asked Zhang Baoshan and his wife to carry them back from the mountain. This old man was confused all day long, and he didn't even know his name, and he didn't know whether he had eaten or not. When it comes to telling stories, it's a set. The old man wandered around the village when he was fine, so he mixed up with the wrong name of "old slippery" in the village.

Zhang Baoshan and his wife have been like different people since they memorized the old slip. He no longer went into the mountains to collect medicine, he didn't do any work in the field, he didn't chase the lost chickens, and his yard wall collapsed, but he didn't pay a word of it. The two of them had a messy life all day. Baoshan's daughter-in-law, Zhang Li's mother could still beat and scold at first, but it had no effect. In the end, he simply hugged his school daughter and went back to her parents' house.

Gossip spread in the village. Some said: "Lao Yu and Zhang Baoshan are not related to each other, why did Lao Zhang's family support him in their own home?" ”

Some said, "That old man was not rescued from a neighboring village." may be Zhang Baoshan's father. ”

Others said: "That old man is talking about ghosts and gods, and I'm afraid he is not a good person." ”

As a result, adults are becoming more and more reluctant to see Lao Yu. But the children couldn't stand it, as long as one of them didn't pay attention, they went like a flock of sparrows around the old man to listen to the story.

The old village chief, Old Man Wang can't stand it anymore. He called his son, and Wang Jingsheng went to persuade him to Brother Baoshan.

Two days later, Wang Jingsheng ran back home as if his butt had been burned, and said to the old village chief: "Lao Yu is a human trafficker, he hooked up with Zhang Baoshan, and he wants to sell the children into the mountains." ”

The Wang family found the Zhao family again, and a total of more than 20 people from the two families blocked Zhang Baoshan and Lao Yu in the Zhang family house overnight. Under questioning, the two revealed an incredible secret:

In the last years of the Qing Dynasty, there was a monster in the Wonton Mountain, which was very vicious and wanted to eat people. Nearby villagers or passers-by are often kidnapped and then "sacrificed" to the youkai by a group of people. Over time, it attracted the attention of the local government and sent troops to search. The monster didn't see it, but it captured a group of cult believers. So, the government executed them. Things seem to have subsided, but according to nearby villagers, people still occasionally go missing. Later, a Taoist came to this place. The man's practice removed the youkai called Chaos. After that, he practiced in this mountain.

Soon, during the Republic of China, this place was not very peaceful. The local governor received another lawsuit about the "sacrifice". The chief was on fire. He thought that when the army was in chaos, it was difficult for Lao Tzu to catch a strong man, and he even took the living to sacrifice. Everyone is gone, who will Lao Tzu send to suppress the bandits? The prefect sent someone to investigate. In the end, it was discovered that the current group of people and the group of kidnappers in the past to "sacrifice" were actually the same group and the same sect. It's just a different approach. The captured believers also identified their leader as the son of the old Taoist priest.

This group of cultists is much smarter than their previous generation. They went out into every house to "preach." Especially to find some rich landlords and squires. Moreover, they were very careful this time, and basically did not go to neighboring villages or counties to preach. Many of the surrounding villagers don't know that there are still people living at the foot of Wonton Mountain. When they find those who have money, they will tell them in fancy words that if they are lucky, they can see the lake of the gods, and they can cure all diseases. If the rich man is not sick, he will say that he can live forever or something. It will also tell a lot of truths and trick people into believing it. When the rich man became a believer, he would cultivate with several followers. Those people would tell the rich man many things about the lake and make them believe that it was true. When the time came, they took the rich man to the lake. The lake was hidden in the mountain forest, and the mountains and forests were different from now, and the forests were very deep. It's not easy to find a small lake. But some people can actually find the lake. If they saw it, the believers would have praised the man greatly. If you can't see it, those followers can do it.

When they see the lake, they can move on to the second step. They would make those who saw the lake soak in the water and make a wish, what to cure diseases, immortality, rejuvenation and so on, and the more devout they thought in their hearts, the better. After making a wish, the believers will extort a large amount of money from the person who made the wish. Some will obediently deliver, while others will refuse to pay. Those who don't pay are sent home with nightmares and the congregants lobby for the house. Many people can't hold on to this mental torture and finally pay the money. There were also a few people who insisted on not giving money, but after some time, they were inexplicably killed.

Those who paid were called "priests" by the congregants, and the priests were asked to bring a living person as a "sacrifice." Only by using human sacrifice can the gods of the lake fulfill their wish for immortality. Only by letting the "sacrifice" die instead of the "priest" can the gods in the lake have a statement from the Lord of Yama. As for the "sacrifice" requirements, the Order's requirements for "sacrifices" may not be the son of the "priest", nor his daughter, and may not require any of his relatives. It only requires that this "sacrifice" be a living person who can breathe, and it doesn't matter if there are no arms or legs, and it doesn't matter if men, women, and children don't care, it's okay to be stupid, as long as it's someone who can see the lake.

In that era when human lives were like mustard, those people even paid for it, and they still needed to find an appointment? As a result, the rich man's domestic slaves, the beggars on the streets, and the tenant farmers who sold their children became candidates for "sacrifice". Most of the rich people will coax them with words such as "accompany themselves to cultivate immortals and attain the Tao", and with the help of the disciples, let those "sacrifices" learn and believe in the existence of the lake. If the "sacrifices" still can't see the lake by then, use the same method to let them fall into the lake and become qualified "sacrifices".

And Lao Yu used to be a rich man, but his home was raided. Feeling helpless, he ran into the mountains and became a believer.

Zhang Baoshan also heard this legend, so he came to the elm tree ditch at the foot of Wonton Mountain and settled here. His only purpose was to find the lake.

The people of the Wang family and the Zhao family were also skeptical. They "believed" because they had heard stories from the old people that there was a lake under the mountain, and there was also a man-eating monster in the wonton mountain. What is "suspicious" is that for so many years, no "destined person" can see the lake?

Later, they tied Zhang Baoshan to look for the lake, but they didn't find it later. I took the child who claimed to have seen the lake to look for the lake, but I still didn't find it.

Then, driven by curiosity, or under the temptation of "immortality", the Wang family and the Zhao family began to follow Lao Yu to "cultivate". At that time, Lao Yao was locked in the cellar, while Zhang Baoshan and Zhang Zhang were locked in the house and watched.

In those days, there were some children in the village who could have suffered. The Wang family and the Zhao family were like crazy, and they were all stunned. Some people coaxed their children to take them to the lake, and some people beat and scolded the children to find the lake. Some children are led out by them like dogs. I put down all the work in the field, and I was focused on finding the lake.

Finally, one day, a Wang family saw the lake. So, they chose two little girls as "sacrifices" and sent them to the lake. One of the younger girls, named Jiang Lingling, was sacrificed in the lake. The slightly older one, named Wang Yajuan, heard that somehow she was brought back by Zhang Li. Not long after this incident, Wang Yajuan moved out of Yushugou with her parents.

What happened later was exactly what the villagers said. That winter, Zhang Baoshan and Zhang Zhang were killed in their own home, and they left no clues. The people in the village were afraid, so they sent Lao Yu to a mental hospital. The Wang family and the Zhao family also stopped. There are also a few families with children, and they have also moved to Yushugou Village one after another.

Turning the year, just at the beginning of spring. The Wang family, who had already been "immortal", brought back a troupe from the mountains. This troupe is a group of believers invited from the lakeside village. The believers made a pact with Yushugou: the villagers of Yushugou were not allowed to publicize the secrets of the lake; The villagers of Yushugou could not go up the mountain in large numbers to find the lake; Yushugou Village should have a person as a "guide" to contact the lakeside village on a regular basis; Elm Gully is always there to provide the lakeside village with what they need.

In exchange, the troupe promised to help the Wang family and the Zhao family achieve "immortality". The Wang family and the Zhao family could first select twelve people as the first batch of "sacrificers". Each year a person "sacrifices" and obtains "immortality", which is completed within twelve years. The "sacrifices" are brought by themselves, but the troupe can help them cultivate the "sacrifices", and at the same time, they can also let the twelve people see the lake. After the sacrifice is made, if it is not taken away by the god Yamamira, then it can be reused.

With the help of the opera troupe, the Wang family and the Zhao family built a drama school in the mountains. Some orphans were recruited from the drama school, and some children who didn't know where to get them. Gao Zhongchen of the Zhao family served as the principal of the drama school, and also served as the "leader".

"Leader" is an interesting role. Those who are responsible for the role of "guide" cannot see the lake themselves. Because he can't see the lake, he is not qualified to "sacrifice", so he will not privately occupy the twelve places of the Wang family and the Zhao family. Another theory is that the "guide" is to wander around the lake often. If people who can see the lake stay by the lake for a long time, they will not find their way out like the people in the lakeside village.

The Zhao family also made various masks for rituals such as "sacrifices". These masks are said to ward off evil spirits during sacrifices. The two sons of the Zhao family also carved a charm to ward off ghosts on the back of the mask.

When everything was ready, the Wang family and the Zhao family began to hold ceremonies for the selected twelve people alternately every year. In the first two years, everything went very well. The Wang family and the Zhao family each obtained "immortality". However, Gao Shan Xing, who was used as a "sacrifice" twice, was led back to Yushugou by Gao Zhongchen twice, which made some people suspicious. After seeking the consent of the devotees at the lake, they have since been killing the sacrifices directly at the end of the ritual in the presence of everyone. Only through such a form did the Wang family and the Zhao family feel that this ceremony could be considered a "complete success".

After a long time, some people moved the "flower intestines". The Zhao family proposed: "Through this ceremony, it would be great if we could still make money." Why can't we do what those Christians did in the past? ”

When a person does something wrong, the retribution will follow. The "sacrifice" may sound terrifying, but the ritual itself is very sacred. The position of every torch, every act of "serving the sacrifice", every word that comes out of the priest's mouth cannot be mistaken, let alone the great sin of "sacrificial" uncleanness. However, this accident happened to Gao Shan Xing.

Gao Shan Xing, a child, entered the drama school at the age of six, joined the priesthood at the age of seven, and became the first "sacrifice" at the age of eight. She is probably the favorite dancer of the "Yamamira Okami". Five sacrifices, five times returned to the drama school intact, and he was neither crazy nor stupid. According to the agreement with the believers, if the "Yamamira Okami" confiscates the sacrifice, it can be used repeatedly. Therefore, alpine apricots have become the most trusted "sacrifice". Just like in the past five years, the sixth year ritual begins with Takayama offering a "sacrificial dance" to the great god and then as an "offering". However, what everyone forgets is that children will always grow up quietly. That year, Takayama Apricot was thirteen years old, and on the day of the "sacrifice", she came to menstruate.

Although the dance that day was still the same as before, some people saw a little maroon oozing from the white dress of Takayama apricot. The blood almost spilled all over the altar as she danced, and in the light of the fire and the lights, the people next to the altar could clearly see the specks of blood. I don't know who it was, but suddenly shouted "Blood!" Blood! It's all blood! ”

Suddenly, the people became panicked and feared the punishment of the "great god of Shanmira". When they saw this, they shoved and howled, trying to escape from the altar as quickly as possible. However, in the midst of this panic, I don't know who knocked down the torch or kicked the candle over. It was a very dry year, and the flames immediately burned along the curtains around it, and then quickly spread throughout the school.

Fortunately, the fire did not spread and went down the wonton mountain. Several members of the Wang and Zhao families were killed in the accident. Because they were guilty, they did not call the police. Instead, he talked about it himself, so he pressed it down. Since then, the Wang and Zhao families have been depressed, no longer holding ceremonies, no longer offering sacrifices, and no longer mentioning things like "immortality".

Although there was an accident, there was an agreement with the believers of the lakeside village in advance, so the sacrifice in the sixth year could not be left undone. Since the Wang family and the Zhao family in the village felt that they had offended the gods, no one dared to mention the matter of "immortality" again. Gao Zhongchen remembered the guest invited by the Zhao family when they planned to use the "sacrifice" to make money, and this guest was Chen Yongyi. At that time, the Wang family thought that making money with "sacrifices" was a "blasphemous" practice. Therefore, under the resolute opposition of the Wang family, the Zhao family had to give up the plan. But this time, Gao Zhongchen finally let Chen Yongyi get his wish.

Shortly after the accident, Gao Zhongchen helped Chen Yongyi sacrifice Gao Shan Apricot according to the old rules of the ceremony. After the sacrifice was over, Gao Shan Xing returned to Gao Zhongchen's side again. At the same time, Chen Yongyi also paid him a large sum of money. Gao Zhongchen divided the money among the Wang and Zhao families, who lost their relatives in the fire. Because the Zhao family has always felt guilty that the accident was caused by themselves, they have always refused to accept the money. So, Gao Zhongchen invested the money in the furniture factory as a shareholder. The rest of the Zhao family had no intention of running the furniture factory, and finally handed over the factory to Gao Zhongchen to take care of. After that, the Zhao family and the Wang family gradually moved out of Yushugou Village.

Gao Zhongchen then operated the furniture factory with his heart, and regularly remitted the proceeds to the Zhao family according to the shares. He hopes that in his busyness, he will be able to forget the accident and the secrets of the lake. However, the lake could not forget him. At the end of the second year, after the sixth year of the sacrifice, the troupe came again urging him to make the sacrifice. Gao Zhongchen could only break his oath to Gao Shan Xing, and he sacrificed Gao Shan Xing again to gain "immortality" for himself. This is the seventh "sacrifice" of Takayama apricot.

However, it didn't end there. Those believers think that a promise is a promise. Since the village of Yushugou has begun, the sacrifice must be continued. If Elm Gully violates this agreement, the believers will release the "ghosts" they guard and ask them to kill all the people in Elm Gully.

Gao Zhongchen could no longer withstand this pressure. So he told Gao Bowen everything ten years ago, and then ended his responsibility by committing suicide. Gao Bowen got some of his younger brother's property in Yushugou Village and the right to operate the Zhao family's furniture factory, and at the same time took over the responsibility of his younger brother. In order to allow Yushugou Village to fulfill that "agreement", he will continue to hold a "sacrifice ceremony". So, Gao Bowen invited Chen Yongyi. Since then, they have worked together to this day.

After listening to Xiao Jing's relay, Gao Bowen's story about Yushugou Village Twenty, Shen Mingde slowed down. He looked at the dark path ahead, with no one but insects, and said, "Whatever you think. I don't believe this story. ”

Xiao Jing, who was walking side by side with him, said: "That's right. If it weren't for Gao Bowen being annoyed by my questioning, he would make up a story to send me away. It's that he wants to find an excuse to rationalize his 'business'. ”

Shen Mingde supported his chin with the thumb and middle finger of his right hand, and tapped his upper lip on the middle of his upper lip a few times with his index finger, making a contemplative gesture, and said: "This story is a bit long, and I can't remember it clearly. If you look closely, you may find that there are many loopholes. But I've been thinking about a timeline. ”

Seeing Xiao Jing's doubts, Shen Mingde continued: "The 'sacrificial' dance at the celebration just now, in terms of clothing, hair accessories, or meaning, is very similar to what Wang Lu's two girls saw, and the dances performed by Gao Shan Xing in the past. This includes pulling out the hairpin, throwing off the hairpin, and then falling to the ground at the end of the dance. And just now when I was chatting with dancer Chu Yao, I learned that this dance was made by her. Gao Shan Xing, a little girl in the countryside. No matter how talented she is, I don't think she can choreograph such a complex dance by herself. So I think Chu Yao once instructed Gao Shan Xing to dance. From the chat, I learned that Chu Yao was by no means the first time he had come to Yushugou. So I'm sure Chu Yao is also the beneficiary of that 'sacrifice'. If you follow what Gao Bowen told you, Chen Yongyi only obtained 'immortality' on the sixth time when Gao Shan Xing was sacrificed. But in Wang Lu's memory, Gao Shan Xing would have danced this dance a long time ago. Then Chu Yao must have taught her before Gao Shan Xing's sixth sacrifice. Since Chu Yao is Chen Yongyi's guest, then Chen Yongyi's time to obtain 'immortality' will definitely be earlier. ”

Xiao Jing said, "I understand what you mean. In this way, Chen Yongyi and the others must have been to the drama school before Gao Shan Xing's sixth 'sacrifice'. Then the drama school is where all events begin. Unfortunately, it burned down in a fire. ”

"It doesn't have to be burned." Shen Mingde continued: "I plan to go to the drama school to have a look, on the one hand, out of curiosity, and on the other hand, I want to confirm whether the drama school has burned down. We all know that Gao Shan Xing rarely goes down the mountain, and generally stays in the drama school. If Chu Yao had taught Gao Shan Xing to dance, then they must have done it in the drama school. But Chu Yao never mentioned the fire in the drama school. Maybe I thought too much, or maybe Chu Yao deliberately concealed the location of the drama school. However, from Wang Lu's description, I feel that the drama school should be a large building, surrounded by woods. If a large building were to be burned down completely, it could affect the surrounding trees. Won't it cause a fire in the deep forest? But judging from the reactions of the villagers in Yushugou, it seems that many people know that the drama school was on fire. But no one mentioned the fire. I asked many villagers what had happened to Yushugou in the past 12 years. None of them had ever told about the fire on the mountain. Of course, it may be that the Wang family and the Zhao family have issued a 'gag order', or it may be that the villagers don't want outsiders to know about the fire in the first place. But I can't believe that a few curtains and curtains in the theater school can cause a fire that burns down an entire building. Oh yes, I suddenly remembered. Gao Shan Xing's sixth 'sacrifice' was done by Gao Zhongchen for Chen Yongyi in accordance with the 'old rules'. If it is according to the 'old rules', then the altar of the drama school will definitely be used. Unless they build a new altar. Because the time is too short, it is unlikely. Therefore, I always felt that the drama school was not burned down. Even if it was fired, it was not completely burned down. ”

Xiao Jing said: "You have to go and see whether the drama school is burned down or not." I understand that, and I want to go too. But what are your plans for the future? ”

Shen Mingde's plan didn't seem to be clear, he thought about it over and over again: "Actually, it doesn't matter if the drama school burned down or not, or even if it didn't burn down completely. As long as it exists, it's proof. It would be best if we could find any clues tonight. I hope to threaten Gao Bowen and let him bring out Gao Shan Xing. Even if nothing is found, or there is no way to convince the old man Gao to bring out the high mountain apricot. We can also take another risk and bring the alpine apricots out ourselves. Through Takayama apricots, we will know a lot about the inside. Let her help us find Zhou Tengfei. Once we've rescued two people, we can call the police. Arrest Gao Bowen and Chen Yongyi. ”

Xiao Jing said with some hesitation: "As long as you can find Tengfei." I'm angry at what they're doing, but why bother with it? ”

Shen Mingde deliberately lowered his voice and said, "Chen Laohu, this is Chen Yongyi's nickname. Everyone in the mall knows that offending Chen Laohu will not end well. I can't guarantee that he and Gao Bowen won't debunk my identity as 'guide'. Once it was exposed, Chen Laohu must have felt that I had deceived him. Although Chen Yongyi is ostensibly a legitimate businessman. However, if he thinks that my presence is a threat to his 'business'. I don't know what he's going to do to us. At that time, my small company was nothing, and my life mattered. So, I had to be strong and fast. It's best to solve it in a few days. ”

Xiao Jing asked: "Do you think that when Gao Shan Xing speaks, others will believe it?" ”

Shen Mingde said with some hesitation: "Gao Shan Xing has lived in the drama school for six years, she should be very familiar with the drama school. No matter what that drama school looks like now, I hope that Gao Shan can describe the original appearance of that building. So as long as the drama school is still there, it is the evidence of the existence of Gao Shan Xing, and Gao Shan Xing is also evidence of the existence of the drama school. We can not let Gao Shan talk about some more bizarre events first. First of all, the police can investigate Gao Bowen and Chen Yongyi's abuse, imprison children, and use children to hold 'sacrifices' and other cult activities. ”

"Then how can you be sure that Gao Shan Xing is a person and not a 'ghost'?" When Xiao Jing said this, it was so good that a cool breeze hit. Her tone trembled a little.

Shen Mingde glanced at her and did not answer. Continue down the waddling path that has been plunged into darkness.