Chapter 653: Jingyang Ridge Gathering

After understanding Master Erlang’s intention, Li Yan dared not be negligent.

He glanced around, keeping his mind focused, making sure to imprint all the scenes into his mind.

This time, I found something different.

His imagination about Luofeng Mountain was all based on the records in Taoist scriptures of past dynasties.

The “Zhen Gao” says: “Luofeng Mountain is in the northern Gui land, the mountain is 2,600 miles high and 30,000 miles in circumference.”

The “Yunji Qiqian” says: “When a person dies, his soul returns to Fengdu, where he will be exiled to the six palaces after being examined.”

The mountain is divided into six palaces, ruled by the “Great Emperor of Beiyin Fengdu”, under which six heavenly gods are in charge of the souls of the dead.

“Youyang Zazu”, “Soushen Ji”, “Taiping Guangji” and other works all have records of him, but only mention his name.

The “Yuanshi Tianzun’s Sutra on the Elimination of Sins in Fengdu” calls Luofeng Mountain “Fengdu Luo Mountain” and the dead souls must be judged by the Ten Kings of Hell and the Six Palaces before they can be reborn.

This shows that Luofeng Mountain is also constantly changing with the worldly worship and concepts.

If we trace the source, it should be the Classic of Mountains and Seas: “In the mountain of Youdu, the black water comes out.”

It is located in the north Gui area. Gui is the water level in the north and symbolizes the underworld.

His visualization of the soul sea was correct and it looked roughly like this, but it was deeper than he had imagined.

But the outer mountains were completely wrong.

The surroundings are not empty space, but a towering circular mountain range.

The mountain is also covered with huge locust trees that look like monsters with bared fangs and dark colors.

This is “Tiewei Mountain” and “Yinhuai Forest”!
These two names were mentioned in the “Fengdu Law” he learned in Qingcheng. He originally thought that they were just the names of other areas in the underworld.

Now it seems that it is exactly the same system as Luofengshan.

This “Iron Wall Mountain” is a bit like a circular mountain range formed by a meteorite impact. On the mountain, there are large blood-red lacquered characters several meters high.

“In the past, in the blue sky, I sang in the sky of Dafuli, and was saved by Yuanshi and given the highest level of enlightenment…”

It’s the “Sutra of Saving People”!
It seems that this “Iron Mountain” also has the function of restraining the soul sea.

And that “Yinhuai Forest” should also be part of the defense system, just to prevent things from escaping…

Next came the Six Palaces of Naluofeng, which was also different from what one had imagined.

Influenced by the visualization method of building a building, he conceived the Six Palaces of Luofeng as being similar to a tower, stacked layer by layer.

In fact, the six palaces of Luofeng are arranged in a “Liuhe Formation” and connected by black stone imperial roads.

The architectural style imitates the official buildings of Tang and Song dynasties, with hip roofs, high platforms, black tiles and red lacquered pillars.

The base is a nine-foot-high “Netherworld Sumeru Throne” with a relief carving of the eighteen levels of hell. Each palace has seven steps, which should symbolize the seven sins. The steps are engraved with the mantra of the “Fengdu Elimination Sutra”.

In front of each palace, there is a huge bronze mirror embedded in the mouth of a stone beast.

Li Yan had heard of this thing called “Danchi”.

It is not clear what its specific use is.

As for the architectural layout, Luofeng Mountain has a long history, so they would definitely not hire a large number of craftsmen to rebuild it in the style of the Tang and Song dynasties.

Then there is only one possibility, that the Daluo Dharma Realm is affected by the mundane world.

These buildings will also undergo corresponding changes.

After writing down everything, Li Yan looked at Master Erlang calmly.

Sure enough, the other party ignored it and even pretended not to see it.

Li Yan was thinking in his heart. It seemed that in this Daluo Dharma Realm, the Heavenly Law was even more stringent. Even for Master Erlang, there were some things that he had to be careful about and avoid other people as much as possible…

While he was thinking, he was suddenly surrounded by thick fog.

When I opened my eyes again, I was back in the inn.

Li Yan felt a cold and stinging pain in his head and quickly took off the bronze Nuo mask.

His face and hair were already covered with frost.

In a short period of time, the skin was covered with frostbite.

Even my eyes were in great pain and my vision was limited.

Li Yan’s mind moved, and all his injuries recovered quickly, and he suddenly collapsed to the ground.

It seems that if you peek into the Daluo Dharma Realm, you will also be affected by the power over there.

Although it was only a slight force, it was enough to cause serious damage to the physical body. Fortunately, he had the Daluo Dharma body.

I glanced out the window and it was still pitch black at night.

Without any hesitation, Li Yan immediately sat cross-legged and meditated, using his hand gestures to enter a state of concentration.

He practiced Fengdu Dharma, and in addition to building towers, the influence of the Six Palaces of Luofeng was also enormous.

After finally getting a glimpse of Luofeng Mountain, I naturally had to strike while the iron was hot and tinker with my visualization method…

…………

The next day, the weather was sunny and the sky was blue.

“Brother Yan hasn’t come out yet?”

Outside the wing courtyard, Sharifei asked in a low voice.

Wang Daoxuan, who had just walked out, shook his head and said, “Brother Yan has some insights. I’m afraid he needs to be in seclusion for a while. Fortunately, the intelligence from the other side hasn’t come yet. He left in a hurry after the battle in Luoyang, so it’s a good time to rest.”

In this team, Li Yan is naturally the leader, and Wang Daoxuan is in charge of logistics.

If Li Yan is not around, Wang Daoxuan usually has the final say.

“That’s okay too.”

Sharifei nodded and said, “Zhangqiu Town is the hub of the canal, gathering goods from the north and south. Brother Zhao Luzi is here, come with me to see what we can find.”

He obtained the “Meishan Firearms Collection” from the Meishan Dharma Teachings in Qingcheng, and studied it diligently along the way, and after consulting Wang Daoxuan, he finally made some progress. However, on the one hand, he needed a special forge and tools, and on the other hand, the materials were insufficient. He could only bear it for the time being and think of a solution when he arrived at the Qiankun Academy in the capital.

I took Zhao Luzi with me to try my luck.

After all, some natural treasures are hidden in the bustling city.

“There are too many people. I won’t go.”

Lu San just shook his head and took the little fox back to the room.

He is used to the mountains and the countryside, and doesn’t want to go out when he is in a crowded place.

Wang Daoxuan also shook his head slightly, indicating that he wanted to go back to read.

Only Wu Ba, grinning foolishly, came close to Salifei.

“I know, I know. I’ll let you eat enough first!”

Sharifei laughed, turned around and went back in, pulling Long Yaner out of the room.

The relationship between the two is a little strange now.

Speaking of intimacy, we have never taken that step.

But speaking of ordinary things, what Long Yaner is most concerned about now is Sharifei.

Just then, the old butler Chen Fu came over, and Sharifei asked with a smile, “Uncle Fu, can you tell me if there are any fun places near Zhangqiu Town?”

The old housekeeper Chen Fu smiled and said, “Master Sha, you asked the right question. I have lived in Zhangqiu Town since I was a child, and I am very familiar with every tree and grass. You are well-informed and may not be interested in some of the country things. However, there are two places that are worth seeing.”

“One is Jingyang Ridge, which is undulating, with dense grass and lush forests. It is sparsely populated and often roamed by wild beasts. After the story of Wu Song killing the tiger spread, people from all walks of life often came to pay their respects and kill wild beasts along the way.”

“There is a Jingyanggang Inn at the foot of the mountain. It is owned by my master’s senior brother. It specializes in selling strong liquor that is not as good as Sanwanguogang. The game is even more unique. They also often invite troupes to perform Water Margin operas. It is very lively.”

“The other one is the Immortal Tomb.”

“Immortal’s tomb?” Wang Daoxuan became interested when he heard it. “Which one of the Eight Immortals is it?”

The Eight Immortals are divided into the “Upper Eight Immortals” and the “Lower Eight Immortals”.

The “Upper Eight Immortals” refers to Lu Dongbin, Zhang Guolao and others. In the real history of Taoism, they may have known each other and were good friends, but they did not call themselves the Eight Immortals. Later generations unified them and used them to symbolize “rich and poor, noble and humble, male and female, young and old.”

These “Lower Eight Immortals” are also called the Eight Immortals of the Lower Cave.

There are various versions of the story among the people, and the people involved are not unified, and the legends vary from place to place.

The version Wang Daoxuan mentioned was performed by Wang Qiao, Chen Qizi, Xu Shenweng, Liu Ling, Chen Tuan, Bi Zhuo, Ren Fengzi and Liu Haichan, and is from the drama Congratulations on the Birthday of the Immortals.

Wang Zijiao played the sheng, Liu Ling played the qin, Chen Qizi performed magic tricks, Xu Shenweng danced with a broom, Bi Zhuo sang, Liu Haichan played with golden thread, Ren Fengzi performed magic and Chen Tuan wrote calligraphy, respectively representing the eight birthday wishes.

These are also far-fetched connections made by later generations, and some of them are not even from the same dynasty.

The old butler Chen Fu shook his head and said, “I don’t know, our madman Ren is the madman in the sense of ‘crazy’.”

“That man was a Taoist priest fifty years ago. His given name was Shan, his nickname was Xibei, and his nickname was Qingling Taoist Priest. His ancestral home was Fan County. He had a strange appearance. He was crazy and a figure like the Living Buddha Jigong. He often wandered around the streets of Zhangqiu Town, saying crazy things, but he loved to fight for justice.”

“Whenever a passenger ship came to the shore, he would go forward and ask for cloth. If passers-by gave him alms, he would tear the cloth into pieces as soon as he got off the ship and distribute it to the poor around him.”

“When my father was alive, he said that this man worked as a waiter in a tavern in his early years. He met a strange man by chance, who taught him magic. After learning the magic, he could go without food for ten consecutive days and only wear thin clothes in the cold winter. He could predict good and bad fortune, and it was always accurate. No matter who had an evil spirit in their house, or encountered something unclean in the water, they just had to find Ren Fengzi and touch his head, and they would get better immediately.”

“Later, it was said that he disintegrated his corpse in Xianhui Temple on Wuyi Mountain on the east coast and ascended to become an immortal. Many people called him ‘Ren Daxian’.”

“The people were grateful for his merits and built a temple on the mountain.”

“It’s quite quiet over there, with only an old temple keeper guarding it. I think you will be interested.”

He said this, obviously knowing everyone’s Xuanmen identity.

Wang Daoxuan didn’t care. He thought for a moment and shook his head. “Zhangqiu is a hub of the canal. It’s prosperous and bustling. There is also a City God Temple. I’m sure many people in the Xuanmen have already visited it. I won’t join in the fun.”

He was interested mainly because of Li Yan.

They all know the benefits of catching criminals.

Whenever he arrived at a place, he would help Li Yan inquire around.

In this situation, it doesn’t seem like there is a criminal involved.

“That’s okay too.”

Sharifei smiled and said, “Master Dao will stay and help Brother Yan to protect the law. I will be back in the evening.”

The old butler Chen Fu beside him also said quickly: “I will call a few brothers from the Cao Gang to lead the way for you.”

Wang Daoxuan readily agreed.

When Sharifei and his friends work together, they can basically solve most of the common problems.

With the company of Cao Gang members, no one would be so foolish as to provoke us.

Soon, everyone packed up their things and left with the Cao Gang disciples.

Wang Daoxuan turned around and went back to his room to continue reading.

He was originally obsessed with various esoteric books. He had asked people to copy a lot of them from Wudang, Qingcheng and other places when he came from Guanzhong. There were two large boxes of books, enough to read for a long time…

…………

As we walked out of the street where the Chen Mansion was located, a lively atmosphere greeted us.

It was early morning, the weather was sunny and the early spring sunshine was very warm.

On the stone road beside the canal wharf, canal ships are coming and going, and warehouses and shops are lined up.

The signboards along the street fluttered in the wind, and the steaming hot air wafted in the air with the flavor of Shandong and Henan.

Sweet and sour Yellow River carp sizzles in the iron pan, the caramel sauce glistening with oil…

A wooden spoon stirs the spicy soup at the stall, and white mist rises from the thick soup mixed with gluten and spices…

Next to the stove where Luohan cakes are baked, the waiter scoops out the sesame cakes, and the sweet smell attracts children to stop and look…

There is also the delicious aroma of mutton noodles, the crispness of the hanging oven sesame cakes, and the golden honey color of fried dumplings, all interwoven into the fireworks of the city.

Wu Ba’s stomach was finally full again.

As we walked, we ate and took things, and our mouths never stopped.

Just as Chen San said, all the streets in Zhangqiu Town are named after the goods sold.

For example, Cloth Street, the entire street is filled with cloth and silk from the north and the south.

“The spiritual treasures in the market are even more secretive.”

As Zhao Luzi walked, he introduced in a low voice: “The so-called old things become spirits. Those things that have been used for hundreds of years and are often contaminated by human energy and have undergone special changes are most likely to become treasures of heaven and earth.”

“I have seen the sieve used to scoop up oil cakes. It has been used for hundreds of years. After it is lit, the evil spirits dare not approach.”

“There is also a shop sign. Because it is old and happens to be in a good feng shui location, it has become a rare talisman. But there are many strange people in the market. Some sharp-eyed people will take it away in advance after seeing it, so you can only try your luck…”

In fact, it does.

As they walked around the streets of Zhangqiu Ancient Town, Zhao Luzi shook his head and said, “This place has not been prosperous for long. There are very few century-old shops, and the goods there are all ordinary items.”

Then he sighed and said, “When it comes to holding treasure, you can only rely on luck.”

“Sometimes, even if you find something good and want to collect it, you have to wait for the right time, right place, and right people. Otherwise, once the spirit of the treasure dissipates, it will be no different from an ordinary object. If you try to get it by force, there is little hope.”

After hearing this, Sharifei was not disappointed.

Wu Ba’s mouth was full of oil as he ate, and his eyes were narrowed.

Long Yan’er practiced witchcraft and did not use any rouge or powder, but she also got some fabrics she liked and asked someone to make clothes for her. She was smiling and in a very good mood.

My friends are all happy, so this trip is worth it.

Thinking of this, Sharifei turned his head and looked at the Cao Gang disciple next to him.

“Brother, is Jingyang Ridge fun?”

“of course.”

The Cao Gang disciples did not dare to neglect the matter and quickly patted their chests and said, “You all came at the right time today. There is a big fair going on at the Jingyang Ridge Inn, and people from all over the surrounding villages have gone there.”

“Even the street performers in Zhangqiu Town ran over there.”

“That’s great, let’s go.”

Sharifei was delighted, and he took everyone to the carriage and horse shop to rent a few horses and headed to Jingyanggang.

Jingyanggang is not far from Zhangqiu Town and can be reached in half an hour by horseback riding.

After everyone got off their horses, they saw that it was indeed very lively in the distance.

But under the rolling hills, there are several large inns.

A wine flag with the words “Three bowls and you’re not done” was hung high, and there were at least forty stalls in the market.

Moreover, there are also quite a number of street performers.

In the central open space of the market, an acrobat from Konglou held up a large celadon jar with his bare chest, which drew cheers.

A group of young men somersaulted onto a high pole, like monkeys walking on a tightrope, which is the unique skill of Liaocheng Acrobatic Village.

In the storytelling shed, a white-haired old man clapped his wake-up stick, and the segment “White Shark Makes Trouble in Xunyang River” from “Water Margin” drew applause from the whole room; the clear gong sounded, and a group of tanci troupe plucked the sanxian and sang “The Storm is Rising on Jingyang Ridge”.

“Hahaha, it’s really lively.”

Sharifei was happy and prepared to take everyone to the fair.

But at this moment, there was a sudden noise in the distance.

But several hunters were seen running down the mountain covered in blood, all in panic.

“Hurry up and call the boss, there’s a tiger monster on the mountain!”

(End of this chapter)