Chapter 80

It was late spring in March. Chang 'an was smoky and misty, and a thin layer of mist permeated the city.

It was drizzling in the afternoon, and the willows in the city looked as if they had been washed. They were full of vitality, and the flowers were stained by the rain, and their petals were scattered all over the ground. It was raining heavily under the eaves, and the water vapor rolled into Xingqing Palace.

Yang Guifei was leaning on the soft couch, lost in thought. Yang Guozhong was half wet from the rain, and he sat beside her, using a silk handkerchief to personally wipe a glazed clock inlaid with gold. There was a lifelike golden dragon engraved on the hourglass. Its five claws were entrenched, holding two sealed glass cups. The cups were filled with gray sand. Upon closer inspection, one would discover that the sand was a mixture of black and white sand.

"… Deng Tong was once the richest man in the world, but who would have thought that he would starve to death on the streets? Shang Yang was famous all his life, but he couldn't escape the fate of being torn apart by five horses … "

"Stop talking." Yang Guozhong put down the silk handkerchief, looked at Yang Yuhuan, and frowned. "Is it interesting?"

"I'm anxious." Yang Yuhuan said sadly, "Brother, you don't know what people outside are saying about us. They all say that the Yang Family is a monster! "

Yang Guozhong's eyes were filled with anger, but Yang Yuhuan was very uneasy. "How could it be like this? How … "

"Li Jinglong's words are just nonsense!" Yang Guozhong said angrily, "If you can't let it go, it will be our biggest problem!"

"How can I let it go?" Yang Yuhuan said sadly, "After that night, I often dreamed of Eldest Sister. Her face was covered in blood, and she always urged me to avenge her. I thought it was all over, and I should forget what I could. His Majesty also said that the Tang Dynasty will have Tianma … "

"Tianma." Yang Guozhong focused on wiping the golden dragon's eye and laughed mockingly.

Yang Guifei sighed faintly. Yang Guozhong shook the silk handkerchief. Yang Yuhuan said in a low voice, "Gege, golden buildings and jade mansions will eventually collapse one day. A tall tree attracts the wind, so we have to prepare early. "

"Talk about ghosts and gods." Yang Guozhong said, "It's just a rumor that foolish people and foolish women use to deceive themselves. If I'm not wrong, Li Jinglong created such a big momentum just because he has been suppressed for a long time and wants to come up to take a breather."

Yang Yuhuan suddenly looked at Yang Guozhong and frowned. "Why are you panting?"

Yang Guozhong said casually, "How many years has it been since the last time the Tang Dynasty had an Imperial Preceptor? Li Heng wants to succeed the throne, so he must have his own plans. What Tianma? What ominous omen? What disaster? What other purpose could it have other than to target us? "

Yang Yuhuan's beautiful face turned pale. Yang Guozhong wiped the golden hourglass and carefully opened an ebony box. He placed it properly and said, "Your adopted son should also be here. Find a suitable time to expel Li Jinglong."

Yang Yuhuan stood up uneasily. Yang Guozhong pondered for a moment and looked at the rain outside the hall.

"I heard a secret order from Geshu Han. A few months ago, when they were lingering in Liangzhou, they caught a demon. That day, they left in a hurry and did not take the demon with them. After that, Geshu Han interrogated them and learned that there was a demon hiding beside Li Jinglong. Guess who it is?"

"It's that young man called Hongjun Kong."

"What?!" Yang Yuhuan was surprised. "Impossible! The one who treated my illness back then was Physician Kong, his father! "

Yang Guozhong held the wooden box and said slowly, "It doesn't matter if you believe it or not. If it's a demon, there will be a day when its true form will be revealed. Li Jinglong has ulterior motives. Why didn't he think about it? When was there ever a demon in the golden age of prosperity? "

Yang Yuhuan slowly gasped for breath.

"It's just that after he became the Chief Exorcist Secretary, these strange things happened one after another. Now, his words are even more shocking. Heh, 'Tianma' is just a cover that he and Li Heng conspired to come up with. This strange story to coax children can't be deceived by the old and muddle-headed … "

Yang Yuhuan turned pale with fright and said angrily, "Shut up!"

Yang Guozhong sneered, "You can deceive him, but you can't deceive me. Think about it, if one day it's revealed that the Exorcist Division is the source of these demons, how will that group of people be dealt with? Do you really think that your big sister is a demon? "

Yang Yuhuan said uneasily, "This …"

Yang Guozhong stepped forward and said in a low voice, "I don't think so … the Exorcist Division is full of illusions and swindlers of the jianghu. Who would have thought that these illusions would be in His Majesty's favor?"

Yang Yuhuan couldn't help but feel a chill run down her spine.

"I'll leave His Majesty to you. The Exorcist Division can't be kept any longer. Otherwise, this matter will only get bigger and bigger. "

Yang Yuhuan looked at Yang Guozhong in a daze. Yang Guozhong only said a few words and stopped there. After looking at Yang Yuhuan for a moment, he nodded and left. Yang Yuhuan was left staring blankly at the pitter-patter of the spring rain outside.

In the Exorcist Division, Mo Rigen and Ashina Chong each went to handle a case. Atay asked Hongjun and Lu Xu, "Going to Xi City for a drink?"

Hongjun and Lu Xu waved their hands. Atay went to check on Trandol, while Li Jinglong still hadn't returned after half a day. The two of them drank tea and looked at the rain outside the eaves.

"Where did he go?" Hongjun muttered to himself.

Lu Xu replied, "Last night, a demon appeared in Li Mountain's Pure Flowers Palace. He went to investigate early in the morning."

At first, Hongjun was still a bit nervous. He was afraid that everyone would ask him, "Why do you like Changshi? What happened last night? Are you two going to be together in the future?" But who would have thought that everyone was used to it? Aside from a few words of ridicule at the beginning, they actually treated Hongjun and Li Jinglong as a natural couple.

"Mo Rigen …"

"I won't talk about Li Jinglong." Lu Xu expressionlessly said, "You also shouldn't talk about him."

Hongjun, "…"

Hongjun could only nod. The two reached a tacit agreement. Lu Xu pondered for a moment. Just as he was about to ask something else, someone shouted from outside, "Changshi Li! Is Changshi Li here? "

Hongjun went to let the person in. It was one of the crown prince's aides. He personally delivered the imperial edict. Hongjun said, "Changshi Li went out to investigate a case."

"Then you can receive it first." The aide said, "This is an edict from His Majesty and the Eastern Palace. Changshi Li is to be conferred the title of Marquis of Yadan."

Yadan had always been barren. It was a stretch of yellow sand, and below it were the graves of ghouls that had died in battle. It was an unprecedented event for a marquis to be conferred the title of Yadan. The aide continued, "Also, the writ of jurisdiction and the marquis seal have been prepared. The writ of conferment has already been sent out along Hexi Road. There is no one living in Yadan. Just inform Jia Zhou under Jade Gate Pass. "

Lu Xu, "What do you mean?"

Hongjun, "I don't understand."

Two otherworldly guards were left in the Exorcism Division. The two looked at each other and accepted the edict without thanking him. The aide said helplessly, "Don't you have an official here?"

"I am an official." Hongjun said angrily, "I'm seventeen years old! How can I not be an official! "

"I'm eighteen." Lu Xu replied, "He's my older brother."

The aide, "…"

It was often said that the Exorcism Division was filled with strange people. Seeing it today, it was indeed true. The aide didn't have time to investigate why a seventeen year old could be an eighteen year old's older brother. He just wanted to quickly get away from this matter. He took out another letter and said, "This is a letter from Hexi. Take it and bring the seal …"

Hongjun didn't have a seal. In the end, he signed it. The aide took the umbrella and went back to report. Lu Xu saw Hongjun's name on the letter and said, "It's yours?"

Hongjun opened the letter and said, "My uncle!" He saw that everything in the letter was after they parted. That day, he left in a hurry and didn't say anything. However, when he saw Jia Zhou's letter, it seemed that there had been a round of correspondence before. Li Jinglong must have written a letter in his name to apologize. The general idea in Jia Zhou's letter was that after this parting, he didn't know when they would meet again. In the future, when he had time, he must pick a time when it wasn't cold and come to Jade Gate Pass often.

Hongjun said to Lu Xu, "Uncle is my only family."

Lu Xu nodded and said, "Mortals are different from us."

Hongjun was suddenly reminded by Lu Xu and thought of a problem. He was a half-demon. In other words … he seemed to be able to live for a long time? But Li Jinglong, Lu Xu, and the others were all mortals. Then what should he do?

Lu Xu didn't know what he was thinking. He picked out another piece of paper and said, "Whose is this?"

"This is … the Ghost King!" Hongjun looked at the paper. It was full of proper seal script. He almost couldn't recognize a few words. Just as he was about to flip the book open, someone shouted from outside, "Elder Li! Elder Li! "

Hongjun thought that it was the Eastern Palace advisor who had left and returned. However, when he opened the door, he found that it was the Supreme Court official Huang Yong and a clerk.

"Where's Elder Li?" Huang Yong asked anxiously.

Hongjun could only explain again. Lu Xu peeked behind Hongjun. Hongjun knew that this guy was Li Jinglong's immediate superior and invited him in for tea. Huang Yong was burning with anxiety and said, "Mo Rigen isn't here? When are they coming back? "

"I don't know." Hongjun and Lu Xu looked at Huang Yong with expressionless faces.

"Hongjun, don't you have any adults here?" Huang Yong looked around and asked.

"No."

Lu Xu and Hongjun said in unison.

"We're all stupid children." Lu Xu added.

"Yes." Hongjun explained to Huang Yong, "Ever since we were born, our brains have been clamped by the door. It's not very good. We can't investigate cases, and we can't subdue demons. We can only live here and wait for death. "

"If there's anything, please don't tell us." Lu Xu said.

Hongjun said, "We're not curious at all. You can just wait here for Elder Li to come back."

Huang Yong understood the mockery in his words and hurriedly said, "That's not what I meant. Please come with me … Oh, what's this? Marquis Ya Dan? You have to call him Marquis … No, why is it Yadan? "

Huang Yong let the secretary wait outside while he went into the hall. When he saw Li Jinglong's Marquis Decree, he did not react immediately. Hongjun and Lu Xu stood side by side and looked at him with their heads tilted.

"Both of you." Huang Yong's back was covered in sweat from running. "I'll say it now. There's something fishy going on. Please forgive me."

Hongjun often went to the Supreme Court with Li Jinglong. Huang Yong recognized him, but most of the time, he treated him as Li Jinglong's follower. Now that the matter was serious, Huang Yong calmed down and said, "To be honest, something big happened in the imperial mausoleum last night …"

Tianbao Year 13, March 17

Case: Zhao Mausoleum is haunted

Difficulty: Mer-level

Region: Jiuyi Mountain, Taizong's Zhao Mausoleum

Involved: Unknown

Case: On the night of March 13, a malicious spirit appeared outside Jiuyi Mountain, Taizong's Zhao Mausoleum. Guo Village's guards on duty were killed on the spot. Four died, and one went crazy. The crazy person escaped during the day and ran all the way into the depths of Zhao Mausoleum. Minister Cheng Xiao of the Supreme Court and bailiffs entered Zhao Mausoleum to investigate but did not come out.

Reward: None.

Note: Do not alarm His Majesty or anyone else. Otherwise, your life will be in danger!

Hongjun said, "Is this haunted? Why didn't you say so earlier? "

Huang Yong smiled bitterly. "There was a case before that was detained by the Exorcism Division. It's a serious matter … It involves Taizong's imperial mausoleum. Everyone's heads will fall …"

Lu Xu and Hongjun looked at each other.

Hongjun said decisively, "Let's wait for the Chief Inspector to come back."

Hongjun did not dare to go to the imperial mausoleum.

"Don't!" Huang Yong's expression changed. "Hongjun, no matter what, your Exorcism Division has to make a trip today! This case can't be kept under wraps any longer! If we wait any longer, the guards will go to the Supreme Court and make a fuss. The new guards won't dare to be on duty. Lian Hao is also on good terms with the Yang Family. If His Majesty finds out, he will be furious. Then, then … Didn't you guys just take in some ghouls from battle? "

Hongjun and Lu Xu looked at each other. Huang Yong said again, "It's very serious, very very serious!" He leaned closer and whispered, "This matter is related to the ancestral temple and the country. If someone catches it and makes a big fuss about it, or Prime Minister Yang suspects that someone is deliberately mystifying …"

Hongjun, "???"

Lu Xu, "?"

Huang Yong said anxiously, "If there are rumors that it's Taizong's heroic spirit advising His Majesty … Sigh, you two don't understand!"

Hongjun suddenly understood. He explained to Lu Xu, "Lord Huang said that it's the emperor's ancestors who appeared and scolded him for neglecting state affairs …"

"I didn't say that!" Huang Yong immediately said, "I'm saying that someone might have ulterior motives and spread rumors! Aiyo, you two young masters … When will your family's steward come back? "

Huang Yong was about to cry. Hongjun said, "Don't worry, we'll go now."

Lu Xu naturally agreed. The rain outside had stopped, but no one from the Exorcism Division returned. Huang Yong reminded them again and again before returning. Hongjun left a note and went to pull out the sleepy Carp Demon. He carried it on his back and went out with Lu Xu.

Seeing that it was already past noon, Lu Xu was about to walk out of the city. Hongjun suggested that they go find Atay first. They arrived at a wine shop opened by Trandol in the city. It happened to be right across from Hongjun's favorite "Carp Leaping Over The Dragon Gate". The large wine shop was decorated splendidly, and there were many silk curtains hanging inside.

In the afternoon, there was not a single customer in the wine shop. Atay was swatting flies in the wine shop with a fly swatter.

"How much will this cost?" Lu Xu looked up at the two-story wine shop and said, "Will we be able to break even?"

Hongjun had a rough understanding of the concept of money. Trandol saw the two of them and said, "Lady Boss is in a good mood today, so we'll drink on the house!"

Atay raised the fly swatter and waved it at the two of them. Hongjun hurriedly excused himself and told Atay that he and Lu Xu were going to investigate a case.

"Let's go together?" Atay hurriedly came out.

Hongjun glanced at Trandol. Afraid that Trandol would be angry, he hurriedly said, "You stay here with sister-in-law."

Trandol came out and said, "Let him go with you."

Lu Xu said, "We'll go quickly and come back quickly. We'll finish in two hours. It'll be slower if we bring you along."

Atay could only give up and told the two of them to be careful. Once they left the city, Lu Xu transformed into the White Deer in a remote area. Hongjun sat on its back.

"Oh, your horn!" Hongjun said in surprise.

The White Deer's horn had actually grown a little. The wound where Hongjun had cut it off had also healed. It now resembled a short dragon's horn.

"It'll grow back slowly." The White Deer replied, "Hold on tight."

Immediately after, the White Deer began to trot. It ran faster and faster, as if it was riding the clouds. It left the official road and stepped into the wilderness. Its four hooves stepped on the wind, and with a whoosh, it swept past the lush green wheat fields. It carried Hongjun as if he was flying on grass. It swept past as fast as lightning and quickly stepped into the mountains.

If they were on horseback, they would have to take the official road and take a detour. It would take at least half a day to go from Chang 'an to Jiuyi Mountain. However, the White Deer was very fast and even took a shortcut. In just two hours, they arrived outside Zhao Ling's mausoleum at dusk. However, traveling at high speed was still exhausting. When Lu Xu transformed back into his human form, he sat down on the steps outside Zhao Ling's mausoleum and couldn't stop panting.

"You're almost flying." Hongjun said, "There's no need to rush."

"It's okay to run a short distance." Lu Xu panted, "It's really not okay to run a long distance like this. That big wolf has good stamina, but I don't know where it went."

Zhao Ling's mausoleum sat in the east and faced the west. It was built against the mountain and sunk into the mountain like a huge palace. Beside it were the tombs of many officials. Jiuyi Mountain was originally deserted. There used to be a mausoleum keeper, but after this incident, the mausoleum keeper had temporarily withdrawn to Guo Village at the foot of the mountain. By dusk, it was even more desolate and eerie.

A cold wind blew, and the vegetation on the mountain rustled. Hongjun felt a burst of Yin Qi that came out of nowhere. Even if it was the mausoleum of an emperor, it still couldn't change the eerie atmosphere.

Hongjun asked, "Are you afraid of ghosts?"

"I'm okay." Lu Xu couldn't help but feel a little scared.

The two of them stood side by side under the decorated archway at the entrance of Zhao Ling's mausoleum. If Hongjun came alone, he would be a little scared. He might even wake up the Carp Demon behind him to boost his courage. However, with Lu Xu here, it was much better.

Hongjun hadn't used a transcendent artifact for a long time and hadn't fought before. He couldn't help but feel a little rusty. He shook out the Five-colored Divine Light and held a flying knife between his fingers.

"You don't have a weapon or a transcendent artifact." Hongjun remembered that Lu Xu only used a shovel in the past.

"The big wolf said to get me one," Lu Xu answered.

"Then come with me." Hongjun held the Five-colored Divine Light in his left hand and the flying knife in his right. He stepped into the range of Zhao Ling's mausoleum.

Lu Xu said, "Okay, I'll hide behind you."

This was Hongjun's first time investigating a case by himself, and he was even bringing along a complete newbie, Lu Xu. If it was Li Jinglong, he would most likely be very familiar with the process. He would do what he did first, gather information, and inspect the scene … However, Hongjun himself only knew a little. He came here without thinking. He always felt that something was wrong, but he couldn't put his finger on it.

"Do you think it's a ghost?" Lu Xu asked.

"What do you think?" Hongjun was completely at a loss. The two of them walked back and forth outside Zhao Ling's mausoleum.

Lu Xu said, "Maybe it's a demon."

Hongjun nodded in agreement. Lu Xu used to be a scout. Although he only had one spiritual soul and one physical soul at that time, he often delivered letters, so he had a general understanding of investigation.

"Where's the place where the person died?" Hongjun murmured.

The sun was about to set. The two of them arrived at the entrance of Zhao Ling's mausoleum. At the bottom was another flight of stairs. There was no strange sound, only gusts of cold wind. Outside the mausoleum, there was a row of brick houses. Presumably, this was where people lived. The smell inside the houses was very pungent.

"Blood," Lu Xu said.

Hongjun also smelled it. He stretched out his leg and kicked open the door. He saw that the inside was full of purplish black blood. The bloodstains spread outside the house. It seemed that a corpse had been dragged away.

"Here," Hongjun said. "Follow the bloodstains."