I was forced to cultivate immortality when I just wanted to lie down

Chapter 116 Drifting, Ghost Play

Fate is determined by heaven, but fortune is created by oneself.

A baby's birth is determined when he is one month old, but at the moment of the "Zhuazhou" ceremony, many choices become available.

Toys and utensils, writing brushes, inkstones, gold, silver, and copper coins, wooden swords, and wooden knives
They could be gangsters, scholars, merchants, soldiers, or bandits.

You cannot choose your fate, your destiny is created by yourself.

Xu Qing, who has just turned one month old, is now facing the choice of the one-year-old ceremony.

The corpse-hiding realm after the golden-armored corpse is the crossroads of the zombie's cultivation. His choice at this time is related to the final result of his evolution.

The Maojiang is the ruler of the mountains and forests. By practicing this method, one can become a Maohu.

The fire zombie is the master of fire burning, and if it is cultivated, it can become the drought demon.

The black zombie is the master of water, and if you cultivate it, you can become a water demon.

Xu Qing pondered for a moment and finally decided to follow the path of Shuiba.

He is in the city, not in the mountains, so he cannot cultivate the furry beast.

The drought demon needs to devour the essence of fire, earth, and the essence of all things, but he also does not have these conditions.

After much thought, the Shuiba is the most suitable one.

Linhe is a place with abundant water resources. He has learned many water skills and has a water strainer in his hand.

In addition, there is a ready-made cultivation treasure like Wuding Black Water, which allows him to step into the Shuiba branch.

The time, place and people are all right. If he insists on choosing another path, it would be like trying to catch fish in a tree and suffering no consequences.

After determining the evolutionary path, Xu Qing felt a lot more relaxed.

Everything is ready, only the timing is missing.

When the golden armor corpse is successfully raised and refined, he will refine the uncertain black water and gradually become a crouching corpse, an incorruptible bone, a flying zombie, and even the legendary Kuiba. Then it will no longer be an illusory thing. The most he needs to consider is the issue of time and lifespan.

And what Xu Qing lacks the least are these two things.

That day, there was a heavy thunderstorm in Tianjin Prefecture.

The two brothers of the Wu family came to the prison together.

The jailer who was in charge of the entrance guarded the place tightly, spoke harshly, and was determined not to let the two in.

Only Wu Wencai was understanding and sympathetic. He took out five taels of silver, but the two jailers thought it was too little and said, "Five taels is enough for only one person to go in. If you two want to go in together, it's not enough."

Wu Wencai had no choice but to take out another five taels of silver, and only then were the two of them able to enter the prison.

The jailer led the way, and the two men walked all the way from the outer prison to the inner prison before they saw Wu Yaoxing who was imprisoned in the cell.

At this time, Wu Yaoxing was naked, and his skin exposed to the air was torn in many places. It was obvious that he had suffered inhuman torture before.

Seeing the two sons of the Wu family coming to visit, Wu Yaoxing wanted to get up several times, but he was bound by anklets and handcuffs and could not get up.

When the jailer opened the cell door, Wu Zhiyuan could no longer control the sadness in his heart.

"Dad, I'm late!"

The jailer was annoyed when he heard this and said, "You're just crying over there. He's not even dead yet, why are you crying for no reason?"

"Hurry up and finish your words. A cup of tea won't take long."

Wu Wencai bowed to the jailer, then quickly stepped forward and, together with Wu Zhiyuan, helped the dilapidated Wu Yaoxing up.

Sitting in front of a pile of weeds, Wu Yaoxing burst into tears.

"Son, maybe it's because of a last breath that I can see you in my dream."

Wu Zhiyuan shook his head and choked up, unable to speak for a while.

Wu Wencai knew time was running out and this wasn't the time to complain to each other. He stepped forward and said, "Uncle, please don't be sad. This isn't a dream. My brother and I are about to run around and redress your injustice. As long as we're honest, the higher-ups will overturn your case."

"What do you mean by that? They're protecting each other, and the new prefect doesn't listen to good advice. He's probably accepted favors and bribes. How can they overturn the verdict so easily?"

"I have been beaten and whipped, and my body is broken. I can't bear it for much longer. You two should stop wasting your energy. I only hope that Zhiyuan can take good care of your mother, and Wencai can calm down and study hard. In the future, he can marry a good wife and fight for our Wu family's reputation. Apart from that, I have no other requests!"

Upon hearing this, Wu Wencai couldn't help but shed tears.

"Uncle, what are you talking about? If You Zhiyuan goes to the higher authorities to appeal, I think it won't be difficult to postpone your sentence for an autumn. When the inspector comes to visit in a few days, I will go there to complain about my grievances and will surely be able to find the culprit who framed your uncle!"

In order to reassure Wu Yaoxing, Wu Wencai took out the soul-soothing talisman and disease-curing talisman given by Xu Qing.

The former is stored close to the body, while the latter is swallowed with water.

While helping Wu Yaoxing drink water and swallow the talisman, Wu Wencai talked about how Xu Qing had guided him out of the maze.

"When my brother and sister-in-law were engaged, my aunt and her husband, Yang Hong, repeatedly tried to stop the marriage. This time, my uncle was framed, most likely because of Yang Hong. I have made up my mind and will leave for the post station tomorrow to wait for the censor to submit his complaint."

Hearing this, Wu Yaoxing felt like a drowning man grabbing a piece of driftwood, or a man falling off a cliff grabbing a life-saving straw. He couldn't help but sigh:

"Brother Xu's kindness is truly unrequited. You two must never forget Brother Xu's kindness."

When a few people were talking, they didn't know that there were ears on the other side of the wall and the enemy was lurking nearby.

The conspiracy was leaked. The jailer at the door sent the two Wu brothers away and then went to the prefectural government office and found one of the runners.

The two men whispered to each other, and the latter immediately found a fast horse and arrived at the Baisha County seat in no time.

Zhang Yong, the eldest brother-in-law of County Master Zhang, appeared from the side door.

"What are you doing here? Are you going to ask me for money again?"

Yang Hong looked at the yamen runner Zhou Heng with a gloomy face and said in a low voice, "If the news leaks out, neither you nor I will have a good ending!"

Upon hearing this, Zhou Heng immediately became ashamed and annoyed, "Am I so despicable in your eyes? I've traveled all this way with good intentions to deliver a letter to you, and yet you open your mouth and say such unpleasant things. If that's the case, I'm leaving now! From now on, whoever wants to come to Baisha County can come!"

"Wait a minute, tell me what message you want to deliver."

In a secluded place in Zhang's house, Zhou Heng told everyone about the Wu brothers' desire to overturn the verdict and their plan to intercept the Inspector's appeal.

"What a haunting enemy!"

Yang Hong turned to look at Zhou Heng, "I'll have to trouble you, Brother Zhou, for this matter."

As he spoke, Yang Hong stretched out his palm and made a downward chopping motion.

Seeing this, Zhou Heng calmed down. He sat down at the table and said, "Last time, I accused the Tongtian Xin Sect of being a traitor and pointed out Wu Yaoxing in court. I already took a huge risk. Now you want me to get rid of those two brothers. It seems that I have to bear all the risks."

"I can't do this!"

Yang Hong and Zhou Heng have known each other for a long time. As soon as the other party sticks out his butt, he knows what he is going to say. It is no exaggeration to say that they know each other inside and out.

Yang Hong didn't say anything at the moment, but went back to his residence and took out two silver bills.

He put the two silver notes with a face value of one hundred taels in his arms and only took out one hundred taels and handed it to Zhou Heng.

"That's all? Killing someone isn't as simple as buying a crime. This matter is probably going to be difficult to handle."

Yang Hong snorted coldly when he heard this: "Last time, I asked you to use 500 taels to fake dirty money to frame Wu Yaoxing, but you only put in 300 taels. Don't think I didn't know."

"Take this one hundred taels as a deposit. After the matter is completed, there will be another one hundred taels as a gift."

"Let me be frank. If you don't handle this well, and the Wu brothers really overturn the verdict, neither you nor I will end up well in the future!"

"Oh! What are you talking about? We are brothers, how could I let you down?" Zhou Heng took the banknote and rode back to Tianjin.

The next morning, before daybreak, the Wu brothers had already set out for the Jinmen ferry.

Before the two of them stepped onto the dock, they heard someone calling out from behind.

"Where are you two going, gentlemen?"

Wu Zhiyuan said: "Go to the capital."

"This is truly a coincidence. There is a boat going to Beijing right now. Not only is the sailing stable, but it also travels very fast."

"May I ask where the ship is?"

"Don't worry, sir. I'll be the boatman."

At this time, Wu Wencai said, "I am only going to Shuyang. I wonder if this boat can take me with you?"

"That's probably not very convenient," the boatman hesitated. Before he could finish his words, another person who looked like a passenger came up and said, "Shuyang is on the same road. You're only going an extra four or five miles by water. What's the harm in giving it a ride?"

After saying this, the boatman stepped forward and bowed, saying, "My two brothers, my name is Yuan Hu. I'm just trying to help you when I'm away. If this boatman refuses to agree, I won't take his boat anymore. Let's see what he can do!"

It was because Xu Qing was not here, otherwise he would have recognized the identities of the boatman and the passenger. The two people in front of him were the ones who murdered Zheng Deli for money.

The boatman gritted his teeth, as if he was really conflicted.

"Well, you two, come aboard."

When a few people got on the boat, they found that there was another person on it.

The man was wearing a sword at his waist and sitting at a small table eating and drinking. He nodded at the two of them and said nothing more.

Yuan Hu said with a smile, "This guy is also on the boat. I heard he's an envoy on his way to the capital on official business. That's a good thing. With an envoy here, even if you encounter thieves on the road, you'll have some courage."

The three people on the boat had different expressions and did not seem to know each other.

Wu Zhiyuan and Wu Wencai did not suspect anything, and when they entered the cabin, the messenger asked:
"What are your names, where do you live, and do you have any ivory pass with you?"

Zhou Heng was born in a government office. He was used to being domineering and had the demeanor of an official. His words were intimidating without being angry and he was quite imposing.

When Wu Zhiyuan heard this, he felt that the other party did look like an official.

The two men told each other their names and showed the ivory cards. Zhou Heng asked them why they were going to the capital.
Wu Zhiyuan was about to answer, but Wu Wencai gave him a look, and he immediately changed his words, saying, "We two are going to the capital to stay with our relatives and wait for the autumn examination."

Zhou Heng smiled and said:

"The river water is cold. Why don't you two sit down and have a few cups of wine together to warm yourselves?"

Before the Wu brothers could answer, Yuan Hu pulled them to sit down.

"Since there's free drinks, why not eat?"

"Meeting is fate, there's no need for us two brothers to be shy."

On the vast waters, the ferry swayed slowly towards Luojing.

Several people on the boat were in a good mood to talk. Yuan Hu was also a wonderful person, and his words were very pleasant to listen to.

"Hey! The weather is so unpredictable. It just rained once, and now it's raining again."

"Let's stay ashore for half a day and wait for the wind to die down and the rain to stop before we leave."

The boat slowly approached the shore. Wu Zhiyuan looked out of the cabin and saw that there was no one on the shore. Only the ubiquitous sounds of wind, rain and thunder could be heard everywhere.

On the roof of the cabin, raindrops like sieved beans hit the awning, making a "puff" and "puff" sound.

At this moment, the black clouds have not covered the mountains, and the white rain has jumped into the boat like pearls!

The Wu brothers were physically and mentally exhausted, and having drunk a lot of liquor, it didn't take long for them to fall asleep in the cabin with their clothes on.

In the dim sky, Yuan Hu and Zhou Heng looked at each other, and the boatman silently went to untie the rope and row the boat.

The ferry quietly sailed towards the middle of the river. Yuan Hu took out a rope and he and Zhou Heng each tied up Wu Zhiyuan and Wu Wencai tightly.

The Wu brothers felt the boat shaking and their bodies were in pain while they were drunkenly dreaming, so they woke up one after another.

"What are you waiting for?"

Yuan Hu smiled and said, "I took money from others and helped them to get rid of their misfortunes. If you want to blame someone, blame yourself for not knowing what's good for you and offending someone you shouldn't have offended."

"Stop talking and get the job done!"

Zhou Heng carried Wu Wencai on his back, and Yuan Hu followed closely behind. When they reached the bow of the boat, the two men threw the Wu brothers into the river.

The river flows rapidly, connecting to Yu Lake and Mianyang Lake in the south, Yunshui Lake in the north, and Baisha River running through it from east to west. In addition, the wind and rain are strong at this time. Not to mention the people tied up with ropes, even if a skilled person falls into the water, he may not survive.

But it is strange that after the Wu brothers fell into the water, they not only did not sink, but also did not follow the current eastward along the seaport. Instead, they went upstream and headed straight towards the capital.

"Weird thing!"

Zhou Heng ordered the boatman to row the boat and chase after them. When they got close, he drew his harpoon and stabbed the two men.

At this moment, a faint light suddenly appeared, and the harpoon in Zhou Heng's hand was like hitting a slippery loach, and he failed to pierce the torso twice in a row.

"Let me do it!" Yuan Hu took the harpoon and became furious, but before he could make any move, a huge wave suddenly swept over from the bow of the ship.

The ferry was suddenly like a fallen leaf blown by the wind and was almost overturned by the waves into the water.

After the waves passed, Yuan Hu looked again, but he could no longer see the figures of the Wu brothers in the water.

Zhou Heng breathed a sigh of relief and said with a smile, "With waves this big, even if he were a god descending to earth, he wouldn't be able to survive."

"Now that this matter is over, Master Zhou, please take a look..."

Zhou Heng took out a silver ingot and said, "Ten taels for the deposit and ten taels for the balance, a total of twenty taels. I will definitely not give you any less."

On the river, the Wu brothers were separated by the huge waves, one went straight to Jinghe, and the other went upstream to Yuzhou.

There were waves and undercurrents along the way, as well as reefs and floating objects blocking his way. Wu Zhiyuan thought there was no way to survive, but he never expected that he could survive the whole journey without any danger.

However, he was hit by a foreign object in the water. Although it did not harm him, the crane bone flute on his waist was broken into two pieces.

After drifting for half a day, Wu Zhiyuan felt his stomach warm and heard people talking in his ears. He forced his eyes open and saw an elderly couple in front of him, who were making ginger soup and carefully feeding it to him.

At the same time, outside Yuzhou City.

Wu Wencai drifted all the way, and when the water flow calmed down, he saw a magnificent scenery of the south of the Yangtze River before his eyes.

Seeing the pleasure boat passing by, he paddled hard while shouting to the dazed woman on the boat: "Girl, save me! Please save me!"

Tianjin, Linhefang.

Xu Qing walked on the bluestone road that was blackened by rain and slowly returned to the villa.

He has obtained nearly fifty corpses in the past few days. According to the usual practice, he will plant these corpses in his own courtyard tonight, waiting for them to bear new fruits of the rampant army in the future.

After walking for a while, the iconic arched stone bridge of Watergate Bridge was already in sight.

At this time, the air was filled with mist, and the night air mixed with the gurgling sound of water flowing under the bridge in the distance, making the place seem particularly quiet.

As they got closer, sad and graceful lyrics arose out of nowhere.

"My lover is in a happy mood, while I am heartbroken. The moon knows my grievance. It is not easy to meet, but easy to part. It is too late for me to regret now.

Do you remember the phoenix that day, enjoying the fun? Do you remember the love that you left behind? Do you remember the old love that has no place to stay? Do you remember the orphan with no mother or father?
My dear wife, do you know that I have been ill for a long time and have become consumptive? I will soon die of grief for you!

The sorrowful and sad lyrics, like weeping and complaining, seemed to come and go, as if the opera singer appeared at the end of the bridge, then at the beginning, and sometimes even appeared right in front of him.

Taking into account the surrounding scenery, Xu Qing subconsciously looked towards the bridgehead.

Passing through the misty railing, there seems to be a figure leaping on the bridgehead, with plain-colored sleeves driving the mist, and making movements such as shaking, swinging, brushing and throwing to the sad tune.

The candle in the lantern in his hand also flickered and jumped.

When the sleeves were thrown towards him from a distance, a puff of white smoke suddenly emerged from the flickering candlelight, and the surroundings instantly became pitch black.

The night sky around at this time was obviously much thicker than before, and the humidity was also heavier.

Xu Qing raised his eyebrows and snapped his fingers.

The orange flames leaped up again. He narrowed his eyes slightly, picked up the lantern again, and looked at the bridge.

There was no one at the bridgehead at this moment, as if the woman seen earlier was an illusion.

Xu Qing clicked his tongue and his gaze no longer lingered.

It was because there was a cool and yin energy on his neck, which was spraying towards behind his ears.

Xu Qing turned his head and saw a female ghost in white leaning forward in front of him. Her pretty face was as rosy as a peach or plum, but as cold as ice.

"My husband, I'm so lonely, can you come down and keep me company?"

The female ghost grabbed his sleeve and shook it, her tone mixed with resentment and a strange fragrance sprayed on his face.

"Stop smelling like that! Besides, who told you to run out in the middle of the night without watching the door?"

Xu Qing pulled his sleeves away in annoyance.

(End of this chapter)