The Ascension of Ghosts

Under the cliff, voices came and went.

For a while: "The Medicine King Bodhisattva has appeared!"

For a while, it was: "Pray to the Medicine King Bodhisattva to bless my child to recover early and not tormented by illness."

For a moment it was: "I beg the Medicine King Bodhisattva to avenge the grassroots!"

For a while, it was: "Pray for the blessing of the Medicine King Bodhisattva, so that the barbarians of the northern barbarians will not raise troops again, and the imperial court will not levy husbands and increase taxes again."

Even more humane said: "I beg the Medicine King Bodhisattva to show mercy and give me a beautiful woman who can manage the house."

There are so many things, and what you want is all-encompassing and all-encompassing.

Lu Sheng's lips were blue from the cold, and he put a wolf fur cloak hidden in the side bag of the horse on his body, his brows were furrowed, and he looked at the hazy Buddha shadow, and his heart inevitably felt a little confused.

On the contrary, Baili Xiao was innocent, and said in a low voice, "Could it be that... it really is a manifestation of a Bodhisattva? There are many cases of beheadings in that city, could it be that..."

Lu Sheng's handsome face gradually showed determination from the hesitation, and he said decisively: "Killing pays for life, whether it's gods, Buddhas, or demons, they must be arrested and brought to justice."

The wheels behind him rolled over the gravel road, and the voice of Mr. Xie sounded, full of smiles, but still full of sarcasm, "Lu Gongcao has a lot of ambition, but it's a pity that he will lose his life when he encounters a monster."

Lu Sheng turned his head and saw that the bamboo curtain of the car window was finally rolled up. Xie Rong's long hair was wet and loose. She had already changed out of the black coat that was soaked in mud and water. She was wearing a snow-white fur cape with her chin propped up, with a graceful demeanor. , but really worthy of the word beauty.

It's just words, which are too harsh.

Lu Sheng only smiled and said, "Master Xie, forgive Lu for speaking out, but the son of a daughter will not be honored, and the son will not be involved in the murder case in the future."

Xie Rong sneered coldly, but didn't care about him, turned to look at the Buddha statue between the cliffs with a pair of long and narrow star eyes, heard the villagers chanting and worshiping the Bodhisattva, put out the joss sticks, and built a temporary shed to burn incense and pray. Feeling his laughter became more and more hearty, he said again: "Lu Sheng, do you know which god and Buddha is that statue in the temple and the Buddha shadow on the mountainside?"

Lu Sheng was stunned: "I don't know anything about this Dao...Everyone says it's the Medicine King Bodhisattva, so could it be the Bodhisattva who administers medicine?"

Xie Rong said: "The Bodhisattva wears a lotus crown. Although these two Buddha statues are blurry, if you look closely, you can see that the head is not wearing a crown, but round and raised, like a jewel. This is called a right-hand spiral."

Lu Sheng asked blankly, "So...?"

Xie Rong frowned slightly, and said again: "Stupid, what is enshrined in the temple is the pharmacist Liuliguang Tathagata who is clearly as honorable as the Great Sun Tathagata, also known as the pharmacist Buddha, not the Medicine King Bodhisattva. Calling the Buddha a Bodhisattva, this kind of farce is rare in the world."

Lu Sheng was still puzzled, "So...?"

Xie Rong finally turned her eyes back to Lu Sheng's face, the corners of her lips were still slightly hooked, but she had put down the bamboo curtain, and the carriage moved forward again, this time it really left.

Baili Xiao said: "Brother Lu, I understand what Mr. Xie said: dead wood cannot be carved."

Lu Sheng thought to himself, "Eight Immortals Crossing the Sea, I still can't tell what kind of immortals they are, let alone this foreign monk?"He had no choice but to lightly reprimand: "Speak less."

He found Lizheng in Shilipo Village at the foot of the mountain, and ordered him to send two strong men to guard the scene in the ruined temple first, and then he brought Bailixiao back to the Qingming Department to report the case for investigation.Although he was concerned about this matter, he had no choice but to go back to Yue Zhaofang's home and change out of his mess.

Lu Sheng's parents died young, and now he lives with his elder brother Lu Yuan, who is 16 years older than him. He has been married for many years and has no children so far, but he treats Lu Sheng as his own. mother.This Lu family is only a small family and has never taken concubines, the family of three lived happily.Lu Yuan loved his only younger brother very much, and the only dissatisfaction was that Lu Sheng insisted on joining the army despite dissuasion.

Lu Yuan took a civil position and served as the head of Cao Cao under Shi Yushi, supervising the rent of cattle and horses.The current situation in the Southern Dynasties was chaotic, and the court was also turbulent. The politicians were frightened at every step, and the soldiers were bloody. He was the only one who was considered Cao. He dealt with money and food all day long, and he was the most secure.

The father of the two, Lu Zhan, was originally a lieutenant in the Habayashi Army, but he died when he attacked Rouran 14 years ago. The mother was already weak and fearful all day long. A month later, he will die.When he passed away, he held the eldest son's hand tightly, weeping uncontrollably, and urged him thousands of times: "Better to be a dog of peace than a person in troubled times, Yuaner, you must take good care of Shenger. Mother doesn't ask you to honor your ancestors, but only your two brothers." Live a life in peace.”

Lu Yuan was honest and honest, his mother's exhortation was exactly what he wanted in his heart, so he naturally agreed.From then on, he took good care of his younger brother and sent him to Songfeng Academy when he was six years old.

Lu Sheng was competitive when he was young, but he was actually spotted by the famous Mr. Shuiyue and accepted as his apprentice.If he studied hard for ten years, had a father who died for his country, elder brother Ren Suancao, and was recommended by Mr. Shuiyue, even though he was only from a poor family, he would be rated as a third grade, and his future would naturally be worry-free.

Unexpectedly, as Lu Sheng grew older, he heard the heroic stories about his father's death in battle, so he came up with the idea of ​​joining the army. Mr. Shuiyue entrusted him to his best friend, and since then he has been practicing martial arts under General Weisu.

At the age of 16, he naturally entered the Habayashi Army, and now he has become a famous military officer.

Every time Lu Yuan scolded, Lu Sheng comforted him and said: "Brother, now that the southern dynasty is in danger, there are five chaos in the Central Plains in the north, and Rouran disturbs the frontier in the south. If everyone only wants to live a safe life, who will keep it safe?" ?Although I am an ordinary person, I don't have the great talent to save Cangyuan with my bare hands, but I always try my best to avoid falling into the name of my father. What's more...Mr. Shuiyue said that I have no talent for reading, so I have refused Taught me. Besides, you learn from literature, and I practice martial arts. My brothers and sisters are good at both literature and martial arts. If parents know about it, they will be happy."

Lu Yuan's brain ached from his nonsense pestering, but he scolded him less in the future.

Fortunately, when he returned home this time, his elder brother was still discussing matters in the yamen of the censor's mansion.On the other hand, the elder sister-in-law, Mrs. Zhou, was generous. Seeing Lu Sheng's clothes were soaked, she felt distressed. She hurriedly called the maid to prepare hot soup for a bath, and made ginger soup with her own hands, forcing Lu Sheng to drink two full bowls before giving up.

Lu Sheng had always disliked the smell of ginger, and now it was like pouring medicine. He poured two bowls with a bitter face, and hurriedly fled into the ear room to take a bath.

At midnight the next day, Lu Sheng read the report submitted by Wu Zuo overnight for the autopsy.The two corpses were Zhao Lan, the orphan of the Zhao family, and Du Gao, Du Da's nephew in Baishui Lane. Their necks were broken and they were injured by sharp knives.The technique was similar to the two beheading cases, but the assailant didn't know whether he suddenly lacked strength or repented, so he only cut half of the head and gave up halfway.

Lu Sheng pondered for a moment, Master Liu stood beside him, and said: "Lu Gongcao, these three cases happened to be the corpses of Bian Qing. After comparing the wounds of the deceased, he can conclude that in the three cases, the murderer is all dead. The same murder weapon was used, I'm afraid it's still the same one. These two must have been killed by the murderer in a hurry, so they escaped with a hasty cut. If they were in normal times, they would definitely find clues, but it's a pity that a heavy rain destroyed the clues .”

Bian Qing has worked as an artist for more than [-] years, and his vision is vicious. If he makes a judgment like this, there are eight or nine times out of ten that he will not make a mistake.

Ji Chong sat cross-legged on the grand master's chair, pretending to be in deep thought, and muttered: "This Bodhisattva's actions are beyond comprehension."

But Baili Xiao said: "From the humble opinion, Zhao Lan and Du Gao must have been murdered by traitors, and this angered the Bodhisattva. Yesterday, there was a landslide that shocked Xiaoxiao. Now Jianye is a hundred miles away. There was an uproar, and the wealthy households raised their own funds to rebuild the Yaowang Bodhisattva Temple. If the Habayashi Guards have not blocked Shilipo now, I am afraid that it would have been overcrowded."

Lu Sheng was slightly startled: "It spread so fast?"

Then he smiled wryly, in today's chaotic world, surrounded by foreign enemies, and the people are confused, it is inevitable that there are more superstitious gods and Buddhas.

The mystery in his heart was so messed up that he couldn't bear it, so he simply closed the file in his hand, told everyone to do their own thing, and then left the government office to visit Xie Rong as promised.

Zhujie Alley is neatly paved with bluestone slabs, and there is no weed in it. The alley is extremely quiet, and all the passers-by are well-dressed, even a servant is also well-dressed. At a glance, it seems that my dynasty is still prosperous and the world is full of people. Shengping is average.Refugees and untouchables with disheveled faces and ragged clothes were isolated.

There is a mansion beside the Luoma Bridge. On both sides of the black lacquered gate there is a stone lion rolling a ball. On the golden lacquered wooden sign hanging at the gate, there is only a word of thanks written on it. It seems to be the mansion of Mr. Xie .

Lu Sheng stepped up the stone steps, and when his fingers barely touched the door knocker, the door suddenly creaked and opened a crack.

He lowered his head in surprise, just now he saw a small face about to cry from the crack of the door, it was the maid Ruodie.

The little girl blinked her eyes, but she was not as lively as when she first met, she just said crisply: "Master Gongcao, my master ordered me to send a message that he has left the mansion."

Lu Sheng raised his eyebrows and asked in surprise, "How did you know there was someone at the door before I knocked?"

Ruodie snorted softly, overflowing with pride: "My son knows everything, knows everything."

"Oh?" Lu Sheng folded his arms around his chest with a smile, "Mr. Xie's ingenious calculation is admirable. When and where did he give you the order?"

Ruodie said: "Just now, in the flower hall, the young master was painting!"

The little girl blurted out, her face flushed immediately, Qi Qi Ai Ai said again: "I was painting earlier... now I'm out of the house..."

Lu Sheng sighed in his heart, this Xie Rong is really not a good person to be with, but fortunately he has other countermeasures, he still smiled at Ruodee: "I brought a gift to your son, if he doesn't want it, I will take it Brought it back."

Ruodie raised her face and asked, "What gift did you give?"

Lu Sheng took out the black jade pendant from his bosom, flashed it in front of Ruodie's eyes, and took it back into his bosom.

Ruo Die widened her eyes, "It turns out that Master Gongcao picked it up..." She suddenly fell silent, then hurriedly opened the door, stood by the door and said with a smile: "Master, please come in, Master Gongcao."

As Lu Sheng stepped into the door, he looked at Ruodee thoughtfully. Naturally, the maid didn't dare to make a decision. She presumably got Xie Rong's signal to invite him into the mansion, but he didn't know how to send the signal. aware.

Guided by Ruodee, he passed through the hanging flower gate and the veranda all the way, and just now saw Xie Rong in the flower hall at the corner of the courtyard.

Xie Rong was wearing a pure white Taoist robe, her thick black long hair was still draped casually behind her back, and she only tied it with a plain white silk ribbon a few times in the middle so that it would not fall down in front of her eyes. , The pen is written without thinking and done in one go, so the painting is extremely fast.

He paints so concentratingly that his whole person is as clear as a jade tree and Qiongzhi, making others feel ashamed, as if standing side by side with him is also a blasphemy.

However, Lu Sheng was attracted by the mountains and rivers he wrote. The mountains and rivers are majestic amidst the clouds and mists. A waterfall looks like a river pouring down from the sky, falling into the river with the momentum of thunder.

The mountains are scorched, the water is thick, the fog is turbid, and the sky is clear. They change everywhere, and they are harmonious everywhere. There is no brushstroke, but the artistic conception is grand and distant.

After he put down his pen, Lu Sheng came back to his senses, took a deep breath and said: "The spirit is in the mountain, and the spirit is in the water. There is no difference in talent and affection. Could it be that your Excellency is the son of Qianshan?"

Xie Rong frowned slightly, and poured the remaining ink from the inkstone onto the painting, only half of the amazing painting was left in black, before she said: "Making wild guesses...don't gossip, hand over the jade pendant."

Lu Sheng could not help coughing to cover up his embarrassment. That Mr. Qianshan is a master of both calligraphy and painting. Everyone only sees his paintings and does not see him, but his calligraphy and painting skills are outstanding and sophisticated. Even Mr. Shuiyue, who was once the emperor's teacher, admired it The artistic conception in the painting is praised for its emptiness, brightness and loneliness, which is not like the world.

But it was definitely not drawn by a noble son living in Gaomen Huafu.

He had no choice but to laugh and said, "I never even sat down, and I never took a sip of tea. This young master has a robbery tone...how can you count on hospitality."

Xie Rong still kept a straight face, "Sit down, tea."

Lu Sheng looked at the seats, and a maid in a blue skirt served him tea. Lu Sheng took a sip of the white porcelain teacup, which was as white as snow and as thin as paper, and he felt the sweetness in his mouth, and it moistened his throat. He praised: " Good tea."

Xie Rong was very perfunctory, only said: "Well, hand it over."