Article 191: Military Affairs
Although Gong Mengbi knew very well that he could not be blamed for the death of the fox witch in Niangniang Temple, he still couldn't accept the fact that he had nothing to do with it.
He felt that he could not bear this bow, but he had to avenge this grudge.
Gong Mengbi summoned six foxes and said, "Since you are the local tyrants, this time you will be my messengers. Deliver a letter to the foxes in Yongkang County, offering a reward for the search for this evil villain."
The fox said, "Even if Your Excellency doesn't offer a reward, we, the fox spirits, will do our best to search for the thieves who destroyed the goddess' temple."
Gong Mengbi said, "You may worship the Queen, but the evil ways are dangerous, and I cannot let your efforts go in vain."
Gong Mengbi picked a leaf as a letter and stamped a seal as a talisman, and ordered six fox cubs to deliver it to the famous fox spirit in Yongkang County and ask them to pass on the message.
The six foxes traveled on the moonlit night and disappeared on Xilong Mountain.
Gong Mengbi stepped forward to pay homage to the Goddess of Mount Tai, and then talked to the eldest maid.
The situation of foxes in Yongkang County is actually similar to that in Wuning County. Some foxes with magical powers mingle among the human world. For example, the priest of Niangniang Temple and the grandmother of Dayatou are incarnations of fox witches and are quite famous in Wuning County.
When Gong Mengbi killed the evil sect and demolished the Yin-Yang Temple, many people in Yongkang County did not know the name of the Goddess of Mount Tai. It was the fox witch who saw the opportunity and guided her to spread the name of the Goddess of Mount Tai.
The people of Yongkang County wanted to build a temple for the Goddess of Mount Tai and invite a statue of the Goddess of Mount Tai. They wanted to find someone who knew the business, and that person was the Fox Witch Grandma.
The believers donated money and effort to build the Niangniang Temple, and the Fox Witch Granny stayed to serve as the temple priest.
Last year's flood killed many people, including many foxes. The Fox Witch saved many foxes thanks to the Taishan Goddess Temple and the blessing of the Taishan Goddess.
If Grandma Fox Witch wasn't so old and her cultivation hadn't reached a dead end, she would have had a chance to take this opportunity to be admitted to the Heavenly Fox Academy. At least her good deeds would have been more than enough.
Later, when the flood receded, the belief in the Goddess of Mount Tai in Wuning County arose, which in turn promoted the belief in the Goddess of Mount Tai in Yongkang County.
The fox was the messenger of the Goddess of Mount Tai. The fox witch was very happy to hear such words from Wuning, and told the eldest girl that this was a capable fox in Wuning County and was worthy of admiration.
There are quite a few foxes in Xilong Mountain now, and they were moved here later.
The appearance of foxes near the Taishan Goddess Temple is considered a good omen. As believers in Yongkang County become more and more devoted to the Taishan Goddess, the reputation of foxes has also improved.
Gong Mengbi said, "Big girl, your grandmother is gone, and it's up to you to guard the Niangniang Temple."
The eldest girl shook her head and said, "I can't. I can't do anything except eating."
Gong Mengbi said, "I'm afraid your grandmother's hard work will be wasted."
The eldest girl looked at the statue of Mount Tai's goddess and thought of her grandmother. Tears could not be stopped and she said, "I don't know how to do it, but I can learn. I've seen my grandmother receive believers, and I can practice and learn to guide others. The goddess saved me, and I can't let the goddess temple be abandoned."
Gong Mengbi patted her shoulder and said, "You must cheer up now. The Niangniang Temple has been destroyed, and the believers in Yongkang County don't know the cause and effect. They need you to clarify their doubts."
The eldest girl looked at the ruins of the Niangniang Temple and asked, "What should I say?"
Gong Mengbi said, "To be honest, the evil accomplices are seeking revenge and are now within Yongkang County. We must warn all believers to be on guard. The recent appearance of foxes is due to the order of the Goddess of Mount Tai to find the evil cult. Once they are captured, their heads will be brought and enshrined in front of the statue of the Goddess."
The eldest girl wiped her tears and said, "I understand."
Gong Mengbi glanced at the spirited girl and said, "I have a scroll of fox book that I can teach you."
The eldest girl was no fool, and she immediately bowed and said, "Master, please accept me as your disciple."
Gong Mengbi laughed and said, "I have built the Fox Academy in Wuning County, teaching both literature and spiritual practice. I am the teacher of the spiritual practice department, so you can just call me teacher."
The eldest girl obediently called out "Teacher".
Gong Mengbi said, "Fox Academy will start offering classes in the spring. You can study Fox Book on your own first, and then go to Fox Academy to study when spring comes."
The eldest girl hesitated and said, "But I have to guard the Niangniang Temple, I'm afraid it's not easy to stay away."
Gong Mengbi said: "It's okay, I will find a way to let you go when the time comes."
After Gong Mengbi's guidance, the eldest girl's confusion was greatly relieved.
After her grandmother left, the little fox was left alone, uninformed, and without a way to establish herself. She cried for her grandmother while also worrying about her own future. Now that she had a direction, she felt much better.
Not long after, Captain Ma arrived.
Gong Mengbi left the eldest girl there and went far away with Captain Ma.
Captain Ma reported, "Zhen Wubing has been re-examined. Taoist Zhen has fully confessed to the crimes committed. Here is the file. Please review it, Hu Zheng."
Gong Mengbi took it and read it carefully. The first thing he noticed was the evil appearance of a middle-aged man with droopy triangular eyes named Cheng Wu. Zhen Wubing had been sickly since childhood and practiced with the Yin-Yang Dharma King. Because of his poor talent, he was not favored by the Yin-Yang Dharma King, and his fellow practitioners did not even look at him.
Cheng Wu joined the sect after him. He was born with an unlucky star, bringing disaster to his entire family. He was hated by everyone and the devil, with a vindictive temper and an extremely narrow mind. After joining the sect, he offended his fellow disciples and was naturally ostracized.
Zhen Wubing and he shared a common affliction, and they ended up together. Even when Cheng Wu later rose to prominence, surpassing many of his fellow disciples, and gained the favor of the Yin-Yang Dharma King, and began to wield power within the sect, he remained respectful to Zhen Wubing.
The Yin-Yang Dharma King summoned his disciples to the imperial capital to undertake important tasks, but Zhen Wubing was not summoned due to his low level of cultivation. Cheng Wu then made an appointment with Zhen Wubing to visit him.
Gong Mengbi looked carefully at Cheng Wu's life and style of doing things, pointed at the word "revengeful", lowered his eyes and thought quietly.
Captain Ma said, "Now that this evil-looking man is here, I think we can catch him quickly."
Gong Mengbi said, "I'm afraid it won't be that easy. We know too little about the Yin-Yang Dharma King. Zhen Wubing is truly useless and hasn't learned much of the Yin-Yang Dharma King's abilities. We don't know if he has other means of hiding."
Captain Ma said, "There's nothing we can do. The Yin-Yang Dharma King's disciples all escaped death, and there's no record of him in the Yue Mansion. Otherwise, interrogating the dead soul might yield some results."
His words made Gong Mengbi's heart move.
"Torturing a dead soul..." Gong Mengbi laughed and said, "I have a dead soul in my possession right now. Perhaps it can help us get a glimpse into the Yin-Yang Dharma King's practice."
Captain Ma asked curiously, "Whose dead soul is this?"
Gong Mengbi said, "I can't say for sure who it was, but it was definitely the work of the Yin-Yang Dharma King. However, we two can't get the answer, so we need the help of the Grand Judge."
Gong Mengbi took out a jade bottle. Wind and clouds gathered on the bottle, and occasionally a little red spark could be seen from it.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
