Journey to the West: Begins with Tiger Vanguard

Chapter 84: Late night visitor, the fox demon Pingping!
Looking far ahead was the huge city.

Qi Hu let out a sigh of relief, they were finally there.

Walking with big strides on the fairly spacious avenue.

The soil is dry and the Rehmannia is yellow.

A gust of cold wind blew by, and in addition to the dry and cold wind like a knife, there was also a sky full of yellow dry dust that was blown up, covering the sky and making people feel very uncomfortable.

It was late winter.

In the Jindou Mountain Range, and even all the way to Tongtian River and Chenjiazhuang, the snow remained unmelted and heavy snow fell one after another.

There is no possibility of water shortage.

But since arriving at the place where Chechi Kingdom is located.

The weather immediately became a little strange.

Qi Hu also discovered it two days ago.

It took him about three days to travel from Chenjiazhuang to Chechiguo. Everything was fine on the first day. It was snowing and the snow on the road had not melted. There was no sign of water shortage.

But the next day started.

There was no snow to be seen. Apart from the dry and cold wind in the sky, there was no sign of snow.

There wasn't even a speck of snow on the ground.

The closer you get to Chechi State, the more obvious this situation becomes.

Of course, with Qi Hu's flying ability, it only takes three days to get from Chenjiazhuang to Chechi Kingdom, but for ordinary people, it would take three to five months or even longer to complete the journey, not to mention that there are many dangers along the way.

As for outside the city of Chechi State, the weather was even drier.

Looking up, I saw that all the trees within a few miles around the city had been cut down long ago, and all the weeds on the ground had been pulled out, leaving a bare patch of land. The soil was directly exposed to the air, and there had not been a drop of rain for seven or eight months, or even more than half a year. The ground was too dry, and yellow dust flew all over the sky when the wind blew.

Walking on the avenue outside the city.

Qi Hu, who was wearing a blue Taoist robe and carrying a medium-sized cloth package on his back, a long sword and a water gourd on his waist, was walking and looking.

It was noon.
It's not too early.

I saw an ox cart coming up ahead, with an old woman, two women, and two young children sitting on it. In front of them were three strong young men leading the way, with axes, hatchets and other tools on their waists.

Qi Hu stepped forward and bowed, saying, "Greetings to you all. My humble servant is here to show his courtesy."

Seeing the young Taoist priest approaching, the three brothers walking beside the ox cart suddenly tensed up. The tallest young man immediately stepped forward to block the way and said, "Taoist priest, please move aside. We need to hurry. Let's ask someone else for directions."

"cough"

At this time, the old woman on the ox cart at the back coughed lightly and said, "What's the matter?"

"Mom, there's a Taoist priest coming up ahead"

At this time, the shorter and oldest youth immediately walked to the side of the ox cart and said, "He must be asking for directions or something. My third brother is asking him to go."

“Just asking for directions”

Hearing what her eldest son said, the old woman immediately said, "It won't take long, please ask the Taoist priest to come over."

I heard my mother say this.

The older young man had no choice but to step forward, let the third brother make way, and invite the Taoist priest to come over.

"Excuse me"

Looking at the woman in front of him who should not be too old but had an old face, Qi Hu bowed to her.

"You are too polite, Taoist priest."

The old woman immediately smiled kindly and said, "Master, feel free to ask me anything you want to ask. I have lived in the middle school for most of my life. If I know anything, I will tell you."

Qi Hu nodded and said, "I heard that it hasn't rained in Chechi Country for many days. I wonder how long it has been?"

When the old woman heard this, her eyes darkened and she immediately sighed and said, "It's been more than eight months, almost nine months. Although there have been droughts in the past few years, I have never seen it go so long without rain. My family and I can only go out to seek a way to make a living because the land in the country can no longer be cultivated."

After hearing this, Qi Hu understood and asked, "I heard that there are monsters in this country. Is it true?"

Hearing this, the three young men standing by suddenly tensed up and looked around, fearing that others would hear them. The older young man immediately whispered, "Master, we can't tell you this. We are leaving now. Go ask the others!"

Seeing that no one was approaching, the old woman withdrew her gaze and immediately shouted at the Taoist priest's eldest son, "Don't be rude!"

Then he looked at Qi Hu and whispered: "Master, I can't tell you this because the master of the country has ordered us to do so. But we are all leaving and will never come back. We don't have to be afraid of those monks anymore."

"I will tell you the truth, there is indeed a demon in this country right now, it started more than two months ago, many people have died, but they are not allowed to talk about it. My second son is a carpenter, working for a coffin shop, so he knows some things."

Qi Hu was surprised when he heard the voice: "Doesn't this country have a national master? How dare those monsters do evil?"

The old woman said: "I heard that the national teacher has been dealing with monsters, but the monsters are powerful and good at hiding, so they have not been eradicated."

On the side, the older youth, seeing his mother talking to the Taoist priest excitedly, kept looking up at the sky, and finally couldn't help but pray again: "Mother, it's time for us to go."

The old woman stopped, looked up at the sky, and then said, "Young Taoist priest, before I leave, I have a piece of advice for you. There is a severe drought in the country, and there are monsters causing trouble. The national teacher has issued a clear order not to allow Taoist priests to enter the city. Taoist priest, I think you should not enter the city."

"Thank you, old man. I will seriously consider it."

Qi Hu bowed again and stepped aside.

The old woman sat back in her original seat, and her third son immediately drove the ox cart on the road.

Watching the ox cart start to move again.

Qi Hu lamented the chaos in Chechi State, and was also somewhat surprised that the old woman was so eloquent.

He observed carefully and found that the whole Gang family were indeed mortals.

It also took a lot of time for him to ask for directions. It was okay to travel in broad daylight, but it was not safe at night. So he reached into his arms, pulled out a golden hair, and then blew it at the ox cart that was going away.

The golden hair floated towards the ox cart even faster and attached itself to it.

Naturally, his golden hair could not be compared with the golden hair of the Monkey King Sun Wukong, but because it carried the aura of Qi Hu, ordinary monsters would never dare to approach. It could be regarded as a reward for stopping the other family to ask for directions.

Watching the ox cart go away.

Qi Hu looked at the city gate in the distance again, then turned and walked towards the distant forest.

When he returned to the road again, Qi Hu had changed his appearance. He was wearing a black suit, a bag on his shoulder, a long sword on his waist, and a bamboo hat on his head.

This was what he bought when he first went to Chechi Kingdom when he was in Xiliang Women's Kingdom. It came in handy now.

He strode towards the city gate ahead.

Compared with last time, the interrogation for entering the city was obviously much more relaxed this time.

Qi Hu, who had transformed himself into a wandering man, was simply asked a few questions, paid some money, and was easily let into the city.

Enter Chechi Kingdom again.

Qi Hu clearly felt the dryness of the air in the city, and the anxiety and numbness of the pedestrians, which were obviously worse than last time.

On both sides of the streets in the outer city, many people were seen kneeling on the side of the road, one, two, or three people, mostly children. In front of them was a tattered mat with the words "selling their sons, daughters, or themselves" written on the front in black charcoal.

Ten years ago.

When he came to Chechi Country that time, although there were people selling children and girls on the streets, they were very rare.

And in front of me, looking up, I saw rows of people on both sides of the street, at least dozens or hundreds of people.

The adults who were sold were at least middle-aged, young or teenage men who looked like they could at least do something.

The children who were sold, regardless of gender, age or size, were all skinny, pale and severely malnourished.

Some people want to buy a beautiful boy or girl, but it is basically impossible.

Because if you could raise a beautiful girl, how could you fall to the point of selling your children?

The customers standing in front of the stalls picking and choosing were either people in bright and beautiful clothes, or monks with no hair on their heads and wearing yellow monk robes.

The drought in the country has enriched these people.

Qi Hu walked slowly with an expressionless face. Seeing some truly tragic situations, he couldn't help but feel some compassion and wanted to help.

But he came to his senses soon and realized that he could not help much now. He had to wait until he defeated those monks, prayed for rain, and ended the drought in Chechi Kingdom. Then he would be able to save more people.

However, since he wants to appear as a great master, he will inevitably need some people to serve him.

By then I can buy a few half-grown children to keep around.

But there is no rush now. He needs to wait until he finds out the situation in the country and the true strength of the monk and the national teacher, as well as what is going on with the monsters that roam in this city.

Once he has figured these out, it will be time for him to make his official debut.

After walking through a long street around the gate of the outer city, although there were no stalls selling children in the streets behind, there were many beggars kneeling in the corners of the road begging for food.

After noon, there were a lot of people coming and going on the streets.

Qi Hu walked on the street, looking at the beggars on both sides. When he raised his hand, a handful of copper coins appeared in his hand.

These copper coins were the ones he had left over from his previous stays in the Xiliang Women's Kingdom and the Chechi Kingdom. Now they were just right for giving as alms.

Thus, in the blink of an eye, copper coins flew accurately into the begging bowls on both sides of the street.

Three cents flew into each beggar's bowl.

One penny can buy a big steamed bun, and this purchasing power is what it sees on the price list posted at the steamed bun shop in front.

Ten years ago, he remembered that one penny could buy three steamed buns.

Three cents can buy three large steamed buns, which is enough to meet a beggar's food needs for a day, and if you save a little, it can be enough for two or three days.

The beggars looked at the extra money in their bowls with numb faces, and looked at the kind-hearted man in black clothes who gave them alms. They immediately clenched their coins and knelt down excitedly, shouting, "Thank you for the money, sir!"

"Thank you for the reward, sir"

Hearing the voices of gratitude coming from behind him, Qi Hu didn't care. When he walked to the gate of the largest inn on the outer city street, he rewarded every beggar he saw with three cents.

"Thank you for the reward, sir!"

"Long live the master"

"Master, make a fortune."

"Master, many children, great blessings"

A lot of voices of gratitude kept coming from behind, and Qi Hu's mouth corners finally curled up slightly under his bamboo hat, and he walked into the largest inn in the outer city.

Not long after.

On the second floor of the inn, in a guest room by the window.

Qi Hu lay naked in the steaming hot water.

Listening to the noise coming from outside the window.

Thoughts moved slightly.

Virtual ink characters emitting a pale white glow spread out and appeared before our eyes.

[Realm: Late Spiritual Realm (1.12%)]

【Soul: 3.1】

[Kung Fu: Moon Yin Qi Eating Method (Minor Success) (98.94%); Kansi Rain Praying Method (Proficient) (0.1%)] [Magic Powers:]

【.】

Looking at the data that keeps appearing in front of me.

Looking at the 3.1 soul powers displayed behind the soul bar, Qi Hu's expression was calm.

Nearly a month ago.

He only had 2.3 soul powers when he left Jindou Mountain.

The remaining 0.8 soul power was earned by him on the way to Chechi Kingdom.

Although he tried his best to be cautious, he still managed to kill 0.8 soul power.

It can be seen that this journey is difficult and tough.

But fortunately, all the hard work is worth it.

3.1 soul power, just enough to increase once.

At this time, many of Qi Hu's skills and supernatural powers have reached the "proficient" stage.

Looking at the attributes with a plus sign appearing behind the data panel in front of me.

Qi Hu fell into deep thought.

In fact, there are quite a few things he wants to strengthen this time, such as the three magical powers of "immobilization", "agility" and "ground walking", which are all in the "skilled" stage and are very practical.

If this were in Jindou Mountain or other places, he would probably have strengthened it directly.

But now in the Chechi Kingdom, after witnessing the tragic situation caused by the drought, he began to hesitate about the "Kansi Rain-Seeking True Method" which he had never practiced or improved.

He already knew that Chechi State was not small.

Apart from this huge city with both internal and external structures, all areas within a radius of hundreds or thousands of miles outside the city are under the jurisdiction of Chechi State.

The same is true for Chenjiazhuang next to Tongtian River.

He was a little worried. Would the range of the rain he could bring by using the "Kansi True Method of Praying for Rain" at this proficient stage be large enough?

He did not ask for the rain to cover the entire Chechi Kingdom, but it should at least cover the entire city where the capital of Chechi Kingdom was located.

Otherwise he would be embarrassed.

If the range of the rain you seek is too small, the amount of rain will naturally not be too much.

Since Qi Hu wants to seize the position of Chechi State's Imperial Master, he naturally wants everyone to be convinced.

and also.

He was still a little worried about the three future national masters of Chechi Kingdom in his memory: Huli Daxian, Luli Daxian and Yangli Daxian.

What if the other party shows up and also asks for rain? Will my rain-making skills be better than theirs?
This is also why Qi Hu is hesitating at this moment.

"Do you want to strengthen and improve the "Kansi Rain Praying Method"?"

After careful consideration, Qi Hu decided not to strengthen it for the time being.

Soul power is rare.

I don’t know when I will be able to save up three points of soul power next time.

Don't use it lightly.

He planned to try out the "Kansi True Method of Praying for Rain" which he had mastered now, and see its effect before making a decision.

If the rain prayed for is enough, then the soul power will strengthen the others.

If it is not enough, then strengthen the "Kan Si True Method of Praying for Rain".

Anyway, one enhancement will not have much impact on his current strength.

Press your mind.

At this time, Qi Hu realized that the hot water under him had become a little cold.

So he got up, dressed, put on a new blue robe, and went out and downstairs.

We found a table in the lobby downstairs, ordered a few signature dishes, and a pot of wine, and slowly started eating and drinking.

Simultaneously.

He also pricked up his ears and eavesdropped on the conversations of the many diners in the spacious lobby.

"Hey, I don't know when it will rain, and when this drought will end!"

"Yes, it hasn't rained for more than eight months. It has never rained before."

"Have you heard? Several people died in our outer city last night. I heard it was done by a monster!"

"Is it true? Why haven't I heard of it?"

"Of course it's true. One of my brothers works in the patrol team. He told me that the Imperial Master didn't allow it to be spread!"

"The Imperial Master won't let me pass it on? Humph, who knows if it was really caused by a monster or some other monk? Our outer city is so big, with so many people crowded in, there must be a few people who died every day."

"Hush, do you want to die? How dare you talk about those monks?"

"Of course I know, but I just can't stand it. I think those monks are much more powerful than those monsters. Maybe the drought we are experiencing this time was caused by those monks."

"Please stop talking. If you continue, I won't be able to drink this wine."

"Humph"

"I heard that a few prostitutes have come to the Baihua Tower in the inner city. They are going out to entertain guests tonight. Let's go and have a look after we have a drink?"

"I've heard about it too. I have to go. Hehe, between you and me, is there any need to ask about this?"

"That is, hehehehe"

"."

Qi Hu finished six dishes and three pots of wine, but heard very little useful information.

In order not to attract attention.

He did not order any more food and wine, but called the waiter, settled the bill and left the inn.

Not long after.

Walk into the second inn in the outer city.

However, this time, he did not stay in the hotel. Instead, he simply ordered some food and drinks, continued to eat and drink, and continued to eavesdrop on the conversations of the diners in the lobby.

This time, Qi Hu still only ate six dishes and two pots of wine, but it took a little longer.

Heard some useful ones.

So, I checked out again and left.

We followed the same procedure and arrived at the third inn in the outer city.

Still ordering food, drinking wine, and eavesdropping.
A dragon.

in this way.

Qi Hu continued to repeat this and ate at all five inns in the outer city of Chechiguo.

I finally filled my stomach and heard a lot of things.

Returning to the first, and largest, inn, Qi Hu stopped the waiter and asked him some detailed questions, then ordered some wine and food and brought the matter into the room.

When you step into the room.

It was already dark outside the window.

A half moon hangs coldly in the sky, emitting cool moonlight.

Qi Hu sat by the wide-open window, drinking wine in the moonlight and thinking about what he had heard and seen today.

Gathered in five inns, a large number of diners said.
He already had a rough idea of ​​what the monsters in Chechi Country were like.

At this time in Chechi Middle School, there were probably monsters, and some might harm people, but it seemed that no one had actually seen them with their own eyes.

Regardless of whether it harmed anyone, the monster didn't seem too fierce.
Because many diners didn't seem to be very scared when they talked about the monster.

Moreover, the city has been plagued by monsters for several months.

I heard that the monk also tried to deal with monsters several times, but he was never able to kill them all.

This made Qi Hu curious about the monster hidden in Chechi country.

But curiosity is curiosity.

As long as the other party does not affect his plan to become the national teacher.

He won't pay any attention.

I have almost finished asking around in the outer city today. I will go to the inner city tomorrow to ask around and visit the imperial monk.

If it's similar to what he expected, there won't be any big problem.

So he prepared to appear openly and go directly to the palace to meet the king of Chechi Kingdom and talk about praying for rain and the matter of the national teacher.

"Um"

“Just do it.”

Taking a sip of the wine in the glass, Qi Hu secretly sorted out his next action plan.

"what"

"There's a monster down there."

At this moment, a clear and pleasant voice suddenly came from the roof.

Qi Hu's expression suddenly changed when he heard the voice.

But before he could react.

Two figures quickly entered the wide-open window and stood in front of his wine table.

One is petite, the other is tall.

The tall woman is beautiful;
But the petite one looks even more stunning, with fox ears, picturesque eyebrows, smart and cunning eyes, a petite and plump figure, and extremely charming.

But at this moment Qi Hu didn't have time to think about it. Looking at the two uninvited guests in front of him, he immediately retreated!

"who are you?"

Qi Hu retreated all the way to the bedside, holding a magical long sword, and immediately looked at the two monsters with great vigilance and asked.

“I’m Pingping.”

The petite vixen with cute fox ears looked at Qi Hu, who was in a state of panic, and smiled cutely, "You don't have to be so nervous."

(End of this chapter)