"My lord, go back to the government office and have a look!"

Wang Juncheng had just negotiated with the local rich gentry, and when he went out and saw the sunset, he was about to stretch his waist, when a scribe hurriedly came: "That Zhao Fu official almost burned the government office!" ”

"Huh?" Wang Juncheng was startled, but when he heard that it was Zhao Xiao, he was a little less flustered: "What's the matter?" ”

"Zhao Fu was worried that a monster would sneak into the county government, and before you came back, he broke into the government office with a bunch of things."

"Youkai?!" Wang Juncheng shouted.

The scribe said, "Your Excellency doesn't know? The news spread all over the city in half a day. ”

"Come on!"

Wang Juncheng urged, only to learn from the scribe that when Zhao Xiao was opening the altar in the school in the morning, a monster suddenly appeared, intending to disturb the altar. Fortunately, Zhao Fu's response was timely, and Xingfa summoned a fierce tiger to repel the monster, and the refining of the spell was not hindered.

The soldiers who were selected to protect the altar also saw it clearly, the attacking monster was a big fox more than a foot long, and it is said that they were almost lost in witchcraft, but fortunately they were woken up by Zhao Fu's official in time, so there was no big deal.

Wang Juncheng didn't know anything about the demonstrative, so he hurried back to the county government office, and before he went in, he saw the smoke rising, which made people mistakenly think that the house was running in the water, and there were people gathered around to watch.

"Let the officials drive away the idlers!" Wang Juncheng waved his hand and ordered: "Immortal Chief's method, they can also watch it casually?" ”

When Wang Juncheng found Zhao Xiao, he saw that he was holding a copper hanging ball incense burner like a lantern, the spices in it seemed to be burning violently, and a large amount of smoke rushed out, and Zhao Xiao was intently chanting mantras around the cloister of the courtyard wall:

“…… The three corpses were ambushed, and the five Tibets were circulated. Mita limbs, moving and keeping in the center. Fairies and ghosts, all evils do not do anything. The true official is quiet, and the evil dream does not invade ......"

And there were two monks behind Zhao Xiao, one shaking the Dharma bell, the other holding the flag high, and also chanting incantations.

Wang Juncheng was stunned, and this battle almost made him think that Zhao Xiao and his gang were giving him a funeral.

"Zhao Fu, you are ......"

Wang Juncheng asked carefully, and saw Zhao Xiao take out a willow branch and hit him several times.

"Well, you're fine, don't worry." Zhao Xiao answered, and then continued to chant mantras and burn incense.

Wang Juncheng's face was dazed, so he had to wait for Zhao Huang to turn around every corner inside and outside the government office, and asked while he was packing up his things:

"Zhao Fu, I heard that you met a monster in the school field? Were you just exorcising evil spirits? ”

"Almost." Zhao Yan said: "I have already placed a ban in the government office, and idle spirits and demons cannot sneak into the county government. ”

Wang Juncheng didn't know why: "Why are there demons and evil spirits in Yanze City?" I also asked Zhao Fuyi to solve my doubts. ”

Now the bandits in Xingluo County are enough to make Wang Juncheng anxious, just the money and grain used by the imperial army in the local area, Wang Juncheng has to rely on giving the local rich gentry preferential tax exemption in advance to borrow.

But the premise of all this is that Shiozawa Castle has not been affected by bandits, and if something ominous breaks out in the city, the tension will immediately evolve out of control.

"I can't say for sure right now." Zhao Xiao asked: "By the way, I remember that Xingluo County was originally a sorcerer monk sent by the imperial court, in addition to being responsible for dealing with local demons and ominous things, there are also rules for recording all kinds of disasters and making records. I would like to have access to the papers in this area. ”

"Yes, follow me." Wang Juncheng didn't dare to slack off, so he took Zhao Xiao to a separate warehouse and pointed out where the file was.

"That's all?" Zhao Xiao looked at the two volumes of case books on the empty bookcase.

Wang Juncheng's expression was strange: "Doesn't this seem to be a rare occurrence of demonic and ominous things in the past in this county?" ”

Zhao Xiao asked lightly: "The monks who were stationed here in the past probably didn't go out of the city much, right?" ”

Wang Juncheng had to smile bitterly and nodded.

Since the Great War of the Five Kingdoms, spirits and demons have emerged in an endless stream in various parts of Kunlun Continent, including thriving cities, remote and poor villages, and even deserted mountains and forests.

In fact, the situation of spirits and monsters occasionally occurs even in the poor countryside, but most of those miscellaneous spirits with shallow intelligence cannot afford to make trouble, and the likes of rural temples and warlocks can be dealt with. The enchanting things that can enter the eyes of the monks are usually for the sake of the disaster, which can be called an ominous disaster.

If the monks stationed in the local county really deal with the evil and ominous, there is no need to fight with powerful monsters, but they must take precautions before they happen, and they will not let go of some miscellaneous spirits, so as not to become a climate in the future. If there is a record of each process, the file in this area should be as thick as possible.

But as the governor of a land, he is not happy to see too many ominous disasters on his own territory, which will damage the prospects of his career. For these monks stationed by the imperial court, the local governor hopes that they can discover the local auspicious treasures so that they can be presented to the imperial court, so as to show that the monarch has the way and the officials have merit.

While flipping through the file, Zhao Xiao asked, "The last monk stationed in Xingluo County also died in the attack of thieves?" ”

"Yes." Wang Juncheng rarely had a little leisure, so he found a circle chair and sat down: "At that time, it was evening, and the county guard was feasting, and Chu Sanqing was among them. ”

"Feasting? Why is there a feast? ”

Wang Juncheng's face was a little uncomfortable: "The county guard's new concubine is the youngest daughter of Master Fang." ”

"Master Fang?" Zhao Xiao's mind turned: "The house where our Huaiying Pavilion is located is Master Fang's house?" ”

"That's right."

"Lord Gunshou is really good." Zhao Xiao turned to ask, "But I don't know what kind of thief and robber can actually attack and kill the county guard at the banquet, and also kill a Sanqing monk at the same time?" ”

"The person who came was masked and wrapped in his head, and no one could recognize him." Wang Juncheng's face was gloomy, and he recalled the scene at that time: "At that time, there were guards outside the hall, but no one found the killer, because the person jumped out of the second floor. From top to bottom, a knife slashed the back of the neck, and the county keeper was in a different place on the spot. ”

"Master." Zhao Xiao said.

Wang Juncheng rubbed his eyebrows: "As soon as Lord County Shou died, the banquet was immediately chaotic, and people ran around. Chu Sanqing wanted to cast a spell, but the killer was faster, and he ended his life with a single sword. ”

"Where was Lord Wang at that time?" Zhao Xiao asked.

"I'm at the banquet too." Wang Juncheng shrugged his shoulders and couldn't hide his tiredness: "But Zhao Fuyi also understands that I am a deputy, and I should not be high-profile on any occasion, I am not even at the same table as the county guard, and the killer can't waste his energy on me." ”

Zhao Xiao was silent for a while when he heard this, although he didn't say it, but Luo Xixian has been a little estranged from him recently, and he is not unaware of it. Hearing Wang Juncheng's words this time, he realized that his deputy was too high-profile and stole Luo Xixian's limelight?

"Lord Wang, now you are the governor of Starfall County." Zhao Xiao asked, "Aren't you worried that the thieves will assassinate alone again?" I don't think the county government is very well prepared. ”

"I'm looking at it." Wang Juncheng sighed and said: "After the bandits in Xingluo County are calmed down, even if the court does not punish or degrade, I will resign." ”

Zhao Huang said: "Lord Wang is in the prime of life, although I don't understand the affairs of the case, but I can also understand that the current situation in Xingluo County is maintained by Lord Wang's efforts." Now that the imperial army has arrived, the bandits will be pacified in a few days, why are they so depressed and depressed? ”

Wang Juncheng glanced at Zhao Xiao, revealing the shrewd demeanor of the old eunuch sea: "Zhao Fu, I can still understand it." The real purpose of the imperial court sending your pavilions to Xingluo County this time is not to suppress bandits and eliminate demons, but to take this opportunity to balance the pavilions, especially to suppress the Chongxuan Pavilion, which gathers the ministers of the family. Yes and no? ”

Zhao Xiao's gaze turned back to the dossier and did not answer. Wang Juncheng acquiesced to him and continued: "In the final analysis, the bandits in Xingluo County are not a big deal, if the court was really attentive, it would have been pacified ten times eight times. In the final analysis, it is precisely because the situation is not urgent, and it is convenient for the ministers and nobles to get their hands on it, so that it will be brought to the table, and you can also be transferred to your various pavilions.

Oh, I haven't said it yet. At the beginning, Chu Sanqing, who was stationed here, was a monk of Chongxuan Pavilion, and he was still from a wealthy family like the Yuepu Chu clan. As soon as he died, Chongxuan Pavilion arranged for people to come to Xingluo County, which was very common. If you add the merits of the bandits, Chongxuanguan will be able to firmly control Xingluo County from now on, and the imperial court will not let this kind of thing go.

Therefore, this kind of thing that is not difficult to do, can be done or not, and can still be in the limelight and gain a good reputation after being done, cannot be monopolized by the Chongxuanguan family. ”

Zhao Xiao said expressionlessly: "It's really a lot." ”

"I just understand this, that's why I plan to resign." Wang Juncheng said: "I don't understand, why can't the bandits be suppressed well?" Why do you want to drum up these senseless calculations? If the situation is irretrievable, you are willing to make some moves, and even the dispatch of troops and horses will be greatly discounted! ”

The more Wang Juncheng spoke, the more angry he became, and Zhao Xiao interrupted: "My lord, be cautious." ”

"I lost my temper." Wang Juncheng's face stiffened, and then he sighed heavily, and his body was like a puddle of soft mud lying in the circle chair.

"There is no mention in the file that there are fox demons in the area." Zhao Xiao finished reading: "Being able to violate the law altar is not an ordinary monster." I didn't make trouble in the past, but I waited until I practiced the Fa to make trouble......"

Wang Juncheng asked: "Could it be that the local demon is worried that the imperial army will come to the door to investigate, so he plans to start in advance?" ”

"Possibly." Zhao Huang immediately shook his head again: "But this time is too accurate, I should not be disturbed when I ascend the altar to practice the law, the fox demon chose to do it at this time, and at first glance it is a monster who knows how to practice magic." ”

Wang Juncheng frowned and groaned, Zhao Xiao saw him like this, so he asked, "My lord, don't you have another opinion?" ”

"I don't know anything about magic or demons." Wang Juncheng said: "But if I have to guess...... No, forget it. ”

"There are only you and me here, if you have something to say, you might as well say it directly, and no sound can be heard." Zhao Xiao pasted a seal on the door of the storeroom.

Wang Juncheng's eyes wandered and dodged: "This ...... In my opinion, the worst thing to do is not outsiders, most of the time it is my own people. ”

Zhao Xiao's face changed slightly, and he was about to ask more, but Wang Juncheng hurriedly waved his hand: "Zhao Fu, don't ask again, this official is just asleep, just talking in a dream, don't pay attention to it." ”

……

"Do you think that fox demon was driven by the monk of the pavilion?"

Leaving the county government office, Zhao Xiao talked to Lingxiao about the matter.

"Not impossible." Ling Xiao said, "It's just that I think that fox demon is a little unusual. ”

"What do you mean?"

"It's just a subtle premonition, and I can't see it clearly now." Ling Xiao explained: "The ancient immortals had a fashion of taming all kinds of rui beasts and spirit birds, for example, there were many divine birds and spirit birds, and good howling tigers and leopards under the control of the fairy mother of Yaochi Guishan. As for the fox that can be called a fairy, it should be headed by the sky fox. ”

"You don't mean to say that the fox demon is an ancient celestial fox, right?" Zhao Xiao's forehead was sweating.

Lingxiao did not hide it: "I just have a hint of spiritual sense, and I can't be sure." What's more, the sky fox is not an ordinary fox demon, but a natural beast, and in addition to being awarded the immortal urn, most of them are the immortal family's auxiliary ministers. Unlike the mortal fox demon who confuses people with his voice and lust, and is greedy for brain marrow and flesh. ”

"Immortal ......" Zhao Xiao muttered: "By the way, did you have such a thing as an immortal blood yin in those years?" That is, a certain ancestor was a fairy family, and the children of later generations were born with the Dharma urn because of their blood and bones that were different from ordinary people, and they were protected by immortal generals. ”

"There is no such exquisiteness, it is a posterity." Ling Xiao asked, "Do you suspect that Liang Shuo in the Chongxuan Pavilion?" ”

"Being reminded by Wang Juncheng like this, they are the ones who want to drag Huaiying Pavilion back the most now." Zhao Xiao was a little helpless: "Actually, I also admire Wang Juncheng, even if he is not a popular deputy, he finally took power again, but at this critical juncture, he didn't get much benefit, and he would be detained for all kinds of crimes at any time." Trembling, walking on thin ice. ”

"I remember you were still suspicious of the officials here."

Zhao Xiao pursed his lips: "I must be suspicious, the thieves easily killed the local governor, and Wang Juncheng took power temporarily, but the imperial court did not send a formal county guard to take office for a long time, no matter how you look at it, this matter is very strange." ”

"This person's words and deeds don't seem to be fake." Lingxiao reminded.

Zhao Xiao agreed: "I see it this way too. And his statement is also reasonable, the real mind of the imperial court is not to suppress bandits and eliminate demons, where does Chongxuanguan not understand this meaning? It is precisely for this reason that they sent out the fox demon to try to lift my altar, and it is not unreasonable. ”

"If that were the case, such thoughts would be despicable." Ling Xiao sneered and said: "This generation is called the immortal blood in vain, even if the ancestors really have an immortal family, they don't think about cultivating and accumulating good things, but they spend their efforts on this kind of trivial matter. The so-called deception is nothing more than that. ”

"Despicable?" Zhao Xiao was a little helpless: "Seriously, if I were Liang Shuo, I might be more ruthless and desperate." Maintain their own status and power, and outsiders are blameless. In my opinion, this kind of trick is simply not clever enough. If it's really the fox demon sent by Liang Shuo, it's a bit too ...... How so? Is this guessed? ”

"If you are Liang Shuo, what are you going to do?" Lingxiao asked.

"Don't say anything else, you must rely on your family background and the power of the court, and you will bring those 20,000 soldiers first!" Zhao Huang couldn't help laughing: "Then rely on the momentum, march directly, take the territory occupied by the thieves, and don't let other pavilions have a chance to compete for merit!" ”

Ling Xiao sighed: "This must be done, so you are not destined to be the kind of person Liang Shuo." ”