Shadow Play Spring Breeze Troupe

"Ah, this... why?"

Seeing Wang Dao Xuan's resolute refusal, Sha LiFei looked confused.

Even Li Yan turned to look at the Daoist priest.

He had learned a lot about Xuan Gate knowledge from Wang Dao Xuan during this time.

"Filling the Statues" originally came from Buddhism. Whenever a Buddha statue was completed, symbolic internal organs would be placed inside, along with various rituals, to imbue the statue with more spirituality.

There were many methods for Filling the Statues, each sect had strict traditions, and the process was complex.

For example, the purification ritual before Filling the Statues required the inside of the statue to be cleaned, then fumigated with incense, coated with red flower water, and finally fumigated with pine resin and frankincense.

For example, the selection of materials for the central channel, the combination of five-colored gems, and even strict regulations for the monks performing the Filling the Statues.

After Buddhism and Daoism took root in Shenzhou, the construction of Buddha statues inevitably involved hiring skilled craftsmen from the Xuan Gate, and this practice gradually spread and became popular.

Because if this method was used properly, it was easier to gather Divine Firmness.

But for some reason, Wang Dao Xuan was so wary.

Looking at their gazes, Wang Dao Xuan stroked his beard and shook his head, "Invoking spirits through Filling the Statues is no big deal. Almost every theater troupe does it, some even for a hundred years, with strong Incense Divine Firmness. They have no qualms about performing for ghosts and spirits during the Ghost Festival."

"But this newly arrived shadow puppet troupe is definitely strange."

"Xianyang City is not that big, nor is it small. There are more than a dozen theater troupes. If they want to establish themselves, they will have to use some tricks."

"Invoking spirits? I'm afraid they want to invoke something else..."

"Besides, shadow puppet troupes are different. Other troupes worship the Old Patron God, but shadow puppets worship the Han Dynasty Fangshi Shao Weng."

"Legend has it that during the Han Dynasty, Emperor Wu missed his deceased concubine, Lady Li. Li Shao Weng made a shadow puppet of Lady Li, painted it, and attached wooden rods to its hands and feet. At night, he set up a screen, lit candles, and Emperor Wu was greatly pleased. Thus, Shao Weng, a master of the Xuan Gate, became the ancestor of the shadow puppet trade."

"All theater originates from entertaining gods, especially shadow puppet plays. Most of them are about wish fulfillment, fulfilling wishes, praying for rain, sacrificial ceremonies, and exorcisms. They are performed during festivals, temple fairs, weddings, and funerals, with many rules and taboos. If they invoke other things, the trouble will be even greater."

"If something goes wrong, people will definitely die!"

After his explanation, the two suddenly understood.

Sha LiFei scratched his head and cursed, "Such cowards. No wonder that old dough ball actively approached me as soon as I mentioned it. I guess other troupes didn't dare to take the job."

This guy had a thick skin and didn't care even if he let something slip. With a roll of his eyes, he said with a grin, "Daoist Priest, look, it's their job to invoke spirits anyway. As long as we get the job done, what happens afterward has nothing to do with us..."

"No."

Wang Dao Xuan directly shook his head, "This Daoist cannot get past this. If someone really dies, it will be too late to regret it."

Li Yan also said, "Let's do as the Daoist Priest says."

From the moment they met, he could tell what kind of person Wang Dao Xuan was.

The Daoist priest had a sincere heart. Even if he wanted to make money, he would do it the right way.

As someone from the Xuan Gate, it was not without reason that he had fallen into such a state of destitution.

Knock, knock, knock!

Just then, there was a knock on the courtyard gate.

The three looked up and saw an old man with white hair and black clothes standing outside the courtyard gate, knocking on the door with his hand. Under the oil-paper umbrella was a sorrowful face.

"May I ask, is this Daoist Wang?"

"Troupe Leader Zhou?"

Sha LiFei was first confused, then his expression turned unpleasant. "That 'Old White Face' is quite quick-tongued. Troupe Leader Zhou, you must have been following me as soon as I left, right?"

"You followed me all the way, and I didn't even notice. What great skill..."

"Old White Face" was an acquaintance of Sha LiFei and the suona player of the theater troupe.

Sha LiFei hadn't expected that as soon as he mentioned it, and before the matter was settled, the troupe leader would follow him.

What made him feel even more embarrassed was that he considered himself an experienced Jianghu person, yet he didn't even know he was being followed. Wasn't this a disgrace in front of Li Yan and the other two?

Wang Dao Xuan waved his hand to interrupt him and said sincerely to Troupe Leader Zhou, "Esteemed layman, this Daoist knows what you want to do, but you rely on your own skills when you walk the Jianghu. Borrowing the power of ghosts and spirits will only bring harm..."

"This old man knows."

Troupe Leader Zhou sighed, his face becoming even more bitter. "Please, Daoist Priest, let this old man finish speaking."

"I am Zhou KangNian, and my troupe is the Spring Breeze Troupe. We have been a reputable name in Huayin for a hundred years. We earned some fortune and intended to first make a name for ourselves in Xianyang, and then go to Chang'an."

"This matter is all the fault of my unfilial son. He didn't know the dangers of the Jianghu. As soon as we arrived in Xianyang, he was tricked into gambling and incurred a large debt. He was too ashamed to face anyone when he returned and secretly hanged himself in the middle of the night."

"I usually doted on him, and it's my own fault that I have to send a white-haired person to bury a black-haired one. But the old and young members of the troupe are innocent. Furthermore, we were forced by the Iron Blade Society. If the debt is not repaid, no one can leave."

"This old man knows this matter is dangerous and is willing to bear the consequences alone. If something really happens, my death will suffice. I only beg you to help us out of this current predicament..."

Li Yan, who was standing nearby, heard this, and a sharp glint flashed in his eyes.

Zhou Pan, that old monkey, had many disciples, but their quality was uneven.

Two of them were originally ruffians from the streets. After learning true martial arts, they gathered hoodlums and vagrants from Xianyang City and each established two gangs, the Iron Saber Gang and the White Ape Gang.

With the support of the Divine Fist Society, their influence continued to expand, and they had become the leaders of the underworld in Xianyang City, each occupying the eastern and western parts of the city, and engaging in the business of bullying merchants and extorting money.

Their ways were not righteous, and money came quickly.

The Divine Fist Society's original purpose included protecting the local villagers, but with the constant offerings from these two disciples, Zhou Pan and his Old Monkey just turned a blind eye.

Sometimes, when they provoked fellow members of the Jianghu, he would even personally step in to resolve the situation.

As a result, these two gangs grew increasingly rampant.

When the Spring Breeze Troupe first arrived in Xianyang, they naturally became targets.

On the other side, seeing Wang Dao Xuan still hesitating, Troupe Leader Zhou suddenly knelt down with a thud, tears streaming down his face. "Daoist Priest, please help us."

"I know a way to gather all the misfortune onto myself. As long as the troupe's young and old can escape this calamity, I will have no regrets even if I die!"

This Troupe Leader Zhou could follow Sha Li Fei without being discovered, so his martial arts were naturally good. He had already mastered Hidden Strength. Although he was old and his Blood Essence was failing, he was still a capable fighter.

He never expected to be pushed to this point.

"Old Troupe Leader is righteous."

Wang Dao Xuan sighed, "I understand what you mean. Circumstances force a person's hand, and one cannot control themselves. But you must think carefully; if something goes wrong, it won't be as simple as your soul scattering."

Troupe Leader Zhou's face lit up. He gritted his teeth, "Please, Daoist Priest, lend us your hand."

"No rush."

Wang Dao Xuan didn't immediately agree. He calmly said, "Let's go see your troupe first. Troupe Leader Zhou, you can wait outside. We'll get ready and leave."

"Okay! Okay!"

Troupe Leader Zhou had seen enough of the world to know that Wang Dao Xuan intended to send him away. But since someone was willing to agree, he was already immensely grateful and didn't dare to say another word.

As soon as he left, Sha Li Fei's face contorted in misery. He whispered, "Oh, Daoist Priest, the taboos of ghosts and gods are still far away, but the evil men are right before our eyes."

"You disagreed before, why do you agree now?"

Wang Dao Xuan awkwardly shook his head. "This... This Daoist's heart softened."

Just as Sha Li Fei was about to try and persuade him further, Li Yan spoke up from the side, "If we're going to make a Secret Sign, there's no reason to be afraid. This job can be done!"

Upon hearing this, Sha Li Fei knew Li Yan probably intended to find an opening through the Iron Blade Society to deal with Zhou Pan. He couldn't help but sigh inwardly.

One stubborn, one crazy. He truly had the worst luck.

He considered leaving, but remembering the hardships of his life, he was still in debt and unwilling to return to being a head harvester.

"Fine, let's do it!"

Thinking this, he also gritted his teeth and made up his mind.

"No rush."

Wang Dao Xuan waved his hand and said in a deep voice, "I once heard that there's a type of dark art within the Shadow Play sect that uses human skin as a tool. When people are pushed to their limits, they are either Buddha or demon in a single thought."

"Yan XiaoGe, keep an eye out then. If they've already performed any dark rituals, we'll turn around and leave immediately and report them to the authorities!"

"Got it."

With their decision made, the three packed their things and left.

Troupe Leader Zhou, naturally, looked overjoyed and led the way...

After leaving, under Troupe Leader Zhou's guidance, they navigated through streets and alleys, unknowingly arriving at the northwest corner of Xianyang City.

They had reached the vicinity of the Horse King Temple.

The Horse King Temple enshrined Lord Ma, one of the Xuan Gate's Spirit Official Grand Marshals. It was present in many places and had abundant incense offerings.

Of course, this was also where horse permits were processed and the Xianyang Mule and Horse Market was located. After the rain, the ground was muddy, and combined with the smell of livestock, it was truly unpleasant.

The wealthy families of Xianyang City naturally couldn't stand the smell.

Therefore, the residents here were mostly poor commoners.

The Spring Breeze Troupe being stationed here showed how down on their luck they were.

The three, led by Troupe Leader Zhou, turned into an old alley. The houses on both sides were dilapidated, with sewage flowing everywhere. The ancient bluestone slabs were covered in mud.

After walking for a short while, a large courtyard appeared ahead.

It looked like it had once been a stable, but it was now in disrepair.

More than a dozen people stood scattered outside, all with rough faces, their clothes worn improperly. Some were bare-chested, revealing tattoos, while others had flowers tucked into their caps.

Each carried a sharp weapon and spoke with vulgarity.

At this moment, Li Yan stopped, a playful look in his eyes.

The leader of these thugs was an acquaintance.

It was Meng Hai Cheng, who had suffered a loss at his hands!