The Trick of Longevity, Paper-cutting Becomes a Spirit

Chapter 416 Unexpected twists and turns

The next day.

Before dawn, a large number of officers and soldiers emerged on the streets of Ronghai City.

The west city gate also violated convention and was opened before dawn.

A large number of people poured into the city.

This group of people was large and all were strong riders. After entering the city, they did not stop and headed straight to the East City along the straight central street.

It turned out that this group of people was just passing through. They entered from the west city, left through the east city, and headed straight for the harbor not far east of the city.

The officers and soldiers in the city also left the east gate and lined up on both sides of the official road.

The officers and soldiers on both sides of the official road started from the city gate and extended to the seaside.

This coastal avenue in Ronghai City has a post every ten steps and a sentry every five steps, so it is so heavily guarded.

The city is also bustling with activity, and the Central Avenue is being sprinkled with water to clean the streets.

Ronghai City, this city located at the easternmost point of Jidong Road and also the easternmost point of Dali Kingdom, is destined to have something big happen today.

With such a big display, it was obvious that someone big was coming.

It was just getting dark and the sun had not yet risen. Another group of people entered the city from the west.

This team is rather strange.

The riders on the horses include generals, Taoist priests, and Wentianjian warlocks wearing white robes.

In the center of the two cavalry groups, a series of eight luxury carriages slowly entered the city.

The magistrate of Rongcheng County was dressed neatly and personally greeted him at the city gate. However, those who entered the city ignored him and did not stop at all.

They also passed through the city and headed towards the harbor east of the city.

At this time, Ronghai City, a small seaport, was already bustling with activity.

Colorful flags are flying, there are many guns and halberds, and gongs and drums are loud.

A colorful shed was built early on the beach, with a carpet underneath. The carpet extended from the colorful shed to the official road.

On the sea, the fishing boats in the harbor had long been emptied, and there was only one boat moored at this time.

A very strange looking ship.

Flat bottom, long and narrow, the whole body is dark as if wrapped in iron, and the three masts are high and piercing the sky.

The length of the mast even far exceeds the length of the ship, and the proportions look extremely out of proportion.

Even so, there were dense iron oars all over the sides of the ship.

Just looking at the appearance of this ship, you can imagine that this ship must have reached the ultimate speed.

Eight luxurious carriages came in a hurry, and the people standing on the beach, headed by a general with armor in armor, stepped forward to greet them.

Eight people got off the eight carriages one after another. Under the welcome of the general, everyone entered the colorful shed on the seaside one after another.

There is a long table in the color shed, with four chairs on each side of the long table.

Seven people sat on both sides of the booth, but the middle-aged man who entered the booth first did not sit down. Instead, he stood and faced the crowd and said:

"All of you here are the top masters of our Dali Kingdom. You name it, they are all important figures in the famous town. Even if you have never met each other, you must have known each other for a long time."

As he said that, he faced the west, cupped his hands, and said, "Thanks to your majesty and the Imperial Master for allowing me to be the person in charge of this operation, let me introduce it to you."

After speaking, he smiled at everyone and said: "Let me introduce myself first. I, Wu Changsheng, have the right to ask the Heavenly Prison."

As the nominal supreme leader of Wentian Prison, Wu Changsheng's name has naturally resounded throughout Dali.

But everyone present, even if he didn't introduce him, knew it was him, so no one was surprised.

After Wu Changsheng introduced himself, he started with the Taoist priest on his left and said: "This is Pei Ruxing, the current Jinyuan of Qingxuan Temple. Dean Pei, like me, is here to see you off today."

The Zhiyuan of Qingxuan Guan is the general manager of the Guanzhong, responsible for handling all matters in the academy; while the "Jinyuan" is responsible for assisting the Zhiyuan, which is equivalent to the deputy of the Zhiyuan.

Pei Ruxing stood up and saluted the three people opposite him with clasped fists, smiling and looking friendly.

Then Wu Changsheng began to introduce the second person wearing Taoist robes: "This is Taoist Zhenru of Qingxuan Temple. Everyone must be familiar with him."

Taoist Zhenru ranks second in the list of the top ten masters in Dali. He is the number one master in Qingxuan Temple after the mysterious leader. Everyone knows it.

Taoist Zhenru is over seventy years old, with white beard and hair, a narrow and thin face, and a serious smile. At first glance, he is a very difficult person to get along with.

He didn't get up either, he just nodded slightly to the three people opposite him as a greeting.

Wu Changsheng didn't take it seriously and continued: "This is Taoist Master Qingxuan Guan Zhenhai."

Zhenhai Taoist ranks sixth among the top ten masters. He is actually not much younger than Zhenru Taoist. However, Zhenhai has a good health. Even at such an age, he still has a ruddy complexion and black hair. He looks like he is only in his fifties. How old do you look.

He was quite kind. Not only did he bow to the three people sitting across from him, he also smiled at Wu Changsheng.

Judging from the attitude of Taoist Zhenkai, the two parties here did not look like they had just been beaten to death.

The last person in Qingxuan Temple is a woman named Liu Yuyan. She is only forty years old and is a rising star in Qingxuan Temple.

Liu Yuyan is young and not well-known, but his cultivation has reached the late stage of the Fourth Grade Cave Underworld. For her age, she is quite powerful.

As a result, the three people sitting opposite looked at her a few more times.

After introducing the three people from Qingxuan Temple, Wu Changsheng began to introduce the three people sitting in the row with him, saying: "This is Zhong Simei from I Wentian Prison, who is also one of our leaders for this trip to the East China Sea. people."

This Zhong Simei is another woman, ranked ninth among the top ten masters of Dali, and she is actually younger, only in her thirties.

At the age of thirty, his cultivation reached the peak of the Dongming Realm, which was very rare in the hundred-year history of Dali.

Although Zhong Simei is young, she has been famous for a long time, and everyone here has heard of her name.

In a battle last year, Zhong Simei led a team to attack Tianbao Temple. It is said that she killed Master Kongmen, the abbot of Tianbao Temple, within ten moves, and then severely damaged the two masters of Qingxuan Temple. She became famous for a while.

Taoist Zhenru glanced at Zhong Simei and said, "You are lucky that you didn't run into me when we played against each other."

Zhong Simi is not tall. She is dressed in short clothes and has her hair tied up, making her look very capable.

And her appearance is also worthy of the word "beautiful" in her name. She has a pair of auspicious eyes with very long eyelashes, and her appearance is also very capable.

She raised her eyes, glanced at Taoist Zhenru, and said, neither humble nor arrogant: "If Taoist Master is interested, let's discuss it later."

Taoist Zhenru gave a heavy "hum" and said no more. Apparently he also understood that now was not the time to provoke confrontation.

Wu Changsheng cut off their conversation at the right time and continued to introduce: "This is Zhongsun Bojing, the commander of the Imperial Guards. You should have heard of his name."

Zhongsun Bojing, who is in his fifties, wears soft armor, has a square face, and is unsmiling. He is also a long-famous peak master of the Underworld Realm.

Zhongsun Bojing was the school boy of the current emperor Zhao Heng when he was a child. The two grew up together and were deeply favored by the emperor. It is said that the two often competed against each other, but every time Zhongsun Bojing was defeated, which was the main reason why he failed to rank among the top ten masters.

However, it is unknown to outsiders who is stronger or weaker between him and the emperor. The last person sitting next to Zhongsun Bojing was an old man. He looked much older than Taoist Zhenru, and he looked like he was about to die.

The four people from Qingxuanguan had already noticed this old man and didn't understand why the imperial court sent such an old guy.

Seeing this, Wu Changsheng naturally understood what everyone was thinking, and immediately introduced him with emphasis: "This is Mr. Duan Daoji, a fellow disciple of our Imperial Master."

The name Duan Daoji is unfamiliar to everyone. However, when they heard that he was the fellow disciple of Yu Tongzhao, the imperial master of the dynasty, everyone's faces showed strange expressions.

The national preceptor Yu Tongzhao is estimated to be over ninety years old. Duan Daoji is his senior brother. Is he afraid he is a hundred years old?

Wu Changsheng went on to say: "Although Mr. Duan's cultivation is not as good as everyone here, he is very knowledgeable and knowledgeable. Therefore, the operation in the East China Sea is of great importance, so we, the National Master, specially invited him to come out."

Everyone can see that Duan Daoji's cultivation level is average, and he is probably in the middle stage of the Dongming Realm. Because he is not well-known, his so-called "magic skills to communicate with the gods" may not be as "magical" as they are.

His junior brother Yu Tongzhao is said to have entered the third-level Dharma Realm. The cultivation level of this "Mr. Duan" is extremely different from that of his junior brother. From this, it can be seen that at least his cultivation talent is equally average.

Before Wu Changsheng finished speaking, Taoist Zhenhai couldn't help but said: "Master Wu, you just said that this trip to the East China Sea is of great importance. And the three of us, you must have noticed that today's The three people with the highest cultivation level in Qingxuan Temple besides the old man who is the leader, but your court..."

He didn't finish what he said, but everyone could understand what he meant. Taoist Zhenru was accusing the imperial court of not doing its best for this trip to the East China Sea.

Wu Changsheng gave a bitter smile and said: "Everyone, please believe me, these three are already the strongest forces we can bring out. Although Mr. Duan's cultivation is slightly inferior, his skills and experience will definitely be able to go to the East China Sea." It can be used, and it may even be of great use.”

Taoist Zhenru didn't give him any face. He sneered and asked, "Where is He Bingnian? What do you want to do by hiding him?"

Upon hearing the three words "He Bingnian", Wu Changsheng's expression suddenly changed.

He Bingnian is recognized as the number one expert below the third level in Dali. It would be unreasonable not to take him out at such a critical moment.

However, He Bingnian was already dead, and Qingxuan Guan didn't know it yet?

Also, He Bingnian's death was strange and mysterious. It was normal that the news did not leak out.

Wu Changsheng looked around and saw that there were no outsiders in the colorful booth, and everyone else was staying far away.

Seeing this, he pondered for a moment and lowered his voice and said: "To be honest, General He has passed away."

The four people from Qingxuanguan were shocked when they heard this, and couldn't help asking: "Is this true?"

Wu Changsheng smiled bitterly and said, "I can't curse the general in front of you, right?"

Although everyone was shocked when they heard what Wu Changsheng said, they had to believe it.

At this time, if He Bingnian is still alive, there is really no reason not to come.

Moreover, during the previous battle between the imperial court and the sect, they never saw the shadow of He Bingnian. This had long aroused the suspicion of Qingxuan Guan. They also investigated in private, but to no avail.

Unexpectedly, he died!

Taoist Zhenhai asked: "Can you tell us the cause of General He's death?"

Wu Changsheng said: "To be honest, General He died very strangely, and we haven't found out the specific cause of death yet..."

As he said that, he saw that Taoist Zhenru's face was not very good, so he had to continue: "Now, we can only say that we suspect that it was the hand of the Yue Worshiping Sect."

Taoist Zhenru laughed and said, "Do you believe this? Can those idiots from the Moon Worshiping Sect kill He Bingnian?"

When Wu Changsheng heard this, his expression immediately became a little embarrassed.

Although there are many people in the Moon Worship Sect, except for one "Spica" who stands out, the strength of the rest is almost insignificant. This is also a well-known thing.

Otherwise, the Moon Worship Sect would not have been suppressed and beaten by the imperial court and the sect over the years, hiding here and there like a mouse, not daring to show its head.

If they were really strong, they could just stand up and challenge the imperial court like Qingxuan Guan, why would they hide their heads and tail like this?

When Taoist Zhenru saw that Wu Changsheng didn't answer, he said coldly: "This time I went to the East China Sea with only two old faces of our senior brothers. Why don't we get laughed to death by those guys when we get to Five Elements Island?"

Of the six people who went to the East China Sea this time, only the two Zhenru Zhenhai had met with Five Elements Island. The others were either too young or of low strength, and the people on Five Elements Island had never known or heard of them.

Speaking of which, it was really embarrassing.

Wu Changsheng laughed twice and said, "With Taoist Master Zhenru in charge of the overall situation, Liang and the others can't say anything."

Taoist Zhenru snorted, looking unhappy.

Taoist Zhenhai said: "The matter has come to this, and it is useless to say more. He Bingnian will not die, so that will be it. However, we once mentioned a person, why is he not seen today?"

After hearing this, Wu Changsheng showed a wry smile again and said, "Taoist Master Zhenhai is talking about Lu Qian, right..."

Taoist Zhenhai didn't wait for Wu Changsheng to finish, then interrupted him and said: "We originally said that we would invite little friend Lu Qian, but you are worried and insisted that you should be responsible. Well, for the sake of the overall situation, we I gave in. But what did you do, and what about others?"

Wu Changsheng said: "Taoist Master, please don't be angry. I was the one who invited Lu Qian in person, and he accepted my invitation in person. But at that time, he seemed to have something extremely important and said he would delay for a few days. However, He also promised me that he would come as soon as possible."

Taoist Zhenhai closed his eyes and sighed, then opened his eyes again and looked at Wu Changsheng, asking: "As much as possible?"

Taoist Zhenru said with some annoyance: "Is there anything more important now than the trip to the East China Sea? After all, it's not that you are not doing things well?"

Seeing that the two Taoist priests Zhenru and Zhenhai were so aggressive and Wu Changsheng was being questioned and was speechless, Zhong Simei couldn't help but said angrily: "We respect the two Taoist priests as our seniors, but there is no need to force each other like this, right?

The Lu Qian you are talking about, our senior brother Wu has met personally. He only has a fifth-grade cultivation level. Even if he has some extraordinary qualities, his strength is too poor. He can't even protect himself in the East China Sea. What can he do? What's up?

What's your motive for looking at him like this? Do you think I can't see it?

You also said that the trip to the East China Sea requires warlocks who are proficient in illusions. Our uncle Duan's magic skills are even praised by my master, the Imperial Master. We have invited him here. What else do you want? Lu Qian is just a young man who has only eaten a few bowls of rice. How can he compete with his old man in martial arts? "

Taoist Zhenru said with a tit-for-tat sneer: "Aspiration does not depend on age. Some people, even if they live for a few years... hum."

He didn't finish his words, but they were already extremely insulting.

As for the old Mr. Duan Daoji, he was quite restrained. He sat calmly from beginning to end without saying a word, and even his expression did not change at all.

However, Zhong Simei was immediately furious. He slapped the table and said, "Taoist Master Zhenru, I respect you as a senior, but I am not afraid of you. Just now you said you wanted to spar with me. Even though I, Zhong Simei, am young, I dare to ask for advice." "

After saying that, Zhong Simei stood up and wanted to start gesticulating on the spot.

Wu Changsheng grabbed Zhong Simei and said, "Junior sister, please don't be rude."

Pei Ruxing from Qingxuan Temple here also persuaded Taoist Master Zhenru and said: "Brother Taoist, please don't get angry. Now that we are facing a disaster, we should work together to help each other and don't start any more internal strife."

Taoist Zhenru sneered and said: "Knowing that a catastrophe is imminent, their court will also plot against our sect. Even Tianbao Temple and Shuiyun Temple were directly destroyed by us. Do we really think we have forgotten this account?"

After hearing that Taoist Zhenru actually revealed the truth behind the destruction of the "Two Buddhas", Wu Changsheng and Pei Ruxing looked at each other with bitterness on their faces.

During this trip to the East China Sea, the imperial court and Qingxuan Guan acted together as a last resort.

To force this pair of old enemies to be reconciled together, the two sides went through countless negotiations and compromises in the past few days before the trip was finally possible.

Unexpectedly, before we even go out to sea, the two sides are about to start fighting!

Wu Changsheng and Pei Ruxing, as the "big housekeepers" responsible for this trip to the East China Sea, looked at each other and felt a headache.

At this moment, there was a sudden noise outside.

When Wu Changsheng heard this, he immediately seized this opportunity, stood up, turned around and shouted to the outside: "Why is it so noisy?"

Not long after, a young general ran over and said to Wu Changsheng: "Master Director, a white tiger suddenly appeared in the sky and flew from the sea. Everyone was surprised. Judging from the way it came, it seemed that it was coming towards us. .”

(End of this chapter)