SWDnovel Chapter 76 Zhong Kui Suppresses the Demon
Chapter 76 Zhong Kui Suppresses the Demon
That instant.
Behind him, it seemed as if thousands of troops and horses appeared, along with the clash of swords and the rivers of blood of yesteryear.
That chilling killing intent instantly filled the entire Baohan Hall.
The elderly men around them turned pale with fright, feeling a chill on their necks, and almost slipped off their chairs.
But Puyi didn't move.
He stared intently at Lu Cheng, his eyes reddening through his thick glasses.
He understood.
He understood the meaning behind the lyrics.
He was once the emperor, he once thought about revitalizing the Qing Dynasty, and he once thought about not being a puppet to be manipulated!
But... reality is like a mountain, pressing down on him and making it hard for him to breathe.
"Only Yang Yanhui remained..."
Lu Cheng's voice lowered, filled with endless sighs.
Immediately afterwards, the pitch suddenly soared, reaching the sky!
"Changed name and surname, trapped in a foreign land, fifteen years—!!"
This long, drawn-out phrase is the famous "ga-tiao" (嘎调).
Lu Cheng used all his strength.
[Tiger and Leopard Thunder Sound] explodes!
The sound pierced through the clouds and split the rocks, like the cry of a cuckoo bleeding blood, like the howl of a lone wolf under the moon.
The shaking caused dust to fall from the roof beams.
The candle flame flickered wildly, as if it might go out at any moment.
The grief, despair, and lingering hope in that voice were like a heavy hammer, shattering the defenses that Pu Yi had built to maintain his dignity.
"good!!"
Pu Yi suddenly stood up.
He no longer cared about the majesty of an emperor or the refined demeanor of a scholar.
He gripped the corner of the table tightly with both hands, his knuckles white, veins bulging, tears welling up in his eyes and streaming down his cheeks, dripping onto his sapphire blue robe.
"You sang well."
"What a pity to be trapped in a foreign land for fifteen years."
"That's what you call being tired."
"This is what they call... being unable to control one's own destiny!!"
At this moment, in this dilapidated royal palace...
A martial arts master from the Republic of China era and a deposed emperor from the previous dynasty.
This play surprisingly resonated with many.
That was a deep hatred for the shackles of fate.
It also reflects an extreme yearning for freedom.
……
The first act of "Sitting in the Palace" was finished.
Lu Cheng was already drenched in sweat, with steam rising from his head.
This is even more tiring than fighting a life-or-death duel.
Because this is heartfelt, it's acting with one's soul, it's using one's own spirit to empathize with the tragedy of another time and space.
Just as the curtain was drawn.
Before Lu Cheng's eyes, the void trembled.
The familiar, ancient, golden characters slowly emerged.
[Current Performance: Si Lang Visits His Mother - Sitting in the Palace]
[Character: Yang Yanhui]
[Comment: "A tragic song, singing of the sorrow of a fallen nation, revealing the heart of a prisoner. The performance was masterful, the voice like tearing silk, the emotion like thunder. You sang not only of Yang Silang, but also of the tragic life of this last emperor. Listeners wept, those who heard were heartbroken—this is… divine!"]
[Overall Rating: Top Grade (Skill reaches the level of Tao, directly touching the heart)]
[Reward Received:]
【1. Special Fortune: A Wisp of True Dragon Purple Qi】
(Note: This is derived from the remaining national fortune of the last emperor. It is impervious to all laws and all evils retreat. Wearing this aura can suppress distracting thoughts and cultivate "imperial majesty," making villains tremble in fear!)
[2. Passive Talent: Seeking Good Fortune and Avoiding Misfortune]
(Note: The cicadas sense the autumn wind before it blows. This greatly enhances one's sixth sense and intuition, providing early warnings of malice, murderous intent, and danger directed at oneself! It is an essential path to the "Way of Sincerity"!)
Lu Cheng was deeply shocked.
A-A!
This is the first time he has received the highest praise.
Moreover, this reward... is practically tailor-made for his current situation.
That wisp of "True Dragon Purple Qi," formless and intangible, instantly entered his ancestral aperture between his eyebrows.
The soul, which had been somewhat agitated and filled with murderous intent due to contemplating the "White Tiger Carrying a Corpse" image, instantly became as calm as a mountain under the cleansing influence of this purple aura.
The White Tiger is in charge of killing, while the True Dragon is in charge of suppressing.
When dragon and tiger meet, yin and yang are in harmony!
He felt his spiritual cultivation level rise significantly in an instant. The frightening sharpness he once possessed had been completely concealed within his bones, making him unfathomable.
And that "seeking good fortune and avoiding misfortune"...
Lu Cheng subconsciously looked towards the outside of the main hall.
The moment he acquired this talent, the hairs on the back of his head stood on end, and a mysterious feeling arose spontaneously.
He could even vaguely sense that, outside the high walls of the Prince's mansion, in a distant direction, several malicious thoughts were swirling around.
This is the threshold of "the cicadas sense the autumn wind before it blows".
With this, in this chaotic world filled with guns and cannons, he finally had a real trump card to save his life!
Lu Cheng remained calm, took a deep breath, and suppressed all the strange phenomena and surprises in his eyes.
He removed his makeup and changed back into his long gown.
When he returned to the main hall, Puyi had calmed down, put his glasses back on, and returned to being the refined gentleman he once was.
But the way he looked at Lu Cheng changed.
It's no longer that kind of condescending appreciation.
Rather, it was a look of...seeing a kindred spirit, or even seeing hope.
"Mr. Lu."
This time, he changed his form of address, no longer calling him Boss Lu, but "Mr."
"I'll remember this play."
"You understand me."
Pu Yi waved his hand, and Eunuch Su came over carrying a tray.
The tray was covered with yellow silk.
"This is a small token of my appreciation. This is from me."
"It's not money. Money is such a vulgar thing, it's not worthy of your play, sir."
Lu Cheng unveiled the silk.
There is a painting inside.
A scroll.
"This is……"
Lu Cheng unfolded it and his pupils contracted slightly.
That's not some famous landscape painting, nor is it any depiction of flowers, birds, fish, or insects.
That was a painting... [Zhong Kui Catching Ghosts]!
The Zhong Kui in the painting has wide, angry eyes, holds a sword, and tramples a demon underfoot. He is dressed in a red robe and exudes a fierce aura. Every line looks as if it were cast with molten iron, full of power.
But this is not the point.
The key point is the signature on this painting.
That was... Wu Daozi.
An authentic work by the painting master Wu Daozi!
Moreover, Lu Cheng sensed the same "meaning" in this painting as he did in the painting "White Tiger Carrying Corpse".
It is even stronger and purer than the White Tiger Diagram.
It is a kind of righteous energy that can suppress all evil spirits and sweep away all injustices in the world.
"This painting is a treasure that has been kept in the palace for hundreds of years. It was originally hung in the Hall of Mental Cultivation to ward off evil spirits."
Pu Yi said softly, his tone tinged with melancholy.
"I heard that Mr. Lu is a martial artist who emphasizes 'spiritual intent'."
"I see that although your White Tiger True Intent is fierce, its killing intent is too heavy, which can easily cloud your mind and turn you into a murderous demon."
"This Zhong Kui painting is for you."
"I hope this can help you... calm the demons in your heart and preserve your rare 'humanity'."
This is a very generous gift.
It was so heavy that even Lu Cheng was somewhat moved.
This is not only a priceless antique, but also a supreme treasure for martial arts cultivation!
With this picture, and the White Tiger picture in conjunction.
One is righteous, the other is evil; one is yin, the other is yang.
The White Tiger governs killing and warfare, while Zhong Kui governs suppression.
His spiritual cultivation will reach a new level, completely stabilizing his state of mind as he achieves mastery of internal strength.
"Thank you so much for your kind offer, sir!"
Lu Cheng solemnly put away the scroll and bowed with clasped hands.
"I, Lu, am unworthy of this honor."
"No, you can handle it."
Pu Yi waved his hand, his eyes fixed on the crabapple blossoms outside the window, his voice soft and low.
"Come visit more often when you have time."
"In this secluded mansion, there aren't many people left who can tell me the truth."
……
They left Prince Chun's residence.
It's getting late.
Lu Cheng sat in the carriage, holding the painting "Zhong Kui Catching Ghosts" in his arms, his heart filled with mixed feelings.
This trip was worthwhile.
Not only did he acquire a priceless treasure, but he also gained a clearer understanding of another side of this era.
The person sitting in that high position is actually more pitiful than anyone else. He is trapped in the dream of the old era, unable to wake up, and unwilling to wake up.
"drive!"
With a flick of his whip, Eunuch Su sped up the carriage.
"Boss Lu, you performed a really good show today."
Eunuch Su didn't turn around; his voice drifted in on the wind, carrying a hint of gratitude.
"Master hasn't cried like this in a long time."
"It feels better to cry it out."
"You are a capable person, and also a thoughtful person."
"On behalf of our master, thank you."
Lu Cheng didn't speak, but just silently looked out the window.
The lights of Beiping gradually came on.
Those dim streetlights, like eyes, are watching over all living beings in this chaotic world.
Back at the Lu residence.
As soon as I entered, Shunzi and Xiaodouzi greeted me excitedly.
"Master! Master!"
"What's up? Did you find some money?" Lu Cheng joked, in a good mood.
"I'm happier than finding money!"
Shunzi pointed to the backyard.
"That kid Lu Feng was practicing his sword in the yard just now."
"He... seems to be close to developing Ming Jin (a type of internal strength)."
"Furthermore, he even mastered a particularly ruthless sword technique, which he said he learned from a play!"
"Oh?"
Lu Cheng's eyes lit up.
This little wolf cub really does take a liking to the sun.
"Let's go take a look!"
backyard.
Lu Feng was standing under that old locust tree.
He was holding that single-edged sword in his hand.
He closed his eyes, as if he was preparing something.
Sudden.
"kill!"
He let out a loud shout.
His eyes were not open.
But the knife in his hand seemed to have eyes.
"Whoosh!"
A cold light flashed.
A withered leaf falling from the old locust tree was cleaved in two mid-air by a single cut!
This is called "listening to the wind to determine location"!
That is, the kind of kung fu used in the movie "Divergence" to kill people in the dark!
"good!"
Lu Cheng strode over and couldn't help but shout "Good!"
"That strike was quite interesting."
"but……"
Lu Cheng walked up to Lu Feng and took the knife from his hand.
"A knife is a weapon of death, but it can also be a talisman of protection."
"Your knife is too 'unique'."
"He only wanted to kill, he didn't think about leaving himself a way out."
"Today, your master will teach you a move..."
Lu Cheng flipped his wrist, and the blade flashed like mercury, protecting his vital points.
"This is called... 'wrapping the head and brain'!"
"It can both kill enemies and protect oneself."
"Watch closely!"
under the moonlight.
The shadows of the master and his apprentice were stretched very long.
The flashing blades reflected a glimmer of warmth amidst the chaos of the world.
Time flies like an arrow; in the blink of an eye, spring has arrived and flowers are in bloom.
The willows on Qianmen Street have sprouted new buds, and the ice in the moat has melted completely.
For the past two weeks, the Qingyun Class has been living a very comfortable life.
Lu Cheng's reputation remained as solid as a rock, and Lu Feng, Shunzi, and their group of friends were making rapid progress in their kung fu under the guidance of drugs and renowned teachers.
Especially Lu Feng, that kid is a natural-born martial artist.
Since developing his full strength and seeing blood in "The Crossroads," his entire demeanor has undergone a dramatic transformation.
What used to be the ferocity of a stray dog has now transformed into the majesty of a tiger cub.
He walked with a powerful stride, and even ordinary thugs would give him a wide berth when they saw his eyes.
On this day, Lu Cheng was in his study admiring the painting "Zhong Kui Catching Ghosts".
Ever since he acquired this painting, he has made sure to set aside an hour each day to "gaze" at the Zhong Kui depicted in the painting.
The impact of that righteous and awe-inspiring spirit washed away the impurities in his soul time and time again, and gradually neutralized the ferocity brought by the White Tiger Diagram.
He now appears more peaceful, and that sharp, outspoken edge has been deeply hidden in his bones.
This is called returning to simplicity and authenticity.