Just before Ji Ping'an released his "water escape" and picked up a lantern from the river.
In the southeast corner of Yuhang City, next to a tributary of the Qinhuai River, almost in the suburbs, there is an independent building. One of the tall buildings is particularly eye-catching and can be seen from a distance.
At the end of the steps paved with white stones, on the closed door, there was a plaque reading "Yin Yang Academy" hanging.
It's just that outside the formerly cold academy, today there were a few more carriages and servants waiting aside.
From the emblem on the chariot shaft and the words embroidered on the clothes of the servants, it can be clearly recognized that this is the team of the Pei family.
After learning the news yesterday, Li Xiangjun personally took a carriage to the academy in the morning and wanted to ask "Old Si Li" who had traveled from the divine capital city to help with horoscopes.
Unfortunately, upon arrival, I learned that the other party had gone out early in the morning and was nowhere to be found. He only claimed to be visiting an old friend and would return later in the evening.
Li Xiangjun was worried about the safety of his father-in-law and his eldest son, so he had to wait patiently in the palace.
As a result, it was night time.
"Madam, it's getting late. Why don't you come back tomorrow? Or, when Senior Brother Si Li comes back, I can invite him to the Pei family's house?" The main hall of the academy was brightly lit, and a star official who was about fifty years old said hesitantly. He looked outside and couldn't help but say.
He is the "superintendent" of the academy in Yuhang City.
Although he is an official, firstly, the academy is Qingshui Yamen, and secondly, even the prefect wants to sell Pei's face.
Therefore, facing Li Xiangjun, the superintendent seemed quite polite.
Opposite him, the gentle and dignified Mistress Pei, who was wearing a purple robe and a gold walking stick on her head, had worried eyes and was a little shaken.
She bit her lip. She was not willing to return without success, but also felt that it was already night. Although she was accompanied by a group of servants, she was still a woman and it would not be good to stay here.
While he was hesitating, footsteps and voices suddenly came from outside, and then a hermaphrodite carrying a lantern rushed towards the main hall and said excitedly: "Master Si Li is back."
The beautiful woman's eyes suddenly brightened, and she closed her sleeves with her slender fingers. Shi Shiran stood up and hurriedly walked out of the room. From a distance, she saw an old man walking towards her with his hands behind his back.
Wearing a strange robe, with a white beard and white hair, he looks like an old scholar, and has an indescribable air when he walks.
The superintendent was overjoyed and hurriedly stood up and said, "Senior brother is back. Let me introduce you to him. This is..."
Qin Tianjian smiled and said:
"If my guess is correct, she should be the wife of Pei Wei, the head of the Pei family. Is she here to find someone for divination? Is that correct?"
Li Xiangjun was slightly startled, then his eyebrows rose with joy and he said:
"As expected of the Star Official of Shendu City, what the old gentleman said is true."
She immediately explained what she was asking for, but concealed the information about the magician's body, and finally said sadly:
"I have been worried these days, and I have asked all parties to search for it, but I have not found it yet. I heard that the old gentleman has arrived, so I came here to ask for help. Please take action."
The middle-aged superintendent also advised politely: "Senior brother, Mrs. Pei has been waiting for you for most of the day."
Qin Tianjian was not surprised by this kind of thing. When he was in the capital of the city, he was harassed by dignitaries in the city.
So much so that later on, he announced his "retreat" in order to avoid being asked about relationship astrology all day long.
Unexpectedly, within a few days of arriving in Yuhang, the reputation spread... Just looking at the superintendent winking, the old superintendent said helplessly:
"That's all, let me give it a try."
Li Xiangjun was overjoyed and immediately ordered people to send the prepared "media" such as birth dates, hair, and underwear.
A group of people sat down in the hall. Qin Tianjian raised his skinny right hand and pressed it in the air. An illusory astrolabe appeared in the palm of his hand and slowly rotated. The people around him did not dare to breathe, waiting for the result.
After a while, Qin Tianjian said "Huh", seeming a little surprised.
Immediately, he performed horoscopes on the "Eldest Young Master"'s medium again, and this time... there was a hint of unexplainable meaning in his eyes.
"Old sir, what's the result?" Li Xiangjun leaned forward and unconsciously clenched the corners of his skirt with both hands.
She didn't have much hope in her heart, but the next words of the kind-faced old star officer in front of her made her eyes light up:
"If I feel good, the head of the Pei family is currently in the south of Yuhang City, toward the southeast, within ten miles and five miles away, in a land related to the Pei family."
After a pause, the old supervisor hesitated and said: "As for your whereabouts, the starry sky revelation is unclear and cannot be located."
Is there any result? !
Li Xiangjun's charming and round face showed surprise at first, and then joy bloomed: "How sure is the old gentleman?!"
Qin Tianjian was laughing, stroking his beard and saying:
"How can we be sure about this science of spying on destiny? It's just a glimpse. I'm just looking at it. The life star of the Pei family is shrouded in black clouds and is in danger. If Madam wants to find it, she must do it as soon as possible."
At stake? !
Li Xiangjun's beauty has faded and his joy has faded away. How can he dare to delay?
He immediately thanked her and ordered someone to present a thank you gift. However, he had no time to follow the etiquette, picked up his skirt and left, hurried out.
Although the whereabouts of the eldest son are still unknown, it would be best to find her husband first.
As for the specific location, after Li Xiangjun heard the description, a name came to his mind: "Half Moon Villa".
Why did your husband appear in his humble farm? Is it in danger?
Li Xiangjun couldn't understand, but she still made a decisive decision. After walking out of the academy gate, she immediately said to the guard:
"You two ride quickly and go to the Demon Slaying Division to find the head of the Night Division. Tell me that the head of the Pei family is at Banyue Villa and ask the government to help immediately."
"Yes!" Two of his confidants responded.
Li Xiangjun selected two more people: "Go back home quickly and summon the family masters to rush here."
"As you command!"
In the blink of an eye, four thousand-mile horses flew with iron hooves, pulling out a string of smoke and dust in the night.
Li Xiangjun got into the carriage, said in a deep voice, "Go home," and then leaned on the soft cushions. His tall chest rose and fell violently, and his fingers were clenched, showing the uneasiness in the beautiful woman's heart.
…
…
On the Qinhuai River.
Ji Ping'an was holding a square lantern. When he saw the simple cartoon pattern, his whole body seemed to be whipped by an invisible whip.
In my mind, past memories surged.
Of course he will never forget the night more than two hundred years ago when he walked in the mortal world, rowed a boat with that innocent girl as a Taoist priest, and banished the river lanterns.
She will never forget the curiosity and confusion in her eyes when she got playful and drew a robot cat in front of the latter.
But after hundreds of years, he once again saw familiar patterns on the Qinhuai River, and he could easily figure out what they meant.
In his chest, his heart beat slightly. Ji Ping'an held the lantern and turned his head to look in the direction it floated. Where he saw it, there was a long embankment with crowds of people. Who knows how far the lantern floated?
Exiled by whom?
He immediately started astrology and used the "flower lantern" as a medium to conduct divination deductions.
However, what surprised him, but not surprisingly, was that the inexhaustible failure of astrology was obscured by an invisible force.
"Sure enough... it still doesn't work." Ji Ping'an was stunned, then smiled bitterly.
From the case of Zhu Xun and the case of Pei and his son, he had vaguely guessed that the "star fragments" carried by the "reborn" might have the ability to obscure divination.
However, it is not without gain. At least, this further proves that the person who painted the lantern is most likely a "reborn person".
Did that woman who had made him regret for many years...really come back? This guess has been lingering in his mind for a long time, but he is not sure.
In the dead of night, he also imagined that one day he would reunite with his old friends.
But he never expected that he would get clues about her in this way.
"Yes, I should have thought of it a long time ago. If she is reborn, she will definitely find a way to return to the Beast Control Sect, and she will definitely come to Lanzhou... And for self-protection, she will definitely hide and understand the situation, so Yuhang is the best choose."
Ji Ping'an held the lantern and had the urge to go ashore to search.
But his reason told him that without the aid of "divination", it would be difficult to find her in the vast sea of people who had changed her appearance.
"Wait a little longer and resolve the immediate matter first." Ji Ping'an took a deep breath to calm down his chaotic emotions and become calm and wise again.
He raised his hand and put the lantern into the Taoist Scripture.
Then he escaped from the water again and sneaked into the location of the "Mechanism Puppet". He sank to the bottom of the river and found Tie Qiaoda sitting cross-legged in the mud at the bottom of the river. After a day and night of recovery, he had returned to his peak condition.
Ji Ping'an raised his hand and put it on his shoulder, put away the puppet, and then continued to use the escape method to return to Laoliu Street.
When he pushed the door and entered the small courtyard, he saw three people sitting at the table. They had already finished dinner. Huang He was putting some of the food in bowls. When he saw him coming back, he was stunned for a moment and said with a smile:
"Young Master is back, and he wanted to leave some food alone, which is just in time."
Ji Pingan's eyes fell on the other two women.
Mu Yaoyao was seen slumped on the seat, rubbing her bulging belly.
Yu Yu looked gloomy, and when he saw him standing up suddenly, he was about to go back to the house - the saint had been busy all day, and it was not without gains.
She successfully traced a "cursed murder" case, and she keenly realized that the matter involved a lot.
However, after learning from the past experiences of the Four Holy Sects and the Pei family, Yu Yu decided not to speak out before he really gained something, in case he was slapped in the face by this little star official.
At the same time, in order to prevent Ji Ping'an from "plagiarizing" her, she deliberately acted gloomy and had no gain at all, in order to lower the other party's vigilance.
Well, the Saint felt that her plan was perfect. When she turned around, the corners of her mouth slightly raised, and she gave herself a big thumbs up in her heart.
"Don't rest yet. I just finished eating. Pack up and go with me." Ji Ping'an said.
Yu Yu paused, turned around and said suspiciously: "Let's go?"
She clenched her little fists tightly, vaguely aware that something was wrong.
Huang He and Mu Yaoyao looked over out of curiosity and heard Ji Ping'an say lightly:
"A curse murder case recently occurred in the city. It is suspected to involve the reborn person and is related to Pei's case. After my investigation, I have found the hiding place of the person behind the scenes. However, considering that the other party's cultivation level may not be low, come here Looking for you to go together."
Huang He and Mu Yaoyao looked surprised and eager to try. They felt that Ji Ping'an was really powerful.
During these days, I gained something almost every day, and the efficiency was simply terrifying.
For the two people who have free time, fighting is obviously an attractive thing.
"I'll go get ready right now." Huang He dropped his job and turned to walk into the room.
"I'll go too!" Mu Yaoyao jumped down to the ground and shouted with her belly puffed out. Then she suddenly turned her head and looked at Yu Yu doubtfully:
"Senior Sister Yu, are you okay? Don't be unhappy. Although you failed to find any clues, wouldn't it be better to send them to your door now?"
Fuck you... Yu Yu only had this thought in his mind. Her delicate little face was like dried salted fish, and her eyes were empty and weak.
Even though he has kept a low profile, why does the slap in the face come so quickly?
She doesn't understand.
Ji Ping'an watched with interest as the saint was dejected, but she honestly went back to the house to get her weapon. She shook her head and smiled, then stopped her smile and returned to her room.
Raise your hand.
With a "thud", the rusty box fell to the ground again and opened on its own.
Although the puppet inside has been taken out, there is still a slender object wrapped in yellow paste in the corner of the box.
Ji Ping'an raised his hand to take the picture, with a look of nostalgia in his eyes.
…
…
In the Yamen of the Demon Slayer Division, when Ye Hongling rode a dark horse and led a group of dejected officials back, her beautiful face was filled with melancholy.
Last night, after receiving the guidance from the mysterious strong man, she thought she was sure of victory, so she stayed up late to piece together various information, constantly narrowing the scope, and doing elimination methods.
Supplemented by intelligence collection, it was finally difficult to locate the target residence.
I thought that the fruits of victory were close at hand, but I didn't want to miss it. The murderer had already disappeared.
This made the female warrior feel huge frustration and even a little ashamed:
"If that person comes again next time, wouldn't this boss be embarrassed?"
It can only be said that her focus is indeed a bit skewed.
"I ordered that everyone work overtime tonight, use that house as a clue, visit and investigate overnight, and must dig out the thief!" Ye Hongling patted the table, and the cloak behind her trembled.
A group of officials below didn't dare to breathe, and complained in their hearts, so they could only bite the bullet and agree.
In Yuhang City, the police officers from other yamen were very envious of the Demon Slayer Division. They felt that not only did this group of people receive good treatment and high status, but they also had a boss with an outstanding appearance and figure. However, the Demon Slayers only wanted to pour out their bitterness.
Although the salary is good, the workload is also heavy. As for Ye Si's first update, he doesn't even dare to look at it, let alone appreciate it.
Just when the atmosphere was gloomy, suddenly, the sound of messy footsteps came from outside.
Ye Hongling raised her head and stared straight at her: "What happened? Are you in a panic?"
The official gasped, cupped his hands and said:
"Reporting to the Chief of Staff, someone from the Pei family has come and said that they have found the whereabouts of the Pei family leader. Please send someone to help."
"What?" Ye Hongling was shocked and said with a serious expression: "Where is he?"
"Half Moon Villa outside the city."
Ye Hongling's eyes flashed, she grabbed the black gold scabbard and said sternly:
"Everyone, mount your horses and follow me out of the city!"
Not to mention that with Pei's status, the Demon Slayer Division would not delay. Even from the perspective of investigating the case, Ye Hongling had already realized that this case was by no means simple and might be involved in many recent events.
"yes!"
Not long after, Ye Hongling took the lead, wearing a hunting cloak, and roared out of the city with a group of officials, attracting the attention of the people along the way.
I don’t know where these living kings of hell, who have been frequently deployed recently, are going.
…
Inside Pei's mansion.
As the news spread back, first a group of experts came out after hearing the news, and then even Pei Qian, who was in seclusion, was alarmed.
"Tie Sha, are the horses ready?" Pushing open the door, the third young master, Pei Qian, was dressed in military uniform, holding a long sword in his hand, with a serious expression.
It looked like he was about to go into battle.
Guard Tie Sha came towards me and said hesitantly:
"Third Young Master, I and the other guards from the mansion will just have to rush to this matter. You can stay at home with the Second Young Lady and wait for the news."
"What are you talking about? What are you talking about?" Pei Qian was filled with indignation:
"My father and eldest brother are missing. I am the pillar of the Pei family's eldest house. How can I stay in the house? Besides, I am a person on the Hidden Dragon List, and I even reached the last place in the grand prize. Don't treat me like before. .”
Tiesha hesitated to speak, wondering if you have any idea at all.
The Hidden Dragon List is because Tianji Pavilion considers our Pei family's face, and the so-called "Hidden Dragon" refers to "potential" rather than actual combat power.
As for the Grand Prize in the City of Gods...it’s okay not to mention it.
"Tie Sha, if he wants to go, let him go." Suddenly, Pei Qiuwei, who was elegant and sweet, walked over from the corridor in the distance.
"Second Miss!" Tie Sha saluted with clasped fists.
Pei Qiuwei's face was serious at this moment. Although she had not yet left the cabinet, at this moment, before Li Xiangjun returned, she became the talkative person in the eldest room, and her momentum increased several levels.
She looked at Pei Qian, who was wearing soft armor and holding a long sword. Her eyes were soft at first, then firm:
"If you have this intention, go ahead. While mother is away. I, Erlang Pei, will always grow up, and I cannot become a flower in the greenhouse as the Imperial Master once said."
Pei Qian is the youngest, and although Li Xiangjun often rolls his eyes in anger at him, he is still very precious to him.
He thought he was too young and refused to take risks for him. The last time he went to Beijing for training, the head of the family still made the decision.
Pei Qian was in great spirits and was encouraged. He puffed up his chest and said:
"Second sister, don't worry, I will definitely bring my father back today. If I can't do it, I will accept the punishment and copy the books on your bedside three hundred times!"
"..." Pei Qiuwei showed a hint of embarrassment and said:
"It's not necessary..."
After a few words of encouragement, Pei Qianxiong walked out of the house with iron sand. As a large group of warriors left the city, worry finally appeared on the face of the most talented woman in the south of the Yangtze River.
Stepping back to the front hall, he saw a frail woman dressed in white walking, accompanied by a maid.
Xu Yuanyunqing coughed and asked curiously: "Did something happen?"
Pei Qiuwei looked at her sister and forced a smile:
"No big deal."
Xu Yuanyun looked suspicious.
…
…
In the southeast of Yuhang City, as the distance from the city increases, the lights on the land become increasingly sparse. Compared to the bustle along the Qinhuai River, the quiet villages after dark are the theme of this world.
And near the large farm, a manor standing at the foot of the mountain is particularly eye-catching.
In Banyue Villa, buildings stand scattered one after another. Because every summer, people from the Pei family occasionally come here to escape the summer heat, so the scenery in the village is quite elegant.
Although the house is not as large as the main house, it is still quite large.
At this moment, a small basement under the back house of the villa has been transformed into a dungeon.
On both sides of the long and narrow corridor, in the dug-out storage rooms, men, women, and children were imprisoned. If you look closely, you will find that some of them are the caretakers who originally stayed in the Zhuangzi.
Some of them, men and women captured from unknown places, looked dumb and stupid, as if their sanity had been damaged.
"Bang!"
Suddenly, the "cell door" was opened, and in the dark dungeon, a figure walked in from the darkness.
He was wearing a satin blouse, his steps were steady and powerful, his hands were placed on his waist, and there was a red rope between his fingers.
At the end of the red rope, there is a palm-sized scarecrow hanging. It has a ferocious and strange appearance, with a yellow paper talisman attached to its head, which flickers as the man moves.
Along the way, the arrested men and women looked up in confusion. Some were frightened and retreated into corners. Some did not react at all.
There were also several beautiful women who had their clothes stripped off and were lying like corpses. Only their eyes were moving when they heard the noise, and their bodies were twitching out of fear, but they were unable to move.
"Da da da……"
However, the figure ignored these people today and walked straight to the end of the cell.
There is a simple "prison cell" that has been transformed, with a brazier outside and straw inside.
In the cell, a burly middle-aged man sat cross-legged. His hair was disheveled, scarred, and his breath was weak. His hands and feet were bound by thick iron chains, but he maintained a meditating posture, showing his original identity.
"clatter."
The footsteps stopped at the door of the cell, and the light from the brazier dispelled the darkness, revealing a handsome and upright young man in his twenties. He hooked the finger of the cursed scarecrow, and raised a strange arc at the corner of his mouth:
"My...father, how are you feeling today?"
The disheveled head of the Pei family, Pei Wei, raised his eyes, stared at the "eldest son" in front of him coldly and weakly, and said:
"You're not dead yet, how can I take the first step?"
"Ha!" The eldest son of the Pei family said "ha" mockingly, looking down at Pei Wei, and said:
"My cultivation level is not very good, but my mouth is quite tough."
Pei Wei stared at him: "I only regret that I realized something was wrong at the time and failed to take action to capture him and avenge my son."
The eldest son of the Pei family said displeasedly:
"I don't like taking the blame. I have told you so many times that your son jumped in and killed himself. It has nothing to do with me. However, I do have to thank him for providing this body. Although Po Qi's cultivation level is still too high. It's weak, but it's okay... at least the foundation is good, otherwise, it would be troublesome to start from scratch step by step."
After a pause, he sighed and said:
"As for the fact that we have fallen to this point, isn't it your fault? If you didn't notice anything, I don't mind having multiple 'fathers'. They are just in name. How can you still inherit the big family of Pei...
I heard that you also have a talented woman? Maybe I can continue to play... However, I am still interested in women. Hey, using the body of your son to play with your beautiful wife, I don’t know what it feels like. I think it will be interesting, maybe she Still happy to enjoy..."
Pei Wei's eyes were about to burst and he stood up suddenly:
"How dare you, thief!!"
Takefu Zaijing punched the outside of the cell, but as the latter hooked his fingers, the talisman above the scarecrow's head flickered.
Pei Wei screamed in pain, as if he hit a power grid, he fell down and felt like he was being beaten by an invisible whip, and blood spattered.
At this time, we could see that his chest and abdomen were also penetrated by a chain.
This is a method passed down from ancient times. By locking the monk's pipa bone, his cultivation can be imprisoned.
"The eldest son of the Pei family" looked down at the latter rolling around like a defeated dog, with a look of pride on his face. After a moment, he stopped cursing and looked at Pei Wei, who was lying on the ground, gasping for air, and said lightly:
"I don't have time to play with you old guy anymore. I originally thought about swallowing you up in a few days, but unfortunately...the water in Yuhang City is deep now, and I don't know how many strong dragons are hidden there. I have to be careful, so I can harvest I got dozens of souls, which was barely enough.
With this formation of mine, I should be able to knock out all your skills. Once I swallow your spiritual essence, I will almost be able to advance to sit in a well...
When the time comes, you have the confidence to swagger around in this body, and go back to your Pei family to see if the quality of your wife and daughter is as beautiful as the rumors. Are they still beautiful after being thrown on the bed? "
"I'll kill you..." Pei Wei struggled hard, but failed.
He could only watch in despair and anger as the latter took out various materials for casting spells and threw them around the cell according to their directions.
Then he opened his mouth and spat out illusory faces, which were all the people he had cursed to death these days.
Every remnant soul is dull and dazed, densely packed in the cell.
If Ji Ping'an were here, he would recognize it at a glance. This is some kind of ancient magic formation that can extract the cultivation level of a strong person and transfer it to himself.
However, the requirements are extremely demanding, and the casting materials are relatively good. The key is that the person drawn should preferably be related to him by blood.
"If it weren't for this, how could I have kept you alive until now?"
The eldest son muttered, wrapped the scarecrow in circles with a red rope, threw it into the array, and held the other end of the red rope with his fingers.
Silently reciting the incantation and activating the formation, at the cost of consuming the remaining souls, he began to extract cultivation power from Pei Wei's body and pour it into himself.
"Die with peace of mind. I will inherit everything from you, cultivation, power, wealth, wife and daughter... and lead the Pei family to a higher realm..."
…
…
Outside Banyue Villa.
The soil suddenly rose up, sending four figures out.
Yu Yu has regained his fighting spirit. He is now wearing night clothes, covered with a veil, and a red sword rope is swinging gently on his wrist:
"That's the one in front? What should we do? Go straight in?"
Huang He, who was also wearing night clothes, held the knife and said hesitantly:
"To be on the safe side, let's find out the situation first."
Mu Yaoyao wrapped herself into a small briquette and nodded vigorously when she heard the words.
Yu Yu curled his lips, raised his white chin, hummed, and said:
"A bunch of cowards are just hiding behind their backs and chanting curses secretly. I can defeat them all by myself."
Ji Ping'an, who was holding the "Mountain God Staff", ignored his three companions. He turned over his free left hand, took out a mottled and ancient eight-pointed astrolabe, and began to divine good and bad luck.
In order to avoid being disturbed, he only divined his own fate and the fate of the three people this time.
As the outline of the star map flickered, fragments of scenes poured into his mind.
…
Correct typos first and then correct them
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(End of chapter)
