Heavenly Dao Formula

Although I can't read the text, the illustration is clear enough.

On the left side of it is a hexagonal honeycomb, which obviously refers to the bronze disc; on the right side is engraved with a humanoid symbol, which probably refers to evil spirits.

From top to bottom, the number of solid honeycombs increased successively, and the number of human-shaped symbols also increased, until all the honeycombs in the last row became solid, but the right side was scraped off by a sharp instrument, leaving only a deep scratch.

Below the pattern is a large version of ancient text.

The beginning of each line is composed of several simple horizontal or vertical bars. Considering the continuity of the text, Xia Fan thinks that it should be a number like date, year and month.

Likewise, many parts of it have been deliberately destroyed, as if someone did not want the records of this place to be leaked.

Even Mengtao guessed the engravings on the entire wall, and an extremely shocking picture appeared in Xia Fan's mind.

This underground facility built in the Yongguo period may be a place for researching evil spirits!

The illustrations show that they not only confirmed the characteristics of the formation of Yuangui, but even advanced to a deeper field. What exactly did they see when the holes in the disk were all filled? Or rather—what was produced?

Xia Fan only felt that his mouth was a little dry.

When he realized that most people's knowledge of evil spirits was still blank and the Privy Council monopolized all knowledge about alchemy, he didn't feel anything wrong. Restricted by the times, it is normal for ideas to be backward.

But now he discovered that the ancients may have gone a long way in the study of evil phenomena.

"Brother Xia, what should we do next?"

Wei Wushuang's shout interrupted his thoughts.

That's right, these issues can be studied later, and he must first deal with the difficult problems in Gaoshan County at this time.

Xia Fan returned to Du Mingjin, "Where did you send those people you murdered?"

"I don't know, I really don't know, my lord!" The latter shook his head again and again, "Every time I was notified by Huzhi County, I went outside the county to pick up people."

"Only rely on you two brothers?"

"If there are too many people, they will help. But they are basically all dressed in black with hoods on their faces. I really can't see where they are from!"

"In addition to sending people, did they send anything else?"

"There was a gift of money, a big box and a big box, and the money was put into Mr. Hu's mansion, and our brothers could only get some fractions! By the way, they also sent a woman in Hu Zhi County, a Pretty woman, that's all I know!"

Xia Fan looked at Shang Guancai, who spread his hand, saying that he had nothing to add.

"Whether you have concealed it or not, someone will check later." He checked the rope on the opponent's body, and lifted it vigorously, "Come with us."

"You, where are you taking me?"

"Jinxia City, State Shepherd's Mansion."

"My lord, I will die if I go there!" Du Mingjin's face changed drastically, and he struggled to kneel down again, "I always obey orders, please spare my life!"

"Listen well," Xia Fan said sharply, "Your only way to survive is to report the magistrate of Gaoshan County, Hu Huairen. There is no other way to save your life! In addition, even if you are doomed, you can at least catch up with Yuanpan completely. Before closing, let the government officials fish out your younger brother—you don’t want him to suffer enough torture here, and finally turn into an abyss ghost, don’t you?”

Du Mingjin's body softened, as if he had lost all his strength.

Xia Fan didn't want to waste his time talking, so he grabbed him and walked out of the grotto.

The return journey was much faster, and in less than an hour, the five of them had reached the foot of the mountain.

However, just when Gaoshan County was looming, something unexpected happened.

Du Mingjin's complexion became as pale as paper, and foam overflowed from the corner of his mouth.

A group of people had to stop to check his condition.

"What's wrong with this guy?"

"I'm afraid he was poisoned." Shangguan Cai pressed his pulse, "I guess he won't be able to make it to the city."

Her words were quickly fulfilled. In less than half a quarter of an hour, Du Mingjin's condition deteriorated sharply, his whole body was shaking non-stop, and the foam turned into bloodshot streaks.

He opened his mouth, as if he wanted to say something, but in the end Xia Fan only heard the words "that bowl of wine".

After a few breaths, Du Mingjin completely stopped shaking.

"He's dead." Shangguan Cai shrugged.

This is... silence? Xia Fan couldn't help clenching his fists. Since the opponent had left such a hand on Du Mingjin, there was no reason to let Du Mingyin go alone.

In an instant, they lost two witnesses, and the originally good situation suddenly turned around.

"As long as the grotto is still there, we still have a chance." Wei Wushuang comforted.

"That's not necessarily the case." Xia Fan shook his head, "The poison may be just a precautionary measure. If the Du brothers can return to the county on time, they may not realize that they have been poisoned. If he fails to go back, In addition to killing people, this medicine can also provide a warning signal for the poisoner."

"You mean... we were discovered?"

"I'm not sure, but there is such a possibility." Xia Fan felt his brain running fast, and the information in this short day almost hit his cognition like a storm, even though he knew that the lives of the people at the bottom of this era would not be enough. It was a bunch of weeds, but when he actually experienced it himself, he was still greatly shocked. "If this is the case, Hu Huairen will definitely send another group of people to seal the grotto. The worst result is that there will be no witnesses or physical evidence left."

"Then what should we do?" Wei Wushuang asked worriedly.

"I need a person to go to Jinxia City to report. It's best to travel lightly, the sooner the better." Xia Fan looked at Wang Renzhi, "Young Master Wang, you are the only one who can enter the city at night and can enter the city at night."

"Oh, after all, I still have to step in." Wang Renzhi suddenly regained his spirits, "Don't worry, with my Wang family's status in Jinxia, ​​they will never dare to ignore my news. Then I will go first!"

After the other party left, Xia Fan turned his gaze to the other two, "As for you two—can you hold this intersection for me? If Hu Huairen sends people over again, at most they will be government servants and arresters. And the alchemist is Eighth-rank officer, delaying for a while should not be a big problem."

"I should be fine," Wei Wushuang nodded, "Brother Xia, how about you?"

"I want to go to the magistrate's residence in person." Xia Fan said decisively. "Only by controlling Hu Huairen can the physical evidence of the Grotto be guaranteed. What's more, he is also the biggest witness in the whole incident—in other words, if he can't move, we can take the initiative! Even if he doesn't confess anything , at least it can prevent him from transferring the stolen money, I think Huzhi County must not be able to explain why there is so much cash hidden in his mansion."

"Sorry, I quit." Shangguan Cai said suddenly.

"Hey..." Wei Wushuang didn't react for a while, "Why?"

Shangguan Cai ignored him, but stared at Xia Fan and said, "Do you know what you are doing? Although the county magistrate is not of high rank, he is also a chief official in the Ministry of Officials. If something happens to the second son of the Wang family, he will Or you failed to control Huzhi County, resulting in no evidence at all, and you, an eighth-rank alchemist, probably did it too."

"Of course, it's fine if it's just like this. But have you ever considered a possibility—why the Privy Council prohibits alchemists from interfering in this matter? There is really no other reason except that it is inconvenient to intervene in the affairs of the government?" Here Shangguan Cai paused, "Do you think they really don't know the reason behind the frequent appearance of evil spirits?"