The Little Fox's Immortal Cultivation Encyclopedia

Chapter 107 Night Patrol

The nights grew longer each day.

Facing the cold wind, Wang Gengfu wrapped his clothes tighter, raised the clapper in his hand, and struck it three times forcefully.

"It's a dark and windy night, so make sure the doors and windows are closed—"

Although there was no curfew, by midnight the streets were deserted. Shops that only opened at night gradually turned off their lights.

The sound of a wooden clapper echoed through the empty street, startling a few mice.

The watchman looked ahead and saw that although the paper horse shop ahead was closed, its lamps were still lit.

He went up and knocked on the door as if he knew the way well: "Shopkeeper, I've come to ask for a drink of water."

Having said that, without waiting for a response from inside, he pushed the door open and went in.

He and the shopkeeper here were old acquaintances. Others avoided this business, thinking it was unlucky and not daring to come, but he wasn't afraid at all. Every night he would come to drink a bowl of water and chat with the shopkeeper for a bit.

"what?"

At this time of day, the shopkeeper would usually be dozing in his chair. But tonight, he is still hunched over his table, making paper figures.

"I've poured you some water, drink it yourself."

The shopkeeper didn't even look up.

The night watchman picked up the bowl, drank it all in one gulp, wiped his mouth, and then carefully dipped it into the shopkeeper's mouth.

Although the shopkeeper often dealt with the dead and didn't talk much, he always had a smile on his face. But why was his face so long today?

"Oh, what's going on?"

"The purse is missing," the shopkeeper scoffed. "It must have been stolen by that beggar I ran into yesterday."

"Didn't you report it to the authorities?"

"Alas, Magistrate Zhang said he has already sent people to investigate. They searched all the places the beggar frequented and also inquired with other beggars. It wasn't him who stole it."

"Then what are you worrying about? Magistrate Zhang hasn't made a wrong judgment."

"Just because I was right before doesn't mean I'm right today. Once I'm done with this, I'm going to sue them. I refuse to believe it."

Having already drunk the water, the night watchman didn't want to spoil his mood, so he changed the subject: "Why aren't you resting in the middle of the night? What are you doing making so many paper figures? Is it a funeral?"

"Who knew, all that secrecy, and then they asked for fifty right off the bat."

The night watchman nodded, offered a few more words of comfort, and then took his leave.

"what?"

He turned into a side alley, and as he walked, he unexpectedly saw other night watchmen ahead.

This is strange. After the Mid-Autumn Festival, the county was plagued by ghost stories, and fewer people went out at night, especially the night watchmen. Those who did go out did so in groups, and usually no one dared to walk these small paths at this time. Why aren't they afraid today?

"Hey, have you been watching me on night patrol lately? Have you encountered any strange people?" The watchman, with his shifty eyes, leaned closer.

"You've encountered a ghost again?"

"Oh, not one of those eerie, ghostly figures, but one that makes you feel at ease." He gestured carefully to indicate the name, "It's someone—"

Wang Gengfu stared blankly, then suddenly spoke: "A man dressed in black robes, carrying a long knife."

"Hey, you saw it too. I've asked a lot of acquaintances recently, and they all—" The watchman didn't finish his sentence. Following the watchman's gaze, he saw a figure in black clothes pass by in front of him and disappear in a flash.

"—How about we go to the temple to pray after we're done?"

The shopkeeper was engrossed in making paper figures when he suddenly noticed a pair of boots.

"Are you here to pick up your order?"

"Hmm." Lu Zheng glanced around the shop and said, "Magistrate Zhang's judgment is correct. However, if you disagree with his judgment in the future, you can appeal to me, and I will re-examine your case."

"Oh? You're an official?"

Lu Zheng smiled and a bag of silver coins flew out from his sleeve: "This is the money bag you accidentally lost, plus the last bit of silver I gave you."

The shopkeeper instinctively took it, weighed it in his hand, and said, "Too much—"

Lu Zheng smiled, extending his divine power to envelop the paper figures filling the room: "If any people come here with grievances in the future, please instruct them to write the Yin Post. This small amount of money is a token of my gratitude for helping me take care of this matter."

Ignoring the stunned shopkeeper, Lu Zheng turned and left. The paper figures gradually grew eyebrows and eyes, and followed him in an orderly fashion.

The night was still long, and Lu Zheng would visit each and every one of those who had caused trouble, argued with others, or were involved in cases during the day.

The shopkeeper suddenly opened his eyes, looked at the money bag in his hand, then at the empty shop, and a strange thought popped into his head:

Is this some kind of attempt to steal business from the county magistrate?

The river tilts and the moon sets; it's the fifth watch of the night.

The two night watchmen walked together, their clappers ringing intermittently.

This night patrol is almost over; one more round and I can go back inside to rest.

Not far ahead was the City God Temple, which the two were very familiar with. The incense in the temple had long since died out, and on ordinary days, not to mention at night, few people would come here even during the day.

Because no one came, it became a good place for the night watchmen to rest.

"Huh?" Wang Gengfu wondered for the umpteenth time.

At this moment, several figures were standing in front of the temple. Looking up, one could see wisps of smoke rising from the hall.

Wang Gengfu moved closer and saw it clearly this time.

Those people were all dressed as scholars, some holding incense sticks, others carrying food boxes, all with respectful expressions.

"Goodness, when did this dilapidated temple get so cleaned up?" Another watchman was also dumbfounded.

As they drew closer, they could hear the scholars whispering.

"May the City God grant me your blessing, my student, in the autumn examinations next year. If I pass, I will surely return to fulfill my vow—"

"Lord City God, my essay is poorly written. Please bless the examiners to be blind—"

"Your Majesty, I will bathe and change my clothes tonight and pray earnestly. I hope you can come to me in my dream and give me a lecture."

"Mr. Su, I dare not ask for anything. But I feel so bad that you are all alone in this temple, without even anyone to serve you tea or water. I wish to stay by your side and do my best to show my filial piety. If you are willing to take me in, I will do anything."

The others immediately looked up and glared angrily at the last person.

You shameless scoundrel! You're rushing to show your filial piety far too quickly. If you want to be a ghost messenger, just hurry up and die!

They cursed inwardly, but seeing that he pretended not to see them, they all turned around and changed their prayers: "Mr. Su, we are your students in the last year of your time at the academy, and can be considered your last disciples—"

"I still keep the articles that my teacher corrected, and I study them every day."

"Sir, what sir?" This was the question asked by the night watchman.

"You don't even know this? That Mr. Su from the academy—many of the prominent figures in the county today were taught by him. A few days ago, someone dreamt of Mr. Su, and only then did they find out that Mr. Su has become the City God of Tao County!"

The night watchman opened his mouth, but for a moment he didn't know what to say.

The scholar got even more excited: "That's the City God! From now on, the entire Tao County will be under his jurisdiction. I've heard that the City God has a Book of Life and Death; with just a few strokes, he can change a person's lifespan—"

The candlelight on the offering table flickered, casting intermittent light and shadow on the faces of the scholars.

The influence of the newly established City God permeated every corner of Taoyuan County.

Including the rhyme that is currently huddled in the tunnel.