Weird Cultivation, I have a five-organ temple

Chapter 321 The Bandit Who Can Tame Beasts
Shang Lu was very happy.

During this period of time, he had been asking around for information about the Five Evil Stones, but to no avail.

He was even considering whether he should take the risk to help Gongshu Ling conduct witchcraft experiments after making the Nuo mask. He couldn't just wait there like an idiot, could he?

Unexpectedly, Bai Lingxu actually found out the news.

"Brother Bai, everyone says you are reliable. Now you have the news. You are indeed a gossip-teller."

Shang Lu first said a few nice words about not asking for money, and then asked urgently: "Where can I get the Five Evil Stones?"

Perhaps because they didn't talk face to face, Shang Lu's eloquence didn't work. Bai Lingxu was not overwhelmed by his few nice words. He smiled and reminded him, "Junior Brother Shang, you have to say nice things and give contribution points."

"Brother Bai, are you still afraid that I will default on my debt?"

Shang Lu never thought that he could get Bai Lingxu to sell him information for free just by saying a few nice words.

But he did not transfer the money immediately. Instead, he asked, "There is no problem with the contribution, but is your information accurate?"

Bai Lingxu said: "Of course it's accurate. If it's not accurate, I'll refund the full amount."

"With Senior Brother Bai's words, I feel relieved."

Shang Lu was not afraid that Bai Lingxu would default on his debt, so he immediately transferred a sum of contribution points to Bai Lingxu according to the price agreed upon before.

After finishing, Shang Lu glanced at the balance and found that more than half of the contribution points accumulated from several great achievements had been spent in recent times due to a series of miscellaneous expenses.

If the situation continues like this, the remaining contribution will not last long.

Not to mention that he also took a fancy to some martial arts techniques, magical weapons, and secret methods... each of which was very expensive.

"We have to find a way to earn contributions."

Shang Lu pondered in his mind: Maybe on the way to cut down and collect Yin Yang Willows and Blood Sky Mine, I could take on some errands along the way, and earn a little bit of money.

After receiving the transfer from Shang Lu, Bai Lingxu immediately shared the information he had gathered:

"At the foot of the Black Wind Ferry in Guling County, a ghost market opens every night at midnight. The goods there are sold for money, regardless of their origin or purpose. I have received accurate information that during this period, someone has been selling the Five Evil Stones in the ghost market at the Black Wind Ferry, and the quantity is quite large."

"The Black Wind Ferry in Guling County?"

After thanking Bai Lingxu, Shang Lu quickly walked to his own yamen and ordered the clerk to bring him a map.

After a careful search, the location of Heifeng Ferry was determined.

This ferry is located on the Qiang River and is named after the Black Wind Mountain which is adjacent to it.

Shang Lu didn't know if there were any bear monsters in Black Wind Mountain who stole the cassock. But on the other side of the Qiang River was a land of barbarians.

The mountains and forests there are filled with miasma, monsters and beasts, as well as ignorant and uncivilized barbarians.

Over the past hundred years, countries such as Ba, Chu, and Shu have been trying to conquer and develop these wild lands.

But progress is slow.

Although there are resources for cultivation there, the poisonous miasma is also very serious.

Even wizards can't guard against it, let alone ordinary people.

It is rumored that the poisonous miasma is so severe that anyone who smells it will die and anyone who comes into contact with it will be injured. It is extremely dangerous and vicious.

This also makes the strategy and development of several countries difficult.

The black market is set up in a place like this, and it is hard to say whether there are some forces secretly supporting it.

But these have nothing to do with Phyllanthus.

It was enough for him to know that the Five Evil Stones were for sale in the black market.

Shang Lu planned the route on the map.

After going to Longmen Town and mining the Blood Sky Mine, you can take a boat south along the Qiang River to Heifeng Ferry.

"Yes, I got several things done in one trip."

Shang Lu nodded with satisfaction.

After putting away the map, he summoned several thieves and clerks to his own yamen.

"I have some things to do outside, so I'll lead a team to inspect the various counties in the county to catch thieves and public security. Who of you is free to bring your men and go with me?"

"My Lord, I am free!"

"I can hand over the task I'm doing to someone else. Let me go with you!"

"Sir, I am familiar with the affairs of all the counties in the county. It will definitely be useful if you take me with you."

After hearing Shang Lu's words, the eyes of several thieves' officials all lit up, and they all spoke up, wanting to follow Shang Lu on the field trip.

After Shang Lu arrived at the thieves' office, he solved several cases in a row, allowing the people who followed him to work to earn a lot of credit and rewards.

Now in the office of the thieves, there is a rumor circulating quietly that wherever the thieves Shang Cao goes, there is a case.

The people in the Thief Cao's Office are supposed to investigate and handle cases.

They are not afraid of encountering a case, but they are afraid of shedding blood and sweat but getting no credit and having to take the blame for their superiors.

But Shanglu has always been generous and willing to share the credit.

In the eyes of everyone in the Bandit Cao Office, he is simply the perfect superior.

The thieves and officials also wanted to make progress, so they were naturally very active.

They even had a dispute over the opportunity to tour the local area with Shang Lu.

"Old Shen, haven't you gained enough credit by following the master? Don't get involved this time. Let the brothers have the chance."

"That's right, that's right. Haven't you made enough contributions in recent months? It's time to give us a chance."

"Shentu, you should stay in the city and spend more time with your wife, lest she come to the government office and make trouble, saying that you haven't been home for ten days or half a month, and whether you have raised a child outside..."

"fart!"

Shentu was so angry at what his colleagues said that he stamped his feet.

He couldn't think of any rebuttal, but he didn't want to miss a new opportunity to make merit, so he simply ignored these people and directly asked Shang Lu for help.

"Sir, take me with you. I have cooperated with you several times. I am more convenient for you to use than these people, right?"

After some thought, Shang Lu decided not to take Shen Tu with him, but chose Zhu Quan, who was very familiar with Baiyi County and Guling County.

Zhu Quan was from Guling County and had served as an official in Baiyi County for many years. He was familiar with the conditions in both places and was suitable to be a deputy.

Besides martial arts, he also learned some legalist skills, which might come in handy.

Shang Lu comforted those who were not selected and let them stay in the bandit office to maintain normal work operations.

Shang Lu also painted a rosy picture for these people.

"It is very important that you stay and keep our Bandit Office running normally. When I come back, I will ask the county magistrate for credit for you." Even though Shentu and others who were not selected knew that Shang Lu was just empty talk, they had to swallow it.

After pacifying his deputies, Shang Lu instructed Zhu Quan: "Take your men to the armory and get more magic weapons and equipment. Only by being prepared can you avoid danger."

Zhu Quan accepted the order and personally took charge of the matter.

He also intended to surpass Shen Tu so that Shang Lu would know that he was more useful than Shen Tu.

Shang Lu went to see another thief Cao official, Chen Li, and told him about his plan to inspect the counties.

This was the duty of the thief Cao Yuan, so Chen Li naturally had no objection.

Zhu Quan quickly made preparations, took his bandits with him, led their horses, and stood in an orderly manner in the courtyard of the government office, waiting to set off.

Shang Lu originally planned to send Heiyun to the Witch Academy and let it attend classes well during this period of time.

In the end, this guy refused to go and insisted on following Shang Lu.

To this end, he bit and kicked the warhorse that Zhu Quan had prepared for Shang Lu, forcing it to roll away.

If Shang Lu hadn't stopped him, Hei Yun would have chased the horse and pursued it relentlessly.

Shang Lu grabbed Heiyun's mane, slapped it on the head, and cursed: "You beast, why are you angry at other horses? Okay, I'll take you with me. When we come back, I'll find someone to help you with your lessons."

Heiyun was satisfied, and shouted arrogantly at the warhorse that he had hit, but was then grabbed by Shang Lu and hit on the head.

While calling on Zhu Quan and others to set off, Shang Lu took out the jade token of the Witch Academy and sent a message to the teacher of the outer academy to ask for leave for Heiyun.

Ever since Heiyun started attending classes at the Foreign Affairs College, Shang Lu has been exchanging messages with the teachers there so that he can keep abreast of Heiyun's learning progress and communicate promptly if there are any problems.

This also made Shang Lu complain more than once, saying that he felt like he was sending his "kid" to school in advance before he even opened the meat.

Although the teachers in the Foreign Affairs College were dissatisfied with Heiyun's request for leave, they were unable to stop it.

After all, Heiyun is just an auditor, and he cannot be strictly required to follow the rules and regulations of the Witch Academy. Shang Lu can only be told to go early and come back early, and to protect Heiyun well and not let him get hurt.

After putting away the Witch Academy Jade Plate, Shang Lu led everyone out of Chengfeng County.

Shang Lu then called on everyone to mount their horses and gallop along the official road to Gexian Mountain in Wannian County.

That afternoon, the group rushed into Wannian County.

Since we have said that this trip is to inspect the local area and check the situation of catching theft and public security, we cannot pass through the county town without entering.

What's more, we can also ask the local government about the situation in Gexian Mountain. Maybe someone has seen the Yin-Yang Willow, which can shorten the search time.

The group went straight to the county lieutenant's office and scared the gatekeeper.

Because they were all fully armed and the leader was wearing a witch's robe, the yamen runners thought that their own county lieutenant had committed some serious crime and was to be arrested and interrogated.

The county lieutenant was well-informed and knew that a new clerk had arrived in the office and that he was a student at the Witch Academy.

When he greeted him, he bowed and said from a distance: "Sun Chen, the county lieutenant of Wannian County, greets the thief Cao."

After a few simple greetings, County Lieutenant Sun cautiously probed: "Shang Thief Cao, I wonder why you are here today?"

"We are here to inspect the anti-theft and public security situation in your county." Shang Lu stated his purpose directly.

After hearing this, Sun Chen immediately asked the clerk to fetch the relevant case files for Shang Lu and others to review.

It was common for the Thieves' Office to inspect local thieves and public security, so Sun Chen did not find it strange.

While waiting for the case file, Shang Lu said, "Lieutenant Sun, a few months ago, when I was on my way to take up my post in the county, I passed by Gexian Mountain in your county and was stopped by a few thieves who robbed me. I caught them on the spot and handed them over to Qiudao in the town at the foot of the mountain. I wonder how they were dealt with in the end? And have the rest of the thieves in the mountain been eradicated?"

Sun Chen bowed and replied, "Shang Zei Cao, the bandits you captured confessed to their crimes of murder and robbery after our interrogation. They have been beheaded in the street at Caishikou. According to their account, there is a bandit chieftain in the mountains named Xiang Hu, who has gathered hundreds of bandits and ruled the mountains as king. He specifically targets passing travelers and kills and robs them. Because they never leave anyone alive, we knew nothing about this gang of bandits before. But after getting this news from the interrogation, I immediately took the county soldiers and yamen runners to suppress the bandits..."

At this point, Sun Chen smiled bitterly. "It was just that we had a bad start. When we first entered the mountain, we didn't see the bandits yet, but we stepped into a snake den and injured many people. Then we disturbed the wild animals in the mountain, and we were in a mess. Our morale dropped sharply, so we had to retreat. We plan to choose an auspicious day after some time to go into the mountain to suppress the bandits..."

Shang Lu raised his eyebrows slightly, his intuition told him that something was not right.

He did not question Sun Chen why he did not report the failure of the bandit suppression to the Bandit Cao Office and the county government as soon as possible.

After all, he has worked in local areas, and unless the situation is really out of control, he would only report good news and not bad news - if he reported bad news, it would mean that he was not doing his job well, which would affect his performance evaluation.

And judging from the way Sun Chen said this, he didn't take the attack of poisonous snakes and ferocious beasts seriously.

Just think of it as bad luck.

He also wanted to wait until the county soldiers and yamen runners had rested for a while and restored their morale before going back into the mountains to suppress the bandits.

As long as the bandits can be suppressed successfully in the end and the results and heads are reported to the higher-ups, it will be considered a credit.

As for the little accidents and setbacks in the middle, no one will pursue them.

Shang Lu interrupted Sun Chen's explanation and ordered, "Tell me in detail about the attack by poisonous snakes and ferocious beasts."

Sun Chen was stunned for a moment, but seeing Shang Lu's serious expression, he didn't dare to ask more questions and carefully recalled the situation at that time.

He also called several county captains and generals and asked them to describe the situation at that time.

Shang Lu listened carefully and asked questions about some of the issues. Finally, he concluded: "You were attacked by poisonous snakes and fierce beasts. It was not an accident. Someone was driving you."

"what?"

Sun Chen was stunned and said, "What the thief Shang Cao meant is that there is a beast-controlling person in Gexian Mountain? Is he in the same group as the bandits who occupied the mountain and acted as kings?"

"Most likely." Shang Lu nodded.

"According to your description, the group of venomous snakes and beasts only attacked you, but did not kill each other. This is obviously unreasonable. Moreover, they had a methodical advance and retreat. Either they have received special training, or someone is driving them with secret methods!"

Sun Chen's face looked a little ugly.

If the situation is really as Shang Lu said, then he at least made a mistake in oversight.

There is only one way to make up for it, and that is to eliminate the bandits who occupy the mountain and act like kings as soon as possible.

In particular, those who drive poisonous snakes and ferocious beasts should be captured and killed.

He immediately said righteously: "If it weren't for the reminder from the thief Shang Cao, we would still be kept in the dark! I will reassemble the yamen runners and county soldiers, and ask the witch to go to Gexian Mountain with us to suppress the bandits and arrest the criminals! We will not let these bandits and evildoers harm innocent people again."

"You gather the people and we will go with you," said Shang Lu.

He had to go into the mountains to look for the Yin-Yang Willow anyway, so he might as well set out with the people from Wannian County.

Moreover, his intuition told him that the person who drove the poisonous snakes and ferocious beasts was most likely heading for the Yin-Yang Willow.

It was a good opportunity to do both the bandit suppression and the cutting of precious trees at the same time.

As for Sun Chen, he would naturally take part in the study, but not now.

Let’s wait until we defeat the bandits in the mountains.

"It is a blessing for the people of Wannian County that the thief Shang Cao is willing to help! That gang of thieves will definitely not be able to escape!"

Sun Chen had a look of joy on his face, and it was unclear whether he was truly happy or just pretending to be excited.

(End of this chapter)