Startling Hall Wood

Perhaps because Duke Lu accompanied him, although the atmosphere was strange along the way, they didn't encounter any dangerous situations.

Zhou Sheng even heard the sounds of Ghost Messengers paying their respects and saluting.

After walking for a short while, the two arrived at a place that seemed to be a treasury. Its eaves were upturned, carved with evil-warding divine beasts, and it was shrouded in a faint mist, appearing indistinct.

Before even stepping inside, Zhou Sheng felt a chill run down his spine, his body growing cold.

It was as if he was being stared at by pairs of eyes filled with malevolence.

The pressure from each pair of eyes was no less than that of the stone demonic ghosts beneath the Silver Locks General's feet!

Even though his Dao cultivation had advanced significantly after taking the Mica Formula, Zhou Sheng had a strong premonition that if he trespassed here, he would die a most miserable death.

Fortunately, Lu Bingyuan spoke.

"Open the gate."

Hummm~

The heavy vermillion-lacquered gate slowly opened, as if being pushed by ghosts and gods.

Following Duke Lu into the treasury, the interior was very simple, with only rows of bookshelves. However, besides books, many miscellaneous items were also placed on them.

There were dazzling Luminous Pearls, priceless jade, and bronze ancient artifacts covered in dust.

It was a dazzling array, filled with all sorts of collections.

"These are my collections from over three hundred years. My interests are quite varied, encompassing antiques, calligraphy and paintings, rare editions, jade, and more."

"Some are worth a fortune, some are worthless, and some hide profound mysteries."

Lu Bingyuan looked at him and smiled, "Danshan, you may choose one item from this treasury to take with you. I will not give you any hints."

"What you choose depends solely on your discernment and luck."

He admired the young man before him, but if he wanted to take away a treasure from him, it would require skill and means.

Of course, luck was also a form of skill.

Those with high fortune often turn misfortune into blessings and find good fortune in times of danger.

To investigate Shen Jinhua's case, one needed a strong destiny and high fortune. He also really wanted to know if this Zhou Danshan was all talk or truly had something to rely on.

"In that case, thank you, Duke Lu!"

Zhou Sheng felt a surge of excitement in his heart, but outwardly, he remained calm and composed, even putting on a slightly troubled expression.

In reality, his heart was blooming with joy.

A City God's collection spanning over three hundred years must contain many divine and unusual items. Although it seemed like searching for a needle in a haystack, with the Luoshu in hand, he was essentially taking an open-book exam.

However, to avoid revealing the secret of the Luoshu, he had to put on a good performance first.

Zhou Sheng stepped forward and carefully examined the collections, pausing to gaze at them from time to time.

It had to be said that Duke Lu's collection was indeed very rich. Besides antiques and jade, calligraphy and paintings, and books, there were also medicinal pills and rare formulas, as well as treasured bows and famous swords.

Especially the sword named "Li Yuan," three feet three inches long, adorned with dragon carvings. When unsheathed, its cold gleam was like autumn water, and its sword energy was like a long rainbow.

It was definitely a legendary sword, capable of slaying ordinary demons and ghosts even when wielded by a common person!

That treasured carved bow was also extraordinary, exuding a menacing aura.

There were medicinal pills radiating a brilliant glow; just inhaling a wisp of their fragrance made one feel invigorated and radiant.

There were also various rare books, some of which recorded secret arts of the Daoist sect.

Five Ghosts Moving, Invisibility Spell, Calming Spirit Incantation...

Zhou Sheng's eyes were almost overwhelmed. If he had to choose himself, he would most likely pick that treasured sword or the medicinal pills.

However, the choice given by the Luoshu was completely different.

"How is it, have you decided?"

"I've decided."

Zhou Sheng stood before the treasured sword named Li Yuan for a long time, caressing its blade, reluctant to let go.

"Choosing this sword isn't bad either—"

Before Lu Bingyuan could finish speaking, he heard the sound of a sword being sheathed. Zhou Sheng put the Li Yuan sword back and then reached for something next to it.

Lu Bingyuan's expression changed slightly.

"Duke Lu, I choose this item."

The object in Zhou Sheng's hand was dark and heavy, appearing to be a piece of rotten wood with several cracks, dull and lifeless.

Compared to the gleaming treasured sword, it seemed overly ordinary.

But Lu Bingyuan's gaze was locked onto the piece of wood as if drawn by a magnet.

"You really choose this?"

"Yes."

"You don't want to change your mind?"

"I'm not trading anymore."

Lu Bingyuan: "..."

He suddenly regretted it a little.

"Duke Lu, are you perhaps reluctant to part with it?"

"Indeed, I am reluctant."

Lu Bingyuan showed a wry smile and said, "There are a total of six hundred and thirty-four items in the treasury. The second most precious among them is the Immortal's Cloud Mica Pill, and the most precious is this item."

Zhou Sheng's heart trembled, and he showed a look of surprise.

This was not an act; it was genuine.

After the tortoise divination, the Luoshu indicated that the most precious item in the treasury was this worn-out Startling Hall Wood.

But he hadn't expected that this Startling Hall Wood would be even more precious than the Immortal's Cloud Mica Pill!

"This item is Startling Hall Wood, an old relic from the previous dynasty. As for its owner, you are very familiar with him, it is... Lord Bao."

Zhou Sheng's eyes lit up.

Lord Bao's Startling Hall Wood?

Kaifeng Prefecture's Prefect, Bao Qingtian, with his iron face, discerns loyalty from treachery!

If this was truly the Startling Hall Wood that Lord Bao used to judge cases and right wrongs, to interrogate ghosts and punish evil, then this item would undoubtedly be imbued with vast righteousness, capable of terrifying all manner of ghosts and gods, its value immeasurable!

"This wood possesses righteousness. The cracks on it are like lightning, split when Lord Bao executed the imperial son-in-law. Its sound shook Kaifeng Prefecture, striking fear into ghosts and gods."

"When this wood strikes, thunderous sounds echo a thousandfold, upright and righteous, like the clear sky in broad daylight, causing all evil to retreat and Netherlings to be unable to invade!"

Lu Bingyuan sighed with emotion, "Lord Bao is my role model. This item is my favorite, and I didn't expect you to choose it today."

Zhou Sheng felt a little embarrassed.

"Never mind. Since you have chosen it, you are fated with this item. Perhaps in the unseen realm, it was Bao Longtu who chose you."

"Just remember, this item contains Lord Bao's upright and incorruptible, righteous and brilliant divine will. If you were to commit evil deeds in the future, you might end up harming yourself."

Finally, he cast a deep look at Zhou Sheng, as if a warning, or perhaps an admonition.

"Do not tarnish the prestige of Bao Longtu."

Zhou Sheng's expression also turned serious. He carefully put away the Startling Hall Wood and kept it close to his person.

Lord Bao was not only Lu Bingyuan's role model, but also a hero of China.

A thousand years of time, a long river, could not wash away the righteousness within Kaifeng Prefecture.

The name Lord Bao had almost become a symbol of justice in the hearts of the Chinese people. No matter when or where, in any dynasty, there were people calling out this name, and people fearing those three execution sabers.

Zhou Sheng hadn't expected that his visit to Lu Bingyuan would yield such a great harvest.

This Earl of Manifested Protection, who was once both civil and military, and died in a foreign land while covering the evacuation of civilians, now, despite his appearance of being in the twilight of his years, Zhou Sheng could feel that the fire in his heart had not been extinguished.

Zhou Sheng suddenly understood why that waiter had spoken with such reverence when mentioning the City God.

Whether in life or after death, this old man had been doing his utmost to protect the people of this city.

He bowed respectfully.

Lu Bingyuan accepted the gift calmly and then laughed, "Danshan, it's time to go. I will have someone escort you."

Zhou Sheng was taken aback and said, "I need to return to Qinggu County. It's several hundred miles from Yangcheng, so I won't trouble Duke Lu."

Beyond Yangcheng, the roads were mountainous, and it would take him three to four days on foot.

Lu Bingyuan laughed heartily and said, "It seems your master never took you on the Yin-Yang Road. Then this time, I will let you experience it..."

"The post road for the dead."