Chapter 695 The Nemesis of Blood Bronze [Seeking monthly votes mid-month!]
The secluded bamboo house where Ouyang Rong lived was indeed very close to the small courtyard where Rong Zhen lived.
Turn left after exiting the gate, and walk west for about ten steps to reach your destination.
Ouyang Rong tidied up his new residence in the morning, as he would be spending the next ten days there. As the sun rose high in the sky, he went out and made his way to the old musician's courtyard for lunch.
Actually, no one informed him of his meal. After Rongzhen brought him here and settled him in, she didn't show up all morning, seemingly busy, leaving him to fend for himself.
Ouyang Rong went there after seeing the smoke rising from the old musician's courtyard. These days, getting a free meal is an art.
The old musician's courtyard was located in the middle of a bamboo forest, and he probably cooked for the elderly musicians himself when he had free time.
When the old musician saw Ouyang Rong enter the hospital to wash his hands like one of his own, go into the kitchen to help hand out bowls and wash vegetables, and naturally blend in with the others, he was stunned for a full three breaths.
Ouyang Rong reminded him, "What are you looking at, senior? Your dish is about to burn."
The old musician chuckled: "You rascal."
However, we didn't chase him away; instead, we lent a hand.
That's why the old musician said before that Ouyang Rong was intelligent and perceptive.
Lunch has just been prepared.
Rongzhen, Granny Song, and Yi Qianqiu arrived promptly.
The three women had been busy all morning, so they washed their hands and went straight to the table to eat.
Rongzhen pouted: "You're here. I was just about to call you."
Ouyang Rong smiled as he served the dishes.
Upon seeing Ouyang Rong, Granny Song showed no surprise. She merely glanced at him to see if he was wearing the Buddhist beads bestowed by His Majesty before greeting him.
Yi Qianqiu asked Ouyang Rong a few questions about Yuan Huaimin, then fell silent.
None of the three women were talkative, but the old musician seemed to be deep in thought, chewing slowly and absentmindedly.
Only Ouyang Rong enjoyed it.
Lunch was eaten in silence.
After the meal, Rongzhen went out first and called out Ouyang Rong, who was about to put on an apron to wash the dishes.
Let's go for a walk together.
This can be seen from the reactions of Granny Song, the old musician, and Yi Qianqiu.
They were unaware that Ouyang Rong had protected the embroiderer and secretly harbored the Yue woman.
Rongzhen really didn't say anything.
On the bamboo path, Ouyang Rong pursed his lips.
At this moment, Rongzhen, who was walking in front, spoke up:
"I'll be teaching piano this afternoon."
"good."
Ouyang Rong agreed.
Rongzhen asked, "What are you looking back at?"
"Does Mr. Yu usually live here?"
"right."
"How come I saw him whittling bamboo and doing woodworking?"
"After His Majesty's edict arrived some time ago, the old man has been like this ever since, burying himself in making a zither, which he says is a one-stringed zither, given to him by his carpenter father when he was a child."
"No wonder I was a little distracted while eating; old people tend to reminisce. By the way, His Majesty's edict? What did it say?"
Rong Zhen glanced at Ouyang Rong, then looked straight ahead and continued forward.
She didn't go into details, she just gave a reminder:
"Just teach me the essence of that piece of music. It's okay if you don't learn it before the Buddha statue lands. There's no need to force it. Do you remember?"
"Okay." Ouyang Rong asked curiously, "Why aren't you in a hurry anymore?"
Rong Zhen squinted: "The senior is still here."
Ouyang Rong thought for a moment, then said jokingly and tentatively, "So you have him backing you up, right?"
Rongzhen said softly, "There's no other way; we have to make sure everything is foolproof."
Ouyang Rong nodded:
"No wonder the old gentleman looked so sorrowful when I saw him just now. I remember you mentioned that after teaching the zither and attending the pipa gathering at Xunyang Tower, the old gentleman was supposed to return home in glory. It turns out he's working overtime now."
Rongzhen said softly:
"Overtime? What do you mean? Are you extending the work hours? But it's only a few days left, just hang in there and it'll be over."
At this point, she turned her head, her gaze falling on Ouyang Rong's face. Rong Zhen stared at him absentmindedly for a while, then repeated:
"Just hang in there a little longer."
This sentence was probably said to Ouyang Rong.
Ouyang Rong didn't shy away from the question and asked directly, "What 'Ao'ao'?" He then chuckled and said, "You're not referring to the gift you're going to give, are you?"
Rongzhen shook her head:
"That's not it. It's not just about you, it's about all of us. Let's hold on a little longer and see if they dare to come before the Buddha statue is destroyed. Coming means death, not coming also means death."
Ouyang Rong maintained his smile.
...
For three consecutive afternoons, Ouyang Rong and Rong Zhen met on time in her courtyard to practice the zither.
The two became increasingly proficient with the piece, and there was even a faint sense of harmonious chords between them.
No wonder there is the saying "high mountains and flowing water". When a man and a woman are both dedicated and proficient in this kind of musical art, it can indeed give people a sense of tacit understanding and harmony.
Unlike Rong Zhen, who seemed to be quietly enjoying the peace and quiet without any prompting, Ouyang Rong kept a close eye on Rong Zhen's progress in comprehending the essence. Her slow progress in grasping the essence was giving Ouyang Rong a headache.
He even started pinning his hopes on triggering good fortune, which made the lady of the house instantly understand.
Spend more merit money if you want, pay off your debts first.
Unfortunately, it cannot be triggered.
Aside from learning the zither, Ouyang Rong spent the rest of his time at the Xunyang Grottoes construction site, supervising the final progress.
That day, Rongzhen asked Ouyang Rong how long it would take for the Buddha statue to be completed. The date Ouyang Rong gave was actually more than ten days, which was according to the original plan.
However, in the past few days, Ouyang Rong estimated that, under the illusionary formations set up by the Imperial Observatory, with everyone working overtime and in high spirits, the time would be brought forward by a few days.
It will take about seven or eight days.
Four days have passed since Shuangfengjian was sealed off and Ouyang Rong entered it.
That day is just around the corner.
The countdown has begun.
Rongzhen, Granny Song, Yi Qianqiu, and the others visibly tensed up and became solemn.
One afternoon, Rongzhen was even absent, as if she was busy with some important defense deployment... This was quite rare for the Lady Historian, who was extremely particular about time.
All these signs fell into Ouyang Rong's eyes, but he remained unchanged, still running back and forth between the secluded bamboo house and the construction site as usual, quite leisurely.
Every day at lunchtime, Rongzhen and the other women would ask Ouyang Rong about the exact completion date, confirming it again and again.
However, whenever Ouyang Rong calmly and accurately reported a number, their faces mostly showed relief, but not at all relaxed.
He was at least not as relaxed as Ouyang Rong appeared.
He was calm and collected, went to bed early and got up early, and ate meals on time.
After all, nominally, the defense of Xunyang Grottoes was not under his jurisdiction. He was just a civil official, and his job was simply to finish the statues. The Luoyang court did not expect him to fight or kill at all.
The task of setting up defenses fell entirely on the Imperial Observatory and the White Tiger Guard and Black Tortoise Guard.
Ouyang Rong, on the other hand, was happy to have some free time.
However, his observation did not stop; he did not turn a deaf ear to what was happening outside his window like the old musician.
For example, the tarpaulin that had been covering the golden Buddha head has begun to be removed.
Ouyang Rong saw it all, but didn't ask Rong Zhen about it.
Anyway, ever since she found out that Ouyang Rong was hiding an embroiderer, Rong Zhen stopped talking to him about the details of the defenses, saying that the security investigation hadn't passed.
Ouyang Rong was also very tactful and didn't ask too many questions; the two maintained a tacit understanding.
In fact, Ouyang Rong was already satisfied with the outcome that Rong Zhen did not mention the embroiderer's matter to Granny Song, Yi Qianqiu, and others, and did not immediately report it to the court.
Furthermore, he fully understands and appreciates Rongzhen's actions.
From the perspective of the Director of the Imperial Observatory and the Empress's special envoy, it was indeed inappropriate to tell him the details of the defenses deployed by this "person who had made a minor mistake," just in case.
Lady Rong was already quite particular.
In addition, there was another sign in the past few days that caught Ouyang Rong's attention.
The white fog near Xunyang Grottoes has become increasingly thick in the past few days and has not dissipated.
Sometimes it can last all day, with no sunlight coming in, just a vast expanse of white.
At first, Ouyang Rong thought it was just a side effect of the illusionary formation.
Later, it was discovered that the white mist had made the entire Xunyang Grottoes damp, and the bedding and other items in the bamboo houses were all wet.
That day.
Wang Caozhi returned from outside.
He immediately went to report to Ouyang Rong.
"You mean, Master Shandao is unwell and didn't come, only sending a deputy abbot to oversee the final cleaning of the Buddha statue?"
"That's right."
Wang Caozhi smiled wryly:
"I didn't see the master at all; it was his disciple Xiu's hair that was talking to me. It seems he's quite ill."
This was a task assigned to him by Ouyang Rong: to go to Donglin Temple in Longcheng to fetch Master Shandao and his group to oversee the preparation of the stolen goods.
This is the final procedure before the Buddha statue is completed.
The so-called "filling with organs" is a very important ritual in Buddhist and Taoist statue making. After a new Buddha statue is completed, it needs to be fitted with symbolic internal organs and a spirit, signifying that it is given life...
The unveiling of the Donglin Buddha would naturally require this ceremony.
Ouyang Rong couldn't help but frown; Master Shandao's illness was too coincidental.
Rongzhen arrived at this moment and asked:
"What's wrong?"
Wang Caozhi repeated it once more.
Rong Zhen listened quietly and shook her head;
"It's alright. If the Venerable Master Dahui didn't come, he didn't come. Just continue with the dirty work as usual, as long as it doesn't delay the progress."
Ouyang Rong nodded and gave the instructions:
"Take the eminent monks there and complete the 'filling the filth' today."
"yes!"
Wang Caozhi clasped his hands in greeting and left, while the one who was promoted went to invite a high-ranking monk to pretend to be dirty.
Ouyang Rong and Rong Zhen followed.
The ritual of "filling the Buddha with dirt" is held at the foot of the Buddha statue.
The grotto is a huge open space recessed into the mountain.
The surrounding area has been treated to prevent moisture from getting in.
The deputy abbot of Donglin Temple, an elderly monk with white hair, led a group of monks in a chanting ceremony.
Soon, the incomprehensible ritual of "putting on the dirt" ended amidst Buddhist music.
However, before leaving, Ouyang Rong noticed something and couldn't help but look back at the grotto.
I don't know if it's just my imagination, but the white fog outside can't seem to get into the cave.
The cave was not damp; in fact, it was quite warm.
Ouyang Rong turned his head and glanced at Rong Zhen, Yi Qianqiu, Granny Song and the others who had rushed over.
He noticed that the three women were watching the ceremony intently.
Ouyang Rong calmly withdrew his gaze.
Before leaving, he glanced at the location where the golden Buddha head was stored not far away.
If I remember correctly, ever since the golden Buddha head was delivered, it has been treated with the highest level of moisture protection.
If the white fog is part of the defense deployment...
Is the dryness and absence of white mist inside the Xunyang Grottoes intentional or accidental?
...
night.
Ouyang Rong carried a jar of pickled radishes back to the secluded bamboo house.
The cleaning of the Donglin Buddha statue was successfully completed before evening.
This can be considered the last ceremony before the Buddha statue is placed on the ground. Next, we just need to wait for the golden Buddha head to be put back in place.
The task of Ouyang Rong, Wang Caozhi and their team to create the statue was considered complete. The headless Buddha statue was officially handed over to Rong Zhen, Granny Song, Yi Qianqiu and their team, who were now ready to perform the final step.
The jar of pickled radishes in my hand was a gift from Master Shandao, and was handed over by the deputy abbot of Donglin Temple who came to oversee the preparation of the radishes.
Fog filled the bamboo forest. In the secluded courtyard outside the bamboo house, Wang Caozhi stood with his hands at his sides, waiting quietly.
Ouyang Rong entered the courtyard, and Wang Caozhi respectfully handed him a small bundle before turning and leaving without saying a word.
Ouyang Rong weighed the bundle in his hand, opened it, and saw that it contained a small bamboo tube.
There was liquid sloshing around inside. I opened the lid and took a look; it was a green liquid.
Burning Heaven Dragon Oil.
This was seized from the Liu family in Longcheng. There were still many more, and before Ouyang Rong left Longcheng, he specifically instructed Magistrate Diao to store them secretly.
This time, Wang Caozhi, who went to Longcheng, brought back a batch of supplies under his orders... These supplies were mixed in with the contaminated goods and transported in.
It's like having an extra means of self-protection.
Ouyang Rong pursed his lips.
With the endorsement of Donglin Temple, and given the unusual and strange nature of the contraband, it was not surprising that it did not arouse suspicion from the Imperial Observatory and the White Tiger Guard.
Ouyang Rong temporarily put away the Burning Heaven Flood Dragon Oil.
The sorcerer lineage to which the Jade Cup Fairy belongs is skilled in using this item. Ouyang Rong had not used it before for fear of being recognized by the Wei family.
However, upon further reflection, he realized that when Wei Shaoxuan had requested an investigation, one of the Butterfly Love Flower owners he had misled might be Liu Zilin, the missing third son of the Liu family in Longcheng. In that case, it wouldn't be surprising if the Butterfly Love Flower owner used this item.
Ouyang Rong went inside and lit a lamp. Suddenly, he took out a package and found a bronze short sword stained with blood.
This was seized from Zen Master Yizhi.
He glanced down at the special Yunmeng Token, then turned and went out into the courtyard.
As night fell, a thick fog, seemingly originating from the Xunyang River, continued to shroud the bamboo forest.
As night fell, the surrounding area was shrouded in a hazy gray.
Ouyang Rong held a lamp in one hand and spread his other hand out, with a bronze short sword lying in his palm.
By the light of the lamp, he lowered his head and examined it carefully.
Gradually, Ouyang Rong noticed that the dark red bloodstain on the bronze short sword had faded considerably... or rather, a layer of green rust had appeared in the white mist, covering up the original bloodstain.
It looked damp and rusty.
Ouyang Rong closed his eyes as if struck by a sudden inspiration, and began to pour spiritual energy from his dantian into his palm, just as he had done in the past.
But after a moment, his expression froze.
Seemingly skeptical, he tried it again, and his expression remained blank...
After several attempts, Ouyang Rong's expression gradually became serious.
The speed at which spiritual energy was injected into the blood bronze slowed down, becoming as slow as a tortoise.
The lamp in his hand went out silently, and in the darkness, Ouyang Rong's brows gradually furrowed.
Could this white mist be specifically designed to counter Blood Bronze?
As expected, the Imperial Observatory was very familiar with Blood Bronze and had a targeted strategy.
Combined with Rongzhen's previous calm and composed demeanor, they had already devised a strategy to deal with the situation.
Standing in the empty courtyard in the cold wind, Ouyang Rong couldn't help but turn his head and look at Rongzhen's bamboo house not far away, murmuring to himself:
"Is this also part of the defense? No wonder they said they wanted them to never return..."
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(End of this chapter)
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