Qi Jingzhi laughed loudly and waved his hand proudly: "What is this? When traveling in the world, loyalty comes first! If you come to Linzhou in the future, just give me the name of Lu Qiyun, a guest from Linshan! Oh, you also called me From the Skinned Demon Lord.”
The old monster was not frightened by the name. Instead, he was overjoyed. He couldn't help but nodded and said: "That's a good feeling! Tonight is a banquet hosted by Master Daochenghuang. It's not the little old man's turn to show off. Next time Master Lu will pass by here. , whether it’s getting a job or staying in a hotel, every expense is mine!”
Qi Jingzhi was startled after hearing this.
He was talking nonsense and perfunctory words, but he didn't expect that this old monster would believe whatever he heard, knowing that he had a big beard.
That expression didn't seem to be fake. Anyway, Qi Jingzhi watched carefully for a long time, but he still couldn't see any flaw in that old face.
"Hiss...isn't this too honest?"
Mr. Lu, the Skinned Demon Lord, is the most kind-hearted, and it is rare to meet such an honest and friendly spirit, so I feel a little unbearable.
Just when he was about to speak, he suddenly heard the sound of bones behind him. He turned around and saw a hardwood wheel with broken spokes, rolling toward the horse stable, and it was close in a blink of an eye.
Qi Jingzhi's turn back really startled the kids.
These seven little monsters were not as big-hearted as the old monster, and they did not think there was anything handsome about the young man's spirit-like, ghost-like, mighty spirit official appearance, so they immediately let out a series of exclamations.
The hardwood wheel staggered before his eyes, and he immediately lost his balance. He hit the courtyard door crookedly, rolled and fell into the thick white beard.
"Ouch!"
A few strands of the old plaque monster's beard were twisted into the wheel, and he let out a scream in pain, and all his long beards began to twist violently like living creatures.
Caught off guard, his small body was thrown backwards by a gentle force, and was caught in the hands of Qi Jingzhi, who had sharp eyes and quick hands.
The hardwood wheel that was stuck in the beard was also pushed out. The old monster lowered his head and stared. While pulling his beard away from the children in the spokes, he said angrily: "Who do I know?" So frizzy, it turns out they are the seven little babies of the Hu family!"
It paused, then suddenly realized: "Huh? How did your body escape? Did the Xiema Bridge collapse, or was the water-calming beast head on the bridge destroyed?"
The hardwood wheel rolled twice and leaned against the door frame.
There were seven little faces on the seven spokes, and they all turned towards the young man on the back of the strange beast, and shouted in unison very obediently: "It's all thanks to my benefactor for the rescue!"
These spoke boys were already grateful, and now they saw their benefactor's "true face". This shout was truly awe-inspiring and awe-inspiring.
"What's the big deal about trivial matters?"
Qi Jingzhi smiled at them and said in a more serious tone: "We don't need to keep talking about what we said before at Xiemaqiao!"
Unexpectedly, it was okay if he didn't smile. When the children saw their benefactor's smile, they became more and more trembling.
The leading boy was the bravest and most alert. Hearing this, he glanced at the old monster above his head, and then scolded his brothers: "Have you heard your benefactor's instructions? From now on, how many of you will No one is allowed to speak carelessly anymore! Especially spokes five and seven, keep your mouths shut tightly!"
"It's all up to the big brother!"
Four of the other six spoke boys immediately agreed in unison, while the other two pursed their lips tightly and did not dare to make the slightest sound.
The boy who according to the ranking should be called Fu Da hummed with satisfaction, then turned to look at Qi Jingzhi, with a look of worry on his face: "Is your benefactor really going in?"
Qi Jingzhi nodded and said matter-of-factly: "Now the Tao City God is holding a banquet to track down the murderer of the two road gods in Budai Jian. I happen to be meeting, so how can I pretend to be ignorant?"
"Master Lu is so righteous!" The old monster above his head sighed in admiration, which sounded very sincere.
Hearing this, Hu Da gritted his teeth and glared: "Our brothers were trapped in the mud at the bottom of the bridge, and we were freed only by the righteous intervention of our benefactor. We must repay this kindness, and I will go with my benefactor tonight!"
As soon as he finished speaking, it immediately jumped off the hardwood wheel and stabbed the ground like a stick.
The remaining six spokes also jumped down without saying a word, and stood in a row in front of the horse resting tavern. Their faces were tense, and their stick bodies were slightly tilted back, as if they were raising their heads and chests.
Seeing this, Qi Jingzhi couldn't help but be shocked, but he also took a serious look at these seven little monsters for the first time.
Upon closer inspection, he discovered that the shape of the spokes was very strange, with eight edges, traces of vermilion paint remaining on the surface, and corroded copper nails with round caps on the upper end facing the wheels.
Qi Jingzhi had also seen several extremely high-standard palaces. The gates of those palaces were painted with vermilion paint and decorated with gold and copper nails, which were extremely gorgeous and magnificent. Perhaps the hardwood wheel in front of you had a glorious time before it fell into the stream and was buried in the mud.
Sensing the probing meaning in his eyes, Fu Da took the initiative to speak: "Good teaching benefactor knows that the seven spokes of our brothers are not ordinary spokes. Previously, we were pressed under the bridge and could not move. That was due to the situation. Now if we get out of trouble , I can’t say how much it can help, but I’m not afraid of ordinary ghosts and monsters.”
As it spoke, it turned around in a circle, and then continued: "Once upon a time, an old man passed by Xie Ma Bridge. When he saw our brothers, he laughed and said that it was said in the "Tao Jing" that there were thirty spokes in total. A hub, treat it as nothing but useful for a car.”
"The old man said that the wheel our seven brothers are sitting on should originally have thirty spokes, which correspond to the thirty days of the month. There are spokes and axles, but the slot holes on the wheel hub are empty. When everything and nothing complement each other, this car has its effect.”
Qi Jingzhi didn't expect Fu Da to be able to say such a truth, and while he was surprised, he also had a clear understanding in his heart.
Ancient sages have always attached great importance to driving and roads. Even Emperor Hong's family once took the name Xuanyuan. It is not surprising that a small wheel has such a saying and was even written into the "Tao Jing".
Qi Jingzhi nodded and smiled: "You are right, but you said you are not afraid of ordinary ghosts. Where do you start?"
The figure of a boy in brown clothes was revealed. He grabbed a brother next to him and raised his hands in front of him: "My dear benefactor, please see, our brothers are all the same. They are all made of vermilion lacquer and eight edges. Bronze nails.”
Seeing Qi Jingzhi nodding, a look of pride appeared on Fu Da's face: "I heard that old man said that the imperial court has a system of etiquette. Among the ceremonial guards of the king's vehicles, spoke rods like ours must be included. The weapon is similar to stick-type ceremonial weapons such as Jinwu and Keshu."
"When the king of the country is driving a car, the left and right soldiers hold spoke rods in their hands. Firstly, they are used to clamp the car and make the wheels run more smoothly. Secondly, they are also used as weapons to clear the road and protect the car. Most importantly, they can ward off all evil spirits and ward off all evils. invade."
"Because the copper nail at the end of the rod is shining with gold, and it is inserted into the wheel hub when clamping the car, the spoke rod got another name, called the golden hub reel rod."
"The old man also said that those personal guards holding golden hubs and reels and accompanying the king's chariots were called the 'Jiahub Team'. They used to be under the jurisdiction of the Gouchen Academy, but now they are under the control of Luan Yi Supervisor under the Chiyousi of the Demon-Suppressing Academy. "
Qi Jingzhi was very excited when he heard it, and couldn't help but wonder: "Is it possible that the seven of you are actually the Golden Hub Reel Stick who came from Luan Yiyuan? This is really disrespectful!"
As he spoke, he reached out a hand to his waist as if unintentionally, and shook Gou Chen Yuan's gold medal.
Fu Da was immediately attracted by Qi Jingzhi's action. His eyes fell on the gold medal, but his expression did not change at all. He was obviously illiterate.
The little elf looked away and said a little dejectedly: "No matter whether it is the Gouchen Academy or the Demon Suppressing Academy, if we have such a good life, we will not be abandoned under the Xiema Bridge... Now that even the copper nails on our bodies are rusted, how can we still have the nerve to call ourselves the golden hub and reel?"
"Grandpa said, although the seven of us are also spoke rods, they are not the ceremonial guards of the country. They should be imitations of some wealthy family in the past and hidden in the wheels for daily use, so that the servants can easily take them when attacked. .”
Seeing the seven little goblins pity themselves and their life experiences, with their eyebrows drooping and their eyes a bit shy, Qi Jingzhi couldn't help but burst into laughter.
He had previously wondered why the hardwood wheel never became a spirit, but instead the seven remaining spokes on it each developed a spirit. It turns out that there is such an object as a spoke rod in the world.
This object was originally derived from a wheel, and was considered a tool when used to clamp a cart. However, it was included in the ceremonial guard of the country and was controlled by the so-called clamping team guards. It has the functions of both a ritual tool and a weapon. It can be said that one stick has multiple uses. .
As for why the wheel hidden by the seven brothers of the spoke family fell under the bridge, and why only seven of the original thirty spokes were left, this was before they became spirits. I don’t know how many years have passed now, I’m afraid it has already It is difficult to verify.
Thinking of this, Qi Jingzhi couldn't help but nod and smile: "I once saw the water and fire sticks used by Yin Zai in the City God's Yin Division. They are best at dealing with undead and the like. Since your seven golden hub reel sticks can clear the road and protect the car, Speaking of which, I think it has some restraint effect on those road gods and road ghosts, so you can follow me in and learn more."
Hearing this, the spokes immediately put down the brothers in their hands, and the seven spokes all took on the shape of children, and obediently moved out of the way and lined up on both sides.
"Please move out of the way." Qi Jingzhi raised his head and spoke in a very gentle tone.
The old monster had been listening silently for a long time. At this moment, he finally reacted quickly, or maybe he had been afraid for a long time. Seeing that the Deer Demon was about to enter the resting place, he hurriedly retracted his long white beard and exposed it. The entrance to Xiemazhan.
Qi Jingzhi nodded gently towards it, stuffed Ban Ban into his arms, and rode Ban Nu straight in.
He acts in such a high-profile manner, not because he is conceited and underestimates the monster on the Meizhou Road. In fact, the so-called black road gods and white road gods he has encountered recently are too weak. The road god monster who came to feast with him tonight is a The quality can be seen, but the ignorant Daochenghuang is worthy of careful attention.
What's more, now that his mind has manifested, his realm alone is no weaker than that of Xin Changji, the evil-warming captain of Chaozhou.
According to Qian Xiaoren, the evil-dispelling captain was still above the demon-suppressing captains of all counties, and he was the first person under the demon-suppressing general in a state. This is certainly helped by Xin Changji's family background, but it also shows that among the younger generation, in local counties and even within a state, the manifestation of the second state of mind is already very good.
With this kind of cultivation, you should be cautious, but you don't have to be timid.
The main hall of the inn looked pitch black from the outside, and there was no sound. When Ban Nu stepped across the threshold, dim candlelight suddenly lit up in front of Qi Jingzhi's eyes.
At this moment, most of the tables in the hall were empty, except for a small square table in the northwest corner that was full. The lamps on the table glowed with green flames, like ghostly phosphorous fire.
Under the faint green light, I saw a strange-looking robe on each side of the small square table. It was obviously empty, but it stood up out of thin air, sitting upright like a human being.
Qi Jingzhi could see clearly that these robes were a gloomy green robe, a red wedding dress with black blood stains on the collar, a wet fur-collared coat with dripping water, and a red wedding gown with a black blood stain on the collar. Prison uniforms that smell of rotting flesh.
When these four strange robes heard the movement, they turned around and looked at the door with non-existent eyes.
After seeing Qi Jingzhi's face clearly and faintly sensing the unkind aura on the young man, they quickly moved their "eyes" away and resumed their original sitting posture.
Pushing the wheel, Xi Da led the six brothers and walked in right behind Bannu.
Although they tried hard to pose as guards, they were so short and thin that they lost all their momentum. They seemed to be following the elders of the family to eat.
Seeing Qi Jingzhi looking at the robes in the corner, Fu Da quickly walked closer and introduced them softly: "My lord, those are the clothes of the dead from the nearby mountains."
"Clothes are a close-fitting object. Once the owner dies, it is very easy to be obsessed with and weakened, and become the support of evil spirits and resentful ghosts."
"These clothes of the deceased are of little value and can only be used by strangers to wear them. They are worse than the seven of us brothers. If my benefactor finds them an eyesore, we will beat them out with sticks!"
Fuda paused and said confidently: "No matter what kind of clothes they are, they will inevitably be taken to the river by the mothers-in-law and beaten repeatedly with laundry sticks. Now that they meet our brothers, they will only be beaten." Son!"
Qi Jingzhi lowered his head and saw that the seven spoke boys were all eager to try. He knew that they must have been trapped in the stream for many years, always watching people beating their robes. Now that they were freed, they saw these dead clothes. I couldn't help but want to try it myself.
Thinking of this, the young man couldn't help but laugh and said: "You guys, who have a background as a road guard, may have some restraint on the road gods and ghosts, which will inevitably make people jealous."
"What's more, your brothers are born with such a temperament. Once they were freed, they immediately wanted to be tyrannical. It's no wonder that they were suppressed under the stone bridge for many years and no one was willing to rescue them."
(End of chapter)
