Chapter 38 Listen to the bagpipes and get drunk in Cangzhou
After leaving Baiyunjin, Zhao Rong and his party walked for another twenty years and entered a group of majestic mountains.
According to the map, the name of the mountains here is Zhongnan.
Zhongnan Mountain is located within the territory of Zhongnan Kingdom, and Zhongnan Kingdom is not far from the road that crosses Wangquezhou from south to north. Based on the distance traveled, it is only twenty or thirty years.
In the afternoon of this day, Zhao and Rong passed by a tall mountain.
This mountain is very strange. Looking up, the south side of the mountain seems to have been flattened by an immortal's sword. On the cross section, there are four-character stone carvings with ancient fonts, as if they were made in heaven.
"Quiet and inactive."
Zhao Rong thought lightly.
"How did you carve such big characters on it?" Su Xiaoxiao opened her mouth in surprise.
Zhao Rong was also eye-opening. Each of the four characters carved on the cliff was a hundred feet high, and each stroke was no shorter than a hundred meters. The depth of the scales, when viewed from the bottom of the mountain, was even more invisible to the naked eye and could only be vaguely seen.
There are green vines all over the place, lush vegetation, and several birds and beasts appearing from time to time.
"Although the territory of Zhongnan Kingdom is small, most of it is located in the Zhongnan Mountains, but it enjoys a good reputation among dozens of surrounding countries. It is even famous in the northern part of Wangquezhou. It is called the country of Taoists and the hometown of hermits by the people in the mountains.
Because of the beautiful bells and souls of Zhongnan Mountain and the heavenly creation, it not only attracted many monks to live in seclusion, but also produced many spiritual objects, which were supplied to the entire northern fairy family."
Liu Sanbian knew a lot about the situation in Zhongnan Kingdom because it was very close to his hometown of the Wei Dynasty.
"Although there are many hermits in Zhongnan Mountain, there is only one immortal sect, which is Chongxu Temple located on Taibai Mountain. It is the only Taoist orthodoxy in Zhongnan Kingdom. All the kings of Zhongnan Kingdom have respected the master of Chongxu Temple as their national teacher.
The Taoists in the country are extremely prosperous."
"This uncanny workmanship on the cliff is a scenic spot in Zhongnan Mountain. As for its origin, there are different opinions, but Chongxu Temple has always claimed that it was the work of its first ancestor. If this is true, then this ancestor is indeed a towering master."
"And there are rumors on the mountain that someone once passed by this cliff carving on a moonlit night and met an old man in strange clothes at the bottom of the cliff. He stood in the moonlight with his hands behind his back and his head raised, looking at the stone carvings and talking to himself. Passers-by came up curiously and asked questions.
But the old man ignored it and kept repeating, 'What is inaction? What is inaction?' Whenever dark clouds covered the bright moon, this strange old man suddenly disappeared and was never seen again."
"Some people speculated that this was a great opportunity, so many people from the mountains came to try their luck with various answers to the 'Questions of Nothingness' written in books. However, this strange old man rarely appeared on moonlit nights, even if he did.
A few lucky people met, tried various answers, used various methods, but got nothing. The old man is still talking to himself in the same place, and will disappear once the dark clouds cover the moon."
"As time went by, the number of people who came to seek secrets gradually decreased, and they no longer paid attention to this matter. Some people on the mountain said that this was just boring people making up mysteries; others said that this was a projection left by an ancient power, and they were looking for
Heir to the inheritance.”
"Nowadays, occasionally a few young people who have just started to practice will come over with longing and look for opportunities. This matter no longer attracts the attention of the mountain."
"Brother Zhao, do you want to give it a try? We can rest at the bottom of the cliff tonight."
Zhao Rong withdrew his gaze, turned to look at Liu Sanbian, who rarely spoke with a hint of teasing, and smiled softly. "Let's forget it. I haven't met so many people. How can I have such good luck?"
Zhao Rong has always stayed away from things like trying luck and lotteries, and would not take the initiative to do so. Instead of trying to enrich himself, he pinned his fate on illusory luck, which would make him feel very empty.
Besides, I have been practicing under the gentle guidance of Liu Sanbian during these days. It is so comfortable. My legs and feet are shaking even when I am riding a horse. If I rest in the wild, I have to keep vigil. Who can withstand this? It is better to hurry up.
Go to the next city and find an inn to have a good night's rest.
"Hey, Zhongnan Mountain, the name sounds familiar. Well, isn't it in Cangzhou?" The familiar voice in my mind came slowly.
Zhao Rong's expression changed. "This is Zhongnan Kingdom. What is Cangzhou? I didn't see this name on the map."
"In my impression, there is a place called Cangzhou in Wangquezhou, because there is Zhongnan Mountain here. It is one of the seventy-two blessed places of Taoism, and its ranking is not low. It is the ancestral court of a certain lineage of Taoism.
It seems to be here, let me think about it, by the way, it is the Louguan Taoist sect."
"Brother Sanbian said that the only Taoist sect in Zhongnan Mountain now is Chongxu Temple."
"Oh, it seems that I have been away for too long, and things have changed. Well, the aura here is no longer up to the standards of a blessed land. Either the Louguan Taoist sect has moved away or it has been destroyed. This place once
The blessed land now has a mortal country, which is interesting. Logically speaking, the blessed land is usually occupied by the immortal sect, so how can it let mortals come in."
"Do you know this stone carving?"
"I don't know. I have never been here before, but this stone carving feels a bit strange, but I can't tell anything about it in this situation."
Zhao Rong nodded. He was just about to chat for a while, but he noticed someone tugging at the corner of his clothes.
"Well, bad...Zhao Rong, if you can't do it, why don't you let Xiaoxiao try?" The little fox demon looked at Zhao Rong eagerly, his voice timid, but with some hope.
Zhao Rong was stunned for a moment, turned to look at the doormat next to him, and suddenly smiled. "Okay."
The next second he rewarded her with a few chestnuts.
Make her afternoon dessert.
"Ah! Why did you hit me?"
"Hello, Su Xiaoxiao."
"Stop knocking!"
"If you are a little brave, your ambition is not small."
"Ugh, it hurts!"
"Are you thinking that if you get the chance, you will suddenly become a nine-tailed fox fairy in the seventh realm, and then skin and bones of this young master will be removed to satisfy the hatred in your heart?"
"Woooooooo..."
Zhao Rong bullied the little fox demon for a while and then let her go.
How did I meet such a stupid little fox demon?
Su Xiaoxiao rubbed her reddish forehead and looked at Zhao Rong aggrievedly, with tears in her eyes.
How did Xiaoxiao meet such a bad guy? Well, Grandma Grandma didn’t seem to have said anything about how to deal with this situation...
After all, Su Xiaoxiao’s grandma never imagined that Su Xiaoxiao would meet a scholar like Zhao Rong who doesn’t follow the rules. Men like you shouldn’t win a woman’s heart with your sweet words first, and then “bully” her.
? And her own little one is so tall that she wants to hold her in her arms and take pity on her, but there is a man who kills her with such cruelty?
"Stop thinking nonsense, let's hurry up and get on our way. Well, I'll tell you a new story tonight. I've finished telling Pearl's story last time. In the past few days, I've remembered another story about Ying Ning. Well, this one is quite interesting.
"
"Uh-huh...huh? Really? Is this a happy ending this time? After hearing that story last time, Xiaoxiao felt uncomfortable for several days."
"Well, I guarantee you'll be satisfied this time."
"Well, assuming you have a conscience, I forgive you. Please don't let Xiaoxiao down again."
"Don't say such misleading words. Hey, brother Sanbian, please ignore her."
"whee."
Su Xiaoxiao burst into laughter and wiped her tears with her sleeves. She was very happy when she thought of hearing another story at night. She raised her head and glanced at the bad guy next to her. Suddenly, her heart trembled.
His face was paler than before, and his forehead was covered with sweat.
Xiaoxiao just saw that it was not so serious.
"Are you OK?"
Su Xiaoxiao recalled what had happened in the past few days. In the past, once they passed through villages or cities, they would park for a few days and conduct "big training". Liu Sanbian would personally help Zhao Rong temper his body. As for when they were on their way,
Then carry out "small training", practice boxing and walking without stopping in the morning, noon and evening when you are stationed for rest.
It was better when she first started practicing, but later, every time she practiced "big practice", she could hear Zhao Rong's painful screams from far away.
I no longer have any energy to waste on my throat.
Those vague words also made Su Xiaoxiao turn pale.
"The bones here are too brittle, let me rub them for you."
"Crack!"
"Ahhh!"
"The bones here have become hardened. It seems that the medicinal bath is indeed effective and the recovery can be done, but... it is not hard enough."
"No, no!"
"Crack, click, click!"
"Ah ah ah ah ah ah ah!!"
"Get up! You can't stand this anymore? Then I advise you to give up quickly. There is no need for such a cowardly martial artist on the mountain. No, this is not worthy of being called a martial artist. He is a waste!"
Su Xiaoxiao didn't dare to look. Every time, she hid far away and covered her ears. When there was no sound again, she got up and prepared a medicinal bath for Zhao Rong that could heal bones and strengthen muscles. These medicinal materials were all from Liu San.
It was carefully prepared. Without it, Zhao Rong would have become a useless person.
And even if he doesn't have to practice "extensively" on the road, he seems to be having a hard time. His face is pale, and he has to practice boxing whenever he has time, and he can't relax at all.
Every time there was only a short period of time after the meal when he could take a break, but he still had to tell her a story. In fact, she also told him to take a break and stop telling it, but he always gave himself a chestnut backhand. "You bastard."
Stupid fox demon, what are you worrying about? I can bear this pain. Just listen to your story. This is the only time you can be happy all day long. Um, where did you just talk? What?
You don’t know? Stretch your head over here and I’ll reward you with a few more chestnuts!”
But his hands were actually clenched tightly due to too many boxing exercises, as if they could no longer open.
When Su Xiaoxiao thought of this, her heart twitched inexplicably.
Although Xiaoxiao doesn't know why you are practicing so hard, Xiaoxiao wants to help you, so he wants to try his luck and see if he can get the chance to get this stone carving and give it to you. Well, you just need to give it to you.
Just tell Xiaoxiao more stories...
"Hey, what are you thinking about? You can still be in a daze while walking on the road? Hey, such a stupid fox demon, why hasn't he been captured yet? This world is so disappointing to me." Zhao Rong stretched out his hand and looked at himself in a daze.
Su Xiaoxiao waved in front of her eyes, and seeing that she finally came back to her senses, she sighed. "My master is fine."
There were only so many pains in a dozen places on my body.
"Oh, let me give you a handkerchief to wipe your sweat."
"Where did you get the handkerchief?"
"I bought it in that county last time. The embroidery on it is so beautiful."
There was a sound of horse hooves coming from behind. Zhao Rong turned around and saw that it was an extremely gorgeously decorated carriage driven by an old coachman. There were many followers on horseback around, and a group of people were galloping towards the carriage.
Zhao Rong turned around and stopped looking. He and his companions made way to the roadside.
Most of the territory of Zhongnan Kingdom, including the capital, is within the Zhongnan Mountains, and there are only two ancient roads into Zhongnan Mountains. This is one of them, the Ziwu Road, with many passers-by. Zhao Rong even encountered more exaggerated formations.
So there is nothing surprising.
However, when this gorgeous carriage passed by Zhao Rong and his party, the curtains were opened by the people inside and then suddenly lowered.
Zhao Rong turned his head to look alertly, but all that was left was the swinging curtain.
The majestic carriage quickly disappeared, and the road became quiet again, leaving only the rising dust.
Zhao Rong glanced at Liu Sanbian, who also noticed something strange. The latter shook his head and said he didn't see anything clearly.
Um, why do you think that group of people looks familiar?