It was dusk, and flags were flying on the city walls.
Zhang Tianshi's purple robe was hanging down. He looked at the row of black gun muzzles on the city wall. His expression remained unchanged and he said in a pale voice, "Eunuch Zhao Since you are here, why don't you show up?"
"I want to ask you something. Is it better to 'eat lakes and ponds' or 'manage mountains and seas'?"
Zhao Wujiu coughed and appeared from the shadows, squinting and looking down.
"Eating lakes and ponds, managing mountains and seas" is a famous argument in <Discourses on Salt and Iron>.
During the reign of Emperor Zhao of the Western Han Dynasty, the Xianliang Literary School and the imperial censor Sang Hongyang argued at the Salt and Iron Conference on whether to hide wealth among the people or to concentrate resources to make the country rich and military.
This seems more like a dispute between the local faction and Open Sea Faction.
However, Dragon Tiger Mountain did not take any position in the previous factional fights. If he mentioned it again now, he clearly meant something else.
Just now he had made harsh remarks about "acting against the will of heaven", but after the meeting he kept it secretive. It seems that this old Celestial Master did not want to have too much trouble with the court.
But this sentence is another trap.
If we only talk about the human world, the imperial court naturally wants to "offer officials, mountains and seas", but when old Celestial Master came, he already knew that it was the decree from heaven.
The emperor regarded himself as the Son of Heaven, so he naturally became a "food lake and pond".
But if you answer this way, it will go against the court policy.
So no matter how you say it, it's wrong.
With the calculation in his mind, Zhao Wujiu became more calm, rubbed the jade pendant on his waist with his fingers, and said calmly, "Celestial Master Bogu, I am a eunuch, and I am doing some errands with the favor of the emperor. I don't understand what you are saying."
"But I know one thing."
"What's the matter?" Zhang Tianshi asked with narrowed eyes.
Zhao Wujiu sighed and looked up at the sky, "In the past Shaohao was in decline, the morals of the nine tribes were chaotic, the people and gods were mixed, and there was no way to make things right, so Emperor Zhuanxu was absolutely unstoppable."
"Although Celestial Master seeks the way of heaven, how can he ignore Human Path?"
Zhang Tianshi was silent for a moment, then said, "Da Yu controls the water, 'Luo publishes a book' and Nine Categories decides. If there is no destiny, how can the <Hong Fan> Five Elements come about?"
This <Hong Fan> is an article in "Shang Shu", which records that after Zhou King Wu destroyed the Shang Dynasty, he visited Jizi, a relic of the Shang Dynasty. Jizi explained to him the nine basic methods for governing the world. The Five Elements Theory is the first of "Nine Categories".
To say this means that it is still a disguised form of asking the court to act in accordance with nature.
Zhao Wujiu After listening, his eyes suddenly turned cold.
Dragon Tiger Mountain and Kong family were granted imperial titles for generations because Confucianism was orthodox and Celestial Master were authoritative, but they could not make them grow bigger or lose control, so they resorted to some means.
For example, Kong family, two generations of Yansheng Duke lost their moral integrity, and even an earlier generation took refuge in Golden Horde Wolf Country, but the court ignored them and looked on as a joke.
Therefore, the reputation of Kong family today is not as good as before. Various factions have emerged among Confucian Circle, and many people even call Kong family a name for it. Kong family is also very sensible and does not make any small moves.
But Dragon Tiger Mountain is a little different.
After the founding of the dynasty in Daxuan, the founding emperor kept a close eye on it.
At the same time, the title of Dragon Tiger Mountain "Celestial Master" was canceled and renamed "True Person", but hereditary privileges were retained and strict control was carried out.
On the other side, Mount Wudang is raised to differentiate Xuanmen.
Dragon Tiger Mountain people were naturally unhappy. Except when the founding emperor came to power, Celestial Master personally went to the capital to serve as National Teacher, and then only sent the religious elders over.
This time Celestial Master went down the mountain, obviously wanting to do something with his destiny.
Thinking of this, Zhao Wujiu didn't even bother to say anything.
Seeing that he didn't speak, Zhang Tianshi continued, "His Majesty But here, I want to enter the palace overnight to meet with the Holy Emperor."
Zhao Wujiu said coldly, "His Majesty, rest, old Celestial Master, if you have something to do, we can talk about it tomorrow. I have prepared a post for you..."
"No need to worry!"
Zhang Tianshi's face became ugly and he turned around.
Phew~
The strong wind and smoke were everywhere, and people had disappeared.
Zhao Wujiu looked at the direction in which the other party disappeared, and immediately narrowed his eyes.
"The Governor."
Tian Chiliarch next to him said in a deep voice, "It seems that he went to the academy..."
"It doesn't matter."
Zhao Wujiu said calmly, "Huo Yin is in the academy and there are ways to stop him. If Master Old Taoist doesn't want to lose face, he won't do anything to him."
After everyone heard this, they all agreed.
Grandmaster Huo Yin is considered one of the imperial court's trump cards, the existence that suppresses Pressing Qi's luck.
Although old Celestial Master is strong, once he leads his disciples to set up a altar, even gods and ghosts will have to stay away, but when it comes to fighting alone, he is really no match for Huo Yin...
The twilight is like ink, on the mountain road on the outskirts of the capital city.
Zhang Tianshi Purple robe hanging down, standing under the old pine.
He pinched the Ziwu Jue with his skinny fingers and silently recited in his mouth. "Ziwu Kungen, Qi turns Heavenly Gang". Suddenly a faint green smoke rose up around his body, mixing with the breath of night dew among the pine needles.
On the Divine Mechanism Camp sentry tower three miles away, the Musketeers' eyelids suddenly became heavy.
They didn't notice the purple shadows passing among the pine trees, nor did they notice the wisp of dust and smoke wandering in the soil under their feet.
But just after passing through several hidden sentries, firelight came from the air.
Zhang Tianshi stopped and looked into the sky.
I saw several huge flame lanterns floating in the air.
This was specially made by the Mo Sect masters from the Ministry of Industry after obtaining the Lu Ban wooden magpie. It is similar to Kongming Lantern, but uses formations and talismans underneath. It shines brightly at night and is specially used to destroy enemy escape techniques in the wild.
"Ding Jia is on the left and Bingren is on the right."
Zhang Tianshi watched with cold eyes, three copper coins slipped out of his sleeves, and fell to the ground in a three-talent formation.
The coins trembled slightly, and everyone subconsciously turned their gazes.
This is the secret "hidden light curtain" of "Shangqing Tianshu Yuan Hui Che Bidao Zhengfa", which uses the remaining power of Liu Ding Liujia to distort everyone's senses.
Even Gangsha Energy is affected.
For example, the copper bells on the walls of the academy to ward off evil spirits did not move at all.
Zhang Tianshi walked Yubu to the base of the wall, his auricles twitching slightly.
He heard the regular roar of hammers coming from inside the wall, and thoughtfully, he made the incantation Entering the Taboo, and drew a "well" character on the green bricks with his fingertips.
Water suddenly seeped between the cracks of the bricks and solidified into ice in an instant.
Ice crystals spread along the cracks in the bricks, causing spider web-like cracks to appear in the wall.
Old Taoist's figure seeped in like water, causing ripples on the surface of the masonry.
If someone is there, they will scream in surprise.
This is actually a "wall-penetrating technique" in Daoism that can be called Immortal Technique.
In this day and age, there are very few people who can use this technique, which shows how accomplished the old Celestial Master is.
The moment he passed through the high wall, Zhang Tianshi suddenly closed his eyes and heard nothing.
After the seven orifices were closed, the Daoist robe swayed slightly, but Divine Sense spread like a tide.
Various sounds and smells: The library in the southeast corner smells of ink, the workshop on the west is smelly of iron, and the pines halfway up the mountain
Hidden is a breath as sharp as a knife!
Old Taoist suddenly opened his eyes, the purple robe moved automatically without wind.
Thirty steps away, on the branches of an old pine tree, there was already a figure standing with arms folded.
The coarse linen clothes were plated silvery white by the moonlight, and it was none other than Master Huo Yin of the Divine Fist.
"Celestial Master is visiting at night, why don't you send me a message?"
Huo Yin's voice was like the sound of gold and iron. As he spoke, the pores all over his body were closed, and not even the white air in his breath could be seen - this is a sign of the innate state of "locking the essence and closing the orifice".
Zhang Tianshi said without changing his expression, "Eight Steps Catching Cicadas, Grandmaster Huo, is actually more sophisticated than he was twenty years ago."
The moonlight reflected the thunder patterns secretly embroidered on his cuffs, which were the prohibitions of Dragon Tiger Mountain and "Five Thunder Heavenly Heart Method", and they were faintly hot at the moment.
Click!
The pine branch suddenly broke.
Huo Yin was like a meteorite falling to the ground, causing cracks in the green bricks of the mountain road to spread. Then he strode forward with a cold and solemn voice, "Celestial Master Do you know that the academy is currently under the dual protection of <Great Xuan Law> and the <Xuanmen Forbidden Agreement>?"
As he spoke, he pressed his thumb against the jade belt around his waist. The jade belt concealed thirty-six "Devil-Sealing Nails", which were obtained from suppressing the demons of the White Lotus Sect and were specially used to nail the spiritual apertures of Xuanmen warlocks.
He is already the leader of Grandmasters. If he presses Jianghu Rules and moves his hands without any scruples, as long as he does not attack with muskets and just repels Zhang Tianshi, it will be Dragon Tiger Mountain who is embarrassed.
"Let's change places..."
Zhang Tianshi looked around and shook his head slightly.
As soon as he finished speaking, the man jumped back into the air and climbed over the courtyard wall.
There are many Commandery Commandant Office soldiers surrounding us.
Huo Yin also took a step forward. When the soles of his feet landed, the person had disappeared. Only his cold voice came from the night sky, "Be on guard to prevent the tiger from leaving the mountain."
Commandery Commandant Office's men and horses heard this and immediately deployed with muskets in hand.
Huo Yin and Zhang Tianshi came one behind the other and soon arrived at the foot of the mountain.
The night wind howled in the wilderness, and only two people faced each other.
Zhang Tianshi stared in the direction of the academy and sighed, "Old Taoist came here with the Three Purities Talisman, is Brother Huo really going to stop this destiny?"
Before he finished speaking, three bronze thunder seals slipped from his sleeves.
"Hahaha, destiny?!"
Huo Yin laughed suddenly, and the laughter made the pine needles drop.
He said in a deep voice, "Last year, Qingcheng Sword Immortal Cheng voluntarily gave up the opportunity to become a god. I knew that Great Luo Dharma Realm was definitely not suitable to go."
Zhang Tianshi said calmly, "How do you judge?"
Huo Yin snorted, "I believe Cheng JianXin!"
After saying that, he slowly raised his right fist, and the air within three inches of the fist was twisted and steaming.
This is the "burning sky" phenomenon produced by condensing Firm Strength to the extreme.
"In his entire life, Huo only believes in the destiny that comes from his fists!"
Whoosh!
As soon as he finished speaking, the person disappeared.
Reappeared, already behind Zhang Tianshi, and punched him.
This punch was silent and looked weak.
However, Zhang Tianshi suddenly stepped forward, white mist surged up, and he retreated more than ten meters away in an instant.
Boom!
There was a roar from the opposite side, and several old trees snapped.
At the same time, Zhang Tianshi was already standing, three bronze thunder seals fell into his hands, he pinched Entering the Taboo, and slapped Huo Yin towards him.
Zizzi~
Rays of lightning spurted out from his hands.
Facing this powerful thunder method, Huo Yin did not dare to be careless and quickly dodged.
The two of them moved very fast, and for a while, yellow sand was rolling, thunder and lightning fists were flying, and they couldn't see the figures at all.
Zhang Tianshi's technique was naturally superior, but Huo Yin didn't give him a chance to breathe. He kept getting closer, pushing Zhang Tianshi further and further away.
In the distance, Divine Mechanism Camp torches suddenly connected together.
Zhang Tianshi The tips of his ears moved slightly, and he heard the "click" sound of the crossbow being cocked three hundred steps away.
Old Taoist suddenly turned around with a flick of his sleeves, and his purple robe spread out under the moon like clouds hanging from the sky. "Zi Hour Three Religions, True Lord See you again at the consecration..."
Huo Yin looked at his retreating back, his pupils narrowed.
"Go back and be sure to keep tonight!"
The night was as dark as ink, and the pine forest on the mountainside of the academy swayed in the wind, making a rustling sound.
Zhang Tianshi suddenly invaded and attracted many people.
Li Yan is also among them.
He stood on the stone steps outside the workshop, frowning, looking down the mountain.
But in the pitch-black wilderness, a dazzling light of lightning flashed from time to time, illuminating the mountains and fields in flickering light and darkness.
The coercion contained in the thunder can make people feel trembling even from a distance of several miles.
"It's Dragon Tiger Mountain's Five Thunder Methods."
Wang Dao Xuan stood beside him, the whisk in his hand trembling slightly, and couldn't help but praise, "Zhang Tianshi really deserves his reputation."
Many people have also gathered in the academy square.
The craftsmen, students, and soldiers of Commandery Commandant Office all looked at the flashing lightning below the mountain and whispered.
Some looked worried, while others pointed excitedly.
"Senior Huo, can you block it?" Sha LiFei asked in a low voice.
His face is still a little pale, but fortunately he has recovered and there are no hidden dangers.
"I don't know..."
Li Yan also squinted his eyes, trying to see clearly the battle in the distance.
But apart from the occasional burst of thunder and the ensuing roar, nothing could be seen.
The duel between the two top players in the world has gone beyond what ordinary people can understand.
"It should be able to block it."
Wang Dao Xuan said thoughtfully, "Master Huo is the number one Martial Arts person in the world. Even if Zhang Tianshi comes in person and does not have the help of the altar to cast spells remotely, he will not be able to gain favor."
Li Yan nodded, but felt uneasy in his heart.
He always felt that something was wrong.
At this moment, a biting chill suddenly ran up my spine.
Li Yan turned around suddenly and looked in the direction of the workshop.
"What's wrong?" Wang Dao Xuan noticed something strange about him.
Li Yan Just as he was about to speak, there was another thunderous explosion in the distance, illuminating the entire academy as bright as day, and everyone's attention was attracted again.
"Nothing."
Li Yan frowned slightly, a little confused.
The uneasiness just now was gone in an instant.
Could it be that he feels the aura of the master?
No, let's go take a look...
In the workshop, Lu Chengye's hands were shaking slightly.
The thunder roared outside, covering up the noise he deliberately made. He hunched his back, like an old mouse, walking through the piles of wood.
No one noticed him. Everyone's attention was attracted by the grandmaster battle outside. Even the usually strictest supervisor was lying by the window and looking at it.
Lu Chengye came to a remote corner and took out a carving knife from his arms.
The blade of the knife glowed coldly under the oil lamp.
The hand holding the knife was trembling slightly.
"Grandpa, save me"
The cry of my granddaughter rang in my mind again.
A trace of pain flashed through the old craftsman's cloudy eyes, but the movements of his hands became more determined. With trembling, he lightly scratched the waist buckle of the spirit wood possessed by Zhao Qingxu with the carving knife, and then placed it on another piece of spirit wood.
In an instant, a wisp of black energy seeped out from the gaps in the spirit wood and penetrated into the texture of other spirit wood components like a living creature.
Black lines immediately appeared on the originally smooth wood surface, and then quickly disappeared.
"Hurry up. Hurry up."
Lu Chengye swallowed his saliva and sweat broke out on his forehead.
One piece, two pieces, three pieces.
Like a tireless worker ant, he shuttles among the wooden frames.
"Master Lu? What are you doing here?"
The voice of a young craftsman suddenly came from behind.
Lu Chengye froze, turned around slowly, and put on a dull smile on his face, "Check the mortise and tenon joints and they will be assembled tomorrow."
The young craftsman looked at the carving knife in his hand suspiciously, and then looked out the window. "Aren't you going to take a look? I heard that Zhang Tianshi and Grandmaster Huo were fighting!"
"My eyes are bad when I'm old"
Lu Chengye lowered his head and said, "Go ahead and I'll check again."
The young craftsman hesitated for a moment, but in the end he couldn't resist his curiosity and hurried to the window.
Lu Chengye He breathed a long sigh of relief, and cold sweat soaked his back...
On the academy path, Li Yan's right hand unconsciously pressed on the handle of Severing Dust Blade.
Since becoming Living Underworld Messenger, his intuition has never been wrong.
The door of the workshop was open, and the lights were brightly lit inside. The craftsmen came back in twos and threes, discussing the grandmaster battle just now. Everything seemed normal.
But Li Yan's eyes immediately locked on Lu Chengye in the corner.
The old craftsman sat alone next to a pile of wood, his face as pale as paper and his eyes distracted.
"Master Lu?" Li Yan approached and called softly.
Lu Chengye raised his head suddenly, a trace of panic flashed in his eyes, and then quickly lowered his head. "Li, Young Hero Li"
"Are you okay? You look very bad."
"No, it's okay. I'm just a little tired. I'll go back and rest first."
Lu Chengye muttered, turned around and left.
Li Yan stared at the old craftsman's trembling hands, frowning more and more.
"Stop, don't run!"
A sudden cold snort made Lu Chengye so frightened that his whole body was covered with hair. He gritted his teeth and rushed outside...