Pawn Crossing the River

Qi Xuansu asked: "Zixian Mountain? Serial murder case?"

"Yes." The eighth day Yang nodded and said, "It has happened twelve times in a row, and only one person survived by chance. That's all. The key is that the murderer has no intention of stopping yet, and continues to kill people alive under our noses. It’s a slap in the face, so I have no choice but to order Shimen County to be temporarily sealed off and investigate one by one.”

Qi Xuansu asked: "How are you sure this is a serial murder case?"

The eighth day Yangdao said: "Because the deceased all have one thing in common, which is related to Zixian Mountain, or to the 'Tianle Taoyuan'."

Qi Xuansu said curiously: "Since it involves the 'Tianle Taoyuan', then the Taoist sect should take the initiative. Tiangang Hall, Beichen Hall, and the local Taoist government can all intervene in this matter. There are many alchemists in the Taoist sect, whether it is looking back to the place Qi, divination, or even psychics, it shouldn't be difficult to solve the case. Why did it come to you? "

Tianyang smiled bitterly on the eighth day: "These people are only related to 'Tianle Taoyuan', but they are not registered Taoist priests in 'Tianle Taoyuan'. As far as Zixian Mountain is concerned, as long as the person who died is not a registered Taoist priest or spiritual official, then They can all be suppressed, so Zixianshan did not want to come forward and pushed the case to us. As you know, the Qingluan Guards today are not as powerful as they were back then. They have no voice in the court and their main focus is on the local affairs. In terms of cracking down on bandits, the pro-military governor's office means that not only must they take on this case, but they must also solve it within a time limit, and we are under great pressure. "

Qi Xuansu said thoughtfully: "I understand. Since the victim is not a Taoist priest from Zixian Mountain, is he?"

The eighth day raised his head and said: "Yes, they are all people who are trying to make a living in the 'Tianle Taoyuan'."

"This is a bit euphemistic." Qi Xuansu glanced at Liu Hu, who was confused, "I remember that the Taoist sect has corresponding rules in this regard."

Tianyang sighed on the eighth day: "The bad thing is this rule. Before Xuansheng Zhongxing Taoist Gate, Zixian Mountain regarded these people as their own private property. If this happened, it would be equivalent to ruining people's wealth, and Zixian Mountain would naturally not But after Xuan Sheng set the new rules, Zixian Mountain can no longer imprison these people's freedom, but according to Zixian Mountain, you can do it for me. Live, I give you money, it is a cooperative relationship, not a subordinate relationship, the money and goods are both paid, and we don’t care about anything else. If Zixianshan refuses to come forward, we can’t notify Tiangang Hall or Beichen Hall, it is against the rules.”

Qi Xuansu didn't know how to evaluate it. Both the Taoist sect and the imperial court had their own shortcomings, which could not be explained clearly in a few words.

"Most of the people who make a living in Zixian Mountain have some savings. Is it because they want to make money?" Qi Xuansu returned to the case itself and did not go too far. He originally wanted to ask the Eighth Day to be accommodating and let them go, but now it seems that he has to help the Eighth Day to solve the case first.

"No." The eighth day Yang shook his head and said, "We have carefully investigated and found that the property of the victims is intact. There are a few green-skinned scoundrels who made money from the death, but they have nothing to do with the murderer."

Qi Xuansu pondered for a moment: "You said there is another survivor. Where is he?"

Tianyang replied on the eighth day: "This is a pure shepherd, the kind who performs arts without selling herself. She is famous for her singing. There are several lyricists who write lyrics specifically for her. If you want to listen to her song in normal times, don't say anything. She wants ten peace coins. Because of this, Zixian Mountain attaches great importance to her and arranged guards to prevent the murderer from succeeding. Now she has been protected by Zixian Mountain. "

Qi Xuansu asked: "Can I see her?"

On the eighth day, Yang sighed again: "There are some difficulties. The attitude of the Taoist priest in charge of Zixian Mountain is very bad, but other people are still easy to talk to, as long as they have peace money."

Qi Xuansu was not surprised. The forest was big and there were all kinds of birds. Among the Taoists there were Zhang Yuelu and Li Tianzhen. Those Taoist priests who are clean and self-sufficient are not unavailable, but they will not be assigned to Zixian Mountain. However, Zixianshan's attitude is indeed a bit suspicious. I wonder if it has something to do with this matter.

Tian Yang added on the eighth day: "And this Qingguo is not unscathed. He is still unconscious."

"I want to meet this Qingguo man." Qi Xuansu said thoughtfully.

On the eighth day, Yang thought for a while, nodded and said, "Okay."

Then he looked at Liuhu again and hesitated to speak.

Qi Xuansu said: "Let her follow. My niece has a good family background and is already at the Kunlun stage of cultivation at a young age. She may not be able to help, but it will not be a hindrance."

Tian Yang nodded on the eighth day and no longer had any objections.

The three of them left the Qingluan Guard's stronghold and headed for Zixian Mountain.

Zixian Mountain is just outside the city of Shimen County. After leaving the county, it is about ten miles away and enters the scope of Zixian Mountain. In the past, Zixian Mountain tried to be hidden, but now it does business openly, so the entrance to the mountain is very conspicuous. Not only is it paved A neat mountain road leads directly to the foot of the mountain, and an archway was built with four golden characters "Tian Le Taoyuan" written on it, for fear that others would not find it.

At first glance, the entrance looks like a cave, but the roads, walls, and domes inside have been carefully polished and smoothed. There are even various murals and inlaid luminous pearls. A red lantern hangs above. At a glance, it looks like a fire dragon. No end in sight. There are eight entrances like this in total, which means welcoming guests from all directions with a smile.

There is a gatekeeper of Zixian Mountain here, who obviously recognizes the Eighth Heaven Yang and lets him go happily.

After passing through this long passage, you entered the interior of Zixian Mountain and came to the famous "Tianle Taoyuan".

Qi Xuansu had only heard about the famous name for a long time in the past, but this was the first time he came to the interior of "Tianle Taoyuan". As the saying goes, a sight is worse than a hundred hearings, and Qi Xuansu was greatly shocked.

Because it is located inside the mountain, there are countless hanging lanterns and candles here regardless of day or night. Looking around, there are pavilions on top of pavilions and corridors connected with corridors. They are all brightly lit. Looking around, they are all red. No wonder it is known as For the city without sun and the city that never sleeps.

The dome above was pitch black, and some unknown means were used to create a star-filled sky.

There are countless pavilions built on the mountain wall facing north and south, layer by layer, stacked together and connected into one piece. At first glance, it looks like a huge pavilion with thousands of golden lamps. The small pavilion is like the window of the huge pavilion, extending into the "starry sky" above. Only a few lights are swaying at the highest point, like a fairy palace in the sky. .

"That is the famous 'Qiong Tower'. The highest point was originally the residence of the Purple Immortal King. After the Taoist sect took over this place, there was no longer the Purple Immortal King. The Taoist priest in charge did not dare to use it privately, so it was completely vacant. But to the outside world If it is open, the rent for one day will be 2,000 Taiping," said Yang Dao on the eighth day.

As for what the other pavilions were for, Qi Xuansu could guess it without the eighth day's explanation. However, because Liu Hu was nearby, the two men did not talk in depth.

This was the first time Liu Hu saw such a scene. He couldn't help but open his mouth slightly and was speechless.

Below Qiong Tower is a small city with various pavilions lined up like a chessboard. At this time, the three of them were sitting on a street, and there were also big red lanterns hanging high. As far as the eye could see, there was a deep red color, and there was a bit of ambiguity in the darkness. However, it is still quite far away from "Qiong Tower".

On the eighth day, Yang continued: "The steward is not in the 'Qiong Tower' because he cannot receive guests. He is not far away. Come with me."

Under the leadership of the eighth day, the three of them came to a two-story building also hung with white lanterns. The white lanterns are incompatible with the dark red surroundings.

On the eighth day, Yang pushed the door open and walked in. The smell of medicine hit his face.

Qi Xuansu immediately understood where this place was.

Medical clinic.

On the eighth day, Yang Yang was obviously not here for the first time. He was familiar with the roads, and the people at the medical center also recognized him.

After a while, a white-haired old man came out and saluted respectfully: "Master Qianhu." At the same time, he turned his attention to Qi Xuansu and Liu Hu. In fact, he didn't think much of it if it was only Qi Xuansu, but with this person For a half-grown girl, this is very strange.

On the eighth day, Yang said calmly: "This is my colleague. He happened to be passing by here, so he was just wearing casual clothes."

The Qingluan Guards and the men in black are loyal to His Majesty the Emperor, and there is no problem in saying that they are colleagues.

The old man didn't say much.

Female Qingluan Guards are rare, but not unheard of. Women have a natural advantage in gathering intelligence and assassinating people, just like men have an advantage in frontal combat.

"Is Miss Qingyin still awake?" Tianyang asked casually on the eighth day.

The old man shook his head.

On the eighth day, Yang took out a small purse and said, "Take us to see Miss Qingyin."

The old man took the money bag silently and led the way.

This Qingyin girl was placed in a separate room on the second floor, with a special guard at the door, but she had obviously been bribed and there was no way to stop her.

There was a large bed in the room, and lying on it was a woman wearing only a white middle coat, with gauze wrapped around her head, her eyes closed, and she was unconscious.

Qi Xuansu walked to the side and looked at the injury carefully without saying anything.

The old man said: "Fortunately, Qingyin girl was only affected by the aftermath of the fight. Unfortunately, Qingyin girl was hit on the back of her head and suffered intracranial bleeding."

Qi Xuansu sighed softly: "In this case, it will be difficult for Miss Qingyin to survive."

The old man said: "Of course ordinary medical skills cannot be used, but Huashengtang can save the life of Qingyin girl. However, Qingyin girl has no cultivation and is weak in body. Many methods cannot be used. Huashengtang can only do this. As for Qingyin girl, she is weak and unable to use many methods. Only God knows when Qingyin will wake up. Besides, I don’t know how much patience the Taoist priest in charge has left. If Qingyin is kicked out, I’m afraid she won’t survive for a few days.”

Qi Xuansu knew how powerful Huashengtang was. He was alive today thanks to Huashengtang.

He asked: "Since it was affected, it means that the guard at the time had a head-on confrontation with the murderer. Where is the guard?"

"Dead." Eighth Tianyang took over and said, "The body is also in 'Tianle Taoyuan', do you want to see it?"

"Okay." Qi Xuansu nodded.