Yinshan Record

Chapter 346 What is the request from Zhang San?
Xue Baizhi.

As Su Che listened to Xiong Shou's description, the name lingered in his mind.

It seems I've met this person a few times before.

Back then, when I went with the Yin-Yang Dharma King to break into the forbidden area of ​​Yuyang Mountain and collect the souls of eight hundred soldiers, I think I fought with the female cultivator that Xiong Shou mentioned.

At the time, I only felt that the sword energy was sharp and that he was a rare swordsman from the Xuanmen sect, but I did not expect that he was a disciple of the head of Yuyang Mountain.

Good, this little Xue can boast about it later, saying that she once fought against us and the two sides were evenly matched.

Yes, I fought with Madam Xue in the Water Mansion a few days ago. She should have been one of those experts who had achieved the Rejuvenation Pill Realm.

It seems that since this person was previously at Madam Xue's residence, all that is needed is for Madam Xue to inform her.

"I wonder what brings Master Xue from your sect down the mountain?"

"This is something that happens within the sect, so I don't know much about it either." Xiong Shou thought for a moment and said, "I only heard that they are looking for a demonic sorcerer named Zuo Lengchan."

The fact that Yuyang Mountain was searching for Zuo Lengchan was no secret to Xiong Shou and his disciples.

In fact, not long after Su Che and the Yin-Yang Dharma King left, Yu Yangshan sent a letter to Xiong Shou, asking him to pay attention to whether there was an old demon in the Censorate's archives who called himself Zuo Lengchan.

Zuo Lengchan.

Su Che frowned slightly. Wasn't that himself?

Those eight hundred military spirits didn't seem like the treasures of Yuyang Mountain at all, so why would the sect leader and his disciples come down the mountain to search for them?

The Yu Yang Mountain disciple Chu Yuan, whom I met in Xuan Mountain, was a typical hypocrite, and the Imperial Censor Xiong, whom I met later, was also a cunning and ruthless fellow.

It seems that the disciples of Yuyang Mountain have such a low moral character; the sect is full of petty people.

They keep such a close watch on even eight hundred wandering ghosts; no wonder they've only managed to make a name for themselves in the Central Plains.

Su Che pondered for a moment and decided that if he encountered disciples of Yuyang Mountain in the future, it would be best not to use certain methods, lest he expose his own identity.

Su San Gongzi readily agreed to Xiong Shou's request. He also learned that Yu Yang Mountain was searching for Zuo Lengchan. He planned to return home and discuss with the Yin Yang Dharma King how to divert Yu Yang Mountain's attention elsewhere in the future.

While the fate of Wenning County was being discussed in Cizhou City, Wenning County was already in constant fear.

The streets were spotless, as if dogs had licked them clean. The streets were desolate, all the shops were closed, and every household was guarding their doors, waiting for their final fate.

The faint sounds of horns and prayers could be heard in the air.

Old Niu and Zhang San wandered aimlessly through the streets, searching for something to eat.

The Green Ox has completed its cultivation and can now live on wind and dew. In fact, the whole street is full of food for it. If all else fails, it can hug the big locust tree by the roadside and take a bite to satisfy its craving.

Zhang San had no cultivation skills and had been wandering around Wenning County for the past few days. If it weren't for the old ox looking after him, he would have starved long ago.

Old Niu had originally planned to cut off a few pieces of beef brisket from his own body to grill for his good brother, but Zhang San politely declined.

Zhang San had been relying on this ox for a long time and had developed a deep bond with him, so he really couldn't bring himself to eat it.

Zhang San refused to eat beef, but Lao Niu had plenty of ways to deal with it. In short, the two of them drifted around Wenning County for the past few days, and Zhang San didn't get cold or hungry.

"Brother Niu, what do you think we should do now?"

Zhang San looked at the sky over Wenning County. For the past few days, the sky had been covered with dark clouds, and even the sun couldn't shine down. Zhang San was starting to lose his sense of day and night.

“There are three options now,” Old Niu said, looking at Zhang San. “The first option is for you and me to go to the county government office and reveal your identities. We’ll say that we are under the command of Su Lixing, the Imperial Guard, and that we are helping the magistrate defend the city. The advantage is that we might be able to make a contribution, but the disadvantage is that we probably won’t be able to enjoy it.”

Zhang San shook his head.

"I'm afraid that won't work." They had seen Sikong Tu's methods before. This ghost general commanded thousands of ghost soldiers under the Yin-Yang Dharma King. He was a genuine fifth-grade Rejuvenating Pill cultivator. If he really put on a show, even ten old oxen wouldn't be enough to deal with him.

Moreover, it wasn't just Sikong Tu who was involved.

During this period, Ghost General has been gathering forces from all sides. Under his command are extraordinary people from the East Sea, various demon kings who escaped from the Xuan Mountain, hungry ghosts from the Yin-Yang realm, and water demons who came to help from the Canglang River.

With the ever-present and elusive Great River Alliance behind them, the combined forces of all parties have created a formidable force.

"Otherwise, we can find an opportunity to run out of Wenning County and head straight for Cizhou City, and report everything that happened here to the Imperial Guards."

Old Niu looked at Zhang San and said, "We've all secured a safe and secure job, which is a way of giving that person an explanation."

Zhang San remained silent, his eyes simply gazing quietly out of the city.

The old ox stared at him with its ox eyes.

"Brother Niu, do you think there's any hope for this dynasty?"

Zhang San, having risen through the ranks of a yamen runner, was already accustomed to the fickleness of human nature and the coldness of human relationships. Since ancient times, those who have served in the public office for a long time have easily become somewhat numb and indifferent, precisely because they have seen too much and have lost some compassion.

Since leaving Shanyin County and taking on a new identity to travel the world with the old ox, his feelings have become increasingly profound.

Natural disasters and man-made calamities have made life difficult for ordinary people, but the pressure from the imperial court is increasing day by day.

In some places, local tyrants seize wealth through cunning and force, neglecting even the appearance of civility. Local officials, in order to curry favor with their superiors, exploit the people to the point of selling their children.

These days are so short, it's impossible to see when they'll end.

Whether or not they can be saved is none of our business.

Old Niu patted the younger brother on the shoulder.

During this time, the two covered for each other and helped each other, and they really built up a lot of friendship in adversity.

Old Niu chuckled憨厚ly: "What does the imperial court have to do with us? You're not the emperor, and I'm not the prime minister. If all else fails, we have a third way."

"What does Brother Niu mean?"

“We are both well-known outside. If you are unhappy with the court, we can surrender to the Minister of Works first. We can surrender to him later when he leads his troops to attack.”

Old Niu patted his chest as he spoke: "I'm not bragging, but we can also play both sides. If Sikong Tu's side wins, we will both be meritorious officials who have followed the emperor, and we will have a good future. If Sikong Tu is defeated, it's not too late for us to immediately surrender to the court."

Zhang San simply shook his head upon hearing this.

Although he had some dissatisfaction with the imperial court, he was always grateful for the kindness and recognition shown to him by the Third Young Master Su.

Without Young Master Su, I would still be nothing more than a lowly yamen runner in Shanyin County, no different from the common people who were exploited and oppressed.

Being able to meet Brother Niu and join the ranks of the Imperial Guards means that from now on, every one of my descendants will have a chance to become Imperial Guards.

Everything was a gift from Young Master Su.

Zhang San did not want to betray Young Master Su.

“Brother Niu, what you said makes a lot of sense, but I can’t do it.”

Upon hearing this, the old ox nodded slightly.

Although my little brother is a bit slow, he's not stupid after all.

Happy Mid-Autumn Festival to everyone! May the flowers always bloom, the moon always be full, and people live long lives.

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(End of this chapter)