"Daoist, be careful..."
Under Lv San’s guidance, Wang Daoxuan hesitantly stepped into the water.
These pig dragons were re Mortals, unable to support the weight of a person, but Lv San had a wonderful thod.
He and Wang Daoxuan, spreading their legs, each stepped on the back of a pig dragon, and with the help of other smaller pig dragons, they beca stable.
As the group of pig dragons swayed their tails, the two n instantly entered the river and, seen from afar, appeared to walk on waves.
The river wind brushed against his face, easing Wang Daoxuan’s fear, and he jokingly said, "Crossing the river on a crocodile adds a touch of elegance, Brother Lv San, what are these little fellows thinking?"
"They are hungry."
Lv San’s words tightened Wang Daoxuan’s heart.
Fortunately, Lv San imdiately shook his head and said, "Daoist, rest assured, these pig dragons are mild and will not harm people. They’re just unable to find food because the river monster scared the fish away."
Hearing this, Wang Daoxuan’s expression turned serious, "That river monster, I wonder if it could co to Zigui County."
"Not right now."
Lv San shook his head, "The river monster is rather large and definitely a beast with a great appetite. The fish in Zigui County have been scared away, and with fewer people and boats there, it has gone towards Yichang."
Wang Daoxuan thoughtfully said, "Speaking of this river monster, it reminds of sothing I read last night in the ’Mysterious Talks.’ I learned that during the Qin and Han dynasties, fangshi had a Demon Taming Skill for guarding underwater tombs, which later was passed on to so craftsn of the Mystical Sect."
"The chain at the tail of that river monster looks similar to that magic thod, maybe it escaped from so tomb."
Lv San frowned, then let out a few cries.
The leading pig dragons imdiately shook their throats and made a loud, clear pig-calling sound with rises and falls in tone.
Hearing this weird sound, Wang Daoxuan was not surprised.
These pig dragons, known for crying in the rain and loving to call at night, are called "tuo drums" or "tuo geng" in the Jianghuai area.
The Book of Poetry even ntions, "The croaking of the Tuo is vibrant, a blind Sog playing for the public."
However, hearing the pig dragons’ call, a hint of shock flashed in Lv San’s eyes, "That river monster, it first appeared in Zigui County!"
Wang Daoxuan was dumbfounded, "Really?"
Lv San nodded, "These pig dragons are very fearful of the river monster. There used to be many clans in Zigui County. Now, only these are left after being eaten. They survived by hiding in mud holes..."
Wang Daoxuan pondered, "Could it be that Zigui County has a major tomb?"
The river at Zigui County was not wide, and as they talked, the two had already crossed the river and quickly stepped onto the rocky shore.
"Roar! Roar!"
Seeing them depart, a few pig dragons suddenly beca very anxious.
"What are they crying about?"
Wang Daoxuan asked curiously.
Lv San shook his head, "These fellows are starving yet do not dare to harm people; I promised to find them so food."
With that, he waved his hand, and a hawk instantly took flight, circling nearby forest areas and soon began its hunt.
"Daoist, please wait a mont."
Lv San gave a quick instruction and then hurriedly rushed into the forest.
With nothing else to do, Wang Daoxuan watched the river and pulled out a compass, looking at its jittery needle, and muttered, "The earth’s energy has stabilized, but there is still disturbance. Could there indeed be a major tomb underwater here?"
"This place, nad after King of Chu Xiong Yi, belongs to the ancient ancestral lands of the Chu kingdom. Could it be a Chu tomb? No, that’s not right; the ’Mysterious Talks’ stated that taming a demon could only last three hundred years before it turns into a Beast Soul..."
"Two hundred years ago was the Da Xing Period, but I’ve not heard of any royal family being appointed here, which is odd..."
As he pondered, Lv San erged from the forest, carrying a fat wild pig, and wielding a dagger, he chopped it into small pieces and threw them into the water.
Suddenly, the river churned with splashing waves and blood.
Lv San patted a pig dragon’s head and turned to say, "Daoist, Shuangbei Village is not far from here, what shall we do first?"
Wang Daoxuan glanced at his compass, looking towards the distance, and gravely said, "To control the Wood Spirit’s mischief, we must build a magic platform."
"If I’m not mistaken, there must be arrangents in the nearby woods. Others may not find them, but Brother Lv shouldn’t have a problem."
"Good, what are we looking for?"
"The target won’t be too large; look for wood wrapped with red rope, specially arranged stone statues, or straw n and wooden figures hanging on trees... Let know if you find anything similar."
...
Danyang Academy, located outside the South Gate of Guizhou City.
According to "Guizhou County Annals," although Zigui is the holand of the Three Lus Doctor, it has been impoverished for years without an academy, leading to the loss of talented individuals.
During the Da Xing Period, over ten houses were donated outside the South Gate for the students to study in, hoping to "find one with morality and literary talent to promote the ancestral customs and cultivate good sorts."
After years of developnt, funded by the wealthy, it had been renovated several tis.
The academy is a typical Huizhou-style building with whitewashed walls, black tiles, stone-carved windows, and tall horse head walls.
Bamboo groves are planted around, and a small bridge over flowing water adds an elegant touch.
"What did you say?"
At this mont, the atmosphere inside was very oppressive.
Looking at several officers in the hall, an old Confucian scholar in a black robe glared with bulging eyes, his white beard trembling with anger.
The systems in academies throughout the Great Xuan Dynasty were almost the sa.
The head of the academy, usually a local Confucian scholar of high virtue and reputation, often with a background in officialdom and considerable connections, was in charge.
There were professors, lecturers, and teaching assistants.
The logistical staff included abbot, Sacrificial Officer, book manager, and treasurer.
The speaker was Song Mingshu, the head of Danyang Academy.
The old man was clearly infuriated, his face grim as he sneered, "Lord County Magistrate is indeed interesting. Instead of capturing the troublemaking demons, he disturbs the academy. Does he think we are up to mischief?"
Several professors and lecturers, hearing this, were all angry.
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