Read Novel Full Chapter 1470 - 795: The Overlooked Detail (2)
Chapter 1470: Chapter 795: The Overlooked Detail (2)
Zhao Sheng emerged from the back hall, returning to the first courtyard and swiftly slipped into the East Hall, waiting quietly.
As the sun ascended higher, a young scholar suddenly appeared at the temple entrance, walking in swiftly.
Zhao Sheng’s heart skipped a beat, and his face immediately showed a hint of a smile, thinking that things were indeed going as he expected.
"Lin Heng, ’long time’ no see!" he muttered to himself, watching Lin Heng’s figure disappear through the doorway, a hint of excitement in his eyes.
His previous suspicions were correct; if Lin Heng had truly found the Life Path, then this person should have successfully escaped from this place on the first day.
However, in reality, Lin Heng had not departed from this place.
This just proved he failed, and it also proved that the Yellow Springs Other Shore Painting was not the key to escaping this place.
So... he had been misled before, and now he had to start anew.
...
Not long after, a black-topped boat slowly left the shore, heading along the river towards Mingxi Town.
Zhao Sheng stood at the bow, facing the gentle spring breeze, his mind like waves of tumultuous thoughts.
Where exactly is the Life Path? Or... is there simply no Life Path at all, and this is just a place of no return, a Dead Land!
No, this is by no means a Dead Land!
Previously, he might have overlooked some crucial detail.
Thinking of this, Zhao Sheng suddenly closed his eyes, and a vivid image of a "small town" slowly emerged in his mind.
Rivers meander densely, willows sway on both banks, bluestone roads extend, bustling with pedestrians, shops line the streets, very lively.
Small courtyards of green bricks and tiles are distributed along the river, looking elegant and exquisite, filled with ancient fragrance.
In his mind, the entire town seemed alive, constantly playing out scenes of stories of all living beings.
At one point, the Ten Thousand Temple suddenly manifested. Zhao Sheng’s vision quickly shrank, locking onto the Hell Creatures Painting in a temple.
Netherworld like the sea, countless heads floated on the sea surface, every face twisted in fear, cries shaking the heavens.
Ghostly creatures crowded by the sea, one by one pushed into the sea, quickly swallowed by the seawater, never to reincarnate.
Yes!
The flaw is right here!
Zhao Sheng abruptly opened his eyes, feeling extremely excited; he finally found a sliver of chance to escape this heaven.
Just now, he suddenly recalled a neglected detail.
That is, there were new ghosts born in other Hell Creatures Paintings, only this Netherworld Sea Death Map did not have a single new ghost.
He should have thought of it earlier; legend says ghostly creatures need to pass through six realms of reincarnation, drink Mengpo Soup, cross Naihe Bridge to reincarnate.
And Ghost Gate is a place to greet new ghosts, fundamentally unable to reincarnate.
So the key to escaping this place is to personally draw out a Naihe Bridge.
Zhao Sheng figured out the key, feeling excited inside, desperately wanting to fly back to Mingxi Town.
...
On the east side of the town, a narrow alley about a meter wide was witnessing a fierce chase between a person and a dog.
A big yellow dog, half-human high with slick, shiny fur, was fiercely pressing its paws against the wall, leaping up to a height of a meter, soaring over the woman’s head, landing two meters away, charging out of the alley.
The woman in the green skirt flung her long sleeves, and a red silk shot out like lightning from beneath her sleeve, like a red python, coiling around the big yellow dog’s hind leg, pulling it back forcefully.
Ao ao!
The big yellow dog cried anxiously, suddenly turning its head to bite the red silk, frantically shaking its head and tearing.
In the blink of an eye, the red silk was torn into a gaping mouth.
The woman in the green skirt saw this, shook the long silk with her right hand, and the red silk instantly rolled out a few waves, the waves crashed against the big yellow dog, bursting out a crisp sound.
The big yellow dog let out a miserable cry, its body staggered and fell, blood flowing from its mouth and nose.
The woman in the green skirt showed a look of joy, quickly walked over to the big yellow dog, bent down to reach towards the Vajra.
At this moment, a figure suddenly appeared behind the woman, landing silently, and gently placed a palm on the woman’s nape.
The woman in the green skirt was struck as if by lightning, her whole body shuddered, and then she fell straight to the ground.
The whole person bled from the seven orifices, looking as if she died with indignation.
Zhao Sheng withdrew his right hand, his gaze fell on the big yellow dog.
The big yellow dog whimpered, slowly crawling up from the ground, staggeringly running towards the alley exit.
Zhao Sheng caught up in a few steps, reached out, and the Vajra was in his hand.
Allowing the big yellow dog to escape, he pocketed the Vajra and then turned to leave the place.
In the next hour, Zhao Sheng easily took the lives of both the middle-aged scholar and the shopkeeper.
Then, Zhao Sheng secretly sneaked into the study before Lin Heng, taking away the book, the 错 gold pen, Yellow Springs Other Shore Painting, and several other treasures.
Returning to Zhao Mansion, Zhao Sheng dismissed the servants and began to read the book alone in the study.
The book cover bore the large characters "Rebirth Record," containing over a hundred ghostly tales.
Zhao Sheng read with great interest, the more he read, the more he felt the book held profound meanings and some kind of universal truth.
...
Chen Mansion.
Lin Heng smoothly met Old Shopkeeper Chen, and they enjoyed a pleasant conversation, moving to the study to continue discussing classics.
Unexpectedly, as they entered the study, Old Shopkeeper Chen’s face drastically changed.
Seeing this, Lin Heng quickly asked, "Mr. Chen, has something happened?"
Old Shopkeeper Chen’s face turned ashen, gritting his teeth, he said, "The study has been robbed! That despicable thief stole my most beloved ancient painting and antiques together."
Lin Heng was stunned upon hearing this, his face thoughtful, he quickly suggested: "Mr. Chen, since the study has been burglarized, report it to the authorities immediately!"
Old Shopkeeper Chen snapped back to reality, nodding heavily, and said in a deep voice: "I’ve embarrassed you, young friend. Today’s unexpected event means we’ll have to postpone our discussion of the classics."
Lin Heng said: "Don’t worry, Mr. Chen, the thief surely hasn’t gone far. I’m sure the stolen items will be retrieved soon."
"Thanks to your good words, let’s hope so."
In a short while, Old Shopkeeper Chen personally saw Lin Heng off, then called a servant, instructing him to report the theft.
Leaving Chen Mansion, Lin Heng, full of doubt, quickly walked outside the town, since Chen Mansion was at a loss, he decided to first explore the Nameless tomb ruins.
Meanwhile, Zhao Sheng put down the book, casually picked up the 错 gold pen, and studied it closely.
He was unsure whether this pen could draw out Naihe Bridge and thus needed to verify beforehand.
With this thought, Zhao Sheng flashed out of the study, discreetly leaving Chen Mansion, heading towards the Ten Kings Temple.
Approaching noon, Ten Kings Temple was crowded with pilgrims and incense was flourishing.
Zhao Sheng mingled with the crowd, looking just like an ordinary pilgrim.
He soon entered the Revolving King Hall located in the second courtyard, slowly approaching the Netherworld Sea Death Map.
Glancing around, there was only a young Taoist sweeping the dust inside the hall.
With a thought, the young Taoist’s eyes rolled white, and he fainted instantly.
Seeing no one around, Zhao Sheng took out the calligraphy tools, biting his finger and dripping blood into the inkstone.
Next, he took out the 错 gold pen, dipped the tip in blood, and following some profound insight, he painted across the surface, his pen moving like dragons and serpents.
In just a moment, a stone arch bridge spanning the sea emerged vividly on the wall.
Suddenly, an infinite suction appeared out of nowhere, and Zhao Sheng was drawn up, instantaneously pulled into the painting, disappearing without a trace.
...
Upon opening his eyes, the surroundings felt extremely familiar.
Zhao Sheng sighed quietly, slowly getting up, sitting there in a daze.
He couldn’t figure out what went wrong, why he couldn’t escape this piece of hell.
After pondering, Zhao Sheng still felt his reasoning was correct, but perhaps he was misled.
Suddenly, a flash of inspiration struck him, remembering an overlooked detail.
The book!
Who is the author of "Rebirth Record," after all?
Deep down, Zhao Sheng sensed a great premonition, believing that once he knew who wrote the book, he would face the biggest turning point.
As the sun climbed high, Zhao Sheng, dressed in a Confucian robe, arrived outside Chen Mansion, formally handing over his visiting card.
Chen Mansion’s servant took the visiting card and quickly went back inside.
Soon, Chen Mansion’s steward appeared at the doorway, respectfully inviting him in.
Considering their shared Confucian lineage, the rare appearance of Old Shopkeeper Chen greeted Zhao Sheng.
Having Lin Heng as a "preceding car’s lesson," Zhao Sheng easily hit upon the other’s sore point.
Old Shopkeeper Chen was delighted, quickly treating him as a Fellow Daoist, and invited Zhao Sheng to discuss matters in the study.
In this way, Zhao Sheng easily entered the study. During their conversation, he intentionally steered the topic towards supernatural tales.
Old Shopkeeper Chen held no suspicions, and with interest piqued, he took out a book from the shelf, handing it to Zhao Sheng.
Upon close inspection, it was indeed "Rebirth Record."