Chapter 165 Preparation for Breakthrough
The approximate meaning of the imperial edict is: Because Gu Xu has excellent qualifications, extensive knowledge, and is a leader among his peers, he can be allowed to concurrently serve as an attendant, as a role model and training Support the princes; as for his previous duties, they remain unchanged.
Gu Xu stepped forward to receive the order.
Then he held the imperial decree and bowed in the direction of Luojing City to thank the emperor for his kindness.
At this time, the eunuch Cao Tong said to him again: "Gu Shidu, the emperor has paid great attention to you recently. You must work hard and don't let the emperor be disappointed in you."
Gu Xu immediately replied: "I will definitely live up to the emperor's trust!"
As the eunuch Bingbi, the eunuch who holds the power of the inner court, Cao Tong has always been busy with affairs.
After delivering the imperial edict to Gu Xu in accordance with the emperor's order, he once again stepped on the flying sword and flew back to Luojing City at a speed of thousands of miles per day.
Shi Xiaohan stood aside, watching all this silently.
It wasn't until the figure of eunuch Cao Tong completely disappeared in the distant sky that she walked to Gu Xu, smiled and said to him: "Congratulations, my lord."
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As the daughter of an official family, Shi Xiaohan naturally knew that "attendant reading" was a very rare position in the Daqi Dynasty.
Although it is just an honorary title and has no real power, it represents the approval of the Emperor of Qi, which is equivalent to establishing a person as a role model for the princes.
Only young people who are recognized as virtuous and upright, with excellent qualifications and outstanding knowledge are qualified to hold this position.
Officials of the Da Qi Dynasty also often regarded official positions such as "attendant reading", "horse washing", "Zhan Shi", etc. as special steps to advance.
As long as they do not do anything illegal or arrogant, they will encounter few obstacles in their future promotions.
Shi Xiaohan once thought that Gu Xu's rise was fast enough.
He has only been in the Exorcism Department for a year, and he has already been promoted from an ordinary clerk to an eighth-grade official. In addition, he has also become a reserve member of the "Shenji Battalion" and has won the favor of the Department. Lord Chief trusted him and did one earth-shattering thing after another.
This is enough to look down upon many wealthy children of the Da Qi Dynasty.
But now, Gu Xu went to the Laoshan ruins for just a few days, and came back to give her another surprise.
At this moment, she couldn't help but think of the scene when the two met for the first time half a year ago.
At that time, Gu Xu was wearing a blue cloth shirt worn by a small official. Although it was old and simple, it was cleanly washed.
He came to her and asked for cooperation in completing the ghost-killing mission without being humble or condescending.
Other minor officials, such as Wang Yang, Pan Xiaopeng, Wu Donghai and others, were hiding behind the pillars and whispering. They felt that Gu Xu was "too whimsical" and agreed that "I am an official." It is impossible for a rich person, a powerful man of the second level, to cooperate with mediocre officials like us."
But Shi Xiaohan thought this boy was very interesting at the time.
Perhaps it was because it was too boring to do tasks alone for a long time, so she had the idea of finding a companion.
Or maybe it's because the boy's appearance is pleasing to the eye.
"Okay." She smiled brightly, revealing two small white tiger teeth.
At that moment, all the junior officials in the Exorcism Department were stunned on the spot, unable to believe their eyes.
…………
“It seems that compared to those petty officials, this heroine has a much better vision!”
Under the dark night sky, Shi Xiaohan looked at Gu Xu holding the imperial edict beside him, and thought secretly in his heart.
Who would have thought that that humble green-shirted official could become the dazzling talent he is today?
But at the same time, an inexplicable anxiety surged deep in her heart.
Gu Xu’s pace was too fast.
She was afraid that she would be left far behind by him in the future, unable to walk side by side with him and become the "Two Heroes of Yishui" who slayed demons and helped the world and people in her dream.
Look at the young monks in the "Shenji Camp". Their backgrounds are deeper than hers, their talents are stronger than hers, and they also have various Taoist and magical powers.
What if Gu Xu, after staying in the "Shenji Camp" for a long time, thinks she is too weak and refuses to cooperate with her?
The third realm is not enough.
If you want to protect him, you have to become stronger.
Thinking of this, Shi Xiaohan bit his lip and secretly clenched his fist with his right hand hidden in his sleeve.
She secretly decided to go back to the house later to have another midnight snack and add a few more layers of "Taotie Seal".
At this time, Gu Xu took out the box of swimming crabs Shi Lei gave him from "Xianyun Residence" and handed it to Shi Xiaohan's hand.
"Xiaohan, this is a gift your father specially asked me to bring to you from Laizhou Prefecture," he introduced with a smile, "He said you like to eat this kind of swimming crab the most."
Hearing the three words "swimming crab", Shi Xiaohan's eyes immediately lit up, shining like stars on a summer night.
She immediately reached out and took the box from Gu Xu's hand, and said happily: "Gu Xu, thank you so much!"
"It's a small effort, so you don't have to thank me," Gu Xu responded in a relaxed tone, "You should thank your father. In the past few days, he has been thinking about you."
"I don't want to thank him! "Shi Xiaohan hugged the swimming crab box to his chest, curled his lips and said, "He always dislikes me and thinks I'm annoying. He spends all day thinking about how to marry me off... Huh, he doesn't even look at it. Not only does he have stinky feet, but he also likes to compete with me for food, which is really annoying..."
Shi Xiaohan kept talking bad things about her father in front of Gu Xu for a long time——
For example, I like to sing loudly in the yard in the middle of the night, and my voice is particularly unpleasant; for example, in order to vent my stress, I suppressed my true energy and drank several large bowls of spirits. After being drunk, I ran around the yard shirtless and wearing pants, which scared me. A group of servants; for example, he once picked his feet and ate melon seeds, which caused Shi Xiaohan to feel nauseated when he saw melon seeds for a whole month...
Shi Lei's ulterior black history was all revealed by Shi Xiaohan. He told Gu Xu in detail.
Gu Xu remained calm on the surface, but deep down he couldn't help but sigh: If Mr. Shi knew what his daughter said behind his back, he would be so angry that he would vomit blood!
…………
A few minutes later, Gu Xu said goodbye to Shi Xiaohan and prepared to go home to practice.
"Wait a moment!" When he was about to turn around, Shi Xiaohan reached out and grabbed the hem of his clothes.
Then, the girl rushed into the house and disappeared without a trace in an instant.
Just when Gu Xu was feeling a little confused, she suddenly appeared in front of Gu Xu again, holding more than ten porcelain bottles containing elixirs in her arms.
"You can take all these elixirs back and use them!" She raised her head, looked at Gu Xu with a smile and said, "I have broken through to the third level now, and I don't need these 'Eternal Brightness Pills' "
Gu Xu didn't show any pretense this time and happily put these pills into "Xianyun Residence".
"Shi Nu Xia really helped those in need, helped the poor, and spread wealth. She really has the demeanor of the ancient heroes!"
Hearing Gu Xu's words, Shi Xiaohan felt happy.
She likes to be called "hero" the most.
She stood on tiptoes, patted Gu Xu on the shoulder and said: "Go back and practice hard, no need to thank me. When you go to the capital, remember to take me to the 'Shenji Camp' for dinner."
"Definitely." Gu Xu agreed with a smile.
…………After leaving the Shi family’s mansion, Gu Xu walked through several blocks and returned to the small courtyard where he lived.
It was getting late at this time, and the whole county was silent.
The simple and old bluestone pavement reflects the moonlight and shines with a faint silvery white luster.
The black door of No. 17, Ping'an Lane, was tightly closed, looking particularly solemn under the cover of night.
Gu Xu climbed up the steps, unlocked the door, and walked into the home.
The candles in the room lit up, and the swaying flames glowed with a warm yellow luster.
"Master, you are back!" The little book boy in a gray shirt bowed to him.
Gu Xu glanced at him and frowned slightly.
"Go get me a pair of clean shoes." He ordered.
"Yes, Master." The little book boy agreed.
After a while, the little book boy brought a cup of hot tea.
"Master, please have some tea!" The little book boy held the teacup in both hands and handed it to him respectfully.
Gu Xu looked at the little book boy and shook his head helplessly.
When he first drew the little book boy with the technique of "pointing the eyes and giving the spirit", his cultivation was not good enough and he could only make the little book boy do things according to fixed procedures.
If you change the instructions slightly, the little book boy will not understand.
"Perhaps, I can try to use Kong Xuan Sanren's 'puppet manipulation' spell to make some improvements to this little book boy, so that his brain will be more intelligent and he will no longer be a silly 'artificial retard'."
Thinking of this, he waved slightly.
The little book boy walked to the screen and turned into a portrait on the screen.
Then, Gu Xu took out the "Jinghong Pen" and carefully drew the "naming" talisman seal that he had recently studied based on the "puppet manipulation" technique on the little book boy's eyebrows one stroke at a time.
When he finished the last stroke of the rune, an invisible "thread of cause and effect" quietly appeared, connecting him and the portrait of the little book boy.
At this moment, he felt that he could control the little book boy's behavior completely with his thoughts - he would do whatever he wanted him to do.
A satisfied smile appeared on his face.
Then he sat down at the desk, took out the booklet, and began to focus on writing his recent practice notes.
At the same time, the little book boy also walked down from the screen again.
First, he stood behind Gu Xu, rubbing his shoulders and back, helping him relieve his recent physical fatigue.
Then he got a pair of clean shoes, squatted at his feet, and put them on for him.
Finally, I picked up the rag and began to carefully wipe the dust that had accumulated recently on the furniture in the house.
During this whole process, Gu Xu did not raise his head at all, nor did he speak any orders.
After briefly recording some insights into the "Puppet Operator" spell, Gu Xu came to the bamboo mat and sat down cross-legged.
He took out a small porcelain bottle that Shi Xiaohan gave him, took out an "Eternal Brightness Pill" and swallowed it in one gulp.
Then he closed his eyes and entered a state of cultivation.
The road to hell in the world of consciousness is still bumpy and bumpy.
Under the dim light, listening to the eerie howling of ghosts and wolves, he groped his way forward.
Unconsciously, he turned a corner and climbed onto a low mountain.
At this moment, in the deep darkness, there was a faint sound of low waves.
So Gu Xu knew that "Forget River" was very close.
He became a monk of "The Eighth Song of Huangquan".
As long as he turns another corner, he can pass through the bright red sea of flowers on the other side and approach the Naihe Bridge across the River of Forgetfulness.
That bridge is the second life-and-death barrier on the road to spiritual practice.
If you successfully cross the bridge, you will be able to advance to the third realm, with more powerful true energy and spiritual power. You will be able to look outside the world, look inside yourself, and even have the opportunity to obtain a unique magical power.
But if you fail, you will fall into the River of Forgetfulness and die.
Gu Xu felt that he should start preparing for breaking through.
After seeing the terrifying power of Chu Fengge's "Weeds", Shangguan Jin's "Heavenly Calculation" and Shi Xiaohan's "Taotie Seal", he also very much hoped that he could obtain a powerful magical power.
After all, as an unprecedented holder of first-class qualifications, how could he lag behind others in terms of magical powers?
It’s just that he also faced the same problem as Shi Xiaohan.
He does not lack a "solid foundation", a "clear goal", and a "courage to move forward".
But the "strong emotional impact" left him a little confused.
According to the book, "Supernatural power is the embodiment of spiritual will, and it is also the flower that the soul blooms in desperate situations."
But with his always steady character, how could he push himself into a desperate situation?
…………
Qingzhou Prefecture, Exorcism Department Yamen.
The eldest prince Xiao Shangyuan, who was recuperating here, was wearing a simple robe, sitting next to the desk, silently reading the latest imperial newspaper.
"The emperor has appointed a new attendant." After reading the newspaper, Xiao Shangyuan turned his head and looked at the white-haired old man beside him, Fan Cheng, and said, "Uncle Fan, what do you think about this man named Gu Xu?" How much do young people know about it? "
"The new owner of 'Jinghong Pen' and the inheritor of Kongxuan Sanren are good at the art of talisman and seal... Your Highness should have known this information even in 'Shenji'. "His qualifications and opportunities are among the best in the camp," Fan Cheng nodded slightly and replied, "It's just that I still guess that the improved 'Feng Xing Talisman' was probably painted by him."
"'Fengxing Talisman'?" Xiao Shangyuan frowned slightly, "Is it the talisman that Tao Qian lied about drawing by himself?"
"Yes."
"No way!" Xiao Shangyuan felt a little unbelievable, "Improving the talisman and seal script is a skill that only Fu Dao masters have. If I remember correctly, that Gu Xu is not yet eighteen years old, how can he be so profound? Talisman attainments?"
Fan Cheng cleared his throat and explained: "Since the death of that liar Tao Qian, I tried to get some information and found that on the day we picked up the 'Fengxing Talisman', there was Tao Qian was not the only talisman master - the young man named Gu Xu also came to the Qingzhou Prefecture Exorcist Department Yamen because of the Lu family murder case.
"Then, I asked someone to bring some Yishui. According to the county's information, it was discovered that in the warehouse of the Yishui Exorcism Department, merit can be exchanged for the 'Tai Shang Arctic Demon-Suppressing and Ghost-Killing Talisman', which is much more powerful than the ordinary 'Ghost-Killing Talisman'.
“The person who improved those ‘ghost-killing talismans’ is Gu Xu.”
PS: Please vote for me! (Sorry for the late update due to overtime)
(End of this chapter)