Chapter 146 Guardian of the Spirit 14
As the ancient capital of the Six Dynasties, H City has a rich historical heritage and countless famous tombs have been excavated. Therefore, the Antique Street is prosperous and lively. Of course, the Antique Street is a mixed bag. There are genuine items, but more are imitations, which really test the buyers' eyesight.
After visiting scenic spots and historical sites for a few days, Yao Rong and Xie Yinian decided to stop by the Antique Street.
As soon as they entered the Antique Street, Xie Yinian was attracted by the shops on both sides. Everything he saw looked real.
"Can you look at it?" Xie Yinian asked Yao Rong quietly, holding a large double umbrella.
"I know a little bit." Yao Rong said.
"Are you being modest or are you serious?" Xie Yinian muttered.
Yao Rong smiled: "Of course I'm serious."
"Then what are we here to see?"
"Many antiques were unearthed from tombs as burial objects. After being buried for a long time, some antiques will be contaminated with death energy. On the surface, they are still normal, but in fact they have become a funerary object."
Death energy is also a kind of yin energy.
Yao Rong is not very good at looking at antiques. She is good at sensing various special energies.
Xie Yinian was shocked: "Are there many antiques that have become funerary objects?"
"Very rare." Yao Rong smiled, "Of course, on the other hand, some antiques will be worshipped for many years, or worn day and night by ancient great men, absorbing some of the great men's merits and eventually becoming a magic tool."
Xie Yinian understood.
They came here to pick up bargains.
However, the bargains they wanted to pick up were not real antiques, but antiques with special functions.
Yao Rong asked, "Do you know why all the Heavenly Masters like to join the Heavenly Master Alliance?"
Xie Yinian had previously thought that the Heavenly Master Alliance had better treatment, but now after listening to Yao Rong's analysis, he pondered, "The country must be the one that has the most antiques."
Yao Rong praised, "That's right. If you join the Heavenly Master Alliance and make contributions, you can exchange them for magical instruments and various treasures."
"The highest-level magical instruments are imperial instruments that are stained with the aura of dragon veins. They rarely appear in the world. But every time they appear in the world, it means that a very scary ghost has appeared, and the imperial instrument must be summoned to stabilize the country."
The three words "stabilize the country" made Xie Yinian's thoughts fly, and he felt a great ambition out of thin air, "When was the last time an imperial instrument was summoned?"
"It was the Republic of China." Yao Rong said calmly, "My ancestor, carrying the imperial weapon into Qinling, exterminated evil spirits and settled the mountains and rivers, and died with his Tao."
Xie Yinian was deeply moved.
For the tragedy revealed in this short sentence.
"Your ancestor must have been the most outstanding heavenly master of that era."
Yao Rong smiled.
This is not wrong.
Not all heavenly masters have the power to activate the imperial weapon.
"The disciple is better than the master, you will be more powerful than her."
Xie Yinian's ears were slightly red because of Yao Rong's praise.
Oh, in fact, he is really a very humble person, but... but Ms. Yao is too confident in him.
"Which imperial weapon did your ancestor use?"
"It's the Zhaodan Sword used by Wu Ding, the emperor of the Shang Dynasty. Wu Ding carried the Zhaodan Sword with him throughout his life to conquer the four directions. This is a sword of conquest that can kill people and stabilize a country or expand territory. Unfortunately, after the ancestor and the evil spirit died together, the whereabouts of the Zhaodan Sword became unknown and fell into a corner of Qinling. Over the years, countless people have entered Qinling to find the whereabouts of the Zhaodan Sword, but in the end they all returned empty-handed."
Xie Yinian's heart was tightened: "It would be a pity to lose a national treasure of this level."
"Who said it wasn't."
"We are at the foot of Qinling now. Do you want to go to Qinling to take a look?"
"No need."
Yao Rong had been there several times before, but she found nothing.
Now that she has the ghost soldiers in her hands, it is even more impossible to find anything if she goes there.
Xie Yinian saw that she was really not interested, so he kept this in mind and continued shopping with Yao Rong.
Seeing that they had walked through most of the street and still found nothing, Xie Yinian thought: Picking up bargains is really not that easy.
Back at the Zhao family, Yao Rong formally resigned to Zhao Zhenghao.
Zhao Zhenghao could not keep her, so he sent a driver to take them back to City D.
Standing in front of the rented villa, Xie Yinian was heartbroken: "We just rented this villa and went to H City for two or three months, wasting two or three months of rent!"
Yao Rong joked: "Why not call Mr. Zhao and ask him to pay the rent for me?"
Xie Yinian was depressed: "This is too wasteful."
Yao Rong said: "It's okay, there will be many similar situations in the future. You can't let your quality of life be affected by going out from time to time." Anyway,
it's already like this, Xie Yinian rubbed his chest, unwilling to think about it.
Thinking for one more second, it hurts one more second.
After taking a shower, Xie Yinian lay on the bed, holding a lemon doll in his arms. After hesitating for a while, he couldn't help his curiosity and opened the Xuanjie forum to search for the word "imperial weapon".
Many posts mentioned the imperial weapon.
One of the posts talked about Master Yao Li who used the imperial weapon.
Just when he was about to look for information about the Yao family, the dean's grandmother called.
On the other end of the phone, the director's grandmother was very happy and told Xie Yinian with a smile: "The hospital has received a considerable amount of anonymous donations."
"The donor also emphasized at the end that the money should be used to replace beds, bedding, and hearing aids for children. Qiaoqiao and the others were very happy when they knew about it, and they are especially grateful to the donor."
Xie Yinian's lips curled up slightly, and his voice was gentle: "That's great. Some time ago, you told me that the bed frames in the hospital have been used for more than ten years, and the quilts are not warm enough. And Qiaoqiao and the others' hearing aids are indeed time to be replaced."
"I didn't expect it, I really didn't expect it." The director's grandmother repeated, and asked him what he was busy with recently.
"I'm learning a craft from my master recently, so I may not be able to go back to the orphanage to visit you for a while. If there's anything urgent, please call me or send me a message."
The director's grandmother said, "Okay, Nianzi, you must learn from the master. It's rare to have someone teach you. If you learn a craft,
you will never be bad in the future." "I understand, don't worry."
Without any worries, Xie Yinian devoted himself to learning. He was like a sponge, constantly absorbing all kinds of unfamiliar knowledge. Because he knew that opportunities were hard to come by, he knew how to cherish them more than others.
Yao Rong also taught Xie Yinian how to draw talismans.
However, compared to his mastery of formations, his talent in talismans was average.
And his refining of weapons was even worse.
But Xie Yinian was not discouraged.
Since he was not good at talismans and refining weapons, he focused on formations.
When Xie Yinian had mastered the art of catching ghosts, Yao Rong summoned all the nearby ghosts and asked them to fight with Xie Yinian.
Ghost: "..."
Help, do I have ghost power?
Xie Yinian: "..."
Generally, if a celestial master wants to improve his skills, he can only do so by going on missions to catch ghosts. With so many ghosts as sparring partners, it is difficult for him to not master the skills well.
In particular, Yao Rong knew Xie Yinian's limit very well. Every time, he would find ghosts who were stronger than him to feed him moves. When he reached his limit, he would immediately stop, but he would not let him rest directly, but let him sit in meditation while he was tired.
It only took half a year for Xie Yinian to master something that many people need to spend several years to master.
This morning, taking advantage of the good weather, Xie Yinian cleaned up the room and sorted out a lot of array plates and talismans.
These are all his usual practice works.
The effect is not particularly good, but it can be used. It would be a pity to destroy them, but they lack the power to fight.
Xie Yinian thought about it, sorted out a batch, and sent them to Zhuzi and the headmistress.
When they asked, Xie Yinian said that he had prayed for them in the Taoist temple: "The power is not particularly strong, but it can be used to ward off evil spirits and bring good luck in daily life."
The headmistress accepted it with a smile.
Zhuzi didn't believe this, but he was also very touched by Xie Yinian's kindness: "I will always wear it. The headmistress said that you are busy these days, but I didn't expect you to take the time to pray for this for us." She also asked Xie Yinian to come out for dinner when he is free, so that everyone can get together.
Xie Yinian also sent a batch of talismans to Zhao Zhenghao and his wife. Two
days later, he received a video call from Zhao Zhenghao and his wife.
Zhao Zhenghao and his wife thanked him first, and then shared something with him -
yesterday morning, Mrs. Zhao was diagnosed with two months of pregnancy. The doctor said that the pregnancy looked good and the fetus was healthy.
Xie Yinian was very happy: "That's great."
"Yes." Mrs. Zhao's face was gentle, and her belly was not yet visible, but she subconsciously put her hand on her belly, "I also want to thank Master Yao Tianshi for the talisman for praying for a child."
Xie Yinian smiled: "I didn't know this good news before."
Mrs. Zhao said: "I was so happy after the diagnosis yesterday that I forgot to tell you right away."
"I will go out later and send you some talismans to protect the fetus." Xie Yinian said. Mrs. Zhao is an elderly pregnant woman, and having a talisman to protect her pregnancy makes her feel more at ease.
Zhao Zhenghao on the side smiled: "That's great. You don't know, I heard the good news yesterday, I was so happy and worried, I didn't sleep all night."
Mrs. Zhao rolled her eyes at Zhao Zhenghao, and then smiled and said to Xie Yinian: "I have prepared gifts for you and Master Yao Tianshi, and they should be delivered tomorrow or the day after tomorrow."
Yao Rong asked about the Foundation for Finding Abducted Children.
Mrs. Zhao told her about the foundation.
With the support of the Zhao Group and Mrs. Zhao's personal supervision, the foundation has developed very well. In just half a year, it has helped three families find their children.
Mrs. Zhao also said to Yao Rong: "I dreamed of Xixi last night. He said to me, Mom, I'm back to see you."
"I don't know if I had this dream because I was thinking about it."
Yao Rong smiled: "Maybe it's because the people in the underworld saw that you have been doing good deeds and that Xixi is a good child, so they showed mercy."
Mrs. Zhao touched her belly again: "I hope so. In any case, when the child is born and grows up, I will take the child to do charity together."
Zhao Zhenghao was in a very good mood. Such a solemn person couldn't help but make a joke: "After she told me about this dream, I was so happy that I don't need to sleep tonight."
Everyone laughed.
The next morning, Xie Yinian received the express delivery sent by Mrs. Zhao.
The things Mrs. Zhao sent were not expensive. They were some cakes she made herself and a scarf she knitted for Yao Rong.
After sending the amulet to Mrs. Zhao, Xie Yinian stretched his back and decided to take two days off to visit the attractions near D City and go to the antique market in D City to relax.
Maybe he would be lucky this time and come across some useful antiques.
He asked Yao Rong if she wanted to go with him, but Yao Rong refused: "It's easy for me to meet acquaintances there."
Xie Yinian suddenly realized: "Then I'll go by myself. Anyway, I'm just going to see the hustle and bustle, not to buy anything."
Today is not the weekend, and there are not many people in the antique market.
The sun is not hot in the sky, and few people are holding umbrellas, but Xie Yinian has been going out with Yao Rong more often, and now he habitually brings a big black umbrella.
Xie Yinian is an outsider. After looking for a long time, he found that without Ms. Yao explaining, he was really in the dark.
At this moment, he caught a glimpse of a woman in a light green cheongsam holding a red oil-paper umbrella on the ancient bluestone road, walking through the crowd alone and into an antique shop.
The woman's back was extremely beautiful. She was in a busy street, but she seemed to be walking among flowers and willows, leaving endless reverie.
Xie Yinian exclaimed: "That oil-paper umbrella is so beautiful."
He looked down at the big black umbrella in his hand and reproached himself: I have been with Ms. Yao for so long, but I have never thought of changing a nice umbrella for Ms. Yao.
After thinking for a moment, Xie Yinian also walked into the antique shop.
He looked around casually and saw a red oil-paper umbrella on the wall.
The style of this oil-paper umbrella is exactly the same as the umbrella held by the cheongsam woman.
The boss was wiping equipment in the house. Seeing Xie Yinian standing under the oil-paper umbrella, he walked forward with a smile: "This customer has good taste." "
This oil-paper umbrella is handed down from the Republic of China. It is said that it was made by the most famous umbrella craftsman in Suzhou and Hangzhou during the Republic of China. It took five years to make it." Xie Yinian looked at the boss: "Handed down from the Republic of China?" " Absolutely, I received this oil-paper umbrella from a customer. The customer's family was very prominent during the Republic of China, but now it has fallen into decline and had to sell the family business. Otherwise, I would not have received such a commemorative item." Xie Yinian pouted, not believing the boss's nonsense at all: "Tell me how much it costs." "Cost price, fifty thousand." Xie Yinian looked the boss up and down and suddenly said, "Boss, some money is not yours to earn, so don't even think about earning it. You didn't sleep well during this period." The boss sneered, "You...what do you mean?" "Have you often felt dizzy recently? You seemed to have seen a girl holding an umbrella? The girl was holding a red oil-paper umbrella and wearing a light green cheongsam. She was very beautiful and elegant?" The boss' forehead was sweating: "This, this, this..." "It seems that I was right." Brother Xie Yinian patted the boss's shoulder in a friendly manner, "You haven't noticed yet, the umbrella held by that girl actually looks exactly like this umbrella." The boss almost knelt down to Xie Yinian: "I... Master, please save me!" Xie Yinian held him up, looking like a hermit: "Just tell me the truth, how much is this umbrella?" "No money, no money! As long as you can make..." The boss glanced at the oil paper umbrella quietly and lowered his voice, "so that that girl can stop pestering me." "How much did you charge at that time?" "One thousand yuan, one thousand yuan for it!" Xie Yinian grinned. This boss was really black-hearted. He walked over to scan the payment code and directly transferred one thousand yuan to the boss: "I won't let you lose money. Okay, give me the umbrella." The boss said with a bitter face: "Or you can go and get it yourself?" Xie Yinian was speechless. When he just asked him for 50,000 yuan, he didn't see the boss being so timid. But Xie Yinian didn't want to get entangled in this little thing. He reached out and took down the oil paper umbrella, and felt a cool and comfortable feeling in his hand. Xie Yinian narrowed his eyes, feeling quite good: "Okay, I'll leave then. By the way, do you want to buy an evil-repelling talisman? It has been in your store for so many days, it must have some effect." The boss nodded repeatedly: "Yes, yes." Xie Yinian touched his pocket and slapped the evil-repelling talisman on the boss: "Thank you for your patronage, one thousand yuan." The boss: "..." *** "What do you think of this oil-paper umbrella?" In the villa, Xie Yinian showed off to Yao Rong. Yao Rong lowered his eyes and scanned it, slightly raising his eyebrows: "Magic weapon?" "Yes, it is a magic weapon. I bought it with an evil-repelling talisman." Xie Yinian nodded. "You seem to have brought a trouble along with you." Xie Yinian smiled and said, "If it weren't for this trouble, I wouldn't have gotten away with it." But he didn't buy it randomly. The ghosts that could possess the magic tools had at least not done anything against the will of heaven and earth, and had not been tainted with any resentment or death. Seeing that Yao Rong had no objection, Xie Yinian slowly spread out the oil-paper umbrella. The tassels on the umbrella tip turned, and a graceful figure appeared in the living room. The woman looked at Yao Rong with a serious expression: "Greetings, sir." She bowed to Xie Yinian and said, "Thank you, young master." Yao Rong took a sip of tea and said, "Why did you appear in front of him today?" The woman said in a gentle voice, "To answer your question, my daughter Su Youzhu has been appearing on the street since she was sold to the antique shop, hoping to attract the attention of a certain heavenly master." She didn't specifically target Xie Yinian, but Xie Yinian discovered her first. Xie Yinian asked, "Heavenly masters and ghosts are mortal enemies. Once you are discovered by the heavenly master, the best outcome is to be sent to reincarnate. Do you want to reincarnate?" Su Youzhu shook her head, and a bit of gloom appeared on her beautiful face. But this might be her last chance. Su Youzhu forced herself to answer, "I... I want to find someone." "Who?" Xie Yinian's mind was already filled with all the love stories from the Republic of China that he had read when he was a child. The person that the ghost girl could remember for so long must be her lover. Su Youzhu said softly: "If you and the young master don't mind, please allow me to briefly talk about my origins." "I am from Suzhou and was born in 1925. Since my ancestors, our whole family has relied on making oil paper umbrellas to make a living. I have a good talent in this area. When I was twelve years old, the oil paper umbrellas I made were better than those of my father who had been immersed in this for decades." "In 1941, my family encountered misfortune. My parents died of illness and my brother died on the front line. I, a weak woman, could not protect the family business, and my uncle's family occupied the ancestral home and drove me out." "When I was wandering on the streets, I was rescued by a lady named Song Yutong. Miss Song Yutong studied abroad and came from a prominent family. Her father was the director of the Suzhou Military and Political Department at that time. After hearing about my background, she not only provided me with a place to stay, but also got my property back for me." "I wanted to repay Miss Song Yutong, but I knew that I could not repay her kindness with my ability. Later, I heard that Miss Song Yutong was engaged. I thought that according to the customs in Suzhou and Hangzhou, many women would make a big red oil paper umbrella when they got married. So I used all my life's skills and began to make this umbrella for Miss Song Yutong day and night." But the situation in that era was turbulent and chaotic. Su Youshuang's oil paper umbrella had not been finished yet, and Miss Song Yutong's father and brother had an accident, and the Song family's property could not be saved. Fortunately, with the power of the Song family, it was impossible not to prepare an escape route for the family in advance. Song Yutong had an uncle who was an official in Peiping. As long as Song Yutong found a way to get to Peiping, he would be safe and sound. "I took in Miss Song Yutong who escaped and gave most of my savings to Miss Song Yutong. But the umbrella was still almost finished. Miss Song Yutong said that when Suzhou is more stable, she will return to Suzhou and come to me to get the umbrella." Su Youzhu took a deep breath and smiled: "I have been waiting for her to come back." "In those few years, my umbrella-making skills got better and better. When Miss Song Yutong didn't come back, I would rework this oil-paper umbrella from time to time."
"Ten years have passed in a flash. I didn't wait for Miss Song Yutong to come back, and I passed away due to illness."
"I don't know why, but when I regained consciousness, I was in the oil-paper umbrella I made for Miss Song Yutong. But I couldn't leave the oil-paper umbrella within ten meters. It wasn't until I sold it to an antique shop some time ago that I could see more people."
Ghosts can't be believed completely, after all, there is an idiom called "ghost talk".
But with Yao Rong around, it's not easy for ghosts to lie.
What's more, Su Youshuang didn't have a trace of resentment or death, which was enough to show that she had never done a bad thing, whether she was alive or dead.
Xie Yinian asked: "Is your obsession to find Song Yutong?"
"Yes." Su Youshuang's eyes were filled with smiles, "I want Miss Song Yutong to take a look at this oil-paper umbrella."
Xie Yinian reminded Su Youshuang: "Calculating the time, she is probably no longer alive."
"It doesn't matter. Miss Song Yutong is not a person who will break a promise. Something must have happened to delay her. In the past few decades, I always thought that she might not be able to fulfill this promise. Then if I go to find her, she will not be considered to have broken her promise."