No taboos

Chapter 484 Ghost Silver
The box was opened, and the "shadow puppets" inside kept jumping and shouting.

But it wasn't until Grandpa Shen took a deep drag of his cigarette and blew it up that these ancestors were able to stand up.

"That kid is no longer on the road to the underworld."

"But he didn't come back either."

"What does he want to do?!"

After arguing for a long time, Shen Yongji, the father of Grandpa Shen, finally spoke up: "Xu Changsheng, say something! You know your own son best!"

Xu Huanyang's father and Xu Yuan's grandfather, Xu Changsheng, stepped forward, sighed, and said, "This little brat has always had a lot of ideas since he was a child, as you all know."

With the second son, Xu Chuanyang, leaving home, the eldest brother had to inherit everything in the alley.

The second son was dissatisfied, and the eldest son also had his own opinions.

He sighed deeply, "I... I really don't know what this little brat is up to!"

In fact, his son had been lingering on the road to the underworld, refusing to return. Xu Changsheng guessed that his eldest son's inability to move on was not simply because he felt guilty towards Lin Wanmo...

A group of ancestors discussed for a long time, but they could only sense through their bloodline that Xu Huanyang had left the underworld.

Knowing nothing else, one cannot deduce any conclusions.

Grandpa Shen puffed on his pipe and said in a deep voice, "I'm going to Zhancheng. This matter needs to be informed to Xiao Mo and Aunt Wang immediately."

The matter was of great importance, and he was even hesitant to let Uncle Mao go.

The ancestors then began to curse and grumble:

"Catch that kid and bring him back. We don't care how old he is, hang him from the rafters and whip him!"

"Xu Changsheng, you, as the father, have failed to discipline your children properly and should be punished!"

"How to punish?"

"Hang him from the roof beam and whip him!"

Xu Changsheng shuddered: "This...isn't that necessary..."

……

The Champa government has been undertaking large-scale construction projects these past few days.

There is actually quite a bit of empty space inside the government office.

The reason for this is that the Bureau of Purification in southern Jiaozhi has never been fully staffed.

The climate in southern Jiaozhi is hot and humid, and it is inherently rich in poisonous substances and miasma.

Pythons as thick as an arm are rare in Zhengzhou, but here they are not only ubiquitous, but their density is also much higher.

It is said that when the Ming Dynasty first conquered Jiaozhi, the scholars from Zhengzhou were unwilling to come here to serve as officials.

The imperial court had no choice but to issue a decree granting any successful candidate in the imperial examinations who was willing to come to Jiaozhi (present-day northern Vietnam) the position of county magistrate.

Even the prefect.

Some scholars who failed the imperial examinations traveled thousands of miles to southern Jiaozhi.

One of the county magistrates, after taking office, lived in the county government office and always heard strange noises coming from the roof beams when he slept at night.

A few days later, unable to bear it any longer, he ordered his constables to go and investigate.

They discovered a giant, patterned python, over ten feet long and as thick as a thigh, coiled on the roof!
The constable was so frightened that he fell and broke his leg.

The county magistrate, who had passed the imperial examinations, immediately resigned and fled, preferring punishment from the court to staying there.

With more poisons, there will naturally be more evil spirits.

The casualty rate of the Exorcism Bureau remained high, and local offices were unable to reach full staffing levels.

There was a lot of open space inside the government office.

The large-scale construction was mainly for the sake of the water birds; a large pond was to be built.

Building a nest for geese is actually quite simple.

Xu Yuan entrusted this matter to Yu Yunhang.

But Dafu always comes along and gives orders.

That day, Yu Yunhang had no other choice but to ask Lord Xu for instructions: "Dafu wants to... bring in river water from outside..."

There were also hundreds of thousands of people in Champa.

It was clear that relying solely on the wells within the city was insufficient to supply water to all the residents.

Therefore, there are also several small rivers within the city.

The days when people were forbidden from going near the river were extremely difficult for the residents of the city.

They could only squeeze in and queue up next to the well to draw water.

These small rivers, within the city limits, will also be heavily guarded.

But now, Dafu wants "fresh water"—to bring in a small river from near the government office...

This could directly invite evil spirits in!
This is the government office. If evil spirits were to erupt from here... that would be a disaster!
Dafu followed closely behind Yu Yunhang.

His face was full of dissatisfaction.

It knew that Yu Yunhang had come to complain.

As soon as Yunhang finished speaking, Dafu flapped its wings and started squawking loudly.

Xiang Fanzhezi said: There are no such blind evil spirits in the city!

Dafu is very confident.

Xu Yuan was somewhat skeptical: "Really?"

"Huh?!" Dafu shouted. "You actually doubted me!"

Xu Yuan thought for a moment, then waved his hand and said, "Alright, you're responsible for the trouble you caused."

Then, Xu Yuan discussed with Yu Yunhang that if fresh water was brought into the pond, they would set aside a courtyard and separate it from the government office with a wall.

Yu Yunhang immediately complied.

The project is not large; given Xu Yuan's current power in Champa, it can be completed in five or six days.

If it's a garden for people to live in, then of course you'd need to build pavilions, waterside pavilions, covered corridors, artificial hills, and screen walls.

But for the waterbirds, all you need to do is dig a pond and build a fence.

He could have conscripted laborers, but Lord Xu wouldn't do something like that—exploiting the common people.

Fortunately, the villagers of Pingquan Village were still in the city, and they all volunteered to help.

Lord Xu has already given the money.

Everyone was grateful and wanted to help Lord Xu dig the pond before returning home.

The final work under the jurisdiction of the Imperial Censorate in southern Jiaozhi will take a few more days.

Mr. Feng helped Lin Wanmo craft items using those two pieces of material.

Xu Yuan was sleeping that night.

Suddenly, a night-wandering deity came to invite them.

Xu Yuan then drifted and floated into the City God Temple.

Lu Chenghuang laughed heartily and gave him a warm welcome.

Xu Yuan was invited to taste a special kind of "tea" that He had brought from the underworld.

It can cleanse the soul and enhance cultivation, offering numerous benefits.

Lu Chenghuang said, "This tea was bestowed by His Majesty, and it is extremely precious and scarce. We have been relying on this tea to resist the contamination in the mortal realm these past few days."

Xu Yuan then noticed that the battalion of soldiers brought by Lu Chenghuang had been sent back to the underworld.

There were only about ten underworld officials in this City God Temple.

"The City God has invited me here, surely he has something to discuss. Please speak plainly."

"Great idea." City God Lu praised, then said, "This City God would like to borrow the auspicious bridge stone from Lord Xu."

With auspicious objects suppressing evil spirits, the area within the City God Temple can be freed from those intrusive influences.

But this auspicious object cannot be small.

For example, the extraterrestrial stone that Wei Jinyuan gave to Xu Yuan.

In terms of quality, it surpasses the bridge stone.

However, due to its small size, it is far more effective than bridge stones for personal self-defense and combat.

However, it is not as effective as a bridge stone for deterring a large area.

Xu Yuan frowned.

Lu Chenghuang continued, "Such a precious item, I certainly cannot simply ask you to lend it to me without asking."

Lu Chenghuang emphasized, "Our Zhoujue Yintian Palace pays rent."

Xu Yuan asked calmly, "How do I pay?"

Lu Chenghuang took out a precious banknote.

“Every month, we pay the adults one hundred taels of silver.”

"Oni Silver?"

Lu Chenghuang nodded: "It can be used to purchase all kinds of items in the underworld."

Xu Yuan then asked, "Does that mean we can only buy from you, the City God?"

Lu Chenghuang chuckled and said, "If you have other ways, we won't stop you."

As he spoke, he pulled out a document from his sleeve: "I have listed all the items that can be purchased here. Please take a look, Your Excellency."

Xu Yuan suddenly had a subtle feeling. While taking the folded document, he asked, "Is it possible for me to earn more ghost money by helping the underworld do some extra things in the mortal world?"

Lu Chenghuang was clearly taken aback by his idea, and some of his habits from when he was the "Ghost King" inadvertently surfaced.

He pulled his legs up and crossed them on the chair, scratching his head in thought: "Well... His Excellency didn't tell me, I need to ask him for a hint..."

The advisor beside him coughed a few times with his head down, and Lu Chenghuang suddenly realized what was happening, awkwardly putting his feet down.

Xu Yuan nodded before opening the folded document.

Xu Yuan originally thought that the people in the underworld harbored evil intentions, giving him one hundred taels of ghost silver a month and listing a long list of good things, each of which was expensive.

Want to buy?

They'll have to work for the underworld to earn money!
But the underworld has not made this arrangement, so perhaps I'm just overthinking it.

The report did indeed list many good things.

For example, the "Water of the River of Oblivion" clearly states that the water bottle is an arm's length long and costs two taels of silver.

There is also a type of "ghost mulberry bark," which is considered an excellent material for drawing talismans in certain Taoist practices.

Even for scholars, these are high-grade calligraphy writing materials.

Each sheet is two feet square, and thirty sheets are sold for one tael and five mace of silver.

These are all great items, and the prices are really reasonable!

The 100 taels given by the underworld each month are enough to buy a lot.

Xu Yuan flipped through the pages again and found that there were even prices for "hiring"!

For example, asking the King of the Underworld to perform a ritual costs twenty taels of silver.

A ghost messenger of the bird-beak and leopard-tail caliber earns thirty taels of silver per transaction.

Characters like Ox-Head and Horse-Face, and Black and White Impermanence, cost one hundred taels.

The judge-level one, priced at five hundred taels!
Xu Yuan secretly clicked his tongue in amazement: "Saving up five months' worth of money is enough to get the Judge to intervene once?!"

Such a favorable price and such favorable terms—Xu Yuan subconsciously felt that there must be something fishy going on!

The underworld doesn't intend for me to be a beast of burden, working hard for them.

But... there's no such thing as a free lunch. The large auspicious objects in various parts of the Ming Dynasty are not limited to the bridge stone. Why didn't the Underworld reach such an agreement with others before?
Why did they insist on giving this benefit to me?
Every gift has a price tag attached in secret.

What you receive today, you will have to repay in the future.

Xu Yuan closed the memorial, patted it lightly in his palm, gave the City God a wry smile, and said, "Your Excellency the City God is a straightforward person... so I will speak frankly as well."

"Just say it."

Xu Yuan: "The offer is too good, I dare not agree."

"Huh?" Lu Chenghuang patted his protruding forehead in confusion—his unusual appearance was largely due to this strange forehead.

"Why wouldn't you agree to such good terms?" Lu Chenghuang was very puzzled.

The advisor, however, remained silent with his head down: No wonder Lu Guiwang, despite having the merit of following the emperor, has been wasting his time until now, only managing to obtain the position of City God.

Xu Yuan still smiled bitterly and shook his head: "The esteemed ones are all intelligent people, why would they give me so many benefits for no reason? I'm afraid... I won't be able to repay them in the future."

Lu Chenghuang was so anxious that he scratched his head and cheeks. His advisor coughed beside him, reminding him to pay attention to his "demeanor".

Lu Chenghuang flew into a rage, pointing at his advisor and yelling, "Cough cough cough! What nonsense! The first task His Majesty assigned me is about to be botched, and you're not even trying to help me figure something out, you're just coughing there!"
"If you cough again, I'll shove your throat open with this stick!"

The advisor turned ashen-faced. "You've revealed all our secrets in one sentence. How are we supposed to come up with a solution now?"
However, Lu Chenghuang's eyes were like a tiger's, looking like he was about to devour someone, so the clerk could only hang his head and say to Xu Yuan, "Lord Xu, there's no need to worry. This is the price set by the underworld. You think it's too favorable because these things in the memorial are very precious in the mortal world, but they are readily available in the underworld."

For example, the water of the River of Oblivion can simply be retrieved by sending someone to fetch it.

Xu Yuan remained silent, still considering his options.

The advisor's words made some sense, but they couldn't completely dispel Xu Yuan's doubts.

Lu Chenghuang continued, "Lord Xu, believe me, we in the underworld never cheat people."

That statement is completely unconvincing.

Lu Chenghuang patted his chest again and said, "My lord is the most upright and takes care of his own people. Since you are cooperating with us, you are one of us."

The advisor nodded: "That's true."

The one in the Yin Heaven Palace of King Zhou was also known in the underworld for being sentimental.

The advisor, observing secretly, discovered that Xu Yuan was truly moved after Lu Chenghuang said those words.

The advisor couldn't help but think: Could it be that His Majesty sent such an upright person as Lu Chenghuang because he had calculated that only such a person could gain the trust of Lord Xu?

"Okay, it's settled then." Xu Yuan didn't dare to haggle.

Having made up his mind, he would only use this silver to buy the materials listed on the first page of the report from now on.

Those materials are readily available in the underworld.

As for hiring those underworld messengers or judges... don't touch them.

Another reason why Xu Yuan agreed was that he had already figured out that the one who would truly cooperate with him was not the City God Lu in front of him.

Rather, it was the one in the Yintian Palace of King Zhou.

Xu Yuan could refuse without hesitation.

Completely reject it—avoid getting involved in this cause and effect.

However, with the help of this venerable one during the Ghost Festival (July 15th of the lunar calendar), the chances of success will surely increase greatly.

Xu Yuan then decided to take the risk and give it a try.

Lu Chenghuang laughed heartily and clapped his hands, saying, "That's right! Thinking about this and that, looking before and after, is just asking for trouble."

Let me tell you, in my lifetime as a human and for hundreds of years as a ghost, I've come to believe in just one thing: "If you see the right person and follow them..."

Xu Yuan smiled: "The City God is right."

Lu Chenghuang waved his hand: "Master, give me the silver."

The clerk then brought up one hundred taels of silver.

Xu Yuan took out three taels: "Buy sixty pieces of ghost mulberry bark first."

“No problem.” Lu Chenghuang readily agreed: “Tomorrow, when the mud bridge stones are brought to the temple, I will give you the ghost mulberry bark.”

"Okay." So the two chatted for a few more minutes, and Xu Yuan drank a few more cups of tea before getting up to take his leave.

Lu Chenghuang personally escorted him back to the Champa government.

Xu Yuan opened his eyes in bed, silently thinking about the cooperation with Zhou Jue Yin Tian Palace. Before he knew it, it was dawn.

After getting up, Liu Hu had already prepared breakfast.

After eating, Xu Yuan ordered Lang Xiaoba and Ji Shuangqiu to transport the bridge stone to the City God Temple.

The bridge stones were heavy, but the two martial arts practitioners carried them with ease.

After entering the temple, the City God Lu stepped forward and handed over sixty ghost mulberry barks to Xu Yuan.

Lu Chenghuang then said, "Brother, do you want me to help you clean up this filthy place in Champa?"

Having reached an agreement, Lu Chenghuang had completed his task for the Venerable One and was in high spirits. He then began to address Xu Yuan as a brother.

Xu Yuan smiled and waved his hand: "Keeping them will still be useful."

"Okay, just let me know if you need anything."

"Of course I won't stand on ceremony with you, brother."

Xu Yuan brought Gui Sangpi out and headed straight for the South City Patrol Office.

Fu Jingyu was about to lead his men out on patrol.

He was a very dedicated inspector in the southern part of the city, personally patrolling every day.

Xu Yuan waved his hand at him: "Let's go inside and talk."

"Please wait a moment, sir. I'll arrange the patrol."

Xu Yuan went in first and waited for Fu Jingyu and Song Lu to return after a while.

Xu Yuan: "Close the door properly."

Song Lu went to close the door, and Xu Yuan took out the ghost mulberry bark: "Take a look at this."

Fu Jingyu examined them and exclaimed in shock, "This...this is ghost mulberry bark! A full sixty pieces! Where did you get them?"

Xu Yuan didn't answer, but said, "I'll give you half, and you can sell the rest through your family's channels."

Fu Jingyu immediately shook his head: "I cannot accept rewards without merit..."

"Just take it if I give it to you, stop dawdling."

“Uh…” Fu Jingyu said helplessly, “Alright.” He came from a prominent family, and his hands were trembling when he put away the thirty-foot-long Ghost Mulberry Bark: “This thing will basically only appear on the shelves of large merchants in Beidu and Nandu.”

Each one costs at least five thousand taels of silver.

We simply can't buy them here in southern Vietnam.

Xu Yuan's heart stirred, and he asked, "If we can ensure a long-term and stable supply, could we open a trading company in Beidu?"

Fu Jingyu pondered for a moment, making plans in his mind.

Song Lu said, "Our background isn't strong enough unless our main family in Zhengzhou intervenes. However, this is a high-quality material that's in high demand and short supply. Even if we were to partner with those big merchants, the profits would be quite substantial."

Xu Yuan's heart stirred again.

Xu Miaozhi once said that the business of the Thousand Arrow Crossbow needed a powerful backer...

If the sound of the Thousand Arrows Crossbow can be produced, it seems reasonable to also run a Ghost Mulberry shop.

As for the backer of the Thousand Arrows Crossbow business... isn't Mr. Feng Si a ready-made backer?
Xu Yuan nodded: "Alright, I understand."

Xu Yuan put down the ghost mulberry skin and came out. Whether Mr. Feng Si is willing to do business with the Thousand Arrow Crossbows still needs to be asked in person.

The only variable is that the officials in charge of the Imperial Guard might have reservations and be unwilling to get involved in arms sales.

Xu Yuan led Lang Xiaoba and Ji Shuangqiu back to the government office, where Nan Zhenchuan was waiting at the entrance.

"Lord Xu, your goods have arrived."

Wei Jinyuan promised Xu Yuan a Qing stele, an imperial belt, and a house in Beidu.

Xu Yuan hadn't been refining fire before, precisely to wait for this ball of Azure Stele Fire.

But there is another reason: they are still waiting for Zhong Die to separate that ball of "evil fire" from the "material" that Zang Tianlan had kneaded into a ball.

That ball of fire was clearly different from Xu Yuan's "Mountain Fire Mist." Before it was broken down and extracted, Xu Yuan was unsure which kind of fire it was.

It's even uncertain whether it can be used for fire-making.

"Where are my treasures?"

"You come with me."

Nan Zhenchuan led Xu Yuan toward the canal wharf.

A cargo ship arrived from the capital today.

On the way, Nan Zhenchuan tentatively asked Lord Xu, "Also, regarding that house in Beidu, would you be willing to sell it?"
One of my relatives is a broker; he can guarantee you the best price.

Xu Yuan glanced at him.

Nan Zhenchuan's heart tightened.

He doesn't have such a relative.

This is what the young master asked him to ask.

Wei Jinyuan's attitude towards Xu Yuan changed time and time again as they continued to interact.

When Wei Jinyuan first promised this courtyard, he had a cunning idea in mind.

Just throw together a run-down yard to fool this country bumpkin!

When he excitedly arrives in Beidu, ready to accept the expensive Beidu property, he will find that it is worthless and that he will have to spend a lot of money to renovate it if he wants to move in—how interesting!
Later, he dared not tease Master Xu like that anymore, so he secretly planned to give away the house under his name.

But in truth, he had no desire to see Xu Yuan in Beidu.

Later, he heard some vague information that Xu Yuan would never be able to enter Beidu in his lifetime.

but!

Wei Jinyuan had become a frightened bird.

Who says Xu Yuan can't do what ordinary people can't?!

That's why Wei Jinyuan had Nan Zhenchuan ask this question.

I'd rather buy the house back than give it to Xu Yuan.

I really don't want to see him in Beidu!

What if this guy had no reason to go to Beidu, but suddenly remembered, "I still have a house in Beidu," and went there—wouldn't I be filled with regret?
"Hehe, it was really my relative who asked me to ask."

The honest and simple-minded martial arts practitioner inadvertently confessed.

Your relatives are far away in Beidu. How come you two are able to exchange messages so smoothly?
Xu Yuan didn't expose him, and said calmly, "Keep it for now, you never know when you might need it."

"Okay, okay." Nan Zhenchuan didn't dare to ask any more questions.

Upon arriving at the canal dock, Nan Zhenchuan spent some time locating the cargo ship. After boarding, he presented the ship's owner with his young master's seal, and the owner ordered someone to fetch a large box.

"Honored guest, please inspect the goods."

After Xu Yuan opened and inspected the box, he nodded and closed it again: "No problem."

The boat owner smiled and cupped his hands in greeting: "That's good then."

Xu Yuan disembarked with his hands behind his back.

Nan Zhenchuan blinked and consciously hoisted the large box onto his shoulder.

Martial arts practitioners are meant to do this kind of rough and heavy work.

After helping Lord Xu carry his belongings back to the government office, Xu Yuan asked, "When will Young Master Wei leave Champa?"

"This……"

If Miss Jinxi doesn't leave, Wei Jinyuan doesn't want to leave either.

His previous excuse was that he owed Xu Yuan something, so he stayed on his own initiative.

Complete the transaction and then leave.

Now that there's no excuse, Lord Xu is about to kick them out.

Nan Zhenchuan didn't know how to answer, but unexpectedly Xu Yuan suddenly smiled and said, "The customs and culture of southern Jiaozhi are unique. Why don't you stay a little longer, Young Master Wei?"

"I was busy with cases for a while, but I've had some free time recently, so let me show you some hospitality."

Nan Zhenchuan was flattered and said, "I will certainly report the truth to you, young master."

"Okay, let's go."

Nan Zhenchuan slunk back, and when he told Wei Jinyuan, the young master frowned, sensing that something was amiss.

But he was more than happy that Xu Yuan didn't kick him out.

"Let's stay by Miss Jinxi's side for now."

……

Instead of dealing with the "Azure Stele Fire," Xu Yuan first took out the imperial belt and refined it into the beast sinew rope.

This pill possessed a certain "official authority".

The so-called "official authority" is the aura of the imperial court, which naturally exerts a greater suppressive power on evil spirits and strange creatures that commit crimes.

Then, Xu Yuan went out to find Zhong Die.

Zhong Die has been very troubled lately and has complained about "Senior Brother" countless times in private.

Zang Tianlan is a typical example of someone who kills but doesn't care about the aftermath.

All the ingredients were kneaded into a ball.

It would be extremely difficult to break it down one by one—so Mr. Feng praised Zang Tianlan a few times.

Because in Mr. Feng's view, this was a "test question" posed to Zhong Die and Xu Haoran.

When Xu Yuan entered the room, besides his fellow apprentice and sister, Old Zheng was also there.

"Be careful..." Old Zheng reminded, "This 'Xiangshehuo' will be taken out soon..."

(End of this chapter)