Patriarch of Wanjiao

In the morning, it was just dawn.

Li Mo rode into the city on a green bull.

According to the rules, riding a horse in the capital requires [-] elders. Of course, this is only the standard for ordinary horses to enter the city.

If it is a second-class good horse, you need to pay 45 big sons.

The first-class horses are sixty big sons.

If it is a foreign horse from the Western Regions, you need to pay two hundred pieces.

At the foot of the emperor, the residence of the real dragon, even the cost of transportation is much more expensive than outside. In addition to entering and exiting, all horses need to register with the [Xinglu Department] and get a number plate.

If there is a festival, the number of horses on the road will be limited.

These rules are all determined by His Majesty Shenzong, so it is not easy to have a decent mount in the capital.

Fortunately, apart from horses, other mounts do not have such strict supervision.

Like riding a donkey into the city, you only need to pay fifteen big sons.

But riding a bull into the city only needs to pay five big coins, which is the money for two meat buns.

"My lord, how can you ride a bull in your identity?"

As soon as he arrived at the gate of Xuantian Pavilion, Li Mo ran into Chen Wangdu, who looked at Li Mo in surprise, and couldn't help showing a strange expression.

You know, Li Mo entered the Xuantian Pavilion as the leader of the new list, and was awarded the post of [Designer of the Capital] as soon as he entered the pavilion, with the official rank of twelve.

Today's Li Mo even sat on the position of [Hongmen Warlord Envoy], ranked tenth in the official rank.

With such an identity, it is absolutely possible to buy a good horse from the Western Regions.

In the horse market in Beijing, as long as you don't play blood circles, the average western region exotic horse only costs 6000 taels of silver.

Five or six thousand taels of silver may be an astronomical figure to ordinary people, but to Li Mo now, it seems to be nothing.

No matter how bad it is, with Li Mo's official position, he can still apply for a mount from the museum, and at the last time he can be assigned a second-class horse, and even the monthly fodder fee can be reimbursed.

"My lord, it's not that you are humble and presumptuous. Your current status is no small matter. How can such a beast deserve to bear such an honorable body like you?"

Chen Wangdu is worthy of being an old man in Xuantian Pavilion, and it makes people feel very comfortable to blame his boss.

While speaking, Chen Wangdu casually cast a sideways glance at the green bull, and the cold hair on his face seemed to be calling Li Mo worthless.

How could such a beast that devours soil and grazes be worthy of Li Mo's status.

moo...

At this moment, the green bull seemed to sense Chen Wangdu's disdain, it raised its head up and let out a dull cry.

"You bastard, are you still not convinced?" Chen Wangdu glared fiercely, and when he raised his hand, his brain collapsed.

The green bull's eyeballs were almost popping out, and the bloodshot eyes were filled with the shadow of Chen Wangdu. It seemed that if Li Mo hadn't been sitting on it, it would have eaten people.

"Okay, I have been clean and honest all my life, but I don't care about these..."

Li Mo waved his hand: "That's right, turn around and cash out the fodder fee, carriage and horse fee, and send it to my house..."

"This subordinate understands." Chen Wangdu understood, turned around and led the way.

"Old man, you wait for me."

At this moment, a moderate sound suddenly sounded.

Chen Wangdu was stunned for a moment, stopped abruptly, and turned around subconsciously.

"My lord, what did you just say?"

"I didn't say anything." Li Mo touched Qingniu's head and said lightly.

"what happened?"

"Maybe my subordinates overheard."

Chen Wangdu shook his head, and led Li Mo into Xuantian Pavilion.

As soon as he entered the door, Li Mo saw a convoy transporting a large amount of wood and stone.

"Is there going to be a lot of construction in the museum recently?" Li Mo asked casually.

"That's not true... I heard that last night, the side hall of [Zangbing Palace] was struck by lightning, and the fire burned for more than half an hour before it was extinguished... This should be the stone and wood transferred from [Craftsman Mansion], For repairs."

Chen Wangdu whispered.

He is an old man from Xuantian Pavilion. He has worked on the grassroots frontline for more than 20 years, but he has many connections and eyeliners.

When it comes to the way of intelligence, it is not under Feng Wannian, especially when it comes to the big and small things in the entrance hall.

"Hall of Hidden Soldiers? Isn't that the dojo of the [Soldier Master]?" Li Mozheng got up and regained his energy: "It's a bit strange..."

Will the dojo of Xuantian Qijue be struck by lightning?A side hall was also burned down?
"Who said it wasn't? I don't know if it was a natural disaster or a man-made disaster. I heard that the museum has launched an internal investigation." Chen Wangdu whispered.

"Could it be a man-made disaster? It's unlikely, who would be so bold as to burn down [Soldier Lord's] dojo?" Li Mo couldn't help asking.

"It's hard to say...Your Excellency should also know that it's the end of the year, but the monsters of Guixu are at their most rampant..."

At this point in Chu, Chen Wangdu hesitated to speak, looked around, saw no one around, and then whispered: "As far as I know, there must be secret spies planted by Guixu in the museum."

Li Mo heard the words, but remained silent.

He knows a little about this situation. When Xuantian Hall was founded, there were only four sects of Heaven, Earth and Xuanling, and they were mainly responsible for the research of [Xuantian Dao Seed].

But later, the imperial court discovered that there were Guixu masters gradually infiltrated in the Xuantian Hall, and some even climbed to important positions.

It is against this background that Hongmen came into being.

At first, Hongmen was just a temporary yamen formed by drawing experts from the four schools, mainly responsible for picketing the secret spies who had been planted in Xuantian Pavilion.

Later, Hongmen grew stronger and became a yamen that integrated force, espionage, intelligence and other functions to fight against Guixu.

Therefore, the history of placing spies in Guixu has a long history.

At the beginning, during the selection and assessment of Xuantian Pavilion, Wuxiang of Tianchan Mountain was a pawn for Guixu.

In addition, Han Jingfei, the new leader of the previous year, has also been trained by Guixu.

Therefore, Li Mo is not surprised that there are people returning to the ruins in the Xuantian Pavilion, but the only thing he is surprised is why this kind of person would risk exposure to burn down the Bingzhu Dojo, and even burn an insignificant side temple. Dian, completely incomprehensible.

"The monsters in Guixu are a group of lunatics, maybe they just want to create panic and show off their power." Chen Wangdu said casually.

"The world is going down."

Li Mo couldn't help sighing, if this thing was really done by Guixu monsters, it would be too rampant, and they all went to the Xuantian Pavilion to set fire, it's simply lawless.

Entering Hongmen, Chen Wangdu placed Li Mo's green cattle properly, and brought tea that had been brewed long ago, as well as today's capital tabloids.

Li Mo felt a little sorry for being so thoughtful and appropriate.

After all, Chen Wangdu can be regarded as his predecessor and leader.

At the beginning, he was the one who presided over the assessment of Xuantian Pavilion in Longyuan Mansion. Later, in Wangxuan City and after entering Beijing, Chen Wangdu gave Li Mo a lot of care.

"Old Chen, let the people below do these things in the future." Li Mo said softly.

"It is my blessing to be able to serve you."

Chen Wangdu spoke softly, this sentence was not a compliment, but from the heart.

He entered the Xuantian Pavilion when he was young, and worked hard at the grassroots frontline for more than 20 years before he was able to cultivate spiritual breath, stepped into the [Early Miao Realm], and ranked thirteenth in the official rank.

There are not a few old people like Chen Wangdu who are ordinary and have exhausted their potential in Xuantian Pavilion.

In the eyes of many people, they are the so-called cannon fodder, and there are even a few who can really survive until retirement.

In fact, most of them can hardly wait until that day. After all, the grassroots frontline is the most dangerous, not to mention that these people have suffered large and small injuries for a long time.

Because of this, when Chen Wangdu presided over the Xuantian Pavilion assessment, he was sent to a remote place like Longyuan Mansion.

Originally, with this errand, if one or two good seedlings could be found, and I was dredging, I might be transferred to do some easy and safe logistical work.

In this way, Chen Wangdu can wait for retirement with peace of mind.

He knew very well that as an ordinary person, that was all he could do in his life.

Although, everyone used to have a dream when they were young, thinking that they were the protagonists of this world, and one day they would become famous and known to the world.

But one day, reality will eventually teach them that most of all living beings are just mortals, they are not the protagonists, doing nothing, and being in the smoke and dust is their destination.

Facing this reality, peace and safety became their last hope.

"It might be nice to be able to retire safely."

This is Chen Wangdu's wish for a long time, even though there is a lot of unwillingness and helplessness hidden in this wish...

Until he met Li Mo, this young man brought some light to his ordinary and slightly gloomy life.

In less than three months after becoming Li Mo's subordinate, Chen Wangdu, who had already been hopeless for promotion, actually took a step forward and was promoted to become [Shaofu Lieutenant], an official to the twelfth rank.

You know, the last time Chen Wangdu was promoted was ten years ago.

A high official position brings not only glory and status, but also earth-shaking changes in life.

This made Chen Wangdu, who had just retired for more than ten years, ignite a fire in his heart again. Following Li Mo, he seemed to see the dawn.

Chen Wangdu knew very well that this young man had a great future, and it was his last chance to follow a path to the dark.

"My lord, it's been almost a year since you came to Beijing, and you haven't treated me well..."

Chen Wangdu rubbed his hands together and said: "Jiangnei cooks very well. If adults don't mind, I would like to treat you to a light meal."

"That's great, dinner is settled."

Li Mo nodded: "Just tonight."

Chen Wangdu grinned, he also knew that Li Mo didn't regard him as an outsider, but the more he was like this, the more he behaved, and he didn't want to let down such trust.

Thinking of this, Chen Wangdu turned around and backed out, and walked in with a stack of files after a while.

"My lord, this is the dossier that was delivered just yesterday."

After the year-end swearing-in meeting, everyone in Hongmen has to get busy, and Li Mo is no exception, and has been assigned a case.

"Wan Jie Shan? Is that case over?"

Li Mo glanced at it casually, and couldn't help but said in a deep voice.

"Recently, Guixu monsters have been active frequently. According to reports, it should be related to Wanjie Mountain." Chen Wangdu said in a low voice.

Guixu can place secret spies in Xuantian Pavilion, and Xuantian Pavilion can also place secret spies inside Guixu.

According to the information from the opposite side, Mount Wanjie used to be the dojo where the first head of the Lingmen sect studied and practiced. This great master 900 years ago left a legacy there that cannot be revealed to others.

"Han Qi's notes!?"

Li Mo's eyes widened, and his expression became extremely strange.

"That's right...that's the note left by the first head of the Spirit Sect, which contains extremely important things...the Guixu monster is determined to win...but in the ruins of Wanjie Mountain that day, he didn't find it..."

Chen Wangdu said in a deep voice: "Besides...they seem to be looking for another thing."

"Another thing? What?" Li Mo couldn't help asking.

"I don't know yet." Chen Wangdu shook his head.

The deeper the spies are, the more precious they are. The first thing they have to do is to preserve themselves, and the second is to listen to the information. It is already very precious to be able to pass back so many.

"Could it be..."

Li Mo's heart was moved, and he thought of the river of blood that escaped from the [Natural Spiritual Pond].

Previously, Daoist Mosquito absorbed part of the essence of that blood river, and his cultivation base skyrocketed just now.

Later, Jue Ren also swallowed part of the blood river before stepping into the [Top Grade Spiritual Weapon] level.

These days, Li Mo has been studying the [Natural Spiritual Pond], but he has learned some secrets.

That river of blood may be the key to his fusion with the [Natural Spiritual Pond]. If he can really find it, then he will be sure of breaking through the [Cultivation Stage].

"Old Chen, pick some good players and send them out. If there is any trouble these days, you must report it first."

Li Mo looked straight up: "In addition, go to [Monster Catch Hall] to find Chen Pingping, and get some information from her... Guixu demon must have visited Wanjie Mountain..."

Immediately, Li Mo acted resolutely, showing the courage to act resolutely.

Such a dedicated Li Mo stunned Chen Wangdu for a moment.

"Maintaining justice and fighting crime is our responsibility." Li Mo said seriously.

"This subordinate will do it."

Chen Wangdu saluted, turned around and left.

"Guixu...I don't want to seek your bad luck...The responsibility lies, so there's nothing I can do about it."

Li Mo's eyes narrowed slightly, remembering the attack on his home last night, it seems that Liang Zi still needs to be untied after all.

……

In the evening, Li Mo arrived as scheduled and came to Chen Wangdu's home.

Chen Wangdu's house is located in the outer nine cities.

The layout of the capital is three inside and nine outside. Although the nine outer cities are better located than the suburbs, they still seem remote.

Fortunately, his house is a yard with two entrances and two exits.

In the capital city, even in the outer nine cities, being able to own such a house is better than most ordinary people.

Not to mention, Chen Wangdu has a household registration in the capital.

You know, since the Shenzong era, the imperial court has promulgated the [Beijing Household Registration Grading System]. integral.

Chen Wangdu struggled in Xuantian Pavilion for more than 20 years before he was able to get the household registration in the capital and took his family over.

"Old Chen, you have taken good care of this small yard."

Li Mo and Chen Wangdu were sitting in the backyard, swapping glasses.

There have been several snowfalls in the capital, but they have stopped long ago. It is quite a special experience to boil wine on the stove and enjoy the cold plum blossoms.

"The house is all cheap and internally taken care of."

Chen Wangdu's wife was nearly half a century old. Li Mo took a picture when she entered the door. It seemed that she was not outstanding when she was young, and she didn't look as beautiful as before. She was even a little dull, and she didn't talk much.

Li Mo was a little surprised by this.

It stands to reason that although Chen Wangdu's official position is not high, he is a master of the spiritual breath after all, much better than ordinary people, let alone such a woman, even if he finds a few more beautiful concubines. It's difficult.

"I had a lover when I was young..."

Chen Wangdu drank too much, taking advantage of his drunkenness, he saw that his wife hadn't come out, so he grinned and said.

"That beauty is considered unique on the Gilded River."

"Golden River?" Li Mo's heart skipped a beat.

It is a famous place of love and moon in the capital. Every night, there are hundreds of boats in the Huafang Building alone, and I don't know how many seeds are thrown in one night.

"She was a famous makeup girl at that time...the skill of thrushing eyebrows is amazing..." Chen Wangdu's eyes showed a look of nostalgia.

Women love beauty since ancient times, especially the women on the gilt river, when the moon rises every day, it is the time when they show their most beautiful, so make-up is very important, such as applying face powder, rouge, thrush, decals, and face dimples , traced obliquely in red... The complexity of the steps can be called a huge project.

The so-called makeup girl is a master who specializes in dressing up these girls.

The makeup girl is so good that she can design makeup according to the girl's facial features, face shape, and bone balance. In addition, there are Luozi Dai, Qingshi Dai, Fuxue Dai, Tong Dai and other styles of eyebrow inkstones for thrush eyebrows.

On the Liujin River, an outstanding makeup girl's monthly income is not less than that of the servants in Xuantian Pavilion.

"At that time, I just entered the Xuantian Pavilion for the first time, and I didn't have anything..."

Chen Wangdu picked up the wine glass and drank it down in one gulp, a look of reminiscence appeared in his blurred eyes.

"Compared to her, I'm a poor boy..."

When Li Mo heard the words, he swung the wine glass, but remained silent.

It is the greatest misfortune for a man to meet the most beloved woman at the most powerless age.

"She has a good job and is even more eloquent, but her business is very good, but..."

Having said that, Chen Wangdu couldn't help but smile wryly.

In that kind of place, apart from girls, it is men, eloquence is useless, eloquence is useful...

Those men all hope that those who are eagerly looking forward to ushered in greet each other with their mouths.

"One day, she followed someone else..."

Chen Wangdu put down his wine glass. After so many years, he has long been relieved, but every time he mentions it, there is still some unwillingness and helplessness in his eyes.

Man, when you succeed in your career, your loved one will be stabbed into a hornet's nest long ago.

"So I found an ordinary woman... just know how to live."

Chen Wangdu smiled, very peacefully, as if years of ups and downs had made him look down on everything.

"Old Chen, you're drunk..."

"I'm drunk...My lord, go back and rest earlier, I have to deal with the case tomorrow, I'll see you off..."

"No need, my cow is outside, I can go by myself."

Li Mo gave way to Chen Wangdu's support, just smiled when he saw him stumbling, and immediately got up to leave.

After a long time, it was late at night.

Chen Wangdu was the only one left in the quiet courtyard. He looked at the mess on the table and stood up unsteadily, but the drunkenness on his face dissipated slowly at a speed visible to the naked eye.

"Chen Wangdu...you have been lurking in the Xuantian Pavilion for more than 20 years, and you finally have a place to use your skills."

At this moment, a gloomy voice resounded from the shadow of the courtyard.