Divine Tang Era

Chapter 118 Holiday House-Supporting Drum

For some, July seems to drag on endlessly, each day feeling like a year.

Xu Dan didn't feel any difference, but he could sense that since the beginning of July, the atmosphere in Jingning City had become more tense and serious day by day.

In the wilderness, starting in July, a layer of eerie mist rises at night, where ghosts roam freely.

Even from within the city, Xu Dan could hear the sounds of the ghostly soldiers fighting and killing each other in the wilderness. And so it was; now no one dared to go into the wilderness to dig for treasure. Everyone stayed in the city like cats, and even the garrison guarding the mines on Gold Mountain had retreated to rest in the city.

Perhaps sensing the tense atmosphere in the city, schools and martial arts schools have all closed for the holidays, saying they will reopen in July.

Little Magpie has been extremely happy these past few days. Since she doesn't have to go to the school or martial arts gym, she spends all day happily following her mother around, being very affectionate.

She was happy, but the rooster and the black bear were not. They were bullied every day, causing chaos and misery. If it weren't for the dangers outside, they would both want to run away from home.

When he has nothing to do, Xu Dan likes to bring out a custom-made rocking chair and sit at the door, rocking back and forth while looking at the scenery outside.

In the past, the west gate of the city was very quiet, with hardly anyone coming except for the people going out early and returning late. But since the beginning of July, the tranquility of the west gate has been broken. There are many more people near the west gate, including government officials, soldiers from who-knows-where, and some treasure hunters from the Arctic tundra plateau.

These people gathered together to drink, eat meat, and chat, occasionally going up to the city wall to check the situation.

As a result, many more vendors set up stalls.

There's one not far from the inn. The day before yesterday, they politely brought Xu Dan a bowl of meat dumplings. They tasted pretty good, and he even brought Xiao Que'er to support him.

The rocking chair sways, and the world shakes.

For Xu Dan, apart from the fact that there were more people around, his life hadn't changed much. After a while, the black bear sneaked over and crouched down next to him, probably annoyed by the little magpie and came here to find some peace and quiet.

It lay between the rocking chair and the door, thinking it was well hidden and no one would notice.

Little did they know that their enormous bodies, like stars in the dark night, were so dazzling and eye-catching.

Just then, Shi Xuanliang and Dong An, the lantern bearers on night watch in the city, came over with two yamen runners.

"Young master," Shi Xuanliang greeted him politely as he stepped forward.

Xu Dan couldn't stay in the rocking chair any longer, so he got up, cupped his hands, and said, "Greetings, everyone. Is there something you need?" He asked this because a few days ago, they had come to his door to distribute amulets for warding off evil spirits in the same way.

Shi Xuanliang said, "Recently, ghosts have been sneaking into the city and causing trouble, so the county magistrate specially requested a batch of house-protecting drums from Fengzhen Temple to lend to everyone. Normally, you can keep them at home, and if any evil spirits come, the drums will sound, and the people in the neighborhood will come to help. Of course, if you want to buy them and put them at home, that's fine too."

Xu Dan felt that these words sounded somewhat familiar.

Home appliances to the countryside: free trials, or delivery and purchasing on behalf of customers?

He couldn't remember, and he stopped thinking about it. Anyway, the house-protecting drum wasn't expensive, so he might as well buy it to avoid the hassle of returning it. Shi Xuanliang took the money and went to the next house with the others.

Xu Dan felt this scene was familiar; was it about sending warmth, care, or something else? He couldn't quite remember.

I simply stopped thinking about it and continued to lie in the rocking chair, swaying leisurely.

"Grandfather!" Kuang Kui called out from the east.

"Why aren't you setting up a stall today?" Xu Dan asked politely as he stood up.

"There are so many vendors over there now, who would want to set up a stall? Come on, let's go inside and talk, I need to talk to you."

Seeing his expression, Xu Dan led him inside. Across the street, He Rong, who had been strolling leisurely, came over. The two were neighbors and often talked and drank tea together, so Xu Dan led him and Kuang Kui inside.

The inn's lobby enshrines Xuanwu Zhenjun, and to the right is a set of tables and chairs for serving tea to guests.

Xu Dan gestured for the two to sit down before asking Kuang Kui, "What's the matter?"

"Of course I have something to say. Why would I come here if I didn't?" Kuang Kui took out several items from his storage bag and placed them on the table one by one, saying, "Recently, ghosts have entered the city, causing chaos everywhere. So I went and bought some magical artifacts to sell. Do you want them?"

Xu Dan looked at the items he took out: a bronze bell, a peach wood sword engraved with seven stars, a triangular banner, an eight-sided seal, a bronze peace plaque, a three-pronged celestial master bell, a string of beads, and several talismans.

"Where did you get all this stuff?" Xu Dan asked curiously.

"I have my own connections."

Kuang Kui picked up the items on the table and introduced them: "This is a Soul-Suppressing Bell. If a ghost comes, the bell will ring automatically and will also emit a sound to attack the ghost. You can hang it in front of the door or under the eaves; this is a peach wood sword, a powerful weapon for killing ghosts; this is a ghost banner, which cannot kill enemies, but can capture and trap ghosts inside; this eight-sided seal has talismans for suppressing evil spirits and warding off evil on each side, it is very powerful; this is a peace talisman, which can be worn to ward off evil, it is very useful; this is a Celestial Master Bell, which can be rung directly when encountering ghosts, it is very useful for dealing with ghosts; and there is also a Flowing Pearl, which is engraved with talismans for warding off evil, it is also a powerful weapon for driving away ghosts. These items have all been consecrated by a master, so they can be used without magic. Do you want to buy them? If you do, I can give you a discount."

"Is it easy to use?" Xu Dan asked.

"How could I dare to act recklessly in such a life-or-death matter?" Kuang Kui said solemnly.

Seeing this, Xu Dan bought two peace charms and two strings of beads for Yun Niang and Xiao Que'er. He didn't need any; the ghost had only come to deliver food. Perhaps because they were acquaintances, Kuang Kui didn't ask for a high price, and left immediately after selling, probably heading to the next shop.

"Would you like some tea?" Xu Dan asked He Rong.

"No need, I came to check because I was afraid he would overcharge you, but I didn't expect the price to be so cheap."

"We're all acquaintances. He dares to sell to me at a high price, isn't he afraid I'll wreck his business?"

"That's good. I won't sit down, I have other things to do." He Rong also got up and left.

Xu Dan dragged the rocking chair into the house, closed the door, and went to the back to give the peace charm and the lucky charm to Yun Niang and Xiao Que'er. With the arrival of Ghost Month, the yin energy was at its peak, and recently, ghosts had frequently broken through the city's protective formation, causing widespread panic. Wearing them would give Yun Niang and Xiao Que'er some peace of mind.

"Xu Dandan...Xu Dandan..."

Just as he handed the things to them, he heard someone calling from outside, and Xu Dan frowned.

Judging from the voice, it sounds like that brat Wang Shouyi. How dare he call him by his name like that? Does he have a death wish?

Upon opening the door, one could see an old Taoist priest and a young Taoist priest standing outside. The young Taoist priest was undoubtedly Wang Shouyi. The old Taoist priest was unfamiliar to him, but since he had come along, he must be his master—Ye Jingzang, the master of Donglai Palace.

Xu Dan bowed respectfully and greeted, "Greetings, Daoist Master."

"Greetings, young man." Ye Jingzang smiled kindly.

After greeting him, Xu Dan turned his gaze to Wang Shouyi and said, "I think I just heard someone calling my name randomly."

"Really? Maybe the echo is too strong in your room, that's why I didn't hear it." Wang Shouyi's eyes darted around, not daring to look at Xu Dan. He was calling him that on purpose; he didn't want to call him "Grandfather," otherwise he would be Xu Dan's grandson.

Xu Dan squinted at him, making Wang Shouyi feel uneasy.

After staring at me for a moment, he asked, "What do you want from me?"

Upon hearing his words, Wang Shouyi raised his head and said, "Recently, ghosts have been rampant in the city. My master and I have specially brought consecrated talismans for everyone to avoid being harassed by ghosts." After speaking, he took out several talismans from his pocket.

"This talisman is very useful; you can just throw it at any ghost you encounter. Normally, you can't buy one for a hundred coins."

Wang Shouyi handed it to Xu Dan and whispered something.

This alludes to the talisman I sold him cheaply before.

Xu Dan didn't mind, accepted the gift, and even gave Wang Shouyi some crispy dried fish in return. Wang Shouyi tasted it, found it delicious, and felt it was a worthwhile deal.