Startling Hall Wood

Perhaps because Duke Lu was with him, though the atmosphere along the way was strange, they encountered no danger.

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

Before long, the two arrived at a place that seemed to be a treasury. Its upturned eaves were carved with Evil-warding Divine Beasts, and it lay shrouded in a faint mist, appearing and vanishing from view.

Before he even stepped inside, Zhou Sheng was suddenly seized by a bone-deep chill.

It felt as though pairs of eyes brimming with Killing Intent were watching him.

The pressure brought by each pair of eyes was no less than that of the stone demon beneath Silver Locks General's feet!

Even though his Dao cultivation had improved considerably after taking the Mica Formula, Zhou Sheng had a powerful premonition that if he barged into this place, he would die a truly miserable death.

Fortunately, Lu Bingyuan spoke.

"Open the door."

Buzz—

The heavy vermilion-lacquered gates slowly opened, as though Ghosts and Gods were pushing them apart.

Following Duke Lu into the treasury, Zhou Sheng found it exceedingly plain inside. There were only rows of bookshelves, except that besides books, they held many miscellaneous objects.

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

A dazzling array of collections filled the shelves.

"These are my collections from more than three hundred years. My interests are rather broad—I have dabbled in antiques, calligraphy and paintings, rare editions, jade, and more."

"Some are worth ten thousand gold, some are not worth a single coin, and some conceal mysteries within."

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

"What you choose will depend entirely on your own eye and your luck."

He admired the young man before him, but taking a treasure from his hands required skill and means.

Of course, luck was also a kind of ability.

Those blessed with great fortune often turned danger into safety and calamity into auspiciousness.

To investigate Shen Jinhua's case, one needed a hard enough fate and high enough fortune. He also wanted to know whether this Zhou Danshan was merely boasting, or whether he truly had something to rely on.

"Then I must thank Duke Lu!"

Zhou Sheng felt somewhat excited, but outwardly he remained as calm as drifting clouds and a gentle breeze, even putting on a slightly conflicted expression.

In truth, his heart was blooming with joy.

A City God's collections from over three hundred years surely contained many miraculous objects. Though it looked like searching for a needle in the sea, with the Book of Luo in hand, he was taking an open-book exam.

But to avoid exposing the Book of Luo's secret, he first had to put on a proper performance.

Zhou Sheng stepped forward and carefully examined the collections, pausing from time to time to stare intently.

It had to be said that Duke Lu's collection was indeed exceptionally rich. Beyond antiques, jade, calligraphy, paintings, and books, there were medicinal pills, precious formulas, treasured bows, and famous swords.

Especially the sword named "Li Yuan." It was three feet and three inches long, carved with dragon patterns. Once drawn, its cold gleam was like autumn water, and its Sword Qi like a long rainbow.

It was absolutely a famous sword fit to be passed down through the ages. Even an ordinary person wielding it could slay common demons and ghosts!

That Treasure Carving Bow was no ordinary item either, its Killing Intent pressing upon the senses.

Some medicinal pills bloomed with radiant light; merely catching a thread of their fragrance made one feel spirited and glowing with health.

There were also all manner of rare books, some of which recorded secret Daoist arts.

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

Zhou Sheng was nearly dazzled. If he had chosen for himself, he would most likely have picked that treasured sword or some medicinal pills.

But the choice given by the Book of Luo was completely different.

"Well? Have you made your choice?"

"I have."

Zhou Sheng lingered before the treasured sword called Li Yuan for a long while, stroking its blade with such fondness that he could not bear to let go.

"Choosing this sword would not be a bad choice—"

Before Lu Bingyuan could finish, the sword slid back into its sheath. Zhou Sheng returned Li Yuan to its place, then reached for something beside it.

Lu Bingyuan's expression changed slightly.

"Duke Lu, I choose this."

The item in Zhou Sheng's hand was black and dull, seemingly a section of rotten wood. It bore several cracks and was utterly devoid of luster.

Compared with the sword flashing with cold radiance, it appeared far too ordinary.

Yet Lu Bingyuan's gaze seemed drawn by a magnet, locking firmly onto that wooden block.

"You truly choose this?"

"Yes."

"You will not change your mind?"

"I will not."

Lu Bingyuan: "..."

He suddenly regretted it a little.

"Could it be that Duke Lu cannot bear to part with it?"

"I truly cannot."

Lu Bingyuan revealed a wry smile. "There are six hundred and thirty-four collections in this treasury. The second most precious is the Immortal's Cloud Mica Pill, while the most precious is this object."

Zhou Sheng's heart jolted, and surprise appeared on his face.

This was not an act. It was genuine.

After the Turtle Shell Divination, the Book of Luo had shown that the most precious thing in the treasury was this battered old Startling Hall Wood.

But he had not expected this Startling Hall Wood to be even more precious than the Immortal's Cloud Mica Pill!

"This is a Startling Hall Wood, an artifact from the previous dynasty. As for its owner, you are very familiar with him. It was... Lord Bao."

Zhou Sheng's eyes lit up.

Lord Bao's Startling Hall Wood?

Bao Qingtian, Prefect of Kaifeng Prefecture, with an iron face impartial in distinguishing loyalty from treachery!

If this truly was the Startling Hall Wood Lord Bao had wielded to judge cases, discern grievances, try ghosts, and execute villains, then it must contain vast righteous energy. It could intimidate all Ghosts and Gods, making its value impossible to measure!

"This object possesses righteous energy. The cracks upon it are like lightning; they were struck into it when Lord Bao slammed it down during the execution of the imperial son-in-law. Its sound shook Kaifeng Prefecture, and Ghosts and Gods trembled in fear upon hearing it."

"When this wood sounds, its thunderous voice echoes a thousandfold—upright and radiant, like the clear blue sky beneath the white sun. It can drive back all evil and keep sprites and monsters from drawing near!"

Lu Bingyuan sighed. "Lord Bao is my model. This object has always been dear to my heart, yet I never expected you to choose it today."

Zhou Sheng felt a little embarrassed.

"Never mind. Since you chose it, you have a connection with it. Perhaps, in the unseen reaches of fate, Bao Longtu chose you."

"Just remember: this object contains Lord Bao's divine intent—his unbending integrity and open righteousness. If you commit evil and wrongdoing in the future, I fear you will instead suffer harm from it."

At last, he gave Zhou Sheng a deep look, as though warning him and exhorting him at once.

"Do not tarnish Bao Longtu's great name."

Zhou Sheng's expression also grew solemn. He carefully put away the Startling Hall Wood and kept it close against his body.

Lord Bao was not only Lu Bingyuan's model; was he not also a hero of Huaxia?

A thousand years of time, a vast and endless river, could not wash away the righteous energy within Kaifeng Prefecture.

The two words "Lord Bao" had nearly become a symbol of justice in the hearts of Huaxia's people. No matter the time, place, dynasty, or generation, there were always those calling that name, and always those fearing those three executioner's blades.

Zhou Sheng had not expected that coming to see Lu Bingyuan this time would yield such enormous gains.

This Earl of Manifested Protection had once been accomplished in both letters and arms, dying in a foreign land while covering the evacuation of the common people. Though he now looked like a candle flame guttering in the wind, Zhou Sheng could sense that the fire in his heart had yet to go out.

Zhou Sheng suddenly understood why that inn servant had spoken of the City God with such reverence.

Whether in life or after death, this old man had done everything in his power to shelter the people of this city.

He bowed deeply.

Lu Bingyuan accepted the bow calmly, then smiled. "Danshan, it is time to go. This old man will have someone see you off."

Zhou Sheng was taken aback. "I need to return to Qinggu County. It is several hundred li from Yang City, so I will not trouble Duke Lu."

Beyond Yang City lay many mountain roads. Even at his pace, the journey would take three or four days.

Lu Bingyuan laughed heartily. "It seems your Master has never taken you along the Yin-Yang Road. Then this time, let you experience it..."

"The post road traveled by the dead."