Xiaoxiang Palace.
Wei Shuang was tied to the stone platform, surrounded by darkness, and he couldn't see his fingers.
Wow!
Suddenly, green torches illuminated the palace.
Da da da……
The sound of footsteps came, and Wu Ji slowly walked over holding a black jar the size of a human head.
When he came to Wei Shuang, a centipede crawled out from the black altar. Wu Ji pried open his mouth and the centipede entered his mouth.
After a long time, Wei Shuang suddenly opened his eyes, a terrifying black light flashed in his eyes, and then returned to normal.
After that, the king of Jing State returned and just stabilized the situation.
To the north, further north is Chongguo.
Chongguo is a large country in the west, responsible for monitoring the countries in the west and southwest. It was granted the power of priest by the King of Shang to monitor the four directions for the emperor of heaven to attack the unruly ministers.
There is a small green city in the south of Chongguo. The city is made of wood and covered with moss. Flower tree people live here. There is a sea of flowers everywhere in the city, and there are also flower fairies in the form of flowers. Flowers are clothes and bright colors are makeup. Full of exotic charm.
In the back garden, water flows.
A young man wearing a gold crown, a velvet white robe, and bare feet was soaking in a hot spring, with seven maids serving him.
This man was two meters tall, with very graceful muscle lines, sharp eyebrows and starry eyes, and a facial profile as sharp as a knife or an axe.
A woman knelt beside the hot spring and whispered something into his ear.
This man's name is Zi Shou, the youngest son of the Shang King. He is the most gifted member of the royal family for thousands of years. Legend has it that he can communicate with God and attract ancient gods and men to assist him, that is, the emperor's ministers.
I came to Chongguo today to inspect the territories of the princes on behalf of my father, to explore the status of the princes, and to prepare for my future accession to the throne.
Zishou was very ambitious and would not be satisfied with the small Heluo territory.
Since ancient times, the three regions of Heluo, Jianghan and Haidai have been incompatible with each other. Zishou's dream is to unify them all, not necessarily into the country, as long as they admire the culture of Shang and believe in the gods of Shang. Just follow the business rules.
In this way, there will be no more disputes in the world.
"The Kingdom of Chu...Zhuanxu, after Gaoyang, believed in Zhurong Xuanniao and was the underground master of witches and ghosts..." After listening to the maid's story, Zishou was quite interested.
This country's rise is not very fast, and it is an old country that is six to seven hundred years old, but every step is taken steadily and the foundation is very solid.
Generally, you don't do it, but once you do it, you will get great benefits.
Judging from the sacrificial culture and customs, it has nothing to do with Dashang.
"It's very dangerous. This country is very dangerous."
This was the first impression in Zi Shou's mind.
If he were the king, he would be strangled by the coalition of priests from all sides as soon as possible.
But now it is no longer possible. In terms of threat level, Dongyi is much greater than Chu. Compared with Dongyi, Chu is insignificant.
"You go and report to Uncle Chong that I want to see the King of Chu."
Zi Shou's first thought was to recruit people for peace. It would be best if the Chu State surrendered. If you are unwilling to surrender, you can only raise troops to attack.
…
Mojiang.
The river is calm and the sun is warm.
"Woo!"
The boatman sang a song loudly, and water birds flew around him. Sometimes he rushed into the water and took out a fat fish.
Under the water, there is a pale palace.
The palace is not big, with a three-story stilted building style. Its skeleton, wall panels, and pillars are made of a pale bone, which is a dragon bone.
A palace made of dragon bones, this is the dragon bone cave.
There is no water flow within a hundred feet of the cave, and it is isolated by a mysterious force. It looks like an upside-down jade bowl under the water.
There are two women sitting on the stone seats outside the cave. One is more mature, with a plump figure and a phoenix pattern between her eyebrows. The other woman is younger and thin.
There was a crackling sound of burning flames in the hall.
The cave has no door, and through the door, you can see a man making elixirs with a jade cauldron.
I don’t know how long I have been practicing, but bird-like smoke came out of the alchemy cauldron.
boom!
The lid was opened, and three Zixuan Pills flew out. Tang Ping, with quick eyes and quick hands, used the jade bottle to include them.
The two sisters were very surprised when they saw it. Xiao Ming said: "The alchemy skills are so high. Could it be that he inherited the secret method of Huozheng from his father?"
The most basic characteristic of the alchemists employed by the Emperor of Heaven is to refine elixirs without side effects, which represents the purity and exquisiteness of their craftsmanship. Alchemists with side effects are not qualified to join the Huozheng organization.
Otherwise, it would be a loss of majesty to have a strange-looking Emperor of Heaven.
Tang Ping put away the utensils and walked out slowly.
Zi Xuan Dan can still use up this realm.
Once you reach the next level, you will need new elixirs.
"When can we go out?" Candlelight couldn't help but ask.
During this period of time, they have been locked in the cave and are not allowed to leave.
Tang Ping glared at her and said, "I will lock you up for a period of time first. How many people have you instigated Wei Shuang to harm over the years? Do you feel guilty in your heart?"
Xiao Ming stood up, turned sideways, faced Tang Ping, and said with some confusion: "Are you deliberately making things difficult, or are you doing it on purpose? For the sake of mere mortals, you want to lock us up for a period of time?"
This is something very incredible.
Tang Ping was also a little speechless. He didn't know what to say about them. This kind of people's bloodline is really strong and they are born with magical powers. They are different from those who cultivated the day after tomorrow. The people who cultivated the day after tomorrow can refute it by saying that you were not a mortal before.
It is indeed difficult to convince a little fairy like this.
"All things have spirits, and no one has the right to take away their lives, including you. You think you are powerful and can take away the lives of others at will. In the same way, can I deal with you at will?"
"It's a one-on-one challenge! What's the point of playing these sorcery tricks!" Zhu Guang was unconvinced.
Tang Ping glanced at this guy lightly: "I'm not interested. Also, I will add another ten years to my detention time."
"you!"
"Twenty years!"
"There is a kind..."
"Forty years!"
When Zhu Guang wanted to say something else, Xiao Ming directly stopped her sister, shutting her up first, and then said to Tang Ping: "I hope you won't regret it."
"Don't worry, even if Shun cheats, you will have to serve a hundred years in prison. Also, I am a man of his word. After I leave the prison, I will plan to get the candle for you."
After that, when Tang Ping saw that the two women were about to quarrel with him again, he returned to the cave and closed the door. No matter how loud the candlelight screamed, he didn't respond.
Returning to the cave, he opened the notice and read the information on it carefully.
Most of the techniques of the underworld contract are no longer moving, perhaps because they have not accumulated enough to open a new underworld contract.
Or maybe the underground master's realm is not too high, so he is unable to comprehend higher secrets. All in all, Tang Ping felt that except for the new Ming Contract, it would take a long time to awaken the new skills.
It's easy to learn new techniques. You can find them from the Jianxia Ghost Market and spend money to buy Haidai's secret techniques. I've been busy before, so I didn't have the chance to learn new things. There is a more convenient way, which is to ask for it from the two sisters.
But after Tang Ping thought about it, he decided not to ask for it. What if these two people were vicious and deliberately gave him the wrong technique? What I'm most afraid of is getting fake ones in key places, which would be a bit doomed.
"I will examine you for a hundred years before we talk." Tang Ping thought to himself.
If it cannot be reformed, the only option is to kill.
One hundred years is enough time for the water snakes in the Xiangshui Cave to absorb more water caves, and even control the entire Xiangshui.
And over at Mingzhu Shrine, Tang Ping always felt that he was going to get ahead.
Tang Ping returned to Mingzhu Palace. There were a lot more people here, and it seemed that some masters from the tribe had been attracted.
Nan Luhua commanded the major deacons.
"The rents from merchants and stalls in the ghost market must be collected in full. Don't disturb them after collecting them, so as not to cause trouble. Of course, the most important thing is not to miss the rent collection. If someone comes to cause trouble, stop it as soon as possible and report it if you can't. .”
"yes!"
Nanluhua manages the ghost market in an orderly manner. As the most valued descendant of Nanlu King and the descendant who is about to break through to Qi refining, he has also participated in the management early.
Seeing Tang Ping coming over, Nan Luhua smiled and said, "Senior, have you gone to help the Chu Kingdom?"
"No, I don't have this ability. I'm just refining elixirs in seclusion." Tang Ping handed the bottle containing Zi Xuan Dan to this person.
After the two exchanged pleasantries, Tang Ping returned to Qunyu Mountain.
Tang Ping's current attitude toward the two men is not to mess with them. One of them is about to die, and he wants to make a quick breakthrough before death. It is estimated that this is not a good mentality. It will be bad if this old guy jumps over the wall in a hurry.
From the Wei Shuang incident, we can see the viciousness and cruelty of this person's heart. Whoever provokes will suffer.
It's better to go back and concentrate on practice, and realize the secret knowledge as soon as possible.
half year later.
Xiangshui Cave Mansion.
The water snake at the top of the cave suddenly glowed with white light.
Tang Ping's notice flew out automatically, with an extra line of information on it.
[Xiangshui Deed·Breaking Curse] Transform water into dragon (1/800)
There is another spell. This method can transform the essence of water flow into various types of dragons. It is a bit like the spell the two sisters used last time. It is equivalent to a spell to summon temporary Taoist soldiers. It is quite useful.
Moreover, as a spell born from a dark contract, after perfecting the practice, one can increase one's lifespan, usually to fifty years.
Regardless of whether it is useful or not, just practice it.
Qunyushan became quiet again.
The Chu State at the foot of the mountain has also entered a new round of renovation period.
Hundreds of years of development have already allowed the population of Chu to exceed 60 million.
This sudden acquisition of such a large territory needs to be digested.
At the same time, Dashang's envoy came to Danyang riding a black bird.
The messenger was dressed in black, wearing an ancient high crown, with a green face and shining eyes.
The moment it landed, the black bird transformed into a swallow jade pendant and hung on the messenger's waist.
The guard guarding Danyang saw that this was Dashang's totem, and quickly stopped his men who were drawing swords to defend themselves, and stepped forward and asked, "Who is your Excellency?"
"The envoy of the Crown Prince of Shang came to Danyang to ask for an audience with the leader of Chu."
The envoy only mentioned the leader but not the king's title, which made the guard furious, but when he thought that the other party was the envoy, he was relieved. Let the king and others handle the matter of the title.
"Hold on!"
The guard sent someone in to report. After a while, soldiers came on horseback.
"The palace invites you."
Under the leadership of the palace attendants, the envoy entered Danyang City.
This big city with a population of one million is more prosperous than he imagined. Crowds of people can be seen everywhere, sweating like rain.
Not only are there many people, but the clothes are also relatively neat, so they should have the habit of cleaning themselves up frequently.
The envoy coming from Chaoge was naturally not shocked by the prosperity for long. What really shocked him was that this place did not look like a barbarian.
If it were a country with a unique civilization like Haidai and Western Zhou, then he could turn around and go back now.
There is no need to make peace, just ask the king to send troops to kill.
"No, there are still signs of barbarians." The messenger asked the attendant on the side, "Where are your slaves?"
"We have no slaves anymore. We are all Chinese and have our own fields."
"Then what were you before...?"
"We were savages before, and slaves before that..."
After hearing the attendant's words, the envoy subconsciously moved away.
Barbaric, indeed barbaric.
There were writings on the shops on both sides of the road. After the envoy inquired, he learned that it was quite easy to obtain knowledge in this place.
In addition to nobles and wizards, other ordinary people can also study at their own expense through apprenticeship.
"Barbaric, so barbaric that knowledge can be revealed casually."
The envoy immediately had a bad impression of this country, which was vulgar and uneducated.
Soon, they arrived at the palace.
The envoy's expression suddenly turned ugly and he said, "Is this your etiquette? Where is the cauldron? Where is the human sacrifice?"
It stands to reason that when the dynasty angels come over, they are not allowed to hold a grand ceremony, kill a few people at random, and offer the best parts for themselves to enjoy?
At this time, Yuan Chi came out from the side with a flattering smile on his face and said: "I'm really sorry. It's a small country with few people. I don't understand the etiquette of the superior country. I can only entertain you with fine wine and food."
"Who are you?"
"Shangqing Yuan Chi of the State of Chu!"
Under Yuan Chi's sharp tongue, the envoy's expression softened slightly and he followed the attendant into the palace.
Sitting in the main seat was King Xiong Ba of Chu. There was an old man beside Xiong Ba.
This is Xiong Ban, Xiong Ba's son and the current heir apparent.
Xiong Ba lived so long that even if he chose his youngest son as his heir, he would become an old man.
When the crown prince Xiong Yong died, he was replaced by his younger son Xiong Ban. Xiong Ban has been working until now, stabilizing the rear when he goes to war.
His personality is not as strong as that of his elder brother Xiong Yong, but he is relatively honest.
"Meet the leader!"
"Please sit down!"
Needless to say, there was no need to say much about the conversation that followed. After the politeness, there was bargaining. The envoy brought the idea of canonizing a baron. The King of Chu thought that a baron was a junior and the lowest was an earl.
After a final round of nonsense, both sides took a step back, ennobled the country of viscounts, and incorporated it into the Dayi merchant system. They were not subject to arbitrary attacks by other countries and could attack barbarians at will.
Of course, the more important thing is that they will sign a contract. As long as the Chu State stays safe, they will not conquer the Chu State in their next southern expedition, but will only teach those countries that collude with the Yuren a lesson.
"The canonization ceremony is in Chongguo Yin City. The Crown Prince is waiting here. It will not take effect until Chu Zi has gone."
After the messenger left, Xiong Ba was very excited.
His ability has finally reached a higher level and he has gained the attention of the mainstream.
Of course, he was not seeking refuge with them, but wanted to gain more benefits.
"Yuan Chi, if I want to be the uncle of Nanfang, what are the chances? It can't be lower, even a priest can do it."
"There is a big chance. The south is a place that is out of reach for the merchants of Dayi. It is more cost-effective to exchange an empty name for the allegiance of a middle power. However, the uncle is a bit difficult, and the priest can fight for it."
"Okay, the king will set off in person tomorrow!"
(End of chapter)
