Pawn Crossing the River

Qi Xuansu and Zhang Yuelu came to Yong'an Palace, showed their ultimatums, went through the relevant procedures, and checked in smoothly.

The interior of the Taoist gate is naturally divided into different levels. Zhang Yuelu lives in the upper room of the Taoist Priest of the Fourth Grade Wine Festival. Although it is not a single-family courtyard, it has a living room, study room, and bedrooms. Qi Xuansu could only enjoy the treatment of a seventh-grade Taoist priest, and had only one bedroom. The bedroom was equipped with a table and a chair for writing.

Seeing that it was still early, Qi Xuansu went to Zhang Yuelu's residence. The Taoist priests of Yong'an Palace knew that the two were traveling together. Although the arrangements for them were different, their residences were not far apart.

Zhang Yuelu was still awake and was reading in the study. When he heard Qi Xuansu knocking on the door, he stood up and opened the door to let him in.

Earlier, before going to the Western Regions, Qi Xuansu thought it was not good for a man and a woman to live together in the same room late at night, but now it is very casual.

Qi Xuansu sat down on the chair opposite the desk in a grand manner and glanced at the cover of the book that was upside down on the desk: "Is the Demon...Tao...Sword Sect the latest novel?"

"It's not a recent storybook, it's an old book from last year." Zhang Yuelu said, "I bought it for a long time, but I never had time to read it, so I left it in the Xumiwu to eat ashes. It probably talked about a sword cultivator. The story of a great master who fell into the devil’s path because of a witch.”

Qi Xuansu asked: "What kind of sword cultivation is it?"

"Probably a kind of person who only uses a sword and can always fight across borders. The day after tomorrow kills the innate, the innate kills the heavenly beings, and the heavenly beings kill the immortals." Zhang Yuelu explained.

Qi Xuansu asked again: "Are there any sword cultivators, spear cultivators, or fire gun cultivators?"

"No." Zhang Yuelu rolled his eyes at him.

Qi Xuansu said: "If there is, I will become a fire gun cultivator. A gun can burn for dozens of miles, which is more domineering than a flying sword that can kill people for thousands of miles."

"Just be your Sanren with peace of mind." Zhang Yuelu said with a smile.

Qi Xuansu stopped joking and suggested: "Since I have nothing to do and I won't sleep for the time being, let's play two cards."

Zhang Yuelu put away the script, took out the Xuansheng tablet from the Xumi object, placed it on the desk, and spread it into a fan shape: "Do you want a lottery ticket?"

"A piece of peace money." Qi Xuansu now feels quite wealthy.

"Okay." Zhang Yuelu drew out a set of Ancient Immortal Cards.

For the sake of safety, Qi Xuansu chose the Taoist card.

The two of them had just played three games, and Qi Xuansu made a small fortune by relying on the door signs, when he heard someone knocking on the door outside.

Qi Xuansu stood up and went to open the door. The person outside was the director of Yong'an Palace who arranged for the two to move in. When he saw Qi Xuansu, he was startled for a moment. After seeing the Xuansheng card on the table, he immediately understood: "You two also like it." Xuan Sheng Pai, the long night is indeed a good thing to pass the time. "

Xuansheng tiles are almost only popular within Taoist sects. Outside Taoist sects, they are also popular in Go, chess, and leaf tiles.

Qi Xuansu asked: "Master Tang, is there something wrong?"

This Tang chief official was named Tang Yongde, and he was from the Tang family in Sichuan.

Tang Yongde slapped his forehead: "There is something, of course there is something. Since Deacon Qi is also here, it would be great. There is something that requires the help of Deputy Hall Master Zhang and Deacon Qi."

"What's going on?" Zhang Yuelu asked as he stood up.

Tang Yongde said: "A murder case just happened. I suspect that it was a demon from a secret society who committed the crime. It just so happens that both of you are from Tiangang Hall. You should be very experienced in dealing with these demons, so I take the liberty to ask you to help solve the case."

Zhang Yuelu looked a little solemn, put away the Xuansheng cards on the table, and said directly: "Take us to the scene."

Tang Yongde responded and walked in front. Zhang Yuelu and Qi Xuansu each picked up their cloaks and followed behind.

The place where the murder occurred was not in Yong'an Palace. It's no wonder that Zhang Yuelu didn't notice anything unusual. The three of them left Yong'an Palace and boarded a carriage.

On the way to the crime scene, Zhang Yuelu asked about the case: "When did this case happen?"

Tang Yongde replied: "It happened to be Youshizheng when the body was found."

There are twelve hours in a day: Zi, Chou, Yin, Mao, Chen, Si, Wu, Wei, Shen, You, Xu and Hai.

According to the timekeeping method of the Western Continent, two hours constitute one hour. Zi hour corresponds to twenty-three to one o'clock, Chou hour corresponds to one to three o'clock, and so on, and Unitary hour corresponds to seventeen to nineteen o'clock.

In the past, the twelve hours were subdivided into hundreds of quarters, and each hour was divided into eight quarters, for a total of ninety-six quarters, with four quarters remaining. Divide these four quarters into two hundred and forty, and each hour is divided into twenty small quarters.

Therefore, there are eight major moments and two small moments in an hour, which are: the four major moments in the first half of the hour: the first, first, second and third day of the lunar month, and the small moment: the fourth day of the lunar month. The four major engravings in the second half are: positive, positive one, positive two, positive three, and the small engravings: positive four.

According to Western Continent timing, each quarter is fourteen minutes and twenty-four seconds.

However, because the one-hundred-quarter timing is too cumbersome, Taoism has now been simplified to ninety-six quarters, each quarter is fifteen minutes, minus the small quarters, and each hour is eight quarters, that is, the first, first, second, third, and right , positive one, positive two, end.

Youshizheng is exactly 18 o'clock.

Zhang Yuelu opened his pocket watch and took a look. Tianjitang's pocket watch was naturally the Eastern style of twelve hours and ninety-six quarters, not the Western style of twenty-four hours.

It's the end of Youshi now, and nearly half an hour has passed. However, it only took less than half an hour from discovering the deceased to seeking help from the two of them, which cannot be said to be a delay.

Zhang Yuelu asked again: "What is the identity of the deceased?"

"His name is Mason. He is not a member of our Taoist sect, but a merchant who has been traveling to Baidi City for many years. He has a close relationship with the Taoist sect." Tang Yongde said after considering it.

Qi Xuansu patted his forehead and said softly: "Shibotang and merchants, are they related to Taiping money or some kind of bulk goods?"

Tang Yongde smiled bitterly but did not refute. Obviously he also had such a guess. After all, when money was involved, there were too many motives for killing.

Zhang Yuelu asked again: "Who are the people involved in this matter?"

Tang Yongde replied: "In addition to our two deacons from Yong'an Palace, there are some other merchants, including Mason's fellow villagers and some old friends."

At this point, Tang Yongde became hesitant: "Deputy Hall Master Zhang should know that these businessmen are not from our Taoist sect and do not have so many rules and regulations, so they want to have some fun at night. There happens to be a courtyard in the city..."

The so-called brothel is a place of romance, but it is different from ordinary brothel hooks and other fireworks places. The brothel generally occupies a large area, almost the same as the mansions of officials and wealthy businessmen. It has a special cave inside, with deep courtyards, quiet and elegant, women Most of them are beautiful, there are many oiran figures, and there are also courtesans who are proficient in writing and music. In addition to a group of prostitutes and women, there are also musicians, tailors, craftsmen, and servants, making people stay at home without leaving the house. It has everything you need, so many wealthy young men linger in it, and even lose all their family property.

The interior of the hotel is divided into countless small single-family courtyards. Many powerful people will comb their hair here and book a small single-family courtyard. This is not all for the enjoyment of women, but it is a way to get some peace and quiet from the world.

Zhang Yuelu, who was born in Beichen Hall, subconsciously asked: "Since we are going to the academy to have fun, what are the two Taoist deacons doing?"

Tang Yongde hesitated and didn't speak for a long time.

Seeing this situation, Zhang Yuelu didn't understand anything, but now was not the time to pursue this matter, so he said: "If a person died in the courtyard, how can he determine that he died at the hands of a demon?"

Tang Yongde was a little embarrassed and hesitantly said: "Because, because, this wealthy businessman was missing when... he did that thing."

Before Zhang Yuelu could react, Qi Xuansu blurted out: "Is the wind coming soon?"

Tang Yongde nodded.

The so-called "immediate wind" is also called "sudden death during sexual intercourse" and "abortion syndrome".

"Fangzhongshu" said: "Things in the room can prolong life, and can also kill people. For example, water and fire, if you know its use, you can maintain your health, but if you don't know its use, you will die immediately. When a woman is menstruating, The disease is most likely to be caused by walking in the water. Both men and women can get it, but it is more common in men. The wind is blowing when the horse is riding, and the wind is fatal. "

Zhang Yuelu's face was a little stiff.

Tang Yongde said: "This disease is mostly caused by sexual intercourse, excessive sexual indulgence, Qi and Yang deficiency, and untimely treatment, which can lead to death. However, this wealthy businessman has been busy with business recently and has not been with women for more than a month. He is also physically strong and has acquired talents. His cultivation of Baodan is not related to sexual immorality, excessive sexual indulgence, and Qi and Yang deficiency, so it seems strange. "

Qi Xuansu nodded and fell into deep thought.

The carriage slowly stopped. The courtyard that Tang Yongde mentioned was not far or near from Yong'an Palace. It was located in the southwest corner of Baidi City. Although it was impossible to see the whole picture in the night, it was illuminated by a continuous swath of red lights. It covered half of the night sky, and Qi Xuansu was surprised. No wonder it was called "Xingyuan". Sure enough, it was not comparable to an ordinary brothel with only one main building. It was basically a converted mansion.

Under the guidance of Tang Yongde, the three of them did not go through the main entrance, but entered the courtyard through a side door - firstly, in order not to attract attention, and secondly, this door was closest to the crime scene.

The three of them walked through the corridor and passed the hall, and after many twists and turns, they came to a single-family courtyard.

As soon as I entered the door, I was greeted by sparse flowers and trees, green grass and trees, and a quiet atmosphere. There was no trace of fireworks at all, but it was more like a secluded residence of a celebrity.

This was Qi Xuansu's first time here, and he couldn't help but secretly marveled at how this was a fireworks venue.

However, at this time, there were already many spiritual officials standing in the courtyard, all of them wearing armor and armed with weapons, sealing off the place. No one was allowed to enter or leave at will without Tang Yongde's permission.

Seeing the three people coming in, the spiritual officials saluted one after another.

Tang Yongde explained: "Baidi City is not under the jurisdiction of the imperial court, so there are no Qingluan guards, only the spiritual officers of our Taoist sect."

Zhang Yuelu nodded and walked towards the main hall.

The main hall was brightly lit and warm as spring. Qi Xuansu saw at a glance that in addition to a few Taoist priests wearing crane cloaks, there were more than a dozen men dressed as wealthy businessmen.