There are dozens of large and small temples inside and outside Zhelongfu City, and there are nine large temples in the city.
Among them, there are Thousand-Eyed Bodhisattva Temple, Can Temple Temple, Eyeless Arhat Temple, One-legged God, Wutong God and other temples that Li Yuan is very familiar with.
"Not counting the previous dynasties, there are as many as 420 gods enshrined in the Universiade over the millennium. The most common ones are 123: Thousand-Eyed Bodhisattva, Can God, Blood, Flesh, Bone, and Tendon. The Divine King Kong all belong to this category..."
In the teahouse, Li Yuan was flipping through a book, or in other words, "List of Gods."
There are many lists in Yunshu Tower, and the categories are even more diverse. Many of them even require a very high threshold to purchase, and are simply out of reach of ordinary people.
Similar to the 'talent list' of foreign states and Taoism.
The List of Gods does not belong to this category, but the price of one copy is twenty taels, making it the most expensive one among the dozens of books Liu Zheng bought.
The above lists in detail the 123 most common gods among the people, as well as the distribution of their temples.
"Among the gods, the Thousand-Eyed Bodhisattva ranks first in number of temples, with as many as 4,346 temples. This number is also the number of Dayun County..."
Li Yuan read with great interest. There was a short story for each god on this list.
Regardless of whether it’s true or not, it’s quite interesting.
"...the Red-haired Buddha has three hundred and eighty temples, distributed in the five prefectures and counties of twenty-eight states..."
"Sword Spirit God..."
"Hundred-armed Taoist..."
…
Li Yuan looked at it very carefully, mainly because he was also very interested in incense, and it was necessary to understand this.
What made him slander him was that the so-called righteous god enshrined by the Universiade Court was more like an evil god than a righteous god in terms of name, appearance, story, etc.
"If you want to make them believe, you must first make them fear?"
Li Yuan closed the book, and after Liu Zheng went out for a while, he took over all the lists he had bought during this period:
"Oiran Ranking, Sword Catching Ranking, Divine Weapon Ranking, Secret Skill Ranking... Oh, and there is also the Spiritual Beast Ranking, the Spiritual Insect Ranking, and the Spiritual Fish Ranking."
"...It's really comprehensive."
After looking at the sky, Li Yuan took the books and stuffed them into his sleeves, but he was not in the mood to read them at this time.
"Find a place to have a good meal."
There is no shortage of food and delicacies on the mountain, but the variety is definitely not as good as in Fucheng. Whenever he goes down the mountain, the first thing Li Yuan wants to do is reward himself.
Although he has not yet obtained the true method of worshiping gods, but according to the scriptures of worshiping gods, doesn’t this count as offering sacrifices to gods?
I wash and bathe every day, eat the best food, and don’t listen to all kinds of elixirs. My money is like running water.
Which believer of God can be as kind to him as he is?
…
After dinner, Li Yuan sent Wang Peiyao to search for various information, while he went shopping with Liu Zheng under the latter's resentful eyes.
On the way, Li Yuan went to the stores he frequented and found four pairs of first-order boots, two pairs each in Sihe and Liuhe.
The starting price for boots made of spirit animal skins is twelve taels of silver and goes up. Most people would not buy them at all, but most of the time, they are unavailable.
Without him, spiritual beasts would be rare.
Spiritual beasts among beasts are like high-quality bones. One in a thousand is an exaggeration, but one in a thousand still exists. It is naturally difficult to catch them.
"There are many people in the city, and there are also many restaurants that have their names called. No matter how many spiritual beasts there are, it won't be enough."
Liu Zheng picked his teeth with an iron skewer, recalling the delicious food of the spirit beast. In the past, he was reluctant to eat a meal.
"The Baihua Pavilion is quite good."
"Um?"
Li Yuan glanced at him and remembered that he still had dozens of unused invitations.
"Well, I can choose a few to check out later..."
Li Yuan did not object to this. He was promoted to the sixth level by Zhangbinglu and Hebinglu. They were all big consumers of gold and silver. No amount was too much for him.
The city of Zhelong Mansion is good, but after more than a thousand years, many industries have long been established, and he can't get involved if he wants to.
cannot.
The only way is to cooperate with these large and small families. Small business is also business, and a little adds up to a lot.
"Some of them are quite sincere. They came to entertain me many times some time ago and spent a lot of money."
Liu Zheng was very concerned and did not hide anything. He talked about all the big and small events during this period.
Including which banquets he accepted, who gave gifts, how much was returned, how much was left...
'No wonder Liu Bin can fill the vacant county magistrate...
Li Yuan nodded heartily.
Everyone in the world is interested in profit, but he has never wanted to eat alone, and he doesn't like others to eat alone.
"Brother Li, are you going to the Bodhisattva Temple?"
Liu Zheng reported all the way, and when he looked up, he saw the towering temple in the distance.
"It's rare to go down the mountain, so naturally I have to take a walk."
Li Yuan glanced behind him with his peripheral vision, and had to admit that the inner disciples of the Divine Weapon Valley were quite capable.
He was in a daze and didn't notice the few disciples who were following him.
"Just in time, I've been here."
Liu Zheng smiled and led the way. He had very little talent, but he got familiar with the environment very quickly.
In less than half a year, he knew all the forces in every district of Fucheng.
"I don't know, are Zhao Yunsheng or the people behind him targeting me?"
Li Yuan was very curious and cautious.
This was his first time fishing, and he didn't know if he could catch a big fish.
He had no intention of going down the mountain, and he didn't want to go to Sun Zan's birthday party, but with Bawanli and Fang Baoluo there, he thought of giving it a try.
It's not pleasant to be remembered. If I don't kill a group of people, I guess I can still calm down and practice martial arts.
The Thousand-Eyed Bodhisattva Temple in Fucheng is much larger than the one in Gaoliu County, and there is an endless stream of believers and pilgrims coming and going.
Various stalls outside the temple are full of cries and smells of snacks.
Li Yuan bought some and followed the crowd into the temple.
As soon as you enter the temple gate, the strong smell of incense comes out. In the center of the venue that can accommodate thousands of people,
There was an incense burner that was larger than his three combined.
[Incense burner in front of Thousand-Eyed Bodhisattva Temple (third level)]
[Made of wrought iron mixed with iron and copper, the color has not changed for thousands of years... The longings of countless believers have turned into wisps of incense here, and gradually become supernatural...]
[Conditions for control: third level of god worshiping method, huge power]
[Control effects: Roots standing on the ground (light green), slight good luck (light green), incomplete worship method (light green), solemn treasure appearance (light green)]
"This incense burner..."
Twenty meters away from the incense burner, Li Yuan's eyes lit up. The color of this incense burner was pure, without any trace of blood!
"Is this the orthodox method of worshiping gods?"
Li Yuan became interested, but before he stepped forward, he suddenly noticed the commotion in the crowd.
"Master of the Palace!"
Pilgrims around him exclaimed and dispersed one after another.
When Li Yuan turned around, he saw a gray sedan parked outside the temple gate, and an elegant old man walked into the temple accompanied by a head catcher.
"The arrester's name is Ren Jingfei. He is one of the six major arrestees in the city. It is said that his martial arts skills are extremely high. The old man is the new palace master Wang Zhaozhi..."
Liu Zheng introduced in a low voice.
It was two years after the death of the last palace master that a palace master took office. However, it happened that the gate of Shenbing Valley was opened, and no one paid attention to it.
After all, the master of Liushui Palace is the iron-clad Divine Weapon Valley.
"Um."
Looking at the two people being picked up by several monks, Li Yuan couldn't help but think of Magistrate Lu.
Compared with various sectarian forces, the presence of the imperial court is inconspicuous in various prefectures and counties, but as the nominal co-lord of the world, there is no doubt about the imperial court's strength.
He suspected that the orthodox method of worshiping gods was under the control of the imperial court. Otherwise, he could not figure out why the imperial court would support so many temples.
"How does the imperial court use the power of incense?"
Li Yuan was very curious, but did not show it. He walked around the temple with Liu Zheng for a few times and then left.
"Li Yuan!"
Just after leaving the temple gate, Li Yuan heard an exclamation. When he turned around, he couldn't help but be surprised:
"It's you?"
The person who called him was a stall owner outside the temple gate, but it was the knife catcher who had stopped him before by pretending to be a fortune teller.
"Zhang Yuanfang!"
The stall owner said, his eyes full of complex expressions.
"Are you really good at telling fortunes?"
Li Yuan was a little surprised.
When they met again, Zhang Yuanfang was still dressed as a Taoist priest and still had a fortune-telling stall. However, Li Yuan's sharp eyes saw that his sleeves were empty.
Zhang Yuanfang shook his empty sleeves and laughed at himself:
"I met a group of strongmen on the road and lost my arm. Now, I can only make a living by telling fortunes."
"Are you the knife hunter from before?"
Liu Zheng also recognized this person. He had seen this person when the city guards arrested him.
"You have eyes but don't recognize dragons. You have become a true disciple..."
Zhang Yuanfang sighed.
He never expected that a young apprentice he stopped casually in a small county town would now be a true disciple of the Divine Weapon Valley.
If he had known today, he would have lost all his money and would have had to climb onto this ladder...
"It's also what the master values, luck, luck."
Li Yuan still had a deep impression on this colleague. Seeing him in such a state of desolation, he couldn't help but feel a little moved in his heart.
Taoist priests who are not naturalized are not easy to get along no matter where they are.
"Luck can't be used as a true inheritance."
Zhang Yuanfang shook his head. He glanced at Liu Zheng and whispered, "How about we talk in another place?"
Li Yuan nodded.
…
In the restaurant, Zhang Yuanfang devoured his food without delaying his meal with one hand.
Liu Zheng went back to the forging shop very wisely.
"Is it enough? Not enough to order a few more dishes."
Li Yuan put down his bowl and chopsticks. He had eaten a lot of snacks on the way and was not too hungry.
"Thank you."
After wiping the oil on his mouth and drinking another cup of tea, Zhang Yuanfang leaned back on the chair with a satisfied expression.
He has never been to a restaurant since breaking his arm.
"It's just a meal."
Li Yuan waved his hand:
"Brother Zhang stopped me, but what's the matter?"
"Um."
Zhang Yuanfang nodded and glanced around with his peripheral vision. When he saw that no one was paying attention, he lowered his voice and said:
"You came down the mountain this time for the merit list, right?"
Li Yuan's eyes moved slightly but did not answer.
"I've met the merchant who sent the ranking list to Yun Shulou..."
"Um?"
Li Yuan raised his eyebrows.
Before Fang Baoluo and Bawanli took the people down the mountain, they told him the whole story.
The merchant disappeared without a trace, and even the Inspectorate was unable to find him...
Zhang Yuanfang gritted his teeth slightly and whispered:
"Brother Li, can I ask you for a bowl of rice with this information?"
"If it's true, there will be no shortage of food for you in the valley."
Li Yuan agreed without thinking. Shenbing Valley raised many people and he didn't care about one more person.
Zhang Yuanfang shook his head: "It's not the Valley of Divine Weapons, it's you."
"oh?"
Li Yuan was a little surprised.
"That merchant is Zhao Bogang, an outer disciple of Sanyuanwu. He is the member of the Zhao family who was exterminated by you."
Zhang Yuanfang said in a low voice without negotiating terms.
"Zhao family?"
Li Yuan was a little surprised: "Can the Zhao family join Sanyuanwu?"
As far as he knew, all the major sects in Huizhou had strict geographical restrictions on accepting disciples, and a clear identity was a must.
The capitals and magic weapons of the Zhao family in all dynasties
Gu has connections, so it's impossible for him to be accepted into his sect...
"Maybe there are three cunning rabbit holes, right?"
Zhang Yuanfang was very determined and gritted his teeth:
"That man must be Zhao Bogang! More than twenty years ago, he ran his horse over and killed my brother, and I recognized him when he turned into ashes!"
Li Yuan didn't worry about this and asked:
"Where are the others?"
"Outside the city, the Blood Diamond Temple!"
…
"Outside the city?"
Watching Zhang Yuanfang leave, Li Yuan narrowed his eyes slightly, feeling a little curious: "Did I catch a fish?"
It was just a one-time acquaintance and there was no friendship at all, so naturally he would not believe Zhang Yuanfang's words easily.
Even though he gave a reason and talked about how to find out.
However, how could an inner strength warrior with a broken right hand have the courage to follow an outer disciple of a large sect?
Li Yuan estimated that any outer disciple who dared to sneak into Zhelong Mansion and stir up trouble could be fake.
"Maybe it's a really big fish?"
Li Yuan touched his chin. As far as he knew, novice fishermen often make big fish...
"In this case."
Li Yuan thought for a moment, then calmly went to the weapon forging shop and took out a second-order long-handled heavy hammer from the warehouse.
Before going to find Zhang Yuanfang, he called Liu Zheng and Wang Peiyao.
"Although there are senior and second senior brothers here, to be on the safe side, I'd better call a few more people..."
…
…
It is not easy to live in Zhelong Mansion, but people from various counties migrate here every year.
Some people have established themselves in Fucheng, others have sold themselves into slavery, and many more people have gathered outside the city.
They have no land and some people make a living by fishing. Most of them are laborers, servants, and waiters from various families in the city, and they are also absentee workers from the mines in the Shenbing Valley.
Over time, villages and towns with tens of thousands of households were formed, which were more prosperous than ordinary counties.
"In the eyes of people in Fucheng, we are untouchables who can't survive in our respective counties, but I have to say that it's really good to live here."
After walking for more than ten miles along the river bank, Zhang Yuanfang pointed to the villages and towns in the distance.
Except that the town does not have thick city walls, it is really not inferior to Gaoliu County, with a lot of people coming and going.
"The transportation is convenient, it's close to mountains and water, and it's close to the city. It's really a good place."
Li Yuan had some feelings.
This gathering place reminded him of the urban village where he lived.
"Still relying on the Valley of Divine Weapons!"
Zhang Yuanfang added: "We hang around here and don't leave, accumulating from generation to generation, just waiting for one day to have a high-quality person among our descendants..."
Li Yuan nodded, expressing understanding.
In fact, many disciples of Divine Weapon Valley have come from here throughout the ages, and the most famous one is Bawanli.
It was also a sensation many years ago.
"Perhaps in a few generations or more, someone from my Zhang family will be able to worship in the Valley of Divine Weapons, right?"
Zhang Yuanfang remained silent and led the way.
Not long after, Li Yuan saw a rather deserted small temple built at the foot of a hill.
"Brother Zhang, why don't you go sit at your house first?"
Li Yuan suddenly spoke.
"ah?"
Zhang Yuanfang was startled and shook his head: "In order to avoid long nights and many dreams, Brother Li still..."
Before he finished speaking, a low roar came from the Blood King Kong Temple:
"Do it!"
