Weird Cultivation, I have a five-organ temple

Chapter 364 Testing
When Shang Lu and a group of thieves arrived at the courtyard on the bank of Qiang River, the battle was already over.

None of the broker and his men escaped. They lay on the ground in a mess, all covered in blood and wailing.

Although their injuries were not fatal, the tendons of their hands and feet were cut, and the dantian of several people were pierced. Even if they survived, they would become disabled.

Seven or eight of Shanglu's paper figures were destroyed in the battle.

Most of them were destroyed by fire.

Donator and his men were frightened by these paper figures that could kill people and sing, so they set the whole yard on fire in order to burn them.

When Shang Lu and his companions arrived here, the remaining twenty or so paper figures were divided into two groups.

A group of people were busy putting out the fire.

The other group watched the brokers eagerly.

Although they are small in size, their hands and feet are as thin as blades, and their movements are strange and fast.

As long as anyone dares to move, these paper figures will extend their sharp hands and feet to their eyebrows, throats and other parts, and directly take their lives.

There was a man on the ground whose throat was cut open by the sharp paper man. Blood was flowing all over the ground and the man was dead.

It was precisely because of this previous experience that the brokers did not dare to act rashly.

Otherwise, even if their hand and foot tendons were cut, they would never be so honest.

Du Feng, who rushed into the yard following Shang Lu, couldn't help but marvel when he saw the paper man putting out the fire.

This scene is rare to see, and it is really too discordant.

Shang Lu turned around and rolled his eyes at him, then ordered, "Don't just watch the fun, go help."

Even if the brokers were burned to death here, they deserved it. But if the fire was not put out, it would spread and set the surrounding houses on fire, injuring innocent people.

Du Feng responded loudly and immediately called on a few thieves to help put out the fire.

Shang Lu was still very satisfied with the loss of the paper man.

Although the strength of the brokers has not reached the Qi Refining Stage, they are also at the level of Marrow Cleansing and Bone Cutting. Moreover, they have many strange and bizarre residual spirits, witchcraft weapons and even demons in their hands.

Only seven or eight paper figures were lost, but we were able to capture them all, which was already pretty good.

This time, Shang Lu also used a group of brokers to practice the tactics of using a wooden kite to carry a group of paper people for a quick attack.

Judging from the results, the effect is still good.

But there are also many problems and areas for improvement.

For example, can the types of magic spells that come with the wooden kite be changed from single fire-breathing and wind-controlling to adding buffs to paper figures? Or can the power of paper figures be improved? Can the functional classification be diversified to meet different battlefield needs?
Liu Quan helped Shang Lu write down these problems with pen and paper. When Shang Lu reviewed the situation, he could carefully think about ways to improve it.

Shang Lu walked into the house, but did not look at the brokers. Instead, he looked at the spoils that the paper man had searched out of the house.

The things inside were very mixed, including residual spirits, magical tools, and many spiritual materials that even Shang Lu could not recognize.

In addition, there were several strings of copper coins, as well as some gold ingots and silver coins.

"Old Zhu, divide the money among the brothers." Shang Lu called out to Zhu Quan, and at the same time waved his hand, using his spiritual energy to take objects from a distance, and grabbed the remaining spirits and witchcraft weapons in front of him.

It was not until this moment that Shang Lu looked at the brokers and asked in a deep voice, "What are these things for and how do we use them?"

The broker was stunned when he heard this. He thought Shang Lu was going to ask them why they stole and cheated, or whether they were instructed by someone.

It turns out this guy doesn't play by the rules at all. He only asks about the purpose and effect of residual spirits and magic weapons. Is he planning to rob his fellow thieves?
The broker spat out a mouthful of blood and said in a fierce voice: "I advise you not to covet these treasures. They are not something you can own."

He thought Shang Lu would ask why, but Shang Lu again did not follow his idea. He just raised his hand and pointed at him, and he felt a huge force like a mountain pressing down on him.

The direct pressure made his bones creak, his muscles snap, and large areas of purpura appeared under his skin.

Just when the broker thought he was going to be crushed into a paste, this terrifying force disappeared in an instant.

The broker who had managed to save his life was terrified and gasping for breath.

At this moment, Shang Lu spoke again: "Answer whatever I ask, or I have plenty of ways to make you regret living in this world!"

After a pause, he sneered again, "I know there is someone behind you, and I also know that you have no idea who is behind it, so don't play tricks on me or show off your eloquence."

"You...how do you know all this?" the broker was shocked.

Shang Lu was right. They really didn't know who the mastermind behind the scenes was. At most they had some guesses.

The people who give them orders and take the "commission" from them always wear a mask.

The mask not only concealed his appearance, but also changed his voice and body shape. Although the other party claimed to be from the southern barbarian land, the broker did not believe it at all.

"I'm asking you, not you asking me."

Shang Lu said with a stern face, and raised his hand again, wanting to torture the broker.

The broker, who had suffered a loss once, was frightened and pale. He was about to beg for mercy, but he saw Shang Lu's expression change slightly.

The next moment, Shang Lu flew out of the house backwards, then leaped onto the roof, using his dragon and tiger strength, and shouted with the sound of a dragon roaring and a tiger howling:

"Shang Lu from Baiyi County Witch Academy is here! Who are you, my friend? Please tell me your name!"

His roar was as loud as thunder and spread all around in an instant, waking up many people who were sleeping and making them remember several key words such as "Witch Academy" and "Shanglu".

Shang Lu did this because he noticed that someone was rushing towards this place from three different directions.

These three directions are still emitting the aura of witchcraft.

He didn't know the identities of the people who came, or whether they were hostile. He announced his identity loudly so that even if the people were hostile, they would be afraid to act rashly.

His roar could be heard clearly by people in the entire Black Wind Ferry, or at least by people in several surrounding streets.

If the person who came really dared to take action, unless he was absolutely sure that he could make people in the surrounding streets forget about the matter tonight, otherwise from tomorrow onwards, the news that the Baiyi County witch official Shang Lu was attacked at Heifengdu would spread to many places.

Once a rumor spreads, it spreads not only quickly but also wildly.

After hearing about this, Baiyi County will definitely ask Guling County to find out the truth and give an explanation.

Therefore, unless the three teams that came here were determined to kill Shang Lu at all costs, even if they had the intention to kill him after hearing his shout, they should have known that the opportunity was lost.

If the people who come here are really determined to attack at all costs, Shang Lu is not afraid to practice with them!

Even if we cannot defeat them, we can still ask the pig-bodied, eight-legged, snake-tailed god and Tu Bo for help!

After all, it’s not even the hour of Chou yet!

Even if it's past the hour of Chou, the worst that can happen is that we all start arguing and go crazy!
There was an altar in the room where the brokers were. After Shang Lu rushed out of the room, Sanniang immediately floated to the altar silently and placed all kinds of utensils needed for communicating with gods.

She and Shang Lu really have a mutual understanding.

The broker and others lying on the ground were unaware of the changes on the altar.

They were surprised at first, wondering why Shang Lu suddenly left the house. Then they heard Shang Lu's thunderous roar, and they all showed joy on their faces, thinking that someone had come to rescue them. If they were not still being stared at by the paper man, they would have wanted to laugh out loud: Feng Shui has changed, and it's our turn to be arrogant next!
While the brokers were hoping to be rescued, Shang Lu, who was on the roof, noticed three pairs of people coming at them. After hearing his name, he slowed down and put away his murderous intent.

But Shang Lu still did not take it lightly.

Soon, a voice came from the southeast: "It's Brother Shang. I've heard of your name for a long time! I'm Lu Yun from the Guling County Witch Academy."

Then two more registrations came from different directions:
"I am Xiang Yang!"

"Tang Ling."

The place called Heifengdu really cannot be regarded as an ordinary small town.

Three witch officers have arrived at this moment alone, and there may be more witch officers who are on duty or patrolling elsewhere.

After reporting his name, Shang Lu soon saw three teams of people galloping towards him from different directions.

The team was led by three witch officials from Guling County.

After entering the yard, Lu Yun glanced at the broker and others lying on the ground, and his eyes fell on the altar.

On the altar, lamp oil and blood basin were spilled, and the scene was a mess.

So even though there were candlesticks, incense burners and other items, they did not arouse Lu Yun's suspicion.

He quickly turned his gaze to Shang Lu who had jumped down from the roof, frowned and asked, "Junior Brother Shang, what's going on here?"

Shang Lu bowed to Lu Yun, Xiang Yang, and Tang Ling, and said:
"Three brothers and sisters, this is what happened:

We entered the city this evening and encountered this group of people cheating. We went to the government office to report the case. But at night, this group of people actually sent demons to steal. After we discovered it, they even wanted to kill us!

We can't just sit there and wait for death, right? So we chased them all the way and captured them!

As far as I know, this group of thieves in Black Wind Ferry are habitual criminals who have cheated and stolen from many people! You must deal with them severely and not let the reputation of Black Wind Ferry be ruined by these rats.

Otherwise, others will think that Black Wind Ferry is a den of thieves. Who would dare to come here to do business then?"

Lu Yun, Xiang Yang and Tang Ling all frowned, feeling that Shang Lu's words were like a veiled criticism.

Shang Lu also deliberately used words to stimulate the three people in order to observe their reactions.

With the help of the magical power of "Seeing Through Fire", he discovered that Xiang Yang and Tang Ling's reactions were more unhappy, but Lu Yun's eyes were a little flickering, and he was thinking about something.

So Lu Yun was related to this gang of bandits? Xiang Yang and Tang Ling were unaware of it?

Shang Lu immediately understood the situation: although these three people were all from the Guling County Witch Academy, they were not in the same group.

That’s right, the ghost market in Heifengdu is a big piece of fat meat.

The noble families and major sects in Guling County were all eyeing it, so naturally they would send their own people to guard it.

Shang Lu, who had figured this out, felt more relieved.

It's good to be divided! If you are divided, you will be less likely to mess up.

Shang Lu’s observation was correct, Lu Yun did have something up his mind.

He felt that Shang Lu's words were meaningful and were directed at him.

But after looking at Shang Lu, and then at the group of brokers lying in all directions in the room, he finally held back and did not speak.

He thought to himself: "These idiots don't know my identity. Shang Lu probably has some guesses and wants to test me. Humph... Such tricks are still too immature in front of me."

Although Xiang Yang and Tang Ling were dissatisfied with Shang Lu's description of Black Wind Ferry as a den of thieves, they also felt that there was some truth in what he said.

If there were always thieves cheating and stealing in Black Wind Ferry but they were not caught, it would not only ruin the reputation of Black Wind Ferry, but also become a stain on them - a group of witches guarding Black Wind Ferry but unable to deal with even a thief, wouldn't that be a joke? Don't blame people for thinking that witches and thieves were colluding and regarded it as a den of thieves!

Tang Ling cupped his hands, thanked Shang Lu, and said, "Brother Shang, as you reminded us, we will definitely strengthen supervision in the future to prevent such incidents from happening again."

When Xiang Yang looked at the brokers, there was murderous intent flashing in his eyes.

"They are cheating and stealing in Black Wind Ferry. They don't take us seriously! Junior Brother Shang, please hand this group of people over to us. We will parade them through the streets tomorrow and behead them in public to serve as a warning to others! To calm the people's hearts!"

Hearing Xiang Yang's words, the brokers lying on the ground were all dumbfounded.

They thought this group of people were here to rescue them, but unexpectedly, they were the real messengers of revenge!

They hurriedly begged for mercy, but it was too late.

Under the orders of Lu Yun and others, the county soldiers from Heifengdu rushed into the house like wolves and tigers, picked them up and took them away.

Shang Lu not only did not stop him, he also took the initiative to step aside and make way.

Xiang Yang was very satisfied with his attitude and invited him, "Brother Shang, are you free tomorrow? How about coming to be our executioner?"

"Forget about the supervising official." Shang Lu shook his head and refused, even giving up the credit: "You are the ones who caught the man. I am an official from another county, so I won't join in the fun and steal your limelight."

Xiang Yang and Tang Ling were stunned when they heard this: "Did we catch the person?"

Shang Lu pointed at the brokers being held by the county soldiers and said with a double meaning, "Look, weren't they caught by you?"

"then you……"

"I just assisted you and did a little bit of work, it's not worth mentioning."

Shang Lu is from Baiyi County, so he would not be rewarded for his merits. It would be better for him to do a favor. Anyway, he has already gained enough practical benefits.

Sure enough, after hearing Shang Lu's words, Xiang Yang and Tang Ling's expressions towards him suddenly became closer.

Even Lu Yun said: "Junior Brother Shang is such a straightforward person!"

In return for the favor, Xiang Yang and Tang Ling had a tacit understanding and did not mention the seized goods.

Lu Yun didn't say much.

Moreover, he felt that Shang Lu, who had given up both the people and the credit, should not have known that there was someone behind this gang of bandits.

The broker and others were quickly taken away.

Shang Lu also said goodbye to Lu Yun, Xiang Yang and Tang Ling, and was about to leave the courtyard and return to the inn.

"Brother Shang, please stay."

But at this moment, another witch officer from Heifengdu rushed here and stopped Shang Lu.

When Lu Yun, Xiang Yang and Tang Ling saw each other, they bowed and called each other "senior brothers".

The man nodded in return and said to Shang Lu, "Brother Shang, I am Xi Feng, the temple keeper of Black Wind Ferry. You have worked hard all night, so don't rush back to the inn. Follow me to the Witch Temple to have a few drinks to show my gratitude. It will also allow the people below to prepare the extradition order for you."

Shang Lu looked at Xi Feng.

But he smelled a familiar scent from this person.

It was the breath of the man in black robe that night!
(End of this chapter)