Records of the Lost Cases of Helaitang in the Ming Dynasty

Chapter 2 Silver foil ingot
Cuiping Mountain is not very high, and it takes less than a cup of tea. After passing a steep slope, there is a large pool in front. The grass on the edge of the pool is like a blanket, and several large bluestone slabs lie across the pool, forming a stone bridge.

The pool was dark and rumbling, with one or two frogs croaking from time to time.

Because he was crossing the river, Ye Hongzu was particularly careful when he settled down. The bluestone was clean and there was no trace of rain.Looking up, I saw that the light rain had stopped at some point, the dark clouds dispersed, and a full moon rose.

The long-term depression seemed to disappear in this quiet moment.

After passing the big pool, it was still on the way up the mountain. A few steps further, lights appeared among the rocks, and a dark mountain gate came into view.

The old woman in front stopped, put the bamboo basket in her hand on the ground, tidied her clothes, dusted herself off, and waited quietly.

After waiting for a moment, the mountain door creaked open.

Behind the white paper lantern, a man wearing a black jumpsuit slowly walked out and said loudly: "By the order of the great immortal, I introduce the destined person."

The old woman took a few steps forward and called, "Senior Sister."

The face of the person in black robe is blurred, and the clothes are floor-length. Judging from the body shape, it is impossible to tell that she is a woman.

The woman in black robe looked outside and said, "There are only two people here today. Have you brought all the thank-you gifts to the Immortal?"

The old woman quickly handed over the bamboo basket and said, "Everything is ready for the immortal according to the rules."

The woman in black robe glanced slightly, nodded and motioned for her to follow her, walked a few steps back, turned around and closed the mountain door, and saw Ye Hongzu hiding under the branches without moving. He looked at it intently for a long time, and suddenly said: "This gentleman's forehead is black. My spirit is scattered, everything must be going wrong recently, and my treasury is insufficient. Why don't you go in and ask the immortal to lend you some fortune?"

When Ye Hongzu was told about the central issue, his heart became hot and he plucked up the courage to follow behind.

With the dim light of the white paper lantern, Ye Hongzu saw the plaque "Da Xian Temple" on the mountain gate. He couldn't help but be a little suspicious. Is there really a Da Xian Temple on Cuiping Mountain?
After entering the mountain gate, I smelled a vague aroma between my nose and mouth.

The candles inside were brightly lit, reflecting the majesty of the temple. As they walked meandering through the halls, the woman in black robe stopped in front of a main hall, whispered a few words to the people inside, and then asked the old woman carrying a bamboo basket to follow her. She went in first and signaled to Ye Hongzu to wait outside.

After half a stick of incense was gone, the old woman came out happily. Ye Hongzu noticed that the bamboo basket was not brought out.

After entering the main hall, Ye Hongzu was shocked by its magnificence.It's just a mountain village temple, but it has such grandeur.At the end of the light, in the middle of the hall, a god stood in the shadows.

Ye Hongzu lowered his head, not daring to look directly.

After a long time, a majestic voice came from the shadow: "What do you want to borrow?"

"It's nothing more than fame and wealth." Ye Hongzu said, his voice trembling with nervousness: "I started enlightenment at the age of six, with lights on at three o'clock and chickens on the fifth o'clock. I have been studying for more than 20 years, holding literary meetings every year, teaching in the county school, and students. Everyone says that I am good at writing articles, but after more than ten years of examination, I have not even been selected as a scholar. I don’t believe that I am inferior to others, but I just lack some luck, so I will borrow some luck from the immortal."

As he spoke, he burst into tears with excitement, and knelt on the ground, banging his head.

After a moment of silence, the voice said: "You don't understand the rules and didn't bring a thank you gift."

Ye Hongzu said earnestly: "I didn't know about the Great Immortal Association at first. If the Great Immortal could lend me my fame, how could I be stingy in thanking you? I would not hesitate to pay my three sacrifices every year."

"Haha." The god's voice seemed very satisfied and said, "I'll trust you for once. Just go back and wait."

The woman in black robe who led the way picked up a silver foil ingot from the confession table, gave it to Ye Hongzu with both hands, and led him back outside the hall.

"Sir, you are sincere. The Great Immortal will naturally lend you fortune and wealth. Keep the ingot carefully until dawn tomorrow. If the ingot is intact, it means you have borrowed it."

Ye Hongzu was so angry that he didn't dare to breathe. He held the silver foil ingot tightly. When he walked out of the mountain gate, he heard the woman in black robe say: "Don't forget to give the great immortal a thank you gift."

The moonlight was shining brightly, and Ye Hongzu felt both excited and nervous at the same time. He walked quickly down the mountain, and in a short time he reached the big water pool where he came from.

About to cross the bluestone slab, there was lightning and thunder, and suddenly heavy rain poured down.

Ye Hongzu hurriedly put the silver foil ingot on his flesh and hid it, and took out the oil-paper umbrella from his luggage. When he held the umbrella, a bolt of lightning rose into the sky, illuminating the top of the mountain brightly, in the direction of the Daxian Temple.

Looking up, he saw that the mountains were covered with dead vines and dead trees, and there were numerous barren graves. Ye Hongzu was so horrified that he ran down the mountain staggeringly.

(End of this chapter)