Under the gaze of the other two people in the room, the Taoist took the bowl of water that Xie Lian had served. With his back bent, he began to drink it slowly. Through his body language, it seems he is not a man who happens to experience rain in the middle of a long dry season, but a man who is hesitant and on guard.
Simultaneously, when he was drinking water, Xie Lian clearly heard the sound of plop, plop, plop, as if there was water being poured into an empty jar.
Instantly, he realized something. Reaching for someone else's hand, he said, "Stop drinking it."
The Taoist's hands trembled as he looked at him in confusion. Xie Lian smiled and said, "It's no use even if you drink. Isn't that right?"
After hearing what he said, the Taoist's skin color suddenly changed. With his other hand, he unsheathed the iron sword from his waist making movements to stab Xie Lian. Xie Lian stood on the spot, not moving, before he raised his hand to block his attack. With a 'ringing' sound, he quickly blocked the edge of the sharp blade.
When the Taoist saw how he was still gripping his hands tightly, he gritted his teeth and pulled. Xie Lian only felt the man's arm suddenly deflate, as if it were a ball of air that leaked out the air that had collected inside it, completely withered before sliding free from his grasp.
As soon as the Taoist escaped, he escaped to the door. Xie Lian was not worried because in a place like this where no external force could stop him, even if the Taoist tried to run ten feet away, Ruoye could still drag him back and beat him to a pulp.
However, just as he raised his wrist, a 'whuiish' sound from the sharp wind passed through him. That's very fast and strong.
The voice sounded as if someone had fired a strong and sharp arrow from behind. Right after that something immediately pierced through the Taoist man's stomach and nailed it to the door. Xie Lian looked at him before realizing that it was actually a bamboo chopstick.
He turned to look, and knew that San Lan had stood up from the table, his attitude relaxed and calm. Brushing as he passed, San Lang took out bamboo chopsticks from the Taoist's body. He swung it twice in front of him before saying, "That's dirty. I'll throw it away later."
As for the Taoist, despite suffering serious injuries, he did not even utter a single cry of pain. Instead, he quietly leaned against the door and slowly slid. What gurgled and flowed out of his stomach was not blood, but clear water.
Yes. It was actually the same water from the bowl he had just drunk before.
Both of them crouched next to the Taoist man. Xie Lian pressed the wound several times, and felt as though this wound was similar to a hole caused by a puncture on a balloon with the air seeping out of the whole. It was very appropriate to say that this Taoist man's body was his balloon and the wound from the chopstick was his hole. In addition, Tao's 'corpse' also began to show changes. His previous appearance was clearly seen as a strong tough man. Now, it seems that this person is starting to shrink and get rid of all the previous layers of fat and muscle. His face and limbs withered slightly as his size continued to shrink, so his appearance now resembled the face of an old man.
Xie Lian said, "This is skin from an empty shell."
Some demons and ghosts are unable to transform themselves into perfect human forms. Thus, they will think of other ways such as: making an empty shell.
They will use some very similar ingredients for example like they will use the processed life as ingredients that are very similar to the original, then carefully make fake people's skin from it. More often now, 'skin' like this will be obtained or taken from real people. Sometimes, they will even immediately use someone's skin. In this case, the lines of one's palms, fingerprints, and hair will look perfect without blemishes.
In addition, for an empty shell like this, as long as they do not wear the skin themselves, the shell will not be contaminated with ghostly aura, so they will not be afraid of the amulets that ward off evil. This would also explain why the talisman at the door did not prevent the Taoist from entering.
However, an empty shell like this can also be easily seen, because after all, they are just empty dolls. If no one wears skin, then it can only move according to the instructions it receives.
In addition, this order cannot be too complicated and must be simple, such as repetitive movements or previously made. Thus, the appearance of these shells will usually appear relatively dull and lifeless, unlike people who live and truly exist.
For example, they will repeat one or two phrases, do the same thing over and over, answer their own questions, or answer evasively. If they have to have long conversations with people, they will quickly expose themselves.
However, in terms of distinguishing empty shells from real people, Xie Lian had a more practical method. Making them drink a bowl of water or eat a few things is enough. After all, the shells were hollow, so they would not have five viscera and six intestines *. When they eat something or drink water, the result will be the same as someone dropping something or pouring water into an empty jar. You will be able to hear a clear echo, something completely different from people who live when they eat food or drink a sip.
The Tao's body has completely deflated. At this time, it only leaves a pool of soft skin. San Lang used his chopsticks to poke the skin a few times, before he threw the chopsticks away and said, "This shell is rather interesting."
Xie Lian knew what this teen meant. They all had observed the expression and behavior of this Taoist man and remembered it. Not only does he behave like humans, he is practically like a living person. When he talks to her, he can answer quickly and smoothly. It can be said that the person who controls it has extraordinary spiritual energy. Xie Lian glanced at San Lang and said, "Looks like San Lang knows this too."
San Lang smiled, "Not much."
This empty shell specifically sent himself to his door to tell him about this problem in Ban Yue. Regardless of whether the information was genuine or fake, the purpose was to lure him to the Road Passing Ban Yue.
To be safe, he had to stop by the spirit communication line and ask questions. Xie Lian pinched his fingers and calculated that the remaining spiritual energy was enough to support him through several more uses. With that, he threw secret arts and entered the ranks of spirit communication.
As soon as he entered the array, he met a rare event filled with lively excitement. Apart from that, it was not the kind of activity that was accompanied by busy official business, but rather as if they all played some games, where they happily laughed and giggled together. Xie Lian felt truly amazed before hearing Ling Wen say, "His Majesty has returned? How were your days in the mortal world?"
Xie Lian said, "Not bad, not bad. What is everyone doing? They are very cheerful."
Ling Wen said, "The Wind Master has returned and spread the merit. Will His Majesty go and get some too?"
Sure enough, Xie Lian heard many Heavenly Officials in the spirit communication ranks shouting hoarsely like loyalty.
"One hundred merits of merit! I have snatched it!"
"Why do I only get one reward?"
"A thousand! A thousand! Thank you wind master!"
Xie Lian thought, could this be a scene of euphoria that is pleasure like getting a gold coin falling from the sky when everyone rushed to get it? And he is the audience?
On the one hand, even though the good reward is truly lost. Xie Lian thought that even though the donation box was empty right now, first of all he didn't know how to achieve that kindness, the two officials had to be very familiar with each other to play this kind of casual game. But Xie Lian did not know how he would take some. On the other hand, all Heavenly Officers here are very familiar with each other. Seizing the benefits of each other for fun while they are joking will not be a problem. It would be strange if he suddenly took part in this mess.
After that, he stopped thinking about it and asked, "Does anyone know of a place called the 'Little Road Past Ban Yue'?"
When the words came out, the order of the spirit communication that was initially happy and excited as mentioned above was still busy fighting for the reward, and suddenly fell silent.
Once again, Xie Lian felt somewhat depressed.
Previously, when he sent them a few poems or secret recipes, it didn't matter if other Heavenly Officials didn't respond because they also didn't send items like that. Therefore, because Xie Lian sent them, he was indeed like a square peg in a round hole. Of course he didn't come in with their conversation or not at all!
However, in the arrangement of spirit communication, there are often Heavenly Officials who ask questions regarding official business. For example, "Does anyone know of these special ghosts? Are they easy to handle?" Or, "Is there a ghost's den around here and can anyone help?"
At such times, everyone will give their own opinion. People with suggestions will come offering their advice, people who don't, will say they will wonder if they get a chance to help after they return.
So when Xie Lian asked about Passing Ban Yue, it could be considered an official matter. There should be no reason for everyone to remain silent when he opens his mouth, like what happened in the past.
After a while, someone suddenly shouted, "The Wind Master threw another hundred thousand merits !!!"
The spirit communication array instantly turned back to life. One by one, the Heavenly Officials began to fight over the merits, which also meant that no one cared about the question he had just asked. Xie Lian knew that the problem he faced might not be easy, so he might not be able to ask further questions in the array.
In his heart, he thought the Wind Master was truly generous, because one hundred thousand rewards in one throw was quite amazing. Xie Lian was just about to get out of the array when suddenly, Ling Wen personally sent him a message.
Ling Wen asked, "Your Majesty, why are you suddenly asking about the small road going through Ban Yue?"
So, Xie Lian told him about how an empty shell had sent himself to his doorstep. He continued, "The shell pretended he was a survivor of the small road passing Ban Yue, so it was inevitable that he came with a purpose. I don't know whether the things he said to me were true or false, so I came here to ask. What happened to that place? "
On his side, Ling Wen pondered for a moment before he said, "Your Majesty, regarding this matter, I advise you not to take part in it."
Xie Lian had expected to be told something like this. Otherwise, it is not possible for this problem to last for a hundred and fifty years without anyone asking about it further. Besides, when he asked about this, the whole court was quiet. Xie Lian said, "Every time a group or caravan passes through Ban Yue Road, more than half of the people have disappeared. Is this true?"
After a pause, Ling Wen replied, "It's hard to talk further about this problem."
Xie Lian could hear the consensus win from Ling Wen's tone of voice. One thing he can be sure of is that he must be in a difficult situation. He said, "Okay, I understand. Because this is uncomfortable for you, you don't need to say more. Besides, we both never had this conversation in private."
After calming down, Xie Lian left the spirit communication array. He stood up and with his broom, swept the pool of fake skin to the side while he muttered to himself. Then, raising his head, he said, "San Lang, I'm afraid I will travel somewhere far away."
Through Ling Wen's attitude, one could say that this was no small matter. Since this empty shell had sent itself to its door, he must have wanted to persuade him to leave, so this place could not be in a safe and good place. However, San Lang said, "All right, Gege. If you don't mind, also invite me to come along?"
Finding this strange, Xie Lian asked, "The journey will be very long with the possibility we will face difficult wind and sand, why do you want to come along?"
San Lang laughed and said, "Do you want to know what happened to the small road through Ban Yue?"
San Lang laughed and said, "Do you want to know what happened to the small road through Ban Yue?"
Xie Lian was silent before saying, "You even know about this?"
San Lang crossed his arms on his chest and said in a relaxed tone, "The small road through Mount Yue Yue" was originally not called the "Small road past Mount Ban Yue". Two hundred years ago, that was precisely the location for the ancient country of Ban Yue. "
He sat up a little upright, and, with his eyes as bright as a star, he continued, "In fact, the Road Ban Ban demon that we are talking about now is actually."
Xie Lian put the broom against the wall and was just about to sit and listen. However, at the same time, a knock sounded from outside the door.
As Xie Lian now knew, it was night time. Feared by Xie Lian's words about the Tao men who were 'possessed by a ghost' they had previously brought. All the villagers were afraid to come out of their homes, so they must have returned to their homes. Then, who could still be this brave to knock on the door at night like this?
Xie Lian stood beside the door and held his breath for a moment, but he did not feel anything strange coming from the talisman on his door. After that, he once again heard two more beats. From the sound of this knock, it seemed like there were two people simultaneously knocking on the door.
He pondered for a while before opening the door. Sure enough, two teenagers in black stood outside the door of his house. One looks bright and handsome, the other elegant and delicate. They were precisely the two little heavenly officials Nan Feng and Fu Yao. Xie Lian spoke, "You two .."
Fu Yao led and rolled his eyes. Right off the bat, Nan Feng asked, "Are you going to go past the Ban Yue Pass?"
Xie Lian said, "Where did you hear that from?"
Nan Feng replied, "Some Heavenly Officials talked about it and gossiped about it on the road. I heard you ask about the Road Passing Ban Yue today in the ranks of spirit communication."
Xie Lian immediately understood. With both hands covered by his sleeves, he said, "Oh, I understand. Volunteer 'I volunteered', right?"
Both display distorted expressions, as if caused by a toothache. "... Yes."
Xie Lian could not help laughing. "I understand, I understand. But let's agree first, the rules are if we find something beyond what we are capable of handling, don't hesitate to run away whenever you understand."
At the same time, he shifted his body to the side and then invited them inside to fill in the details of the conversation. But who knows, as soon as the two of them saw the teenager sitting on his side behind him, their skin that was once dark immediately turned pale. Xie Lian was surprised 'What sucked their blood, so quickly it turned pale? '
Nan Feng crossed inside, hurried to place himself in front of Xie Lian before he shouted, "WITHDRAWAL !!!"