At dawn, the sky was bright and a thin morning mist shrouded the mountains and fields.
The three of them returned to the mountain road leading to the thatched cottage.
At this moment, not far ahead, intermittent conversations could be heard faintly in the misty Wolong Valley. There was a distance, the voice was low, and it was difficult to hear what was said.
The three of them were overjoyed. They followed the sound and ran towards that direction quickly. Menghua waved her hands and shouted excitedly: "Uncle Xu, Brother Liu, are you guys?"
After a while, two vague figures came out of the thick fog. The voices gradually became louder. Everyone listened attentively to the conversation between Xu Feng and Liu Ruyan.
The three of them were overjoyed, looked at each other, smiled, and greeted the two figures loudly, and in a moment, they had rushed to them.
The mountain was originally extremely quiet, and the shouts of the three people were very loud in the empty mountain.
Liu Ruyan and Xu Feng had already heard it and hurriedly waved their hands in this direction and responded: "Is it Huamei? We are here!"
Menghua shouted excitedly: "Uncle Xu, Brother Liu, where have you been? We are looking for you everywhere!"
At this time, Xu Feng and Liu Ruyan had reached the mountainside from the valley bottom, and their figures had become clear.
I saw Liu Ruyan holding four plump pheasants in his hand, and Xu Feng also caught a rabbit in his hand.
Everyone was surprised to see them carrying wild animals in both hands and couldn't help but look at each other.
When everyone arrived, Liu Ruyan and Xu Feng had not slept all night and looked a little haggard.
The two handed the pheasant and rabbit to Zhang Shi and Wang Zhong, and shook the dust off their bodies. The corners of their trousers were already wet with dew.
Liu Ruyan said slowly: "We couldn't sleep, so we thought about going for a walk in the valley. We didn't eat anything all night, so my uncle and I were thinking about getting some food for everyone. Everyone must be very hungry! We happened to catch a few wild animals in the forest, let’s fill our bellies first and then make plans!”
Menghua said anxiously: "We didn't see you when we woke up. Everyone was so anxious, thinking something happened to you! So I took Zhang Shi and Wang Zhong to the back mountain to look for you!"
Xu Feng glanced at the thatched cottage halfway up the mountain and asked, "Where are your uncle and the others?"
Menghua also looked back at the thatched cottage and said, "Everyone is awake and waiting for you in the yard!"
Xu Feng sighed and said solemnly: "Everyone followed me to Zhongnan Mountain. I thought I could happily meet Brother Chu, but I didn't expect that something like this happened! It's really God's disobedience!"
Menghua lowered her face and said sadly: "I wonder how dad is doing. Uncle Xu, where are we going to find dad? I'm so worried about him..."
Liu Ruyan pondered, and suddenly said: "I think Master, the auspicious man Tianxiang, must still be alive, so don't worry too much!"
Xu Feng frowned and thought: "That blood letter is indeed Brother Chu's handwriting. It must have been written by him. What I can't figure out is how could he be involved with the Hell Gate thousands of miles away?"
Liu Ruyan's eyes flashed and she said quietly: "Did Master ever offend them?"
Xu Feng shook his head, stroked his beard, and said: "I think there must be something fishy about this matter. As far as I know, Brother Chu has never set foot outside the Great Wall. Logically speaking, it is impossible for him to have anything to do with the Hell Gate. I think there is only one possibility, it must be that his enemies hired people from Hell Gate to track him down!"
Liu Ruyan frowned and said: "If this is the case, then who are the master's enemies? I have never heard the master talk about his enemies!"
Xu Feng sighed and said slowly: "This matter is not a trivial matter, we need to consider it in the long run! Let's go back to the thatched cottage first, let everyone have something to eat and then slowly figure out a solution!"
Everyone returned to the thatched cottage.
Shangguan Hongqin, Leng Yue and Chunlan saw the three people coming back, looked at each other and smiled, and all came forward to greet them.
Leng Yue asked anxiously: "Dad, Brother Liu, where have you been? I haven't seen you, but everyone is very anxious!"
At this time, Zhang Shi and Wang Zhong put the pheasants and rabbits in their hands on the ground. When everyone saw it, their eyes shone with expressions of extreme surprise.
After watching for a long time, everyone suddenly realized that the two of them had gone to catch wild animals.
The pheasants and rabbits were still alive, but their wings and feet were tied, and their bodies were tightly wrapped with a hemp rope. With his eyes wide open in fear, he was still struggling on the ground.
Everyone looked at each other, knowing that there were wild animals to satisfy their hunger, and their eyes shone with excitement.
Leng Yue and Chun Lan squatted down and stared at the pheasant and rabbit curiously. I feel they are pitiful and cute, as if I have never seen these wild animals before.
Everyone was hungry, and when they saw wild animals to satisfy their hunger, they couldn't help but feel happy in their hearts.
Shangguan Hongqin asked: "Master, where did you catch this? We haven't eaten anything all night, now it's better, we can fill our stomachs!"
At this time, Liu Ruyan went to pick up some firewood outside the courtyard and came back. They broke the necks of the pheasants and rabbits. After they all died, they removed the fur on their bodies. Liu Ruyan lit a fire and peeled one end of the stick. After the internal organs are removed, put the pheasant and rabbit on wooden sticks and roast them over the fire.
The firewood was burning vigorously, making a crackling sound, and wisps of green smoke rose up. Liu Ruyan picked up the pheasant with both hands and turned it over on the fire. After a while, the pheasant was roasted until the skin was yellow and oily, crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. A burst of rich fragrance hits your nostrils.
Everyone was already extremely hungry, and they couldn't help but swallow when they smelled the fragrance in front of them.
Xu Feng looked at everyone and smiled and said: "Everyone is starving, let's eat something first to fill our stomachs, and then we will discuss the matter of finding Brother Chu!"
Liu Ruyan divided the roasted pheasant into several pieces and handed them to everyone. Everyone ignored the food and started to eat happily.
In a matter of seconds, four plump pheasants were eaten clean.
After eating the pheasant, Liu Ruyan started to clean the rabbit fur, took out the internal organs, set the rabbit up with two wooden sticks and roasted it on the fire.
Xu Feng suddenly asked: "My dear nephew, can I have some wine?" There is delicious food, but if there is no wine to match it, wouldn't it be a disgrace to the scenery and a fly in the ointment?
Shangguan Hongqin glanced at him and knew that the wine bug was crawling up again at this moment, but he wanted to drink now, but it was not for fun, but on the contrary, it must be because of Chu Yunfei's affairs, and he was depressed! That's why I suddenly wanted to drink.
She has followed him for decades and naturally knows her husband's living habits very well. Although he is addicted to alcohol, he only drinks under two circumstances, one when he is happy and the other when he is depressed.
Liu Ruyan was startled for a moment, and then said: "Master usually likes to have a few drinks, but now, all the wine in the house has been smashed." He thought about it, and suddenly said, "I remember that master was in the vegetable garden There are several jars of old wine buried there. They have been buried for many years. I don’t know if they are still there. I’ll go look for them!”
He handed the roasted rabbit to Xu Feng's hand, got up and walked towards the vegetable garden.
Menghua suddenly said: "Brother Liu, I know where the master buried the wine, and I will go with you!" After saying that, she stood up and followed Liu Ruyan.
Shangguan Hongqin looked at the two people leaving, and suddenly said worriedly: "Master, what do you think we should do about Brother Chu? His whereabouts are unknown now, where can we find him?"
Xu Feng let out a long sigh, frowned and said, "I think that blood letter must have been written by Brother Chu. It mentioned that he was kidnapped by people from Hell Gate. Although I don't know the reason, it must have happened." It has something to do with the Gate of Hell. If you want to find him, you have to go to the Gate of Hell first! This is the only clue at the moment!" He stroked his beard and looked into the distance with a melancholy expression.
Shangguan Hongqin said: "But where is the gate of hell, do you know?"
Xu Feng's eyes flashed and he said quietly: "The Hell Gate is outside the Great Wall. Although I have never dealt with them, I know a little bit about this mysterious organization. The Hell Gate has been running rampant outside the Great Wall for many years. They act secretly and have vicious methods. There are many masters under the sect, but they have a principle in doing things. They are just employed by others, taking money from others and doing things for them. They have many eyes and ears scattered around, helping people to find out information and trace their whereabouts. They have their own set of skillful methods, which are very powerful. But they will not kill anyone the employer is looking for. This is their own rule. Don’t worry, if I’m not wrong, Brother Chu will be fine! "
After hearing this, everyone looked at each other with deep worry on their faces.
Leng Yue stared at Xu Feng and said humbly: "Dad, when you go looking for Uncle Chu, you must be more careful! But, you and Brother Liu are gone, what should we do?" She turned to look at Shangguan Hong. Qin and Chunlan.
Xu Feng pondered for a moment and said slowly: "Don't worry, dad and you, Brother Liu, will be fine." He raised his eyes and looked at the dilapidated and empty thatched cottage, sighed and said, "This thatched cottage can no longer be inhabited. I think you should go down the mountain first, settle down in the inn, and wait for news from us. When we find Brother Chu, we will come back to find you!"
After saying that, he turned to look at Zhang Shi and Wang Zhong, and ordered: "You two will serve the madam and young lady in the inn. Remember, you must protect their safety. If anything happens, just report to us." Pass the message, this place is far away from the Great Wall, and it may take a while for us to come back! The safety of my wife and young lady is up to you!"
Zhang Shi and Wang Zhong looked at each other after hearing this. Their expressions were solemn, and they clasped their fists at Xu Feng and said, "Master, don't worry, we will definitely take good care of Madam!"
Xu Fengchao smiled slightly and nodded. At this time, Liu Ruyan and Menghua walked over quickly, each holding a jar of wine in their hands.
Liu Ruyan said: "Uncle Xu, this is the wine that the master buried many years ago. We dug up two jars. Uncle, please try it!"
The rabbit in Xu Feng's hand has been roasted to brown, steaming, and fragrant.
He tore the rabbit meat into several pieces and distributed them to everyone.
Xu Feng picked up a jar of wine and patted open the seal. The aroma of the wine immediately overflowed, but it was a jar of fine old daughter's red wine. He put his nose close to the mouth of the jar and smelled it. There were no bowls or plates to hold the wine. , simply lifted the wine jar to his mouth and drank.
After taking a sip of the wine, I suddenly felt a pungent taste in my throat and a fragrant fragrance in my mouth. I couldn't help but admire: "Yes, it is indeed a good wine. It would be great if Brother Chu were here! Drinking without a companion would be boring!" After that, Looking at Liu Ruyan, he handed the wine jar in front of him, "Nephew Liu Xian, would you like to drink some too?"
Liu Ruyan was depressed, so he took the wine to soothe his sorrows. He held the jar of wine and poured it into his mouth. He took a big gulp and felt a pungent air well up in his throat, and then it turned sweet and fragrant. He drank several large sips in a row before giving up.
Menghua stuffed a piece of rabbit meat into his hand, with a sad look on her face, and said quietly: "Brother Liu, please eat something quickly! When we are full, we will go find daddy and hope that he is safe!"
Xu Feng looked at everyone, frowned and said: "Nephew Liu Xian and I have discussed it. We will set off to find brother Chu in a while. You can go down the mountain with us and settle down at the inn first. Wait for us. As soon as there is news about him, We will send a message to you via flying pigeons! You are not familiar with the place here, so just stay in the inn and don’t wander around!"
Menghua said in surprise: "Uncle Xu, I want to go with you to find Daddy! I'm so worried about him. I dreamed of Daddy last night. I saw him covered in blood and kept calling my name. I asked him He ran over, but he suddenly fell to the ground. I dreamed that my father was dead. Uncle Xu, please let me go with you! I am really worried about my father, I am afraid that I will never see him again! " She recalled the scene in last night's dream, with deep fear in her eyes.
Liu Ruyan's eyes were determined, his brows furrowed, and he said in a deep voice: "Don't worry, we will definitely find the master. Sister Hua, we are going a thousand miles away from the Great Wall, so just stay in the inn with everyone and wait for our good news. ! Besides, Auntie, Miss Leng Yue, and Sister Chunlan are not familiar with this place, so just stay with everyone! Once we find the master, we will come back as soon as possible."
Xu Feng suddenly said: "Okay, without further ado, we will go down the mountain immediately after we have eaten. We must find brother Chu as soon as possible!"
Liu Ruyan locked the door firmly with an iron chain. After everyone had finished eating, Zhang Shi and Wang Zhong packed their luggage. The group of people glanced at the thatched cottage, followed the way they came, went down to the bottom of the valley, and walked quickly towards the entrance of the valley. .
