A master of comedy!

Chapter 12 The gavel

Perhaps because Lu Gong was with them, although the atmosphere was strange, they did not encounter any danger along the way.

Zhou Sheng even heard the sound of ghost messengers bowing and paying homage.

They hadn't walked far when they arrived at a place that seemed to be a government storehouse. The eaves of the houses were carved with mythical beasts, and the buildings were shrouded in a thin mist, appearing and disappearing in the mist.

Before even stepping inside, Zhou Sheng suddenly felt a chill run down his spine.

It felt as if I was being stared at by pairs of menacing eyes.

The pressure from every pair of eyes was no less than that from the stone demons beneath General Silver Lock's feet!

Even though his cultivation had improved considerably after consuming the mica formula, Zhou Sheng still had a strong premonition that if he trespassed here, he would die a miserable death.

Fortunately, Lu Bingyuan spoke up.

"Open the door."

hum~
The heavy, vermilion-lacquered gate slowly opened, as if propelled by ghosts or gods.

Following Lord Lu into the treasury, we found it to be very simple, with only bookshelves, but in addition to books, there were also many other miscellaneous items on them.

There are dazzling luminous pearls, priceless jade, and ancient bronze artifacts covered in dust.

The display was dazzling, filled with all sorts of collectibles.

"These are my collections from over three hundred years. I have a wide range of interests, including antiques, calligraphy and paintings, rare books, jade and other items."

"Some are worth a fortune, some are worthless, and some hold hidden secrets."

Lu Bingyuan looked at him and smiled, "Danshan, you may choose any item from this treasury to take away. I will not give you any hints."

"What you pick depends entirely on your eye for talent and luck."

He admired the young man before him, but it would take skill and cunning to take the treasure from him.

Of course, luck is also a skill.

People with good fortune are often able to turn misfortune into good fortune and overcome difficulties.

To investigate Shen Jinhua's case, one needs a strong birth chart and high luck. He also wanted to know whether Zhou Danshan was just boasting or if he really had something to rely on.

"In that case, thank you very much, Lord Lu!"

Zhou Sheng was somewhat excited, but on the surface he remained calm and composed, even showing a hint of hesitation.

In reality, she was overjoyed.

The collection of a city god over three hundred years must contain many wondrous items. Although it may seem like finding a needle in a haystack, with the Luoshu in hand, it's like an open-book exam for him.

However, in order to avoid revealing the secret of the Luoshu, he had to put on a good show first.

Zhou Sheng stepped forward to examine the collection closely, pausing frequently to gaze at it.

It must be said that Master Lu's collection was indeed very rich, including not only antiques, jade, calligraphy and paintings, and books, but also rare elixirs, prescriptions, precious bows and famous swords.

Especially the sword named "Li Yuan", which is three feet and three inches long, decorated with dragon patterns. When it is drawn, its cold light is like autumn water, and its sword energy is like a rainbow.

It is definitely a legendary sword; even an ordinary person wielding it can slay ordinary demons and ghosts!

That precious carved bow was no ordinary item either; it exuded a menacing aura.

Some elixirs radiate a brilliant light; just a whiff of their fragrance is enough to invigorate one's spirit and make one glow with health.

There are also various rare books, some of which record Taoist secret techniques.

Five Ghosts Transporting, Invisibility Technique, Tranquilizing Incantation...

Zhou Sheng was almost dazzled by the choices. If he had to choose, he would most likely pick the sword or the elixir.

However, the Luoshu offers a completely different choice.

"So, have you made your choice?"

"The choice has been made."

Zhou Sheng stood for a long time in front of the precious sword named Li Yuan, stroking the blade with great affection.

"Your choice of this sword is quite good—"

Before Lu Bingyuan could finish speaking, the sound of a sword being sheathed was heard. Zhou Sheng put the Liyuan Sword back and then reached for something beside him.

Lu Bingyuan's expression changed slightly.

“Lord Lu, I choose this item.” The object in Zhou Sheng’s hand was dark and heavy, seemingly a piece of rotten wood with several cracks and a dull appearance.

Compared to that gleaming, cold-sharp sword, it seemed utterly ordinary.

But Lu Bingyuan's gaze was fixed on the wooden block as if drawn by a magnet.

"You really want to choose this?"

"Yes."

"Not changing it anymore?"

"I'm not changing it."

Lu Bingyuan: "..."

He suddenly felt a little regretful.

"Is Lord Lu reluctant to part with it?"

"I really can't bear it."

Lu Bingyuan gave a wry smile and said, "There are a total of 634 items in this treasury. The second most precious item is the mica formula for the Immortal Robe, while the most precious item is this one."

Zhou Sheng was startled and showed a look of surprise.

This isn't an act; it's real.

The Luoshu (洛书) shows, after the tortoise shell divination, that the most precious thing in the treasury is this old, worn-out gavel.

But he never expected that this gavel would be even more precious than the mica formula used by immortals!
"This is a gavel, an artifact from the previous dynasty. As for its owner, you are very familiar with him, it is... Judge Bao."

Zhou Sheng's eyes lit up.

What is Bao Gong's gavel?

Bao Zheng, the Prefect of Kaifeng, was impartial and incorruptible, able to distinguish between the loyal and the treacherous!

If this is indeed the gavel that Bao Gong used to judge cases, exonerate the innocent, and punish the wicked, then this object must also contain a righteous spirit that can intimidate all kinds of ghosts and gods, and its value is immeasurable!
"This object possesses a righteous spirit. The cracks on it are like lightning. It was cracked when Bao Gong executed the imperial son-in-law. The sound reverberated throughout Kaifeng Prefecture, and even ghosts and gods were terrified upon hearing it."

"When this wood crackles, thunder roars a thousand times, righteous and bright, like the clear blue sky in broad daylight, which can make all evil spirits retreat and prevent demons from invading!"

Lu Bingyuan sighed, “Bao Gong is my role model, and this is my favorite item. I never expected that you would choose it today.”

Zhou Sheng was a little embarrassed.

"Well, since you've chosen it, you're destined to have it. Perhaps it was Bao Longtu who chose you in the dark."

"Just remember, this item contains the divine will of Bao Gong's uprightness, integrity, and righteousness. If you commit evil deeds in the future, you may suffer the consequences."

Finally, he gave Zhou Sheng a deep look, as if it were a warning or an admonition.

"Do not tarnish Bao Longtu's reputation."

Zhou Sheng's expression also turned serious. He carefully put away the gavel and kept it close to his body.

Bao Gong is not only a role model for Lu Bingyuan, but also a hero of China.
A thousand years of time and the long river of history cannot wash away the noble spirit of Kaifeng Prefecture.

The name Bao Gong has almost become a symbol of justice in the hearts of the Chinese people. No matter when, where, or what dynasty, people call out this name, and people also fear those three guillotines.

Zhou Sheng never expected that his visit to Lu Bingyuan would yield such a great result.

This once accomplished scholar and warrior, who died in battle to cover the evacuation of civilians, is now old and frail, but Zhou Sheng can feel that the fire in his heart has not yet gone out.

Zhou Sheng suddenly understood why the waiter spoke with such reverence when talking about the City God.

Whether in life or after death, this old man did his utmost to protect the people of this city.

He bowed in greeting.

Lu Bingyuan accepted the greeting with composure, and then smiled and said, "Danshan, it's time to go. I will send someone to see you off."

Zhou Sheng was taken aback and said, "I need to go back to Qinggu County, which is hundreds of miles away from Yangcheng, so I won't trouble you, Lord Lu."

Once outside Yangcheng, there are many mountain roads, and even with his stamina, it would take him three or four days to walk there.

Lu Bingyuan laughed and said, "It seems your master has never taken you on the Path of Yin and Yang. Well then, this time, I'll let you experience it..."

"The post road used by the dead."

(End of this chapter)