Sword of Coming

Chen Pingan and his party entered the mountain from north to south. At about the same time, there happened to be another group of people walking from south to north. It was an old Taoist who carried a mahogany sword on his back and a string of silver bells hanging from his waist. His Taoist robes were old and he wore straw sandals. He was an immortal. Not much energy, very shabby.

Behind him was a lame young man with a dull expression. In addition to carrying a large package on his back, he also carried a banner that said "Conquer demons and ghosts, eliminate demons and protect the Tao" slanted on his shoulders. It was estimated that it had been washed too many times, and the fabric had already turned white. Eight words The color is also light, and there is a round-faced girl of seven or eight years old, thin and small, reaching out to support the old Taoist who has always closed his eyes for some reason.

The old Taoist suddenly raised his head, "looking" at the rolling green and black mountains, and said in surprise: "Huh? This mountain is not far from the Jiang Shen Temple on the Xiuhua River, but there is such an obvious evil spirit rising into the sky? There must be a hidden meaning in this. Although the mountains and rivers are bounded and do not interfere with each other, there is something weird here, a lot of weirdness."

After hearing this, the little girl with a flushed face asked worriedly: "Master, what should we do? Last time you failed to catch monsters in Sanzhi Mountain, so you paid to hire our people, and in the end you were so angry that you didn't even pay for it. Now we are really There aren’t many copper coins left, why don’t we take a detour?”

The old Taoist snorted coldly: "A detour? If I didn't meet the poor Taoist, that's it. That monster was lucky. Now that it has been met by the poor Taoist, there is no reason to let it go! It's written on the banner. Is it possible to eliminate demons and protect the Tao for outsiders to see..."

The little girl sighed and reminded: "Master, there are no outsiders here."

The old Taoist said with a smile: "Follow me, Master hasn't recovered from Sanzhi Mountain yet. It's so irritating. He has no merit but hard work. He is not willing to give even half a copper coin. How can there be such a shameless person in the world?" Those who are rich and unkind deserve to have their ancestral graves invaded by mountain ghosts, causing misfortune to their descendants..."

The little girl reminded again: "Master, don't you always say that we cultivators should have a normal mind?"

The old Taoist who had been kind-hearted just a moment ago became furious, stretched out his fingers to twist the round-faced girl's arm, twisted it hard, and said with a stern look on his face: "Who gave you the courage to teach Master a lesson? How dare you continue to do so? Got it!"

The little girl cried loudly in pain and quickly begged for mercy: "It hurts, it hurts, Master, I don't dare anymore, I don't dare anymore..."

The old Taoist didn't turn around, he stretched out his hand and slapped the bell on his waist hard, making a tinkling sound, and said with a ferocious smile: "You little bastard, how dare you harbor murderous intentions against your master?"

The lame boy looked silent, but soon blood seeped out from his ears and nose, but the dull boy remained silent and motionless.

The little girl cried even more sadly, "Master, please let me go, he must have done it unintentionally. I promise Master, within the next three days, I will try to give Master an extra pound of spring water!"

The old Taoist smiled happily and rubbed the little girl's head vigorously. The little girl's slender body swayed from side to side, "It's not a fight, it's a necessity."

The old Taoist finally took back his hand, which was as dry as an old branch, and laughed: "Go into the mountain! The horse will not be fat without weeds. It is a windfall. Not to mention, since you two little bastards are around, even though you eat and drink together, But Master has become much more at ease as he cultivates Taoism. Thinking of this, Master feels that he will treat you better in the future, haha."

The little girl helped the blind old man and started climbing.

The lame boy wiped away the blood silently, getting used to it.

The little girl turned her head and smiled secretly, and the boy grinned, indicating that he was fine.

After the three masters and disciples entered the mountain, they spent most of the time going around in circles, unable to accurately find the source of the evil spirit. The old Taoist could always feel the subtle evil energy, permeating the nearby mountains and grass, but he could never get in. , the old Taoist knew that the great demon's Taoism must not be weak, otherwise he would not be able to use the blinding formation to block out the sky. However, the old Taoist still did not want to give up, and let the lame young man carrying the banner every day I went to explore the road, and I took the round-faced girl to rest near the mountain road. From time to time, I took out a wooden compass, commonly known as the upside-down compass. It is a style commonly used by Taoist monks and Yin-Yang warlocks. It is not surprising, but the one on the bottom of Tianchi Lake is Thin vermilion needles, with occasional golden light flowing out, reveal the hidden mystery of this disk.

The sky was gloomy, foggy, and it might rain at any time. The old Taoist squatted by the roadside, lowered his head and "stared" at the compass, and muttered: "Upside down, there are mountains of gold and silver in the twenty-four mountains. Upside down Dian, there are dragon pools and tiger dens in the Twenty-Four Mountains."

The old man put away his compass, turned his head towards the distance of the mountain road, and said with a soft smile: "The road to wealth is coming, and there is no end to it. It seems that when we get to Wanping County, we can have a few drinks."

The little girl with a round face followed the sight of the old Taoist and saw a group of people walking slowly. She opened her eyes wide and looked. As the people got closer and closer, she found that the leader was a straw-shoe boy with a big backpack and a hatchet in his hand. , occasionally cutting off the branches beside the narrow path in the mountains to prevent the hooks from piercing the clothes. There were three people behind him, a young lady wearing a red cotton-padded jacket, a sneaky boy, and a young man with an indifferent expression. Brother, the three people behind are all carrying cute little emerald green book boxes.

Finally, a white donkey carrying luggage followed.

The little girl lowered her voice and said: "Master, it doesn't look like a rich family, why don't we just forget it?"

The blind Taoist raised his eyebrows, "Mosquito legs are also meat. You are half the head of the family. How many copper coins are left in your pocket? You don't know how much money you have? With your gluttonous stomach, how much money has the master eaten? If not Master has pity on you, how many days do you think this world can allow you to survive..."

The sensible little girl quickly tapped the old Taoist's shoulder, smiled sincerely, and said gratefully: "So my brother and I worked for Master, and we never complained. But if Master gets angry in the future, can we teach him a lesson when Brother is not present? Me? Then my brother won’t be angry, and master won’t have to punish him with the master’s family methods.”

The old Taoist stood up slowly, and the little girl immediately stood aside with her hands tied.

This group of people was Chen Pingan and others who were heading south to Yefu Pass on the border of Dali.

In fact, Chen Pingan had already seen the smiling old Taoist and the reserved little girl.

After Chen Ping'an and the others approached, the old Taoist stroked his beard and smiled, and said in a slightly awkward Dali Mandarin without surprising: "If I'm not mistaken, you all have experienced bloody disasters during this trip, but Don’t think that surviving a catastrophe will lead to future blessings. From Pindao’s point of view, there will be a real disaster ahead for you. Only when this hurdle is over can you have real future blessings.”

Chen Pingan's heart sank and he remained silent.

Li Baoping looked at the little girl with a pale face. The latter smiled shyly, and Li Baoping also smiled.

The little girl in the red cotton jacket and the younger girl fell in love with each other immediately.

Li Huai almost blurted out the words on his lips, "Old Taoist, aren't you blind? Why do you look at this and that?" However, the storm on the Embroidered River boat was etched in Li Huai's mind, and he immediately covered his mouth, determined not to stir up trouble.

The blind Taoist seemed to be aware of Li Huai's thoughts, and laughed and said: "You don't know something. My Taoist sect has ten magical powers, among which there is a saying that 'the mind and eyes are open, the heaven and the earth are clear, and sneaking away'. The poor Taoist happened to master this sect." I don’t dare to boast about my magical powers, but I can still be considered a little bit talented. I don’t look at people with my eyes, I only need to watch everyone’s weather with my heart.”

Lin Shouyi said calmly: "I, the Confucian sage, have teachings. If we meet by chance, we will not say anything about his strange power and confusion."

The old Taoist was a little surprised, and quickly sighed: "That's all, Buddhism does not save undestined people, and Taoism does not save deceived people. Go ahead, I hope you will be careful on this journey. If there is really trouble, you might as well shout loudly , if Pindao is lucky enough to hear about it, he will definitely come back to help, but if the road is far away, even if Pindao has the intention, he will be powerless."

After saying these words, the blind old Taoist turned sideways and gave way to the path.

Chen Pingan smiled and said: "We will be careful. Thank you Taoist Priest for reminding us."

The two sides passed each other, and Li Baoping waved generously to the skinny little girl with a round face. The little girl timidly raised her hand to her chest and shook it slightly as a silent farewell.

The old Taoist waited until Chen Ping'an and his party disappeared on the mountain road, and muttered: "Throughout the journey, the Dali people must be vulgar warriors or ignorant people. This poor Taoist trick has never worked well. Why did it fail today? It's bad luck, all the bad luck." Things are not going well. It seems that this time the demon subjugation cannot fail. The mountain demon must have a strong family background. This time..."

The blind old Taoist's eyelids trembled slightly, he stopped talking, patted the head of the little girl beside him who was looking reluctantly towards the mountain road, and said kindly: "Jiu'er, as long as this matter is successful, Master's thunder method practice will be guaranteed, and there is no need to worry about it anymore." If you are worried about money, then Master will definitely treat you brothers and sisters better in the future."

The little girl raised her head and smiled: "As long as the master doesn't slap the bell often in the future, it will be good!"

The blind old Taoist did not comment. He suddenly raised his head and kneaded his fingers. His expression was not surprised but happy, "The world has changed. Such a heavy evil spirit can actually cause changes in the landscape and climate! Well, well, I finally lured the snake out of its hole. Xiaojiu Son, prepare to join Master in exterminating demons and defending the Way!"

The little girl nodded vigorously, but she was not afraid at all when faced with the sneaky monster that made everyone at the foot of the mountain change their colors.

The little girl took out a silver knife that was no more than an inch long, rolled up her sleeve, prepared to put the knife on her arm, and asked: "Master, do you want Fuquan now?"

The old Taoist nodded and said: "Although Master still has some, for the sake of caution, let's bring some first so that Master can prepare for emergencies, so as not to be caught off guard by the monster, which may harm you brothers and sisters."

The little girl took a deep breath and made a cut on her arm with a knife. Blood immediately poured out. She quickly raised her arm and said, "Master, it's done."

The blind old Taoist stretched out a finger of his right hand in a familiar manner, spread out his left palm, and quickly drew a talisman on the palm with his fingers, then exchanged the fingers and palms, and also drew a talisman on the palm of his right hand.

The little girl, whose face became increasingly pale, still asked seriously: "Master, is it enough?"

The old Taoist laughed and said, "That's enough for now. Master, let the big monster occupying this mountain have a taste of what it's like to be struck by five thunders!"

About a mile away from the master and apprentice on the mountain road, Chen Pingan suddenly stopped and raised his hatchet to signal the attention of the three people behind him.

I saw a young man holding a strange flag in the distance, with a body as strong as a mountain ape. He jumped out from the depths of the jungle, with his back to Chen Ping'an and the others. The young man landed on the mountain road, shook the flag several times, and then He thought about joining the old road along the mountain road that was good for running. However, the young man turned around and saw Chen Ping'an and his group on the mountain road. The sweaty young man was a little anxious. After thinking about it for a while, he changed his mind and continued to run down the mountain. , choose a detour to retreat.

At the same time, the young man did not forget to make a hurry-up gesture to Chen Ping'an and the others.

Li Huai was stunned, "What are you doing?"

Lin Shouyi frowned and said, "There must be an evil spirit chasing the boy. I can feel a sinister aura."

Sure enough, a blurry figure wrapped in billowing black smoke stopped for a moment after seeing Chen Ping'an and his party, exuding a frightening and rich aura, but in the end it still chased the lame young man holding a flag and left quickly.

Chen Pingan said to Lin Shouyi: "Ask Senior Yin Shen, what did he say?"

After a while, Lin Shouyi replied: "Senior Yin Shen asked us to continue moving forward and not to linger. He will take a proper look, but he also said that he was only escorting us to the Dali border and reminded us that the purpose of this trip is just Traveling far away to study is not a good person who catches demons and eliminates them. He doesn't want us to take the initiative to cause trouble."

Chen Pingan nodded, "Tell Senior Yin Shen to act according to the situation. If you can help, help. If you can't, don't force it. Also, Lin Shouyi, you also prepare the three talismans, and then you will lead the way. I At the end of the team. Baoping, Li Huai, remember if you really encounter the legendary ghosts and spirits, don’t be afraid, don’t panic, don’t imitate...forget it, let’s get on our way!”

Chen Ping'an originally wanted to say that he must not imitate Zhu Lu on the stone flat of Qidun Mountain. He was obviously at the peak of the second level of martial arts, but he didn't even dare to take action when he encountered the monster white python.

But thinking of what A Liang said casually, "Those who talk about people's rights and wrongs behind their back must be right and wrong people." Chen Pingan swallowed the words back.

Lin Shouyi looked calm.

Among the pile of talismans at the bottom of the box collected by the Li family in the small town, Lin Shouyi could barely control the three yellow paper talismans among them, which were of the lowest grade.

A bead on a plate is a water talisman. A fire talisman named "Fire Rain". The last Five Mountains barrier-breaking talisman belongs to the category of mountain qi talisman.

But Lin Shouyi's real strength is still not the three talismans of unknown power, but himself.

It is the secret thunder method recorded in the "Langlang Book on the Cloud".

But of course Lin Shouyi would not go looking for trouble and put everyone in danger just because he wanted to verify the power of this grenade method.

The group of people walked quickly. Li Huai raised his hand as he walked, wondering: "Is it raining now? You didn't say hello in advance?"

The rain was continuous, not heavy, but it made the cold air in the mountains and forests much stronger.

Chen Ping'an took out four bamboo hats from his backpack, all of which were purchased in Hongzhu Town, just for this kind of rush in the wind and rain.

After each person put on a bamboo hat, they kept walking. Chen Pingan looked back from time to time.

In the distance, the blind old Taoist faced the lame young man who was running towards him and laughed loudly: "Well done! You are a little evil boy who is seeking your own death! Die for me!"

The old Taoist stepped with his feet and slapped the palm of his hand with a talisman, and then reminded the lame boy: "Get down!"

The young man jumped forward and rolled on the muddy mountain road.

The golden light shone brightly in the old Taoist palm, and every stroke of the talisman was illuminated by golden light, and there was a faint sound of thunder in the palm.

This bright golden light is particularly eye-catching in the windy and rainy wilderness.

The black smoke behind the young man suddenly stopped. Just as he was about to run away, he was hit by golden light. It was like a golden net covering his whole body, making a crackling sound, and the black shadow howled incessantly, and soon disappeared.

The young man hunched over and ran behind Lao Dao, panting, and thrust the soul-calling flag on the ground. Seeing the worried look on the little girl's face, he still grinned and shook his head, indicating that he was fine.

Killing the filthy mass with one palm, the old Taoist laughed happily: "How dare a low-grade filthy thing born of withered bones show its head in front of a poor Taoist?!"

There was a ray of gray that seemed to be pulled into the flagpole.

The body rose up in the air, twisted around and waved out a palm, "Come, come, come, come, all of it will turn into the immeasurable merits of the poor Taoist!"

A ghost figure behind the young man and the little girl was blown away by the thunder method from the palm of the old Taoist hand, and soon another ray of gray flew into the banner.

On the mountain road, the old Taoist figure moved around, his hands quickly exchanged, and he waved out his palms. The golden light lit up again and again, and the thunder rumbled with astonishing momentum.

The old Taoist laughed heartily. In the rainy weather, the thunder light illuminated the blind old man's old face. His aura was overwhelming, and he indeed had some real ability to kill demons. "The thunder method of this poor Taoist is so powerful, how can it be you ghosts?" If you can contend with that big demon hiding behind the scenes, do you still want these minions to come and die? Hurry up and capture me, hand over half of your family fortune, maybe the poor man will let you go if you are so compassionate!"

The art of thunder has always been at the top of all Taoist methods for thousands of years. Once used, it is recognized to be extremely powerful and unstoppable.

It's just the so-called Five Thunder Zhengfa. Except for a few Taoist sects in Aquarius Continent, they can truly appreciate its essence. Many other inheritances have incomplete systems or can only be regarded as side sects that are not intended by God. Therefore, for those who cast the spell, There will be backlash, and over time, the vitality will be exhausted, which will become the source of premature death.

Therefore, this old Taoist's blindness may not necessarily be due to innateness.

The billowing black smoke that was originally moving rapidly in the woods around the mountain road gradually decreased, and the disgusting sounds of whimpering, wailing, and low roaring came together and completely returned to calm.

The little girl whispered: "Master, there are many lanterns hung up behind."

The blind old Taoist turned his head and "looked", and felt that white paper lanterns appeared out of thin air from the mountain road in the north, and were lit out of thin air, like a fire dragon thousands of feet long, slowly walking through the mountains and swamps.

The old Taoist looked solemn and rubbed his palms. He used the female apprentice's blood as the red lacquer talisman in his palms, and it was almost exhausted.

The old Taoist reached out and pulled out the mahogany sword from behind, as if facing a formidable enemy.

A woman in a bright red wedding dress came over, holding an oil-paper fan. She clearly did not move her lips, but a sinister voice sounded in the ears of the three masters and disciples, "The Taoist Priest just continued to draw the talisman. It doesn’t matter if you paint all over your body, I can wait, and then I will invite the three of you to my house as guests, and I will personally wash your faces, cramps, and heartaches for you three.”

The female ghost in red holding a paper fan seemed to be most interested in the little girl with a round face. Her hoarse voice continued to sound. At the same time, she stretched out her hand to cover the small white face, "For example, washing your face is like this Like."

The next moment, the little girl with a round face was so frightened that she quickly closed her eyes.

It turned out that the female ghost in red raised her hand to cover her face, and then gently wiped it down, as if her entire face had been peeled off and "washed" away, revealing a terrifying face dripping with blood.