Rite of Souls, Dharma Protector Straw Figure, Anping Town Harvest Festival

Zhao Xing turned around and saw that it was the musician Jiang Jiuxian walking over.

Before the banquet, he had heard Zong Shichang introduce him as a clerk in the Nanyang Music Hall, who was considered Lu Qian's Senior Brother.

"Qianqian, don't trust others too easily and get deceived." Jiang Jiuxian said seriously, his gaze sharp when it fell on Zhao Xing's face.

"Senior Brother Jiang?" Lu Qian asked, somewhat displeased. "Were you eavesdropping on our conversation?"

Seeing that Lu Qian seemed unconvinced, Jiang Jiuxian quickly said, "How rare are New War Lyrics and War Music? If they are for sale, they must be the work of a master. How could they be found in a small Gucheng like Gucheng? Besides, he's not even a musician; he's just an incompetent Agricultural Official."

Zhao Xing was displeased. What did he mean by "just an Agricultural Official"?

Do you look down on the Agricultural Official?

"Brother Jiang, it's fine if you call me a fraud, but don't attack my profession," Zhao Xing said.

Jiang Jiuxian snorted, "Don't try to act like a brother to me. If it weren't for Zong Shichang's sake, I would have exposed you in public long ago. If you have any self-awareness, you should hurry downstairs before too many people find out, and stop playing tricks here."

He had been annoyed with Zhao Xing ever since the dance and music performance ended.

Everyone else is giving tips, but you're empty-handed. Don't you know the rules?

Afterwards, his favorite Junior Sister took the initiative to dance in front of this man. No one knows what sweet words he used to make Junior Sister lose her mind!

Before Zhao Xing could speak, Lu Qian retorted, "Senior Brother, you don't understand. He's not like that."

Jiang Jiuxian felt even more heartbroken upon hearing this.

This is infuriating! What do you mean I don't understand? How come you understand him after only chatting for a short while?

"Junior Sister, wake up!" Jiang Jiuxian's voice rose unconsciously.

Seeing that Jiang Jiuxian was still blocking her way, Lu Qian became somewhat displeased. "Jiang Jiuxian, I have my own judgment about the facts, and it's none of your business. Shouting and disturbing the peace is not the behavior of a musician! Get out of my way!"

After saying that, Lu Qian pulled Zhao Xing and bypassed him.

Jiang Jiuxian was furious, his head was practically steaming, and his eyes were practically murderous.

Seeing that he couldn't persuade her, he immediately ran to find Liu Muqing and the other girls from the Music Hall.

After his outburst, he gathered all the guests who were enjoying the moon in the private room on the top floor.

"Brother Jiang, what happened? Why are you knocking so urgently?" Zong Shichang was a little annoyed. He was about to touch Miss Liu's hand, and you were banging on the door like this. Didn't you have any sense of propriety?

"Brother Zong, Miss Liu, please come with me. Lu Qian has been deceived, and I can't persuade her otherwise. Please, both of you, enlighten her."

"What?" Liu Muqing snapped out of her daze. "Scammed? What do you mean?"

Jiang Jiuxian briefly explained what had just happened.

Zong Shichang felt a little uncomfortable. How dare you say my godfather is a fraud? Do you think I don't know whether he's a fraud or not? Besides, with you making such a fuss, where does that leave my face?

"Brother Jiang, I advise you not to make a big fuss. I know Brother Zhao; he would never speak without a reason."

He was advising Jiang Jiuxian not to humiliate himself.

After what just happened, Zong Shichang's confidence in Zhao Xing was off the charts.

But Jiang Jiuxian said:

"Shichang, you're the Agricultural Official, you don't understand. How easy is it to create war lyrics and music for musicians?"

"..." Zong Shichang was even more displeased when Jiang Jiuxian attacked his profession directly. However, he couldn't show it because of Liu Muqing.

Seeing that everyone had gathered around, he had no choice but to follow him to find Zhao Xing and Lu Qian.

"Open the door!" "Open the door!"

"Miss Lu, is Brother Zhao inside?"

"Qian'er..."

Outside the private room, a group of people were banging on the door.

"What are you doing?"

Lu Qian opened the door and looked at the people at the door with some surprise.

Zong Shichang asked, "Brother Jiang said you were deceived, is that true?"

Lu Qian's gaze towards Jiang Jiuxian suddenly turned sharp. "Jiang Jiuxian, didn't I tell you not to interfere!"

Jiang Jiuxian, intoxicated, didn't care about anything else. "Where is he? Whether he's a liar or not, we'll know once we call him out!"

Musicians and Dancer Master chimed in, "Qian'er, the high-quality new battle lyrics and music are amazing. If it were me, I wouldn't believe it either."

"Creating just one of the following—battle lyrics, battle music, or battle dance—is already quite an achievement, let alone two at once!"

Lu Qian glared at Jiang Jiuxian and said, "What are you shouting for? He's gone."

They've left?

Zong Shichang, Liu Muqing, and the others exchanged glances.

The other guests were also a bit confused. Could it be that they really ran away because they were afraid of being exposed?

Jiang Jiuxian got even more excited. "If he wasn't guilty, why would he leave without saying goodbye? Junior Sister, haven't you realized yet, he's just a..."

Lu Qian was too lazy to argue with him and simply took out a Water-Patterned Paper Booklet from her bosom.

When this Water-Patterned Paper Booklet appeared.

Jiang Jiuxian's words were abruptly interrupted.

He felt a strong Heart's Blood Surge, a sensation that made him tremble so much that he couldn't speak.

The other musicians were the same; their eyes were involuntarily drawn to the Water-Patterned Paper.

The Dancer Master are a little better off, since they only have war songs and war lyrics, but lack the war dance.

But it was also very shocking.

This is exactly the feeling you get from the original post!

"It's really true?"

"Did you feel it?"

"These are at least battle songs and lyrics that can be cultivated to the Seventh Grade, right?"

"You're underestimating it. If it becomes widely popular, its potential can be even higher!"

"It is definitely the original; only the original power is this strong."

Jiang Jiuxian's face turned pale, and his eyes glazed over. He hadn't expected to actually be proven wrong.

Seeing this, Lu Qian put the Water-Patterned Paper away again, staring coldly at Jiang Jiuxian:

"Jiang Jiuxian, I usually call you senior Senior Brother because you started learning from me earlier. Do you really think your skills are superior and your vision is far better than mine?"

"How dare you treat me like a child!"

Lu Qian felt humiliated. She felt that Jiang Jiuxian treated her like a child. Did she not have any ability to judge?

Jiang Jiuxian was so ashamed that he couldn't utter a word.

Zong Shichang stepped in to smooth things over. "Alright, Brother Jiang was just drunk. It's good that the misunderstanding is cleared up. Come on, everyone, let's keep the music playing and dancing. I have something good to show you. Let's all go home now!"

Then they pushed the crowd away.

Liu Muqing didn't leave, because Lu Qian kept her there. Good things should be shared with best friends, and others wouldn't have the chance to see the original.

Closing the door, Liu Muqing stared at the Water-Patterned Paper: "Qian'er, is this really something Zhao Xing gave you, or did you buy it from somewhere else?"

Lu Qian smiled and opened the Water-Patterned Paper: "Qing'er, there's sheet music on this. You'll know it as soon as you play it."

The Water-Patterned Paper was opened, revealing the two large characters "Rite of Souls).

Liu Muqing walked to the zither and began to play the war music.

"The ceremony concludes with the sound of drums."

"Passing down the dance of Ba Xi."

"A beautiful woman sings merrily."

"Spring orchids and autumn chrysanthemums."

"May it never end, forever."

As the music and lyrics played in unison, Liu Muqing seemed to see the scene of ancient sages worshipping the gods in the Heavenly Altar Plaza. The sound of war drums rang out in quick succession, and the goddess of flowers sang. The Heavenly Timing changed from spring to autumn in a short time, repeating the cycle.

Ritual is for worship, and the soul is the spirit of qi.

This is a song to send off the gods after the sacrifices to them.

The music resonated with heaven and earth, seemingly having the effect of dispelling Yin Soul and sending away Yin Spirit!

"This..." After playing it twice more, Liu Muqing quickly sensed a feeling that was both strange and familiar. "Could this be an extension of 'Six Songs'?"

"That's right." Lu Qian nodded. "That's what he said."

"Since it is derived from the Six Songs, is it not just 'The Rite of Souls'?" Liu Muqing suddenly thought of something.

"I guessed that was the case too. It's a pity that Jiang Jiuxian ruined the good thing just as I was about to ask. He left directly so as not to make things difficult for Zong Shichang... Humph, Jiang Jiuxian, he's really despicable!" Lu Qian was very angry.

"Alright, let's not worry about Jiang Jiuxian anymore. Qian'er, you didn't waste that Peacock Feather Magic Garment." Liu Muqing teased, "You even got an original battle song in return... If you ask me, it would be better to lose ten or eight more."

"You thought it was a free gift? I bought it."

"That's a pity, it dashes your hopes of repaying me with your Qian'er."

"Qing'er, what are you doing? You're asking for it!"

"..."

Zhao Xing returned to his home in Pingkang Ward under the moonlight.

At this time, Zhao Ruide had taken his wife and children out to play and had not yet returned.

"The trip to Moon Gazing Tower was worthwhile. Not only did we solve a problem, but we also got a few Preaching Painting." Zhao Xing washed his face.

After giving "The Rite of Souls" to Lu Qian, she promised to find at least two more Preaching Painting.

Adding to the one Zong Shichang mentioned, he could buy another one with the money he had, making it about four Preaching Painting.

As for whether it was worth the price? Zhao Xing thought it was.

In the future, these war words and war songs will be of little use. Once the Dynasty of Fate collapses, those who Ritual Cultivator, music, and dance will all fall into obscurity and become minor paths.

As times change, some professions rise to the top overnight, while others fall to the dust. Now he's short of money, so if he can sell it to tide him over, he'll sell it; it's free money anyway.

"Hopefully, Young Master Zong and Young Lady Lu will put in some good work and bring in some good Preaching Painting."

Putting this matter aside for the time being, Zhao Xing began to cultivate the introductory chapter of "The Great Dream Spring and Autumn".

[You have captured the Sleepy Bug within your Fate Soul. You have gained some understanding of the Sleep Bug Art. Spell progress +10]

[You have captured the Sleepy Bug within the Fate Soul, and you have gained some understanding of the Sleep Bug Art. Spell progress +12]

You released the Sleepy Bug...

After practicing the Sleep Bug Art for half the night, Zhao Xing fell into a deep sleep. The next morning, as usual, he went to the Agricultural Supervisorate to practice.

Although it would be difficult to make further progress in the Four Seasonal Arts in the short term, Zhao Xing did not give up.

He believed that this daily training was not in vain; the progress was just so small that it was less than 1 point. But with time and effort, he would eventually break through the bottleneck.

The little Mountain Cat lay lazily on the locust tree, then used its paws to pry off a locust leaf and took a bite.

Meow~

It didn't taste good, and the Mountain Cat spat it out.

"This stuff is actually delicious? You must be really hungry. Come on, I'll take you to find something to eat."

Zhao Xing checked the time and decided to take the Mountain Cat to the Chen Residence for a free meal.

The Heaven Yuan Pear Tree he planted himself is still a long way from flowering and bearing fruit.

"Meow." The Mountain Cat perked up, and upon hearing about the food, it immediately jumped onto Zhao Xing's shoulder.

The Agricultural Official a type of official) usually eats quite well.

When Zhao Xing arrived, Chen Shijie was having a lavish meal at his residence.

"A second-tier superior-grade ingredient Big Yellow? You even added prepared rehmannia root and clear goji berries?"

"Yam and eel soup? Nourishes qi and lungs, strengthens the body and invigorates yin?"

"And Yin Er Peng Peacock? Wow, it smells delicious!"

"Hey, why is there also clear goji berries in this braised pheasant? It's an aphrodisiac, isn't it? Lord Chen, you should take care of yourself and not overwork yourself..."

Chen Shijie glanced at Zhao Xing: "Where did you learn this sarcastic tone from? Can't you eat properly?"

"Hehe." Zhao Xing stopped teasing Chen Shijie, but judging from the food, he knew that Gui Niang must have been staying at the Chen Residence for the past two days.

The two were enjoying a delicious meal when suddenly a Big Yellow jumped and ran off the ground.

The yellow croaker was twice the size of the Mountain Cat, and the little Mountain Cat, with its head tilted back to bite, was completely obscured by the yellow croaker.

Zhao Xing and Chen Shijie both ate very quickly, almost like they devoured the food in a whirlwind, a habit they developed in the army.

"Tomorrow is the Harvest Festival. Are you going out of town?" Chen Shijie asked after they finished eating.

"Yes." Zhao Xing nodded. "Anping Town is the area I'm responsible for for land tax. It's the last harvest of Yuan Rice, so I have to go and take a look."

"Call Shen Zhui, and I'll give you another straw man." Chen Shijie waved his hand, and a straw man wearing a raincoat and a straw hat immediately ran out from the back room.

Zhao Xing glanced at it but couldn't figure out what it was all about.

"Dharma Protector Straw Figure," Chen Shijie explained. "It contains two sword energies, imprinted with the sword techniques of a friend of mine in the army. Even those in Nanyang County couldn't replicate this Dharma Protector Straw Figure."

It's unlikely that the Profound Heaven Sect will make a move in September, but just in case, Chen Shijie still put an extra layer of insurance on Zhao Xing.

"Impressive." Zhao Xing gave a thumbs up. The Dharma Protector Straw Figure is a mid-level spell, and it is extremely difficult to master. Chen Shijie's doll is even more extraordinary. After examining it with the Five Elements Observation, Zhao Xing actually felt a stinging sensation in his eyes.

The material used to make the straw doll is not ordinary; it is full of the power of metal, and its overall structure is very precise, completely locking the two sword energies inside so that they do not leak out.

Such Dharma Protector Straw Figure can be used for a long time; as long as they are not destroyed, they can last for three to five years!

Zhao Xing used the Five Elements Observation, but even at close range, he could only vaguely sense its sharpness and couldn't discern its inner workings at all.

Chen Shijie was quite pleased with Zhao Xing's praise, and since he wanted Zhao Xing to go to the army with him, he naturally had to use some tricks to attract him.

"Then I'll take my leave." Zhao Xing finished eating and left decisively, knowing that Chen Shijie didn't like idle chatter.

Around the Autumn Equinox is the time for the last harvest of Yuan Rice.

If the Yuan Rice isn't harvested by October, it will rot in the fields, and the farmers won't be able to plant a new crop.

Anping Town is also under Shen Zhui's jurisdiction, but he doesn't need to be there often. Minor squabbles between ordinary people don't require a high level of force to resolve.

Zhao Xing and Shen Zhui were riding in a government-issued carriage. The carriage itself had a level three defense, and the horses pulling it also had the bloodline of exotic beasts. They had a protrusion on their heads, thick limbs, and blackish-purple hooves.

"Purple Horn Horse pulling a carriage, Brother Shen has really made it big now, having such a ride," Zhao Xing joked.

"Don't make fun of me. This is just a bred offspring, carrying only a bit of the bloodline of a strange beast."

If the bloodline is pure, then purple horns should grow on its head, and the hooves should also be purple, not the dark purple they are now.

True Purple Horn Horse are usually warhorses. However, it's quite an achievement that Shen Zhui was assigned such a carriage; it at least proves that the Martial Office values him.

"Giddy up!"

The carriage sped along the official road and arrived at Anping Town in less than half an hour.

At this time, the fields everywhere are golden yellow. Farmers are harvesting Yuan Rice in the fields, women are turning the grains in the fields, and children are picking up the rice ears. After bundling them together, they are handed over to their elders as if to announce the good news.

This scene was beautiful and peaceful, just like the name of Anping Town.

Suddenly, the sky darkened, and Dark Clouds drifted in from afar, as if it were about to rain.

"Brother Zhao, hurry!" Shen Zhui said hastily.

"What's the rush?" Zhao Xing smiled and pointed to the sky. A Golden Light carrying a bead flew into the sky and disappeared into the clouds.

It is a fourth-order East Lake Pearl.

Although this fourth-tier East Lake Pearl is of the ice attribute, it can also be used to absorb Rain Water and cloud energy.

Normal Agriculture Official do not use the East Lake Pearl, but rather the "Cloud Rain Pearl," an official treasure issued by the government, which is a special Agricultural Official treasure used to regulate Rain Water.

Although this East Lake Pearl is not specifically designed to absorb clouds and rain, its high grade makes it quite effective.

Before long, the Dark Clouds thinned, and a quarter of an hour later, they completely turned into white clouds.

With a "whoosh," the Ice Pearl returned to Zhao Xing's hand, its blue light becoming even more vibrant.

The farmers, who had been scrambling to prepare for the rain and harvest their grain, returned to calm.

"Brother Zhao, what amazing magic!" Shen Zhui a smile as he drove the carriage, continuing to lead Zhao Xing on a tour of the fields.

Anping Town, the Niu Family's fields.

At this moment, a group of Rice Guest were resting under the granary after finishing harvesting the Yuan Rice for their family.

Among them, a middle-aged man with plain looks, prominent cheekbones, and thick hands and feet was talking in hushed tones with a woman with a yellowish complexion, a barrel waist, and a headscarf.

"It's impossible to act in September," the middle-aged woman said in a low voice. "Time Grand Granary; the higher-ups plan to take action in November."

"November is the last Yang month. If we don't act now, we'll have to wait until next year. I estimate it will be around the beginning of Beginning of Winter."

"If you're not going to fight, why make us suffer here?" The middle-aged man rubbed his back and said, "I can't use my full strength, and my kidneys are about to break."

"Anping Town is under Zhao Xing's jurisdiction. He has the responsibility of encouraging farmers, so it's good that he came in advance to scout the area. Besides, he comes to the Niu Family Rice Guest, so it would be strange if he didn't come this year." The woman handed over a water jug. "Here, quench your thirst first."

"Sigh, being like an ordinary person is really unbearable. Even after all this time, I still can't get used to this mundane pain," the man complained, looking at the clouds in the sky.

"Stop talking, someone's coming." The woman seemed unbearably hot and tried to get up, supporting herself on her legs.

At this moment, the head of the Niu Family arrived in a sedan chair with several people carrying boxes.

"Chen Deshun, Wu Chenshi, come quick, it's time to pay wages!" someone shouted from not far away.

The middle-aged man and woman immediately stood up, feigning excitement, and said, "Hey, they're here!"