Xu Guoli 1068, early spring
Qingzhou, Mufu Yamen, dusk
In a large study room, there was an elegant-looking middle-aged man sitting.
One of the Ten Prefectural Muds of Xu State, Qingzhou Mu, Zhao Xi.
After the two ancestors of the Zi Mansion died one after another, the Zhao family not only did not collapse, but became even more prosperous. Zhang Hejing, Zhao Yue'er, Yang Zhen and others successively became the Zifu, with the support of several real people behind them. Therefore, under the favor, Zhao Xi also had a prosperous official career, and five years ago he was appointed as the second-grade Qingzhou Mu.
If he didn't want to serve in the central government, it would be impossible for him to become a first-rank official.
They, mortals, are just taking care of the world for the immortal cultivators.
Many years of official career did not leave many traces of time on Zhao Xi's face. Because he comes from a family that cultivates immortals, there is no shortage of all kinds of elixirs for conditioning. Now in his sixties, he looks like an ordinary person in his thirties or forties. He still looks the same as when Yang Zhen first met him, with a thin appearance. Graceful and graceful.
But at this time, his eyebrows were furrowed, which made him look a little more old-fashioned.
In front of him, there were all kinds of porcelain, pottery, swords, etc.
This was something he had tried his best to collect in order to please his father.
It's just that except for a first-order high-grade alchemy furnace, there are no more useful discoveries.
That was also the rare moment in his life when he felt recognized by his father.
After that, he successively collected many similar old things, but he never expected that what finally awaited him would be the news of his father's death.
Despite this, he has been reluctant to throw away these things. It seems that as long as they are still there, his father will suddenly appear one day and, like that day, unexpectedly find one or two treasures in them.
It's a pity, it's just a delusion after all.
Today, he has to discard them.
He is about to leave here, and he doesn't know if there is a possibility of coming back.
"Boom!"
Outside the house, a few bright lights cut through the dark sky, accompanied by several dull roars.
…
"boom!"
The door burst open and a young man rushed in: "Father——"
This man was in his mid-twenties, wearing a seventh-grade green robe official uniform. His appearance was 89% similar to that of Zhao Xi. He was his eldest son Zhao Dan.
"Get out!" Zhao Xi's face darkened.
Zhao Dan was stunned and hurriedly retreated. After a while, a voice sounded outside the door: "Lord Zhou Mu, I have something important to report."
"Come in!"
"Tell me, what's the matter?" Looking at his panting son, Zhao Xi sighed and said seriously:
"You are almost thirty years old, and you are always so flustered. What do you look like!"
"Sir," a hint of dissatisfaction flashed across Zhao Dan's face as he said anxiously, "The Dou family sent someone over to say that the city could no longer be defended and asked us to quickly retreat to the state palace for refuge."
"I know." Zhao Xi had expected it, so he stood up calmly, took off the official uniform hanging by the desk and put it on, then took a deep look at the jars and jars in the room, then waved his hand and said: "Let's go !”
Zhao Dan was sweating profusely. Seeing this, he quickly raised the prepared lantern and led the way.
After walking a few steps in a hurry, I turned around and saw my father following leisurely behind me. I couldn't help but stamp my feet and stopped to wait for him.
The two walked in tandem for a while, and he couldn't help but said: "Father, since the Dou family has given a warning, let's leave quickly."
"Why panic!" Zhao Xi waved his hand: "Even if the city is broken, those monsters will still have to besiege the state palace. They will not be able to find us mortals for a while..."
"To say the least, your mother, your younger brothers and sisters, and your own wife and children have all been sent to Chuyang, and we are the only two left here, so what else do you have to worry about..."
"Dan'er, you should be calm when facing big events. Although we are mortals, we must not lose your grandfather's face. The worst is to die. Are you still afraid of death?"
This is what I said...
Zhao Dan puffed up his chest: "Children are not afraid of death!"
"Okay," Zhao Xi nodded, looked around and saw no one around, and lowered his voice and said, "Dan'er, we ordinary people who have no power to tie a chicken are not looked down upon by those cultivators. If you act in a panic when something happens, wouldn't it be even more looked down upon?"
"I am the shepherd of Qingzhou, and I have been ordered by the imperial court to govern Qingzhou. Even if I seek refuge on other people's territory, they are the ones who invited me there. I am definitely not a lost dog. How can I lose my manners and bring shame to the imperial court?"
These words were even more upright and awe-inspiring. Zhao Dan heard this, but was not very convinced in his heart: "The palace owner of Zhou Palace is just a Zifu. Does he dare to look down on us? My sister is..."
"That's your sister too, not you!" Zhao Xi said sternly.
Zhao Dan blushed and remained silent.
Except for a few soldiers on duty, most of the large Mufu Yamen had been evacuated. There were not many people in sight, and only the footsteps of two people echoed in the corridor.
After a while, Zhao Dan felt so uncomfortable that he couldn't help but speak again:
"My child returned to Xuyang a few days ago and didn't see his sister."
"Oh, where did Yue'er go?"
"I don't know," Zhao Dan drooped his head: "Since the death of my brother-in-law, my sister has been traveling around. She has not been in her hometown all year round. I heard that she is not in the sect. No one knows where she has gone. I asked the clan leader to send a paper kite to summon her. After talking about our situation here, no one is sure whether my sister will receive it."
"It's okay not to know." Zhao Xi sighed.
"But I heard that there were four or five sea monsters that attacked the city this time." Zhao Dan said angrily: "Why did the emperor only send a real person, Patriarch Dou, to guard the city? There are so many real people in Shangzong, and there are teleportation formations in the state palace, why not send more people over to kill these sea monsters?"
"How can we be allowed to comment on the affairs of the Shangzong?" Zhao Xi shouted softly.
Seeing the anger on his son's face, he sighed secretly and could only say a few more words:
"How do you know that people like sea monsters are unprepared? Last year, Shang Zong lost a real person. I heard from Yue'er that he was still the direct disciple of the ancestor. Now there are things happening in various parts of the Xu Kingdom. We need to be cautious and patient. The power in your hand is suddenly released? If there is another loss, who can bear it?"
"Could it be that," Zhao Dan asked anxiously, "can we just watch the sea monster..."
"Master Hou!"
"master!"
Two calls interrupted the young man's complaints.
Zhao Xi looked up and saw two monks at the door of the Mu's Mansion respectfully clasping their fists and saluting.
He knew both of these two people. One was the twelfth elder of the Zhao family, and the other was a deacon of the Dou family. Both were in the later stages of foundation building.
Obviously, neither the Shuyang family nor the Dou family dared to ignore him as a Qingzhou shepherd, and all they sent were important forces in the clan.
At this time, both of them had a bit of anxiety on their faces, and they were obviously very impatient in waiting. It's just that Zhao Xi governs the Mufu and has many rules. Without his permission, even monks cannot enter at will.
That's why Zhao Dan, who had no cultivation skills, was asked to go and report the news.
However, this time is a bit long.
"Master," the twelfth elder urged: "The battle at the city wall won't last long, so please get in the car quickly!"
Zhao Xi said "hmm". This twelfth elder was two years older than him, so he was called "Sir" not only because he was Zhao Beiqing's son, but also because he had a good daughter.
He turned his head and looked to the east, only to see groups of fires appearing in the distant sky from time to time, bursts of noise, and faint sounds of fighting and shouting.
He couldn't see anything for a moment, but at this moment, he didn't continue to hold it and strode towards the carriage outside the gate.
There were three carriages in total, and two red lanterns were hung in front of each carriage, with big characters such as "Zhao" and "zhoumu" written on them respectively, indicating the identity of the passengers.
Some officials from the Mufu were already sitting in the car, waiting for the two of them.
"drive--"
When Zhao Xi and his son got on the middle carriage, they shouted and the horse team galloped towards the depths of the alley.
Two monks jumped into the air and followed closely.
At this moment, "Crack!" A silver snake pierced the sky!
There was lightning and thunder, and big raindrops hit the bluestone floor, causing water splashes everywhere.
"Oops!"
The two foundation-building monks exclaimed at the same time!
When the defensive formation is activated, the entire city is like being wrapped in egg shells, resisting not only all kinds of magical attacks, but also natural wind, rain, thunder and lightning.
But now, the heavy rain passed through the formation and fell to the ground!
this means--
The formation is on the verge of collapse!
(End of chapter)
