paranoianovel Chapter 98 The Shrine at the Bottom of the River
Chapter 98 The Shrine at the Bottom of the River
"Old woman, remember to slaughter the fat chicken at home today to serve with our distinguished guests. While the weather is fine, I'll go out and see if we've caught any fish."
Old Zhang picked up his bamboo pole and headed towards the river. Besides working, fishing was one of Old Zhang's few hobbies.
Now, the only ox in the family has died, and he hasn't even had the chance to go to the market yet. Even if he wanted to buy two calves, he simply couldn't afford it.
With nothing else to do, Zhang Laosi could only use this method to supplement his household income during his leisure time, and also inquire with others about what had happened at Lu Yong's house last night.
"Go, go. Return as soon as possible. This old woman's eyesight is failing, and she may not know when she might neglect these two distinguished guests. I will not be at ease without you by my side."
Upon hearing this, Zhang Laosi hesitated for a long time before finally putting down the bamboo pole and basket in his hands. Just as the two were whispering, the wooden door was pushed open.
Fang Hongxuan, dressed as a chivalrous knight, was seen placing Cuo Jin on the table.
"Old man, I've been traveling for a long time and I'm very thirsty. Please quickly fetch me a few bowls of cool water so I can drink my fill."
Fang Hongxuan's voice startled the novice monk who was sitting cross-legged studying his morning prayers inside the room. Daoyuan pushed open the door and almost bumped into Zhang Wangshi.
"Distinguished guest, please be careful. If you bump into the corner of the table or offend someone important, we will have to be even more cautious."
"Amitabha, I understand. It seems my self-control is still lacking; I was so easily distracted..."
Dao Yuan scratched the back of his head apologetically, then looked at Fang Hongxuan, who was drinking eighteen bowls of cold water, with a serious expression.
"How is it...?"
Fang Hongxuan did not immediately answer Daoyuan, but instead turned to look at Zhang Laosi.
"Old man, during my search, besides that stone temple, what other strange and bizarre places exist in Shili Village that have been the site of such events?"
Two full hours had passed since Fang Hongxuan left the Stone Temple. The sun was high in the sky, and it was already close to noon.
Every household's kitchen was filled with rising smoke and billowing white mist.
He traversed every road within a ten-mile radius. Even the farmers working in the fields had seen the knight-errant wandering around on numerous occasions.
Even when Fang Hongxuan slightly activated his zombie state, he did not find anything unusual!
If his meridians hadn't been completely severed, leaving him nearly dead, his actions would have at least resulted in him being drenched in sweat.
After pondering for a moment, Zhang Laosi began to speak uncertainly.
"If there are any other rumors, it must be about Guijiang Lake beside the fields... A demon-slaying general once stayed here for a long time."
At that time, Shili Village was surrounded by evil spirits, but fortunately, this demon-slaying general vanquished them, and Shili Village was restored to peace. To commemorate the merits of that demon-slaying general, the lake was renamed Guijiang Lake.
Upon hearing this, Fang Hongxuan's pupils dilated slightly, and his mind raced with thoughts. He couldn't help but overthink it, especially given the description and his own personal experience.
He couldn't help but think of Yan Chengrui, the demon-slaying general beneath the dry well in Gejia Village, and the bronze gate sealed with iron chains beneath the Sihua River in Niujia Town...
"How about you take me to see it?"
Fang Hongxuan took out another piece of silver and was about to put it into Zhang Laosi's hand, but Zhang Laosi refused it sternly.
"Our esteemed guest has already given us more than enough... If you still consider me, Zhang Laosi, to be the kind of person who would do anything for petty gains, then don't blame me for turning against you."
"It's already noon. Why don't we eat something first and then go to Guijiang Lake?"
Zhang Wangshi brought out a bowl of chicken soup from the stove, looking very appetizing. At the same time, she didn't forget to give Zhang Laosi a meaningful look.
Only then did Zhang Laosi realize what was happening, and he hurriedly went into the kitchen and brought out all the food that had been prepared.
Looking around, the small wooden table was filled with steamed, boiled, fried, and grilled delicacies, both meat and vegetables, all exuding a rich aroma.
Judging from the scale of the event, it was exactly the same as what the restaurant presented.
Even Daoyuan couldn't help but swallow hard, looking as if he had completely forgotten all the Buddhist doctrines.
"His Buddhist practice is natural, and he's cultivated it exceptionally well..."
"With such a grand celebration, if it continues for a few more days, I'm afraid they'll eat up all the meat that the old couple has been hoarding for so long..."
Zhang Wangshi kept serving food to Daoyuan and Fang Hongxuan, looking at the two men enjoying their meal with loving eyes, her face showing extreme satisfaction.
"Come, come, how can such delicious food not be paired with some fine wine?"
Old Zhang was quite pleased and rummaged through the courtyard, finding three jars of aged yellow wine. After washing the jars, a loud 'bang' was heard, and the faded red cloth covering was pried open.
Immediately, the refreshing aroma of wine filled the surroundings. Even Dao Yuan, who never drank, blinked and stared intently as the clear, unblemished yellow wine was poured into the wine cup.
After downing a bowl of wine, Zhang Laosi's eyes reddened, and tears welled up in them. Seeing her husband like this, Zhang Wangshi felt a pang of sorrow.
How could she not know that Zhang Laosi was reminiscing about his three sons who had died one after another when he saw the object?
"I prepared three large jars of this rice wine. Originally, I planned to offer one jar to my friends and newlyweds for each of my children's weddings... But alas, I've been praising it for thirty years and haven't had a single chance to taste it..."
Before Fang Hongxuan could offer any words of comfort, a sudden knocking and banging sounded at the door, the urgent manner suggesting they wanted to smash the door open.
Not far from the door, Daoyuan pulled open the bolt, and then two or three rough-looking, sallow-skinned farmers stepped across the threshold.
"Fourth brother...something's happened..."
Seeing how tempting the dishes on the table were, the three of them couldn't help but secretly swallow their saliva.
Slightly tipsy, Zhang Laosi tried to get up several times but staggered back down.
Zhang Wangshi, who was standing nearby, quickly helped her husband up.
"What is it...?"
Fang Hongxuan downed the wine in his cup in one gulp, then put the cup down and glanced sideways at the man.
"That...that incredible item was salvaged from the lake...it's right here in your net!"
Under Fang Hongxuan's gaze, the man even began to stutter.
"What is that?"
Fang Hongxuan asked again
"A completely disfigured shrine, inside which lay a jade pendant about an inch long. We couldn't decipher what it depicted, only knowing it was either a Buddha or a Bodhisattva..."
Zhang Laosi tried several more times, but failed to stand up.
Fang Hongxuan tucked the brocade into his waistband and then gestured to the couple to ignore it.
"What reason could there be for summoning him to inspect that shrine?"
"My lord, you may not know this, but in his early years, Zhang Laosi did not have enough savings to send his children to private school, so he had to sneak around eavesdropping."
After he learned it, he would pass it on to his children. The schoolteacher, knowing this, did not drive him away. Thus, he also acquired knowledge for two years.
"I came here precisely to have him take a look. If it's a good item, it can fetch a good price."
"Are there no scholars in this village...?"
"You jest, sir. Shili Village has been impoverished for a long time. Even the villagers are barely making ends meet, let alone having enough food to go to school..."
"....."
"In that case, I shall go in your stead..."