[Sorry, I came back too late from working overtime today. This chapter of qaq has not been finished yet. You can subscribe again tomorrow morning. 】
[Sorry, I came back too late from working overtime today. This chapter of qaq has not been finished yet. You can subscribe again tomorrow morning. 】
…………
"The yin energy seems to be even more frightening today." The eldest prince Xiao Shangyuan looked at the foggy mountain forest and frowned.
"Indeed," Fan Cheng nodded in agreement, "I think it would be difficult to find any survivors near Yishan."
Gu Xu followed them silently, observing the surroundings vigilantly.
The dim ancient trees stood majestically, exuding the smell of dampness and decay. The huge tree crown blocks out the sky and the sun, holding up a thick umbrella canopy. The intricate tree roots turn into stumbling traps, and the frozen frost condenses on the branches.
According to the plan made last night, the monks from the sixth realm from the capital will enter the depths of Yishan Mountain to look for traces of the Snow Girl and the mysterious black altar; the monks from the fourth and fifth realms will make a detour to Yishan. Fight in Shanxi, where hundreds of mutated monsters are said to be gathered; while the monks in the second and third realms will work as small teams to rescue survivors in the villages to the east and south.
Gu Xu is a special case.
He was asked by name to join the eldest prince Xiao Shangyuan's team to deal with ghosts on the hillside near the camp.
There, an official road became a nest of ghosts and monsters, seriously affecting the transportation of materials within Qingzhou Prefecture.
Among his companions, in addition to Xiao Shangyuan, there was Fan Cheng from the sixth realm, Wei Jiusi from Qingzhou Prefecture from the fifth realm, and two monks from the fourth realm.
As a second-level monk, Gu Xu can be said to be out of place among this group of people.
If he had to use one word to describe his mood, it would be "get rid of me".
Gu Xu knew that the eldest prince wanted to take this opportunity to observe his abilities.
Ever since he was appointed as "Attendant Reader" by the emperor, he has come into the sight of the powerful people of Qi Dynasty, and it is difficult to keep a low profile like before.
This undoubtedly made him feel a little depressed.
Who has allowed himself to be too good?
The cold wind howled by, blowing the shadows of the trees like ferocious living creatures.
"The three fierce gods in Qingzhou Prefecture are not easy to mess with," Wei Jiusi, a Qianhu in Qingzhou Prefecture, interjected, "Your Highness, we always thought that Snow Girl could only control snowstorms and summon objects, but we never thought that she could create large-scale areas out of thin air. The ability of the evil spirit. She is far more dangerous than we imagined. If we can't deal with her anymore, I'm afraid we will have to ask the saints to take action in person, just like we did with the 'Nine Infant Snake Demon' back then."
After hearing his words, Gu Xu silently commented in his heart: Mr. Wei is really hinting at the capital to provide reinforcements anytime and anywhere.
"The three fierce gods of Qingzhou Prefecture... there is the Snow Girl, there is the Nine Infant Snake Demon, and what is the name of the other one? Is there any Snow Girl as scary as this?" Xiao Shangyuan asked curiously.
"There is one more..." Wei Jiusi frowned.
He found that his mind was blank and he couldn't think of an answer to this question even after racking his brains.
"Sorry, Your Highness," Wei Jiusi lowered his head after thinking for a long time and said with some guilt, "I can't remember the name of that ghost at the moment. This is my dereliction of duty. I will tell you as soon as possible after I return to the camp. .”
"It's okay," Xiao Shangyuan said with a smile, not taking his words seriously, "I just mentioned it casually. Our top priority is to deal with the Snow Girl."
What is the name of the third evil god?
Gu Xu also began to think about this problem silently.
He remembered that he had asked Chen Jisheng, Cui Tianyou, and many other people about this question.
But they all used excuses such as "forgot" and "don't know" and never told him an accurate answer.
Gu Xu himself had considered going to the Library to search for information related to the third evil god.
However, whenever he entered the library, he would be busy reading other knowledge related to practice and forget about this problem.
"This thing is really weird," Gu Xu secretly thought to himself, "I didn't expect that even though I have the talent of 'Extensive Memory', I would also be forgetful. After the Yishan mission is over, I must go and check this first Three evil gods.”
At this time, there was a strange movement in the mountains and forests.
The branches rustled in the wind, as if fingers were stretching out to scratch each other.
The gurgling sound of spring water could be heard in the distance, as well as the faint whimpering and mourning.
"The ghost is approaching." Fan Cheng said calmly.
His tone was very calm, and he had no plans to take action for the time being.
"They are not very strong. If my perception is correct, the strongest ones are only at the 'Wild Ghost' level." Wei Jiusi also narrowed his eyes slightly and added at the side.
"Brother Gu Xian, do we have a chance to see your miraculous attainments in Talismans today?" The eldest prince Xiao Shangyuan also said with a smile.
Gu Xu remained calm on the surface, but silently complained in his heart: You guys stood by and let me, a second-level monk, fight against the ghosts. Does this make sense?
At this time, he had realized that the reason why the eldest prince stayed in Yishan was not really to "remove harm for the people", but just to gain political capital for the future heir apparent.
"Of course, Your Highness." Gu Xu said calmly.
A few minutes later, dozens of shadows appeared from the darkness of the woods and came to them.
They are thin and human-like in appearance, with pale skin like corpses and tattered clothes. Their bodies are surrounded by black energy, and their eyes are a terrifying dark red.
As they walked, they made shrill roars from time to time.
Gu Xu knew that these ghosts were villagers living nearby not long ago.
…………
[The following is repeated content, you can come back later to continue reading! 】
[The following is repeated content, you can come back later to continue reading! 】
A moment later, Gu Xu met the eldest prince Xiao Shangyuan in a simple wooden house, as well as the royal minister Fan Cheng and Qingzhou Prefecture Qianhu Wei Jiusi beside him.
This house was improvised using magic.
The furnishings inside the house are simple.
A large rough table and a few hard wooden chairs formed a temporary conference room.
When Gu Xu stepped into the room, Xiao Shangyuan immediately stood up to greet him with a smile. When Gu Xu was about to bow his hands, Xiao Shangyuan immediately grabbed his arm and said repeatedly: "Brother Gu Xian, there is no need to be polite."
Xiao Shangyuan's appearance is similar to that of his younger brother Xiao Shangzhen. He can be considered handsome in appearance, but his eyebrows are a little less childish and the outline of his face is tougher.
Although the eldest prince looked amiable and called Gu Xu brothers, he put his official position and etiquette far away.
But Gu Xu noticed that Xiao Shangyuan's eyes were awe-inspiring, revealing an unquestionable arrogance - as if he was a majestic lion entrenched in his territory. As long as someone dared to offend him, he would show his cold eyes. Fangs.
After sitting down, Xiao Shangyuan got straight to the point and talked about the business.
He took out a piece of talisman paper from his arms, handed it to Gu Xu, and said to him: "Brother Gu Xian, is this 'Fengxing Talisman' your work?"
Gu Xu took the talisman and observed it carefully.
This talisman is not his.
The handwriting on the paper was a bit jerky, and it was definitely not written by him.
But Ma Xingkong's idea of improvement that day was indeed his handiwork.
He never taught anyone how to draw the improved version of "Feng Xing Fu".
So in this world, he should be the only one who can draw such a "popular charm".
"This talisman was copied by us, not the original version." Seemingly sensing Gu Xu's confused look, the eldest prince smiled and explained in a gentle tone, "The earliest 'Fengxing Talisman' was from Qingzhou Mansion. It was picked up from the waste basket of the exorcism department. At that time, Uncle Fan was convinced that it was definitely made by the master.
"In order to find out the identity of the Fu Dao master behind it, we spent a lot of time and went through many twists and turns.
"Now, we have finally found you, Master Gu!
"I can't imagine that at this young age, you have such profound cultivation of Talisman! I'm afraid even the National Master will be envious of your Talisman talent!"
After hearing the eldest prince's words, Gu Xu also remembered that he had indeed used a "Wind Talisman" on the way to Qingzhou Mansion, and then threw it into the wastebasket.
"Last October, His Highness was also in Qingzhou Mansion?" he asked.
"Yes," Xiao Shangyuan replied frankly, "At that time, I saw the Yishan Snow Girl making trouble in Qingzhou and causing harm to the people, so I asked my father to be a servant, hoping that I could use the sword in my hand to eliminate harm to the people.
“But I don’t want others to misunderstand my motives and think that I do this kind of thing just to pursue fame. So I concealed my identity and whereabouts.
"It's a pity that the snow girl is much stronger than I imagined. I tried my best and failed to defeat her. Instead, I was bruised and embarrassed. If it weren't for Mr. He, the junior brother of the national master, with his miraculous shrinkage Earth Cheng Cun's magical power rescued me, but I'm afraid my soul has become the food of the snow girl."
It turns out that He Yiqun hurried to Yishan after abandoning the "Seven Styles of Burning Heaven" at his home, in order to save the prince!
Gu Xu recalled silently in his mind.
Xiao Shangyuan paused for a moment, then smiled slightly and continued: "But I have never been a person willing to admit defeat easily. I will not give up my desire to eliminate harm for the people because of a temporary failure.
"And I also realized that with my own strength, I cannot compete with the Yishan Snow Girl, who has a strength close to that of a saint.
"So now I come to this camp, hoping to fight together with the monks here and help the people of Qingzhou Prefecture to get rid of the serious problem of the Snow Girl."
"His Highness really cares about people's livelihood," Gu Xu complimented in a flat tone, "If the people of Qingzhou Mansion knew about His Highness's thoughts, they would definitely be extremely grateful to His Highness."
It must be said that the eldest prince spoke beautifully and was very good at winning people's hearts. Compared with his childish brother, he was completely different.
If there were no aristocratic families and extraordinary power in this world, then Xiao Shangzhen would have no competitiveness at all in front of this capable brother.
"However, Brother Gu Xian, today I don't care about the thoughts of the people of Qingzhou Prefecture. I only care about your thoughts." Xiao Shangyuan leaned forward slightly and stared at Gu Xu's eyes. "I want to fight side by side with Brother Gu Xian tomorrow and see it with my own eyes." I wonder if Brother Gu Xian is willing to agree to this due to his cultivation of Talisman Dao?"
Xiao Shangyuan's words left a certain amount of room, and did not directly ask Gu Xu to take sides in the fight for the throne and become his follower.
But it also meant that it was a request that couldn't be refused.
After all, this is a crucial moment against the Yuki Onna.
Once he refuses, his words are likely to be taken out of context and used as leverage.
"Your Highness has your orders, how dare I disobey him?" Gu Xu responded with a smile.
He didn't want to get involved in the murky waters of the royal family's succession.
Therefore, if the eldest prince wants to call him brother, he must strictly observe the distinction between monarch and minister.
"Then I look forward to Brother Gu Xian showing his prowess tomorrow!" Xiao Shangyuan's expression remained calm, with no change in emotion on his face.
On the side, Fan Cheng frowned slightly, seeming to be thinking about something; Wei Jiusi smiled, showing a hint of appreciation for Gu Xu.
…………
That night, the monks gathered in the open space to count the casualties and discuss the assignment of tasks for the next day.
It wasn't until late at night that they dispersed, either to receive meals or to return to their temporary residence to practice.
Gu Xu followed the arrangement of Qianhu Wei Jiusi of Qingzhou Prefecture and handed over some "Tai Shang Arctic Demon Suppressing and Ghost Killing Talismans" in exchange for a lot of meritorious deeds.
"I heard from Chen Jisheng that your improved ghost-killing talisman is much stronger than the original version," Wei Jiusi said with a smile, "Can you tell me how much stronger it is?"
"Well... at least ten times more!" Gu Xu himself couldn't figure it out clearly.
When he returned, he saw Shi Xiaohan holding a food box and sitting glumly in the corner.
Her whole body shrank into a ball, her little face was bulging with anger, and she looked like a small glutinous rice dumpling from a distance.
The cold wind ruffled her black hair and made the hairpin on her head jingle, but she didn't notice it at all.
"You look unhappy." Gu Xu came to her side and said.
Shi Xiaohan raised his head and looked at him, with a look of grievance in his clear almond eyes: "The food in this camp is really terrible."
As she spoke, she raised the food box in her hand to Gu Xu.
There were two steamed buns, a boiled egg, a few green vegetables, and a few pieces of half-lean pork roasted randomly.
"It seems to be better than the food I had during military training..." Gu Xu complained silently, "It looks quite nutritious."
"Miss Shi," he sat down next to her and consoled her, "These are extraordinary times and the conditions are quite difficult. You have to endure it."
"But I really can't swallow these things!" Shi Xiaohan snorted, not satisfied with Gu Xu's answer, "Also, how many times have I told you, don't call me eldest lady!"
But now you are just a spoiled young lady!
Gu Xu commented secretly.
He knew that this was Shi Xiaohan's first time participating in such a high-risk mission - as a flower who grew up in a greenhouse, it was inevitable that he would be a little uncomfortable.
Only through tempering can one truly grow.
"Don't think of it as food, think of it as part of your cultivation," he advised. "Do you want to let the ghosts and monsters feel the power of the 'Taotie Seal' tomorrow? Do you want to show it off in front of His Highness the Prince and Lord Wei?" Divine power? Do you want the monks in Qingzhou to feel the majesty of the heroine in Yishui?"
"Think about it!" Shi Xiaohan said without thinking.
After she finished speaking, she realized that she had accidentally fallen into a trap.
"Humph!" She glanced at Gu Xu angrily.
Gu Xu smiled and waved to the soldiers around him, asking them to bring him an identical dinner.
The two sat quietly in the corner.
In this bleak cold wind, enjoy the moment of tranquility before the storm.
This time, Gu Xu rarely finished his dinner first.
He took out the pamphlet from his pocket and continued to write, draw, and think about cultivation issues.
Inadvertently, he turned to the pale pink flower paper sandwiched in the book page. On the paper was a beautiful and neat hairpin flower in small regular script, which read "May everything be well for you, the young master, and may you live forever."
Thinking of the snowstorm and the white wolf in the forest today, Gu Xu sighed softly and felt extremely regretful.
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