Chapter 13 Chapter 12 Masks

In the study, Di Renjie was bowing his head in deep thought, while Li Yuanfang, Di Chun, and A Yuqi were on the side, not daring to disturb him. After a long while, Di Renjie asked casually: "Yuan Fang, according to your opinion, what Li Kaigu said has anything to do with the missing thing in the cave in Gaojia Village and Gao Changgong's mask?" "I think that since the painting is carved on the stone platform, the missing items in the cave should be related to the two legendary Khitan treasures. As for the mask," Li Yuanfang shook his head and said, "I don't know."

A Yu interjected, "But most of what Li Kaigu said is mysterious, so how credible are they?" Di Renjie said with a smile: "Yes, this story can be said to be the origin of the Khitan clan. For a long time, it has been passed down from generation to generation, and naturally added a lot of magical colors. In ancient times, people's belief in their clan was mostly represented by images such as pictures. , and the Khitan has not yet had its own writing, which can record history, and the paintings carved on the stone platform should also record some real events." Li Yuanfang said: "According to Li Kaigu, the 'Sun Pok Mirror' and the 'Yue Jing Dao' are indeed real objects. They didn't flow into the Central Plains until Khitan was defeated by the Northern Qi Dynasty a hundred years ago. We found these again in the caves of Gaojia Village. This picture just confirms this legend," he said, looking at Di Renjie, and said: "My lord, I remember that in the family motto in the ancestral hall of Gaojia Village, it was also mentioned that there were two treasures. In my hand, I don’t know where it is now; the other one should be in the hands of Hu Luguang’s descendants, and its whereabouts are still unknown, could it be this 'Sun Soul Mirror' and 'Yue Jing Dao'?"

Di Renjie nodded, looked at Li Yuanfang with a smile, and said, "You're right." After a pause, he added: "According to what Li Kaigu said, these two things are weapons used in actual combat. It is extremely sharp, and the 'Sun Soul Mirror' can transform images to intimidate the enemy—it fits the saying that masks can show ghost images, so I think this mirror should be Gao Changgong's mask." Li Yuanfang suddenly said: "There are folk legends that ancient mirrors can 'suppress demons and ward off evil spirits'. Gao Changgong wears a mask when he faces the enemy, because it means that it can deter the enemy. Your lord's words really make this matter coherent. .”

"Guo Xian, an alchemist in the Eastern Han Dynasty, once recorded an ancient mirror in "Dong Ming Ji". It is said that this mirror is four feet wide and can see evil spirits. Everyone in the world thinks that the "magic mirror" is given by immortals. Taoists may use it as a mirror. A magic weapon for subduing demons. However, this kind of "magic mirror" is rarely handed down from generation to generation. I have never seen what it looks like. It is just your guess and mine. When you find the mask and take a look, you will naturally understand It is." Di Renjie laughed.

Ayu couldn't help worrying: "Where can I find it? Even if there are various explanations that this mask was used by my master, now that he is in prison, it is difficult to meet him." Di Renjie said with a chuckle, "Yu'er, isn't it clearly written in the letter your master left you? This thing is 'a thing of the ancestors, it has come from where it has come and returned to it'." "My lord, do you mean that the mask is still in the cave? But we didn't find it that day." "Based on the time before and after the incident, Yu'er's master killed Tuan'er and other palace maids first. In order to protect this treasure left by the ancestors, he still returned to Gaojia Village to store it. It was when we found the cave. The day before yesterday—the few government officials who died of poisoning can just explain the time when he returned—so when we entered the cave, the people had already left, and the mask should have been hidden there, but we didn’t think of it at the time.” Di Renjie slowly Said.

Ayu was puzzled, and asked: "Since it is to hide, how could Master leave clues to lead everyone to Gaojia Village?" "I guess, your master's original intention was to lead this case into a blind spot of ghost murder, so that the investigators could not pursue it, but he didn't want it to be used by Wu Chengsi and others to harm the prince. Therefore, your master Come forward, intending to take responsibility for the crime." Di Renjie sighed. Li Yuanfang thought for a while and said: "With the ingenious layout of Gaojia Village and the theory of ghost soldiers and ghosts, ordinary people dare not approach it; It would be a good place to hide the mask there, but where exactly?"

"Do you remember the clay sculptures we saw in the cave? One of the facial paints fell off, leaving only a clay figure?" Li Yuanfang's eyes lit up, and he said, "Is the mask stuck in clay?" Di Renjie nodded with a smile, then looked at Ayu and said, "If my prediction is correct, if you find the mask, you can solve the mystery of the appearance of the Yin soldiers, and maybe there is a way to save your master and everyone in the East Palace." Ayu said happily: "My lord, what are we waiting for, go back to Gaojia Village to find a mask!" Di Renjie smiled and said, "Originally I wanted Yuan Fang to accompany you, but now you have more important things to do, so let Di Chun take this errand."

Because Di Chun had never been to Gaojia Village, Di Renjie drew a sketch map, explained where to turn left, where to turn right, and where to go straight for a few steps, and told Di Chun to hurry back as soon as possible to avoid For the eyes and ears of Junchen and others, you must be careful when removing the mask to prevent poisoning. Di Chun kept it firmly in mind, and after a little preparation, he set off immediately.