Fu Shifeng

Chapter 7
"The Mani beads are in here?"

Mr. Wu looked carefully at the black jade box in his hand and tried to open it, but it was in vain.

"Is this a seal from above?" Mr. Wu asked a white-clothed scholar beside him.

This white-clothed scholar has delicate features, looks like a young man, but his demeanor is mature, he took the black jade box and said: "This is a six-character mantra, powerful and powerful, you can't be harmed, and all demons and their relatives are not allowed to get close. It's just... this mantra is not written with ordinary gold lacquer, in my opinion, it may be that many monks recited the mantra together and blessed it heavily."

"Can't Mr. Lian open it?" Mr. Wu asked bluntly.

The scholar in white shook his head, and the cloth towel in a bun also swayed: "These seals cannot be broken easily, the best way is to set up an altar in the middle of famous mountains and rivers, and take advantage of the continuous flow of true energy in the world to seal it bit by bit. Gradually wear away... Oh, the Buddhist monks boast that all kinds of secret mantras have the power of indestructible diamonds, but they are just watching the sky from a well and underestimating the masters of the world."

Facing the arrogant words of the white-clothed scholar, Mr. Wu didn't bother to ask any more questions, and then looked at his subordinate who had half of his face wrapped in a wound cloth: "Xu Yan, was your face injured by Cheng Sanwu?"

"It's him!" Xu Yan was filled with anger and hatred, but he didn't dare to speak out, for fear of tearing the wound and bursting: "Cheng Sanwu is extremely fierce, we spent a lot of trouble and tricks to lure him away before we can get Mani." beads."

Mr. Wu played with the black jade box: "You brought so many people to Hongsha Town, can't you kill him?"

"It's difficult." Xu Yan explained: "Before I was taken in by the young master, I had fought against Cheng Sanwu and learned his skills. This person once faced more than 80 horse thieves from the Golden Sculpture Department alone, and shot two times. Hu Jian, chopped off seven knives, folded more than a dozen guns back and forth, and finally killed all these horse thieves."

Mr. Wu did not speak, but the white-clothed scholar sneered contemptuously: "Such flattery, isn't it too much? Even if there are more than 80 sheep, it is not easy to kill them all alone. What's more, horse thieves from the Western Regions come and go like the wind, and they can't beat them." Just scattered and fled, how could Cheng Sanwu have the ability to kill them all?"

Xu Yan looked at the white-clothed scholar, but his tone became calm: "The people from the Golden Carving Department did escape, but Cheng Sanwu chased them all the way, after more than ten days and nights, finally cut off all their heads and built them into a Beijing temple. "

"Even if it's looting the goods of the trading company, it's not enough to kill them all like this?" The white-clothed scholar questioned. He even thought that the warriors in the rivers and lakes were used to flattering each other, so that even their opponents would praise them to show that they were chivalrous.

"It has nothing to do with business." Mr. Wu next to him explained: "I have heard about this too. The Golden Sculpture Department did rob Baochang Club of goods, and then killed people for fun and raped women when they stopped in a village. Cheng Sanwu According to the usual practice, it would be enough to drive away the horse thief and bring back the goods, but he still chased and killed them all the way, and finally put Jingguan outside that uninhabited village."

"It's just a brave and aggressive reckless man." The white-clothed scholar still did not change his true colors.

"To deal with someone like Cheng Sanwu, if he can't be completely killed, it will only be an endless hidden danger." When Mr. Wu was thinking, someone came to report in a low voice.

"What?! Cheng Sanwu went back to Quzhi City?" After hearing the report from his subordinates, Mr. Wu was shocked for a moment.

"The people sent to search for Su Wangting found Cheng Sanwu, but he is now hiding in the old city to the north and has not been seen for a while." The subordinate replied.

Mr. Wu looked up at Xu Yan: "He came back with you."

Xu Yan couldn't help becoming frightened when he heard the words. The fierce god Cheng Sanwu followed him secretly, but he didn't make a move along the way. This was more terrifying than walking in the desert at night and being surrounded by wolves.

"Cheng Sanwu came here for the Mani beads. The most important thing right now is to send the Mani beads to Chang'an." Mr. Wu thought over and over again, as long as he could deliver the Mani beads to his father, he would surely be favored by himself , thereby changing the current situation.

When Xu Yan heard this, he was worried that he would leave, so he tried to dissuade him: "Young Master, the situation in Quzhi City is uncertain. Although we have taken over most of Baochang Society's industries, most people dare not resist because of the situation. Once the situation changes, they will still fall to Baochang Society."

"But..." Mr. Wu looked at the black jade box in his hand: "Right now, all parties are fighting for the Mani Pearl. If it can't be sent to Chang'an as soon as possible, I'm afraid there will be more troubles."

After all, Xu Yan was just a martial artist, and he didn't have many clever plans. At this moment, both of them turned their eyes to the white-clothed scholar, and saw that he was confident and calm, and said eloquently:

"Mr. Wu, the Western Regions are currently in turmoil. If you abandon Jiancheng, even if you have guards to accompany you, the journey of thousands of miles will undoubtedly be full of dangers. Since most of the four towns are guarded by your father, you might as well stay in Quzhi City temporarily to keep peace. Go at the same time Believe in Chang'an, ask your father to play His Majesty, and send troops to welcome Manizhu, so you can rest easy."

"This is also a good way." Mr. Wu made up his mind: "Then I will revise the book now, and send additional staff to search out Su Wangting and Cheng Sanwu."

Xu Yan asked: "What happened after the search?"

"What else can we do? Surround and attack it!" Mr. Wu knew very well that his Maocai Society was able to suppress Baochang Society at once, purely relying on his relationship with the Governor's Mansion to operate from it.If the two key figures, Su Wangting and Cheng Sanwu, could not be removed as soon as possible, then even the Duhufu would not be able to help him all the time.

Baochang Society's business can be so large, and there are dignitaries behind them. If they really wait for the backers of both sides to intervene one after another, then the situation will not be changed by Mr. Wu.Maybe my father would dislike him for his ineffectiveness and drag the chaos into the court.

After all, Xu Yan knew better about the situation in the Western Regions and Qu Zhicheng, he hesitated, "Su Wangting and the others can't hide, so it can be seen that they also have someone secretly helping them in Quzhi City. With the help of the Maocai Club, they can't be found easily."

Mr. Wu understood: "You want me to ask the Governor's Mansion to come forward and send troops to search the city?"

"If the government comes forward, no matter how powerful Su Wangting and Cheng Sanwu are, they will not dare to confront the officers and soldiers." Xu Yan thought while saying, "If the Duhufu doesn't want to take action directly, we can force them out of Quzhi City. The Maocai Society settled it privately outside the city, so as not to involve the Duhufu, so it can be explained to the past."

The white-clothed scholar also spoke: "I would like to learn from this Cheng Sanwu, to see if he really has such abilities."

"Earlier, Mr. Changqing blessed the five soldiers to kill Yanshu, and Su Wangting's Thunder Shou Iron Palm really has no merits." Mr. Wu took the initiative to bow and thank him: "If you have Mr. to help, then Cheng Sanwu must be able to catch it!"

The white-clothed scholar smiled with his hands behind his back: "This kind of ignorant and reckless man, even if he has the courage of a hundred people, in front of "Yin Fu Tian Ji Lun", he is like an ant, and can be broken at a glance."

Xu Yan didn't quite believe it, but he didn't dare to say it out loud. Mr. Wu sensed the concerns of his capable generals, so he pointed out: "Mr. Changqing is a disciple of Daguan Daoist in Songyue Fuzang Palace. He is not only good at yin and yang. The magic method of the five elements is also well-versed in the art of defeating a strong army, if he has an arrangement, you must follow it."

"Your subordinate obeys." Xu Yan hurriedly saluted with his hands crossed.

……

In Quzhi City, outside the Zoroastrian Fire Temple, many vendors set up stalls here. In addition to selling all kinds of wine and food, there are also orchids playing music and dancing, or performing magic tricks such as swallowing nails and cutting open the abdomen, which attracted the crowd to cheer and applaud. .

"It seems that this Zoroastrian festival is similar to the temple fair in the Central Plains?" Cheng Sanwu changed into a white linen robe of a Zoroastrian believer at the moment, covered his face and wrapped his head, only showing a pair of eyes, and looked at Su Wangting who was dressed in the same way beside him Said: "It's also eating, drinking, and playing around."

"The Fire Worship Temple in Quzhi City is the largest in the Western Regions. During the fire ceremony, believers from all over the world will come to ask for the holy fire. It is also an opportunity to communicate with each other and exchange news." Su Wangting led Cheng Sanwu through the crowd, left and right at the same time watch.

Cheng Sanwu has been in the Western Regions for many years, so he naturally knows that Zoroastrianism worships fire and pays homage to the gods, and regards flames very seriously.

It is rumored that the holy fire enshrined in every fire worship temple of Zoroastrianism comes from the ancestral home of Persia, and the unextinguished holy fire symbolizes the protection of the gods.Believers also offer sacrifices to the holy fire at home, and of course they ask for it from various fire worship temples.

"Well, it's the same for those who believe in Buddhism to go to Buddhist temples to ask for Buddha statues, and those who believe in Taoism to ask for Fushui, it's the same." Cheng Sanwu couldn't help but chuckled.

Su Wangting turned around and reminded: "You'd better not say this in front of others."

"I know, don't worry."

Su Wangting led Cheng Sanwu to a hut near the Fire Worship Temple, knocked on the door, and an old barbarian opened the door to greet him.

"Elder, do you recognize this thing?" Su Wangting uttered nonsense, and took out a token from his sleeve, on which was drawn the Zoroastrian emblem of an eagle spreading its wings and holding up a flame.

The old Hu man raised his hand to grope, his eyes were cloudy, and he seemed to be nearly blind, but when he heard Su Wangting's voice, he was quite pleasantly surprised, and couldn't help but excitedly said: "I knew it, you really didn't die. It's all lies!"

"Although he didn't die, he was still very embarrassed. I came here on this adventure because I hope to ask the elders to help me." Su Wangting put his hands on his chest and bowed slightly.

"Okay, okay, okay, come in quickly!" The old Hu man agreed repeatedly, and then said: "I have bad eyesight, can you see if anyone is following me?"

Su Wangting glanced back, Cheng Sanwu could understand the Hu language, shook his head and said, "No one followed, I was always on guard."

When the two entered the hut, the old man brought them two bowls of cheese and physalis, with dried apricots on the side, which can be described as a wonderful hospitality for a well-off family in the Western Regions.

Cheng Sanwu was not polite, he sat down with a bowl and drank with his head up. The old Hu man couldn't help but said worriedly: "Although I don't usually wander around, I heard that the Baochang Society has undergone drastic changes in the past few days. According to rumors, you, Su Zhang, were killed by the Maocai Society, and all the properties under your name were wiped out."

"Actually, it's almost the same." Su Wangting didn't hide it: "Recently, the western region is in a state of turmoil. An official document from the Duhu Mansion transferred most of the Baochang Society's staff, which allowed the Maocai Society to take advantage of the situation."

"Then I don't know what kind of help Director Su wants me to do?" The old Hu man was also straightforward: "It's just that I don't have high martial arts skills like you two. I'm just a blind, poor and neglected old man."

Su Wangting and Cheng Sanwu looked at each other, Cheng Sanwu laughed silently, grabbed a handful of dried apricots and put them in his mouth.

This old Hu man was not an ordinary person. His Chinese name was Mu Xide, and he was the Dharma sabao holder at the Fire Worship Temple in Quzhi City.It's just that among the Hu people in Quzhi City, the Dharma Sabao has a very high authority, and can be regarded as a village wise elder who can come forward to mediate disputes and conflicts, and notarize transactions.

Cheng Sanwu didn't have much contact with the Zoroastrians. When he first came to Quzhi City, he helped Su Wangting rescue a group of Zoroastrians who were kidnapped and taken into slavery by horse thieves.It is said that they fled from further west, and the group was entrusted to Mushid to settle down.

It can be said that Muxid and the local Zoroastrianism have received a lot of favor from Baochang Society, so Su Wangting chose to visit at the moment because he wanted to ask for help.

"I would like to ask Elder Mu, what major moves has your religion made in the Western Regions recently?" Su Wangting carefully probed.

"Major move?" Mu Sid was slightly silent: "What Director Su said, it shouldn't be the fire ceremony?"

"No."

"I see, it's about the recent turmoil in the Western Regions, right?" Mu Sid's tone became serious.

"really."

Muxid thought for a moment: "I did hear some rumors recently that some people in the church are meeting in secret to discuss important matters."

"What's the big deal?" Su Wangting asked.

"I don't know much, they deliberately avoided me." Mu Xide said in a disappointed tone, "Master Su thinks about it clearly, your Emperor Daxia's ban on my Zoroastrianism and the destruction of temples more than ten years ago."

"I know, could it be that the recent turmoil is related to this?"

"I don't know for sure, maybe it's because of long-standing grievances, or maybe it was provoked by traitors." Mu Xide said: "You also know that Persia was destroyed by the Great Eater in the early years, and Zoroastrianism gradually declined in the west. As a result, many believers fled to the east and came to the territory of Daxia, so some people moved their minds and wanted to open up the situation in the east."

Hearing this, Cheng Sanwu also stopped eating and drinking, Su Wangting's expression was a little dignified, and Mu Xid noticed something strange: "It seems that what I said is mostly right, the current disturbance is really related to my Zoroastrianism."

"I have also received news here, but it is still uncertain whether it is true or not." Su Wangting said cautiously: "It is said that there is a caravan in the west that is escorting the holy relics of your religion, causing competition among all parties."

"Holy thing? What holy thing?" Musid narrowed his cloudy eyes slightly, as if he could penetrate the chaos of reality.

"It seems to be called... Mani beads?"

Cheng Sanwu could see that Su Wangting was deliberately testing the Zoroastrian elder, but he didn't speak, just staring at the old man secretly.

"Elder?" Su Wangting saw the other party in silence for a long time.

"This is not a sacred object of our religion." Musid said, "The sacred objects of our religion are clearly recorded in the "Suluzhi Hadith Records", and there are no Mani beads in it."

Now even Su Wangting was stunned, obviously this news was quite different from what he had learned before.

"Master Su, is the experience of Baochang Society related to this Mani Pearl?" Mu Xid asked.

"Almost." Su Wangting thought about it, and added: "And I heard that the Mani Pearl is currently in the hands of the Maocai Club. It is because it may involve the affairs of your church, so I took the risk to ask the elders for advice."

(End of this chapter)