Chapter 17: The first time I saw it
"First, take a good look at the water ghost's limbs to see if they have been bound by demon ropes," Xu Chuchu said. "Some people, seemingly righteous, trap the water ghost at the bottom of the river before the ritual begins. They use Taoist magic to force it to transform into the silhouette of the Dragon King, then use magic to mask its demonic aura, and finally trick you into sacrificing the bride."
"You thought you were sacrificing your bride to please the Dragon King? In reality, the power of the sacrifice went to that swindler! He tricked you into using unorthodox Taoist techniques, damaging your cultivation while keeping himself safe. His calculations were truly shrewd."
The practice of a physiognomist is actually similar to that of a demon. Both require a righteous mindset and the correct method of practice. One cannot take shortcuts, otherwise one will easily suffer backlash.
Xu Chuchu had also heard of some vicious people in modern times who threatened and forced low-level fortune tellers to perform these evil methods for them, gathering the power they obtained and using it for their own benefit... Unexpectedly, he also encountered one in ancient times.
After Xu Chuchu said this, even the dumbest person would understand that the "liar" she was referring to was, and would only be, Master Xiang who was the first one to step forward and cast a spell!
Then someone really went to move the water ghost and found that there were indeed light blue marks on its limbs, which were the marks of the demon-binding rope.
With solid evidence, the physiognomists looked at Master Xiang with obviously different eyes.
"Master Xiang, how do you explain this sudden appearance of a water ghost?"
"Yes, Master, we physiognomists have gathered here. Logically, we dare not allow water ghosts to act rashly nearby. You must give us an explanation!"
"Could it be that the so-called Dragon Kings from a few years ago were all water ghosts in disguise?!"
The crowd was so excited that they wanted to tear this so-called master to pieces.
They were not seeking justice for the innocent woman who was implicated, but were angry that they had been deceived, their spiritual aspirations destroyed in vain, and they had become stepping stones for others on their path to cultivation.
Master Xiang saw that the situation was not good and he could not come up with an excuse. He forced himself to say, "It was fine in previous years. I don't know what's going on this year." At the same time, he frequently exchanged glances with the county magistrate who was hiding nearby.
The county magistrate was hiding to the side, forcing himself to reduce his presence, when he unexpectedly caught fire. His face suddenly changed drastically, and he cursed angrily: "Well, Master Xiang, I have always respected your high moral character and thought you were truly concerned about the people of Tailing. Whatever you say is true. If you want sacrifices, you can offer them. If you want women, you can give them women... I didn't expect that you were abusing your power for personal gain and were full of lies!"
Master Xiang's face turned pale: "Sir, you can't..."
But before he could finish, he was attacked by an angry low-level fortune teller and was beaten black and blue.
"Hurry and tie up this old liar! I will punish him according to the law!"
The county magistrate had been silent just now, but now he was roaring louder than anyone else.
"My Lord County Magistrate," Xu Chuchu said slowly, "You said this was all Master Xiang's conspiracy. I can't do anything about it, but these innocent women should be released."
She pointed at the young girls who were tied up like a rope nearby, and they began to tremble with nervousness again.
The old county magistrate's eyes rolled around, and he immediately said, "Yes, yes, that's inevitable. Once things are settled here, I'll send someone to send the girls home, and then I'll come in person to apologize."
He snapped his fingers again, and had his men bring up a finely crafted brocade box. He handed it to Xu Chuchu and forced an exaggerated smile. "Thank you, female fortune teller, for revealing the truth today. Otherwise, we wouldn't know how long we would have been deceived by Master Xiang. Please accept this modest gift."
Xu Chuchu took the brocade box and opened it. It contained nothing but heavy gold. She immediately understood the county governor's intention.
This is paying her hush money.
The practice of using living people to worship the Dragon King was not accepted by the world, even if it was done for the good of the people and to pray for no floods. Naturally, he did not want to spread the news, otherwise he would lose his official position.
Then the question is, she might be bribed with gold. These innocent women were already on the verge of death, so how could they be willing to keep the secret for the county magistrate?
I'm afraid that the county magistrate said he was sending the girls home, but in fact he was sending them "on the road".
She was about to speak again, but when she looked up, she saw the county governor's gloomy face. Then she felt a gust of cold wind sweeping behind her and immediately dodged to the side!
Good man, take action now, don’t even let her touch the gold for a while!
Xu Chuchu was about to fight back, but she heard the sound of weapons clashing all around her. The swords and knives that were about to hit her were blocked by a group of guards who had rushed up at some point in time!
Someone comes to save the damsel in distress! Who?!
Xu Chuchu looked behind the crowd and saw an old acquaintance, Xiao Yu, walking towards him slowly, waving the broken folding fan that he never let go of.
Oh my, this is the first time I like him so much.
"I'm a little late. Did I miss a good show?" Xiao Yu was not intimidated by the dignified county magistrate. "Zhang, the county magistrate, just gave me money to keep my mouth shut, and now you're hiring someone to kill you?"
"It's gold." Xu Chuchu opened the brocade box in front of Xiao Yu and corrected him seriously with a fawning look on his face.
When County Magistrate Zhang saw Xiao Yu and his men approaching, his expression darkened. "Where did these scoundrels come from? How dare they raise their own soldiers and cause trouble in front of the government? Come on, arrest them all!"
"How dare you!" Ah Fu suddenly stepped forward, holding up a golden token. "You may not recognize our young master, but do you recognize this token?! Surrender now!"
The county magistrate was originally arrogant, but when he saw the token, he was like a deflated ball. He knelt down on the ground and even his stomach shrank back.
"Your Excellency, Your Excellency!" he said in a trembling voice. "Please understand, Your Excellency, I have been deceived by a villain. This... this fraudulent fortune teller said that there will be a flood this year, and that we must, must send several virgins to please the Dragon King in order to avoid disaster. This humble servant is truly concerned for the people, and out of anxiety, that is, that is..."
"How dare County Magistrate Zhang mention the word 'common people'?" Xiao Yu said in a deep voice. "How much silver did the court allocate to Tailing County to build the dike? You embezzled the silver, deceived the people with superstition, and even colluded with evil methods to disregard human lives. Who gave you the courage?"
"I know I was wrong. I really know I was wrong." County Magistrate Zhang was still begging, but all his men were captured by Xiao Yu's guards, and he himself was tied up like Master Xiang.
Xu Chuchu was also stunned by what she saw.
She knew Xiao Yu was someone of some importance, but she hadn't expected even the county governor to kneel and kowtow to him. What kind of influence did he have? Was he from the royal family? It was said that the emperor of this dynasty didn't have the surname Xiao, but Gongsun.
Her eyes moved to Ah Fu's hand, and she stole a glance at the token in his hand. However, before she could see it clearly, Ah Fu noticed her and immediately put it into his sleeve, glaring at her.
Humph, so stingy. If you have the guts, ask her to kowtow too and see if she does.
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