The naughty boys saw a man lying in front of the gate of the decaying ancient temple. When they got closer, they turned discolored with fright. But seeing that this man's pupils were black and bleeding from his seven orifices, he was obviously dead, and I don't know what he had endured before he died.

This dead man is none other than the steward of the Red Moon Tower, Shi Ke.

A few naughty children screamed and ran.

It was after the Mid-Autumn Festival reunion, which should have been a harmonious and beautiful scene, but at this time, the foggy city was filled with a murderous atmosphere. Cuidi Lane was full of people, blocking the narrow alley. The naughty boys had already run out of the alley, staring at them speechless, obviously overfrightened.

When he saw the deceased Shi Ke, the neighbors recognized him.

I heard many people shouting, "Someone is dead!" ”

Some people discussed, saying: "Who will commit murder during the Mid-Autumn Festival reunion, how much hatred?" ”

Another person discussed, saying: "There are three teachings, nine streams, five elements and eight works in the Red Moon Building. The so-called taking people's lives is either wealth or color, and in my opinion, this history may not be able to stir up some troubled waters. ”

Some people even discussed, saying: "I heard the old people say that this ancient temple is haunted." Good people are not afraid, the so-called do not do bad things, and are not afraid of ghosts knocking on the door. This Shi Ke must have done something wrong, and a ghost came to him to ask for his life. ”

When everyone heard this, they were silent, stunned, you look at me, I look at you, and they couldn't help but retreat from the queen and evacuate from the gate of the ancient temple.

Suddenly, I heard the sound of shouting and cheering from the street, and everyone said that the county lord had arrived. I saw a big sedan chair coming from afar, and the sedan chair was surrounded by military prison fast hands, and they ran over one by one.

The head catcher in this fog city is surnamed Wang, with a leopard head and eyes, a tiger's back and a bear's waist, an eight-foot long and short body, and an age of more than 30. He ordered people to guard the entrance of the alley and personally brought a few people to check on the deceased. I saw a group of officials rushing into Cuidi Lane and scattering the people. The people retreated ten feet away, but none of them went home, and every probe looked around.

At this time, a middle-aged man walked down from the sedan chair, with a long beard and a face with a black hat and a scarlet robe, who was the newly appointed county master of Wucheng. This grandfather's surname is Zheng, and he has been in Wucheng for less than ten days, and his family has not even settled down, so he encountered such a murder case. Immediately, Wang Zhi ordered someone to block the scene of the crime, and after half an hour of investigation, he replied to Mrs. Zheng: "Report to your lordship, the deceased's surname is Shi Mingke, and he is the steward of Hongyue Tower." ”

Mrs. Zheng asked, "Does the deceased have any family members?" ”

Wang Zhi shook his head and said, "The deceased is not a local person, and he has no family in Fog City. ”

Mrs. Zheng asked again: "What is the cause of death?" ”

Wang Zhidao: "The deceased was bleeding from his seven orifices, and his right hand was somewhat bruised, so he should have done heavy work before he died." The surface of the corpse was intact, there were no knife wounds, no broken bones, no strangulation marks, no signs of poisoning, the eyes were wide open, the whole body was stiff, and the cause of death could not be speculated for the time being. ”

Mrs. Zheng frowned and said, "This is strange! Keep the scene of the murder and lock off the whole city! ”

Wang Zhide ordered, thought for a moment, and said: "My lord, it is not difficult to find out about this case. The deceased died last night, and last night was the Mid-Autumn Festival, and the people should all be reunited in their homes. The subordinates immediately sent people to interrogate the night watchman if he had seen a suspicious person. ”

Mrs. Zheng nodded and said, "Very good!" Send another group of people to the Red Moon Tower to inquire one by one, who the deceased had been in contact with before his death. ”

And when the king had received the command, he commanded him to go down.

I heard the official shout, "Everyone, disperse." The prince of this mansion has ordered that no one is allowed to leave the city without authorization until the case is concluded. ”

When everyone heard this, they were stunned, and no one dared to squeak.

Mrs. Zheng stroked his beard and thought about it, and then said, "Order someone to open the gate of that ancient temple and search it thoroughly!" The whole world is not the king's land, and he dares to commit murder under the jurisdiction of this county. I'm going to find out what he's going to do! ”

Wang Zhi was about to give the order, when he suddenly saw a gentleman with a long white face and a long beard move to Mrs. Zheng's side, and whispered: "My lord, my subordinates think that this case should be discussed in the long run. When you first took up the Fog City, you ordered me to visit the Fog City, but your subordinates have already received some information. ”

This person is the master who went to Wucheng with Mrs. Zheng, and his surname is Meng.

Mrs. Zheng was puzzled, and when he heard Master Meng's words, he seemed to have another deep meaning, and hurriedly ordered Wang Zhi and other officials not to move first. He took a step forward and said in a low voice, "Master, please speak." ”

Master Meng whispered again: "My lord doesn't know, the deceased is the steward of the Red Moon Tower, the owner of the Red Moon Mansion is surnamed Jin, and the Jin family and the Song family in the west of the bridge are the local rich and noble squires. I went to the west end of the bridge, and passed in front of their house, and the two houses were connected, and they took up most of the street. The subordinates inquired that the Jin family was not only the owner of the Red Moon Building, but also the largest local salt merchant. ”

Mrs. Zheng was stunned for a moment, and couldn't help but think in his heart, the transportation and sale of salt must have privileges, since this Jin family is the largest salt merchant here, there must be someone in the court. This grandfather is nicknamed "Shangguan You", he just listened to what the master said about the Jin family, and thought, I don't know how much the deceased has to do with the Jin family?

I only heard Master Meng say: "Why don't you let the case sink first, investigate it slowly, and see how the Jin family reacts." The deceased was a member of the Jin family, so I don't know if the cause of the deceased's death was related to the Jin family. Even if it has nothing to do with it, this Red Moon Mansion is dead and the steward is gossipy, which is not good for the Red Moon Tower. Those who do business are the most auspicious. The subordinates are determined that this Jin family will definitely come to visit the adult, and at that time, let him have the wealth of the Jin family, and he will not have to rely on the adult to carry it. It's not too late for us to be a favor. ”

Mrs. Zheng was overjoyed, and said in a low voice: "Master is thoughtful. He paused and said in a loud voice: "Listen to the people, is this ancient temple haunted?" ”

Master Meng understood and responded loudly: "Exactly!" The subordinates suggested that this case was grotesque and bizarre, and that the senior monk Xiandao should be invited first, and he would try to stand in front of this ancient temple and chant scriptures to exorcise ghosts in order to calm the hearts of the people. ”

Mrs. Zheng waved his hand and said, "Just do what the master says!" The case is adjourned for the first time. After speaking, he ordered the official to exit Cuidi Lane, seal off the crime scene, and go to find the monk's chanting practice.

The officials were puzzled, but seeing that this ancient temple was deserted, although they looked through the wall, they felt a bad wind in their faces, which made people shudder.

Mrs. Zheng wanted to return, but when he looked around, he suddenly saw a mysterious figure, this person had a golden crown, a brocade robe and a jade belt, and a Hanyu Nine Dragons hanging around his waist. Mrs. Zheng's heart trembled, thinking that the jade pendant worn by this person was extraordinary, and it must have a great background. When he looked again, the man was nowhere to be seen.

When they had gone, the king went straight back to his house, and without eating, he went into his room. He was restless, pacing back and forth in his room. Before evening, he was tired, and was about to rest, when he saw his wife come in slowly.

Wang Zhi's wife, Song, is a young woman less than thirty years old, born with a round and jade body, although she is not very beautiful, but she has a unique charm.

Mrs. Wang smiled and said, "Why did you sleep so early today?" ”

Wang Zhi sighed and said, "Hey! Upset! Slept. ”

Mrs. Wang asked, "What's the trouble?" ”

Wang Zhidao: "There is a personal murder in Cuidi Lane!" The man died with blood from his seven orifices, and he died in front of the gate of the ancient temple in ruins, and the door was evil! ”

Mrs. Wang was stunned for a moment, and then said: "The new official has taken office with three fires, and then Mrs. Zheng has just taken office in Wucheng, and he is eager to solve the case and show his merits to the imperial court." For you, it's the same in any case, take your time. You have a lot of friends in black and white in Fog City, let them check for you, your mind still has to be put on this Mrs. Zheng, serve him well, and our family will have a good life. ”

Wang Zhi sighed again, and was silent for a long time before he said, "Do you know who this dead person is?" ”

Mrs. Wang shook her head and said: "The murder cases of people in this world are either for wealth or love, all the same." ”

Wang Zhidao: "It's different, you know this person." ”

Mrs. Wang was stunned and hurriedly asked, "Who is it?" ”

Wang Zhi suddenly looked directly at his wife and said, "Shi Ke of the Red Moon Tower." ”

As soon as these words came out, Mrs. Wang was shocked, and her face froze.

This Wang Zhi loves to drink, and usually goes to the Red Moon Tower for recreation. Over time, Shi Ke inquired that he was the one of the Six Doors. Shi Ke wanted to befriend Wang Zhi, so he always quietly paid for his wine. Although Wang Zhi shirked on the surface, he was happy in his heart. Later, he took his wife to the Red Moon Tower.

Who would have thought that when Shi Ke first saw Mrs. Wang, he saw that she was a charming and beautiful woman, and he secretly became lustful. Although this Wang Zhi is a good drinker, he is a reckless man who does not understand the amorous feelings. Mrs. Wang is in the prime of life, and in the dead of night, it is inevitable that she will be lonely. And Shi Ke is in his twenties, he is fluctuating by nature, and he is good at clever words, and a few words of praise coaxed Mrs. Wang's heart to ripple. The two secretly flirted with each other, and secretly made an affair.

At this moment, when Wang Zhi said Shi Ke's name, Mrs. Wang was terrified. There was no sound here, the two stared at each other, no one spoke, only the beads of sweat on Mrs. Wang's forehead were trickling down.

Wang Zhi's face changed, and he said in a sullen voice: "Madame, is she uncomfortable?" ”

Suddenly, a gust of wind blew out the candles in the house, and the house was dark for a moment. In the dark, Wang Zhi couldn't see Mrs. Wang's face clearly, and vaguely saw her trembling. After a long time, I heard Mrs. Wang stunned: "Do you know who the murderer is?" ”

At this moment, I suddenly heard a shout outside the door. Someone shouted, "It's on fire!" King catches heads! The ancient temple is on fire! ”

When Wang Zhi heard this, he hurriedly put on his boots, picked up his saber and broke through the door, and ran to the ancient temple.

But he said that after Mrs. Zheng left, the official messenger invited all the monks in Wucheng. The crowd first smashed the lock with all kinds of weapons, but it had no effect, so they raised the platform in front of the ancient temple and set up an altar. The monks killed the head of the chicken, sprinkled the blood of the dog, sprinkled the charm and chanted the mantra, danced the money and made the sword, and lit the lamp and chanted the scriptures. Who knew that those monks were not careful, so that the oil lamps flipped and burned paper money. The fire has become a threat, how can it be saved? The more it burned, the bigger it became, and the houses here mostly used bamboo hedges, so the fire spread. By the time Wang Zhi arrived, the Cuidi Alley had burned like a mountain of flames.

The crowd was in a mess, and Wang Zhi was sweating profusely, and hurriedly called the official to fetch some well water to extinguish the fire. When he was anxious, a cool breeze suddenly blew and extinguished all the flames. It is now the autumn moon weather, the night is already cool, and the breeze is blowing, blowing away the heat of everyone.

Under the hazy moonlight, I saw a red-clothed fairy girl coming from afar, with handsome eyes and eyebrows, and a fairy face, which made people forget to see it.

Wang Zhi saw that it was a red-clothed fairy girl, and was secretly surprised, and hurriedly stepped forward and said, "Dare to ask the immortal, I don't know where it came from?" But what do you do when you come to the stage? ”

The red-clothed fairy girl smiled sadly and said gloomily: "This was originally the home of me and Yanlang, we grew up here since we were children. She stared at this ancient temple with her eyes up, chewing on the taste, as if she was savoring the clutch of life, the sad song of life, full of depression, and wanted to cry.

Wang Zhi was confused when he heard it, and when he wanted to ask again, he only heard the red-clothed fairy girl slowly sing a bleak sad song: "Seeing him get up the Zhu Tower, seeing him feast guests, seeing his building collapse." After singing, she suddenly jumped to the door of the ancient temple, and with a gentle push, she pushed open the gate of the ancient temple.