The setting sun was shining slantingly, and the lake was glowing reddish.
At the entrance of the village Old Willow, white flags fluttered lightly.
The evening wind blew, and paper money flew on the ground.
Li Yan and others entered the village. There were faint sounds of crying from every house, mixed with the sound of half-hearted monks chanting sutras, and the atmosphere was very depressing.
In the open space just past the big willow tree, there was a stone mill. A naked child was sitting on it holding a little yellow dog, staring blankly into the distance.
When Shen Jinghong saw it, he couldn't help but frown and said, "Gou Wa, what are you doing here? Why don't you go back to eat quickly?"
After all, outsiders are here, and this scene is really indecent.
Looking at the large group of them, Gou Wa was obviously a little scared, lowered his head and said, "No... no food."
"Where's your dad?"
"Dad is dead."
"Where's your mother?"
"Jumped into the river."
The child answered truthfully, with no joy or sadness, only numbness.
Shen Jinghong's lips trembled slightly, and he resisted the grief and turned around and said, "Take him and go back to make arrangements."
"Yes, Master."
The servants in the team quickly stepped forward, took the naked child in their hands, and whispered comfort.
No one can be happy about this situation.
Wang Dao Xuan was kind-hearted, sighed and touched his arms, but then he thought about it and stuffed the silver in his hands back.
When he was young, he traveled widely and saw many things.
The child is too young to bear this kindness. If he wants to help, he can only use other methods.
Shen Jinghong in the front was obviously getting more and more anxious. He quickened his pace and even trotted, leading everyone to a large house in the center of the village.
Shen Family Dam is named after the surname and is a typical Lineage village.
In the center is a family with the main surname. After they settled here, they established an ancestral hall, and people with other surnames from all directions gradually moved in.
The Shen family mansion is large in area, with whitewashed walls, brick and wood construction, Eight Characters gate tower, hard top, small green tile roof, perforated flower walls, and brackets on the main ridge, making it majestic.
Especially the main gate tower is extremely tall.
This old house is obviously quite old. The lower half of the exterior wall is mottled and covered with moss, giving it a moldy and decaying smell.
The Shen family's mansion is also holding funerals.
There are couplets on both sides of the door, which read, "A simple life will leave behind the family and the family forever. After a hundred days of illness, I will return to my soul and look forward to my descendants."
Hengpi: Be a big deal.
Not only that, even the protruding door head has been wrapped with white cloth, giving the appearance of a grand funeral.
The strange thing is that the door of the mansion is tightly closed, and only the sound of wooden fish and chanting can be heard from inside.
Li Yan and Wang Dao Xuan glanced at each other and already knew something in their minds.
There is indeed a problem with this place.
Generally, when doing business, the door will be open.
This is not only a custom, but also etiquette. After all, there are neighbors who come to help and relatives and friends who express condolences, so it would be a bit shameful to close the door tightly.
Explain that the Shen family does not want to make this matter public.
Before the team even got close, a servant quickly trotted to the front, came to the door of the mansion, and knocked several times.
The concierge opened the door with a creak, and a haggard old man stuck his head out. When he saw Shen Jinghong, his eyes immediately lit up and he said in a trembling voice, "The second young master is back! The second young master is back!"
After saying that, he opened the door and ran into the courtyard anxiously.
The old concierge's behavior was also very rude, but it could also be seen that the Shen family was in a bad situation.
As for Shen Jinghong, he rushed into the hospital quickly.
"Dad! Big brother!"
Soon, the sound of wailing could be heard in the courtyard.
Li Yan and others then followed in. They were faced with a large screen wall with exquisite hollow stone carvings and a Chinese character pattern of five blessings coming to the door.
Not only that, even the waterways on the ground and the stone windows on the walls are all exquisite stone carvings, either plum blossoms or Lan Zhu chrysanthemums, or Fu Lu Shou.
This kind of masonry sculpture is common in Ezhou.
But the carving is so exquisite, it must be the same as Patriarch Tian's, and it must have been made by Daye craftsmen.
The brick Buddha sculptures in that place are unique in Ezhou.
Just looking at this thing, you can see how wealthy the Shen family is.
Passing through the screen wall, you can see the huge front yard formed by the east-west parallel connection of the main house and the horizontal house. On both sides are hollow wood-carved patios, leading to other courtyards.
Although it is old, it is full of momentum.
In the courtyard, a large mourning hall has been set up. The frame is set up with bamboo poles as thick as a bowl, and it is covered with white and black cloths. It is one story high.
It is not only hung with elegiac couplets and white flags, but is also surrounded by paper figures, horses, wreaths and other objects.
There were two coffins inside, supported by thick wooden stools, three feet above the ground. There was a pottery pot for burning paper in front of the coffins, and an oil lamp was lit under the coffins.
There is also a saying for this oil lamp, which is to light the way to the underworld for relatives.
There are two rows of straw mats next to the coffin, which were originally the place where the female family members and filial sons and grandsons knelt, one to keep vigil, and the other to kowtow to those who came to express their condolences.
However, there was no one on the straw mat at this moment.
The reason is simple.
Both coffins were open. The middle-aged man in one coffin was lying peacefully, while in the other coffin, an old man in rich clothes was sitting upright, his face was ashen, and he was looking forward with wide eyes.
Several invited monks were chanting sutras there.
But these were all ordinary monks. They just lowered their heads and closed their eyes to knock on the wooden fish. Their bodies were trembling and they didn't dare to look at the mourning hall at all.
What is a ghost in other people's eyes is also someone's dearest relative.
Seeing this situation, Shen Jinghong was not only not afraid, but was filled with tears. He knelt on the ground and kept kowtowing, "Father, my child is unfilial. If you have anything on your mind, please tell me..."
Before he finished speaking, Li Yan came to his side, covered his mouth, and said solemnly, "Don't talk nonsense!"
In this situation, talking nonsense is taboo.
A promise may really attract the other person into a dream.
Death is Yin Soul. Most of them have lingering grievances. Yin Energy gather together to harm people, regardless of blood or family ties.
"You unfilial son is back!"
At this moment, a large group of people came from the side yard.
The leaders were two old men, one tall, one short, one fat and one thin. Their mourning clothes were just thrown on randomly, and the brocade clothes could still be seen underneath.
Different from Shen Jinghong, these two old men have obviously practiced boxing and kicking. Although they are old, they still walk with great momentum and full of momentum.
Behind them were five or six young people. After seeing Shen Jinghong, they immediately rolled up their arms and sleeves and wanted to come up and beat them!
"What are you going to do?!"
Before Shen Jinghong could say anything, an old man with a white beard ran out of the backyard. His eyes were tearing up when he saw this, and he spoke out in anger.
"What?"
The pudgy old man's eyes widened, "Eldest brother and Jing Yu died unexpectedly, but this kid is hiding far away in Wuchang Xiaoyao."
"Didn't you see that my eldest brother died with his eyes closed? He must be angry with this boy for being unfilial. I am his third uncle, and I will teach him a lesson today!"
The white-bearded old man who ran over said angrily, "You are talking nonsense, confusing right and wrong. The master died unexpectedly. The second young master is the head of the family. Where do you have the courage..."
"Fart!"
The tall and thin old man said coldly, "Eldest brother didn't leave any last words. We haven't spoken yet. Who will get this kid?"
"And you, old slave, are simply the opposite!"
As he said that, he looked up at the swordsmen and said in a deep voice, "Black Cloud Guard, take action and capture this unfilial son for me!"
The white-bearded old man was the steward of the Shen Mansion. When he saw this, he sneered, "Black Cloud Guard was trained by the master, and it's not his turn yet..."
Before he finished speaking, his eyes widened.
I saw the cold-faced swordsman leader taking a step forward and cupping his hands and saying, "Yes, second master."
After saying that, he grabbed Shen Jinghong with his backhand.
This time, it was obviously beyond everyone's expectations.
Not to mention that Shen Jinghong and the old butler were a little unbelievable, even the swordsmen looked at each other and were at a loss.
Li Yan also didn't expect that the taciturn and seemingly loyal swordsman leader would directly betray his master's family.
He shook his head slightly, and in a flash, he came to the side of Shen Jinghong and raised his hand to block the swordsman leader.
"Hmph!"
The swordsman leader snorted coldly, and Hidden Strength suddenly broke out in his hand. The veins bulged and his palm became a little black, so he grabbed it directly.
Judging from his appearance, he clearly has some kind of iron palm skill.
Li Yan didn't even look at it. He suddenly flipped his palm and grabbed the back of the opponent's hand. He used the move "Golden Thread Entangling Wrist" to directly twist the opponent's palm.
Red Fist is good at tricky attacks, and his grappling skills are also excellent.
The swordsman leader was also ruthless. When he saw this, he suddenly raised his foot and prepared to kick Li Yan Underworld Journeys.
Li Yan narrowed his eyes slightly and did not dodge. His arm suddenly shook and he clasped the opponent's wrist, making a strong push.
Click!
The arm of the swordsman leader was directly shattered and turned in a weird arc, but the remaining strength was still there, causing him to stumble and fall to the ground.
He was quite tough, covering his broken arm with cold sweat dripping from his head, but he gritted his teeth and remained silent.
"Who are you?"
The tall, thin old man's pupils shrank and he asked coldly.
He is not ignorant. The leader of the swordsman is Peak of Hidden Strength. He is already a top master in the Shen family, but he cannot withstand a single move from Li Yan.
This guy is young, I'm afraid he's already Transformed Strength.
If they go together, they won't be rivals.
Li Yan glanced lightly and said, "We are entrusted by Young Master Shen to come to Shen's Mansion to handle matters. Anyone else who has nothing to do with it should get out of here as soon as possible."
Sha LiFei also folded his arms and said with a smile, "Oh, you are so smart. There are men in the family, so it's not like this to kill the whole family."
As soon as these words came out, the two old men suddenly became angry and turned pale.
"Damn you..."
A young man behind them had just finished cursing when the tall, thin old man glared back, and then said in a cold voice, "This is a family matter in the Shen family. It is not the turn of an outsider like you to talk."
"You have hurt someone, I will report it to the official right now!"
He gestured to leave, but the old housekeeper of the Shen Mansion next to him shouted with a trembling voice, "The old lady is here!"
I saw several servants carrying sliding bamboo chairs in the courtyard corridor on the other side, cautiously coming to the front yard.
There was a Old Woman sitting on the chair. Although he was dressed gorgeously, he was very old, with gray hair, slightly squinted eyes, and his body was leaning back. He seemed to be unable to sit still.
Next to him, also named Old Woman, about forty or fifty years old, wearing mourning clothes, eyes red and swollen from crying.
Seeing Old Woman being carried, the two old men, fat and thin, stepped forward quickly, carefully cupped their hands and said, "Mom, why are you here?"
As he spoke, he glared at the woman fiercely, "Jia Shi, my mother is not in good health, how dare you disturb her..."
At this moment, Old Woman slowly opened his eyes and said feebly, "If I don't come, will I watch you tear this family apart?"
"What... what did mother say?"
The two old men lowered their heads, but their faces were full of disapproval.
"Alas~"
Old Woman sighed, "Carry me over."
When the tall and thin old man heard this, he quickly advised, "Mom, no, you are not in good health. If you have yin energy..."
"That is Lao Shen's son, Lao Shen's grandson!"
Old Woman was finally a little angry, and the two old men were so frightened that they did not dare to say any more.
The servants carried Old Woman to the front of the mourning hall.
"Grandma..."
Shen Jinghong looked sad and kowtowed.
Old Woman didn't seem to hear it. He just stared blankly at the old man who sat up with a dead expression on his face. After a while, he sighed, "Back then, when the Shen family was in decline, you were clamoring to divide the family property. I asked the boss and he agreed to the matter."
"As a result, you two are useless, and you were completely defeated in two days. Seeing that the boss's business has improved, you are eager to come back."
"I couldn't stand your pleading, so I forced the boss to agree. I didn't expect that you would do this again today..."
The tall and thin old man was anxious, "Mom, you can't say that. The business has been able to grow over the years because we have worked hard. It is not the boss's credit alone..."
"Shut up!"
Old Woman was so angry that his body was trembling. It took him a while to regain his composure and looked at the two old men again, "You are so capable. I ask you, now that the Shen family has encountered another disaster, how should you survive it?"
The tall and thin old man quickly raised his hands and said, "Hurry up and dispose of the goods on hand, lest those Wuchang Prefecture merchants get the news and lower our prices."
"When we have money, we can recruit craftsmen again and open the kiln factory. As long as we survive this year, we can turn around next year."
Old Woman's face remained unchanged, and he looked to the side again, "Jinghong, what do you think?"
Shen Jinghong was about to make a plan, but suddenly he remembered the figure of Gou Wa and what he saw along the way in the village, and said in a low voice, "Now every household in the village has to do some mundane things. Our Shen family must first provide money to provide compensation, and then help them settle their funeral arrangements..."
"Fart!"
The tall and thin old man suddenly became anxious, "All the skilled craftsmen in the kiln are dead. Why are you giving money to those poor people? Are you dragging my Shen family to die with them?"
Shen Jinghong, however, refused to give in. He stood up and said in a deep voice, "Second uncle, when my father was still here, he said that people's hearts cannot be separated. The Shen family can only rely on the help of the elders in the village."
"Eight out of ten kilns around Liangzi Lake are owned by Miao People. Do you think they will let you intervene and recruit craftsmen... Humph!"
"The old people in the village are still there, teaching them step by step. As long as people's hearts remain intact, our Shen family will not fall!"
"Young master is wise!"
The twenty-odd swordsmen next to him all bent down and held their hands.
They all came from Shen Family Dam. When they saw the leader's rebellion, they were a little hesitant. After all, these two young masters were notoriously weak.
But now, there is no longer any thought of him in my heart.
Seeing that the situation was unfavorable, the tall and thin old man immediately acted like a rogue and shouted angrily, "Anyway, I don't agree with this matter. Mom, you are a woman, and you have no right to drive us away!"
After that, he hurried back to the courtyard with a group of people.
"Tsk tsk tsk..."
Sha LiFei shook his head and said, "You are so shameless, old lady, it's not me Old Sha who talks too much. I've seen this kind of thing a lot in my travels."
"The old man always thinks that a bowl of water will always be the same. If someone is weak, he will make up for it. It seems fair, but in fact it is the source of disaster..."
That Old Woman sighed quietly, his muddy eyes full of sadness.
"Okay, stop talking!"
Li Yan waved his hand to interrupt Sha LiFei, and then said to Shen Jinghong, "Let the old man lie down first. It's okay to sit like this. Don't let your resentment turn into disaster."
"Yes, yes."
Shen Jinghong quickly stood up and said, "Please Young Hero Li perform the technique."
Li Yan didn't understand, so he took a step back and said, "Daoist Wang, you have to do this."
Wang Dao Xuan didn't talk nonsense. He stepped forward and looked at it for a few times, lit the talisman paper and looked at it, and then said, "Come on, help me, Young Master Shen you must follow suit."
After that, he directed everyone to carry out Master Shen's body and place it on a stool. Then he pressed his arms, slowly pressed down, and then crossed his legs.
Unknowingly,
He actually made the corpse look like "Seated Ascension"...
Second update at around twelve o'clock
Another good book I recommend is "Inquiry into Immortality"
Fantasy formation, sword formation, trapping formation, killing formation, mystery formation, absolute formation, fairy formation,
Construct a thousand formations.
Liangyi, Sancai, Fourxiang, Five Elements, Six Lines, Seven Stars, Bagua,
Expand the flow of formations in the heavens.
Prove the Tao with Divine Sense, understand the formation method and fly to immortality.
One thought helps the world, seeking the Tao and longevity.