Inheriting a Taoist temple, the story begins with Wu Zetian offering incense.

Chapter 33 Little Rhinoceros's Gift! [Seeking Monthly Tickets]

Soon, a tow truck drove up the mountain and towed Zhao Wei's excavator away.

Unable to slack off, Zhou Yi had no choice but to continue carrying bricks. After carrying three bricks, he once again experienced that feeling of being so tired that he couldn't breathe.

Yesterday, I used lightning in Huangniwa, and the merit I originally earned was reduced from four coins back to three coins.

"One begets two, two begets three, three begets all things... Three coins of merit foreshadow that I will have endless merit in the future..."

During lunch, Zhou Yi offered himself some words of encouragement and self-reproach.

It was quite hot today, so he made cold noodles with a topping of stir-fried green beans and minced meat. He really enjoyed it.

Just after lunch, Xu Wenhai suddenly called.

The Book of Changes asks:

"How is Xu Tian now?"

“I was just about to tell you that after you left that day, he slept until 8 p.m. the next day. He has some memory of what happened before, but it’s all very vague… Will this affect his mental health?”

After regaining his senses, Xu Tian became even more withdrawn and introverted, which worried Xu Wenhai. So, after much deliberation, he decided to consult the I Ching.

The Book of Changes says:

"Normally, that wouldn't happen. Tell him not to stay up late, to go to bed early and get up early, to get more sunshine, and to do something that requires physical exertion."

Xu Wenhai asked indirectly:

"Master Zhou, do you have any statues of deities that can be placed at home and subtly change one's personality?"

Zhou Yi laughed upon hearing this:

"Taoist magic is not omnipotent, don't be too superstitious... It's better to rely on yourself than to seek help from gods. You should encourage Xu Tian to take the initiative to leave the house and not stay at home all day."

Xu Wenhai said with distress:

“We know that, but he won’t listen. He feels like people are pointing and talking about him whenever he goes out, and he’s even afraid to buy a bottle of water.”

Introverted and timid, with a severe lack of self-confidence... Zhou Yi pinched his brow and had a solution:
"How about this, I'll go to the county town in a few days and bring Xu Tian a peace charm. He should wear it with him at all times; it should help him a lot."

This is exactly what Xu Wenhai wanted to hear:

"That's great! How much is it? I'll transfer it to you via WeChat."

"1299."

After quoting the price, Zhou Yi explained to Xu Wenhai:

"It's not that I'm selling it at a high price, it's just that the plaque Xu Tian used has to be worshipped in the Taoist temple for three days, which is quite complicated."

Xu Wenhai had just witnessed Zhou Yi's abilities a few days ago, and repeatedly said:

"Any price is fine. When will you be coming, Master Zhou? I'll make the arrangements in advance."

"Let's talk about that later. I'll prepare a peace charm first."

As soon as Zhou Yi hung up the phone, he received a transfer from Xu Wenhai.

After receiving the payment, he went to the room where the ritual objects were stored, opened a box labeled "Red Rosewood," and found it full of peace amulets wrapped in silk cloth with labels attached.

Zhong Kui, Guan Gong, Tai Chi, Bagua, Five Emperors Coins, Zhao Gongming... these are basically all Taoist deities and symbols.

After searching through the I Ching for a long time, I finally found a peace plaque at the very bottom with the three characters "Wang Lingguan" on it.

"It's you!"

According to Taoist scriptures, everyone's essence, energy, and spirit are a kind of energy. Some people have strong energy, while others have weak energy. When the two are close together, the stronger energy body will unconsciously intimidate the weaker energy body.

The reason why timid people feel uncomfortable when they are out and about, feeling like they are being watched and targeted, is because of this.

The less you go out and move around, the weaker your energy body becomes, and the stronger that feeling of unease will become.

From the perspective of the Five Elements, a timid personality indicates a lack of the fire element, so Zhou Yi chose a peace amulet made of red rosewood to increase Xu Tian's fire element.

The reason for choosing Wang Lingguan instead of other deities' amulets is because Wang Lingguan has a special status—he has the duty of overseeing the Three Realms. Overseeing the Three Realms doesn't just involve ghosts and gods; the human world also falls under his jurisdiction.

No matter how strong a mortal's energy body is, it cannot intimidate Wang Lingguan, who oversees the Three Realms; it will only be suppressed by Wang Lingguan.

Wearing his peace charm when going out will prevent you from feeling like you're being watched or targeted, and will also sweep away any cowardice or timidity in your heart.

When a person is not resistant to going out, their energy body will naturally gradually increase, and their personality will become more cheerful and outgoing.

Zhou Yi took the peace talisman of Wang Lingguan to the entrance of Haotian Palace, found the statue of Wang Lingguan standing in front of the emperor, first placed the offerings, then placed the peace talisman in front of the statue of Wang Lingguan, lit an incense stick, and began to recite the "Lingguan Protection Mantra".

There are many Taoist incantations related to Wang Lingguan, such as the "Lingguan Incantation", "Marshal Wang Incantation", "Lingguan Exorcising Evil Incantation", "Lingguan Extinguishing Evil Incantation", and so on.

Xu Tian has no evil spirits or malevolent energy on him; he only needs to recite a protective incantation.

Compared to deity statues, the process of offering peace plaques is simpler. There is no need to invite gods; you only need to recite the protective mantra twice a day, morning and evening, and offer it for three consecutive days before sending the peace plaque to the county.

After finishing this task, Zhou Yi rode his motorcycle down the mountain and ran into Zhao Wei, who was returning from the excavator after-sales service station.

The excavator was perfectly fine; both the boom and the boom, and the hydraulic pump were all working perfectly. Zhao Wei really wanted to try it out at Hunyuan Palace again, but Zhou Yi politely declined.

Grandpa said no cheating or shirking, so I'd better just honestly carry bricks.

If we drive the excavator up there, new problems might arise, so let's forget about it.

Zhou Yi rode his motorcycle to help a family in the next village look at their burial site, and didn't return to Hunyuan Palace until evening.

As soon as I parked my motorcycle, I saw a piece of paper stuffed under the kitchen door.

He walked over, pulled it out, and saw it was a note left by Chen Tang. It said that he was on a forced march and couldn't stop, so he "borrowed" a few packets of iodized salt and Wang Shouyi's spicy seasoning from the kitchen before heading back.

Zhou Yi bought the salt and seasonings wholesale from the dried vegetable shop in town. They were inexpensive, but for people in ancient times, both the snowflake-like salt and the spicy and savory seasonings that whetted the appetite were invaluable treasures.

After reading the note left by Chen Tang, Zhou Yi went to the statue of Wang Lingguan and recited the "Lingguan Protective Incantation" before preparing dinner. After eating and drinking his fill, he read Taoist scriptures for half the night before going to bed.

The next day, while he was having breakfast, Wu Meiniang and Gongsun Da Niang arrived at Hunyuan Palace one after the other.

When Gongsun Da Niang saw that Zhou Yi was eating congee with preserved egg and lean pork, she unceremoniously served herself a large bowl, saying that she wanted to taste the saltiness for everyone.

The Empress was more composed; instead of eating hastily, she took out a valuable gold-inlaid jade pendant from her cloth bag and handed it to Zhou Yi.
"This is a gift that Li Mingda asked me to bring. Since she took the medicine you bought, her health has greatly improved. Yesterday, she walked around Beihai Pond with me twice and still didn't feel tired. Her appetite has also increased. She ate two steamed buns last night and asked the palace maids to keep it a secret and not let anyone laugh at her."

When Zhou Yi received the jade pendant, the entire piece immediately transformed into aged jade, appearing quite gruesome.

Seeing this, Aunt Gongsun quickly moved her seat to the side:
"Master, you mustn't touch me! I'm wearing new clothes over there today. If you touch them, they'll turn into rags and I won't be able to wear them anymore."

Zhouyi: "..."

There's no need to emphasize it like that, making it seem like I have ulterior motives.

He looked at Wu Meiniang and asked:
"Why would Li Mingda suddenly send me a gift? What did you say to her?"

Wu Zetian's pretty face was full of innocence:

"I told her that you were living a very frugal life, and she was so distressed that she even planned to steal the three-foot-long jade ruyi from the Taiji Hall for you."

Well, Old Li's little cotton-padded jacket is about to let in the wind.

Fortunately, they didn't mention stealing the Imperial Seal of the State, otherwise Old Li would have had to purge the harem.

Zhou Yi soaked the steamed fried dough rolls he had made that morning into the congee with preserved egg and lean pork, and said slowly:

"When we go down the mountain to town later, I'll buy a badminton racket. If you get bored over there, you can play badminton with Li Mingda. Actually, ping pong is also fine, but you need a table, so it's not as convenient as badminton."

Wu Zetian nodded:
"It just so happens that I was also thinking of going to the street to buy some women's items. Sister Gongsun, is there anything you would like to buy?"

Grandma Gongsun counted on her fingers a list of items, including popsicles, pineapple buns, milk tea, grilled sausages, and small cakes... She recounted everything she had eaten there.

Zhou Yi waved his hand speechlessly:
"Alright, alright, stop talking. Buying things is fine, but around 10 a.m., Meiniang has to come with me to a place to help me eradicate a harmful evil spirit!"

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(End of this chapter)